anniealvarez

The Fundamental Transformation of America

2009-12-01T18:44:33Z

Many of you already know my political stance, but I received an email today that I couldn’t ignore and I thought worthy enough to post. It is rather long so please bear with it, I believe the length itself proves a point.

Keep in mind that I do not agree with everything here however, if only a third of this is true, then we are indeed in trouble.

The Fundamental Transformation of America

When Obama wrote a book and said he was mentored as a youth by Frank, (Frank Marshall Davis) an avowed Communist, people said it didn't matter.

When it was discovered that his grandparents, were strong socialist, sent Obama's mother to a socialist school, introduced Frank Marshall Davis to young Obama, people said it didn't matter.

When people found out that he was enrolled as a Muslim child in school and his father and step father were both Muslims, people said it didn't matter.

When he wrote in another book he authored "I will stand with them (Muslims) should the political winds shift in an ugly direction." people said it didn't matter.

When he admittedly, in his book, said he chose Marxist friends and professors in college, people said it didn't matter.

When he traveled to Pakistan, after college on an unknown national passport, people said it didn't matter.

When he sought the endorsement of the Marxist party in 1996 as he ran for the Illinois Senate, people said it doesn't matter.

When he sat in a Chicago Church for twenty years and listened to a preacher spew hatred for America and preach black liberation theology, people said it didn't matter.

When an independent Washington organization, that tracks senate voting records, gave him the distinctive title as the "most liberal senator", people said it didn't matter.

When the Palestinians in Gaza, set up a fund raising telethon to raise money for his election campaign, people said it didn't matter.

When his voting record supported gun control, people said it didn't matter.

When he refused to disclose who donated money to his election campaign, as other candidates had done, people said it didn't matter.

When he received endorsements from people like Louis Farrakhan and Mummar Kaddafi and Hugo Chavez, people said it didn't matter.

When it was pointed out that he was a total, newcomer and had absolutely no experience at anything except community organizing, people said it didn't matter.

When he chose friends and acquaintances such as Bill Ayers and Bernadine Dohrn who were revolutionary radicals, people said it didn't matter.

When his voting record in the Illinois senate and in the U.S. Senate came into question, people said it didn't matter.

When he refused to wear a flag, lapel pin and did so only after a public outcry, people said it didn't matter.

When people started treating him as a Messiah and children in schools were taught to sing his praises, people said it didn't matter.

When he stood with his hands over his groin area for the playing of the National Anthem and Pledge of Allegiance, people said it didn't matter.

When he surrounded himself in the White House with advisors who were pro gun control, pro abortion, pro homosexual marriage and wanting to curtail freedom of speech to silence the opposition people said it didn't matter.

When he aired his views on abortion, homosexuality and a host of other issues, people said it didn't matter.

When he said he favors sex education in Kindergarten, including homosexual indoctrination, people said it didn't matter.

When his background was either scrubbed or hidden and nothing could be found about him, people said it didn't matter.

When the place of his birth was called into question, and he refused to produce a birth certificate, people said it didn't matter.

When he had an association in Chicago with Tony Rezco, a man of questionable character, who is now in prison and had helped Obama to a sweet deal on the purchase of his home, people said it didn't matter.

When it became known that George Soros, a multi-billionaire Marxist, spent a ton of money to get him elected, people said it didn't matter.

When he started appointing "czars" (a communist term) that were radicals, revolutionaries, and even avowed Marxist/Communists, people said it didn't matter.

When he stood before the nation and told us that his intentions were to "fundamentally transform this nation" into something else, people said it didn't matter.

When it became known that he had trained ACORN workers in Chicago and served as an attorney for ACORN, people said it didn't matter.

When he appointed cabinet members and several advisors who were tax cheats and socialists, people said it didn't matter.

When he appointed a science czar, John Holdren, who believes in forced abortions, mass sterilizations and seizing babies from teen mothers, people said it didn't matter.

When he appointed Cass Sunstein as regulatory czar who believes in "Explicit Consent", harvesting human organs with out family consent, and to allow animals to be represented in court, while banning all hunting, people said it didn't matter.

When he appointed Kevin Jennings, a homosexual, and organizer of a group called gay, lesbian, straight, Education network, as safe school czar and it became known that he had a history of bad advice to teenagers, people said it didn't matter.

When he appointed Mark Lloyd as diversity czar and he believed in curtailing free speech, taking from one and giving to another to spread the wealth and admires Hugo Chavez, people said it didn't matter.

