Nerdgassing - a New Word by John Scalzi

I was just over at Scalzi's blog, Whatever, when I came across this gem. I thought it was hilarious.

Oh god, I'm a Nerd. And another thing I discovered: I totally have a crush on the guy.

Read it and, like me, giggle.

"The word: “Nerdgassing”

Definition: The venting nerds emit when some (often minor) detail of a book/movie/TV show/comic book/etc either conflicts with canon and/or handwaves through some
some suspect science.

Example One: “In the third show of the second season of Star Trek: The Next Generation, Data clearly says that the Glorithian flagship was constructed in orbit around that planet Norgar, but then in the fifteenth show of the sixth season, it’s said it was constructed in the Buterian space
docks! How do you explain that, hmmm?”*

Example Two:
“Ringworld is unstable! Ringworld is unstable!”
Secondary definition: What happens after too many Cheetos and Mountain Dew."

Heroes

I was cruising through YouTube, watching old music videos and hit on this one, a favorite of mine from the past. Not just because of the singer, but I thought it was really well done and quite romantic and tragic.

What do you think? What's your favorite music video from the past?

Love Songs The Second Time Around

Second Time around could easily become the third, fourth, and even one hundredth. Finding true love in the next lifetime might be a bit easier than it was the first time because if we have decided to come back as lovers a second time around, then we would have programmed those recognition filters within our human matrix.

LOL. That does sound a bit techno, oh well, I do so love scifi. But seriously, if it is true we choose our lives before we return, at least those who have worked through enough karmic debt to have the right to decide instead of having our lessons decided for us, then we might very well desire to have recall of our special someone.

I’m going to talk in terms of commonly held belief systems by those of us who either have firsthand experience in reincarnation and recall or those who at least embrace the idea of reincarnation. So if you and your cherished hunk decide to come back together in that fabled circle of life, meaning with the same souls you have traveled with before, then chances are you will recognize each other at least on a subconscious level. Sometimes people instantly recall their past lives spent in each others’ arms and sometimes enemies come back destined to be lovers as a way to work out their differences. Oh yeah, karma can be a demanding hussy!



Many believe there are time-released cellular memories within our makeup and when it’s time for a certain thing to happen those cells are activated. Not so far fetched as we might suspect since puberty is very much like that as is menopause when reduced to a very simplistic explanation for a complicated process. So say you and sugarbabe want to meet while in college. BOING! The instant attraction is in motion and those cellular memories spark. Ah…love at first sight…well, not exactly. It may appear to be love at first sight when it’s truly recognition.

This could explain some fatal attractions or obsessions. Maybe the person possessed with that unrequited love somehow recalls the past life love that is not destined to reoccur this current life. Bad wiring? Could be. Or maybe it is something more complex such as a lesson meant to teach what that experience allows the lonely heart to learn. The key is to be willing to delve a bit deeper into life’s situations and probe into the underlying meaning of what we are currently facing. Is it a challenge to our skills? Perhaps that is designed to place us in a position to stretch beyond our typical means. Maybe in a past life we were lazy in our work and didn’t learn the disciplines necessary to excel.

Maybe the person you are fixated on was in your position last life and you ignored him. Gasp! Would you ever do such a thing? Who knows. It’s all in the past but is ever so relevant to your present. Yes, we are summation of our past and not just this life.

So if you and your stud muffin decide next life to reconnect, you may even choose a favorite song to act as that catalyst to spark the cellular memory and open that door of recognition. Then Strangers in the Night might be more than situation to you, and even a past life love song that foretold your story.

Gettin' Naughty - Pigeonholed?

During my research I got interested in birth order and personality. According to pop psychology, where you rank by age among your siblings has a profound effect on psychological development, and is a good indicator of personality. Does this sound reasonable or like a bunch of psychobabble to you? Read on to see what I discovered in my research. Although the defining qualities vary from one resource to another the general consensus is that oldest = leader, middle = adaptable, youngest = unreliable, only = self-centered.

