Verizon Continues to Aim Low

I recently decided that I really needed to upgrade my Verizon cell phone.  I really HATE Verizon, but they are one of the only services available in my area with a connection— though it’s a weak and unreliable one.

Knowing the company is really, really awful when it comes to customer service, I contacted them.  First I called.  Then I emailed.  In both cases I was absolutely assured that the phone I wanted would be fine to use with my current plan.  I double checked, reworded, and got it in writing.  Yes… IN WRITING.

So now, naturally, my state’s attorney general has to step in.  Because not only did they lie, they refused to fix the lie, even after they admitted that, upon review, yep… they lied.  The phone in question can’t work without a data plan that is worthless to me.  And yeah, checking into things, damned if their customer service reps tell me IN WRITING that this was not the case—but they congratulated me on my shiny new upgrade that I could do without changing a single thing in my plan or usage or anything like that.  Squee!  Only not.

You know… I didn’t even wig out then.  What caused me to contact my AG and file the complaint that will result in them getting a fine was the response to their error.  They admit it was their error. 

If you are waiting for an “and,” you are out of luck.  Apparently Verizon, while being a big cell phone provider, doesn’t have any phones.  They are unable to provide me with a phone that WILL do what they said, IN WRITING, the one I bought would.  They are unable to make the one I bought work without  soaking me.  They are unable to do anything at all but apologize and wish me well with the taking it up the backside thing.

Only this is me, and that’s not good for Verizon.  I guess some people over at the AG’s office are bored.  They have already contacted me… in under an hour.  Which makes me wonder if they are sick and tired of hearing about Verizon or if they simply adore me.

Cuz really, it could go either way.

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW, ASSHOLES?

GORGEOUS Cameos for Sale

I have been collecting cameos—mostly shell—since my high school days and now own over 700.  Recently I went through my collection and realized I have way too many that are sitting in leather cases, unseen and unappreciated.

So I’m selling a few on ebay.  They are all in pristine condition and quite lovely, but when you own so many that are either extraordinary OR sentimental, you have to draw a line somewhere.

These pieces are hand carved shell, and it’s a shame to have them hidden away where nobody can enjoy them.

SEE THE LISTINGS HERE

I’ve opened the bidding at very low prices (well below current value).  I really just want them to have loving homes.

Funny is Hard

I made a promise to myself to have my first self-pubbed book out already.  My initial goal was November.

Didn’t happen.  By November I had StarChild really, really close to done, but it wasn’t there.  And the tricky bits were:

1.  I initially was doing it for fun and to get something out… but I fell in love with it.

2.  It’s supposed to be funny.

Funny is one of my strengths.  I admire anyone who does it well (Have you met my blogmates at Fictionistas?  Nistas can bring it.  I have a tough couple of acts to follow.)

The past few weeks I have lost my funny.  It HAS to be around here somewhere.  I have my snark, my snap, and my sarcasm handy, but the light and joyous giggle and guffaw have fled.  Part of it is being without my much-beloved, part of it has been not feeling well, but anyone who writes funny will know the feeling.  Funny is hard.  For serious.  I think it may be the hardest thing to do, and believe me—I’ve had to write serious stuff over the years.  Academic toady prose, dark reviews, you name it.  Funny may come naturally, but it is also both stubborn and delicate.

Worse still… when my funny is missing my nasty seems to be more active.  So I am not pleasant to be around right about now.

Perhaps if I could find my funny again I would be less likely to kill people.  Just sayin’.  You haven’t see it, have you?

The Ghost of Novels Past

It’s weird how things seem to happen for reasons.  I am furiously working on STARCHILD, a space opera comedy romance (shut up, it’s MY book, I’ll make up genres if I want).  It should be done soon and will be available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.  I’m happy about that.

But as I have been hammering away at it, I have also thought about old projects, next projects, and whatnot.  Perhaps a week ago I remembered a novel I finished in 1995—yes, fifteen years ago.  It was called SERVAI and was a fantasy novel about the coming of a messiah.  It followed the journey of a liberated slave girl who wants nothing so much as to be an instrument of peace and love.  She is surrounded by men who are powerful, enigmatic figures.  Everyone is awaiting the coming of a great prophet who will bring great things to the world.  Everyone speculates about which wise figure among the men of Jerichai will be the messiah.

Nobody expects the prophecy to find fulfillment in a young girl. 

I left this book— completed —behind me when I left college and it was lost forever— I thought.  Imagine my surprise when an old friend contacted me today with the news that she’d found the original manuscript on a floppy disk, intact and undamaged.  She is sending it to me, and if the angels smile upon me, I will be able to reformat it. 

It’s so strange… I have never forgotten this story.  It always bothered me that I’d lost it in my scramble to begin a new life.  Perhaps, if I can rescue it, it will find a home with a publisher.  I suppose Servai’s story has survived in spite of everything, so she deserves the right to be next on my list of priorities.

I guess she and I are both survivors… and who knows where this Ghost of Novels Past will lead me.

I Can't Make These Doodz Up

Yeah, I know I'm a writer and all but I can't make my friends up. Nobody would believe me. For instance, the group of whackjobs with whom I roamed during my (cough) formative years were known as THE BEACH RATS (some of them seen at left in warmer times). It was a crew, a clique, and a band... not necessarily in that order. This past week one of our fringe-crew showed up in town and we crashed at my BFF Roxy's house... later we re-crashed at my XBF and other BFF's house.

Rob Dossier is known to his friends as DOZER. Rob should not be confused with Arthur Dodd, whom I christened The Artful Dodger, or DODGER, for short. Dodger and Dozer never played music with us, but then again... calling it music was pretty expansively generous.

While we were sitting around being obnoxious at one another I got questioned by Petie, BFF, about the progress of my current WIP. This led to questions about the subject matter.

"What's the book about?"

"Well... it's a romantic-comedy-space-opera. It's about a bunch of hippies at Woodstock who get high and have sex with aliens, who impregnate them to save their infertile race. Years later a space cowbody named Chance, who flies a ship called The Ponderosa, comes back to earth to claim one of the hybrid offspring and take her back to his planet to help rejuvenate the population... only there's weird stuff going on and..." And then I blushed. "Um, it's kind of weird, but when you're actually reading it, it's funny and entertaining. Also it has homicidal kitties."

Now, with any other crew I'd get serious crickets chirping here. My gang? All sitting forward on the edges of couches, chairs, and patches of floor. (OK, leaning forward on patches of floor, since the edges would not be in the same places as their butts.)

"Really?" Dozer, gawd love him, looked genuninely curious.

"Yeah, I was going great guns but with everything going on right now I've slowed down. Plus I hit a wall with a mess of social issues that want to be in it."

Again, anywhere else on the planet, the subject would have changed already.

"What kind of issues?" asked my ex boyfriend and current great friend, Timmy.

"Well... the moral questions surrounding the idea of disposable life. The idea that all life is sacred and worthy, and the idea that seeking perfection in a race of human beings will lead to dystopia and injustice, because every living thing deserves respect, praise, love. Which sounds like it won't be funny, but it stays funny." I squirm.

"Well, yeah," says Dodger, "what with the homicidal kitties. That's gonna be funny no matter what, right?"

And I could cry. Because yeah... exactly... and omg does it feel good to know I have a room full of people NOT changing the subject, NOT thinking I'm an idiot, and asking because so-help-me-gawd... they actually want to know.

