Word of the Day: Hypnosis

Good morning to all you wonderful people!  It is Friday morning and very early.  I really need to be on the road by eight am in order to make it to the Sogen Con in Sioux Falls on time.  So I am up at the crack of dawn hoping to finish last minute packing and a few other items that need to be completed, such as this blog.  Talk about waiting until the last minute.  I guess I must like being under pressure because I do this to myself every time.  Yet I know I will get it done and have excellent results just like Dr. McKay in Stargate Atlantis.  I thrive under pressure, although I don’t care for it, I always get it done.

So with that being said, let’s get down to the word of the day. Our word of the day was submitted by the very interesting and talented Kerrie Toews.  Kerrie submitted several words at one time, giving herself a very good chance of winning the kindle we are giving away this upcoming September.  Good for you, Kerrie.  Take a note from her and submit as many words as you like. It may just win you a prize.

I like the word Kerrie submitted because it’s one I have had fun with myself.  Today’s word of the day is hypnosis.  I love watching hypnotists working on people trying to make them cluck like a chicken or dance around like monkeys.  It’s all in good fun and no, I have never been one who has been hypnotized, not that I haven’t volunteered, because I have.  It just doesn’t work on me, although I do think that it would be fun to be able to participate.

Onto the matter at hand; the word of the day is hypnosis and its definition comes to us from our online source at www.thefreedictionary.com

hyp·no·sis  (hp-nss) n. pl. hyp·no·ses (-sz)

1. An artificially induced altered state of consciousness, characterized by heightened suggestibility and receptivity to direction.

2. Hypnotism.

3. A sleeplike condition.

Well, I don’t think it was much of a stretch to figure this one out and yet I love the word.  We can always use more words submitted, so if you are reading this blog don’t forget to submit your word of the day and enter for a chance to win.

That is all I have for today.  Until next time, remember to Read On!!!

HR Phillips

Trivia

Hey, all you wonderful Science Fiction Fans.  Today is Thursday, Aug 11^th and I really want to talk a little about Sci-Fi Trivia.  As you know, we try to post as much trivia as possible on the website and Prime Immortal Facebook fan page.  We do this to pique your interest and keep you engaged in conversation within the site. I love to chat online and I know that there are several people just like me. So where are you all at?  We need a little participation in the site and on the Facebook fan page. So I have decided to do a little recon and check out other sites as well. Maybe establishing a linking system where we can all chat together and hopefully share insight on different Sci- Fi trivia questions and even events.  

I think I hold a very good understanding of Firefly and some of the Stargate Series.  So I can hold my own there, however I would love to learn more and find the answers to questions in other areas of the Science Fiction world. So, please help me out Sci-Fi enthusiasts.

Together we could start what could be the beginning of a beautiful relationship. I will start first and ask the simple question which Firefly star ended up on the Stargate Atlantis series?

I know what you’re thinking, that this is way too easy.  Yet I wonder how many of you will be able to answer the question and come back with one that is even better.  That will be my challenge to you.  Can you come up with trivia that is harder than mine?  Are you willing to put yourself to the test?  I suggest that you give it a try and maybe we can learn from each other.  You never know where the inspiration may come from to start a new adventure.  For me, today it comes from the will to learn more and make new friends.

Give it a try and maybe together we will both start a new adventure that we can enjoy together. That is going to be it for the day.  I will, of course, be back tomorrow and with me will be a new word for the day. So make sure to log in and join us at both the website www.primeimmortals.com and our Prime Immortals Facebook fan page. 

Until then, remember to Read On!!!

HR Phillips 

Sci-fi Conventions

Hello Wednesday!  Nice to have you here.  I am planning on having a great week and this morning is going to be the start of it.  Monday was rough on me, like it is on most people suffering with the Monday morning blues.  Tuesday wasn’t as bad, but I was shaking off the residual energy from Monday.  Today, however, is going to be awesome; I can feel it in my bones.  Let the energy flow and the good times get started.  We have a big weekend ahead of us and I am very much looking forward to meeting some new and interesting people.  Sioux Falls (SD) Sogen Con, here we come…

For those of you who have attended Cons before, you know how much fun they can be; dressing up and having a great time emulating the stars we have come to love, the writers we admire and, of course, the series of shows that make it all that more interesting.  Star Trek, Firefly and, of course, all of the Stargate series, to name a few.  I love them and have found that watching movies has become one of my favorite things to do with my family.

