esmeralda’s Notes

A. J. G a l l a n t says

"Madman in the Mirror" is a story about a man - Henry Johnson - who is raised by a psychopath and forced to watch - even as a baby - his father murder people on a regular basis. He is also abused and brainwashed, turning him into a sociopath. Henry stalks and murders people efficiently - he tells himself that he may be a killer, but he doesn't want people to suffer. He is haunted by hallucinations, including a specter in his mirror that talks to him.
“A.J. is a master at creating word images that remain with the reader long after the book is finished.” Richard S. Friedman
Murder, romance and the paranormal. It is sprinkled with humor. Also contains ghosts, a dog that’s adopted by Henry and a crazy hooded merganser duck. And a baby as his arch enemy.

This MIGHT be a little like Dracula if written by J. K. Rowling. It’s a place where magic and vampires interweave for an exciting adventure. Dracula: HEARTS OF STONE
We start with a shiny new pot of boiling water and add too many evil vampires, and not enough of the good biters. Toss in one suicidal Dracula; add a cup of mayhem and a dash of romance. Oh yes, and a pinch of mirth. Stir lovingly and you have a new novel by A. J. Gallant. If it sounds like the recipe for you then you must read Dracula: Hearts of Stone. Dracula commands it. February or March 2012. Probably February but perhaps March. Coming soon, yes that’s it.

New York City is under attack.
Dracula is suicidal in a world where evil vampires are in the early stages of taking over. The Master has lived too long and can’t find a reason to face another day. Nasty vampires are feeding on vulnerable mortals and causing chaos. Years ago he trained valiant sheriffs and expects them to defend the humans but they are being overrun. Piers Anthony, the author, is now a vampire. He spends his days attempting to get the Master to snap out of it and to defend the humans, without losing his head.
A 12-year-old girl is a rare hybrid, half human and half vampire; she was conceived the normal way, with her mother a mortal and her father a vampire. Jenny is slowly discovering that she may be a blood wizard. She’s already an accomplished vampire killer and can cast spells, but an underground figure has noticed the girl. Some believe that she might be the one of legend that tips the scale toward good.
Sheriff Alexander and his vampire German shepherd stand and fight for justice.
Will the red sheriffs be overrun? Will Michael finally get the courage to ask out the sheriff? It’s a tale of magic, romance and fangs. Dracula: Hearts of Stone Book One of Three. February or March 2012.

posted 3 weeks ago. ( send a note )

Byron B says

http://videos.cleveland.com/2010/12/cleveland_christmas_connection_2.html

Check out this one minute Christmas video my wife and I entered in the Cleveland Holiday Movie Contest. If you have a Facebook account please click "Like" under the description. Thanks!

posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )

Jen says

You might still get friendship requests from teenage boys with that pic :)
I actually changed mine for the same reason (I originally had a pic of my cat)

posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )

Mr Manimala says

DEMOCRATIC EDGE

Importance of Freedom and the Power of Knowledge

Joseph Manimala, September 8, 1996
Pala – 686 575

Nowadays many people, even free world intellectuals under value democracy. Totalitarian control over citizenry is recommended as the reasonable way to progress. But totalitarian countries’ super growth rates are a myth (20% GDP growth add about 7 billion dollars to Singapore economy. But only a modest 5% growth adds 50 billion dollars to Indian economy. America, world’s largest economy has only about 3% GDP growth. World’s richest country grouping, G-7, hasn’t a single nondemocratic member. Among 25 developed countries there are only 2 non democracies. Authoritarian Singapore pales before democratic Japan.
Whenever restrictions imposed on a society, its efficiency and vigor declined. In fifteenth century liberal Protestant countries surpassed restrictive Catholic countries in scientific achievements. The Story of Mankind - Hendrik Willern Van Loon.
However strong they became, oppressive regime always collapsed. Inquisition Spain, Nazi Germany, Communist USSR. Resource rich USSR stagnated under totalitarian rule. But with scarce resources free Japan became an economic miracle.
The Swiss are praised for their clock work precision and meticulous efficiency. In liberal Sweden women enjoy highest status in the world. France outperforms almost all countries in fashion, culture and new technologies. America is world’s foremost foreign investment destination. Investors prefer it over Japan and Germany. Neither Japan nor Germany has the ultimate investment haven credential; the capability and willingness to use military power for protecting economy and investments.
But America’s strength lies not on its economy or military. But on its mass culture. American books, mags, films and music rule the earth. Also in the global technological race too, America has the edge. Thanks to its awesome knowledge base. It successfully attracts talent from Russia and India. Liberty gives America such innovative power.
However, an open society cannot conceal its short comings. Americans are on the whole, very frank about their troubles and do believe in open discussions. Topmost American writers describe America fairly and modestly. In his book Economics For our Times (1967), Mr. Augustus H. Smith fairly describes poverty in the United States. He also expressed concern over Soviet overtaking of America in Science and GDP. In Power Shift, Alvin Toffler points out America’s strength and acknowledges its weak points. He underlines the power of knowledge.
Imagination is the driving force behind human progress. Yesterday’s wildest dreams become today’s realities those great visionaries like Jules Verne and Arthur C. Clarke, with their amazing imagination and foresight driver our civilization to unthinkable heights. Freedom does enhance creativity and nurture progress.
END
Oct.1997 S E Asia Crash/Meltdown proves my article. I wrote this when democracy was out of fashion.

posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )

Jen says

Maybe that's why I get kid requests (I thought there were just more kids on here, assignments for classes or something, than on other sites, like Goodreads)... hmmm.... I might follow suit and change my pic, too.

posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )

Mohammad R says

Dear friends,
Kindly find herewith attached The Hague's acknowledgment of prof. Francis Boyle's filed complaint against George W. Bush, Cheney, Rice, Rumsfeld, Tenet and Gonzales for the war crime of 'Extraordinary Rendition'. Below also is prof. Boyle's filed complaint as well as his contact information along with those of the ICC's. Please demonstrate your support for this complaint by contacting the ICC prosecutor by letter, fax or email as indicated below. Professor Boyle is also looking for endorsements. Please respond if you'd like your group named as endorsing the arrest of George W. Bush, Cheney, Rice, Rumsfeld, Tenet and Gonzales for international war crimes.... + please distribute email widely so that we can get those war criminals behind bars!
Thanks!
Cherifa

From: Susan Serpa [mailto:neimpeach@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, January 25, 2010 1:54 PM
To: Sue Serpa
Subject: BUSH TO THE HAGUE! The Hague acknowledges Francis Boyle today on his filing against Bush et al for the war-crime "Extraordinary Rendition"

Dear Accountability Advocates and previous impeachment advocates, (all blind-copied above)

The day of accountability is at hand.

We need your help:

Contact the Hague to insist they proceed an investigation of war-crimes committed by the accused (Bush, Cheney, Rice, Rumsfeld, Tenet and Gonzales) in the acts called "Extraordinary Rendition" as quickly as possible.
Send me a reply (neimpeach@gmail.com) if you would like your group listed as endorsing Prof. Boyle's filing.
Send this message to all your groups - this is the accountability we've all been working on for the past several years.
Contact Eric Holder 202-353-1555 AskDOJ@usdoj.gov to tell him the International Community will prosecute even if he does not.
I'll be setting up a Facebook group shortly (hopefully today) and Prof. Boyle has just engaged a webmaster who will be setting up a website this weekend. Any other ideas on how to get this moving forward is greatly appreciated.

See the attached letter received today from the Hague.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Below is Prof. Boyle's message and initial filing. He is looking for endorsements. Please respond if you'd like your group named as endorsing the arrest of Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rice, Tenet and Gonzales for the international war-crimes.

[From Prof. Boyle]:

Thanks. I want to set up a worldwide grassroots campaign: BUSH TO THE HAGUE!

The basis would be the Complaint I have filed with the ICC. I want everyone in the world to contact the ICC prosecutor as indicated and demand Bush’s prosecution. Once that is set up we use it to pressure all governments in the world to investigate, extradite and prosecute Bush et al., including our own. The principles of international criminal law that they have violated apply everywhere in the world. We need grassroots activists whom I can work with to put this together with experience doing it. We also need to get as many endorsements from NGOs as we can. I already have my first, as indicated below.

Fab.

INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT COMPLAINT FILED

AGAINST BUSH, CHENEY, RUMSFELD, TENET, RICE AND GONZALES;

INTERNATIONAL ARREST WARRANTS REQUESTED

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Demonstrate Your Support for this Complaint by Contacting the I.C.C. Prosecutor by Letter, Fax, or email as Indicated Below
Champaign, U.S.A./The Hague, Netherlands (19 Jan 2010). -- Professor Francis A. Boyle of the University of Illinois College of Law in Champaign, U.S.A. has filed a Complaint with the Prosecutor for the International Criminal Court (I.C.C.) in The Hague against U.S. citizens George W. Bush, Richard Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, George Tenet, Condoleezza Rice, and Alberto Gonzales (the “Accused”) for their criminal policy and practice of “extraordinary rendition” perpetrated upon about 100 human beings. This term is really their euphemism for the enforced disappearance of persons and their consequent torture. This criminal policy and practice by the Accused constitute Crimes against Humanity in violation of the Rome Statute establishing the I.C.C.

The United States is not a party to the Rome Statute. Nevertheless the Accused have ordered and been responsible for the commission of I.C.C. statutory crimes within the respective territories of many I.C.C. member states, including several in Europe. Consequently, the I.C.C. has jurisdiction to prosecute the Accused for their I.C.C.. statutory crimes under Rome Statute article 12(2)(a) that affords the I.C..C. jurisdiction to prosecute for I.C.C. statutory crimes committed in I.C.C. member states.

The Complaint requests (1) that the I.C..C. Prosecutor open an investigation of the Accused on his own accord under Rome Statute article 15(1); and (2) that the I.C.C. Prosecutor also formally “submit to the [I.C.C.] Pre-Trial Chamber a request for authorization of an investigation” of the Accused under Rome Statute article 15(3).

For similar reasons, the Highest Level Officials of the Obama administration risk the filing of a follow-up Complaint with the I.C.C. if they do not immediately terminate the Accused’s criminal policy and practice of “extraordinary rendition,” which the Obama administration has continued to implement.

The Complaint concludes with a request that the I.C.C. Prosecutor obtain International Arrest Warrants for the Accused from the I.C.C. in accordance with Rome Statute articles 58(1)(a), 58(1)(b)(i), 58(1)(b)(ii), and 58(1)(b)(iii).

In order to demonstrate your support for this Complaint you can contact the I.C.C. Prosecutor by letter, fax, or email as indicated below.

Francis A. Boyle

Professor of International Law

Law Building

504 East Pennsylvania Avenue

Champaign, Illinois 61820

Phone: 217-333-7954

Fax: 217-244-1478

The Honorable Luis Moreno-Ocampo

Office of the Prosecutor

International Criminal Court

Post Office Box 19519

2500 CM, The Hague

The Netherlands

Fax No.: 31-70-515-8555

Email: OTP.InformationDesk@icc-cpi.int

January 19, 2010

Dear Sir:

Please accept my personal compliments. I have the honor hereby to file with you and the International Criminal Court this Complaint against U.S. citizens George W. Bush, Richard Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, George Tenet, Condoleezza Rice , and Alberto Gonzales (hereinafter referred to as the “Accused”) for their criminal policy and practice of “extraordinary rendition.” This term is really a euphemism for the enforced disappearances of persons, their torture, severe deprivation of their liberty, their violent sexual abuse, and other inhumane acts perpetrated upon these Victims. The Accused have inflicted this criminal policy and practice of “extraordinary rendition” upon about one hundred (100) human beings, almost all of whom are Muslims/Arabs/Asians and People of Color. I doubt very seriously that the Accused would have inflicted these criminal practices upon 100 White Judeo-Christian men.

The Accused’s criminal policy and practice of “extraordinary rendition” are both “widespread” and “systematic” within the meaning of Rome Statute article 7(1). Therefore the Accused have committed numerous “Crimes against Humanity” in flagrant and repeated and longstanding violation of Rome Statute articles 5(1)(b), 7(1)(a), 7(1)(e), 7(1)(f), 7(1)(g), 7(1)(h), 7(1)(i), and 7(1)(k). Furthermore, the Accused’s Rome Statute Crimes Against Humanity of enforced disappearances of persons constitutes ongoing criminal activity that continues even as of today.

