Once in a Blue Moon

This phenomenon happens about once in 20 years and will arrive tonight, with a full Moon on New Year's Eve. It won't happen again for 29 years. Let's hope it bodes a prosperous 2010 in which we can find some solid ground and sanity in our world.

I plan on staying off the highways and the Rev is partying someplace where they actually have young people - and parties. My only goals will be to continue creating, writing, painting, and trying to avoid frivolous promises I probably won't keep - like diet and exercise. As if that's ever going to happen. To all of you, Precious Readers, I wish health, happiness, and whatever you dream.

Still at War with the World

Once we tie up Yemen, the only country standing in the way of our Empire is Iran, and they're having a convenient civil war. No, I'm not cutting myself off from news until 1/1/10, trying to get used to the idea of being disconnected this week. In the meantime, CNN reports that the Nigerian bomber was more likely radicalized at college in London - not while in Yemen. So, why aren't we bombing England? And did they waterboard the guy to get his confession? The only thing the pundits are arguing is whether this deluded soul deserves Miranda Rights and medical care?! Whatever, paving the way for that continuous oil pipeline is looking much better, and we're well on our way to justifying Big Brother's facial-recognition cameras and being strip-searched at the airport.

Took the long trek to the 'city' yesterday, because there's no place to get the 2010 Day Timer refill - another addiction from my corporate days. As I prepare to sit down and map out my goals for the coming year, all I can say is that the past decade totally sucked. Bon Voyage.

News Overload

I'm considering a resolution to stop watching all news shows. I'm so tired of war; we have never NOT been at war in my entire, long lifetime. That's pretty damned sad, and I've always been of the opinion that forewarned is forearmed. But there seems to be nothing anyone can do with our runaway plutocracy. It's simply too big and too corrupt and they've got us all where they want us - poor, unemployed, uneducated, and with little power to affect anything. So, I'm questioning whether it's worth it to suffer the angst of listening to the start of yet another, useless war - for more years than I have to learn to be at peace before I shove off this mortal coil.

It came as a welcome relief last night to stand on my front porch and witness a double rainbow circling an almost full Moon. My people, the Plain Folk, called these Moon Dogs. It was glorious, like being part of the fabled Aurora Borealis. Next year may be more about beauty than content as I try to distance myself from any political addiction. We'll see how that goes and I'll let you know. The Moon will be totally full on the 31st. That bodes something, I'm sure.

Best Seller List

Palin's ghost-written autobiography has appeared at the top of the NY Times list for 3 weeks now, but an even more disturbing sight greeted me yesterday. Glen Beck's book, a direct rip-off of O'Henry, is there at the bottom of the Fiction List. That begs these questions: is the Times owned by the Murdock monopoly and simply providing wishful thinking; are the numbers included for pre-buying by political groups who are giving it away for donations; or is the entire Country nuts?

I refuse to believe we've finally attained a Nation of Idiots, but who knows with all the education cuts. Maybe the population can no longer digest writing past the 3rd grade level. BTW, how stooopid do you have to be when you must hire a stranger to write your life?

Religion & Politics

Yep, 2 subjects never to discuss in polite company, but thanks to a douche wad zealot, Homeland Security now has created even more hoops to hurdle at the airport. You won't be able to leave your seat for an hour before landing, among other stipulations. Hell, as a sexagenarian, I have to piss at least every half hour!

A privileged, Nigerian, son of affluent banking family tried and failed to blow up a plane headed to Detroit. So much for that high classed electrical engineering degree, huh? I haven't traveled in awhile but I do have a son on his way home from holidays in the Midwest. So, thanks a bunch, you idiot, for making it even more difficult for travelers and for confirming the Right Wing zealots of this country in their opinions that Islam is dangerous. And the myths just keep getting validated.

If you wanted to be mad at somebody who WAS responsible for many of the world's woes, instead of targeting innocent passengers, why not blow up your banking family? What is even more shameful is pundits who come out of the woodwork during an occasion like this to try and link his bomb-making training to Yemen - as justification for our own horrible wars. Get it straight, Precious Readers, this has little to do with Nigeria, Islam, Yemen, or any other 'wag the dog' case for resurrecting Big Brother.

