tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4785157145219153812024-03-13T07:18:15.787-04:00M. E. Harmon | Paranormal Book Author and Geek MEHarmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18037618705416662370noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-478515714521915381.post-49598422009406875372013-12-18T20:00:00.000-05:002013-12-18T20:00:04.301-05:00You Are What You Watch on TV<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
My Inner Dude Comes Out </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://static.someecards.com/someecards/usercards/1333657613898_9254308.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="http://static.someecards.com/someecards/usercards/1333657613898_9254308.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
I don't watch much TV during the
week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I come home after work and get to
my second job - <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>writing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
So I record everything and watch
what I can on weekends.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Here's my current lineup of shows
in no particular order:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Walking Dead</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Talking Dead</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sleepy Hollow</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Supernatural</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Almost Human (How Ka-Cute are Ealy and Urban?)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
American Horror Story</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Blacklist</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hostages</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dragons: Defenders of Berk</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Marvel Agents of Shield</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Glee</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Greys' Anatomy </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elementary</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Good Wife</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My new fav - Super Fun Night</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
I think there's a repressed twelve
year old boy inside <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>me trying to get
out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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A few weeks ago, I was in
Vegas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was with my Mom, so no it
wasn't a 'sin city' kind of trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> (Dangnabit.) </span>We
ended up in a TV show testing center. I think it was for NBC.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At this center, (it was in the Bally's hotel )
they fork over cash to whoever wants to watch a new tv show and then answer
survey questions.</div>
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<br /></div>
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My Mom was all in for the cash, so
we did it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the episode (it was for Welcome to the Family) they asked
what kind of shows did we usually watch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They had blocks of shows to select from.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
block <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>I chose might as well had "For
Dudes" above it. The only thing that was included I didn't watch was Monday
Night Football.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Otherwise every show was
of the male-oriented, bad-ass variety like Walking Dead and Breaking Bad - or
was of totally action-mayhem-will-ensue type.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
The books I prefer to read (and write) are of the same vein. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
So what does my entertainment
preferences say what about me?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
What does your TV/Book choices say about
you?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
</div>
MEHarmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18037618705416662370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-478515714521915381.post-15694395219333372532013-12-17T09:19:00.002-05:002013-12-17T09:22:36.461-05:00The care and feeding (and shunning) of vampires This isn't about the fun kind of vampires though-- <br />
<br />
This comes from <a href="http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d83451b31569e20192aca873a9970d" target="_blank">Seth Godin's blog</a>. As I ready to release my next book, the line about one-star reviews caught my attention. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<div class="entry-body">
Vampires, of course, feed on something that we desperately need but also can't imagine being a source of food.<br />
<br />
You have metaphorical vampires in your life. These are people that
feed on negativity, on shooting down ideas and most of all, on
extinguishing your desire to make things better.<br />
Why would someone do that? Why would they rush to respond to a
heartfelt and generous blog post with a snide comment about a typo in
the third line? Why would they go out of their way to fold their arms,
make a grimace and destroy any hope you had for changing the status quo?<br />
Vampires cannot be cured. They cannot be taught, they cannot learn
the error of their ways. Most of all, vampires will never understand how
much damage they're doing to you and your work. Pity the vampires, they
are doomed to this life.<br />
<br />
Your garlic is simple: shun them. Delete their email, turn off
comments, don't read your one-star reviews. Don't attend meetings where
they show up. Don't buy into the false expectation that in an
organizational democracy, every voice matters. Every voice doesn't
matter--only the voices that move your idea forward, that make it
better, that make you better, that make it more likely you will ship
work that benefits your tribe.<br />
<br />
It's so tempting to evangelize to the vampires, to prove them wrong,
to help them see how destructive they are. This is food for them, merely
encouragement.<br />
Shun the ones who feed on your failures.</div>
MEHarmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18037618705416662370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-478515714521915381.post-78216532938121831232013-12-11T13:51:00.000-05:002013-12-11T13:51:00.559-05:00Book Cover Reveal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fkKOYniBmfo/UpY9sfyuEHI/AAAAAAAAADE/909dpXg3bzQ/s1600/MHarmon_Pristine_a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fkKOYniBmfo/UpY9sfyuEHI/AAAAAAAAADE/909dpXg3bzQ/s640/MHarmon_Pristine_a.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YbXIDfsZJz8/UpY9kekjixI/AAAAAAAAAC8/y2vtQZDxrNU/s1600/MHarmon_Pristine_a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
Here's the new cover for the latest book.<br />
<br />
I'm nervous about this one. The book, not the cover. It's a dystopian novel. Well, novella. 47K words. Originally it was a short story I'd written years ago. I decided to revamp and release it. I thought it would be a quick turnaround but it has taken weeks. As a result, the story changed into something different. <br />
<br />
I was in love with Blood Gem. This one. . . I'm not so sure how folks will react. <br />
<br />
I think the cover came out swell though.<br />
<br />
Pristine's current synposis (in progress):<br />
<br />
