Monday, April 28, 2008

The Internet is for Porn...

Just for fun, from Avenue Q...

Original Video:


Here's another version, with WoW characters, but the sound is better:

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Unconscious Mutterings

Here are my responses to a weekly meme that I found at On a Limb with Claudia:
  1. Thug :: slime
  2. Slurp :: wet
  3. Alley :: way
  4. Sweater vest :: hot
  5. Targeted :: shoot
  6. Snazzy :: nifty
  7. Oy! :: vey
  8. Jury duty :: ugh
  9. Low fat :: carbs
  10. Responsibility :: overload

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Erotic Magnetic Poetry

Fey posted a super-cool link to a magnetic poetry site on the WRB today. You can pick from several magnetic poetry kits, and then move them around to create your own poetry. Here's my first attempt:




If you do one, leave me a link in the comments so I can check it out!

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Thursday Thirteen - Boring Stuff

I've had a crazy busy week, so sorry the blog's been kinda dead and this list is going up late. And, sorry it's pretty boring, but it's what is on my mind at the moment. Happy TT!


13 Things I want to get done this weekend...


1. Clean out my car/Get car washed

2. Buy groceries

3. Complete draft of "Painter" story

4. Take my dogs for a walk

5. Catch up on blogs

6. Sleep

7. Play bunco Sunday night

8. Do laundry (ugh!)

9. Sweep the pollen off my porch

10. Have sex

11. Write flash story for WR prompt

12. Beta for Nic

13. Read something for fun

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in other's comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

Leave your link in a comment, and I'll link back to you here:

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Dear Diary

The Erotic Woman has published my flash piece, Dear Diary, on their main page this week. It was the winner of their Tempted Competition a few months ago and is now residing in their prose archives. If you didn't check it out before, here's another chance. (Note that there's an image on the page that's not work appropriate - i.e. there's nekkidness.)

Thursday Thirteen - Men Are Like


13 Things Men are Like...


1. Laxatives ..... They irritate the crap out of you.

2. Bananas ..... The older they get, the less firm they are.

3. Weather ..... Nothing can be done to change them.

4. Blenders .....You need One, but you're not quite sure why.

5. Chocolate Bars ..... Sweet, smooth, & they usually head right for your hips.

6. Commercials ..... You can't believe a word they say.

7. Department Stores ..... Their clothes are always 1/2 off.

8. Government Bonds ..... They take soooooooo long to mature.

9. Mascara ..... They usually run at the first sign of emotion.

10. Popcorn ..... They satisfy you, but only for a little while.

11. Snowstorms ..... You never know when they're coming, how many inches you'll get or how long it will last.

12. Lava Lamps ..... Fun to look at, but not very bright.

13. Parking Spots .....All the good ones are taken, the rest are handicapped.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in other's comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

Leave your link in a comment, and I'll link back to you here:

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

WRB - Death, Taxes & Rejection

Today I'm blogging over at the WRB for Wiley Wednesday. My topic is rejection and rules for writing. Check it out!!

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Tagged by a muffin...

I got tagged by this cute muffin and this one!

You're feeling:
Not bad. Kinda tired, but otherwise alright.

To your left:
My backyard. I'm out with the dogs.

On your mind:
What all I still want to get done before going to bed. And the fact that I want to get to bed at a decent hour tonight.

Last meal included:
A burrito.

You sometimes find it hard to:
Be patient.

The weather:
Chilly. Low 50's. But, otherwise clear and nice.

Something you have a collection of:
Poorly behaved animals.

A smell that cheers you up:
Same as everyone else, apparently - the smell of cookies baking. *sigh*

A smell that can ruin your mood:
Dog poo. In my house. Grrrr. (She's a puppy, so we're hoping this will pass.)

How long since you last shaved:
A little over a week ago. But only b/c I went to the beach recently.

Current state of your hair:
Brown, curly, shoulder-length. I'm going to try to get it cut/colored later this week.

Largest thing on your desk/workspace (not computer):
Scanner.

Your skill with chopsticks:
Rather good, I think!

Which section do you head for first in a bookstore:
Romance, then wherever they hide the urban fantasy/paranormal romance.

Something you are craving:
Sleep.

Your general thoughts on the presidential race:
Anything blue works for me, but Obama is my pick.

How many times have you been hospitalized this year:
None.

Favourite place to go for a quiet moment:
My back yard.

You've always secretly thought you'd be a good:
Personal assistant. I'm pretty good at keeping organized and on top of things.

Something that freaks you out a little:
The responsibility of raising a kid.

Something you have eaten a little too much of lately:
Ice Cream.

You have never:
Killed anyone.

You never want to:
Go to the moon.

