My Tribe

To Those That Served or are Serving in Our Military Forces...

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:28:03 GMT

Thank you and your families for your service.

Writer's Passing: Louise Cooper

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:47:20 GMT

Yet another author I admire has passed.

Louise Cooper: May 29, 1952 - October 21, 2009

"It is with great sadness that we have to inform you that on October 29th 2009 Louise passed away suddenly after she suffered an aneurysm." - http://www.louisecooper.com/

"She began writing stories when she was at school to entertain her friends. She continued to write and her first full-length novel was published at the age of twenty. She moved to London in 1975 and worked in publishing before becoming a full-time writer in 1977. Since then she has become a prolific writer of fantasy, renowned for her bestselling Time Master Trilogy. She has published more than eighty fantasy and supernatural novels, both for adults and children." - Wikipedia: Louise Cooper

"...Cooper wrote over 80 books for adults and children and was best known for her Time Master trilogy Indigo Saga series." - SF Signal

Ms. Cooper's Time Master Trilogy and Chaos Gate Trilogy, along with the Indigo Saga are beloved works in my heart to this day and sources of inspiration. I read them young and she inspired me. Ms. Cooper was a world builder, gave evocative description, created entertaining twisting stories and plots. What I really love about her works is how she could make connections, bring out emotions even negative ones and not alienate the reader you felt them with the character. You took the ride with the characters and her imagination. How fortunate that most of her ride was shared with her artist husband Cas.

The stories yet untold from Ms. Cooper will be missed. I'm grateful for those she shared.

Happy Halloween Everyone!

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 23:54:52 GMT

Hope it's a blast!

Cat Girlfriend

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:58:37 GMT

After the anger of my last post, humor is in order. This is pretty funny. And this cat is pretty pissed off...

Original non-captioned vid is here: http://www.youtube.com/mkass84#p/a/u/0/jbEXr9-5UjI

Apathy That Destroys Lives

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 01:43:08 GMT

This may be a disturbing post. I hope you read it anyway.

You may or may not be familiar with the story of Kitty Genovese who was born in 1935 and died in Queens New York in 1964. There were at least 38 people were aware of her jeopardy when she screamed for help and told anyone who would listen her attacker had stabbed her.

And they did nothing. Even after a "reprieve" where she dragged herself to a hall, no one seemed to go to help her or look. The attacker returned disguised, found her bleeding and weak in a hallway that was obscured from most eyes and stabbed her repetitively, then according to other reports raped or attempted to rape her.

I learned about Kitty in psychology and again in one of my basic communication classes. In the former class, her story was an example of "bystander effect." I've heard it called "apathy effect," "Genovese Syndrome," and a few other terms. Research says a group of people see something awful going down and do nothing because they think someone else will know how to handle it better, or are freaked out about someone watching as they help. Wikipedia has a fairly accurate article overview about all of this.

I remember being so shocked to see that some people wouldn't help, wouldn't at least go call the cops. I understand paralyzing fear I do and the world is crazy sometimes but if someone is in trouble and begs for help or you see someone is in trouble isn't it the humane thing to do to help them in the best capacity you can? Maybe you won't physically put yourself in harm's way but you can call the cops, you can make noise, blow on a horn something? How do you live with knowing your choice to do nothing contributed to a human being's death?

Why am I bringing up this disturbing stuff? Because a 15 year old girl in a town not too far from where I grew up was at a Homecoming dance Saturday (SF Gate article). She went outside intending to call her dad to come pick her up, when a group of kids called her over and invited her to drink with them. One of them was a boy she knew and he escorted her to the group. They shared alcohol and se got drunk pretty fast. Once she was drunk, someone dragged her to a bench, where several people stripped her, beat her, stole her jewelry and other belongings, and raped her.

The sexual assault continued for about two hours, detectives estimate, with several young men and boys taking part, possibly including some who arrived after the attack began, as word spread (Mercury News article).

And some took video. Or took pictures. Or laughed while she was assaulted. And some people (maybe kids at the dance or others) walked by or passed as this happened and did nothing. Didn't respond. Nothing.

