Okay, so today's blogging assignment was to write a short story using three things: a jungle, a tire pump and a Fed-Ex guy. Well, here's the thing, I'm on vacation this week and I'm preposting this at stupid o'clock a couple days before I leave, and I've got to be honest. I'm totally gonna cheat here. I'm going to share something that happened about two years ago. But! It does involve a Fed-Ex guy!
You know that phrase, "In the parade of dumb and stupid, I'm the one twirling the flaming baton?" Well boy-howdy, I'm not leading the parade of dumb and stupid - I AM the parade. In a nutshell - I just flashed the damn Fed-Ex guy. The extremely hot (but stoooopid) Fed-Ex guy.
Here's the Reader's Digest version. I have an enclosed front porch. I have two small kittens. Hot guy knocks on my inner door, leaving the outer door wide open, with a package for me, I open the inner door a crack and say, "Please shut the door...I have kittens that I don't want to get out." He stands there staring like the village idiot.
Yes, it's almost noon. Yes, I have my jammies on. Don't judge me. I'm a writer. It's what we do.
I feel comfortable stating that he wasn't staring because of my ravishing beauty. Seriously - my hair is sticking out at weird angles, my glasses are crooked and I'm in my jammies. My ugly jammies. It's more of a night shirt, really. It should also be noted I was sans undies - not that it was apparent while I was standing at the door, but more on that later.
So while, he stands there with a vacant expression on his face mumbling about needing to sign for my box of bookmarks, Morrighan and Willow - cutest and also naughtiest kittens in the world - dart around our feet while he says, "Oh...you have cats." Why, yes. Yes, I do. I mentioned them earlier when I asked you to close the fucking door.
I yelp and tell him to move while I dart outside and scoop up the spastic little balls of fur. That's when my jammie shirt flips up showing my bare ass. I should also mention the two cars that drove by while I was grabbing the kittens. I'm pretty sure one of them contained my neighbor, Betty the Biddy.
To make my day complete, as I stumbled up my steps with an armful squirming kitten, Morrighan clawed at my jammies, exposing my right breast to the Fed-Ex guy who continued to stare like Cleetus the Slackjawed Yokel.
I put the kittens in the house, signed for the damn bookmarks on one of those electronic signing things, after adding a small nearly illegible note that said, "Next time, close the damn door."
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
What?
Um, this is hard. I've been pondering this post for weeks. And I still don't have anything to post. I know that's probably not very nice, but sorry. I just blanked.
I'm not so fabulous with writing prompts. I like to make stuff up as I go along and trying to fit a bunch of random pieces together is really, really hard for me.
So instead of doing what I'm supposed to do, here are some pictures of squirrels doing human things:
And this one cause he's SUPER cute:
XoXoXo
Dakota
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Important Stuff I've Learned Thus Far
I'm not sure I'm any kind of font of wisdom - in fact, I highly doubt it. But these are some of the things I've learned so far.
It's possible to be so freaking exhausted that one can confuse a razor for a hair pick and shave off a chunk of shoulder length hair.
It's possible (and really, really painful) to stick yourself to a linoleum floor while waxing your legs.
It's possible to slam your ear in a car door. I can't begin to tell you exactly how, but I can tell you that it hurts like a bitch. For about two and a half weeks.
Spiders are not hatched from eggs. They're individually handcrafted by Satan. And all of them hate me. A lot.
Even with the existence of spiders, life is awesome. It may not always be easy or even comfortable, but it's far better than the alternative.
The purr of a cat is one of the most comforting sounds in the world.
Friends keep you sane.
You should find what brings you joy and do it.
No matter where you are in life, there will always be someone who you perceive as better than you - they might sell more books, make more money or get better reviews. It doesn't matter. Life isn't a competition. There's no scorecard.
Negativity begets negativity. I'm not saying you should be PollyFreakingAnna and repress your negative feelings, but dwelling makes things seem insurmountable and leads to feelings of helplessness.
Clinging to past hurt and anger make it impossible to move on.
Life is short - and no matter how long someone lives, there will always be things that we wanted to say but didn't get the chance or didn't dare. Try to say the things now that you'd regret not saying later.
Hugs are important - hug your kids, your partners, your friends, your pets.
See? Not much in the way of wisdom, but do be careful getting in and out of cars, and for God's sake, if you decide to wax your legs, have a professional do it otherwise you're stuck to the floor begging your kid to find you a bottle of nail polish remover and being grilled because he's never seen you wear nail polish and doesn't believe you have any. It's a really unfortunate position to find yourself in. Trust me.
It's possible to be so freaking exhausted that one can confuse a razor for a hair pick and shave off a chunk of shoulder length hair.
It's possible (and really, really painful) to stick yourself to a linoleum floor while waxing your legs.
It's possible to slam your ear in a car door. I can't begin to tell you exactly how, but I can tell you that it hurts like a bitch. For about two and a half weeks.
Spiders are not hatched from eggs. They're individually handcrafted by Satan. And all of them hate me. A lot.
Even with the existence of spiders, life is awesome. It may not always be easy or even comfortable, but it's far better than the alternative.
The purr of a cat is one of the most comforting sounds in the world.
Friends keep you sane.
You should find what brings you joy and do it.
No matter where you are in life, there will always be someone who you perceive as better than you - they might sell more books, make more money or get better reviews. It doesn't matter. Life isn't a competition. There's no scorecard.
Negativity begets negativity. I'm not saying you should be PollyFreakingAnna and repress your negative feelings, but dwelling makes things seem insurmountable and leads to feelings of helplessness.
Clinging to past hurt and anger make it impossible to move on.
Life is short - and no matter how long someone lives, there will always be things that we wanted to say but didn't get the chance or didn't dare. Try to say the things now that you'd regret not saying later.
Hugs are important - hug your kids, your partners, your friends, your pets.
