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.