I'm a Pinterest fanatic and maintain several boards. Some time ago, I started a board called On My List, tracking books I fantasize about reading in the near future. Today, I encountered...
The cover art and intriguing title author Walter Mosley chose for his novel definitely compelled me take a second look. Here's the summary provided on Amazon:
In this scorching, mournful, often explicit, and never less than moving literary novel by the famed creator of the Easy Rawlins series, Debbie Dare, a black porn queen, has to come to terms with her sordid life in the adult entertainment industry after her tomcatting husband dies in a hot tub. Electrocuted. With another woman in there with him. Debbie decides she just isn't going to "do it anymore." But executing her exit strategy from the porn world is a wrenching and far from simple process.
If you've read the novel, I'd be interested to know your thoughts.
Why Blame Helena? Well, here are a few reasons to do so. Enjoy a dossier of Claudia Ross's adventures, musings and epiphanies experienced while writing her novels, Le Baton Chronicles.
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Gina And Pat Neely
Those of us who have been single and alone all of our lives are always encouraged by happy couples blessed with long marriages. We may hear rumors about trouble in paradise from time to time, but super-couples (both celebrity and regular folk alike) work it out. They've learned over the years to forgive one another, come to an agreement and move on. The longevity of their unions gives us single people seeking our soul mates a sense of comfort and hope that one day, we too may find true love as well.
I find it unsettling and a bit heartbreaking when a great relationship ends. Another scale chipped away from the armor of innocence, love and fairy tales. We all know marriage is anything but a fairytale, but it's nice living in the single folk land of make believe, looking over the fence and admiring Cinderella's and Prince Charming's castle.
For years, I've enjoyed my lovey-dovey Neelys on the Food Network, cooking up fun and good lovin' for all of us to enjoy. Sure, sometimes they put too much sugar in the love pie, but it was still nice to see.
Looking in the window from the outside, I wonder what was so bad about their relationship they couldn't work out? If one is in an abusive, toxic, unhappy situation, of course, they should leave. No one should live in misery everyday. You should NEVER allow anyone to ABUSE your body, spirit or soul. However, you're heart will take a hit from time to time. It's just the way it goes if you continue your journey in the land of the living.
Well, let me shut up. It's not my place to conjecture on why they hated each other, as TMZ reports. But if it was hate, I have this to say about my own experience: what I hated in others were the same characteristics I disliked about myself. When I looked at the person I despised, I found myself peering into mirror. My own soul stared back at me, less than perfect. It's easier to hate them than to change me.
So, here's my two cents and then I'm going to leave it alone (Sorry, this looks more like five cents):
A. There's nothing out here but solitude and reflection. Reconsider.
B. Forgive one another.
C. Forgive yourselves.
D. Love and accept one another for whom each of you are.
E. Love yourself.
I've never been married. I've never had a boyfriend (hence the birth of my fantastic imagination and storytelling superpowers). Yet, I've had to learn these lessons over the course of the last year with other people in my life. I'm better now. I let go of the hurt and pain, for only I suffered. Everyone else had moved on with their lives. In any case, after walking through the fire, I can live and work with the people around me again. But I must give the praise - God saved me.
Maybe divorce is the only way Gina and Pat can find the peace and happiness we all seek in life. I don't know; hell, I can't figure out my own issues. I'm not there with them behind closed doors. I can only wonder. Perhaps once they complete their journey apart, they both will discover they already possessed the true love they desired, each other.
Maybe not.
Gina And Pat Neely To Divorce After 20 Years Of Marriage
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| Denzel and Pauletta Washington |
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| Will & Jada Pinkett Smith |
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| Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos |
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| Danny DeVito and Rhea Pearlman |
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| David Bowie and Iman |
(To view the article, please visit: 15 Long-Lasting Celebrity Marriages)
I find it unsettling and a bit heartbreaking when a great relationship ends. Another scale chipped away from the armor of innocence, love and fairy tales. We all know marriage is anything but a fairytale, but it's nice living in the single folk land of make believe, looking over the fence and admiring Cinderella's and Prince Charming's castle.
For years, I've enjoyed my lovey-dovey Neelys on the Food Network, cooking up fun and good lovin' for all of us to enjoy. Sure, sometimes they put too much sugar in the love pie, but it was still nice to see.
 |
| Gina and Pat Neely |
Well, let me shut up. It's not my place to conjecture on why they hated each other, as TMZ reports. But if it was hate, I have this to say about my own experience: what I hated in others were the same characteristics I disliked about myself. When I looked at the person I despised, I found myself peering into mirror. My own soul stared back at me, less than perfect. It's easier to hate them than to change me.
