Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Did you know there are THREE elephant species?

So - remember going to the zoo as a kid?  Depending on which zoo you went to, you got to see one of two types of elephants:  either the small-eared Asian Elephant or the large-eared African Elephant.   Well now knew research shows that the "African" elephant is actually two separate species:  a forest dwelling elephant and a savanna dwelling elephant.

African Elephant


Asian Elephant



Why does this matter you ask?   Because of the 500,000 or so "African" elephants, only about a fifth of them are of the forest dwelling species.  African elephants are already considered an endangered species.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Review of In the Flesh by Ethan Stone

In the Flesh


Cristian Flesh is a damn good homicide detective, he's a damn good friend, but he has a long way to go in the relationship department.  Cris lives and breathes his rules; rules designed to keep him safe.  Safe from his own emotions.  While working a case, Cris' past slowly creeps up on him until he finds himself in the cross-hairs.  Enter sexy, in the closet, defense attorney Colby Maddox.  The reader gets to watch a hot romance unfold between the two while each are slowly coming to terms with their personal demons and their feelings for one another.

Wow, what can I say about this book? It was fabulous.  The author did a great job establishing the characters and feeding the read bits and pieces throughout the book.  The first part of the book reads like a true crime novel.  When I sat down with the book, I only intended to read a couple of pages - boom - three hours later I was crushed that it was over.  The second half of the book focuses mainly on the developing relationship between Cris and Colby.  The quantity of sex scenes and the quality of the romance blend perfectly together.

This is the first novel by this author and it is a hit right out of the gate.  If you love great m/m stories and compelling characters, then this is a must read book!

I fell in love with both characters and can't wait for a sequel.

Friday, September 17, 2010

Review of Love and Loyalty by Tere Michaels

Love & Loyalty

Ms. Michaels does it again!  This book features a character we saw briefly in Faith & Fidelity.  Detective Jim Shea doesn't realize how lonely and sterile his life has become until it is invaded by Griffin Drake.

Ms. Michaels has become auto-buy for me.  This story is very well written and the characters are very "real".  There is just enough angst between the main characters to pull at your heart strings.  Griffin also does some soul searching that as a reader had me evaluating my own ethics. 

The love scenes between the main characters are very tasteful with just enough detail to move the book along. We also get to "hear" Jim's conversations with Matt (from Faith & Fidelity) so we get a nice glimpse into the lives of old friends. 

I really liked this book and highly recommend it to anyone who likes a great story to go along with their m/m action.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

If Facebook existed years ago

If Facebook existed years ago

A very funny take on Facebook. I particularly like Ben Franklin's response to John Hancock.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Debate over mini-Ice Age rocks world of geology

This article puts a damper on the theory that my husband has been working on. I doubt that it will deter his research regarding super-civilizations.
I just think it is interesting that the mass extinction of 13,000 years ago is slowly getting more press than the extinction from the K-T boundary.

Debate over mini-Ice Age rocks world of geology

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Chunk of original earth found - Topix

Chunk of original earth found - Topix

This is too cool! I like the analogy they use - What if you found out your umbilical cord was still attached?

Sunday, August 8, 2010

What have we done to our world?

Ask anyone you meet on the street how they feel about global warming.  For the most part, you'll get a mixed bag of opinions.  Those who think it is all a crock; those who think that humans are the worst thing to happen to Earth in its history; those who think that Earth is a self-regulating entity that will right itself on its own schedule.

Whether you are a die-hard believer in global warming or a total skeptic, it is hard to view the weather/world headlines and not acknowledge that *SOMETHING* is going on. 

Take the Headlines from CNN today:
Flooded Out Pakistans live on Freeway
Hundreds More Wildfires Burn in Russia
Hundreds Missing in China Landslides
Floods in Europe Kill 10

Not a fan of CNN?  Try the front page of Fox News:
Asian Floods Plunge Millions into Misery
Tornadoes Rip up N.D., Minn.