On Celebrating Solo

If you've never tried it, you should. Of course the first years are the roughest, because we keep expecting the nostalgia in our heads to be reality. It gets easier. This year, I took a long bath in lavender salts a BFF sent, realizing that I really hate baths. As an added bonus when one ages, it gets increasingly harder to get in and out of an antique tub! Listened to sentimental, WWII ballads while I soaked and couldn't stand the simplicity of them, so I switched to Queen and Beck. Much better to flood the house with. Ate pizza and watched Up, which finally came from a long library wait. Although, I'd like to hate all things Disney (noting their blatant blacksploitation of 'Princess & the Frog), it was a delightful, funny pull at the heart strings.

All in all a stellar day, topped off by a couple of phone calls from people I really did want to talk to. Whenever I got maudlin, I simply looked at my painting of Rockwell's 'Freedom from Hunger' (mine's called 'Hunger for Freedom'), in which I painted my family as the truly are. Snapped me right out of it. No paper to burn or dishes to wash. Or trees killed.

Goodbye, Evil Santa

Remove the kids from the room; yes, Evil Santa went up in flames last night, so I'm not sure how Xmas turned out for everyone else. Wasn't going to upload the pix, but they were just too good. Please take note that he was holding a gun at the time the arson took place. I've been forever sorry that I taught my own son to buy into this myth, not because it wasn't fun when he was a toddler. There were precious moments. But, hopes are so strong in the young, and he generally got the things on his list that we could afford. Then, when I had to inform him that Santa wasn't real (of course it was me; the Charming Bastard Father never took on any of those difficult tasks), some of the light died in his eyes. I don't think he ever trusted me with the same loyalty and certainty again, that I would lie to him about something so fundamental. So, in essence, I was responsible for killing Santa years ago.

For those of you who still have some form of faith and hope, I wish you good holidays without squabbles and a more prosperous economy to help us all. It's the best I can do.

Burning Santa

I'm generally as Agnostic about Xmas as I am about any other Christian, commercial propaganda, but Santa has failed big time this year. He did not bring us ANY health care reform; the economy has tanked with unprecedented unemployment; many of us are in a depression, not a recession; and Obama told his first, outright lie about not campaigning for a public option. Very disappointing. In short, Santa sucks and has only granted me one wish I ever mentioned. I eventually divorced that mis-wish.

The Rev printed out a boxy, Evil Santa from the web last year. We thought it was pretty funny and kept it on the mantle for awhile. Don't know how it survived our chaotic lifestyle. I plan on lighting a medicinal joint with it tonite, since I lack a Yule Log, and sending him a picture of it as he tries to survive introduction to the girlfriend's parents - not to mention the ice storm headed their way. DC got the last Ho, Ho Ho! A politically correct Happy Holidays to y'all.

Zero Sanity

Physicians and nurses groups have come out in public denouncing the 'health care' bill as just more falderall to muddy up an already comatose system. Fickle Finger of Praise to them this month. But it doesn't matter what saner minds proclaim, and even our trusted Dr. Howard Dean has back-tracked for some unknown reason. Disappointing, Dr. Dean. Although the bill won't help anyone but the insurance companies and the public demanded single-payer since the beginning, Senators are determined to pass this Franken-bill by Xmas Eve - so they can miss the big Midwestern ice storm and get home to open their Rolex watches. Finger of Shame to you, Senators; I don't care how you and the White House ice this thing, it's still Hansel & Gretel's gingerbread house.

Fortunately, you've wisely timed it to begin in 2013, hoping that half the Baby Boomers will be dead by then - when those few covered by increased Medicare will kick in. Maybe they're not so dumb after all. Still odious, yes, but far from stupid.

The Emperor's Xmas Clothes

Yes, he's getting them, but they're a mixture of Prada, plaids, and paisleys - horrible. The web has, and will be, bombarded with pleas to tell Obama and our Senators how much we urge them to pass this con man's outfit. Having heard what's being put together, I have deleted them all and will send my own message. "Screw you all - and the special interests you rode in on." As long as you force us to buy insurance and women are dissed with anti-choice measures, you can all go home in your limos, safe and secure in the knowledge that those of us who care about real people will not contribute one dime to Aetna or Cigna.

If any of you have any lingering doubts about this mess, Precious Readers, consider that the AMA just endorsed it and insurance stocks have skyrocketed. Nuff said?