So, here's my two cents and then I'm going to leave it alone (Sorry, this looks more like five cents):
A. There's nothing out here but solitude and reflection. Reconsider.
B. Forgive one another.
C. Forgive yourselves.
D. Love and accept one another for whom each of you are.
E. Love yourself.
I've never been married. I've never had a boyfriend (hence the birth of my fantastic imagination and storytelling superpowers). Yet, I've had to learn these lessons over the course of the last year with other people in my life. I'm better now. I let go of the hurt and pain, for only I suffered. Everyone else had moved on with their lives. In any case, after walking through the fire, I can live and work with the people around me again. But I must give the praise - God saved me.
Maybe divorce is the only way Gina and Pat can find the peace and happiness we all seek in life. I don't know; hell, I can't figure out my own issues. I'm not there with them behind closed doors. I can only wonder. Perhaps once they complete their journey apart, they both will discover they already possessed the true love they desired, each other.
Maybe not.
Gina And Pat Neely To Divorce After 20 Years Of Marriage
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
San Diego Film Festival : September 24-28 2014
The Mall.
It's a scary place. It takes my car note and rent money. So, when I venture into the terror/pleasuredome, I go with a specific agenda. No window shopping. Don't run into Nordstrom's for a minute. Do not walk through Bloomies. I enter through a common, outdoor area, go to the mall directory, find my destination and head there.
My mission was successful. I located Sephoria, purchased my hair product (Wen, it worked pretty good. I'm a first time user). I was hungry, so I found a bite to eat, and then went home. Yet, as I was leaving the mall, something caught my eye. A banner for the San Diego Film Festival. A film festival? Although I rarely go to the movies, I enjoy film festivals. I attended the San Diego Black Film Festival at the beginning of the year and had a great time.
Of course, the festival occurs at the same time I have a big conference at work; however, I hope to at least make one showing. Directed by Travolta Cooper and narrated by Dennis Haysbert, Black Moses, the story of Prime Minister LO Pindling and his struggle to bring independence to British ruled Bahamian Islands, will screen at the Reading Theater in the Gaslamp on Saturday September 27 at 4:30 pm. For ticket information and the festival schedule, please follow the link below:
2014 Schedule | San Diego Film Festival : September 24-28 2014 : Passes On Sale Now
It's a scary place. It takes my car note and rent money. So, when I venture into the terror/pleasuredome, I go with a specific agenda. No window shopping. Don't run into Nordstrom's for a minute. Do not walk through Bloomies. I enter through a common, outdoor area, go to the mall directory, find my destination and head there.
My mission was successful. I located Sephoria, purchased my hair product (Wen, it worked pretty good. I'm a first time user). I was hungry, so I found a bite to eat, and then went home. Yet, as I was leaving the mall, something caught my eye. A banner for the San Diego Film Festival. A film festival? Although I rarely go to the movies, I enjoy film festivals. I attended the San Diego Black Film Festival at the beginning of the year and had a great time.
Of course, the festival occurs at the same time I have a big conference at work; however, I hope to at least make one showing. Directed by Travolta Cooper and narrated by Dennis Haysbert, Black Moses, the story of Prime Minister LO Pindling and his struggle to bring independence to British ruled Bahamian Islands, will screen at the Reading Theater in the Gaslamp on Saturday September 27 at 4:30 pm. For ticket information and the festival schedule, please follow the link below:
2014 Schedule | San Diego Film Festival : September 24-28 2014 : Passes On Sale Now
Friday, September 19, 2014
iPhone 6 Madness --- The Drama Continues
He up all night to get his iPhone...
OK, it's a poor take on Daft Punk's Get Lucky, but you get my drift. Folks done plum lost their minds over release of the iPhone 6. Released on Friday, September 19, 2014, it has caused a state of manic hysteria in the streets and shopping malls worldwide, compelling folks to camp out, stampede, and scream to to anyone who will listen about the iPhone 6.
Here in San Diego, eager fans camped out in Mission Valley to be the first to seize the Holy Grail of smart phones.
Then there's the poor guy in Perth, Australia, so geeked to finally secure his prize, he drops it.
But wait, there's breaking news! Apparently everyone is not in agreement that iPhone and its manufacturer, Apple, rivals the second coming of phones. Somewhere in Mission Valley, nestled within the hills of San Diego, the clamor of the disenchanted arises...