So, if any of you out there have been to a Science Fiction Convention and it is not on my list of events, please let me know.  I really enjoy attending them and would love to go to as many as possible in order to get the word out for all of the readers and fans who support me.  I couldn’t do any of this without you, so make sure to tell us if you have an event you want us to participate in.

If you need a list of events that we are already participating in, please go to the website and click on the appearances button.  It will give you a list of upcoming events we are scheduled for.  If you would like to have me speak or be a panelist, all you need to do is submit your request and we will place it in the to do list for upcoming events if it fits in my schedule.

So make sure that you check the schedule first and get as much information to us on your event as possible.  Having more information on the event will help us in making a determination as to which event we will be able to attend.  Having that information weeks in advance gives us all a better opportunity to make it.  Plan ahead and remember to always have fun.  That’s exactly what a Science Fiction Convention is all about, having fun with people who understand where it is you are coming from.

That’s it for the day, so until we meet again remember to Read On!!!

HR Phillips

Word for the Day: Speciality

Good morning all… I trust that we all made it through the Monday morning blues.  I know I have and I am really hoping for a productive day.  So with that in mind, let’s get started with an announcement on our schedule.

This weekend I will be traveling to the Sogen Con in Sioux Fall, SD.  I am the guest of honor panelist on Friday night.  So if you are interested in learning how to best develop the characters within your writing, then you should come down and join the rest of the group that will be there.

In September we will be in St. Louis for the Bouchercon 2011 and the Archon 35, which look to be spectacular.  I am greatly looking forward to participating.  I hope that any of you in the vicinity will join us and share in the fun.

Now on to our word of the day, today’s word was submitted by the very talented Suzane Jensen of SD.  Suzane has given us several great words for this contest and I think that her new submission for word of the day is great as well.  She has chosen the word speciality.

Our definition comes to us from the online source at www.thefreedictionary.com  This source sometimes offers us different definitions from other sources such as the American Heritage Dictionary and the Collins English Dictionary.  So with both definitions available, I have given you both as well.

spe·ci·al·i·ty  (spsh-l-t) n. pl. spe·ci·al·i·ties

1. A distinguishing mark or feature.

2. specialities Special points of consideration; particulars.

3. Chiefly British A specialty.

speciality [ˌspɛʃɪˈælɪtɪ] chiefly US and Canadian, specialty

n pl -ties

1. a special interest or skill

2. a.  a service or product specialized in, as at a restaurant roast beef was a speciality of the house

b.  (as modifier) a speciality dish

3. a special or distinguishing feature or characteristic

Well, there you have it, people.  A very simple definition for a very interesting word.  

That is all I have for today, but don’t forget to submit your words and watch to see who will win.  September is just around the corner.  All you have to do is submit your word for the day and you could win a kindle.  So log on and do a little submitting.  You never know, it could be your name that is chosen.

Until next time, remember to Read On!!!

HR Phillips

Word of the Day: Calamity

Good morning to all!  It is Monday morning and I am definitely feeling the Monday morning blues.  I really would have liked a longer weekend.  Maybe a vacation is going to be needed soon.  Until then, let’s get down to the business of blogging.

I have been slacking in this area due to all the traveling that I have been doing.  I hope you understand that it is not easy to keep up with the blog when I am on the road so much.  However, this month I will not be traveling as much and I am looking forward to getting some writing done. With that being said, I would like to jump right in and get the word of the day started.

This week our word comes to us from Kerrie Toews.  Kerrie actually submitted several words in one post and that was great.  Yet, only one can be used at a time.  So for this blog I have chosen the word calamity from her list.

Our definition comes to us from the online source at www.thefreedictionary.com

ca·lam·i·ty  (k-lm-t)n. pl. ca·lam·i·ties

1. An event that brings terrible loss, lasting distress, or severe affliction; a disaster: A hurricane would be a calamity for this low-lying coastal region.

2. Dire distress resulting from loss or tragedy.

1. a disaster or misfortune, esp one causing extreme havoc, distress, or misery

2. a state or feeling of deep distress or misery

I am sure all of us at one point in time have experienced a calamity of some sort.  Personally, I have had a few calamities in my life.  With each one comes a new found hope for the wisdom to learn from my mistakes and grow into a better person.  I know that the definition of the word calamity eludes to a much more dramatic event yet, I can’t help but feel that no matter how big or small the loss or disaster is, it can always teach us something.

That is all I have for today. I do hope that you have a great week and I look forward to chatting with you here on the blog.

