K.T. Pinto's Blog, page 59

Why is it that when my brain keeps thinking about you, I ...

Why is it that when my brain keeps thinking about you, I don't hear from you at all, but when my brain finally takes a break, that's when I hear from you, and the cycle starts all over again? :/

Birthday Thoughts.

I hate technology.

I think it makes people lazy, rude, and less intelligent than they should be.

But on my birthday, I accept that technology can help what would be a gloomy day a rather happy one.

I had almost 300 birthday wishes waiting for me in my e-mail box on that day. Then there were the texts, the IMs...

I'm not as impressed with the ego-stroke as much as the following:

I got birthday wishes from people who I've been friends with since ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. Without technology, we would have gone our separate ways (which we did) and would have never found our way back! But it was such a joy to celebrate our birthdays one by one (four of us in one week) and reminisce about our school parties and silliness.

I got greetings from people from the old neighborhood where were there when I was born. Again, if not for technology, I'd maybe see them around the Island, say hi or something, but never like this.

I got messages from people from around the world. Japan, Italy, England... not only would I have not gotten these messages otherwise, but I wouldn't have ever known these people without technology. And especially since I have barely left NYC (not by choice) let alone traveled the world, this gives me a rare opportunity to learn about the world and the people in it (I am also slowly learning Italian).

Still, all in all, I don't like technology.... especially since LJ just decided to paste a HUGE PICTURE here for no apparent reason...

On the upside, I was told that turning 40 makes me that much sexier. Somehow, I can't argue with that....

Mysticon 2013 Schedule

Friday

9:00 PM, Boardroom 1,  Paranormal Track
Has Your Vampire Lost It's Sparkle?

Looking for something more than romance and sparkles from your vampires. Join our panelists as they discuss
how they've broken new ground.

Tony Ruggiero (M), John Hartness, KT Pinto, Bill Rockwell

10:00 PM, Boardroom 1, Adult Track
Characters with Benefits
The notoriety of adult fan fiction has exploded in recent years with the success of 50 Shades of Gray. Take a
closer look at the steamy side of fan fiction. (Ages 18+, ID Required)

Bethany Halle (M), Alexandra Christian, Marcia Colette, A. J. Kurtz, KT Pinto

Midnight, Boardroom 1, Adult Track
50 Shades of Wonder Women
Join our panelists to discuss the pros and cons of alternate lifestyles We'll discuss the risks and rewards.
of sharing your personal life. (Ages 18+, ID Required)

Tina Vargo (M), Bethany Halle, KT Pinto, Bruce" Scholl, Lady Kris

Saturday

2:00 PM, Rm 533,
Koffee Klatch: Alethea Kontis & KT Pinto
Readings by Alethea Kontis & KT Pinto

4:00 PM ‐ 5:30 PM, Ballroom C, Main Programming
Match Game
Relive the glories of classic game shows, now with a Sci‐Fi/Fantasy twist. Contestants from our audience will match wits with a great spectrum of our guests.

Rich Sigfrit (MC), Peter Davison, Larry Elmore, Steve Long, Billy Flynn, KT Pinto, Leona Wisoker

9:00 PM ‐ 11:00 PM, Rm 438, Writing Track
Iron Author
Watch writing in action as 3 teams of 3 authors create an instant short story based on suggestions from the
audience. From absurd writing prompts to shifting team alliances, it's funny and even crazy but it's a good time for
all.

Greg Eatroff (M) Danielle Ackley‐McPhail, Jason Cordova, Keith R.A. DeCandido, Emmy Jackson, Stuart Jaffe, A.
J. Kurtz, KT Pinto, Tony Ruggiero, A. J. Scudiere

11:00 PM ‐ 1:00 AM Rm 533,  Paranormal Track
Spooky Ghost and Horror Stories
Readings from several of our paranormal and horror authors.

Andrew Fox, Pamela Kinney, KT Pinto, Steven Shrewsbury

***I know there's an overlap here with the next panel; hopefully I'll be able to do my reading in the beginning and then slip out for the next event.***

Midnight, Boardroom 1, Adult Track
50 Ways To Keep Your Lover
Join our panelists to discuss safe ways to open your relationship.

Tina Vargo (M), KT Pinto, Dr. James Prego, "The Bruce" Scholl, Lady Kris

Sunday
11:00 AM, Rm 438, Writing Track
How to Research For Your Book ‐ and Write What You Researched
Join our authors as they discuss techniques for researching. When should you research? How much is
needed? How do you know when you're finished or if you've gotten it right?

Gail Z. Martin (M), H. David Blalock, Stuart Jaffe, Tally Johnson, KT Pinto, A. J. Scudiere

Why having a hound in the winter can be annoying:

Dawg: Mommy... mommy! I want to go out! Out out out! Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeese!
Me: We just walked an hour ago.
Dawg: *sad face*
Me: And it's snowing!
Dawg: *REALLY sad face*
Me: Oh, fine!

I put on my boots, scarf, coat, gloves, and hat, then put him in a harness and go out.

(30 Seconds Later)

Dawg (with a coat of snow on): It's snowing out here! Home home home!

Back inside we go.

Two hours later:

Dawg: Outside?

***

After the snow stopped:

Dawg: Walk?

*Coat back on, out we go*

Dawg: *sniffsniffsniffsniffsniff*
Me: Hey McGruff, you going to move any time soon? Get your nose out of the snow bank!
Dawg: Paw prints! *sniffsniffsniffsniffsniff*
Me: The cat isn't going to be waiting for you at the end Dawg... get off their lawn!
Dawg: Paw prints! *sniffsniffsniffsniffsniff*
Me: Dawg! Those are your prints from last time!
Dawg: Paw prints! *sniffsniffsniffsniffsniff*
Me: You can't follow the bird up the tree! Yes, when you climb onto the snow, you will sink...
Dawg: Paw prints! *sniffsniffsniffsniffsniff*
Me: Those are my prints Dawg, they'll lead you back to the hou... never mind.

