Rare Disease Day: MCAS

So, in Oct. last year I let you all know I had a form of dysautonomia (this post) for dysautonomia awareness day. Well, today I will do the same for rare disease day. I am rare (and not because I often feel like my brain is undercooked!) and I have MCAS (mast cell activation syndrome) which is considered rare and hard to diagnose. In very short, incomplete terms MCAS is a condition where my body thinks I should act allergic to things I have no allergy. There is a lot more to it, but since it is considered rare, it won't have much impact on you so I don't want to talk about my diagnosis. This is really going to be a short acknowledgement that there are people out there with rare diseases and disorders. Anything that has under 20k (in the US) citizens diagnosed is considered rare. Besides getting funding to help one rare disorder or disease helps more rare disorders to get recognized and diagnosed.

*Warning* Rant about to happen (but it is short)...

I do want to say somehing... I wouldn't have gotten diagnosed without the ACA. This is the main reason I was unhappy that Lord Dampnut (anagram of 45's name from the comedian Colin Macherie) and the republicans won in the last election. They were after the ACA and I believe them. I figure once Ryan guts it enough (already happening and has not only started to gut medicaid but also medicare with more down the road) he will probably implement his version in which those with preexisting conditions get put into a pool and get their insurance from that group. Yea, not affordable at all and quite frankly it sounds like the Hunger Games for medical help. Medical Games? Do not bet on me (just an FYI). So, I already know I will have to decide which medications I can keep and which will go. I have already made that decision but will only worry about it once my ACA is completely gone. I can't do anything else at this point. I will worry what will happen if something major happens but there is little else I can do at this point. Many of these decisions will be out of my hands. Others will be hurting as well and are even worse off than I am. Even if they keep some semblance of the ACA, I figure it will be so confusing it will be unusable. Seems to be the way this regime is going about everything. The insurance has less restrictions then I've ever seen, and so many people will be hurting so much more than even before the ACA.

Okay, soapbox is over. You can come out now. 😉

Here is the official Rare Disease Day Video:

I agree, getting a diagnosis is hard. Even if you aren't rare, it can be a hard thing to do especially when it runs afoul of a doc's ego. This is why the ACA (or good affordable health care) and research is so important. Also, while you are trying to get that diagnosis and are frustrated, remember this: 

Sometimes this is more important to remember than those that say never quit. Sometimes you just have to have that melt down. Forgive yourself and move on. 💖

I also want to address something else. I have migraines so everyone (it feels like that on social media) is an expert on migraines... even those that don't know what they are exactly (other than a bad headache... if you believe that I have a bridge to sell ya!). So for those of you who don't hold a medical degree, please do not give unsolicited advice about a problem you know nothing about. [Edit: I'm really talking about those that insist that their way is the only way and to do otherwise means you are faking it. Generic posts do not bother me] Plus the cure you have found that your second cousin's ex-sister in law's best friend's aunt's uncle who knows a guy just may not be the cure the person you are talking to is looking for. Even though it usually comes from wanting to help, the best thing to do is just say "I believe you". When you have an invisible illness (rare or not, it doesn't matter) you are often told that you are a fraud. Hell, you tell yourself that enough times that even in the midst of pain you start to question it. Fakers are easy to spot so don't assume that everyone is faking it especially when there is evidence to the contrary. If you feel they are just in it for the attention then disengage instead of insult someone who might be genuine. Okay, off that soapbox for now. 😁

Okay end of post. I know there are so many other things I could have taken on, but since I know how it feels to be overwhelmed, I just took on a couple and hope I made some sense. I also hope you took something away from it. 

If you want to get more involved with Rare Disease Day:

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Soapbox with a Marvel Review in the Mix: AKA My Cape is in the Wash

Heh... get it? 😄

Well, I'm still processing, still angry and still here. There have been some issues that have come about that I cannot be silent about. I apologize to those that find it triggering but I cannot stay silent anymore. The first part, if you missed it, about the election and why I'll have the puppy giveaway in Dec. is HERE.