See? Not much in the way of wisdom, but do be careful getting in and out of cars, and for God's sake, if you decide to wax your legs, have a professional do it otherwise you're stuck to the floor begging your kid to find you a bottle of nail polish remover and being grilled because he's never seen you wear nail polish and doesn't believe you have any. It's a really unfortunate position to find yourself in. Trust me.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Things I know that you should too
You'll never know if you don't ask - This is a lesson that was just reiterated to me a couple of weeks ago. My 12 year old daughter has fallen in love with a book. She searched online and found that, shockingly, there is not a movie in the works for it. So she emailed the author to ask if he would allow her to write the script for it. He replied to her and said yes. She is over the moon and working very hard on it. Even if nothing comes of it I don't think she will ever forget the opportunity he has given her. Lesson: If you want something bad enough, go after it. The worst that can happen is someone will say no. The best...they may say yes.
Write for you, not for others - Anyone who reads my books knows that I write in first person. This is a POV that a lot of people claim not to like. Publishers can be especially weary of it I've learned. But I have die hard fans that love my characters. They love my stories. Even people who swear they hate first person have emailed me to tell me what a fan they are of my work. It's the only way I know to write, and I have stories to tell, so I write them my way. And it works.
Don't write for the market - This sort of goes with the above. If you have a story to tell, tell it. Don't worry if 'vampires are overdone,' 'there are too many paranormal menage books' or 'any book about teenage wizards is just copying Harry Potter.' At the same time, don't force yourself to write vampires, weres or teenage wizards because they are so hot right now. You have to write what you want to write or people will see right through you. I've been writing vampires my whole life. I don't do it because Twilight is hot. Fuck Twilight. These are my stories.
Don't buy into your own hype - I may have stolen this one from someone. It sounds super familiar. If I am stealing I apologize, it's not my intention. But it's something I've learned and something I believe so go you if this was your advice to me. We all know there are people out there who have loudly complained to people "Do you know who I am?" My usual response is "Nope. Who are you and why the hell should I care?" You are one of a million authors. Yes you have fans. We all have fans. Yes you've written books. We've all written books. Get over yourself. There is no need to be rude, pushy, or expect special treatment. We're all human beings. None of us is any better than the author sitting at the book signing next to us.
And here I will interject with my own personal experience with this. I subbed a story to a publisher who responded with a form rejection letter. Twice. For the same book. When I received the first rejection I actually thought to myself (and later admitted out loud to my friends), really, a form rejection? My name isn't big enough for a personal rejection at least. I am properly horrified with myself now, and was very soon after having that thought. But it's good that it happened. Because guess what? I'm not that big. And that's okay. And now I know that no one knows who I am and no one cares. Move along and keep writing. (By the way, that book did find a home and became one of my best selling titles. Things happen for a reason.)
Life is short - I lost my father to cancer a few years ago. It was devestating, and still is. My Dad and I were very close, but there was a long period of time that I didn't speak to him. I was angry over something that now is so insignificant and stupid. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think of the years I wasted being angry when I should have been hugging him and talking to him and telling him how very much I love him. That time is gone and I can't ever get it back. Stop sweating the small stuff. Use your time on this Earth wisely, because before you know it it will be gone. And you can't have it back. When someone you love is gone there is no more apologizing that can be done. You'd better be sure you suck it up and do it while you still have the chance.
Tell your kids you love them every day, no matter how much eye rolling you get in response - This is important partly because of the above, but also because they will appreciate it when they are grown. They will never have to question if you loved them because you will have told them every single day.
Learn to cook one thing really well - This one may seem silly, but you'll appreciate it, and so will your husband/family/friends eventually. You need to have a secret weapon in the kitchen. Something for surprise guests, dinner with the in-laws, dinner with your mother who thinks you don't know a spider from a collander. You need to have one WOW dish that shuts everyone up. Trust me, you'll thank me one day.
And then there are some that need no explaining and really should go without saying:
Have lots of sex. As often as possible. But as safely as possible.
If you want to lose weight eat less move more. Period.
Save for retirement- You won't be young forever and you certainly don't want to work when your old. It's hard, I know, but sock something away. Even if it's just a little. You'll appreciate it when you need it.
Don't be ashamed of failure, learn from it.
Ok, so there are things that I know. I am not claiming to practice what I preach, but I do know the above things to be true and know that if I'm not doing any of them I should be.
XoXoXo
Dakota
Monday, July 18, 2011
Everything I Learned....
I didn't learn in Kindergarten or probably even school. I mean, yes, I learned to read and write (not stories mind you, just the actual writing of words and characters and sentences) and math and while that is infinitely handy, it's not really where I learned the most. I told stories before I knew about sentence structure and grammar. School before college taught me many, most of them negative and most of it not worth repeating. Schools, well teachers, they don't really or at least they didn't really know what to do with kids that weren't making trouble but didn't follow all of the rules and they didn't like to encourage things like that.
Now that I'm trying to fit into some narrow mold that both my family and society think I should fit into, I learn more and not just as a writer. These are the things I've learned and that I feel are important as a writer.
* Imagination - One of the first things that, in my opinion, is necessary for a writer - and a person in general - to have and keep, is their imagination. Learning to pull from it when you need to, learning what feeds it, and what helps it grow are all extremely important to learn.
*Learning Style - College has been fun, it's been interesting, and I'm sure that had I been able to go to college right off the bat after high school it would've been an extension or a repeat of high school, I learned just as much from the people as I did the classes. I learned that for me I learn best by reading, watching and doing. I'm more of a hands on learner. Lectures are great, but I have a tendency to zone out in them.
* Feeding and Caring of your Imagination and Muse - Dealing with fickle muses who think it is amazingly hilarious to abandon you in the middle of a complicated scene requires special patience, because it does us no good to throttle or strangle our muses, no matter how much we really really want to. In the care and feeding of imaginations and muses, I find it helpful to not only read, but to look - I'm a visual person - so, I like to look at pictures. Not necessarily of naked or almost naked hot men, not that I'd turn it down, but of places of people, of emotions and things that might cause shock and awe or are slightly disturbing. I listen to music to treat my imagination even as I keep my mind from wandering all over the damn place.
