The popularity of the skull and crossbones in the last few years is really amazing. There are always new trends, but Pirates have lasted longer than most of them. The skulls and crossbones are pretty interesting symbols in themselves.  It is strange how much of a fascination they hold among youth subculture. As a tattoo artist, I know about the interest they have for people first hands. I have made more skull and crossbones tattoos then I care to think about. When I first started, I thought it was pretty cool.  I liked pirates as much as the next guy, having grown up on old Errol Flynn movies. To me, the skull and crossbones signified adventure and excitement. I am sick to death of the skull and crossbones. I can’t figure out why anyone would want to wear them.

When you look at skull tee shirts and skull flags, you might first think punk rock, however the skull and crossbones are actually even more broadly used by the military today. This is why the counterculture fascination really baffles me. If they had been only used by the pirates, I would understand it. After all, swashbuckling evokes a freer, more lawless time.  Something that many of us would like to get back to.  But the fact is that many of the most authoritarian organizations in the world today use the skull and crossbones as their own flag. From Naval aviators to Los Angeles police anti-gang units, the skull and crossbones is officially or unofficially part of some very unpirate like organizations.

So before you get a skull cross bones tattoo, I would recommend thinking twice about it. Like the naval star before it, the skull and cross bones might seem like a good idea if you are a hipster, but I am sure that you will get sick of it within a couple years. It won’t be long before you wonder what you could have possibly been thinking with that skull and crossbones. Tattoos last for a lifetime, so maybe you should start with a skull and crossbones flag instead. There are many different kinds of pirate flags to choose from, and many of them might look quite interesting to you for a year or two. After that, you can always get rid of them easily. They are much easier to deal with than a permanent tattoo on your body.

If there is one genre of literature that has never really gotten the respect that it deserves, it is sci-fi fiction. Every few years, one of the masterpieces of science fiction books is selective to become part of the canon, but credit is never given to the genre as a whole. Whenever a science fiction book is taught in school, it is almost always called “speculative fiction” so they don’t have to admit that there is such a thing as good science fiction literature. Although most of the classics of dystopian and utopian fiction are examples of science fiction books, few people realize that this is what they are reading.

Picking at the right science fiction books can be hard. It is not that there isn’t a lot of good science fiction, if anything there is too much. Science fiction and fantasy books come in many different flavors. One of the most popular, of course, is space opera. Although much of this is pulp fiction, it is still quite enjoyable. Basically, it details grand adventures of good versus evil. Star Wars was a great example of space opera, but you can also find it in novels written by some of the best writers out there. “Citizen of the Galaxy” by Robert Heinlein is an excellent example of space opera, as is the popular “Enders Trilogy” written by Orson Scott Card.

When I first got involved in science fiction books, I was reading all of the wrong stuff. Basically, I was reading science fiction magazines targeted towards your readers. Although some of this is good fiction, the stuff that I was reading wasn’t near the top of the genre. When my dad saw what I was reading, he got pretty excited. He recommended that I join a science fiction book of the month club. He knew that I could find much better literature to read in the science fiction genre if I had a group to get me started.

One of the best ways to find science fiction books can be simply to talk to people within the community. Science fiction fans are usually very friendly to new readers seeking advice. If you go into a small, independent bookstore and asked the clerk’s what you should read, you’ll usually get excellent advice. Whether or not you ultimately agree with their taste in science fiction literature, you might just discover something new that you wouldn’t have come across on your own.

Crime novelist Patricia Cornwell is best known for her series of books featuring her forensic pathologist character, Dr Kay Scarpetti. They were popular even before the current public obsession with forensic detective work. Her reputation has been enhanced by the number of crime writing awards, Patricia Cornwell books have won, including the Edgar Award and the Sherlock Award and Gold Dagger Award in the UK.  Cornwell has been very open about her medical problems. She suffered from anorexia and depression when she was young and has had substance abuse problems as an adult.Cornwell was born in 1956 in Miami and graduated from college with an English degree. The detail and accuracy apparent in Patricia Cornwell books is borne from experience, starting with her job as a crime reporter for a newspaper in North Carolina. She then took a position in a crime lab in Virginia as a technical writer and computer analyst. Her writing career began with her first Scarpetti novel, “Postmortem” in 1990, a story about a serial killer, which was very well received. Another Scarpetti novel, “From Potters Field”, was made into a movie. Most of the novels are based in Richmond, Virginia.

