Kelli Blogs

2011-07-29T23:00:00.000-07:00

Sly Alley posted a poem that links to America's debt crisis. It made me think of Langston Hughes' poem "Let America Be America Again.". Though written in 1935, the ideas and issues driving it are still present today.

Let America be America again.
Let it be the dream it used to be.
Let it be the pioneer on the plain
Seeking a home where he himself is free.

(America never was America to me.)

Let America be the dream the dreamers dreamed--
Let it be that great strong land of love
Where never kings connive nor tyrants scheme
That any man be crushed by one above.

(It never was America to me.)

O, let my land be a land where Liberty
Is crowned with no false patriotic wreath,
But opportunity is real, and life is free,
Equality is in the air we breathe.

(There's never been equality for me,
Nor freedom in this "homeland of the free.")

Say, who are you that mumbles in the dark?
And who are you that draws your veil across the stars?

I am the poor white, fooled and pushed apart,
I am the Negro bearing slavery's scars.
I am the red man driven from the land,
I am the immigrant clutching the hope I seek--
And finding only the same old stupid plan
Of dog eat dog, of mighty crush the weak.

I am the young man, full of strength and hope,
Tangled in that ancient endless chain
Of profit, power, gain, of grab the land!
Of grab the gold! Of grab the ways of satisfying need!
Of work the men! Of take the pay!
Of owning everything for one's own greed!

I am the farmer, bondsman to the soil.
I am the worker sold to the machine.
I am the Negro, servant to you all.
I am the people, humble, hungry, mean--
Hungry yet today despite the dream.
Beaten yet today--O, Pioneers!
I am the man who never got ahead,
The poorest worker bartered through the years.

Yet I'm the one who dreamt our basic dream
In the Old World while still a serf of kings,
Who dreamt a dream so strong, so brave, so true,
That even yet its mighty daring sings
In every brick and stone, in every furrow turned
That's made America the land it has become.
O, I'm the man who sailed those early seas
In search of what I meant to be my home--
For I'm the one who left dark Ireland's shore,
And Poland's plain, and England's grassy lea,
And torn from Black Africa's strand I came
To build a "homeland of the free."

The free?

Who said the free? Not me?
Surely not me? The millions on relief today?
The millions shot down when we strike?
The millions who have nothing for our pay?
For all the dreams we've dreamed
And all the songs we've sung
And all the hopes we've held
And all the flags we've hung,
The millions who have nothing for our pay--
Except the dream that's almost dead today.

O, let America be America again--
The land that never has been yet--
And yet must be--the land where every man is free.
The land that's mine--the poor man's, Indian's, Negro's, ME--
Who made America,
Whose sweat and blood, whose faith and pain,
Whose hand at the foundry, whose plow in the rain,
Must bring back our mighty dream again.

Sure, call me any ugly name you choose--
The steel of freedom does not stain.
From those who live like leeches on the people's lives,
We must take back our land again,
America!

O, yes,
I say it plain,
America never was America to me,
And yet I swear this oath--
America will be!

Out of the rack and ruin of our gangster death,
The rape and rot of graft, and stealth, and lies,
We, the people, must redeem
The land, the mines, the plants, the rivers.
The mountains and the endless plain--
All, all the stretch of these great green states--
And make America again!

===================================================
This is one of my favorite poems.

Mentor meeting

2011-07-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

So today, I'm queasy and nervous. Why? I have my first formal conference with my dissertation mentor tonight via Skype at 5:00. He lives in Australia. I know the topic I want to write about will have to undergo major revision before the committee accepts it - I mean, what are the chances of them reading my pre-pre-proposal (yes, that's 2 "pre"s) and saying, "McBride, it's brilliant. We don't recommend a single change!!!" Ha, I wish. Still, I really like my idea and have been thinking about it for close to two years. Letting go will be hard.

Plus, this first meeting will establish a certain tone for our future meetings, and I want to get it right. I so enjoyed Dr. Sims' class - he was everything I wanted in a graduate professor. But that means he's challenging.

So, tonight is the first formal step on a journey that's going to take up at least the next 18 months of my life.
I'm excited and apprehensive.

So get it started, I'm going to write a letter to my Dissertation, which I will call Dizzie.

Dear Dizzie:
I have no idea what you will be, other than the most challenging project I've ever undertaken. I could promise to put you first in my life at all times, but I know that's not going to happen. I could promise to be the most painstaking and meticulous researcher a dissertation's ever had, but I know that also will not always be the case. I could pledge to always stay on track, but we both know that's a lie. And I'm certainly not going to always love and obey. Times will come, I know, when I will hate you and refuse to bend to your will.

Instead, I vow to do my best. I vow to write about something that I care about and feel needs sharing and exploring with others. I vow to use my best writing skills in crafting you. I vow not to cheat or take shortcuts. And I swear to finish you. I will not abandon you half formed, like Frankenstein without the juice.

Sincerely,
Kelli

Thea Harrison and DRAGON BOUND

2011-07-22T14:08:00.000-07:00

I've been networking about Thea Harrison's novel, Dragon Bound. It's the first in a new series about shape shifters. This is such a great book. It gave me everything I love in fantasy romance: a sexy alpha hero who has to learn to trust. An independent heroine who stands up to the hero, even though he could crush her with one of his claws or incinerator her with a fiery breath when he's shifted into dragon form. A great supporting cast of characters I can't wait to read more about. Scenes that make me cry. Scenes that make me laugh out loud. Scenes that make me....well it IS romance. :-) And just an overall incredible world-building that keeps enough of "real" Earth with extra dashes of fantasy.

A blast from the past

2010-09-07T22:13:00.000-07:00

I'm going to start blogging again after a 2-year hiatus. To get started, I'm going to post a link to one of my favorite blogs of the past: my confession about my George Michael obsession. Read it and laugh.

Kelli

Tina Fey nails Sarah Palin Impersonation

2008-09-14T12:45:00.000-07:00

I don't think I've seen as brilliant an impersonation since the Dana Carvey days.

Julius Caesar Speeches

2008-07-16T04:02:00.000-07:00

Gena Showalter: All Your Questions Answered

2008-07-09T21:29:00.000-07:00

As Gena's friend, once critique partner, and web mistress, I'm often asked by fans: "What's Gena REALLY like?" I've decided to share with you the truth behind the fantastic author. From her humble, struggling beginnings as a writer to her current superstar status: you'll find intriguing bits from an insider's perspective.

One question I'm more frequently asked is: "Has Gena changed with her celebrity?" I can honestly say that no she hasn't. And to illustrate this, I am sharing this picture I took of Gena in 2000 at a casual meeting in her home. I'd come over early one afternoon to give her back some books she'd loaned me, and this is how she greeted me. As you can see, Gena has not changed much at all. Except that she only puts on the inflatable bra for special occasions.

Just for Jill

2008-06-19T23:28:00.001-07:00

Jill, are you sure you didn't get the mumps from some of these "friends" you were partying with? I wouldn't put it past Gena to intentionally infect you, so she could take over at AUTHOR TALK. She looks all kittenish and cute, but kittens have claws. :-)

Spamalot and My Birthday

2008-06-08T11:57:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I saw Spamalot at the OKC Civic Center with a group of friends. Today is my birthday, so it was a nice b-day outing. I admit, I was a bit skeptical about how much I was going to like this adaptation of MONTY PYTHON'S THE HOLY GRAIL. I am a devout lover of this film, and many of my friends and I enjoy recreating dialogue from various scenes, but listening to the soundtrack of the stage version, I wasn't impressed overmuch by several songs.

But in the context of the actual stage show----WOW!! I laughed my ass off. I had tears in my eyes in places. It recreated most of the best scenes from the movie, and added several new twists and turns that brought surprise and delight.

Here are some of my favorite scenes from the movie that were recreated quite faithfully in the stage musical (I know - but it's hard to pick only a couple of favorite scenes from THE HOLY GRAIL):

African v European Swallows and Migrating Coconuts:

Or the French Taunting and catapulting cow:

Sir Launcelot and Swamp Castle:

Tim the Enchanter, the Killer Rabbit, and the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch:

Brave Sir Robin and his Minstrels:

The Knights Who Say Ni:

Dennis and the anarcho-syndicalist commune/Strange women lying around in ponds

Bring Out Your Dead:

"We're Knights of the Round Table" ("We eat ham and jam and spam a lot"):

And, amazingly enough, the Black Knight:

Rinda and Skeletons and Books

2008-06-02T16:41:00.000-07:00

Another Flight of the Conchord video - Foux Da Fa Fa

2008-06-01T22:31:00.000-07:00

Okay, this is freakin' hilarious. Anyone who's ever seen a French film, commerical, etc., and who has studied French in school will love it.

The translation, omitting the chorus of Foux Da Fa Fa, is:
"I would like a croissant"
"Pleased to meet you."
"Where is the library"
"Here is my passeport"
"Gerard Depardieu"
"Baguette!"
Hohn-hohn-hohn...
"Let's go to the supermarket! Grapefruit! Pineapple! Orange Juice! Beef! Soup de Jour. Camembert. Jacques Cousteau. Baguette."
But of course.
Hello.
Hello.
Hello.
Hello, mister.
Hello my small foreign currency exchange office.
How are you doing?
I'm doing okay.
How are you doing?
I'm doing okay.
Voilà! A conversation in the park!
Where is the book?
At the library.
And the dance music?
At the dance club.
And the dance club?
It's here, baby!
One, two, one, two, three, four!
Where is the swimming pool?
Pardon me?
Where is the swimming pool?
Uh...
Splish splosh
Uh...
Eh...
I don't understand.
Do you speak the French?
Eh?
Do you speak the French?
Uh ... no.
Hmmmm.

Flight of the Conchords - Frodo Don't Wear the Ring

2008-06-01T22:18:00.000-07:00

This is my second fav vid from the band (as of yet). It's SOOO funny!

Heather's Request

2008-06-01T21:22:00.001-07:00

Heather sent me a head shot of herself and this other promo pic from Dracula 2000 (which loved, too, Heather). Looks great!

Where's Gnomey?

2008-05-31T01:08:00.000-07:00

Heather and Gerard

2008-05-30T23:24:00.001-07:00

Here you go Heather! Call me your Photoshop Fairy Grandmother. ;-)

Here's an even better shot - I think it looks quite authentic.

Rinda Pics

2008-05-30T01:56:00.001-07:00

Rinda had this great pic of herself at a recent conference, but she suggested that someone edit out the table of food behind her. So I took it upon myself to add some more "interesting" landscapes behind her. Guess which one is my fav:

Flight of the Conchords

2008-05-29T23:59:00.000-07:00

Jill Monroe had one of the band's vids on her blog, and I couldn't resist putting another up on mine. These guys are SO funny! This is Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenoceros:

Gena's Knees

2008-04-11T19:08:00.000-07:00

Recently, Gena Showalter, my dear friend and one of my FAVORITE authors, was involved in a serious interpretive dance accident. Though the "choreographer" Jill Monroe (another friend and great author) claims Gena is not seriously injured, I have used spectral analysis of Gena's knees to show just how deep the bruising is.

Amazingly enough, the patterns of her bruises seem to form the faces of Lucien and Maddox, the heroes of her first 2 Lords of the Underworld Novels (BTW, I've read both ARCs, and these are Gena's BEST yet - but wear gloves when you pick them up because these covers are hot enough to singe your fingers!!). Lucien is the Keeper of Death and Maddox is the Keeper of Violence - appropriate considering the trauma my dear friend has obviously gone through. You can see her interpretive dance at Author Talk. Click on the Kresley Cole interrogation...oops...I mean "interview."

If you're wondering about Reyes, Keeper of Pain, all you have to do is look at Gena's derriere to see the damage:

I know - it's painful to look at.
So let's all help heal Gena's poor knees. I think buying copies of her latest releases and upcoming releases will send a wave of healing love. (And perhaps a can of Nair for her behind).

Back from Hiatus - 6+ Boring Things About Me

2008-02-20T10:38:00.001-08:00

Jill and Gena wrote lists that, frankly, did not include boring things. So I am taking the challenge.

1. I have more than 12 moles on my body, and one is the size of a peanut.

2. I know lots of trivial facts, like people throw rice at weddings because in ancient times rice was a symbol of fertility and prosperity. That's also why rice beds (4 poster beds with rice flowers carved on them) are the traditional honeymoon bed.

3. I enjoy writing essays.

4. I find Farm Hustle exciting.

5. I collect tea cups and saucers.

6. I know all the words to La Bamba.

7. My new Samsung Blackjack II (wine) is called Velvet.

8. I love frogs and collect them (see design of this blog).

9. I enjoy reading old writing composition textbooks from the first half of the 20th century.

10. I have the same shirt in 11 different colors.

Okay! How's THAT for boring!!

