Archive for Random

Mayfair Witches Misses the Point

September 11, 2023 Random Comments Off on Mayfair Witches Misses the Point

I really, really wanted to love this TV series. The Witching Hour is my favorite horror novels of all time. I actually prefer them over the Lestat novels. Alexandra Daddario was perfectly cast as the most important character.

Unfortunately, they diluted the story too much, in an attempt to fit a 1056 page book into 8 episodes. They combined two, crucial characters and destroyed a huge plot point as a result. They eliminated most of the magic for me.

In spite of being renewed for a second season, I won’t be watching past the first, free episode.

A little, and a little, and a little…

November 8, 2012 Random Comments Off on A little, and a little, and a little…

Something wonderful happened a few weeks ago (and this morning), but today seems an apropos time to share it. I got into a headstand. Not all that surprising, considering I’ve been practicing yoga since 1999.

Still, this was a heartwarming achievement for me. I tore my left rotator cuff last winter. I was in agony for a couple of months. A simple trip on the sidewalk would send me into indescribable pain, and my hand would go slack. Even sleep was difficult. I kept rolling onto the bad side and waking myself up. It has been a slow and uncomfortable recovery, and I’m still working to regain all the mobility in my left arm.

For the most part, I have succeeded in seeing this whole experience as just another one of those things; just a challenge meant to be overcome. During the hardest part, though, I worried I might never be able to do a number of things, including stand on my head, and it brought me to tears. Yoga is my bliss, my consolation, my center, my serenity, my sanity. I knew I would adjust and accept if it wasn’t meant to be. After all, that’s one of the things I’ve learned since I began practicing.

Words cannot express my gratitude and joy at regaining something I had prepared myself to lose. My teacher used to say, “A little, and a little, and a little.” That’s what got me here. Perseverance and persistence, and a whole lot of hope. I got me here, by getting on that mat and not giving up. And I don’t intend to ever do so.

It’s the small things you do every day, without really seeing the results, until the luxury of time and perspective allow you to look back and connect the dots. They mean more than the large milestones. They’re the unsung heroes of our lives, making it better in such tiny increments that the wonderful parts sometimes sneak up on us.

I wish you many small victories!

Namaste

Scribblings From a Writer’s Chair

October 8, 2012 Random, Writing Comments Off on Scribblings From a Writer’s Chair

The short story I’m preparing for a December submission is coming along nicely! About 90% done with the first draft, and I believe revisions will be minimal.

I am. Loving. This story.

I will most likely roll it into a subsequent novel. That will probably mean much much much more research, but if there’s one thing the Renaissance Faire did, it turned me into a research junkie. And I’ve got a fellow addict in Matthew Boroson, who’s already flooded my inbox with fantastic material. By the way, Matthew just won a first place award in the Speculative Fiction Category for his brilliant novel, City of Strangers, at the Colorado Gold Writers Conference 2012!

Now, if I only had time to do some accompanying art for it. But my drawing hand is reserved for two highly esteemed associates in the writing industry, Guy Anthony De Marco and Sam Knight. More on those stories as they develop!

Back I go to my my indomitable heroine and my latte. Hope you all have a wonderful and productive day!

In Dreams…

August 9, 2012 Random Comments Off on In Dreams…

I awoke from a dream… It’s a common topic of morning conversation, isn’t it? Sometimes crazy, sometimes sobering, but almost always thought provoking if you can remember it. This one was about helping others. It was mystical and ethereal. I walked from room to room in a beautiful, glowing palace, seeing friends in conversation wherever I went. And in each room, I had a philosophical response to one or more of them. I suppose it could have been interpreted as my meddling, but I was warmed and buoyed by seeing a spark of imagination and comfort in each of their eyes.

I will never pretend to know all the answers. I’m just as flawed as the next human being in the room. But whenever I find something that helps me, I want to share it. Not to put myself in a place of power or authority, but to help the ones I care about. To help anyone who’s struggling nearby, or on the other side of the planet. Because we’re all in this together. But a caveat: advice should always come with consent from the recipient. Unsolicited counsel can spoil the soup. It’s about giving. OK, I confess. It’s also about that wonderful feeling you get when you see it helped someone else… <3

Have a wonderful day. I know I sure will…

Sky Temple - Ganesha. Photoshop composite from 2012
Sky Temple – Ganesha. Digital composite, 2012

So Many Huge Steps

August 7, 2012 Random Comments Off on So Many Huge Steps

I’ve always been in love with science fiction. But we are in an era where science fact is just as, if not more, interesting. What a wonderful time to be alive, as we explore another planet in our solar system, and get up to the minute images and information. Hope you find this as interesting and fantastic as I do. The image below is a link to Curiosity’s very own Ustream page:

First color image from Curiosity

For the most current information, please refer to NASA’s Mars page. And what could be more fitting an image than the first color image from the Curiosity expedition:

Curiosity's first color image.

Something to Celebrate…

August 2, 2012 Random Comments Off on Something to Celebrate…

Joie and me at Sho Chiku Bai sake tasting, circa 2005. A wonderful day in our history. <3

When you look back on your life, you can find things to be proud of if you look hard enough. This one’s not too hard to locate. I’ve known Joell Schmidling-Peysar since we were 12. That’s 32 years, if you’re counting! She’s the closest thing to a sister I will ever have in this lifetime. The road has been long, and full of times, both hard and unimaginably good. She’s a devoted mother and family member, one of the most positive people I’ve ever met in my life, and a fiercely supportive and protective friend. She taught me to see the bright side of any situation. She taught me about patience and fidelity. And today, I celebrate the anniversary of her birth.

Happy Birthday, Joie! Thank you for making my life a better place. I look forward to many more memories to add to our virtual scrapbook. Don’t you forget about me…

Round Two!

July 29, 2012 Random Comments Off on Round Two!

I’m up, dressed, hydrated, fast broken, and adrenaline pumping. My goal: Fill one more bin with leaves and twigs. It’s almost disturbing sometimes, when I get on a tear and want to barrel through a project. One might venture to suggest I’m obsessive about it. But I’m proud of the fact that I know when to call quitting time. But until then, I’m signing off, because part of knowing my limitations is knowing I should get the heavy labor done before the heat of the day sets in. Have a fantastic Sunday, everyone!

Communing with Nature

July 28, 2012 Random One comment

I just spent a solid three hours trying to tame the yard. I know it’s a never ending battle, but there’s something thrilling to me about getting your blood pumping, sweating your butt off, feeling alive, and having something to admire after you’re done with it.

Trying to keep it to small doses, though. Overdoing it in a new climate could be hazardous to my health, and just plain silly. So now I’m going to go sit on the patio with an iced cold barley tea and smugly survey my accomplishments.

A Thought For Today:

July 26, 2012 Random Comments Off on A Thought For Today:

To die for an idea; it is unquestionably noble. But how much nobler it would be if men died for ideas that were true. -H.L. Mencken, writer, editor, and critic (1880-1956)
From Wordsmith.org’s A.Word.A.Day

Sometimes, you just have to laugh…

July 26, 2012 Random Comments Off on Sometimes, you just have to laugh…

It’s first thing after I’ve gotten out of bed. Well, after I’ve cleaned up cat ralph and done my daily shoulder stretches (mobility is markedly improved, btw!). I’m standing in the office, talking to Quincy, and this song pops up on Random.

Is this the universe trying to tell me something? As if I didn’t know! Maybe it’s trying to tell me the elusive paycheck is just around the corner. Either way, it made me laugh with my whole body. Gotta take enjoyment out of life where you can, you know?

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