When Valerie Jarrett was selected as Obama's senior White House advisor and she is an avowed Socialist, people said it didn't matter.

When Anita Dunn, White House Communications director said Mao Tse Tung was her favorite philosopher and the person she turned to most for inspiration, people said it didn't matter.

When he appointed Carol Browner as global warming czar, and she is a well known socialist working on Cap and trade as the nations largest tax, people said it doesn't matter.

When he appointed Van Jones, an ex-con and avowed Communist as green energy czar, who since had to resign when this was made known, people said it didn't matter.

When Tom Daschle, Obama's pick for health and human services secretary could not be confirmed, because he was a tax cheat, people said it didn't matter.

When as president of the United States, he bowed to the King of Saudi Arabia, people said it didn't matter.

When he traveled around the world criticizing America and never once talking of her greatness, people said it didn't matter.

When his actions concerning the middle-east seemed to support the Palestinians over Israel, our long time friend, people said it doesn't matter.

When he took American tax dollars to resettle thousands of Palestinians from Gaza to the United States, people said it doesn't matter.

When he upset the Europeans by removing plans for a missile defense system against the Russians, people said it doesn't matter.

When he played politics in Afghanistan by not sending troops the Field Commanders said we had to have to win, people said it didn't matter.

When he started spending us into a debt that was so big we could not pay it off, people said it didn't matter.

When he took a huge spending bill under the guise of stimulus and used it to pay off organizations, unions and individuals that got him elected, people said it didn't matter.

When he took over insurance companies, car companies, banks, etc. people said it didn't matter.

When he took away student loans from the banks and put it through the government, people said it didn't matter.

When he designed plans to take over the health care system and put it under government control, people said it didn't matter.

When he set into motion a plan to take over the control of all energy in the United States through Cap and Trade, people said it didn't matter.

When he finally completed his transformation of America into a Socialist State, people finally woke up......... but it was too late.

Any one of these things, in and of themselves does not really matter. But ... when you add them up one by one you get a phenomenal score that points to the fact that our Obama is determined to make America over into a some kind of Fascist/Marxist/Socialist society.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

All of the items in the preceding paragraphs have been put into place. All can be documented very easily. Before you disavow this, do an internet search. The last paragraph alone is not yet cast in stone. You and I will write that paragraph. Will it read as above or will it be a more happy
ending for most of America?

If you are an Obama Supporter, please do not be angry with me because I think the President of your choice is a socialist, but there are too many facts supporting this. If you seek the truth you will be richer for it.

Don't just belittle the opposition. Search for the truth.

Democrats, Republicans, Independents, Constitutionalist, Libertarians and what have you, we all need to pull together. We all must pull together or watch the demise of a society that we all love and cherish. If you are a religious person, pray for our nation.

Never before in the history of America have we been confronted with problems so huge that the very existence of our country is in jeopardy. Don't rely on most television news and what you read in the newspapers for the truth. Search the internet. Yes, there is a lot of bad information, lies and distortions there too but you are smart enough to spot the fallacies. Newspapers are a dying breed. They are currently seeking a bailout from the government. Do you really think they are about to print the truth? Obama praises all the television news networks except Fox who he has waged war against. There must be a reason. He does not call them down on any specifics, just a general battle against them. If they lie, he should call them out on it but he doesn't.

Please, find the truth, it will set you free.

Our biggest enemy is not China, Russia, Iran; No, our biggest enemy is a contingent of politicians in Washington DC.

Curtis W. Miller

Dad’s Accident

2009-11-18T16:56:26Z

As I’m aware that our grapevine is fast and plentiful, I’m posting this to bring everyone up to speed.

Last night, while at dinner, we received a phone call saying that dad, Jennifer’s father, had rolled his car. Yes, you read correctly. For the record, it was his motor vehicle, not the golf cart. Luckily, Jen and I weren’t far from the scene of the accident so, naturally we put money on the table and headed out.

The first thing my eyes were drawn to were the flashing blue and red lights and the steady burn of the flares closing off a traffic lane. Here’s the next thing we saw. (You’ll have to forgive the dark photos, it’s the best I could do with my cell phone.)

Don’t panic! By the time firefighters and paramedics showed up at the scene, dad had already climbed his way out of the car through the passenger door. After he was checked out by Emergency Personnel, mom got a hold of him.

We all stayed and waited for the tow truck to show up, then watched as dad’s car was dragged down the street until it righted itself. The mere thought of metal scrapping across the asphalt still gives me goose bumps. Ouch!

