Well, here we are at last! Blogday is one year old, and the original project that I set myself has come to an end.

Thank you to every one who let me know that they enjoy reading my posts and looking at my photos (I had emails, texts and comments on my class blog, as well as some comments here). I was really thrilled to get such support.

So Blogday is going to continue, but I'm going to break away from taking photos just with my phone (handy as it is) and post pictures from whichever camera I use. I'm going to concentrate on sharing more recipes, seeing as that gives me a chance to combine two of the things I love, and gives me an excuse for making lots of my favourite recipes, just so I can photograph them!

Right now, though, I need to tell you how excited I am about the arrival of Spring ... the garden is full of blossom and bees, and there is the promise of a bumper harvest of nectarines, plums and apricots. Even my little fig tree, bought as a cutting two years ago, has set four figs. I'll be nursing it along until they ripen to be sure that no one but me gets them (no birds or bugs, that is - I'll share with the family!)

I'm off now to work in the garden, as there is a vegie patch that needs to be weeded so that I can get my tomato plants in next weekend, and then tonight we are off to see Bill Bailey!

I can't wait - we've had the tickets for months and we've spent the last couple of weeks watching lots of his stuff on Youtube and re-watching Black Books a million times, getting ourselves in the mood. I won't make the same mistake I did with Michael Buble - tonight I am taking a camera that should be able to cope with the lighting conditions a little better (Meg's), so hopefully I'll have some photos to share in the next couple of days. I did toy with the idea of taking my DSLR, but I don't want to take pictures to the exclusion of watching the show, so I think I should probably leave it home.

Here is a little treat to finish the post - Bill Bailey as Manny in the Black Books episode called The Entertainer. If you've never seen it, have a look - if you have, watch it again; either way, you'll be dazzled by his talent.

The other day at school my friend was going on practically non stop all lunch break about this show called Black Books...I'd heard of it, it was on the ABC a while ago, but I never watched it, so he leant me the whole series. It is the funniest thing ever, seriously, it is absolutely hilarious, more hilarious than the most hilarious thing you've ever come across.

It's based in a little old book shop owned by Bernard Black (Dylan Moran), who loves his books but hates his customers. He abuses them, makes fun of them, and just downright mistreats them. So basically each episode is just another happening in and around the book shop.  His shop assistant, Manny, and the shopowner next to him, Fran are about the only friends he has. In literally every episode he gets drunk at least once (if not for the whole episode) and he smokes about a gazillion cigarettes a day.

All of you have probably seen this show already, but if you haven't you have to see it. Go to your library, rent if from the video shop, or if you must, steal it. Seriously though, you'll thank me later. It is the funniest thing in the history of ever! However it only has 3 seasons, and each season only has 6 episodes, so it loses half a point for not going on longer.  Other than that it's completely perfect...seriously..it won awards and everything. WATCH THIS SHOW!

Rating: 9.5/10

Here's a couple of scenes, Enjoy.

In completely unrelated news Beverly Hills 90210 is returning to the screens soon, I wonder if it's going to be any good. I haven't seen any of the old one's so when I review it don't think I'm comparing it to the original series. Was the original series any good?

Great book. Andy Riley is a funny guy, also responsible for The Bunny Suicides and the Roasted comic strip in The Observer Magazine.

Also available, Loads More Great Lies To Tell Small Kids!

Here's some great lies to tell small kids....

Andy Riley also co-wrote Black Books, one of my very, very favourite sitcoms. And i won't harp on about it's brilliance, for a change. But click below to see my favourite part of my favourite episode, which deals with children's books. Making everything nice and tidy!

Vanessa is the recipient of numerous recognitions including: June 2007 recipient of the Arts and Letters Award from Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Birmingham Alumnae Chapter, March 2006 recipient of The Greater Birmingham Millennium Section National Council of Negro Women Inspiration Award, 2004-2005 Jasper Outstanding Achievement Award. Wings of Grace received a Road to Romance Reviewer's Choice Award.

