Long time no post

Maybe it's true about the universe speeding up and time going faster....I can't believe the last time I posted was in January. Universe means "one verse" - Deepak Chopra says. Cool, I like that idea. Here it is, May Friday the 13th. My day was safe and pleasant. I worked as usual, working a lot & it's not as easy as say, oh...ten years ago to put in so much time at the jobsites. Hence I tend to fall behind on things like blogs. I've almost completed my novel, finishing the last chapter...Chapter 21. I've planted flowers in my pots & in the earth around the townhouse, Spring cleaned for the May Queen (a song lyric, Stairway to Heaven) and today I made many fruit & yogurt smoothies for my freezer so...I'm ready for warm weather!! You know I love the beach!! We've not had a warm Spring because of that La Nina.

I had an awesome trip to Vegas end of March with my two sisters and bro-in-law. Weather was in the 90's and here's a pic of me outside the Elvis theatre last day of March. We saw Cirque 'Viva Elvis' at the Aria and loooveed the show! Not a great photo, my sister has a better one but I don't have hers on my computer. Just to show the awesome bronze Elvis and me...

I'm a long time fan of the Vancouver Canucks and so happy to see them in the Western Conference Finals vrs San Jose Sharks!! We've waited since 1994...we dare not jinx anything and say the "S" Cup word. Hope to see Neil Young in the tv spotlight as he watches his fave Sharks in the Tank! But...may the best team win and I hope it's the Canucks!

Hope to write here again soon to keep this blog updated.

Musical choices for my muse

Music has always been with me and recently these are my fave choices. I go back to these cds often...at night mainly...to do my yoga and stretching exercises. The muse I need to inspire me to create my life, my book, and to keep me on the path.

First is Robert Plant's Band of Joy. Awesome....haunting, cool, different. HIs voice is what makes this compilation so amazing. Robert's voice is very, very unique when he sings. He's in tune with something great out there, I'm sure of it.

Second is Criss Angel's BeLIEve Soundtrack cd. Haunting, again...but in a dark way...like a tunnel leading us to a place we need to be. Beautiful almost classical tracks. It's not a cheery album tho. Some songs are uplifting.

Third is all about a discovery and I have a story to tell. Before Christmas at my workplace a guy who works with me found an old case of cds upstairs in the storage closet. They date back to the early 1990's and he gave them to me as no one has claimed the collection all this time and I wanted them.

There are 3 discs, all Hawaiian slack key guitar, mainly instrumentals, some vocals. This discovery has opened new doors to me. I enjoy all of the songs and one cd I play a lot is Auhele by John Keawe, a Hawaiian native. The songs are so soothing and wonderful, relaxing and melodic. Perfect as a retreat, an escape from daily demands. Perfect to do my stretching and yoga. Sometimes I just sit on the carpet and listen to every note, absorbed in the clear and harmonious sounds. On the net I researched Auhele and other cds by John Keawe and I'd love to buy more soon. I would love to go to Hawaii someday and see him play at the hotel where he does regular gigs.

Now to go back to writing my book...almost done.

Happy New Year!

I don't want to be one of those people who starts a blogger and then lets it get stale and ignored...however it has been a long time I must admit. I've been busier than normal. Normal is two jobs...which I have and I'm accustomed to as it's a thing I do...since oh...2005. In fact I could be rambling on right now because of the schedule including celebrations with fam & friends over the Christmas season and I'm a bit sleepy now. Although being a non-drinker & pescatarian (vegetarian who eats seafood) helps. Lots of Omega 3 and a whole lot of energy. I'm thankful for another healthy year.

My book is on my mind but it's down to paragraph by paragraph lately...I will complete it...soon. I'm obsessed with its success...I know it will be well received...hopefully within a reasonable length of time.

This has been a really good year...I'm enjoying life.

Happy New Year!!

Last beach day on the wings of Mercury

I spoke of August in my previous blog. Here's a pic of one of the last beach days at the lake around the corner from my home, end of August. I look like I have white clouds coming out of my head on a windy day...the winged look of Mercury aha aha ha.!

Still working on it!

Hello. The last few months have gone by in a blur. I can't believe how fast time is going right now...if there was such a thing as 'time'. That's another story, lol! May, June, July and August comprised mainly of two things...beach and working at my day/night job...in random order. I put in many hours at the worksite and a lot of those hours were nights. I wrote chapters of my book at the beach and then copied the sunscreen scented words to my computer and memory stick at night...sometimes 'til 2:00 am. I'm at Chapter 15, not where I thought I'd be ...I expected around Ch. 20...oh, well - I'll keep at it.

I saw a few friends and family on days off, fit a b-day celebration in there, too. Our picnic became an indoor event that day, due to July rain...but it was fun. I got away to the Shuswap in July, to my cousin Jan's summer cabin - see pic -, albiet briefly in good weather tho...bonus! August was the best month for summer temps, day after day of hotness which I love. I'll take hot over cold anytime. My plants exploded in Miracle Gro assisted blooms in August. They are now very lush, the best I've ever seen in my garden during September.

One of my main concerns is animal rights...always. I've continued to sign petitions and be active in this regard all through the past several months. I do what I can, mainly online right now.

PLease....instead of simply donating to charities you can help. When you see the word "Research" in the title, beware. Many societies abuse animals in laboratories for their so called "research". It is horrific unspeakable abuse funded by general population ...well intended but severely misinformed. Watch "Earthlings"...for example and the 'research' is exposed.

I have been returning envelopes to these societies not with a donation, but with a written request on their donation sheets. I explain "I am an animal rights supporter. I will no longer contribute to a society which abuses animals in laboratories in the name of 'research'. Please send info telling me if this society has animals in labs for experiments. Thank you."

We have to change the way our world views all life and nature. We need more respect. Thanks! Bye now!

My New New Book

Happy May! I've been working on my new book. I've decided to incorporate some themes of my first short novel "Life and Death - the Path of Lu" into this new manuscript. This current book I'm writing is a New Age suspense teen romance fiction. I've been inspired by the Twilight saga by Stephenie Meyer. Her style of writing looks easy and effortless but there's a lot to it...so much more than meets the eye obviously. She's very hugely successful for a reason. Her background is in classic English Literature, somewhat like my background but her books are very modern in style. She's nailed it.

Another inspiration is the college course I've just completed. It was a blast to meet with 10 students every week and learn more about writing, current publishing and marketing techniques to help us with our manuscripts.

I'm on chapter 7 right now and plan to have around 21 chapters in total, about 450 pages when the book is done. I'm moving along quickly. The 6 chapters were written in April. I've also started a blog at wordpress (on the college instructor's advice) but I've not posted much there yet.

March news

Hello - time for an update for all you shy lurkers - come on ...I know you're out there! Please post a comment now & then lol! All is well. I'm taking a course at the local college here and the sessions are Monday nights.... really enjoying meeting with other authors, talking about our individual projects...our instructor is nice & helping a lot!

I'm looking forward to an art show coming up at a gallery close to where I live. Two artists I admire will have their pieces in this exhibition - one buddy for the first time! I'm happy about that. Check Tobinism - his art is tres cool! Both guys have their own amazing styles.

Speaking of ...a girlfriend's b-day celebration is tomorrow same day as artist Michael Godard's b-day so I'll drink (non-alcohol juice) to both of these awesome people!