In addition to crime writing, Cornwell has written a biography of Ruth Bell Graham, her friend and wife of evangelist, the Reverend Billy Graham. It was titled “Ruth, A Portrait: the Story of Ruth Bell Graham” and was published in 1983. A series of three police stories, featuring the character of Andy Brazil, have also appeared and these are much lighter in tone. Patricia Cornwell books are nothing if not versatile and she has also produced cookery books containing Italian recipes.

The feted writer has courted controversy in her long campaign to convince people that Walter Sickert was Jack the Ripper. She has spent a lot of her own money gathering items to support her case that the celebrated British artist was responsible for the murders committed by the Ripper, who was never caught, in Victorian London. This campaign has met with criticism and she put her theories into a book called “Portrait of a Killer. Jack the Ripper: Case Closed”. She even took the step of placing a full page advertisement in two British newspapers to answer her critics. Of all the Patricia Cornwell books, it is this one that has not been universally praised and a lot of her theory seems to depend on unsubstantiated evidence.

Do you enjoy a good mystery? I will play the odds here and say that you do. I think most humans do. We are a species that like solving puzzles. It must be in our DNA or something. One reason I can state this with confidence concerns all the television shows. How many of them are mysteries of some sort? I can name several that I watch weekly. There’s “CSI,” “CSI Miami,” “Bones,” “Cold Case,” “Close to Home,” “Law and Order, Special Victim’s Unit,” and my favorite, “Criminal Minds.” These television shows all present us with a new mystery each and every week. Once we start watching them, we hate to stop. This is because we want to know who did it. I swear these show became a craze after “CSI” hit in 2000. Now there are too many to keep up with. Well, if you ever get tired of them, you can always resort to the old-school mystery fix known as “Clue.” Yeah, I think everyone is familiar with that game. Or, you can take the more contemporary route with mystery online websites.

Are you ready to solve a puzzle, crime or good old fashioned mystery? Of course you are. This was only a rhetorical question. Well, it may be high time to click off your television and click on your computer. Cyberspace offers an array of mystery online options to pick from. I remember back in high school when I used to play a mystery game on my brothers PC. I believe it was called “The Seventh Guest.” Regardless of it’s title, I loved this game. You were basically stuck in an old mansion. You had to make your way through the various rooms and solve a puzzle in each one. This retro video game was no joke. I never did beat that darn thing. Sure, I solved some of the puzzles, but others were too difficult at the time. I’m sure they offer a much cooler upgrade of these games now days.

Have you seen all that the web offers? I seriously doubt it. With new age mystery online games and puzzles, you can have a blast sitting on your sofa. Take advantage of a variety of websites that offer new and exciting mystery online options. If you’re into stories, no problem. There are plenty of these as well. I personally like to read the real life ghost stories that are posted. Pretty intriguing stuff.

Have you read any good mystery books lately? These are the best if you ask me. It’s always a pleasure to curl up in bed or next to the fireplace with a wonderful novel. You know those ones you delve into and then suddenly can’t put them down. Before you know it, you’re on chapter 12 and still going. You know that you have to take a break to use the bathroom, but not until after this page, right? A well written mystery books can sure have an effect on our imaginations and emotions. Anyone who has read one before can surely tell you that they’re captivating to say the least. Now the question is, where do you find a good and intriguing mystery novel? Do you search high and low in the local bookstore? Well, this certainly isn’t a bad start. Barnes and Noble typically have a rather grand selection to choose from. There are other options at your disposal when a good book is in order.

