Cardeno C.'s Blog, page 126
April 2, 2013
Kiernan Dodged a Bullet
This is not my usual type of post, but one that comes from an experience that hit very (almost too close) to home today. The subject matter is uncomfortable to talk about, but I feel utterly compelled to share my story in hopes of saving someone's life (plus, I promised the doctor, and right now, I'd give that man my first born child if I hadn't already married him off).
Today, I dodged a bullet, and did so by the skin of my teeth. Whatever Being watches overs authors and fools -- or in this case a two-fer -- has my unending gratitude.
In the wee morning hours on Easter Sunday, I began to bleed heavily from the rectum (I know, I know...the irony of being a gay erotic romance writer was not lost on me). so much so that my husband rushed me to the hospital.
I was given a CAT scan, and scheduled for a colonoscopy this morning. In the mean time, they diagnosed me with diverticulitis. My blood count dropped from 12 to 8, so I was given a transfusion of two pints (there is a special place in my heart for people who donate blood. I do, but this was the first time I've ever had to be on the receiving end). I was also given a regimen of antibiotics, kept hydrated, and put on a liquid diet.
Today, I was taken in for the colonoscopy. My friends, I'd been putting having this simple test off. I don't know why. Everything else seemed too important. I figured it could wait. I was almost dead wrong.
The doctor not only confirmed the diverticulitis, but he discovered a huge polyp nearly blocking my intestines. Had it not begun bleeding, and if I'd waited any longer to have the colonoscopy, it would've grown to block my intestines causing all sorts of horrible havoc.
Oh, yeah. And it was cancerous.
Thankfully, the doctor was able to cut it out and entirely remove the cancer, but that was only by luck. You see, there are two sorts of polyps -- one that grows like a tumor attached to the colon, and one that grows to look something like a punching bag. It was only by chance that I had the latter, which enabled the doctor to tie it off and remove the whole thing.
I don't need chemotherapy or radiation, and in that I am again, extremely lucky. Had I waited any longer, the prognosis would probably not have been so favorable. I'll have a follow-up visit in two weeks, then another colonoscopy in a year. If that one is clean, I can go to five years before having it done again.
But the fact remains that I came horrifying close to catching a bullet, so close that I could feel it parting my hair, and it was my own damned fault. If I hadn't put off having a colonoscopy because it was distasteful, or embarrassing, or too much trouble, or not important enough because things like that only happen to other people, or whatever stupid-ass reason I gave myself, the polyp would probably have been caught before it became cancerous, and I wouldn't have jeopardized my life in the process.
This story probably sounds familiar, the sort of tale that always happens to a friend of a friend of a friend, which puts it almost in the same category as urban legend, and easily dismissed or ignored. But most of you reading this know me, or at least, know of me. If knowing someone it's happened to will convince even one person to have the test done, then baring my medical soul on the Internet was worth the loss of privacy. Please, please, please, don't put off having the test done. It's completely painless, I promise you. I wouldn't lie about that. It takes all of ten minutes (again, no lie), and it can save your life.
It saved mine.
For more information on colonoscopies and colon cancer, visit the Colon Cancer Foundation.
As a side note, I was also diagnosed with a gall stone, and arthritis in my spine, both of which I'll take no questions asked over the cancer.
Today, I dodged a bullet, and did so by the skin of my teeth. Whatever Being watches overs authors and fools -- or in this case a two-fer -- has my unending gratitude.
In the wee morning hours on Easter Sunday, I began to bleed heavily from the rectum (I know, I know...the irony of being a gay erotic romance writer was not lost on me). so much so that my husband rushed me to the hospital.
I was given a CAT scan, and scheduled for a colonoscopy this morning. In the mean time, they diagnosed me with diverticulitis. My blood count dropped from 12 to 8, so I was given a transfusion of two pints (there is a special place in my heart for people who donate blood. I do, but this was the first time I've ever had to be on the receiving end). I was also given a regimen of antibiotics, kept hydrated, and put on a liquid diet.
Today, I was taken in for the colonoscopy. My friends, I'd been putting having this simple test off. I don't know why. Everything else seemed too important. I figured it could wait. I was almost dead wrong.
The doctor not only confirmed the diverticulitis, but he discovered a huge polyp nearly blocking my intestines. Had it not begun bleeding, and if I'd waited any longer to have the colonoscopy, it would've grown to block my intestines causing all sorts of horrible havoc.
Oh, yeah. And it was cancerous.
Thankfully, the doctor was able to cut it out and entirely remove the cancer, but that was only by luck. You see, there are two sorts of polyps -- one that grows like a tumor attached to the colon, and one that grows to look something like a punching bag. It was only by chance that I had the latter, which enabled the doctor to tie it off and remove the whole thing.