Sore Loser?

With people being named for important powerful positions the fears of many people are now becoming real. This isn't about being a "sore loser" it is about REAL fear coming true. The #notmypresident protest is partially about not being able to support someone who ran on abhorrent ideals. They cannot say that the racist, misogynistic, and xenophobic rhetoric he spouted during the campaign is ok in any way at all. However there is real value in questioning (not demeaning) the protest and reminding people to not resort to violence. He is the president elect. We must now turn toward vigilance against demagoguery, racism, misogyny, and hate. Turn your energy toward that. Call your representatives.

Need more reasons people are afraid? Let's start with just a couple of the people that will be a part of his team. One member of the "transition team" under Pence that Trump has named. He is Kris Kobach. He penned one of the most racist legislation to go through AZ requiring that people looking a certain way to carry papers to prove that they are US citizens. Steve Bannon who has been named as the White House Chief Strategist is the other worry. He has been known to have had Trump's ear throughout the campaign. Both have been known to work with white supremacists (who have come out as happy for this appointment) and Bannon even has a website with white nationalist, anti-semitic, and misogynistic views called Breitbart. Even Paul Ryan (who actually seemed reasonable at times during the campaign but has recently refused to decry Bannon) has just decreed that Medicare will become privatized. And yes, there is still no solid plan to replace the ACA. No, I don't believe that parts of it will stay and I will not count on it. Those that he is moving into place want to eliminate it first and decide what to do about it later. I do still hope to be pleasantly surprised but don't believe it will happen. They won't allow it.

There are other reasons that are coming to light that have confirmed the fears of a lot of people. This is just a tiny bit of it. So, no, it is not the same thing as when Obama took office. He did not run on a campaign of exclusion (even if you felt that way, his campaign still didn't run with that rhetoric). He extended a hand, many people feel that Trump has already extended a fist. It is hard to give someone a chance when on the campaign trail people did give him several chances. They would try to correct him by telling him he really didn't mean "that", they tried to help him understand why what he said was painful. His response was to double down on his initial argument. As I said before in my last post, he has already hurt people.

There is also the social reasons to worry. This article also echoes some of my sentiments: It's Not Melodramatic to Fear for Our Safety.

And to those that compare one hate against another, know this: There is no contest to be won and anything done out of hate is just plainly wrong. That kind of comparison is used to distract from any real discussion. Any reasonable person would denounce any sort of violence. You already know that.

This is one of a million explanations, articles and social media statuses explaining why people feel this way. This should no longer be an unknown factor as to why people are reacting in this manner.

Also, I would like to address one thing that has been coming across from all sides of the equation. It is that the liberals were somehow silencing the radical conservatives. I want to make it clear, right now, that the predicament we are in is the fault of EVERY US CITIZEN even if the reasons for that fault are different. I also firmly believe that many didn't say who they were voting for because they knew that to side with the horrible things Trump was saying was wrong even if that wasn't why they voted for him. I think this tweet actually sums up how I feel about this issue:

Perhaps the most insightful political comment I've seen in the election aftermath from a very smart friend of mine. pic.twitter.com/uMjbm2LIOF

— skullsinthestars (@drskyskull) November 11, 2016

And still, I do think they deserve a seat at the table. I want them at the table. They are valuable because they are human. They deserve their non-hate fears and issues to be heard. I have heard that people felt bullied into accepting change, so let that be your topic but change your tactics. We can't force anyone to sit at the table and you can't force anyone else to accept what we see is hateful. Let me also make this clear: I've not talked to one person who believed that everyone who voted for Trump was racist, sexist or against LGBTQ groups (and yes, I know that person exists but they aren't the majority). However...

Hasan Minhaj on people who support Donald Trump despite his bigotry. https://t.co/QwlXtBf8fw pic.twitter.com/0MzJB2U6Lp

— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) November 13, 2016

That is how many of us are feeling at the moment.

