Back that ass up

2011 was a good year. 2012 is going to be even better. Because I said so, dammit. I've been spending a lot of time doing nothing the past couple of weeks. And when I say nothing, I mean not even feeding myself (although I have, admittedly, been showering). With the new year comes new responsibilities, however, and there are some big changes I am looking forward to in 2012. In 2012, I graduate...

Goodbye 2011

Tonight, the year closes. 2011 will fade away and the apocalyptic year 2012 will be born from 2011's ashes.   I'm sad to see 2011 go, and not just because the world is supposed to end in 2012.  It has been an amazing year for me and as this year closes, I think I should look back on all the wonderful things that...

The Riverhaven Cabin

Most ghost stories are creepy. They hint at some unhappy soul lurking just beyond reality waiting to do us harm. The Riverhaven cabin is haunted, but the ghosts there seem pleasant and inviting. Riverhaven is a cabin in Gatlinburg, TN. It is described by the reality company as pleasant and comfortable. This historic log home...

Merry Christmas to All and To All a Good Night

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The Omen of the Night Owls

Owls are important symbolically in many cultures. In ancient Greece and Rome, they were linked to Athena and considered symbols of knowledge and wisdom.  In Arthurian legend,  Merlin is often depicted with an owl on his shoulder and again, the owl is linked to wisdom.  In Japan,  owl statues are said to...

No Nudity On My Watch

Well that's the end of my stint as a student supervisor at the local college. Just looking forward to a few days next month as exam invigilator. It has been an interesting experience. I've loved every minute and I've learned a lot.The corridors are full of posters. Many of these posters display academic information which has been put together by students of the different faculties. Therefore I've...

The Naming of Lucien

Naming a child is always a challenge.  It involves months of debate and reviewing long lists of names.  There are fights with family members and long discussions.  Usually, this is not a very haunting process.  It can be tedious, but rarely haunting.  When you find that perfect name, ...

Wish I Was Here...

I've done this in a bit of a rush because I've only just read about Janice Horton's Reaching for the Stars book launch day and Wish I Was Here... event on Angela's blog.The pictures are all places in Singapore. First is Raffle's Hotel. Couldn't afford to stay there but it is open for the public to walk around and go in the...

Your guide to an open-book law final.....

Law students like to make a big deal over not having to study as hard for open book/notes-allowable finals. To them I say "Are you FUCKING NUTS?????"You see, it has been my experience that professors with those types of finals take this as a challenge.A challenge to cram as much material possible into a three and a half hour...

Contest Winners and Other Announcements

A couple weeks ago, I had a contest to celebrate the release of my new novel, Circe.   I was giving away  2 amazon.com gift cards to those that helped me spread the word about my book.  I was happy and excited by all those who participated.  Janice and Chris were the winners of the Amazon.com cards and I'm happy to send them their gifts.  I thank everyone who helped...

Shunshi Litigation

Dear [place attorney name here],Currently am living in South Korea for an assignment and Bill Shunshi lives in Seattle, WA . Due to the time difference(+13hrs EST) it is a little bit difficult to determine the best time to call you. We agreed under this Collaborative Law Agreement attached to this mail for a onetime cash settlement of $623,000.00USD to his credit, he has paid me $122,000.00USD but...

Christmas Party

Wednesday was Nottingham Writers' Club Awards Night and Christmas Buffet. I nearly didn't go because my throat is really sore and my voice has been reduced to a whisper. (It doesn't help having to shout at those pesky college kids). But, as you can see, it really was worth the effort.The large one is the Jubilee Cup awarded...

Baby Mama Drama....

Tomorrow is my first final. As a result, I've been doing anything--and I do mean anything--to avoid studying. I have washed my dishes (the most hated of ALL THINGS). I have closed my cases out for a clinic. I'm caught up on all my washed laundry (but still have to fold shit--the second most hated of ALL THINGS). I've gotten a haircut (which no one has noticed--I fucking HATE final exam weeks). I have...

Drummond Defense Attorney

Dear Attorney Name HereThank you for your response. Below is the address of the borrower:Real Business name in lawyer's jurisdiction placed hereThe Borrower is a company we have know for 3 years and we have done business with in the past, without any issues.They have only paid $115.000 out of a total $700,000.00 the balance is still outstanding till this day. We are in constant contact with Mr Peter...

The zombie apocalypse...law school finals style

I got into a lively discussion with some of my twitter friends the other day about the impending zombie apocalypse and whether a crossbow would serve as an adequate weapon. Then I realized something today.....I've already been preparing for it!!! So far, I've compared law school finals to the Rocky series (aka: getting my ass...

Ravenhurst Manor - Joss Ackles Shares a True Story

Please Welcome Guest Blogger Joss Ackles!  Today he shares a true story with us.This story was the most terrifying thing that has ever happened to me—I swear! I believe in ghosts, demons, and everything else that might be considered paranormal. So this is an account of my story, which happened about five years ago. My...

