The Scribble Pad - Simona's Blog
The mental meanderings of a slightly loose screw.
Friday
February 5 - Respect for Haiti
I feel very sorry for the Americans charged with illegally trying to take those 33 children out of Haiti, but at the same time, I'm very angry. I don't think they were being malicious, just naive, arrogant and stupid. Arrogant because they neglected to understand that even though we in the Caribbean are Third World, we still have sovereignty over our countries and our people.
How in hell did these people think they could just waltz out of a Democratic state with a busload of children? Even if, as they say, the parents "willingly handed over their children". Where was the paperwork? There are processes and procedures, my friends. They're children, not puppies.
Imagine what would happen if I'd gone to New Orleans and loaded up a bus full of American 'orphans' and tried to take them to an orphanage in Mexico? I'd do 20 years for kidnapping, if I wasn't shot at the border first.
I'd hate to see them do jail time, but it's high time the First World understood that we have a civilisation here, with laws that must be respected. Haiti may be in shambles, but its laws are intact.
And don't forget: Valentine's Day book giveaway
Valentine's day is upon us. How about a Valentine's book giveaway? Great idea. If you'd like to toss your name into the hat, just drop me a line here, or on any of my other haunts (Facebook, Shelfari, etc.) and you're in.
The random draw will take place on February 15th. And, as before, you get to choose your book. Good luck!
Read the previous entry - Brotherhood of the Boat
Interview
with Author Loure Bussey
When did you first know you wanted to be a writer?
Ever since childhood, I wanted to be a writer. And fortunately I received encouragement. In addition to my parents, I am grateful to the teachers who always expressed how much they enjoyed my work, made me read it aloud to the class, and gave me the confidence to pursue a writing career. I always loved words. I always loved creating characters, storylines, and settings.
Read the rest of the interview here
Meet Me in Paris - Deleted Scene
Here's a fun read for you. Remember how, in Meet Me in Paris, Kendra "borrowed money from her employer, Shel Salomon? I had to cut this entire chapter to reduce my word count, but it's a favourite of mine. Here's where Kendra goes over to Shel's house to apologise, after her big chocolate bonbon night with Trey.
TEA WITH BITTER LEMONS
Shel Salomon’s house was easy to spot. In a sedate, tree-lined part of ritzy Belmont, it stuck out among the older, more genteel buildings. Shel’s love for huge amounts of glass sheeting wasn’t limited to his aerie of an office. The massive two-storey façade resembled Superman’s Fortress of Solitude. Fortunately for the Salomons, and for their neighbors, the glass was treated with a one-way coating that let the occupants see out, but spared the casual onlooker the spectacle of the Salomons ambling around the interior in their underwear.
Simona Taylor's 50-Book Challenge 2009
One year. 50 books...if it kills me.
February 7 - Book #9 - Yep, you guessed it: another RITA book. I can't describe how much this exercise is helping my writing!
February 4 - Book #8 is also a RITA book, so all I can say is: great fun!
February 1 - Book #7 is a book I'm judging, so I can't name it or comment. But I'm making progress with my challenge!
Read what I thought about book #6: Children at Play by Richard Thompson
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Proofreading
and Editing Services
I offer a proofreading and editing service to students in Trinidad and Tobago working on a graduate or postgraduate thesis or dissertation. I charge $200 TT per hour, and my pace averages about 10-15 pages per hour, depending on how much fixing I need to do. For longer papers, my fee is negotiable.
For details, you can call me on 758-1179 or email me here.
True A Day
A brand new story every day about crazy (and sometimes stupid) people doing crazy (and sometimes stupid) things.
(You might see random question marks all over the place. Don't ask me!)