AND if you still don't get it, here is another way of looking at it: The Cinemax Theory of Racism by John Scalzi

The Positives

Yes, I do want to always include these. Not so we ignore the negatives, but so we can increase the positives.
Heard of the #safetypin movement? There have been some legitimate criticisms of it. One opinion is HERE. While I agree with some points of the article, I do believe that there is value in it. Another thoughtful article is HERE which actually reflects more of my view of the safety pin. Don't wear one unless you actually plan on helping someone in some manner if they have experienced marginalization. It is supposed to be a pin of action. Action doesn't mean confronting a dangerous person (that may not be safe for anyone involved), but it can mean just sitting next to the person and coming forth with words of support. Bearing witness (filming) and be willing to become a witness in a police report. Make sure the victim is okay. Also, realize that this does not give you permission to become a bully yourself. Do not become the monster you are fighting. Also, don't expect someone marginalized to feel safe because you wear a pin. I see it as more of a signal that you do not support what is going on. Your actions or lack of action will define the rest of your statement.
✨Let me give you an example. My mother, who is a person of color, was getting some very angry stares and was even confronted in a angry way while going to the grocery store. We had arguments about her going alone while the election was running and after an angry confrontation she finally started taking my dad to the store with her. After the election we were all more nervous and she agreed to still take my dad with her. All 3 of us have been wearing the safety pin. My mom has seen a shift in attitude. She noticed that someone would see the pin and then they would be extra helpful. We were first worried it would have the opposite effect. I'm thankful that they made sure my mother felt welcome. So, it even works in "reverse". 
✨People are donating money to Planned Parenthood in Pence's name.
✨The ACLU is seeing record support and will be stronger for it when fighting for our rights.
✨Various leaders in different states are standing up to what he has proposed (like mass deportation and I think the list will get longer as it goes on- both in leaders and in issues). The governor in my state has already drawn a line in the sand about mass deportation. I suspect he will also reject registration of different groups as well (yes, there is historical precedence for similar legislation in my state and the rejection of it).
✨There is a way to get your representatives to hear you. Remember they represent YOU even if you voted for the "other person". Check out Emily Ellsworth Explains How to Get Congress to Listen if you haven't seen it yet. Yes, I have already called about the Bannon and Kobach appointments.
✨People are paying attention to some of the wrongs going on in reservations in the US. Standing Rock has gotten attention. The level this one is at is unprecedented.
✨Consider this: Shedding light on what was already present but hidden in the shadows is a GOOD thing. Sometimes things need to get worse before it can heal. It is the nature of a lot of things. You cannot heal what you do not acknowledge.
✨The Obama/Biden memes:

Obama: Did you replace all the toiletries with travel size bottles?
Biden: He's got tiny hands Barack, I want him to feel welcome here pic.twitter.com/e7NRIZ43Ww

— Josh Billinson (@jbillinson) November 11, 2016

Obama: "Joe, why are you still holding my hand?"
Biden: "I wanna freak Mike Pence out"
Obama: "But why?"
Biden: "Just roll with it" pic.twitter.com/o5KZZ0Ysgz

— thomas moore (@Thomas_A_Moore) November 12, 2016

Heh... I needed these, I don't know about you. There are also a lot more out there. People keep makin' them! 😂 Share 'em if you got 'em. *snort*

Getting back into the Groove:

So, back to some reviews...

I've not been reading although I do have some reviews of books I've read and reviewed but not posted. I just cannot find the ability to lose myself in reading. I needed more stimulation so I decided to binge watch Jessica Jones who just about everyone was praising.


Yea, this was fabulous. Just dark enough for my mood but doesn't drag you deeper. Jessica is the perfect anti-hero and the introduction to Luke Cage was perfect. David Tennant plays the perfect bad guy and it was also a series that will keep you on the edge of your seat. You won't get bored with this one. It had me from the first episode. Warning to some people who don't like it, it does have sex and violence in it.

