After some careful consideration and viewing, I have come up with the following sites that I feel have some decent paranormal/fantasy clipart/pics.  Hope you enjoy them.

Werewolf

http://www.best-of-web.com/search_term_pages/werewolf.html

http://www.cavernsofblood.com/scarystuff.html

http://www.picsearch.com/pictures/animals/mythical%20creatures/werewolf.html

http://search.aol.com/aol/image?invocationType=rboxImgDtls&query=werewolf&icid=snap-pic&flv=1

Vampire

http://www.picsearch.com/pictures/animals/mythical%20creatures/vampire.html

http://www.cs.utk.edu/~ghenry/vamp_pics/vamppics.html

Fantasy

http://search.aol.com/aol/image?invocationType=rboxImgDtls&query=fantasy&icid=snap-pic&flv=1

http://www.feebleminds-gifs.com/free-pictures.html

http://www.fantasyartists.org/

Yes, I know she has many newer books because I have read them all but this one is sticking out in my mind right at the moment so it gets reviewed.

While I enjoyed this book immensely, I was a little disappointed with the repetition in it as far as the same descriptions over and over like Savannah quivering at the sight of Gregori’s smoldering eyes, yadda, yadda, you get what I’m saying.

I am one of those women who think there is nothing sexier than a very dominant male (in the bedroom).  Given that, I enjoyed the love scenes even though the first, some say, border on rape.  I did not think it was rape and I’ll tell you why.  The carpathian males that Feehan write about are from a different time, different lifetime so to speak, that we really cannot comprehend to its fullest.  They come from times when men were dominant, when women did what men told them to do.  That fact taken in consideration, they are also of a different species and are bred to be dominant, protective, possessive of their mates.  It is an instinctual part of them as much as a lion has the instinct to hunt and survive.  It is not something they can just ignore, it is a part of their genetic make up.

Yes, it would seem like neanderthal or caveman behavior to us humans today, but to them, they are doing what they were meant to do for the survival of their species which is rapidly declining.

That being said, I didn’t like the way Gregori “manhandled” Savannah where her thoughts and free will of action were concerned.  It seemed she couldn’t even pee sideways without him saying it was okay.  Yes, he was trying to protect her, yes he loved her, yes, he felt he was doing the right thing.  We get that.  She understands his needs because she is familiar with the carpathian ways.  He has no choice but to claim her as his.  She is literally his salvation from turning into an evil shell that would leave a mile wide path of destruction behind him.

Overall, I thought the book was a great read.  Again, I’m into dominant males, so if you don’t like to be dominated in the bedroom, this probably isn’t for you.  I don’t however, like to be dominated out of the bedroom, so in that light, it was not my cup of tea.  While he intrigued me and I wouldn’t mind a few rolls in the hay with him myself, I found that I wanted to smack him upside the head a few times for taking away all her free will.  It was exciting for awhile, but then I just got pissed over it after it went too far for too long.

Yet, again, I did stop and remember, this is the carpathian way. 

All in all I give it 3.5 stars out of 5.  If there had been less repetition, more unique action and a little less mind domination, I would have given it a 4 or 4.5.  Would I suggest reading it.  Definitely.

Doctors at 25 UK and US hospitals will study 1,500 survivors to see if people with no heartbeat or brain activity can have “out of body” experiences.

Some people report seeing a tunnel or bright light, others recall looking down from the ceiling at medical staff.

The study, due to take three years and co-ordinated by Southampton University, will include placing on shelves images that could only be seen from above.

To test this, the researchers have set up special shelving in resuscitation areas. The shelves hold pictures – but they’re visible only from the ceiling.

Dr Sam Parnia, who is heading the study, said: “If you can demonstrate that consciousness continues after the brain switches off, it allows for the possibility that the consciousness is a separate entity.

“It is unlikely that we will find many cases where this happens, but we have to be open-minded.

“And if no one sees the pictures, it shows these experiences are illusions or false memories.

“This is a mystery that we can now subject to scientific study.”

Dr Parnia works as an intensive care doctor, and felt from his daily duties that science had not properly explored the issue of near-death experiences.

Process of death

He said: “Contrary to popular perception, death is not a specific moment.

“It is a process that begins when the heart stops beating, the lungs stop working and the brain ceases functioning – a medical condition termed cardiac arrest.

“During a cardiac arrest, all three criteria of death are present. There then follows a period of time, which may last from a few seconds to an hour or more, in which emergency medical efforts may succeed in restarting the heart and reversing the dying process.

“What people experience during this period of cardiac arrest provides a unique window of understanding into what we are all likely to experience during the dying process.”

Dr Parnia and medical colleagues will analyse the brain activity of 1,500 cardiac arrest survivors, and see whether they can recall the images in the pictures.

Hospitals involved include Addenbrookes in Cambridge, University Hospital in Birmingham and the Morriston in Swansea, as well as nine hospitals in the US.

