Speaking at the Glendale, AZ., Chocolate Affaire Event

Every year in February, ….Glendale.., ..Arizona…. holds an everything chocolate event, called The Chocolate Affaire.  You can get chocolate covered everything (except a man-darn), drink wine, listen to bands.  It’s a fantastic event with lots of vendors and it’s a great way to enjoy a weekend.  The event starts on Friday and lasts till Sunday.

Arizona Romance Writers have a huge booth and offer workshops on the craft of writing.  I will be at the event all day Saturday and Sunday.  As well as, giving a workshop on removing your creative blocks, which will be on Sunday at 1:00pm. 

 

For those in ….Arizona…. I would love for you to show up and say “Hi.”  For those not here, send me a virtual chocolate kiss…yummy.

As a special note:

I want to recognize our local writing chapters.  They bring in fellow writers (NY best selling authors, ….USA…. best sellers, local authors that have made it, unpublished, beginners) to speak about their experiences in a wide range of topics:
            About the craft (character development, plotting, pacing, etc.);

           Or, about the business side of writing (website/myspace management, importance of blogging or promotions)

The speakers have also been agents (Deidre Knight – Knight Agency), people who have worked in the publishing industry (Jerry Simmons), CSI investigators, FBI and local detectives.  

I’ve enjoyed every one of the talks and enjoy networking with my fellow writers each month.  We celebrate the successes (contractors), celebrate reviews, celebrate the rejections and people submitting manuscripts.

The local chapters give free workshops, encourage new members, and hold local conferences (e.g., Desert Dreams).  Everyone is encouraging, motivating and has helped me more then I can ever repay.

Please join your local chapter and write your heart out.

Desert Rose Romance Writers

Valley Of The Sun Romance Writers

In case anyone doesn’t know what a Betty is, it’s a female version of Mr. Johnson.  And, if you don’t get that reference, it’s below stairs, hairy and comes in all shapes and sizes.  Believe me, it does; not like I’m looking or anything…lol.

 

I was speaking with my friend at the nail saloon the other night about taking care of our Betties.  Okay, I didn’t start the conversation…giggle.  Of course, the whole saloon joined us and talked about landscaping and different techniques.  Oh my, I learned more about Betties then I really wanted to know.  No, really, TMI.

 

Apparently at hair/nail shows there is a booth where you can buy Betty landscaping products.  You can have an orange heart, a blue arrow (like a man needs help), or just go bare.  Betties can come in all different colors.  Can you imagine being in the heat of the moment and looking down only to find a red arrow pointing to the spot?  I would roll on the floor with laughter, of course ruining the moment (if I were a guy).

 

This booth had buttons which say things like: Have you landscaped your Betty?  Landing stripes rule!  Oh my.  Then the conversation turned to, “what is the best way to get the smoothest shave?”  Where did this go so wrong?…lol.

 

A female friend volunteered that she saw a very smooth stripper at a strip club (who went with her hubby) and proceeded to talk about techniques.  First TMI!!!  If you use a disposable razor only once, it gets smooth.  But, then again this woman can take these off on her taxes…lol.

 

Another friend at the salon shared that she has a man’s electric razor and takes everything off.  It works great for her.  Another friend shared that since she’s a little over weight her technique and you don’t want to know.

 

All in all, I now know I can have a purple Betty or smooth ass one.  Well, here I go experimenting and did I say I’m clutzy.  My 911 call may be, “Help!  I’ve waxed my ass to the bath tub and can’t get up.  There is purple dye everywhere, so don’t panic…it’s not blood.”

 

Again, when did this go so terribly wrong?  Hugs

Several friends and my sister have asked me to do video instant messaging using a web cam.  I finally broke down this weekend and picked one up.  Easy to install right – I have to say WTF!  I couldn’t get the friggen thing to work.  I begged a friends’ husband (pc geek) to come over and help me get this thing up and running.  After a few, “you need a mac” comments, he was able to get the dang thing working.

 

Now that it’s working, I’m freaked out.  Can a webcam make you gain 20 pounds?  I’ve been speaking with my friends and laughing all weekend.  After a few OH MY GOD moments, I now have a plan never to be on it or just show my tits and then no one will care what I look like….lol.

 

Through laughter and lot’s of web cam moments, I’ve figured out how to be the best webcam me (interpret-how do I get rid of that extra chin) in each room, the lighting needed, how far away I have to be if I don’t want the dimples to show (God forbid I’m naked on this thing) and how the Paris Hilton stance works to my advantage.  I wear reading glasses and of course the web cam has added 10 more pounds from those.  A friend suggested that I get one of those screens that lay over the monitor, which works like a large magnifier.  Oh, when did this go so wrong? J  I’m sooo not vain, but now that I have this dang thing I’ve come to realize Botox is in my future…LMAO. 

