My tribute to Valentines Day (bleh)

Yeah, I hate Valentines Day and all other commercial Hallmark holidays.

But I do like this piece of art which is called "Two Broken Hearts".

Nymphs and other news...

Literary Nymphs gave me a five nymph review for Three Days in New York City.


In case that link doesn't work, here it is:

Date: January 22, 2005
Title: Three Days in New York City
Author: Robin Slick
Publisher: Phaze
ISBN: 1-59426-504-6
Genre: BDSM, Women's Fiction
Rating: 5 Nymphs
Reviewed by: Kira Stone

Summary: Elizabeth lives the life desired by so many. A devoted husband, two fine sons and a job as a high-priced lawyer that nets her enough to buy the extras that turn life from a drab existence into a pleasure. Why then is Elizabeth so unhappy? Why then does she feel like a stranger in her own house, among her closest family?

To find the answer, Elizabeth experiments with cyber sex and quickly finds a man to set her body aflame. The book actually starts with her arranging for a wicked NYC weekend with another attorney from London, Richard.

Richard does drive Elizabeth to some sexual, and emotional, places she'd never before experienced. But she doesn't discover the true kernel of her discontent until she meets up with a second cyber-buddy, Rob. Rob is not the cyber-slut that Richard is, but Elizabeth is very drawn to him. She finds he's living the life she gave up when she sacrificed her art for a stable, corporate job. He encourages her to do the same, leaving all she knows for the creative life she'd once dreamed about.

It doesn't take Elizabeth long to decide that getting a divorce, quitting her job, and moving to NYC is what she wants more than anything. A change that is far easier to say than to put into practice. She knows she will not be able to walk away from her family, her responsibilities without terrible heartache. What to do about her new revelations is a question she takes home, and only time will tell how her Three Days in New York City will impact the rest of her life.

Review: Amusing. Honest. Wicked. Three Days in New York City, published by Phaze, uses with these three words as the foundation upon which a wonderfully compelling story is built. Told from the first person perspective, it is impossible not to fall into the mind and body of the very realistic forty-something heroine as she learns more about herself in three days than most women learn in a lifetime. I strongly recommend you give this book by Ms. Slick a try. The last page will definitely leave you begging for more.

Buy it here

*****************

So thank you, Kira, I really appreciate that most excellent review. It was awesome of you.

In other news, I actually got to talk to Martin Bayne on the phone this morning. It was incredibly cool -- he's a very, very interesting man. We may end up collaborating on something which would be amazing. Amazing for me, that is -- I hope Martin knows what he's getting himself into. I could say a lot more and I probably will but first I'd better see if it's okay with Mr. Bayne.

Work was horrific today but I didn't jump out any windows...well, wait, to be honest it's because we can't open them, but still.

And um, in the middle of all the office insanity, I heard from another agent today. She likes the book.

I'm trying not to hyperventilate.

M.K. Bayne

As I've mentioned on a few occasions, for the past four years I've been a member of an international on line writing group 65,000 members strong. I've met incredible people from all over the world and have had the pleasure of meeting many in the real world as well.

A few days ago, in a private office I'm in on the site which is limited to discussions about agents and publishers, I met a man named Martin Bayne. Here's his biography:

Martin Bayne took a leave of absence as a 19-year-old journalist and began training as a novitiate in a Soto Zen Buddhist monastery. Within five years, he received the Dharma Transmission from his teacher, the Very Reverend Jiyu-Kennet, Roshi and returned to the secular world.

There, he would begin his "traditional" studies, including completion of post-graduate work in at MIT, under the guidance of, among others, Nobel Laureates David Baltimore and Philip Sharp.

In the late 1980's, he brought the crisis of eldercare into the light of day by publishing what would become the Internet's largest web site on long-term care, 10 years running. His interviews included President Jimmy Carter, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Clint Eastwood, Ram Dass, Dr. Andrew Weil and baseball legend Harmon Kilibrew.

He was also co- founder (with Kevin J Johnson) and CEO of New York Long-Term Care Brokers, the state's premiere long-term care insurance firm.

Today, at 54, courtesy of Young Onset Parkinson's Disease, he is confined to his bed in an assisted living facility in Albany, NY, where he continues to induldge in his greatest love - writing short stories.

"You have what so few writers do: real passion. When you write, the keyboard is on fire." - Mike Vitez, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Philadelphia Inquirer

"I want to thank Martin for his commitment to improving long-term care and to educating the public about the great need for affordable quality care in this country." - Hillary Rodham Clinton

Dear Martin, I have tears streaming down my face. Your story did for me exactly what a short story is supposed to do - it hit me down deep where I really want to live and so rarely get to. It’s why I read them. It gave me entertainment, hope, joy, sadness, and pleasure. In a few minutes, in a few hundred words, my life has improved, my day made, just because you decided to tell me a story. - Mark Whalen
"Everything we write brings us closer to drafting the first chapter of that most precious of all books, our autobiography." -Martin K. Bayne.