Good times... good times.

Deathly Hallows… SPOILERS

These spoilers are not huge, but if you are touchy about knowing too much ahead-of-time, stop reading.  I’ve gotten a bit of advanced sneaky peaky info and extended images before the release of DEATHLY HALLOWS PART I.  How I’m going to wait is beyond me.

I’ll start with a plea—please, parents, do NOT over-estimate your child’s maturity level.  This movie is not for little ones.  I’d say 12 and over minimum.  There are not just deaths of well loved characters.  Children will die.  Main characters will be tortured.  The film WILL be rated PG-13.

Perhaps the most striking decision was to include the mind-wiping of Hermione Granger’s muggle parents, who have remained anonymous and invisible (but for that tiny glimpse in Chamber at the book store).  Her sacrifice took place before the beginning of HALLOWS in JK Rowling’s novel.  Including it here is not only heart-breaking, but drives home the theme of ultimate sacrifice.

Among the much-speculated-what-if scenes: the burial of Dobby.  Harry digs the grave and Hermione cradles him in her arms.  There was a lot of concern that it would be cut, as many of his post-Chamber scenes were.

HALLOWS is one part road film and three parts war epic. 

Technorati Tags: harry potter,deathly hallows,spoilers,sneak previews

I Got It!!

 

The last Mini Cupcake Maker at CVS.  It was quite the wrestling match, too.  Nasty woman in a manky babushka attempted to snatch it from my loving arms, but I hip-checked her and made a break for it.

It did not come with a recipe book, which in a way… well, that’s comforting.  I like that the directions are… warm it up til the green light goes on and bake the cupcakes for 8 minutes. That’s it.

That’s what I want.  Easy, stupid-simple.  It also makes muffins.  If you think I am letting a single day go by without creating legions of weenie muffins you do not know me very well at all.

I’m in my happy zone! 

Testing 1, 2, 3..

 

If you haven’t discovered it yet, Windows Live Writer is a standard install when you update Windows 7.  This is my first time using it to post to my blog.  So any screw-ups are Microsoft’s, not mine.

It will appear in your windows Start Menu.  First time opening it prompted me through a simple fill-in-the-blank menu, and connected to blogger.  Then I got a wordpad window with my blog layout in front of me.  So far so good, right?

I inserted a photo, adjusted the alignment and margins with button-clicks, and finished typing.

So here goes… hitting PUBLISH.  Let’s see what happens!

Miss Bramble and the Leviathan Out Today!

Kristen Painter's Awesome New Steampunk Romance is Available NOW!

Blurb from My Bookstore and More:

The last thing she planned to steal was his heart.

The Company. Military institution, protector of Praeton and the nation of Grand Isle. Dirty rotten thief.

When Pandora Bramble steps aboard the Company’s premiere airship Daedalus it’s not for the exclusive VIP tour. It’s to secure proof that the Company stole the regulator valve her father designed—even if it means tearing the engine apart. Foiled by the unexpected appearance of a handsome crew member, she despairs of ever getting another chance—until he kisses her.

Captain Theolonius Hatch, sentenced to engine room duty for refusing to take part in the Company’s fleet week activities, never dreamed a woman like Pandora existed. Her brains match her beauty, a combination that adds up to more trouble than he ever expected.

As Pandora allows Theolonius to sweep her into a whirlwind courtship, her wildest dreams come true. As do her greatest fears, leaving her to decide what matters most. Loyalty…or love.

The clock is ticking.

Product Warning

This book contains airships, mechanical owls, women who are good with tools, men in and out of uniform, steam generated by engines and people, and some hot carriage scenes.

Order now: HERE

Cool Crap of the Day

Ok... I spent some time in bed getting over an exposure to fumes. That probably sounds like a bad thing. It could have been. But I finally got my hands on some DVDs missing from my collection, and a few other fun things made it bearable... including that lovely man unit of mine!

But by far the best discovery was this little gem of a book... DICK AND JANE AND VAMPIRES. Anyone who (like myself) was subjected to these gawdawful readers in first and second grade remembers Dick, Jane, their stupid dog Tip, and the rest of the gang. But they didn't have vampires.

Til now.

Regrets I Failed to Have

This afternoon I sat down in a cafe and was surprised to see my mother's sister glance at me, then take a seat three chairs down. She had absolutely no idea who I was. I was moderately surprised, because I haven't changed THAT much and I do see her at a distance often. Perhaps those occasions were one-way-spottings.

We don't have any direct contact with one another and that's a good thing. There are people in the world who simply can't quite wrap their heads around such a notion, I know. None of them were related to Hitler, Stalin, Hussein... at least I suppose they weren't. We can want our family members to be good people. We can even love them in spite of a failure to realize that hope. But when bad people remain broken, the wisest and safest thing to do is remove yourself.

I removed myself before many others in my family did. It was hardest on my mother, I think, because she is used to cherishing her anger. Truly releasing somebody from your life means you let the anger die, too. You stop feeding it.

Which is why, I think, I am writing this. It all feels very odd. And even as I AM typing this my uncle has just leaned over to whisper in my aunt's ear. And she has realized that she is sitting three chairs away from her niece. And now she has gone pale, tense, and angry. I reach for an emotion of some kind and can't find anything more than the natural curiosity of an analytical mind, and a vague sense of absurdity. I have no regret or pain, no sorrow. I find myself wondering of the ghostly impulse to laugh is a phantom manifestation of the latter.

In the end, though, I guess what I really am is glad not to regret.

Here's Your Sign

Every now and then we all need a good chuckle. Yesterday my DOWNEAST magazine came in with a cool section of funny signs. I love funny signs. Here are some I found in my travels.

Enjoy!

Rockin October at Romance Divas

Romance Divas is, perhaps, the greatest free resource for writers on the planet. Don't believe me? Ask Writer's Digest! October is going to be a very special month, too! Swing by all this month to suck up the free-writery-goodies, including an amazing live event with Gena Showalter and Kresley Cole in the chatroom: on Thursday, October 28th at 7pm EST.

Be there or be TOTALLY square!!

A Matter of Trust

I'm the first to admit that I evaluate people on first impression and form my opinions quickly. Because I know this isn't really fair, I have a strict policy of giving the benefit of the doubt. It only seems right, after all. But I have to say... I'm rarely wrong, and never (at least so far) drastically so. When it comes to trust, for instance, I'm always dead on. Someday my streak may break... but I wouldn't bet on it.

So I had this odd moment this morning. It was a busy day for me, and an early one. I've got this self-imposed deadline, I had to get my nephews on their bus after getting them prepped for school, and I had errands I wanted out of the way early. Not being a morning person, this wasn't my happy place. But you know how it is... once you're up you discover it's easier to just go with the flow.

I was flowing along and decided to check messages/emails/whatnot. There was a message from a friend-- and, oddly, I DO consider her a friend-- whom I've never completely trusted. She's not a "bestie," or even a close friend. I've heard her describe herself otherwise, but that's one of her quirks, too. Sitting there as the clouds blew out to sea and a nice fall day emerged, I glanced at a passing comment this friend made, and thought "man, she really is sneaky."

Maybe it's my background in language forensics... but to be honest, I always remember being this way. I'm hyper-aware of motives, very conscious of what makes people tick. I have a small, but very intimate "inner circle" of people close to me, and I trust them without question or hesitation. Pretty much everyone else in the universe falls into another category. I tend to look at casual friends and compartmentalize them into slots: why are you in this relationship with me, and how should I be careful? And I guess most would see this as a flaw. I don't.

