Friday, December 28, 2007
Thursday, December 27, 2007
www.theshrinkingwoman.com
Today I posted on one of my sister blogs - www.theshrinkingwoman.com
Are you looking to shave a few (or a few hundred) pounds? Come join me and we can be miserable together. :)
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Doing The Right Thing
No, I'm not referring to the movie.
Last night Mom was watching the Glen Beck show on CNN. Personally, I think he's a fruitcake and a hate monger, but that's just me. His guest was Jon Huntsman, a very accomplished business man and philanthropist. In the course of his lifetime this man has lost and made hundreds of millions of dollars. One of his most enduring achievements is the founding of the Huntsman Cancer Institute. (http://www.hci.utah.edu/index.jsp) This institute is doing amazing things in the area of cancer research. Not only are they looking to cure cancer, they are looking to prevent it as well.
According to his book, Winners Never Cheat, around 2001 his company took a huge financial hit. In order to come up with the working capital to make his commitments, payroll etc - he put 40% of his company up for sale. After long negotiations, he and the buyer came to an agreement of 53 million dollars. The men shook hands in agreement.
As with most business deals, the lawyers then come in and tidy everything up. It took six months for the paperwork to be finalized and in that time, Huntsman's company came back with a vengeance and the 40% of the company was now worth 250 million dollars. The buyer came back to Jon and said, "Look, let's split the difference and I'll pay you 125million."
Huntsman's response was, "No, I shook your hand over the deal, you will pay me 53 million dollars, it's a done deal."
This man sold 40% of his company and lost almost 200 million dollars.
Huntsman then turns around and has to go to the banks to borrow hundreds of millions of dollars to meet his financial obligations. When I'm talking about financial obligations, I'm not talking about payroll, I'm referring to his charity contributions. He'd given his word to meet these obligations to charities and he took out loans to do it.
This man lost 200 million, then took out hundreds of millions more to pay to charities - both of which he'd shook hands on.
So why am I bringing this up?
Growing up, my father instilled these same values in his children. A man's word was his bond and shaking hands on it was as good as a signed and sealed contract. It used to be this was the rule, not the exception.
No matter what a decision will cost you personally, if you give your word then it should be a done deal. The only thing you really have in life is your reputation as a human being, your money and external accomplishments say very little about the core essence of a person.
So why am I bringing this up?
This morning the news reported that a new poll indicated that a growing minority of teens believe it is okay to lie, cheat and bully your way through life. That it is okay to physically accost a coworker as long as they are on the same level as you.
And this is the generation that will be running America when you and I are in our seventies.
This news report made me incredibly sad. Not only do I think we've forgotten where we come from, but we've lost our way as well. No longer is it enough to be a good person, you now have to have eyes in the back of your head so you can watch people as they stab you in the back to get up that ladder of life.
I don't know about anyone else but I don't want to live in that kind of world. In general I do believe in the goodness of people, but I also believe that we all could use a reminder of who we are and where we came from. That's what the Huntsman interview did for me. I was raised right, to do the right thing no matter the personal consequences and I will continue to do so.
According to Huntsman, when the man who bought the 40% of his company passed away, it was in his will to ask Huntsman to speak at his funeral. Huntsman said it was one of the greatest honors of his life and worth far more than 200 million dollars.
I agree.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
What happens when you put your underwear on backwards
In case you can't tell from reading my blog, I'm a pretty rational, down to earth kind of girl. I'm not superstitious, I'm just what they call...sensible.
This morning I got up early, now when I say early, I mean it was still full dark outside. My plan was to hit the grocery store and pick up a few things then lock myself in the house until December 26 - that's when I go out and hit the after-Christmas sales. :)
So I did my morning thing, got dressed, fed the dogs - you get the picture. After I got dressed, I was wandering around the house and realized that my drawers just didn't feel right. I had actually put them on backward. (And you thought the header was just to get your attention!)
Well I was dressed with purse and coat in hand when I realized this. I wasn't about to strip down and turn my drawers around. Let's face it, shoe removal alone would've cost me a few minutes of time, let alone dealing with the whole drama that is pants removal when you're wearing socks and the pants are cotton.
Ugly picture isn't it?
Laughing at myself, I head out into the wilderness that is the local grocery store. That part of my morning was uneventful, thank goodness. I packed my car with my shopping and decided to splurge and hit McDonalds for a snack.
Yes, I know I am working on losing weight, but sometimes you have to give into a temptation. If you don't, then at some point you will have a weak moment and hours later you will wake up covered in hamburger and pie wrappers. We don't want that to happen now do we?
As I'm sitting in the drive thru, my car stalled. I wasn't too shocked, it has done that before. I've had the car for five years and its probably stalled maybe 4 times. I started it up again and it purred like a kitten. I got my food and thought I'd head over to the car wash and get the road salt off my car. (I recently had my car detailed inside and out - my Christmas present to myself - and I'm completely anal about it now)
I pull out into traffic, all is well. I'm about to tuck into my heart-killer breakfast when WHAM - my car stalled again. Now this time, I was actually driving it when it cut out. After I struggled around the corner (let me just say that turning a corner in a Jeep 4x4 with no power steering is just ugly!) I put it in park and started it up.
Now I'm sitting at the corner of a major Ohio artery and a little side street. In front of me is a Goodyear auto shop and me, in my infinite backward underwear wisdom, decide that I can get it home instead of just pulling in there.
Putting it into drive, off I go down the street. I made it about 150 yards and BAM, it did it again. Now I'm concerned. My Jeep has been through some tough terrain, weather etc and I couldn't keep it running on a flat, paved road. BWAH!
I did manage to make it another 300 yards or so until it died at a stop sign. After calling a friend and whining, I called AAA and they sent out a car hauler. (because it is a 4x4, they don't tow them, they put them on a flat bed instead) I explained what my car did and the guy said it sounded like bad gas.
"Sounds like bad gas to me." he said.
"No, that isn't it." I said.
"What do you think it is?"
"I put my underwear on backwards."
He started laughing so hard his false teeth almost popped out.
"You don't understand. This car has never broken down on me in five years and seventy-five thousand miles. But I put my underwear on backwards this morning and my car paid the price for my laziness."
He laughed harder.
Ya know, sometimes people just don't understand me.
Moral: If you put your undies on backwards, change them right quick or a man with false teeth will have to rescue you and he'll laugh at you!
Thursday, December 20, 2007
13 Last Minute Christmas Gifts
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1. Online gift certificates! They are one size fits all and you don't have to get dressed to buy them. |
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
Monday, December 17, 2007
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Sexy Saturday
The weather says a storm is coming in. So while I'm battening down the hatches, I thought I'd share a little Christmas warmth. : )
Friday, December 07, 2007
Winter's Daughter is NOW AVAILABLE!
To say that I'm excited...would be a HUGE understatment. I am stupidly thrilled that WD is now available that I'm almost beyond words. (Note the 'almost') And now for some review quotes...
"This is an incredibly engrossing tale and I did not put it down for more than five minutes once I started it." The Romance Studio, 4.5 hearts
"The first Coven tale is an exciting paranormal thriller with whodunit and romantic elements to enhance the tense drama." Harriet Klausner
"Murder, mayhem and magic will send chills down your spine in this haunting first in The Coven series." RT Magazine, 4 stars
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Sunday, December 02, 2007
Friday, November 30, 2007
The Junk Drawer...
