Getting Naked in Spain ...

You know, ever since well forever...I've had naked in public fantasies...usually in faraway places like France, Italy, Spain...

So in retrospect, I wish I could have been in Barcelona over the weekend for the nude protest over the fur industry including over 150 people posing in front of a church which dominated headlines in Barcelona, Spain on January 27, 2008.

The event was organized by Anima Naturalis, an international activist group that has staged similar protests in Mexico, Ecuador and Argentina. The protest took place exactly as noon just as worshipers were arriving for noon mass. The worshipers found themselves greeted to a mass or protesters curled up fetal style, and covered in what was meant to appear as blood, on the steps of the Saint Eulalia Cathedral.


For more information on Anima Naturalis go to www.animanaturalis.org

Big Wind!!!

Whew! We survived last night...wind gusts of 70mph out here in our "prairie"...
The dog was terrified...
The cats hid...
I was THRILLED Sir Hotness was home and not out of state (Or the country since he co-workers are all hanging out in India the next two weeks)...

Honestly, last night was scary...
And if scared already, why not kick it up a notch with the master of horror?
That's right...I laid in bed with the covers up to my chin, listening to the wind HOWL around our house, reading Duma Key by Stephen King...

So far, halfway in...I'm loving it.

This morning, we woke up to sunny skies and much colder temperatures but at least the wind has died down, the pergola is still standing, and we have a roof. Yay.

Also this morning, I spent an hour discussing the troubles in Haiti and why the world news led with Hungry Haitians Resort To Eating Dirt . Sir Hotness, who is reading Collapse by Jared Diamond, had valuable insight into the mess and why the Dominican Republic (on the same island as Haiti) is in much better shape...and also insight into why deforrestization has led to many of Haiti's problem going so far as to say that Haiti's problem could become a global problem if China and other huge deforresters don't start replanting efforts...but that's my soapbox for another day.

Grey Skies...

I awoke to temperatures that would fool me into thinking I was in Florida...but horrible grey skies too depressing to consider ... Another yucky day in Ohio...another yucky day for me.
I am sick and tired of being sick and tired...

Today I slept until 12:30pm...then I did the strenuous task of taking a shower, chugging steamy hot Thera-Flu, and got almost dressed before taking a nap because the shower wore me out...

It's now five and I'm wondering where the day went. I started out with big plans, an entire chapter of A Submissive's Journey brewingin my brain, but no luck purging it onto the page. This blog post is taking all I've got to give and it is totally uninspiring. Crimey, I'll be glad to start feeling better soon.

Hopefully, none of you readers are sick...and if you are, I'm feeling you.
As a matter of fact, I'm going to take a nap now for anyone who needs one...

But first I wanted to share an image from this site:

The images defy the decades, but these remarkable pictures date back almost 100 years to the Edwardian age and the dawn of colour 'autochrome' photography. They are part of the exhibition The Dawn of Colour: Centenary of the Autochrome at the National Media Museum

Dom/sub A Hit...

So, I don't know if you remember all the hubbub surrounding the release of Dom/sub in October...but it turned out to have the best first month sales of any of my releases... despite the negativity of Dom written by BD Dark being too "hard core"...

That was a surprise!

Then it went on to earn Just Erotic Romance's Silver Star Award.

And I was really psyched...

And now, on its fourth month, I just received news of it's January sales and it's gaining momentum. Reader's love Dom/sub! YAY!

If you haven't read it...you can Buy it Today

Or if you've read it, but haven't seen the Chronicles of Surrender...you should definitely visit this site: Chronicles of Surrender.

So on thios cold, snowy morning, feeling too sick to get out of bed...I had to drag my laptop under the covers with me to share the news. Who knows...this could be just good enough to cure me:)

Another Cold Day In Ohio...Still Sick...Reflecting on Love

I hate cold weather.

I will probably make that announcement on a regular basis throughout the season...but I just had to say it again today....

So, why do I live in Ohio? Still?
I mean growing up, I didn't have a choice...but as an adult...I have choices, right?

Although, honestly, I really see my older age in a warmer climate...if I am this miserable at 43, not wanting to leave the house etc, how horrible will it be when I'm 75? or 85?

I'm not really sure where else I would want to live though...

