Date:	2007-02-03 12:50
Subject:	Small Reading Update and Movie comments
Security:	Public
Mood:	hopeful
Music:	MXC

Okay, so I did start The Hitchikers Guide to the Galexy, then I was told I had to put that aside and focus on The Hobbit. Now given that I have not had much time to read at all, I am currently split between 3 friggen books!

The Hobbit

The Hitchikers Guide to the Galexy

Putting the One Minute Manager to Work

Two are pleasure the other is more for the professional career type thing. Still I am pushing into them at good steady clips just got to keep pressing on and on.

The other day I watched "Memoirs of a Geisha". I don't really know why I started watching it, but once I was in it, there I was. I have to say - surprisingly - I have thought about this movie more then I thought I ever would. And yes, I even cried at some parts because I found it just so very sad. If you have some time, it's worth a viewing. Yet some parts were very beautiful and touching.

So it's been a full year since I have updated here. Sorry about that. Part of it was that I lost my password to the site (shocking) the other was that I was not really reading that much. Just have not had the time.

But this year, I do have a reading plan! Kinda of. And I have found my password (obviously) and the rest will be history.

So if you still are here, I thank you, if not I hope people will come back at some point.

Till next time!

This is what I have for September thus far (I know I suck right?).

Life Design Strategies - Issue #16 August - pgs 8 – This one had lots of information about purpose and finding your purpose. Somehow… some things really didn’t click with me and it could just be my state of mind these days. But, I did take some info down for later to see if I can get something to click then.

Realms of Fantasy – October ’05 – pgs 90 – I pick this magazine up every now and then. Mainly I find that I pick it up in Ocean City but I was at a new book store and I caught my eye so there you have it. I enjoyed some of the stories and the book reviews were very detailed for sure. I took down a few book titles for reference in possible future purchases.

Total pages and such to come soon, I hope to get at least a few more done in the last few weeks of the month, but no promises. *g*

I forgot these last few for the month of August.

Life Design Strategies - Issue #14 Mid July - pgs 6 - This one was about decluttering yourself. There was some talk about going to a local health food shop and detoxing that way. But over all, the message was one of clearing out the old and opening yourself up to listen to you.

Life Design Strategies - Issue #15 August - pgs 7 - This newsletter focused on health and what to do for yourself to get back on track health wise. What made me think the most was about letting negative feelings go because of the impact they have on your own personal life. I really have experienced this during the year thus far and I want to find a better way of managing my anger for sure.

Life Design Strategies - Issue #16 Mid August - pgs 6 - This was all about "back-to-school" and the things you can do to encourage your child. The two things that caught my eye is that you don't put a desk against a wall and it needs to face the door. However your been also needs to face the door with a clear line of vision. I think we have far to many things facing the door at this point. But still I did like some of the recognition ideas. I don't have kids so this newsletter really didn't fill any void that I had.

I'll be back with a total at some point, promise.

Date:	2005-08-26 11:18
Subject:	More completed in August!
Security:	Public
Mood:	curious

Smithsonian - July '05 - pgs 108 - In the July 1970 column of The year we were born the had something that struck me as totally not fair. It could be that times have changed but the quote is "Only July 15, a House investigating committee reports that Army and State Department officers covered up a March 1968 massacre of hundreds of Vietnamese civilians by American solders in the hamlet of My Lai." The article goes on to tell that only one soldier was ever convicted and served three years of house arrest. Three years at home for hundreds of lives lost just does not sit well with me at all. They had a cool Y.M.C.A. Village People article on the donation of the gold record to an Indian Museum. And there is an article about "Woman of the Drill" that any woman who has hung something by themselves should read!

Call Center Magazine - Feb '05 - pgs 57 - Very interesting article on queue service levels for call centers and the idea that outbound cold call centers are going overseas where it is cheaper.

Call Center Magazine - June '05 - pgs 57 - Wonderful article on motivation and understanding what agents are really looking for. I don't know if I agree with it, but it did have some good pointers.

