Hi ho, MMMLOGerinos!

Yeah, it's been a bit since I last posted. Like you I've been very busy and not with just overeating through the Thanksgiving holiday. The 2006 workshop/speaking schedule is rapidly filling up and I'm going to have such a great time! Check out the Schedule page for up to the minute dates and venues.

At this moment, I'm ending a great month doing Theme: Your Story's Heart & Soul online workshop. I've just agreed to teach another month-long online workshop for STAR RWA February 2006 and I've been invited to a sci-fi/fantasy convention. These aren't listed on the Schedule yet, but we'll get them up there.

February 2006
* STAR RWA Online Workshop: Creative Block Busters (1/1-28)
* RADCon Sci-Fi Fantasy Convention, Pasco, WA: Workshops/Panels (2/17-19)

Stay tuned. 2006 is going to be a busy and I hope a fun year for this writer/teacher!

Ciao, ciao, MMMMMMMMMMMMelinda

Hi ho, MMMLOGerinos!

A school friend has forwarded a fun list of new vocabulary of the workplace that you might enjoy or at least shake your head at two days out from Turkey Stuffing Your Face Day 05. I'm unfamiliar with most of the clever words and definitions as I don't exactly spend time in a "workplace" outside of my home office, for which I am VERY glad. Though the DH sallies forth daily to do battle with the blamestormers and seagull managers (he swears he isn't one and I'm obligated to believe him.)

(Source not listed on the following forwarded list.)
NEW WORDS FOR 2005: Essential additions to the workplace vocabulary.

BLAMESTORMING: Sitting around in a group, discussing why a deadline was missed or a project failed, and who was responsible.
SEAGULL MANAGER: A manager, who flies in, makes a lot of noise, craps on everything, and then leaves.
ASSMOSIS: The process by which some people seem to absorb success and advancement by kissing up to the boss rather than working hard.
SALMON DAY: The experience of spending an entire day swimming upstream only to get screwed and die in the end.
CUBE FARM: An office filled with cubicles.
PRAIRIE DOGGING: When someone yells or drops something loudly in a Cube farm, and people's heads pop up over the walls to see what's going on.
MOUSE POTATO: The on-line, wired generation's answer to the couch potato
SITCOMS: (Single Income, Two Children, Oppressive Mortgage). What aging yuppies turn into when they finally realize there's not much time left on the biological clock and so hurry and have children and then one of them stops working to stay home with the kids.
STRESS PUPPY: A person who seems to thrive on being stressed out and whiny.
SWIPEOUT: An ATM or credit card that has been rendered useless because the magnetic strip is worn away from extensive use.
XEROX SUBSIDY: Euphemism for swiping free photocopies from one's workplace.
IRRITAINMENT: Entertainment and media spectacles that are annoying but you find yourself unable to stop watching them.
PERCUSSIVE MAINTENANCE: The fine art of whacking the crap out of an electronic device to get it to work again.
ADMINISPHERE: The rarefied organizational layers beginning just above the rank and file. Decisions that fall from the adminisphere are often profoundly inappropriate or irrelevant to the problems they were designed to solve.
404: Someone who's clueless. From the World Wide Web error message "404 Not Found," meaning that the requested document could not be located.
GENERICA: Features of the American landscape that are exactly the same no matter where one is, such as fast food joints, strip malls, and subdivisions.
OHNOSECOND: That minuscule fraction of time in which you realize that you've just made a BIG mistake.
WOOFS: Well-Off Older Folks.

Ciao, ciao, MMMMMMMMMMMMelinda

Hi ho, MMMLOGerinos!

Yes, I am a contest "enthusiast", thank you very much. And it's RWA's fault. Back in the early nineties when I crossed over into writing fiction, I discovered that entering RWA national and chapter writing contests could be very encouraging for this writer who was waiting too long to sell fiction. While getting your novel published may take years, and, though the waiting can promote the development of patience, entering a contest and getting the results is a quicker way to see results of one's literary labors.