I did have a note from a dear friend (who lives in Florida) this morning and that put a smile on my face as soon as I saw I had mail from her. The last time I saw her (in October), she was glowing with the joy of finding new love...so I was anxious to see if she was still blissfully happy and crossing my fingers she is. Here is part of her note:

"well love can be grand. especially when short lived."

Reading this I had to pout because the guy she'd found seemed so perfect...and I guess for awhile it was...

I think we've all relationships like that, when everything is so perfect, we enjoy the flurry, the whirlwind, the moment...because somewhere deep down we known it isn't permenent...there isn't a chance it can be long term for this reason or that reason...so many reasons...

so many REASONS!

When I met Sir Hotness it was intense...whirlwind didn't even begin to describe it...and he was perfect...and he believed I was perfect...and early on we had to start making choices, if we wanted to be together at all...since he lived in a different state...

Early in, we had a conversation about what it would take to make it work and we were both in agreement that "whatever it takes" to be together...which is so easy to say...so much harder to do...

But isn't that really the most romantic thing anyone can ever say to another?

"I will do whatever it takes to be with you."

Wow...

I do love that man:)

Sick Chik...

There are many days that I jokingly call myself "one sick chik"...based solely on the thoughts that go through my brain...today is not one of those days. Today I am stuck on the couch trying really hard to not cough up both lungs. So after two hours of sleep last night because coughing tends to keep everyone in the house awake (including the cougher) ... my brain isn't working so well...

Rewind Please...

Yesterday was a heartbreaking day for many fans who loved Heath Ledger and life he brought to characters in I'm Not There, Brokeback Mountain, Casanova, Lords Of Dogtown, Brothers Grimm, Candy, The Order, Ned Kelly,The Four Feathers, A Knight's Tale, Monster's Ball, The Patriot, and Ten Things I Hate About You. His portrayal of The Joker in The Dark Knight premieres this summer.

Of all his movies, though not as highly acclaimed as the others perhaps, A Knight's Tale remains my favorite.

Yesterday, when I read the news, only hours after he died, I couldn't believe he was gone. And then as the day progressed, I wanted this horrible tragedy undone. My thoughts and prayers go out to those who knew him and loved him best.

A NOTE FROM THE BLOGGER TEAM

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Editted Note
**I am definitely doing the happy dance and am hoping whoever got twitchy with their Flagging Finger got that out of their system and will not darken the threshold of my blog again. I do not promise to post morally correct, politically correct, or in any otherwise stated content that would be acceptable for teens or housewives who thought I wrote for Harlequin...that said, I'm back and for the moment will be posting to this blog again...(and, until I can get the word out...the new blog)

I do hope in the near future to be able to start posting at a privately hosted site that will not shun me or otherwise lock me out for what some other perceives as moral interpretude...

Can I get a halleluia from the choir please?

Find Me At www.roxysflogblog.blogspot.com

Until this Violation of Terms Mess gets cleared up...visit me here.

I am writing up a storm so look for my latest Roxy Harte e-book this Spring!
Also, the TalkCasts will be resuming mid to late February...right now I'm committing myself solely to getting my unfinished, promised novels to my editors!

EDIT:1/21/2008 Post:
Not a productive morning so far, but now I'm writing, the sun is shining, and all seems right with the world...

Except that my old blog still isn't released from its jail cell and my reader numbers dropped severely...so that isn't making me happy...

If anyone knows of a great blog host...other than blogger, please let me know...
until then...an excerpt would be a great fill-in...oh yeah, I write erotica, if I post an excerpt am I going to get flagged as inappropriate again??

Ok, if that isn't enough motivation to pack my bags and move...
Awaiting suggestions...

In the meantime there are excerpts at www.roxyharte.com...enjoy
Hugs
Roxy

Can Anyone See This Blog?

I have a big flag on my Dashboard that says that my blog is violating terms of service due to content (I'm guessing they don't like self-promoting authors with liberal views and naughty sense of humor...)

Anyway, it says that I will be able to see my blog, but you will be barred from seeing it... so somebody tell me if you see this!!

Comment or email me at roxyharte at gmail.com

Brainstorming...

