Friday, October 31, 2008

Keep Looking


Alas, I find myself speaking of politics once more, but what is a girl to do when she watches CNN like a rabid wide-eyed beast? Why talk of politics of course. I just have to get this issue off my chest. While visiting blogs on *gasp* CNN I have come across quite a few comments where voters express a desire to have a candidate that "represents" them. That is all good and well I suppose, but unless we appoint a school teacher, a janitor, or the manager of Walgreens as President of the United States you are never going to have someone who is like YOU! The best we can do is look at personal ethics, beliefs, and policies. We can look at the character of the man or woman and delve into their history to see their accomplishments, but to pick someone as your next president based on that fact that they are mothers or fathers just like you is simply ridiculous. The notion that governor Palin is a good romodel for "all" women, because she is a soccer mom, executive of her state and apparently a woman who has practiced unethical conduct is simply absurd. She has never and will never be relateable to me. I have nothing in common with the woman. People please stop generalizing. I have very few things in common with Obama either. I am not a man, father, or husband and I certainly don't make his salary. I've never been to law school nor served as senator. I'll get over it. I'm not picking Obama because he grew up with one sister and his mother like I did. I'm not picking Obama because his mother worked two jobs all my life so she could support us like mine did. I'm not picking him because he is a female college student like I am. I am picking him because I believe his ideas and policies are exactly what this country needs. When you start inserting your 'need' for common factors into the equation it breeds room for the question of race, gender, and age. People need to stop choosing with their eyes and use their brains. I, for one, will be ecstatic when this election is over. Both the intelligence and ignorance of America has been put on display in this race. If you are looking for your twin in office all I have to say is keep looking!

Friday, October 24, 2008

Un(freaking)believable

I'm not one to write much about Politics on this blog, but it is just crazy what crap comes out of the mouths of "professionals" sometimes. Honestly, does no one sit down and run their speech or ideas by a critique partner. They really should take up the habits of some authors. Whether you are a Pub or Dem I'm sure you can agree that this was the ultimate foot in mouth statement of the election. Jeez. If you watch the video below, you'll know what I'm talking about.



Tuesday, October 21, 2008

What-chu-ma-call-its?

On one of my endless name searching journeys I came across a few sites with some of the most unusual names I've ever heard. I thought I'd share.

Optimus Prime

Optimus Prime (born 1971) is a U.S. Army Ohio National Guard firefighter.Named after a character in the Transformers cartoon series. He changed it legally on his 30th birthday and shows up on drivers licence and id's

Winner and Looser Lane

Winner and Loser Lane are the sixth and seventh children of Robert Lane, respectively. They are notable primarily for their unusual first names, but also for their fate being quite the reverse of what their names would suggest. (Totally unfair to the child named Looser.)

The only noteworthy achievement of Winner Lane, born in 1958, is his criminal record - nearly three dozen arrests for burglary, domestic violence, trespassing, resisting arrest and other crimes.

On the contrary, Loser Lane, born in 1961, graduated from Lafayette College in Pennsylvania, and joined the New York Police Department. He eventually advanced to become sergeant.


Cardinal Sin

Jaime Cardinal Sin, was a priest of the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines. He led the Archdiocese of Manila as its archbishop and was later elevated to the rank of cardinal by Pope Paul VI.


Cotton Mather

Cotton Mather (born 1663) was a socially and politically-influential "Puritan" minister, prolific author, and pamphleteer. Author of more than 450 books and pamphlets, Cotton Mather's ubiquitous literary works made him one of the most influential religious leaders in America.


Brfxxccxxmnpcccclllmmnprxvclmnckssqlbb11116

Pronounced /'al,bin/, Brfxxccxxmnpcccclllmmnprxvclmnckssqlbb11116 was the name intended for a Swedish child who was born in 1991.
The boy's parents had planned to never legally name him at all, as a protest to the strict child-naming rules of the Swedish government. (Poor kid)

Sadly after this name was rejected the parents tried to name the baby "A". That too was rejected. I have no idea what the finalized named turned out to be.


