Originally published at Out of Sorts. Please leave any comments there.

This is absolutely incredible. Some of the best work include the ballistics gel and the hollowpoints. Truly amazing.

Originally published at Out of Sorts. Please leave any comments there.

This was Allie’s first day of school back in September.

This is Chloe today.

Originally published at Out of Sorts. Please leave any comments there.

Two weeks ago…

Pete: You love Neil Gaiman right?

Me: Love is such a subjective word in this case. Would I love to have him read to me in a quiet graveyard by the flickering glow of candlelight while I looked up at the stars? Yes.

Pete: *silence*

Me: You there?

Pete: Uh. Yeah. Um, so like, I found you a first edition Gaiman at a Half Priced Books.

Me: *Squee* First edition Hard cover?

Pete: *Yep*

Saturday Night at the ESPN zone:

Pete: Here’s the book I found.

Me: *Squee* Fragile Things! I haven’t read that book, yet! Thank you!

Pete: So about that unhealthy obsession with graveyards…

(At this point, I thumb through the first pages to see if it’s actually a 1st Ed. )

And it is! Then, I realized as I was passing through the pages to get the publishing info that I missed something….

I don’t know why, but I was suddenly filled with a distressing sadness. This book was once given with love to a girl named Rachel. For some reason unknown, the book ended up being resold for half of its value.

 My mind raced with possibilities. Did Rachel pass from this life to the next in some unfortunate accident? Maybe instead of throwing out the book when her parents cleaned out her room, they decided to pass it on for a little chunk of change? Did Rachel and her parents have a falling out? Did she run away from home? Perhaps she eloped with a boy for whom her parents didn’t care? Did Rachel need the money for college or to fund an unwanted pregnancy?

So many unknown paths.

The book was warm as I clutched it in my hands. I’d like to think that it’s because the feelings behind the first giving still resonate within the pages. At least that is what I’m hoping.

Originally published at Out of Sorts. Please leave any comments there.

Some big news to report on multiple fronts!

I’ve been invited to be “Podcast Director” (get a load of the official title) for Clarkesworld Magazine! That’s right, I’ve joined the staff of the Hugo Nominated Magazine! What will I be doing, exactly? I’ll be coordinating podcasts for the monthly releases, and introducing some new and exciting content as the magazine continues to grow.

Do me a favor? Mention the magazine to your friends, have them mention us to their friends! (I can actually say “us” now! *Squee*)

In other news, I’ve been interviewed by the wonderful Charles Tan over at Bibliophile Stalker. I am quite humbled as this was my first interview ever, but Charles made me feel welcome. Thanks, Charles. You’re the best!

I also have a narration up at Escape Pod as well this week. You should go over there and take a listen! “The Kindness of Strangers” by Nancy Kress opens discussion about our true selves. When disaster of epic proportion, propagated by aliens strikes, who do we become? Do we change or do we show our true colors?  Two more narrations are  in the pipeline for Jeremy Tolbert and the good folks at EP.

I will also have another narration up on Clarkesworld as we hit October 1st. I can’t say much about this one and will update the blog when it comes around. As a narrator, I am still digesting and it’s been a few days since I read it.

Tony C. Smith with StarShipSofa has given me another story to add to the two I’m still working on as well. Again, I’ll update when those are done and published.

I’ve updated the podcasts/narration page with the stuff that is just recently out. Enjoy!

It’s been a whirlwind and I have only to thank those of you who have cheered me on, listened and recommended my readings to others. You guys get all the credit here. Not me.

Originally published at Out of Sorts. Please leave any comments there.

If you’re interested in reading the story below, let me know and I’ll send you the password.

The biggest theory regarding time travel is that even if we had the ability to dance between minutes, we would not be able to change anything.

What if we could?

The smell of sweet tobacco hung in the air, much like the humidity of the warm summer Louisiana night. Swirling the brandy in his crystal tumbler, Monsieur Rochaud tried to play the part of the gentleman. On more than one occasion, he had to stop himself from tapping his foot against the floor to  the beat of the jazz band through the wall. After all, there were appearances to maintain.

“Not joining us tonight, Michel?” A portly red-faced gentleman asked, flashing a deck of playing cards.