******************

Anyway, Martin posted a request in said private office that because he is unable to do so himself, he was wondering if there were any services who would submit his wonderful stories to publishers/magazines for him. Some authors on the site responded by saying that there were a few companies that might provide these services, but basically, I thought the hell with Martin having to pay someone, I could easily submit his stuff for him so I dropped him an email accordingly.

He responded today by sending me this link to a new story he'd written, and to say I'm teary eyed at the moment is putting it mildly. Please click on the link, and while you're there, stay for a while and savor his other amazing work.

Zen For Tough Guys

Fictionwise

I interrupt my usual broadcast to annouce:

My novel is now available at Fictionwise.

I'm not that far away from reaching print benchmark, meaning, Three Days in New York will soon be an actual paperback sold in actual stores with a little help from my friends.

I'm not above begging, bribing, you name it.

Thanks.

Back to your regular programming.

Super Bowl Part IV - (oh well)

I really thought today's post was going to deal with the big party and parade we'd be having here in Philadelphia in celebration of the Eagles' Super Bowl win yesterday.

Oh well.

Instead I will post a picture of what Julie fed us during the meal - Indonesian chicken - skewers of boneless chicken breast which we dipped in the most incredible sauce I've ever eaten - a Julie Slick invention - coconut, peanuts, ginger, garlic, onion, and other interesting spices.

For dessert we had sliced fruit - these beautiful perfect ruby raspberries, banannas, apples, red pears - that we dipped in another Julie Slick creation - creme fraiche with cinnamon and vanilla.

And then we watched the game and got nauseous.

Well, the one good thing is, I have absolutely no appetite at all today.

Oh, in closing, let me add that much to my surprise, Sir Paul McCartney was awesome at the half time show - probably the best half time concert ever. And this is coming from a woman who has considered Paul and Ringo her least favorite Beatles...I'm the big Lennon and Harrison fan who thinks Paul was never even close to ever being in their league. But last night, his choice of songs, other than Live and Let Die (feh, feh, feh) were amazing and he executed them really well. I don't think he did any lip syncs but my daughter the bassist said no way was he playing that bass while he sang. I'm pretty sure he did really play the piano on Hey Jude and having the audience sing along with the chorus was a nice touch although at one point the camera panned in on this African American kid who looked like "What the fuck? I ain't singing along with this shit."

Hahahaha - I don't like sing-a-longs, either. I always hated, even when I was a teenager attending rock concerts, when bands tried to make the audience participate. Screw that. I just wanted to sit in my seat and enjoy the music, not fucking sing (and trust me, no one wants to hear me sing anyway) or even clap along. I needed my hands free for that beer, smoke, etc. etc.

Super Bowl Part III - more pre-game

Gina Randazzo

Gretchen Wilson

The Fox pre-game show continues to freak me out -- it's been non-stop on T.V. like the last 48 hours -- but c'mon, give me a break, I live in Philadelphia and we haven't had a team in the Superbowl in 24 years so I gotta watch it.

I just saw a pre-game performance by a Grammy nominated singer, Gretchen Wilson, and giggled because she looked like a less attractive and sounded like a less talented version of Rock School's former All-Star (now graduated) Gina Randazzo. Gretchen wore tight jeans and even stood like Gina and made Gina gestures. But oh my god, if this chick is nominated for a Grammy, wait until the world gets a load of Gina.

Man, she's gonna be such a star.

In less appetizing news, I also got to see Sir Paul McCartney do a duet with former Pittsburgh Steeler now loud obnoxious fuckwit Fox Announcer Terry Bradshaw. Oh my god, they butchered She Loves You. But worse, and even more embarrasing, was when they showed footage of Paul and Terry doing a duet the last time Paul played the Superbowl - they did A Hard Days Night, and Terry got all dyslexic and sang (loudly:

It's been a hard days night
and I've been working like a log
It's been a hard days night
I should be sleeping like a dog.

Oy.

Painful.

Okay, now Clinton and former President Bush and doing some kind of right before the game speech. Oh wait, it's for tsunami relief. Okay. I can deal with that.

Anyway, Julie's about to bring out our next course. All I know is, it's "Indonesian".

Super Bowl Part II , or my tribute to John Fogerty

Oh man, John Fogerty rules! He just played two songs live on the Fox Pre-pre-pre game show for the Super Bowl in front of trillions of people worldwide and what does he come out singing? Fortunate Son and Bad Moon Rising - a big fuck to you every Republican and Bush supporter everywhere.

For those of you unenlightened, here are the lyrics to each:

FORTUNATE SON

Some folks are born made to wave the flag,
Ooh, they’re red, white and blue.
And when the band plays hail to the chief,
Ooh, they point the cannon at you, lord,

It ain’t me, it ain’t me, I ain’t no senator’s son, son.
It ain’t me, it ain’t me; I ain’t no fortunate one, no,

Yeah!
Some folks are born silver spoon in hand,
Lord, don’t they help themselves, oh.
But when the taxman comes to the door,
Lord, the house looks like a rummage sale, yes,

It ain’t me, it ain’t me, I ain’t no millionaire’s son, no.
It ain’t me, it ain’t me; I ain’t no fortunate one, no.