Call Center Magazine - July '05 - pgs 73 - This was the annual buys guide so, lots of places to buy things. But I did like an article about not just having the techknowledgy but using and understanding what it can do for you.
59) Pearls Before Swine: This Little Piggy Stayed Home – Stephan Pasties – Pgs 128 – This comic strip cracks me up. WOW! If you have a chance catch it in the Sunday news paper or it can be found on Yahoo!. The characters are funny and the messages are clear (if warped) at times. If you love the Far Side, you will love this too. Enjoy!

Pearls Before Swine: This Little Piggy Stayed Home – Stephan Pasties – Pgs 128 – This comic strip cracks me up. WOW! If you have a chance catch it in the Sunday news paper or it can be found on Yahoo!. The characters are funny and the messages are clear (if warped) at times. If you love the Far Side, you will love this too. Enjoy!

Date:	2005-08-18 07:31
Subject:	August Updates
Security:	Public
Mood:	nervous
Music:	Howard Stern - Radio

August Updates on my reading front!

Star Wars Episode 1 script – Pgs 53 – This was taken from the net and has all the deleted scenes from the movie. It was very interesting to read honestly and I found myself drawn into it deeply. There were some things that were a touch dull but over all… glad I snagged it.

Star Wars Episode 2 script – Pgs 53 – Again taken from the net with all the deleted scenes. Honestly, they really should have left those scenes in. Padme has a much deeper character because of those scenes and as someone who likes a strong female character I feel this would have given her the depth she lacked in the movie. It also shows a side of her and Anakin that is missing as well. It’s really a shame. But again, I was drawn in and hooked on reading more so then I ever thought I would be.

Star Wars Episode 3 script – Pgs 48 – This was the one I was looking for! One last time taken from the net with all the deleted scenes and such. And this time, they really screwed up Padme’s character. All of what her character is was lost in he movie because it didn’t show what the script had. She does start the rebel alliance, she does hold secrets from Anakin (just as he did her) and Obi-wan knows that they are in love and that Anakin is hanging out with her on his own. See – this kind of thing needs to be in the movie! But no… they go for the fighting and the semi-relationship character development of Anakin / Padme. There could have been more depth and I feel they walked away from that. She was a solid character in Episode 1, they turned her into weepy pregnant woman for 3. Still, I have to say… I did love the movie for all it’s flaws.

Homebasics – Summer/Fall 2005 – Pgs 31 – This was sent to me by Giant Food based on what I shop I think. It had some coupons and also some good recipes. Plus I really enjoyed the general information on health and such. It was a good flip through I must say.

Total pages for the month of August: 494

June, July & August

Okay, so I have been slacking off here. I am woman enough to admit that. Honestly I am... okay you all hate me now don't you? But seriously, it hasn't been intentional at all! Honestly. I just got tied up with RL and it's not that I don't love you... hey wait.

Screw this. I owe you nothing. Here's my latest reads!

The Joy Letter - e news letter - May 25, 05 #121 - Pgs 6 - I find it interesting from time to time how someone who is trying to help you open your heart has a problem admitting their heart was never open. That was the basic's behind this news letter. Suzanne admitted that while she gives all of this advice she has a problem most of the time doing the advise herself. She is starting a new journey which I think is great. It's subject is a bit too odd for me to go to the website and read more on, but the newsletter did have some interesting questions to journal on so I feel there was a benefit granted by reading it.

NAFE Magazine- Summer 2005 - Pgs 32 - In this issue they had a round up from there convention which included a lot of people saying how the did this or that. But what I found more interesting was the tips on how to make yourself more appealing for a board position and if franchising was for you.

Star Wars Magazine May 2005 - Pgs 94 - I got this because I am on a really big Star Wars kick right now and it had Anakin stuff in it. That is why I picked it up - honest! But I did enjoy reading some of the Q&A's because some of the questions asked were the same ones that my friends and I have been bantering around a bit.