I don't need chemotherapy or radiation, and in that I am again, extremely lucky. Had I waited any longer, the prognosis would probably not have been so favorable. I'll have a follow-up visit in two weeks, then another colonoscopy in a year. If that one is clean, I can go to five years before having it done again.
But the fact remains that I came horrifying close to catching a bullet, so close that I could feel it parting my hair, and it was my own damned fault. If I hadn't put off having a colonoscopy because it was distasteful, or embarrassing, or too much trouble, or not important enough because things like that only happen to other people, or whatever stupid-ass reason I gave myself, the polyp would probably have been caught before it became cancerous, and I wouldn't have jeopardized my life in the process.
This story probably sounds familiar, the sort of tale that always happens to a friend of a friend of a friend, which puts it almost in the same category as urban legend, and easily dismissed or ignored. But most of you reading this know me, or at least, know of me. If knowing someone it's happened to will convince even one person to have the test done, then baring my medical soul on the Internet was worth the loss of privacy. Please, please, please, don't put off having the test done. It's completely painless, I promise you. I wouldn't lie about that. It takes all of ten minutes (again, no lie), and it can save your life.
It saved mine.
For more information on colonoscopies and colon cancer, visit the Colon Cancer Foundation.
As a side note, I was also diagnosed with a gall stone, and arthritis in my spine, both of which I'll take no questions asked over the cancer.
March 31, 2013
Tour the Sausage Factory: Things you may not have known about porn
We all watch porn, right? I'm sure I've watched more than my fair share. I knew I had really gotten in deep when I started recognizing my favorite stars and whether they'd done a video early or late in their career by their hair style.
How well do you think you know your porn? This video clues the average adult entertainment spectator in to a few behind the scenes truths that some of us may not have known:
Happy Sunday!
Love, Ellis
PS, Happy Easter. :)
How well do you think you know your porn? This video clues the average adult entertainment spectator in to a few behind the scenes truths that some of us may not have known:
Happy Sunday!
Love, Ellis
PS, Happy Easter. :)
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March 29, 2013
It's Official! I am Going to Chicago!!! by BG Thomas
Yup! It is happening! I am going to the DSP Workshop in Chicago! Last year it was AMAZING--and this year promises to be--and many ways--better. I cannot believe my plane tickets! Round trip for under $200! Can't beat that with a stick.
I came out in Chicago. It was a little Chicago bar that was my first ever gay bar. Walking in that room and nearly crying--knowing for sure and at last that I was not the only gay man--the only man who liked other men. So to see Chicago again? VERY excited!I arrive a day early so that I can spend the evening and night with a friend I haven't see in over twenty years.
I will spend and extra day so that I can maybe see a few sights? I hope so. AND that last day is my birthday. How cool is that?
But the main reason I am going of course is to see the whole DSP staff again. We became good friends last year and I can't believe how much I've missed them--and to meet so many of my fellow DSP writers--and to see writers I haven't seen in a year--HURRAY!--and also of course to learn, learn, learn. I learned so much valuable information last year that has helped me with my writing.
It is going to be glorious!
Namaste,BG
March 26, 2013
The Return of the Betta
It's my turn to blog again. The question before me is what to blog about? The landmark case before the Supreme Court today? The latest kerfluffle going on between Barnes and Noble and Simon and Schuster? Any one of a dozen news stories that set my teeth on edge?
No, I choose none of the above. Today I will blog about Betta fish.
Why? Because my daughter just got one. I now have a Betta fish residing in my home. He's very pretty, a beautiful blue/black with hints of red.
But he's a fish.
A. Fish.
I don't do fish. I don't even usually like to eat them. Maybe some salmon. Or Cajun catfish. But definitely not Betta.
My feelings toward fish go way back to when I was a kid. Back then, the animal rights activists would've had apoplectic fits at carnivals and town fairs, because one of the most popular attractions was the ping pong ball pitch into a small bowl in which a live goldfish swam. Sink the ball and win the fish. No food. No Ph balancing gizmo. No cute terrarium with plastic plants and rhinestone castle. Just a fish in a baggie filled with questionably clean water.
I loved the fish bowl toss. Why? Because I was a glutton for punishment. I would inevitably win the fish (let's face - they practically gave the damn things away because not only did they want your quarters, they didn't want to lug a thousand goldfish to the next carnival location, so letting you win after a dollar's worth of tries was a no-brainer for them).
Giddy with happiness, I would carefully carry it home, and immediately cajole my parents into buying me a bowl and fish food. I would fill the bowl with water and put Bobby Sherman into it (now that I think about it, all my fish were named after my latest crushes - I had a Bobby Sherman, a Davy Jones, and the year I became obsessed with Planet of the Apes, a Roddy McDowell). I would carefully sprinkle food into the bowl, and watch the fish swim lazily in circles. Fish, I learned soon enough, were capable of only one trick - swimming lazily around in circles.