<i>An engineered virus changed everything.<br />No one knew society was falling when it was. <br /><br />Sunny Hudson is seventeen, famous and pregnant. In a world where infertility is the norm, and couples beg for a healthy child, Sunny is ecstatic to do her civic duty and be a donor mother. . . for the right price. She enrolls in the exclusive Barrons Academy, an academic and research facility for young donor parents, to become the willing plaything of a multimillionaire -- until love, deceit, and murder change the rules of the <br />game. <br /><br />Now Sunny must choose between opening her heart, survival, or exposing a truth that could spark revolution.<br /><br />Pristine is a dystopian novella that questions what love really looks like in a world where perfection is expected. </i><br />
<br />MEHarmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18037618705416662370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-478515714521915381.post-43074539748648496472013-12-04T20:00:00.000-05:002013-12-04T20:00:03.238-05:00The Introverted Writer During the Age of Social Media<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://data2.whicdn.com/images/12799993/just_shy_square_0_large.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://data2.whicdn.com/images/12799993/just_shy_square_0_large.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Fact:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Platforms
like Amazon's KDP has made it easy for anyone to self-publish.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">However,
self-publishing goes hand in hand with the M word.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Marketing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">The
responsibility of garnering attention for a new book has become the
responsibility of the indie writer.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Enter
social media.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">And
blogging.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">There are
plenty of debates on how relevant it is for writers to build a platform vs.
devoting more time to the craft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Personally,
I prefer to be on a beach somewhere writing. (Or watching Walking Dead.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Really,
social media confounds me a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have
so much to do already.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I work a 9-5,
have a two hour daily commute, and have to do other stuff like bathe, eat,
procrastinate on working out - finding more time to read about other people
doing stuff seems . . .</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Well I
don't want to be rude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you're reading
this, you're taking time out of your very important life to read my blathering.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">In 'real'
life I'm not overly chatty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Given a
choice, I'd much rather be reading a good action novel than striking up a
conversation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">So what
does the slightly introverted writer or person do in the age of social media?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Da, da, da,
daaaaaaa - </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Here's some
ideas for posting on facebook, or a blog or twitter or whatever-- - </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">1. Take
pics of your town or city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing too
fancy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe post them with a
motivational quote.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Folks love those.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">I'm going
to do this one, from time to time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I'm a born and
bred New Yorker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There's ton of stuff I
can take pics of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact this one here
is a pic of the steeple of St. Andrew's church from my office window.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(this is the church that many of the relief
workers during 9/11 found sanctuary in)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2t9f0pA5hOE/UpY7avqjBzI/AAAAAAAAACw/ZDraLSVhaP8/s1600/St.Peters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2t9f0pA5hOE/UpY7avqjBzI/AAAAAAAAACw/ZDraLSVhaP8/s320/St.Peters.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dust off an old short story and post it in
installments</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Find other interesting blog posts and write a
brief commentary linking back to the original article</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Post pics or video of your pet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just heard on NPR (yes I listen to NPR)
that there's an annual cat video convention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yes, they only show cat videos</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Pick one or
a few, load em up in one of those auto-poster things like hootsuite, and its
done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only thing is you have to make
an effort to go comment on other people's stuff.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">The key for
all of the above is to inject a little bit of your personality into every
post.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That's the real reason people are
stopping by, to check you out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Then go
back to writing about werewolves.</span></div>
MEHarmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18037618705416662370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-478515714521915381.post-37087127143394163382013-12-02T20:00:00.000-05:002013-12-02T20:00:07.624-05:00Yes, I like Cat PhotosOk, this one just makes me laugh. <br />
<br />
I think you have to be a cat owner to appreciate cat humor. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://weknowmemes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/cat-reading-to-kill-a-mocking-bird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://weknowmemes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/cat-reading-to-kill-a-mocking-bird.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />MEHarmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18037618705416662370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-478515714521915381.post-41171703399456788042013-11-30T20:00:00.000-05:002013-11-30T20:00:02.478-05:00Cupcake NirvanaThese come from a bakery in the UK called Cupcake Occasions. <br />
<br />
They are fortunate an ocean separates us.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://images.cryhavok.org/d/17290-1/Muppets+Cupcakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://images.cryhavok.org/d/17290-1/Muppets+Cupcakes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
And they have a note on their homepage that they do Not deliver! Aargh.MEHarmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18037618705416662370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-478515714521915381.post-6528197820942568122013-11-27T20:00:00.000-05:002013-11-28T10:58:31.946-05:00The Fall Out from My First Bad Review<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span">One day I
logged onto Amazon and to check the stats for The Blood Gem.</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://cdn.pastemagazine.com/www/articles/2011/10/03/Breaking_Bad.jpg?1317638759" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="http://cdn.pastemagazine.com/www/articles/2011/10/03/Breaking_Bad.jpg?1317638759" title="breaking bad" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Yes! Someone left a new review. I'd been hoping my
last free promo would garner some new comments from readers. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For indie
writers, reviews might as well be currency.