Wait, what am I so happy about...God! I'm a walking poster for ennui!!! ;-)

Incredible clouds

2007-10-31T20:52:00.000-07:00

I've been in love with clouds lately. We've had some magnificent skies this season, and I have snapped several pics. Here's one of my favs. This is in Seminole.

I Cried in Class Today...

2007-10-26T15:06:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's true. In my Introduction to Literature class, I broke down and
nearly sobbed. I was teaching Wordsworth's poem "LINES COMPOSED A FEW MILES ABOVE TINTERN ABBEY, ON REVISITING THE BANKS OF THE WYE DURING A TOUR. JULY 13, 1798." The picture is a view of Tintern Abbey and the countryside around it. Though the poem is long, I like to read aloud most of it, stopping at sections to ask them questions and point out imagery and meaning. I'm fine until I reach the last section of the poem. Then, as I read and get closer to the bottom, I can't help but tear up, my voice thickens with emotion, and eventually I have to stop completely and try to regain my composure. I usually cannot and have to finish out the poem with a voice warped with tears. I am so moved by his sentiments, expressed to his sister Dorothy. And the truth and beauty in what he says is incredibly potent: life is cruel, and we must protect ourselves from that which seeks to take us further from our true selves, the part of us closest to "god" (however you define him/her/it). This cruelty can be in fake friendship (you know - the person who is sweet as honey to your face but vicious as a wasp sting to your back), those who judge us unkindly or act superior to us, or just the weariness that accompanies the daily grind. And when he gets to the part that says even if she is lonely, or afraid, or sad, she can think of him - no matter how far he is (even if he is dead) and the remembrance of this moment they are sharing by the Wye River will sing in her soul and refresh her spirits, and all of the negativity around her will fall into place - she'll remember what is truly important in life, not the importance people place on petty issues. Well, I'll let you read it.

I've pasted them below. I could excuse my emotionalism on the stressful 2 weeks, but I have to confess that I usually tear up when I get to these lines. I warned the class to expect a similar, though less teary, reaction when we read "Ulysses" by Tennyson.

Of course, the benefit is that it shows them how moving great literature can, and should, be. I hope they see that I truly believe what I tell them about the power of literature. Just as I laugh at some poems, and I get righteously indignant or angry with the authors of other poems/stories, I guess it's okay to cry as well.

So here it is:

and this prayer I make,
Knowing that Nature never did betray
The heart that loved her; 'tis her privilege,
Through all the years of this our life, to lead
From joy to joy: for she can so inform
The mind that is within us, so impress
With quietness and beauty, and so feed
With lofty thoughts, that neither evil tongues,
Rash judgments, nor the sneers of selfish men,
Nor greetings where no kindness is, nor all
The dreary intercourse of daily life,
Shall e'er prevail against us, or disturb
Our cheerful faith, that all which we behold
Is full of blessings. Therefore let the moon
Shine on thee in thy solitary walk;
And let the misty mountain-winds be free
To blow against thee: and, in after years,
When these wild ecstasies shall be matured
Into a sober pleasure; when thy mind
Shall be a mansion for all lovely forms,
Thy memory be as a dwelling-place
For all sweet sounds and harmonies; oh! then,
If solitude, or fear, or pain, or grief,
Should be thy portion, with what healing thoughts
Of tender joy wilt thou remember me,
And these my exhortations! Nor, perchance--
If I should be where I no more can hear
Thy voice, nor catch from thy wild eyes these gleams
Of past existence--wilt thou then forget
That on the banks of this delightful stream
We stood together; and that I, so long
A worshipper of Nature, hither came
Unwearied in that service: rather say
With warmer love--oh! with far deeper zeal
Of holier love. Nor wilt thou then forget,
That after many wanderings, many years
Of absence, these steep woods and lofty cliffs,
And this green pastoral landscape, were to me
More dear, both for themselves and for thy sake!

What's Her Name's Contest

2007-10-25T03:58:00.002-07:00

A friend of my friend, Gena Showalter (esteemed novelist and sizzling hot chick), is having a contest on her blog - rewrite her bio! The prize is your choice of novel from the selection she's offering. You can read the rules by visiting her blog. The joke is that she has this massive inferiority complex and thinks that everyone only sees her as Gena's friend. She's so paranoid! What is her name again? Hmmm.....

Anyway, here's my entry. I posted it as a comment on her blog, but I noticed one typo and a line that was truncated, so I'm copying and pasting it here. Basically, we were to take 1 sentence from her bio and rewrite it so the bio is about us, not her. Here goes:

"Grandparents firmly believed their grandkids should experience the satisfaction of hard work…by harvesting potatoes in 100-degree weather. " As I, Kelli McBride, read this startling statistic, I flashed back to my own childhood, shackled to unfeeling grandparents who made me work the sod, even though I was allergic to dirt. As I dug for potatoes, my tears and snot mingling together to form a thick muddy paste, I swore, as God was my witness, I would never dig dirt again. Somehow, with that mantra, I connected to the part of the universe that revels in romance and tall, dark, handsome alpha males. Growing up, I studied Hollywood adventure romances set in Casbahs, Desert Tents, and Spanish Castles. I drew inspiration from the tragic loves of heroines, vowing to write stories where every disguised princess reunited with her long-lost love (a deposed Arabian prince).

My fight continues to rescue fiction from the clutches of literary prose that seeks to set high that which brings us low, that defies the boy-gets-girl ending and embraces the "boy-dies-in-tragic-fire-incident and girl-has-affair-with-his-best-friend (a gay cocaine-addicted alcoholic) who dumps her for his art" ending. I especially want to thank the girl for crying out at my class reunion "Yes!!" Though I don't remember what she looks like, her passionate affirmation of the affirmative reaffirmed my passion for writing and romance.

Thank you mumpy-looking girl with Diet-Cherry-Coke breath.

Great Band: black lab

2007-08-29T04:28:00.000-07:00

This is a fantastic band. Here's a YouTube video of one of my fav songs by them: THIS NIGHT.

Look to the Rainbow

2007-08-26T19:07:00.000-07:00

"Look to the Rainbow" is a song from the musical FINIAN'S RAINBOW. I love this song. Here's an audio of the song with a picture of a rainbow in Ireland.

A Joke!

2007-08-01T15:18:00.000-07:00

I was watching a HeadOn commercial last night, and got my tongue twisted when making a comment. That lead to me creating the following joke. Read it at your own risk!

Have you heard about the new over-the-counter medicine for erectile dysfunction from the makers of HeadOn?

It's called HardOn - apply directly to foreskin.

Let the razzing begin.

My Brother is NUTS!

2007-07-27T05:12:00.000-07:00

My brothers Robert and Ricky have always been gear heads. My earliest memories of them usually involve motorcycles, dune buggies, and hot rods. They are 12 and 9 years older than I, and when I was in 1st grade, they built a dune buggy. Robert went from refurbishing and rebuilding Corvettes and International trucks to Harley motorcycles. Last weekend he came up for a visit, and drove up in this:

Yep. It's a brand new Lotus. He spent $43K on a car barely bigger than a roller skate. I swear, his butt is only 1/2 a foot from the ground!

Man, if I had $43K to blow, I can think of a lot of better things to blow it on. A used Porsche perhaps!

What a view

2007-07-27T04:58:00.001-07:00

Yesterday, I walked out of my office building and was confronted with one of the reasons why I love Oklahoma. I got out my camera and took several snapshots to share this incredible view with you.

A picture cannot begin to do credit to the sky. Sometimes the sky in Oklahoma makes you feel squashed - the thick, low-hanging clouds block out the sun and sky, leaving the landscape dismal. Sometimes, the sky makes you feel like you're in an alien setting - the colors get sharp, intense, and, well, just weird. Then, there are days like yesterday, when the sky makes you feel so very tiny and yet so very tall at the same time. You walk out and cannot help but feel the immensity of nature and your very small part of it when faced with these giant clouds that disappear into the horizon and the incredible, true blue sky. Still, because the sky seems so immense, you can't help but feel taller as well. It's a paradoxical and wonderful experience.

I hope wherever you live, nature reveals itself as wonderfully as it does in Oklahoma. Okay, I admit, nature is also a pain in the ass here as well. Here's a picture from 2 weeks ago in Seminole, after several days of rain. This is the park in Seminole, and there is usually NO WATER here. I'd say this "river" was probably 2-3 feet deep, and ran parallel to the road for about 1/2 a mile. And the current was quite swift. The grounds of the park were swamped, the whole thing turning into a shallow lake.

The next day, the water was gone. I would have never guessed that it would have drained that quickly.

Youtube - Evolution of Dance

2007-07-08T20:30:00.000-07:00

Here's a hilarious video that my sister, Sheri, shared with me. It's 6 minutes long but worth the time.

The Declaration of Independence

2007-07-04T20:34:00.000-07:00

The 4th of July just isn't complete without reading the Declaration of Independence. Here's the intro and conclusion. Happy Birthday, America!

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
[SNIP]
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

I love Youtube!

2007-07-01T20:12:00.000-07:00

Here's a really funny video on youtube that's a parody of THE 300 - the movie about the Spartans and the Battle of Thermopylae:

World Lit Fun

2007-07-01T19:41:00.000-07:00

I'm teaching World Lit I (ancient world lit) this summer, and this semester I decided to focus solely on the epic. It gave me a good reason to teach both the ILIAD and the ODYSSEY in the same semester. I am having so much fun. It's been a while since I read some of these works. This week we're studying Virgil's AENEID. We've already done GILGAMESH, Homer's ILIAD and ODYSSEY, and the BHAGAVAD GITA. We have Virgil, BEOWULF, and PARADISE LOST to go. I'm really excited because I've just bought a video of Benjamin Bagby performing BEOWULF in Old English with an Anglo-Saxon harp. It's as authentic as researchers can get to how the ancient Scops (Anglo-Saxon bards) really performed the epic for audiences in the 10th century. I'm going to make my students watch it. I know that many of them will not even give it a try, but some of them will truly get it - I hope. Here's a clip of Bagby performing:

I know - it's probably not your cup of tea, but I swear, I get goosebumps watching this. And it isn't the best clip because he doesn't sing or use the harp at all here. He performs in America, so I'm hoping he comes close to Oklahoma and I can see it live.

Anyway, the epic genre is one of my favorites - especially Ancient Greek and Roman stories. It's no wonder that I love fantasy/paranormal literature so much - it's all there in these ancient stories. Gods, mortals, fantastic battles, magic... What can I say. Achilles had me from "Son of Atreus, I fear we're being beaten back, forced home, if we aren't all going to be destroyed right here, with war and plague killing off Achaeans." ;-) Even Brad Pitt didn't ruin it for me in TROY.

A great Youtube video

2007-06-15T04:47:00.000-07:00

Here's a really cool video on Youtube that explores western art. Take the time to watch it - you'll enjoy it. It's called "Women in Art." If you can't see it, go to:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUDIoN-_Hxs

Check out the PROMOLADY

2007-06-05T19:40:00.000-07:00

My sister, Kim, has just started a blog called PROMOLADY. You can see the link on my blog roll to the right. Kim works for the Greater Oklahoma City Area Chamber of Commerce, and she also has a business selling promotional items - basically anything you can slap a logo or name on. Her blog is about promoting your self or your company - ideas, trends, etc. Plus, she's witty and intelligent, just like her older sister. ;-) Her daughter, Lauren, took the picture on the left this January (Lauren was 4 at the time). Pretty good shot!

Please, welcome her to the blogiverse.

New Books out in June!!

2007-05-29T16:06:00.000-07:00

I know, I've been an absentee blog-lord lately. My life has been super busy: Mom's going through chemotherapy, I'm desiging a web-class for the fall and redesigning my ENG 1113 class for the summer, I've been editing and laying-out the new edition of the Oklahoma English Journal with my friend Christian, I've been sitting through interviews for a new English teacher at SSC, and I've been winding down the semester. Whew! However, I had to take the time and blog about some new books coming out this month by some great people.

The first is STRAY by new author (and super cool person) Rachel Vincent:

STRAY (Mira Books) ISBN-13: 978-0-7783-2421-8

Excerpt
Faythe Sanders likes to pretend she's a normal college co-ed, but that's only half the truth. It's the other half that matters when her former lover appears on campus, sent to pull her back into a life her classmates could never understand, or even imagine. He has come to take her home, to where hunting doesn’t involve guns, the night isn’t for sleeping, and fur is much more than just a fashion statement.Female werecats are disappearing from all over the south, and the Pride is helpless to find its missing members and stop the stray responsible. Confined to home for her own protection, Faythe must face everything she went to school to escape: the family she left behind, the love she turned her back on, and the destiny tradition says she's bound to fulfill. And when it all becomes too much to handle, an emotionally charged error in judgment leads her into the unsheathed claws of the stray himself. Now, armed with nothing but animal instinct and a serious attitude, Faythe must free herself and stop the kidnappers before their horrific plot robs her Pride of its most valuable asset: its own continued existence.

