Dropping in to point out a few events going on this month. As you know, October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month. The phrase “think pink” has become synonymous with various charities and fundraisers during this time. (Sad to say, I’m noticing that not every pink-related, pink ribbon item is associated with a legitimate charity, though.) Penguin Group (fine publishing purveyors of many exciting tomes) has put together a campaign of their own — to read pink books. Now in their third year, there’s a variety of books you can read by these authors: Nora Roberts, Jayne Ann Krentz, Catherine Anderson, Jodi Thomas, Carly Phillips, Madeline Hunter, JoAnn Ross, Jillian Hunter, Karen White, Natasha Solomons, Eleanor Brown, Wendy Wax, and Kathryn Stockett.

Of course, October is also leading up to my favorite holiday in all the land — Halloween. My decorations have gone up; many are not coming down. Each year, our place gets spookier and spookier. (Victorian-style, thank you. I only have so much patience for serial killers.) No All Hallow’s Eve would be replete without an atmospheric tale or two, stories that creep, thrill, scare, and turn you inside out. All Hallow’s Read, spearheaded by author/screenwriter/etc. Neil Gaiman, encourages folks to give away books on the holiday. Save those sugar-laden treats for Christmas; provide the gift of story and give trick-or-treaters a thrill ride like no other! My Halloween-related recommendation is The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury. It’s a stunning narrative that explores the history of the holiday and highlights its ancient roots.

This is also the month for advocates to promote anti-bullying. StopBullying.gov has a lot of information about Bullying Prevention Month. Adjacent to that, it’s also Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

While I understand that situations get to a “harm one another” point, it appalls me that people would resort to such terrifying tactics to exert one’s power/influence/etc. over another. I love humanity and its myriad facets but, sadly, I do not always admire what humanity is capable of and what dark deeds they’ve accomplished in reality. Perhaps that’s why I explore these issues in my storytelling, because I want to understand it, and hope the hero/heroine can pull through to a better day.

So, on the subject, I believe this picture I took sums up my feelings better than the words I’m using here:

I do believe, deeply and truly, that one way we can achieve mutual understanding/respect/love/joy and the overall betterment of our species is through the Artes. If you do no other activist-related thing this month, consider that October is also the National Arts and Humanities Month. There has never been a better time to support your favorite authors, game designers, artists, musicians, sculptures, crafters, cartoonists, toy designers, etc.

There has also never been a better time to create your own Arte, either, regardless of what that happens to be.

Live long and prosper, may the force be with you, don’t forget your towel and remember — when all else fails? Call the Doctor, watch the skies. The question of whether or not we are alone in the universe has been answered. There’s no better place in the ‘verse. Nanu, nanu.

Mood: Go forth and do
Caffeinated Beverages Consumed: TINY BUBBLES, MAKE ME WARM ALL OVER
Work-Out Minutes Logged Yesterday: Didn’t count them, but I did them.
In My Ears: An eerie refrain.
Game Last Played: Tetris
Movie Last Viewed: Harry Potter collection
Latest Artistic Project: In progress!
Latest Release: “Fangs and Formaldehyde” from the New Hero anthology through Stone Skin Press