I want to send a big thank you to Xandra Gregory, my faithful critique partner of the past decade for talking me through all of the issues I've been struggling over with Lord Fyre's story. I've been promising it for what seems like forever, but at 80K words, I wasn't feeling it...and if it isn't good enough for me...I know it won't be good enough for you, dear readers.

Lord Fyre is my favorite...and being true not to a romantic formula but to the very essence of Lord Fyre's character has been his strength until now. My problem has been tring to make him fit into the role of romantic hero, or at the very least romantic anti-hero, and that has been like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole...and it just isn't going to work. Lord Fyre defies convention and I am going to stay true to the man.

At any rate, I have some bare bones ideas for where I went wrong (at about the 40K word mark) and a basic plan on how to bring the story back to where it needs to be.

In the meantime, I am 8K words into the short story I started on Monday and am feeling pretty good about being able to submit it to Loose-Id by Valentines day, sooner if at all possible.

And this morning, I did myself a huge favor when I woke up with a complete novel in my head...I outlined the idea and stuck it in a folder...I am not starting any new projects until I get what is currently on my desktop submitted to all the places they are promised to...

So if my blogging becomes spuradic, forgive me. I have a lot of writing to do.

Some Privacy Please?

According to a news report today, the ACLU is fighting to protect my right (or at least validate my right) for privacy when I want to have sex in a public restroom.

It seems that they really don't give a damn if I'm having sex...but rather want to protect Senators caught in the act...

Did you know that this was such a wide-spread problem that the ACLU needed to get involved? I don't know about you but if it has a trickle down affect...I'll be interested. Not that I'm necessarily interested in having sex in public bathrooms...but public places in general, you know?

I mean, if I want to do little getting back to nature, say in a Natl forest, would the ACLU get involved to protect my privacy there? Or what about in the back of a cab?

I'd probably have to become a US Senator to find out, but in the meantime, I'm dreaming of a world where I can get a little freaky and not go to jail...Sir Hotness just informed me that's Amsterdam...ahmmm...road trip anyone?

Until then, here's thanking the ACLU...

But Oops...seems AOL's readers aren't quite as excited as I am about the right to public privacy... Here's there poll results as of 3pm EDT...
Poll Results
What do you think of the ACLU's argument?
Thumbs down 80% 10,816
Thumbs up 20% 2,750

Note on Poll Results
Total Votes: 13,566

Everyone I Know Has Writer's Block

Is the winter weather?
Is it the winter holiday's blahs?

I don't know what IT is but I hope it isn't contagious...the IT in question? Writer's Block. And knock on wood...so far so good...I don't have it.

I actually started two new projects this week...both for Loose Id. (Gosh I hope they are happy to hear that...I haven't actually heard from my editor in months...) Actually, he's the new guy (new to me, as in he hasn't really editted anything for me yet) and I'm not one hundred percent sure that he is into BDSM erotica... which could be a problem since that is about all I write...

Anyway, to all my writing peers in the midst of a terribly uncreative week...SNAP OUT OF IT!!

research links

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Sunday Funnies ...

Tie Me Up Already!!

This is the plan for Saturday...Me, Sir Hotness, soft music and rope...
Have I mentioned what a happy girl I am that I found Sir Hotness ...
Since I'm not ready for my naked (or even semi-naked) 43 year old body to be photogued...I'll just share this awesome video that hit Youtube yesterday from Two Knotty Boys...

Direct Video Link

Hours Of Orgasms

I find some of the best stuff surfing the web. Take the essay on Expanded Orgasm from 24 Health...
"Expanded Orgasm is the art and science of expanding both sensual awareness and consciousness through giving and receiving genital stimulation. Expanded Orgasm uses one’s own pathways of body, mind, emotion and spirit to create maximum expansion opportunities - the goal and focus being simply to feel as much pleasure potential as possible." Patricia Taylor, PhD.

I suggest reading the entire article...then check out this book...
Expanded Orgasm: Soar to Ecstasy at Your Lover s Every Touch
which really expands on the idea of how to use touch to achieve "Expanded Orgasms."

The history of Expanded Orgasm goes back to 1976 when Vic Baranco gave a woman a three hour orgasm. However, the principle of this can be traced back thousands of years to ancient times.

So you are probably asking why you should care...that is if you haven't experienced it for yourself...