Yes, I realize it's Foto Friday and I normally put up something pretty, thought provoking or fun - but this week I thought I'd just put up something that provokes me.
This is a photo of what I call my cord drawer. This is the top drawer of my filing cabinet that sits next to my desk. Now, I'd love to keep handy things in there like office supplies, files, paper for the printer...
BUT NO....
Every other week the cords take over. I swear, I clean this drawer at least twice a month and the moment I'm not looking, gremlins get in there, tangle up the cords to ensure I can't find anything. I gave up keeping much of anything in that drawer because it just gets caught in the cords, flipped out of the drawer and onto the floor.
Do you think it's a conspiracy? Are the cords trying to form a union and take control of my filing cabinet?
Cheeky monkeys. Today I'm armed with zip ties and labels, we'll see who wins this battle!
Monday, November 26, 2007
Manly Monday
Romance is all about the fantasy. 
We, as women, do harass men from time to time about objectifying us as sexual objects. If you watch television ads, what does a blonde in a bikini have to do with selling wine? Is the implication that if you buy said wine, you get a free blonde with purchase?
Now let's be honest ladies - do we not objectify men through romance novels? Tell the truth now. ;)
Of course, IMO, its difficult to find a man who doesn't enjoy being thought of as a sexual toy. Let's face it, they're all about the fantasy, too.
This is Jason Chambers, a mixed martial arts fighter and co-host of Human Weapon on the History Channel. I picked this photo because I thought he was hot, like the pose, and the tattoo screams Bad Boy. In all honesty, my favorite photo of him was in a suit but I didn't select it as I didn't feel it properly illustrated my point.
Fantasy is a beautiful thing.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
A Musical Commentary
Recently I discovered that my cable service has The Best channel EVAH! It is VH1 Classic. They play tons of videos that were big when I was a teen and completely addicted to MTV. This morning I spent several hours chuckling over the polyester stretch pants and way big hair.
Ah, fond memories.
While enjoying this blast from my past, I came up with a few comments that I'd like to share.
Van Halen - the moment David Lee Roth left they blew chunks.
Ann and Nancy Wilson from Heart have two of the most beautiful voices in music
The Police - after they broke up Sting had a few moments of brilliance then lost his mind and musical way
Eddie Van Halen wasn't nearly as hot as I remembered.
Warrant was one of the worst hair hands there was.
Michael Jackson was stupidly talented
U2 rocked both then and now!
Eric Clapton is one of the best guitar players in the history of recorded music
AC/DC was the BOMB both with and without Bon Scott
Metallica turned the Heavy Metal world on its ear when they made their arrival
Steven Tyler of Aerosmith is still incredibly HOT!
Why the Pet Shop Boys did a song called 'West End Girls' when it was pretty obvious they had little to no interest in women is beyond me...
Twisted Sister was one ugly band
Iron Maiden - how did they play music with all that hair?
Poison - no thanks - did nothing for me both then and now
REM was THE BAND then they went commercial in the nineties
I just loved Pop Up Video - it was fab.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Where does the time go??
I could've sworn I posted a blog last week. Normally I try to post two or three. Somehow, in the depths of my scary brain, I managed to miss almost two weeks of potential blog-time. How does that happen??
I was going through some old photos and thought I'd post something pretty. The fall colors around here have been bad thanks to the drought. I took this photo seven years ago and I think it's pretty.
I absolutely love the scent of drying leaves. Reminds me of pumpkin pies, hot chocolate and the scent of snow.Wednesday, October 31, 2007
13 things I can't live without
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1. Chocolate - no explanation necessary Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!) |
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
Happy Halloween!
It's that time again...when the little ghosties and goblins scamper about. You never know, someone who has passed on might be sending you a message - be open to it.
Namaste
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Have we gone too far?
This morning on local talk radio, the topic was Halloween festivities for children. I live in Central Ohio, north of the Bible Belt, in a position I refer to as the Bible Garter Belt. (its above the actual position of the panties (the bible belt) so hence the name.)
Yes, I know I'm not funny - its one of many crosses I have to bear in life. :)
Locally there has been a movement to eradicate Halloween from the schools. Instead of having a costume party, schools are now having a 'fall festival'. One lady called in and said that her children's school had declared halloween themed plates and napkins as verboten. (Hey, what did Caspar the ghost do to these people?) She laughed and said that she liked to throw them a curve by slipping a few of the contraband plates in the mix of autumn themed plates.
Good woman - a little civil disobedience is good for the soul.
Of course next year I expect them to frisk the plates before allowing them into the classroom. If I had children I'd do the same thing but I'd volunteer to help hostess the party then show up dressed as Glenda, the good witch. I'm devious like that. :)
First off, WTF? I agree, heartily agree, in a parents right to choose for their children. Children should not be allowed to play with loaded guns, drink liquor, or run the streets at midnight. Yeah, I get that - but Halloween? Candy? Costumes?
Secondly, as a tree hugging pagan, I can state with some authority that if one was to celebrate a Fall festival - that should be done on September 21st - the Autumnal Solstice or the beginning of fall.
What has happened to imagination in this country? When did fantasy become a bad thing?
Yes, I understand there are some who don't want their child exposed to the 'dark side' they imagine Halloween to be - but that's a lie. Samhain, for us pagans, signals the end of harvest. The Celts (not the basketball team) divided the year into two halves, the light and the dark. It signals the beginning of the dark half of the year - the time in which nothing grows and the earth lays fallow, gathering nourishment for the coming growing season. Some even believe it is the time in which the dead come to visit the living.
I don't know about anyone else but if you watch TAPS or MOST HAUNTED then you know ghosts are around all the time, not just one day of the year.
I guess for me, the bottom line is that I feel there is no darkness in the holiday. If you want to talk about darkness, read up on the origins of Passover - that day is much bloodier than Halloween.
I and millions of others grew up with Halloween parties, going trick or treating and all the crazy fun that makes up the holiday. Guess what, I'm not a serial killer and it didn't warp me in any lasting way. (At least not that the courts could prove) So let the kids have their fun and liberate the candy!!!
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Monday, October 22, 2007
Men never change...
Every morning I hit the local rec center to use to use the pool. That early in the morning, the only other people there is a group of retired swimmers. Seeing that I'm the youngest person there, they constantly call me The Kid.
In this group there are several married couples and I swear, these men still haven't grown up. they splash the pretty girls, play around and giggle like four year olds. They are great fun and when I spend time with them, it always starts my day with a smile.
I think men are genetically predisposed to being perpetual four year olds - or maybe they regress to that stage when they hit retirement. Whatever it is, I hope I have that much energy when I'm their age. :)
Sunday, October 21, 2007
No Kids Allowed!
From the time I was very young I knew I didn't want to have kids. I'm not saying I don't like children, I do - they're great on toast. (just kidding) I simply don't want to raise one. I can remember my mother laughing at me and saying, "you'll change your mind."
Uh, no, I won't and haven't.
I'm 42 and completely happy with my decision to remain single and child-less. I didn't have a normal childhood - my father was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis before I was born and when I turned 14 he broke his hip and that was that. He remained in a bed for 17 years until the day he died. I spent most of my child and young adult-hood taking care of my parents and guess what - I don't want to take care of anyone else. :)
It's always funny to me how society believes that those of us who choose to not have kids are unfulfilled in our lives. While it is more acceptable now, I still see it when I meet someone new and they question almost always comes up.
Do you have children?