Then, inevitably, a couple of weeks later I would wake to find Bobby Sherman floating belly up in the bowl, and my heart would break.
Enough fish were flushed down my childhood toilet to fill the NY Aquarium.
When I had children of my own, I refused to allow them to go through the fish trauma of my own childhood. Maybe that was wrong of me. Maybe I sheltered them too much. But it is what it is. No fish funerals for my children.
Now, at long last, the spirit of Bobby Sherman has come back to haunt me in the form of a Betta fish. My daughter brought it home this morning (she and her father were in cahoots and neglected to tell me before buying it).
It's beautiful. It swims in circles.
I can almost hear the orchestra tuning up for the funeral dirge already.
I hope not. I hope he (he doesn't have a name yet, but my daughter has asked me to help name him, so we may have Joe Manganiello or Channing Tatum living in our house soon) lives a long and slime-free life, and I won't have to give him an Eternal Swirly.
But, at the risk of sounding as if I'm channeling Eyeore, I doubt it.
No, I choose none of the above. Today I will blog about Betta fish.
Why? Because my daughter just got one. I now have a Betta fish residing in my home. He's very pretty, a beautiful blue/black with hints of red.
But he's a fish.
A. Fish.
I don't do fish. I don't even usually like to eat them. Maybe some salmon. Or Cajun catfish. But definitely not Betta.
My feelings toward fish go way back to when I was a kid. Back then, the animal rights activists would've had apoplectic fits at carnivals and town fairs, because one of the most popular attractions was the ping pong ball pitch into a small bowl in which a live goldfish swam. Sink the ball and win the fish. No food. No Ph balancing gizmo. No cute terrarium with plastic plants and rhinestone castle. Just a fish in a baggie filled with questionably clean water.
I loved the fish bowl toss. Why? Because I was a glutton for punishment. I would inevitably win the fish (let's face - they practically gave the damn things away because not only did they want your quarters, they didn't want to lug a thousand goldfish to the next carnival location, so letting you win after a dollar's worth of tries was a no-brainer for them).
Giddy with happiness, I would carefully carry it home, and immediately cajole my parents into buying me a bowl and fish food. I would fill the bowl with water and put Bobby Sherman into it (now that I think about it, all my fish were named after my latest crushes - I had a Bobby Sherman, a Davy Jones, and the year I became obsessed with Planet of the Apes, a Roddy McDowell). I would carefully sprinkle food into the bowl, and watch the fish swim lazily in circles. Fish, I learned soon enough, were capable of only one trick - swimming lazily around in circles.
Then, inevitably, a couple of weeks later I would wake to find Bobby Sherman floating belly up in the bowl, and my heart would break.
Enough fish were flushed down my childhood toilet to fill the NY Aquarium.
When I had children of my own, I refused to allow them to go through the fish trauma of my own childhood. Maybe that was wrong of me. Maybe I sheltered them too much. But it is what it is. No fish funerals for my children.
Now, at long last, the spirit of Bobby Sherman has come back to haunt me in the form of a Betta fish. My daughter brought it home this morning (she and her father were in cahoots and neglected to tell me before buying it).
It's beautiful. It swims in circles.
I can almost hear the orchestra tuning up for the funeral dirge already.
I hope not. I hope he (he doesn't have a name yet, but my daughter has asked me to help name him, so we may have Joe Manganiello or Channing Tatum living in our house soon) lives a long and slime-free life, and I won't have to give him an Eternal Swirly.
But, at the risk of sounding as if I'm channeling Eyeore, I doubt it.
March 25, 2013
US Supreme Court Hears DOMA Cases by Cardeno C.
Happy Monday, y'all. In case you haven't heard, I want to let you know that Tuesday and Wednesday are important days in the battle for marriage equality. The U.S. Supreme Court is hearing the California Prop 8 and DOMA cases.
We won't know the decision until late June (or so the predictions go), but I'm sure the pundits will give us their opinions on where things are headed after the arguments. I for one believe this is going to be the next step in finally overturning the discriminatory laws that have negatively impacted so many people.
I remember watching cspan while DOMA was being passed and wondering how our elected officials could make a decision that violated the very foundation of our Constitution. And I remember the pain and shock of so many when Proposition 8 passed in California. But the tide has shifted since then, and I believe these Supreme Court cases, like the results of the marriage ballot initiatives in the last election, will continue to demonstrate the move toward equality.
So now you know my plans for Tuesday and Wednesday: DOMA watch (and writing). Have a great week.
CC
www.cardenoc.com
We won't know the decision until late June (or so the predictions go), but I'm sure the pundits will give us their opinions on where things are headed after the arguments. I for one believe this is going to be the next step in finally overturning the discriminatory laws that have negatively impacted so many people.