Broken Window Syndrome

For those unfamiliar with the term, it's a working theory that, when you fix the broken windows in a slum, the residents take pride in their surroundings and police themselves. We live in one of the most impoverished, backwoods areas of our county. There are few amenities and it seems like businesses are closing weekly. We're down to 1 grocery, 3 restaurants none of us can afford to eat in, 3 too-expensive galleries, 2 real estate offices (lots of houses for sale with no one buying), a hardware, post office, and a Chamber that does its best to accomplish nothing at all. Like not joining a coalition of co. chambers who seem to know what they're doing and ruining what was an awesome web site. (Um, if any of you are still monitoring this blog, the Aug. 08 Newsletter I created is still up!) So when something nice is added, it comes as a surprise.

About a month ago, what looked like a blue, high school, cafeteria chair appeared at the uncovered, bus stop across the street. There are some elders who take the rare, 3 a day buses and at times it's a long wait, so I didn't ponder who procured it and from where. A week later an orange one joined it, and it heartened me to see that even our usually raucous teens started tipping the chairs against the sign post, so they'd stay somewhat dry in our current rainy season. It was with dismay that I noticed the orange one, set aside and broken this week. It's hard to keep anything nice for long with so much frustration around. When the teen center was closed they ended with nothing to do. It's just sad, and I wish we could fix their broken windows.

Secret Life of Bees

Great book, BTW, but this is about real bees. My gifts to BFF's this year was to donate a hive of bees to 2 families in Honduras thru Heifer International. I figured a family business was a much better gift than some geegaw they didn't need. I love bees since my Dad always had an apiary and I discovered that local honey in green tea will stave off asthma and most colds others suffer. Anyway, in recent studies, scientists have isolated pesticides, carting semis of hives around the country, and weakened immune systems due to climate change as the cause for what they're now calling Colony Collapse Disorder. Well, duh! What have the keepers been saying all along?

In recent years CCD has taken 29+% of living colonies. We lose the bees and the world will not be far behind. With the lame-assed effort the US gave to Cop15, maybe we'd get some action if we stopped calling it Global Warming and started calling it Human Colony Collapse Disorder, because that's what it will be if we don't do something different. Thinking of those 2 families tending their new, tiny colonies will keep me warmer and help me realize I've made a small difference.

Angels & Demons

We finally received the follow-up DVD to Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code and the Rev and I agree that it rated 3 kicks to the balls. (We're now rating movies based on horrible, Jean Claude Van Dame flicks. Clue; don't watch Death Warrant.) The book was an exciting romp through historical data, although I did object to his total exoneration of the Church in any evil conspiracies. The movie was so over-the-top, push to increase attendance at your nearest cathedral, that all I got from it was tremendous anger that the Vatican has a huge basement full of priceless treasures that will never be seen bin daylight. BTW, they also have the world's largest porn collection down there. Ron Howard and Tom Hanks totally missed it on this one.

Anyway, as we slog thru the Xmas season and I must deliver the Rev to the ferry for a trip, we'll not be able to get away from the Hallmark hype. I was tired of the songs about a week after Halloween, and there's no way to explain to anyone that we have no interest in celebrating this skewed representation of a holiday. Be glad when it's over for 9 months. Oh, and Bah Humbug! Bring on the Grinch comments.

Cop15

Should be called Cop15,000, because that's how many thugs the governments flew in to arrest peaceful protesters, throw Friends of the Earth (who had legitimate permits) out of the meeting hall, and generally tamp down on anyone saying anything of importance and sanity. The main goal of the industrial world was to attend and make certain nothing was agreed upon at all. Evo Morales, speaking with the most intellect of anyone attending, said it was a waste of time. And Canada and the US are among the most shameful participants. Hell, Obama even dissed the Nobel galas, including a national children's choir, to come home and push passing a catastrophic health bill before Xmas to make him look like he's actually doing something for 'the little people'. He might take the jet back over to the talks on Fri. for a photo op. Yeah, Chicago Son, the honeymoon's over.

So, if we wanted nothing done, continuing to kiss the ass of Big Biz, might we just say, "Mission Accomplished, Sir!"

Post Partum Art

It happens every time, and I can feel it coming. And it doesn't matter whether it's painting, carpentry, or writing. The best thing to do is start planning for the next one, avoid the blues, and keep the momentum flowing. Here's hoping I remember that when it slams into me. The 2nd editing of the new NaNo book is done and in layouts. Next step is going through and tweaking anything you've overlooked in the thousand times you've read the thing. That's not hyperbole. It is so easy to miss something when you're proofreading your own stuff. And it can be blatantly obvious gaffs. Like I wonder how Stephen King jumped over the fact that he put crocodiles in FL once? (For those non-natives, alligators live in FL, crocs in Africa, and caymans in SA.) But you see what I mean.