No, I have dogs instead. :)
The double whammy comes in when they learn I'm not married. That's when the look turns pitying and they try to determine what is defective about me that no man would want to marry me or breed with me.
Whatever!
Society still harbors the mistaken impression that a woman cannot possibly be fulfilled if we don't have a man in our bed and children underfoot. And to add to that antiquated picture, we now have to have full time, high-powered careers and drive a Lexus. Of course personal trainers, manicures and charity work - let's not forget that part.
It's crap and I personally blame that stupid television show, The Housewives of Orange County, for keeping those myths alive. What a bunch of empty-headed, boob obsessed women! The end all be all of life isn't a perfect waistline of being seen in the 'right' car LADIES.
Sorry, had a moment.
Anyway - I laugh when people jump to their own conclusions about how I live my life. I'm fine with not having kids, between my sisters and my best friend I have about 10 children of various ages in my life. I love them, I play with them and I hand them back when I'm done. It's a perfect system.
As for marriage - its very rare that I feel lonely. I've had some amazing men in my life and I know that if I had married my soulmate then I wouldn't be a writer. (there's always a price to be paid for everything isn't there?) Am I willing to give up writing to have a man in my life?
Uh, no.
Maybe someday I will settle down (kids are still out of the question), but not anytime soon. I'm having way too much fun. :)
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
So tell me...
is it a bad thing when you go to get a cloth duster out of the box and the box is So Dusty that you have to dust it first?
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Sunday, October 14, 2007
My latest obsessions
I've always had the attention span of a gnat. I don't even consider myself the MTV generation - a generation of people who have been tested and determined to have shorter attention spans than average thanks for four minute videos - I'm just interested in everything and I'm easily distracted by shiny objects.
Some of my latest obsessions are:
America's Next Top Model - I've always loved this show. Early in my working career I was a stylist and I actually dressed people for a living. I love the clothes, the makeup - the process I guess.
Project Runway - Same as above. I love this show so much that I've actually purchased a new sewing machine and I plan on designing my own clothing for conferences. So watch out! Who knows what I will end up wearing.
Hershey's Dark Chocolate - Hey, it's chocolate - need I say more? I have finally made the switch from milk to dark, but it took a while. Now I truly enjoy the bite of dark chocolate.
Reading - some of you will laugh. I haven't had time to read the past few years and its really been breaking my heart. There are SO many good books out there and I just couldn't get into them or find the time to devote to reading. Now I actually make time to read and I've fallen in love all over again.
Eating Well - Yes, I am now obsessed with eating well. Scary isn't it? I've lost 22 pounds since early September and for the first time ever, I'm obsessed but in a good way. Before I'd beat myself up over eating a mouthful of anything 'bad'. Now, I realize there isn't any food that is bad, its all about how you look at it. I no longer live to eat, I eat to live. Will I keep this up? I hope so as I'm feeling better than I have in years.
So what's your latest obsession?
Friday, October 12, 2007
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Thirteen Things You Probably Didn't Know About Overweight People
| THURSDAY THIRTEEN! |
1. Pssst, we know we're fat, quite assuming we want to order diet soda with our lunches. 2. We love bright colors, will the designers please quit using the most offensive prints they can find in our clothing? Here's a hint, there's a reason why skinny people don't want to wear the elephant/tropical/giant flowered/geometric print mumu/shirt/pants/skirt that you've created. It's UGLY. 3. There is no need to stare at us, there's more than enough to go around. :) 4. Big people need love, too. 5. Just because we are overweight, that doesn't mean we live like bears in caves. We have homes, lives, careers, kids, siblings, spouses - just like normal people. 6. We like food just like everyone else, the only difference is we don't throw it up afterwards. 7. Food Addiction is just as deadly and difficult to kick as alcoholism, drug addiction, nicotine addiction. 8. Life is too short for bad food. 9. Just because we are large doesn't mean we're to be religated to the fat best friend, sympathetic mom-figure, the eternal bridesmaid or any of that crap. We're hot, sexy and ready to GO! 10. Big can be BEAUTIFUL. 11. Close the magazines and turn off the television - you're life will be much happier if you do. 12. Big people have caught on that Cosmo, Elle and other glossy magazines are not the end-all be-all of fashion. 13. Want to know what is sexy? Confidence! Links to other Thursday Thirteens! |
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Banned Books Week
Banned Books Week is almost over, have you read your banned book yet? :)
What strikes me as odd about BBW is those who are banning the books are usually places reserved for education. Schools, libraries etc. Seeing that these institutions are funded, at least in part, by our government who should be supporting the freedom of speech - isn't it hypocritical to allow those same instutions to ban books?
In my opinion, any institution who receives tax money as part of their funding, should not have the right to ban a book. Now having said that, I'm not saying that third graders should be reading one of my books - no how no way! It should be up to the parents to determine what is appropriate reading material for their children, not a school or library.
I think what really bothers me is, when does this end?
John Lennon's song IMAGINE could be offensive to some though there are no curse words to be found. Just the line:
"Imagine there's no Heaven,"
would be enough to spin a few conservative heads off their shoulders. Where is the line drawn between inappropriate material for children and inappropriate ideas. Trust me, if we allow these institutions to 'ban' books, it's only a matter of time before one of them tries to ban a book based on the concept, not the content.
That is REALLY scary if you ask me.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Dear Fashionista
Dear Fashionista, According to Redbook, the styles for Fall are going to be more figure conscious than the summer was. They are accenting the waist and I don't have one! What do I do?
Signed, Fashion Victim
Dear Fashion Victim, Can I just call you Victim? I, too, am in the same boat as you. I haven't seen my waist since 1994 as its been covered by my breasts. That said, this little figure flaw doesn't have to sideline you in the Fashion Rat-Race.
One of the trends for fall is the wrap - wrap dresses, wrap tops, wrap skirts etc. Buy yourself a few wrap items and when you put them on, bind that wrap so tight that the twins are shoved up and out of the way and it will create a faux waist.
Doesn't everything sound better when you use the word 'faux'?
Now, some of you may end up smothered by the girls but if you don a scuba mask, you should be able to breathe just fine. Who knows, you might just start a trend of your own!
Signed, Fashionista
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Sunny Sunday
On a day when one should take time to reflect upon their life, their week and how they're making a difference in the world around them, I bring you...sexy Mormons.
http://mormonsexposed.com/
I don't think anything else needs to be said.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Friday Funnies
No photo today! A friend sent this to me and it is hilarious. While I wasn't a virgin at 30, our stories are somewhat similar. :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soFhO7cWGMw
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Flowers
How beautiful is this? I took this photograph at Andrew Jackson's home, The Hermitage, outside of Nashville Tennesee. I dream of having a garden such as this - it was magnificent.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
An Unpopular View
Six years ago today, the world trade centers were brought down and the Pentagon burned. Almost three thousand people died. I, like most Americans, remember where I was when I heard the news. I was sitting in the basement of a State office building, alone, when the first yahoo post came in a few minutes before nine a.m.. I didn't think much of it, the news post didn't specify what kind of plane had hit the first tower, so I was thinking it was a small one, maybe a two or four seater.
How wrong was I.
Today there are ceremonies in New York, Washington and Pennsylvannia to mark this tragic event. The media call the terrorist attacks a life-altering expereince for all Americans - my question is, was it really?
To those who lost their loved ones, I would say it is a yes. Has it changed the lives of Americans as a whole?