The Oldest Child
Throughout history, most of the men elected as President in the U.S. have been the oldest child. These children tend to have serious, take charge personalities. They are planners who are not likely to miss important dates or occasions. First born people tend to lack spontaneity and dislike surprises. They were an only child for a while and often feel the need to show superiority over siblings. It’s suggested an oldest and youngest child match works well not just because opposites attract, but because some of their stronger traits can rub off on their partner.

The Middle Child
The adaptable compromiser and negotiator. Definitely not spoiled, the middle child tends to feel they didn’t get as much attention growing up. May feel life is unfair and that they’ve been left out. Stuck between the alpha older child and the manipulations of the baby, the middle child will either try and put others at ease or act out. Not the best communicators, they tend to keep their emotions close to the vest. Since the exacting nature of the oldest and only children tend to intimidate them, the middle child is said to do best with a youngest child.

The Youngest Child
Many famous comedians are youngest children. They tend to be the most outgoing and live to have fun. Opposite of the first born, they thrive on flying by the seat of their pants on the spur of the moment without any true plan. Expects others to make decisions and take care of the details. The youngest tend to not be great with finances or being on time. They may also be a bit spoiled and accustomed to getting their way, and they know how to use their charm to make sure they do. An oldest child is purported to be a good partner for counterbalance, or a middle child who understands their need to be at the center of the action.

Only Child
These are oldest children to the extreme. A serious perfectionist who matured quickly and tends to feel they should always be the center of attention. They take their time analyzing a situation until it’s too late to take action leaving someone else to make the first move. Again, for balance, their best pairing is said to be with a youngest child.

Now that you’ve read what the mucky-mucks believe here’s a bit of reality from my own life. If you look at my family this analysis is totally wacked (either that or my family is).

I am the youngest child and I am the least outgoing and spontaneous. To this day I struggle against my extreme shyness. I fit better into the oldest child description since I tend to be the one who gets everyone organized and plans things out. I am also the most likely to show up on time and makes sure the others are okay.

The middle child in my family got the most attention by acting the outcast. He is certainly not willing to negotiate or compromise on anything. He fits better with the youngest child description. He is the least reliable out of the three of us. My oldest brother fits more in the middle child from above. He is the one who is tight-lipped. He may be a supervisor at work, but he is far from alpha in his personal life. He tends to be the one trying to keep the peace and quietly following along the rest of the time.

My children don’t fit into this mold either. My oldest can be a leader and planner at times, but she’s also the least dependable. My youngest is all alpha, although that may be because he grew up in an all female house and felt he had to be “the man in charge”.

In my opinion, personalities can’t be predicted by an astrological sign, birth order, race, religion, sex or any other single factor. We are a product of many different influences and are complex individuals who are not easy to figure out. That’s what makes us all unique and fascinating, and keeps life from being boring.

What do you think? Does your family fit into the mold or are they much more dynamic?

Book Talk

Apparently I received some bad information because last week I told you having ten new books out each week from Ellora's Cave Publishing was finished. Oops! We're getting ten more yummy books again this week, not that it's a hardship or anything. *g*

Releasing Wednesday:



Lovers at Last - Shelley Munro (Contemporary)

Twisted Steel and Sex Appeal - M.A. Ellis (Contemporary / owym)

A Cowboy's Charm - Brandi Michaels (Western)

Perfect Cadence - Nikki Soarde (Contemporary / Menage / Gay)

Releasing Thursday:



Convincing Silvia - Erin Aislinn (Contemporary / owym)

Out of Control - Eve Savage (Contemporary / owym)

Releasing Friday:



Soul of the Sea - Alison Paige (Shapeshifter)

Barbarian's Bride - Rodine Dobeck (Historical)

Chocolate Destiny - Alexa & Patrick Silver (Futuristic)

In the Arms of the Wind - Charlotte Boyett-Compo (Romantic Suspense)

The Hussies would like to extend a warm welcome to new to Ellora's authors Eve Savage and Rodine Dobeck. We wish you all the best. And welcome back to Brandi Michaels. Its been too long since we got a new, steamy read from you!

Happy reading!

Nic
So naughty it's positively scandalous!

The Dreaded "R" Word...