The next is by my dear, dear friend (and red-hot mama), Gena Showalter:

Red Handed (MTV Press) ISBN 13: 978-1416532248
Excerpt

There’s blood on her hands, but it isn’t human. . . .

Phoenix Germaine has been trying to earn back her mother's trust after going into rehab and kicking Onadyn—the drug of choice for New Chicago teens. But when a party in the woods turns into an all-out battle with the most ferocious aliens Phoenix has never seen, she’s brought home in what appears to be an Onadyn-induced state. Hello, reform school.

Except, what her mother doesn’t know is that Phoenix has just been recruited to join the elite Alien Investigation and Removal agency, where she’ll learn to fight dirty, track hard, and destroy the enemy. Her professional training will be rigorous and dangerous, and the fact that one of her instructors is Ryan Stone—the drop-dead gorgeous, 19-year-old agent she met in the woods that night—doesn’t make things any easier. Especially when dating him is totally against the rules. . . .

Gena also a second book out this month, CATCH A MATE. This is a contemporary romance in 3rd person with no paranormal elements:

CATCH A MATE (HQN) ISBN 13: 978-0373772353

Suspicious wives hire Jillian Greene to smile, flirt and prove that no man can be trusted around a pretty face. Enter Marcus Brody, who’s been hired to prove the same goes for women. And Jillian is no exception! She can’t help breaking her “never get physical” rule when the heart-stoppingly gorgeous Marcus walks into her life. But can she really overcome her cynicism about the opposite sex to trust in Marcus? And can he do the same?

Who's the genius...

2007-02-21T22:55:00.000-08:00

I was perusing the Homeland grocery circular today and noticed a product I've never seen before. It's Land O'Frost's "Taste Escapes." I sat there and thought about that title. Is that really the BEST title you could give a food item? Surely, you don't want something that is an escape from taste. I mean, taste is a big factor in eating. Right? Who was the genius that thought this would be a name to draw in the public? "Hmmm...I don't feel like tasting tonight, so let's buy this meat-like substance that has no taste." What is it made of, tofu?

A Funny Video from YouTube

2007-02-14T08:29:00.000-08:00

For those of us who love books, and those of us who know the frustrations of computers, this video is particularly funny. It's called "Introducing the Book."

My new Nissan and old car memories

2007-02-14T07:47:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago, I traded in my Buick for a 2006 Nissan Quest. I love it. It has so much room, even in the second row of seats. Plus, it handles like a car.

However, it is a minivan - hardly the sexiest or most youthful of vehicles. So far, though, everyone has been very impressed - even remarking on its looks. It is a very sporty, sleek minivan.

The other day, though, I couldn't help but reminisce about the other van that I've driven. It was a 1980-ish Dodge Van. Brown. With bronze pinstripes, and reflective sheeting on the back two windows - the sheeting had the image of an eagle in flight.

Dad bought the van and had it converted. He had a backseat put in that can fold out into a double bed. It had a brown velour-like cover, but that bed had a metal bar down the middle that made it very uncomfortable. The inside was carpeted with brown SHAG carpet. Even the walls and ceiling had shag. And up front, there was a float console which housed the speakers and an 8-track tape deck. The console floated above the dashboard area, suspended on hooks.

For family vacations, the van was great. However, there came a time when I had to drive it to high school. Oh, the mortification!! I wasn't a stoner or promiscuous - obvious reasons to actually want a van in high school. And my high school was very rich, so the majority of vehicles were sporty or snooty (snooty in a way only a BMW, Mercedes, or Volvo can be).

We probably drove that van 200K plus miles, quite a lot for a car made in the early 80s. Unfortunately, towards the end of the van's life, it started exhibiting strange behavior. One problem was the universal joint. Now, I have no idea what a U-Joint is for specifically. I do, though, know the symptoms of one about to go out. Whenever you're driving and hit a bump or pot-hole of signifcance, the entire van begins shimmying. Violently. The only cure is to pull over and come to a complete stop. Imagine how it felt being a 17-yr old and having a car that would start shaking uncontrollably. Cringe. Duck. Sigh.

Not only would it shimmy, but for some reason, every once in awhile, the floating console would come unhooked. We'd be driving and suddenly the thing would crash down, and we'd have to hold it up while trying to find a place to pull over. At this point, I would like the ask the obvious question: Why would you want a floating console? Did I mention that it, too, was covered in brown shag carpet?

So, the last few months of driving that van were quite exciting. A sudden pothole, and the van starts shaking with the palsy. Sometimes, the violence of the shaking would cause the floating console to crash down. I was battling motion sickness and the fear of concussion.

So this minivan is quite a different experience. Not only is there not a shred of shag carpeting, but it is painted a beautiful mother-of-pearl.

Old car memories are fun. It's amazing how much importance we place of the looks of a car. Someday, I'll have to share with you the time I owned a Triumph TR-7, a British sports car.

Hmm. That car was brown, too. I wonder if there's a theme?

Great TV

2007-01-30T12:45:00.000-08:00

I'm enjoying my TV lately. ROME began its 2nd season this month - and it is soooooo wonderful. James Purefoy as Marc Antony is fantastic - so indulgent, at time crass, a man of action, and funny. There is no weak link in this cast.

PRISON BREAK is also showing new episodes. The show consistently puts out high octane episodes that ratchet up the tension. Finally Sara and Michael will be reunited next week. I really love trying to figure out the twists and turns in this series. I never know what to expect.

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA - whoo-hoo! Baltar is now a prisoner on the ship, one of the Caprica models is also in the brig, Boomer and Helo have their baby back, Starbuck and Apollo are dealing with unrequited lust/love/dog in the manger - I'm not sure what. It's excellent.

STARGATE SG-1 - it's not back on yet, but I did hear that this will be the final season for the show. It's time. Since Jack left, the series just hasn't gelled. I hope we will see resolution between Jack and Sam. I'm also wondering if any of the cast will crossover to ATLANTIS.

THE DRESDEN FILES - I've not read any of Jim Butcher's books, but the first two episodes of this new X-Files-like series have me ordering online. I've heard there are some differences in the series and the books, but I love it. I've longed for a new X-FILES - a show that makes me think, fear, laugh, cry, angry...a show with a great cast, innovative writers and directors, and the nerve to push the limits. I have no idea if this show will be all of those things, but so far it has great potential. Another show that looks intriguing is BLOOD TIES on Lifetime based on Tanya Huff's Blood series about Vicky Nelson.

Angels Fall Movie

2007-01-30T12:42:00.000-08:00

I watched the Lifetime Movie version of Nora Robert's novel, ANGELS FALL. It was good. I have not had a chance to read this book yet, so my review must be tempered by that. However, the movie did manage to escape the uncomfortable and awkward dialogue that plagues so many screenplays adopted from romance novels.

I won't say the movie was great, but it was definitely worth the time to watch. Next week, MONTANA SKY will premiere. Then, BLUE SMOKE and CAROLINA MOON. I hope they all meet or exceed ANGELS FALL.

Update

2007-01-30T12:37:00.000-08:00

Well, my mom is in the hospital. She had colon cancer surgery on 1/10/07, was in the hospital a week, and then came home. She was home for 5 days when we had to take her to the emergency room because she had severe nausea and indigestion. 2 days later, she was back in the emergency room and they finally admitted her to the hospital with a urinary tract infection and blocked bowels. She's had x-rays every day since Friday to see what's going on inside, and as of today, they still don't seem to know much. Tomorrow, the dr. will take more x-rays and if she's not better, they will perform surgery. The poor thing hasn't eaten since last Tuesday, and she's so hungry.

My niece started day care/pre-K yesterday. Today is her first full day, and so far she's loving it. She was so excited about getting to stay with the kids and going to school. I cried this morning thinking of how much she's growing. I'm selfish and want her all to myself. ;-)

That's pretty much it for me lately.

December's Winter Storm

2007-01-09T14:41:00.000-08:00

I took this picture during our unseasonable blizzard last month. I think it is so pretty - the tree is still in its fall colors but the ground is thick with white snow.

The oak tree that dominates the picture was planted about 80 years ago. There is a picture of our house taken in 1927 and this tree is only a sapling. Now it towers over the house, reaching to the second story, and is so huge that grass will hardly grow on that side of the sidewalk.

If you click on the photo, a much larger version will load, and you can see the beautiful variations of leaves and colors.

A New Look

2007-01-04T14:21:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the new design! I call it "save the frogs." If you watch the show HEROES, you'll get the pairing of the save the frogs with "save the world." Why does saving frogs save the world? Well, frogs have very sensitive skin that absorbs things in the environment. This makes them susceptible to death by pollution. Scientists have been tracking the strange decrease in frog populations all over the world for many years now. Some theorize that the frogs are dying because of the dramatic increase in pollution. If true, then the demise of frogs is a foreshadowing of our own demise. If we can reverse this trend and save the frogs, then we save ourselves and the world.

At least from death by pollution.

Nalini Singh's Simply Fantastic Book - 4 Stars!!

2006-12-14T06:03:00.000-08:00

Last night I read Nalini Singh's SLAVE TO SENSATION.

Wow.

Wowie-wow-wow-WOW!

I couldn't put it down. It is EXACTLY what I love in a paranormal/fantasy thriller - shoot, in any book no matter the genre. The conflict in the novel was well crafted and suspenseful. The hero and heroine were interesting, stayed true to character, behaved in logical ways. I don't mean that they didn't do anything illogical, but every action seemed well-motivated and legitimate. These were intelligent people who didn't become stupid because the author needed to put them in jeopardy for some plot point. Singh does not disappoint. And let me tell you, I've been disappointed by 2 books in the last 3 weeks, so I was praying that the hype I have been reading about Singh was legitimate. It is MORE than legitimate.

Did I mention that Lucas Hunter, the hero, is hot? He's a changeling, part leopard, part human. Very sensual and emotional. The heroine, Sascha Duncan, is a Psy. Her people are like Vulcans - complete emotional control to the point of appearing robotic, run purely on logic. Except Sascha has always been very emotional and has had to hide this by building mental defenses. Now, though, she is on the verge of collapse, finding it harder to control her emotions. When she meets Lucas Hunter, a man who exudes sex as well as loyalty and love for his pack, those mental barriers are weakened. He represents all that she has never had and has always longed for.

Sacha has to get herself under control, for the penalty in her world for emotions is severe. But Lucas is on the hunt for a Psy serial killer, and to get what he needs, he has to push her to the limit.

It's a truly fun book to read - and I don't mean that in any trivial way. This book delighted me on many levels, and provided a wonderful reprieve from the essays and exams I've been grading.

If you love paranormal romance, then you really should read this book.

Appleby's and Cosmopolitans

2006-12-09T23:05:00.000-08:00

I have just discovered Cosmopolitans, and they are delicious!! I was having dinner with some friends at Appleby's (this time our waiter did not ask my friends to clean my plate or finish my drink), and decided to take a chance and order a drink I've never had. Yum! Here's the recipe:

1 1/2 oz vodka; 3/4 oz triple sec; 3/4 oz cranberry juice; 1 oz fresh lime juice. Pour the vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice and lime juice into a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice cubes. Shake well, strain into a cocktail glass, and serve.

This is just as good as my previous find, the Mojito.

3 fresh mint sprigs; 2 tsp sugar; 3 tbsp fresh lime juice; 1 1/2 oz light rum club soda. In a tall thin glass, crush part of the mint with a fork to coat the inside. Add the sugar and lime juice and stir thoroughly. Top with ice. Add rum and mix. Top off with *chilled* club soda (or seltzer). Add a lemon slice and the remaining mint, and serve.

Both of these drinks are tart and light. And they are both beautiful as well. The light pink of the cosmo in the martini glass, and the cool green of the mojito are aesthetically pleasing to me, which always is half the delight in drinking and eating.

On a related note, I have also discovered the Frappucino's at Starbucks. Oh lord, but those are tasty. Thankfully, I'm not a coffee freak, so I won't be tempted to buy these too often. Today, though, after a second day of Christmas shopping, I really needed a shot of caffeine. The mocha frappucino certainly did the trick.

And you wouldn't believe the buys I got at Wall's. Lotsa people gonna be verra-verra happy at Christmas time.

The Lap Band

2006-11-30T19:47:00.000-08:00

Michele asked me what a Lap band is. It is a type of bariatric surgery, done laparoscopically. This band fits around the intestine forming a fake, smaller stomach. Saline is injected in a port that cinches the band tighter - until the patient gets to the right "restriction" (in terms of how much she can eat). Unlike gastric bypass, nothing is removed, the surgery time is usually no more than an hour (mine was 35 minutes), and the recovery time is no more than 2-3 days (and even then, you're on your feet, you just need to take it easy). You lose weight slowly, @ 4-10 pounds a month if possible, though that varies with individuals.