The United States is not a contracting party to the Rome Statute. Nevertheless, the Accused ordered and were responsible for the commission of these I..C.C. statutory crimes on, in, and over the respective territories of several I.C.C. member states, including many located in Europe. Therefore, the I.C.C. has jurisdiction over the Accused for their I.C.C. statutory crimes in accordance with Rome Statute article 12(2)(a), which provides as follows:

Article 12

Preconditions to the Exercise of Jurisdiction

…

2. In the case of article 13, paragraph (a) or (c), the Court may exercise its jurisdiction if one or more of the following States are Parties to this Statute or have accepted the jurisdiction of the Court in accordance with paragraph 3:

(a) The State on the territory of which the conduct in question occurred …

So the fact that United States is not a contracting party to the Rome Statute is no bar to the I.C.C.’s prosecution of the Accused because they have ordered and been responsible for the commission of Rome Statute Crimes against Humanity on, in, and over the respective territories of several I.C.C. member states.

Consequently, I hereby respectfully request that the Court exercise its jurisdiction over the Accused for these Crimes against Humanity in accordance with Rome Statute article 13(c), which provides as follows:

Article 13

Exercise of Jurisdiction

The Court may exercise its jurisdiction with respect to a crime referred to in article 5 in accordance with the provisions of this Statute if:

…

(c) The Prosecutor has initiated an investigation in respect of such a crime in accordance with article 15.

Pursuant to Rome Statute article 13(c), I hereby respectfully request that you initiate an investigation proprio motu against the Accused in accordance with Rome Statute article 15(1): “The Prosecutor may initiate investigations proprio motu on the basis of information on crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court.” My detailed Complaint against the Accused constitutes the sufficient “information” required by article 15(1).

Furthermore, I respectfully submit that this Complaint by itself constitutes “a reasonable basis to proceed with an investigation” under Rome Statute article 15(3). Hence, I also respectfully request that you formally “submit to the Pre-Trial Chamber a request for authorization of an investigation” of the Accused under Rome Statute article 15(3) at this time. Please inform me at your earliest convenience about the status and disposition of my two requests set forth immediately above.

Based upon your extensive human rights work in Argentina, you know full well from direct personal experience the terrors and the horrors of enforced disappearances of persons and their consequent torture. According to reputable news media sources here in the United States, about 100 human beings have been subjected to enforced disappearances and subsequent torture by the Accused. We still have no accounting for these Victims. In other words, many of these Victims of enforced disappearances and torture by the Accused could still be alive today. Their very lives are at stake right now as we communicate.. You could very well save some of their lives by publicly stating that you are opening an investigation of my Complaint.

As for those Victims of enforced disappearances by the Accused who have died, your opening an investigation of my Complaint is the only means by which we might be able to obtain some explanation and accounting for their whereabouts and the location of their remains in order to communicate this critical information to their next-of-kin and loved-ones. Based upon your extensive experience combating enforced disappearances of persons and their consequent torture in Argentina, you know full well how important that objective is. The next-of-kin, loved-ones, and friends of “disappeared” human beings can never benefit from psychological “closure” unless and until there is an accounting for the fates, if not the remains, of the Victims. In part that is precisely why the Accused’s enforced disappearances of about 100 human beings constitutes ongoing criminal activity that continues as of today and will continue until the fates of all their Victims have been officially determined by you opening an investigation into my Complaint.

Let us mutually suppose that during the so-called “dirty war” in Argentina the International Criminal Court had been in existence. I submit that as an Argentinean human rights lawyer you would have moved heaven and earth and done everything in your power to get the I.C.C. and its Prosecutor to assume jurisdiction over the Argentine Junta in order to terminate and prosecute their enforced disappearances and torture of your fellow Argentinean citizens. I would have done the same. Unfortunately, the I.C..C. did not exist during those darkest of days for the Argentine Republic when we could have so acted. But today as the I.C.C. Prosecutor, you have both the opportunity and the legal power to do something to rectify this mass and total human rights annihilation, and to resolve and to terminate and to prosecute the “widespread” and “systematic” policy and practice of enforced disappearances and consequent torture of about 100 human beings by the Accused.

Unfortunately, the new Obama administration in the United States has made it perfectly clear by means of public statements by President Obama and his Attorney General Eric Holder that they are not going to open any criminal investigation of any of the Accused for these aforementioned Crimes against Humanity. Hence an I.C.C. “case” against the Accused is “admissible” under Rome Statute article 1(complementarity) and article 17. As of right now you and the I.C.C. Judges are the only people in the entire world who can bring some degree of Justice, Closure, and Healing into this dire, tragic, and deplorable situation for the lives and well-being of about one hundred “disappeared” and tortured human beings as well as for their loved-ones and next-of-kin, who are also Victims of the Accused’s Crimes against Humanity. On behalf of them all, as a fellow human rights lawyer I implore you to open an investigation into my Complaint and to issue a public statement to that effect.

