I have entered Write a Novel in November!
http://www.nanowrimo.org/

Online Books, Woo Hoo!!!

http://www.scribd.com/

Also check out this great looking writing software.
http://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.html

Check out the amazing photography of Ian Shrive.

http://www.waterandsky.com/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/victoria-rosner/co-creating-a-monster_b_301089.html

How do you decide who gets credit in a Husband and Wife writing relationship? The woman published the book while the husband helped edited. Should his name be on the cover as well?

What does your name say about you on the Internet? Check it Out.

http://personas.media.mit.edu/

Just had to share this, grab the tissues.....

To Whoever Gets My Dog

They told me the big black Lab's name was Reggie as I looked at him
lying in his pen. the shelter was clean, and the people really
friendly.

I'd only been in the area for six months, but everywhere I went in the
small college town, people were welcoming and open. Everyone waves when
you pass them on the street.

But something was still missing as I attempted to settle in to my new
life here, and I thought a dog couldn't hurt. Give me someone to talk
to.

And I had just seen Reggie's advertisement on the local news. The
shelter said they had received numerous calls right after, but they said
the people who had come down to see him just didn't look like "Lab
people," whatever that meant. They must've thought I did.

But at first, I thought the shelter had misjudged me in giving me Reggie
and his things, which consisted of a dog pad, bag of toys almost all of
which were brand new tennis balls, his dishes, and a sealed letter from
his previous owner. See, Reggie and I didn't really hit it off when we
got home. We struggled for two weeks (which is how long the shelter
told me to give him to adjust to his new home). Maybe it was the fact
that I was trying to adjust, too. Maybe we were too much alike.

For some reason, his stuff (except for the tennis balls - he wouldn't go
anywhere without two stuffed in his mouth) got tossed in with all of my
other unpacked boxes. I guess I didn't really think he'd need all his
old stuff, that I'd get him new things once he settled in. but it
became pretty clear pretty soon that he wasn't going to.

I tried the normal commands the shelter told me he knew, ones like "sit"
and "stay" and "come" and "heel," and he'd follow them - when he felt
like it. He never really seemed to listen when I called his name -
sure, he'd look in my direction after the fourth of fifth time I said
it, but then he'd just go back to doing whatever. When I'd ask again,
you could almost see him sigh and then grudgingly obey.

This just wasn't going to work. He chewed a couple shoes and some
unpacked boxes. I was a little too stern with him and he resented it, I
could tell.

The friction got so bad that I couldn't wait for the two weeks to be up,
and when it was, I was in full-on search mode for my cellphone amid all
of my unpacked stuff. I remembered leaving it on the stack of boxes for
the guest room, but I also mumbled, rather cynically, that the "damn dog
probably hid it on me."

Finally I found it, but before I could punch up the shelter's number, I
also found his pad and other toys from the shelter.. I tossed the pad
in Reggie's direction and he snuffed it and wagged, some of the most
enthusiasm I'd seen since bringing him home. But then I called, "Hey,
Reggie, you like that Come here and I'll give you a treat." Instead, he
sort of glanced in my direction - maybe "glared" is more accurate - and
then gave a discontented sigh and flopped down. With his back to me.

Well, that's not going to do it either, I thought. And I punched the
shelter phone number.

But I hung up when I saw the sealed envelope. I had completely
forgotten about that, too.

"Okay, Reggie," I said out loud, "let's see if your previous owner has
any advice.".........

"To Whoever Gets My Dog:

Well, I can't say that I'm happy you're reading this, a letter I told
the shelter could only be opened by Reggie's new owner.

I'm not even happy writing it. If you're reading this, it means I just
got back from my last car ride with my Lab after dropping him off at the
shelter. He knew something was different. I have packed up his pad and
toys before and set them by the back door before a trip, but this
time... it's like he knew something was wrong. And something is
wrong... which is why I have to go to try to make it right.

So let me tell you about my Lab in the hopes that it will help you bond
with him and he with you.

First, he loves tennis balls... the more the merrier.

Sometimes I think he's part squirrel, the way he hordes them.

He usually always has two in his mouth, and he tries to get a third in
there. Hasn't done it yet.

Doesn't matter where you throw them, he'll bound after it, so be careful
- really don't do it by any roads. I made that mistake once, and it
almost cost him dearly.