First, lets look at the typical orgasm...it may take a long time to build up to, but the actual pleasure takes only seconds and then poof...done. For most women (and men) that's it...

But that doesn't have to be it...what if that is only the beginning? Imagine being in that orgasmic state for an hour...that any part of your body could become orgasmic...

You owe it to yourself to do some investigation. Luckily for me, I had a very gifted lover who shared the concept with me...

It took running into this article today that I decided I should pass the amazement of the Extended Orgasm on to all of my readers.

BackTo The Grind

Mandatory Office Meeting at 9a.m.
Yep, I'm back at it...Real Estate that is...after writing until 3a.m. I woke up this morning trying to figure out why I am torturing myself so...
Especially after talking to Sir Hotness via cell until midnight about my career concerns... that I really don't see the real estate market picking up any time soon the backdrop for said conversation and my frustration with myself creatively at the cornerstones...

Here's the thing...
I know I am a good salesperson...and I'm a pretty awesome closer...
Then I have my writing career... which I need to kick in high gear in 2008... meaning I need the time and energy to devote to that full time (in my mind)...

So, best case scenario for 2008 ... find an agent that will believe in me, a publishing house that will give my writing style a chance, and walk away from the real estate drama once and for all...

Until then...I'm off to my 9a.m. meeting...because I refuse to consider the worst case scenario.

In the meantime, you can help support a struggling artist...buy one of my books...then write me to tell me what you think...because I really think you will enjoy my books.

Movie Night With Beautiful Girl

OMG I went to see Across The Universe today with Beautiful Girl...
We were the youngest in the audience!

Everyone was singing with the Beatles lyrics... imagine 60+ year olds singing and moving with the tunes...
then some guy (again 60+ and that is being kind) kept yelling out "I need acid! I need acid! We should all be tripping! Does anyone have any acid?" then he started asking people "Wouldn't this be better if we were all tripping? Oh yeah! This would be so great if we were all tripping out right now!" LOL

He had me convinced...
I think they should have passed out laced candy dots with the pop corn...
Although, as rowdy as the crowd was without any help...I'm wondering if we were all safer without being under the influence of hallucinagins...

If you haven't seen it...see it!!

Thank Goddess Routine Has Returned

I'm one of those people who really likes a schedule...I like ROUTINE
Call me boring but if I can schedule every minute of every day...I'm very happy.

I think it probably makes Sir Hotness nuts but he's gotten used to it over the last year, so now when I ask what we're doing this morning he will answer with something like, "From now (9:45am) until Eleven (am) I'm going to sit here, drinking my coffee and looking at you... that's when I get to make a funny "Look at This face" and stick out my tongue ... but it also helps me relax, because over that next hour I don't expect anything of myself other than being looked at (and usually talked to)

With him travelling for his job now, I started to feel a little dysfunctional...but then I started thinking...what in the hell did I do with myself pre-Sir Hotness? And the answer was that I scheduled every minute of every day ... it came as a surprising revelation that I have felt out of sorts for months and it all falls back on not having a strict routine...

When we first got married he used to joke.."What are you doing now?"
And I would answer with something like "It's 8:30 (am) I'm doing laundry."

Then as our marriage has progressed, I've gotten more and more relaxed and just go with the flow of the day...that screached to a halt with his new job and me home to deal...

So I am back on my routine and am at peace...thank goddess I had that epiphany! Think I'm kidding? This is how my day begins...

Today:
7am wake-up/shower/Drive Beautiful Girl to school
8am Start laundry
9am Walk at Park (2mi)
10am Clean House, switch loads
11am Surf and Blog
12pm bank and errands
1pm Self promo-marketing
2pm Pick Beautiful Girl up at school

After picking up Beautiful Girl I give myself the freedom to write because my world is in order ... but break that morning routine and my writing day is screwed...

So, how about you? Are you trapped by routine or does your day proceed willy-nilly?

You Will Not Want To Watch This Movie ...

If you read this blog and continue on to watch the link leading to the short film titled "Swinger's Serenade" based at www.Undergroundfilm.com ...don't say that I didn't warn you. You see I have that odd quirk to my brain that makes me seek out obscure films...the local Blockbuster Video guy knows to point me to the Single Copy New Releases...

