Welcome to Biting-Edge, a blog shared by authors and vampire experts, Mario Acevedo and Jeanne Stein. We’ll cover urban fantasy, vampires, pop culture, and all things Joss Whedon. Unlike other fantasy blogs, we don’t insist on body cavity searches (unless you ask politely). Snarkiness is most welcome...though we won't promise not to bite back!

Wednesday, November 25, 2009
  Turkey and all the trimmings...
I hope you don’t get around to reading this until Friday or Saturday because you’re off celebrating thanksgiving. In that spirit, I want to say a personal thank you to Leia, Gina, Dottie, Vickie and Lady K, Suzi and the Tot, Michelle and RK who comment regularly, as well as all the lurkers who drop by to see what’s up—Mario and I appreciate you.

I want to say thank you to my critique group: Mario, Warren, Margie, Tom, Tamra and Terry. They have made me a better writer. And to the community of writers at the Reluctant Adults League and Fangs, Fur and Fey and RMFW who are always there for support.

I want to say thank you to my sis and bros and cousins (that means you, Ed) and Leslee and good friends Ron and Sam and Clay and Joanne and Suzy and Dennis and Jay and Patty and Betty and Jim.

I want to say thank you to my husband and daughter. My life is richer by far because they are in it.

I want to say thank you to my readers. Without you, I wouldn’t be here doing this today.

I don’t say thank you often enough. This is the day for it.



Now, on the off chance that there might be one or two of you looking for something besides football to pass the time digesting, here’s a few items that caught my eye this week.

Mario already mentioned the Harlequin fiasco. If you want a clear, concise recap of what’s going on, Jackie Kessler offers one here.





Darwin book found on bathroom shelf makes $171,000

LONDON, Nov 24 (Reuters Life!) - A first edition of Charles Darwin's "On the Origin of Species", which had been kept in a bathroom bookcase for years, fetched 103,250 pounds ($171,000) at auction on Tuesday, around twice its pre-sale estimate.
Christie's auctioneer offered the book at a sale held on the 150th anniversary of the evolutionary work's original publication.

The copy was bought by the family of the current owners for "a few shillings" over 50 years ago, the auctioneer said.

The vendor's son-in-law recently visited an exhibition on Darwin where he saw another first edition on display. He realised it was the same work as that in his father-in-law's guest bathroom, and it was duly offered for sale.




Remember this?

51-year-old Bill Sparkman was found this month hanged from a tree near a cemetery with the word "fed" scrawled on his chest, a law enforcement official said Wednesday, and the FBI is investigating whether he was a victim of anti-government sentiment.

Turns out, it was an insurance hoax:

Bill Sparkman, the Kentucky census worker that was found dead hanging from a tree, has had his death ruled a suicide. Authorities released the results of their investigation and found that Bill Sparkman manipulated his death scene to make it seem like something other than a suicide.

Probably the saddest thing I read this week...



Now, the Catholic Church is weighing in on Twilight:

Twilight Saga: New Moon is ‘moral vacuum’, says Catholic leader
by Christian Today reporter

Posted: Sunday, November 22, 2009, 12:20 (GMT)

The latest instalment in the vampire movie series Twilight is a “deviant moral vacuum”, according to the Vatican.

In New Moon, British actor Robert Pattinson returns as the blood-sucking vampire Edward Cullence in love with the beautiful Bella Swan.

The movie has already broken box office records as the highest single-day earner after pulling in $62.2 million on its opening day.

Monsignor Franco Perazzelo, of the pontifical council of culture, said on Friday that the theme of vampires in Twilight “combines a mixture of excesses that, as ever, is aimed at young people and gives a heavy esoteric element”.

“This film is nothing more than a moral vacuum with a deviant message and as such, is something, that should be of concern,” he said.

Last month, the Vatican warned parents that Halloween was had an “undercurrent of occultism” and was “absolutely anti-Christian”.

The Vatican advised parents instead to “direct the meaning of the feast towards wholesomeness and beauty rather than terror, fear and death”.


First Halloween, then Twilight? What’s next?

However, it is the perfect segue for this:

Sister Catherine and Sister Helen, are traveling through Europe in their car. They get to Transylvania and are stopped at a traffic light.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a tiny little Dracula jumps onto the hood of the car and hisses through the windshield.

"Quick, quick!" shouts Sister Catherine. "What shall we do?"

"Turn the windshield wipers on. That will get rid of the abomination," says Sister Helen.

