Where the hell have you been? Part Two

The international news has been so very horrifying lately that I've had to turn inward. I had to find the place inside of me that knows that nothing lasts forever. Out of terror and fear, beauty and hope will always rise again.


I keep a picture of Winged Victory (Nike of Samothrace) by my desk as reminder.

I have found new inspiration.

Why, hello there, Guilherme Marchi, professional bull rider from Argentina!

Where the hell have you been?

I've had the marvelous Miss B as a guest this past week, and well....I certainly wasn't up for blogging. We were too busy roaming the Pacific Northwest in search of delicious pastry, excellent shopping, waterfalls, and bonding time.

And here's a picture of one place we went:

Voodoo Donuts' Cock and Balls Donut

These things are huge. And tasty.

Now for something completely different...

Belly Dance Flash Mob!!!

Location, location, location

I've started a brand new book. Tentatively titled Sister of God, the story takes place all over the Northern Hemisphere. The story starts in Seattle, moves to Las Vegas, then to Glastonbury, England, Paris, France, Budapest, Bucharest, and Istanbul.

The next few posts are going to discuss each of these locations and how I'm doing research to make sure I can bring each city to life.

As a teaser, here is an image of Doheny Street Synagogue in Budapest. This is one of the places my intrepid heroine and hero must go to prevent the end of the world.

This is going to be a fun ride!

Celebrating the masculine.

As another thank you to the wonderful men out there, here is a special two for one give-away.

May I present:

The Zombie Apocalypse, #2 and #3

Proudly display this sanguinary mess over your computer when you play Left for Dead!  Both fans go to the first commenter. For everyone else who comments, you will get a single fan for the Zombie Apocalypse!

Thank you. Thank you, thank you.

Thank you to all the beautiful men out there who responded to me publicly and privately. Thank you for reminding me that hate will always lose. Thank you.

I am not the world's best dancer, but I am a very heartfelt one. Please accept this dance a symbol of my gratitude.

I am heartened and unafraid once again.

Men, stand up and be counted.

I am thoroughly depressed. Last night, I made the mistake of reading the YouTube comments on the Bond/M video for International Women's Day.

Feminist ONLY want equal rights in areas that suits them, any hardships that men go through they couldn't careless. We are evil only until they need our money sperm and (bodies) <--- in terms of men getting blown up on the battlefield on the front lines whilst they shop and have their "sex and the city" night out cackling like spoiled bitches!

Ridiculous! James Bond is one of the few remaining male and male characters on the big screen, do it dressed as a woman and emasculation in this way without doubt is part of the mammoth work of feminist social engineering, which has as its aim the destruction of male identity and the creation a super-feminine identity that should be, according to these feminist social engineers, the ruling class of the totalitarian future (the famous "World of Women" which is always talking about).

Women are so full of shit, they went from having no rights to trying to claim ALL the rights.

It had been a long time since I'd read so many hate-filled, misogynistic things from men. I'm usually pretty optimistic about the changes in the world. We've made huge strides in drawing attention to injustice and creating differences.

Instead, today, I am reminded that men hate women.  I look at my nearest and dearest and fear for my safety - could these loving, generous men secretly feel this way about me? Do they really want me to shut up, to not get an education, to never challenge their thoughts? I am terrified of what might happen if I speak up one too many times.

Once, I read a study. Researchers had asked men and women what they feared the most from the other.

Men feared a woman would laugh at them.

Women feared a man would kill them.

If you are a man, if you read this blog, reassure me. Tell me that not every man wants women to disappear, to not vote, to not have access to health care, to die if I disagree with them. Tell me that you find these comments as abhorrent as I do, that I am not alone, that I can look you in the eye and not fear what I see there.

Please.

Because I am afraid.

I'm afraid of you.

Story Basics Part IV: The Herald Archetype

I've written about big penises, Turkey, Muses, and International Woman's Day.  I figure now is a good time to get back on my subject of Archetypes and how they are used in literature.

When I think of the Herald, I think of the character Mountjoy in Henry V. Mountjoy is the carrier of news and challenges. His appearance means things are about to change, that a new energy is going to shake up the Hero's life. This archetype is so important that the God Mercury (Hermes in Greek mythology) was the Deity of messengers.

(I obviously have a weakness for the Herald archetype ;).

The Herald announces the need for change (also known as The Call to Adventure) and provides motivation. This role is not always filled by a person, but can be a wonderful character when it is, especially if the Herald is mixed in with another archetype. Often, the Herald is filled by inanimate objects; hurricanes and storms, a telegram, phone call, or television broadcast, perhaps a letter. Sometimes a Herald is negative, a message from the antagonist. The Herald can be also be positive or neutral.

International Women's Day.

More reason why Daniel Craig and Judi Dench should rule the world.

Time for noms.

I think I will bake cookies this evening.

Travel picture of the day.

I was missing Istanbul this morning. So here is a picture to remind me of that magical place.

This is part of the Sultan's bath in the Topkapi Palace. Water would fill the marble basin, then the bather uses a dipping bowl to pour the water all over himself. That way, the basin and the water remains clean, even after scrubbing.

Other wonderful Turkish things:
A most unusual movie with Peter Ustinov and Melina Mercouri (Love her name!) as part of a jewel heist from the Topkapi Palace.

The Turkish Bath. I firmly believe that it could bring world peace. And Apple Tea is good for everything that ails you.

Another Muse.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Elvis Presley!

Elvis is a Muse because he represents fearlessness to me. He danced in ways that frightened people, but he did it anyway. Even when he was miserable and drugged out, he still tried to be himself.

Viva Las Elvis!

The Muse.

Portrait of me as a Muse, by Michael Baxter

I could pull my History Geek Cred out and talk about the Nine Muses of Classical Greece*, but today I'm going to talk about something more immediate.

Who are your Muses? With whom do you collaborate and attempt to inspire?

I could list all my Muses, but instead, I'm going to talk about just one.

Meet Michael Baxter, the world's foremost photographer of Belly Dance. Michael is, in short, a genius. He is a feminist, a visionary of light, and an old school geek. (He and The Charming Man are also dear friends).

Go ahead, follow the link. I'll be here when you come back from looking at the links.


No, I mean it. Go look at them. :)

Michael's love of dance, music, light, and myth  have inspired me since we met in 2008. I had never seen a photographer able to photograph all shapes, sizes, and colors with such ease and joy. We've since corresponded and shot photos together. He makes us see ourselves as we truly are.

I had truly terrible body image issues until I met him. I knew that I wasn't a hideously scarred Two-Face, but I never knew in what way I was attractive. He showed me my own goofy, playful charm.

Since learning this from Michael, I try to take all my characters on a voyage of self discovery to find their beauty. I try to show all my friends how beautiful they are, what they might not see about themselves. I am inspired to be kinder, more patient (not easy for me), and share the light that Michael has shown me.

I hope he will inspire you, too, with his skill with color, setting, and bringing dreams alive.

*All right, I couldn't help myself.

Calliope: Epic poetry. Emblem: Writing tablet (Too bad such a cool chick got stuck with such a hideous instrument)
Clio: History, Scrolls
Erato: Love_poetry: Cithara
Euterpe:Lyric Poetry, Aulos
Melpomene: Tragedy,Tragic mask<
Polyhymnia: Sacred poetry,Veil
Terpsichore: Choral Dance and song, Lyre
Thalia:Comedy, Comic mask<
Urania: Astronomy, compass