There are RWA contests for unpublished writers, published writers and even newsletter editors. I've done great in most of the contests I've entered over the years and won a couple of awards for editing chapter newsletters, too. I haven't been able to crack the RITA contest of published romance fiction, but I keep trying.

There's a new contest for website excellence that I entered this year sponsored by Sacramento Valley RWA. I think my web designer, Willa Cline, is a genius and I love what she's done with my site. So I entered the website contest. And yippppy, the coordinator emailed to say that my site is a finalist for the Silver Rose Award for Website Excellence in the Professionally Created category. The winners will be announced December 11 with links to the finalist/winner sites.

Oh, I do love contests!

Ciao, ciao, MMMMMMMMMMMMelinda

Hi ho, MMMLOGerinos!

Do you play the lottery? Besides rolling out of my garage in Red Therapy everyday into Seattle traffic, buying lottery tickets is my only real gamble. Here in Washington State we have all sorts of opportunities to officially "play and win"--card rooms, Indian casinos, state lottery in all its forms and the multistate Mega Millions game.

Mega Millions is up to a whopping $310 million dollars for tonight's drawing and according to hindsight here's how it will go: some geezer with a rustic accent and a whole bunch of married kids, grandkids and shirttail relatives will spend ten bucks and win the Megajackpot. Then by this time next year he'll be featured on a TV magazine show as the world's most miserable loser of family, friends and anything else he might have valued. Damn that easy money!

But such sad tales do not daunt me, for I am a writer, an observer of the human condition looking for hope in all the wrong places. Even Mega Millions. My mom says winning the lottery would be so much fun because she could share all that money with us kids. Nothing about world cruises on the QEII or gold plated bidets--she just wants to help her three grown children and their children. The fascinating thing is that may just happen as my mother has the most uncanny luck and has won many things over the years. But these days her health keeps her close to home and those possible winning tickets go unbought. Though I am not a geezer with a rustic accent, I shall sally forth in her stead and purchase my dream Mega winning ticket. And I will share my vast winnings with Mother and take her with me on the round the world cruise. Oh, and I shall have her TV remote gold-plated, which I suspect she would enjoy most of all.

Ciao, ciao, MMMMMMMMMMMMelinda

Hi ho, MMMLOGerinos!

Maybe you've seen the news about the green furred Golden Retriever puppy that was born last week. The breeder has named the pup Wasabi after that green fire from hell that is served with sushi. As I watched the video of Wasabi crawling around with his litter mates, I felt sorry for him. I've had hair just that color, really.

Back in the day I lived for a short time in Flagstaff, Arizona where I was the victim of a lousy hair dresser who called herself a colorist. She'd invariably overprocess my hair (bleach the crap out of it) then put on some blond "toner". Because the hair was near ruined, it grabbed the color in bizarre ways and would have pink, light lavender or other unnatural tones. If she used an ash blond toner, my hair would go green. I'd complain, "But it's green!" And she'd push me outside on the sidewalk into the sunlight and stop men passersby, "Is this hair green?" They'd play along with her and say, "Oh no, not at all." Liars! She probably paid them. Invariably some "honest" guy would say, "Yeah, but she's cute anyway."

What do you do with a comment like that? Do I feel vindicated, green but cute? Or has she won?

I just hope poor Wasabi the dog doesn't have to put up with the taunts of his litter mates and other pups at obedience school, because, like the frog and I can tell you, it's not easy being green . . .

Ciao, ciao, MMMMMMMMMMelinda

Hi ho, MMMLOGerinos!

If I were at my childhood home in northwestern Arizona today, I'd have gotten up way before the sun and gone to the cemetery with my dad for the American Legion's salute to the honored veterans of World War II, Korea, Viet Nam and the modern wars. Then on to the courthouse and the canon salute. Actually, I discovered that they don't fire a canon but launch mortar rounds, like fireworks.