But when I found this gem (with a slightly annoying narrator) I decided I had to share...

If you can get through the first few minutes of narative...
If you can get past that the film is black and white...

and...

If you aren't terribly offended by spanking, clothespins used as nipple clamps, and pony games...

Go ahead and click the link... but don't say I didn't warn you...
Me? I'm still laughing my ass off and can't wait until Sir Hotness flies back into town so that we can make our own low budget home-made porn...

I've been inspired...
Go ahead... WATCH IT HERE

Almost Positive I Woke Up In Ohio

Global Warming is a MYTH! Yeah, that's what lots of politicians want you to believe.
It's January 7th in Ohio and it was 70 degrees F today! At 5pm it is still 65degrees...AND...I have every window in my house open and the furnace off.

IT'S JANUARY!!!!!

Has it ever been 70degrees in Ohio in the middle of January?
I don't know but it seems highly unlikely...

And I'm almost positive that at some point this winter that we are going to pay for this glorious day In Spades...

But for today, I'm totally living it up in Ohio (which btw was warmer than parts of California)...so I took an early morning walk (1.5mi) and just for the hell of it I repeated at 2pm and took another walk (2mi)... I know, I'm outta control...

I also paced off the backyard for the raised beds I'm putting in this summer. I am totally ready for Spring. Can you imagine it staying this warm for the rest of the winter?? A total season shift?? I'd be so excited!! But then the flip side of that would be snow in July...or a repeat of last year when all my annuals FRIED because it was 100 degrees for 3 months in a row...

Anyway, today was enjoyed by me and the other two dozen people I saw at the local walking park...hope your day was as great as mine:)

Sunday Funnies ...

The Holidays Are Finally Over!! So, Sir Hotness boarded his plane to go back to work, Beautiful Girl goes back to school tomorrow...and if I was an eighth of an ounce more motivated...I might take down the tree. But no, I'm just not that motivated...

I was motivated enough to search out todays Sunday Funny!!

Ever wonder what Santa does in his time off???

Then there is the gift that I didn't get...hmmm, maybe Sir Hotness was afraid I'd get some Kinky ideas...nah, he already knows my brain is on kink overload...oh well, I'm sharing it with you now cause I just love bondage comics...

**Comic from Housewives At Play

A Trip To The ER Merits A Nonproductive Day

My phone doesn't usually ring before 10a.m., most of my friends know that I'm just not a morning person...writing until 3am has that effect on me... so when my phone rang at 6am... I knew it wasn't a good thing...

So, it turns out that middle daughter went to the ER with the stomach/intestinal bug that seems to be hitting everyone ... (My youngest and oldest also had it but no Dr. visits were required) ...

Six hours later I was home from the ER and trying to figure out how to disinfect myself, not only from her bug but whatever everyone else in the ER had as well...

Is it safe to inhale Lysol??? I don't think so, but if I thought it would work...I'd have been snorting it big time... anyway ... three more hours later and the entire house has been bleached and I've ashed my hands two hundred times ...

Sir Hotness, the smartass microbiologist says there isn't much I can do, and if I'm gonna get it, I'd probably already have it ...

Here's to hoping he's right and I don't get it...

So, how's my reading audience?? Well? Sick? Tired of taking care of puking kids?? Come on, tell me something, so I don't feel guilty for scrubbing and disinfecting instead of writing today...

**Editted by Roxy Harte
For those of you who wrote in about tonight's TalkCast...I apologize but with tonight being as insane as my morning...I missed it and had no way of telling anyone that I was going to have to cancel. I will be rescheduling soon, although probably not until next week. I just need to get everyone well. You are all very important to me and I hope you understand. (Although a TalkCast with me running back and forth between chatting and puking kids might have been a memorable episode LOL)

And A New Year Begins...

Whew...the company has all gone, the leftovers tossed...and the house is amazingly QUIET!!! I'd forgotten what quiet sounds like.

But I LOVE...LOVE....LOVE the sound of silence.

So how did you usher in 2008?
Did you make resolutions you know you won't keep???

