Just found out that Saints Preserve Us took first place in the 2003 Royal Palm Awards, presented by the Florida Writers Association!!!!! See for yourself!
Francis of Paola, Francis de Sales, pray for me! Tomorrow combines two things I hate: flying and public speaking. Please remember me in your prayers for a safe trip to and from Jax and that I don't do anything stupid in the interim.
I didn't watch Schiavo on Larry King last night. I can't stand Larry King. I look at him on TV and I just want to pull back those suspenders and launch him into the next state. I did read the followup on CNN.com and concur with Victor's assessment, though. He says what I'm sure a lot of us want to say. My blog would have been peppered with foul words, though. I fear since this time change I have lost all couth, and that isn't good if I'm going to be making a presentation at my college on Thursday.
As part of Jacksonville University's Humanities program, I'll be speaking Thursday night at 7 at the Gooding Auditorium. If you're in the Jax area and really want to know what I look like without a drink in my hand, stop over. This is why I wasn't watching TV last night - I was writing my speech. I hate giving speeches. Last one I gave was at the Catholic Writer's Festival in Steubenville, and I had to shout the last five minutes because somebody brought a screaming baby into the area where they had put me. I don't expect there will be babies at this thing Thursday, but hopefully the people won't look as bored as they did in Ohio. Hopefully more people will show than at CWF (they put my presentation at the same time as Bud McFarlane's. Thanks!) Maybe I'll wear something tight.
We went to see Radio this weekend. Nice, feel-good movie, not one that requires a lot of thinking. Malc especially liked it; then again, he can relate to the setting (small town obsessed with varsity football). Good movie for a rainy day.
So now begins the post-baseball letdown. Being a Florida gal, I'm happy for the Marlins, but I really wanted to see the Cubs play this year. NASCAR has almost worn with me; I watched part of the race last night and the cars were just going around in circles. Restrictor plates suck. This just leaves football, and my fantasy team is in last place despite coaching from my relatives. Makes me wonder...
Happy thoughts, everybody. Pray For Us Sinners is complete, and off to the publisher for approval. I personally think this installment is much better than Saints Preserve Us; there's a bit more romantic conflict, better dialogue, and one of the supporting players is the Holy See. He gets in a few good lines, too.
posted by Leigh Ellwood at10:13 PM
Every now and then I get these forwarded cutesy-poo e-mails. Nobody told me it was Beautiful Woman Month and I'm ticked, it doesn't give me much time to run out and get my freak on. Here's the mail; I'm sure somewhere down the line you've received it, too:
"Facts on Figures : There are 3 billion women who don't look like supermodels and only eight who do. (Cool, we outnumber them. Let's kick some skinny a$$)
If Barbie was a real woman, she'd have to walk on all fours due to her proportions. (Woof.)
The average woman weighs 144 lb. and wears between a 12-14. (Personally, I think we're all above average)
One out of every four college-aged women has an eating disorder. (Looking around where my husband teaches, it appears one of every four walks around like she just rolled out of bed! Run a comb through your hair, girls!)
The models in the magazines are airbrushed -- not perfect! (Anyone see that Dateline a while back which had Jamie Lee Curtis talking about this?)
A psychological study in 1995 found that three minutes spent looking at a fashion magazine caused 70% of women to feel depressed, guilty, and shameful. (Once I read a Cosmo that proclaimed brunettes were boring. Helen Gurley Brown can kiss my a$$.)
Models twenty years ago weighed 8% less than the average woman. Today they weigh 23% less. (Twiggy was 8% less than the average woman? Did people not eat back then?)"
This has been your Friday pick-me-up. Be sure to hug your beautiful woman today, and keep praying for that beautiful woman in South Florida.
I had no clue Ron Palillo had a sizable international fan base. I imagine, though, it's marginally larger than that of the guy who played Beau during that last season. Look out for jumping sharks.