Of course then I had to binge Luke Cage:

Okay, I was so happy to get some background on Luke. Plus the gratuitous shirtless parts he had to endure wasn't too bad. 😉 My only problem with it was that despite the diverse cast it still had very stereotypical aspects to it. I also didn't quite feel the danger until about episode 8 although the mystery of Luke was preserved and kept you wanting to know more. He was pretty invincible until then and that aspect of danger was needed to bring his character out fully. I also didn't like it when he was a womanizer but when he started to trust he shined and you will swoon. I still want him together with Jessica (the other show totally ruined my idea of him with someone else) but I did like the other possible romantic relationships he might have. Darn it. LOL Also, same warning as Jessica Jones.
I'll be hitting Daredevil next even though it was a bit backwards. It's the fault of those that wanted me to see Jessica Jones before that one. Yea, that's it... their fault. LOL There will also be other Netflix episodes of Marvel characters and some are supposed to work together in other series. If you have been liking the superhero movies then do try these. They are addicting.  💥
PS. Please do SOMETHING. Call your representative. VOTE in the next election. It could even be more crucial to vote in 2 years than in 4. 
It's your superpower. 

Puppy Birthday Giveaway Preparation Post: The US election and how it leads to the giveaway

This was going to be a post about asking for help with my puppy giveaway. The US election has turned it upside-down so while I will still hold the giveaway but I will do something different. I've written this post several times and I hope I do make some sense. Also the election is why I've gone a bit MIA. Will try to come back but I may need more time to process. Also apologies to those that don't like to talk politics. I usually don't, but I did think it was necessary to give some things a voice. I also apologize for the length.

The US Presidential Election

Because people's emotions are so high, I've seen several calls for respectful disagreement. I agree with this. Unfortunately, I've also seen it used as a way to shut people up. Speaking to those that have used it that way and just want people to calm down and stop talking, you have to listen to the pain, the hurt and the fear before you can even start to change it. Yes, that is actually for both sides. It doesn't mean agreement but how else could we know what direction to take to get people to calm down? How else would we understand what road to take to change? Let me make this clear, this doesn't mean you have to tolerate hate. I do have one example where at least one person tries to start a real dialog in a real way. Take a moment to check out these videos if you like. It is Van Jones going into Gettysburg to talk to people with various affiliations but mainly Trump leanings. No one ends up agreeing but in a very small way some find a little common ground. It doesn't solve anything, but what becomes clear to me is that what is needed is mutual respect for the other and people need to hear the other's fear. Everyone is seems fearful. All are about 10 min and while there were no great epiphanies save one: we can still converse civilly.

The Messy Truth
All videos on his blog (go from the bottom to the top to get them in order) HERE

Please don't advocate for silence in this issue(s). I also think I and others should have the space to say why we are scared with this outcome as long as this is also done with respect. Remember respect does not equal agreement but does treat people as human. I believe we MUST acknowledge what harmful things have been happening both in the past and right after the election. To ignore it we go backwards and I refuse to do that. Hatred thrives in the dark where people refuse to acknowledge it exists. Also to those that have experienced more hatred of late, know that there are people who have your back. Who know this is wrong. For those that haven't experienced it, please pay attention. Do not be willfully ignorant at what is going on. Pay attention to everything. Listen. The fact that the whole presidential race was fought with Trump speaking with  misogynist and racist and hateful promises, speech, and horrible historical comparisons should also never be ignored. We need to acknowledge that his presidential race has already hurt people.

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
―Martin Luther King Jr.

I've never been scared with an outcome from a US election. This election was the exception. Several things scare me but what scares me the most (and for the sake of brevity I'll only mention 2) is something I just spoke about. The fact that hate groups now have a solid and open foothold for political legitimacy again. However there is an easy way to combat this. Vote. There is one fact that people don't recognize: Politicians do not pay attention to "the people" they pay attention to voters. This is how groups get power. This is why it is important to VOTE in EVERY election from here on out. You need to make your voice louder than these groups. This is how to fight this now. VOTE. The presidential election is not the only important election out there.