Leave a comment in this post or send me an email if you’d like to read the rest :)

This post is password protected. You can read it at Out of Sorts, where it was originally posted. Please leave any comments there.

Originally published at Out of Sorts. Please leave any comments there.

Unfortunately, I’ve been a busy little bee.

I find when I’m actually writing anything but my blog, the blog tends to suffer the most. I will find time to rectify that little problem as I settle in with my new college classes. How are those going you may ask? I’m staying ahead in the HTML class and  I nervously turned in my first short story for group critique.

For those of you who are interested,  I will also be posting the story here. Send me a comment or an email and I’ll supply the password.

Over at Pete’s site, we had a week of book reviews.

He’s been busily working on Loss of Innocence and Book Two of Alchemy and Empire. As he’s told anyone reading his site, if you want to be a truly decent writer, reading other people’s work is a must to help you on your way.

To play my part, I reviewed Green by Jay Lake. That post went up today.

So, what have you been up to while I was gone? Mmmm?

Originally published at Out of Sorts. Please leave any comments there.

As we approach StarShipSofa’s 100th Aural Delights episode, host Tony C. Smith has some exciting news. Featuring some of the best authors in the science fiction genre, StarShipSofa Stories — Volume One will be available on September 16, 2009. 

Through the generous contributions of people like Peter Watts, Ken Scholes, Alastair Reynolds, Elizabeth Bear, Gord Sellar, Spider Robinson  and more, StarShipSofa Stories - Volume One  will serve as both a celebration and way to contribute to the audio podcast.  Each sale of the book will go towards keeping the Sofa in orbit and allow us to continue to bring the Science Fiction fan community wonderful and imaginative stories week after week.

If you are considering taking part in the Support our ‘Zines Day on October 1st, conceptualized by Damien G. Walter, this would be a great way to support StarShipSofa and you will get something back!

Pricing is still being worked out but as he said during the latest Aural Delights show, it looks like the PoD book price might be hovering around 8-10 GBP plus shipping and handling.*

Tony will also be releasing the free e-book as well.

StarShipSofa Stories Volume 1 is only a few days away from going on sale. Here’s a sneak preview of the cover art, designed by Skeet.

Skeet’s brief was to create a picture that would pay homage to the 50s SF pulp magazines. I think he’s produced an amazing piece of work.

Get ready for the 16th September when the book will be available to buy in print form. There will also be a new website and free eBook released on that day.

*Pricing is subject to change as we get closer to publication date.

Originally published at Out of Sorts. Please leave any comments there.

Just think, hundreds of thousands of children (even the ones raised by Republicans) probably didn’t shout out at the President of the United States while he spoke to them on Tuesday. They apparently have better self control.

I am not faulting the man for having disagreements. If everyone got along, we’d have my ideal Katetopia and I would be extremely happy. Once we toss this impossible reality aside, it’s not exactly unheard of to argue with people. They aren’t called “hot-button” topics for nothing.

Yet, what Joe Wilson fails to understand is that there is a time and a place. We are not England. We don’t have MP’s who vocally disagree with their leaders during session. We have always tried to be a courteous state in debate. When it comes to public discourse, there have been the very rare occasions where proper decorum does not win out. In those exceptional moments, like the one last night — most people are horrified at the lack of disrespect.

Which brings me to my next point. As I read the article this morning on CNN, I am always amused at the people who find this type of thing acceptable. There were attributed quotes to people who gave credit to Joe Wilson for his courage to interrupt the President as he had the floor. I’m sorry, but it’s these morons who find uncivilized behavior acceptable that should really be forced to take a class in manners and proper debate.

Unless you are a newbie to the whole “grown up” talking thing, it should not be surprising that even the most heated debates are structured. The speech the President gave wasn’t a town forum. There was no question and answer session at the end. There was no reason for this heckling to take place unless of course it was as suggested by some, preplanned. In that event, it would behoove Joe Wilson to just resign now. I don’t care how angry this health care reform bickering makes anyone. The basic rules of arguing simply state that once you’ve lost your calm, you’ve lost your case.