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I hurriedly
clicked over to the page in sweet anticipation of reading how my book is the
new hotness. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And there
it sat. A glowing one star followed by a scathing commentary.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Prior to
this I'd prepped myself. There's plenty
of talk in the writing community about getting the bad review. What to do.
What not to do.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Some say to
laugh it off. Others say learn from it
if possible. You can't please everyone.
But no matter what, getting negative reviews is inevitable.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I thought I
was ready for it. Everyone is entitled
to an opinion. I would take the high
road and when the moment came, I would find the diamond hidden in the poop.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Yeah, well.
. . that didn't happen.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I closed my
laptop and went to bed. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I didn't
write for days. My body conked out and I
developed a really bad a sinus infection.
The last thing I wanted to do was write.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On the J
train going to the office, the critic's words would come back to me unbidden. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/fa/StatlerandWaldorf(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/fa/StatlerandWaldorf(2).JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Even now, I
can quote lines from what this person wrote.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On the
kindle forum, somebody suggested to go read the reviews for your favorite
'traditionally' published writer.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I did. And OMG!!!
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">People feel
free to rip writers a new one. And they
do it with glee. Some sound like they
know the author personally and they're still pissed off the writer's dog
crapped on their lawn. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Again,
everyone is entitled to their opinion.
And yes, if one buys a crap product a little annoyance may be
justified. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But c'mon
how about some constructive criticism delivered with a huge-ass dose of common
courtesy? </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sometimes
the anonymity offered by the internet is corrupting. Or maybe it allows us to show our true
natures?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I belong to
Toastmasters where we learn the art of giving effective speech evaluations that
are supportive and instructive. It's not
that hard. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After
reading those reviews I put on my big girl panties and got back to work. My
next book is a dystopian story about love and deceit and the ties that bind us
together.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Writing is
weird and hard and fun. And when the
'publish now' button is hit, that book (usually) represents someone who has put
a lot of time and effort into it.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Now, I've
read some crappy books - self-published and traditionally published. No one
should get an instant stamp of approval just because they've spent x amount of
hours working on anything.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In the
future when I leave a review, I will write it as if the author is sitting next
to me. And if I act like a bitch, they're
allowed to punch me in the face. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.alejoserrano.co/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/600x295xatt-simpsons-homer-strangling-bart.jpg.pagespeed.ic.J3KmDtbnlE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="157" src="http://www.alejoserrano.co/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/600x295xatt-simpsons-homer-strangling-bart.jpg.pagespeed.ic.J3KmDtbnlE.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This was a
good lesson. The next time the single
star pops up underneath one my books, I'll be ok.</span></span></div>
MEHarmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18037618705416662370noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-478515714521915381.post-56930619993932736602013-08-27T10:39:00.002-04:002013-08-27T10:43:29.851-04:00Heroines - Why the ones in paranormal romance suck.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.dccomics.com/sites/default/files/character_bio_576_wonderwoman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.dccomics.com/sites/default/files/character_bio_576_wonderwoman.jpg" height="202" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I live in New York City. I work in Manhattan, reside in Queens.<br />
<br />
It's not the 'Sex in the City' New York where you can hook up for a one night stand and then stagger home safely at 3 a.m. with Manholo Blahniks in hand.<br />
<br />
I live in the New York where the threat of pickpockets on the subway is real. Just this morning there was a report of a woman being approached on the street by a man who just 'said' he had a gun, then walked her into a alley to rape and rob her.<br />
<br />
Not that I'm ragging on New York. It's not like living in the Thunderdome. Yet, living in a big city presents real and imagined threats. Being cautious, if you're not an idiot, is a way of life.<br />
<br />
So imagine what was going through my mind when a drunk staggered into me on Broadway as I headed for the J train. <br />
<br />
There wasn't anything else to do but to catch her. She had short wavy, blond hair and since I could look down at the crown of her head, was about 5'3. <br />
<br />
"Whoa, are you ok?" <br />
<br />
"No, I'm not," she said.<br />
<br />
Aw, shit. I grabbed her arm in one hand and clutched my purse tighter to my shoulder. See, cuz in my New York, this shit could've been a hustle. <br />
<br />
We crossed to the corner. There against a post outside of Chase Bank she told me her name was Maggie.<br />
<br />
"My sister is dead." Maggie's eyes were a watery blue. . . and bloodshot. That's when I got the first whiff of booze. <br />
<br />
