My Thoughts on Blade: The Series

I watched Blade: The Series last night. (I taped it from Wednesday night.). It was very action-packed and kept in well with the three movies. "Sticky" Jones does a good job taking over from Wesley Snipes and the Krista character was a welcome shocker. This show is not for children because of the profanity (everything but the f-bomb) and the intense violence (the hatchet in the leg).

I'm looking forward to next week's episode.

Time's Running Out

The deadline for submitting to Appalling Limericks is Friday, June 30, 2006. Send up to four limericks in the science fiction, fantasy, and horror genres to appallingNOSPAMlimericks@yahoo.com and take out the NOSPAM. Thanks. We look forward to reading your work.

Poem Up at Aphelion Webzine

My poem "Bridging the Galaxies" is up at Aphelion Webzine. You can read it at http://www.aphelion-webzine.com/poetry/2006/06/Bridging.htm.

Summer Reading

Since this is the first day of summer, I thought I'd talk about my summer reading. So far I'm about a quarter way through Creepers by David Morrell. This book tied for a Stoker Award this year. I can see why.

Good Skin Checkup

I went to the dermatologist for the first time yesterday and found out I don't have skin cancer. At my age, I figured I'd better do it. Girls my age laid out all the time and I was no different. Fortunately I didn't use tanning beds.

Everyone should get their skin checked. It's painless.

Bram Stoker Award Winners

The Bram Stoker Awards for works published in 2005 are:

Novel (Tie): Creepers – David Morrell, Dread in the Beast – Charlee Jacob
First Novel: Scarecrow Gods – Weston Ochse
Short Fiction: We Now Pause for Station Identification – Gary Braunbeck
Long Fiction: Best New Horror – Joe Hill
Anthology: Dark Delicacies – Del Howison/Jeff Gelb
Fiction Collection: Twentieth Century Ghosts – Joe Hill
Nonfiction: Horror: Another 100 Best Books – Stephen Jones/Kim Newman
Poetry Collection(Tie): Freakcidents – Michael A. Arnzen, Sineater – Charlee Jacob
Lifetime Achievement Award: Peter Straub
Specialty Press Award: Necessary Evil Press
Richard Laymon (President’s Award): Lisa Morton

Congratulations to all the winners! Well deserved.

RIP Flesh & Blood Magazine

Unfortunately Flesh & Blood Magazine has closed after over five years in production. I wish Jack Fisher the best in his new endeavors. It was a great mag.

It's sad that it went out with a whimper, whereas here where I live, the death of a dog used in commercials made headline news in the local paper. The dog even got two large photos on the front page. Allegedly, the dog's owners received cards, condolences, and flowers. I suspect there are some dead people who aren't that well regarded.

Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people." I wonder what she would think about the glorification of the death of a dog over people and the closing of a great magazine. Now that's food for thought.

Myth Buster

I recently read an article debunking the growth of hair and nails after death. It turns out that the growth doesn't occur. The hair and nails look longer because of skin shrinkage due to dehydration.

Short Story Published in Girlphoria

My short story "A View to a Screw" is now up at Girlphoria.com. You must be 18 years of age or older to log on.

Do Not Call List

The United States has a national "Do Not Call List" to keep telemarketers away. I know they have to make a living too, but I don't like all the calls. It expires every five years. Make sure you're up to date by going to http://www.donotcall.gov.

Puddle of Blood

I wish a speedy recovery to Steelers' quaterback Ben Roethlisberger. For those not in the know, he was injured in a motorcycle accident in Pittsburgh. He had seven hours of surgery yesterday for facial injuries, including a broken nose and jaw.

Unfortunately, Fox Sports published a puddle of his blood encircled on the pavement on their website. Was that really necessary? No wonder kids today are desensitized to violence.

BSFAN

I got my copy of Balticon 40's BSFAN by UPS yesterday. Inside is my poem "The Missing Link" which won third place in the poetry contest. It's a really cool publication with some good stories and fantastic artwork.

Common Courtesy

I recently went to an appointment and an old woman spoke over my back to the receptionist. What happened to common courtesy? It's really annoying that some people think that just because they're old that the world owes them something for living. A long life full of happiness is reward enough.

Poem in AlienSkin Magazine

My poem "Cooking Clones" is up at AlienSkin Magazine. You can read it at http://www.alienskinmag.com/flash3.htm. I can also be found in their interrogation Chamber. Read what I and other authors in this issue have to say at http://www.alienskinmag.com/interrogation.htm.

The Difference Between Publicity and Notoriety

It seems like some people are desperate to see their name in print. Some want a legacy, while others want to be the center of attention. There's a difference between publicity and notoriety. Publicity, in my opinion, is the announcing of good news for the benefit of a business or individual. Notoriety is the announcing of any news for entertainment or shock value, that may or may not be positive. Notoriety is the lack of privacy, like approving an article that mentions personal things better left in private, or silly stunts. Is seeing your name in print worth making a fool of yourself, to where fifty years from now, your family is ashamed of you? Publicity is fine. Just make sure it doesn't morph to notoriety.

Poem in Fifth Anniversary Issue of Aoife's Kiss

My poem "The Great Rain" is in the fifth anniversary issue of Aoife's Kiss. You can get your copy at http://www.genremall.com.

Issue 3 of Afterburn SF is Live!

Issue 3 of Afterburn SF went live today. Come on over to http://afterburnsf.com and check us out.