TGIF! TGIF! TGIF!

It's been a crazy week, so the Leaning Tower of Pisa seems appropriate. We're trying to get a bunch of things done. Some of them involve Genius Kid for the remaining days he's home.

Some do it.

But basically, I've been running around like a chicken with my head cut off today. DH FINALLY went to see a sleep specialist this summer. I've been nagging him (and I really try not to do that) to do so because I don't need a medical degree to know he has sleep apnea. I've been jerked awake many times by the sudden silence in our bedroom because he's not fucking breathing!

Anyway, we went in to the medical supply place for his fitting and training to use the CPAP. I was surprised about how quiet the new machines are. So, tonight will be the first time using it. I'm totally expecting for him to toss and turn a bit, but as long as he's not kicking me (like last night because he was nervous about this appointment), we're good.

After we were finished at the medical supply place, we went to a different bank to open new accounts. Our current bank was bought over the summer, and the new management isn't...gracious to long-time customers. I don't blame the employees. A lot of them are just as confused about the new policies as we are. But last month I was ready to pull my hair out over trying to pay our fucking mortgage--which was sold to a different broker the day the buy-out was announced. The transfer has not been smooth, and tons of services are not longer available, or we need to pay a premium price for them. So, fine, we'll go someplace else.

Let's just say, GK met us at the bank to open a new checking account himself thanks to some issues with accessing his online stuff and using his debit card with deployed.

After that, DH went home while GK and I went to pick up one of his cars at A-1 Auto Center in Findlay, Ohio. Now, this in one place I will praise to the heavens. Sean and his crew are awesome. They straight up tell you what the problem is and give you an estimate. Their prices are fair. And they keep you apprised every step of the way. So, it was a matter of writing the check and driving the car home.

Well, almost home. DH has soccer tonight, so I needed to get groceries and fill up the tank on the car he uses. And of course, I forgot the list I'd made out last night, so I worked off my memory. Of course, I forgot a few things, including DH's distilled water for the CPAP. *sigh*

I belatedly realized it had been over six hours since I'd eaten breakfast, so I hit the Starbucks drive-thru for one of their grilled cheese sandwiches. YUM!

I made it home fifteen minutes before DH left and finally did my usual morning routine of going through e-mails. And writing my blog posts.

It's already nearly five p.m., and there's a ton of book and publishing stuff on my plate as well as admin tasks.

What I really want right now is a nap! Alas, I'll get more caffeine and get shit done. My reward for getting A Cup of Conflict's first draft done is to go see Superman again. Not to mention the original TMNT movie is back in theaters for its 35th anniversary.

See y'all next week!

Napping and Tornadoes after Hot Yoga

Heat does queer things to me. Infrared heat makes me very, very tired. Guess what my yoga instructor likes to use in class? Yep, infrared emitters.

It doesn't help when I get up at seven a.m. for class. Wednesday's class used to be at ten a.m., then nine, and now eight.

The endorphins from the class only stretch so far. I stopped for breakfast and a writing session at Starbucks after class. After getting home around eleven a.m., I started into e-mail. . .

 . . . and promptly fell asleep in my recliner.

DH had to wake me up a quarter after three because we'd already bought tickets to see The Phoenician Scheme. (That will be reviewed here next Monday.) It was sunny and beautiful when we left the cinema. As soon as we got home, I started supper.

And it immediately got very dark outside. A fast-moving storm system blasted through our area along with thunder, lightning, and the county tornado sirens howling. Because heat also does queer things to the weather.

The county's system is directly linked with the National Weather Service ("NWS"). It gives residents a chance to get to shelter. Yet, the NWS is another service the current leader of our country wants to defund.

Such an action infuriates  me because I remember the Xenia Tornado of 1974. It was what would now be described as an F5 storm. The folks in Xenia had no warning unless they saw the broadcast from a Dayton television station. No sirens existed at the time in town.

This Super Outbreak affected twelve other states besides Ohio and dropped over 100 tornadoes across several hundred miles. Data gathered from this outbreak was used to push funding through Congress for both the NWS and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ("NOAA"). Both organizations do their best to get warn people to get out of Mother Nature's way.

We're still in peak tornado season here in Ohio. Hurricane season has started in the state surrounding the Gulf of Mexico. Without advanced warnings from NWS and NOAA because of budget cutting, much less the departments being eliminated, how many lives will be lost over the next few years? 

Just Another Friday

I'm taking a couple of classes through WMG Publishing, and I made sure my homework was done and turned prior to today. I'm trying to finish up the personal and business accounting matters by today. That leaves the weekend for writing, doing some house cleaning, and *drum roll please* going to the theater!

