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Lost

Last night's episode of Lost was my favorite of the series so far. I have yet to discuss it here because it's such a complex television show and I wouldn't even know where to start, though I'm sure if you ask some of its more avid fans, they might say otherwise.For me, Lost's appeal is its storytelling. Yes, Evangeline Lily is cute, yes, Terry O'Quinn can act his ass off, and yes, Harold Perrineau is versatile as hell, but it's the storytelling that gets me. It inspires me.Interestingly enough, ER used to do the same thing. Back in college, Thursday nights used to be my "writing nights" because ER aired on those nights (it still does). Back then, after watching an episode of ER, my creative juices would get going and I'd want to write.I've never talked to another writer about this, so I don't know if other writers have experienced something similar. I know athletes experience something similar in sports, though. In high school I played football--tailback--and was on the track team--shot put and discus. When I saw the other team's tailback rip off a long, spectacular run, or a thrower pop a nice one, I'd get a little amped up. The adrenaline would start flowing, I'd get all tingly, and I couldn't wait until our offense stepped onto the field or I got into the ring so I could do my thang.Watching ER then and Lost now is kind of like that. But don't get me wrong. It's not that I want to "out-write" ER or Lost, it's more like I'm feeding off the wonderful creativity of the shows. In other words, I see a well-crafted creative piece on television, and I say to myself, "I want to write a well-crafted creative piece."Has anyone else experienced that?
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Irony -- Short circa Summer 2006

As promised many moons ago, I am going to start posting some of my short stories and scraps. Please let me know what you think.Irony by VD DeVau...Ronnie ate the apple in small deliberate bites. Her stomach clinched and released with each swallow. It didn’t taste like much, but she wasn’t used to eating. Funny things you can stop getting used to doing.Her arms ached and her legs were jelly when she tried to get up off the cot. Some tubing in her nose kept her from sitting up farther than the nurse had adjusted the makeshift hospital bed. Her vision was as keen as ever and in the dark she could see Pearson lying almost too still on the next cot. She waited to make sure that his chest was rising and falling before she threw the apple core at him.Pearson kept right on sleeping. She didn’t risk calling out his name. Too many people packed too close together, she didn’t want any of them to wake up if she could help it.The room was a drab green; she remembered that from yesterday when they had wheeled them in from the operating room.Ronnie touched the lump just underneath the swell of her right breast. The device was firm to the touch but she was not sure of its shape. Her fingertips told her it was oblong and thicker than her thumb, but her fingers weren’t to be trusted. The tips of them had been sliced to pieces and scarred over so many times that her sense of touch had begun to atrophy. She used her palm. It was cylindrical and harder than her fingers suggested. Metal she deduced. A battery her brain screamed.Getting caught raiding the court holding area should have meant death. Personally she’d taken four pulses from the Policia’s gun before she fell and knew that Pearson had taken more. The burnt meaty smell of her own body reminded her of death. Dead would be nice. A thought attached to no forethought, only the past, Ronnie pulled at the tube in her nose and couldn’t bear breathing whatever they were pumping into her when she couldn’t even die.Death would be nice.There were two ways to kill irony - with a better joke or a foreigner. A better joke canceled out the effect of the proceeding attempt, and a foreigner didn’t usually understand the subtleties involved in the ironic. Ironic people were harder to kill, but the weapons were similar. Ironic borns could be hurt but the amount of force required to break their bones and dismember them could only usually be generated by some older Ironic. Foreign weapons had held, for a time, the promise of Ironic death but Ronnie still hadn’t known anyone who’d actually succumbed to a laser or bio-wep the soft-folk from elsewhere had brought along with them from over the horizon.Ronnie could dream of death. Of nothingness. Of course she couldn’t speak of the nothing, that was heresy. Ironics were reincarnated. They all knew it for true. Many lives were led with the same soul. As close to immorality as they were, they all hoped for more time.Ronnie had only lived this one long life and already she thought she had lived too long. Pearson was on his third, and he was done.The plan had been simple, break into the soft-folk building, and get murdered.But they were both still alive.The implant under her breast hummed to life. A barely noticeable revolution that she knew she could pretend wasn’t happening and because she didn’t know what was happening, it was best to pretend.She would snap Pearson’s neck. The thought crept into her mind both suddenly and surreptitiously. She would end him even if it meant being alone here in a green field hospitalwith soft-skinned people who knew nothing of irony or Ironic people. She would at least set Pearson free if she could. And if she was not enough of his superior to kill him at least by attempting she would feel better.Ronnie took the tubing out of her nose and could not find a place to set it down. The machine it was attached to was all triangular tops and round sides. She settled with placing the tubes on the floor and crept over to get a hold on Pearson’s neck.~~~~~~~© VD DeVau....
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Poetry