No one was hurt thank goodness! Dad walked out without even a scratch.

It was not dad’s fault and there were no drugs, alcohol or cell phones involved. It was just an accident.

What do you do when?

2009-11-16T17:30:30Z

What do you do when you stumble on a bad review? Or a book review that's nasty? Or better yet, a book review that turns into a bashing of the author, editors and publisher?

Bad is one thing and nasty is another, but bashing is just plain wrong. I know that as a reader myself, I hold such reviews with a grain of salt. Why? Because I know that authors, publishers, review sites, and reviewers are cropping up everywhere. Some are professional, some are not.

Don’t fret! Here’s a list of things to remember:

The problem is that just as some authors can't get their work accepted by a reputable publisher often start their own publishing company or self-publish, some authors open a review site to get free books or simply become reviewers with an established review site. Point in fact, most e-publishers that have been in business for over five years have some credibility or they wouldn't have lasted one year in the e-publishing world.

Reviewers and review sites are like authors and publishers, those that are extremely unprofessional give all a bad name. Remember, it only takes one bad apple to ruin the whole bunch.

With that said, I will share with you a review I received for my published erotica vampire book, Cheating Death, which happens to carry a 4-flame rating. For those who aren’t familiar with erotica, 4-flames = pure inferno. Need I say more?

The review isn’t pretty. Far from it. So you may ask, if it’s that bad, aren’t I afraid of bringing this review into the public eye?

Of course not! If it helps another author gain some clarity as to which reviews to give credence to, I’ll happily share it.

The reviewer obviously got the basic premise of the book, which is a good thing, but he continually misspelled my last name. He has just started the review, but we are already seeing signs of a problem, not a good thing.

He continues on to mention lots of out-of-the-box graphic sex as though it’s a bad thing for a 4-flame erotica book. Hell, at this point I am jumping up and down in my seat screaming, yeah baby! My excitement quickly turns to confusion as I realize that he’s thrashing an erotica book for the graphic sex. Huh? I now start questioning the credibility of this review. Damn! He said such a great thing about the sex, too!

He completely changes the review from being a book review to a company bashing. Yes, you heard right and here I was thinking the review was about my book! I will say this, before you, or anyone states your reputation on a company being a certain way, get some facts. Find out the company's years in business, stability, and so forth, even find out how those affiliated with the company feel about the company, but don't assume something with one glance. Even I have had bad products from a store before, but I didn't trash the store over one flawed product. As for the editing aspect, okay, I’m not perfect, there are some mistakes, but I'll bet his books aren't flawless either because perfection is unobtainable, an illusion, and something no book is, not even NY's. I’ve read many print books with editing faults in them.

As for him pointing out my specific mistakes.

First, any and all Character thought is no different than your thinking, it is in first person, present tense.

Second, most decent publisher's merely point out an error in a character's dialog, but do not change it as characters do not speak grammatically perfect, this includes when the character is talking to you because no one speaks perfect grammar all the time.

Third, editing varies across the board because there is no set standard for fiction. For example: T-shirt, tee shirt, t-shirt, or tee-shirt really does depend on house style and there are more.

Fourth, no one and I mean no one is perfect and mistakes will happen. Maybe the editor or author missed something, or maybe the file weirded out during formatting.

Last, the truth hits me like a freight train. Most self-published authors wouldn’t know this because they haven’t had the experience of working with a publishing house, or an editor. Duh!

Okay, we finally get off the company-bashing soapbox and back onto my book where he again harps on the sex. Jeez, I thought I was confused. Then he calls my vampire characters “amoral and twisted.” I don’t know about you, but that pretty much sums up a vampire. I mean, we’re not talking about fairy princesses. We’re talking about vampires.

Then, as if he doesn’t already have me confused enough, he has to insult me by saying that its written pornography. Heads up, folks, to call an erotica book pornography is deeply offensive to erotica publishers and authors alike because erotica is NOT pornography. If you review an erotica book, make sure you know what you're reviewing. Most people who don't deal with erotica on a weekly basis automatically compare it to pornography and that's what the reviewer did in this case, which is deeply insulting to any erotica reader, reviewer, author and editor.

Even at the end, he justifies his unprofessionalism by blaming the company. I’ve already covered this issue, but it’s obviously necessary to revisit it again. Many publishers and editors take their work seriously. They devote many hours making sure that the manuscripts are as perfect as they can be and for practically mere pennies on the dollar of the book's price.