The last movie I watched in a public venue was Bird of Prey way back at the beginning of February in 2020. DH and I are heading to the theater this weekend to see Jurassic World: Dominion.

Why now? We're vaxxed and boosted and dinosaurs need to be viewed on the big screen. We've spent the last two weeks re-watching the series. And lastly, I think I'm ready to return to the world again after two and a half years of pandemic crap.

I don't like that a lot of my behavior is being ruled by anxiety instead of sensible precautions. I hope these next baby steps will conquer the irrationality.

Or maybe I want to see Jeff Goldblum shirtless. :)

Coronavirus Pandemic Day 14: Some Good Things

A lot of us are under lockdown orders from our cities or states here in the U.S. A lot of creatives have stepped up to keep us entertained during the coronavirus crisis.

Sir Patrick Stewart is promoting free streaming from CBS All Access from now until April 23rd using the code GIFT.

Amazon is allowing free access to kid's programming as well as some adult fare.

Amazon is also offering free streaming music. Many artists are doing free concerts from home on Facebook Live. In fact, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood managed to crash the Facebook Live server yesterday. LOL

Fellow authors are offering free or hugely discounted books. Here's some of my favorites:

My colleague and friend Libbie Hawker put a bunch her books on sale for $0.99. She writes historical literary fiction, and I highly recommend her Hatshepsut series.

The Marion Zimmer Bradley Literary Trust discounted a ton of their books to $0.99-$2.99 including the volumes of Sword and Sorceress I'm in. If you have been wanting to pick them up, now's the time to do it.

Fellow sword and sorcery author Jonathan Moeller has the first book in his Ghost series, Child of the Ghosts, for $0.99. I love, love, LOVE this series. This was my go-to read while I was recovering from cancer surgery.

If you have a subscription to Kindle Unlimited or you want to try out the 30-day FREE TRIAL (which is a good idea if you're going to be stuck in your home for the next month), I suggested the following cozy witch series:

Amanda M. Lee - Wicked Witches of the Midwest
Ellie Moses - Hillbilly Hexes Cozy Mysteries
Bella Falls - Southern Charms Cozy Mysteries


On top of that, ComiXology is offering a free 60-day trial.

Even better, studios are sending movies that were released in theaters right before things hit the fan straight to streaming services. As I mentioned Monday, the digital version of Birds of Prey was released. And I was super excited when I received an e-mail from Sony saying that Bloodshot was available yesterday as well.

I know things are nerve wracking with the current crisis, especially when it comes to jobs and money. DH and I are in the same boat as all of you. But hopefully, these cheap or free entertainments will brighten your week.

Holiday Movies for Girls Who Don't Think Like Other Girls

It's that time of year again. Frankly, I'm tired talking about the business, so continuing Will Graham, aka William Simon's take on non-traditional Christmas movies, here's a few of my favorites:

RED - Yes, Bruce Willis hits the list again, as retired CIA assassin Frank. The man's just trying to live his life and flirt with cute-sounding Sarah, the government clerk who reissues his pension checks when he tears them up just so he can talk to her. But when someone puts Frank on their hit list and takes out his innocent light-up snowman and reindeer on the lawn, I'm with him all the way as kills the bastards who ruined his Christmas decorations and threaten the spunky Sarah.

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation - Still the best Vacation ever! Chevy Chase and Randy Quaid are at the top of their game. Between the insane squirrel, the cat shorting out the Christmas tree lights, and Cousin Eddie's well-meaning kidnap plan, the laughs are non-stop. Trivia note: This was one of Johnny Galecki's (The Big Bang Theory) first roles as the latest Rusty. To bad he couldn't appear in the hilarious Old Navy commericals this year.

Scroodged - A modern day take on Dickens' A Christmas Carol, Bill Murray and the cast gives their own perverse spin on the classic. Carol Kane's sadistic Ghost of Christmas Present will always by my favorite. There's been many a time I want to slap someone acting like an idiot, but I don't know if I could do it with her pixie-ish glee.

Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas - Jack Skellington, the Halloween King, meant well when he accidentally stumbled into Christmas Town. How can anyone resist festive lights, candy canes and presents? But it all goes horribly wrong when Jack believes he and his cohorts can do Christmas better than St. Nick and the elves

What about y'all? Any odd traditional choices you'll be watching tonight or tomorrow?

More Pirates

And continuing the theme of yesterday's blog, let's take a look at the original PotC trailer!

