I like spooky looking things
On my way home from a tech demo at Hammerstein Ballroom , I caught this view of the Empire State Building. My camera doesn't quite capture the absolute eerie effect of the skyscraper shining through the shroud of misty clouds... but it made me think of otherworldy fog and gargoyles swooping acros

The importance of knowing each other's stories
Rushia led an exciting and dynamic life, but it's a deeper loss that I don't know more of it. She was my great-aunt, sister to my father's mother. But my Dad had a bad habit of not sharing a lot of such details. So as a kid I simply called her "Aunt Rushia" having no clue exactly how this nice lady was my aunt.Growing up, our extended family would gather at Rushia and her husband Levy's house for parties and BBQs. When you're a kid running around with your cousins, you don't pay too much attention to what the grownups are saying. You don't know how important it will be later to know the places they have walked, the times they have seen. But I do remember Rushia's sassy sense of

The infamous "C" word
COMPROMISEA lot of people despise compromise. It can make your skin crawl if see compromise as surrender.I was listening to a radio show on my drive home the other night and the topic was about people who refuse to compromise in relationships.One of the callers said she was married with three kids with a husband who refuses to compromise and the regret in her voice made me sad. She sounded strong, yet very frustrated from dealing with it. She warned others to get out while they can.Now there are many things one can rattle off that you should not compromise about: Never let anyone abuse you. Not ever. No hitting, no insults. None of it. That's

Alas, the Comfort Food holiday feast...
Seems like there is way too much happening this holiday season with other parties and whatnot. So I guess there will be no Comfort Food feast at The Dojo.There's not much you can do when everyone's calendar is so crowded. But I will still be in the kitchen cooking and baking. This year I am going to make a few pies and maybe get around to that homemade, high octane eggnog. The rum and whiskey are still in the cupboard. Or perhaps there will be some mulled wine.And of course there are my favs to make from scratch: double-peanut butter brownies, chocolate morsel cookies, and lets not forget about the creme brulee torch!So no, there shall be no slowly roasti

I should be quarantined
Not that I have frequent visitors at The Dojo. But yeah, I feel like I tried swallowing an iron pine comb. Looks like I will have to keep my big mouth shut as my throat heals.I have a broad assortment of meds, I was raised by a pharmacist you know.This does make it hard to work on the book. Coherency can be a struggle when medicated. Nonetheless, I shall forge ahead.Speaking of books, I gave a look at a few bestselling chic lit books on the market, knowing I am NOT the intended audience but wanting to see the style of writing that grabs editors' attention.That was very silly of me.I am writing for a totally different market and mus