 

A lot of events in my life have humbled me over the years and now I have another moment that makes me say – oh what the hell…lol.

 

Almost everyone knows my favorite place is

Paris.  I love the architecture, walking on streets where Van Gogh or Monet once walked, the history and the restaurants.  The people have always been kind to me, even though I don’t speak French.  When you travel you’ll find people are the same all over the world.  A few bad apples do not mean the French hate Americans.My favorite place to stay, is the Hotel Aubusson, which is located across the street from the Louvre and down the street from Notre Dame. 

On one of my many excursions to

Paris, I traveled with a wonderful friend.  This friend, although encouraging, doesn’t want to know what’s out there.  Unfortunately for her, when you’re with me it’s not that easy for others to shut it out.  Poor thing, her rose colored glasses are cracking all the time.

One rainy afternoon, we walked around the streets looking for a restaurant so we could get some lunch.  A small restaurant with the right ambience and a good selection on the menu crossed our path.  My friend doesn’t speak French either, so it was trial and error.  Good thing we love food and the wine helps us to forget anything bad, lol.

While we were talking waiting for our lunch, a very tall (six feet plus) older gentelman with white hair, walked in and was seated about two tables behind us.  For some reason we thought he might have been German.  

I almost forgot to tell you, the restaurant was empty until we and the gentleman.  

When the German guy sat down, I told my friend that he had a spirit attached to him.  A young man in his twenties.  I started to get out of my seat to go speak with the guy and told my friend what I was doing.  This is perfectly normal for me to do, so I didn’t think about us being in a different country, in a strange restaurant, talking to a complete stranger.

My friend grabbed my arm and asked me not to speak with the guy.  Remember, if you don’t acknowledge spirits, then they don’t exist.  Poor, poor friend.  I respected her feelings and didn’t tell him.

The food was served and we talked the afternoon away.  When the waitress came back to pick up the dishes, she found that I didn’t eat very much.  I only eat until I’m full.  It could be two bites or the whole thing.  Here’s the conversation that took place:

“You no like food?”

“No, I love the food.  I just wasn’t hungry.”

“Are you sure? You don’t like?”

“Yes, it was wonderful.  Thank you.”  Waitress leaves with our plates.

“If you weren’t talking so much, maybe you would have eaten the food.”

“What did you say?”

“I didn’t say anything.”

Well, guess what.  When the waitress walked away we heard a man’s voice in a very clear American accent say, we were talking too much.

The disembodied voice was heard right beside my friend.  She repeated to me what was said.  I could see the German guy behind her.  He never even looked our way and was staring at the far wall.  It wasn’t him.

Now my friend is freaking out, because not only did she hear the spirit, it sat by her.  Poor, poor friend.  I laughed and thought it was funny.  I guess that twenty something guy wanted to say hi. 

We soon left the restaurant and had an uneventful night (at least the only spirit we had was in a wine bottle).

It seemed my workshop about writing about paranormal experiences has started a few conversations.  Recently I spoke with two other authors about their sensitivity in seeing spirits.  I find 3 out 5 people I speak with, see ghosts.

But they either don’t talk about it and try very hard not to see anything.  I asked why?  They said, it’s simple…unadulterated fear.  I’ve been there and understand the fear.  I’ve experienced the fear.  But I’ve also learned that you have CONTROL over anything spritiual–human, non-human, demonic—–EVERYTHING!

 In the beginning I didn’t know how to protect myself, so I couldn’t control when and what I saw.  I slept with lights on, night lights on, had my bed against the wall so only one side was exposed and avoided mirrors (almongst other things). 

With time, I figured out how to recognize the energy signatures of different beings.  I can feel evil, negative, bad, good, positive, loving, etc. energy.  This gives me the ability to figure out the right level of protection for what I’m doing.

Here are some ways you can protect yourself.  Remember, no such thing as absolutes.  This is what works for me.  You need to figure out what works for you and it could be any combination of many things. 

Start by picturing a white light (think about a flashlight beam) coming from GOD and going through your head.  It fills up the inside of your body from your head to your toes.  Think about this white light protecting the outside of your body as well.  You’re in a giant white bubble of protection that no entity can break through.  Trust in this.

 In addition, if you picture energy the color of mercury (silver) covering over the white light, then negative energy can bounce off of you.   I use this when I have to be in a stressful situation.

 Next is the chant or prayer of protection, which you would use with the white light of protection.

For any religion - prayers are extremely strong.  If this feels good for you, please use this. 