So my writing buddy and I decided to purchase a few writing instructional/tip books and do a study date.  How To Write a Damn Good Novel by James N. Frey was our first read.

While I found the book to be extremely informative for budding writers, most of the suggestions and guidelines were very logical in my mind.  I did learn a couple tricks from the book but was turned off by the repeated references from Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol.  I am not nor have I ever been a fan of the book or movie and after awhile, the near sermon of examples became painfully boring to me.

While I understand the author is a professor and professors seem to “highly appreciate” using references, I found myself longing for an actual example of a paragraph written by the author as a “bad” example then re-written to meet the standards of a “good” example.  While I’m not necessarily saying that using reference is a wrong way to write a how to book, I think they should be used in a more active manner.  I want to see why something is considered “wrong.”

The book told of the importance of well drawn characters, consistent point of view, conflict and premise; yet it didn’t actually show how to develop a character through actions, dialogue and description.  I’m a hands on person so while being given a list of what to do and what not to do is okay, I would like to know how to accomplish the list of what to do.

I was also unimpressed by the box I felt the author put me in, or shall we say constraints.  For example saying a writer should never do something, no ifs ands or buts.  There were several places where I felt I was being told “now if you do this, you’re wrong and I’ll slap your knuckles with a ruler.”  Even though I have only been writing for a couple of years, if there is one thing I have learned it is that there are no rules set in stone.  A good writer finds a way to go outside the box and make it work.  A writer, especially a writer of fiction, should not be told to “never” to something.

Am I implying all writers should disregard the norm of rules?  Am I saying that all writers can pull off writing outside the box?  No.  But those who can and are talented enough to do so and pull it off should not be told to never do it. 

Am I saying I thought the book was bad?  No.  I’m saying I learned a couple interesting things, the book would be a decent tool for a new writer but the reference and “do not ever do” things were not my cup of tea.

My overall recommendation:  Novice writers, buy it and use it for a good base for the path of your career.  Seasoned writers, don’t bother.

I don’t know if any of you have come across this, but this was a fascinating thing to me.

It appears that a fish, more specifically a species of minnow was discovered in Myanmar.  Now you say so what a minnow?  Well this little minnow, named Danionella Dracula, has fangs!  Yes, even though the fish is tiny, usually measuring in at around one inch, it seems to have spent quite a time redeveloping its vampire looking teeth from earlier in its evolution.  Quite a time being approximately 30 million years (or so they say).

 All other species in the Cypriniform group (around 3,700) lost their teeth 50 million years ago.  Unfortunately, it’s once again a male dominated world, at least in the Danionella Dracula Minnow’s world anyway.  Only males get graced with fangs.  They are thought to use them to guard their territory, nudging and biting other Dracula minnow intruders.

  Another characteristic of this fish, hence another reason it was named Dracula, is developmental truncation, which means it has an “eternally young” physical development resulting in 40 fewer bones than its relatives.

While the size of the fish isn’t very impressive, I sure would hate to find one of these little critters attached to my finger or maybe toe?  Ouch!

Okay, let’s get this one out of the way right off.  Yes, I am a fan of Twilight, but only because of Robert Pattinson.  I honestly cannot say that I think the story is anything superb or extraordinarily unique.  The story does not move me in any way to say “Oh my God!  That was the best freaking vampire movie I ever saw.”  I will however, say the thing that hooked me most was Robert Pattinson.  Now, while I must admit, Rob is a little too young for my normal taste, the way he played Edward had my heart racing more than once, wishing I was younger and wishing I could find a vampire like him.

While I absolutely adore the Harry Potter movies and find them much more fascinating than Twilight overall, I cannot say that I really even paid much attention to Rob’s character Cedric in Goblet of Fire.  Yet, when I witnessed the brooding charm and charisma he showed in Twilight which was only improved on with that deliciously, scrumptious scruffy hair do, I felt like a young girl with her first crush again.

Oh the things I wanted to do to that poor young guy.  I could literally watch the movie over and over and be so focused on his character that I wouldn’t even notice what was actually happening in the movie.  And, the kissing scene in the bedroom.  Oh!  To die for.

Not to ruin it but the only thing I had a huge problem with was I kept thinking, “you know this is really weird to me.  He is what, a hundred years old and he’s having a hot relationship with a seventeen year old girl.”  Granted, this was cleverly skirted around by Rob’s young appearance and maybe I’m the only one on the earth who even had a problem with that, but it was just very strange for me at times when I let that thought enter my mind.

Oh well, it still won’t be enough to keep me from watching Rob.  All I can say is Two Yums Up!

It has been brought to my attention that I am not the only one who finds it hard to find good fantasy, paranormal, vampire, lycan clipart/art on the web.

