Rail Thin is NOT in!

If you haven't read the story about Kelsey Williams, read it here.

Seriously?  I mean, SERIOUSLY?!

First of all, to the blogger who even brought up the topic of cheerleader, Kelsey Williams, weight, shame on you.  Go look in a mirror.

Second, Kelsey isn’t fat.  She’s not thin as a rail, but so what?  Neither is 99.999999% of the American population.

Third, she’s a very pretty girl and if we’re going to blog about her, why not blog about her beauty instead of her weight.

Here’s the skinny on the whole “skinny” thing:  Most men don’t like rail thin women. Men want curves. They want an ass they can grab and a pair of breasts in which they can bury their face.  I guarantee you most men look at Kelsey and think, “Wow!”

What’s more is most women don’t like other rail thin women.  Why?  Because they’re not as much fun to be around.  I don’t like to hang out with the skinny chicks who spend all of their time talking about yoga class or their next cleansing diet.  It’s boring.  I want a girlfriend who’s going to drink Margaritas with me and pig out on a plate of nachos, followed by a humongous chocolaty dessert! 

Rail thin is NOT in!

 

There’s a reason why women like Sophia Loren, Marilyn Monroe, J Lo, Catherine Zeta-Jones, etc. are deemed some of the most beautiful women in the world.  They’ve got curves and I bet any one of them would choose to have a fun, fattening lunch over a cycling or aerobics class any day of the week.

So, Kelsey Williams, you keep on being you!  You look beautiful!   ~

Gender Line

I have to share a portion of a letter I received from a woman whom I have never met in person, but have been virtual friends with for the past several years.  She has given me permission to discuss this topic because we have grown to a place where we are now able to laugh about it; but I will not be using her name.

This is what she wrote:

I’d like to meet you face to face because I find myself strangely drawn to you.  I know you’re married but I can’t stop thinking about you and I’d like us to be closer.  There’s something deeper in you that draws me and attracts me and I want to know you better.

The rest of the letter is more personal and doesn’t need to be exposed.  Suffice to say, had this letter come from a man I would have disregarded it; but, since it was written by a woman, I felt compelled to respond.

This isn’t the first time I’ve been confronted by a woman, but this time was different.  This particular person wasn’t “hitting” on me in the context of some sexual innuendo, she was reaching toward me because she felt (in her words) “comfortably close” to me.

This got me thinking…

Whether male or female we don’t control to whom we find ourselves attracted.  Our only control is over actions taken on the basis of that attraction.  Sometimes even gender lines can blur.  Now, I realize in making that statement that I’ve just angered every evangelical, right-winger out there…I’m sorry.  Still, a soul attraction can occur and that isn’t based on the exterior, but forms from something that shines and connects from the inside.

 

 

There are people on the planet that simply make you feel good, that make you feel loved and appreciated and even adored.  There are human beings with whom you connect, and we don’t get to choose who they are…sometimes they just find each other, as if magnetically drawn.  Loving someone doesn’t mean the relationship has to be sexual…sometimes just being closely knit is powerful enough.  There exists a magic in being “comfortably close” to another person and I’ve come to realize that that magic cannot always be determined or defined by a concrete gender line. ~

 

 

Readers ROCK!

Whenever I complete a manuscript and head into the editing process, my blogging slows down, which is what has been happening these past two weeks.  Editing is not as much fun as the creative process of writing, at least not for me; though I will say that I don’t despise it altogether.  It is a necessary evil, but the outcome is good.

So, please bear with me these next few days as I attempt to fine tune my manuscript.  After which, I will resume blogging regularly and will share some very funny letters I’ve recently received from readers. 

As always, thank you for reading my blog and my books.  Readers ROCK!  J

More Magic Levels the Field

School dances are both exciting and horrifying, depending upon which side of the “cool” spectrum you sit.  For some, there’s a great deal of pressure in Prom, and I’m not just talking about finding a date. 

For a secure, popular child, Prom is a dream-come-true event.  For an insecure, socially awkward child, it’s a nightmare.

As an adult I can now look back and understand why some of the kids I knew chose not to attend our school’s formal dances.  At the time I thought it was simply because they couldn’t find a date, but now I realize that many of them never attempted to find a date.   Despite the fact that they might have liked to have gone, they weren’t willing to try and overcome the socially incomparable hurdles. 