 If Joe Wilson wanted the attention of crazies, he certainly achieved it. I won’t be surprised if he’s hailed by every right wing talk show host for sticking it to the emerging socialist regime. If that is what he wanted, he placed his name and life long political ambitions in jeopardy. It’s quoted in that CNN article that more than $40,000 was donated to his political opponent in the hours after the incident. 

If his apology was indeed genuine (I’m tending to believe it wasn’t) and he wanted something more, I would respectfully ascertain that he lost all his credibility in two simple words. I didn’t know Joe Wilson before this, and it’s quite sad that I do now; and not from what he built or diligently fought for in his career, but for what he destroyed in seconds in front of the world.

Originally published at Out of Sorts. Please leave any comments there.

*contains language*

This is pretty damn funny. I particularly like the cameo by the companion cube. :)

Originally published at Out of Sorts. Please leave any comments there.

I hate to follow up all of the fluff posts on this blog with something so dark, but I sit here absolutely compelled to write about this. I arrived home this evening and did my usual search of the news. As I scrolled through, a story caught my eye. I am not going to mention the title or the news site, only because it serves to prove a point.

Today, September 4th, against the wishes of a father who recently lost his son, the Associated Press published a photo of a brave Marine’s last moments. This wasn’t a flag draped coffin. This picture depicts a man who has lost both of his legs, is bleeding out, and being dragged away by members of his squad.

I don’t care what your political leanings are regarding this ongoing war in Afghanistan. There are some things that should remain sacred. This Marine’s father watched his son volunteer to protect this country. How awful that the last image he has to remember him by is gruesome and the stuff made of nightmares. Any parent would be devastated to know their son died bravely. To add salt to the wound by publicly offering up such a horrid last moment is depraved and ultimately unjust.

If I were a betting woman, this is what happened:

As the AP was neatly wrapping up these photos with the word, “EMBARGO”, stamped on the front, some greedy bastard was licking his/her lips at the amount of hits and controversy these pictures would cause. Oh so clever, he/she prepares a bullshit, CYOA excuse if general reaction gets out of hand.

As I briefly discussed this with a good friend, he mentioned being torn. Sympathy for the family who lost their son vs. dealing with wars too easy for the American public.

I am sorry, but for me, there is no question in my mind that sympathy and respect for the family wins that argument every single time.

This Marine was a volunteer.  This Marine was fighting for you and for me. This Marine died for his country.

 The AP essentially wiped their ass with any thought of handling this in a professional and respectful way and then passed out the shit stained document like it was caviar.

Don’t get me wrong, I agree that as a country, with the recent exception of 9/11, we are relatively sheltered. We don’t seem to care about fighting or deaths unless it’s happening on our own soil. When news of casualties both innocent and coalition are reduced to footnotes on news broadcasts, only to be followed by a news story that flip- flops are out to kill you, its no wonder people have tuned out.

This isn’t an easy war. If newspapers and networks weren’t balancing budgets by playing the fear game, news would be news again. Instead, this war and probably any future war takes the back seat until spectacular and gruesome images just happen to be caught on film. Then we remember. Scratch that, then we are forced to remember.

If anything, the AP is counting on both sides of the political spectrum to attach themselves to this controversy. The AP is also counting on the darker side of human nature as well, hoping that as the story gains momentum, it will bring visitors to sites carrying the picture if only to sate morbid curiosity.

However, and I’m hoping there are more out there like me, who will be appalled that any semblance  of conscience has finally left our news agencies so eager to make a buck and win pretentious awards.

There is always a heavy cost to any war being fought. The war in Afghanistan is no different. The AP had the decision to run a story without the photo and to most of us, the ones who do care, it would have mattered. Just like it would have mattered to a devastated father and mother.

And the only reason it matters now is because this picture is nothing but propaganda and dollar signs.

Rest in peace, Lance Cpl. Joshua M. Bernard. Truly, a most sincerest thank you for fighting and making the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

Originally published at Out of Sorts. Please leave any comments there.

Some of these are hysterical.

Originally published at Out of Sorts. Please leave any comments there.

How could I not, when I have such awesome friends? One in particular, and yes, you know who you are. ¥ou are the absolutely super bestest, evar. 

You might actually get me to come out of my shell and stop hiding from the world. 