No.
The legacy of 911 doesn't have near the impact the bombing of Pearl Harbor did. Americans haven't had to change their lives over 911 while Pearl Harbor changed us as a nation. Yes, the security at airports is a pain in the butt, it is illegal to photograph bridges, (love to see them try and enforce this one) and packages that are over one pound must be handed to a postman rather than dumped in the mailbox. A portion of Americans will tell you they feel safer now than before 911, in my opinion that is an illusion. How can we be safer in the skies when our luggage and our bodies are searched but less than 1% of cargo is checked out?
Pearl Harbor ripped the mask of complacency from the nation. During a time when our allies were at war, we didn't want to get involved so we kept our blinders in place while we manufactered cars and refrigerators. Some of our armed forces joined in the battle long before Pearl Harbor was destroyed. These brave men became pilots and conducted raids with England's Royal Air Force. It wasn't until the destruction of Pearl Harbor that our government made the decision to get involved.
See any similarities?
War has been waged in the middle east for over six hundred years. From time to time we dip our toe into it but we've never made the commitment to jump in with both feet. Then, after we were attacked, we invade the wrong country at the cost of tens of thousands of lives.
I truly feel for the families who lost loved ones on 911. I feel for Americans in general as we were, for a brief moment, shaken out of our apathy toward the goings on in the world. Yes, there are people who hate us, who want to kill us - but it goes deeper than that.
The news keep saying how this is the day that changed America and I maintain that the opposite is true. This day is important to American history, it is important to those who lost their loved ones, it is important to those who were, for one brief moment, shaken from their slumber - but that time is gone. Most of us have returned to our lives with very little thought to 911, that is the sad reality of this days events, six years ago. What will it take to make us understand that the America we thought we inhabited is now only an illusion?
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Flooding in Ohio
In the past three days we've received something like 8 inches of rain. Seeing that we haven't had hardly any all summer, this is a good thing. Of course the bad part is the ground can't handle it falling all at once.
For some reason the news channels are reporting the flooding in Ohio is near Cleveland...not even close. (Where in the heck do they get their info??) I live just north east of Columbus and the worst of the flooding is about an hour away. So when you see the clip from 'near Cleveland' where the man is being rescued via Coast Guard helicopter - no, that's Shelby, only two counties away.
Here in my town we've had extensive flooding as well as has Columbus. Luckily it has been property damage only. My neighbor's tree came down...right across his car and it missed his house by four or five feet. A small yet very important distance. :) It's supposed to rain for the rest of the week with many of the showers being pretty heavy. 'Okay Mother Nature, we got the memo!'
One of the ministers I work with through the Police Department called last night and he's organizing a caravan of food up to the Shelby High School to feed those whose houses are under water. So in about an hour my car will be loaded down and I'll be headed north. I can only hope I'm the macaroni and cheese car - I'm HUNGRY!!
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Book Review: Blackmailed by Annmarie McKenna
BLACKMAILED
by Annmarie McKenna
ISBN: 1599982137
Samhain Publishing
Brianna Wyatt is being blackmailed by her father for an heir. If she doesn't follow through, her father threatens to put her handicapped brother into a home where she can no longer protect him. Her father wants her to get pregnant by Cole Masters, a very weathy and powerful man.
When Mr. Wyatt appears on his doorstep wanting to whore his own daughter, Cole is sure he's about to be blackmailed. Taking Brianna into his own, they concoct their own plan to thwart her father but he fails to take into account that he desires Brianna and he can only hope that Tyler Cannon, his best friend and fellow menage partner, will want her as well.
This is one HOT book. I'll be honest, I wasn't prepared to enjoy this book as much as I did. I've always been a one-guy kind of girl so the concept of menage was foreign to me. Now, I understand the allure. :)
Some of the plot points were a little contrived, but seeing that this book is about fantasy it more than fulfills on it's promise. So if you're looking for a spicy menage with two utterly yummy males, BLACKMAILED is for you.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Marrying for Love...or Money
Yesterday I happened to catch a few minutes of The View (I know, I couldn't run fast enough) and Joan Rivers was a guest host. Keeping in mind that she is a commedienne, she asked the question, "Would you rather marry for love, or money."
Of course the romantic in all of us want to scream, 'Love, of course' but, I'm afraid I have to hedge just a bit.
I'm forty-one (for twenty-nine more days at least) and I've been in love, serious, head over heels, I-want-to-breed-with-him love three times.
Guess what, I'm still single.
The first one - we grew apart. I was young and he was nine years older than I was. Trust me, a nineteen year old really doesn't give good conversation.
The second one - turned out to be gay. Hmm, I knew we got along just a little too well and he had fabulous taste in furniture. I caught him wearing my leopard print skirt early on in the relationship - I should've known then.
And the final one presented me with a pregnant mistress on Christmas Eve when I expected a diamond ring. "I love ya honey, but she's nineteen and a gymnist." (refer to number one)
Don't get me wrong - I'd love to marry for love but anymore I'll take the cash. Looking back, no matter how hard I wanted those relationships to work, I ended up paying for it in the end. Next time around, let him pick up the tab.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Book Review: First Kiss by Kylie Adams
FIRST KISS
by Kylie Adams
ISBN: 0-451-21581-8
Yes, this is an older title. What can I say, I'm a book-a-holic with very little time to read. :)
Kiki Sonntag is an out of work soap opera actress with the desire for an A-list lifestyle that wars with her lackluster paychecks. While shopping with money she doesn't have, she meets Tom and Kristen Brock, the 'IT' couple of the tabloids and someone Kiki would kill to be photographed with.
Only it didn't work quite as she'd hoped.
Caught on film in a so-called compromising position with Tom, Kiki is on the run from the paparazzi and she finds herself checking into the oh-so-exclusive Affair hotel. Run by the very hunky Fab Tomba, a notorious playboy, Kiki settles in to wait for the madness to die down. Instead of finding peace and quiet, she's drawn in by Fab's personality and sexy smile. Because of him she decides that hiding out in his arms might not be such a bad thing after all.
I was lucky enough to meet Kylie Adams before her first book, FLY ME TO THE MOON, was released. Fabulous person, funny and quirky, her personality is reflected on every page. FIRST KISS is packed with enough name dropping to make any fashionista swoon. With a fast paced story line and a chick-lit feel, FIRST KISS is a fabulous read and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fun, escapist read.
Friday, August 10, 2007
Foto Friday
I learned to paint many years ago when I met a wonderful man who showed me the colors. I continued painting, he did not.
That saddens me.
I now do 3D art in mixed media. This is done in acrylic with a photograph in the center and a variety of other objects such as sand and grass too.
If you are familiar with the musical, RENT, then you know what this is about.
I gave it to a friend for his twenty-seventh birthday and now we no longer speak. (and no, it has nothing to do with the painting - it has to do with deception and hiding things)
That makes me the saddest of all.
Friday, August 03, 2007
Car-gasms!
I spent the past week on the road which is something I just love to do. I cannot get enough traveling in each year and I can only wish someone would finally invent a teleport device. I'd be zipping everywhere!
As a passionate lover of American Heavy Metal, I have a big love for hot cars. When I was in high school I would date the boy with the hottest car rather than the best personality. Shallow? Yes, but a girl has to have her standards. :)
One of my current loves is the Ford Mustang. When I was a child my father had a midnight blue convertable with white interior. SUH-WEEEEET! I begged him to let me have the car when I turned sixteen and it didn't happen. He sold it. Later on he told me he would've kept it had he known how much of a collectors item it would become.
