A Break to Reiterate Life and Love

For those who know me, you know I do this a lot: although this is a Writing and Reading blog, I do break away from my themes and just write about something personal in my life--

This is one of those posts. Sometimes, readers, you have to take a step back, breathe, and see something whole for one moment. Make time stop with your eyes. And remember....

On August 1st, I'll be marrying one of the most phenomenal women ever born on this Earth. Not one second goes by that it echoes in my head--that I've been fortunate enough to be graced by such a soul as her. Here's why:

She's an animal lover like you wouldn't believe. At this very moment, she's lying in bed with somebody. Not me. Or else I wouldn't be writing this post to you. No. She's lying in bed with the sweetest little kitten you'd ever meet.

Unfortunately, this little kitten named Cupid had a slight accident with another animal, leaving the tough little tike with a broken jaw. That's right, a broken jaw. Here's the amazing thing, though; for days, my angel, the woman I'm going to marry, worked her tail off to nurse Cupid back to health. I'm talking bottle feedings, loving, constant attention. She never faltered. She never showed any signs of worry (although I knew she was worried).

The best part about her efforts was for quite a few days, Cupid was showing tremendous signs of recovery. His jaw had been so unhinged that all his teeth were crooked. The shaky issue, though, was this:
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Cupid was still a baby and fragile as can be. Susceptible to anything and everything, including infection, Cupid came down with a nasty virus, strong enough to keep him from eating. For a kitten his age and his present condition, that's pretty deadly. However.... my lady stuck in there. As much as it terrified her. She never gave up. She still isn't giving up.

Cupid may very well die. But I tell you this: what makes the woman I love the miracle worker of a lifetime is that of all the world she will absolutely not stop showing these little souls the love they deserve. Kind of ironic. A kitten named Cupid loved by a lady. And Cupid never shot any arrows. She simply made a choice. To love unconditionally the purest of little purring creatures. Even till their last breaths.

Make no mistake, Cupid was definitely not the first. Chances are he won't be the last. Because this is my woman's life. Her name is Krysta. And she's a saint of God's world. The world he first created, with all the beautiful animals in it. She was made to show all these animals something most people just aren't capable of showing: compassion, and a never-ending desire to always express the love they need. Even when they're dying.

If Cupid dies, a miracle he takes with him. That miracle is God will know her good deeds more than anything He'll ever know. And with my Krysta, He will be well pleased. As am I.

Thank you for choosing me, Krysta....

The Newest Edition to the KrystaJane Dictionary!

I couldn't even for the life of me remember the name of the segment of my blog where I define a 'new word' in history that I've heard in my life. So I've renamed it in homage of my lovely Krysta (who I'm marrying on August 1st) and a roommate that we're helping find a home :-). This edition is a 2-word combo that is very dear to me....

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The combo is....

GUTTER BARLIC

Now, friends, the ingenuity of these two words is that it describes what is actually "garlic butter". Used to describe a type of noodle that you cook on the stove. But it was recently uttered to me with such profoundness that I absolutely had to enter it into the blog as part of this dictionary hall of fame.

My understanding of the term "gutter barlic" is it is a type of noodle done ghetto-style, meaning someone cooks the noodles in a kitchen without any air conditioning resulting in a very, very, very sweaty individual. You'll notice, also, that not only are the first letters switched, but the words are even switched. The reason behind it is a fierce struggle with the brain to comprehend thought while cooking and paying attention to three kids, three dogs (that engulf the kitchen while individual cooks), and 11 cats (who also inhabit the kitchen).

Needless to say, the result of such 'distraction' is what brought about this tasty 'version' of "garlic butter" noodles. The term, "gutter barlic".

Also, "Gutter Barlic" has been known to be a potential grunge band name.

Lines for the New iPhone and the Rise of the Nook

That basically says it all, people. Sounds like the title of an epic fantasy, doesn't it?

I'm tellin' you, the digital age is upon us. Technology is blazing with all guns cocked and loaded. Make no mistake, our classic paper warriors (metaphor translation: hardcover/paperback books) will still be around, but the wave of the future is in our faces! They're big tanks with turret weapons and flamethrowers, man! (overboard on the metaphor stuff)

I'm referring to another trip I made to the mall. You see, I from time to time like to make those kinds of trips. Yes, I'm a man. And men generally aren't known for their ability to go shop at the mall--

Of course, watch the movie "Mallrats", and you'd might second guess the unfortunate stereotype, but.... I digress....

Back to my point--it is this--

I make a trip to Barnes & Noble, and what do I see? A separate, glammed-up kiosk right in the store for B&N's dedicated e-reader to challenge all e-readers, the ever-fabulous nook. For the first time, I saw it. In my hands.

Recall my other recent post about the opportunity I had to sample the iPad. Let me tell you folks, the iPad is the king of cool, but the "nook" is the tower of power, and this tower ain't leanin' for nobody. Word. Such a fabulous device, the "nook" is....

And that's not all--right in the middle of the mall by an Apple store I see a long line curved by poles strung together by rope. Tons of people. You know what they were waiting for?

THE NEW iPHONE.

