Song of the Day - The Pet Shop Boys' "Domino Dancing"

A little Latino treat today—it's the 12 inch mix of The Pet Shop Boys' "Domino Dancing". I was going to post the 7 inch version, but who could resist all 12 inches with those cute topless twinks wrestling on the beach in the final scenes!

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

I don't know what I'm more excited about—the actual movie or seeing Jake all buffed up with his shirt off!

Monday Muse-Fest!

Because Monday can be such a daunting day, I've decided to start up my Monday Muse-Fest to brighten the start of everyone's week! Enjoy!

The Best Reason to be a Sci-Fi Nerd!

Okay, so I admit it, I'm a sci-fi nerd! I've never actually written any sci-fi because I like grounding my stories in the here-and-now, I just find a contemporary context more interesting for me as a writer, but that's not to say I haven't read all of Arthur C. Clarke's books, not to mention the fact that I re-watch the ALIEN movies on a regular basis. And then there's BATTLESTAR GALACTICA! Apart from the riveting plotting, the shocking twists, the brilliant dialogue and the wonderful characters, I'm not ashamed to say the best reason to watch BSG is... well, a picture tells a thousand words—

Song of the Day - Queen's "I Want to Break Free"

God bless Freddy! He'll love forever in our hearts—such a talented, funny man!

Muse of the Day

Song of the Day - Hermes House Band's "Que Sera Sera"

This is so cute and cool I'm sure even Doris Day would approve! Besides that, I used to work in a cinema as a kid (no surprises for guessing that!) so the clip has nostalgia written all over it for me! Enjoy!

The Gods of Football!

It’s no secret among those who know me well that despite the intense physical activity (and abuse) I put my heroes through, my own physical prowess leaves a lot to be desired. I may be great at one kind of ballplay, but when it comes to throwing, passing, catching or kicking balls (ouch!), I’m not so flash! However, the one sport I do enjoy is gazing open-jawed at football stars, especially when they’re hot and half-naked! So bring on the Gods of Football, a selection of players in their physical prime from Rugby and Australian Rules Football. And the great thing is, perving on these perfect specimens comes guilt-free because it all goes to help charitable causes. For more info visit godsoffootball.com.au but in the meantime, enjoy these exemplary examples!

Dissection of an Action Sequence

PITTING THE PLIGHTS OF YOUR PROTAGONISTS UNWITTINGLY AGAINST ONE ANOTHER

A good action sequence should always raise the stakes and have the reader or viewer genuinely concerned for the safety of the protagonists. I believe it should have layers and a level of complexity that doesn't necessarily make the reader or viewer have to think, but delivers some sort of twist or surprise. The best action sequences are the ones that make me think, "Wow! I didn't see that coming!"

When the forces of good act unknowingly in opposition to one another, you've got a great recipe for suspense and action. One of my favorite action sequences of all time is "Hire Wire Stunts" from Jurassic Park. There's no real chase and fast-flying action in it, but it delivers a great deal of tension because it pits Ellie's (Laura Dern) efforts to rescue everyone unwittingly against the survival of Alan (Sam Neill) and the kids, Lex and Timmy. Ellie has to turn the island's power on if they all want to get out of the park alive, but in doing so she endangers Timmy who is climbing the electric fence at the precise moment Ellie powers up the island. The stakes are high and there's a very short fuse before Timmy gets fried. It's wonderful writing!

The World of Don Draper

Is Don Draper not the sexiest creation in the history of television? I dare say he is! For while the lush details in the set design make me want to redesign my entire home, while the voluptuous swinging hips of the secretaries make me wonder why any woman would want to be anything thinner than a size 8, while the humor bites and the drama stings and dialogue snaps and sparkles, it's Don Draper—charming, cool, collected, clever, tragic, in control yet utterly helpless—who keeps me glued to Madmen! What an amazing character. I'm so jealous he's not mine!

Muse of the Day

Song of the Day - Koop's "Come To Me"

This song is so catchy and cute, I adore it! It's impossible to listen to it just once. It's like Grace Kelly meets cool swing!