DOH!
My family had a long affair with the volkswagon. In the early seventies we had every model they made, the beetle, super beetle, hatchback and stationwagon. I was always fascinated by the fact they could float like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Another car I adore is the Thunderbird. I like the originals and the new ones though unfortunately they have stopped making them. (sniff) That was going to be my mid-life crisis car but I'm thinking I might swing back to the Mustang.
In the mid-ninties I purchased a Chevy pickup truck. I loved that truck - it was fab. I am big into gardening and having that truck bed to haul around my purchases is so incredibly handy. I'm thinking I may purchase a pickup for my next car.
Currently I have a Jeep and I adore that car. It is a Liberty 4x4 and its a tough little thing. I drove all around the Gulf Coast doing the Katrina thing and it never let me down. Seeing that I practically lived in the thing for several months, that is something. :)
So what is your fantasy car?
Friday, July 27, 2007
Foto Friday
Normally I post a photo on Fridays but today I'm going to do something a little different. A friend sent me this link and I'm going to share it with you. The images are painful to watch but as I've always said, the truth is the truth no matter how many times one tries to deny it.
It is past time to bring our troops home.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Crayons...
Did you know the average American child goes through 720 crayons before they turn 10? Sheesh - when I was a kid we received the customary box of 16 each year before school and if that didn't last the year we did without. I didn't even get a box of 64 until I was well into fifth grade. :)
Saturday, July 21, 2007
As the stomach churns...
The latest controversy in the romance world has been a hot topic on the internet for the past week or so. It would seem that some upstart authors decided to dress in costume for the Romance Writers of America Literacy Signing.
The Shock...
The Horror...
How DARE they have fun...
First noted at the Smart Bitches site, it would seem that three authors dared to darken the RWA signing wearing costumes to promote themselves and their work. The interesting thing is one author, Sherrilyn Kenyon, has been wearing fabulous and outrageous clothing for years - she wears it everyday - that is how she dresses.
The other two authors wore manga inspired clothing to promote their manga-esque works from the new Dorchester Shomi line. Wow, sure glad they didn't show up dressed in period clothing, that would've really screwed up the readers.
The most amusing aspect, to me at least, is that Big-Wig authors like Nora Roberts, Jenny Crusie and a few others have actually spoken out against the costumes.
JC - I just don’t know how else to say, “This is not a good decision professionally,” when the counter argument seems to be “Lighten up.”
Hmm, maybe it isn't a good decision professionally for you Jenny, but I like it just fine. When did you become the voice of romance authors anyway? I remember you sending out an email to the Board of RWA with an extremely hostile reaction to a statement made by an epublisher back in 2002. Seeing that note caused you to have to step down from the PAN Chair position at RWA - I guess “This is not a good decision professionally,” for you but you did it anyway.
NR - If I’m a brand like Coke (and how could I object to the comparison?) it’s not because I wore costumes or lived something that came out of my books. This is NOT how you become a brand-name author.
Pray tell then Nora, what is the magic key? To write a hundred trilogies about magical sisters over and over again?
In short, I don't get it.
Both ladies along with many others have their panties in a bunch while they scream about a lack of professionalism. Because Sherrilyn Kenyon decided to wear a fabulously HUGE hat to a signing, that makes her unprofessional?? Wait, I'll alert the media...
Yes, I'm being sarcastic. The reason this gets my bra in a twist is since when did someone else set the bar of professionalism for writers?
In my opinion, being a professional means:
- turning in manuscripts on time
- working hard to improve your craft
- be courteious at all times
- maintain a good working relationship with your editor, agent etc
- don't talk badly about editors, agents and publishers...(and other writers)
- show up early for appointments / events
- Don't get drunk & shoot yourself in public
I could go on for days but I won't. I think ya'll get the picture here. I am a writer, I am creative and I like to have fun. If I dress in costume then I'm doing just that, having a good time. Would I show up in costume for a television interview? Probably not but I can also guarantee that I wouldn't be sporting a suit either. Writing is about expressing yourself and so is how you dress.
If writers want to get their skirts in a twirl, maybe they should take a stand on something that is really important like affordable health care for artists or the shrinking fiction market.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Ode to a Mentor
To Romance Authors, Kathleen Woodiwiss was a legend - the godmother of 
the modern romance novel.
Her first book, THE FLAME AND THE FLOWER was published in 1972 when I was only seven years old. While I didn't read this book until 1980 or 81, it truly changed my life. I knew, in that moment, I wanted to be a writer. To this day, two of my all time favorite novels are THE FLAME AND THE FLOWER and ASHES IN THE WIND.
While her earlier titles might seem dated now, at that time, her work set a new standard of excellence in the industry and the modern romance novel was born.
Kathleen didn't make many personal appearances during the 1990's though she continued to write bestsellers such as MARRIED AT MIDNIGHT and PETALS ON THE RIVER. Basically a shy woman, she was very nervous about attending conferences and this is how I met her.
A mutual friend was acting as her publicist and official hand-holder for Kathleen's return to public life in 2000. I received an email from Judy, our mutual friend, and she asked me to give her a hand in befriending Kathleen and easing her way into the circus that is the romance world.
Me and Kathleen Woodiwiss, one of the greatest romance writers of all time?!?!? Are you KIDDING me? I would've paid just to stand next to her let alone chat her up and put her at ease. I wasn't too sure *I* would be able to get a coherent sentence together as I'd be groveling at her feet.
Looking back now, I'm not sure what I expected from the first goddess of romance! Boas? Spike heels? Red Lipstick?
When Judy introduced me to Kathleen, it was one of the most exhilerating moments of my life. I can attribute my getting into writing to many things and this woman, this amazing creature, was such a huge inspiration for me. She was everything a role model should be. Intelligent, kind, humble and with a smile that immediately put people at ease. I'll never forget how completely out of touch she was with her standing in the literary world.
"Do you think some of these readers would like to meet me?" she whispered to me while sitting in the lobby of the Doubletree Hotel in Somerset, NJ.
It took everything I had to not start fawning and bowing at her feet. I can't imagine any romance writer NOT wanting to meet her. I mean - come on, the author of THE WOLF AND THE DOVE and SHANNA?? By the end of the conference Kathleen was much better able to circulate on her own and just kick back and enjoy herself. I ran into her a couple of years later at another conference and she was having the time of her life.
Kathleen Woodiwiss passed away today. She survived thirty years in the romance industry and that alone speaks to her talent and longevity. She was an amazing woman, an awesome writer and a legend in her comfy slip-on shoes. For the rest of my life I will treasure the time I was able to spend with her along with the many, many hours I spent losing myself in her work. Kathleen Woodiwiss changed my life with her work, and if reach one tenth of the people she did, I will consider my life a success.
To sum it all up, I will let KW have the last word - she would've loved that. :)
"Dear Readers, I'm delighted with the opportunity this website is affording me in being able to converse with such ease with my readers. Although The Flame and the Flower may have launched a whole new genre in the publishing world, I'm usually the one dragging my heels when trying something new and innovative in the area of communication, preferring all the bugs to be worked out before I venture forth. Although websites may not be as archaic as I'm getting to be, I wouldn't be at all surprised to hear comments like "Kathleen-come-lately" in reference to my emergence on the web, but here I am nevertheless, old as Methuselah and green as fresh corn stalks. Kathleen "
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Giving Birth Only To Have Your Child Stab You In The Back
Yesterday I spent many hours (10), watching the History Channel. They were showing their series, THE REVOLUTION which covered the how, whys and when this country declared Independence from England.