"Maggie, how can I help you?" I said shoving my bag deeper into my armpit and looking around. The streets in downtown Manhattan get pretty sparse of people after the 5pm rush.<br />
<br />
Maggie braced herself against the pole and said, "You don't believe me."<br />
<br />
Nope, I didn't. Not really. <br />
<br />
Maggie's cell phone kept ringing. "It's my husband. He's looking for me. He'll be pissed. I’m not supposed to drink anymore."<br />
<br />
No cops in sight, I was starting to suspect I was stuck with a drunk on a street corner. In my head I started running through the possibilities of getting out of this gracefully.<br />
<br />
Just then a man in a hat and a dark green suit jacket walked up to us. He knew Maggie, they worked together in a bar nearby. His name was Joe. The minute Maggie saw him, she fell into his arms in tears. <br />
<br />
This freaked Joe the hell out. I don't know if it was the tears, or the fact a white woman was bawling in his arms on a Manhattan street. He was black, about sixty or so, almost the same height as Maggie. He confirmed that her sister had died, unexpectedly earlier in the week. Maggie had left the bar supposedly to catch the train home to New Jersey. He felt uncomfortable walking with her by himself.<br />
<br />
Arm in arm we walked Maggie to the Path Train Station at the World Trade Center site. The entire time Maggie cooed and pawed Joe saying how great a guy Joe was. He was visibly relieved when Maggie's head went out of sight on the downward escalator at the PATH station. <br />
<br />
I was relieved too but unsure if I had done enough. Maggie was almost falling down drunk. <br />
<br />
Maybe I should've rode the escalator down with her.<br />
Maybe I should've called 911.<br />
Maybe I should've yanked her phone away and spoke with her husband.<br />
<br />
When I got home my boyfriend scolded me. He said my safety is more important and next time either I keep walking or call the cops and keep walking.<br />
<br />
I said if I see someone that needs help, I'm going to help. Treat people how you want to be treated. Period.<br />
<br />
I bring this story up cuz I wanted to talk about heroines and heroes. (I'm in no way comparing myself to a hero however.)<br />
<br />
Heroes, really entertaining ones, are the people who remind us of ourselves. They are fucked up and flawed characters who are hauled kicking and biting into situations where they battle between what they should do and what they want to do and if they could have done things better.<br />
<br />
It's like Harry choosing to battle Voldemort vs. getting to second base with Cho Chang.<br />
<br />
It's Luke rejecting the Dark Side of the Force when the dark was clearly a lot more fun.<br />
<br />
It's Ripley agreeing to go with the Colonial Marines to LV-426 to find the missing colonists.<br />
<br />
Scratch what I wrote before - maybe they don't remind us of ourselves. Maybe we don't even want to be them. <br />
<br />
What I do want for sure is a hero who is entertaining as hell; a heroine who puts on a good ass show that's fun to watch. <br />
<br />
He or she must deliver a kick-ass ride that feels like a roller coaster through a real-live zombie death match - and also she learns something about herself in the process.<br />
<br />
I'm always up for a good ride. <br />
<br />
With the super popularity of paranormal romance - are a new flock of 'heroines' being born that only inspire because they get tough when they have to fight for or fight with their 'man' - but spend the rest of the time being a slave to 'does he love me or does he love me not'?<br />
<br />
What kind of fuckery is that? Women only are bad-ass when it comes to 'love'?<br />
<br />
Are the latest crops of movies, TV shows, and fiction delivering solid heroines? <br />
<br />
I'm not sure. MEHarmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18037618705416662370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-478515714521915381.post-68322466520379037112012-11-23T10:46:00.001-05:002012-11-24T23:05:19.112-05:00Thanksgiving Free Promo and GodzillaYesterday was Thanksgiving 2012. I was over at my brother's house to eat. There was a bunch of little kids running around.<br />
<br />
As I sat at a table wondering when the food was going to be served, I remembered when I was one of those little kids happy not to be stuck down where the grownups where. I was able to lounge in my grandparent's bedroom and watch cartoons or even better. . . <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.badassoftheweek.com/godzilla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.badassoftheweek.com/godzilla.jpg" width="168" /></a></div>
. . .Monster movies.<br />
<br />
Back in the day Thanksgiving meant the monster movie marathon. Sometimes it would come on before the day or the day after.<br />
<br />
Godzilla. King Kong. Mothra. Lots of monster vs. monster.<br />
<br />
Alas, no more.<br />
<br />
I miss monster movie marathons and being able to sneak away to watch t.v. without being seen as an anti-social freak.<br />
<br />
Sigh.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009SGPEVW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B009SGPEVW&linkCode=as2&tag=urbanpink-20" target="_blank">Blood Gem</a> is on promotion. Download the ebook for free on Friday 11/23 and Saturday 11/24.<br />
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<br />MEHarmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18037618705416662370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-478515714521915381.post-52249778681060096842012-11-08T17:43:00.000-05:002012-11-08T17:43:41.957-05:00The Walking Dead - WTH?!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've named this blog - Geeklicious but haven't been geeking it up much. I came up with the brilliant idea to use that name in one of my so-called 'creative' moments - it may change - i dunno.<br />
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I feel a little odd usually, cuz sometimes I feel like I have a twelve year old boy trapped inside me. Not in a transgender way, mind you. In a I LOVE all action-adventure-sci-fi-fantasy-warrior-battle-stuff blowing up kind of way. A movie ain't a movie unless there's at least one explosion imo. <br />
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Chick flicks and romance makes me wanna barf. <br />