I remember watching cspan while DOMA was being passed and wondering how our elected officials could make a decision that violated the very foundation of our Constitution. And I remember the pain and shock of so many when Proposition 8 passed in California. But the tide has shifted since then, and I believe these Supreme Court cases, like the results of the marriage ballot initiatives in the last election, will continue to demonstrate the move toward equality.
So now you know my plans for Tuesday and Wednesday: DOMA watch (and writing). Have a great week.
CC
www.cardenoc.com
March 24, 2013
Sunday Flash Fiction: First Date
Alex huddled on a stone bench outside of the closed library, practically vibrating out of his skin while he waited for the bus. Maybe one would come before he froze. At the moment a frigid walk of shame all the way across the tundra this place called a campus was more than his manhood could handle.He'd dressed the night before in shiny jeans, a body-hugging shirt, and quilted vest. The shirt was silk and the vest was down to help block the cold, but mostly he'd dressed for looks. He pulled his skull cap down over his ears crossed his arms over his chest. He'd gotten some vomit on his sleeve from throwing up in the bushes and there was spooge on the vest because it had fallen to close too that cadet guy's bed the night before. Classy, Alex. So classy.
He grumbled. Shit was gonna have to be dry-cleaned, as if Alex had that kind of cash.
It was always the same: What started in a rush, some off-campus party, going back to someone's room, had ended in too many drinks and "You gotta leave, my roommate will be back soon and I have to get up stupid early."
Shouldn't have been a big deal. No strings and no emotions was supposed to be how guys were wired. Alex hadn't yet managed to harden himself up to not getting attached after sex. Maybe that came with age and wisdom. This guy he'd just been with? No, Alex hadn't been into him really. But the rejection stung even more than the pain in his ass, which was considerable. For party boy's sake Alex hoped the dude learned to be more considerate in bed.
"Alex?"
Alex squinted into the rising sun. Gary Newton, from behind him in English. They'd traded notes a few times. Run into each other at the local gay club, Prospects, where Alex deejayed on occasion. Alex died a little inside, seeing Gary now, outside of Prospects and outside of class. They actually were sort-of friends and English class was one of the few places Alex excelled. Math could take a hike, but he could do music, and he could write. Most days on campus he was just another guy lost in a sea of faces, but Saturday night at Prospects Alex spiked his hair and showed off the ink on his bicep and spun everything from epic trance to old school disco. At Prospects, Alex was someone special.
"Gary. Hi." Right now, Alex was sitting by the curb like a piece of trash waiting for the bus because his ass and his pride hurt too much to walk home.
"You all right?" Gary was one of those guys you just knew played basketball. Six foot seven, with lotsa legs and lean muscles. He lived in the dorm next to Alex's with the built-in gym and the really good cafeteria. Full scholarship. Guys like that, you had to figure it was some sort of sin to not take up the sport.
"Sure. Fine." Looking up at the guy took so much effort Alex thought he might fall over backward. Finally, he decided to stand. "Waiting for a bus."
"To where?" Gary, dressed in warmups and a sweatshirt, breathing hard like he'd been jogging, looked at his watch. "Bus isn't gonna be by for a long time, you know it's wicked early, right? Where you headed?"
"Just back to the dorm."
Gary pulled a face. "Buddy, you'll freeze sitting here. What're you hungover or something? You need a greasy breakfast." He pulled out his student ID. "C'mon. My treat."
Greasy breakfast sounded disgusting but hanging out with Gary sounded nice after the night he'd had, so Alex held his tongue.
They ambled at a pace Alex could handle. When another brisk wind blew, Alex shivered and Gary pulled off his sweatshirt, handing it over. Striated biceps and triceps popped out from the sleeves of the T-shirt underneath. "Here."
"I'm fine. Thanks though."
"You look cold." He pushed the shirt into Alex's hand. The fabric was warm and soft, heated from Gary's skin. "I was just out for a run. I'm plenty warm. Put it on."
Alex started to argue more but he honestly was cold. "Thanks," he said. He slid on the warm sweatshirt, catching the faint scents of sweat and spicy deodorant. Nice.
"So. Rough night?"
Alex groaned and rubbed his hands over his face. "Started off okay. Just a bad decision. Or a series of bad decisions."
"Yeah, I can understand," Gary said thoughtfully. "Hooked up at a party?"
Alex groaned. "Yeah."
"Been there," Gary murmured. "Leaves you empty."
Alex was silent, unsure of how to respond. Empty was a good word.
"I partied a lot in high school," Gary said. "Single mom, got away with tons. These days I don't party much because of sports. I go out to dance some but drinking makes hitting the gym in the morning a real bitch."
"Oh." Alex squinted up at Gary, studying his sandy hair and strong jaw in the early morning light. Maybe this explained why Gary looked so much older even though they were in the same classes. "Yeah my parents kinda kept me sheltered. Didn't even know how to do my own laundry when I got here."