Uh oh. The SEIU is protesting. Not good. Now, I'm wondering why? What has Apple done/not done to upset them? I will keep you posted.
In any case, whether you've been in line for three days to get your phone, bought your phone and dropped it before you could even use it, or you have a beef with Apple...
Happy Friday. Enjoy your day.
OK, it's a poor take on Daft Punk's Get Lucky, but you get my drift. Folks done plum lost their minds over release of the iPhone 6. Released on Friday, September 19, 2014, it has caused a state of manic hysteria in the streets and shopping malls worldwide, compelling folks to camp out, stampede, and scream to to anyone who will listen about the iPhone 6.
Here in San Diego, eager fans camped out in Mission Valley to be the first to seize the Holy Grail of smart phones.
Then there's the poor guy in Perth, Australia, so geeked to finally secure his prize, he drops it.
But wait, there's breaking news! Apparently everyone is not in agreement that iPhone and its manufacturer, Apple, rivals the second coming of phones. Somewhere in Mission Valley, nestled within the hills of San Diego, the clamor of the disenchanted arises...
Uh oh. The SEIU is protesting. Not good. Now, I'm wondering why? What has Apple done/not done to upset them? I will keep you posted.
In any case, whether you've been in line for three days to get your phone, bought your phone and dropped it before you could even use it, or you have a beef with Apple...
Happy Friday. Enjoy your day.
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Iphone 6 Galaxy S5 & - Time to retire my flip phone?
So I missed a few calls.
OK, I just received the text you sent 24 hours ago.
No, I didn't hear my phone ring.
Yeah, I drove around aimlessly trying to remember where I'd seen the Thai food restaurant.
No, I don't have GPS.
Hmm, I'm not sure why this picture looks fuzzy.
No, I haven't seen what you posted to Facebook; I'm not in front of my computer.
That's right folks. I have an old phone. It's not quite as old as the brick shown above; however, it's a 5 year old basic flip model. Nothing fancy. I can call out. You can call me if you like. I can send you a text. It works. Besides, I have a first generation IPad, so what's all the fuss to possess a smart phone as well? Owning both seems a bit redundant to me.
Everyone hates my phone. My niece laughs at it. My best friend and my sister both dog me. It's funny though, everyone hates it, but no one has offered to pony up to the $$$ to pay for the smart phone, the monthly service fees or for the data.
But...
If I was to have another financial lapse in judgement and get out the old debit card, what should I get?
This is all the rage right now. According to techradar.com the anticipated release date for the iPhone 6 is September 19. The device boasts a bigger screen than past generations, plus a bunch of other features I probably wouldn't use. Will this phone take pictures of my finger prints? Hmm, maybe I watch too much Person of Interest. I'm not sure about all this new fangled technology stuff.
And then there's...
LG G3 is another competitor for my $1K (well not quite that much). I like this phone. LG offers a great metallic gold color that matches the car. Gadgets.ndtv.com has written a comprehensive review on the LG G3, comparing it to the iPhone 6, the Galaxy S5, the HTC One and the Sony Xperia Z3. I guess I need to read it.
Maybe I should just stick with my iPad, or get a new one. The iPad Air has been out 10 months. I know that if I plunk down $800 bucks, they'll come out with a new one!
OK, I just received the text you sent 24 hours ago.
No, I didn't hear my phone ring.
Yeah, I drove around aimlessly trying to remember where I'd seen the Thai food restaurant.
No, I don't have GPS.
Hmm, I'm not sure why this picture looks fuzzy.
No, I haven't seen what you posted to Facebook; I'm not in front of my computer.
That's right folks. I have an old phone. It's not quite as old as the brick shown above; however, it's a 5 year old basic flip model. Nothing fancy. I can call out. You can call me if you like. I can send you a text. It works. Besides, I have a first generation IPad, so what's all the fuss to possess a smart phone as well? Owning both seems a bit redundant to me.
Everyone hates my phone. My niece laughs at it. My best friend and my sister both dog me. It's funny though, everyone hates it, but no one has offered to pony up to the $$$ to pay for the smart phone, the monthly service fees or for the data.
But...
If I was to have another financial lapse in judgement and get out the old debit card, what should I get?
This is all the rage right now. According to techradar.com the anticipated release date for the iPhone 6 is September 19. The device boasts a bigger screen than past generations, plus a bunch of other features I probably wouldn't use. Will this phone take pictures of my finger prints? Hmm, maybe I watch too much Person of Interest. I'm not sure about all this new fangled technology stuff.