I'm pretty sure most of the people I know have done this one, so I'm not gonna tag anyone else. But, if you haven't done it and want to, leave me a comment and I'll come check out your answers!

Monday, April 14, 2008

A Monday Meme...

I snagged this meme from Darla.

Here’s how it works….You answer each question, search that answer in Google Image Search and then post the first picture that pops up.

Age at my next birthday: 30



Hubby and I were just talking with some friends last night about how I need to have a big party to celebrate having lived another decade. I think I'd prefer to just hide out and pretend I'm still in my 20's.











Place I’d like to travel: Australia



I actually have a friend in Australia and I swear one of these days I'm going to get over there to see her!!





Favorite place: Vancouver, BC



Hubby and I have been to Vancouver twice - it's one of our favorite places to visit. The people are so friendly, the weather is lovely and there's plenty of fun stuff to do!







Favorite object:
My lappy (laptop)




Couldn't live without it. Although, mine's a Dell.







Favorite color: Blue



Pretty!






Nickname: Jeanie Beanie



Um. That's not me. Promise!










Birthplace: Memphis, TN



Me and Elvis! Good 'ol Memphis.






I'm not going to tag anyone for this one, but if you want to join in, leave me a comment to your post so I can come check it out!

Happy Monday!!

Sunday, April 13, 2008

FFC - Elements

Reacquaintance, by Kathleen Oxley


Air . . .

Melinda smiled as the storm raged against the shore. The wind whipped her skirt around her legs and her hair thrashed her face. She closed her eyes and stretched open her arms. The air circled her until she felt it would lift her off the ground. She opened her eyes and glanced down to confirm that her toes were still digging into the sand.

She fleetingly wished she could be inside, enjoying the storm through the protection of walls and windows. But she quickly erased that thought from her mind and instead she concentrated on her task for the night. She turned her face up to the sky and opened her senses to the space around her - the salty smell of the beach that carried in the air and the sharp sting as it berated her skin.

She lost herself to the sensations until the air calmed and became only a slight breeze off the water.

Fire . . .

Melinda spent the cool Spring day collecting twigs and dried leaves for kindling. At dusk, as the blanket of darkness grew closer, she knelt inside the circle of stones and watched as the flame slowly grew. She stayed close even as the fire raged to life.

Leaning back on her heels, she stared into the hazy mix of red, yellow and orange. Tears pooled in her eyes from the heat and smoke, but her vision became clearer. Images flashed in the fire – of past, present or future, she did not know. She watched them closely, paying attention to every detail until they slowed and then disappeared.

After several minutes of silence, Melinda closed her eyes and thanked the Goddess for her visions. She moved out of the circle of stones, cheeks flushed red from the heat of being so close, and followed the dirt path back to her home.

Water . . .

Reaching the shore, Melinda undid the sash of her robe and let it fall to the ground. She walked naked toward the ocean. She reached the edge of the water and let the white foam tickle the tops of her feet. The brief rush of water was cold and she shivered as she followed the receding wave back into the water. Her body chilled as the level rose higher, but she continued walking until it lapped at her shoulders. She stood for several minutes, moving her arms and legs absently, until her body adjusted to the temperature.

She shifted so that she floated on top of the waves. She spread her limbs and let the current carry her. She sighed at the freedom of the water cradling and holding her. She splayed her fingers and moved her arms in close to her body and then stretched out again, letting the water flow through her fingers as she did. Totally at ease, Melinda closed her eyes and drifted. Her mind cleared of all thoughts and worries as her body rose and fell on the small waves, wetness tickling the skin of her belly and breasts.

Earth . . .

The strong scent of earth rose as she dug her spade into the dirt. Melinda was in her backyard, tending to her garden. Some might consider the many beds luxurious, but Melinda saw them as merely the basics that she required. She grew flowers for their beauty, herbs for her medicines and spells, and vegetables for eating. She wore no gloves and didn't shy away from getting her hands dirty. She lovingly inspected each plant, weeding the flowerbeds and trimming the herbs as she went along. Then she planted new seeds for vegetables for the summer - mostly cucumbers, lettuce and carrots.

She put the last seeds into the ground and patted the soil as she covered them. She filled her copper watering can and wet each of the beds. Melinda stood back and smiled at the results of her hard work. She brushed dirt off of her clothes and stared at her hands. She smiled at the dirt-stained skin and at the soil under her fingernails. To her they were the signs of a job well done and of a union with the earth and the plants she tended.

Spirit . . .

Melinda awoke filled with a new-found strength. Getting back to the basics always left her feeling clean and refreshed. She gathered her tools, including her boline, several crystals and candles, and packed them up. She couldn't wait to join the rest of her coven for the Beltane festival. Now she could face the ritual, and the year ahead, balanced and centered.

