Finding Time

I'm sorry. I've gone back and deleted most of this post because it went from a simple "How do you find time to do all the things you want, and more importantly need to do?" type post to an all out bitch session about not being able to get things done! I refuse to spread negativity! There is already too much of it in the world and I will NOT add to it.

There are times that I want to stop the world and get off for a little while. This is one of those times!

The Next Generation

My daughter is 9 months old and already has a love affair with books. I read about a half a dozen to her every night just before bed and it amazes me how much she pays attention. Currently she is into board books. For those of you that don't know a board book has thick cardboard pages, simple enough. They are very hard to tear and, according to my daughter, very tasty! After we are done there is the ritual wipping of slobber. She is also good at turning the pages, which she does it right on time, every time. Truth be told I think that has more to do with me holding the pages down until we're ready to move on.

The point to this whole thing is, she has an amazing attention span and will actually reache for the ones she likes. It is wonderful for me to see this early interest in books, because until I was in college I hated to read. I know, a stunning confession from a writer. But the stories I made up in my head were always so much fun and It's instant gratification. Who doesn't like gratification.

This weekend I happened to be taking pictures of my favorite subject, bet you can guess who that is, and I caught her trying to read a big book. Don't worry no books were harmed in the making of this photo.

So, now you know what I'm reading right now and it is hilarious! I would recomend this book to anyone and everyone.

Author Of The Year

This is the last week to vote for Author of the Year at SNM Horror Magazine. If you've voted already, then I want to say a big THANK YOU on behalf of whomever you voted for (even if it wasn't me). If you haven't, please do so. The stories are on-line at http://www.snmhorrormag.com/voteforauthor.htm (mine is about half way down the page). Voting is real easy and takes about a minute and a half.

Tea for 5,000

Yesterday, like an estimated 5,000 other Oklahomans, I stood before the state capitol and put our lawmakers on notice. We will no longer tolerate wasteful spending of out tax dollars. We will hold them accountable for the decisions they make on our behalf. And they must return to the principles of the U.S. Constitution. A petition was circulated demanding Governor Brad Henry to return all “bailout” funds he accepted from the federal government.
Workers inside the capitol building looked down on the crowd gathered and, by their gestures, were surprised by the accomplishments of this grass roots movement. I have to admit being surprised myself and proud. This is what Americans are supposed to do. For too long we have trusted our elected officials to do what is best for our country, after all that is why we elected them. But over the years politicians have lost sight of what they were sent to Washington to do.
I’ve done a little editorializing here, but the point of the Tea Party was to remind the Federal and State governments of the first words of the Constitution “We the People…” And also to remind the general population that we have a voice and we say “NO." Ignore us at the risk of losing your job.
For more on the Tea Party, as well as up coming events, go to their web site http://www.okcteaparty.webs.com/

I also need to apologize to my daughter and her generation. We became complacent and apathetic, abuses were allowed. The same apology goes to every veteran that fought to give us these rights. We were not vigilant, we didn't do our part to keep America safe and stable. I have always voted, but I stopped there, that will change. I will become more involved. I will add my voice to the chorus of Americans that care enough to stand up and fight for the America that I know and love.

Author Of The Year

I am up for Author of the year at SNM Horror magazine. I know it says not to vote just because you know the author, but I'm asking you to do it anyway ;) Thanks for looking at this and voting


*Vote For The SNM Horror Author Of The Year!
*It's time to vote for the SNM Horror Author of the Year. From May 08-April 09, readers can choose from this list of qualified candidates and vote only once for their pick. These authors have had one featured Story of the Month and at least one other story published in SNM to qualify. The winner will be announced on our May 1st anniversary. Here they are in the order of when their story appeared:
James Cheetham:
*Bumper Shine, *The Wilting May Flowers.
Jeanna Tendean:
*The Rosebush, New Messages, The Forgotten Ones.
Laura Bickle:
*The Bone Tree, *Symbiosis, Skin.
Jason Keene:
The Woeful Cry, *Mind Over Matter.
Dianna Street:
*Making of a Monster, Another Deadly Kiss.
Alison Rogers:
Gone, *Gravedigger.
Elizadeth Hetherington
The Promise In Obsession, Halloween Mourning, Sadness Baby, *Immortal Stone, My Sweet Marie.

Readers: Please vote only once and include your first and last name and ZIP CODE and one reason for picking them. *Please vote based on the author's story or writing style and not just because you know them. Only vote from this list of 7 nominated candidates. Send your author pick to:
Themeeve@yahoo.com
*We will count the votes through the month of April and post the results of each single vote promptly on May 1st. The SNM Author of the Year will receive $150 cash prize!

Charity Begins At Home

There is little doubt that we are in tough economic times, and that these problems are going to be here for a while. Now, more that ever, it is important to give back and pay it forward. You've got to love that movie and if you haven't seen it rent it today. Yes it was sad and made more than one person cry. But it showed how a simple something could help in a big way. That is what we are being called to do now, help. At one of the forums I post at regularly there is a fellow author in trouble. She, as well as her husband, have lost their day jobs, their house and are trying not to lose hope. A lot of people did some simple things and together are helping someone in a big way. Here is a link http://ciarcullen.wordpress.com/romancing-a-cause-auction/ . There are a lot of things readers, and writers will find interesting.

The first act of charity is caring, the second is action. You don't have to give away everything you own to help. But I bet if you look around there are things you could easily donate. Clean out your closet. All of your skinny jeans that, lets face it few of us will ever wear again, can be bagged up and sent to a local shelter. It's not just jeans either, shirts, shoes, jackets, socks, anything that stills has life in it. How about those old appliances? Don't put them in your next garage sale. Donate them to a church garage sale or one of the many community re-sale shops. How about time. We are all busy these days, but don't you have a few hours a month to mentor a child?

My point is to reach out and do what you can when you can.

The Concrete Blonde

I just finished the The Concrete Blonde by Michael Connelly. It was great! I love trying to figure out who did it and Connelly kept me guessing through the whole book. The major problem is it makes me want to smoke a cigarette. I haven't smoked in years, but seeing Harry Bosh light one up every few pages makes me itch. There is one scene which Harry has a few too many to drink then add in the cigarettes and it is my college days all over again. No wonder I couldn't finish.

This is only the third Michael Connelly book I've read and I've noticed a pattern. DO NOT read any farther if you think I may spoil something for you. Okay, for those that are still with me here goes. The killer is seen early in the book, somewhere in the first few chapters, however the bad guy is so down played that you miss who it is until the end. I must say that is wonderful!! I can't stand it when killer stays the shadowy figure. Bring him, or her, out into the light and let us see them. I want to slap my fore head at the end and say "Of course that who it is!"

One thing I don't like, this is just a personal quirk, is the detailed directions he gives. I don't really need to know that he drove down this street to get to that highway only to take this exit and turned onto that street all to get to a famous, or not, land mark. Just tell me he drove to "The Dome." I don't know enough about L.A. for the actual directions to make much sense. It does give the story more realistic feel, but Connelly has already done an excellent job of that. And it feels like unnecessary details, which I don't like in any book.

I loved the story and would recommend it, as well as the other two, to any one!!