And then there's...
Samsung Galaxy S5. It seems to do the same things as the iPhone. Heck I don't know. I'm reading androidcentral.com review to better understand its features and functions.
Maybe I should just stick with my iPad, or get a new one. The iPad Air has been out 10 months. I know that if I plunk down $800 bucks, they'll come out with a new one!
I have too many devices to choose from! Any thoughts? What are your experiences with these products? I would love to hear your input.
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
What I Know For Sure by Oprah Winfrey
Something bad happens. Perhaps, a series of events occur, unfolding into our reality like a onion cut wrong. Everything falls apart. People leave us; we lose things that are precious to us. Every word uttered to us rings with criticism and disdain, casting us further down, deeper into the core of the onion. We tend to get mad at first, and maybe encounter bitterness. After having spiritually exhausting ourselves, we turn back to the Lord's teaching and reach for his love and understanding. All that has happened will be proven to have occurred for our good.
Perhaps.
Well not perhaps. It is so. It all happens for our good. I do believe that. However, sometimes we're worn down, losing hope, unwilling to face what must be dealt with. You ask the Lord for a sign, for guidance. When you've given up, you plop down on the couch and turn on the TV. At the moment the picture comes into focus you hear, 'I'm talking to someone out there. I'm talking to you.'
Oprah? Sure enough, it was her, doing an interview on Entertainment Tonight about her new book. I sat on the couch in disbelief. God heard me and had sent someone to talk to me.
"It doesn't matter what you're going through right now or what you've been through," said Oprah. "There is not one single thing that has ever happened to you that is going to be wasted. Everything that has happened to you has really happened for you to build strength."
Well how about that? It's amazing how the Lord comforts us to know he's watching us and listening to our cries. Thanks to Oprah for allowing the Lord to use her on September 9, 2014 at about 7:15pm PDT.
Check out the interview on ET: http://bit.ly/etonline-What-I-Know-For-Sure-Oprah-Interview
I'm going to read the book. If you want to link to it What I Know For Sure
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Bloglovin
I joined a new site, enabling me to connect with outstanding bloggers. Check it out!
Follow this Link! Bloglovin.com
Follow this Link! Bloglovin.com
Friday, August 8, 2014
Winkie Con 2014 - San Diego California
It's here! I received my tickets and the mail and have mapped out my schedule. While attending the conference, I will be promoting my novel, Dorothy Jones A Jazz Age Trip through Oz. Check out the book at http://www.amazon.com/author/claudiaross. In this adaptation, Dorothy Jones (aka Dorothy Gail) is a saavy speakeasy owner in Jazz Age Harlem. After ingesting a couple of tainted martinis served by her crafty bartender, Dorothy wakes up from her black out in Oz, where she turns the Empire of Oz on its plastic Technicolor hollyhocks, destined to become crowned Empress of Oz.
If you want to bump into me at the conference, check out my schedule. See you over the rainbow, or as the case may be, in a psychedelic stupor.
The event will take place at:
The Town & Country Resort Hotel
500 Hotel Circle North
San Diego, CA 92106
Google Map for Town & Country Hotel
Hope to see you there!!!
Schedule
Thursday, August 7, 2014
Into the Storm, New Line Cinema Motion Picture
While visiting Comic Con 2014 in San Diego a couple of weeks ago, I encountered a massive vehicle. The young lady working the exhibit shared that it was the truck from the upcoming movie, Into the Storm, due out August 8 2014, a New Line Cinema Film. She was very nice, encouraging me to take a closer look and a picture too!
Here's a brief synopsis which can be found on http://www.imdb.com:
To view the trailer, please visit YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_kj8EKhV3w, or you can check it out here.
Be sure to check it out!
Here's a brief synopsis which can be found on http://www.imdb.com:
Storm trackers, thrill-seekers, and everyday townspeople document an unprecedented onslaught of tornadoes touching down in the town of Silverton.
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| La Rose and vehicle from #IntoTheStorm |
Be sure to check it out!
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Jessica Pearce Rotondi: Books For Girls: Madeleine L'Engle And The Heroines We Loved
I found this great article on Huff Post regarding how the heroines of our childhood shaped us into the women we are today. My take would be the authors of the books I read as a young girl molded me into the writer I am today. Please check out the article if you get a chance...
Jessica Pearce Rotondi: Books For Girls: Madeleine L'Engle And The Heroines We Loved
Jessica Pearce Rotondi: Books For Girls: Madeleine L'Engle And The Heroines We Loved
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