MORE FASCINATING NEWS

At the moment, I am beginning to prepare food with great enthuasism, then feeling nauseous looking at it before chucking it in the bin.  I could, of course, save it but I can't imagine wanting to eat it.  Consequently, I have unintentionally dropped a few pounds in weight.

We've been cleaning the flat in preparation for my sister's arrival on Wednesday.  Naturally, because of this, I shall be quiet for week as it's extremely rude to write about the state of one's mental health when your family is visiting! Although I will probably be back on Thursday to type the usual, "It's my birthday!  Hurrah!" post, even though I will be spending the morning at the vets as Boy Cat has become Man Cat and keeps trying to jump his sister.  His efforts are heroic but fruitless, as Girl Cat keeps swiping at him and mioawing at him to piss off.   The poor thing is wandering around mewling.  I feel for him, as I can imagine what it must be like for a man to walk around with a permanant erection. I am struggling not to push my human morality upon them by being repulsed by Boy Cat's desire for an incestuous relationship.  He keeps lapsing into a devious, faraway expression, which makes him look like Jason King:

I will have to be sociable during the week to entertain Paula, and my big sister Michelle (who is twenty six!  I am turning twenty three but she is still my big sister, as she is the one who scolds me a lot) is coming down for a night from Newcastle on Saturday.  I've been semi-reclusive lately and have acquired that mentalist hairdo.

On my birthday evening, I am having dinner with friends at a raucous yellow shed that serves delicious Italian food, then on Saturday we are going to Stay Beautiful, mostly for old time's sake as I don't go clubbing anymore.  Hopefully Simon will play "Red Sleeping Beauty" by McCarthy for me, as it is my favourite song of all time next to "Readymades" by the Bonzos, "Falling" by Julee Cruise, "Unchained Melody" by The Righteous Brothers, "Faster" by the Manics, "Flourella" by Mansun, "Stay Together" by Suede, "This Woman's Work" by Kate Bush... I have a lot of favourite songs.  I'm looking forward to but nervous about the dinner, as always.  My extremely smiley friend who has a habit of lighting women's cigarettes for them will be back from Bangkok (mistyped as "Bangcock", marvellous) for a week, so that will be lovely.  (I use brackets a lot, don't I?  Do you think if I forgot to close a bracket everything I said what sound like an aside?)

We've been procrastinating somewhat (I originally typed "someone" there and was tempted to keep it.  How do you procrastinate someone? "Madam, do you have fifteen spare minutes to waste?  I am meant to be doing something relatively important but I cannot be arsed") by becoming embroiled in Flick Wars.  During this, Rob got  kneed in the bollocks, flicked in the eye and flicked on his forehead which resulted in him smacking his head off the door frame in a move I like to call "The Incapacitator".  It was hilarious.

Anyway, as is tradition with my short jaunts into the really real world, I shall leave you with some funny comedy to watch in my absence.

From Black Books, Manny and Bernard write a children's book.

On the subject of Graham Linehan's ace comedies, Father Ted and his fellow priests get lost in the lingerie section...

You can never go wrong with my beloved Dadaists, the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band...

The sweet essence of giraffe...

Vivian Stanshall's week, just proving the fact that he is England's true eccentric.

From The Day Today, which I thought was a real news show when I caught it on BBC2 at the tender age of nine...

Oh well, if we're on Chris Morris, I may as well post this too.

Not the Nine O' Clock News' Conservative Party Conference, which predicts the future, since the Conservatives will be elected in the next election.

Hello Tony! Hello Control!

Eddie Izzard!

Peter Cook and Dudley Moore...

So...

Goodbye!

What is the "book-a man-a" you may ask? Well the book man is the guy from Channel 4's "Black Books", and I'm not entirely sure "Black Books" is even vaguely recommended for toddlers but Littlepixie loves it, she dances to it, laughs along with it and I feel it shows tremendous good taste on her part for I love Bill Bailey, he is my all time favourite comedian.