* Continuing Education - In some circles this means returning to school to pursue more advanced learning at the University level, for some it's the adult education that have classes on different languages, cooking, computers, or something else. It also means continuing to learn about the craft of writing and characters and plots and story arcs and that sort of thing. Because, no matter how good you are, you are always learning and growing.
I took English classes and English Lit classes and while reading is fun, I found that my writing and my worlds were richer when I took classes in sociology, psychology, biology, history, microbiology, and English. By studying craft on my own and pulling in bits and pieces from the subtopics in all of those I built worlds and had characters appear that were fashioned from interesting parts of people I know or met.
The most important lessons to me are the ones I work for, that I have to want to learn. One thing I've learned is that there is always someone better than you. And someone coming up behind you, that you possibly mentored or taught, could surpass you easily. The topic came up this weekend when my friend saw my daughter's photos from the weekend motorcycle rally and asked if I'd be upset if she was better than me? Honestly, no. Someone has to come after me to provide photos and stories when I don't. Just as we follow those who came before us.
Enjoy,
Simone
Now that I'm trying to fit into some narrow mold that both my family and society think I should fit into, I learn more and not just as a writer. These are the things I've learned and that I feel are important as a writer.
* Imagination - One of the first things that, in my opinion, is necessary for a writer - and a person in general - to have and keep, is their imagination. Learning to pull from it when you need to, learning what feeds it, and what helps it grow are all extremely important to learn.
*Learning Style - College has been fun, it's been interesting, and I'm sure that had I been able to go to college right off the bat after high school it would've been an extension or a repeat of high school, I learned just as much from the people as I did the classes. I learned that for me I learn best by reading, watching and doing. I'm more of a hands on learner. Lectures are great, but I have a tendency to zone out in them.
* Feeding and Caring of your Imagination and Muse - Dealing with fickle muses who think it is amazingly hilarious to abandon you in the middle of a complicated scene requires special patience, because it does us no good to throttle or strangle our muses, no matter how much we really really want to. In the care and feeding of imaginations and muses, I find it helpful to not only read, but to look - I'm a visual person - so, I like to look at pictures. Not necessarily of naked or almost naked hot men, not that I'd turn it down, but of places of people, of emotions and things that might cause shock and awe or are slightly disturbing. I listen to music to treat my imagination even as I keep my mind from wandering all over the damn place.
* Continuing Education - In some circles this means returning to school to pursue more advanced learning at the University level, for some it's the adult education that have classes on different languages, cooking, computers, or something else. It also means continuing to learn about the craft of writing and characters and plots and story arcs and that sort of thing. Because, no matter how good you are, you are always learning and growing.
I took English classes and English Lit classes and while reading is fun, I found that my writing and my worlds were richer when I took classes in sociology, psychology, biology, history, microbiology, and English. By studying craft on my own and pulling in bits and pieces from the subtopics in all of those I built worlds and had characters appear that were fashioned from interesting parts of people I know or met.
The most important lessons to me are the ones I work for, that I have to want to learn. One thing I've learned is that there is always someone better than you. And someone coming up behind you, that you possibly mentored or taught, could surpass you easily. The topic came up this weekend when my friend saw my daughter's photos from the weekend motorcycle rally and asked if I'd be upset if she was better than me? Honestly, no. Someone has to come after me to provide photos and stories when I don't. Just as we follow those who came before us.
Enjoy,
Simone
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Just a little bundle of addictions
I sincerely doubt that any of these things that I'm about so share are secrets, but this is what I've got.
Starbucks Cinnamon Dolche Lattes - Dear God, I love this stuff. No really. It's like heaven in a green and white cup. I blame Brynn for getting me hooked on elaborate coffee. And like any good pusher, she bought me my first cup.
Coke - Yes, I know how bad the damn corn syrup is for me, but SweetBabyJesusInTheManger, I love this stuff. LOVE. IT. However, I'm trying desperately to cut way, way down. Some days are better than others. This day? Not so good. But most days, I'm getting better at substituting with iced tea.
Caffeine - I'm sure you've already noticed a caffeinated theme going on. Me and caffeine - we're tight. Actually, it's not so much that we're pals, it's just that I'm completely dependent on it. And yes, pregnancy was a bitch.
Rocks - Yes, rocks. I love them. I pick them up when I find pretty ones or when I'm at a significant-to-me spot. People bring them to me or send them to me when they're on trips. I have one from a Buddhist temple in Japan, I have another from the grounds at Stonehenge, mortar from Glastonbury Abbey, a shard from the Tower of London, stones from Ireland, England, Wales and Scotland. A piece from the Grand Canyon and another from the Crazy Horse monument. I have the heart shaped rock my husband apologized to me with when we had our first ever argument and the rocks that the children in my life have brought me. I like to call them a collection, but some people might call them an addiction.
Books - I'm sure this is no surprise to anyone reading this blog. I think readers and writers are book junkies. Hell, some of us are word junkies, too. We love the written word and we love to have them around us. I have a ridiculous amount of books. Between the rocks and the books no one will ever want to help us move.
Mascara- I know what you're saying - "But Bron, you never wear makeup more than once or twice a month unless you're at a con!" That's true, fair readers, but I'm constantly searching for the Holy Grail of mascara. I buy new stuff all the time, try it out, then move on to the next one. I'm looking for the stuff that won't rub off under my eyes, will make my lashes look long and curly like my kids' and not look like there are tarantulas glued to my eyelids. Thus far, I have not found it.
Conditioner - Same Holy Grail type deal. I'm fairly obsessive about conditioner and there's no way I can possibly go a day without it.
Supernatural - Again, Brynn's at fault for this addition. And I am addicted. I'll watch it every chance I get. And no, it doesn't matter that I've seen them all repeatedly. I looooove them - the dialogue, the guys, the concept and story arcs. Love-love-love it all. And if it's on, I'll get sucked in no matter how many times I've seen it. I have Sam and Dean issues.