Saints be praised, including the ones named Teresa/Therese! Keep checking around St. Blog's for Terri Schiavo updates. I heard she is being rehydrated; hope it wasn't too late that irreversible damage set in.
posted by Leigh Ellwood at9:39 AM
2003/10/21
I've been offered a contract for Pithed. More details to come. I need to look it over and decide if everything is kosher.
posted by Leigh Ellwood at12:36 PM
2003/10/20
I've lost count of the days
I've posted my Schiavo watch cache at b4G. I especially like Father Todd's suggestion (last link on the cache) of a fast for Terri.
Will try for something more uplifting tomorrow.
And if the music stops
There's only the sound of the rain
All the hope and glory
All the sacrifice in vain
[And] if love remains
Though everything is lost
We will pay the price,
But we will not count the cost. -- Rush, "Bravado"
Gary got a mention in Gene Frenette's T-U column, underneath a scorching editorial about Marlins "fans." I'll still probably watch the series, though my heart's not in it. We've been Cubs fans since we first got cable and were able to watch WGN, back when Andre Dawson and Ryno were playing and Harry looked as if he was about to topple out of the press box while singing at the seventh inning stretch. Malc went to high school with Ricky Wilkins, their former catcher, and now that I have family in the area we might just get to Wrigley Field yet.
Following the developments of Terri's story can only remind one of how precious and short life is. I once watched a comedian on television who was diagnosed with HIV. He said he decided to persue a stand-up career because it's what he had always wanted to do. I don't know if there's one thing Terri has always wanted to do, but I can't understand why her husband won't give her the chance to do it.
In a way, I feel lucky for having been published. Writing is what I want to do, and if I never sell another copy of Saints, Little Flowers, or anything else I'm fortunate to see published, I can always say I did what I wanted. I hope Terri can say that one day. I'm glad my friend Gary was able to do so. God bless them both.
A few years ago we had some extra cash and wanted to do something frivolous. Malc asked me what was the one thing I always wanted but never bought for myself. I said I always wanted a bottle of Chanel No. 5, so he bought it for me. I wore it occasionally, for special nights. When this Terri Schiavo thing came down to the wire, I found myself staring at that bottle, a few years old and still nearly full, and wondered what the hell was I saving it for. One day I'll be dead and there will be nothing left but a bottle of perfume I always wanted but never used.
Make every day a special occasion. Wear the Chanel. Use the good china.
~ * ~
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly.
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise.
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see.
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to be free.
Blackbird fly, Blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night. - Lennon/McCartney
All Along the Watchtower: Prince goes proselytizing for the JWs. I had been under the impression the he was always of the faith, but the article says he's a recent convert. Must be thinking of Michael Jackson.
Our first apartment in Athens was a block away from a Kingdom's Hall. You want to know the true face of anger? Ring our doorbell at seven on a Saturday morning after Malc has the spent all of the previous night working on his dissertation.
Beyonce Knows her Destiny: from WENN - The deeply religious Destiny’s Child beauty insists there's no hypocrisy in her body-baring outfits and sexual dancing - she's so secure in her relationship with God, she knows he understands. Beyonce explains, "I have standards. There are things I will not do. I always carry myself like a lady. I don't feel like I ever do anything raunchy. I'm not disrespectful, dirty, or nasty. It's entertainment and I believe God is okay with that. I honestly believe he wants people to celebrate their bodies, as long as you don't compromise your Christianity in the process.
Well, that's a load off my mind. I guess this means I can start selling St. Blog's Parish thongs via CafePress, eh?
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Gary Izzo, a former JU-mate of mine who passed away Friday of cancer. Just found out about it myself. Gary was one of the co-authors of The Devil's Rood (a fictional account of the life of serial killer Herman Mudgett), a group novel written by my former teacher, Bob Stanton, and his creative writing group. Gary was instrumental in setting up the DR website, which I maintain (it's bare bones right now, but in it's prime it was a site/sight to behold), and he and I spent a number of months e-mailing each other about the site and about writing. He had a great sense of humor and he was very excited to have been published. At booksignings, the "US Five" would dress up as their favorite characters, and Gary took delight in reading his passages featuring Herman Mudgett's caretaker in an exaggerated accent. Gary was a member of St. Michael's Church in North Florida.
