I've been a part of several online writing groups and I love reading new writers. Most of what I've read from newly published authors has been very good, and the occasional mistake in what is primarily good copy gives me courage. No other profession, not even the medical field, attempts perfection as a goal. It takes a lot of editing to even come close.

Welcome, friend.

Don't worry. I won't tell anyone.

Thanks for the add--I'm a fan of Thuglit (writing and design--love the brass knuckles, by the way).

I'm honored, Big Daddy Thug. Hope we can meet at a con over a bottle of chianti (or bourbon) some time soon!

Thanks for the invite Todd. Hope to have more language discussions with you in the future.

True . . . but it wasn't easy being a Met fan in the early 60s, either. And, boy, were they bad then.

thanks for the add. Thanks for the language discussion. I like your style. - sophie

My first trip to Japan was when I was still working as a circulation clerk at a busy, busy library. I was teaching English on my lunch hour to a Cambodian woman who had survived the horrendous carnage in her country. She had never fully recovered from its effects. From there I branched out to teaching English to Japanese women whose husbands were in the US on four-year working visits to the United States. My students were extremely well-educated--some with PhDs, so teaching them was a joy. I taught for free, but I requested that the last ten minutes of class be used to teach me Japanese. Believe me, I will NEVER learn the language well, but I keep plugging away at it.
Those teaching stints snowballed, and I found myself in Japan at 52. What a blast! The library where I was working had 5 sister cites, one of which was Gotemba, Japan, so I decided to go "on my own dime" for a visit. My late husband had the bright idea for me to go to the head librarian (new at the time) and to the mayor (also new at the time) to act as a representative of the library and to visit the mayor of Gotemba (also new). So be creative in what you aspire to do because I am here to tell you that you can figure out ways to feed your passions. There is an organization in Japan, or it was still in existence in the 1990s when I visited a second time, The Welcome Inns of Japan--not sure if I remember the name exactly, but if you check with the Tourist Bureau in Japan, you can get free information with the list of members. I stayed for $39 a night with green tea included. The members live in their private homes but allocate rooms for tourists from all over the world--a step up from a youth hostel and safer, too. The owner of the "inn" had six rooms--upstairs, Asian style, downstairs, Western. I stayed upstairs because I believe in going native in any country to which I travel.

Do not give up your dream. Just think outside of the box.

Thanks for the add! I use the "f" word when appropriate, (once or twice per novel) and always catch flack for it. I suppose it's all relative...I've been told I swear like a sailor if I'm in the right mood! Ah well...best of luck with your cursing controversies.

Thanks for the invite. God Bless you.

Hi, Todd. Thanks or the friend invite. I noticed your comment about Thuglit in the obscenity discussion, and agree with you. I'll check out the site when I have a few stray minutes, and may have a story to send your way.

Hi Todd! Thanks for adding me to your line-up of friends. I look forward to finding out more about you and your work. I hope you’ll check out my new thriller, IM, about a serial killer preying on gay men using Internet hookup sites.

Thank you much for the e-vite. It is quite an honor to get an invite from the Big Daddy Thug and you have quite an e-mag.

Thank you for the invitation Todd

Being originally from New York, I'm a Met fan, but my dad was from Boston, so I like the Sox, too. I was thrilled when they finally won the Series for the first time in forever. Now, as a DC area resident, I like the Nationals, but the Mets will always be my favorite team.

I used to be an Os fan, but ever since that ---hole Angelos canned Davey Johnson and alienated John Miller, I've had a hard time caring about them. The Yankees I will always hate. Rooting for the Yankees is like rooting for gravity.

Thanks for adding me!

Japanese monsters and kung-fu! I can watch it and have visited Japan twice, but I am interested in the lore, language, and literature. My car read is dealing with the stealing of a tatooed torso--fiction, of course.

Too many authors to mention--Surely you can name one.

Finally, I will take you at your word--vicariously a thug.

How ya doing? Thanx for the add!

Hi Todd,
Thanks for the add!
Jane