I didn't go with Dad and the Reveille Club on Veteran's Day when I was little. It wasn't until I was married to my own vet (Viet Nam), who was invited to join the club, that I got to go to the courthouse and watch those "old" warriors rattle the windows of the town. When I was a pre-teen my parents were both very active in the American Legion; Dad was the Post commander and Mom president of the Auxiliary, I believe. On Veteran's Day the Legion put on a breakfast for its members and the town. The Auxiliary women cooked the eggs, bacon and pancakes and we kids served it. The Reveille Club members, many of whom had gotten an early start at the bar, were the first to be seated for breakfast. There were several WWI veterans who wore their old uniforms. I remember one particularly "relaxed" fellow in US Navy blues with a flat hat, who always seemed to require a very close look at his pancakes, until some kindly, supportive vet sat beside him.

I'd love to be with Dad and Mom today as they celebrate Veteran's Day in the time honored tradition, but these days my place is here in the Pacific Northwest and celebrating my own veteran.

Best wishes and happy times to all good people.

Ciao, ciao, MMMMMMMMMMMMMMelinda

Hi ho, MMMLOGerinos!

I have been a Coast to Coast radio listener since the early 90s when it was the Art Bell late night talk show. In fact, much of the paranormal that I write about in my romantic thriller novels I initially learned about on the show.

Way back in 1993-96, remote viewing, mentally or psychically gathering information outside of local time and space, was a favorite topic on the show. I began to read about and investigate the subject, and took remote viewing training. I even gave the heroes of my Trust books that skill. They were former psychic spies for the government in a black ops project. This is what many of the leading remote viewers in the country claimed to be--psychic spies. One of the first ex-military types to go public with his own remote viewing training program and services was a regular guest on Art's show, Major Ed Dames, aka Dr. Doom, a former targeting officer in the Army's remote viewing program, if I remember the initial promotional data correctly. Dr. Doom sure can garner attention and has many fans, and many detractors.

As I investigated remote viewing I came to the conclusion that yes, it's the real deal and there are real deal practitioners of the art such as David Morehouse, whom I've met, and Joseph McMonegale. Because government psychic spies were trained in a protocol-based program stemming from the Standford Research Institute's research of Ingo Swan's work by physicist Russell Targ, I believe, Dr. Doom always says that those trained in such a system are more accurate than natural psychics. In fact, when the former remote viewers first talked about RV, they heavily emphasized the scientific aspect of the basically psychic ability. The process protocols, or rules to access information, successfully helped the RVers to view or psychically spy on anyone or anything such as a foreign missile installation, while avoiding analytic overlay or projecting their own interpretations or beliefs on the incoming psychic impressions. They, or at least Dr. Doom, used to reject the notion that RV was clairvoyance. He said that anyone, without a shred of psychic ability, could be trained in the skill.

As time went by and remote viewing was less and less in the news, there seemed to be a subtle shift from proving that remote viewing was hard science to a more spiritual and yes, psychic practice. Last night Dr. Doom made a surprise appearance on the Coast to Coast show and one of the first things he said was that he had the psychic skills of a rock but even he learned to remote view through rigorous training in the protocols.

Rigorous training.

In the art of hypnosis it is an established fact that all hypnosis is self hypnosis. The subject convinces themselves that they are hynotized or in an altered state of consciousness. They either take the hypnotist's suggestions to relax and imagine or they reject them. A skillful hypnotist uses whatever she can as a "convincer" to help the subject allow themselves to create an altered state. Everything that is going on with the subject--breathing, moving in the chair, sounds from outside--the hypnotist will "reframe" and suggest to the subject that "effect" means the subject is in hypnosis and the subject will accept the suggestion to go deeper into the altered state. As an example, I was leading a large group into a past life regression in a hotel ballroom. Unfortunately I had a horrible bronchitis bark which isn't usually terribly conducive to establishing a relaxing mode. After observing several people jerk at my involuntary cough, I gently instructed all, "Every sound you hear, especially a cough, will take you deeper and deeper into relaxation." They accepted the suggestion, and many said they didn't even hear my coughing while others said they heard it but didn't care because they were on their imaginary journey of the mind. I used a convincer.