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Not too many women I know share this opinion.<br />
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In fact, I got really pissed off at the second Twilight movie. The stupid trailer made it looked action packed but it had one freakin' scene featuring action and that Stewart girl with her mouth hanging open all the time. Don't know what I mean about her mouth hanging open? <br />
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Like this: And this: And this: <br />
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<a href="http://www.tvweek.com/blogs/tvbizwire/kristen-stewart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.tvweek.com/blogs/tvbizwire/kristen-stewart.jpg" width="161" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rQPRfRYzXrw/T5fLoHfzhPI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/Umh-oAWu-7M/s1600/Kristen-Stewart-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rQPRfRYzXrw/T5fLoHfzhPI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/Umh-oAWu-7M/s200/Kristen-Stewart-4.jpg" width="131" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UZ6Bd4V7i48/T63LLkoorOI/AAAAAAAADcg/7mO2qQ-LgPA/s400/Kristen+Stewart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UZ6Bd4V7i48/T63LLkoorOI/AAAAAAAADcg/7mO2qQ-LgPA/s200/Kristen+Stewart.jpg" width="101" /></a></div>
<br />Guess that's supposed to be sexy.<br />
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Anyway I digress . . .<br />
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WALKING DEAD<br />
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The shock has worn off but I'm still reeling about Sunday's 11/3 episode. <br />
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They killed off T-Dog.<br />
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First his woman gets killed off in season one.<br />
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Then he had about four lines throughout season two. <br />
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And now just barely into season three, the man gets killed off ? He went out valiantly but c'mon! Virgil gets his leg zombie bitten and chopped off and he lives? <br />
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The only reason why I'm not really up in arms is because Lori bit the dust too. But she kinda had it coming. Last season she spent most of her time either pressuring Rick, sending mixed messages to Shane, or manipulating Rick to do something about Shane. <br />
<br />
However, was Lori dead when Carl shot her in the head? Ok - I get it -C-section, lots of blood, she passes out. But we never saw the women die. I guess Carl and Maggie were being proactive. A proactive bullet to the brain.<br />
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Oh and just because they find Carol's head wrap - she's automatically dead? Hello, how about a body or the left-overs of one? I wonder how long she's going to be running around the prison by her lonely. <br />
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Anyway, was happy to hear on Talking Dead IronE Singleton has another TV acting gig coming up soon. <br />
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Why was his name T-Dog? What was his real name? How did he come to join the group? - I would love to see these things explored in some flashbacks.<br />
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Michonne is supposed to be this bad-ass character. So far, she's done nothing but scowl and utter monosyllables and one-liners. Will this change, or will this character be neglected . . .like T-Dog?<br />
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Be Well.<br />
m. <br />
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<br />MEHarmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18037618705416662370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-478515714521915381.post-76100967815212544062012-10-23T17:46:00.001-04:002012-10-23T17:46:06.439-04:00The Walking Dead and Other Great Reasons to Procrastinate<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My first post was one of those touchy-feely, show my writing style kind of posts.<br />
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This one is going to be me bitchin'. . . a little. <br />
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See, I started writing The Blood Gem on a whim back in 2008. I think it was 2008.<br />
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I've been writing since I was a young. I started with writing very bad fanfic (before fanfic was a thing) for the BESTEST movie ever, Aliens. Then over the years I took about a billion creative writing classes, joined a few critique groups, and hired a writing coach. <br />
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But like most writers, I struggle with the required getting one's ass in the chair and writing consistently.<br />
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Blood Gem was born out of a bet. I wagered with a coworker $100 bucks over who could write 3,000 words a week. If you hit the word count, you got to keep $20. The loser would have to fork over the money to the winner. If we both won, the cash stayed in the kitty. <br />
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I won every week. Money is a big ass motivator for me.<br />
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So the evolution of Blood Gem went from - something to do during office down time to oh shoot this could be a book for real to this is gonna be my first fully finished book.<br />
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At first I thought I would go the traditional route ( and I still will at some point). You know, query letters, finding an agent, tons of rejections, yadda, yadda. The idea seemed daunting, really daunting, but I had the dream of being a real "author". <br />
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Then a life coach (yeah I believe in the self-improvement thing) said, "why not self-publish, I just worked with an author that is making $20,000 grand a month."<br />
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I had always pictured the life of a writer being one of the starving artist. Starving ain't sexy, so I always wanted to have a secured stream of income before indulging in writing full time.<br />