Maybe because I trust my own motives in doing this. I'm not out to control or "catch" anyone. I just like to know what makes the other guy tick... and keep it in mind. It saves me the trouble of being absolutely floored by completely predictable behavior. People don't surprise me very often. They never shock me. And when a friend does something that may cause everyone else to flip out and break off friendships/ divide into camps/ feel somehow betrayed, I generally shrug it off. I think it also allows me to like people others might not care for. Knowing Susie-Q has flaws and anticipating how they will manifest lets me cut Susie the kind of slack I'd like people to cut me.

I have a temper. I tend to judge people but not ACT on that judgement. I tend to completely cut you out/off once you've crossed my line. I'm stubborn. I'm unlikely to seek advice, since I only do so when I really do want it. And I look for motives... all the time... in everyone.

So this was an odd moment, this little revelation. I saw a friend say something that, I can promise you, is going to be a gigantic free-for-all fight within 24 hours. I immediately hearkened back to the day I met her and a few things she said that made me think, "wow, she's got some needs that keep her from being self aware." It was fine with me then. We all have flaws. I've shared some of mine.

But something I've decided to believe over the years-- just because I've found it to be true-- is that your good and lasting friendships have little to do with what you have in common with someone. The lasting friendships are more about people with flaws you can tolerate. And casual friendships that float along with every ebb and flow are similar. I can like a selfish person. I can like a control freak. I can like a gruff or blunt person. Those are flaws that I may share, or may just be familiar with. I can even tolerate a minimum of dishonesty if it is born of self-defense or moderate delusion. I actually even like a good dose of mean.

I can't tolerate bigotry. I can't tolerate cruelty. I can't tolerate constant deception. I can't tolerate neurosis unless the dose is very small.

So the weekend should be interesting, because a friend (casual, but still a friend) just slipped up and let about a dozen of her friends/frienemies/acquaintances know she's a bit of a back-stabber. Since it's not my back I won't take sides. And since saw it coming-- for like, three years-- I'm not surprised. How others react?

Well, that's the fun part. Popcorn, anyone? :)

Dead Ro-- Err-- Red Rose Publishing Wilts

Aand in this week's Interweb Dumbassery Moment, we have this wig-out from Red Rose Publishing. Apparently (and allegedly) authors were being mistreated-- releases not taking place on time, queries ignored, threats in response, etc. We all know the drill. It went public, and Dear Author reported it, along with Author Beware and others. The following links detail the wilting of the rose:

Dear Author's Cease and Desist Asshattery

Writer Beware's Shout-Out to Stoopid

WB's Facebook Hook

Why do all jackasses become lawyers the minute they get broadband?

Rose-petals in the shark tank!!

My Favorite Poem

I can't get Pied Beauty by Gerard Manly Hopkins out of my head. It's my all-time favorite poem. Ahmed read it to me one morning and I can no longer read it without hearing his voice.

Do you know it?

Pied Beauty
by Gerard Manley Hopkins

Glory be to God for dappled things,
For skies of couple-colour as a brinded cow;
For rose-moles all in stipple upon trout that swim;
Fresh-firecoal chestnut-falls; finches' wings;
Landscape plotted and pieced, fold, fallow, and plough;
And áll trades, their gear and tackle and trim.

All things counter, original, spare, strange;
Whatever is fickle, freckled (who knows how?)
With swift, slow; sweet, sour; adazzle, dim;
He fathers-forth whose beauty is past change:

Praise him.

National Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Week

Do me a favor. Take the deepest breath you can take; let half of it out. Take another breath, as deep as you can; let half of THAT out. Keep going until it hurts too much to continue. Imagine that feeling, coupled with a dry, papery cough and that nagging sensation that you can't quite clear your throat. Now try to think, move, or concentrate.

That's what Pulmonary Fibrosis feels like. It doesn't get better and it never goes away. The lungs you see pictured here are an example of one PF lung, and one that is still healthy.

This week is National Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Week. Below is the text of the National Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis' email kicking if off. I hope the information is helpful.

Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis

8th ANNUAL NATIONAL PULMONARY FIBROSIS AWARENESS WEEK SEPT. 11-18

Culver City, Calif. - The Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis (CPF) kicks off the 8th annual National Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF) Awareness Week Sept. 11 to 18. The primary goals of this year's activity are to ensure passage of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Research Enhancement Act (PFREA), in the Senate and the House, and to raise awareness of Pulmonary Fibrosis issues in communities nationwide.

Specifically, the CPF is asking its national membership and others affected by PF to email, call, or mail letters to their members of Congress to encourage their votes for PFREA. The CPF's objectives while on the Hill are to add co-sponsors to the 136 on the House bill as of this date, and to begin to build a list of Senate co-sponsors.

National PF Awareness Week will mean more than 50 visits by patients and patient advocates with legislators on Capitol Hill. Hundreds of other patients and family members will reach out to their own members of Congress in their home districts nationwide that week.

The CPF has worked closely with Congressmen Brian Baird (D-WA) and Mike Castle (R-DE) on the House version (H.R. 1079) and with Senators Patty Murray and Mike Crapo on the Senate version (S. 3073). This historic, bi-partisan legislation would authorize $16 million in new federal funding to create the first national patient registry for PF, and provide much needed support for research into the deadly lung disease.

"It takes each PF patient, each family member and their circle of friends to reach out to Congress and get this bill passed," said Mishka Michon, Chief Executive Officer of the CPF. "Having the voice of the patient community heard loud and clear will make things happen to bring attention and awareness to PF in Washington and beyond."

This year, 2010, has been proclaimed international "Year of the Lung" by the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and respiratory societies around the globe. The CPF is partnering with this alliance in a concerted effort to bring attention to lung issues. National PF Week will continue that effort.

The progression from a bill of recognition of the disease, H. Con Res 182, which was passed in 2007 to a bill establishing funding for PF research, is indicative of increased responsiveness on the part of Congress. Over the past eight years, the CPF and its advocates have met with hundreds of Members of Congress.

PF patients, families and those affected by PF can help with 2010 awareness efforts and help gain passage of the PFREA by joining the CPF's advocacy campaign, Campaign ACT. For further information, visit the CPF at www.coalitionforpf.org, call 888-222-8541, or email info@coalitionforpf.org.

Disparity of Federal Funding

The disparity of federal funds for research in pulmonary fibrosis is profound. This year, less than $23 million will be spent on this disease which affects 128,000 people compared with hundreds of millions of dollars spent on diseases that affect a small fraction of that number. This, while the disease takes 40,000 lives each year - the same number as breast cancer. H.R. 1079 will provide much needed help for PF patients by creating the first national patient registry and providing support for research.

About Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF)

Pulmonary Fibrosis is a lung disorder characterized by a progressive scarring - known as fibrosis -- and deterioration of the lungs, which slowly robs its victims of their ability to breathe. There is currently no known cause or cure. Approximately one percent of patients' lives are extended through lung transplants. An estimated 48,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. PF is difficult to diagnose and an estimated two-thirds of patients die within five years of diagnosis. Sometimes PF can be linked to a particular cause, such as certain environmental exposures, chemotherapy or radiation therapy, residual infection, or autoimmune diseases such as scleroderma or rheumatoid arthritis. However, in many instances, no known cause can be established. When this is the case, it is called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

About the CPF's Campaign ACT

Since 2002, the CPF has been leading a national advocacy effort directed toward Congress, the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control to increase research funding for PF and accelerate efforts to find a cure for this devastating lung disorder. The CPF has also actively advocated for passage of legislation important to the PF community in the areas of Medicare and Social Security coverage.