Getting Down With The Kids

Well that's two weeks spent as college supervisor. (Less one day for the public sector strike). I don't think I'll be able to gather enough material to be the next Gervase Phinn but there have been a few interesting encounters:Scene 1.** Two girls and a lad come out of the lift.Me: Hold it, you three. Have you all got lift passes?** Only staff and disabled students are allowed to use the lifts.All...

Law school finals: take only as directed

We are rapidly approaching finals times. And everywhere, you will hear law students bitching and moaning about these upcoming tests. If you have any kind of relationship (father, brother, lover, sister from another mother) with a law student, let me be the first to offer my condolences during this incredibly difficult time.If...

Shunshi's Lawyer

From: Brianna Shunshi Subject: divorce Date: November 30, 2011 4:56:57 AM PST To: undisclosed-recipients:;Dear Counsel,My name is Brianna Shunshi. I am contacting your firm in regards to enforcement/collection of divorce settlement or possible litigation with my ex-spouse Bill Shunshi who resides in your jurisdiction. If you are in the position to represent me at the moment kindly advise.Yours...

Another New Experience

Another turn of events this week.A temporary supervisor's position has come up at the local college and, through my work there as an exam invigilator, I got the job. It's just a few hours each day until Christmas. I get there in time to supervise their official morning break and leave just after lunch. There are two ladies who do the job on a permanent basis and they have been looking after me.The...

My Black Friday Sale and Giveaway!

I hate Black Friday.   I hate the idea of fighting crowds to buy things on sale. I hate the idea of consumerism gone completely insane.  Most days,  I would pay money not to have to fight crowds to shop.   More and more, I shop online.   I like amazon.com and ebay.   They...

Thanksreceiving

It's been a really great day. A really really REALLY great day. I've washed about a quatrillion dishes and gained about eleventy billion pounds, but that's okay.I'm thankful for my little brother, who keeps torturing my poor dog. I'm thankful for my parents, who drove to ME to prepare and devour our delicious meal. I'm thankful for Leonidas, who was unable to be with his family today and has been...

Visions of Hell

My husband never stops surprising me.   There is so much he doesn't tell me and I suppose that is a good thing.  It is nice to have surprises and to still find out new things about someone you've been with for many years.  It is nice to hear new stories and know there will always be mystery.  ...

Guest Blogger Heather Green Talks About Ghost Hunting

Ghosthunting Equipment – Learn From Experienced GhosthuntersHave you ever wondered how ghosthunters detect paranormal activity? Do they rely on tingling senses, or do they really gather evidence of interactions with the supernatural? Is it possible to record such interactions? Lisa Landolfi of Visions Investigative Paranormal (VIP) in Eastern Pennsylvania is a seasoned ghosthunter and medium who has...

Free Book Days!

I am blogging more slowly these days.  My mind is muddled and I feel that I probably wouldn't make much sense today if I did a real blog post.   I haven't slept in several days and I may begin seeing ghosts where there are none soon.   Despite my sleep deprivation, muddled mind, aching back, and fatigue,...

A Brief History of Ley Lines

 In the 1920s, a man named Alfred Watkins claimed to have discovered a grid of straight lines which he called leys from the Saxon word for meadow.  He believed that many of the archaeological sites of the ancient world, particularly the megalithic stone monuments of the ancients, were connected by a series...

Reading Aloud

I went along and supported my local library last night on their second Reading Aloud event. This is where you can go along and read out anything that takes your fancy. There were about twenty of us – about the same number we had last March – and again we had a good mix. These are the ones I can remember:A bit of Pam Ayres. Not poetry but a book about her family life and a hilarious piece describing...

Obviously, I was bullied....

Today in my Juvenile Justice class, a girl gave a presentation regarding cyberbullying. Now, I'm no angel, but when I was a kid, I knew right from wrong. I also defend juveniles, so I'm not inherently against them nor do I judge them for their alleged "transgressions." In fact, most the time I think the prosecutor overreaches for their charges and the police use their authority to intimidate kids...

Visiting The Haunted Ohio State Reformatory

The Ohio State Reformatory is one of the most haunted places I have ever traveled to. It is considered to be one of the most haunted places in the nation. Even as you walk up to this old building, the cold seeps out of it and chills you to the bone. Inside the castle like structure, it was so cold I had to put my coat on. Outside...

Lucy in the Sky with Cubic Zirconium

This week was pretty much the week from Hell. I had a shitton of stuff I had to make happen, including a few interviews for externships next semester, a presentation for one of my classes, and a gazillion client interviews that somehow had to take place. But somehow I got through it and it's now Friday and I'm sitting in my house clutching two bags of Goodwill purchases and rocking myself like a baby...

Passing on the IDig Your Blog Award

A few weeks ago the lovely Little Gothic Horrors stopped by my blog and gave me an award.  I'm always thrilled to get awards because it is nice to be thought of,  but also because it gives me a chance to pass the award on to other amazing blogs out here.   Little Gothic Horrors is one of my favorite blogs...