And finally - the BBC:
Dozens Killed in China Landslides
Rain Adds to Pakistan Flood Woes

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Reading Slump

How do you get yourself OUT of a reading slump?  I am currently on the "read what I need to mail out for a swap" plan.  I wonder if it is time to take a break all together for a bit?  I read a book last night and another this morning.  I have one more to read before I'll be caught up with what I have to mail out *right now*.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

NASCAR Pulls Race From Atlanta Motor Speedway - News Story - WSB Atlanta

NASCAR Pulls Race From Atlanta Motor Speedway - News Story - WSB Atlanta

Wow - no more Spring race. I am sure SMI did what they thought was best, even after losing the court case over a Sprint Cup race for Kentucky. However, I don't think that the solution is nixing a race at Atlanta. This is almost as bad as giving the Darlington Race to California.

Timeline Interactive | Smithsonian Human Origins Program

Timeline Interactive | Smithsonian Human Origins Program

See Inside a Bee Hive!

slightlywarped.com's Curiosities

Bees are truly marvelous beings.  This is a great way to look inside a hive.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Welcome Home Snuggles

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Friday, July 30, 2010

Trying to trim costs

So today we put up some Gila Heat Control Titanium Film on our sliding glass doors that get direct afternoon sun.  This afternoon it was pretty amazing how much cooler the living room is versus how it normally is.  The film itself has a slight tint; probably not any more than you would find on a new car window.  I purchased the film at one of the big box home supply places for $35.  Considering the power bill for 6/18-7/18 was $232, I am hoping to see at least a small reduction in costs.  I'll let you know in about 20 days. 

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Review of Promises by Marie Sexton

Promises


This is my first book by this author and it will NOT be my last!! I loved, loved, loved it. The story is written in first person and really hits home. The chemistry between the main characters is electric and their love story is so sweet!! This book had me laughing with the snarky one-liners and crying with that sense of loss deep in your stomach.

I cannot wait to read more works by Ms. Sexton. She could easily become one of my all-time favorites.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Review of Simple Men by Eric Arvin

Simple Men 

This book had a LOT of potential going in and I was REALLY looking forward to the story: the classic "straight" jock and the quiet, private priest. However, the author missed many opportunities to crank up the emotions and really pull the reader in. The subplot of the relationship between the two football players ended up being more interesting and intense than the two main characters. It was a quick read, but there was nothing there to keep me interested. I probably put the book down every few pages to do something else.

Monday, April 5, 2010

Review of Adagio by Chris Owen

A young Jason Stuart left behind a painful life in Canada to start over in Sydney Australia as an artist. One of his goals upon reaching Australia is to walkabout however, a few short months into his stay, his life slowly spirals out of control. Over the course of the next several years, his good friend Alex helps him get back on his feet which gives him opportunity to continue his art and to reach his goal of going walkabout. Jason sets off from Sydney on an adventure where he meets young Ryan. What starts off as a tentative friendship, develops into lust and then love with beautiful Australia as a back drop. Until an encounter and an ocean threatens to tear them apart.

This is the third book I’ve read by Ms. Owen and it is a M/M Romance rather than a M/M Erotica story. Her characters are very well developed and her descriptions of the scenery of Australia make you feel like you are on walkabout with them. The blossoming attraction, the lust and eventual love between the characters envelopes you. Ryan’s youthful enthusiasm for everything is infectious and made me smile throughout the book.

I really enjoyed the story and hope that at some point Ms. Owen gives us a glimpse of where Jason & Ryan are now.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Review of Handyman by Claire Thompson


I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The blossoming of the relationship between Will and Jack was a pleasure to read. Jack's character is very well developed and I love how the author provided detailed descriptions of his thoughts. The sexual tension between the characters was scorching as were the sex scenes. Jack's awakening was both poignant and sweet. This is the first book I've read by this author and I can't wait to read more. I've put most of her other books on my wishlist.

Monday, January 11, 2010

Review of St. Nachos by Z.A. Maxfield


Cooper is on the run from his past when his bike takes him to Santo Ignacio. The beachside town and Nachos bar becomes his haven for healing, rediscovering himself and what it is to feel again. Until a phone call from his past brings his regrets to the forefront.

This is the first book I have read by this author and I must say that the characters are very well written and the plot of the book stands above most. St. Nachos is written in the first person from the point of view of a passive gay man. I normally enjoy first person narratives, but my curiosity regarding the secondary characters made me long for insight into their lives that might have been present in a third person narrative. That being said, the personal, emotional journey that Cooper takes is a very heavy read.