So, although I know the aftermath will come, there is everything exciting about getting a book you wrote in print, in your hot little hands. NaNo makes a deal for a free copy from print-on-demand providers each year. Bless their pea-pickin' hearts. Onward!

Rocks & Hard Places

Several economic calamities seem to visit our household at the end or beginnings of each year. First my SSI, which barely pays the mortgage, will increase by the $8 COL they forgot to pay me all thru last year, but no more than that since we didn't have a cost-of-living increase this year. What? Then the mortgage will go up $24 for an escrow shortage that I can't understand even in the fine print. My doctor called to schedule a thyroid test at 6 mos. to check the levels, tho I have a prescription for another 6 mos. That problem developed because of the anti-depressants docs gave out like candy, before any of us knew how detrimental they were. Then she didn't call for 2 wks. with the results, so I finally called her. Seems she was putting it off to talk to me about my lipids. When I asked what the hell that meant, her nurse said, "Your cholesterol." She knows I won't take ANY more medications because the last time she suckered me into cholesterol meds, my arms went numb and I couldn't stand up because of dizziness. Of course, I know the reason she pushes one drug or another is kick-backs - ditto on fancy machines and expensive tests. Few things they do have any regard for our 'health'.

Now I wake up to hear the news that the only real impact 'health care reform' is going to have on me is forcing me to pay a premium for insurance I couldn't afford before this. The reason I don't go to the doctor is because I have to pay for those visits - even with below poverty subsidies. So, if they take money from my SSI or fine me for not buying into this Ponzi scheme for Big Biz, when I lose my home where are they going to send the checks? Merry friggin' Xmas, Senators, for getting your bill passed before going home for the holidays - well, to whichever home you go 'cause most of you are millionaires.

And yes, I'm sending a copy of this blog to both my Senators!

Told Ya So

For all of us who've been vociferously chastised for 'not supporting our troops' since the beginning of these decade long wars, we can't help relishing news that should make even those naysayers with the largest blinders face the truth. Ten foreign companies have been granted their bids on Iraq's oil fields. Still, there is no joy in being right when considering the piles of bodies upon which those deals were made.

In healthier news, our favorite Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), along with Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), has proposed an answering bill to the current 'cap and stupidity' being reamed down to nothing before passage. They've unveiled a new climate bill that would scrap the “cap and trade” system included in the Kerry-Boxer and House measures. The Carbon Limits and Energy for America’s Renewal Act, or CLEAR, instead backs a “cap and dividend” approach in which polluters would have to pay for the right to pollute in addition to purchasing carbon credits. The proceeds would then be handed out as dividends to US taxpayers. Why not send her a note (Sen. Cantwell) on how much we appreciate her continuing efforts? You just keep rockin', Senator.

Nefarious Cheerleaders

These nubile gamins strike a slight sneer from those of us who weren't, although I confess I was one for a short time in middle school. Now I know why. Been thinking a lot about PMA (positive mental attitude) lately, since hearing an interview with Babara Ehrenreich re: the origins and damages it's caused. Finally came up the line to get her new work, Bright-Sided, from the bookmobile and it's on my suggested reading list, specifically for anyone with a question as to what's wrong with us. It also explains why those mandated seminars always made me feel queasy when I worked for corporations - and the government.

Starting in the 30's with that closet Calvinist, Dale Carnegie, PMA was discovered by Big Biz decades later, who consequently hired real sports coaches to muster their teams to victory. Big Pharma later locked onto cheerleaders as a hiring category and now have direct lines to universities, not caring in the least what the actual degrees attained by these rabble rousers. I've detested sports since I became too tall for my clothes and people constantly asked me why I wasn't throwing a basketball for school spirit purposes. Explains a lot. Not done reading yet, but can't wait to hear the conclusion. It's almost enough to know that, "American culture encourages us to deny reality, submit cheerfully to misfortune, and blame only ourselves for our fate." Throw in actively dissing us if we CAN'T find something 'bright-sided' about poverty, cancer, fill-in-the-blank, and it's no wonder we're dysfunctional. Read it!

Anybody remember that Geo. Bush was a cheerleader?

