Cheat on your Cell Phone With a Good Book

This is one of the only times I would advocate cheating of any kind--on your cell phone, with a good book. 😜 I hope that you find fabulous reading material that makes you feel something, especially one that takes you on a great story ride. The following are options if you're interested in romance novels, but please take note, they are for mature audiences.

Rescuing Rayne by Susan Stoker:  Delta Special Forces soldier, Ghost (that's his name), and flight attendant, Rayne experienced what they thought was a special and passionate one-night stand they would never repeat again.  They didn’t give each other any contact information and Ghost, especially, was not forth-coming about who he was due to the sensitivity of his occupation.  As fate would have it though, they meet again in the most dangerous of circumstances—vividly described--and they have to figure out a way to come out alive.  And if they do survive the circumstance they find themselves in, can they continue their relationship—or more accurately start one?  I super enjoyed this book.  There’s a few suspenseful moments and lots of romantic moments.  

 

 

When We Were Us (Keeping Score Series Book 1) by Tawdra Kandle: This is the introduction story of best friends since birth, Leo, Quinn & Nate. Leo is the athletic football star, Quinn is the pretty & quirky writer, & Nate is the spirited (brutally honest) but health challenged one always trying to physically keep up with the others. When they were kids, it was all simple, but growing up makes things much more complicated. Feelings start to develop and trying to navigate making choices isn’t that easy.  Add to that the unpredictability of life and these three have a lot of things going on.  But I was so engrossed in the story.  Quinn is especially a character I admired—kind-hearted & unselfish. It is a cliff hanger so be aware there are other books that continue the story. 

 

 

Fairytale Love by Melanie Shawn:  Becca and Brian have been best friends since they were 4 years old. They were always taken for a couple & as they grew up they often had to say the phrase, “We’re just friends”.  One amazing night—and a very memorable kiss--during a family wedding change the way they see each other. But not wanting to ruin their friendship, each is afraid to tell each other how they really feel.  They somehow get on a reality show & have to painfully watch each other date other people.  But they continue to love each other & no matter what is thrown at them, what challenges they face, it seems to be all about them—together.  Now they just have to tell each other. 

 

 

 

   

Drinking Coffee and Helping Manatees

 I looked up the definition of "spirit animal" and found that the cheeky metaphor is interpreted as "someone or something a person relates to or admires". Based on that elucidation, I'm making the official decree that the manatee is my spirit animal.  I absolutely love the gentle, kind energy they radiate. Living in the West Coast doesn't allow me the opportunity to offer any grass roots help, but I can always continue to participate in raising awareness and support fundraising when I can. The Save the Manatee organization is the leading force in the conservation movement for manatees. If interested, please check them out to see what you can do to help no matter where you are on the globe.

I love their products and even proudly sport my sunglasses. 😊

 

Joining Save the Manatee is another awesome company I found, Manatee Gourmet Coffee, selling various types of coffees and merchandise with a portion of their proceeds going towards manatee causes. Check them out if you're a coffee drinker.  They have quality products. 

I love the manatees. I hope they can survive their latest ecological struggles associated with pollution.  They have some dedicated people working to help them, but their struggle is real. I send conservationists positive energy. Save. The. Manatee.

  

My Encounter With a (Walking Dead) Twitter Troll

I've always considered myself a contributor of positivity on social media.  For me that's simply focusing on subjects I enjoy while scrolling over things that I dislike or feel negative emotions over. I don't often engage in debates and especially make the most effort to stay away from what has become the ugliness of politics. Twitter, for me, is a way to express my feelings and I generally intentionally choose to share what I deem interesting, fun or useful information. I don't seek out conflict.  Being in some arbitrary spat with someone behind an anonymous screen (or in real life for that matter) does not bring me any kind of joy. 

That being said, I was engaged in a Twitter back-and-forth after I made a strong emotional opinion comment on a storyline from the show Walking Dead. It's strictly my opinion and doesn't degrade real life people--only make-believe characters on a make-believe show. I did include a cheeky hashtag--#WritersSuck--mostly to stress how much I dislike the storyline. If there's a better way to express that, I will certainly find one moving forward. Needless to say, I don't enjoy this show as much as I used to. The Huz was a fan of the beginning seasons and we've stayed watching out of some weird goal for completion. But again, that's just an opinion. If you enjoy it, then you enjoy it. 🤷

He blocked his responses at first but then opened them up again so I quickly took a screenshot for posterity. 

So this "Harry" felt the need to point out to me that the character of "Glen" is not real.  But then proceeds to mention the actor's name in his response...seemingly to make the point that the character is not real.  But I never referred to the actor.  I never exhibited (at least I don't believe so) to have issues with discerning the difference between was is real and what is make-believe. In fact, my in retrospect not-so-kind hashtag of #WritersSuck illustrates that I am aware that the aforementioned character is indeed fictional.
 

Evidently, with my response, I was feeling sarcastic and maybe, possibly a tad triggered. I don't know if "Harry" realizes it or not, but his response is what the internet often refers to as "troll"-like behavior. He essentially attacked my intelligence and the ability to discern reality versus fantasy. It's not engaging in discourse of the plot progression or even character development, which is a discussion I have no issues in participating in. 

He then proceeds to state his opinion on character development but then adds another insult about my ability (well, more specifically inability) to understand--apparently since it's against his own opinions.  His response is insulting and rude.

 I could have easily just ignored his ill-mannered responses to me, but I felt compelled to counter and engage. This exchange was small and overall insignificant, but for me, it's an example of the negative and arrogant ways people engage each other most especially on the internet. Opinions are not the same as facts and insulting people just to feel right or superior is a huge reflection on that person. You may think you've "one up" someone, but be assured, pompous intentions are transparent. It's perfectly acceptable to disagree with someone.  It is haughty and disdainful to believe your opinions are the only ones that should exist.

 Don't be a jerk. Choose kindness.