All things considered, there are worse addictions to have. I'm still trying to ditch the Coke one, I'll let you know how it goes.
Starbucks Cinnamon Dolche Lattes - Dear God, I love this stuff. No really. It's like heaven in a green and white cup. I blame Brynn for getting me hooked on elaborate coffee. And like any good pusher, she bought me my first cup.
Coke - Yes, I know how bad the damn corn syrup is for me, but SweetBabyJesusInTheManger, I love this stuff. LOVE. IT. However, I'm trying desperately to cut way, way down. Some days are better than others. This day? Not so good. But most days, I'm getting better at substituting with iced tea.
Caffeine - I'm sure you've already noticed a caffeinated theme going on. Me and caffeine - we're tight. Actually, it's not so much that we're pals, it's just that I'm completely dependent on it. And yes, pregnancy was a bitch.
Rocks - Yes, rocks. I love them. I pick them up when I find pretty ones or when I'm at a significant-to-me spot. People bring them to me or send them to me when they're on trips. I have one from a Buddhist temple in Japan, I have another from the grounds at Stonehenge, mortar from Glastonbury Abbey, a shard from the Tower of London, stones from Ireland, England, Wales and Scotland. A piece from the Grand Canyon and another from the Crazy Horse monument. I have the heart shaped rock my husband apologized to me with when we had our first ever argument and the rocks that the children in my life have brought me. I like to call them a collection, but some people might call them an addiction.
Books - I'm sure this is no surprise to anyone reading this blog. I think readers and writers are book junkies. Hell, some of us are word junkies, too. We love the written word and we love to have them around us. I have a ridiculous amount of books. Between the rocks and the books no one will ever want to help us move.
Mascara- I know what you're saying - "But Bron, you never wear makeup more than once or twice a month unless you're at a con!" That's true, fair readers, but I'm constantly searching for the Holy Grail of mascara. I buy new stuff all the time, try it out, then move on to the next one. I'm looking for the stuff that won't rub off under my eyes, will make my lashes look long and curly like my kids' and not look like there are tarantulas glued to my eyelids. Thus far, I have not found it.
Conditioner - Same Holy Grail type deal. I'm fairly obsessive about conditioner and there's no way I can possibly go a day without it.
Supernatural - Again, Brynn's at fault for this addition. And I am addicted. I'll watch it every chance I get. And no, it doesn't matter that I've seen them all repeatedly. I looooove them - the dialogue, the guys, the concept and story arcs. Love-love-love it all. And if it's on, I'll get sucked in no matter how many times I've seen it. I have Sam and Dean issues.
All things considered, there are worse addictions to have. I'm still trying to ditch the Coke one, I'll let you know how it goes.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Where the hell have you been?
Sorry for my recent disappearance. My Internet would not work on my laptop and I am no longer allowed to use my day job computer for personal reasons so I was kind of stuck. And it is really, really hard to blog from a blackberry. So for a while I have been MIA from the interwebs.
I can honestly say I've been writing. So that's a plus in the lack of ability to waste time online. I finished two books, one of which comes out today! Yes. Today. My newest novel, Blood of the Fallen is available for you to purchase at www.resplendencepublishing.com. Not to toot my own horn or anything, but I've been told it's my best work to date. So go there right now, buy a copy, then come back and read about my addictions.
Now back to your regularly scheduled blog post.
Dictionary.com: Addiction –noun
the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma.
Addictions. I haz them. Oh LORD do I have them. Unfortunately I have a very addictive personality and can never seem to do anything in moderation. I'm a go big or stay home kind of girl. And that's why you all love me. Let's get this not so anonymous addict list going shall we?
Cigarettes - Not a secret to anyone. I wreak like bars used to when you could smoke in them. I love to smoke. No really, I do. I like the taste, the action, the way the nicotine makes every muscle in my body relax when I inhale it into my body. I am well aware of how horrible it is for me. I lost my Dad to lung cancer, so there is no pretending that smoking is not killing me. I know that it is. And I know I need to stop. But it's about the hardest thing I've ever tried to give up and quitting doesn't seem like something I'll be able to do soon.
Chocolate Lemon Donuts - Here is another case of loving something that is not very good for me. Though not as cancer causing as cigarettes, these gorgeous little lemon filled pastries have wreaked havoc on my body. I am squishy, covered in cellulite and sometimes my jeans don't want to button every day. I have managed to cut down somewhat, but this is another thing that I have to completely walk away from soon or I am going to look like a beached whale.
Caffeine - I almost forgot this one, but it is one of the few on this list that could actually live up to the definition of addiction. I get violently ill when I don't have it. Three hours after waking, if I have not had coffee or tea I have an excruciating headache and am a total bitch to everyone in shouting distance. I literally cannot function as a normal human being without caffeine.
Scratch Off Lottery Tickets - Here is an addiction that I have managed to massively cut down on. For a while I was up to spending almost $40 a day on them. It was a work thing, the other two women in my department and I would go to the liquor store and pick up a stack then sit at our desks and scratch the afternoons away. But once I sat down and added up the stack of losers in my desk drawer and found that they equalled over $1000 I knew I had a problem and have cut back to maybe $5 or $10 a week. (For the record, I NEVER won nearly what I lost.) This would be one of the more secret ones. Everyone knew I did them, but I don't know if anyone realized how big of a problem it really was at the time.
Harry/Draco FanFic - This might be my second favorite addiction after smoking. I LOVE Harry/Draco. I prefer novel length, but in a pinch will read shorter ones. I only ready R or NC-17 because I figure what is the point of writing slash if they aren't going to bump uglies. I have my favorites saved in a slash file on my external hard drive and will randomly go through and reread them, but I am always on the lookout for some rare gem I may have missed. I had hoped that with the new movie coming out on Friday there would be a resurgence of FanFic stories coming out, but apparently everyone has moved on to different subjects. I am not interested in other subjects. I only want Harry/Draco. And since there are literally over a million HP FanFic stories out there, I should be able to feed this addiction for a good long while. (Ok, this would not cause "severe trauma" if taken away, but I like it a lot and read more than I should so I'm including it in the list. Fuck you dictionary.com.)