Saturday, April 12, 2008

D.E.A.R. Day

Today is National Drop Everything and Read Day!

What is National D.E.A.R. Day?
D.E.A.R. stands for Drop Everything and Read. National D.E.A.R. Day is a special reading celebration to remind and encourage families to make reading together on a daily basis a family priority.

Who Is Leading the National D.E.A.R. Day Celebration?
The National Education Association (NEA); Parent Teacher Association (PTA); the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association; Reading Rockets; The General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC); the Newspaper Association of America Foundation (NAA); First Book; HarperCollins Children’s Books; and Ramona Quimby.

When is National D.E.A.R. Day?
The National D.E.A.R. Day partners are marking the birthday of beloved author Beverly Cleary as the official event date, April 12th. Ramona Quimby, who was in charge of spreading the word about National D.E.A.R. Day last year, is relinquishing the National Spokesperson role in 2007 to actress Emma Roberts, star of Nickelodeon's Unfabulous and the upcoming Nancy Drew movie.

Why is National D.E.A.R. Day celebrated on Beverly Cleary’s birthday?
Beverly Cleary receives thousands of letters a year from young readers, many who have participated in D.E.A.R. at school. Their interest in and enthusiasm for this special reading activity inspired Mrs. Cleary to give the same experience to Ramona Quimby, who gets to enjoy D.E.A.R. time with the rest of her class in Ramona Quimby, Age 8.

How Can I Participate?
Schools, libraries, bookstores and other organizations are being asked to host Drop Everything and Read events on April 12. You can attend an event in your community or participate right in your own home by reading for 30 minutes!

Friday, April 11, 2008

Peper and Solt as You Please...


The autobiography of the American eccentric "Lord" Timothy Dexter (1748-1806) contains 8,847 words and no punctuation:

IME the first Lord in the younited States of Americary Now of Newburyport it is the voise of the peopel and I cant Help it and so Let it goue Now as I must be Lord there will foller many more Lords pretty soune for it dont hurt A Cat Nor the mouse Nor the son Nor the water Nor the Eare then goue on all is Easey Now …
When readers complained, he added a page of punctuation marks to the second edition, inviting them to "peper and solt it as thay plese."

From Futility Closet.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Thursday Thirteen - Vacation

So, I just got home today from being on vacation for five days. I went to Myrtle Beach, SC with a friend and her kids for Spring Break. Here's 13 things that happened during my vacation...


13 Vacation Happenings...


1 - My daughter took her first steps.

2 - My friend decided I was crazy because after she went to bed each night I stayed up to check blogs and to read and write.

3 - I read and reviewed All the Trees in Pearl.

4 - My daughter ate sand.

5 - My friend's son fell on a playground and busted his bottom lip (we determined that an ER visit wasn't necessary, thankfully).

6 - I realized how little you can actually do on vacation with 3 children under the age of 3.

7 - We watched Pete's Dragon - like 12 times.

8 - I learned to play backgammon.

9 - My daughter went in the pool for the first time - and loved it!

10 - I reaffirmed my decision to not have any more kids.

11 - We spent up to 5 hours a day stuck in our room because the kids didn't want to nap on the same schedule.

12 - I learned that it takes over a half hour to pack up and five people to carry everything you need to take 3 small children to the beach/pool.

13 - I realized how much help my husband actually is and how much I missed not having his extra set of hands to help out.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in other's comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

Leave your link in a comment, and I'll link back to you here:

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Fairies Unmasked


In 1920 two English cousins, Frances Griffiths and Elsie Wright, produced a series of photos that seemed to show them cavorting with fairies and gnomes.


The images were published in The Strand and convinced Arthur Conan Doyle, among others. In The Coming of the Fairies (1922), he wrote: "It is hard for the mind to grasp what the ultimate results may be if we have actually proved the existence upon the surface of this planet of a population which may be as numerous as the human race, which pursues its own strange life in its own strange way, and which is only separated from ourselves by some difference of vibrations."

For 60 years, the cousins maintained that the photographs depicted real fairies and gnomes they'd encountered behind the family house near Bradford, England. Until, in 1981 they admitted that the creatures had been paper cutouts held up with hatpins.

But Frances maintained until her death that the photo below was genuine.


Monday, April 7, 2008

Vacation Reading...

So, I'm on vacation this week and had some free time to read. Having just won a free download of Emily Ryan-Davis's, All The Trees In Pearl, this was at the top of my list. It was a quick, fun read. See my more detailed review over at the Writer's Retreat Blog.

Ruthie's Club - You Always Know

My flash story, You Always Know, is being featured this week at Ruthie's Club. (Ruthie's Club is a members-only site, so the link won't work unless you are a member. You can pay to join, or just trust me that it's a cool story.)