Until next time, remember to Read On!!!

HR Phillips

Expansion & Prizes

Hello all you wonderful people! I do hope that all is well. I am in beautiful, sunny California where it is hot, hot, and hot. Not that I am complaining; okay, I’m complaining. I love the South Dakota weather because it is so much easier to adapt to. None of these scorching afternoons where all you can do is lay in your underwear and pray for the sun to go down. Some would say that I should be thankful and happy that the sun is shining. I don’t disagree with that theory. However, I would just like to have some plain old eighty seven degree days and not the chart topping, record breakers that seem to follow me around. 

In Omaha, NE this past weekend I was under the veil of the humidity gods. I swear I couldn’t get out of the apartment without breaking into a full-blown sweat. Gross, I know. How do you think I felt?

Enough of the petty whining. You’re here to read about what has been happening in the Immortal world. Well, at least the Prime Immortal world.  As of today, we are thinking of increasing our staff, possibly growing our company with a new team member, who would allow us to expand our horizons in the near future. Hopefully we will have a new teammate coming on board to help us with the marketing and developing of the Prime Immortal brand.

I really can’t say at this point who it is, but hopefully he will accept my offer and join the team. Cindy is working on him now, using her extremely extensive know how to sway him our way. If she is successful, we will be announcing our new addition in the next upcoming blogs. So make sure to check in.

I do have a question for all of you readers out there. Would you be interested in seeing the faces behind the scenes? I am on the website, of course, but would you be interested in seeing the infamous Cindy? She’s the one person who keeps it all flowing so smoothly; if so, let me know here on the blog or on the Prime Immortal Facebook fanpage and we will get a new page for the website with the staff of the Prime Immortals.  I know that I like to put a face with a name, especially if you are going to be working with them.

Also, I wanted to talk about what interests you for contests. What would you be tempted by if you were to enter into a contest? What prizes would pique your interest? I know we have had a wonderful response to the Kindle giveaway, but I would like to try other gifts as well. So submit your ideas and let us know.

That’s going to be all for today. Remember to submit a word of the day for your chance to win the Kindle and give me some answers to the questions that I posed. I really am looking to widen my horizons. So let’s talk…

Read On!!!

HR Phillips

Word of the Day: Skeptical

Good Morning America!!! And Good Morning to all my wonderful readers out there in cyber land. Just wanted to make sure that I checked in again this week before I head off to give another health seminar this weekend.

As a seasoned traveler, it is still enjoyable to visit new places.  I was in Canada for the first time a couple weeks ago and it was so fun to meet new people.  Polaris 25 was held in Toronto on the 15th-17th of this month. They had a great list of guests who were signing books and autographing, so if you can make the journey, plan to make it next year.  I have included the website below in case you want to do a little investigating on who the stars will be and the location of the Polaris 25 event. www.tcon.ca/polaris/

Now that we have that business taken care of, let's move on to our word of the day. Today’s word was submitted to us by Ms. Nena Edrados out of Phoenix, AZ.  She has chosen the word skeptical.

Thank you for your submission, Nena, and I look forward to your next.  Remember people, the more words you submit, the better your odds are that you will win the Kindle giveaway in September.

Out definition comes to us from our online source at www.thefreedictionary.com

skep·ti·cal also scep·ti·cal  (skpt-kl)

adj.

1. Marked by or given to doubt; questioning: a skeptical attitude; skeptical of political promises.

2. Relating to or characteristic of skeptics or skepticism.

Another great word and one I hear often in my field of work. In fact, that is probably why Ms Edrados submitted the word.

That is all I have for today, my friends. I will be on a plane very early in the morning so I better get offline now. Until the next time, remember to Read On!!!

HR Phillips

Bookwise Blogging Event

Hello, friends!  We're meeting lots of new friends, many through the sci-fi conventions that we've been attending.  We've been in the Omaha, NE area twice, to Toronto Canada, and the next one is in Sioux Falls, SD.  Join us if you can and meet me.  I'll be happy to sign your new copy of The Immortal Lost!  I know it is hard to keep track of my schedule, but you can always check the website, www.primeimmortals.com, click on the "Appearances" page, and you'll find my schedule.  I'm always happy to schedule book signings, speaking engagements, writing workshops, etc. for my great readers!  So don't be afraid to ask!

This week we are participating in a blogging event to reach more new readers.  So if you want to check out other authors, go to http://bookwisepublishing.com/bookparty .  Today is the fiction section, and there are specialties for each day of the week.