Another scare turned reality? The downfall of the ACA. Not to get into details but this program has literally saved my life and others and has helped thousands of people no matter how you feel about it.  Yes, I am quite aware of the problems within the ACA and so we need to FIX it not eliminate it. I'm hoping there will be something reasonable in it's place, but I'm not hopeful. I've seen what so far has been suggested in taking it's place (and I'm not talking about the "best plan" but ones that actually have merit and also why I call for fixing it not eliminating it) and it does not compare nor cover everyone currently helped by the ACA. I have never felt confident that I would be able to keep this program since it has been constantly under attack and I was always aware that this may happen at some point, but I just hoped it wouldn't be so soon. And to be honest, I'm not so sure if  I'm scared at this point but resigned.

The Positives

“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.”
― Maya Angelou

I hope you agree that these are positive things happening and please feel free to add more in the comments. The reason I felt I needed to list these is because if all you see is negative you are less likely to do something to change it. By seeing something positive, you know you aren't alone and you know that there is still good to be preserved. Perhaps know that there is something you can do no matter how small. This isn't a "here is some positives so shut it", but "here is some positives so go out and create some of your own". 

• There has been people recognizing that there will be people who will feel forgotten once again, maligned and in physical danger. This is important to those who feel invisible in this country. It also hasn't happened on this scale before.
• These people are reaching out to others and are encouraging everyone to do the same. I am not listing groups of people as others have since I would eventually miss important groups by mistake. You don't need a list, just go out and reach out. I'm trying to do that here.
• Women have found their voice about sexual assault and are speaking up in record numbers. One conversation that caught my attention was on twitter about the FIRST time as a female you were groped. I think it is an important distinction that it doesn't say if or when but first. It shows how much prevalence there is in this type of sexual assault. Btw, I think I was around 9 or 10 years old. 
• I don't believe that we will go back to these hate groups in having the power they once had. I think this is more of a wake up call for a lot of people. Hate will NOT win but it has awoken people to reality.
• The anger of good people speaking out about why this is wrong, how it affects their self and others. Yes, anger can be a good thing.
• Things like this actually can create opportunity and bring factions of people closer together in the face of hatred. I've seen it in every situation in recent history. I've already seen it with what I've already stated.
• Those that have power are lending their voice to those that have less. 
• More people are paying attention. Know that what is going on is nothing new. People have been dealing with this kind of hate all along and have survived. This kind of hate cannot continue as long as there is light and knowledge shined on what is going on.
• There are people currently formulating plans on what to do to make the world around them better for as may people possible. Like I said, I think we were just handed a wake up call.

And this leads me to my determination to not let the negatives get the better of me and I decided to go ahead with...

Yea, I think I need to see good things. This isn't about "getting over it" but being proactive about change. In the past I usually I have people do something for animals. It could be money, time or  supplies, but it could have also been a simple form of kindness given to that animal or it's people. Check out what people did in years past (link). This year I think I'll extend it to everyone. This means any kindness extended to anyone on the planet (animal OR human). I think we all need to see some kindness. Reading what people have done always helps me when I'm getting a bit of the blues during this time. I think we all can use some kindness no matter who you voted for and don't forget those around the world. The prize will unfortunately be US only (postage... ugh) and will be something that I've made. Hope you will like it. It's not a huge prize (I wish it could be bigger) but I just wanted to do something fun that recognizes what things you can do for others. If you would like to help, let me know. There are so many good organizations out there that need some attention (check out the link list in the animal links tab under the header). 

Yes, what I'm doing here is very small. What I'm doing here may even be insignificant in the scheme of the whole.... however, it is what I can do at the moment, so I will. 

No matter what, please just do a kindness to another. We need it now.

The giveaway will officially start in Dec and I'll make a post with the details.