I’ll be honest. At first I was angry because I received an unsolicited review that tore my book and the publishing house a new asshole. This was supposed to be about me damn it! Not the publishing house, but here’s the truth, and the most important thing to remember: Sometimes it isn’t about us. Emotionally hurt people lash out with vehemence and in my opinion, this seems to be the perfect case in point.

Am I disappointed that he used me as the excuse to attack a publishing house, you bet. Am I angry? No. Sometimes, we need to let people vent in order to work past whatever is making them lash out.

I hope that his next review isn’t filled with as much anger and venom.

What’s your take on it? Read it and tell me what you think.

http://tjbook-list.blogspot.com:80/2009/11/review-of-cheating-death-by-annie.html

New Blog Idea

2009-11-05T17:41:06Z

November already and I've had a great idea already! Yes, that does happen occasionally. :)

I'm working on a new type of blog and am excited to announce that I already have a couple of fantastic authors on board!

This is going to rock the readers and hopefully change the way we authors blog so be sure to check us out on Nov. 16th when we officially launch the blog.

Annie

Things I'm frustrated about

2009-11-02T18:51:48Z

Well, here we are the beginning of November and my frustration just seems to keep building.

1) I have tried promoting my books on every available yahoo loop, even tried paying for advertisement and all to no avail. I haven't had anymore sales than before, but that's not what frustrates me. Okay, maybe a small part of that does, but what gets me hotter than hell are the authors who post the same thing on these groups not once or even twice, but continuously throughtout the day, and I can't say that I blame them. I want my books promoted, too. Should I succumb to become a repetitive pain in the ass when promoting my books? No. Why? Because the readers, what little of them there are, will only see my name and skip over my excerpts.

2) And there's the other problem, not enough readers are on these groups. There are more authors flooding these sites than there are readers. If we are promoting our books to other authors, that's a problem.

3) Several people have asked me where to buy my books. When I tell them, I have an ebook, they roll their eyes. Why? Is an ebook any less of a book than a print book? Welcome to the 21th century. Everything is computerized, yes, even books.

4) I write lesbian erotica and why isn't the lesbian community supporting me? I get more support from straight men who love reading about girl-on-girl than the community, I'm a part of.

Perhaps, I need to just back away and let my books fall where they may and stop worrying so much about promoting. If you're going to buy it great, if not, great.

Any suggestions?

Yahoo group invite

2009-10-19T01:33:55Z

I've formed a new yahoo group and I know what your all thinking...we need another yahoo group like we need a hole in the head.

Well, here's a different one.

With the world of m/m growing, we can't very well let f/f fall behind. So I've created a yahoo group catering to the lesbian, f/f community.

You don't have to be a woman or even a lesbian, but you MUST be open to lesbian topics.

Drop by and check it out!

I hope to see you there. :)

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/naughtylittlevamp/join

Phase 2 of the GLBT Awards

2009-10-19T01:28:53Z

I want to thank everyone who voted and made it possible for my book, Cheating Death, to make it to phase 2 of the GLBT award.

Now that we're in phase 2, I am once again asking for your support.

If you feel that Cheating Death, or any other book deserves your vote, please drop by the GLBT awards page:

http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/822605.html

Again, thank you all for your support.

Annie
www.anniealvarez.net

Elisa GLBT award

2009-10-05T14:25:52Z

Hello everyone,

As many of you know, I'm a lesbian erotica author and my book Cheating Death, is in the running for the Elisa GLBT award. I'm not going to beg because it's so unsightly but please, please, please drop by and vote for me. :)

http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/805833.html

Thanks,
Annie
www.anniealvarez.net

Dying to Live

2009-08-31T19:26:33Z

I have submitted Dying to Live, book 3 in the Hightower Series and it's rocking! I've introduced several new and exciting characters, so be sure to check it out. A release date has not been set yet, but I'll let you know.

I've been keeping busy with Facebook, Myspace, Amazon, and all the other profile pages I have but rest assured, I've started on book 4!

As soon as I get the edited version of Dying to Live, I will post a juicy excerpt!

TTFN!
Annie

Back home

2009-08-03T20:23:34Z

I know I've been out of touch lately and for that, I do apologize. It seems that the best laid plans always have a kink or two to work themselves out.

I left for Florida early Monday morning feeling confident that everything was in order, nicely packed or just shoved into one of the small hiding places in Jen's little Honda Civic. I drove feeling secure in my abilities to foresee my needs of the immediate future. Laptop, check. Power cords, check. Jump drive, check. Ipod, check. I was ready to tackle the world in my temporary surroundings.