Gary laughed.
"I'm serious," Alex said. But he laughed too, because it was pretty ridiculous. "My roommate had to show me how to separate whites and colors."
Gary laughed harder. "Sounds like you need a keeper."
Alex slowed his pace, taking in Gary's tone. "Maybe so. Or maybe I just need a break, you know? I hook up with a guy I wind up feeling like an idiot. Like you said, empty. I need to reevaluate."
"Maybe you could try, I dunno, dating," Gary said.
Alex slowed to a stop, emboldened by the warmth of Gary's sweatshirt or maybe the fact that he'd hit such a low that morning he couldn't see getting any lower. Worst case? He'd find a new club to spin at, and he could find a new seat in English. "I don't suppose you're offering."
Gary's eyes showed surprise, then his smile widened slowly. "Sure I am." He slung an arm around Alex's shoulder. "I'm gonna buy you breakfast, like I said." He shrugged vaguely and squeezed Alex's shoulder. Then maybe we both shower and get some rest."
"And then we go from there?" Alex suggested.
That strong arm tightened around Alex's shoulder. "And then we go from there," said Gary.
Happy Sunday, Love Ellis
Image credit: nickp37 / 123RF Stock Photo
March 21, 2013
Recreating Bliss! (Food-gasms for all!)
So last month, I spent a bit of time in Florida attending Olde City, New Blood, which was a rather small but very enjoyable Paranormal Romance convention. I was there as a reader since I haven't had anything released that would be considered paranormal/urban fantasy and I had a great time. I don't know offhand whether this convention will be held again next year (though I hope it is) or where it might be held, but if you happen to be in the neighborhood of wherever (and if) it's held, I recommend stopping by. (To be up front, this was not a specifically M/M or gay PNR con. Het fiction was more prevalent but the environment was wonderful and everyone seemed very interested in the M/M authors and books there. This, to me, defines a successful convention for any kind of romance, be it contemporary, paranormal of whatever.)
Now, this post is not intended as promo for the convention. I wanted to mention why I was in Florida because I don't ordinarily travel there. As most of you know, I seem to end up in Atlanta a lot. LOL
This time, in Florida, I went to a charming little beach restaurant in St. Augustine, where I had the most delicious corn cakes I've ever had. (Okay, the ONLY corn cakes I've ever had. It's not something I've ever run into here in Maryland or even in New Orleans when I lived there.)
These corn cakes were griddle fried (like pancakes) and topped with pico de gallo, avocado, cilantro, and a chipotle cream. They were AMAZING!!!
I've spent the last month and a half trying to recreate the recipe and I think I've managed to come close. As a public service to all of you (especially you, Cardeno C, because these are vegetarian -- though not vegan), I thought I'd share the results of my hard work. *grins*
So, without further ado... Corn Cakes a la St. Augustine!
Dry items:
3/4 c. flour
3/4 c. corn meal
2 t. baking powder
1 T. sugar (add a bit more if you like things sweet)
1/2 t. salt
* * *
Wet Items:
1 c. milk
2 T. melted butter
1 egg plus 1 egg white, beaten
1 c. frozen corn kernels, thawed
* * *
Other Items:
Cooking oil (for the pan, or use cooking spray to save calories LOL)
Pico de gallo (recipe follows or store-bought works fine)
1 ripe avocado, cubed (as topping)
Chipotle cream (recipe follows)
Fresh cilantro (if you don't like cilantro, parsley will work too)
* * *
Combine dry items in a bowl, then mix in milk, butter and egg. Add thawed corn and mix well. Let rest 5 minutes.
While your batter is resting, heat your pan with the oil in it.
Proceed as you would for making pancakes (these technically are pancakes, but a bit less sweet). Flip corn cakes when the edges are bubbled and look somewhat dry, then finish cooking.
Plate up, top with pico, avocado, chipotle cream & cilantro, and enjoy!
* * *
Pico de Gallo (this is a variation on a traditional pico):
5 or 6 roma/plum tomatoes, diced (I find romas work best due to their lower water content)
1/2 red onion, diced
1 jalapeno pepper, finely diced, seeded (or with seeds if you like spicy the way I do!)
1/4 t. crushed garlic
1 lime (juice only)
Chopped cilantro (or parsley or scallions), to taste
salt & pepper to taste
* * *
Combine all ingredients and mix well.
* * *
Chipotle cream:
If you happen to have a can of chipotle peppers in your cupboard, you can simply use some of the thick, luscious liquid they're packed in. If not...
Chipotle hot sauce (Tabasco makes one, as does the Texas Pete brand) to taste
Sour cream (this also works with the low fat and fat free varieties)
* * *
Always mix your chipotle sauce/liquid into your sour cream, not the other way around. You'll be better able to control the degree of spice that way.