The Internet - This one I've actually learned isn't that hard of a habit to break. I mean, I missed it a lot, but I didn't go into violent shaking fits. Didn't snap at my family or get an attitude because I couldn't Google Corey Haim movies for a few weeks. I was able to step back and see that the Internet is a useful tool, but it is not the necessity I would have once believed it to be.
So those are my addictions. I have bared my soul to you and shown you the things it thrives on. How about you? What are you addicted to? Are you addicted to Dakota Rebel books? Cause if so I should mention there is a new one out today. Oh, I already did. Well I'm telling you again. Go to www.resplendencepublishing.com and buy it if you didn't do it earlier. You'll love it. Hot guys and Armageddon? Come on! You know you want it.
XoXoXo
Dakota Rebel
I can honestly say I've been writing. So that's a plus in the lack of ability to waste time online. I finished two books, one of which comes out today! Yes. Today. My newest novel, Blood of the Fallen is available for you to purchase at www.resplendencepublishing.com. Not to toot my own horn or anything, but I've been told it's my best work to date. So go there right now, buy a copy, then come back and read about my addictions.Now back to your regularly scheduled blog post.
Dictionary.com: Addiction –noun
the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma.
Addictions. I haz them. Oh LORD do I have them. Unfortunately I have a very addictive personality and can never seem to do anything in moderation. I'm a go big or stay home kind of girl. And that's why you all love me. Let's get this not so anonymous addict list going shall we?
Cigarettes - Not a secret to anyone. I wreak like bars used to when you could smoke in them. I love to smoke. No really, I do. I like the taste, the action, the way the nicotine makes every muscle in my body relax when I inhale it into my body. I am well aware of how horrible it is for me. I lost my Dad to lung cancer, so there is no pretending that smoking is not killing me. I know that it is. And I know I need to stop. But it's about the hardest thing I've ever tried to give up and quitting doesn't seem like something I'll be able to do soon.
Chocolate Lemon Donuts - Here is another case of loving something that is not very good for me. Though not as cancer causing as cigarettes, these gorgeous little lemon filled pastries have wreaked havoc on my body. I am squishy, covered in cellulite and sometimes my jeans don't want to button every day. I have managed to cut down somewhat, but this is another thing that I have to completely walk away from soon or I am going to look like a beached whale.
Caffeine - I almost forgot this one, but it is one of the few on this list that could actually live up to the definition of addiction. I get violently ill when I don't have it. Three hours after waking, if I have not had coffee or tea I have an excruciating headache and am a total bitch to everyone in shouting distance. I literally cannot function as a normal human being without caffeine.
Scratch Off Lottery Tickets - Here is an addiction that I have managed to massively cut down on. For a while I was up to spending almost $40 a day on them. It was a work thing, the other two women in my department and I would go to the liquor store and pick up a stack then sit at our desks and scratch the afternoons away. But once I sat down and added up the stack of losers in my desk drawer and found that they equalled over $1000 I knew I had a problem and have cut back to maybe $5 or $10 a week. (For the record, I NEVER won nearly what I lost.) This would be one of the more secret ones. Everyone knew I did them, but I don't know if anyone realized how big of a problem it really was at the time.
Harry/Draco FanFic - This might be my second favorite addiction after smoking. I LOVE Harry/Draco. I prefer novel length, but in a pinch will read shorter ones. I only ready R or NC-17 because I figure what is the point of writing slash if they aren't going to bump uglies. I have my favorites saved in a slash file on my external hard drive and will randomly go through and reread them, but I am always on the lookout for some rare gem I may have missed. I had hoped that with the new movie coming out on Friday there would be a resurgence of FanFic stories coming out, but apparently everyone has moved on to different subjects. I am not interested in other subjects. I only want Harry/Draco. And since there are literally over a million HP FanFic stories out there, I should be able to feed this addiction for a good long while. (Ok, this would not cause "severe trauma" if taken away, but I like it a lot and read more than I should so I'm including it in the list. Fuck you dictionary.com.)
The Internet - This one I've actually learned isn't that hard of a habit to break. I mean, I missed it a lot, but I didn't go into violent shaking fits. Didn't snap at my family or get an attitude because I couldn't Google Corey Haim movies for a few weeks. I was able to step back and see that the Internet is a useful tool, but it is not the necessity I would have once believed it to be.
So those are my addictions. I have bared my soul to you and shown you the things it thrives on. How about you? What are you addicted to? Are you addicted to Dakota Rebel books? Cause if so I should mention there is a new one out today. Oh, I already did. Well I'm telling you again. Go to www.resplendencepublishing.com and buy it if you didn't do it earlier. You'll love it. Hot guys and Armageddon? Come on! You know you want it.
XoXoXo
Dakota Rebel
Monday, July 11, 2011
Must Haves...
Addictions are things that are needed in order to function, or that can't be lived with out. They can be secrets or are public. There are things that I'm 'addicted' to. Most of them I could probably live with out, but I'm really ready to try. You know important things like chocolate and books.
In no particular order my addictions - the ones I can publicly admit to any way - are:
+ Chocolate - Aside from tasting really good - especially the ones made in specialty stores or from companies like Godiva and Ghirardelli.
I love to learn, which is probably why I'll still be in school when I'm 93, but I love the documentary channels - the ones that give a glimpse into nature, world cultures, ancient civilizations, people, medicine, and about a half a zillion other things -
+ History Channel
+ History Channel International
+ National Geographic Channel
+ Discovery Channel
+ BBC (This is new to me, I'm enjoying exploring the shows)
I don't watch all of the shows on these channels, but all of them have at least one show, series or special that I find absolutely fascinating. I love DVR and online TV Schedule so I can record what I want and then watch at my convenience. Which is generally at stupid o'clock in the morning. Although, I've gotten my daughter addicted to some of them. But, she's old enough, that for the most part she watches with me (at the right hours) and I explain what is going on and why it's different. We've looked things up because of the shows, which gave me an idea or three for one of the cultures in this book or that book.