I arrived at my best friends house in Florida the following day and was greeted by a Doctor Seuss door. You know the kind, the ones that are so slanted and old that they can't hold their true form anymore and just slope to one side. I should have known the universe was talking to me. It all but jumped out and slapped me across the face, but I was preoccupied listening to the old tapes in my head. Thank goodness, I had the sense to pack a condensed version of my tool bag!

Busy with seeing my family and developing photos, I still had not felt the pull of the internet and everyone I was leaving behind. As the days went by, the overwhelming need to write bored upon me and weak as I am to my characters, I pulled out my trusted 1990's laptop, plugged in the power supply and true to habit, went to shower while it booted up. Yes, it really does take that long. It's a dinosaur but hey, at least I have a laptop with internet access. What more could a girl ask for?

The laptop searched desperately for a connection. No connection found. Lovely. Well, back to the basics. I can work on my stories, I thought.

Right. I had forgotten that in an effort to speed up the laptop, I wiped it clean and reinstalled only the programs, I thought I would need. Guess Microsoft Word wasn't on my list. Shit. No internet, no word, what was a girl to do? I did the nest best thing, I marched my happy little, butt to the nearest bookstore and did the only thing I could think of, threw money and lots of it to other authors...glad I could make your car payment this month, but don't count on it next month.

When I saw my grandmother Mima, I said, "Heard you had 2 strokes and a heart attack. What's that about?" and in her true wisdom she replied, "I'm 92 and a half. What else would you expect?"

Leave it to Mima to make me think. Of course, what else could I have expected?

I spent a lot of valuable time with family and took tons of photographs, even made friends with Juan at the Costco Photo Center.

All in all, I had a great time and came to terms with several things. I learned that we are not always as prepared as we think we are, that home improvement is a form of therapy and that if I ask my 92 and a half year old Mima a stupid question, she lovingly but typically helps me come up with my own answers.

My family

2009-07-20T02:58:52Z

First, I want to thank everyone for your love, support and prayers. As most of you know, I am in Florida visiting my grandmother, who has recently suffered 2 strokes, a heart attack and a "gastrointestinal bleed."

I rushed here thinking that after twenty years of informing the family that and I qoute, "I'm dying," that perhaps she spoke the truth this time. I arrived to find my "Mima" as stubborn and opinionated as ever. The doctors have changed her diet, taking away everything she enjoys. Coca-cola, bread, candies - not that she can chew them but she can suck the hell out of a lollypop and well, anything that according to my Mima, has any taste. The other day, she told my aunt Puchy, "The hell with the doctors and the hell with their diet. I'm dying and I'm going to die happy, get me a piece of cake damn it!" That's my Mima. :)

Now, here's the thing about my family, expect the unexpected. ALWAYS. If you don't, you'll get side-swiped by my families dysfunctional genes and it stings! WE take no prisoners.

Just today, we had most of the family there. My brother Tony, his wife and kid flew in from Puerto Rico to see Mima, my brothers oldest was already here. My sister Lizzie, her husband, and kids were there, my mom, dad, cousin and second cousin, get the picture? House full of family, when this strange man walks in, beehives it for the kitchen, pours himself a shot of Cuban Coffee and sits at the table eating a piece of my mom's birthday cake. The room fell silent as we all watched this stranger make himself at home, relaxing on my Uncle's chair, using the remote to flip through channels.

My sister finally asks me if I know who he is.
"No," I reply. "Don't you?"
"No, I've never seen him before."

I'm thinking oh shit. Quitely and discretely I ask everyone else if they know him and I get the same answer. No but he's drinking my coffee. Oh yeah, coming between our family and our coffee is a BIG mistake.

This goes on for half an hour. Finally I take my Aunt Puchy outside and ask her, who the hell this stranger is making himself at home.
"Oh, relax," she said. "He's one of our neighbors kids that we took in."
"Why didn't you introduce him earlier?" I ask.
"Oh, he's got a 9 month old and isn't available to date."

True story, I kid you not. How is it that some of us, the younger generation got out with our sanity? I'll never know. In the meantime, my Mima's health is failing quickly but she can still reprimand me for how I'm holding my sister's new born.

Until next time remember that, life is much stranger than science fiction and if you don't believe, spend a day with my family.

A Woman's Wisdom

2009-06-18T00:31:51Z

Just when I thought I had heard it all, I was told about an article written by a woman, who get this...said women can't write erotica because we don't enjoy sex as much as men.

