[Continued from previous day...]

"Here! See!" Eye waved around the card she had found in her beret. The card was elf-sized, which meant it was roughly the size of a postage stamp. Considering its small size, it proved a strong attraction to the bubbles that were now emerging from the notebook.

The bubbles danced around Eye as she gleefully raised her arm. I, however, was more focused on getting the card, with its ever changing mystical designs, away from the bubbles.

I made a grab for the card. Eye, thinking I was excited to see her latest creation, was more than eager to release it to me. Unfortunately, she released the card a fraction of a second before my fingers closed.

"Oops!" she said as the card fluttered downwards, through the plasma page barrier and into the cauldron scene below.

[To be continued...]


- Tessla Queen, Envoy to Other Realms

[Continued from previous day...]

At my prompting, Eye finally remembered why she'd come. She removed her beret and started rummaging around in its interior. Eye's beret was spiked with 'roominess' magic and judging from how deep her arm was going, it was obvious she had used more than just the recommended 'dash'.

After a few fruitless minutes, Eye shook her beret and plunged her arm back in again. Her face contorted as she groped around the too roomy interior.

I have to admit I was growing increasingly apprehensive at this moment. The bubbles from Jelly's Notebook were on the verge of reaching my loft while Eye was on the verge of revealing her surprise, which left me on the verge of a nervous breakdown, wondering what would happen when the two magical unknowns met.

I don't know if fate was smiling or frowning on me, but Eye finally found what she'd been looking for at exactly the same moment that the first bubble breached the plasma page's invisible barrier.

[To be continued...]


- Tessla Queen, Envoy to Other Realms

[Continued from previous day...]

The visitor was a creature. And though the creature had not come from the cauldron, she had an intense interest in what the cauldron was doing.

I knew this creature. The creature came from Jelly's world—from the Creator's Realm to be exact. And though no born creature, besides Jelly's father, had yet to venture between the two worlds, there have been no shortage of created creatures visiting me from her world since the portal had been opened; each of them utilizing their own secret passageway.

"Hello Eye," I greeted the diminutive elf as I approached my art table; careful not to startle her, lest she topple face first into the notebook she was leaning precariously over.

"I didn't know you created too!" Eye stood up, her eyes aglow with admiration.

"I don't," I reminded her.

"Then why do you have a creation book?" Her forehead wrinkled in confusion.

"It's Jelly's creation book,' I explained, "and I'm just waiting to see what she created."

"Oh," Eye said, disappointed. She looked back to the notebook longingly. There wasn't anything Eye wanted more than to be a full-fledged Creator. The rules of the Creator's Realm, however, forbade created creatures from becoming one. That didn't mean she didn't dabble in the forbidden. She often visited me to show me her latest creation. Most of her creations were magical artifacts of one kind or another.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, trying to distract her attention from the notebook.

[To be continued...]


- Tessla Queen, Envoy to Other Realms

[Continued from previous day...]

The cauldron was the birthing place for many of Jelly's creations; be it a skit, a costume or a creature. I could not enter the scene as Jellybean could. So I stood by my art table, staring down at the notebook, waiting for whatever the cauldron might produce to waft up to me.

The cauldron, from what I could tell at this distance, was bubbling happily. Even so, the bubbles that were rising up from its roiling surface were not traveling far before bursting. It would certainly be a while before any of them rose high enough to reach me in my loft.

Thus, having an unexpected interlude, I left to go grab the breakfast I still hadn't eaten. When I returned, I was expecting to see the beginning of one of Jellybean's skits. Instead, I was surprised to see that I had an unexpected visitor.

[To be continued...]


- Tessla Queen, Envoy to Other Realms

Copyright 2009 Tessla Queen

When Jellybean's Notebook arrived today, it was decked out in a string of colorful holiday lights. The string was fairly short, just enough to wrap twice around the notebook with a little left over. A two-pronged plug dangled from the end of the string. It wasn't plugged in—obviously. Even so, the lights glowed.

I'm not sure if Jellybean was in the middle of decorating or if she was having a little fun with me since I had just recently inquired about holiday images. I hesitated before removing the strand and opening the book.

The book opened to a spread of black plasma pages. Tiny pinpoints of light twinkled across the spread, making the pages look like an expanse of starry sky.

Drawing closer, I looked down into the book. From this angle the scene in the notebook shifted. Planets came into view. This was Jelly's Celestial Shoebox—one of the places where she launched her 'skits'. And down below, on a planet situated in the middle of the scene, there sat a cauldron. It was from here that her skit would begin.