+ National Geographic Magazine - I'm addicted to the photographs - being a visual person - as well as to the stories. Imagaes, maps, and information about people and places I've heard of and I haven't.
+ Research Books and magazines - There are way too many to list. My house has almost equal amounts research/non-fiction books and magazines and genre fiction books.
+ Book Stores - I love books. I like to keep books. Libraries always want them back, but I love libraries too because they have books you can't get anywhere else. And its always a good place to start researching or to go off on a tangent - like researching earth based religions and picking up a book on Sheela Na Gig because the title - Sacred Whore sounded interesting. Between the main city library in the city I actually live in, the city where I swear I spend half my time, and the university library - it's book-addicts dream. Even if you have to give them back. Which in the end works out, because I can borrow tons of books from the library, read them, and then make a list of books I need to by (which I admit is most of the ones I borrowed) and go to the bookstores to get them.
+ Cook Books - I love to cook. I love to try new things. This is generally relaxing for me to.
There are shows I watch for pure entertainment. It helps that the actors are cute.
+ CSI: NY
+ Criminal Minds
+ Who Do You Think You Are
I watch these weekly. Drama, action, and at least in the last one - genealogy and more learning.
I watch the news, but I don't classify that as an addiction, more of a habit.
Pending Addiction - you know those things are becoming addictions
+ Hot CHai Latte
In a truer sense of the word - books, chocolate and writing are things I can't live without. I generally don't function well if I don't have those three things. All the rest of my needs make living with me and doing my job a lot easier.
Oh, I almost forgot - good, I mean really good cheesecake.
I'm looking forward to learning everyone elses addictions this week.
Enjoy,
Simone
In no particular order my addictions - the ones I can publicly admit to any way - are:
+ Chocolate - Aside from tasting really good - especially the ones made in specialty stores or from companies like Godiva and Ghirardelli.
I love to learn, which is probably why I'll still be in school when I'm 93, but I love the documentary channels - the ones that give a glimpse into nature, world cultures, ancient civilizations, people, medicine, and about a half a zillion other things -
+ History Channel
+ History Channel International
+ National Geographic Channel
+ Discovery Channel
+ BBC (This is new to me, I'm enjoying exploring the shows)
I don't watch all of the shows on these channels, but all of them have at least one show, series or special that I find absolutely fascinating. I love DVR and online TV Schedule so I can record what I want and then watch at my convenience. Which is generally at stupid o'clock in the morning. Although, I've gotten my daughter addicted to some of them. But, she's old enough, that for the most part she watches with me (at the right hours) and I explain what is going on and why it's different. We've looked things up because of the shows, which gave me an idea or three for one of the cultures in this book or that book.
+ National Geographic Magazine - I'm addicted to the photographs - being a visual person - as well as to the stories. Imagaes, maps, and information about people and places I've heard of and I haven't.
+ Research Books and magazines - There are way too many to list. My house has almost equal amounts research/non-fiction books and magazines and genre fiction books.
+ Book Stores - I love books. I like to keep books. Libraries always want them back, but I love libraries too because they have books you can't get anywhere else. And its always a good place to start researching or to go off on a tangent - like researching earth based religions and picking up a book on Sheela Na Gig because the title - Sacred Whore sounded interesting. Between the main city library in the city I actually live in, the city where I swear I spend half my time, and the university library - it's book-addicts dream. Even if you have to give them back. Which in the end works out, because I can borrow tons of books from the library, read them, and then make a list of books I need to by (which I admit is most of the ones I borrowed) and go to the bookstores to get them.
+ Cook Books - I love to cook. I love to try new things. This is generally relaxing for me to.
There are shows I watch for pure entertainment. It helps that the actors are cute.
+ CSI: NY
+ Criminal Minds
+ Who Do You Think You Are
I watch these weekly. Drama, action, and at least in the last one - genealogy and more learning.
I watch the news, but I don't classify that as an addiction, more of a habit.
Pending Addiction - you know those things are becoming addictions
+ Hot CHai Latte
In a truer sense of the word - books, chocolate and writing are things I can't live without. I generally don't function well if I don't have those three things. All the rest of my needs make living with me and doing my job a lot easier.
Oh, I almost forgot - good, I mean really good cheesecake.
I'm looking forward to learning everyone elses addictions this week.
Enjoy,
Simone
Friday, July 8, 2011
A Fond Farewell
This week is a sad one. While everyone else is writing about patriotism, I’m writing about one of our bloggers bidding us adieu.
Mia Watts: June 30, 2009 to June 28, 2011
Mia has often been one of our ‘shockingest’, irreverent bloggers who faithfully shares starkly, funny opinions. We’ll miss her—it will be hard panties to fill, although our new Tuesday blogger will surely bring her own beaded thong. But we’ll get to that another day.
I bring up thongs because of Mia’s post in October 2009 (My thong is showing)
I thought today that I’d remember some of Mia’s moments with you. Here are a few that stick with you:
We also learned some very important things about Mia and shared some fun stories, too:
We still have a question.
What the heck is fujistyle sex? March 30, 2010
Bye, Mia, see you around the pond! Thanks for the fun.
Mia Watts: June 30, 2009 to June 28, 2011
Mia has often been one of our ‘shockingest’, irreverent bloggers who faithfully shares starkly, funny opinions. We’ll miss her—it will be hard panties to fill, although our new Tuesday blogger will surely bring her own beaded thong. But we’ll get to that another day.
I bring up thongs because of Mia’s post in October 2009 (My thong is showing)
I thought today that I’d remember some of Mia’s moments with you. Here are a few that stick with you:
- “I can’t do my edits because my freckles are reflecting the sun and making me all squinty.” November 16, 2010
- “Mia, scrub your memory cells with bourbon to delete last image.” July 8, 2009. This was in reference to zoo animal fetishes. Oh the things we bring up on Evo…
- The next week, she revealed that if she wasn’t writing, she’d be living in a 1984 novel. I wasn’t sure about this one at the time, but as I’ve gotten to know her, I’ve discovered that Mia might just rip her bodice herself to help along the hapless pirate. She’s a line crosser (We like that about her) and always willing to help a hot man in need.