I've watched this cycle continue for far too long...women ragging on women. This shit has got to stop! As if it wasn't bad enough that women were and in some places are still treated like second class human beings, now we have women dishing it out against women? Does that make any sense?

Look, I know that we (women) are ruthless. I've seen it happen at the workplace. Yes, she speaks nicely to you and even smiles at you occasionally, but behind all of that she's thinking of a way to fry your ass with the boss.

Don't you think, we could band together and become a unified whole that the world needs to stand up and notice instead of petty, self absorbed bitches trying to make each other look bad?

And it's not just straight women either. Lesbians, for the most part, don't support other lesbians. Imagine that.

It is truly a sad world to live in when women, whether you're straight or gay have turned against each other.

Come on ladies, I know we can do better than this.

For The Love Of Blood Trailer

2009-06-13T16:39:36Z

Hightower Trailer

2009-06-13T16:36:17Z

LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER PRIDE MONTH, 2009

2009-06-05T15:57:00Z

Oh, I couldn't pass this one up...go on and read what our President had to say.

As long as the promise of equality for all remains unfulfilled, all Americans are affected. If we can work together to advance the principles upon which our Nation was founded, every American will benefit. During LGBT Pride Month, I call upon the LGBT community, the Congress, and the American people to work together to promote equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2009 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. I call upon the people of the United States to turn back discrimination and prejudice everywhere it exists.

BARACK OBAMA

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Presidential-Proclamation-LGBT-Pride-Month/

Okay, now with that out of the way, don't you find it kind-of odd?

I mean, really, if we had EQUAL rights then they wouldn't feel the need to treat us SPECIAL this month, huh?

Wait! I think I speak for everyone when I say, don't treat us special for one month out of the year, treat us as equals everyday of the year.

Yeah, that would be too much like right!

And what happens next month, do we disappear back into the shadows never to be heard from again?

Just food for thought...

Enjoy!

Equal vs. Special Rights

2009-05-27T16:14:23Z

Now I know some of you aren't going to like this, but I really don't care anymore...

I'm getting really tired of hearing that gays want special rights, so I've decided to tackle this issue.

According to Webster's Dictionary, Special means: Distinguished from what is ordinary or unusual.

And Equal means: Oh, this is brilliant...The same as.

Okay, now that we've got that out of the way, let's look at this.

Straight couples can marry, and oh yeah, DIVORCE, how high is that percentage now?
Straight couples get the States, and Federal blessing along with a few hundred legal benefits for tying the knot.
GAYS DO NOT.

Straight married couples and even some that aren't married immediately get rights of survivorship.
GAYS DO NOT.

But, we're only tackling the tip of the iceberg here, let's go to the root of the problem: RELIGION.

Yes, I went there. Religion has overpowered the logical, sensible thinking of most decent people.

The bible says. Therefore, it is.. Really?
Doesn't it also say thou shall love thy neighbor?
And lest not judge for thou shall be judged? But wait, that was just thrown in there to add to the word count. It really doesn't mean that. Does it?

Take a look at your history books, Christianity is a ruthless religion. Back to the age of time, self proclaimed Christians have massacred innocent people in the name of GOD.
Why? Because they were different.

Here's the truth Ladies and Gentlemen, I don't care what kind of God you believe in, and until one of you can walk on water, don't tell me I'm a sinner because I'm gay.
How many sins have you committed trying so desperately to save the sinner?

And, don't for a minute presume that because I'm gay I don't believe in God. What do you think gives me the patience to deal with the self righteous Christians out there?

Stay out of my beliefs. Stay out of my life and keep your God out of my bed.

My God is Special, he created all Equal.
Humans are Special, they took that Equality away.

Youth Vs. Wisdom

2009-05-21T15:00:16Z

I've never considered myself dumb but dealing with YouTube and all the other Internet advances that have recently come out, I have to wonder if maybe, just maybe I've lost some saviness with age.

The whole fiasco with uploading a Youtube video then applying music to it almost made me rip out my hair. Oh, not a strand, but handfuls at a time and scream like a little girl running away from something evil.

Of course, after threatening to blow up the internet, I called yes, a younger one and thankfully she could help me.

"Why are you making this so difficult?" she asks.

"Who me?" I reply.

"Yes. Just click on this button, this one and that one...see all done." She proudly announces as my computer and the internet start doing this miraculous dance together and everything falls perfectly in place.