Here's a little taster of "Black Books" for you to enjoy... try and imagine the whole HPP clan dancing along to the music at the start while you watch :)

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Comdex has emerged as a preferred choice of students and professionals with its popular Course Kits. With over 5,00,000 copies sold, Comdex opens an arena of diversified career options for the beginners and an enhancement of professional skills for the mid-career ones. The Comdex Course Kit is an all-you-need package comprising a Book and a CD/VCD that presents learning through interactive simulations and do-it-yourself mode. Comdex has established its mark on a range of courseware Computer Learning, Multimedia, Sales Professionl, Call Center, DTP, Fashion Designing, hardware and networking and many more.

Black Book series provides global programming and administrative challenges, helping you complete specific tasks, especially critical ones. The Black Book is designed to cater the needs of professionals with its unique structure which includesdescribimg the concepst and explaining the same with professional examples. With such a structure, you can easily solve problems by referring teh examples described in the book, this helping you to become expert in particular technologies. It comes with a CD which includes code examples used in the book. Some of the books in this series are Visual Studio 2005, Java 6 and Visual basic 2005.

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Tony Dungy, loving father of four, and head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, who grew up in a home where he was encouraged by his parents to dream big and to have faith in God to bring his dreams to pass, has passed on this vital lesson to children ages 4-7 in his latest book, You Can Do It! In You Can Do It! Dungy encourages children to trust in God and to dream big because God can bring all dreams to pass.

Tony’s little brother, Linden, did not know what his “It” was. In other words, Linden did not know what his passion was, that is what he loved to do and wanted to spend his life doing. Children who are not sure what their “It” is, will be encouraged by these words of wisdom by Linden’s father: “Your It is what you love to do. And it’s something God has given you the talent to do. That’s what makes it so special. Son, sometimes dreams are as big as the ocean or as small as a microbe. With faith and hard work you’ll recognize your It some day. I didn’t realize science was my It when I was your age…”

Parents, after reading this book with your child, even you will be inspired to share how you got your “it” with your son or daughter. Tony Dungy has hit a touchdown with, You Can Do It!

Although the weather channel reported "baking hot" conditions in Harlem, NY for the 10th annual Harlem Book Fair, even Mother Nature couldn't burn the phenomenal success of this event.  Saturday, July 19 was the long awaited fair, a date clearly marked on the calendars of authors, publishers and vendors galore. Booklovers flocked to Harlem by the thousands to experience the thrill and energy of this celebration of literature and culture, myself included.

We were there to help launch HBF Publishers, a publishing company born from a partnership with the Harlem Book Fair and QBR The Black Book Review organizations and Author Solutions Inc., parent company of Wordclay, AuthorHouse and iUniverse. Officially launching at the fair, HBF Publishers is an ideal marriage of literary passion and state-of-the-art publishing technology.

"[HBF Publishers'] fundamental mission is to provide a unique and simple opportunity for African American authors to share their stories with the world. It's that easy," says Max Rodriguez, founder and president of the Harlem Book Fair and HBF Publishers. "The publishing revolution of the past decade has left cultural gaps between African American readers and authors. HBF Publishers closes those gaps through technology and allows authors to inform, enlighten and entertain their target audiences."

Authors Noreen Mallory and Kurt Boone were the first to publish through HBF Publishers with their book Urban Theory: Critical Thoughts in America. They had just a small number of presale copies of their book at the fair, and they represented HBF Publishers well. Watch for their book to be available soon through the HBF Publishers Bookstore. 

The Harlem Book Fair was not, however, focused on HBF Publishers – it was about authors, books (LOTS of books), music, discussions and enjoyment. Good vibes flowed throughout the streets as authors passed out flyers about their books. Writers looking for publishing advice attended instructional sessions. People interested in political debate, or cultural topics found a seat in the audience of a panel discussion.