So to celebrate this special blogging event, we will send a small gift with each book ordered through Friday.  It's always fun to get a little something extra!

Reading is a great way to expand you mind and your world.  We encourage you to share your love of reading with friends, family, neighbors and co-workers.  Children, especially, need to learn a love for reading, expecially in today's world of computers, cell phones, and other electronical gadgets.  Sit, relax, and read your way through another country or culture.

Be sure to check out our Facebook page, Prime Immortals, which is steadily gaining friends.  We announce a trivia of the day (lots of fun), update our readers on contests and games too.

One final reminder - the Youth Essay Contest ends next month on the 15th.  Be sure to enter for a chance to win $500 in cash!  See complete rules and guidelines on www.primeimmortals.com.

Remember, read on!

HR Phillips

Word of the Day: Exasperate

It is a great day today and I can feel the writing bug kicking in. I wanted to say good morning to all of my lovely readers and get to the word of the day before I dive in and start a little editing on the new book. I’ve been really busy lately with traveling and book shows but it is time to buckle down and get some work done.

So with out any further ado, lets kick this blog off with the new word of the day.

Today’s word comes to us from a very young reader and my very own daughter, Ella Phillips. She has chosen the word exasperating.  Now to fully understand how a small child, only seven years of age, would come up with that word I will need to explain the situation completely.

My daughter is very well read and has been an exceptional speller for some time now. I am lucky because her Grandma Janice comes over to our home and has a snack after school with her every day of the week and during that time they read or spell words. It has really excelled Ella’s learning ability.

When Ella hears a new word, she becomes very interested in it and is always asking for its definition. Usually she can figure it out by the context and sentence for which it was spoken. Yet this time I was walking away from my youngest son a little angry and completely exhausted when I said the words, “You really are exasperating, son.”

Needless to say, my daughter was intrigued. So immediately she asked the question what does that word mean? At the time I was a little off on my good mom behavior and nowhere in the mood to do a lesson in education. So I brushed off my daughters question and moved on to the next issue at hand.

It was later that evening that my daughter brought it up again and I had to admit that I was impressed by her will to learn. Anyhow long story short, she has finally received the answer to her question and I am submitting it as the word of the day for her.

Our definition comes to us from our online source at www.thefreedictionary.com

ex·as·per·ate  (g-zsp-rt)

tr.v. ex·as·per·at·ed, ex·as·per·at·ing, ex·as·per·ates

1. To make very angry or impatient; annoy greatly.

2. To increase the gravity or intensity of

That is going to be it for the day. Just a reminder for those of you who have not submitted a word for the day, you may want to jump on board and get it done. The drawing will be here before you know it for the Kindle reader!

Until next time, remember to Read On!!!

HR Phillips

Word of the Day: Metacognition

Good afternoon all your wonderful readers out there in cyber space. Sorry I’m a little late on posting this morning. It is Monday, after all, and my day has already started out with a huge pile of work waiting for me at my desk. So before I could chat with you wonderful people I needed to take care of a few minor catastrophes that happened over the weekend before I could get to the fun part of my day.

I do hope that you all had a wonderful weekend. Mine was filled with travels to Phoenix AZ and really hot weather. They say that you get use to the dry heat of AZ, but for me I just can’t see it. I’ll take the wind and cold of South Dakota anyday. You can always add clothing and blankets to stay warm, but with 110-degree temperatures, you can only take off so many clothes and you can be assured that this mommy of four is never going to wear bikini ever again.

So now that we have established that I like to wear clothes, let’s move on to our word of the day. Today’s word comes to us from Ms Kylie Binion one of our favorite fans and facebook followers. She has chosen the word metacognition.

Our definition comes to us from our ever-ready online source at www.dictionary.reference.com

metacognition  -n

psychol thinking about one’s own mental processes

metacognition -n

awareness and understanding one’s thinking and cognitive processes; thinking about thinking

Well, I don’t know about you folks out there in cyber space, but I can honestly say that I have done this before. Thinking about thinking? It may sound strange to do, but I have thought on several occasions about what I had been thinking during different periods of my life, uch as a bad hair color choice or outfit. I mean really, did I buy that dress on purpose? Hehehehe… Okay, maybe that is not exactly what they mean by their definition, but that is how I am going to take it today…

That’s all for now until next time.  Remember to Read On!!!