Most people need a self convincer to believe they can do or achieve something. Some believe they have to suffer or give up something they value to achieve their goal or study for years with lots of failure before they will allow eventual success.

When I heard Dr. Doom say that the rigorous training allowed him, who says he was as psychic as a rock, to be a successful remote viewer, I realized that "rigorous training" was a convincer. His identified demographic for his RV training programs is apparently logical/linear thinkers who must be convinced that they must work hard through a program of scientific data and difficult training to develop "technical", therefore valid, remote viewing skills. Simply telling such people that yes, like millions of others, you can access and develop your natural psychic gifts by accepting that you have them isn't going to convince them.

Most of what we do in life is about convincing--ourselves or others of something:
This used car is in perfect condition.
Her parents will be chaparoning the party and everyone is going.
I'm a perfect fit for the new job.
She isn't having an affair.
I'll just have one beer with the guys and come right home.
If I can make enough money I'll be happy.
I'll take a student loan, work nights and be able to complete my bachelor's degree in five years.
I can lose 25 pounds by next month.
This stock is going to go through the roof so I can pay off the second mortgage with the proceeds by this time next year.
He does love me.

We're constantly convincing, selling some idea or ideal, to ourselves and others. Consequently, being aware of your "buying" or being convinced triggers is pretty helpful, because then you know when you're about to be sold and can consciously choose your response or at least take a moment to consider instead of react to the convincers aimed at you.

Are you convinced?

Ciao, ciao, MMMMMMMelinda

Hi ho, MMMLOGerinos!

Yikes, I didn't realize I hadn't MMMLOGGED until the Kansas Heckler emailed. Sorry. I'm teaching an online class on Theme and the students are very sharp and creative. It's exciting to read their posts and their exercises. I always learn so much from teaching these classes as I really do believe that we teach what we need to learn.

The DH is back from an extended business trip. He brought me a prezzie, a Starbucks mug from Montreal the size of a sand pail. Speaking of coffee, we went out early this morning to our neighborhood Starbucks. I always order my mochas extra hot because, well, the drink usually is just above tepid, in my opinion. The DH wanted his latte for "here" so I took mine in a ceramic cup, too. Both drinks were served extra tepid. The Starbucks has been in this location for about four months, and they still are working on getting it right--again, my opinion. What I have learned is that they don't do "extra hot" or even bath water warm and I just can't get them to do otherwise. So, I'm pretty done and heading back to Tully's, another Seattle coffee house chain. The ladies who have taken over the Tully's get it right, usually, and they make a yummy eggnog latte. Extra hot!

Ciao, ciao, MMMMMMMMMMMMelinda

Hi ho, MMMLOGerinos!

I've really nothing to say today, so I'll put up some fun bits I've received from email friends:

For those who love the philosophy of hypocrisy and ambiguity....