Sister Catherine switches them on, knocking Dracula about, but he clings on and continues hissing at the nuns.

"What shall I do now?" she shouts.

"Switch on the windshield washer. I filled it up with Holy Water at the Vatican ," says Sister Helen .

Sister Catherine turns on the windshield washer.

Dracula screams as the water burns his skin, but he clings on and continues hissing at the nuns.

"Now what?" shouts Sister Catherine.

"Show him your cross," says Sister Helen.

"Now you're talking," says Sister Catherine.

She opens the window and shouts, "Get the fuck off the windshield!"

I started out so well… Now I think I’m going to hell…



I started with a sappy ( but sincere) bit about being thankful and I’d like to end with another one. Author Kathleen Delaney blogging over at Buried Under Books. If you think you have nothing to be thankful for, think again. As Kathleen says, you’ve had your flu shot, the refrigerator is full, and you don’t have to pluck the feathers off a turkey…

Be safe out there. If you want share pics of you TG feast, send them to my website and I'll post them. I plan to do the same....

Happy Thanksgiving to all and to all a good night!
 
Comments:
Happy Thanksgiving! That's from Lady K, too. She's currently taking a break from being DH's sous-chef, having some popcorn while we watch UP! on DVD.
Lady K and I went to Star$$ when they opened at 0700, came home with our tall mocha frappecino with caramel drizzle (Lady K) and my venti nonfat, no water chai. We made our apple pie that she's been looking forward to. DH got up, made his breakfast and started the green bean casserole and dressing. Lady K assisted. The free range turkey (because it was a darn good deal at Sprouts)) is on the grill.
I am definitely thankful for my soulmate, my ornery sweetie pie daughter, our health, our good paying jobs that let us have a warm house and good food and money to buy books to support our favorite authors.
 
Well and nicely put, Vickie!!

J.
 
Dropping by to say Hi and wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! Now I'll go back to digesting :P
 
I think digesting is going to take awhile... :-)
 
That's it!! I wasn't going to go see New Moon but now I'm obligated to. Just to pi$$ off the Catholic Church some more. Then I should send the local AB my ticket stub and a big FU scrawled on it...

Yes I'm still a little worked up about the issues that drove me out of the church in the first place. I'm a little sick and tired of the recent resurgence to tell me what to think, culturally and politically speaking.

Whew....somebody give me some more turkey, I need a sedative.

Oh, happy Tday everyone!
 
Hey Gina- I knew we had a lot in common. I am a recovering Catholic, too.
J.
 
Happy late Turkey day. I didn't have internet access yesterday and today has been a lazy day. Hope it was a great one for you.
 
Happy Turkey Day. The tot and I made two kinds of pie and pumpkin chocolate chip dried cherry cookies to take to our two thanksgivings.

I have alot to be grateful for, most importantly my family-the hubby and the tot.

On the NaNo front, I just hit 50k for November, the actual ms is over 80k now (I'm a big cheater, lol). The dark moment happened, so did the climax, the end is in sight. Will I get it finished by Sunday night and sent to Texas monday...um, I sure hope so, but we'll see...

The tot goes to Catholic school. She was very excited when they told her that in the second grade they got to drink Jeasus' blood. I had to explain, that no, they would not get to become vampires...she was a little dissapointed...

I'm just waiting for our parent teacher conference...

~Suzi and the tot
 
LOL -- that could be a story, the catholic school class that turned vampire by drinking from the cup...

My 2-second take on New Moon -- better than Twilight, enjoyable head-candy. Go see it. Don't expect high art.
 
Hi Michelle- we did have a very nice TG-- and you?

J.
 
Suzanne-- you made the 50K!!! congrats. I'm still aiming for 20. If I make it, I'll consider my first attempt a success!!

Don't read that joke to the Tot or your parent/teacher conference might REALLY be one for the books!! :-0

Gina, I like your comments about New Moon. I'll probably wait for the DVD-- I still haven't seen the first!~

J.
 
A belated Happy Thanksgiving to you, Mario, and your respective families, Jeanne. I hope it was lovely.

I do always read your blog, though I don't always get around to commenting. :)

Carol
 
Thanks, Carol, and hope you're holiday was wonderful, too!!

J.
 
Hi Jeanne!! The draft is done and off to texas! YAY!

How's your count comming???
 
Oh, Suzanne, I am SO impressed!! I just hit 16000 - not what I was aiming for, but a good start nonetheless.

And it was fun, too!!!

Keep us in the loop about your manuscript.

J.
 
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