Since it's June - summer for us in the Northern Hemisphere - I've been thinking a lot about vacations, travel and all that sort of thing. Plus we're in the middle of a hot political season as well. Both these topics crashed head-on into each other when I put gas in my car yesterday.

There's no two ways about it, nor any polite way of putting it - we're in a RECESSION, folks. The politicians can call it what they want, but when the cost of filling my gas tank nearly maxes out my credit card...when a gallon of milk requires I pass on the cookies to go with it...and when every bill I get in the mail is higher than the last one - yep. It's a recession, all right.

So I have to wonder how you all are managing, given our current financial crisis. And in particular, how it is affecting your reading. I'm a writer. I need to know these things!!!

So here's some questions for you - and I hope you have chance to answer them. Vent a little frustration, whine, rant..whatever you want.

Question One: Are you reading as much now as you did a year ago? I'm not. Besides the time thing, I have a habit of digging around in my bookshelf for old favorites and re-reading them now and again, especially on long hot summer afternoons. It's like spending time with old friends.

Question Two: When you do scrabble together enough pennies for a book, how are you choosing what you'll buy? Are you getting less-expensive books these days? Waiting for them to be reduced or end up on the Bargain aisle? Or are you saving up for that one new release from a favorite author?

Question Three: Are you sharing books with friends? Setting up your own little lending library? (Hint: Put your NAME inside those paperbacks. They'll get lost and won't be able to find their way home otherwise. I'm still missing a Nora Roberts someplace...)

Question Four: Are you having to make a choice these days between books and other things? I'm not sure there ARE "other things" but my family has this silly habit of complaining if I'm out of stuff like eggs and bread. Obviously they haven't realized the nourishment provided by a good book. (Also a diet aid if you bought it instead of double chocolate chip ice cream. Hmm. The Recession Diet? LOL)

I'm interested in knowing how you feel about all this. How your purchases - when it comes to reading - are affected by the overall financial situation going on right now. We're all feeling the pinch, tightening our belts and looking for ways to economize - and cover that damn fuel bill. Where do books rate on your priority list?

Oh...Question Five: Anybody know where I can find some cheap gas?

If I had a theme song ....

Yeah you probably guessed it. After all, I am a Redneck Woman. And I don't take offense to being called a Redneck. There's millions of us, and by and large we're a pretty good bunch of folks. Ya'll non-rednecks sometimes get the idea that we're a bunch of illiterate, inbred yahoos with not enough sense to get in out of a shower of rain, but that's really not the case. And when it comes to redneck women ... well Gretchen says it with country style ....



So why do I consider myself a Redneck? Well that's easy. I'm a country gal - born and raised. Spent more time around the middle-class than the affluent. I grew up near a real small country town that was populated with farmers, ranchers, construction workers, small town shop owners, volunteer fire and police departments - people who knew everyone's mama and grandmama and great grandmama (and what everyone was doing and who was doing who).

I learned to drive a tractor before a car. Rode a horse years before I rode a bus. Thought the 4th of July was one of THE most important holidays of the year, and always said yes ma'am and yes sir because it was unthinkable not to.

My favorite car was a Ford pickup that I called Blue -a three in the tree affair with a clutch stiff enough that I built up one hell of a leg muscle changing gears.

My redneck heritage didn't prevent me from earning a doctorate degree or finding a good man or raising two wonderful children. It didn't prevent me from traveling, from exploring who the woman inside this redneck is or learning things from people of other cultures outside this country. It did hamper me a bit in college French. Seems my southern tongue was made for French that had nothing to do with talking. It allowed me to feel good about myself when I wanted a chainsaw more than a diamond necklace, and a tractor more than a new car. It gave me a strong sense of self, and a sense of humor that let me laugh at myself and not take offense when others laughed or thought I talked funny.

But most of all it gave me a forgiving nature. I don't expect others to be or talk or think like me. Hell, that would be boring as all get out. I don't want or need approval or praise for living the life I choose, and sure as heck don't feel qualified to tell someone else how to think or live.

So there you have it. I'm a redneck and proud of it.

Hell yeah.

Ci