Although, nothing good can come of this. Beware of balloon-headed children. They have magical powers and use them to get candy from you. 

Originally published at Out of Sorts. Please leave any comments there.

It’s been an absolutely busy month for narrations/voice over work. When I got home from WorldCon, I was bombarded with six projects all due relatively soon. This was on top of the four I still had! I’ve whittled down the list to just four left. The newest published narration comes to you from Clarkesworld Magazine.

“White Charles” by Sarah Monette

This piece was particularly pregnant with many characters. In some cases, many of the characters were in a scene with dialogue together. Trying my best to distinguish, I tried different accents. Some I think I nailed. There were a few that I still need to work on. Yet, I think they were necessary in order to make sure the listener knew who was speaking at the time.

As an aside, because I’m eccentric, I have been pronouncing the author’s name with a French flair since well, forever. Since I love getting people’s names right, her last name is pronounced — it’s (mo’ nette) not (monay). Just so you know!

I will also be putting up a new podcast for Pete Hodges as well. That should be going up later tonight. With a new rewrite, we return to the “Loss of Innocence” world. I originally thought the work was excellent, but as Pete has come back to it and tweaked, it’s gone from great to awesome. Can’t wait to see the rest.

Originally published at Out of Sorts. Please leave any comments there.

It seemed that  summer only lasted for a week this year, and I don’t mean with the lack of heat. Time has been flying and it’s already the start of Lexie’s school year.  Today was her first day, and I think I was as excited as she was this morning because tonight marks the first of my classes as well. It’s my first day back, too!

Originally published at Out of Sorts. Please leave any comments there.

Hope this works for you too. ;)

Originally published at Out of Sorts. Please leave any comments there.

In the middle of the quiet night, when I am asleep, my car travels through time.

Don’t look at me like that.

It is the only reason why the clock in the dash has been slowly gaining time.

Let me explain.

I was one of those people who set their clocks far ahead in a feeble attempt to make myself feel better.

I’d rush out of the house, look at the clock in the car, freak out a little that I was going to be late, only to have the delicate kernel of memory engage and remind me that I had set the clock fast, so that I would be happy that I wasn’t tardy.

What?

In an effort to curb the insanity and to practice my, “holy hell, get out of the house and get to where you’re going” management skills, I reset the clock in my CR-V to the correct time. This was about two months ago. It was working well. I was getting to be a master. That’s until today. I looked from the digital clock on the dash to the XM radio that hovers slightly above it, and instantly noticed the disparity.

My clock had gained 10 minutes! In the course of two months, this car had done the impossible. It had found a way to cross the rift between time and space. And as I drove today, I realized that with the shift my car completed over multiple jaunts through different dimensions, that I too had interesting foresight. Behind the wheel, those ten minutes belonged to me. I could see that far into the future.

I know, this doesn’t seem like a whole lot of minutes, but it’s enough to win a football game, get out of the way of a speeding bus, catch a train, save someone from drowning, remember the crucial ingredient at the super market which will make or break a culinary masterpiece, grant insight to curb the words from your mouth in order not to have to say you’re sorry later, anticipate an important phone call… see this list goes on and on.

So thank you, my truly awesome time travelling car which grants me powers to see the future. I will not be resetting the time again. I will let you gain minutes and perhaps one day, I’ll be able to see farther than I had ever imagined.

Yes, I know this post will make me look like I’ve finally lost the last screw holding in my brain.

I’ve seen it.

**Incidentally, there is some truth to this story. While I may not have the time travelling or future seer powers, my car does continue to gain time. It’s very odd.

Originally published at Out of Sorts. Please leave any comments there.

I love her. Her new album is out and it’s fantastic. She’s got such a lyrical movement to both her voice and her words. It’s unconventional and that’s what makes it completely haunting and beautiful.

Originally published at Out of Sorts. Please leave any comments there.

I was narrating the other night and my cat decided she wanted some loving right then and there. If you listen hard, you can hear the soft purring followed by her head bumping the microphone.

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Originally published at Out of Sorts. Please leave any comments there.

I’m not usually one to buy anything off of TV, but man, I think this thing really works and it’s totally cheap.

No bulls**t.

Thank you, Hot Chick. :)