Okay younger ones...one.

"Well, do you think it was nice to watch me linger on the edge of insanity while trying to do this, after eveything I've helped you with?" I ask.

"Well...no...I...guess...not," she mumbles. She's silent for a moment then takes in a deep breath and says, "just call me and I'll come over and do it for you."

Age and wisdom...PRICELESS!

Life is good

2009-05-17T14:51:51Z

My sister welcomed Arianna into the world Thursday night. She's beautiful and I'm not biased because she's my niece. I can't wait to see what kind of personality she develops. :)

As for me, I keep paddling along and still hoping that I get some reviews in for my book, For The Love Of Blood, waiting for my editor to send Cheating Death back and working on the 3rd installment of the Hightower Series, which I have yet to name. Any suggestions?

I met someone on an eloop the other day who read my book, For The Love Of Blood and liked it. That was really inspiring! Thank you to everyone out there who took the time to read it. As a reader, please send me ideas of what you would like to see in a story. Maybe I can work it in, no promises, but I'll work on it.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday!

Pirating

2009-04-29T15:00:41Z

I wanted to take a moment to talk about pirating. I know it's something that most people either don't know about, don't want to know about or don't want to talk about. Well, here's the reality... IT AFFECTS ALL OF US.

Stealing by any other name is still stealing. These people don't care if it's on the internet or not, a thief is a thief. And what do you think happens when they go out in public? No, they may not break into your house and rob you, but what stops them from shoplifting, which raises the prices on an already crippled economy?

Think you're not a victim to it because it's only an e-book?
REALLY? Are you that naive?

Let's put this in perspective.

A thief will steal, whether from the internet, your home, or a business. Why? Becuase that's what thiefs do and they aren't discriminating about who they steal from, as long as they think they can get away with it. Do you want someone with that mentally living next to you? Of course not!

Let's become pro-active in this. If more people are reporting it than there are people commiting the crime, it will stop.

Remember, the American people don't need to steal, that's reserved for our politicians, but that's a different blog. :)

Blog Spotlight at Raine Delight

2009-04-26T20:05:01Z

Well, here it is...check out my Blog Spotlight at Raine Delight and feel free to leave a comment or two.

http://authorrainedelight.com/2009/04/guest-author-annie-alvarez/comment-page-1/#comment-901

Remember if you can afford a cup of coffee, you can afford my book. It'll last longer and wet your appetite for more.

April Fool's Day

2009-04-22T15:27:54Z

Okay, some people have been bugging me about what really happened on that April Fool's day that I broke my foot. So, here it is, the true, the bad and the ugly...

It wasn't funny before but I have to admit it's funny as hell now!

That day I woke up, as chipper as ever and ran to the bedroom window screaming, "Oh my god! It's snowing. You've got to get up. It's snowing!"

Jen, who knows me very well, grunted, threw the pillow over her head and rolled over ignoring me.

I finally made her get up and look out the window. To her expectations, not a flake of the flurry stuff was anywhere to be seen.

I headed off to work that morning content that I pulled an April Fool's day on someone. So it didn't work, big deal. It was the thought that counted.

At work, I was crossing an open field to meet with my supervisor. It was a beautiful, sunny day. The birds were singing, everything was quiet, not a worry on my mind as I approached my boss. Then instead of looking at him, WHAM! I was staring at the sky.

I remember thinking, Shit! Something hurts.

My boss ran toward me yelling, "Does it hurt? Don't move. Don't move. I have some Tequila in a vacant apartment. Do you want some?"

Tequila, me? At 10:00 in morning? For as appealing as it sounded, I passed on the offer and settled on a simple question, "What happened?"

"You fell." He said, "Don't look."

So naturally, I tried to sit up because now I had to see. I was fine until he said something.

"Can you walk?" He was yelling running for the golf-cart that we used on property while spewing something into the two-way radio.

Within moments the property Manager was kneeling at my side. "Can you get your feet out?"

I tried to pull my feet out of the hole I was sucked into with no avail. This hole had a death grip on me and wasn't about to let go. The Manager pulled my feet out one by one and helped me hobble to the golf cart.

In the meantime, the office staff was in the process of calling my wonderful Jen and letting her know that I had had an accident at work and was being transported to the hospital.

"That was the most graceful fall I've ever seen." My boss laughs. "You get a 10 for the slick moves. I wish you could have seen yourself!" He exclaims. "First you're walking then your foot goes down, way down into the ground, you fumble, your hands swing desperately as your other foot goes down and the look on your face as you realized what was happening was priceless. Then your body turned and you went down for the count. Wish I had filmed that one!"