The Sinner – Tess Garritsen – Pgs 384 – This book was read mostly during Shore Leave where I would wake up and read before the house kinda got up. It was very enjoyable that way and there were lots to enjoy about this book honestly. Bt over all, it wouldn’t make me buy any more of her stories. I kept feeling that things were being repeated over and over again and the atheist arguments between Maura Isle’s and the head Sister were at times – tedious – mainly because she never came out with the big guns against religion. But that was just my thing I think. The story had it’s twists and turns and over all it wasn’t bad, I just kept thinking she was trying to lengthen it out for a higher page count.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone – Pgs 309 – I got this when it first came out and only when I went for the midnight book store opening for the 6th book did I even think about reading the first. That and the gentle persuasion of years from friends. Over all, the book was not bad. It took me a few re-reads of the first few pages to get the hang of her writing style. Lots of CAPITAL WORDS but I didn’t like the treatment of Harry over all. This is like an abused child that no one bothered to call help for! I mean come on people why do I want to read about an unwanted child who lives under the stairs with spiders and such. Then I found that it is a popular type of fiction in the UK and it started to make more sense to me. Still, it had it’s twists and turns and I was hooked till the end and I intend to read book 2. Over all, I say give these book a try, but I still don’t think these are kids books.

The Writer - July '05 - pgs 66 - An interesting snippet on Booksfree.com that seems like a good idea for a few people. They also had a good link to www.sfhub.ac.uk that I will be checking out. The next addition of How to develop a first draft was not really as gripping as it's previous parts. The next article that caught me was "Make Every Word count" which was very detailed in giving examples of using one word vs. another. Wonderful point of view article explaining each one in detail so that you can work on finding which one is right for your specific story. I have to be honest, this month's edition was very inspiring with far to many positives to put in this small review. Needless to say, this is one copy that is going to be close at hand for a bit.

Angel - #9 May/June '05 - pgs 64 - I have to be honest, I picked this up on a whim and because of the following cover headline "Angel Resurrected! Angel saga to continue! Full details inside!" and for some reason it didn't click with me that if Angel was coming back to TV's or Movies I would have seen it on the net before this magazine. But I bought it anyway. I was a tad depressed to learn that the continuation they spoke of was an Angel comic book that takes place after the season ender. It doesn't pick up right after but they hope that will be issue #2 or something. They did have an awesome article on the creation of the Angel puppet from "Smile Time" (one of the best episodes evah!!). And a lot on Fred (Amy Acker) including an interview with Fred's parents. I found the entire magazine interesting (but not enough to buy a subscription to).

Stargate SG 1 - #4 May / June ' 05 - pgs 66 - This is the first time I've read this magazine. I of course picked it up because Michael Shanks was on the cover and I was needing an SG 1 fix. I had heard they were going to start a magazine, but lets be honest after 8 years it's a touch late to be on issue #4. I find it interesting that Martin Wood admits that the loss of RDA to the series freed up enough money to make MGM want to pump up the series run to 9 well that and AT missing 5 episodes. How much does this chick make that it is having this sort of effect? No wonder they use the hell out of her. The MS article was interesting. You can tell that MS really likes the character of Daniel and agrees that the relationship between Daniel and Jack can not be replicated (so to speak). But I think MS might be a bit to confident of the show not changing since RDA will no longer be on it. I think it will either keep fans or drop them fast. I'm on the ropes for season 9 at this point. Still it's nice to see him interested and excited to be on the show. They also had the A - Z of Jack O'Neil which I found very interesting and detailed. They had some other articles that had a lot of interesting information in them.

Oceans of Fire by Christine Feehan - pgs 356 - This is the next book in the Drake Sisters series. I have to say I really liked this book. It was fun an witty. At times Abby was a bit.... stubbern and kept saying the same thing over and over again, but once you finish the book it does come full circle and work itself out really well. I do like that one of the plot points to get Abby back to Sea Haven is the wetting of Kate and Matt from the previous book. Of course the wedding didn't happen but they did plan a touch of it. I am really looking forward to the next Drake Sisters story almost more then the next Carpathian one! If you like magic, pretty dominant woman and really hot guys, you might want to check these out.