* * *
So that's it, all. Corn cakes for everyone! *grins* And if you do make this recipe, don't forget the cubed avocado! The avocado makes it extra-super awesome! *grins*
Oh, and SORGBARN, you won my contest from two weeks ago, so if you'd please email me (tcblue@live.com) and let me know which of my stories you'd like in .pdf and where to send it, I'll shoot it off to you ASAP! *grins*
Thanks for reading, guys, and hope you enjoy!
Now, this post is not intended as promo for the convention. I wanted to mention why I was in Florida because I don't ordinarily travel there. As most of you know, I seem to end up in Atlanta a lot. LOL
This time, in Florida, I went to a charming little beach restaurant in St. Augustine, where I had the most delicious corn cakes I've ever had. (Okay, the ONLY corn cakes I've ever had. It's not something I've ever run into here in Maryland or even in New Orleans when I lived there.)
These corn cakes were griddle fried (like pancakes) and topped with pico de gallo, avocado, cilantro, and a chipotle cream. They were AMAZING!!!
I've spent the last month and a half trying to recreate the recipe and I think I've managed to come close. As a public service to all of you (especially you, Cardeno C, because these are vegetarian -- though not vegan), I thought I'd share the results of my hard work. *grins*
So, without further ado... Corn Cakes a la St. Augustine!
Dry items:
3/4 c. flour
3/4 c. corn meal
2 t. baking powder
1 T. sugar (add a bit more if you like things sweet)
1/2 t. salt
* * *
Wet Items:
1 c. milk
2 T. melted butter
1 egg plus 1 egg white, beaten
1 c. frozen corn kernels, thawed
* * *
Other Items:
Cooking oil (for the pan, or use cooking spray to save calories LOL)
Pico de gallo (recipe follows or store-bought works fine)
1 ripe avocado, cubed (as topping)
Chipotle cream (recipe follows)
Fresh cilantro (if you don't like cilantro, parsley will work too)
* * *
Combine dry items in a bowl, then mix in milk, butter and egg. Add thawed corn and mix well. Let rest 5 minutes.
While your batter is resting, heat your pan with the oil in it.
Proceed as you would for making pancakes (these technically are pancakes, but a bit less sweet). Flip corn cakes when the edges are bubbled and look somewhat dry, then finish cooking.
Plate up, top with pico, avocado, chipotle cream & cilantro, and enjoy!
* * *
Pico de Gallo (this is a variation on a traditional pico):
5 or 6 roma/plum tomatoes, diced (I find romas work best due to their lower water content)
1/2 red onion, diced
1 jalapeno pepper, finely diced, seeded (or with seeds if you like spicy the way I do!)
1/4 t. crushed garlic
1 lime (juice only)
Chopped cilantro (or parsley or scallions), to taste
salt & pepper to taste
* * *
Combine all ingredients and mix well.
* * *
Chipotle cream:
If you happen to have a can of chipotle peppers in your cupboard, you can simply use some of the thick, luscious liquid they're packed in. If not...
Chipotle hot sauce (Tabasco makes one, as does the Texas Pete brand) to taste
Sour cream (this also works with the low fat and fat free varieties)
* * *
Always mix your chipotle sauce/liquid into your sour cream, not the other way around. You'll be better able to control the degree of spice that way.
* * *
So that's it, all. Corn cakes for everyone! *grins* And if you do make this recipe, don't forget the cubed avocado! The avocado makes it extra-super awesome! *grins*
Oh, and SORGBARN, you won my contest from two weeks ago, so if you'd please email me (tcblue@live.com) and let me know which of my stories you'd like in .pdf and where to send it, I'll shoot it off to you ASAP! *grins*
Thanks for reading, guys, and hope you enjoy!
March 19, 2013
It's a Small World with very Big Ears
This going to be a short post because my husband is in the hospital with acute bronchitis and my time is at a premium.
That said, I felt an overpowering need to speak on a subject that is so often glossed over that it's practically a skating rink - professionalism on author loops.
Common sense.
We should get us some.
Here's the dealio: when you're posting online, keep in mind that whatever you put out to the cyber-universe, be it on Facebook, a blog like this one, or a Yahoo Group, it's out there forever. Even if you delete it.
While it's important to be able to share information, both good and bad, with your colleagues, and no one's opinion should be shut down because it's simply unfavorable, there is a time and place for everything. Complaining about a publisher on another publisher's loop is never a good idea, whether or not you had a good, bad, or indifferent experience, and definitely not when you're making a defamatory blanket statement. Here's why:
Our industry is a small one, and everyone knows everyone else. People will talk, and when you make statements that go beyond opinion and into the dangerous territory of libel, you can bet your bottom dollar the talk will not be favorable to you. Publishers are first and foremost businesspeople, and they may speculate on whether someone who talks shit about a different publisher on their loop might do the same about them should something go awry with said publisher and author's relationship, and how that might affect their business.