About the CPF

The CPF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, founded in 2001 to accelerate research efforts leading to a cure for pulmonary fibrosis (PF), while educating, supporting, and advocating for the community of patients, families, and medical professionals fighting this disease. The CPF funds promising research into new approaches to treat and cure PF; provides patients and families with comprehensive education materials, resources, and hope; serves as a voice for national advocacy of PF issues; and works to improve awareness of PF in the medical community as well as the general public. The CPF's monprofit partners include many of the most respected medical centers and healthcare organizations in the U.S. With more than 23,000 members nationwide, the CPF is the largest nonprofit organization in the U.S. dedicated to advocating for those with PF. For more information please visit www.coalitionforpf.org or call (888) 222-8541.

Catherine Fisher's Incarceron

A very long time ago I wrote a short story that was entitled "Outside." It was about a young woman who lives in an entirely enclosed city. She reads "myths" about a world outside the city walls, but does not believe the green earth and sky exist. She encounters a young man who claims to know they do, and eventually finds the exit to earth's old surface, which has been healing from many generations of abuse and pollution.

Like City of Ember and other dystopian fiction in which our world is a secret legend, Incarceron by Catherine Fisher has a similar theme. What I liked about this novel was the genuinely new way Fisher delivers her two worlds and the people inhabiting them. There's a strange feel of historical novels in the setting, mashed up with science fiction dystopia. I'm even getting soylent green moments, here!

I must say I'm really looking forward to the next installment, due out in December.

In Celebration of Change

In celebration of my new goals, my newly redesigned home page, url, and the exciting new project I am working on, I have added a blurb and preview of StarChild, which will be coming out this fall, to my site:

http://www.chrissyolinger.com

The prologue and first chapter are there for all to enjoy.

Including the homicidal kittens. Come on... who doesn't love homicidal kittens?

Hope is a Choice

About two weeks ago I made a very deliberate choice to eliminate negative forces in the fringes of my world. Sounds elaborate, but it wasn't. When you live with allegedly-terminal illness (heh), you are often in labs and offices with others who are also ill. I'll tell you a secret-- there may be no cure for pulmonary fibrosis, but pulmonary fibrosis is a cure for hypochondria.

Watch a few good people die, even after they did everything they could to live, and you lose all patience and tolerance for the terminally self indulgent.

It was one of those mornings that really marked a corner-stone moment for me. I listened to a nasty woman who seemed to enjoy nothing on earth so much as a conversation about HER. All of her conversations were about her. Sitting next to her was her husband, a shy and quiet man who was in chemo treatment, and was not doing well. I knew most of the other people in the room, as well. I remembered the losses we shared last month, of three PF patients who couldn't survive the bad weather this year. I thought about a cheerful 38 year old who left behind his 3 year old daughter and a wife who had not looked anything but exhausted in months.

I just sat, listening to this shrew complain about nothing that any of us wouldn't gladly take on in exchange for ONE DAY of peace and good health, and realized I was listening to a walking embodiment of TOXICITY.

People really can leave stains and misery behind them, clinging to everything they touch. It can taint entire communities, families, groups of friends.

So I took out the garbage last week. Nothing but good vibes and good people for me. I can remain positive most days, but I'm no longer willing to carry the extra weight of that crap. It seems to be everywhere... but a little elbow grease-- or maybe just an elbow??-- works miracles, dunnit?

HUZZAH!!

SANDY'S COMING! I have to admit a sort of guilt as I realize I have no photograph of Sandy to put up on my blog today. I'm sure I own one, and I'm almost certain I even have a shot of the two of us at Worcester College, Oxford, in caps and gowns. But it's buried away where it would take me a year to find. Sandy was my bestie in my college days in England. We got into a lot of scrapes, worked as card readers together for a bit, and left the Highland Festival one year in what, I am certain, was a narrow escape from a lifetime ban on visiting Scotland. There were scones, clotted cream, a massive amount of whiskey, and a guy named Roddie involved. Anything else is strictly eyes-only.

Those were the days. Really, they were. I loved school-- all of it-- but my time in England was almost singularly glorious. Only one very dark time marked it at all, and I suppose how infrequently I even remember that it took place there at all is a blessing. When I think of my time at Worcester, or in England, I just smile and feel an aching tug in my heart.

Sandy married an architect who works to preserve historical buildings. He's a hoot. We have kept in touch via the internet, but since my lungs don't allow me to travel long distances I don't SEE her. And frankly, emails don't hug.

I am resisting the urge to squeeze the crap out of my netbook right now.

So my bestie Sandy is coming to Boston this fall and I can't believe it. I get to hug her in person. I get to lavish the best of New England upon her. I get to have my old chum to myself, and bump shoulders as we ramble around Cambridge and Copley and... anywhere, as long as it's together.

THIS WAS A REALLY GOOD DAY!

Don't Suck...

WHY are you sitting there reading a blog when you could be rushing out to your local book store to pick up Melissa Francis' amazing, hysterical, and absolutely charming LOVE SUCKS, the follow-up to the equally awesome BITE ME?

Really... it makes no sense. Stop sucking. Go get it.

NOW.

NGTCC is back!!

Not forking out the dough for the RWA Conference this year, with evening wear, suits, high heels and whatever "business casual" means?

Not to worry! Romance Divas is hosting the

Not Going to Conference Conference...

The Conference You Don't Have to Get Out of Bed For!

From July 28-31, come hang out with some terrific, savvy authors -- and you don't even have to brush your teeth (although, seriously, good dental hygiene gets you extra points.)

We'll be hosting panels on:

The Power of Three: A crit group tell-all (Paranormal)

Crystal Jordan

Patti O'Shea

Dayna Hart/Rowan Larke

The Lolitas of STEAMED! Present Writing the Steampunk Romance -more than leather corsets and brass goggles!

Marie-Claude Bourque

Theresa Meyers

Whips, Chains, Slings, Oh My: It Really Isn’t About the Toys (BDSM Erotica)