Moon Unit Zappa

Frank Zappa, the famous american singer, guitarist, composer and satirist had four children, which he named: Moon Unit, Dweezil, Ahmet Emuukha Rodan, and Diva Muffin Zappa.


Thursday October Christian

Thursday October Christian (born October 1790) was the first son of Fletcher Christian (leader of the mutiny on the HMAV Bounty) and his Tahitian wife Maimiti. He was conceived on Tahiti, and was the first child born on Pitcairn after the mutineers took refuge on the island.


World B. Free (born 1953) is a former professional basketball player who played in the NBA from 1975-1988. World was known as the "Prince of Midair" as well as "All-World". In 1980, he had his first name legally changed from "Lloyd" to "World".


Eagle-Eye Cherry sees everything

This American-Swedish singer is known best for his hit "Save Tonight". The name Eagle-Eye was given to him at birth because his father thought he had the eyes of an eagle. Luckily, the father didn't noticed he also had pig's hands.


Picabo Street

Picabo Street (born April 3, 1971 in Triumph, Idaho) is an American skier, now retired and living in Portland, Oregon. She is named after the town of Picabo, Idaho, and was raised on a small farm in Triumph. She first joined the United States Ski Team in 1989, at the age of 17.





Quoted from Funny and Unusual names by Richard Pettinger.








Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Can't Buy Me Love


This is going to be a very, very short rant. What I wanted to mention are the ridiculous prices I am finding now on ebooks. I mean I thought the purpose of ebooks was that it was quicker and cheaper than paperback. It isn't as if publishers have to pay printing companies for ink, paper, and labor. It isn't as if a lumberjack goes out in the great wilderness, cuts down a tree, and hauls it back to mill-land. I don't mind super plus novels edging up there at seven or eight dollars. I mean I might wince a little, but really, its SUPER PLUS! But... I draw the line at purchasing books 100 pages long for $7.99. That is more expensive than a paperback from a newbie author, and trust me these novels are from newbies. I won't mention the companies. They know who they are and I know who they are and if you do some browsing, soon, you'll know too. All I'm saying is I can't stand to pay for it. I'm on a college student budget. I love me some manlovin' but not at that expense.

Monday, October 13, 2008

Stubborn Blokes

So, I've been inspired to try a new tactic with my characters and writing. Authors always say that their characters 'speak' to them in a sense. Not so for my characters. Stories play out much like a movie in my head, and I get to sit on the sidelines and wait. But... I'm willing to try and talk to these stubborn blokes, if only they would tell me what hot smexiness they desire. Okay, given Pride is a stubborn hunk, I can expect him to be tight-lipped, but come on Levi. You've got to give me something dang-it. So here is my attempt to drag Pride out of the closet, slap Levi down at my interview table and get this baby written. Call me crazy if you like. Pride sure does. Lol :p

SW=Me
PM= Pride McKeon
LK= Levi Keegan


SW: Welcome boys...urm I mean men. Would you like to introduce yourselves?.............HELLO?! Damnit! Get your cute asses over here now. SPEAK!" *twinkles fingers at the reader who is currently shaking his/her head* hehe

PM:* Cocks lovely blond head to the side.* What?

SW: You're supposed to be charming Mr. Man. How in the hell do you expect readers to like your if you're an arse?!

PM: *Wicked grin. Pulls up shirt.*

SW: Oh, dayum. Okay, stop that pretty boy. Since I am the only one who can see you, you don't score any brownie points with the audience. Tell them about yourself. Better yet tell them why you won't co-operate. And...where in the hell is Levi? *dies*

LK: I'm here. I'm here. *jabs thumb at Pride* Its his fault I'm late.

SW: *perks up* Really? What were you guys doing...I mean tell the audience what you look like.

LK: *Frowns* Urm, isn't that your job? You made us up after all.

SW: Yes, yes, I know but its more fun if you do it. Kay? *pleads with eyes for some understanding*

LK: Oh, okay. This is me basically. *digs around in pocket for photo and hands it to me*

*puts up photo*

SW: Deezam! I should have written a dictionary with you in it by now.

LK: *beams* Don't know why its so hard ... I mean difficult to write Sage. I'm a likable guy. I'm easy.