Family Movie Next Weekend

Like I've said before, our family has a movie schedule for the summer.  This is next week's flick.  And this clip is dedicated to NWHRWA president, Jenn Bray-Weber, a lover of all things piratey!

Movie Mania Monday

Currently reading - Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan (MMPB)

My Mother's Day present was a trip to the local cineplex to see Thor.  OMFGoddess!  Kenneth Branaugh hit all the right notes.  If you don't know a damn thing about Marvel's version of the Norse god of thunder, STOP READING!  Go see it!  NOW!  (Especially if you're a hetero gal or a gay guy.  Delicious eye candy, people!)

***SPOILERS***

I'm glad to see Chris Hemsworth in a starring role.  The man had charisma out the wazoo in Star Trek (2009) as George Kirk, and any doubts about him pulling off Thor are officially laid to rest.

Never had any doubts about Anthony Hopkins, and Tom Hiddleston played the Lord of Lies to perfection.

Frankly, I'm glad they skipped the whole Donald Blake, M.D., crap as part of the origin story.  It never really worked in the comic, which is why Marvel writers quickly abandoned it early in Thor's comic run.  The movie writers did give an appropriate nod to the history.  Of course, the shirtless scene made the nod even funnier.

Updating Natalie Portman's Jane Foster from a nurse to a physicist gave more oomph to the character. 

Others may find the casting of Idris Elba as the far-seeing Heimdall controversial, but Brannaugh definitely made the right choice.  The rest of the cast members caught the personalities of Sif and the Warriors Three.  My only real disappointment was that Rene Russo didn't get enough screen time as Frigga.

The plot was fairly simplistic--Thor gets kicked out of Asgard for acting stupid, saves Midgard from killer Asgardian robot and stops Loki from stealing the throne of Asgard.  Nothing really new as far as story goes, but the personalites and visuals kept the audience distracted for the whole two hours.

Watch for Stan Lee as a good ole' boy pick-up truck driver.  And make sure you stay until the end of the credits for Sam Jackson's requisite Col. Fury cameo.

Oh, and keep an eye out for an Avenger cameo.  He's not one of the original four from the comics version of the Avengers.  The first person to name him in the comments will get a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble gift card.

Coffee's Brewin'

...as well as some other things.  The blog may be quiet for the next few days as I meet deadlines, both editor- and self-imposed.

In the meantime, here's another super-hero movie to look forward to this summer:



I'm a geek. Can you tell?

And If I See Thor. . .

. . .then I have to watch Cap.

Summer's Almost Here

Anyone else making their summer movie list?

So Much for Shutting Up

Here's one movie I can't wait to see.  Cowboys and Aliens opens July 29th.



P.S. If you're checking in about the ARCs, be here tomorrow morning at 8 AM CDT. I may not be awake, but the info on how to get one will post at that time.

One of My Favorite Movies of All Time

It's so worth it just for Mrs. Reiner's scene.  *grin*

What to Watch this Weekend?

The guys will probably win with the latest Johnny Depp flick. I have to admit it does look cute.

What to Watch this Weekend?

Doubt if I'll talk the guys into this movie for the weekend.  But hey, it's Spring Break!  I should have time later this week.

Movie Mania Monday

Currently reading - Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews

This weekend was spent watching some old favorites.

My choice: Galaxy Quest is funny in its own right, but a hell of a lot funnier if you're a Trekkie.  The sci-fi satire is still my second favorite comedy next to The Wedding Singer.



DH's choice: Weird Science has a lot of plot holes, but still... It's John Hughes and Oingo Boingo. Oh, and GK pointed out Iron Man is a dick in this movie.



GK's choice was Eragon and his analysis: A lot less boring than the book!

Movie Mania Monday

The other movie DH and I watched during this weekend's date night was Hellboy.  Ron Perlman is one of those actors who doesn't fit the classical handsome mold and subsequently doesn't get a lot of credit for his skill.  Besides Hellboy, the only other good guy leading role either of us could remember him in was Vincent from TV's Beauty and the Beast.  Can anyone else remember Ron in another leading role?

There's some editing and storyline issues, not to mention poor Doug Jones getting screwed over when the producers didn't like his vocalization of Abe.  But over all, Ron and Selma Blair's pitch-perfect performances of H.B. and Liz made the movie.

Well, those two and Jeffrey Tambor (who cracks me up no matter what he's in).

Flash Gordon

Guess what DH and I watched last night.  Thirty-one years later and it's still terrific, campy fun.

Happy Halloween/Samhain/New Year!

In honor of the holiday, check out the bestest theme song of the bestest Halloween movie EVAH!

Feel free to sing along.