James Buchanan

Joey Hill

The Great Big YA Panel

Rhonda Stapleton

Shannon Delany

Kiersten White

Carrie Ryan

Linda Gerber

Saundra Mitchell

Lara Zielin

Brenna Yovanoff

Register for free at Romance Divas, then come join us on the forums for the discussions, as well as some terrific prizes:
Eden Bradley/Eve Berlin:
1) erotic e-books, THE SEEKING KISS and TEMPT ME TWICE.
2) a synopsis critique in any sub-genre of erotica/erotic romance.
Jax Cassidy:
1) erotic e-books, DEVIL'S HEART and BRUSH STROKES.
2) book cover design or banner ad
Kristen Painter:
copy of her e-book, ALL FIRED UP
Rhonda Stapleton:
1) STUPID CUPID YA Book trilogy
2) a proposal critique (1st 3 chapters and synopsis) for any genre of book, romance or not
K.B. Alan:
1) The choice of one of her e-books: PERFECT FORMATION, ALPHA TURNED or BOUND BY SUNLIGHT.
2) A $25 Barnes and Noble gift card.
Robin L. Rotham: Signed copies of BIG TEMPTATION, ALIEN OVERNIGHT, and ENEMY OVERNIGHT
AJ Chase: copies of e-book CAT AND MOUSE
Inez Kelley:
1) e-book package of both MYLA BY MOONLIGHT and SALOME AT SUNRISE
2) The complete Dirty Laundry Series (3 e-novellas) co-written by Ginny Glass aka Wordsugar and Inez Kelley
Kate Pearce:
1) a three chapter ~and~ synopsis critique-any erotic romance, paranormal romance or historical romance.
2) Winners choice, in either print or e-book format (if available), of a set of the Simply series (there are 5) ~or~ a set of the Cowboys (there are 3) ~or~ a copy of KISS OF THE ROSE-readers choice.
R.G. Alexander:
Winners choice of any two e-books from her Samhain or Ellora's Cave back list
Nadia Lee:
Critique of 1st chapter & synopsis-paranormal or contemporary romance
Shelley Munro: Winners choice of any one her backlist books from Ellora's Cave or Cerridwen Press
Ciar Cullen: Winner's choice of any one e-book on her website.
Voirey Linger: A copy of her e-book RISKING ETERNITY
RF Long:
1) a submission package critique (letter, synopsis and 3 chapters)
2) e-books! (details TBA)
Crystal Jordan:
1) 1st chapter and synopsis critique
2) One copy of any e-book off her Samhain backlist (http://samhainpublis.../crystal-jordan)
3) One copy of IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT (print or electronic, winner's choice)
Jeannie Lin:
1) a first chapter critique, any genre
2) an official BUTTERFLY SWORDS souvenir charm
Elise Logan: Winner's choice of any e-book from her backlist
Marguerite Labbe:
1) A critique of an m/m story
2) Signed copies of her m/m vampire trilogy MY HEART IS WITHIN YOU, HAUNTED BY YOUR SOUL and OUR SACRED BALANCE
Seeley DeBorn:
One jar of home made body or face scrub, customized to the winner's preferences and skin type.
For example: Orange Spice Oatmeal, Coffee-Cocoa, Citrus Salt, Lavender Mint, Honey and Flax
Sela Carsen: a copy of her e-book CAROLINA WOLF
Hailey Edwards:
1) a copy of her sweet fantasy romance ebook, EVERLONG.
2) two five dollar MBaM gift cards
Charlotte McClain:
Copy of her two e-books, LOVE TO DECLARE and ROCK STAR'S RETREAT
Cynthia Justlin: (Golden Heart Finalist!) Proposal Critique (3 Chapters and synopsis)-any genre other than erotic
Lainey Bancroft:
1) signed copies of her contemporary romance, THE TROUBLE WITH TESSA and her chick lit romance COZUMEL KARMA
2) Proposal critique (3 chapters and a synopsis) any genre except Steampunk
Tina Burns-Publisher-Liquid Silver Books:
1) a critique of 1st 3 chapters & synopsis
2) 3 be-book prizes for 3 different winners! Winners choice of any one e-book download from LSB library.
Mima:
Winner's choice of one e-book from her backlist-see her website for booklist.
Taneasha: handmade jewelry by our own Taneasha-details to come!
Barbara Sheridan:
1) Winners choice of one e-book from her backlist-see her website for booklist.
2) Critique of up to 20 pages of either M/M, or M/F romance or erotic romance in various subgenres (contemporary, historical, paranormal or suspense/mystery)
David Bridger:
A copy of his ebook BEAUTY AND THE BASTARD
Victoria Janssen:
3 print books TBA (whatever she finds at the RWA Conference)
Gemma Halliday:
Signed copy of SCANDAL SHEET
Jennifer Leeland/Jennifer McKenzie:
1) copy of her e-book MARKED FOR PLEASURE (Kindle version available upon request)
2) copy of her e-book MARKED FOR DESIRE (Releasing June 29th) (Kindle version available upon request)
3) copy of her e-books The Command Series (Trilogy)
4)copy of her BDSM e-book series (3 from TWRP and 1 from Samhain)
Emily Ryan-Davis:
1) Critique of novella-length (up to 30k) manuscript; any time period, m/f, menage, f/f (m/m not her area of expertise)
2) signed print copies of her anthology: MATING CALL, DRAGON DANCE and DRAGON BOUND
3) e-book copy of CHANGING THUMBELINA
Sabrina Darby:
1) Signed copy of her erotic historical novel, ON THESE SILKEN SHEETS
2) Critique of first thirty pages of any Regency (erotic or non erotic fine, but m/m outside my area of expertise)
Alina Morgan:
1) copy of her e-book The Twilight Deception
2) copy of her e-book The Shadow Unveiled
Debbie Mumford:
1) Critique of a synopsis
2) Winner's choice of any e-book from her back list.
Kimberly Troutte:
1) copy of her e-book SOUL STEALER
2) copy of her e-book CATCH ME IN CASTILE
Sasha Devlin:
1 pair of hand made writing mitts or gloves-style and color TBD by the winner
Julia Knight
Winner's choice of one copy of any of her books available in e-book format

PF Awareness Week

I'm sharing this email from the Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis. Read on!

National Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Week 2010 has been set for September 11-18.

The CPF encourages you to set up a meeting with your Member of Congress soon for a meeting during the August recess (August 9-September 12) to personally ask for their support of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Research Enhancement Act (HR 1079).

We need your help now to insure the bill gets passed this Congress (since it's a Congressional election year, this means we don't have much time!). If you can't meet in erson -- there are other ways you can make a difference! See below for details!

REMEMBER, THERE ARE THREE EASY WAYS TO HELP!

1. VISIT YOUR REPRESENTATIVE IN DISTRICT

2. CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE OVER THE SUMMER BREAK

3. SEND A LETTER or EMAIL

1) CPF Advocacy Efforts This Summer - Get Involved Locally (VISIT YOUR MEMBER IN DISTRICT)

The CPF encourages you to schedule a meeting now with your member of Congress during the August recess when he/she is in your home district to support the Pulmonary Fibrosis Research Enhancement Act. Letters are important, but having a face-to-face meeting with your Member of the U.S. House of Representatives will allow you to share your personal story of your connection to PF and personally ask for your Member of Congress' support of H.R. 1079, the first legislation that will directly help PF patients! If your member is already a co-sponsor, visit him/her and thank them for their support. There are currently 133 co-sponsors on the bill. A full listing of members currently signed on is pasted further down
in this email.

2) Take action today by calling your Representative! Please contact your House Representative NOW to request their cosponsorship of H.R. 1079 and ask them to support a Congressional hearing on PF!

How to Contact your Representative:

Call the Capitol Switchboard at 1-202-224-3121 and ask for your Representative or give your zipcode if you don't know their name. When you are connected to an office, ask for the Health Legislative Assistant. If you leave a voicemail message, include your name and phone number so they can call you back. Also, it may be helpful to include your city, as well.

Sample phone message:

"I am a constituent and a Pulmonary Fibrosis (patient, family, friend) and I am calling to ask Rep./Sen. ____ to cosponsor the Pulmonary Fibrosis Research Enhancement Act. This bill will create a much needed national patient registry so that scientists and researchers can learn more about the disease as quickly as possible so that treatments may be found. There is currently no FDA approved treatment for PF and as many people die to it each year as breast cancer. Please help us now by signing onto H.R. 1079 and supporting a hearing on PF to Rep. Pallone."