Sunday, April 6, 2008

He Said, She Said

Just a quick note that my erotic poem, He Said, She Said, is being featured at The Erotic Woman this week. This is one of the first erotic poems I wrote, so I'm pleased that it was accepted and has a happy home.

April Showers...

...bring lots to do!!

I've been reviewing my list of calls/contests and trying to decide what my next project is going to be. The good news is that I have no shortage of things to pick from. The bad news is that I want to do them all! I'm going to list them here, so you can see how crazy I am. And I'll update throughout and at the end of the month with how much I actually got done.

April FFC - Earth, Fire, Water, Air
Maximum of 1,000 words due on 4/15/2008.

O&C Erotica Adventures
2,000 - 6,000 words due on 4/15/2008.

O&C Anthology
2,000 - 6,000 words due on 4/20/2008.

There are some other things due 5/1/2008 that I'm considering, but I won't make definite decisions on those or bother you with the details until the next week or so.

Wish me luck!!

Friday, April 4, 2008

A Great Day!

So, today was a pretty awesome day for me.

First, it's Friday. End of my work week. Yay!! I'm heading on vacation tomorrow for five days, so another reason to be glad this week is over.

Second, my first line entry received an honorable mention on Redlines and Deadlines today. There were some other cool entries, so you should check it out.

Third, I won a free copy of Emily Ryan-Davis’s All The Trees In Pearl from Hot & Bothered. I'll be sure to post a review once I've read it to let you all know how it is. (Oh, and great timing that I can read it while on vacation next week!)

Hope you had a great day and have a wonderful weekend!
*hugs*

Fiction Friday at the Romance Roundtable

The Romance Roundtable has recently started a new carnival:

On Fiction Fridays we well provide you with links to a wide variety of authors, some Romance writers, and some not. Offerings may include short stories, poetry, book exerpts and seriels. Each Fiction Friday will provide a different selection.
Today their links will include my ferret flash story, WTF!, as well as some other great reads. Check it out!! (And thanks, Alice, for including me this week!)

~Kat

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Thursday Thirteen - Google Reader

Yup, I'm still on my Google Reader kick.
My Thursday Thirteen...


13 Sites I Added to My
Google Reader this Week...


1 - Futility Closet
2 - Marriott eBreaks
3 - Sex Talk for Wicked Women
4 - Flash Fiction Carnival 2008
5 - Redlines and Deadlines
6 - The Book Design Review
7 - Romancing the Blog
8 - The Goddess Blogs
9 - edittorrent
10 - BookEnds, LLC
11 - Romance Roundtable
12 - Tales from the Crit
13 - Writer's Retreat Blog (of course!)

I'm still looking for more blogs to add to my list. Feel
free to leave me a link to yours or any you recommend
in the comments. Thanks!!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in other's comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

Leave your link in a comment, and I'll link back to you here:

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

A Great Opener

Redlines and Deadlines is having a First Line Contest.

You don't have to write a whole story - just the most important sentence in the story. That's right, send us the best opening line you can create. Something you think would really grab an editor's or agent's attention, make them keep reading your submission. Now, don't go too over the top - it has to be something you could actually build a story on. It could be tense or traumatic or frightening or mysterious or humorous or romantic. But one sentence only, your envisioned first sentence.

Send your entry to RedlinesDeadlines@gmail.com by next Wednesday, April 2. On Friday we'll post the best ones we received and announce the winner (or maybe even winners). Prize is a free download of an EC/CP/TLC ebook.

I submitted the following:

I thought watching him walk away would be the hardest thing I'd ever have to do, until I heard the gunshot explode and his body crumpled to the ground; turns out it wasn't all that hard after all.

What do you think? Would you want to keep reading?

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

A Quick Update...

Lots going on, as usual. I'm still absolutely in love with google reader. I just can't say enough about how much I love it; I hope this honeymoon period lasts forever!!

Yesterday I busted ass to get my short story, Truth, tweaked and submitted to the Desdmona Sex in the Rain Contest. It's in and winners are announced on April 15th, so I'll keep you posted!

I also found out yesterday that The Erotic Woman will feature my erotic poem, He Said, She Said, on their site next Tuesday. I'm sure I'll post the link next week so everyone can take a peek.

End of Quarter Update:
My goals at the beginning of 2008 were to submit one piece a month and to get something published by the end of the year. So far I've submitted at least three pieces a month and I've had one poem and four flashes selected for publishing. I'll be looking forward over the next few days to revise my goals and make a plan for the next quarter of the year. I've got some ideas for longer stories, and some contests/calls that have caught my attention, so we'll have to see what I decide to go for.

~Kat