See, for a popular girl from a wealthy family, there are only two hurdles to master:  A date and a dress.  Mom and Dad pay for dinner and a limo and the night is one to remember. 

 

 

 

For a girl who is not popular or wealthy, it becomes overwhelming.  How will she afford a dress and particularly one that will compare to what the rich girls are wearing?  She can’t pay for a hair stylist or a manicurist and a limo is completely out of the question.  When she walks into that dance, right or wrong, she already feels inferior to the others…even if she’s the most beautiful person in the room. 

Boys go through some of the same obstacles. 

Some schools have tried to combat this by making dances informal instead of formal.  I can see from where the thought process derived, though I strongly disagree with the conceptual output.  Minimizing the magic of a dance by allowing people to wear jeans instead of suits and dresses doesn’t make the socially awkward child suddenly fit in.  My suggestion would be just the opposite…increase the magic by making it a themed event.

This is why I love costume parties!

When you make a dance a “themed” event, you open it up for the socially awkward to creatively thrive.  It tweaks the focus so the gossip from the evening isn’t a degrading gasp of, “OMG! Did you see what she was wearing?”  But rather a surprised expression of, “OMG!  That was the coolest thing I’ve ever seen!”  The “cool” factor of the night becomes about creativity and not about who has the most expensive gown.  In essence, a costume party levels the playing field for the night and allows everyone the opportunity to shine from the inside out.  The boy who suffers from terrible acne is intriguing and alluring in his Phantom mask.  The girl whose embarrassed by her thin, limp hair suddenly comes to life adorning a long, curly princess wig.  The math geek who sits in the corner of the class and only speaks when answering a calculus question, is able to show he can humorously embrace his own intelligence by wearing an Albert Einstein costume. 

Sometimes, particularly in high school, we get trapped in stereotypes and the real person inside sort of withers.  We look at others and size ourselves up…. I’m too fat.  I’m too ugly.  I’m not smart enough.  I don’t have any money.  My clothes aren’t designer.  My feet are too big.  I have acne.  My teeth are crooked.  My hair is stringy.  And that tiny voice inside gets drowned out…you know the one…the one that says, “You’re beautiful. You’re special.  You’re talented.  You’re unique.  You’re important.”  We start believing what we hear others saying and all of a sudden we think that we’re not good enough to attend the school dance.

But…that’s a lie.

Some kids might not be the popular or the cool ones…but they just might be the most creative ones and the most fun to hang around.  A dance shouldn’t push the socially awkward away, it should be the stage upon which they shine.  ~

 

 

WBC: May You All Be Gay

Did you know that the website for Westboro Baptist Church is www.godhatesfags.com?  I suppose I shouldn’t be shocked and yet, when I saw it, I found myself utterly speechless.  How deep must hate run in order to choose this name as your “church” website?  I cannot even fathom it.

 

Westboro has a history of repulsive behavior, none of which is Christ-like nor glorifies God in any way, shape or form.  They should not be allowed to bear the title of “church” as they are not a House of God, but rather a house of hate. 

They picket soldier’s funerals and hold signs that not only proclaim hatred toward homosexuals, but blame the homosexual community for terrorist activity and natural disasters; claiming it is the homosexual that causes God’s wrath upon the earth. 

This is the biggest load of bullshit I’ve ever heard…but the scary thing is, there are people who actually believe it.  How shallow is their soul!  How empty must they be to scarf up this type of filth and believe it holds some form of spiritual nutrition? 

Westboro tweeted that they plan to picket the funerals of the victims lost in the Boston Marathon bombings.  They also wrote:

“GOD SENT THE BOMBS IN FURY OVER FAG MARRIAGE!"

It got me thinking… if I could have one Superhero power for one hour, I’d make all of the terrorists in the world spontaneously combust and I’d turn all of the Westboro Baptist Church members into homosexuals.  (Though that wouldn't be a very nice turn of events for the homosexual community.)

I wonder if they would carry their “God Hates Fags” signs then?  I wonder if they would blame every hurricane, tornado, bombing and shooting on themselves?  I wonder… 

On that happy note

I will leave you with this hope

This simple prayer I pray

Let Westboro all be gay.  ~

 

 

 

Everything You Could Want - Mafia Style

I’ve been working on the fifth book in the Just Call Me Angel series, which has given me the opportunity to learn more about the Mafia in the States and abroad.  The research has been fascinating.  As I’m wrapping up the story, I realize my brain is already working on the next book, causing me to go back and plant tiny seeds of relevance for future installments. 