Next, commands. Maybe the shelter staff already told you, but I'll go
over them again: Reggie knows the obvious ones - "sit," "stay," "come,"
"heel." He knows hand signals: "back" to turn around and go back when
you put your hand straight up; and "over" if you put your hand out right
or left. "Shake" for shaking water off, and "paw" for a high-five. He
does "down" when he feels like lying down - I bet you could work on that
with him some more. He knows "ball" and "food" and "bone" and "treat"
like nobody's business.

I trained Reggie with small food treats. Nothing opens his ears like
little pieces of hot dog.

Feeding schedule: twice a day, once about seven in the morning, and
again at six in the evening. Regular store-bought stuff; the shelter has
the brand.

He's up on his shots. Call the clinic on 9th Street and update his info
with yours; they'll make sure to send you reminders for when he's due.
Be forewarned: Reggie hates the vet.

Good luck getting him in the car - I don't know how he knows when it's
time to go to the vet, but he knows.

Finally, give him some time.

I've never been married, so it's only been Reggie and me for his whole
life. He's gone everywhere with me, so please include him on your daily
car rides if you can. He sits well in the backseat, and he doesn't bark
or complain. He just loves to be around people, and me most especially.
Which means that this transition is going to be hard, with him going to
live with someone new. And that's why I need to share one more bit of
info with you....

His name's not Reggie.

I don't know what made me do it, but when I dropped him off at the
shelter, I told them his name was Reggie. He's a smart dog, he'll get
used to it and will respond to it, of that I have no doubt. but I just
couldn't bear to give them his real name. For me to do that, it seemed
so final, that handing him over to the shelter was as good as me
admitting that I'd never see him again. And if I end up coming back,
getting him, and tearing up this letter, it means everything's fine.
But if someone else is reading it, well... well it means that his new
owner should know his real name. It'll help you bond with him. Who
knows, maybe you'll even notice a change in his demeanor if he's been
giving you problems.

His real name is Tank. Because that is what I drive.

Again, if you're reading this and you're from the area, maybe my name
has been on the news. I told the shelter that they couldn't make
"Reggie" available for adoption until they received word from my company
commander. See, my parents are gone, I have no siblings, no one I
could've left Tank with... and it was my only real request of the Army
upon my deployment to Iraq, that they make one phone call the shelter...
in the "event"... to tell them that Tank could be put up for adoption.
Luckily, my colonel is a dog guy, too, and he knew where my platoon was
headed. He said he'd do it personally. And if you're reading this,
then he made good on his word.

Well, this letter is getting to downright depressing, even though,
frankly, I'm just writing it for my dog. I couldn't imagine if I was
writing it for a wife and kids and family. but still, Tank has been my
family for the last six years, almost as long as the Army has been my
family.

And now I hope and pray that you make him part of your family and that
he will adjust and come to love you the same way he loved me.

That unconditional love from a dog is what I took with me to Iraq as an
inspiration to do something selfless, to protect innocent people from
those who would do terrible things... and to keep those terrible people
from coming over here. If I had to give up Tank in order to do it, I am
glad to have done so. He was my example of service and of love. I hope
I honored him by my service to my country and comrades.

All right, that's enough.

I deploy this evening and have to drop this letter off at the shelter.

I don't think I'll say another good-bye to Tank, though. I cried too
much the first time. Maybe I'll peek in on him and see if he finally
got that third tennis ball in his mouth.

Good luck with Tank. Give him a good home, and give him an extra kiss
goodnight - every night - from me."

Thank you, Paul Mallory

I folded the letter and slipped it back in the envelope. Sure I had
heard of Paul Mallory, everyone in town knew him, even new people like
me. Local kid, killed in Iraq a few months ago and posthumously earning
the Silver Star when he gave his life to save three buddies. Flags had
been at half-mast all summer.

I leaned forward in my chair and rested my elbows on my knees, staring
at the dog.

"Hey, Tank," I said quietly.

The dog's head whipped up, his ears cocked and his eyes bright. "C'mere
boy."

He was instantly on his feet, his nails clicking on the hardwood floor.
He sat in front of me, his head tilted, searching for the name he hadn't
heard in months.

"Tank," I whispered. His tail swished.

I kept whispering his name, over and over, and each time, his ears
lowered, his eyes softened, and his posture relaxed as a wave of
contentment just seemed to flood him. I stroked his ears, rubbed his
shoulders, buried my face into his scruff and hugged him.