I had this done in July, and I've so far lost the weight that I had gained over the last 2 years - probably about 50 pounds. I'm amazed at how much better I feel. I still have a long way to go before I get even close to my goal, but I'm making really great progress.

Senile at 40?

2006-11-28T22:06:00.000-08:00

Okay, I forgot about my blog. I admit it. I simply, totally, forgot to even feel guilty about not blogging. I'm a bad blogger. Shame, misery, misfortune, on the scale of a Greek tragedy. Curses!

And I've had stuff to blog about. So let me get started.

Today, a friend and I ate at Applebee's Restaurant in Ada, OK. Now, I love this chain of restaurants - the best nachos you can get in a non-Mexican restaurant. However, our waiter was way too chipper. He kept telling us about why he loved the bruschetta burger, which is what I ordered. He detailed his usual dislike of tomatoes but that in this burger, he enjoyed them. He raved about the pesto on it and asked if I had ever had pesto before. I was thrilled to get the guy to leave our table and actually put in our order.

I also ordered a strawberry, frozen margarita. I wanted a Mojito - a delicious drink I've just discovered thanks to my dear friend Jon. But, no mojito on the menu. Anyway, the drink came out a very pale pink - not enough strawberry. And it had an odd flavor. Not bad really, but not the way I like my margaritas. So I drank about half of it. And I ate about half of my burger. It was delicious, but with my lap band, I have a hard time eating a full burger these days.

When the waiter came to bus our table, I swear to you: he asked my friend if he wanted the rest of my burger! This was after he asked if I had liked the burger, if I thought the pesto was too strong, and after I had assured him that I was simply full and the burger was quite tasty. Once my friend, Jeff Cox, declined finishing up my meal, the waiter took our plates. He then came back with the check and asked me if I was finished with my margarita. I said yes, and (you guessed it), he asked Jeff if he wanted the rest of my drink. I mean, he even asked twice when I guess we didn't make it clear to him that Jeff didn't want to lick my plate for me.

I have never had a waiter ask someone else at a table if we wanted someone else's leftovers. It was so bizarre! Jeff dislikes perky waiters anyway. He really hates it when they want to tell you all about what they love on the menu before you even solicit such information. It was really quite funny because I knew Jeff was probably grinding his teeth. ;-)

I Am ALIVE!!

2006-10-13T14:13:00.000-07:00

Yes, though the activity on my blog might suggest otherwise, I am still alive and kicking. I can't say that my time has totally been devoted to work, but even the social events I've been attending have been with friends I work with, so we manage to talk shop. Since this is a public blog, there are many topics I cannot simply blog about because I wouldn't want some people reading my true feelings about some issues. Not that lots of people are watching my blog, but it gets around more than I would imagine. Something happened this year that showed me I have to be circumspect when it comes to discussing certain issues. I guess I could set up a blog under a pen name, let my friends know about it, and then let it rip. Hmm. I'll have to think about that.

Anyway, I'm excited because Battlestar Galactica is back!! I watched the new episode this week that was broadcast Friday night. Wow!! Blew me away. I've also been watching the new show, JERICHO. I really like it so far. I've been fascinated by the survival scenario ever since I read ALAS, BABYLON by Pat Frank in 10th grade. I wonder what place I would find in the aftermath of nuclear war. It's not like I have a lot of practical skills that most people don't have (e.g. cooking). And when survival is the primary need, the ability to reason, analyze a poem, and recite Shakespeare isn't necessarily something that most people would prize. I guess I could sing to people. ;-)

If you haven't had a chance to watch the show, check it out. It airs at 7:00 Wednesday evenings on channel 9. Which is an odd time. A significant demographic for this type of show, set in small town Kansas, would seem to be a Heartland audience and Christians. Most of them are probably at church on Wednesday evenings at 7:00. Don't these network people understand their own audience?

But don't get me wrong. The show is much more than small town Kansas and Christian. It, so far, is a very balanced show. It isn't too smalltown, or sentimental, or Bible-belt thinking. It's about people, with flaws and strengths, secrets and lies, fear and love.

So, I am going home to have a tea party with my dear niece and then watch hours of SciFi.

Depression Pop: "But the stars we could reach were just starfish on the beach"

2006-09-21T08:18:00.000-07:00

Driving to work today, I heard the 70's song, "Seasons in the Sun." It got me thinking of all the songs in the seventies that were just darned depressing. Terminally depressing. Sure, there were anti-war songs like:
"Billy Don't Be A Hero" (1974) by Paper Lace

She said
Billy, don't be a hero, don't be a fool with your life
Billy, don't be a hero, come back and make me your wife
And as he started to go she said, Billy, keep your head low
Billy, don't be a hero, come back to me

I heard his fiancee got a letter
That told how Billy died that day
The letter said that he was a hero
She should be proud he died that way
I heard she threw that letter away ...

Or "One Tin Soldier" by Coven (Joan Baez also released the song).

But I'm talking about songs that go beyond social commentary or even "you broke my heart and I want to die" ballads. These are songs about real dying or suicidal thoughts. I have a lovely selection for you:

“Alone Again, Naturally” (1972)by Gilbert O’Sullivan

In a little while from now
If I’m not feeling any less sour
I promise myself to treat myself
And visit a nearby tower
And climbing to the top will throw myself off
In an effort to make it clear to who
Ever what it’s like when you’re shattered
Left standing in the lurch at a church
Where people saying "My God, that’s tough
She's stood him up
No point in us remaining
We may as well go home"
As I did on my own
Alone again, naturally

"Shannon" by Henry Gross (1976)(about a dead dog)

Shannon is gone I heard
She's drifting out to sea
She always loved to swim away
Maybe she'll find an island
With a shaded tree
Just like the one in our backyard

Terry Jacks (1974)

Goodbye Michelle it's hard to die
When all the birds are singing in the sky
Now that the spring is in the air
With the flowers everywhere
I wish that we could both be there

We had joy we had fun
We had seasons in the sun
But the stars we could reach
Were just starfish on the beach

SHEESH! And think of all the songs I didn't list: "Lonely Boy" and "Wildfire" to name a couple.

Don't get me wrong: I will caterwaul to "Alone Again, Naturally" and "Wildfire" with the best of them. But what was going on to produce such dismal pop and then what happened that led to the short reign of Disco just after? Sure, times were trying with the war and social protest, but that's happening today and we don't hear the same level of angst in any pop-music genre that I'm aware of.

"She ran calling W-i-i-i-l-l-d-f-i-r-e!"

The blahs

2006-09-17T19:48:00.000-07:00

Hello my dears! Sorry for not posting in so long. Life has been busy. I'm now on the advisory board of the Oklahoma English Journal, a publication for the Oklahoma Council of Teachers of English. So I've been reading and copy editing a lot lately as well as teaching and other teacherly duties.

One great thing happened last week - The Daily Show and the Colbert Report are back from hiatus!! Jon Stewart has been on FIRE! So funny. Last week, they parodied the Progressive Auto Insurance Celebrity Translator commercials by having Little Richard translate for George Bush. They simply spliced in George Bush over the woman in that commercial and used some of his lines from his 9/11 speech. It was perfect. I thought I was going to fall on the floor, I was laughing so much. You can see it yourself on YouTube.com at http://youtube.com/watch?v=FzwPgb_2bEY.

And earlier in the week, he'd done the President's 5 Stages of Grief, using clips of Bush's comments over the last 5 years since 9/11. The stages were: Denial, Anger, Anger, Anger, Hanukkah, Acceptance, and Denial again. The Hanukkah stage was in response to Bush's comment that he didn't think Osama Bin Laden appreciated the joy of Hanukkah. Well, duh! Stewart's face after that quote was worth a thousand satiric comments. Here's the YouTube link: http://youtube.com/watch?v=7db73AavA48

YouTube is a great site - you can find just about any clip you want from Schoolhouse Rock to something on CNN last night. I was trying to figure out the melody in this old Saturday morning commercial about hankering for a hunk of cheese, and sure enough, I was able to see the whole thing on YouTube. Gosh, I love the internet!!

I'm doing great, BTW. I had a medical setback because of a doctor - I walked out of her office because I felt her care would have cost me a lot more money than she indicated upfront - all sorts of strings attached to getting my post-op fills at her center. So I'm going in on Tuesday to a doctor in Edmond for my first official visit to a doctor since surgery. I will post the results ASAP after Tuesday.

Anchorman 2: Enslave Me Sweetly, My Gentleman Lover

2006-08-28T22:41:00.000-07:00

My friend Gena Showalter SAYS she's been in Detroit on a book tour, but recent still photos from the pre-production of "Anchorman 2: Enslave Me Sweetly, My Gentleman Lover" tell the real story. If you remember about 6 weeks ago, I revealed certain revealing photos of Gena and Ron Burgandy reading, in BED, her blazing novel, ENSLAVE ME SWEETLY. Now, it appears that Gentleman Lover Pictures has bought the rights to this wonderful book and used it as the basis of Anchorman 2. As part of the deal, Showlater demanded a screen test, and below is one still photo from that test, which by the looks of it went well. Will our talented friend leave the ranks of the published writers for a new career as Anchorman Pin-Up Girl? Only time will tell.

Here I Am!! and Pot Roast

2006-08-18T12:27:00.000-07:00

I'm alive and doing well. This week, I've been at the college preparing for the first day of classes (next Monday). We've had formal meetings the last 3 days.

Okay, so next favorite meal is pot roast with all the fixings. My mom made this last night.

Big hunk o' meat prepared in a savory seasoning of pepper, salt, garlic, paprika, onions, beefy-onion soup mix, and morning leftover coffee.

Mashed potatoes
Steamed carrots
Homemade biscuits or plain white bread
Brown gravy made from the pot liquor

My mom's gravy is so good that I cannot begin to describe it. The coffee adds such a wonderful undertone to it. I used to eat 2 pieces of white bread simply soaking in the gravy as dessert! Of course, I have to watch the bread and carbs, so this meal is not a usual one (it used to be Sunday lunch regular dinner).

Sometimes Mom cooks the veggies with the beef, but I think I prefer the mashed potatoes and steamed carrots. She still cooks whole onions with the beef, though. Delicious.

Favorite Meals - #2 Thai

2006-08-01T11:07:00.000-07:00

Massaman curry and ground chicken salad form one of my favorite meals. Of course, I also love red and panang curry, but massaman is my favorite. This is Wikipedia's info on Massaman Curry:

(Thai: kaeng matsaman or gaeng masaman) is a Thai dish that can be made with beef, chicken, or pork. It contains coconut milk, roasted peanuts, potatoes, bay leaves, cardamom pods, cinnamon, palm sugar, fish sauce, and tamarind sauce. It is a Muslim-influenced curry, and the name massaman means "Muslim". The dish is served with rice and sometimes pickled ginger or cucumber and peppers soaked in vinegar.

I know the "fish sauce" may sound icky, but it's not overpowering. I am NOT a fish person, and I don't even notice any kind of fishy flavor. I like my curry with chicken. Add steamed jasmine rice, spring rolls, and chinese chicken drumsticks (drizzled with the curry gravy), and you've got a meal to wallow in.

The best place in Oklahoma to eat Thai food is the Thai Raja in Jenkins and Boyd in Norman. There is a daily lunch buffet (11:00-2:00) for $6.95, and it is ALWAYS exceptional. The buffet curry always has chicken in it, but there is also a small vegetarian bar that offers tofu in the curry. The bar also has pad thai, steamed and fried rice, broccoli beef, a different salad each day, fruit, thai cashew chicken, and several dishes with shellfish. Since I only eat curry plus the salad, I'm not sure what all is on the buffet each day. The Raja offers 5 types of curry, and each day of the week has one of the curries on the buffet (Green/Mon, Massaman/Tues, Red/Wed, Panang/Thurs, Yellow/Fri). Lately, they've also been offering Red curry each day as well. The lady that owns it is from Thailand, as are most of the waitresses. They all speak excellent English and are the kindest people. My SSC gang eats there often, even though it's an hour drive from Seminole.

Thai food is one of the best foods in the world. I like Chinese, but I rarely eat it anymore. You know how at the end of the meal, you feel really heavy and all you can taste is the sugary sauces and breading? Well, Thai food does not leave that feeling in your stomach or your mouth. In fact, I feel like my tastebuds are smiling and floating on air after eating at the Raja. Seriously. I've never been sick after eating Thai food, and it seems to fill me up better.

BTW, Thai curry is very different from Indian curry.