I asking everyone to please either email me links that you have found with great images or to put them in the comments.  I will post all of them in a couple weeks so everyone can use them.

Thanks.

Okay, the big question on my mind today (no matter how weird it may be) is if you had to choose between a vampire and werewolf which one would you pick?

Hard question.  First, let’s say both men (or woman–whatever you prefer) are equal in sexiness and looks.  Both are tens and both fit your description of your dream lover.  Even harder huh?

Here’s my take on it:

Vampire Pros:

1.  Mind control (cause who wouldn’t want there minds controlled on occasion and to have to do exactly what you were told in a delicious romp or two (or three–well you get the idea);

2.  Tracing (or whatever you prefer to call it).  That sure would be convenient on those nights at 2:00 am when I’m craving a huge hunk of chocolate.  I mean imagine.  “God, I would kill for a piece of chocolate.”  “Poof.”  You’re in the store, chocolate in hand, “Poof” you’re back home eating it.

3.  Endurance.  (Just let your own imagination free with that one).

4.  Telepathy.  After a three or four hour (or day) romp (hence number 3) when you are too tired to even move or speak, just think it.  You don’t even have to strain yourself to actually say the words.

5.  Fangs.  Mmmm.

6.  Strength.  No matter how much chocolate I eat, my man will still be able to carry me without straining his back.

7.  Vampires don’t eat.  A perfect man and I don’t even have to cook.

Vampire Cons:

1.  No sunlight.  But again, isn’t the sun bad for your skin?

2.  I really don’t know that I can think of any other cons unless you consider the over protective predator type a con which if that doesn’t instantly curl your toes, then you aren’t interested in a vamp or werewolf anyway.

Werewolf Pros:

1.  Strength.  Again, no matter how much chocolate I eat, my man can still carry me.

2.  If you get cold at night, you could always have him change so you have something soft, furry and warm to cuddle up to.

3.  Nothing like having a six foot werewolf to look into the window of that one annoying person that irritates the crap out of you and watch them wet themselves with fright.

4.  Doggy style!

Werewolf Cons:

1.  Do I have to watch him eat raw meat?  Ewww.

2.  Will he hunt animals in his werewolf form?  Ewww.

3.  Will he shed?

While I know there are dozens more pros and cons to both vampires and werewolves, I guess going by just what I have above, my pick is vampire.

Please add all your comments and give more pros and cons and your choice.

Do I need to repeat the title?  When did marriage become such a casual fling?

This deeply saddens me that so many people apparently have such a low opinion of marriage.  I mean what is the divorce rate now?  Is it still around 50%?  Maybe higher?  I don’t know.  All I know is it is too high.  And you know what, I’m somewhat of a hypocrite because I have been divorced once.  I will only defend myself as to say I was eighteen at the time and thought I knew everything.  Well I obviously didn’t.

So I’m not talking about divorces such as mine.  Young love is mostly stupid and any of us over thirty know that nine times out of ten that is the absolute truth.  So I won’t even consider these divorces as part of my rant.  No, I’m talking about those of us old enough to know better.  Those of us old enough to know that love should be a very sacred and loyal thing.  Those of us who “should” know that when someone loves us unconditionally it is not cool to bang the secretary or pool boy just because they are hot and we can.

Why even get married at all in that case?  Does anyone actually take the time to get to know their mate and their needs and their likes and their dislikes well enough any more before getting married?  I’m starting to believe that people are getting more of the mind set of just “trying it out” for now and if it doesn’t work, well I can always get a divorce.  Wouldn’t it be better to try dating for awhile longer or even living with the person and being sure.  Now I know there are still those that have trouble with the concept of “shacking up” before marriage, but come on I can’t remember the last time I met a virgin (not that there aren’t and believe me I applaud and salute all of you who do wait).  So am I to believe that people get married to have sex?  I don’t think so.

So again, why even get married.  Marriage is not a casual fling.  I am now married to my soul mate whom I will never part from unless I or he is dead.  And for those who doubt it, doubt away, it does not matter to me because I know as well as others who have experienced this type of love that it is the truth and that love is not to be taken for granted.

Marriage is caring, sharing, loving, giving and yes, taking.  Marriage is holding the wastebasket for your spouse to puke in when he’s sick, or getting up out of the warm bed on a freezing cold night to go get her some tylenol for her cramps.  Marriage is never doubting that there is always someone there for you, always someone at your back, always someone you can count on, always someone that will love you even when you are being a total bitch.

Marriage is not a casual fling and should not be considered so.  If you aren’t sure, don’t do it.  It’s not worth the hurt it will cause.  If you find yourself in a marriage that you want ended, don’t end it by screwing around.  At least have the decency to tell this person, the person that you vowed to love and be loyal to, the person that loves you that you want to end it.  At least give them that much respect.  It’s not much to ask.  No one should be that selfish.  Please show a little compassion to the one you love, or at least used to love.