It was truly remarkable to speak with authors, many of whom self-published their books. Like most writers, they had such a passion about their books, they all became naturals when selling their story. It was hard to pass up books. In fact, we ended up having to ship books back via Fed Ex because they wouldn't fit in our suitcase.

Here are just a few of the authors and publishers that we had the pleasure of speaking to at the Harlem Book Fair:

• Savannah J. Frierson, author of Fiction/ Romance novel Being Plumville, whose book received excellent reviews on Amazon.com
• Lurea C. McFadden with Female Traits series with Bruce Publishing
• Leslie Kimbro introduced her newest Christian book Covenant of Healing
• Ambassador Lionel A. Hurst, who authored a non-fiction book Democracy By Diplomacy 
• Authors with Ghetto Heat, an independent multimedia publishing company specializing in urban fiction, incorporating hip-hip, pop and street-culture, poetry and contemporary novels 
• Authors with RJ Publications: "Bringing Excitement, fun and joy to reading," specializing in street lit and romance novels  
• Poet and novelist Nikkea Smithers
• Ronald Peden who authored Notes on the State of America
• Aaron Anwar Smith, with his book Living on the Up High, Not the Down Low: The Movement to Uplift Good Black Men and the Empowerment of the African American Family

Not only was the Harlem Book Fair an event to remember, but the Wheatley Awards that preceded the fair on Friday, July 18 was a momentous occasion also, with entertaining spoken-word poetry and musical performances, appreciative speeches and theatrical performances. This first annual awards program was hosted by author Relentless Aaron commemorated 40 years of black publishing, honoring notables such as Haki Madhubuti, founder of Third World Press; W. Paul Coates of Black Classic Press; Kassahun Checole, founder of Africa World Press; Cheryl Willis Hudson and Wade Hudson of Just Us Books; Tony Rose of Amber Books; and Dr. Osonye Tess Onwueme as the inaugural recipient the Flora Nwapa Award for Excellence in African Letters.

The enthusiasm of all involved – the event organizers, supporters, publishers, and authors – really made the entire Harlem Book Fair event something remarkable. If you're an author, publisher or reader, you might want to consider a trip to New York next summer. You could even consider claiming your spot during the fair depending on your book's target audience. Hopefully, I'll have the opportunity to attend the events of the fair next year. I look forward to it.

-Angie

Sandra Steen is the Founder and CEO of Sandra Steen & Associates, Inc., an internationally acclaimed speaking, training and consulting firm. Sandra has established a reputation as an expert in the areas of inspiration/motivation, sales/customer service and communication/leadership. She has won many awards for outstanding contributions in corporate America including: Entrepreneurial Spirit Award, Women of Enterprise Award, Texas Woman to Watch, International Firm of the Year, and African American Business Professional Service Award.

A vividly compelling look at what robs our joy and what will enhance our joy. Sandra uses Joy as a character who encounters other characters call Joy Robbers and Joy Builders. She concludes the book by introducing us to Joy Protectors to help readers maintain and walk in joy daily. Every chapter offers inspiration for personal growth and empowerment to maintain joy in our daily lives.

Buy it today on BlackCBC.com.

Visit Sandra Steen Online at www.SandraSteen.com.

Bisher besprochene Serien:

Back to you
Welcome to the Captain
Samantha Who?
Aliens in America
The Simpsons
Scrubs
My Boys
Reaper

=====================================================

The Big Bang Theory

Heute kommen wir zur Abwechslung mal wieder zu klassischen Sitcoms, nachdem wir zuletzt doch recht viele eher untypische Vertreter des Comedy-Serien-Genres hatten.

Aber es gibt sie durchaus noch, die klassischen Sitcoms, die trotz des etwas angemieften Laughtracks durchaus Klasse haben und auf hohem Niveau amüsieren können.

