Category: WWWW
WWWW: Oops
I really did mean to add a regular WWWW post yesterday evening to go live at 6 am this morning as is my norm. However, I was reading this pretty good book and got distracted. So my post is a little late, but it comes with awesome news! I’m going to be interviewed on the radio tonight.
Growing up in Houston in the 80s and 90s meant there were a lot of different radio stations over the years for me to find rock n’roll music. But the one that stands out among all the others is 101.1 KLOL.
Most people who lived in Houston from 1970 to 2004 and listened to the station will be familiar with the name Outlaw Dave. He will be interviewing me tonight at 9:15pm CST. I met him once in an elevator at the Clear Channel office. I was too tongue tied to say much but I did smile. Hopefully I’ll be able to talk tonight.
WWWW: RIP Maurice Sendak
There aren’t many books I remember reading in my childhood. The ones I do remember stand out for different reasons, but usually because of the illustrations. We lost not only a wonderful author, but a phenomenal illustrator on Tuesday. Maurice Sendak passed away at the age of 83, from complications after a recent stroke. His passing is the ending of a chapter in children’s literature history, and he will be missed.
WWWW: World Press Freedom Day
From the website:“Every year, May 3rd is a date which celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom; to evaluate press freedom around the world, to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.”
World Press Freedom Day is tomorrow, and I think this a time to reflect on exactly what that means.
What is “free press”? According to Dictionary.com, it’s a noun that means “a body of book publishers, news media, etc., not controlled or restricted by government censorship in political or ideological matters.”
Wikipedia says: “Freedom of the press or freedom of the media is the freedom of communication and expression through vehicles including various electronic media and published materials. While such freedom mostly implies the absence of interference from an overreaching state, its preservation may be sought through constitutional or other legal protections.”
So do we have “free press” in the United States? Really? This being an election year, I think I can safely say hell no, we don’t! As anyone can see, the media is under the mistaken belief that there are only two political parties. There aren’t. The media in general is also overly obsessed with actors, musicians, professional athletes and people who somehow have found their way onto our televisions. In the grand scheme of things, every little thing those people do is not news. It’s gossip and I’m sick of seeing it on the front page of anything. So while I think World Press Freedom Day is a great idea, and certainly should be acknowledged, I also believe the general press in this country needs to reevaluate. Just what does freedom mean? While it means they can report on absolutely anything they deem worthy, I think they truly need to stop and think, But should we?
WWWW: A Puzzling Dilemma
I’ve been addicted to puzzles of all kinds most of my life. I have a collection of completed jigsaw puzzles gathering dust beneath my bed, and a box of various puzzles sitting behind me on my office floor. So, discovering an online outlet for my addiction was a really, really bad thing. It’s the ultimate time-suck. Not only can I do various themes but the site even offers a multitude of cuts for each puzzle. It’s amazing and horrible at the same time. I can’t get other stuff done once I click on the site, and I’m too weak to resist visiting at least once daily. Honestly, it’s worse than Twitter and Facebook combined because it actually relaxes me. I’ve written almost a complete book in my head while mindlessly completing a puzzle
Now I need to wrap up this post and go do a puzzle!
WWWW: This Dad is Doing it Right
Most everyone who even glances at the internet from time to time heard of the father who shot up his daughter’s laptop and posted it on Facebook. There was a huge outpouring of support for his tactic as well as quite a few critics. However, I found this photo and article in the Houston Chronicle on Tuesday and have to wonder why it hasn’t gone viral yet. The article mentions a psychologist who claims this sort of humiliating punishment doesn’t work. I call bullshit on his claim. I guarantee if I ever had cause to make my daughters do something of this nature, they would never commit the crime again. And why is that? Not just because this punishment is humiliating. But also because it fits the crime to some degree and my daughters would realize there are dire consequences to those actions. I think what a lot of parents don’t realize, or forget, is that children sometimes just need to know there ARE CONSEQUENCES! Maybe because the parents were never held accountable for their actions, or still aren’t as adults.
WWWW: Shameless Self Promotion
Just in case you missed it, (where have you been? Under a rock?) I’m in the midst of a blog tour for my newest release, Two Dates Max. Today’s post is over at Cassandra Carr’s blog, where I interview Sean Maxwell from the story. Don’t forget to leave a comment there too. One winner will have their choice from my back list. Good luck!
WWWW: Obsessive Over Music
I know it’s silly, but I have the bad habit of getting somewhat obsessed when I really love a song. What that means is, I’ll happily sit and listen to it multiple times in one day…every day. Not too long ago when I first listened to The Civil Wars. they became my obsession for a few weeks. I saw them perform live and fell even more in love with their music. Then finally I bought the CD shortly after Christmas. So, it seems only natural for the newest song featuring them along with Taylor Swift is my newest obsession. I swear I could listen to it over and over again all day long. What do you think of it?
WWWW: Let the Games Begin!
A couple of years ago my oldest daughter read a book at school called The Hunger Games. She absolutely loved it and said she had to have the rest of the trilogy. It was close to Christmas and for that particular child to crave a book is nothing short of a miracle. So, I shopped around and found Catching Fire and Mockingjay to put beneath the tree.
Shortly after that she insisted I had to read these books. She was insistent and persistent but I just shrugged it off. Now that the movie mania has hit the internet and brought the story into the spotlight, I thought what the hell, and finally read the books.
Oh. My. God. This was an awesome series. It’s not Lord of the Rings amazing, because the tales are so different. It’s not Stephen King mind boggling or even Lora Leigh sensual. It’s not anything like what I’ve been reading the past few years. However, it took me back to when I did read tales of this type and left me craving more. It’s a series that kept me awake at night, pondering all the possibilities of this world. It’s the type of story not so different from the one that originally inspired me to start writing.
So, am I going to see the movie? Hell yes. I’ve already bought our tickets. My girls are insisting they need Mockingjay pins and various styles of t-shirts. I doubt we’ll go that far, but we will be there opening weekend like so many others. You?
WWWW: 70 Isn’t Too Old
I have more than one family member who has lived well into their seventies and beyond without letting age hinder their activities. I hope I follow in those footsteps, but I know I’ll never be an Olympian.
Hiroshi Hoketsu is an Olympic equestrian and he’s seventy-years old. That makes him double awesome in my book, and though I haven’t watched the Olympics in years, I’ll definitely be cheering him on.
Author Missy Jane 