HR Phillips

Sci-Fi Conventions

Hello all of you wonderful readers and Sci-Fi Junkies… I have some great news for all of you who may be interested in Sci-Fi Conventions or what are typically called Cons.  I have decided to do more of the Fantasy and Sci-Fi Cons all over the United States and Canada.  In fact, the next Convention that I will be attending is called the Polaris25 in Toronto, Canada.  Here is the website if you are interested in checking it out. www.tcon.ca 

It should be a lot of fun and I am looking forward to meeting some of the most entertaining people there.  In fact, if you go to the website you can check out who they plan to have at the convention as guests.  Actors, such as Armin Shimerman who played Quark on the Star Trek, Deep Space 9 and Adam Baldwin of Firefly or the very handsome Ben Browder of Stargate SG-1 will all be in attendance.  I can’t wait!

Ooh-la-la Ben Browder.  Can you say yummy!!!  I have always loved the Stargate series, in fact my son, Dylan, and I have watched every single episode since it came out.  I even own the original movie starring Kurt Russell.  Great flick, but the series was what hooked me.  Richard Dean Anderson can walk me through a Stargate into the unknown anytime.  What can I say, I love the Sci-Fi world and all that goes with it, including the very hunky actors.  

Anyhow, after the Convention in Toronto I will be traveling back to the beautiful state of Nebraska.  Omaha to be exact;  the Osfest4.0 is the end of this month and I am looking forward to seeing some great costumes.

We should have a great turn out and if you are around make sure that you stop by and have me sign your copy of The Immortal Lost.

For the locations of the Polaris25 in Toronto, Canada and the Osfest4.0 in Omaha, NE all you need to do is go to the website and click on the Appearances link.  For more on upcoming events or if you would like to have me attend your book club, church group or school for a reading/signing, drop us a note here at the blog or on our Prime Immortals Facebook page. 

My best to all you in the cyberspace world.  I hope you have a great weekend and remember to sign up for the Kindle giveaway and the $500 essay contest.  You can’t win if you don’t enter. Go to the Contest link and find the official rules and regulations.

That is all I have for today.  Until next time,  Read On!!!

HR Phillips

Teenager Hangouts

Hello all you wonderful cyberspace crawlers.  I hope that your week has been eventful and maybe even a little adventurous.  I have had a very interesting start to the day.

After having a very interesting conversation with another parent in my oldest son’s homeroom class at school, I began wondering where all the younger generation hangs out.  Our little town of six hundred and fifty people is way too small for secret hideouts to exist.  So it poses the question, where do they all go?

Because my children are enrolled in a smaller school, they have a better chance to excel in both academics and sports, which, of course, tickles me pink.  I would never change that fact.  Yet living in a small town can also hinder the growth of a child, unless they have wonderful parents/role models to stimulate them on a regular basis.  I would hate for them to get bored and look in another direction for entertainment.

So when it comes to my children, of course I have a vested interest in their future and where they hang out.  It is important to me and if I am not sure where their hangout is and whom they are with, I worry.

I know when I was a kid I would hang out with my friends at the lake.  Parents usually didn’t bother us there and it was kind of like our teenage sanctuary.  It was a great place to be if you didn’t want parents around.  Not that the lake was a secret, because everyone knew that it was the local hangout.

The fact that it was a wide-open space and that you could see miles around only helped.  We could see if parents were coming and hide if need be.  For the record I never hid from my parents, but I witnessed several of the city kids do exactly that.

By the way, I am a country raised farm girl who worked hard from the day I was old enough to carry a bucket of grain.  That’s just the way life is in the county.

Anyhow, curiosity got the better of me and so I asked my son “Where is the cool hot spot for the young high school kids now?”  Of course, he laughed at me and repeated my words as if I was the oldest person in the world. “Cool Hot Spot”, really Mom?

As I watched him walk away while shaking his head and laughing at me, it dawned on me that I really do have good kids.  So, with my oldest son thinking that I am crazy and older than dirt, I resort to the only thing I know.  I will get the info that I need and it doesn’t take a brain surgeon to figure it out.  Time to go old school on his little butt…I would find out the old fashion way... by bribing his brother to tell me.

All right, maybe it is not that ethical, but who says you have to be ethical when you’re a mom? It’s not like I’m going to go and break up his fun.

Tell me what you think?  Could I be wrong in wanting to know where my beautiful children are? If you have something to say, drop me a note and let me know your thoughts.

Until next time, remember to Read On!!!

HR Phillips