Eine solche Serie ist The Big Bang Theory, die von einer 4 köpfigen Nerd-Clique handelt. Hauptfigur ist das junge Physik-Genie Leonard Hofstaedter (Johnny Galecki), der sich mit dem noch begabteren, aber extrem neurotischen Leonard Sheldon (großartig: Jim Parsons) eine Wohnung teilt. Das zentrale Motiv, und dadurch natürlich der Quell vieler Gags, ist dabei das Aufeinanderprallen von Geek-Ansichten und Mainstream-Welt – in diesem Fall repräsentiert durch die optisch durchaus reizende Nachbarin Penny, die das komplette Gegenteil zum nerdigen Universum der beiden Jungs und ihrer zwei nicht minder weltfremden Kumpels darstellt.

Meinen Standpunkt zur Qualität dieser Serie habe ich hier eigentlich schon mal relativ ausführlich kundgetan, und auch wenn dies damals gerade mal nach einem Drittel der Staffel war, so ist meine Meinung doch im Grunde immer noch die Gleiche: Eine wirklich klasse und sehr witzige Serie, mit gut geschriebenen Figuren und einem Humor, der erfreulicherweise oft auf mehreren Ebenen funktioniert. Vordergründig oftmals recht platte, direkte Gags, aber eben im Hintergrund (oder auch manchmal etwas deutlicher, Stichwort "Doppler-Effekt") immer wieder viele, sehr wunderbare Anspielungen auf die Welt der Wissenschaft oder des generellen Geektums.

Immerhin hat sich etwas geändert, im Vergleich zum Zeitpunkt meines damaligen Postings, und zwar das Standing der Serie bei vielen. Denn beim Start hat der Pilot doch gehörig auf die Fresse bekommen und wurde recht vernichtend von vielen beurteilt – etwas, was ich überhaupt nicht nachvollziehen konnte. Doch erfreulicherweise wurde die Serie nicht nur im Laufe der Zeit immer besser, sondern dies wurde auch von immer mehr Leuten honoriert. Figuren wie die von Sheldon sind dazu einfach auch zu gut geschrieben, als dass man sie nicht weiterverfolgen wollen könnte.

Für mich definitiv eines der absoluten Highlights unter den diesjährigen Comedy-Neustarts, das mit “How I Met Your Mother” (zu der ich natürlich noch kommen werde) ein wirklich starkes Comedy-Doppel geben – auch wenn die Quoten beider Serien leider nur maximal mit dem Attribut „zufrieden stellend“ zu belegen sind.

Warum hat ProSieben hier eigentlich noch nicht zugeschlagen für seinen Comedy-Samstag?

Meine Bewertung: Sehr gute 8 von 10 Gabeln [für Season 1]

IT Crowd

Und wenn wir schon grad beim Thema “Nerds vs. Reality“ sind, dann ist der Sprung zu IT Crowd natürlich mehr als nahe liegend, sind doch auch hier die Hauptfiguren zwei eher weltfremde Nerds, in deren Leben plötzlich eine „normale“ Frau tritt und dadurch den Alltag der beiden ordentlich durcheinander wirbelt. Zudem handelt sich auch hier um eine konventionelle Sitcom mit dazugehörigem Laughtrack – der Unterschied: Diese Produktion ist britisch.

Die erste Season sorgte 2006 durchaus für einigen Buzz in der Internet-Community, stehen hier doch zwei absolute Computer-Freaks im Mittelpunkt des Geschehens, die wirklich so ziemlich alle Nerd-Klischees erfüllten. Zudem wurden die Serien legal im Internet zum Download verfügbar gemacht, was natürlich zusätzlich für einiges Aufsehen sorgte.

Natürlich reicht das aber alleine nicht, sondern hier kam dann auch noch hinzu, dass die Qualität der Serie auch absolut hervorragend ist. Dies liegt vor allem an den großartigen Darstellern, allen voran Richard Ayoade, der den neurotischen Morris Moss einfach nur wunderbar verkörpert. Aber auch Chris O’Dowd als sein Kollege Roy und Katherine Parkinson als die fachfremde Abteilungsleiterin Jen, stehen ihm kaum nach. Alle drei legen ein wunderbares Timing an den Tag, setzen die von den Machern um Graham Linehan geschriebenen Dialoge perfekt um.