I'm supposed to be in Jax at the end of month to do a presentation at JU, and I had hoped Gary could hang on until I got there. Looks like I won't be getting this wish, but it is my hope, at least, that he is no longer in pain. Godspeed, Iz.
If you've made the parish rounds today, the talk is all about Terri Schiavo. I've refrained from commenting on the issue for two reasons: 1) there are many other St. Bloggers around who are more eloquent and more capable of handling commentary like this. I'm here to post bizarre witticisms and Paulie/Geddy lust, which I'm sure some readers don't mind (just not in large doses); and, 2) because what I have to say on the subject is not suitable for young eyes. I don't really keep track of who visits this blog, so I don't know how many minors stumble inside my underground lair. Therefore, I try to keep things clean.
Today, though, we are midway through October. I like to call October the Month of Teresa. It's a nice month; we celebrate the feast days of Little Flower, Teresa Benedicta (Edith Stein), and Teresa of Avila...three of my all-time faves. My sister Theresa's birthday is Columbus Day, and for a while she shared that day with my late grandmother, Angela Theresa Spatafora. Should I have a daughter, I've picked out her name - Linda Therese, after my late Aunt Linda and all of these wonderful Teresas.
Today, we are danger of losing a Teresa, because some people don't want her to live anymore. She is seen as a burden because of her illness, and some people are unmoving despite the fact that other people exist who are willing to take on the responsibility of seeing Terri to recovery, which I'm told is possible. Terri's parents don't even want the money Terri's husband has squirreled away, money that was supposed to be used for Terri's care. They are willing to deal with everything financially themselves. That's not good enough for the people who want her dead, though. I've been following the story via Terri's site and the other blogs, and I have to tell you that, as a native Floridian, I don't feel so proud to have been born there anymore.
So at two o'clock, I'm going to be sitting here in my cubicle, praying. I won't be listening to music like I normally do, but I'll try to concentrate instead on this young woman who deserves a shot at recovery.
UPDATE: I had printed some rough language here (whited out), but it's been a really crummy day so I deleted it.
ESPN's Playmakers missed a good opportunity to make a pro-life statement. If you follow the show, there is a story thread about the star quarterback, McConnell, who is constantly badgering a team assistant (name escapes me) to score him some (crude word depicting female anatomy deleted) at each halftime. Last night's episode concerned one of these many one night stands (on whom the assistant had developed a small crush in a previous episode) returning to announce that she was pregnant. She had already decided on an abortion, and just wanted McConnell to know. Team Assistant suggests McConnell at the very least drive her to the clinic, since she's not "lawyering up" or asking for money. McConnell relents, but of course if you follow the show you know what's going to happen. The guy's a (crude word depicting male anatomy deleted).
Girl gets stood up. TA takes it upon himself to drive the girl to the clinic. Later TA confronts McConnell and informs him to find somebody else to score him some (crude word depicting female anatomy deleted). At this point we're all supposed to stand and cheer because the TA has finally grown a spine, right? Well, perhaps, but I would have cheered louder had the TA, who really liked the girl, remembered her name when McConnell did not, and seemed concerned for her well-being, tried to talk her out of the abortion. That would have made for Must-See-TV.
For some reason Ringsurf has decided to no longer alert me when somebody applies for the St. Blog's Parish webring. I go to the site today to find many applicants. Please forgive the delay. To those who applied and have not added the proper HTML code, please do so ASAP otherwise I cannot add your blog. To those applying for regular websites, you will be deleted. This is a webring for blogs only; I have a separate Catholic writers ring for other sites. Check out my rings section below for the link.