RealMy man is everything a woman could dream.Dedicated, hard working, strong.I bear my soul to him.With him I have no reason to fear anything.My rock, strength, fortress.He is my protector.The love in his eyes exsists only for me.Sensual, penetrating, yet vunerable.I am his Queen.He is the epitome of what a real man should be.Masculine, loving, faithful.His spirit is beautiful.His love is real.
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Animosity (More Poetry)

Inside I feel the walls closing in.Rapidly. A tragedy. Loves made at me.Emptiness Resides where love used to be.Put my soul at ease. I can't conceive you with out me. We're meant to be.But you don't see.The pain inside is consuming me.And suddenly what used to be is a memory that's haunting me. Love's taunting me.I don't beleive you want to leave.I realize rejection has chosen me.It's controlling me. Showing me Vindictiely.I toss and turn in dreamless sleep and wake to think that you should be here holding me, consoling me.But instead you see, you chose to be away from me.
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Beautiful you were.Innocent and oblivious to the harsh world around you.Such a happy and carefree soul should never be made to suffer for one's wordly conflicts.But I, in a destructive rage,So unfairly deprived you of your lifeWhich was used only to beautify this cold, dark place.So it is with much remorse that I pray for deliveranceFor the Soul of the Yellow Butterfly.-Gabrielle Thompson
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Got Rope?

A little morning bondage.I've been collecting BDSM images to finish a new draft of my "Bitches Brew" script. Whenever I work on a story, a script, or a poem, I collect images that I put into my scrapbook. It's kinda like creating my own one sheet/movie poster/book cover. I then put together a sound track of music that reflects the soundscape/tone I'm trying to create in my work. As I write, the music and images transport me, and then I become the characters I write about.I tend to write about things that interest me, and I realize that as aggressive and assertive as I am, in the BDSM world, I would actually be a "bottom". And since I am naturally a voyeur (because I am a writer), I find myself torn between being a true "top" (rather than bottom). I don't think there is a half and half in the BDSM world. My best buddy Taj thinks I'm a closet dominatrix. Maybe.But I do have a growing rope fetish. Honestly, I just like the artistry of the rope work, and actually think I could get away with wearing rope over my clothes in public because I think it looks hot. The baddest chick in the game is Midori (in all her black latex glory), and she does the most beautiful rope-work I've ever seen. I was thinking of having photos done for myself. I've done tasteful professional nude photos before back in the day. But the wiser I've become, I've embraced all facets of my personality. Especially the darker, shadow side of myself. There's just something Sci-Fi'ish about the look of the rope to me.I'm not saying I want to be hog-tied and whipped, I just like the look of rope-work over my clothes, no different than my nose ring, or the belly piercing I had years ago before it was a fad for teens. Maybe I'll wear rope for the San Diego Comic Con. No one would notice me there.Okay, maybe I have said too much.

Sometimes ya gotta let your Freak Flag wave.....

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Retro-KM: Land of the Landlords

Retro-Km: Land of the Landlords presents a future landscape not very common in science fiction. As a huge fan of the genre, I have absorbed science fiction in all of its formats, from print to television to film. Let's face it, the science fiction we grew up with, that we still love, is overwhelmingly white. In Star Wars, mostly white humans and their alien allies squared off against a white human male dominated tyrannical regime.Battlestar Galactica, original and remake, tilted heavily on the lighter end of the monochromatic spectrum. Star Trek envisioned a racially diverse future for humanity, but until Commander Sisko reached centerstage, a strong black authority figure was a rarity in this universe. The youth utopia in Logan's Run was populated by a sea of healthy, vigorous, under-30 whites.The profusion of white extends to the books I've read. The heroic figures fighting against alien invaders, taking on the might of oppressive interstellar empires, commanding powerful space ships, travelling through time, making first contact, using and creating super advanced technology, unravelling mind-boggling scientific concepts...those endeavors have long been the sole province of white males and a few white women. The same has been true of the fantasy genre. Fantasy writers Charles Saunders, Milton Davis, Nnedi Okorafor, Sharise Moore, and Gregory Walker, among others, have added a splash of color to fantasy literature with their own unique visions, where black people are prominent, not relegated to the periphery.Edward Uzzle's science fiction offering is an explosion of violent action, fast paced adventure, hi-tech hardware and hard nosed heroics. Set in a near distant future, Retro-Km focuses on the exploits of Kashta, an elite soldier fighting for Ta-Amenta, a black nation carved out of what used to be the United States. Ta-Amenta is truly a black utopia, peopled by black folk who not only enjoy the benefits of a techologically advanced, ecologically sound society, but are deeply proud and rooted to their heritage and tradtions. The story's frequent flashbacks to the 21st century reveals to the reader how Ta-Amenta came into existence...or rather how the idea of such a society was born. Both past and future inter-relate in the story without taking away from the overall narrative. The protagonist is dedicated and well meaning, though sometimes conflicted and rash. The usual ingredients for a hero. Retro-Km is epic in scope, unaplogetically Afrocentric in direction while adhering to the formula that make for exciting, compelling action adventure science fiction.
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Miriam Jacobs writer and president of publisher Chaklet Coffee Books banters with Penelope & Otto regarding the erotic anthology EROS369 and the thrilling sexually charged and suspenseful "The RestStop: Jeff and Jeanine" on In Like Flynn starting at a new time - 11:00pm CST!!