- Conversely, on January 4 of this year, she promised not to commit manslaughter. As of June 7, she’s made good on that promise. [We’re going to keep tabs on this one, Mia.]
- “Betrayal kills your fan base” July 29, 2009
- “Distractions happen[…] Stop standing in your own way and get it done.” September 16, 2009
- “Don’t forget to buy coffee.” September 30, 2009
- “Call 1 - 800 -Pizzahut. And sometimes he’s cute” December 16, 2009
- Sex is important for writing creativity [paraphrased] January 20, 2010
- “Just, um, use condoms, k?” June 1, 2010
- I was doing research sounds better than I was on the couch in my PJs watching TV and eating. [paraphrased] August 24, 2010
- Leave in typos to show your editor love [paraphrased] October 5, 2010
- Vulva is vulgar or has an engine and four wheels. March 15, 2011
- Never tell anyone you’re dating that you write romance. “Get to know you” becomes let’s have sex. May 24, 2011
We also learned some very important things about Mia and shared some fun stories, too:
- Do you remember the story of her plotting her book on the bedding paper in her doctor’s office while she waited for him? October 14, 2009
- It was less of a story and more of an analogy, but you can’t forget the discussion of stretching boundaries and stretching condoms. Sparkly, orange condoms. October 28, 2009
- The male diagonal oblique is one of her favorite things—okay, really, who doesn’t agree on that one??? October 21, 2009
- Mia’s real name is Wia Matts. Mia Watts is just her clever pen name. One of them. February 3, 2010
- She is not a werewolf DNA expert!!! How we had been misled! Shocking! February 24, 2010
- “I want to find out all about the Festival of Fuck and offer myself up as a sacrifice on the Altar of Cock.” March 16, 2010. This was my very favorite Mia post. Must read.
- Furthermore, she really hates her muse’s glitter fetish. March 23, 2010
- She pets her kitty to let off steam. August 17, 2010
- And OMG, so you remember the story about flashing her ass on Main Street and losing her panties in the office? Priceless, lol. September 7, 2010
- How about the story of when she told her text-date what city she lived in and he thought the proper response was a picture of his cock? September 21, 2010
- On that note, Mia also learned on one research expedition that the cock is a magical thing of wandy wonder. October 12, 2010
- Her guys like sex. A lot. January 11, 2011
- Her favorite name is Xstz’le’duouxil. Okay, I’m lying… April 19, 2011
- She confessed she has dumb blonde moments though she’s not blonde February 22, 2011
- Further, she confessed much to our shock that she “is a line crosser. Constantly.” We had no idea!!
We still have a question.
What the heck is fujistyle sex? March 30, 2010
Bye, Mia, see you around the pond! Thanks for the fun.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
A Special Soldier
This is a tribute to a specific soldier - my Grandpa. He was born to German farmers in rural Michigan and like many young men of his generation, he left the farm to join the army during World War II. He didn't particularly like the idea of fighting, but he felt it was something he had to do.
He's on the far left in this picture along with some of his buddies.
In this picture, he's on the far right, looking a lot like my brothers Tim and Andrew. Sometimes it's strange to see him in these photographs and think about how young he was at the time. How young most soldiers are when they join the military and go off to war. A lot of them weren't and aren't a ton older than my kids are right now. And I'll be honest - that thought freaking terrifies me. I can't imagine how my Great-Grandmother felt when she was sending her baby off to war.
In the midst of building bridges and blowing them up again, fighting and deactivating landmines, he fell in love and managed to get a weekend leave to get married in the middle of a war in a foreign country. I only know about what he did while on duty because one night he told my dad over a few beers. Realistically, it was probably more than a few.
He didn't ever talk about what he did during the war. And if you asked, he told you about meeting my Grandmother - the love of his life. During the last few months that he was alive, I spent a lot of time taking care of him along with the rest of my family. I lost track of how many times he told me about meeting my Grandma, but I never got tired of it. Even twelve years after her death, he was still crazy in love with her and it's one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen.
About a year after the war was over, he was finally able to send to Wales for my Grandma - and he was thrilled. He always said that everything he went through was worth meeting her. These are my Grandpa's friends, somewhere in Europe, on V-E day. My Grandpa is on the far left in the picture above and he's holding the doll in the pram in the picture below.
When he got home, he went back to farming. And when my Grandma got here, they raised a family - four daughters and three sons. That's my mom on the left.
I learned a lot from my Grandpa - do the things you have to do as best you can, be kind, laugh often, always hug your kids, keep your promises, don't make excuses and nothing is more important than family and love.
I miss you, Grandpa.
He's on the far left in this picture along with some of his buddies.
In this picture, he's on the far right, looking a lot like my brothers Tim and Andrew. Sometimes it's strange to see him in these photographs and think about how young he was at the time. How young most soldiers are when they join the military and go off to war. A lot of them weren't and aren't a ton older than my kids are right now. And I'll be honest - that thought freaking terrifies me. I can't imagine how my Great-Grandmother felt when she was sending her baby off to war.
In the midst of building bridges and blowing them up again, fighting and deactivating landmines, he fell in love and managed to get a weekend leave to get married in the middle of a war in a foreign country. I only know about what he did while on duty because one night he told my dad over a few beers. Realistically, it was probably more than a few.
He didn't ever talk about what he did during the war. And if you asked, he told you about meeting my Grandmother - the love of his life. During the last few months that he was alive, I spent a lot of time taking care of him along with the rest of my family. I lost track of how many times he told me about meeting my Grandma, but I never got tired of it. Even twelve years after her death, he was still crazy in love with her and it's one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen.
About a year after the war was over, he was finally able to send to Wales for my Grandma - and he was thrilled. He always said that everything he went through was worth meeting her. These are my Grandpa's friends, somewhere in Europe, on V-E day. My Grandpa is on the far left in the picture above and he's holding the doll in the pram in the picture below.