🐾

Dysautonomia Awareness Month

I actually debated about talking about this. I actually almost never really talk about this unless I have to talk about it. I have lived with this my whole life and my extended family really has only recently become aware of it (I told you I don't talk about it). It was something that I could easily brush off to being no big deal. It was just something I learned to deal with and really was more of an annoyance rather than something that affected me to the point I had to be hospitalized. Granted it has affected me in a greater way now, but I still feel that I have been very lucky compared to some. 

My reason for talking about it now is that I've talked to people who have the same diagnosis and I saw that a few of them have problems that affect them in a great way. Some have been hospitalized or have had to find ways to accommodate their disability. One of the biggest problems are people around them that don't understand or even doctors who are not aware of these problems. Heard of the woman who was shamed for using a handicapped space where someone sent them a note on their car? At least one of those cases was a dysautonomia patient. So, I thought I'd shed some light on it and if you know someone who has a form of this (or yourself) you can find out how to be more educated. I'm just going over the fine points.

What is dysautonomia?

According to Dysautonomia International it is:

From Dysautonomia International. Click to enlarge.

Dysautonomia is an umbrella term used to describe several different medical conditions that cause a malfunction of the Autonomic Nervous System. The Autonomic Nervous System controls the "automatic" functions of the body that we do not consciously think about, such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, dilation and constriction of the pupils of the eye, kidney function, and temperature control. People living with various forms of dysautonomia have trouble regulating these systems, which can result in lightheadedness, fainting, unstable blood pressure, abnormal heart rates, malnutrition, and in severe cases, death. 

Dysautonomia is not rare. Over 70 million people worldwide live with various forms of dysautonomia. People of any age, gender or race can be impacted. There is no cure for any form of dysautonomia at this time, but Dysautonomia International is funding research to develop better treatments, and hopefully someday a cure for each form of dysautonomia. Despite the high prevalence of dysautonomia, most patients take years to get diagnosed due to a lack of awareness amongst the public and within the medical profession.

My form is called POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome). It is (according to Dysautonomia International:

[It is] estimated to impact 1 out of 100 teenagers and, including adult patients, a total of 1,00,000 to 3,000,000 Americans. POTS can cause lightheadness, fainting, tachycardia, chest pains, shortness of breath, GI upset, shaking, exercise intolerance, temperature sensitivity and more. While POTS predominantly impacts young women who look healthy on the outside, researchers compare the disability seen in POTS to the disability seen in conditions like COPD and congestive heart failure. 

I was diagnosed a million years ago before it was referenced as POTS. In fact POTS has only been recently coined and my pediatrician called it something else which I don't remember (it has recently been reaffirmed as POTS so I know it was the same thing by talking to my docs) but I did know it was a form of dysautonomia. I do remember him saying that as long as I don't faint then don't worry about it. He should have been more specific since I didn't realize at the time that near fainting (near syncope) should have also been seen. *giggle snort* I have had a few of those and know how to avoid fainting so far (I recognize the signs early and haven't had an episode in quite a while). Listing few symptoms I get often have been tachycardia, shortness of breath, dizziness, temperature sensitivity, shaking, sudden weakness, blood pressure anomalies and exercise intolerance and I'm sure a few more I forget to mention. 

From The Mighty: 21 People Describe what POTS Feels Like

This is such a good general video on dysautonomia



Here are some more links to find out more:

Dysautonomia International
Dysautonomia International Facebook Page
10 Facts about POTS
Donate to Dysautonomia International (for education, research, and medical training)

I hope this sheds some light on dysautonomia and POTS in general. I just wanted to introduce this syndrome to those that don't know about it at all and gain more knowledge about this disorder. It is one of those problems that isn't easily seen and has a wide variation of how it affects a person. If you know someone who has it, you suspect it, or if you know a doctor who needs educating, the links above are great resources to find out about the various forms of dysautonomia. Thanks for reading!

On My Soapbox... of Kindness and Love!