"It's me now, Tank, just you and me. Your old pal gave you to me." Tank
reached up and licked my cheek. "So whatdaya say we play some ball His
ears perked again.

"Yeah Ball You like that Ball "

Tank tore from my hands and disappeared in the next room. And when he
came back.....he had three tennis balls in his mouth.

Seattle Washington

Sorry for the disappearing act. Between my trip to Seattle, WA (amazing) and being sick for two weeks (sucked dirt) I have not been posting (cough...at all...cough) but that should soon be remedied. I have a ton of pictures, recipes, and articles to share so please hang on just a day or two more. Promise.

Had to share this one. Hilarious.

Just a handful of things to post. I have a ton of links and things saved but they will have to wait for later.

• Wonderful blog about fashion, art, and random beautiful finds. Great. http://accidentalmysteries.blogspot.com/
• Great blog in the New York Times that uses illustrations to highlight every entry. http://kalman.blogs.nytimes.com/
• And here is another New York Times blog that uses abstract art to highlight its entries. http://niemann.blogs.nytimes.com/

I am on such a buzz at the moment. I have gotten a ton done with my book, I have blocked out every scene and where it fits into the novel, all the scenes I have to write, and in what order. Utterly great. I have written four poems, researched several places to submit them to, and have started typing them up. I am on a serious roll.
Woo ho for me!

Check out the new sidebar addition of my goodreads.com currently reading list.

Had to share a few things.

• What if the Food Network reflected Real Life? Here.
• Wonderful article about books about writers workspace, very entertaining. Here.
• Ever wonder what happened to the princess' after the story ends? Find out Here.
• How do your favorite characters rank in the 100 list by Book Magazine. Here.
• Great compilation of pictures of old photos and the reality of the place they are showing. Here.

It is funny how all the people in my family read differently. Me and my dad are alike in how many books we read but like different subjects and styles. I love to re-read old favorites, as does my father, which my Mother can't stand. My mother loves romance and what I call fluff books (even I like fluff sometimes, every now and then it is good to read something lite that makes you laugh). My sister reads just about anything but does not re-read.

I realized just how book oriented my life is. I was planning how to spend a little extra money I had and was daydreaming about filling my upstairs bedroom with shelves, so I could organize all my books and be able to find everything, lol.

This week has been one of exhaustion. No matter how much I sleep I seem to always be tired. The weather has been hot and muggy, I have been wishing for rain to break up the days and cool the air a bit. I love when it rains. It is an excuse for me to drag out my boots and slog through the puddles, to curl up in bed with a book or watch movies on the couch with my dog all day. I also makes me want to go to the gym or go on walks were the I ramble between the scarce drops.

I have been plowing through several novels while alternating with studying for my test coming up. I am just about done with Storm Glass by Snyder. Sadly it is not a stand alone novel, with every few pages mentioning something from the Poison Study series. Still it is a good book. I finished Crown Duel a few days ago. While I love the Inda series this one left me cold. I loved the culture and place descriptions but the main character make me want to wack her upside the head. She does not think most of her actions through and the unknown love interest is blatant to the reader but the main character ignores this fact for almost two hundred pages. While a good book, I doubt I will get any other books in this series.

Homeless shelters and soup kitchens are throwing away food because it is not good enough to feed the homeless. Beyond shocking, give it a read please.

http://www.blisstree.com/bakingdelights/and-your-response-to-this-is/

Had to share this, Drift Wood Horses. Amazing art.

http://www.heatherjansch.com/

BabyCakes, the Book of Recipes: It's Here! from BabyCakes NYC on Vimeo.

Has to be great to have a cookbook out, lol. Check out how happy this bakery is.

When I grow up...

How do you ever know what you want to do with your life?

I cycled through several job ideas when I was little and have changed my major four times. I am now almost finished with my bachelors, but it is not in what I am doing at work, lol. I work in computers in a hospital, am a certified pharmacy tech, I am writing a book and poetry, and getting a bachelors of psychology.

When I was little I wanted to be first a paleontologist, then a archeologist, then a writer, then a pharmacist. Now I am planning how to open a small cafe/bakery when I retire. I have just started a new job and everyone keeps asking me what I want to be doing in a few years. I have no idea. Only one person at work seems to have the same problem, she does not know either, and seems happy learning a bit of everything, which is what I like too.