News of the ongoing rape eventually reached Raul Rubio from passers-by, as he stood on a corner with friends about a block from campus. After verifying the claim, he went to his girlfriend's nearby home (from other reports seven blocks away), and she called 911. When the cops arrived the girl was alone, obviously traumatized, semiconscious and under a picnic table. She was airlifted to a hospital.

I don't care that she was drunk (well she's underage so I do care...but I digress). What I mean is, people are inebriated everyday of all ages in all sorts of situations male or female. Does that mean they are asking to be abused? No. And no means no.

I won't belabor the disgust, anger and frustration this makes me feel. I will say some days the people of the world make the optimist in me die, just a little bit. That girl will hopefully survive this to live a full and rich life but how can you have healthy relationships, how do you grow and meet a nice boy and have healthy sexual expression after at least 10 bullies have taken something that should be at minimum fun and at it's deepest realization sacred and turned it into something degrading, humiliating and cruel?

I hope should I find myself a bystander to such horror that even if fear and confusion paralyze me a moment I can behave to do the humane thing. I can say I would right now because I believe that of myself but I have also witnessed that saying and doing are different when you are actually in a situation. That said, I feel strongly one way or another - I would do something to help the victim.

I mean hell, even though I think it would be unlikely...what if that was my niece? My sister? My daughter? My mom? My nephew? My brother? My son? (I have no kids yet...but you get the point). Guys get attacked too, you know.

What if it was yours?

Wouldn't you want someone to do something?

What if it was you?

Paranormal Activity Movie

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 06:48:53 GMT

New movie Paranormal Activity? Seen at night?

Freaky little movie.

A young couple suspects that their house is haunted by a malevolent entity. They set up video surveillance to capture evidence of what happens at night as they sleep...

Lovely Hitchcock elements too....believable acting of the leads and it does feel like a documentary. No overdone special effects...but mostly freaky as heck if you are inclined to believe in paranormal things. Well-paced, it takes it time to build tension though the story starts immediately. It's intense and builds the right amount of frustration to make you want to yell at the characters on the screen for making decisions you just know aren't going to work out though at points you understand why....I don't know if it is super scary for those that aren't inclined toward such thoughts but it is definitely creepy.

I recommend it. But maybe during the day. When you are with a group of friends. And you're going to all have a sleep over together. For a day or two.

And none of you owns, will borrow, buy or use a Ouija board.

Maybe.....

Blog Action Day '09: Climate Change

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 03:50:12 GMT

There are a lot of contexts for climate change, though the earth or the atmosphere often come to mind and should be considered.

But today, I encourage you to consider what climate speaks to you and talk about it today, think about it and perhaps how you might positively affect it for yourself, for the world or for the benefit of others. We all share time here so why not share some of the care taking too?

My climate change thoughts are about attitudes and beliefs. I think many significant changes start from within. Climate is the world but climate can also refer to the comparative microcosm of friends, family and community around you. I urge anyone who reads this to just think about that.

What is the climate you're living in? Do you like it? Are you happy?

How can you improve it for yourself and others? Isn't worth seeing someone you care about smile?

Is there one action, one act you can do that will help to contribute to a richer, more fulfilling climate?

For all the days you have to spend as you choose, could you offer a day, an hour, 5 minutes to do sometime positive toward the climate around you?

My change is simple and it's to offer more of my time toward making climates better for other who need help. This year I was heavily involved with charity work and this small act has brought a change in me that will echo in my climate always.

I believe in the butterfly effect. Little acts can beget great changes.

If your climate is perfect for you I challenge you to consider doing something to improve someone else's climate, to bring positive change in their life and even better without their knowledge.

If your climate is in need of changes, try to make one significant change for a week. Just one and if you can't do it alone look for ways to gain help or support. There ar many local charities that help with things from utilities and mortgage payments, physical therapy, support issues and much more. There is no shame in taking help when it is offered and truly needed.