3) Send an email or letter to your Representative:

CLICK HERE

The CPF also encourages you to plan activities in your hometown to raise awareness amongst your friends, family, co-workers, colleagues and neighbors about PF. Come up with a creative way to celebrate PF Week and spread the word about PF!

Thank you for your ongoing support of the Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis! Please ask your friends, family, and co-workers to support PF Week, too!

Sincerely,
YOUR NAME

****************************************

CPF Chief Executive Officer

CPF ANNOUNCES DATES FOR EIGHTH ANNUAL NATIONAL PULMONARY FIBROSIS AWARENESS WEEK 2010 Awareness Efforts Set for PF Week Sept. 11-18

The Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis (CPF) announced today it has set its 2010 National Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF) Awareness Week for September 11-18, 2010. The primary goals of this year's activity are to ensure passage of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Research Enhancement Act (PFREA), and to raise awareness of PF issues to Members of Congress and in communities nationwide.

Specifically, the CPF is asking its national membership and others affected by PF to take action on the Pulmonary Fibrosis Research Enhancement Act (PFREA), H.R. 1079, by meeting with their Members in person or by emailing, calling or mailing letters to them.

The CPF will celebrate National PF Awareness Week with more than 20 patients and patient advocates on Capitol Hill, and with hundreds of patients and family members reaching out to their own Members in their districts nationwide that week. In 2009, the organization received recognition for its National PF Awareness Week's efforts when it was a finalist for a national advocacy award by PR Week.

The CPF has been working closely with Congressman Brian Baird (D-WA) and Congressman Mike Castle (R-DE) on PFREA, the lead sponsors of the bill. This historic, bi-partisan legislation would authorize $16 million in new federal funding to create the first national patient registry for PF, and provide much needed support for research into the deadly lung disease.

"It takes each PF patient, each family member and their circle of friends to reach out to Congress and get this bill passed," said Mishka Michon, Chief Executive Officer of the CPF. "Having the voice of the patient community heard loud and clear will make things happen to bring attention and awareness to PF in Washington and beyond."

As part of the National PF Week efforts, there will be a walk in Washington, DC, not far from the Capitol steps, to bring attention and awareness to pulmonary fibrosis and the millions of lives it touches globally. This year, 2010, has been proclaimed international "Year of the Lung" by the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and a coalition of like respiratory societies around the globe. The CPF is partnering with this coalition in a concerted effort to bring attention to lung issues. National PF Week will continue that effort.

This focused effort on the part of the CPF is moving into its eighth year. The progression from a bill of recognition of the disease, H. Con Res 182, which was passed in 2007 to a bill establishing funding for PF research, is indicative of increased responsiveness on the part of Congress. Over the years, the CPF and its advocates have met with hundreds of Members of Congress. 127 House Members are now supporters of the current bill.

PF patients, families and those affected by PF can help with 2010 Awareness efforts and help gain passage of the PFREA by joining the CPF's advocacy campaign, Campaign ACT. For further information, please visit the CPF at www.coalitionforpf.org, call us at 888-222-8541, or email us at info@coalitionforpf.org.

Current Co-Sponsors of HR 1079 along with the dates they signed on:

Rep Baca, Joe [CA-43] - 12/1/2009
Rep Barrow, John [GA-12] - 11/5/2009

Rep Bishop, Rob [UT-1] - 10/1/2009
Rep Bishop, Sanford D., Jr. [GA-2] - 2/4/2010

Rep Blackburn, Marsha [TN-7] - 7/31/2009
Rep Blumenauer, Earl [OR-3] - 2/4/2010

Rep Blunt, Roy [MO-7] - 2/22/2010
Rep Boccieri, John A. [OH-16] - 5/6/2009

Rep Bono Mack, Mary [CA-45] - 2/4/2010
Rep Boozman, John [AR-3] - 9/10/2009

Rep Boren, Dan [OK-2] - 3/11/2009
Rep Boucher, Rick [VA-9] - 12/1/2009

Rep Brady, Kevin [TX-8] - 2/4/2010
Rep Braley, Bruce L. [IA-1] - 10/22/2009

Rep Burgess, Michael C. [TX-26] - 6/12/2009
Rep Butterfield, G. K. [NC-1] - 2/4/2010

Rep Capps, Lois [CA-23] - 3/9/2010
Rep Cardoza, Dennis A. [CA-18] - 7/21/2009

Rep Carney, Christopher P. [PA-10] - 3/4/2010
Rep Carson, Andre [IN-7] - 3/4/2010

Rep Castle, Michael N. [DE] - 2/13/2009
Rep Christensen, Donna M. [VI] - 2/4/2010

Rep Cohen, Steve [TN-9] - 1/20/2010
Rep Connolly, Gerald E. "Gerry" [VA-11] - 12/16/2009

Rep Conyers, John, Jr. [MI-14] - 2/4/2010
Rep Courtney, Joe [CT-2] - 1/27/2010

Rep Cummings, Elijah E. [MD-7] - 12/14/2009
Rep Deal, Nathan [GA-9] - 2/13/2009

Rep DeFazio, Peter A. [OR-4] - 7/21/2009
Rep DeGette, Diana [CO-1] - 9/25/2009

Rep Diaz-Balart, Lincoln [FL-21] - 9/17/2009
Rep Dicks, Norman D. [WA-6] - 2/13/2009

Rep Doyle, Michael F. [PA-14] - 2/4/2010
Rep Edwards, Donna F. [MD-4] - 2/4/2010

Rep Ellison, Keith [MN-5] - 10/6/2009
Rep Ellsworth, Brad [IN-8] - 2/22/2010

Rep Emerson, Jo Ann [MO-8] - 2/4/2010
Rep Eshoo, Anna G. [CA-14] - 2/4/2010

Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51] - 6/29/2010
Rep Frank, Barney [MA-4] - 9/17/2009

Rep Franks, Trent [AZ-2] - 1/13/2010
Rep Gallegly, Elton [CA-24] - 9/10/2009

Rep Gerlach, Jim [PA-6] - 2/13/2009
Rep Gingrey, Phil [GA-11] - 12/3/2009

Rep Gonzalez, Charles A. [TX-20] - 2/4/2010
Rep Goodlatte, Bob [VA-6] - 3/11/2009

Rep Gordon, Bart [TN-6] - 3/26/2009
Rep Green, Gene [TX-29] - 9/17/2009

Rep Grijalva, Raul M. [AZ-7] - 12/16/2009
Rep Hall, John J. [NY-19] - 5/6/2009

Rep Hall, Ralph M. [TX-4] - 2/4/2010
Rep Harman, Jane [CA-36] - 2/13/2009

Rep Harper, Gregg [MS-3] - 5/6/2009
Rep Hill, Baron P. [IN-9] - 3/3/2010

Rep Hinchey, Maurice D. [NY-22] - 2/4/2010
Rep Hirono, Mazie K. [HI-2] - 2/4/2010