...and curse Sir Walter Raleigh, he's such a stupid git...
I am so damn fried.
Can't sleep, clown will eat me...
Malc has been sick for days. We thought at first it was his gall bladder, and that he might need surgery, but it turns out it is not that bad. We just need to alter our diet for the better and he needs to be less stressed. Of course, it didn't help that the Cubs lost last night, and that our neighbors above decided to get up at five this morning to do who knows what.
Thump thump thump thump. They circle their hardwood (!) floors like Hannibal's elephants. Banging and crashing and thrashing. That set off the six thousand Yorkies they breed. Yap yap yap yap. Skittering canine toenails, like a hard rain at night. Malc says these are not rare occurances, either. It appears we have moved underneath the beach's equivalent to Kramer, squared. If these people work, it must be from within the home, because the noise is constant. Apartment living is for the birds.
So, this will probably be the only post from me today. If anybody needs me, I'll be work staring vacuously at this nice picture I found on the Internet:
Wife-swapping reality show in works. I'm suddenly inspired to pitch my idea to the WB: Baby Switch. That's where we sneak into a selected hospital and switch babies around without the parents' knowledge, wait a few years, spring the news on them, then sit back and watch the hilarity ensue.
Just wait. You don't think it won't happen?
If anybody needs me, I'll be outside, walking on the beach.
Was that a Cubs pin Sharpton was wearing on the debates last night?
posted by Leigh Ellwood at9:16 AM
2003/10/09
Just in time for All Hallow's Eve
FrancisIsidore's first attempt at print is live with the paperback version of Pete Vere's collection of horror stories, Schism, printed via CafePress.com. As with the $1 eBook version, proceeds go to the Order of the Alhambra. I just uploaded this today, so if anybody orders a copy I hope it turns out well. My only beef is that markup on creating books through CafePress.com is a bit steep, forcing authors to charge more. However, if you're familiar with Pete's work and like to help a worthwhile charity, I hope price won't be an issue.
I'm told the 9/20/03 issue of The Tablet, the UK's Catholic weekly, has an article on Catholic blogging, and I'm quoted. Has anybody seen this article? Please contact me if you have.
posted by Leigh Ellwood at11:19 PM
...and all that Jaz!
While we await the name Mr. and Mrs. Agassi will bestow upon their third child, I give you the primer on parent cruelty. Please don't try this at home, or work, or Starbuck's.
To whom it may concern: please don't turn the Cavern Club into the House of Blues. There should only be one Cavern Club. It is history, it is a special place. It should not cheapened by mass reproduction and a menu of entrees with punny names, served with limp French fries. Stop it, now. If people want to see the Cavern badly enough, they'll make the trip to Liverpool. Don't bring it to us.
For one, the Cubs are still alive. For two, Rush in Rio is due on DVD on the 21st. For three, it's football season.
Mark Shea's comments box contains some compelling arguments for and against TV. Interesting fact, the article to which he links mentions one watchable show of the new season's freshman class being Joan of Arcadia, produced by the sister of sometime St. Blogger Karen Hall. Hope for the medium yet?
I guess Mark didn't see this article about MTV renewing a show about a pop star who thinks Buffalo wings actually come from buffalo. Meanwhile, great shows like Gideon's Crossing get canned in the first season. I'd really like to meet a Nielsen family one day, and just ask "What is wrong with you people?"
Filmmaking is in decline, but you don't need to hear that from Sydney Pollack to believe it. The comments came during a salute to the films of the 70s. Remember, however, that the 70s also gave us Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, Roller Boogie, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (I can still hear George Burns ruining "Fixing a Hole"), and Jacqueline Susann's Once is Not Enough. Crow and Tom Servo won't even touch these.
posted by Leigh Ellwood at4:58 PM
Mahna Mahna!