[To be continued...]


- Tessla Queen, Envoy to Other Realms


Text Copyright 2009 Tessla Queen

[Continued from previous day]

Anyway, like I said my first mistake was deciding to create the Pumpkin Wizard costume using my Notebook. I admit I let my imagination run wild describing, in no little detail, what powers the great Pumpkin Wizard should possess. I should have known that my notebook would use these notes to make my every wish its command—or should I say the Pumpkin Wizard's command.

Of course, the Pumpkin Wizard's abilities were limited to small objects like key chains and messenger bees at first. And since the objects changed back within minutes of being transformed I didn't think there was anything to worry about.

Stupid me.

Not only was Pumpkin Wizard's power growing with each transformation, but his taste for mischief was growing as well. By the time I was alerted to what was going on, half the town looked like it belonged in a pumpkin patch. At this point the Pumpkin Wizard was unstoppable. Even my Wand proved impotent to counteracting his charms.

Fortunately, time came to the rescue.

When midnight struck, Pumpkin Wizard's powers were finally vanquished, but not before one of my teacher's had gone missing.

Anyway, it took several weeks for everything to get back to normal, though my teacher, Mr. Boring, had a decidedly orange tinge to his skin for several weeks after that.

I would like to say that I've learned my lesson from the whole fiasco. Perhaps I did. But that won't stop me from bringing back the Pumpkin Wizard next Halloween. I'm an apprentice after all, and how am I supposed to get all the bugs out if I don't? ☺

Jellybean Reds, age 17



Oh boy.


- Tessla Queen, Envoy to Other Realms

With October fast approaching, I asked Jellybean to present the Pumpkin Wizard fiasco from her own point of view.

This excerpt comes directly from her notebook:

I don't know what I was thinking when I created the Pumpkin Wizard. Then again this is how things usuallly go for me. A good idea turns into chaos with a stroke of the pen. How was I to know that I was entering the danger zone? After all I wasn't even creating a creature just a simple costume.

The costume was for Week-Week (my pet weekle) to wear for Halloween. This is nothing unusual. I've been creating costumes for Week-Week since I got him for my sixth birthday. This particular year however, being a bit more pressed for time than usual, I decided to create his costume using the creation magic of my notebook instead of just rummaging through my mom's fabric scraps.

This was probably my first mistake. Anything that passes through the techno-magical core of my notebook never turns out quite the way I anticipate. Part of the reason for this is because my notebook is spiked with creation magic. The other part is because I'm merely an apprentice to a Creator and not a full-fledged Creator myself. Thus my control of the creation magic isn't exactly what it should be. Of course, being an apprentice, I'm all too eager to try out new things. Which is probably why I'm writing this to you now.

[To be continued...]


- Tessla Queen, Envoy to Other Realms

When Jellybean's Notebook arrived today, I took a few moments to inform her of some of the upcoming things I have planned for promoting her world here on Earth.

The first thing I told her about was the latest section I've added to the Bingtopia website called Halloween Hugs & Christmas Kisses. The first images I posted in this new section were the Ghost Zings I had captured from her notebook several weeks ago. The next block of images will feature the Pumpkin Wizard.

After Halloween I'll start posting some Christmas images. (This is a hint to Jellybean to bookmark her holiday stuff.) I don't know how many images I'll have to present this year. It all depends on what Jellybean's Notebook delivers up.

Finally, I informed her of my goal to present a series of dispatches that shows the events leading up to the portal being opened—both from my world and hers. This is a touchy subject to Jellybean but I believe it's finally time for that part of her story to be told.

I think she would agree.


- Tessla Queen, Envoy to Other Realms


Copyright 2009 Tessla Queen

Early this morning, before Jellybean's Notebook even arrived, Sunshine was up and about. To tell the truth, I really don't know if she sleeps or not. Nor do I really know what she does during those long blocks of time when she's not here. She doesn't speak of these times and there isn't enough aspirin in my medicine cabinet to render me capable of asking. That's why this morning, as I saw her heading towards the front door (she never uses the front door), I ventured to ask where she was off to.

Her reply was simple: "Duckies want to see the world-world."

The duckies she spoke of were on leashes, hovering behind her. They didn't seem real to me—at least no more so than the one by my bathtub. Though apparently, to Sunshine, they were. Of course, she could just be imagining they were real. Then again, perhaps they have come to life for her.

The last thought bothered me. Not because of all the trouble they might get in if they were real, but because I was left out of seeing the two latest additions to The Character Factory in their animate glory.