In one word: Fascinating.
I've always had a passion for history. After I graduated from high school I took a hiatus from book learnin' and didn't go to college until I was 24 or 25. My major was computer programming (insert maniacal laughter here) and that lasted about a year. I became distracted by my history classes and never did get a degree.
All of the founding fathers went to extremes to give this country a solid foundation from which to live and govern. After being the Commanding Officer of the army and the chief architect of the war plan for eight years, without pay - he was called upon to head the constitutional congress and draft the first part of the constitution.
But isn't that exactly what is happening now?
I admit I am fascinated with politics and seeing just how far men will go to debase themselves in pursuit of their own ambitions. The moment I think we've hit rock bottom, something new comes along to prove me wrong.
I'm not going to declare my political leanings as I don't feel it is necessary in the context of my next statement - Political Parties aside - what would the founding fathers think of Bush granting a pardon to Scooter Libby? Does this mean it is no longer illegal to lie to the court system? It is no longer illegal to deliberately impede an investigation into possible wrong doings of a political official? According to this latest move - it isn't illegal if you're covering up for someone else.
I think we all know that Libby had little to nothing to do with the un-masking of a CIA agent and that he was the fall guy for someone else. Who? Why? What else is this administration hiding from us?
And where does it stop?I can't help but think that George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and all of the founding fathers are screaming for justice from their graves.
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Crocheting...
is over for me. (sniff) When I hurt my right hand I lost some function along with it and repitive motions are out of the question for me. Bummer as I really enjoy crocheting when I watch tv - also, this was going to keep me busy in my golden years.
Hmm, now I'll have to take up bungie jumping...
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Book Review: Passionate Ink by Angela Knight
Passionate Ink: A Guide to Writing Erotic Romance
Passionate Ink by Angela Knight
Passionate Ink by Angela KnightPublisher: Loose Id
ISBN: 978-1-59632-390-2
Amazon.com description:
The forecast is in: the future of romance is hot and steamy. But riding the wave to success takes more than stringing together a couple of sex scenes or opening the bedroom door on your traditional romance. In her brand-new "how-to", USA Today bestselling author Angela Knight shares the down and dirty details on writing erotic romances that will keep your readers coming back for more. Passionate Ink (un)covers the erotic novel from conception to completion. Straight talk, no purple prose. First, Angela will show you her useful writing techniques that have made her a successful author. Then, she'll teach you what's hard (besides that!) about making your erotic romance erotic: action, both in and out of bed, the anatomy of a sex scene, eroticism and 'kink', and good dialogue, or talking dirty without sounding dumb. If you want to enjoy the heat, then strip off your inhibitions and take a dip.into Passionate Ink.
For a beginning or established writer looking to transition into the world of Erotic Romance, this book is an excellent stepping stone. Filled with straight-forward, no fluff tips, recommendations and techniques, I really enjoyed reading it and I will recommend that my writing groups buy a copy for their libraries.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Foto Friday
Look, it's not a photo of my dogs!! I thought this pond was absolutely beautiful - never seen lilies like this. I had to climb over a fence and dodge security cameras (the pond is on a bank compound and they have security everywhere) just for you...my beloved readers.
;)
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Ding Dong...
The contractor is dead!
Okay, I didn't kill him but over the past six months I've certainly thought about it. I've officially fired them after they removed my lovely wooden baseboards to fix the wall and then...put vinyl back in its place.
WTF???
I've come to the conclusion that most men today can't do a damned thing with their hands unless its wrapping those digits around their favorite friend. My father could do anything from electrical wiring, plumbing, building, wood working - whatever was needed. Any more most men couldn't even change their own oil in their cars. When I was a kid I didn't even know you could take your car to a garage to have that done!
I've decided the next man I sleep with will be a handy man who is actually HANDY for a change. I figure one way or another you end up paying for sex anyway, I may as well get something useful out of it besides multiple orgasms...
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
It never ends....
The contractor has once again invaded my home to work on the bathroom. For those of you who don't know, the remodeling started in January, 2007.
Yes - JANUARY.
To say this has been a headache would be an understatement. I finally gave them their final orders in that if it isn't done this week the attorney will be called.
Ya know - I really hate being like that but they are really driving me crazy. The bathroom is next to the library and when them hammering, banging and playing the music loud its almost impossible to write. It if wasn't for the fact that I love my new shower, I would say that I regret beginning this mess but my shower is quite cool. Hopefully, I can post the final photos next week. (crossing fingers, toes, eyes...)
Monday, June 25, 2007
Manic Monday
So what is Manic Monday all about? It's the day of the week that I scramble around trying to get caught up from slacking over the weekend.
SPAM - Sometimes I just look at the spam messages I receive and I wonder, who the hell falls for this crap? Penis enlargment patches? Don't they realize it will take a heck of a lot more than a PATCH to bring some men up to snuff. (sorry, couldn't resist) Miracle diet pils? Honey, if they worked don't you think Oprah would've been the first to know??
Judging from the type of spam I receive, it appears men seem to fall for it most. I receive more penis related emails than should be allowed.
POST OFFICE - What's up with the post office? They increase the stamp rate by two cents but they increase the book rate postage more than .50 per book. Do I receive packaging service with that? No. Pickup? No. Discounted postage for a large amount of packages? Hell, no. And they want to know why most people prefer email...
:)
Monday, June 18, 2007
Eight Reasons Why Being a Girl is Tedious
Pantyhose - need I say more?
Bras - In general I don't have an issue with bras but there are days when I don't want to get dressed that I throw on a tshirt and sweats then feel GUILTY about not wearing a bra. What is up with that? If people don't want to look at my sagging twins then get the hell out of my cleavage!
High Heels - I realize that Catherine deMedici is the 'mother' of the high heels but why should I have to pay for her lack of height with deformed feet? High heels simply aren't natural and I ain't wearing them!
Big Hair - why is it men can roll out of bed and go into public meanwhile women will be called 'sloppy' or 'lazy' if we don't tend to our hair?
Sitting down to pee - When you're dressed up (in the afforementioned hose and heels) I absolutely hate bathroom trips. I don't know about anyone else but I can never get my hose back into a position that feels comfy.
PMS - I mean, COME ON. It's not bad enough that everyone around us makes us crazy then the universe tosses in some hormonal hijinks? When is enough, enough?
Thong Panties - Okay, before sending me the emails...I do like thong panties once you get used to them. What I don't like is when they get lost in your backside and you have to root around to find them again. (Yes, I have a big butt)
Polite and Accomodating - I'm pointing the finger at Donna Reed for this one. When I was a kid, I was raised to be polite and accomodating. I strive to make people feel welcome, make sure they have whatever they need - you get the picture. Anymore, that means you're a pansy. "Oh, JC won't mind if I bring my twelve kids to her Ladies Night..."
Yes, I will.
Friday, June 15, 2007
Foto Friday
I know - it's another photo of my dog but I didn't make it out much this week. My bathroom still isn't done - they repainted it and when they went to put the wooden floor trim (I know it has a name, I just can't remember it) they drove in one nail and the wall caved in.
Just lovely.