I can still remember perfectly the last book I read. Of course it was one of the great mystery books of the last decade. Okay, so maybe it wasn’t rated that well, but it sure kept me reading on. The title of the mystery novel is “Eleven Days.” I got interested in this particular book because it was written by a close friend of my fathers. When he retired from the police force, he began writing. Not a bad retirement plan if you know what you’re doing. It’s ideal to use all those real life experiences in your work. Heck, reality is your best material. Anyway, I began reading his first book and I couldn’t put it down. It was definitely a page turner. It’s all about that first chapter. Does it get you hooked and encourage you to read on? Do you absolutely have to know what is coming next? These qualities are imperative in good mystery books. Before I knew it, I had read the entire novel, front to back in just a few days time.

Are you in search of some classic or contemporary mystery books? They aren’t so difficult to come by these days. In fact, all you really need is your personal computer and Internet access. Hop online and browse through a gargantuan selection of mystery books from all over the world. Check out the ever popular “Davinci Code.” If you liked the film, you’ll love the book. Find all the best mystery books for the lowest prices on Amazon.com.

Do you enjoy giving parties, but have run out of ideas for new themes? If you’re looking for an unusual and especially fun party idea, you’ve got to take a look at the Murder Mystery dinner party! It’s truly a novel idea, suited to people of all ages.  You’ll now find many web sites offering a Murder Mystery dinner party. In fact, most sites offer a choice of mystery plots. One may appeal to teens, while another’s characters are aimed at a more sophisticated or older group.

The concept of the Murder Mystery dinner party grew out of a scriptwriter’s mind. It might best be described as a murder mystery and spontaneous play. You and your guests are the performers, and the murderer is amongst you!  The script directs you in certain occurrences, such as leading you to a closet where the murder victim is found.

Costume suggestions are usually included in the Murder Mystery dinner party package you purchase. There may also be props for the script. You are provided with clues for each guest. No two people have the same clues. Guests are invited to mingle and question and converse with one another. The objective is, of course, to solve the murder.  When another guest questions you on some point of a clue, you must tell the truth, unless you are the murderer! If your character is the murderer, then you can lie as much as you like.

The Murder Mystery dinner party packages provide all of the entertainment you’ll need. Even people who are shy tend to get caught up in the fun of it and may enjoy talking to others more than they otherwise might.  You can orchestrate the pace and location, which enhances the excitement and sense of suspense. You can serve appetizers in one room, allowing your guests to eat while gathering information and looking for physical clues in the room where, perhaps, the murder occurred.

Later on, you can have dinner at the dining table. By this time, everyone is so eager to figure out who the killer may be, you’ll have no lulls in conversation. These parties are real ice breakers, bringing out the best party moods in your guests.

You may choose to serve dessert as the finale, when all questioning must stop. At this point, everyone has to go over the information they’ve gained and make their guess as to who the murderer is. The person who first guesses correctly wins. Usually this person is awarded a prize.  So next time you’re planning a party and want something a little different, give the Murder Mystery dinner party a try.

Halloween! This is a night when the freaks and spooks can come out and go unnoticed. They blend in with the millions of tiny ghouls and goblins running a muck in their own neighborhoods, searching desperately for treats. Okay, maybe not that desperately. Nevertheless, everyone is out and about to have a jovial time. It’s all about the dressing up and frolicking in the night air. I’ve enjoyed this day immensely ever since I can remember. The masks, costumes, tricks and treats can go on for weeks to follow as far as I’m concerned. Sadly that never happens, but at least the one day is always there. Each year is a guise. And if you really want to get into the Halloween and costume spirit, you might want to check into latex masks. These are the cream of the crop.

Have you ever watched an old school horror flick? What am I talking about? Everyone has indulged themselves in “Nightmare on Elm Street,” “The Howling,” “Night of the Living Dead,” or possibly “An American Werewolf in London.” These are all classics now. And do you want to know one thing they all have in common? It’s the power of latex masks and make up. This stuff was the bomb back in the day. If you ask me, it still is. What’s really cool now is it’s available to the public. I can only imagine how many latex masks and make up products they sell prior to Halloween. If you truly want to go all out with a terrifying costume, latex is your answer.

The reason I say this is because it looks so genuine. It’s definitely not like purchasing one of those cheap Dracula masks at the drugstore, You know the kind with a rubber band on the back to hold it in place. Contemporary latex masks are the real deal. You can mold the latex to your face and make it look like part of you. Think one of the vampires on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” They look much more life like that the costumes you generally see sold in novelty shops and random Halloween superstores. Add some funky contact lenses to the mix and you’ll end up with one spooky get up.