You see I've grown accustomed to seeing what others cannot. I wonder if they can see me.

Bye-bye, Duckies—for now.


- Tessla Queen, Envoy to Other Realms

Copyright 2009 Tessla Queen

This morning when I opened Jellybean's Notebook. I was surprised to see the black hole—where Sunshine had deposited her prized yellow ducky the day before—glowing a vivid candy apple red.

At first I thought the ducky had given the notebook a bad case of indigestion, then I noticed the first traces of a solidifying object—the notebook was sending something back!

"Oh-oh! Didn't she like it-it!"

Sunshine was disappointed at seeing ducky's return. Then she noticed the blue ribbon. She smiled as a message from Jellybean began to play:

"Congratulations on winning the race!

I created a blue ribbon in honor of ducky's accomplishment. Blueberry did an honorary presentation while Bluesy applauded and cheered.

Of course, we had to capture ducky first. He had quite a tour of the town before we captured him. It was Bluesy who came up with the idea of using a bubble bath and another rubber ducky as bait.

Anyway, I thought it best to send ducky back (along with his new companion). Having been 'touched' by the magic of my Notebook I really don't know what trouble they'll get in. Maybe they'll remain more inanimate in your realm.

Best wishes (and good luck),

Jellybean"

By the time Jelly's message had finished playing, ducky's companion had materialized above the black hole.

Sunshine was ecstatic. Talk about happy returns.


- Tessla Queen, Envoy to Other Realms


Copyright 2009 Tessla Queen

When Jellybean started asking me questions through her notebook, she provided me with a place on one of the pages where I could respond.

She called this place the 'black hole'.

The black hole is square with colors swirling round and round in its center. It's quite hypnotizing—if you let it be. I learned early on though that this hypnotic motion ceases once the notebook's stylus is picked up.

The stylus is called a rocket-writer and it contains no ink just a coated tip that interacts with the notebook's slick plasma pages.

Writing messages via the black hole is a challenge since the words tend to vanish soon afer they're written. But that's the way the black hole works so I've learned to live with it. Just like Jellybean has learned to live with her notebook vanishing on her every day.

There's also another ability the black hole has. I must admit I wasn't the one to discover it—Sunshine did.

"Ready-ready?"

"Ready."

At my consent, Sunshine holds her prize yellow ducky above the swirling colors. Letting go, she watches the ducky hover some seconds before being sucked downward. By the time it vanishes into the pool of hypnotic light the ducky has shrunk to the size of a charm.

Sunshine closes Jelly's Notebook as we bid it farewell for the day. What Jellybean will think of the yellow ducky, I haven't a clue. I told her about the great race and how Sunshine wanted to send her the winning duck. Sunshine actually wanted to send herself too, but I believe that Jellybean has enough problems with her own creatures.

Ah the life of a Creator.

It never gets boring.


- Tessla Queen, Envoy to Other Realms

"Rain, rain, go away-way!"

Sunshine spoke these words yesterday morning. She had been speaking these same words all weekend long. I, having a very busy day ahead of me, flippantly suggested that she go outside and play in said rain instead of just complaining about it.

An hour later I was surprised to see her racing a couple of yellow-duckies in the runoff that was surging across my balcony. Chuckling, I went back to my work though I did wonder, ever so briefly, where she would have gotten two duckies from, especially since I have only one.

The stormy day passed without further interruptions. I was glad for having made the suggestion to Sunshine about playing outside until I got up from my art table and took a casual glance through the windows overlooking the street below.

Dropping the cookie I was about ready to nosh on, I ran down three flights of stairs and out into the pouring rain. I pushed through the gathering crowd and stared open-mouthed at the water rushing by. The rain was coming down faster than the street could drain and Sunshine, in her usual fashion, was taking full advantage of the situation.

"A publicity stunt."

This statement came from someone nearby. Most seemed amused at the 'race' so I nodded in agreement and quietly slipped back into my loft.

Later that evening, as I watched the evening news, I was surprised to see the episode that had happened outside my urban loft had been repeated in other places across town—anywhere running water could be found.

The news reporter was at a loss as to who was behind the 'great race' though I knew. The only thing I didn't know, and would prefer to remain so, was where did Sunshine get all those rubber-duckies?


- Tessla Queen, Envoy to Other Realms


Copyright 2009 Tessla Queen

[continued from previous day]
As autumn approached and the blank pages in the book dwindled down to the last few, the dreams I had for my artwork coalesced in a surprising way. I didn't just want to be an artist anymore, I wanted to be a Character Creator.