Wer mir nicht glaubt, der schaut sich einfach mal an, wie die beiden ausgestrahlten Folgen des deutschen Remakes (die im Grunde nur eine Kopie mit anderen Darstellern war) aussehen – und schon wird man sehen, wie ungemein wichtig Schauspieler und Regie auch in einer simplen Sitcom sind. Wirklich ein (abschreckendes) Paradebeispiel, das sich alle Filmstudenten mal anschauen sollten.

Auch die zweite Staffel kann erfreulicherweise das hohe Niveau der Debüt-Season halten und hat in seinen leider, leider wieder nur 6 Episoden wieder unglaublich viele Highlights verpackt. Besonders großartig z.B. die Episode „Moss and the German“, mit der genialen Parodie auf die Anti-Filmpiraterie-Spots der Filmindustrie, oder auch die völlig aus den Fugen geratende Dinnerparty. Und wenn es nicht nur eine Serie mit lediglich 6 Episoden pro Staffel wäre, dann würde ich die Serie wohl auch etwas später hier auflisten. So kommt sie halt jetzt schon und muss einigen anderen mit mehr Folgen den Vortritt lassen.

Eine dritte Staffel soll angeblich für 2008 angekündigt sein – genauere Bestätigungen dafür konnte ich allerdings bislang nicht ausfindig machen. Zu hoffen wäre es jedenfalls!

Meine Bewertung: 9 von 10 Gabeln [für Season 2]

Sidekick: Black Books

An dieser Stelle bauen wir mal kurz einen kleinen Seitenblick ein und widmen uns kurz der Serie Black Books, die das Vorgängerwerk von IT Crowd-Schöpfer Linehan ist und deren drei Staffeln ich vor einigen Wochen mal geschaut habe.
Auch hier steht ein Trio aus zwei Männern und einer Frau im Mittelpunkt – damit hat es sich dann storytechnisch (nicht humor- und machart-technisch) schon mit den Gemeinsamkeiten.

Das titelgebende „Black Books“ ist ein kleiner abgewrackter Buchladen in London, der von der Hauptfigur Bernard Black (Dylan Moran, gleichzeitig auch Mitschöpfer) geleitet geführt besessen wird, dem allerdings sämtliche Verpflichtungen, die mit der Leitung eines Geschäfts verbunden sind (Kundenservice, Buchbestellungen, Hygiene), zutiefst zuwider sind. Konkret gesagt: Bernard hasst Menschen und ist zudem ein saufender, Kette rauchender Choleriker.

Glücklicherweise hat er mit Manni Bianco (Bill Bailey) –einem ehemaligen Steuerberater, den er mal vor einem Trupp Skindheads gerettet hat- einen Angestellten, der all diese Tätigkeiten mit absoluter Hingabe erledigt und dabei die Charakterschwächen seines Chefs an sich abprallen lässt. Das Trio wird komplettiert durch Fran Katzenjammer (ja sie heisst so im Original), die Besitzerin eines benachbarten Ramschladens, die allerdings vorwiegend mit Trinken beschäftigt ist.

Wer britische Sitcoms, wie eben IT Crowd oder auch das wunderbare und absolut empfehlenswerte Spaced von Simon Pegg (der, wie auch sein Kompagnon Nick Frost, einen Gastauftritt in BB hat) mag, der wird auch hier nicht unglücklich werden. Einzig, der notorische Misanthrop Bernard ist zwar einerseits definitiv ein Highlight, kann aber in seiner konsequenten Verachtung seiner Mitmenschen auf Dauer etwas anstrengend sein.