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But that $20,000 a month got my effin attention. <br />
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My journey of self-publishing was born. <br />
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And my journey of procrastination continues. . .<br />
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With traditional publishing - lots of things are done for the writer (in theory) - like marketing and promotion.<br />
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For indie writer - all that additional work is on your back. <br />
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I spent a good portion of my day today mapping out my book marketing/promotion to-do list. My eyes hurt, I have a headache and I haven't done any writing yet. I'm likely doing this all ass-backward. I feel like it is all pointless. Nobody is gonna see this anyway. I'm cranky and want to throw a tantrum. <br />
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Instead of doing one of things on my list-- writing this post-- I'd much rather be watching the Walking Dead. I hear Rick is getting out of hand and my DVR is calling me.<br />
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I can think of a few other things I'd rather be doing. . . like eating, napping, watching the episode of V I've had on my DVR for over a year . . .<br />
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. . . but I want to be a successful author more. <br />
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Work hard. Work hard. Work hard and smart Michelle. <br />
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<br />MEHarmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18037618705416662370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-478515714521915381.post-45188832777565428392012-10-21T13:17:00.001-04:002012-10-21T13:39:39.640-04:00Target to the Rescue<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
It was a good day at Target.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The aisles were empty of riff-raff shoppers,
the only food my cat will eat was on sale and the lines were short.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.halfassedproductions.com/articles/120105/4toys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://www.halfassedproductions.com/articles/120105/4toys.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Island of Misfit Toys</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I’d just finished a three days of a
four day personal development course that I wasn’t sure had been worth the
money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of being transformed, as
the course had promised, I spent most of the weekend pissed off at all the
whiners who kept getting up to tell their life story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
For the past three days I’d spent
the hours vacillating between a white hot anger about the selfishness of human
beings and heavy guilt about my lack of compassion.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Most of the time, while siting in
that class, I’d felt like a freak.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
An odd freak of nature who didn’t
really give a rat’s ass about community or connecting to other people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>C’mon, I can’t stand facebook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sharing every little aspect of one’s personal
life with a bunch of strangers just seems dumb and useless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus the more someone knows about you, the
easier it is for them to use that info against you later.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
At least that what I thought at the
time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
For about an hour, I’d been walking
around Target looking at the things on sale but not really seeing anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
My mind was on the class and what
I’d really learned over the weekend. Had I learned anything? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt broken, somehow. It was as if there was
something integrally wrong with me that I wouldn’t ‘get’ all the earthshattering
revelations everyone else was getting in the class. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
I paid for my cat food, kitty
litter, toothpaste, and soap and rolled my cart over the black mat to trigger
the extra wide door to open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spring was
coming but the last tendrils of winter added a chilly snap to the air. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Walking to my car I spotted the guy
who collects the shopping carts from the parking lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I admit I didn’t notice the man at
first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
My geek brain had zeroed in on the
little red motorized cart he pushed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was like the little train that could, a mechanized caboose to push the linked
up line of ten shopping carts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought
the little caboose was cool and wondered how easier it made the man’s job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only then did I notice him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was average size.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In spite of the caboose, he had to hunch over
and dig his heels into the ground to get the little line of carts going again
after he stopped to add another to the line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Was that hard work, I wondered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
This took all of ten seconds, my
observation of man and little red caboose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
I passed him and the little train
of shopping carts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Found my car, keyed
the trunk open and started to unload my cart.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Just behind me, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I heard someone say, “I’ll take that for you.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