Also, most regretfully, the new Obama administration has publicly stated that it will continue the Accused’s policy and practice of "extraordinary rendition," which is really their euphemism for enforced disappearances of human beings and consequent torture by other States. Hence the Highest Level Officials of the Obama administration fully intend to commit their own Crimes against Humanity under the I.C.C. Rome Statute – unless you stop them! Your opening an investigation of my Complaint will undoubtedly deter the Obama administration from engaging in any more “extraordinary renditions” -- enforced disappearances of human beings and having them tortured by other States. Indeed your opening of an investigation into my Complaint might encourage the Obama administration to terminate its criminal “extraordinary rendition” program immediately and thoroughly by means of issuing a public statement to that effect. In other words, your opening an investigation of my Complaint could very well save the lives of a large number of additional human beings who otherwise will be subjected by the Obama administration to the Rome Statute Crimes against Humanity of enforced disappearances of persons and their consequent torture by other States, inter alia.

The lives and well-being of countless human beings are now at risk, hanging in the balance, waiting for you to act promptly, effectively, and immediately to save them from becoming Victims o

posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )

Mark H. Stevens says

Have a Blessed New Year!

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Lisa Unger says

Hi Esmeralda,

Just stopping by to wish you well!

Happy reading,
Lisa Unger
New York Times bestselling author of DIE FOR YOU

posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )

Thorina R says

Thanks for having my book on your shelf!

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The Ancient One says

Humankind has not woven the web of life.
We are but one thread within it.
Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.
All things are bound together.
All things connect.

Chief Seattle, 1854

posted 3 years ago. ( send a note )

leegee says

The note about the puppy made me laugh out loud -- but you didn't say, what's the new picture? It's got, what they told me at school was, "attitude." Sorry - awful sentance, but I hope you'll get my drift.

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Buckmulligan says

So have you read anything that was really good recently? I am without a book right now and desperately need some direction! :) I hate to not be reading something! Hope all is well with you - talk to you soon...

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Tayyab M says

Hello

I am amazed at your versetile collection . You must have a very imaginative mind . I am 42 yrs old male and still single . Would you care to be friends with me . A very good day to you .

Chao

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~ Sweet Dreams ~ says

Thanks! Yea I'm looking at your shelf now....

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~ Sweet Dreams ~ says

Thank you then for teh recommendation. I know manga is becoming a big hit for adults for some reason now. Did you read any? If so, which ones do you like? I'm writing an artcile about 40 year olds, and the attraction of manga. It used to be liked by teenagers and kids, but now people are saying adults are reading it too. Your opinion?

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~ Sweet Dreams ~ says

Yes I greatly enjoyed the Charlaine Harris books, and I'm working on watching the TV show. I've read the actual novels by Hamilton, but I haven't read the graphic novels. Are they worth reading?

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~ Sweet Dreams ~ says

Hi!

I love your shelf. Any suggestions for a book addict?

Talk to you soon! Have a good day.

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Jeff Reid says

Hello, Esmeralda

Since you like to 'fantasy cast', I thouight I'd tell you about our website just for fantasy casting. It's called StoryCasting (www.storycasting.com), and we have a large group of people who show up just to cast. Based on your experience here, I'd be VERY interested in your comments, not just on the website, but on the whole book-casting thing. We'd someday like Amazon/Shelfari to partner with us - it just seems natural, since they also own the iMDB, too.

Hope to hear from you!

Jeff Reid
StoryCasting.com
"for the movie in your mind"
jeff.reid@storycasting.com

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Judi H says

oops! I spelled her name wrong - it's Stephenie Meyer and she has a website www.thetwilightsaga.com

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Public Notes

A. J. G a l l a n t says

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Byron B says

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Jen says

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Mr Manimala says

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Jen says

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Mohammad R says

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Lisa Unger says

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Thorina R says

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The Ancient One says

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leegee says

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Buckmulligan says

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Tayyab M says

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~ Sweet Dreams ~ says

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~ Sweet Dreams ~ says

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~ Sweet Dreams ~ says

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~ Sweet Dreams ~ says

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Jeff Reid says

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