My Top Ten Favorite Meals: #10

2006-07-28T10:37:00.000-07:00

Since I've been on this pre/post operative diet, mainly liquids, for over a month now, I'm really looking forward to Monday when I'll be able to eat solid foods again. But what will that first meal be? I thought I'd countdown my favorite meals. Let me know what yours are.

So, one of my favorite meals is what I call the Starch-o-rama. I am totally serious about loving this meal.

1. Mexican/chili beans - very spicy
2. Mac and cheese (homemade, deluxe Kraft, or even out of the cardboard box)
3. Whole kernal corn (not cream style)
4. Slice of onion
5. Chunk of kielbasa or a couple of hot dogs (Oscar Mayer) with lots of mustard
6. Potato chips - Classic Lays OR mashed potatoes (homemade only)

I know, I know. It sounds hideous when you look at it from a nutritional standpoint. But my taste buds revel in the flavors. The meal has a great blend of textures: crunchy, chewy, crisp, firm. It has a nice balance of sweet, spicy, salty and tangy. What it doesn't have a balance in is green vegetables.

Before you scoff, try it out. You could also add fresh sliced tomatoes, or substitute chili for the chili beans.

The beautiful Pacific

2006-07-22T00:12:00.000-07:00

Here's a picture I took on my first day seeing the Pacific Ocean. The temperature was in the mid-70s, and the breeze was invigorating. I wish I could describe the scent of the ocean. It was amazing - soft and clean. Simply magnificent. The entire day was perfect for my first view of the big blue.

Back from Mexico

2006-07-16T19:08:00.000-07:00

Hi All! My family and I arrived home from Mexico late Friday night. Yesterday was spent recuperating and restocking the kitchen cupboards. I am feeling well and had a great time. My surgery was fantastic - the clinic and people there were absolutely magnificent. I have great pictures and stories to tell, which I will as soon as I get back into the groove of things. My first priority, other than healing, is getting my students taken care of. We only have 2 weeks left in the semester, so they will command my attention. Here's one pic of our adventures. It's the Grand Canyon, and this picture in no way captures how grand it is. The triangular rock formation just about in the center of the picture is called something like Pharoah's Pyramid.

Hello from Mexico

2006-07-10T21:47:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to pop in and say hi! Everything's going well here - though I can't believe how cool it is! I certainly expected the temp to be just as high as it was in Oklahoma when we left. Instead, Tijuana is 78 degrees, and they say that's a heat wave! :-0

I'm gonna hit the hay, now. Take care all.

My Last Supper

2006-07-06T05:03:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday was my last solid food for several weeks. I'm having some minor surgery, and I have to go on a pre-operative diet of 3-4 protein shakes a day (160 calories each), and a lettuce salad with balsamic vinegar if I feel the need for more. So far, I've only had 3 shakes a day and about 1.5-2 cups of romaine lettuce. I can't believe how "easy" it's been. Yesterday, I waited too long to drink my lunch shake, and when I was in Guthrie I started getting sick - headache and nausea. So I stopped at Arby's for a salad. I was very proud of myself - I picked out the lettuce and cucumbers and ignored the cheese, chicken, bacon, tomatoes, boiled egg, croutons, and dressing. I never knew plain lettuce could taste so good.

I'm serious. That lettuce and those bits of cucumber might as well have been the buffet at Golden Corral. ;-)

Anyway, some friends held a "Last Supper BBQ" for me on Sunday. Jeff Cox is a superb burger griller (and his BBQ chicken is delicious as well). After we'd eaten, he suggested we take a picture - my Last Supper. So my friend, Kelly Kirk - who is the Division Chair of the LA/HUM division and an extremely talented artist, composed the picture below. I think it's a hoot. From left to right: Gail Cox, Cathy Calvin, Nina Kirk, Me, Jeff Cox, Tony Yates, and Chris Calvin.

Well, I'll be in Tucumcari, NM this evening, on my way to Mexico. I'll "see" you in 10 days.

AWOL

2006-07-05T19:29:00.000-07:00

Folks, I will be out of state for the next 10 days. So nothing new will be posted on the blog. I hope to have lots of goodies to post when I get back.

Take care!

One of my favorite movie scenes

2006-06-28T17:00:00.000-07:00

Here's a snippet from a great film. Can you name it? (note: the dashed lines indicate a small edit):

King Arthur: Old woman.
Dennis: Man.
King Arthur: Man, sorry. What knight lives in that castle over there?
Dennis: I'm 37.
King Arthur: What?
Dennis: I'm 37. I'm not old.
King Arthur: Well I can't just call you "man".
Dennis: Well you could say "Dennis".
King Arthur: I didn't know you were called Dennis.
Dennis: Well you didn't bother to find out did you?
King Arthur: I did say sorry about the "old woman", but from behind you looked...
Dennis: What I object to is you automatically treat me like an inferior.
King Arthur: Well I am king.
Dennis: Oh, king eh? Very nice. And how'd you get that, eh? By exploiting the workers. By hanging on to outdated imperialist dogma which perpetuates the economic and social differences in our society.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
King Arthur: I am your king.
Woman: Well I didn't vote for you.
King Arthur: You don't vote for kings.
Woman: Well how'd you become king then?
[Angelic music plays... ]
King Arthur: The Lady of the Lake, her arm clad in the purest shimmering samite held aloft Excalibur from the bosom of the water, signifying by divine providence that I, Arthur, was to carry Excalibur. THAT is why I am your king.
Dennis: [interrupting] Listen, strange women lyin' in ponds distributin' swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dennis: Oh, but you can't expect to wield supreme executive power just because some watery tart threw a sword at you.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dennis: Oh but if I went 'round sayin' I was Emperor, just because some moistened bint lobbed a scimitar at me, they'd put me away.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dennis: Come and see the violence inherent in the system. Help! Help! I'm being repressed!
King Arthur: Bloody peasant!
Dennis: Oh, what a giveaway! Did you hear that? Did you hear that, eh? That's what I'm on about! Did you see him repressing me? You saw him, Didn't you?

Beware Jolie's Wrath

2006-06-26T22:44:00.000-07:00

Here's the original picture:

An Even Better "Afternoon Delight"

2006-06-22T14:42:00.000-07:00

What inspires Ron and Gena in their soirees? Is it fine Scotch Whiskey? The scent of Sex Panther in the air? No...it's Gena's incredibly sexy books - sure to inspire the lustiest of fellows.

Gena and the Anchorman: "I freakin' love you."

2006-06-21T23:55:00.000-07:00

"Thinkin' of you's workin' up my appetite / Looking forward to a little afternoon delight / Rubbin' sticks and stones together makes the sparks ignite / And the thought of lovin' you is getting so exciting."

Devyn is MINE!!!

2006-06-19T05:52:00.001-07:00

I would like to point out to all of those reading ENSLAVE ME SWEETLY an important IN PRINT acknowledgement by author Gena Showalter. At the end of the book, in the interview with author pages, notice that Gena admits that Devyn is MINE!! Of course, I was quite subtle in my calling "dibs" on the sexy alien king, but Gena's keen senses were quick to pick up my message: I shall employ Mia Snow and Eden Black-like techniques on anyone who tries to interfere with my claim on said sexy king. Of course, I would be willing to time share with Gena - she DID create him afterall.

For those of you who haven't read the book and do not yet know of the lucious Devyn, all I can say is: You haven't read the book???!!! What are you waiting for. It's a fantastic story!!!

Thanks Gena for Devyn. You are such a good friend. XO

Rinda and Adrien

2006-06-12T14:51:00.000-07:00

Though Rinda was VERY subtle about it, I think she wanted me to upload these pictures I "found" of her and "hunky" Adrien Brody. (I'm quoting her when I use the adjective "hunky" to describe Adrien).

Here's a lovely shot of them reinacting Worf's wedding to Dax on Star Trek's Deep Space Nine.

But I simply adore this recreation of a scene from KING KONG.

Betty Misses Out

2006-06-11T15:35:00.000-07:00

Betty was trying to get the shot as the cover heroine for Gena's latest book by submitting this picture from her personal archive. But Betty's version of the story may just spell DOOM for the Beast - look who he's up against!!

Betty and the Beast

Gena Showalter's Latest Plot?

2006-06-11T15:34:00.000-07:00

Hmmm. My sneaky spies have uncovered the plot for Gena Showalter's latest book proposal - the one insiders say is "her best one yet." It's a crossover book, and she's posing for the cover herself. Here is the shot I hear they are going with for the book currently titled: ENSLAVE ME SWEETLY WITH YOUR ANIMAL INSTINCTS

Gena Showalter's ENSLAVE ME SWEETLY

2006-05-29T02:35:00.000-07:00

Run out and buy a copy of this book now. It is fantastic: funny, sexy, gripping, etc. And thought the cover it tantalizing, don't be misled. This book is not about bondage, and the heroine does more than traipse around in a leopard print baby doll nighty. She's a golden-skinned assassin tracking down scum who sell women as sex slaves. When she gets paired up with Lucius, a tough, alpha-male assassin, sparks fly.

Oh, and wait till you meet the guy she's SOLD to....Ah, you'll just have to read the book.

Click on the graphic for a better version of the animation.

Visit Gena's web site for a more extensive description of ENSLAVE ME SWEETLY, or read her blog for updates. To purchase ENSLAVE ME SWEETLY from Amazon.com, click here.

Robert Torti as Pharoah

2006-05-23T08:43:00.000-07:00

Michele just discovered Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical: Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. I have this on DVD starrting, sigh, Donny Osmond as Joseph. The entire show is a riot, but also touching. The fun in the show in no way lessens the beautiful message of this biblical story, though Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice take a lot of liberties with some elements.

Anyway, one of the best numbers is when the Pharoah meets Joseph, and here's a picture of Robert Torti from the DVD. Let me say this: this picture in no way does justice to Torti or to the amazing job he does as a singer and actor in this film.

Rinda's Story from a Picture

2006-05-21T17:47:00.000-07:00

I really love when Rinda posts a picture for us to respond to. So, here's one of my own. It's a painting called "The Lovers" by Rene Magritte. So, my wonderfully imaginative friends: what's the story of the picture?

Me and RDA

2006-05-20T20:51:00.000-07:00

RDA is the recommended daily allowance of Richard Dean Anderson. Michele asked me to post more from my fantastic photo collection, so I thought I'd put up one of my personal favorites. ;-)

There will be more photo magic to come next week.

The V3 Pink RAZR is MINE!!!

2006-05-09T19:39:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited in a completely nerdy way. I just got in my new cell phone - the Motorla Pink RAZR from Cingular. It's beautiful. And it has so many geeky things - like an MPEG4 recorder with sound, digital camera, bluetooth wireless, a big screen, oh, and you can make calls on it too. ;-)

Long time no post

2006-05-08T14:46:00.000-07:00

Me bad blogger. Me not post long time. Me begin write like student. Me grade to many essay. Me tired explaning how cite internet source in MLA. Me howl at moon. Me gibbering idiot. Me glad finals week here.

Okay, enough, I know. Yes it is final's week, but my dear friend Michele wanted to know what was up since I hadn't blogged in so long. It's just the end of the semester wrap up: committee work, division work, class work. Plus we're hiring a new full time English teacher for next year, so we had to go through resumes and pick our favorites last week. We also had to interview tutors and send our recommendations. I just finished writing an exam and still have to teach one more class today - my evening literature course.

Still, it's good to be healthy - no coughing or wheezing. Last week I had a round of migraines, but they were good and allowed me to function during the day.

I have treated myself lately, though. I bought an expensive pressure cooker from QVC. I bought the Sheer Cover mineral makeup kit. But I'm sending it back because I don't like the color or coverage. Saturday, I bought the new pink RAZR phone - I ordered it online so I could save another $70. I can't WAIT to get it. I dyed my hair auburn yesterday - I've done this in the past and love the red. I bought a new flat panel monitor, but I gave it to my sister since her's went out at the business and she needs one for graphic design. So that made me feel good.

My friend, Jessica, had a birthday today. She teaches here at SSC, so we got her a card from the division. I taped a picture of Keanu Reeves in the card and wished her happy b-day from him. What's great is that this morning, I asked our theatre teacher, the AMAZING Kevin Worden, to sing happy birthday to her as Keanu - he does the most incredible impersonation of him. It's really excellent. We have him read all sorts of things as Keanu - Shakespeare, lines from movies, etc. He once did an impersonation of Keanu doing an impersonation of Captain Kirk playing Hamlet. We were howling! So it was a great surprise this morning for Jessica to get a call from Keanu. ;-)

My niece, Lauren, learned to spell "poop" this weekend. It's one of her favorite words (she's 3 1/2). We've been playing with the Scrabble board - she loves putting the "buttons" (tiles) on the board. I've been teaching her some of her favorite words, and now she not only can spell "poop" but she can also read it when I write it out! I'm sure some people would suggest I teach her a better word, like love, but I figured I would pick something she uses a lot and that would encourage her to learn more.