Painting Give A Way

Well I am ending the contest. Will Emily, Laima, and Maggie please send me an email! Soon your pick of a painting will be winging its way to you! (And Amanda you need to pick one to.)

A few links I have been meaning to post.

• Talent is more important then gender in a Poet Laureate. http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2009/may/01/carol-ann-duffy-poet-laureate
• Amazing chalk amination. http://vimeo.com/4347460?pg=embed&sec=
• A notebook that works like a notebook. Great Concept, lol. Give it a look.

Noteboek from Evelien Lohbeck on Vimeo.

• 3D chalk pavement art. http://www.cartridgesave.co.uk/news/9-amazing-3d-pavement-paintings/
• Great stop action film about a wolf trying to catch a pig. Must have taken forever. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmkLlVzUBn4
• Check out the great game, Scary Girl. http://scarygirl.com/
• Check out the amzazing art of Alex Andreev http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/24737
• Beatbox Harmanica

• Someone finally explains Tweeter. Hilarious.

• Check out the amazing flight attendant rap. http://www.neatorama.com/2009/03/16/flight-attendant-rap/

I saw the movie adaptation of the book The Handmaiden's Tale last week. It was a good if a bit stark movie. I have never read the book and looking at the version of the world portrayed in the movie I am not sure I want to. It showed a world where the US had been taken over my scientists trying to save the human race from extinction. Unmarried women who were fertile were made into Handmaidens for sterile women (do to toxic waste) who wish to have a child. Unmarried women also had any children taken away and the children were adopted into the homes of sterile women. Everything was set up under a strict religious code that called for hangings and attacks by mobs and banned nearly every luxury calling them morally corrupt. The current gov was under attack by others using gorilla attacks. The handmaidens had no rights and could be killed by their keepers for various infractions.

Well. I am running out of places to buy books in town. I hate the new Barnes and Noble that has opened in the mall. Not only is it smaller than the previous store, it also has no seating or cafe only a 5 chair row of bar stools. I have been going to the other store in town, Borders, just to get out a bit and was shocked at how deserted the store was and how many empty spaces are on every shelf. They also had a huge bargain bin kind of sale going, were every book in one bin was three dollars, the next four, and so on. I hope they are not going out of business. If they do I will only have a Books a Million to go to, which I dislike because of the location and poor selection of books. I already buy most of my books online in chunks at a time so I do not have to pay shipping costs, I do not know what I am going to do if all the good stores in town go out of business.

I have been on a bit of a soda kick since I started my new job. I stopped drinking sodas at all when I gave up caffeine because of my migraines and aura. I now have been drinking one a day so for the last week and a half and have had only two days of eye stain and aura. I think it is just stress and exhaustion. I have had a rather bad week between work and school. I have two weeks left of class and then my final exams the week after. Once all this is over again I will get back to drinking no sodas, till then I am going to enjoy it. The funny thing is I now hate the after taste and want to brush my teeth to get rid of the syrupy taste after I drink one.

What to do for your ten year high school reunion when you really hated high school.

Blogger is resetting all my formats of how the paragraphs work...again.

Please bear with me while I edit.

Had one hell of a shock yesterday. My teacher gave back the test I had taken, started reviewing, and then declaired that he had graded them wrong and to take four points off every test! I could not beleive it! It dropped my grade a letter grade! We argued to let the original grade stand but he refused. So now I really have to nail my final if I want to get an A in the class, or hell even a B. Next two weeks are going to suck, lol.

Have you tried those Hershey's chocolate cherry kisses? I thought I would hate it since I dislike chocolate covered cherries. I never understood the point of the creamy stuff in the center. Wasn't it supposed to be a chocolate covered cherry not a cherry wrapped in milky stuff covered in chocolate? The kisses were actually not bad but still had a mass of the creamy stuff at the center of a chocolate kiss. Not something I would buy a bag of, one was more than enough.

