Yep, still slogging along with the revisions of “Darkness Before the Dawn”. I’d managed to sneak in several chapters while at work one day last week, but haven’t made the progress that I’d hoped. I should be done with the revisions on this sucker by now.

And I really want to be done with it. I have other projects jostling in my head for attention … hmm, that might explain a few of my headaches … and I’m eager to get started on them. I even told myself that I’m not allowed to even think about starting my next project until this is done. How’s that for incentive? So give me a virtual kick in the butt to get going and I’ll get this baby done and out by this week.

Listening to the local television news the other day. Don’t often get an opportunity to do so because I’m generally in bed well before the 10:00 news. Well, the weather segment came on and I was treated to the gloom and doom of the “scorching hot weather” we were in for this week. They did the whole shebang … heat advisory, ozone alert, respiratory warnings. Oh, but it will be cooler near the lake. Gasp! A light at the end of the tunnel.

What is it about weather people who seem to love giving you the absolute panic when it comes to weather? I recall during the winter, they were going on and on about the “major snow storms” that were going to pound our city and bring it to a screeching halt. How we shouldn’t venture out because we’re sure to run into snow, and ice and sleet which would no doubt lead to catastrophe.

I get the impression that news people are just not happy unless they’re inciting some sort of panic. Does it sell news? Maybe for some. The only thing it sells for me is a vague contempt for those who feel the need to blow everything out of proportion.

But y’know what? That’s where common sense comes in. Yes, we can see that its hot and that it really isn’t a good idea to go running in 100 degree plus weather. Heat stroke has been known to happen. Yes, there’s a major snowstorm blasting down on us, so either take extra precaution when driving, or just stay home. I really think a lot of people can make that determination without the weather people standing in the middle of a park with a yardstick shoved in a snowbank to show how deep it is.

And this concludes today’s Bitch Session …

I was thinking of this the other day. Why is it that some of us seemed to be predestined to get cancer? I’ve mentioned before that there is no known history of cancer in my family. Then again … when you think about it, a hundred years ago people tended to die a bit younger and then of other causes. So who’s to say that various members of my family wouldn’t have contracted it?

There are always those people whose diagnosis seems almost inevitable. You have a history of it on both sides of the family. A mom, perhaps both grandmothers, or aunts have breast cancer. Personally it might be a safe bet that you’re next in line. Not that I would wish it on anyone, but I think you have to be prepared for the possibility. I’ve read of women, whose family history is strong, who had both breasts removed even without any sign of cancer in a proactive move to prevent its development. I consider those women Amazons.

There are always outside influences. When I was a kid, I used to play in an area that used to be a barrel factory. Were there residual chemicals in that area that might have triggered the genes that cause cancer? Who knows. At this point, I really don’t care where it came from. I just want to deal with it and get on with my life.

I’m not a particularly religious person, but I firmly believe that God does not give you anything you cannot handle. Is this a test? Maybe. A rather nasty one in my opinion, but so far nothing has been thrown at me that I cannot handle and I personally think I’m a hellava stronger person because of my experience.

And Remember …“YOU ARE A CANCER WARRIOR”

I was talking to Cindy over at Waldenbooks the other day and she was able to recommend a new author to me … Judi Fennell. I wasn’t on the lookout for a new author, but what the hell, I’ll give it a shot. I generally go on Cindy’s recommendations because she’s rarely wrong when it comes to my taste in books. She knows me so well. LOL.

I’d mentioned to her that I was hooked on a new series by Karen Chance, which of course, led to a discussion concerning new series. Cindy told me that she has a hard time convincing her customers to try out a new series. Seems there are so many out there that a lot of readers cannot afford to get hooked on a series because then they have to go out and buy the whole thing.

I’m fortunate in that I can afford to indulge in my series habit. Granted, if the next book in a series comes out in hardcover, I now have to force myself to wait until it comes to paperback. Don’t like to wait since I’m all about instant self-gratification, but by the same token, I can purchase four or five books at the price of one hardcover. Sometimes my practicality comes to a head. Not often, but occasionally. I’m waiting for the next Patricia Briggs book to come out in paperback. Ain’t easy waiting, but I’ll be good. Really I will.

Okay, here’s one. Why is it that whenever you’re watching a television program, the second it goes to commercial, the volume cranks? Inquiring minds want to know.

I’ve heard it said that — Naw, they don’t do that. You’re imaging that. Bull. Had a sample of it when I was watching Nickelodium (however you spell it) with my daughter last night. The program was at a comfortable volume, but the second it went to commercial … BAM. Cranked. Yes, I know that it’s the advertisers that allow you to view such “quality” television, but let’s not get obnoxious about it.

Which brings me to a second annoyance with regard to commercials. Who was the genius that thought if the consumer wanted to sit through a commercial once, they’d be willing to listen to it a second time … right after one another. I know that Mickey D’s used to do this all the time on the radio and it used to bug the sh*t outta me. To the point where I’d switch off the radio. They finally stopped … but now I’m hearing consecutive commercials from American Family Insurance. Ugh!

And don’t even get me started on the number of commercials between viewing your program. Not just television, but on the radio. At work, I listen to the radio all day. When they break to commercials, I usually switch off the radio and time it for about ten to fifteen minutes before the music begins again.

And this concludes today’s Bitch Session …