I have discovered I'm allergic to lemongrass. It was in a new lotion and candle that I bought. The candle made my throat and ear sore, and the lotion broke me out in bumps. The only common link is the lemongrass. I've also eaten Thai soup with lemongrass, and it's made my throat tickle - I thought it was the pepper.

Favorite Thai food: Massuman Curry (the one with potatoes).
Second Favorite: Panang Curry (with peanuts and green beans).
Third favorite Thai food: Ground Chicken Salad or Beef Salad - Delicious!

Joke: The female gorilla at the zoo was acting strange. The vets observed her for a while and realized that she needed to mate. However, there were no male gorillas nearby. They thought about it a bit and decided they would ask Bubba, the intern who was studying Animal Husbandry at OSU. They said, "Bubba, for $500 would you mate with our female gorilla?" He looked at them with a frown, thought a bit, and then asked, "Can I think it over and tell you tomorrow?" They said, "Sure." The next day, Bubba arrived and told them, "I'll do it, but I have 4 conditions.
1) No kissing on the mouth. 2) No one can know about this. 3) If there are any children, they have to be raised Southern Baptist, and 4) I'll need 2 weeks to scrape up the $500 bucks."

Isn't that hilarious!! I would like to point out that Bubba attends the same college that just gave honorary degrees to George Bush in Agricultural Economics and Political Science. They might just as well have given him degrees in laser surgery and ballet. He knows as much about those as he does the first two.

Well, I've managed to waste nearly 30 minutes, so I'll sign off and get ready to go to class. Bonne nuit, mes amis!

Great Book Announcement!!

2006-04-24T14:56:00.000-07:00

I just finished reading PC Cast's GODDESS OF LIGHT. Wow! It had me in tears at the end. PC manages to deal with the mythical past of Apollo in a way that doesn't ignore the more difficult choices he's made concerning some women, and still make him a lovable, sexy hero. I was skeptical that she could do this and remain true to the legends, but she does it beautifully, and in a way that I completely respect as a scholar of Greek Mythology.

I admit to having a "thing" for Apollo. He's always been my favorite.
There was the "Who Mourns For Adonais" episode of Star Trek: The Original Series, with Michael Forest as the toga-clad Apollo. He was more "Greek" in that he had dark hair and eyes, not the golden god of the sun and sky that I've always imagined him as. But he is sufficiently hunky and charismatic in this episode, and as a pre-teen, I couldn't resist the tragic love between him and and Lt. Carolyn Palamas (Leslie Parrish). Talk about some serious dream fantasies about being the mortal woman who gets the favor of the god, and an incredible hair and wardrobe update. I seriously wanted that gown and her hair. I really don't know how she kept this dress on - they had to have used glue.

As I read PC's book, I imagined Matthew McConaughey as Apollo - a clean shaven Matthew. In the Barbara Walter's interview with him, she commented on how blue his eyes are. And I immediately thought of him when I read the description in PC's book of Apollo with hair and skin kissed by the sun and eyes as blue as a summer sky (my words not hers).

The book was sweet, funny, and by the end, when I had no idea how these two were going to get together, I was wiping tears.

For those of you who love fantasy, this is a great read.

I was rehired and other miscellaneous thoughts!

2006-04-20T10:25:00.000-07:00

I got my letter today from President Utterback informing me that the college wants me to come back next year. I didn't doubt that I would be offered the job again, but still - nothing is impossible.

We were talking of unintentional puns that people make, and one of my favorites is from a research paper I received my second year teaching at OSU. The student's topic was the cruelty of animal testing, and she wrote: Litteraly, the monkeys are thrown away like garbage."

Thirteen years later, and that still cracks me up.

I did my spring cleaning this week. It is sooooo wonderful coming home to a neat, vacuumed house. And I'm feeling so much better. My lungs are strong again, and I can actually walk from one end of the hallway to the other without feeling the need for oxygen. ;-)

I am currently reading WARSWORN by Elizabeth Vaughn and GODDESS OF LIGHT by PC Cast. Both are fantastic! I started the other book because I left the first in my office at school and needed something to read at home. It was next on the TBR pile.

Kudos to my dear friends Maggie Price and Gena Showalter for finalling in the NRCA. I was so thrilled to call and let Gena know the good news.

Now, I must get back to my desk. We've just finished preparing a second edition of our comp 1 and 2 reader, and I'm writing 1/4 of the bios of the authors in the book. Gotta get that finished.

Jill Monroe's SHARE THE DARKNESS

2006-04-08T10:22:00.000-07:00

As many of you may be aware, Jill has a new book out, SHARE THE DARKNESS. What you might not be aware of, though, is just how deep the Blaze goes in Jill. I'm not sure if it's the cherry in her Sonic Cherry Cokes - maybe after so many, a person changes on the genetic level, but this is a woman predisposed to write hot, sexy, steamy romance.

Item 1: She invented STROIKA SEX. Not merely content to be president of her local RWA chapter, help create one of the most successful writing contests for unpublished authors, help institute the judge training in RWA, etc., Jill managed to create a totally new type of sex inspired by Mikhail Gorbachev's Perestroika policies (or maybe it was just the way the former Soviet president looked in a fur coat). Though she's never been willing to share specific details about this method of sexual satience, she always smiles that mysterious Mona Lisa smile whenever the terms pops up.

Item 2: One of her first requests of me as a graphic designer was to incorporate a blue dildo in a graphic. I quickly saw the bottom line for Jill.

Item 3: Obviously anyone not fooled by Brad Pitts cheesy, shallow attraction truly understands Blaze-type heat. That's why our good friend Gena Showalter writes fantasy - she's living in a delusion. ;-)

So run and grab this book before it's gone!!

Another Lauren Story

2006-04-02T13:55:00.000-07:00

Because my mom needs a break from watching a toddler, Lauren stays with her mom at the shop (which my other sister owns and my dad works at as well), every Tuesday and Thursday. We have a screenprinting and sign business. Lauren is amazing. She's not 3 1/2 years old yet, but already when someone comes in the shop, she'll go to them and try to sell them a shirt! The other day, and teen boy came into the shop. He has a Christian rock band and was having us design and screenprint t-shirts for the band. Lauren goes to him and asks him if he wants to buy a red shirt, then she stops and says, "Actually, you would look better in black." The other day, she was hoping to sell a shirt and wondered what commission she was going to make on it!

What have we let loose on the world!!!????

The picture is an old one - when she was about 18 months. I'd just finished putting on lipstick, and she came in and kissed me on the mouth, getting pink lipstick all over her mouth. Mom had the Polaroid handy and snapped a quick shot. ;-)

Jill Monroe's Latest Release!!

2006-03-29T21:19:00.000-08:00

If you want a sizzling read, pick up Jill Monroe's newest book from Blaze: SHARE THE DARKNESS. You won't be sorry!

Click banner to see larger, clearer image.

The Binky Faerie

2006-03-28T09:06:00.000-08:00

We're trying to break my 3-year old niece, Lauren, of her binky. On Sunday, my sister, Sheri, called and told my mother a story of how one mother broke her daughter by using the Binky Faerie. The mother told the toddler that babies all over the world needed binkies, and the Binky Faerie was collecting them. Did the little girl know of any binkies these babies could use? The little girl took her binky out of her mouth and gave it to the mom and then offered all her other binkies. The mother put them in a bag and hung the bag that evening from a tree branch. The next morning, the binkies were gone but a gift for the little girl was left by the Binky Faerie.

When my mother told me this Monday night, I thought it was the sweetest story, and we decided it would be a great technique for Lauren. So, yesterday, Mom tried it. She told Lauren about the needy babies and the binky faerie and asked her if she knew of any binkies the faerie could have.

Lauren took her binky out of her mouth, put the binky ring on her finger, and very matter of factly stated: "This is HER binky, and she better not try to take it. And she better leave her binkies alone at home."

Lauren refers to herself in third person.

So much for the Binky Faerie.

2006-03-22T20:05:00.000-08:00

You Should Be a Science Fiction Writer

Your ideas are very strange, and people often wonder what planet you're from.
And while you may have some problems being "normal," you'll have no problems writing sci-fi.
Whether it's epic films, important novels, or vivid comics...
Your own little universe could leave an important mark on the world!

What Type of Writer Should You Be?

My First Novel (Oh the humiliation!)

2006-03-22T14:28:00.000-08:00

Gena Showalter, Jill Monroe, and PC Cast are all baring their souls by posting the first chapter or prologue of their first novels. Well, I'll join in - nothing like group humiliation to help us bond. Here's my first novel, a lovely little Harlequin-esque romance entitled TO TRUST IN LOVE. I wrote it while recouperating from a car accident (whiplash, etc). I'd just read a horrible book and said, "I could write better than this!" Unfortunately, I was not on strong, psychtotropic drugs that would account for the very cliched nature of this book. Be kind and try hard not to laugh too much at the painfully obvious no-nos).

To Trust in Love by Kelli McBride
Chapter 1

Marissa Chandler stared into the full-length mirror seeking assurance there. She knew the leaf green dress was perfect. The silky material was airy enough to keep her cool in the humid Oklahoma weather. The color accentuated her fair skin and brought out the red tint in her long brown hair. It clung just enough to show off her figure, but not enough to be indiscreet.

No, it was not the dress that Marissa scrutinized so carefully. It was the figure. Even after two years, she sometimes would pass a mirror and not realize that the slim body was hers. After being overweight for twenty-three years, it took some time getting used to being thin. Instead of being hidden by sixty extra pounds, her 5’9” body was beautifully displayed at 145 pounds.

It was like her spirit was walking around in a different body. She had always had the long mane of honey-brown hair. The ivory, near flawless complexion, high cheekbones, and slightly slanted blue eyes coupled with winged eyebrows and full lips had often made people comment, “She’s such a beautiful girl. It’s too bad about the weight.”

Well, now the weight was no longer a problem, except in her mind. She often forgot that she now had a firm, toned body that matched her face. Marissa had to look in the mirror to reassure herself that she was not dreaming. However, her problems did not disappear with the sixty pounds. Though a successful mystery novelist, Marissa was still plagued with moments of low self-confidence, especially around men. The programming of twenty-three years did not go away with a handful of dates and the looks of male appreciation she now received. In fact, men made up a whole new set of problems. It was not easy being a twenty-six year old virgin with practically no experience in dealing with male advances.

Shaking her head, Marissa stopped brooding and set her thoughts on why she was dressed up. It was her friend’s wedding day. Rachel was tying the knot that afternoon.

“And if I don’t get a move on, I will miss it,” Marissa said to her reflection.
Just then, her sister Ariel yelled from the other room, “Are you ready yet?”

“Yes, I’m coming,” Marissa called back.

Picking up her purse, she smoothed down her dress and joined her sister in the living room. Ariel was two years older and two inches shorter than Marissa. Her dark brown hair with red tints was cut in a sassy bob that curved under her chin. Her eyes, though blue like her sister’s, were more round than slanted and had a tinge more gray to them. She was always thanking providence that she had been given a slim figure with slight curves to match her 5’7” frame. It was hard enough being a female assistant D.A. without looking like a centerfold as well.

“You look great,” Ariel commented as she started out the door towards her car.

As she followed her sister, Marissa assessed Ariel’s suit dress. She complimented her on her taste. “That outfit is just right for an up and coming young defense attorney.”

“Well, Rachel does know several important people. I wouldn’t want to meet one today looking like a debutante,” Ariel joked with a pointed gaze.

Lifting an eyebrow Marissa inquired, “Are you implying that I look like a deb, Counselor?”

“I plead the fifth,” Ariel laughed, holding her hand up in a mock oath. “Seriously, you look great. Is there any special reason you went to so much trouble with your appearance?”

“That’s leading the witness.”

“And I guess speculation would be objected too?”

Marissa was silent for a moment. She knew Ariel suspected something. “Okay, Kate called last week and said that Jarrett might be at the wedding.”

“Jarrett Prescott?” Ariel said in feigned astonishment.

“Yes.” Marissa stared quietly out the window.

So,” Ariel drew the word out slowly.

“What do you mean, ‘so’?” Marissa turned her head to her sister.

“Just that you’ll finally get a shot at him,” Ariel answered.

“Ha!” Marissa crossed her arms defensively and half turned to Ariel. “What makes you think I still want a shot at Mr. Prescott?”

“What makes me think...?” Ariel repeated incredulously. “You were nuts about him for three years. You pined for the guy, milked all of your friends, including his sister—your best friend, for information about him, and kept a picture of him by your bed. You went out of your way to be his friend, grateful for any word from him, and you ask me what makes me think you’re going after him? Geez, you must think I’m an idiot.”