The Twilight Before Christmas by Christine Feehan - pgs 284 - I read this book last year (as you know from my previous book log) but I enjoyed it so much and Oceans of Fire was such a sweet delight I dug this one out and read over it again. What surprised me were parts of the story that bummped me out last time I read it, didn't this time. It was smooth and fun but it did make me question some comments in Oceans of Fire. Still I will wait for the next book to see if things come full circle which I am sure they will. Again nice Christmas story about a big family celebrating Christmas and two people destined to be together getting that way.

Call Center Magazine - May '05 - Pgs 64 - This month this magazine had some great information in it. Mainly it was about off shoring and the pros and cons and what the industry is doing. But what caught my eye over and over were the new strategies companies are using to figure out if they want to go off shore and in turn this explains why so many come back. I'm glad I took my time with this one this month.

Life Design Strategies - Volume 5, Issue 7 - April - Pgs. 7 - This was a good one! I got to take down 8 tips of how to really work on decluttering my house. The goal now would be to put them in place to move forward with them fully. Some I have been doing and it has been great, things like opening doors and windows but I do need to work on picking up and sorting away a whole lot more.

Life Design Strategies - Volume 5, Issue 8 - Mid April - Pgs. 7 - This issue really didn't have anything that caught my eye. I did manage to pull a quote from it but over all, I do most of what they expressed as ideas for finances and some suggestions they gave did not really pick up as something that would suite my self or my life.

Life Design Strategies - Volume 5, Issue 9 - May - Pgs. 7 - This newsletter was focused more on the energy you get from your house number and what it means. Mine was kind of right when I did the exercise but over all... I am not sure if I would do anything with this information. Still it was interesting to see what each number meant.

The Writer - June '05 - Pgs 66 - This month showed some new features like the archived articles they pull out. Also in the letter from the editor it talks about writing time, if you are a 9 to 5 kinda person or a up all night sleep all day type of person. They found some letters from Percy Bysshe Shelley advocating atheism which are expected to see for up to $58,000 on the same page was some interesting tid bits on a new google function that will help pull together writing resources. They have a very interesting article on how to write a memoir. This was the first article that I really enjoyed on this subject. It didn't answer all my questions but it gave me enough to think about trying to write one.

TV Guide – Star Wars – May 1-7 – Pgs 171 – Of course I got this for the collectors cover. I won’t lie about it, that is the only reason I buy TV Guide anymore. It did have some fun Star Wars stuff inside and I do like the new movie guide in the back that they didn’t have the last time I saw it. If you are a SW collector get the cover if not – skip away!

Smithsonian - April 05 – Pgs 120 – Wonderful articleon the digs currently going on in Libya and the mosaics they are finding there. Also the evolution of the hearing aid.

Holy Moly mackeroly! By Gloria Page – Pgs 280 – This says it all “Reflections on the Business of Art and the Art of life – and reflections it was. There were some nice quotes and some interesting pop culture references that I did identify with. However the size of the book is not very comfortable and it makes it cumbersome to carry around with you. I felt this limited my interest in reading it because I could only read it in certain places unlike a paper back that I can just toss in a bag. The books info over all is a good group of how to but since I am not interested in starting my own business well… my attention really wasn’t there to be honest. Still if you get the chance and looking for a book on self business give it a try.

Writers Digest - June 05 - pgs 73 - The Ebb and Flow of Confidence was a really good piece that I clicked with right away. Mainly it's about the confidence (or lack there of) in each writer. Second to None was also good at pin pointing the importance of secondary characters and bringing them to life a bit more. They also had an article on cutting out short stories from your un-published work and how to set up your own book signing.

Total pages for the month: 795

In Memory of Lopez

Archaeology – May / June ’05 – pgs 72 – Interesting article on Gilgamesh & the author. He is looking to release a new version of this story. Treasures of Tanis by Bob Brier (my favorite Egypt guy) talks about the 3 undiscovered burial chambers in Tanis and how they surpass the treasure of Tutankhamen. It got me interested in researching more of Tanis that’s for sure!