Widgets Anonymous

Once again one of the few remaining, investigative reporters has brought to light culprits behind some of the web marketing genius that is funded by less than honest agencies. It seems that things like surveys for disassociated sites, Target gift cards and points on gaming are initiated by anti- health reform, insurance companies. How low can you go - on either side, provider or user?

Set aside my opinion that there IS no reform when you cater to handing all uninsured persons over to corporations. I feel a Continental Divide and disconnect from gamers in the first place. With so many wonderfully creative applications on this marvelous machine, why would you spend your time amassing the largest, fake Mafia and earning points to buy machine guns and bombs? For that matter, World of Warcraft?! Don't we have enough of that in real crap time? But, really folks, just use a little logic. Who do you think is behind a survey site that redirects you to something with so much fine print?! Are you truly that dumb? Oh, wait; you spend your day playing games of violence. I lost my head for a moment.

Real Reform?

"Ever hear of Hanlon's Razor? It goes like this - never attribute to malice that which can be put down to stupidity."

Bone by Bone, Carol O'Connell

Kiss any chance at universal health care goodbye and send the insurance companies a Happy Holidays for their new gift of customers in chains. Oh yeah, and you might start waving a fond farewell to women's rights while you're at it. Fickle Finger of Shame to our Senators for their bogus bill . . . second only to Obama's dissing of the Climate Summit while in the vicinity picking up his peace? prize!.

You Play, You Pay

Finally! In reply to Sen. Nelson's (evangelical, biased, male) anti-abortion amendment, Sen. Boxer (progressive, impressive, female) brought up the issue I've been touting all along. If we don't stick our noses into a man's reproductive choices and rights by asking him to buy a 'rider' for Viagra, then publishing his personal info on line, why the hell are we requiring women to buy their own coverage for abortions, including answering invasive questions - or more likely, banning them from access altogether? Kudos to you, Sen. Boxer. Hit 'em where it hurts, public acknowledgment that those lame, old ducks are impotent.

The amendment was tabled - permanently.

Break Time

Took a respite from editing to watch Monsters vs. Aliens from Netflix. Not a top tenner but cute and engaging. Definitely watch it with the kids - or someone juvenile like the Rev and me! I can't wait for Up or the Fantastic Mr. Fox.

My shoulders, neck and mouse arm were aching to the point of exhaustion and I couldn't focus on what the task was any more. It had boiled down to changing words and losing the track of content. Not a good thing. Don't let anyone tell you that physical labor is harder than mental. They both drain you, if you're doing it right. Well, back to listening to the Inner Editor gripe.

When's the Last Word?

Helen, one of my favorite bloggers from Margaret and Helen, has sacrificed some of her waning sanity (before crone senility sets in) to wade thru the, undoubtedly interminable, memoirs of the failed Gov. from Alaska. Bless her heart, because there's no way I'd spend money on this piece of tripe and rants and raves depend upon which 'news' party affiliate one watches. It is disturbing that the thing was listed at the top of the NY Times Bestseller list this Sun., although I did notice it was 40% off at the grocery store.

Helen opines that, even WITH a ghost writer, the woman makes no sense. I can't imagine the mind of the person who stands in long lines for her signature - or to pay $16 for a photo op. That the nation is constructed of idiots is scarier to me than any terrorist threat. Oh well, the primary rule, when disposing of educational funds as we keep doing, is that illiterate people are much easier to govern. I look forward to NOT hearing any more about her.

Pet Peeves?

Consumer Reports has come out with its year end study of what annoys people most, and I'm flabbergasted. They are: hidden fees on bills, not getting a person on the phone, tailgating, inaccurate weather forecasts, incomprehensible bills, not picking up dog poop, unreliable Internet service, discourteous cellphone use, waiting for repair people, and e-mail spam. Less bothersome were passwords and PINs, speeding drivers, checkout lines, and radio and television shouting.

While I heartily agree that these are irritating, most are nothing that can't be abated by a little anger management and perspective. What amazes me is that we've become so petty, or possibly that the Opinion Research Corp. of Princeton, N.J. only polled well-to-do people with too much time on their hands. No one mentioned continuing world hunger, no health care access for a majority of Americans, corruption in government, militarized law enforcement that looks more like Big Brother every day, and no end to wars caused by us in 120 countries. And if this is too heavy for y'all - heck, they didn't even list telemarketers, robot-calls, or the fact that we can't fly anywhere any more without a strip search!