This is not confined to e-publishing. NY does it too, and so do agents.
We M/M writers tend to be territorial about the companies with whom we publish. It's a natural thing; our publishers are a great deal more approachable than NY, and we often get to meet and interact with them at conventions and gatherings. There's a friendship vibe that grows with time. This is a good thing because it forges strong relationships between houses and authors.
It becomes a problem only when we allow pissing matches to form. Someone with Publisher B says something derogatory about Publisher A, then someone who's with Publisher A says something about Publisher B, and it's on.
What we need to remember is that we are all professionals -- or are supposed to be -- and need to act accordingly. Think not only about what you're saying before putting it out there, but where you're saying it. If you have had a bad experience with a publisher, fine, you absolutely should share it with your colleagues, but there are places to do it (Editors and Predators, for example). Publishers' professional loops are not the place to air complaints about competing publishers.
Even more important is understanding the difference between an opinion and libel. Expressing a personal opinion, or sharing a personal experience is one thing. Making a blanket statement that is detrimental and unprovable is libel. The line is a thin one, and should be considered carefully before making statements on a public forum.
This is, of course, just my opinion and experience from my years in the industry.
That said, I felt an overpowering need to speak on a subject that is so often glossed over that it's practically a skating rink - professionalism on author loops.
Common sense.
We should get us some.
Here's the dealio: when you're posting online, keep in mind that whatever you put out to the cyber-universe, be it on Facebook, a blog like this one, or a Yahoo Group, it's out there forever. Even if you delete it.
While it's important to be able to share information, both good and bad, with your colleagues, and no one's opinion should be shut down because it's simply unfavorable, there is a time and place for everything. Complaining about a publisher on another publisher's loop is never a good idea, whether or not you had a good, bad, or indifferent experience, and definitely not when you're making a defamatory blanket statement. Here's why:
Our industry is a small one, and everyone knows everyone else. People will talk, and when you make statements that go beyond opinion and into the dangerous territory of libel, you can bet your bottom dollar the talk will not be favorable to you. Publishers are first and foremost businesspeople, and they may speculate on whether someone who talks shit about a different publisher on their loop might do the same about them should something go awry with said publisher and author's relationship, and how that might affect their business.
This is not confined to e-publishing. NY does it too, and so do agents.
We M/M writers tend to be territorial about the companies with whom we publish. It's a natural thing; our publishers are a great deal more approachable than NY, and we often get to meet and interact with them at conventions and gatherings. There's a friendship vibe that grows with time. This is a good thing because it forges strong relationships between houses and authors.
It becomes a problem only when we allow pissing matches to form. Someone with Publisher B says something derogatory about Publisher A, then someone who's with Publisher A says something about Publisher B, and it's on.
What we need to remember is that we are all professionals -- or are supposed to be -- and need to act accordingly. Think not only about what you're saying before putting it out there, but where you're saying it. If you have had a bad experience with a publisher, fine, you absolutely should share it with your colleagues, but there are places to do it (Editors and Predators, for example). Publishers' professional loops are not the place to air complaints about competing publishers.
Even more important is understanding the difference between an opinion and libel. Expressing a personal opinion, or sharing a personal experience is one thing. Making a blanket statement that is detrimental and unprovable is libel. The line is a thin one, and should be considered carefully before making statements on a public forum.
This is, of course, just my opinion and experience from my years in the industry.
March 11, 2013
M/M Romance and Growing Pains
The web has been abuzz lately with discussion over the state of m/m romance. Some folks believe it's in a decline, primarily due to the influx of new writers and self-published works. Additionally, some folks believe the genre as a whole has taken a nosedive in all facets of the industry, from story content to editing to cover art.
I call it growing pains.
From the time Gutenberg cranked up the first printing press, the industry has always been controlled by a select number of people. First the church, then governments, and finally NY Publishers and Big Box Stores held the power to decide what works would be put into print for the masses to read. Readers and authors alike were held hostage by them. They decided, not only what authors would see their work in print, but what genres readers would be allowed to read. Eventually, it evolved into not how good your book was, but how good your agent was, and whether said agent had good enough contacts to sell it to NY.
While some people believe that meant only great writers were published, the poor and the mediocre filtered out, I don't believe that's true. I've read my share of real honkers over the years, books that I've wanted to throw across the room because of their inferior quality, poor storytelling, or bad editing. Even today, I rarely read a book published by NY that doesn't contain errors.
We are human, and none of us are perfect.
That said, the advent of the Internet and ebook publishing seemed a godsend to many writers who either didn't have an agent, or wrote in a genre NY publishing refused to consider, like M/M. Suddenly, erotic books and same sex books were being published, and put into the hands of readers via their computer monitors. With the miracle of ebook readers, the market exploded.