The original contractor failed to replace the drywall near the shower (where it had been damaged by years of water) and now they have to go back and take care of that. The biggest issue will be to get the paint to match the rest of the walls. This is textured granite paint and it feels like stucco when you touch it. It's really easy to get it on un-evenly and it just pops out at you.
I'm so SICK of my fricking bathroom.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Saying Goodbye
I've never been good at saying goodbye. I hang onto friendships long past their 'expiriation' date. This is never a good thing yet I do it every time. To quote Tyler Perry (or Madea - which ever you prefer):
Some friends are seasonal and when that season is up, you let them go.
That's a hard one. How do you say good bye to someone you love? Recently I've taken on the mentality that I don't want to leave anything unsaid. How sad is it when someone you love passes on and you can't celebrate their life because all you can think of is what you wish you'd said.
I don't want to be that person. I don't want to be filled with regret when someone I love leaves this world and I wouldn't wish that on my friends.
To borrow a line from Scrooge, the 1969 musical version of the story:
'We never have all the time to say and do everything we wish for suddenly, we aren't there anymore."
And this is the ultimate lesson of life, IMHO. Our time here is finite and we should cram all the living we can into the time we're given, and that includes saying what you feel is necessary to those around you.
One of the the issues that makes me the saddest is that there are several people in my life who have severed all contact with me. Over what - I don't know or I don't remember. Whatever it is I'm sure its petty and silly though at the time it seemed huge and insurmountable. I tried contacting the one nearest and dearest to my heart, and he won't return my calls. This makes me so incredibly sad. First, I don't know why he's upset and since I have no way to reach him, I have no way of rectifying the situation or telling him how very much I love him and how much he's changed my life. But if someone won't meet you halfway, all you can do is wish them well and move on.
So I say to you, loyal readers, if there is something standing between you and someone you love, tear it down - you never know if there is a tomorrow for you to address it.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Sleepy Sunday
My dogs are SO spoiled it isn't funny. They spend their 'off' time (when their not barking at neighbors, eating or napping on the couch) in my bed. Lazy brats!
This is two of my three dogs, Bella on the right and Maddie. Maddie is the dog that travels with me all the time and she stuck with me through my Hurricane Katrina work.
Friday, June 08, 2007
What Romance Authors REALLY do when they're alone...
This is what romance authors do after a long conference weekend.
On the left is Isabo Kelly and on the right is Carolan Ivey. I think Carolan is doing obscene things with that onion ring but let's not dwell there shall we?
After leaving the hotel to head home, we hit the Red Robin restaurant to load up on the 4 food groups, chocolate, fat, beef and bread. Each of us consumed at least 800 calories apiece and didn't eat for two days afterward. :)
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
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Monday, June 04, 2007
On Writing...
This weekend I spent at Lori Foster's conference in Cincinnati, Ohio. It is always such great fun to hang with new and old friends to discuss one of my most favorite things, books and writing. I met so many lovely people and it was lovely to just kick back, hang and chat with anyone who stopped by.
Of course, as a writer it was also about business.
I met with some agents and editors and received some requests to see WINTER'S DAUGHTER - the manuscript I completed early this year then yanked back from a Publisher-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named. I have high hopes for this book as it is truly a book of my heart and it is the best thing I've ever created. So everyone, cross your fingers for me - I have a pile of manuscripts to send out this week. :)
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Did you know?
AS THE WAR ENDED, JAPAN PROVIDED SEX SLAVES FOR US SOLDIERS
I read this in The Columbus Dispatch, dated April 26, 2007. I've been wanting to post this little piece of Americana since early May but the accident thwarted me - typing with my nose just isn't much fun.
Anyway, On to the actual tidbits of this little known fact.
Japan, with tacit approval from the US occupation authorities, set up a 'comfort women' system for American GI's. It was an actual brothel system that was condoned by the American government irregardless of the fact that women were being forced into prostitution against their will. Tens of thousands of women were involved in this 'trade' until General Douglas MacArthur shut the brothels down in 1946.
The brothels were rushed into operation in August 1945 when the US forces poured into Japan to begin the occupation.
According to the official history of the Ibaraki Prefectural Police Department whose jurisdiction is just northeast of Tokyo - 'The strategy was the hope that the GIs would use these 'experienced' women instead of harrassing the locals.' A dormatory was converted to a brothel and twenty women were 'working' there.
"As expected, after it opened it was elbow to elbow." the history says. "the comfort women...had some resistence to selling themselves to men who just yesterday were the enemy...there was a great deal of apprehension. But they were paid very highly and they gradually came to accept their work peacefully."
Does this make anyone else ill? No woman 'accepts' selling her body to strangers, 'peacefully' - especially when they are being FORCED into it. For example - Natsue Takita, 19 - applied for an office worker job then was told the only positions were for the comfort women. They persuaded her to sell her body and she committed suicide after working there for four days. What is peaceful about jumping in front of a train?
By the time the brothels were shut down, 70k of prostitutes were employed by the system. The fee was 1 dollar for 15 minutes and they were forced to serve between 15 and 60 men a day. Most of the women working there were forced into it due to dire financial circumstances and lack of family. More than 25% of the GIs contracted a veneral disease from the brothels.
In 1993 Japan's Government apologized for its role in the controversy and established a fund (Asian women's fund) to reimburse the women. In January 2007, California Rep Mike Honda offered a resolution in the house to condemn Japan's use of sex slaves, in part as leverage to force the Japanese government to keep the Asian women's fund open.
The fund compensated only 285 women though there were an estimated possibly 200k of women in the system in Japan, South Korea, Phillipines and Taiwan. Each received about 17,800.00. The fund closed on March 31, 2007.
Haruki Wada, the fund's exectutive director said, "No one Japanese women has come forward to seek compensation or an apology. Unless they feel they can say they were completely forced against their will, they feel they cannot come forward."
I can only wonder how many of them stayed prostitutes, became addicts or died in the street - uncounted victims of a society gone mad.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Another Update
No, my hand / arm isn't any better and yes, I'm annoyed.
I've never been a good patient and I don't intend to start now. It really annoys me that I couldn't even open my juice bar today because my right hand is fricking useless and that's enough to make me whine...
Okay, enough of that crap.
It's obvious to me that I need to see the surgeon. My hand is no better though the bruising is fading which is a good thing. Tonight I finally figured out that I did seriously damage myself. How? Okay, stick your hand out and extend your thumb to make an L (or a backwards L). See the 'webbing' of skin between your thumb and forefinger. Mine is GONE.
Yes, gone.
So not only is it very painful to extend my thumb, my hand just looks odd. (and no, I'm not going to have plastic surgery to fix it, if anyone gets close enough to notice it that means I'm in the act of punching them) Maybe I didn't notice it because the swelling was horrendous?
Finally, to add insult to injury, my dog, THE DACHSHUND, ate the brace I'm supposed to wear. I know, you can laugh, it is amusing to someone who didn't have to pay for a new one.
What do you suppose is the going rate for a weenie dog rug?
Monday, May 21, 2007
Still Alive, Part II
Yes, I'm still here. Thanks for all the well wishes, I really do appreciate each and every one of them. I'm doing better but my computer time is limited. The doctor's think I have some nerve damage and they're ordering me to rest my right arm as much as possible. When I'm at the computer for more than a half hour at a time, I have shooting pains up my arm and that's not a good thing.