I wanted my characters to come to life. Not just for me, but for the whole world.

Once again I struggled with if I had the talent to accomplish such a momentous task. And as I reached the last page and drew the last character, I knew that somehow the magical book would give me the answer I needed.

I turned out the light and went to bed.

Early the next morning I awoke to find the little yellow-furred character with the big rainbow-striped hat I had created the night before, perusing the very book I had drawn her in.

My character—Sunshine—had come to life!

I realized at that moment what power the book held. The book was time.

Dream

Work

Believe

Time

It was a secret that few discovered and, even if they did, it was a secret few had the patience to accept.

The secret to suceeding was dreaming, working, believing—and time.

And sometimes when the stars align and the moon is full I remember the day when Sunshine came to life and realize that it's just a matter of time until—

"Until what? What-what?"

(Sigh) Until I have even more characters to interrupt my thoughts, drive me crazy—and make me smile.


- Tessla Queen, Envoy to Other Realms

[Continued from previous day...]
I had a lot of questions. What teenager doesn't? And one of the questions I had as that summer was drawing to a close was why, as my drawings were getting better, were they becoming harder to execute?

Then I realized that it wasn't the drawing itself that was becoming harder, but the expectation of what my drawings should be was getting harder to match. My vision was becoming more refined.

This realization gave me pause. Did I have the talent to reach my dreams?

That's when my grandmother gave me the key. She said it was at times like these that I had to believe.

Dream

Work

Believe

Belief came last because it wasn't really needed until the work of the dream was underway.

[To be continued...]


- Tessla Queen, Envoy to Other Realms



Copyright 2009 Tessla Queen

Continued from previous day...

The inscription was inside the front cover. I could swear it hadn't been there before. The inscription said:

Dream

Work

Believe

I wasn't sure what power this inscription held, though I knew beyond a doubt that it did, for it was speaking to me, inviting me on a journey that, being only seventeen, I had never been on before.

The 'dream' part was easy. What teenager doesn't dream?

The 'work' part was harder. Not the 'doing' but the 'knowing'. What work would make my dreams real?

Then there was 'believe'. I wondered briefly why that word didn't come before 'work'. Then again perhaps it didn't matter.

I continued drawing in that book as the summer wore on, all the while turning the questions I had about dreams, working and believing over in my mind.

To be continued...


- Tessla Queen, Envoy to Other Realms

After many heart-felt requests (read nagging) from Sunshine, I feel compelled (read I won't be left alone until I do) to tell you about The Character Factory's official Mascot.

I created Sunshine when I was Jellybean's age, though, I must admit, I never intended her to come to life—at least, not at first. Sunshine was a quirk—that perfect storm of wonder that happens when dreams meet magic.

I didn't realize the book was magical when I found it in my grandmother's attic that summer. In fact, the book's discovery would have been a total disappointment if it hadn't been for all those blank pages inside. The pages were more than a little yellow around the edges but the paper was smooth and I was bored so I picked up a pencil and began to draw.

The hours flew by.

The day ended and I put away the book, forgetting about it entirely until several weeks later when (suffering another bout of boredom) I searched it out.

Picking up the book, I noticed the inscription.

To be continued...


- Tessla Queen, Envoy to Other Realms



All Text from the "Daily Bing" is Copyright 2009 Tessla Queen

Jellybean's Notebook arrived punctually today. Unfortunately, so did Sunshine—The Character Factory's official Mascot. Now she wants to be the Pumpkin Wizard:

"Please let me be the Pumpkin Wizard this year!

PLEASE! Please-please!

I'll wash the dishes! (that would be a first)

I'll walk the dog! (I don't have a dog)

I'll apologize to that kid I stole the candy from! (Oh-boy)

I'll commit to a community wide beautification project with my spray-paint! (This is no concession)

I'll...

I'll...

I'll..."

I'll see you tomorrow.


- Tessla Queen, Envoy to Other Realms

Continued from previous day...

WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!! This sentence was scribbled on several pages in Jellybean's Notebook where she had recorded—in postmortem detail—the events following Week-Week's donning of his Pumpkin Wizard costume.

Okay, maybe Jellybean should have been alarmed at Pumpkin Wizard's ability to transform objects into pumpkins at will. Then again, his ability (at first) had been limited to small objects like key chains and messenger bees that quickly changed back. What Jellybean hadn't recognized (until it was too late) was that with each transformation the Pumpkin Wizard's powers had been growing.