Rep Hodes, Paul W. [NH-2] - 2/4/2010
Rep Holt, Rush D. [NJ-12] - 12/14/2009

Rep Inslee, Jay [WA-1] - 2/4/2010
Rep Jones, Walter B., Jr. [NC-3] - 9/10/2009

Rep Kaptur, Marcy [OH-9] - 2/13/2009
Rep Kilroy, Mary Jo [OH-15] - 2/25/2010

Rep Kirk, Mark Steven [IL-10] - 2/13/2009
Rep Kosmas, Suzanne M. [FL-24] - 10/13/2009

Rep Kucinich, Dennis J. [OH-10] - 4/22/2010
Rep Langevin, James R. [RI-2] - 12/8/2009

Rep Larsen, Rick [WA-2] - 1/12/2010
Rep Latham, Tom [IA-4] - 3/26/2009

Rep LaTourette, Steven C. [OH-14] - 2/13/2009
Rep Lewis, John [GA-5] - 2/4/2010

Rep Linder, John [GA-7] - 2/4/2010
Rep Loebsack, David [IA-2] - 10/22/2009

Rep Lofgren, Zoe [CA-16] - 2/13/2009
Rep Mack, Connie [FL-14] - 2/4/2010

Rep Maffei, Daniel B. [NY-25] - 6/30/2010
Rep Markey, Betsy [CO-4] - 1/20/2010

Rep Markey, Edward J. [MA-7] - 4/21/2010
Rep Marshall, Jim [GA-8] - 4/27/2009

Rep Matheson, Jim [UT-2] - 2/4/2010
Rep Matsui, Doris O. [CA-5] - 2/4/2010

Rep McCotter, Thaddeus G. [MI-11] - 9/10/2009
Rep McGovern, James P. [MA-3] - 4/27/2009

Rep Melancon, Charlie [LA-3] - 2/4/2010
Rep Michaud, Michael H. [ME-2] - 6/17/2010

Rep Miller, Brad [NC-13] - 6/22/2010
Rep Minnick, Walter [ID-1] - 5/6/2009

Rep Moran, James P. [VA-8] - 3/11/2009
Rep Moran, Jerry [KS-1] - 4/27/2010

Rep Murphy, Christopher S. [CT-5] - 9/17/2009
Rep Murphy, Patrick J. [PA-8] - 2/4/2010

Rep Murphy, Tim [PA-18] - 2/4/2010
Rep Napolitano, Grace F. [CA-38] - 5/6/2009

Rep Olver, John W. [MA-1] - 6/16/2010
Rep Pascrell, Bill, Jr. [NJ-8] - 4/27/2009

Rep Paulsen, Erik [MN-3] - 9/17/2009
Rep Pingree, Chellie [ME-1] - 2/3/2010

Rep Pitts, Joseph R. [PA-16] - 9/22/2009
Rep Platts, Todd Russell [PA-19] - 6/12/2009

Rep Price, David E. [NC-4] - 5/20/2009
Rep Reyes, Silvestre [TX-16] - 2/4/2010

Rep Rogers, Mike D. [AL-3] - 9/17/2009
Rep Rothman, Steven R. [NJ-9] - 2/3/2010

Rep Roybal-Allard, Lucille [CA-34] - 9/17/2009
Rep Ryan, Tim [OH-17] - 1/13/2010

Rep Sarbanes, John P. [MD-3] - 3/26/2009
Rep Scalise, Steve [LA-1] - 10/6/2009

Rep Schakowsky, Janice D. [IL-9] - 9/22/2009
Rep Schiff, Adam B. [CA-29] - 10/6/2009

Rep Schock, Aaron [IL-18] - 5/28/2010
Rep Sestak, Joe [PA-7] - 6/12/2009

Rep Sherman, Brad [CA-27] - 7/30/2009
Rep Shimkus, John [IL-19] - 2/4/2010

Rep Simpson, Michael K. [ID-2] - 9/10/2009
Rep Smith, Adam [WA-9] - 2/4/2010

Rep Space, Zachary T. [OH-18] - 2/13/2009
Rep Stupak, Bart [MI-1] - 2/4/2010

Rep Sutton, Betty [OH-13] - 2/3/2010
Rep Taylor, Gene [MS-4] - 2/4/2010

Rep Thompson, Bennie G. [MS-2] - 2/4/2010
Rep Thompson, Glenn [PA-5] - 5/18/2010

Rep Tierney, John F. [MA-6] - 2/13/2009
Rep Tonko, Paul D. [NY-21] - 2/4/2010

Rep Towns, Edolphus [NY-10] - 10/6/2009
Rep Tsongas, Niki [MA-5] - 2/4/2010

Rep Upton, Fred [MI-6] - 2/4/2010
Rep Van Hollen, Chris [MD-8] - 9/10/2009

Rep Walden, Greg [OR-2] - 2/4/2010
Rep Walz, Timothy J. [MN-1] - 2/25/2010

Rep Weiner, Anthony D. [NY-9] - 2/4/2010
Rep Welch, Peter [VT] - 5/20/2009

Rep Wolf, Frank R. [VA-10] - 3/11/2009
Rep Woolsey, Lynn C. [CA-6] - 12/14/2009

Rep Young, C.W. Bill [FL-10] - 2/13/2009

Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis
Suite F, #227
1659 Branham Lane
San Jose, CA 95118-5226
(888) 222-8541
info@coalitionforpf.org

Staying OUT of It

About a month ago I decided to take a break from a forum I had been hitting just about every day on my internet rounds. It was a romance readers' forum, one run by a magazine to which I once subscribed. I'd canceled the subscription, begun picking the magazine up now and again to read at the cafe, and eventually just stopped reading all-together. The articles always felt like pandering-- whether they were or not. The reviews always felt either off-base, or like blatant suckupery-- whether they were or not. I even tried to get my reading group to do a month review of the magazine... everyone refused, insisting it was garbage.

It was hard to argue. I'd even stated my complete lack of respect for the reviews and was issued a polite, if a little bristled, response by one of the admins. That prompted my request for a "let's give them another chance" review month, by the way. Everyone told me to stuff it. So you know... maybe I wasn't wrong about it sucking. Just sayin'.

But I left the forum for another reason. I'm ALL about the internet slapping match. I am. I LOVE a kerfuffle. I love a bandwagon on which to jump and would buy a ticket to a Public Dead Horse Beating.

Sick? Yes. Honest? Yep. Tiring?

Yeah... particularly when the level of argument finds the average reader online. Oh, dear, sweet, suffering angels... the average reader online!! I have very close friends with whom I disagree. I even founded an online community (closed and private) of people who like to debate, disagree, argue, and discuss... of all belief systems, political leanings, and backgrounds. We get along great.

But that's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about the spam-sucking scary-o-typing wackjobs who proudly insult the intellectual integrity of pretty much anyone while clearly having absolutely no mastery of the dynamic, delicate balance and literal relationship between "your" and "you're." In fact, I'm talking about individuals who "hate homersekshuls" and are pretty reliable about spelling either usage "yore." These shining examples of Americana have absolutely no grasp of... well shit... anything. They DO, however, know for a fact that I am going to hell. Whether for being a liberal or reactionary is anyone's guess. Whether because I am a "klosit lezbeen" or "harverd intallekshool" is, too.

BTW... before you click "send," I like Spam. It's an expression, FannyMae.

Anyway, there is a limit. Not only was my limit met, shat upon, and exceeded, it simply lacked even the faintest whiff of fun anymore... a real shame. And while, yeah, okay, YES, I do love to pick on the dumb people sometimes, it started to feel dirty. It started to feel pointless. And about a week after I logged off for the final time, I realized I didn't miss it.