That said, I haven't lost my sense of humor. :)
I am constantly amused by the number of things I can't do on my own now. One night I decided to have some cheese and crackers and just cutting the cheese was an ordeal and my arm ached all night long. So I thought I'd be slick and get some sliced cheese and bagels...quick and easy right? Until I realized that the bagels weren't sliced. (whacking self in head)
Driving is fun. I've learned how to start my car with my left hand. Once I get it into gear, I'm good. For the first time in five years I'm glad I bought a car with an automatic transmission. Normally I'm a standard kind of girl.
Taking a shower is most amusing. It never occurred to me to open the soap bottles BEFORE I was soaking wet in the shower. It must have sounded like two horses galloping in the bathroom before I was done - must have dropped the bottles at least three or four times. Luckily we now have a shower stall instead of a tub - that has been a blessing.
All in all I'm doing better. I admit I haven't been wearing my sling / brace combo the way I should and I wonder if that's why I still have pain. The doc had told me to see a specialist this week if the pain hasn't gone away and it hasn't. I'm going to wait another week (and actually try to wear the sling and brace as prescribed) then see how it feels. I'm not one to go racing off to the doctor all the time - I'd hate to waste their time if it feels better next week - so we'll see what happens.
For everyone who is reading this, please eat a steak for me. I'm damned tired of frozen dinners and finger food. :)
Hugs - JC
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
I'm alive...
As most of you have heard by now, I had an accident on Tuesday. I'm not going to say what exactly happened but it was a stupid human trick and I performed amazing acrobatic feats that just weren't good.
Currently my right arm & shoulder are immobilzed and I have two separated ribs. My online time will be curtailed as I am one-handed and typing like this is exhausting. As I keep telling myself, at least life isn't boring. ;)
Monday, May 14, 2007
Offline
J.C. Wilder had an accident today and will be offline for an unspecified period of time. That's all the news I have.
Jamie, PA to Ms. Wilder
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
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1. Joan 2. Michelle 3. The Gal Herself 4. Shiloh Walker 5. Puss Reboots 6. Barbara 7. Janie 8. Nicole 10. Carolan 11. Tinker 12. NJ 13. Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! |
Photo of the Week
I took this a few weeks ago when I was in New Orleans, LA. This is Jackson Square, one of the oldest churches in America. The carriages line up for people to hire and the rides are lovely. If you're in the area and want to take a ride, ask for Ms. Diana and tell her JC sent you. :)
Saturday, May 05, 2007
Post Romantic Times Convention Report
Sorry it took me so long to get this post up - I've been recovering from the RT Conference in Houston, TX. I came to the conclusion a long time ago that I don't recover as well as I did when I was younger, this is why I gave up drinking. :)
Carolan Ivey and I left Columbus very early on Monday morning, April 23rd. We drove to New Orleans where we met up with Crissy Brashear and her daughter, Amanda. We stayed at the Maison Dupuy - a fabulous hotel in the heart of the French Quarter. Bourbon Street was two blocks away so that's where we spent the evening. Did some shopping, hit the voodoo shop and had dinner at a little restaurant. Unfortunately I can't remember the name of the restaurant and that has nothing to do with the hurricane I drank. :)
The next morning Carol and I hit the Cafe DuMonde for breakfast then took a carriage ride with a friend. Very touristy but I enjoy the rides anyway. The weather was picture perfect and when I manage to unpack my camera, I'll post some photos.
We then headed for Houston and arrived at the hotel around 10:30 at night. By then we were both SO incredibly tired that we headed up to bed. I know, shocking coming from me, but that's what we did. Usually I'm in the bar until all hours of the night - not on this trip.
The best part of RT is just sitting around with friends and chatting. This RT had a very different vibe from ones in the past. It was very laid back (from my perspective at least) and I met tons of new authors and readers. I did end up spending most of my time in the bar but it was usually during the day. And the entire week I was there, I had only one drink.
Maybe that was the problem.
The industry gossip was the same as it is every year - write the book of your heart and it will sell. Unfortunately that isn't always true. Editors constantly tell writers they want something new and different but they can't really explain what they mean. Paranormal, urban fantasy and erotic romance are still going strong. My personal prediction is that the erotic romance market will begin to get much tighter this year but we'll see what happens.
As usual I had a fabulous time. It was great getting to kick back and catch up with old friends and make tons of new ones. Of course the entire time I was there I didn't take ONE photo. What is up with that???
Saturday, April 21, 2007
We're all Hokies Now
When I awoke last Saturday, I was in New York City preparing to have a fun-filled day. Within hours I'd be struggling to get a flight out in order to avoid the nor'easter coming in to dump inches of rain on the city - and within twenty-four hours I'd be long goneback to Ohio.
It was a pain in the butt trying to get out of the city because everyone else was trying too. I was quite cranky because my weekend getaway was cut short and I had been inconvenienced.
Inconvenienced, poor little me.
On Monday I awoke to the same news everyone else did, college students slain in class. My immediate thought was that would've never happened to me in college because I skipped so many classes the teachers had problems keeping track of me, let alone a sociopath-madman whose Mama didn't hug him enough.
Humor has saved my life a million times, but I, like the rest of the nation, didn't find anything remotely humorous about this situation.
What is happening in America that people think killing others to gain notoriety is okay? With each incident the violence has escalated and I think its time to start asking, is there an answer to this? Why are children slaughtering children?
I don't claim to have any answers, I wasn't even a psychology major in college, but I have to wonder if society is paying enough attention to the next generation. My generation (I'm 41) was determined to be 'friends' with their kids and do the opposite of our parents. Yeah, we did a bang up job, didn't we?
I don't have kids, but I agree with Hilary Clinton in that it takes a village to raise a child. Our society condones sexualization of children, maximum violence and a myriad of other behaviors that aren't conducive to raising a mature, level headed person. Someone who can make the right decisions and handle the craziness around them without joining the anti-depressant of the month club.
Isn't it time we reclaim the America we love?
Thursday, April 12, 2007
The Demise of Winter's Daughter
Dear Readers,
I will go on record to say that I possibly have the record for the shortest period of time an ebook was published, roughly eight days. Hey! I'm all about awards ya know... ;)
To make a long story short, I have pulled WD from the publisher due to breach of contract and irreconcilable differences. I put my heart and soul into this work and I'm not willing to give up on it. It means too much to me to allow it to languish into obscurity.
Readers, Writers and Friends - I cannot, absolutely cannot thank you enough for your support. This has been a very difficult time for me both personally and professionally and the only bright spot are the supportive emails from all of you. You humble me.
Saturday, April 07, 2007
On The Road Again...
Greetings and salutations - April is a month of traveling for me. In five days I leave for New York City. I'm pretty excited as its been a few years since I've been there. After my meetings are done I can play, play, play!
I'm staying with a friend in Manhatten and we plan on getting theatre tickets see at least one a day while I'm there. I so love Broadway shows and this will be an incredible indulgence for both of us. She's a stockbroker and rarely takes time off either so the time I'll be there will be a vacation for her too.
I'm hoping to load up on Korean Barbeque and hit Serendipity's for a frozen hot chocolate. I don't care if it is 20 degrees outside, I want my frozen hot chocolate! :)
After I return home it's time to get ready for the Romantic Times conference in Houston. This conference is roughly a week long and always an endurance test. Lots of standing and talking and drinking... I'm actually going to have to take it easy in NY and not walk enough to annoy my knee. If I can't walk at RT then I'm screwed - how do I get the bar if I can't walk? :)
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