When Jellybean finally caught on to what was happening (several hours later), half the town looked like Cinderella's coach post midnight. And it wasn't until after the real midnight had struck that Pumpkin Wizard's powers finally came to an end (though not before one of Jellybean's teachers had gone missing).

It took several days for everything to get back to normal, though Jellybean's teacher had a decidedly orange tinge to his skin for several weeks after that.

That being said, I really do hope that Jellybean reconsiders dressing Week-Week up as the Pumpkin Wizard this year. Perhaps giving it sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth thoughts—for my sake. After all, I know (too well) that what happens in Cratersville, doesn't always stay in Cratersville...


- Tessla Queen, Envoy to Other Realms



Copyright 2009 Tessla Queen All Rights Reserved

Since I receive Jellybean's Notebook from different times in her life I can't always find the images I'm working with from one day to the next. Take today. I wanted to find the Ghost Zings I'd been capturing. Instead, what I found was a drawing of a flying orange 'puffball' dressed in a green cape and a matching pointy hat. The 'puffball' is none other than Jellybean's pet Week-Week. Week-Week is a weekle and it has been Jellybean's tradition to dress said weekle up for Halloween ever since she got him for her sixth birthday—thus, the reason for the drawing. Week-Week was to be the Pumpkin Wizard—again. Apparently, however, Jellybean was having second, third, fourth and fifth thoughts about granting her beloved pet's wish this particular year, for the creation magic that she uses to create his costume also imbues his costume with a magic that only he can control.

To be continued...


Tessla Queen, Envoy to Other Realms


Copyright 2009 Tessla Queen

As soon as Jellybean's Notebook arrived this morning, I sat down to inform her of the happy news. The cards she had designed, which I had so artfully lifted, were now officially published and in their first store! Jelly created her first Smile Card for her mom. Since then she has had a mission to spread smiles throughout the town of Cratersville where she lives. Most of the cards she creates are for specific individuals; people who need a smile for one reason or another. I think we're not much different here. We all feel down sometimes, and when those times come, I believe the best antidote is to have a Smile, Jelly-Style.


Tessla Queen, Envoy to Other Realms


Copyright 2009 Tessla Queen

When Jellybean's Notebook arrived today, I started 'capturing' the images I want to present on bingtopia.com for the coming Halloween Season. This process usually takes a couple of weeks, though sometimes it might take more. Capturing the images is tricky to say the least. After all Jelly's Notebook is a Creation Book while my computer, though a really sweet Mac, is still a more mortal affair. I do have this strange magic, however, that allows me to translate the genetics of Jelly's creation program to the pixels of my photoshop program. This magic is the intellectual property of a certain techno-wizard I know who lives in the same warehouse of lofts as me. You could say we're partners in crime. If true, then our goal (I must admit) is to entertain in the first degree.

Tessla Queen, Envoy to Other Realms


Copyright 2009 Tessla Queen - All Rights Reserved

Jelly’s Notebook appeared today with its usual lack of fanfare. Apparently she’s already thinking of Halloween for there was a full page spread of little white creatures with rainbow wings inside. From a notation made near the margin, I deduced said creatures are called Ghost Zings. I also discerned, from certain scribbles amongst the sketches, that Jellybean had other things on her mind as well:

Party at Gym
Decorations
Streamers
Confetti
Balloons
Cauldrons
Live Ghosts (Need approval from graveyard?)
Teacher Bonfire (Just kidding)
Textbook Bonfire (No, seriously)

—Tessla Queen, Envoy to Other Realms


Copyright 2009 Tessla Queen

Jelly’s Notebook arrived on my art table today with its usual lack of fanfare. I used to wonder what Jellybean must think about her notebook vanishing on her like it did. I was clued in when she started writing messages to me in anticipation of this almost daily event. At first she was pissed (My project was due today!). Then she was resigned (Okay, I’ll start making backups of my stuff). Now she’s eager (Can you tell me about this?). Of course sometimes, like today, she just wants to say ‘Hi’.


—Tessla Queen, Envoy to Other Realms


Text Copyright 2009 Tessla Queen
All Rights Reserved

Autumn is coming. Can you feel it? Even if the weather hasn’t changed where you are, the shadows have. Take a look. They’re lengthening, deepening. The colors are more saturated. I see it looking out the window at the trees outside. These trees are my second calendar. And the play of shadows and light this afternoon is telling me that fall is on its way.


—Tessla Queen, Envoy to Other Realms


Text Copyright 2009 Tessla Queen. All Rights Reserved.