Deadly Visions

This is what I saw perched on the roof of our pool bar. Patiently they gathered, five, sometimes more of them. Then they'd circle overhead for long, lazy flights.

Waiting.

Waiting.

Calling their friends.

Two questions arise: are they here for the dead deer in the woods behind our house...

Or me?

I've been fighting a hell of a cold so there were times I felt close to Death's door. I was nervous about going outside to sit in the sun, like a vampire wanting to see daylight before bursting into ash (there's no sparkling here). In one fell swoop, they could sweep my cough-racked body away to their lair to chomp, rip and chew me at their leisure.

But they only wanted the stinky dead deer.

Lucky for me.

But now I'm starting to rise from the hole that was my sick bed and toddle about, zombie like. So that's why this post is late. I apologize for almost leaving this plane for the next, neglecting my post. Here's how I'll make it up to you:

http://bringya2pa.wordpress.com/2012

(No, couldn't get the hyperlink to work- you should know me by now that I have tech issues.)

It's a HUGE-MEGA-AMAZING-NOT-TO-BE-MISSED gathering of over 30 YA authors, and it's in West Chester, PA. (Stop whining, it's not that far.) There will be AUTHORS. And free swag. And AUTHORS. And books. AND AUTHORS. Am I getting through? There's nothing authors love more than meeting with people and talking about books: theirs, other people's, what's hot, what they can recommend, what they love, etc.

So spend a Saturday feeding your brain, getting back into the dreaded school/work routine (Summer's almost over, kiddies, back to work time!) and pick up some great books.

If I can battle death by cold to be there (last year we were staring the Grim Reaper down in the form of a hurricane and we STILL had lots of people show up), so can you! (by the way, I'm not infectious anymore.) We ALL look forward to seeing you there.


Don't make me send those buzzards to your house...

Char

Bling Ambition

My adorable niece Lauren is part of my muse for Shar in the Sirenz series. She graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology, works for a major department store in buying, and lives in NYC. When we get together, the conversation is usually about fashion, trends, and living in the city. One particular conversation centered around a pair of Christian Louboutin heels covered in Swarovski crystals.

Stunning.

Glittering.

She wants these shoes (sorry, I can't get a picture of them even from the official Christian Louboutin website because they're from several seasons ago and have been eclipsed by glitzier versions).  But here's what they look like; take a gold lame high heel, of course add the signature red lacquer bottoms, and cover entirely with sparkling Swarovski crystals.

Unbelievable. She wants them for her eventual wedding. Being the magnanimous aunt, I offered to buy them for her.

$3,395 was the price.

I choked and almost swallowed my tongue.

"You want these shoes, which you'll wear only TWICE (once for the wedding and once maybe for a fancy New Year's party and that's it because if you ever have a baby, your feet will get fatter and you'll never fit into them again)."

I rescinded my offer.

Sorry, but I can't see spending that much money on a pair of shoes. (I've seen lots of videos on youtube about enterprising women making their own versions; they painstakingly glue THOUSANDS of crystals onto a pair of regular shoes.) I'd offer to do that (I could watch Vampire Diaries while doing it), but I know it wouldn't fly with her.

While I wouldn't spend that much on any shoe, I do understand (in part) her desire to have them (going past the obvious materialistic sense that today's generation is obsessed with. Sorry, Sweetie but your group is all about the name.). Everyone needs a goal to strive for that doesn't have to do with getting a promotion, or acing a test, or losing ten pounds; it's about a goal for personal, FUN, outrageous reasons. Something just for yourself. My goal is to make a bestseller list--not for the money or prestige, but because it's always been a dream. (Those other things can follow, thank you.) Just to say I'm a best selling author is my Christian Louboutin dream. Lauren will have to work very hard to save the money for those shoes, just as I'll have to work very hard on my writing. Will our goals change the world, make it a better place, do something for someone else?

No.

But we all need something just for "ME;" whether it's an outrageous pair of shoes, a listing in the Top Ten, a climb to Mt. Everest, or a tattoo on the tush.

So work and save Sweetie. When I make the Top Ten, you can wear your pretty shoes to my party.

  Auntie Char

Words I Want To Kill

(Warning: explicit language!)


I'm all for freedom of speech- let's make that clear. In no way do I want to infringe on anyone's rights to say what they will regardless of what I or anyone else may think, say, or believe.

But I want certain words to die a rapid death and disappear forever into oblivion. In no order of importance (or disgust) they are:

Nigger. Why is this word still around? If no one used it, especially around the younger generations, it would die out. I don't care if you're black, white, pink or striped, there is NO justification for this word. And I would think it's even WORSE when a member of your own race uses it. Save me from the 'it's art' argument when it's used in music or literature. It's NOT art--it's an example of humankind at it's lowest.