Writers Digest – May ’05 – Pgs 80 – To be honest this was not a good issue. Nothing held my attention and nothing made me want to write. I think this is a first for this magazine.

Smithsonian – May ‘05 – Pgs 124 – An interesting article on how they are trying to prove life on Mars is real. A settlement in Central Turkey may provide clues to civilizations in the past.

Total pages for the month: 787

The Pull of the Moon by Elizabeth Berg – pgs 271 – This book started off very interesting to me and then fizzled I have to say. Maybe because I am not as old as the woman in the book or because I don’t understand how someone could allow themselves to feel so lost in their own world that they need to leave their husband and drive to where ever to find themselves once more. I liked that this woman did take her life into her own hands to find her way and find out who she was… I just felt that I could not identify with her along the way. And at times I felt her experiences were too perfect. Always something good to eat, always a nice stranger ready to talk they just didn’t ring true to me. Still I did enjoy the story being told through letters to her husband and her journal entries only.

Personal Journaling – Feb. ’03 – pgs 64 – Interesting idea of E-journaling with 7 easy steps to start with. I do not however think this is something that would work for me. In writing ways it talks about using Journal entries to heal, highlighting some of your favorite sections, a journal to track your reading (as I do here) and another one where you write just the good things. In journal escapes they list 20 websites to get you jumpstarted. I was surprised to see Journalcon at the head of the list. It was also discussed hot to create a sacred journaling space as well as another suggestion for group journaling where you read your work out loud (I am not comfortable with that idea). One article that really caught my attention was Write it then burn it. This is where you set your soul free & write without worry – why? Because once you finish you shred, burn, rip, trash & otherwise destroy what you wrote down. My only concern was that some ideas they presented did not follow the theme of destroying the paper. They also showed how to make a Haiku Journal. It also offered tips on how to write the hard to tell stories as well as how to find out what is really bothering you below the surface & bring it forth. They also had an article on journaling your way out of debt.

Writers Journal – May / June ’05 – Pgs 64 – Interesting enough was the fact that the letters published complained about last editions contest winner. Marketing helps gave some interesting suggestions on how to get some reviews for your book – they also provided URLS. I loved Photography techniques this month was about lighting and hues obtained during certain parts of the day. Computer business started a series of articles on MS Word and short cuts keys. It was pretty neat to see which shortcuts they put in this part. The article “the only business is selling” which took tips from wall street and applied them to writing was very interesting & thought provoking we also had a good article in “get psyched for your next interview!” which provided 10 tips on interviewing people. “The Library’s hidden treasures” was an article everyone should read! Great tips on researching topics. Goal oriented writing also gave an interesting POV on on-line writing groups.

It's been a busy month which has lead to little reading on my part I'm sorry to say.

Date:	2005-04-18 08:23
Subject:	April Read
Security:	Public
Mood:	energetic
Music:	Morning News

Transcendental by shallot can be found here 112 pages in word. John / Rodney story (the first one I have read) very believable and very interesting. It is a good strong read that will keep you going. This is the summary that was sent to me and I could not put it better. Executive summary: When the Genii take Elizabeth out of the equation, Rodney ends up in charge of Atlantis. Exec-Sum Post Script: Beautifully Rodney. So completely Rodney. All his genius and all his faults. Loved it. Would hate to have to work under him though.

These will at least catch up all of my March reading thus far that I have been neglected in putting up here. I'm good on reading magazines to the point that I am going back and reading ones that I have just sitting around. Mainly to get them out of my house. LOL!

The Writer – April ’05 – Pgs 66 – There is a small bit on “The Princess effect” that I felt should have been longer. Researchers are studying the reading of classic fairytales to children and hot it relates to self-esteem growing up. Grand opening went deep into the heart of hot to start a story. Their examples were perfect. Once upon a time gave some interesting hints on how to hook readers of sorts.

