Monday Beginnings: Plotting Out The Week

    I actually got up before the night today, but sharing a computer with someone else temporarily and they had college work they were working on too. So I waited patiently and you get a bit of a late post, but I caught up on some reading at the same time so not all bad. And once more it is Monday folks, which means I'm already plotting out my week folks. I'm not just talking the blog either. I've got a lot of work I want to get done this week. Some of it back work and it is getting done this week.
    First and foremost on my agenda is finding out the reading for this week's class and getting it done. Then I'm on to discussion boards and critiquing the revisions made last week. Now that sounds like a four day thing to do with class sure. But in between that there is my own writing and reading I plan to get done as well as some cleaning that will have to be done. Yes I'm actually planning to do some cleaning this week despite what some would like to think. Plus I have to redo my bookshelves they are long over do for a rotation of sorts.
    But what will see you see this week. Well there will be an essay tomorrow I'm still trying to decide what prompt I will use though I have a good idea of which one. Wednesday we will be discussing John Scalzi and Thursday I will be posting the flashback to Easter for me as a kid that I meant to have up last week. And on Friday we might be in for a scary story depending on where I take the prompt.
    Now on to my soap box for the day. What the hell is up with the attack on diversity in literature in libraries? I mean seriously we talk about accept people for who they are and where they come from, and that should include in literature as well. If you don't like a book that is fine don't pick it up, but don't exile it from the library, so that no one is able to read it. That is just plain wrong. We talk about free speech so often and that includes in literature, so barring a book from a library is just as bad as punishing someone for something they say. If you are for free speech then you are also against banning books in libraries it is plain and simple.
    But I'll climb down off my soap box for now. Hopefully you are having a good Monday and your Tuesday will be even better. For now I'm going to go raid the cabinets and do some writing as well as catch up on the reading I'm behind on. Feel free to comment below if you have a thought on anything I've said today. *Tips hat and walks out the door to raid the cabinets.*

Saturday Thoughts: Changes Are Happening Though Slowly

    So yes I know it has been a couple days since I posted and I apologize for that. Working on a new sleep schedule and it has thrown my posting schedule off. Along with actually shutting down the computer at night. I've also been doing more household chores as well. I'll wait while some pick their jaws up off the floor.

    So where has this new found motivation come from? Well from a woman what else. She has only been here a week and already she has turned the place upside down. Like I said above she has me doing more household chores than before. Going out when I normally wouldn't go out. She has me changing my sleeping pattern slowly but surely.

    She even has me considering changing the layout of the bedroom/office. Which is a big deal considering how long it has taken me to get it this way. But I'm actually open to the idea. We'll have to wait and see what comes of it. But the room may change around in the end, we'll see.

    My work/school habit have to improve with all of these changes taking place though. But it will get there, so far I'm keeping up with class. I'll find a way I'm sure. It might mean cutting back on some extra projects, but hoping not. But if it does then I will have to pick and choose and figure out which ones have to go on the back burner for a little bit.

    So far the amount of reading I've been doing has increased though not with school reading, but I have plans to change that and mix it in with my reading for relaxation. And I'm planning to cut back on the amount of books as I finish up the ones I'm reading now. Even as I'll start some new ones and mix in some magazines with them.

    Plus I plan to add in some audio books for when I'm doing household chores. Easy way to get in some extra reading for me. Unfortunately not so easy to get in some extra writing yet. I'm working on figuring out a way to get the extra writing in, but so far no luck. But I'll keep trying. In the meantime dinner is about done so I'd better get going. *Tips hat and walks out the door headed for dinner in the kitchen.*

Wednesday In The Library: Piers Anthony

Running late again folks. Would have been more on time but had to do cleaning today for maintenance to come in tomorrow to look at the windows for some reason. Really just a big pain in the ass if you ask me. But today in the library we will be talking about one of my favorite authors of all time, Piers Anthony. He is one of the reasons I'm the reader I am today.
He is known for his Xanth Series, Geoddyssey Series, Bio Of A Space Tyrant Series, Adept Series, Incarnations Of Immortality Series, and many more. He is in his eighties now and shows no signs of stopping writing anytime soon. I swear he will pass away finishing a book on his computer. When he started out writing he was working on a typewriter and gradually got into the computer world. Though he still hand wrote everything for the longest time. Now he does almost all of his writing on computer.
He has shared his joys and tragedies with his fans through his monthly newsletter at hipiers.com. And in the author's note at the back of his books for years before the internet came out. It has been and continues to be a privilege to be a part of his journey through life. I think that might be how I got interested in sharing my thoughts and views along with my life in general with all of you.
It was his Xanth book Demons Don't Dream that got me back into reading when I had fallen off the reading wagon when I was younger. Then I just gobbled up his books left and right. It led me to other fantasy writers though none were quite like him. Though I found some other favorites eventually. I also found fanfiction through Xanth. I was never able to write any, but I enjoyed reading the ones I found. I continue to read him to this day, letting him take me back to younger days.
When I read his Geoddyssey Series history opened up in a whole new way for me. I was suddenly immersed in these cultures and living through events that happened. It was amazing seeing people in these cultures brought to life before my eyes. Granted there were some long chapters that got to me but I soldiered on through them and even enjoyed them at points.
Pier Anthony is one of the few classic Fantasy and Science Fiction Writers still alive and writing. I recommend everyone to check him out, especially those who look for more of the classics in Science Fiction and Fantasy though he is also new age in those markets as well. He is a true living legend. I hope you have all enjoyed the trip to the library today. I think I'm just going to stay up and try to fix my sleep pattern so it is off to find coffee for this writer. *Tips hat and walks out the door in search of coffee.*