And if neither of these apply, then I challenge you to think more grandly about a significant change you can make that will help improve the world around you and it's climate. Get the car smog checked. Change your choice of supplies to recycled and do so yourself. Improve your carbon footprint. Offer time to a charity that is helping to make a difference in the climate we live in that you support or believe. Do one small thing and watch what blossoms.

Perhaps as each of use goes about our act of positive climate change others will be moved or inspired too.

I wish you the best.

This Thursday Get Involved....Blog Action Day

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:22:52 GMT

If you are motivated:

Thursdays are hard days for me with work and classes, but I'm going to post something about this year's theme "Climate Change"....the cool part is you can interpret the theme however you like...

Why not get involved?

It's Happening Again...

Sat, 13 Jun 2009 15:48:09 GMT

I don't have a lot of time. They are coming.

The cats have started that strange yowling, hissing with arched backs. They back-up slow and low to the ground on their haunches with their ears flat and eyes like slits looking out the windows, the doors. It's just like before. Two years since the last time it happened and I thought it was a horrible accident. The fuckers said it was a fluke and we'd never have to worry again. For all the government does, they still will lie when it suits them.

If we live through this, I'm going to make sure they all know how I feel about that. No, when we live. I choose to live.

***

I just got off the phone with my mom who saw the news reports of the looting and violence in her area. She is trapped. She warned us not to worry about her she's had her time and she loves us. I know the things we saw...the things we did left wounds on all of us but yelled through my tears that passive suicide is still suicide. She says she isn't suicidal she has the axe, she just doesn't want us to risk ourselves for her. But we're family, we stay together.

And she's a little old woman with an axe, hairspray and a lighter. Even after all that happened, she wouldn't touch a gun. If they took her and made her I think I would die from what they did to her. From knowing what we would have to do to her.

I can hear the screams and guns starting - they are still a few blocks away and the news says that some are slow but some are really fast.

My husband is getting us packed and telling me to quit wasting time but if we don't make it someone should know.

***

Ok. I can type again for a moment. Called my brother as he lives closer to her than I do - I'm sure if we can get out in time we can all make it to Dispatch. My brother still has his metal bat, a gun and his girls are older now - they can defend themselves better and at least keep look out and scream.

I remember everything from two years ago. My fallen teacher and the horrors on campus during summer school. Driving over putrefied remains, my car splashed in blood and worse fluids. Blood on my tongue where I bit my lip too hard so I wouldn't start to scream because I thought I might not stop. At home my husband and the cats were wild, terrified and angry. We piled in the car and met my brother and his family, mom and sickly dad at my brother's job (the horrors at the hospice are more than I have time to describe).

We will go back to Dispatch again, even if my brother no longer works for them because his boss swore the pact would hold for life. Hell it has to hold I don't know a better place closer and their numbers will only swell as hours pass. Last time, we stood side-by side with the truckers armed with drums of gas and oil, guns, swords, sticks and bats. I can't forget all the screams and gurgles, the fear. The awful sounds of meat and bone tearing amid screams, the slurping of fluids, the chewing of tender flesh. The scent of rotting and burning human flesh in my nose took months to dissipate. And I knew some of them they were acquaintances...friends. Little children. Old men. Beautiful women. Ugly women. It didn't matter. They were all monsters in the end.

Eric, Kenley, Dog, Mr. Willows, Debbie they all fell and then came back to fall again. Except Mr. Willows. Worse than the scent of death is remembering him begging us not to do it, insisting he'd be ok it wasn't what we thought. I can't forget the way the bat sounded as it met the back of his head.

It will be chaos and blood. Terror and loss and I don't want to die. Don't want any more of my family and friends to die. But I know it's likely. Lightening rarely strike twice.

My husband is gathering the cats in the car and this time he has the gun and a bow and arrow - he thinks we can use fire arrows and the car to cut a path. I have my metal bat and makings for Molotovs if we need them. Supplies, food, strips of cloth, first aid kit are all in the car. We kept prepared. Maybe deep down we knew they lied to us, but we were diligent for... an earthquake. A flat tire. Or so we told the new neighbors. But it was always for this. Always. We should try to check on the neighbors even if they were standoffish. God, I'm so glad we cremated dad. If they get mom. They can't. I can't take it.