Some folks inherit star spangled eyes,
Ooh, they send you down to war, lord,
And when you ask them, how much should we give?
Ooh, they only answer more! more! more! yoh,

It ain’t me, it ain’t me, I ain’t no military son, son.
It ain’t me, it ain’t me; I ain’t no fortunate one, one.

It ain’t me, it ain’t me, I ain’t no fortunate one, no no no,
It ain’t me, it ain’t me, I ain’t no fortunate son, no no no!

**************

BAD MOON RISING

I see a bad moon arising.
I see trouble on the way.
I see earthquakes and lightnin'.
I see bad times today.

CHORUS:
Don't go around tonight,
Well, it's bound to take your life,
There's a bad moon on the rise.

I hear hurricanes ablowing.
I know the end is coming soon.
I fear rivers over flowing.
I hear the voice of rage and ruin.

Don't go around tonight,
Well, it's bound to take your life,
There's a bad moon on the rise.

Hope you got your things together.
Hope you are quite prepared to die.
Looks like we're in for nasty weather.
One eye is taken for an eye.

Don't go around tonight,
Well, it's bound to take your life,
There's a bad moon on the rise.

Don't go around tonight,
Well, it's bound to take your life,
There's a bad moon on the rise.



Now, it may be me, but I swear, instead of saying "there's a bad moon on the rise, he deliberately said "there's a bad moon on the RIGHT". (No, not bathroom on the right, ha ha, but just the word RIGHT)

But Fortunate Son, man, that was blatant. Long live John Fogerty!

Super Bowl Sunday

Julie is in charge of the Super Bowl menu today. We're having "small plates" all day long and here's the first batch. Homemade blackbean salsa with cilantro, lime, chopped tomatoes; really sick homemade guacamole; little balls of fresh mozzarella that sit in basil boats drizzled with imported olive oil and topped with a grape tomato; thinly grilled salami chips, and cubes of another mild Italian cheese with walnuts.

Green and red grapes to clear the palate.

Oh god, and this is just round one.

Latest gossip...

So, today's news:

(1) If anyone is around the Philadelphia area tonight, try and make it to Indre Studios at 8th and Reed Streets for an awesome Steely Dan tribute. My son on drums; my daughter's boyfriend Matt on bass and for both of them, it's wind down time and their second or third to the last Rock School shows since they are of course both in college now.

(2) The Flash Fiction project which recently accepted my stories Last Supper and Dreaming of Flying for publication is looking better and better. Here's the latest on that:

FlashFiction.net Cafe will feature two styles of coffee mugs : an 11 ounce white and an 11 ounce morph mug. The morph mug is either blue or black when cool, and turns white when hot to reveal the flash fiction story. Writers will receive a $1.00 royalty for each white mug sold and $2.00 royalty for each morph mug sold. The sale prices will be $10.00 and $15.00 (USD) respectively. Customers will be able to pay using Paypal, Visa or by check or money order. The Cafe is in progress, and should open this month. Thank you to everyone who submitted stories. A list of accepted stories will follow here soon.

(You know I'll be posting that link when it's up ha ha and also hawking coffee cups)

(3) A few more very well respected agents have expressed serious interest in my book, The Tour, via e-mail over the last few days. I'm going to be low key about that news for the moment because I don't want to jinx myself.

(4) Go Eagles! I can't believe Philadelphia has a team in the Super Bowl. We're having a party at our house - anyone who wants to come, just let Julie and Eric know because we'll be cooking insane goodies all day (Julie is in charge of the menu and that girl can really come up with some incredible food) and shooting off fireworks afterwards when they win!

But here's how oblivious I am -- I'm riding home in a cab yesterday past LOVE park (a small pretty former skate boarding park in downtown Philly, home of the famous LOVE statue) and I notice that all of the street lights in the park are lit up green with tiny white lights around the posts. I think to myself "Hmm..they're decorating really early for St. Patrick's Day this year, aren't they?"

Oy. I'm not even Irish. And I watch the Eagles every Sunday. (If you don't know from sports, the Eagles wear green). I'm even wearing that stupid Go Green Lance Armstrong rubber band around my wrist for the past couple of weeks for good luck.

So why I didn't put two and two together can only mean one thing: I am focused on my writing! Yay!

(though it's more likely because I still have a horrible head cold...)

I didn't know these photos existed...

Man, I love Google. I just found all these pics of the kids in concert, two of which are my daughter at her Rock School graduation...the final show she played at the TLA. All graduating kids get a portrait done by Tom Lessner, the incredible artist who does all the Rock School posters, and the portrait then hangs on the Wall of Fame at the school. Of course you can see Paul in that first one, about to make the presentations.

Actually, I had to really shrink these down to fit here and there's a whole slew of really great photos of all the other kids as well. So here's the link. Enjoy!