Best Laid Plans

Thought I had an art show to be involved in today, but I slipped a cog. It's next Saturday, so I'm all dressed up with no place to go. Sitting in front of a computer screen for most of the days, deleting entire pages of (what you thought was excellent) prose from the NaNo draft will do that to you. I try to get out and let the rare sunshine hit my face at least once a day. Sometimes that opportunity escapes as words - bad and good - pull the leash, drag me back to the responsibility cave and the world disappears.

I'm not complaining. It's one of the joys and nightmares of writing. Sure, we all bitch that we hate it. We're lying. Nothing is more comforting than being inside your own head with a 50,000+ word concept to sanitize. Or more daunting, demoralizing, frustrating, demanding, and debilitating to solitary self-esteem. I've spent all week in this fog bank and wouldn't change it for almost any temptation. But I do need to force myself out of the house, into a fleetingly clear day, and blow some of the stink off. Maybe get a fresh perspective. There's always grocery shopping. We haven't stopped eating, darn it.

Simple ABC's

As#^ole, B!#lsh^&, Congressmen and Senators, you'll just have to pardon the expletives, but this takes the cake. Remember that AIDS package to Africa, the only program Bubba Bush can point to with any pride for 8 years of turmoil? Seems it contained what bill backers called the ABC provision, wherein funds had to be spent on Abstinence (which has a proven failure record and worked so well for Palin's daughter), Being Faithful (something none of them seem to be capable of), and Condoms. And for that 3rd item, they worked behind the scenes to back the Ugandan Prez in condom burning rallies and mandated 33% of monies be spent on A.

These are the same jerks who have now helped Ugandan administrators pass a bill that guarantees death to homosexuals and prison terms to anyone who knows one and doesn't turn him in. And yes, they're also the ones in charge of stalling a health care bill and inserting anti-abortion crap. Several of them, having voted against Franken's anti-rape bill, are now whining that Al is attacking them for being pro-rape (well, duh)! Get your evangelical propaganda out of my government and stop claiming that you believe in anything moral, gentlemen (and I use the term with all the feminine sarcasm I can muster).

Frost on the Pumpkin

The weather has taken a turn and coated everything with jewel-prisms of frost. Flocks of tiny, Black-capped Chickadees are having a party, darting from branch to ground and performing delightful acrobatics in mid-air. It feels good to take in deep, crisp breaths.

Yes, I'm avoiding talking about wars that never end, health care that will never come, Victorian sexual attitudes, and the incompetent system and personnel that comprise our government. The weather seems like a neutral topic. And speaking of neutrality, what the heck is with Switzerland banning minarets?

Rants & Raves

Thank you to all who sent nice words and hilarious video links concerning NaNo. Writing is such a solitary effort; it's great to have moral support while your carpal tunnel kicks into overdrive! (Thanks, Rev, for noticing, changing the mouse and providing an ergonomic pad.)

But, back to the serious world, does anyone realize that Obama's Afghan surge will leave a mere 20K guard for the entire country? No one is enlisting, so unless they stooopidly re-instate the draft, we've just negated the meaning of a standing, domestic army. Plus, this is precisely where the Russians were when they went bankrupt; no one can 'win' this war; and the withdrawal date is slightly conspicuous. July 2011, right before a Nov. election, ooh the troops are coming home. Vote Democrat. The difference between this Prez and the last? At least we KNEW Bubba was lying from the start. There was never any false Hope. Very disappointing, and yes, the honeymoon is definitely over for me.

An End to Insanity

NaNoWriMo officially ended at midnight, topping all previous records with 2,147,483,647 collective words (with 5.5 mil of those coming from our Peninsula, called WA: Elsewhere, because everyone knows, if you're not in Seattle, you're no place), 32,000 winners (19% of those at the starting gate), and $630,917 donated to build libraries in 3rd world countries and continue this fetish. I'm proud to say that this is my 5th win, and quite possibly the most difficult.

This is a cathartic effort, not nearly as inane as it looks from the outside. It has nothing to do with winning prizes, for all we get is free publication of one book and some logos for the braggadocio that ensues. It bears on excising demons from our writing and our lives. The practice liberates us to accomplish more than we could have with that Inner Editor nattering away, constantly second guessing ourselves. For anyone with a desire to write, I urge you to join us next year, or in April for ScriptFrenzy. You won't be sorry and may come out of the padded room. I'm finally sleeping with the light off.