"Glad I could cheer you up today." I mumbled, realizing that the pain I was feeling was unnatural.

"Is it broken?" He asked.

"How should I know," I snapped. "I've never had a broken bone."

Again, he laughed.

I asked one of the girls in the office, "Did you talk to Jen?"

"No." She replies disappointedly.

"Call back and tell them it's an emergency. She'll get on the phone." I said confidently as I'm being loaded into the Manager's truck for transport to the hospital.

We get to the hospital and wait . Jen's not showing up. So, I wait some more....

* * *

"Jen, there a phone call for you. Say's they work with Annie, and she's on her way to the hospital."

"What hospital?" Jen asked.

"I don't know."

So, Jen tells her dad, the Doctor, I got a phone call saying Annie's on the way to the hospital. Can you call and find out where she is?

Dad, bless his heart calls the 3 major hospitals close to my job and guess what? I'm not at anyone of them. Why because they said I was on the way. Of course I'm not there yet. Duh!

Jen tells him about my snowing escapade, and he says, "It's probably an April Fool's day joke but I'll keep checking just in case."

He's on the phone with one emergency room when a different emergency room calls to tell him that I'm there. Really!

So, Jen and Dad showed up, I got x-rayed and lo and behold, my left foot was broken and my right foot was so swollen and bruised, I couldn't walk on it either.

Finally got home and leaned agaisnt the new crutches staring at two flights of stairs leading up to our apartment while the Universe giggled, "Happy April Fool's Day."

The rest is another story, for another time...

I haven't played another April Fool's Day joke to this day, can you guess why?

Getting myself visible

2009-04-16T20:27:25Z

Okay, is that a good thing? I don't know but I'm sure going to give it my best shot. LOL
Check out my Raine Delight Blog Spotlight on April 23rd at:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RaineDelight/join

You never know...you might have a good time and find out something new about me. Wouldn't that be worth it? ;)

See you there!!
Enjoy!

Annie

Book Released!

2009-04-06T16:58:50Z

My book, For The Love Of Blood was released on April 1st. Isn't that exciting news? I hope you pick up your copy soon and see what everyone's talking about. Talk about SIZZLING scenes!

I'm being interviewed this Friday by Ronna Gage at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RonnaGage/join
Stop by and see what I have to say. :)

I am working hard at promoting myself, which is no easy task. There are so many places to promote and so little time...but I'm managing as best as I can. So help a sister out and spread the word, will ya?

See ya Wednesday!
A

My first publishing experience

2009-03-26T16:44:05Z

I received my manuscript back from the editor, and I learned what editing and revisions are truly about.

Can you imagine the shock I felt by seeing so many colors on the masterpiece that I had so flawlessly written! Yeah. And I thought I had dotted all my, i's and crossed all my t's.

Guess what? After the initial shock wore off, I realized that what I was feeling was inadequate because I didn't catch those mistakes myself. I felt like maybe, just maybe I wasn't a decent writer after all, and I should give up, while I was still ahead of the game.

Then better sense came knocking at my door. Jay, the EIC at extasy wrote me a simple line that put things back into perspective for me. And I quote, "yes, hon, you wrote, we only did a bit of polishing." I wish everyone has the opportunity to work with someone like Jay and her editing team. KUDOS to you!

And that's when it hit me! It's not all about me.

Doctor's depend on Nurse's. Police Officers depend on Dispatchers. Pilots depend on Air Traffic Controllers, etc, etc, etc, and the list goes on...

We all depend on someone to help us do our best, why should writers be any different?

We get caught up in the moment of bringing our wonderful story to life, that we forget the simple things that hold it together. And that's what our editors are, they are the glue that binds our words together helping us create our masterpeice.

So, here it is, when your manuscript comes back looking like a skittle explosion, don't just fix what your editor points out, learn from it and make yourself a better writer!

And don't EVER give up!

Editing - For the love of Blood

2009-03-24T14:24:42Z

With this being my first published book, I am now learning about the joys of editing. And what an experience that has been! I'm excited that I have a really good editor at Extasy books.

I now understand why so many writers dread the editing part of writing. It not necessarily that I hate the revisions, it's that I see where I could have done so much better in writing the story to begin with.

Thank god, there are people out there that can interpret what we want to say in contrast to what we actually write.

KUDOS to editors and DOUBLE KUDOS to the good ones!