I turned , a little startled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d sunk back into brooding so deeply, I’d
not heard the man with train of carts roll up next to me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
I stopped, handed my cart off to
him, looked him in the eye, smiled and said, “Thank you.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
This time it was him who was
startled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He flinched as if I’d stuck
him with a straight pin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Then his face lit up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stood up tall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
“You know, people always think I’m
crazy just because I’m doing my job.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
stood up a little straighter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
“Heck,” I said, “you saving me some
time from having to walk all the way down there to put the cart up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus I know you are just doing your job."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
He laughed . “Yeah I can never
understand why people are like that.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
“Don’t you pay them any mind, do
your job and get your paycheck.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
His navy jacket dwarfed him a bit.
“I like my job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just want to come in,
do a good days work and go home.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re in a good space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s how everyone should think but they don’t<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look, don’t worry about the negative people,
do what makes you happy.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
We talked for a little while
longer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not about anything important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually we wished each other well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got in my bug <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and he headed back to the Target.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something had struck me odd about the meeting
but I couldn’t put my finger on what exactly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
It wasn’t until I was on the rail
road heading for Manhattan, for the last night of the class, did it hit me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
When I looked that man in the eye
and gave a sincere thank you, his entire had being changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With two words, and unintentionally I’d
communicated –</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Yes, I see you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You matter.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
And in that moment, we’d had a powerful
exchange.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a single second, I had
shaped someone else’s in life – if only for a moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d contributed to another human being.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And in that same second, he’d given me a gift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That I mattered too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even something as small as a thank you, had a
huge impact. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
We were both beings of incredible
power . . . simultaneously affecting the realm of the other on an integral
level and leaving them better for it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Wow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps I wasn’t a freak after all.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
I write stories about people and
mythical creatures who are born with great powers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But deep down they ache for a greater
connection and confirmation of their worth, their being.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Luna, in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009SGPEVW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B009SGPEVW&linkCode=as2&tag=urbanpink-20" target="_blank">The Blood Gem</a>, is</i> a freak of nature, she’s a shifter who can’t
shift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luna is such an aberration, she’s
stoned and has to flee to avoid causing a civil war. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But through a series of unfortunate events,
Luna begins a journey of self discovery-- of learning who she is, what she stands
for, and finding her rightful niche.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Eventually she discovers a place in
the world that’s been especially retrofitted and waiting for her to arrive.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Isn’t that what we all crave?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To be
welcomed into a place that’s been carved out for us – a place where we’re perfect
just as we are?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Without realizing it, we wait for
clues from the Universe (or from God – take your pick) to let us know that our
existence is not an accident – that we have worth – that we are not freaks.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
A brief meeting in a Target parking
lot was one of my clues. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
I bet clues are all around you
too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
What do you think?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Thanks for reading.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://chrisglass.com/journal/images/2006/1216-misfit-toys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://chrisglass.com/journal/images/2006/1216-misfit-toys.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: purple;"><span style="background-color: white;">Bumble - The Abominable Snow Monster</span></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
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