“Ariel, that was over five years ago. I have changed a lot since I last saw him. I will not deny I am eager to see him again, but it is more a feeling that I will finally be able to put those old emotions to rest. I’m not hoping to start anything,” she explained. “Besides, he’s probably bringing some gorgeous woman with him and he won’t even notice me.” Again, she looked out the window.

“Kate would know,” Ariel said, sliding a look at Marissa from the corner of her eye as she mentioned Jarrett’s sister.

“No,” Marissa said distractedly. “She didn’t.” Biting her lip, Marissa glanced quickly at Ariel to see if she had caught her admission. Ariel’s pursed lips, trying to hide a smile, showed Marissa that her sister understood the importance of that slip.

"Okay,” Marissa admitted. “I asked her if he was seeing anyone steady. I just want to be prepared. I really don’t know how I feel anymore.” Frustrated, Marissa ended her confession.

“Hey, I’m sorry,” Ariel said softly. “I didn’t mean to tease you. I know you went through hell when he left town. I just did not realize you were still hung up on him. You have hardly mentioned him in years.

“I am not hung up on him!” Marissa snapped. “I...,” she searched for words to defend herself, then slumped in her seat in defeat. “Oh hell, I guess there’s a good chance that I still am hung up on him. He was everything I wanted in a man five years ago. Faults and all, I loved him. They say you never forget your first love. I just hope you can get over him,” she finished with a fervent prayer.

“Hey, cheer up,” Ariel said. “Once he sees the new you, he won’t have a chance!”

“I just wish he would have had more interest in the old me,” Marissa mumbled.

Ariel wisely kept silent as they drove on to the wedding.

Perfect Partner Meme

2006-03-19T18:53:00.000-08:00

Okay, Michelle tagged me awhile back to do the perfect partner meme. So I'm finally getting to it.

Target of Perfect Partner: Male

My perfect partner:

1. Tall (between 6' and 6'4"), dark, and handsome (see previous blogs for an indication of my definition of handsome) (okay, it's a cliche, but it nicely sums his physical characteristics up)
2. Wicked sense of humor - not just a yuk-yuk kind, but someone who understands irony, and appreciates not only the sophomoric but the sophisticated as well.
3. Must absolutely be intelligent. Dr. Ruth is right when she says the brain is the main sex organ. I must have a man that can keep up with me mentally.
4. Likes sports, especially professional baseball and college basketball
5. Likes to read - I can't imagine being with someone who didn't appreciate the necessity of a quiet read, and even the re-read. People who don't understand why you might want to re-read a book simply baffle me
6. No neat freaks. If he can't live with a bit of dust on the furniture, then sayonara.
7. Compassion and strong devotion to civil liberties: I could not be with someone who didn't believe in everyone's right to equality, nor someone who is hard-hearted. However, I don't want a bleeding heart who will cry at every Sally Strother commercial for hungry children.
8. Independent who respects my need for space and autonomy as well. I don't want to live in each other's pockets.
9. Monogamous - there is no sharing.
10. Adventurous - be willing to try new things (please see #9), and can handle some role playing. ;-)
11. Allows me to rant and vent and cry if necessary without calling me overly emotional, etc. He needs to understand the drama queen in me, and be ready to tell me to shut up when I push it (but always reining me in with a loving and respectful manner).

Prison Break is BACK!!!

2006-03-19T18:48:00.000-08:00

In honor of the new season beginning Monday, I give you Wentworth Miller.

Not only is he gorgeous, talented, and gorgeous, but he's a LITERATURE MAJOR!!! He's one of my own kind!!!

In all seriousness, I really can't wait for the new episodes. This is such a fun show - you never know what glitch is going to pop up, and I'm eager to see how they work Abruzzi back into the escape plan and what they do to T-Bag. This will definitely help me weather the Battlestar Galactica hiatus (what a season finale that was!).

New Olympic Sport

2006-03-19T18:13:00.000-08:00

I have no idea what this sport could be, or how many countries could participate, but I nominate this as a new Summer Olympic sport. And I would volunteer to spray the athlete's bodies gold.

Anyone want to start a petition? ;-)

The Donut Burger!!

2006-03-15T14:31:00.000-08:00

Last night, the Colbert Report was so funny - as it usually is. One of the "Tip of the Hat" segments was about a new hamburger developed by a minor league baseball team: the Gateway Grizzlies.

Colbert said they've "created the ultimate in American cuisine. The donut burger. It's a hamburger topped with sharp cheddar cheese and two slices of bacon, all between a sliced Krispy Kreme original glazed donut. Hmmm. Like all great ideas, it's both surprising and inevitable. And at about 1000 calories and 45 grams of fat, it just might save social security."

As disgusting as this seemed originally to me, I soon remembered McDonald's entrant into this mixture of dessert and non-dessert foods: the McGriddle. Specifically, the sausage, egg, and chesse McGriddle: an unholy concoction sure to tempt even the most health conscious and harden even the softest of arteries. I do not eat McGriddles anymore. Something that sweet, spicy, and delicious, and topped with cheese, just had to be a one way ticket to the cemetery. But if a McGriddle tastes so good, I can bet this burger has it's charms as well. But I will remain true and choose to clog my arteries with a healthy dollop of mayonnaise and extra cheese.

To see and hear Colbert's clip yourself, go to the show's web site: http://www.comedycentral.com/shows/the_colbert_report/videos/tip/index.jhtml. This is a page that has a selection of Tip of the Hat clips - choose the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame clip (the segment has several tip of the hats - the donut burger is about half way through the clip).

I spoke too soon!

2006-03-08T06:24:00.000-08:00

Well, I thought I was on the road to recovery, but with the pear trees blooming, my seasonal allergies kicked in, and now my bronchitis has flared up again. So I went to a new doctor yesterday. During the 2.5 hours I was there, they took x-rays and blood. The result? I have bronchitis of the lower lungs, but I also have asthma! I've never been diagnosed with asthma, but I have suspected I might have it for a while.

So, the doctor gave me a shot, asmanex inhaler for the asthma, singulair for the allergies/asthma, zithromax for the bronchitis, allegra for the allergies, nasacort to spray in my nose to prevent sinus/allergy breakouts, and he said I could continue using my Albuterol inhaler I still had from my last bout with bronchitis last year. You should see my purse! I'm a walking pharmacy. ;-)

I do feel better today, but I still have this nagging headache - which might be an indicator that bad weather is moving in. I'm hoping for a good old Oklahoma thunderstorm.

So, hopefully this new doctor will help me manage my allergies and sinus problems as opposed to just doing damage control.

Thanks for all the well wishes. I am thoroughly sick of being ill, as are most people I know around here who are going through the same stuff.

The reports of my death...

2006-03-06T05:42:00.000-08:00

Betty asked if I were okay because I haven't posted in awhile. I am better, but I have been swamped at the college. Our AAUP chapter hosted a conference on Saturday, and I've been busy behind the scenes with my colleagues.

Next week is spring break, so I hope to be more bloggy then.

Love y'all!

Drew and Cheryl Win!!

2006-02-28T05:15:00.000-08:00

I am so excited that Drew and Cheryl won Dancing with the Stars on Sunday night!! I thought that Jerry and Anna had won for sure when Stacy and Tony were eliminated early on. I was sooooo disappointed. I like Jerry Rice, and I think his last dance was so good, but Drew and Cheryl had been so outstanding, positive, and fun the whole series that it would have been a shame had they not won. I think it a shame that Stacy did not come in second.

But, Drew won!! Yay!!

I can't believe how much fun this show was - though I admit I would have been happy just to watch the results show instead of both Thursday and Friday night. There is a lot of repetition to fill up time and I guess to increase the suspense. I only found it irritating.

Poem #5: Something of My Own

2006-02-28T05:09:00.001-08:00

This is a bit egotistical perhaps, but I wrote a poem for a World Lit II assignment years ago, and I simply love it. I present it here mainly because I need a more humorous piece to balance the darker ones I've posted already.

The assignment was to write something in the style of the French Symbolists (e.g. Baudelaire and Verlaine). This group of poets believed that everything had beauty, even something as disgusting and mundane as roadkill. It had beauty because it was part of the natural order of life - it fed bugs which fed birds which fed mammals, etc. Of course, there is a lot more to Fr. Symbolism, but this bit explains the title and perspective of my poem.

Festering Sore, Part 1

I avoided driving over a dead armadillo;
I didn’t want my tires defiled.
Then my mind turned it thoughts to this peccadillo:
“What if my love were that roadkill so vile?”

Would I find your lost handsomeness so very attractive?
Or would squashed bones and flesh make my stomach revolt?
Would ruptured intestines leave my passion in ashes
As the pleasure once found in you quickly turned cold?

Can I love you through the roadkill-like days
When I see only vile rotting flesh in your place?
Do I only love you when I have my own way?
Can this feeling survive a Michelin squashed face?

I don’t know -- just the thought of that roadkill decaying
Is enough to revolt and crinkle my nose.
I promised to love you through sickness and well-being,
But I never said I’d love you while you decomposed.

Poem #6: Stevie Smith

2006-02-26T08:41:00.000-08:00

Stevie Smith was a British 20th Century poet who died of a brain tumor. Her poetry is seemingly simply in its nursery rhyme like quality, but the poems have undercurrent. This short poem is one of my favorites, though it is very sad. I guess I like it because the poem expresses such truth about life and how often we misunderstand each other. It's called "Not Waving But Drowning"

Nobody heard him, the dead man,
But still he lay moaning:
I was much further out than you thought
And not waving but drowning.

Poor chap, he always loved larking
And now he's dead
It must have been too cold for him his heart gave way,
They said.

Oh, no no no, it was too cold always
(Still the dead one lay moaning)
I was much too far out all my life
And not waving but drowning.

Read it a few times and pay close attention to when the drowning/dead man is speaking. Smith doesn't use quotation marks, but some of these lines are quotes from speakers in the poem, and it makes a difference to figure who's saying what.

Poem #7: A Fragment

2006-02-20T21:43:00.000-08:00

In the X-Files episode "The Field Where I Died," Mulder has a past life experience, and the show opens with Mulder's voiceover - a quote from Robert Browning's poem "Paracelsus" about a famous alchemist who spent his life looking for the mythic Philosopher's Stone which granted immortality. The poem is extremely long, and very rarely studied unless you're taking a graduate class on Browning. But this fragment is wonderful:

At times I almost dream
I too have spent a life the sage's way,
and tread once more familiar paths. Perchance
I perished in an arrogant self reliance
an age ago; and in that act a prayer
for one more chance went up so earnest, so
instinct with better light led in by death,
that life was not blotted out -- not so completely
but scattered wrecks enough of it remain,
dim memories, as now, when once more seems
the goal in sight again."

Poem #8: Oh Western Wind

2006-02-19T23:09:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite poems is an Early English lyric by an unknown author. It is very short, but I find it extremely powerful and romantic:

Oh Western Wind, when wilt thou blow,
The small rain down can rain?
Christ, if my love were in my arms,
And I in my bed again.

I wrote music to this poem decades ago, when I was in high school. Everytime I read it, I hear the simple tune in my head that I composed.

I hope you enjoy this gem.

Poem #9

2006-02-14T20:56:00.000-08:00

For Valentine's Day, how could I post anyone else but Byron? Here's one of my favorites by Lord B.

To Caroline (4)

Oh when shall the grave hide for ever my sorrow?
Oh when shall my soul wing her flight from this clay?
The present is hell, and the coming to-morrow
But brings, with new torture, the curse of to-day.

From my eye flows no tear, from my lips flow no curses
I blast not the fiends who have hurl'd me from bliss;
For poor is the soul which bewailing rehearses
Its querulous grief, when in anguish like this.

Was my eye, 'stead of tears, with red fury flakes bright'ning,
Would my lips breathe a flame which no stream could assuage
On our foes should my glance launch in vengeance its lightning,
With transport my tongue give loose to its rage.

But now tears and curses, alike unavailing,
Would add to the souls of our tyrants delight;
Could they view us our sad separation bewailing
Their merciless hearts would rejoice at the sight.

Yet still, though we bend with a feign'd resignation,
Life beams not for us with one ray that can cheer;
Love and hope upon earth bring no more consolation,
In the grave is our hope, for in life is our fear.

Oh! when, my adored, in the tomb will they place me,
Since, in life, love and friendship for ever are fled?
If again in the mansion of death I embrace thee,
Perhaps they will leave unmolested the dead.
===========

Now that is poetry. Byron has such lyricism. He takes what could be a trite subject and manages to form the most beautiful, sad song of lost love. I really get chills when I read this.

The new top ten

2006-02-13T21:05:00.000-08:00

Okay, I haven't done a top ten list in a while, so I'm going to start one now. This list will be my Top Ten favorite poems!! I'm getting ready to start the poetry unit in my Introduction to Literature class, so I thought I would kick it off by listing my favorite poems. This isn't really listed in any order, these are mainly my most favorite poems - some of which would not make a contemporary literary anthology.