I am still trying to get everything back into its normal place after the almost rental. Right now, my place still has that stripped look. My potato plants are doing amazing. I cannot wait for little spuds. The rest of my plants are still tiny. I need to pick up a few tomato plants for the porch as well but I am not doing as many as I did last year. I gave tomatoes away by the handful every two weeks and still had too many for one person. I have planted zucchini and onions as well. I am not sure if I have posted about this or not. I managed to make some of the best chili I have ever had a few weeks ago. I made regular chili, using black beans, red cannelloni beans, pinto, and great northern beans. I also added diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and a can of seasoned tomatoes with onions and peppers. I diced green, yellow, celery, carrots, and red bell peppers and one onion and added that. I then added a frozen mixture of veggies that I had in the freezer. With the usual seasoned ground beef, cheese, and sour cream it was amazing. The best part was the crisp veggies that added texture to the whole thing. It was great with some bread and a big glass of lemonade.

I am in the middle of re-reading Twilight. I wanted to read the parts concerning Wuthering Heights but I wound up just re-reading the entire book. I enjoy the series but I keep wanting to smack Bella upside the head. She is so wound up in Edward that she does not exist without him, until the final book, only when she is a vampire can she seem to stand up for herself and her decisions. Even then, it is only to protect the others. She seems to have no concept of self worth or self-esteem. I know I had little self-esteem when I was in high school but it seems to be part of her innate personality to be utterly selfless. It is a bit disturbing.

I am also reading Gladiatrix, a mediocre novel about a Spartan priestess that is sold into slavery and made into a female gladiator. So far, she had everyone loving her and has the personality of tofu. I am still waiting to see if the book gets to any real plot twists or angst.

I am stuck on Cello music at the moment the Haydn concerto for cello #1 is wonderful. I am also hooked on the new modern cello ensembles that are popping up. I posted a video earlier about this amazing women who plays cello and uses looping technology to play multiple parts all at once, layer the sound of her cello. It is wonderful so I thought I would post it again.

I have a rather massive list of books I am saving for the end of next month to order. I really am looking forward to getting the next book in several series I am reading right now. The one I really want is the third book in the Inda series. Wonderful characters. I am also reading the twilight series and I may have to buy the books for myself eventually since mine must wing there was back to my sister in Charleston soon. I am really looking forward to Midnight Sun, the fifth book in the twilight series. It is the first book in the series as told from Edwards perspective. The first few chapters have been posted on the author's website and it is enthralling. It makes you realize exactly what Bella was observing and explains the random mysterious comments that fill the first book. Should be good. I am also looking to get some clothes for work and some new shoes again for work. It will all have to wait two months but should be fun to see how much money I can manage to save and pay off my credit card.

I really want to save up and do a nice vacation now that I will be able to. I am not one to get extravagant clothes or things. I am generally happy with what I have but a few new things are always nice. I would really love to get a chance to travel though. There are so many places I would love to go. I have a friend who is going to Paris again next year and if I am very frugal I may get to tag along, or maybe go somewhere in the states. I really want to see Seattle, a few of the national parks, the grand canyon, New York, there are simply too many places to name. Will have to save up and see what catches my eye. And if I can drag someone along with me. Every time I try to go somewhere alone the fates try to rain toads on my head. On the last attempt my car died, I limped intocharleston, made it to my sis's work only to not be able to start the engine at all. My money for the week vacation went to towing and fixing my car. I then had to get a new car soon after that, losing my favorite blazer, they now do not even make them any more. Well will have to try again someday, just not for a few years, LOL.

My professors have finally seemed to realize that we have three weeks of class. For my statistics class that is only 6 classes and myfinal exam. I have had so much to do the last week and am all but bleeding statistics. I am off to school after work today (on a day I don't have class much less) to use the one room of computers that have our statistics software. I am praying that there is not a class there. The work should only take me 20 minutes I hope, wish me luck.

I had a wonderful Easter weekend and end of Master's Week. It was a very strange Master's week. There was never any traffic except right next to the golf course and on the interstate. The restaurants were never full or even really busy at any time or day. Normally the whole town is wall to wall cars and people with most people who work that week, living at home and driving as little as possible. Normally everyone that can leaves town for the week (college and all other schools in town are out). Everyone I spoke to was generally staying in town this year or just going on vacation for half the week and never far away at that. I guess the bad economy had everyone staying near home and the golf attendees seemed to just be coming for a day and leaving, or maybe they stayed out of town as well.

Oh well, it is all over and it is back to the daily grind of school, work, and home.

On a side note, do not ever use red wine vinegar to dye eggs. The dye peels off in patches and flakes all over the place. We managed to have eggs that looked like they had the plague.