Meine Bewertung: 7 von 10 Gabeln [für die Seasons 1-3]

PS: Linehans erster größerer Serienerfolg Father Ted über einen auf eine Hebriden-Insel strafversetzten Pfarrer habe ich übrigens auch mal angefangen – sagte mir allerdings nicht wirklich zu.

Coming up: Sex mit Minderjährigen und eine Schicksalsschlampe.

If you're unfamiliar with Beckett, I am the wrong person to talk to.  I find him as depressing as some people seem to find LC.

"I see my shoe.  What is my shoe?  Am I my shoe?  There is certainly a shoe.  At least one shoe.  But one shoe reminds me of another shoe.  And so the whole hideous process starts again..."  Wait, no - that last bit was more like "Black Books".en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Books

I do enjoy Black Books - but more so when  I'm drunk

So, waiting for yourself.  If you're waiting to sell your house or get a new job, or find a new partner or earn some more money - you're really waiting for yourself.  And that's the hardest kind of waiting there is.

You know what Gandhi said:  "Be the change you want to see"www.worldofquotes.com/ author/Mahatma-Gandhi/1/index.html

Wot no Leonard Cohen?

OK here's one:

Cohen Koan

What is the sound of 30,000 hands clapping?

Farewell mes petits partisans

PS If you don't know what a koan is, it's a short phrase to meditate on.  It's pronounced "koh-ann" and one original one is "what is the sound of one hand clapping?"

Dya gettit now?

Deborah Slappey Pitts is the author of I Feel Okay, a heart-wrenching account of love, loss and inspiration listed in Booking Matters as a national bestseller. In this sequel, Shadow Living…Paintings of Grief, Pitts chronicles her painful journey through despair after her husband succumbs to the silent killer disease, primary amyloidosis. A native of Americus, Georgia, Pitts is a graduate of Georgia Southwestern University in Americus and Albany State University in Albany, Georgia. Pitts travels the country as an inspirational and motivational speaker educating others about the devastating effects of amyloidosis diseases and the psychological and physiological effects of grief. Pitts has two sons, Clyde Daryl and Alex Keith, and resides in Columbus, Georgia, with her second husband, Marshall Pitts.

For more information about Shadow Living…Paintings of Grief, visit Deborah Slappey Pitts’ website at: www.DSlappeyPitts.com.

To book Deborah Slappey Pitts for speaking engagements or book signings, please contact Ella D. Curry of EDC Creations at 202-230-6399 or ella@edc-creations.com.

Shadow Living: Paintings of Grief
Grief is a universal phenomenon. Possibly every minute, every hour-even every day of the year, someone is grieving the loss of a loved one. It can be the death of a spouse, a daughter, a son, a sister or a brother, even a grandparent, or a friend-no matter what the relationship, no matter how close or how distant, grief rears its ugly head with merciless, menacing pain and with piercing precision. Sooner or later, grief tears through the clutches of time and leaves the griever saddled with the deafening silence of losing a loved one to death.

Now in the enthralling sequel to I Feel Okay, Shadow Living . . . Paintings of Grief, Deborah Slappey Pitts shares her intimate story of pain, depression, and unnerving despair as she reaches through the darkest crevices of her shadowy world of grief, holding onto God's unchanging hand.

Pitts identifies the perplexing stages of grieving and shares her tale of faith and healing. In this powerful book, you will discover the many stages of the grieving process and how to embrace the light of hope.

Shadow Living . . . Paintings of Grief is a must read-an unforgettable story-one that every person who has lost a loved one should read and cherish.

Buy it today on www.BlackCBC.com.
Online: www.dslappeypitts.com.

Alethea Pascascio, in a very unique way, takes us into the mind of a fetus, named Israel, to show us that the fetus is a living person with feelings and a mind of his own. Ms. Pascascio asks us these rather sober questions before she begins this novel. These are questions worth thinking about: “What if Martin Luther King Jr. had not been born or allowed the vicissitudes of life to overtake him? What about Ben Franklin? What about Mother Theresa? What about the person you call your best friend? What about…you? Would anyone know the difference?”