And just like any new industry, the ebook industry has gone through, and continues to go through growing pains. For a while, it seemed new publishers were popping up like zits on a teenager, there today, but gone tomorrow. Editing was bad, but has gotten much, much better. Cover art ranged from awful to cheesy, but has also grown in creativity and technique. The writing itself evolved from what was little more than one-handed reading to full-blown plots, and rich and nuanced characters.
With the coming of user-friendly self publishing platforms like Kindle, Smashwords, and CreateSpace, a tidal wave of self-published books has swept over the Internet as thousands of new writers, some great, some good, some not-so-good, and some truly awful, put their books out there. In addition, the popularity of M/M has drawn many hundreds of new writers to dip their toes in the genre, selling their stories to the existing e-publishers.
Which brings me to my point.
There's been a lot of talk lately that the quality of M/M books has declined. I disagree. I think the volume of available books has risen, and that, my friends is not a bad thing considering that just twenty years ago it was nearly impossible to find any books in our chosen genre.
The only answer to eliminating the poorly written books would be to limit who gets published, and I for one, would hate to see things go back to the way they were, when a small group of publishers dictated what the rest of the world could read.
Do we want e-publishing to follow in the footsteps of NY, where only the gifted or the well-connected may be published?
No, thank you.
What I suggest is for authors and publishers to make available substantial samples of the book for readers to try before buying. That way there's no question about whether a reader will like a writer's style, or the house style before buying.
That's my two cents worth on the subject.
I call it growing pains.
From the time Gutenberg cranked up the first printing press, the industry has always been controlled by a select number of people. First the church, then governments, and finally NY Publishers and Big Box Stores held the power to decide what works would be put into print for the masses to read. Readers and authors alike were held hostage by them. They decided, not only what authors would see their work in print, but what genres readers would be allowed to read. Eventually, it evolved into not how good your book was, but how good your agent was, and whether said agent had good enough contacts to sell it to NY.
While some people believe that meant only great writers were published, the poor and the mediocre filtered out, I don't believe that's true. I've read my share of real honkers over the years, books that I've wanted to throw across the room because of their inferior quality, poor storytelling, or bad editing. Even today, I rarely read a book published by NY that doesn't contain errors.
We are human, and none of us are perfect.
That said, the advent of the Internet and ebook publishing seemed a godsend to many writers who either didn't have an agent, or wrote in a genre NY publishing refused to consider, like M/M. Suddenly, erotic books and same sex books were being published, and put into the hands of readers via their computer monitors. With the miracle of ebook readers, the market exploded.
And just like any new industry, the ebook industry has gone through, and continues to go through growing pains. For a while, it seemed new publishers were popping up like zits on a teenager, there today, but gone tomorrow. Editing was bad, but has gotten much, much better. Cover art ranged from awful to cheesy, but has also grown in creativity and technique. The writing itself evolved from what was little more than one-handed reading to full-blown plots, and rich and nuanced characters.
With the coming of user-friendly self publishing platforms like Kindle, Smashwords, and CreateSpace, a tidal wave of self-published books has swept over the Internet as thousands of new writers, some great, some good, some not-so-good, and some truly awful, put their books out there. In addition, the popularity of M/M has drawn many hundreds of new writers to dip their toes in the genre, selling their stories to the existing e-publishers.
Which brings me to my point.
There's been a lot of talk lately that the quality of M/M books has declined. I disagree. I think the volume of available books has risen, and that, my friends is not a bad thing considering that just twenty years ago it was nearly impossible to find any books in our chosen genre.
The only answer to eliminating the poorly written books would be to limit who gets published, and I for one, would hate to see things go back to the way they were, when a small group of publishers dictated what the rest of the world could read.
Do we want e-publishing to follow in the footsteps of NY, where only the gifted or the well-connected may be published?
No, thank you.
What I suggest is for authors and publishers to make available substantial samples of the book for readers to try before buying. That way there's no question about whether a reader will like a writer's style, or the house style before buying.
That's my two cents worth on the subject.
Fan Page and Group by Cardeno C.
Just a quick post today to let y'all know that two wonderful readers, Rachel and Selina, started a super fun Facebook fan page and Goodreads group. They've already had a contest and put up their own versions of blurbs describing my books.
You can check them out on Facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cardeno-Cs-Family-Page/159898034167975?fref=ts.
And at Goodreads here: http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/96594-cardeno-c-s-family.
A big giant thank you to both of them. Have a wonderful week.
CCwww.cardenoc.com
You can check them out on Facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cardeno-Cs-Family-Page/159898034167975?fref=ts.
And at Goodreads here: http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/96594-cardeno-c-s-family.
A big giant thank you to both of them. Have a wonderful week.
CCwww.cardenoc.com