When he got home, he went back to farming. And when my Grandma got here, they raised a family - four daughters and three sons. That's my mom on the left.
I learned a lot from my Grandpa - do the things you have to do as best you can, be kind, laugh often, always hug your kids, keep your promises, don't make excuses and nothing is more important than family and love.I miss you, Grandpa.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Independence Day!
Tod
ay in the United States, we are celebrating our Independence Day. It is a day that has been celebrated or at least acknowledged in some form since a whole bunch of people decided that what they had to gain was more valuable than what they had to lose. It wasn't just a group of men in wigs, but it was also their families. The decision to break away from Great Britain was doubtfully an easy one, nor was it all for the glory of the new country, there were plenty of selfish reasons to go along with it too. But, July 4th has been and will continue to be this nation's birthday.
In the decades since it's inception, we have sent men and women into battle for her protection and to the support and protection of others, our friends and allies. Some went willingly, others did not. Families lost their sons and daughters, cousins, fathers and mothers. Whether it was Lexington and Concord, Yorktown, or Bunker Hill, Manassas or Gettysburg, The Alamo, Iwo Jima, Verdun, Pearl Harbor, Normandy, Korea, Vietnam, Persian Gulf, Iraq, or Afghanistan, the cold war or peace time, men and women have given their lives, their limbs, and parts of their very souls to ensure the longevity and Freedom of this country.
People and history alike call into question the wisdom of the actions of past leaders, if we should be here or there. Do we, now that we have power, help others or ignore them? Did we do the right thing here or there. Those are questions that will probably never have correct answers, because it is usually a matter of perception.
There are times
when, like now in the midst of wars and political posturing that we are aware of the sacrifice the military members and their families make. There are times like 9/11 or when a police officer loses their life that we remember that Police, Firefighters, and EMTs have also dedicated their lives to keeping this country free.
We forget as we go about our daily lives that a solider, a Marine, a sailor, or an airman has returned without their friends. Their brothers and sisters in arms. We forget that not everyone who has returned, is known. The Tomb Of The Unknown Solider stands as a stark reminder of those who have died, unknown for their country.
The POW/MIA flag reminds us that not everyone who went to Vietnam came home. That those missing, deceased, or captured soliders will never be forgotten by the men and women who came home.
Many of us forget or simply don't acknowledge that freedom gained for one group was not freedom for everyone. That it was decades and centuries before freedom and equal rights for most were granted. Even now, not everyone has equal rights or equal access to everything. Equal rights are more than can everyone vote, is there one set of restrooms instead of restrooms that have a color designation.
Founded in blood, first by killing the original Native Americans and then by war with Great Britain, we are still a young country and have the ability and capability to continue to change and grow. To fulfill the promise set out of Freedom and equality for ALL, not just some or many.
But the Freedom we have has a high cost. The price is paid for by every man and woman who has sworn an oath to their country in the face of their flag that they understand that the price of Freedom is the blood and sacrifice of those brave enough to give their lives for others.
Today is our birthday, we are another year older and hopefully another year wiser.
Have a safe and wonderful day, take a moment to remember where we came from and how we got here.
Simone.
ay in the United States, we are celebrating our Independence Day. It is a day that has been celebrated or at least acknowledged in some form since a whole bunch of people decided that what they had to gain was more valuable than what they had to lose. It wasn't just a group of men in wigs, but it was also their families. The decision to break away from Great Britain was doubtfully an easy one, nor was it all for the glory of the new country, there were plenty of selfish reasons to go along with it too. But, July 4th has been and will continue to be this nation's birthday.
In the decades since it's inception, we have sent men and women into battle for her protection and to the support and protection of others, our friends and allies. Some went willingly, others did not. Families lost their sons and daughters, cousins, fathers and mothers. Whether it was Lexington and Concord, Yorktown, or Bunker Hill, Manassas or Gettysburg, The Alamo, Iwo Jima, Verdun, Pearl Harbor, Normandy, Korea, Vietnam, Persian Gulf, Iraq, or Afghanistan, the cold war or peace time, men and women have given their lives, their limbs, and parts of their very souls to ensure the longevity and Freedom of this country.
People and history alike call into question the wisdom of the actions of past leaders, if we should be here or there. Do we, now that we have power, help others or ignore them? Did we do the right thing here or there. Those are questions that will probably never have correct answers, because it is usually a matter of perception.
There are times
when, like now in the midst of wars and political posturing that we are aware of the sacrifice the military members and their families make. There are times like 9/11 or when a police officer loses their life that we remember that Police, Firefighters, and EMTs have also dedicated their lives to keeping this country free.We forget as we go about our daily lives that a solider, a Marine, a sailor, or an airman has returned without their friends. Their brothers and sisters in arms. We forget that not everyone who has returned, is known. The Tomb Of The Unknown Solider stands as a stark reminder of those who have died, unknown for their country.
The POW/MIA flag reminds us that not everyone who went to Vietnam came home. That those missing, deceased, or captured soliders will never be forgotten by the men and women who came home.
Many of us forget or simply don't acknowledge that freedom gained for one group was not freedom for everyone. That it was decades and centuries before freedom and equal rights for most were granted. Even now, not everyone has equal rights or equal access to everything. Equal rights are more than can everyone vote, is there one set of restrooms instead of restrooms that have a color designation.Founded in blood, first by killing the original Native Americans and then by war with Great Britain, we are still a young country and have the ability and capability to continue to change and grow. To fulfill the promise set out of Freedom and equality for ALL, not just some or many.
But the Freedom we have has a high cost. The price is paid for by every man and woman who has sworn an oath to their country in the face of their flag that they understand that the price of Freedom is the blood and sacrifice of those brave enough to give their lives for others.
Today is our birthday, we are another year older and hopefully another year wiser.
Have a safe and wonderful day, take a moment to remember where we came from and how we got here.
Simone.
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