Dawg (an hour later): Walk?

QotD

Did you know that two thousand years ago a Roman citizen could walk across the face of the known world free of the fear of molestation? He could walk across the Earth unharmed, cloaked only in the protection of the words civis Romanus -- I am a Roman citizen. So great was the retribution of Rome, universally certain, should any harm befall even one of its citizens. Where was Morris's protection, or anybody else on that airplane? Where was the retribution for the families, and where is the warning to the rest of the world that Americans shall walk this Earth unharmed, lest the clenched fist of the most mighty military force in the history of mankind comes crashing down on your house?! - President Bartlett

Sad KT is sad...

Ed Koch, the mayor who kept NYC from going broke, dies at 88

One of my favorite Koch stories: When the New York Giants won the Super Bowl in January 1987, Koch refused to allow a ticker-tape parade for the champs because the Giants had left New York for New Jersey's Meadowlands more than a decade earlier.

"If they want a parade, let them parade in front of the oil drums in Moonachie," Koch said, referring to a community near the Meadowlands.

QotD

“Needless to say I have some unusual habits, yet all these socially acceptable people can’t wait to pick up hammers and smash their food to bits. Normal people are so hostile.” - Dexter, Season 1

(I'm re-watching the first season as a refresher before going on to season 2)

I'm in the majority?

I just took a quick survey about how I'm celebrating V-day. I put "not at all" (which is always my answer, even if I'm in a relationship). Here were the results:

How are you celebrating Valentine’s Day this year?7%Out on the town27%At home with someone special22%In my dreams45%Not at all

I was very surprised, and I wonder if people are either just as jaded as I am, or just as single. LOL!

Looking for a New Word

I think we need a new word for "friend".

The term that at one time meant so much has been so diluted, it has become cliche. It has become a descriptive for people both known and not. It has become a verb, an adjective and a pronoun.

It has become so watered down as a sentiment, I almost lost a true friendship because of the word's overuse all around me. Without realizing it, I had belittled the term down to a blase designation, a term used offhandedly instead of as a title bestowed on me with careful thought, consideration and emotional backing.

The first definition of "friend" in dictionary.com is listed as a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard. , which is what the word used to be as given.

Now with social media, "friend" has become more the last definition: to add (a person) to one's list of contacts on a social-networking Web site.

Right now on Facebook, I have 752 'friends'; on Twitter, I have 80 (although the site calls them 'followers', people say "We're friends on Twitter"); on LJ, I have 87 'friends', 83 'mutual friends', and am 'also a friend' of 111 others.

I will admit, I have 'friends' I've never met. I've talked to them for years, know a lot about their lives, have 'shared' moments with them, even though it was only online. But in the past, they would be more 'pen pals' then friends...

I also have 'friends' that I do know and see a few times a year, but they're from the convention circuit. This isn't a bad thing, per se, but most live states away, and although I've known many of them for years, they have known KT (not necessarily the 'real' me) for the same amount of time. It's not that they don't know parts of the real me, but a 'true friend' knows the whole me (the poor things!) not the bits and pieces that are seen during convention weekends.

I do have one or two 'confriends' that I am closer to, mainly from knowing them for more than a decade, but still...

I have 'friends' that I've known since elementary school. Some are people I'd like to actually rebuild a friendship with, but life has made many of them just icons on a screen.

I guess what I need is a word to use instead of the term 'friend' that is defined - in all places - on urbandictionary.com as:

A friend is someone you love and who loves you, someone you respect and who respects you, someone whom you trust and who trusts you. A friend is honest and makes you want to be honest, too. A friend is loyal.

A friend is someone who is happy to spend time with you doing absolutely nothing at all; someone who doesn't mind driving you on stupid errands, who will get up at midnight just because you want to go on an adventure, and who doesn’t have to talk to communicate with you.

A friend is someone who not only doesn't care if you're ugly or boring, but doesn't even think about it; someone who forgives you no matter what you do, and someone who tries to help you even when they don't know how. A friend is someone who tells you if you're being stupid, but who doesn't make you feel stupid.

A friend is someone who would sacrifice their life and happiness for you. A friend is someone who will come with you when you have to do boring things like watch bad recitals, go to stuffy parties, or wait in boring lobbies. You don't even think about who's talking or who's listening in a conversation with a friend.

A friend is someone for whom you're willing to change your opinions. A friend is someone you look forward to seeing and who looks forward to seeing you: someone you like so much, it doesn't matter if you share interests or traits. A friend is someone you like so much, you start to like the things they like.

A friend is a partner, not a leader or a follower.

I dunno. To me, a person like that should be called more than just 'friend'...

What did I just Google?

In the interest of being accurate, I decided to see if I could find images of someone being strangled by rope. I swear, it's for a short story I'm writing... really!

I didn't think I was really going to find anything, because why would THAT be online (hey, I'm a Luddite, what can I say?).

I started typing "man being..." and before I could finish the sentence, the following list came up:

...eaten alive
...beheaded
...chased by a cow
...pushed into a train
...eaten by lions
...shot
...decapitated
...hung
...burned alive
...eaten on the subway

Yeah.

Feel free to do a double-take or two. I did.

No, I didn't click on any of those links, although 'hung' would probably be what I'm looking for.

But now, I'm a little scared...