Readers Digest – August ’04 – Pgs 236 – They had some good tips on how to get home earlier & fighting energy vampires! I will even try to use these. Every day heros & That’s Outrageous were depressing as usual. I know stuff is out there, do I need to read it here? Sean Astin as an article about his mom Patty Duke which is inspiring.

Readers Digest - March '05 - Pgs. 204 - I like that they have a free on-line stress test to find and a monthly e-news letter for Diabetes. The letters to the editor were very interesting and passionate about the subject of drunk driving. They also had an article on how libraries are using collections agencies to get books back. I am not sure I could eat Sushi at a baseball game (the subject was more woman going to sporting events and the food they want to eat there). In My Planet the subject of identity theft was very well put. I also did not fully agree with the Turning point article. But then I never said all of us should get along. Of course money talks was all about taxes & getting organized both of which I am doing. A wonderful article on the JFK murder is also here & worth a read (it's way to detailed to go into here).

Smithsonian - March '05 - Pgs. 108 - Interesting article on Andre Kertesz who pioneered modern photography. In a related note Jerry Seinfeld donated his "Puffy Pirate" shirt to the Museum of American History. I really enjoyed the article on "Scientists Nab Stowaways, Foil Invasions" about the Chesapeake Bay & Ships brining in marine organisms in ballast water. 100 yrs ago this month Mata Hari stormed the Paris stage to only be killed in 1917 by execution for passing information to the Germans in WWI. They also had an article on earthquakes in the east coast. In addition there is also an article about the Fur Seals of the Pribilof Islands. These creatures numbers are in trouble and it's not from hunting anymore. They also included an article on Jules Verne hidden at the end of the magazine which was well worth a read and should not have been at the end.

Writers Digest - April '05 - Pgs. 80 - The little things was a nice pick me up & a reminder of how to use details in your writing. Daily Doses was a nice article on the importance of Blogs to get your name out (however, the warn be careful of your one off entries as your blog will also be used to judge you which is a very good warning). Paging new Authors has some contacts I just might use. I need to get my stuff together first, but this was an inspiration to get moving. The Perfect fit a wonderful article on choosing a writers conference (just because it is bigger and costs more, doesn't mean it's better - so true).

Personal Journaling - August '02 - Pgs. 64 - (This is the first of my reading my very old magazines to get rid of them. I find it interesting how yellow the pages have become in these years.) Letters of appreciation was a very interesting idea of writing letters to those people you know letting them know how much you appreciate them and tell them all of the things you would never say to their face. I really can not see how this would fit into my life or do any good. It may work for some people, but as I read the article I kept thinking that I don't know if I would want to receive a letter like that at all. The next article I found interesting was about the voice of your inner critic and how if they pop up while you are reading your past entries you should incorporate their feedback into your current entry to either silence it or grow from the comments. I find this intriguing and something I may try once to see how it goes. They had an article which expressed and idea to keep a quote journal. Since I do love quotes I might actually do this one. We will see. The next article that engrossed me was one from someone who as a child had experienced their parents reading their journal. As a result they could no longer fully express themselves in any way. While this lead to other problems down the line I feel what should be used here is the tips for how to overcome this - mainly write about other things and your personal stuff will slip in - not sure if it will work, but having had this happen to me, I might try it. They also had an idea for sketching things into your journal as a way of remembering for you. It may not be a great sketch but to you it will bring back a full scene. They had a tip for journaling about your current surroundings - your home - or where you write. Then add a twist to them (the twists in the article sucked, but I got the message). Last but not least was an idea I will share with people for sure. It's a post card journal. You go somewhere, buy a post card and write on the back of it. Then bind them all together to remember your trip. Very cool idea indeed.