Call in at 718/508-9683 to discuss writing and publishing with Miriam Jacobs!Listen to In Like Flynn on internet talk radio

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Destination FutureDescription: Science Fiction anthology to be edited by Z.S. Adani and Eric T. ReynoldsPublisher: Hadley Rillie BooksSubmission Guidelines:We are looking for Science Fiction stories, particularly Hard SF, Space Operas, Alien Worlds, Alien Encounter, Exploration, and Quest Stories. (We prefer not to receive alternative and historical fiction, fantasy, steampunk, or horror for this anthology, but other than that it's pretty open.Length: 3000 – 6000 wordsElectronic Submissions Only. Send as an attachment to an email message. Microsoft Word .doc file is preferred, or .rtf is okay (please contact us if you need to make arrangements for another format). Please virus scan your document before sending.Email Your Story To: submissions.future [at] gmail [dot] comImportant: Place Destination Future in the subject linehttp://www.hadleyrillebooks.com/DestinationFutureSubs.htmlEXTREME HORRORDEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS: FEBRUARY 28, 2009Comet Press is seeking short stories for an extreme horror anthologyto be published in the summer of 2009 (trade paperback). We arelooking for the most gruesome, disturbing, and scary tales imaginable.Dark humor is acceptable.UPDATE: 1/26/09 - It is not a requirement, but we would like to seesome stories set in various times of past history. Including ahistorical or notorious figure, or legendary beast connected with thatperiod would be a bonus. Old West, WWII Nazi Germany, Ancient, Pre-Columbian, Biblical Era, Medieval, Pre-civilization, etc. Moreimportant, however, is that the story is extreme horror.Reading period: From December 15, 2008–February 28, 2009 (or untilfilled).Word length: 3,000–10,000 words.Multiple submissions: Up to two stories per author can be submitted.Please send as separate emails.Payment: 1/4 cent per word, $25 max. (negotiable for establishedauthors). Payment will be made upon publication.Reprints: We may consider reprints, please send previous publishinginformation with submission.Return Time: Rejections will be sent as soon as possible. Stories thatmake the first cut will be kept until the end of the reading period.Authors will be notified right away if their story makes the firstcut, then the final stories will be selected at the end of the readingperiod.Artwork: We are accepting submissions for cover art for this book.Either email your artwork in .jpeg format (300 DPI) as an attachment,or provide a link to the art online. Put "ARTWORK SUBMISSION: HORRORANTHOLOGY" in the subject of the email. Payment is $25.00. Email tothe address at the bottom of this page.Attach the entire manuscript as an rtf attachment. First page ofmanuscript should include your name, pen name if any, address andemail address, and word count. Please include that first page info inthe body of your email along with a brief blurb summing up the storyand a brief bio. Manuscript should be in a standard format—doublespaced, standard font and size. First line of paragraphs indentedusing word processor function (not tabs), no extra spaces betweenparagraphs, except for scene breaks. Italics should be italized, boldin bold. No headers or footers are necessary. Put "SUBMISSION: HORRORANTHOLOGY" in the subject of the email.Email to Comet Press.(Email links are encoded in javascript to protect against spam. If youhave javascript disabled, the email address is contact [at] cometpress[dot] us. Replace [at] and [dot] with the appropriate symbols.)http://www.cometpress.us/guidelines/horroranthology2009.html
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11:30pm CST Saturday nights Penelope and Otto embark on their weekly review of the best and worst in TV News and Entertainment. When we began the show we had an interview component which we hadn't pursued in recent months. That's about to change. If you have a book, event or artwork you'd like to promote...contact me here or at penelope@penelopeflynn.com to fill your slot on the upcoming interview calendar.If you're not quite sure what In Like Flynn is all about, then check out our recent interview of Gayle "Delicious" Johnson

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Or review some of our previous shows!