Of all things, that's what these people were waiting for. A freakin' iPhone. I think it's called the "iPhone 4", or something like that. Not sure what it means.

I am sure that it means this--that technology is on the warpath. And books are the conquest of a lifetime (at least for those people not constantly glued to the boob tube).

Best Review So Far of THE CAIN LETTERS!

Busy, busy, busy, I've been, ladies and gentlemen, but here I am with an update on the literary industry a la Pieeerrreee Rrrroustan! A STELLAR REVIEW of my debut book THE CAIN LETTERS! The best review, yet, I believe!

http://loveromancesandmore.blogspot.com/2010/05/cain-letters-by-pierre-roustan.html
 
Check it out!

Quote of My Life: Bella Roustan

Hiya, amigos! We're doing a little fun revision of post segments here on "Writing and Reading". Remember the fun quotes from people I know in my life?-- Well, the segments are retitled, Quote of My Life. From now on. Henceforth.

So enjoy this wonderful quote, so endearing and cute and funny. More to come.

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"I mean, you know, werewolves eat more than just blood, you know? They eat chickens, too."

- Bella Roustan, my little daughter, Grand Rapids, MI

iPad in the Flesh

I gotta tell you, straight out, word to your mommy, that if you're able to handle the investment, hands down, straight up, voodoo child and fa-sheezy--

GET THE iPAD!!!

Seriously. For realz, man.

That's one souped-up mutha right there, is the iPad.

I had the great opportunity to sample it at an Apple store in the mall, and it was sick, man. It's like playing with a computer that you can carry around, without the keyboard, without the tower. Without anything. All you have is this monster-size iPod device, touch-screen (really cool, by the way), and you can read books on it, and watch movies and TV shows, and surf the web, and play tons of different games.

Of course, my particular emphasis was on the book-reading ability. iBooks, I think it's called. It's totally insane.

All other e-readers aside, for what it does--the iPad is a mold-breaker. A trend-setter. It's got a wild price tag on it, yes. But I believe it's well worth the money. Check it out. Live it. Love it. Use it.

Welcome to the New Writing and Reading

I thought it would be kind of fun narrating a dramatic sequence with my good ol' pals Freak Quincy and Chuck Stake on the introduction of Writing and Reading's completely new home. Yes, it's true. Don't rub your eyes. You. Are. Looking. At. A Completely. Different. BLOG.

Only it's the same blog. I can't figure it out either.

For those loyal readers still following the old URL at blogdog.com, be sure to check on the very last post I will set there, giving you all the link here. To my new home.

It was just time for me to move. No ifs, ands or buts.

And now the journey begins to relive the dream of writing posts to you all of my lessons learned and wisdom discovered. I guarantee many things here--one, you will very soon see more editions of "The Lounge" (remember that sequence of posts I used to set up?). Many of your other favorites will follow.

So far I've been pretty happy here at the Blogger. Interface is cool, options are excellent; and I don't mind the in-home furniture.

I just hope Chuck Stake doesn't pee on any of it.

Anyhoo, stick around, happy reading. And most definitely, a very, very, very, very fond and passionate TACO SUPREME to you all! And to all a good night!

The Big.... MOVE.

It was like riding a train without the walls and ceiling, the sky of fire colored bright blue and silver, swirling in a mass of shaped thoughts speaking in flashes--

Freak Quincy, resident DJ of Writing and Reading, opened his eyes--

WHOA! ....... Now that was one freaky ride!!

..... Where the hell am I? Dude! Where're the CDs? Where's the leftover pizza?? Where's my water bed?? Where are my clothes?? I'm NAKED!!

...... Well, that's not a bad thing. Naked's not bad. Wow, this is a whole new house. Did I get the memo? Were we supposed to move? ..... Everything looks so different. Eh. A little bland, needs some freshening up. Beige walls. Where the hell is the man, the big head cheese, W.W., Mr. Writer, Lover of Words? .......

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[Same montage description of ethereal dream sequence]

Chuck Stake, resident freak and blood-and-guts fanatic opened his eyes--

Holy sheep balls!! Someone stroke me long and hard, where the hell am I? Pass me a t-bone!!

My photos of red meat are gone.... my stiff yellow newspapers. Meat hooks. Gone. All gone. I need some blood to smear all over my naked body, damn it! FFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU-- (censored for the sake of children all over the world who must be saved from the insanity of Stake).

Both Quincy and Stake look out the windows in awe....

"Whoa...." said Quincy. "They're all still watching."

"They...see us. Quick. Give me a catheter!"

"I'm not touchin' your damn penis."

Looking out the windows at all the faces--faces of those who read the blog so faithfully--Chuck Stake and Freak Quincy realized they moved to a new house. But they really hadn't.... MOVED.

Chuck felt a tear run down his pimpled face as he chewed on beef jerky. Quincy looked in the air and saw tiny little fat cherubs creating Kiss notes in the air.... I. Am Gonna Rock n' Roll All Night.... And Party Every Day! .... He couldn't help but sob softly at the sweet sounds. Such beauty.

No. Definitely no. They hadn't really moved. The house was different. But they were still home.