Archaeology - March / April 05 - Pgs. 72 - They are finally reporting that the makers of the fake "James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus" box will go on trial. They have indicted a few people on this and are also pointing the finger at Biblical Archaeology Review for egging people on. What's interesting is that I use to get BAR! In Mexico they found artifacts in the tomb of Teotihuacan's Pyramid of the Moon that look a heck of a lot like stuff seen on Stargate SG1 (I am not kidding here). There is a great article on Maya here which shows that what most archaeologists have dismissed is now becoming clear that is is so much more underneath. I can not wait till they start to show more pictures of the new things they have uncovered there. A wonderful piece with author Barbara Mertz otherwise known as Elizabeth Peters who writes Egyptian Mystery stories. I had no clue this woman lived in Maryland! But I can tell you I am going to check out a few of her books for sure. The rest of the magazine mainly had some book and game reviews that did not interest me all that much and really are not worth mentioning.

Call Center Magazine - March '05 - Pgs 64 - This was more for my work, then for pleasure. But I always find it interesting that this magazine tends to state the obvious time and again. They did have an interesting article on temparary agencies. Plus I think they had a good point of outbound learning from inbound and vice versa. Still, a lot of common sense stuff over all (and ad's for headsets!).

This is the last read for February, see previous entry for why it is being posted in March, and that brings total page count for the month toooo....

987!!!!

NAFE magazine - First Quarter 2005 - Pgs. 40 - This is the National Association for Female Executives magazine. This quarter has a good article about weather or not you should get an MBA. It also lists the top 30 companies for woman this quarter taking on the additional role to show just what these companies use woman for (higher jobs or lower ones). I found the article on running a family business interesting. It featured Stephanie Gallo of E & J Gallo Winery and growing up and then being brought into the family business. The other article was a member profile of a woman who decided to take a right and move back home to take are of hoarses and the enviroment. I don't know that I could ever do that given she works at a full time job then spends another 30 hrs a week on a farm, but the information on hourses and such was very captivating.

This was finished on the 28th and written on the 28th. I blame a snow storm and possible cold coming on for my late update.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer - Tales of the Slayer, Vol. 3 - Pgs. 323 -

Dark of the Moon (Yvonne Navarro) - This story tried my patience honestly. I don't mind that some of the words were in another language, I just wanted the story to move forward and get to some action. The descriptions of the desert and such painted a wonderful image of the surrondings but it did nothing to hold my interest. Plus I found the ending a disappointment.

Ch'ing Shih (Mel Odom) - This tale I enjoyed. The point of view was well done and the ending left me wanting to read more about Xiaoqin. The detail was just enough to get the image, the reference to the Watchers was nice and the supporting characters were believable. This tale would be easy to read again.

Voodoo Lounge (Christopher Golden) - A tale of Eleanor Boudreau takes place in 1940. This was not a bad story, but a touch slow in parts. Not as hard to get past as Dark of the Moon but not something that kept me page turning like Ch'ing Shih.

The Code of the Samurai (Nancy Holder) - I am not sure how this tale fits into the Slayer history we know as it takes place in 1993. But the streets of Tokeyo will never be the same. I loved one line in this story: "Bamboo just made them angry". It was in reference to swards and such. But still very cute. The story over all was pretty good. I liked the ending and the preservation of someone's memory. The slayer was a bit out of character at times in thought patters but over all. Not a bad story to end the book with.

A Jack Tale by Stef – can be found here – Pgs 23 (in word) – An SG 1 story rec. It’s actually very good about Jack’s last mission before moving into his new promotion. Easy and fun read. Try it! I really enjoyed the ending. *g*

eDigital Photo – Special Issue 2004 – Pgs. 96 – I got this magazine while I was in Ocean City for winterfest. When I looked over it at the store it looked like a good magazine. I just got finished going over it, and now I am not thinking as such. It’s more for “tips on how to make your pictures look good on ebay”. It was a lot of camera and printer ad’s as well. Not over the top bad, but I would never think about buying this one again.

Writers Journal - March / April '05 Vol. 26 No 2 - Pgs. 64 - Massaging the Muse has a really good idea of a idea book. A book where you list all of your ideas for writing stories and such. I am not sure I agree to carrying around a large book to instantly write things down in (my purse isn't that big) but I think making notes and transferring them would work just as well. Photography Techniques was all about taking pet pictures (something I do lots of). The ideas were very good ones now I just need the weather to work with me to get the dogs outside sometime soon.