Part of the fun in writing an Italian Mafia series is in naming my characters.  I first develop the character’s outward appearance, pointing out some basic attributes like height, weight, hair color and eye color.  Occasionally, I note whether they have a pointy chin, squinty eyes or dimpled cheeks.  Next, I’ll describe any quirks they might possess.  For example, they might pop their gum, twirl their hair, fidget in their seat, or waddle when they walk.  Next comes speech.  I’ll assign an accent or an impediment; describe the pitch of their voice and any frequent phrases, like “babe” or “sweetheart,” “Merciful Heavens” or “crazy-ass.”  At this point, I usually feel as if the character has been brought to life and is in need of a backstory, if applicable to the plot, and a name.

I find names in various places.  From television programs, to the radio to internet searches, names are literally everywhere.  Sometimes one will just stick with me and other times I combine parts of several names to make a unique one.  Here are some of my favorite names from the Just Call Me Angel series:

Giovanni Maratinzano, Salvatore Buscetta, Enzo, Stephen Manucci, Joseph Venturini, Charles Andriachini, Rinaldo Rosenalli, Grayson Gallente, Mike Maletta, Carlos Cullato, Sean Shepherd, Scotrovi, Anya Grovashik, Stefano, Dr. Manzini… just to name a few.

After the real name has been assigned, I get to give pseudo-names or mobster names and this is where it gets really fun.  In the series, I have had characters called The Shark, The Snake, Big Mike, Trig, Chito and T-Rex. 

There are good cops and bad cops, Tasers, grenades, Uzi’s, comedy, drugs, drama, a love triangle, sex and most of all revenge done mafia style.  It has everything you could want in a suspense series, so if you haven’t joined the fun yet… pick up your copy today. 

 

 

Hate: The Root of Terrorism

There are many faces of terrorism.  Terrorism by definition is the act of inflicting terror.  It is not limited to a particular race, religion, political affiliation or nationality.  It comes in all shapes, sizes and colors.  It cannot be stopped because it cannot be seen until after it has unleashed its wrath.

 

 

In the wake of what happened Monday in Boston, it is difficult for me to listen to the peaceful activists who rise up to defend the international terrorists by saying, “How do you think they feel when our troops come to their countries, destroy their homes and murder their loved ones?” 

First, we don’t know if what occurred in Boston was the work of an international terrorist or a domestic one.  All we know is that it was indeed an act of terrorism.  Regardless, a terrorist’s actions should never be defended.

Second, and some have called me naïve, I don’t believe our American troops go into other countries and intentionally blow up innocent people.  I know there have been situations where innocent lives have been lost, but I do not believe the act was with intent and malice.  I know many US soldiers from several military branches and none of them have ever spoken of killing innocent women and children merely for the sake of killing.  None of them have pretended to blend with the culture, waited for a crowded event like the Boston marathon and then planted explosive devices so that they could kill unarmed, non-violent citizens.  We can debate whether or not our troops belong in other countries…but I will not believe we go there with terrorism in our hearts.

This marks that pacifist argument void in my book.

 

I’ve taken some flak for my harsh anti-terrorism view, but it doesn’t change my stance.  I understand it sounds harsh, but I believe all terrorists should be killed.  Let me put it in softer terms, though the outcome is the same…I believe that what comes around should go around; what is sown should be reaped.  Or, I can put it this way:  Karma.  Whatever you want to call it, I believe it’s time to take a stand against all terrorism and against all hate, regardless of what face it bears.

There are more good people in the world than bad.  There is more kindness than hatefulness, but what happens is that every act of terrorism causes a dual reaction among people.  It can either paralyze people into a fearful existence or it can empower people into a positive position of helpfulness.  Let it do the latter.

Goodness, helpfulness, love, peace and truth will prevail in the end, but let me say this:  They will not prevail by taking a pacifist stance and excusing terrorist behavior.  They prevail by ridding our nation and our world of terrorism.  They prevail by stopping the hate, not explaining it away, justifying it or ignoring it. 

Take a stand against hate in all of its many forms, and love will conquer.  ~