Yep, I'm a Tigerrrr

According to the Chinese Zodiac, born in the year 1986=Tiger. Dunno about fortunes but most of this applies to me, I think. heh

Tigers may not be the king of the jungle, but these striped cats are no softies! Magnetic and self-possessed, Tigers are born leaders. They have an air of authority that prompts others to fall in line, which is exactly how they like it. Although they are magnetically charming and fun to be around, Tigers like to go it alone sometimes too. A Tiger's main interest is in following its ambitions -- and maintaining control.

Tigers are courageous beyond compare and generally come out ahead in battle, be it in the boardroom or the bedroom. Seduction is one area where the Tiger is definitely king! Noble and warm-hearted, Tigers have a natural, raw appeal that's extremely attractive to other Signs. They're not just about attraction, though; ever on the side of right, Tigers will fight the good fight to the bitter end if the cause is worthy. Opponents are wise to fear this feline.

A bit of caution is a good thing around Tigers, since they can pounce without warning. They experience mood swings and often feel things more intensely than others, the latter quality being both good and bad. They can react poorly under stress and are prone to emotional outbursts. This Sign's bristling sensitivity can send friend and foe running for cover.

A lesson that Tigers would be well-served to learn is moderation in all things. Once these cats can find their center and direct their considerable energies toward worthwhile endeavors (as opposed to racing through life), they will accomplish much.

Oh, Wow, I Cried

If anyone knows me they know that I am not the type to cry easily. The only time I get sappy are during heart wrenching moments I see in life or on TV. (I can even know its fiction and I'll still cry.)
Yesterday I was browsing youtube to find the video of the young boy who was bullied in school and sang like an angel. Well I found him, and though his performance made my vision blurry I did not cry...until I saw Paul Potts audition. Now here is a regular Joe. He's not handsome, muscular, charming, or any of the things we rom/ero authors love to write about. He is the real deal: awkward, plain of face, humble, slightly overweight, and imperfect as everyone, even those who 'look' perfect are. I think his performance moved me more than anything I've seen all year, because (at least to me) I could see his hunger for what he was doing. That made him handsome. It made him seven feet tall with giant muscles, because he was trembling, and yet he did it anyway. Paul sung Nessun Darma, which I had never heard before. I was not into opera, but after his audition it became an instant favorite. I looked up the translation of this Italian lyrics in the English version and it is perhaps the most romantic words I've ever read. So do yourself a favor and check it out. But remember to keep a tissue handy. I still cry every time I watch it, which has been about a dozen times. *g*

Paperback

I've been draining my account buying ebooks for some time now, and I've probably only purchased two or three paperbacks the entire year of 2007, but finally I went onto B&N and bought some books. They had some of my favorite authors in the bargain section, which means they were only $3.98. I purchased a hardcover by Christine Feehan for just that price. *grin*

I also bought "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris, "Brokeback Mountain" by Anne Proulx, "Fledgling" by Octavia Butler, "Nauti Boy" by Lora Leigh, and "Rainbow Boys" by Alex Sanchez. I'm still debating when I'm going to purchase "Want Me" by Rowan McBride.

Stop Moping

Have you ever been surrounded by people that mope all the time? People that are so depressed and saddened that it seems like a dark cloud hangs over their head? Well, I'm stuck in a rut I can't get out of, and its slowly depressing me too. You see, I'm in college, and most of my friends either claim depression or manifest symptoms of this epidemic. Honestly, until I came to ECSU I never knew there were so many people that were chronically pessimistic. It is very draining, trying to cheer everyone up, and I have to be the levelheaded person because no one else is. I've had long drawn out conversations about clinical depression. Now, I do believes it exists, but I can't seem to tell the difference between a legit depression and just being pessimistic and moody. I mean, COME ON, all the time? People are walking around confessing to having the worst life on the planet and yet they eat, sleep in a bed, ARE attending COLLEGE to get a better education. I'd say we have a leg up on about sixty percent of the population here, ladies n' gentlemen. We live in America for cripes sakes, not Cuba, or Afghanistan. We are not dodging bullets, or running for our lives. We have a few tests and some classes, a midterm and final. We are free to do what we want! So why the moping and why the dejected face? How come, everytime the sun comes out, you expect it to rain? I can't get my head wrapped around it. Suddenly, I am wishing for the comfort of home and my family: a place where we laughed or cried, and moved on. Most of the time it was filled with laughter. If you were bored, you went out and did something. There was definitely no time to sit and be a moper. Ultimately, I'm thinking, that moping is a viscious cycle. I mean, how can you possibly feel any better, if you always believe you won't?

Anyway, I've ranted enough. I'm off to emerse myself in a crowd of mopers again, because they are my friends, and I feel obligated to help them muddle through, yet, again.

Remakes from Hades

On Sunday I purchased the old version of"Hairspray", and while I was in the store I started thinking about all remakes going on these days. I'm not sure why Hollywood feels the need to remake old classics. For the most part they were all perfect the first time they were made, and they don't even choose to make over movies that could be improved by our technology advancements. I found three movies in particular which I sincerely dislike the makeovers: "Hairspray", "Annie" and "The Shining". On the other hand some examples of successfully remade movies IMO are "The Parent Trap", "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" and "The Hills Have Eyes". Yeah, I know gory, Lol but I'm an action and horror fan so what can I say? With all the 'fantabolous' books out there that have interesting plots and unforgettable characters I know film makers could do alot better than remakes. I mean if the first was a success, then honestly what is the point?

Torn in Print

Woot! I got my first copy of Torn in the mail a few days ago. Needless to say I'm super syched! I have to call and get my free copies sent as well. I'm thinking about having a contest to give away two free books, but I'm going to have to hold off for a minute, while I finish up other projects.

Pictures of the Week #6

This week's theme is water!

Mood

This pic sums up my mood today. " Pretty, Pretty, by Littlemewhatever at Deviantart.com"

Favorites of April

Books
1. Strongman by Denise Rossetti
2. Ghost by Sean Michael
3. Windswept by Kate Steele
4. Velvet Need by Sean Michael

Movies
1. Across the Universe
2. No Country for Old Men
3. The Last King of Scotland
4. Grindhouse

TV
1. American Idol
2. The Boondocks
3. Make Me a Supermodel
4. Chimp Eden

Music
1. Love, Love, Love by As Tall as Lions
2. Strange Fruit by Nina Simone (one of the most moving songs I've ever heard)
3. I Don't have anything by Nina Simone
4. Search and Destroy by Iggy

Craving
1. A story for McCabe in J.L Langley's Ranch Series
2. An end to the G-Strain
3. An 'A' in Juvenile Justice
4. The movie Ratatoutille

No Critique Buddy

I'm so in need of a critique buddy, someone who loves to read and write and has a good sense of what works. I would prefer someone who has published also, but I have no idea how to go about obtaining one. I actually had five critique partners when I wrote the story "All I Want For Christmas", but somehow three of them fell by the wayside. One of the two left turned out to be under eighteen and her mother wrote me an email asking me not to have contact with her daughter. I was soooo embarrassed and a tad bit upset she had lied to me when I made it abundantly clear that I wanted people eighteen and over. I even found her on a website where you have to sign a contract that you are a legal adult. The last critique partner I had just stopped contacting me after the completion of the story. I have to imagine that life finally caught up with him, but it still sucks. So who do I go to to ask opinions about what is and isn't working? Myself of course. When you buy my story it hasn't been screen tested or sliced and diced. The publishers I work for usually have me correct technical errors and thats all, but I wish I had someone to push me to do even better. *sigh*