If you don't know what to do, start by deciding if you are going to live or die and stick with it. If you choose to die, get out of the way of those of us who want to live. Take yourself out or hide someplace before they get to you or someone else will. I've seen it.

If you choose to live, find a fortified place. Gather supplies and know water and weapons are most important. Flammables are a bonus. Baseball bats gets you closer than you might like but can work if you don't hesitate you can even stun them with a few hits and nail their heads until pulpy. If you are outnumbered run like hell and don't pause. Some of them are faster than they let on. Gunshots to the head are good but for certainty, I'd say axes are best.

You've got to take off their heads. Dismemberment only gives you more to avoid.

***

I've got no time - my brother has reached mom but they are trapped - we have to get them. We have to. We have to make it to Dispatch. We'll be ok if we can get there. Have to contact the rest of the family too.

Damn them. They said it wouldn't happen again, but sometimes lightening does strike twice.

There is going to be hell to pay this time if they get my mom, my brother and his family. If they touch a hair on my husband's head or the cats. I don't care how dramatic or ridiculous that sounds.

I mean it. I will give them hell.

Today is Earth Day

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:21:02 GMT

Little things count and add up to larger goals, visions or dreams. A world that is a little more green and a little less smokey is not a bad goal to press - and it takes so little to achieve if many try.

It is consistency that is the kicker!

Check out the website. Learn about the Green Generation and remember the little things really add up.

If it is easy to do something, a little thing to make your world better for those you love, will love and for yourself, if doing one small thing can collectively make a large impact .... well isn't it worth trying?

Happy Earth Day!

Happy Easter! Happy Spring!

Sun, 12 Apr 2009 19:00:58 GMT

Hope you enjoy the day!

Observation: The Power of Attraction

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 06:43:19 GMT

Riding the train today I observed the power of attraction at work.

I take the train to and from work and I've been riding for a while now. There are faces you see as you ride that become familiar. Sometimes you nod and say hello to each other, but nothing too deep. Today as semi-usual I arrived at the station a bit early for my train and waited with many of the usual suspects for it to arrive. Without much more than a glance, a man begins to talk with me. He speaks as though he's never seen me before or even asked me the time which he has. It's clear he doesn't remember. In a very clearly determined way he presses to strike up a conversation with me, begins to ask questions, etc. I'm generally pretty oblivious if someone is hitting on me I never expect it and seldom put it together unless it's pointed out to me afterward. I don't really suppose that he was though it is possible, but I do know it was interesting that he chose very deliberately to strike up a conversation as even as I tried to read and keep an eye on my surroundings.

He was a good distance away when he began his approach. He deliberately sauntered over: a lanky man dressed in a powder blue hoodie, deep blue pants and Nike sneakers. He had a very white smile. He moved my direction, trying to walk aimlessly but still toward me as I sat apart though not too far from other would be passengers. He stopped in front of me and interrupted my book reading to comment about the weather and then talked about his work, family, holidays, profession, hopes to relocate etc., He never asked my name, nor I his. He never stopped moving as he spoke hopping from one foot to another or pacing a bit. I guessed it was the cold. His voice was clear and a slightly higher register than you'd expect from his height or looks.

The train arrived and we boarded. He sat near though not next to me and watched me while he made small talk with his usual group of friends. He was loud about the fact he wouldn't be riding for a week for vacation and stared at me as he said it while I tried to resume reading my book. Meanwhile another set of riders I've seen many times sat next to or near me a group of five and interrupted my book reading attempt again, pressed me to join their conversation. Again, I don't want to assume the level of attraction involved with this group, but we had friendly banter and it made the time pass pleasantly (though I really had wanted to read my book this morning). Sometime during my discussion with the group the first guy left at his stop with a stare and a nod to me as he left. The group sitting with me grew smaller at every other stop and was still shrinking when I reached mine.