1. One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor.....

2. Atheism is a non-prophet organization.

3. If man evolved from monkeys and apes, why do we still have monkeys and
apes?

4. I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman, "Where's the self-help

5. What if there were no hypothetical questions?

6. If a deaf person swears, does his mother wash his hands with soap?

7. If someone with multiple personalities threatens to kill himself, is it
considered a hostage situation?

8. Is there another word for synonym?

9. Where do forest rangers go to "get away from it all?"

10. What do you do when you see an endangered animal eating an endangered
plant?

11. If a parsley farmer is sued, can they garnish his wages?

12. Would a fly without wings be called a walk?

13. Why do they lock gas station bathrooms? Are they afraid someone will
clean them?

14. If a turtle doesn't have a shell, is he homeless or naked?

15. Can vegetarians eat animal crackers?

16. If the police arrest a mime, do they tell him he has the right to
remain silent?

17. Why do they put Braille on the drive-through bank machines?

18. How do they get deer to cross the road only at those yellow road
signs?

19. What was the best thing before sliced bread?

20. One nice thing about egotists: they don't talk about other people.

21. Does the Little Mermaid wear an algebra?

22. Do infants enjoy infancy as much as adults enjoy adultery?

23. How is it possible to have a civil war?

24. If one synchronized swimmer drowns, do the rest drown, too?

25. If you ate both pasta and antipasto, would you still be hungry?

26. If you try to fail, and succeed, which have you done?

27. Whose cruel idea was it for the word "Lisp" to have "S" in it?

28. Why are hemorrhoids called "hemorrhoids" instead of "assteroids"?

29. Why is it called tourist season if we can't shoot at them?

30. Why is there an expiration date on sour cream?

31. If you spin an oriental man in a circle three times does he become
disoriented?

32. Can an atheist get insurance against acts of God?

Ciao, ciao, MMMMMMMMMMMMelinda

Hi ho, MMMLogerinos!

The Rain Festival Is Upon Us
And I'm in a grey, watery hell. There's water standing around the perimeter of the back yard that refuses to "flow" away since it's already flowed into our yard from the neighbors' yards. We'd planted a filbert nut tree in the wetish corner but on top of a Cahokia type mound--yes, those past life skills do come in handy. There's a growing moat around the mound. Think I'll go buy some water lilies . . .

Halloween '05 Is Dead and Gone
The DH and MMMMM did Halloween treats differently this year. We didn't buy candy and decided that if we were going to get stuck with a bunch of no-no stuff, we'd not go the sugar route. We bought a flat of individual-size bags of chips. The DH put his own righteous spin on our choice and told his sister that we weren't doing candy--too much sugar for the dear little ones. She hoohaaed greatly and informed him that we'd chosen instead to clog their little arteries with trans fatty acids instead. Oh yeah!

The Rain Festival actually started yesterday, as it always does for Seattle's Trick-or-Treaters, who were late in arriving last evening. Probably because they were hoping for that break in the weather that the weather liars had trick forecast. So, our first T-O-Ters were older kids who went into paroxysms of glee about getting Doritos instead of Smartees. They were also each carrying big beach umbrellas, which was a very good idea given the copious wet stuff drenching them.

I had to restrain the Airedale at each ring of the doorbell, which seems to be attached directly to her butt like a Pavolovian dog. When I opened the door with the Airedale pawing the air (I had her by the collar), the tiny little girl in a rat suit froze and her dad pulled her back. I told them to wait while I put the dog in the garage because no way was the Airedale, bred to catch rats, was gonna let that tasty treat get away. Later, another rodent-costumed child wouldn't come up the steps. Her parent said she was frightened of the four foot lump by the door, thinking that something evil was hiding there. (I'd turned the fountain off and covered it with green towels so that kids wouldn't treat themselves to the many pretty stones surrounding the jar or grab a quick drink of the bubbling water which is very chlorinated. In fact, when I removed the towels they were bleached out wherever the water had touched them.)

Treat Critics Abound . . .
Okay, yeah, she came around this year, taller, still as stoic, that curmudgeon masquerading as a seven year old kid. Last year I gave out gummy fangs that everyone loved. But when I'd put fangs in her pumpkin and she promptly handed it right back to me with a, "I don't like that!" Then turned and left with her parent. Last night she was equally unimpressed. "Why are you giving out chips?" she complained. "Because they're cool!" was all I could think of to say. While she didn't refuse them, she gave me the Uh-huh look and left. I have to say that I fear for next year. She'll be back and she'll be older. Oh. My. I don't know what I'm going to do . . .

Ciao, Ciao, MMMMMMMMMMMMelinda