Let's see you get that song out of your head now. Suffer along with me.
posted by Leigh Ellwood at1:48 PM
Never watched Dr. Who myself, never understood it. Dated a guy who did, I imagine he's collecting the DVDs now. He'd be interested to learn that Eddie Izzard takes over the role for the new series. Me, if I want British sci-fi I'll just wait for the Red Dwarf movie that's been in the works for the last fifty years.
...she'll probably want to take it to the clinic to have it tested...
This was the editorial cartoon in yesterday's Virginian-Pilot. Still trying to talk Malc, the reading education professor, into adding it to his office door collection.
Are you a Christian book lover? Have you ever wondered what to read next or what book to buy for your kids? I have a suggestion for you. In fact, I have many suggestions that I’ve put together in my Christian Fiction Guide which you can get electronically, free of charge, as a part of this bonus offer, plus several other valuable materials.
How and why? Let me explain. I would like to introduce to you my new Christian novel, Book 1 of a trilogy titled The Adventures of Jecosan Tarres – and in order to make my offer more attractive to you I am giving you free bonus gifts with it, available only on Tuesday, October 7, 2003.
Now first, let me tell you a little about the book. My novel has already blessed many readers, young and old, and received five-star customer reviews at Amazon.com. Unless you totally dislike fiction, I promise you will enjoy it and want to share it with somebody else. Look what others have to say:
Midwest Book Review: ...a superbly written novel with strong moral values which is suitable for readers as young as ten, yet deliberately written to appeal to readers of all ages.
Customer Review (one of many) from Amazon.com: I read this book aloud to my children and they absolutely loved it.
Does this sound interesting? Wait till you hear about the bonuses! J Here is what you will receive free of charge:
** Laura Lond’s Christian Fiction Guide
** Christian Books For Kids Guide
** Teach Your Kids To Love Reading Article
** Let’s Play, a collection of Christian drama sketches
** What Makes Christian Fiction Christian Article
Getting all these free gifts is a simple two-step process. On Tuesday, October 7, you need to go to Amazon.com and buy a copy of my book (you can use this direct link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1591605296/ ). Amazon will immediately e-mail a purchase confirmation (receipt) to you. Forward it to me at LauraLond@indianvalley.com and I will e-mail your gifts to you.
IMPORTANT NOTE: As you see, the offer is time-sensitive. The purchase has to be made on October 7, any time from early morning to midnight. The book will sell out early, but please order your copy anyway. More books are on the way, and Amazon will fulfill all orders. Another key moment is forwarding me the receipt. Please don’t forget to do that; otherwise I cannot send you the gifts.
If you can’t wait for your receipt, or you are ordering from work and the receipt will be sent to your home computer, don’t worry – as long as your receipt is dated October 7 it will be honored any time, and you will get all the bonuses. You can get free shipping from Amazon if you spend over $25, so I encourage you to buy more than one copy. You will want to share this book with others, and Christmas is just around the corner! It will make a perfect gift.
Thank you very much for your time, and I hope that you will enjoy my book and your bonuses.
Hansen's soda is having a promotion where they will make a donation to breast cancer research for every pink pull tab sent back to them. You can usually find Hansen's soda at health food stores or the health food/vegetarian section of the grocery store. Oh, and there's a yogurt company still doing the pink peel-away label thing, too. Yoplait? I don't eat yogurt, so please let me know.
1) Today is the feast day of St. Therese, Little Flower. I couldn't have finished my first novel without her inspiration. Please implore her intercession that I can get this next one done before the end of the month.
2) Today begins Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Are you doing your monthly checks, ladies? Also, if you feel so inclined, make a donation to your favorite research association and remember your loved patients and survivors in your prayers. I'll be doing the Race for the Cure at the end of the month, too.
3) Second Chances by Weta Nichols is a western romance I edited for Echelon Press. It is now available in eBook and paperback formats. Right now I'm finishing up an editing job for Creek Press, and the sequel to Saints. I'm about eight chapters in and just hit a snag in the storyline, hence the call for prayers.
3) 