So, #10 is: "The Highwayman" by Alfred Noyes. I love this poem for several reasons. One, it was in one of my favorite story books I had as a child. Two, it was a poem Anne of Green Gables recited, and I adore Anne. And three, it is such a wonderful example of metaphor, onamatopoeia, and other figurative language. I use it in lit class because it clearly illustrates important aspects of poetry without being so literary that beginning students can't appreciate them because they can't understand what's going on in the poem. ;-) Alright, I also love it because I'm a romantic, and it's one of the most sentimental and romantic poems I've ever read. ;-)

PART ONE

I

THE wind was a torrent of darkness among the gusty trees,
The moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas,
The road was a ribbon of moonlight over the purple moor,
And the highwayman came riding—
Riding—riding—
The highwayman came riding, up to the old inn-door.

II

He'd a French cocked-hat on his forehead, a bunch of lace at his chin,
A coat of the claret velvet, and breeches of brown doe-skin;
They fitted with never a wrinkle: his boots were up to the thigh!
And he rode with a jewelled twinkle,
His pistol butts a-twinkle,
His rapier hilt a-twinkle, under the jewelled sky.

III

Over the cobbles he clattered and clashed in the dark inn-yard,
And he tapped with his whip on the shuters, but all was locked and barred;
He whistled a tune to the window, and who should be waiting there
But the landlord's black-eyed daughter,
Bess, the landlord's daughter,
Plaiting a dark red love-knot into her long black hair.

IV

And dark in the dark old inn-yard a stable-wicket creaked
Where Tim the ostler listened; his face was white and peaked;
His eyes were hollows of madness, his hair like mouldy hay,
But he loved the landlord's daughter,
The landlord's red-lipped daughter,
Dumb as a dog he listened, and he heard the robber say—

V

"One kiss, my bonny sweetheart, I'm after a prize to-night,
But I shall be back with the yellow gold before the morning light;
Yet, if they press me sharply, and harry me through the day,
Then look for me by moonlight,
Watch for me by moonlight,
I'll come to thee by moonlight, though hell should bar the way."

VI

He rose upright in the stirrups; he scarce could reach her hand,
But she loosened her hair i' the casement! His face burnt like a brand
As the black cascade of perfume came tumbling over his breast;
And he kissed its waves in the moonlight,
(Oh, sweet, black waves in the moonlight!)
Then he tugged at his rein in the moonliglt, and galloped away to the West.

PART TWO

I

He did not come in the dawning; he did not come at noon;
And out o' the tawny sunset, before the rise o' the moon,
When the road was a gypsy's ribbon, looping the purple moor,
A red-coat troop came marching—
Marching—marching—
King George's men came matching, up to the old inn-door.

II

They said no word to the landlord, they drank his ale instead,
But they gagged his daughter and bound her to the foot of her narrow bed;
Two of them knelt at her casement, with muskets at their side!
There was death at every window;
And hell at one dark window;
For Bess could see, through her casement, the road that he would ride.

III

They had tied her up to attention, with many a sniggering jest;
They had bound a musket beside her, with the barrel beneath her breast!
"Now, keep good watch!" and they kissed her.
She heard the dead man say—
Look for me by moonlight;
Watch for me by moonlight;
I'll come to thee by moonlight, though hell should bar the way!

IV

She twisted her hands behind her; but all the knots held good!
She writhed her hands till her fingers were wet with sweat or blood!
They stretched and strained in the darkness, and the hours crawled by like years,
Till, now, on the stroke of midnight,
Cold, on the stroke of midnight,
The tip of one finger touched it! The trigger at least was hers!

V

The tip of one finger touched it; she strove no more for the rest!
Up, she stood up to attention, with the barrel beneath her breast,
She would not risk their hearing; she would not strive again;
For the road lay bare in the moonlight;
Blank and bare in the moonlight;
And the blood of her veins in the moonlight throbbed to her love's refrain .

VI

Tlot-tlot; tlot-tlot! Had they heard it? The horse-hoofs ringing clear;
Tlot-tlot, tlot-tlot, in the distance? Were they deaf that they did not hear?
Down the ribbon of moonlight, over the brow of the hill,
The highwayman came riding,
Riding, riding!
The red-coats looked to their priming! She stood up, straight and still!

VII

Tlot-tlot, in the frosty silence! Tlot-tlot, in the echoing night!
Nearer he came and nearer! Her face was like a light!
Her eyes grew wide for a moment; she drew one last deep breath,
Then her finger moved in the moonlight,
Her musket shattered the moonlight,
Shattered her breast in the moonlight and warned him—with her death.

VIII

He turned; he spurred to the West; he did not know who stood
Bowed, with her head o'er the musket, drenched with her own red blood!
Not till the dawn he heard it, his face grew grey to hear
How Bess, the landlord's daughter,
The landlord's black-eyed daughter,
Had watched for her love in the moonlight, and died in the darkness there.

IX

Back, he spurred like a madman, shrieking a curse to the sky,
With the white road smoking behind him and his rapier brandished high!
Blood-red were his spurs i' the golden noon; wine-red was his velvet coat,
When they shot him down on the highway,
Down like a dog on the highway,
And he lay in his blood on the highway, with the bunch of lace at his throat.

* * * * * *

X

And still of a winter's night, they say, when the wind is in the trees,
When the moon is a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas,
When the road is a ribbon of moonlight over the purple moor,
A highwayman comes riding—
Riding—riding—
A highwayman comes riding, up to the old inn-door.

XI

Over the cobbles he clatters and clangs in the dark inn-yard;
He taps with his whip on the shutters, but all is locked and barred;
He whistles a tune to the window, and who should be waiting there
But the landlord's black-eyed daughter,
Bess, the landlord's daughter,
Plaiting a dark red love-knot into her long black hair.

Betty's Meme Challange

2006-02-04T20:49:00.000-08:00

· If you were a food, what would you be? Well, I could say I wish I were an Oscar Meyer wiener....but I would really be Southern Fried Chicken - finger lickin' good. ;-)

· What do you think is the greatest invention? Why? Writing - because it not only allows us to pass down important ideas, experiences, and events (both private and public), but it also allows us to connect to the past and hopefully learn from it. As G. Santayana said: those who do not study the past are doomed to repeat it.

· What is your earliest childhood memory? This is hard. My earliest memories are of a recurring nightmare I used to have about being overwhelmed by giant tractor tires. They would multiply in the living room, and I would keep climbing to the highest one to avoid being squashed, but then I was so high I was terrified. It's either that memory or of one lazy summer eating watermelon all the time because Dad planted a patch and had more than we expected - so we ate watermelon on the porch like every evening in my memory. I LOVE watermelon, BTW. It was one of the foods my mom craved when she was pregnant with me.

· Is there something that you memorized long ago and still remember? In 2nd grade, we memorized the opening lines of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere" - Listen my children and you shall hear, of the midnight ride of Paul Revere. Twas the 18th of April in '75, hardly a man is still alive who remembers that famous day and year...One if by land or two if by sea and I on the opposite shore shall be." I also remember just about all of the History Rock songs from Schoolhouse Rock - including the Preamble to the Constitution.

· Which way does the toilet paper roll go? Over or under? OVER!!!

· What is your favorite season of the year? Why? I do love Spring - everything is blooming, Baseball is starting, the weather is sunny but still cool enough to be pleasant. Unfortunately, my allergies hate it.

· What superpower would you like to have? What would you do with it? The power to grant true heart desires. Not just grant wishes, but only wishes that reflected the real wants of someone. That or the power to burn calories at will.

· If you had to move to another state, which one would you choose? Since I haven't been to all 50 states, this is a hard one. I've always wanted to live near the ocean, but I've never seen the Pacific, and it looks like the most interesting to me. I have a fantasy of living near Carmel in California - you know, living the artist's life.

Bronchitis strikes again

2006-02-01T21:56:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday, my bronchitis came back with a vengence. I've had fever, chills, muscle aches, sore throat, ear aches, horrible sinus headache that feels like a stroke whenever I cough, and that lovely hacking cough which makes my ribs hurt. I missed 2 days of school and went back today, and now, I have a slight fever again. Anyway, I'm blogging to let everyone know why I've not been blogging and why I won't be blogging a lot in the upcoming days.

I hate mucus!!

What do you like in screwball comedy romances?

2006-01-27T08:27:00.000-08:00

WHEN I write, I write what I term "screwball comedy romances." Imagine Grace from Will and Grace meeting Mr. Right at all the WRONG times. My problem is finding a balance between the comedy and a true conflict that will challenge the characters but not be so serious that it is at odds with the humor. My WIP, THE WEDDING CURSE, is currently floundering because I can't get the right balance. At first, my conflict was too shallow - they were basically arguing over the same thing over and over again. Then I made the conflict more serious but that didn't work well with the short, comedic nature of the book. Aaarrrrgghhh!!

So what attracts you to humorous books? What kind of conflicts for a modern man and woman - neither of whom are looking for romance or even marriage?

Do You Like Fantasy?

2006-01-24T09:11:00.000-08:00

You know why I love Gena Showalter books? Because she knows how to write fantasy.

1. Intelligent, resilient heroine
2. Stong, dependable hero who usually has a troubled past
3. Two people who fit - who make each other complete and help heal emotional scars
4. A man who knows how to pleasure his woman beyond her wildest dreams
5. A woman who knows how to give her man exactly what he needs (even if he doesn't know that he needs it)
6. Villains who are truly villainous - evil, creative, creepy, strong - real challenges for the hero/heroine
7. Women who don't need or want to be rescued but who will accept a partner
8. Settings full of imaginative twists on old legends, new creatures and quests
9. Wonderful description that puts us in the scene
10. Sexy and fun banter between characters

If you like this kind of fantasy, then you'll like Gena Showalter's HQN series. Her Alien Huntress has these elements but it's much edgier and darker. We go from sassy to smartass. ;-) But the heroes are so sexy they make the pages steamy. I am DYING to read about a secondary character in Showalter's upcoming book ENSLAVE ME SWEETLY (a superb book). I'm using all my wiles to make her write a book about him with ME as the heroine. If you have any affection for me at all, please tell Gena she should do so. ;-)

JEWEL OF ATLANTIS IS COMING!!

2006-01-23T05:09:00.000-08:00

If you have not read any Gena Showalter, then this is a great book to start with (and then get all her backlist!). It's shipping from Amazon in February (or any day now), and is already shipped from Barnes and Noble. and you need to grab it up before it is sold out (which happened with one of her other books). Need to read an excerpt? Then visit Gena's web site and take a gander at excerpts from all of her books.

Here's a taste:
It was supposed to be an easy mission. An in and out job. A one day extraction.
His boss had fed him that line of bullshit, and Grayson James had foolishly believed him. Upon first entering this lushly green, sea-kissed land known as Atlantis, however, Gray realized he would have had better luck trying to sell a Fridgidaire to a goddamn Eskimo. At a goddamn jacked-up price.

Atlantis.

Not a myth. Damn it. He'd hoped otherwise.

Gray scowled. In one hand, he held a beeping, miniature GPS system programmed from coordinates found in a map. An actual, honest-to-God map of Atlantis his boss had discovered. Right now, the GPS signal bounced off the earth's magnetic core, helping him navigate his way through this Atlantean jungle. In the other hand, he gripped a machete. The sharp, silver blade hacked at the thick foliage blocking his path.

No, Atlantis was not a myth. It happened to be home to the most loathsome creatures he'd ever encountered. And as an employee of OBI, the Otherworld Bureau of Investigations, he'd encountered plenty.

Made him wonder why he'd even joined the agency.

He knew the answer, though, and it wasn't because he'd (secretly) watched Star Trek for most of his teen years and knew how to speak Klingon. "Heghlu'meH QaQ jajvam," he sighed. Today is a good day to die.

When he'd learned to his horrified shock that there actually were other colonized worlds in the vast expanse of the galaxies, he'd left his job as a detective with the Dallas PD and began searching for a Men in Black type operation. OBI finally contacted him. He'd signed on immediately because he believed fiercely in the need to learn about these otherworlders and protect his own planet from them.

How could he have known that the most fearsome creatures of all resided here, on his own planet? Simply buried beneath the ocean, protected by some kind of crystal dome?

As he dodged a stray limb, he ground his teeth together.

"Atlantis," he muttered. "Code name Hell."

You won't be disappointed in a Gena Showalter book.

For Dana

2006-01-18T22:00:00.000-08:00

My friend Dana has been having an interesting time lately. So here's a special picture just for her. I hope it brightens your day. ;-)

The Mask Comes Off

2006-01-10T22:21:00.000-08:00

And Betty's real dream hunk is...THE DONALD!!