 For me, I say the following chant as I picture the white light protecting me:

I invoke the light of God within me

I am a clear and perfect channel

Light is my guide

Here is another chant that many use:

The light of God surrounds me,

The love of God enfolds me,

The power of God watched over me,

Wherever I am, God is

……….it could end with either …And all is well ..or..  So be it

 

Always know your guides, angels and God are with you.  If you feel something or see anything you can do the following:

 

• I command you to leave.

• I command you to leave and leave me (or this house) in peace

• If you’re not in the service of the light, the one infinite creator I call God, I command you to leave

I use the white light and chant over myself, my house, pets, friends and family.  Anything I feel needs a little extra protection.  Whatever you use it’s okay.  It’s about your confidence and always know you have control over anything that goes bump in the night.  If you need anything please don’t hesitate to send me an email.   

 

Please don’t fear what’s out there!!!!!  You’re a powerful being!!!!!!

I really enjoyed myself at the Chocolate Affaire event.  Even though it was only held on Friday and Saturday (it’s usually 3 days) we still had a lot of readers come by and enjoy the workshops or buy our books.  The best part is when Cerreta’s candy people came by and gave us chocolate covered strawberries and chocolate of every kind–Sinful :)).

Special thanks to CJ Hollanbach - a Romance model - who had a long line of women, girls and believe it or not men who wanted autographs, pictures and to touch his hair (amongst other things).  He was a great sport and a truly nice guy.

 I stayed at the Gas Light Inn in downtown Glendale.  When you walk in the place it has an old 1920’s feel and architecture.  Although the owners said the place was empty when they bought it, they’ve done a great job with the restoration.   Every Friday and Saturday, they have jazz playing to a packed house.  If I closed my eyes, I could envision an old speak easy with the mob at special tables, a back room and a singer’s voice touching each soul.

 My room was decorated with Victorian lace and pictures of women in gardens with lots of flowers, the Amethyst room had a beautiful large 4 poster bed and chaise lounge all in dark amethyst fabric, other rooms had cozy country french designs.  The long narrow wood stairway to the second floor (no elevator) leads past some more rooms and then to a terrace - great view.

 Now to the best part of my stay.  The owners were friendly, nice and awesome people.  The Inn itself is absolutely full of spirits (my opinion - the owners won’t acknowledge nor deny it) and I had a couple of experiences.  The first spirital experience was on Friday night.

During the night, I felt something in the room and woke up.  I saw a thing that showed itself as a cat at first and then changed into a dark grey cloud.  It moved from one side of the room to my side of the bed and psychically hit me in the chest.  I threw up my protections fast as I certainly wasn’t expecting an attack.  Then a few hours later, I heard my roommate walk about the room.  Her ankles creak when she walks so I thought it was her.  Then I heard her breathing next to me.  That was a moment.

I protected myself very heavily on Saturday, so no experiences.  Then on Sunday, I was getting a glass of wine (surprising - not).  They had a great selection of wine and desserts - yummy.  I was positioned in front of the bar and the stairway was behind me.  I saw out of the corner of my eye someone standing on the top of the landing. I turned around and looked up, expecting to watch someone descend the steps.  Hmmm…nothing.  I continued to see the shadow (spirit) walk around at the top of the steps.  It felt like they couldn’t come down from the top - bound somehow. 

I would definitely go back to the Inn for the jazz, the ambiance and the spirits.

My workshop on how to use ghosts and paranormal experiences in your writing was received fantastically.  The audience asked questions and were really engaged.  I had a request to speak at an ASU creative writing group.  In addition, after getting my aura picture done, I spoke with Dave (a medium) at the Astrology Store (a local metaphysical store).  He thought my workshop would be great for his store and I can’t wait. 

Now I have to catch up on my writing, blogs, loops, email and all the other stuff.  Have a great day!!!!

This weekend, I’ll be at the Glendale Chocolate Affaire on Friday (2/1) and Saturday (2/2).  Everyone loves chocolate, so come by and try chocolate covered strawberries, make your own chocolate pizza, and try chocolate covered everything.  http://www.glendaleaz.com/events/2008ChocolateAffaire.cfm.  Okay, not everything will be in chocolate (dreaming of scantily clad men with loin clothes serving chocolate bon bons).

Please do come by to either say “HI” or come to the workshop I’ll be giving.  It’s at 5pm on Saturday and the topic is Ghost, Ghouls and what goes bump in the night–How to incorporate them into your writing.   

Also, on Friday and Saturday we’ll have over 20 Romance Writers signing their books, we also have lots of craft workshops or you can sigh over a Romance model -CJ Hollenbach.  I don’t think he’ll be covered in chocolate but you can dream…lol.  http://www.cjhollenbach.com/index2.htm

 

Hope you can make it!!!