It’s time you got in the loop concerning latex masks and fantastic monster costumes. Be sure to check out what’s on the market before next October 31st rolls around. Halloween is only once a year. Make it a fright night to remember.

I grew up on a dairy farm in central Minnesota. When you own a dairy farm you are tied down to the farm because the cows need to be milked twice a day. Any time we went some place we needed to get back home within a few hours so that the cows could be milked. I think it was this feeling of being tied down that has added to my need to feel independent and free. My favorite thing is to be able to wake up on a weekend morning and decide to take road trips. The ability to do this was not possible in my growing up years.

Through the years I have gone on dozens of road trips. Some of them have been for a few hours and others have been for a few days. The main criteria I have for road trips are that there is no planning involved. This means that there is no hotel rooms reserved and no itinerary set. Sometimes I go on road trips with a friend or my husband and other times I go on my own. There is something very liberating about getting into your vehicle and just driving. I will stop along the way to check out a store or restaurant that I may have passed by many times. I will also pull over to read historical markers and to take pictures at scenic over looks. It has been during these road trips that I realize how many times I have driven a familiar road and have not taken the time to really notice what is along the way.

Two weeks ago I had a Friday afternoon off. The weather was cool and raining so I used the time to do our laundry, dust and vacuum and go grocery shopping. When we woke up Saturday morning the sun was shining and the sky was clear blue. I told my husband to get dressed for one of my road trips. I went into the kitchen and made coffee. I dug out our travel mugs and thermos so we could have our morning coffee along the way.

There was a gentle breeze blowing from the west so that is the direction I drove. We went down a road that we had both traveled many times, yet we each discovered things that we had never noticed before such as a flower garden in a yard, or a name on a mailbox or a location of a building. We stopped and had breakfast at a café that we had driven past many times. The food was home cooked and delicious and the owners were very welcoming. I am sure that we will stop in again in the future. We went into a ceramic shop that is based in the artist’s home. We stopped at a park next to a lake and went on a walk along the lake on a paved path that we had never noticed before. We drove for a couple more hours then had lunch in a small town that we had never stopped in before. After lunch we decided that we needed to head back home. We had great memories of another one of our successful road trips.

Lightning can be a source of wonder and fear among any group of individuals. Once shrouded in mystery, the magnificent displays of nature’s power have been the center of awe and amazement for many, especially for those of us interested in the phenomenon of ball lightning. The major difference between traditional lightning and the latter is it’s form. The former moves quickly from one point in space to another, while the latter forms a sphere that hangs in the air for a relatively prolonged period of time.

The lighted orbs have been the subject of interest for storm enthusiasts and scientists alike. Nicola Tesla tried to explain ball lightning in 1904 and others have followed suit. The phenomenon remains an enigma among the scientific as well as the regular population. Some scientists believe that lightning can be reproduced in a lab, while others contend that it can not, simply by it’s nature. Fundamental differences like this could attribute to the confusion about the occurrence.

Part of the mystery lies in the rare incidence of ball lightning. Very few people have witnessed it and the ones who have seem to have very different experiences. Eye witness accounts vary greatly from report to report, making the strange occurrence puzzling to those who try to research the subject. Most encounters happen during thunderstorms. Many eye witness accounts claim that they have seen ball lightning without the presence of storms. Some describe ball lighting as oval in shape, showing three dimensions, while others maintain that it is circular in shape. It has also been described by some as being transparent while others argue that it appears solid in form.

Color is another object of debate when it comes to the lightning. It has been described as red by some and yellow by others, both of which are vastly different from the other. The orbs are also said to carry a fire or spark in some cases. The sparks carry a white to blue hue normally associated with traditional lightning that we commonly see.

Another thing that baffles sky watchers about the phenomenon is how the occurrence ends. Some assert that the orbs explode in the air. Others argue that it is absorbed into the ground or other element. Still others maintain that ball lightning simply vanishes into the sky. The only consistent contention is that ball lightning hovers for an extended period of time.