With everything going on there is too much to say and not enough. So much death and violence this year. Too much. In trying to keep the post as simple as possible I want to share several quotes with you. I believe that love is stronger than hate and that you cannot fight hate with hate or fear. I see that too often. So, I'm not just speaking to the violence in the world, but also to the everyday hate people seem way too comfortable with lately.

I do think that the only way to combat hate is to counter it with kindness, love or at least rational thinking. I'm not trying to say that the anger isn't appropriate at times, but people rarely see what is true and often succumb to fear if anger is not abated. We also don't listen in that state. It's also hard to say what you want when you are upset so often I use quotes when I have too much and not enough appropriate words to give the right feeling. Usually someone has said it so much better. This is my way of holding onto kindness. Kindness changes things and I'm spreading that shit everywhere. :)

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”― Martin Luther King Jr., A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches

“The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it's indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it's indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, it's indifference.” ― Elie Wiesel 

“Love never dies a natural death. It dies because we don't know how to replenish its source. It dies of blindness and errors and betrayals. It dies of illness and wounds; it dies of weariness, of witherings, of tarnishings.” ― Anaïs Nin

“Don't give in to your fears. If you do, you won't be able to talk to your heart.” ― Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist 

“You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist.” ― Friedrich Nietzsche

“Instead of clearing his own heart the zealot tries to clear the world.” ― Joseph Campbell, The Hero with a Thousand Faces 

“Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.” ― Martin Luther King Jr.  

“It is a condition of monsters that they do not perceive themselves as such. The dragon, you know, hunkered in the village devouring maidens, heard the townsfolk cry 'Monster!' and looked behind him.” ― Laini Taylor, Daughter of Smoke and Bone

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” ― Leo Buscaglia 

“If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.” ― Dalai Lama XIV 

 "Fear and hatred will cease to exist when love is in abundance." ― Ken E. Nwadike, Jr (Free Hugs Project)

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” ― Mahatma Gandhi 

“We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are.”― Anaïs Nin 

“My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.” ― Dalai Lama XIV

Let it Be ~ (The Beatles) Across the Universe

Let go of hate, don't hold onto it.

Put A Little Love in Your Heart ~Annie Lennox and Al Green In all this hate, sadness, and horror, remember there is always hope.

“It's really a wonder that I haven't dropped all my ideals, because they seem so absurd and impossible to carry out. Yet I keep them, because in spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart.” ― Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl  

Need a internet hug? Some inspiration? Free Hugs Project is trying to do that. How about people who photoshopped a favorite toy elephant that a little boy lost. He was told that he was on an adventure around the world. A family friend hoped that people would help show the boy his toy was really okay. Go HERE for the story and some of the photos. Hopefully these will help you see that kindness is spreading. It exists.

From Bored Panda You really need to see those photos! :)

Please feel free to add any appropriate inspiration in the comments.

I'll end this as I did the last time:

"Kindness is free, sprinkle that shit everywhere" -TShirt 

On My Soap Box... On My Wishlist... and Giveaway!

First, I'll start on my soapbox. As I posted in the last review that I had something more to say. Well, as I first started this book, Katiebabs of Babbling about Books and More had a post about Cindy Pon's book, The Silver Phoenix. It was about book whitewashing of the covers and how both Borders and Barnes and Noble either had no books in stock or very little so they could state that it needed a new cover to do better at their stores. The complete and well thought out post and subsequent discussion is HERE. In the past I admit I didn't pay attention to this type of problem out there in the industry. I mostly bought or read books based on suggestions before I started blogging. As I started to do more blogging and finding lots more books because recommendations grew, I noticed that, like others, I gravitated toward certain covers and away from others. In fact, I often mention the covers in my reviews now. So, for a company to deem that I just couldn't handle a cover with someone of color on it is just horrible. It's almost like saying that we only find beauty in such a small definition. Yes, they are more concerned with the bottom line, but by actually making up your "facts" in this way is just wrong. Plus, it's not very flattering to the rest of us book buyers out there. 