Tuesday Insights: Carnegie Hall

    Another late night posting I know, but my sleep schedule is messed up though I'm working on fixing it. And forcing my muscles to work as they recover causing me some more pain but it is necessary for them to heal right in my opinion. So until I get my sleeping pattern back to normal expect that some posts will be late night for a while. Tonight we are going to Carnegie Hall where I get to show what I would do if putting on a show there. So without further ado on with the show.
Prompt:

Live From Carnegie Hall

    Welcome one and all to my one night show in Carnegie Hall. Tonight we will start off with comedy from my friend, George Hamm. Who is a wonderful comedian and does great wrestling impressions as well. He will make you laugh till you feel like you can't laugh anymore. Then we will move on to more comedy from Maine's own Bob Marley. Who will have you laughing even more than George did though this time about Maine things and things about the northeast.
    Once Bob finishes up we'll relax a bit with a local rock band and let everyone regain their breathe. They'll play a few songs and rock out the hall. Then to crank up the atmosphere even more we'll bring on Linkin Park for some nostalgia. Let them rock out for several of their hit songs.
    Next up will be Pen and Teller. They will astound you with their magic. Leaving you wondering how they did it and wanting more. Then you will get more comedy from Jeff Dunham and his friends. They will have you in the aisles laughing bent over double.
    Then we will explode the show with Jay-Z and Beyonce both performing for you and together. They will have you dancing in the aisles and singing along with them. And then to close out the night we will have Jay-Z do his hit song with Linkin Park. As well as his new hit with Alicia Keys. Then we will wish you all good night and hope you have enjoyed the show.
    I hope you enjoyed my write up of my one night at Carnegie Hall as short as it was. And now I'm dying of thirst so I'm off to get something to drink. *Tips hat and walks out the door in search of something to drink.*

 

 
    

Monday Review: Closure (Audio Book)

    I'm late I know but been cleaning and needed to rest before posting. I know a bit of a shock hearing about me cleaning lol. I've got most of the week planned out including a late Easter post for Thursday. I also have an essay planned for Tuesday to a degree, still not sure on the prompt yet. Wednesday's post will be on Piers Anthony. Friday we will be back on track with a story. But today we are reviewing my friend and fellow author, Sylvia Stein's, audio book Closure.

    To start off with a word from Sylvia Stein:  I am happy to announce that my novella Closure is available through audio on ACX.   Now you can bring Sara's story to life with the amazing talents of Clay Lomayaku.   You can find the closure audio available through Audible from ACX and it is also available through iTunes and Amazon.   I will be giving out three free copies of the audio book .  All you have to do it leave a comment on the different blogs that will be hosting me this week through next week.  

Author Bio:
Author Sylvia Stein began her path to writing when she joined the Writer's Group on Linked in 750 in 2012 and she also started to connect with other authors through the World Literary Café.
Her First Debut Novel came in July 31, 2014 entitled, Closure and Chasing Clarity her first YA will be out this Spring 2015. . To quote author Stein, " This is the first of many to come."

 
    Now with all that being said I will add that this is a fantastic story that will make you laugh and cry at various points throughout the listening. The orator brings the story even more to live than when I first read it. He brings the characters more fully to live for the listener. It's like listening to one of those old radio shows on the radio, which are mesmerizing. I give this audio book five stars out of five stars.
Here is an excerpt:
In the dark corner of a room, Sara James waited until the monster fell asleep.
Who was the monster?
Garrison James, her father.
It amazed her how much had changed in the few short months since her mother, Lila left. It felt as if it happened over night.
At first, he seemed absent. Then the yelling, drinking, and angry glares erupted whenever she entered the same room as him. Soon, he began calling her names. When she thought things could not get worse, the real abuse began.
He's not my dad!
He's a monster!

Heavy footsteps tromped towards the room. She gulped in jagged breaths and looked to the ceiling while blinking rapidly. A feeble attempt to control her tears.
When hiding from the monster found her, she would replay what she did wrong and how he caught her the time before.
Don't cry, she reminded herself, that's how he finds you.

She looked around the once lively home for a sweet reminder of better times. There was a time when the house was surrounded by a beautiful garden. Her and her mother would walk hand in hand and choose which flowers to bring inside. Now, the windows were closed, and the vase that usually held flowers sat empty. No matter where she looked, there was no sign of happiness or life.
The house had become a vessel of sorrow and pain.
Mommy, think of her.