SW: *pouts* No, really you're not. Why won't you talk to me? I need ideas. Wait...*looks around* Where did Pride go? See, this is what I mean. You guys come and go, leaving me stranded!

PM: Calm down, Sage. Easy. I just went to get this. *hands me his picture* I don't get the whole purpose of this thread, but okay. Its your ball game.

SW: Grins. Thanks you guys. For once you're co-operating.

*posts picture*


SW: *eyes bug out* Good grief, Charlie Brown. How old are you guys?"

LK: *blushes, but then sticks his chin out* I"m nineteen.

PM: Twenty-five.

SW: Why so young?

LK: Shrugs. Twenty five is the age of Pride's Mate Run. *scratches head* Urm... you made us this age, Sage.

SW: Oh, yeah, well you guys pretty much told me what to do. I'm not driving this particular car. You guys are. Are you going to stick around from here on out?

LK: Yes. I want to see what happens too.

PM: Yes. I ran into Kehoe from another one of your WIPS and he says his ass is going to sleep from sitting on the sidelines.

SW: Kehoe said that? Uh oh. Kehoe's a werewolf.

PM: That explains why his hackles rose when confronted with another Alpha.

SW: So you're the Alpha!

PM: *grins and shoots me a knee-to-pudding sultry look* You doubt me, Sage?

SW: Nuh uh.

LK: Save some for later pretty boy.

SW: Oh, he's jealous. *looks on wide eyed*

PM: *Struts toward Levi and stops mere inches from the smaller man. He tilts Levi's head up and looks him in the eyes* No need to worry cub, I'm not through with you yet.

LK: *visibily shivers*

SW *clears throat* Um... so, we seem to be getting somewhere now, right?

PM: *Winks at me* Oh, yeah. We're getting somewhere.

SW: Okay! Okay! Break it up! Break...it... up! No teasing the audience until the excerpts.

PM: *Shrugs, and takes a step back from Levi* Its your show, Sage.

SW: Um... thank you... I think. Now, about those demons...



Well those are my boys. Pride is a bit...well prideful. He's got a big ego and needs to be smacked in the head a few times before he grounds himself. But smack I shall. Never you fear. Levi is more laid back, but he's definitely no push-over. Unless he wants it of course, and trust me Pride makes him want it really,really bad. I'm signing off now, boys and girls. Time to bring the steam. Anyone got any dark chocolate?

Favorites of October





Books
1. Knowing Caleb by Cameron Dane (awesome writer, I want to be her when I grow up, hehe)
2. Creation's Control by Marie Harte
3. Handyman by Claire Thompson
4. Altered Heart by Kate Steele

Movies
1. Monster House
2. 28 Days Later
3. Lean on Me
4. Final Destination

TV
1. Dirty Jobs w/Mike Rowe
2. Trueblood (HBO series based on Sookie Stackhouse from Charlaine Harris)
3. Tales From the Crypt
4. Project Runway

Music
1. He's the Wizard from soundtrack "The Wiz"
2. You Can't Win sung by Michael Jackson
3. Paper Planes performed byM.I.A
4. I Put a Spell On You performed by Nina Simone

Cravings
1. More books
2. Solid new ideas for PF
3. More money, hehe
4. Steak and A1 sauce

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Good News, Bad News ...Progress?

Good news: I'm writing my azz off. Bad news: I'm pretty much going in circles. More Bad News: Hit a wall this weekend about the progression of Pride Fall. More Good News: Smashed the wall down and I'm back to writing.

Here is my progress on the multitude of stories I've started and stopped. *sigh*

Pride Fall- Paranormal/Shifter

Zokutou word meterZokutou word meter
2 / 60
(3.3%)



Broken- Controversial/Contemporary



Zokutou word meterZokutou word meter
7 / 55
(12.7%)



Pale Moon Rising-Paranormal/Shifter


Zokutou word meterZokutou word meter
5 / 60
(8.3%)


How to Kill a Monster-Paranormal

Zokutou word meterZokutou word meter
11 / 55
(20.0%)



Negotiator-Contemporary/Suspense

Zokutou word meterZokutou word meter
1 / 25
(4.0%)