Personally, I'm a bit confused. I was one who just loved the cover. If you look at the other comments in Katiebab's post, people who were less thrilled about it usually complained about the color (anti-pink girls) but not about the race. Look on Goodreads reviews and you will see that most were attracted to the cover. So, I charge Borders and B&N with being total snooty snots with their choice of not carrying the book with that cover. While I do not think there is enough evidence to charge with racism, there is enough to charge them with not believing that their buyers have intelligence. So, do I suggest buying this book with all the controversy? (Young people close your eyes) HELL YEA! (okay, you can open them now) It's a great book and didn't deserve the treatment it received. Plus, the more we buy books with characters with color in them, that itself will, I believe, start to send a good message to those snooty snots. :)

Oh, and speaking of books that have characters with color... Cindy Pon, herself, is having a giveaway of several books like this. Just comment at her blog. What a wonderful idea! Also, take a look at her list and put them on your own wishlist. I know I have. ;)

Which brings me to my Wishlist...

Fury of the Phoenix is #2 by Cindy Pon (to be published in April 2011)

From Goodreads:


When Ai Ling leaves her home and family to accompany Chen Yong on his quest to find his father, haunted by the ancient evil she thought she had banished to the underworld, she must use her growing supernatural powers to save Chen Yong from the curses that follow her.

Well, now for the giveaway...

I'm going to giveaway a necklace that I made with the cover on it. I had two main reasons for making this necklace. One is protest. I want to protest the practice of whitewashing our covers. The second is to promote this great book without having to give up my copy (hey, it was signed specifically to me... and well, I'm a greedy snot). So, I made a pendant like I had blogged about here. This is the cover of the book on one side and the jade pendant on the other. Obviously, the pictures are not mine, and I am giving this away FREE. So, if you wanna... you got to leave a comment. Please leave your e-mail addy if it's not in your profile. I'll end this on Friday July 16, 2010. It's 15 1/2 inches long, with pendant, it's 17 1/2 inches. Doesn't need a clasp, it should just slip over your head. Hope you think it's worth a comment. :) US addys only, please.

Excuse Me, but I Have a Bit of a Rant...

Most of the books I'm reading now are what are generally called, paranormal. I've always loved "monster" type of books as well as films as a young kid. I feel like I've recently had to do a lot of catching up in this genre because I didn't know so many great books were being produced. Why? Well, because most were placed in the "romance" part of the book store. That is a part of the store, I really don't visit.

Many of these books can also be listed under fantasy and/or urban fantasy categories as well. Now why are these books being placed within the category of "romance" when it is NOT the main focus? Some don't even have any romance within the book at all. It mostly consists of action and adventure. I hate to say it, but I really think it is true in this case. The reason you find so many of these books listed there is because they are women writers with women as their main character. Now, in the bookstores defense, I do say that many of these writers also write bodice-ripping romances, but their paranormals are quite different and should be treated different. 

Let's take one of my recent reviews, "The Circus of the Damned". It was practically all action and mystery and not much of anything else. In fact the only almost date the main character had in the book was cancelled. Yet, I have seen this book in the "romance" isle on-line. Male writers do not always just write about action and adventure. In fact their main male characters also have a bit of romance (not just sex) on the side. So, that is why I have to come to the conclusion that if you are a woman and your main character is a woman expect to be placed within the romance genre. 

Why does this all bug me? Well, for one, I missed many of these great books. In fact I had to find them because YA was coming out with some good paranormals. This then lead me to writers who write for the YA as well as adult. I've also noticed many other people are in the same boat as I. So upset for missing so many good books. Also, it makes it harder for men to get involved with so many of these great women writers. I have only seen a few, and those few really enjoy what they are reading. It just doesn't pass their radar since you rarely see a man in the romance section looking for paranormal adventure.

What to do? I'm not sure. This was only one reason I decided to start this blog. To let a few more people know about these great writers. There is also others looking for ways of getting these writers more out to the general public. I hope it succeeds. These are fun and great reads.