Returning home from work yet another regular rider I've seen before offered me his seat as the train was REALLY full. Was he just being a nice guy? Possibly. He might have tried to say something to me but for the crush of people who came on soon after he offered his seat, which forced him to move to the center of the train car (a miserable place to be when the train is overly full). It made discussion aside from yelling impossible. But I've observed his gesture to offer a seat is reserved usually for women he has some level of attraction as he has always followed the gesture with some attempt to hit on them. He will offer the object of his interest a seat over a senior citizen that would better benefit from the seat which I've always thought was rude.

There were no senior citizens, moms with babies or physically challenged people around when he offered his seat to me this time. I looked.

So I've been thinking about what made these people notice me today versus the weeks/months they've seen me before, sat next to or across from me...even seen me dressed in the exact same outfit? Was I more friendly or open now? Was I rude or sullen then? No, none of that. The only thing I can conclude is something with me has changed so what is it?

A new hairstyle.

That's my only change. I fixed my hair differently. Its curly right now and just above my shoulders plus I added a few coppery highlights that compliment my skin. I'd been wearing it naturally dark and pulled back for a while until I could decide what I wanted to do with it. I didn't even wear any make up today - I just forgot (I tend to do that).

Now, it could be that I've become attractive on some level to these people, not necessarily sexually but just fitting their view of approachable. It could be me - that I have my hair done and feel good about myself so I carry myself in a more inviting way (possible but...I don't feel I'm acting differently). It could be they were shy and overcame it, but that would be three instances of "shy," so I believe that is highly unlikely. It could just have been "one of those things."

So what have I concluded? The only sure thing that I can.

The power of attraction really is always at work in some form or another.

Have you noticed it happening with you lately?

Happy Holidays!

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 19:12:25 GMT

Merry Christmas! Happy Yule! Happy Hanukkah! Happy Kwanzaa! Happy Festivus!

Happy Holidays however you choose to celebrate!

Finals are complete!

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 18:50:31 GMT

*passes out*

Rest In Peace

Sat, 13 Dec 2008 05:25:59 GMT

Betty Page

Timeless.

Hmmm, My Spritual Number Says...Wow.

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 05:30:51 GMT

Your Spiritual Number is Six

You bring communication and empathy into people's lives.

You are very open and understanding. You can accept difficult people.

Right now, your life is about being understood. You have trouble with your own vulnerability.

You end up playing the role of therapist in relationships, and it's hard to get people to ask about you.

You will take time out for those you love, even if you don't have much time. You can't help but be nurturing.

You are very responsible and ethical. You deliver on your promises.

What's Your Spiritual Number?

This thing might be a bit more accurate than I'd like...

I find this adorable....

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 21:38:12 GMT

Even the music doesn't faze me:

Happy Samhain/Halloween!!!

Sat, 01 Nov 2008 01:20:58 GMT

However you recognize Samhain (except in the way that causes harm to others no wishes there)- I hope it is ultimately fun, positive and candy-filled.

Blog Action Day! Topic: Poverty

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 22:32:32 GMT

"There is poverty of the body and spirit. They aren't always related but they can relate."

At least thats what came to mind as I mulled over what I might say on this topic for this year's Blog Action Day. Poverty of the body I believe most people are familiar with the concept, if they don't have first hand experience. To do without, to barely make it, to not make it at all. Lack of shelter, food and clothing. We've all been assailed with images of suffering of those in our homeland and across the world. This can be a lack of home, food or resources to acquire these things. There are some who think that if you have two hands, two legs or even one of each and can reasonably think or follow directions, then you are at fault for your circumstance. You should and can rise above it.