We are happy to interview creators of any subject any genre and look forward to hearing from you!
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Interview with Gayle "De-Licious" Johnson

Penelope and Otto interviewed novelist Gayle "De-Licious" Johnson who spoke candidly and in graphic detail about sex, relationships and betrayal - the focus of her recently published novel What's Past Is Not Forgotten.Enjoy the thought-provoking discussion as Gayle takes us through the complexities of the mindsets of the main characters who deal with lost love, sexual expression and repression, and emotional trials and tribulations on the road to self- awareness.

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This was a thought-provoking article on my novel The Shadow Speaker from a Muslim feminist website called Muslimah Media Watch."The Shadow Speaker” features Muslim protagonist of 2070Who says young adult fiction about Muslim girls can only be contemporary or historical? Nnedi Okorafor’s 2007 novel shows that Muslim teen lit can venture into the realm of the future. Young adult novel The Shadow Speaker explores science fiction and fantasy with a story that plays out in a futuristic, magical universe with worlds beyond Earth. It does so starring a Muslim protagonist, 14- to 15-year-old Ejii Ugabe.In Ejji’s world, it is 2070. And instead of a futuristic Britain or America, Ejii lives in Niger. She is black, but this is not a “race novel.” English is but one of the many languages she speaks, which include the more useful Hausa and Arabic. Ejii lives in a world post-”Peace Bomb.” Nuclear war led to the release of these bombs, which aimed to spread peace by causing mutations in the human population. (The goal to make people so different they wouldn’t be able to unite against each other.)What the bombs did was release magic into the world. This is a world of desert magicians, screaming storms that intend to kill lone travelers, and talking camels. And Ejii, as a “shadow speaker,” has a special talent: She can tap into the thoughts of feelings of anything or anyone, from plants to murderous chiefs...http://muslimahmediawatch.org/2009/02/10/the-shadow-speaker-features-muslim-protagonist-of-2070/
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could we get away with that?

bill bilichik(or is it billicheat?)has the playbooks of other teams and uses them to win superbowls and nobody says nothing about stripping him of his titles or tainting his legacy. could lovie smith,tony dungy or mike tomlin get away with that? a white cop kills an unarmed,facedown black male(while another cop has a knee on his head)who's fully surrendered by shooting him point blank in the back. could a black cop get away with murdering a white man like that? george bush LIES under oath about weapons of mass destruction in iraq and sends american troops to iraq on the basis of a lie and it's not made a big deal. could barrack get away with that? holla back.
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My 3D Prototype of Earth Squadron Game Is Ready For Download and Testing. It's been about 10 years since my last video games so I'm ramping my skills back up for the Earth Squadron 3D Shooter Video Game. This is just a one room demo. Right now it's PC only. The faster your computer the better. To Check it out go to www.EarthSquadron.com

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The Story of Eve/The Early Years part 3

Let us return to W.D. Griffith's Birth of A Nation: one of the racist movies of all time, as well as one of the biggest money makers in film history. Birth of A Nation was the slavery ideal come to life; and two families: the Cameron and the Stoneman were pivotal to its plot."Dr. Cameron and his sons are gently benevolent "fathers" to their childlike servants. The servants themselves could be no happier. In the fields they contentedly pick cotton. In the quarters they dance and sing for their master. In the big house Mammy joyously goes about her chores. All is in order. Everyone knows his place. Then the civil war breaks out and the old order cracks."Danny Bogel Toms, Coons, Mulattoes, Mammies, and Bucks: An Interpretive History of Blacks in American Films 1973 p.12The war years are terrible! In the South there is [title card/Birth of a Nation]: "ruin, devastation, rapine and pillage!" Lions, and tigers and bears --oh my! Reconstruction begins and now a band of uppity Northern darkies and low life Yankee carpetbaggers enter the picture. They corrupt the former slaves -- who then turn on their good and loving masters.Who will save the South?Into this conflict, Griffith introduced Lillian Gish: as "Flora Cameron;" of the first -- if not the first Silver Screen virgins. As Flora Cameroon, Gish played a frail, blond teenager menaced by Griffith's next creation: "Gus," the "brutal, Black buck." Gus was the Southern nightmare of the Black rapist come to life. Of according to Southern mythology, the only reason Black men wanted freedom was so they could rape White women -- picking cotton 16 hours (and without pay) had nothing to do with it. Cast beside Gus, Flora became an icon: a blond symbol of virginity.Copyright Valjeanne Jeffers-Thompson 1997, 2009 all rights reserved
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