Cunt. Without trying to be sexist, I'm thinking mostly males use this word (and maybe it was made up by one). It's crude, offensive, adds nothing to speech or literature or music. When I hear that word, I really want to smack the user, sooo hard. Don't use it in my presence.

God damn/Jesus Christ. It doesn't matter whether you're Christian or not, it's blasphemy for those of us who are. It deeply offends us. I wonder if you used a curse which offended other faiths if you'd get  away with it. Please use your brains and your heart and substitute another word--there are plenty of curses.

Sexist uses of pussy, misogynistic use of bitch, and curses for the sake of being 'cool' also tick me off.

So let's all be more creative, more considerate and kill these puppies off. Any that steam you?

Char

Oddities

I'm a little off kilter this week, having visited family, then had other family visiting me. Trying to get back in the groove, so this post will be random stuff I think you might (or might not) like to know.

1. The new kitten, Mink, is feeling just fine thank you. His birthday is May 19th, same day as my eldest son. Kitten likes to tease larger cat. (Not smart, Mink, not smart.) I wake up numerous times to make sure that Mink hasn't been eaten by Casey.

2. Was reading a publications magazine, and it featured a book on writing by an author "soon to be a best seller." ?  Either you are, or you aren't. Can I put "hoping to be a bestseller soon" as a tag line? Would probably make as much sense. Let's all tagline our dreams!

3. I love squirrels. So much I wrote a MG novel about them. He evolves intellectually rather than physiologically. Here is my inspiration/motivation diorama:

Editors who don't snatch up Evolution Revolution: Simple Machines will just have to pay more for it later on. (And yes, I claim ownership of the squirrel that lives in the backyard oak tree.)

4. I don't want to hear about the Michael Jackson family drama. Or Snooki. Or how Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattison smooched in public. Ditto: all famous people (but will make exception for Ian Somerhalder).

5. I'm tired of politics, don't care about the Penn St football team, or to hear any excuse by the family of the Colorado movie theater (allege) killer for his actions.

6. Thank you Mother Nature for the rain, even the copious amounts, but it's too late to save my meditation garden AND ALL THE MONEY I SPENT ON FLOWERS. You want flowers? Send some free my way, revive the crispy/rotten plants I have, OR WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR.

7. Going to Stones Crossing Swim Club for a book signing. I like talking about writing and books to teens, kids, adults- whoever will listen. Whoever shows up gets chocolate and bookmarks. (It's worth going to....) I promise to try and be entertaining.

8. I need a vacation that doesn't involve squabbling, decisions, making other people happy.

9. My edits are going slower than I anticipated.

10. Awesome thunderstorm yesterday! I love watching them. (You can call me crazy- our house has been struck 3 times- each time with just me and a different son. People rush out of my house when thunder is heard...)

So, have a nice week! I promise something substantial next week.

Char

Addition and Subtraction

This is the addition:

This is Mink (unless my sons come up with a better name for the little guy). He's a rescued barn cat. Poor thing had the worst case of ear mites the vet had ever seen, plus a sinus infection, possibly worms, and undernourished. But he's adorable and we love him.

My sidekick is not amused.

Casey has a point; she was here first, she's the princess, this is her castle. But changes- additions to our house, to a project, to our lives--upset the balance. To maintain that balance, there has to be a subtraction elsewhere. Do I give Casey less snuggle time? Give up some writing time? Cut down on sleep? The extra time with Mink has to come from somewhere.

Just like my writing projects. I'm working on my own stuff, but have joint projects. When I get a new idea or want to revise my stuff, do I take time/energy away from joint works, or steal it from housework time, free time, reading time, family time?

Or maybe just work smarter, freeing up some time.

It will have to be a little of both.

Yeah, I'll let you know how that works.

In the meantime, I have to play referee; spending more time on something that's not built into the already tight schedule.

Char

Disclaimer: If i suddenly stop posting posts. haha, its because i did something wrong and I have to wait for one of my children to fix it.
PS: my mom will update this soon, i just might have fixed all her problems for about 3 months, then she will probably find a new way to hurt her poor computer xD PEACE (5th time fixing her accounts with gmail and blogger, ugh)

When, In The Course Of Human Events...

Those are the words beginning one of the most powerful, world-altering documents. Even if you're not American, read them. If you have any sense of the human spirit that yearns to be free, they will move you.

If not, then you'll never understand how we feel about the Fourth of July.

In the words of Patriot Patrick Henry:

Give me liberty, or give me death.

Char