I did...I broke my first resolution (to not bother setting Resolutions in the first place) by deciding that I should get into shape...and start walking 5 miles a day...
It was a pretty lofty goal...I actually only walked a mile and a half the first day...and today? Nothing...nada...
Why?
It snowed...
Yep, that's my excuse...
That and it was only eight degrees...

So much for my resolution to get in shape.

That's whay I hate New Years Resolutions...I never seem to keep them anyway.
Oh well...

Maybe you will do better at keeping your resolutions than I have been mine.

Ten Reasons To Make Sex A Top Priority in 2008

1. sex is a beauty treatment. scientific tests find that when women make love they produce amounts of the hormone estrogen, which makes hair shine and skin smooth.

2. gentle, relaxed lovemaking reduces your chances of suffering dermatitis, skin rashes and blemishes. the sweat produced cleanses the pores and makes your skin glow.

3. lovemaking can burn up those calories you piled on during that romantic dinner.

4. sex is one of the safest sports you can take up. it stretches and tones up just about every muscle in the body. it's more enjoyable than swimming 20 laps, and you don't need special sneakers!

5. sex is an instant cure for mild depression. it releases endorphins into the bloodstream, producing a sense of euphoria and leaves u with a feeling of well-being.

6. the more sex you have, the more u will be offered. the sexually active body gives off greater quantities of chemicals called pheromones. these subtle sex perfumes drive potential sex partners your way!

7. sex is the safest tranquilizer in the world. it is 10 times more effective than vallium.

8. kissing every day will keep the dentist away...kissing encourages saliva to wash food from the teeth and lowers the level of acid that causes decay, preventing plaque build up.

9. sex actually relieves headaches. a good lovemaking session can release the tension that restricts the blood vessels in the brain (also works to relieve pms cramps).

10. a lot of lovemaking can actually unblock a stuffy nose. sex is a natural antihistamine. it can help combact asthma and hay fever.

It's 2008!!

I hope everyone has a safe, sensual and happy 2008!


So how are you celebrating in the change of calendar??
Once again, as has been the last ten days...I will be eating too much, drinking too much, and playing too much...it has been a very long holiday season this year between sharing all the love with my kids and their partners/families and Sir Hotness's family, and his friends, and my friends...and no one's schedules matching...

Whew...I will be both relieved and sorry to see the holidays end so that life can return to some form of normalcy...the normalcy of the last ten days being more reminiscent of my twenties when my body recovered a lot quicker from all night partying...

Another difference from my twenties has been my outlook on today...
I used to wake up making long lists of life improvement strategies...I will's and I won't...like:
1. I will be a vegetarian
2. I will be more patient
3. I won't have sex with total strangers
although that soon re qualified because what exactly is a "total stranger"?

I have no lists this year, I do have plans and goals...
My big projects being the goal of getting The Chronicles of Surrender in print and on the book shelves...
My self improvement includes shifting my day job focus from stress filled real estating to a calmer and gentler lifestyle of teaching more Reiki classes, meditation classes, and possibly yoga classes...

Going one step farther, my home is calm and homey for the first time in two decades, partly due to Sir Hotness and my mesh and the peaceful lovely bliss that is wrapping our home in serenity...I want that serenity to extend into my yard and I have started planning the landscaping of a huge Healing Garden...lots of herbs, a labyrinth, and a workshop that I can use for my classes...

I know, it's a huge opposite from the extremes of my writing...but surprisingly, when I am surrounded by peace, I have my best sadomastic scenes form in my head...

And along the lines of sadistic scenes...yesterday I went to the hardware store with Sir Hotness...I may never buy another toy online...the hardware store has the best stuff!! Every aisle I was picking something up and saying, "I could use this to..." ...I think I was making Sir Hotness a little nervous because I entered our relationship as purely submissive even though I have always identified as a switch...and more and more lately my own sadistic tendencies is rearing its nasty, mean head...

Take for example my new fixation...thanks to the hardware store...
I found a tool called an insect zapper, basically it looks like a small tennis racket but with a wire mesh that is electrically charged, thus the bug zapping, and all I could think of was would it have enough ZAP to leave a cute little imprint (temporary of course) of Sir Hotness's ass?

So as I enter the New Year, that's what's on my mind...
Serene Healing Garden plans and whacking Sir Hotness with an electrified bug zapper...
Happy Holidays Everyone!!