But in a place like America it has to be considered, who really gives an opportunity to an able bodied person who hasn't a change of clothes, a residence or a reliable shower to use? Someone with a brilliant mind who walks into any business without the resources to get a reliable good night's sleep or know he or she will be fed so he or she can come to work prepared to give the best effort - no one wants to offer employment to someone in that situation. "No shoes, no shirt, no business." It is easy to condemn those who one feels ought to be doing better, but I believe it is shortsighted not to consider all that we expect and require of those who have nothing and want to do better. We have our assumptions that judge these individuals. We worry of how our company would be perceived or how it may reflect on us personally. With such thoughts we deny a true opportunity for someone able bodied and mentally fit to do better, to rise from circumstance by "His/her own bootstraps," and earn those basic comforts for his or herself. Comforts those of us above poverty can easily take for granted or perhaps have forgotten of the time we may have struggled. It can be argued by some that the poorest in America may still be richer than those overseas and poor or that American poor are still in better straits to overcome their situation, but I think in the case of anyone having to go without basic human needs of shelter, food and clothing there's no point in splitting hairs.

Poor is poor, hungry is hungry and cold is cold.

Comparatively that poverty of spirit? There are many more people who suffer this whether they "have" or "have not." There are many reasons for it too. There are circumstances, environment, body chemistry, a lack of faith (in anything), upbringing, cultural influences, life experiences, community, expectations of others and expectations of self. So how to resolve it? The answer is as varied as the causes but I tend to like solutions that are able to multitask and solve more than one issue at a time. So here is something to consider: perhaps giving of time, thought, action or even a donation to someone who is physically in poverty will help lighten both the donator and receiver's burdens of spiritual poverty. It seems to me most people who have compassion and want to make a difference for the betterment of others and selves could help someone else attain the basic comforts of life and help diminish the receiver's spiritual poverty. In turn, the donator gains a sense accomplishment to know they have done something positive that helps someone else move a step closer to living a more enriched life.

There seems to be a fear of giving too much and having nothing of your own left after. Amazing how this paralyzes or creates excuses to not care or feel like the effort is pointless for so many people. But I believe in the possibility that poverty can be ended, if not greatly diminished the world over. It requires truthful answers to the questions of how responsible you feel to aid others in need, how much of a priority it is to see an end of poverty and how connected you want to or do feel to those who are truly in need. It's a choice to act or not.

Small things add up. You can blog like this. You can go volunteer for a community or national organization that helps people in poverty circumstances. You can expand your knowledge about the kinds of poverty in the world to be diligent of how not to add to it and to avoid it. You can donate food, clothes, a shoulder or cash. You don't even have to tell anyone or crow about it. You can just do one small thing and relieve the pressure for someone else's body and/or spirit. Every action counts.

Thanks for reading. I hope you are richer for it and that you choose to share your wealth with others.

Writer's Block: A.A. Milne

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 22:53:01 GMT

Some people find Eeyore’s gloomy outlook charming. Others prefer the bouncy enthusiasm of Tigger. Who would you rather be trapped in an elevator with: Eeyore or Tigger?

View 501 Answers

I love Tigger. LOVE tigger. Being in an elevator with Tigger would probably turn into an adventure because of the bouncing! While Eeyore's patient emo depression would be calmer it would also lead to more anxiety. Tigger might bounce us around and be impatient, may even frustrate me at moments but my spirits would stay uplifted.

Definitely Tigger.

SNL Is Full of Win

Sun, 14 Sep 2008 15:50:25 GMT

Tina Fey as Sarah Palin + Amy Poehler as Hillary Clinton = Serious WIN!

Thank you DVR!

T.G.I.F.

Sat, 13 Sep 2008 00:24:04 GMT

Why did you take so long? Couldn't you see I was in agony waiting for you?

Yet Another Reason Why I Could Bear John Stewart's Lovechild....

Sat, 30 Aug 2008 01:26:56 GMT

This is superb! Whether you are an Obama supporter or not - this is just so funny. It is an amazing amount of celebrity around such a political figure...it's funny.

Stewart, is there nothing you can't make me laugh about?

Regarding the Pixar Wall-E Movie...

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 05:44:30 GMT

Yes...

4th of July!

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 04:44:22 GMT

Short message, little tipsy.

Wishing all of you stateside and patriots out of country a happy 4th of July!