She closed her eyes and forced images of her favorite memories. A brief smile appeared as thoughts reverted her to one of the many times when her mother taught her how to bake cookies.
"Oh, Momma, I miss you," she whispered.
The memory of her mother distracted Sara from the harsh reality. However, nearly as quick as the memories arrived, they dissipated, and before she knew it, the monster began lashing out.
"Sara! Sara! Where are you?" he screamed.
Realizing she had made noise. Sara covered her mouth and began internally praying.

 

 
    Hopefully you enjoy that excerpt and it leaves you wanting more I know it has me wanting another listen to the audio book myself. *Tips hat and walks out the door to listen to the audio book again.*

Saturday Thoughts: It's Been A Long Week

    I do apologize for there being no entry yesterday, just been trying to recover the best I can from my fall earlier in the week. Starting to heal a bit, but it is slow going. The week was running along nice and smoothly until it happened too, but then I guess Murphy's Law had to come into play.
    I did manage to get some reading done since I've been laid up in bed though not enough to finish off any books quite yet. But there are some that are getting close to it. But there will be an audio book feature on Monday, you'll have to stay tuned to find out more. And hopefully by the end of next week I will have finished another book.
    Working on getting back on track with my writing as well. I did like no writing so far this week aside from what I've done on the blog. But hopefully will get some in before the weekend is out. I've also got plans for my short story I'm working on in class on two fronts. One is to possibly turn it into something bigger, though not so sure about that. Two is to sell it to a magazine and make some money off of it, which is a bigger possibility I think.
    I think I'm done ranting for a while, but you never know. It really depends on the news and how much stupid stuff happens in it. I'll try to keep it confined to my personal Facebook page. But if it gets to be too much rest assured there will be another rant. I try to keep them spaced out so that they have impact as well. Too many too close together and they just sound like rambling.
    School has been enjoyable this term though I keep getting behind on the reading. I think it is because the text is not engaging like some writing texts have been in the past. It's like a droning narrator in the book, not someone speaking energetically about it. It drags the whole book down. But the writing assignments have been engaging. And I like the group of reviewers I'm in. They keep giving me good advice and I try to give them good advice as well.
    But next week is a new week is also a new week and I will also start again and try to do better than I did this week. Injured or not. I fall down but I always get back up. I refuse to stay down. So next week you will see me back to my old habits hopefully. I will lay out my plans for next week tomorrow in more detail. For now I've got to get going on the rest of my school work for the week, but first I think I'll have a bit of dessert that I passed up on earlier. *Tips had and walks out the door in search of dessert.*

Throwback Thursday: Being A Kid In Portland

    I know I'm late today, but still recovering from a bad fall yesterday that prevented me from posting. Messed up my right foot and my back so not going to be going anyplace anytime soon. I'll be seeing a doctor about it soon, no worries. But today we are talking about my childhood in Portland. For clarification that is Portland, ME.

    I didn't get to play with a lot of other kids till I was about 8 and my mom found the projects that I now live in. Then it was just a matter of going out when other kids were out and making friends. We played tag and four square mainly in the entranceway of the building my mom lived in as well as on the playground across the street. On rainy days my friends would come over and play video games with me and my mom all afternoon until around dinner time.

    But most of the time we were outside hanging out on the playground either playing tag or talking and hanging out. Sometimes we'd lay basketball in the basketball court next to the playground. In summertime we would get in trouble for using the laundry room to refill our water guns. We had massive water fights all across the property in those days. Almost all summer the sidewalks and entryways would be soaked with water. Management was not pleased with us.

    In the fall we would mostly spend time talking about relationships and things that bothered us as our energy was winding down. I miss those long talks. I've lost touch with most of my friends from those days unfortunately. We'd still play tag and four square but just not as much as in spring and summer. When it was too cold out for us to be comfortable outside the whole gang would come over as on rainy days and we would sit around talking including my mom or we would play video games.

    Winter time everyone was busy doing their own thing from around Thanksgiving on. The last real get together would be around Halloween in the fall and then everyone drifted to their own thing. Though a few of us would get in trouble for sledding out front of my mom's building. But mostly it would be me and whoever decided to drop by playing video games throughout the winter. Though I also read in winter because I couldn't just play video games all winter long.

    As spring came in people came by more and more though we didn't go out till everything was fully thawed. We'd hang out talking or play video games in the early spring days mainly. Once the days turned warm we would start to trickle back to the outdoors and playing four square and tag with renewed energy.

    It would last this way for the most part into my teen years when it would become more about hanging out and talking or playing video games inside. There would be more talk of crushes and eventually games of truth and dare. But those early years really helped me learn to socialize thanks to the people willing to bring me into their circle and show me things. I wish I still had contact with them to this day since I miss them greatly. Maybe they will find one of my pages and reach out to me someday, I can only hope. *Tips hat and walks out the door in search of a snack.*