Dark Bits

1) Today's tip: Make sure the frickin's switch is turned off before you poke your finger into what you think is a dead light socket. Trust me on this one.

You know that little metal goober deep inside the socket? Don't touch that. Unless you're into that sort of thing (oh, come now, I know some of you are!) Or it's 70s night at the local watering hole.

Remind me to tell you where paperclips do NOT belong next time...

2) You fat cow. How could you be so stupid? You idiot, you'll never amount to anything. Why do you always act so retarded? God, you're ugly. You talentless moron.

See how easy it is?

With a few simple words we can destroy a child's self-esteem or ruin another person's day. Sometimes it is done without thinking; sometimes it is done on purpose. But always it is so much easier to tear someone, adult or child, down, than to build them up. It is easier to snuff talent than to encourage it. It is simpler to hurt than to heal.

Take a moment this week and smile at someone you don't know (and not one of those creepy little smiles, either, as much fun as they are!). Tell a child they matter. Be sexy and sassy with one of your friends or loved ones. Let them know today's a day they are allowed, no, encouraged, to hope and to just be happy and important. Support them in whatever it is they long to do with a kind word.

Oh, and figure out a scandalous use for butterscotch ice cream sauce...

3) I mentioned a bit back that Moonstone Publicatons had aquired the rights to The Avenger and Captain Midnight (the first a 1940s pulp hero and the second a radio and serial hero), both of which I have written stories for (my Avenger story is called The Heart of the Crucible and my Cap Midnight is called Witch of the Waning Moon). Well, last week the publisher/editor Joe Gentile honored me with also writing the introduction for the antho. I turned it in yesterday. I think this book is going to be extraordinary for Avenger fans, and even for those who are not familair with the character (anybody wants a brief overview of the character please check out my blog The Greatest Crime-fighter of the Forties)

The antho should be out year's end or early next year, but as always from Moonstone you can expect a top notch production (check out their latest antho The Spider Chronicles, in which I also have a tale Death Reign of the Zombie Queen) The Avenger antho will also include excellent writers Martin Powell and Chris Mills, plus sci-fi writer Ron Goulart and Spider-girl writer Tom DeFalco