Chapter one begins with Israel, the fetus, voicing to us his thoughts as he begins life in the womb: “It all happened so fast. One minute I was listening to the final instructions for my journey then the next thing I knew I was competing against millions for a chance at life. Since I was already predestined to win, I’m not even sure why the others showed up. But now that I reflect on it, I know exactly why they were there. They, the multitude of sperm that raced against me, were similar to the type of people you see everyday…”

We see the reaction of Israel throughout his nine months journey inside his mother’s womb, as he witnesses his mother and father, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Tillman’s joyful reaction to the pregnancy. Israel voices his opinion when he hears them discussing aborting him shortly after Donald Tillman lost his job and we see the turmoil Israel is in as Carrie Tillman makes the trip to the abortion clinic. Will this be the end of Israel? Will he be able to fulfill his destiny?

Womb Child is written in simple everyday language and that is what captures and keeps your attention down to its final pages. I recommend this book for every female of childbearing age.

Many women, and sad to say, many Christian women, are caught up in today’s rat race of life, trying to become a woman of worth in this sin-cursed world. The even sadder reality is that they are trying to do it without God’s help. Mrs. Laney shows women how not to get caught up in that race by taking women back to the basics of the Bible, and helping them to realize that in the end only Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 11:28 will be worth pursuing: “Come unto me all you that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” Mrs. Laney says in her book after going through a personal ordeal: “I realized that the invitation Jesus extended not only covered salvation but also gave me an open invitation to come whenever I found myself too stressed out, overwhelmed, and unable to cope. I hope you too will remember that Jesus said, “Come” (page 21).

And He Made a Woman is very practical and down to earth. Christian women are encouraged to use what is called the Joshua Method, which includes five steps in order to get more from their Bible reading. One profound statement that is made in the book is: “By changing the way you think, you can change your actions and therefore change the outcome of things” (page 39). In other words, you are what you think. What a simple, but true way by which to daily evaluate one’s life.

Have you ever heard about the Whatsoever Principles? If any woman would take heed to this principle as well as to the words of wisdom in this book she will ultimately become a woman of quality in a “B” class world.

For the Christian woman who is serious about maturing in Christ, I highly recommend this book. Its language is simple and it can be read in one setting.

Annette Hoggs-Jackson enjoys expressing herself through poetry. Her poems are not just words strung together without an ultimate goal. Her goal, through her poems, is to encourage, uplift, and strengthen in the faith believers as well as non-believers who need that extra boost to make it through each day. Poems from the Heart encourages you to simply trust God, for He alone can pull you out of the dark tunnel you may be going through. You will find poems to fit any situation in your life: depression, forgiveness, divorce, humility, dating, forgetting the past, and being a half-baked Christian. This book of poems is very easy to understand and will help inspire you to be the vibrant Christian God wants you to be.

A Child’s Prayer is written in very simple language that any young child can understand. It teaches children the simplicity of prayer, and how and what to say to God. This little book is very colorful and inviting and the pictures are so clear that even the child who is not yet able to read on his or her own, can easily decipher what is written on each page. Parents will love A Child’s Prayer.

They're not everywhere either, but they are harassing me in my room, they've picked the wrong person to harass seeing as I am terrified of them. There's been 4 in my room, and I swear I can hear buzzing right now, but I think that might be my rather over active imagination. Maybe they're all under my bed or something. Fucking bees. Sorry about my language but when I am scared I get a bit angry. Due to the bees it's been a hive of activity here today (hehehe puns...I can't help it) I wish them to leave me alone. The last one I saw had me screaming. I can't help having an insect phobia.

Cloverfield came today, made me happy, I love it. Not as much as Narnia. No where near. But as films go it's a pretty damn good one. I've watched it twice. I've also watched all of season 1 of Black Books and half of season 2, after finding it was free on 4OD. Also made me happy. Although I was disturbed by bees.

I'm going to buzz off now ;-) Hardy har.