Not even a little.

And perhaps more significantly, I realized I'd begun to think of all romance readers as asshats. I KNOW this isn't the case, but a small section of the group that I actually love quite a lot-- the demon cheering section-- was shouting down its better angels.

And that just wasn't cool. So yes, I left. No, I did not make a big flounce, nor did I slam the door upon exiting. You're welcome. I'm not hard to find-- Facebook, Twitter, even other forums where discussion is civil. If you are among the minority who liked me, you can find me there.

Stop by and say "hi." You're sure to enjoy the novelty of actually being heard!

Two Cherry Blossom Templates for Sale

Recently I had a client/friend ask for a cherry blossom themed template. I made three, and she fell madly in love with one of them. But I have to say I am also quite fond of these, the other two choices. One is black and pink, surprisingly bright, with a soft green menu on the side. The other is in pale minty shades, pinks, and has hand-drawn blossoms. It also has a menu in pink.





If you'd like to purchase either of these, I will customize the headers with your name and tagline, and will let them go for $40.00. A total steal!

More Bag Lust

You all know I have no willpower. And since Ahmed spent yesterday eating my sesame nibbles and teasing me... well, he was in for some retail recompense. It's only fair.

Now... I adore my Michael Kors black satchel. And the other man in my life whom I share the joys of leather (ahem) is Bruce Makowsky... the designer of the fantastic shitake bucket satchel I simply adore. While Ahmed holds my heart and the pink slip to the rest of me, these two men will always have my adoration... not to mention a significant portion of my income. Okay, Ahmed's income.

Thing is, I got this fabulous new netbook/tablet combo for my birthday, and it didn't really fit either the Makowsky OR the Kors. What's a girl to do?

Wait until the lovely man unit does something stupid and get a replacement! Not to mention, this is the Makowsky Luxury Leather line, and one of his largest bags. OMG I adore it!! It has a purple satin lining. SHUT UP! Best $278.00 he ever spent.

Better than diamonds. *happy sigh*

My New Theme Song

Yah, so I have been dragging butt lately because writing was nearly impossible with my eye swollen and messed up, migraines, etc. But this new computer (love!!!) is calling to me, and the eye is a lot better.

SO here's my new theme song.

He Could Have Bought You A Clue, Too

It's June. May was a really good month for me in the generosity/loved department. I never expect to be spoiled even though I often am. It actually took me a while to accept things gracefully, and I still struggle with it sometimes. I rarely feel deserving... but I often feel pretty psyched!

I'll tell you what bugs me, though. What is UP with this thing where people decide how the money should have been spent? Since WHEN is it cool to remark on another person's generosity with your disappointment and a different game plan? How did the WTFery of "for that he could have bought you" become acceptable?

During the month of May I had, at minimum, five different people say the words "he could have bought a ___" (fill in the blank) "with that kind of money!"

I actually hear it a lot, and only just noticed how often. Sorry, but WTF? When did this become cool? When did this become ok?



My favorite is "he could have bought you a CAR for that." I got that twice when I was playing with the two computers I got for my birthday. One is an android tablet that will probably sell for two to three hundred bucks. The other is, I admit, a hybrid tablet/netbook that was two grand.

I'd really rather not drive something I could buy for that. I HAVE driven cars that I paid a few hundred bucks for. Dear-gawd-please let those days be over. And if you are living in that place right now, you have my mojo and respect. Been there, did that, three cheers and many blessings for AAA.

Rather not do it again.

I also got a cute diamond ring, diamond earrings from Ahmed, and a pink sapphire ring from Ahmed's dad. Somebody thought that was worth a house. Not sure where they live but I hope they don't stay long. I can't decide whether that person thinks the diamonds and sapphires are wayyyyyyy pricier than they are or if they have incredibly crappy living standards, and I really don't want to know.

So if you are reading this, here are a few tips:

If you can avoid it, try not to drive cheap cars.
If you can rent rather than live in a house that scary, look into it with your realtor.
If you can't just say "that's pretty" and shut up, don't say anything.
If you INSIST on being nosy and asking about my gifts, at least try to counter-act your nosy with something resembling a gracious comment.
If you have your own money to spend, buy a crappy car or cheap house of your own.
STOP deciding how my guys should spend their money. I'm really liking what I have. I don't need a rusty car or a nasty house, so my computers, diamonds, and sapphires are cool.

You have my permission to withdraw. Now's good.

Android Nerd World-- week 1

My first week of Droid nerdhood has commenced, and nearly come to a close. I will blogging more about it later this month, but I just couldn't keep quiet. So here are a few pics, notes, and a list of APPS for Android I've fallen in lust with. Seriously? It's not a stand-alone device. But adding it to my life has allowed me to ditch several other devices, and made nerding-on-the-go pretty simple, light, and hassle-free.

The version Ahmed got me is small... which is a personal preference. I like little stuff. My Android tablet is 7 inches, and just as light as a feather in my pocketbook. It's about the same size as a smaller e-reader. I love it for reading ebooks, in fact.

The keyboard is not writer-friendly, but it's not really meant to be. I did find an APP that makes it much better, more flexible, and customizable (see list below). But frankly, blogging a bit, doing twittery stuff, facebooky stuff, and light typing is all I'd recommend. I'd never attempt to write a novel on it... but I'd edit one.

Also consider that these devices are going to be inexpensive, and memory will reflect that. My Eken model came with 128MB installed, and an option for up to 32GB flash cards. There is also a USB port. Google Android OS 1.6 is the operating system that will come installed. Since these models are not in the US yet, most of the info I have been able to get has come from pre-release reviews. I've discovered that some of these do not allow for APPS to be downloaded, which would be absurd. Mine does-- holy hell, I have become an APPaddict.

Some of the APPS I have fallen in love with have also made using my Android tablet an absolute blast, and many have vastly improved usage, speed, and navigation. I'm listing the keepers here, most of which are free.

AroundMe-- a GPS add-on with localized info including hotels, venues, etc.

Picsay-- Photo Editor that rivals Paint Shop and is surprisingly light

Dolphon Browser-- tabbed with FB, twitter, and more

WaveSecure-- lo-jack type for your android device, it will lock it down if it is stolen and use GPS to ping the location

TuneWiki-- media player with lyric search and more

Trapster-- uses GPS to get speed trap and surveillance camera info in your current location... for those of us who have led feet

Barcode Scanner 3.1-- uses Google's zxing java library to process any barcode and gives price comparisons in your area, etc. (I am totally HOOKED on this!)

Better Keyboard-- improves functionality of the android keyboard and allows tons of tweaks... this one was a major life-saver

BigOven-- also available for apple, this APP suggests ways to tweak recipes, and includes a cookbook for storing favorites

Task Killer-- widget that lets you kill apps and track usage on android; similar to Task Manager, but this app is free

Documents to Go-- read and edit pdf or office docs

Weather Channel-- up to date weather (hey, I live in New England)

Dial Zero-- this free app keeps an updated list of major companies customer service numbers and HOW TO CUT STRAIGHT TO AN OPERATOR

Pandora-- streaming music app with customizable radio, complete with album art

TuneWiki-- free app that plays music files on your SD card, and can sync them with lyrics that scroll across the screen

SPB TV-- ten bucks, and you get 100 free, live TV channels from more than 17 different countries streaming live to your android device