Sorry for the delay, but I had to think of something wonderfully gross to blog about since it is October and I must post about Halloween-related topics all month. 🙂 So now, without further ado, I would like to share with you guys something that has grossed me out for years. Some of you have already heard about this, while others have not. The following information was “borrowed” from here. In any case, here goes:

Demodex folliculorum, or the demodicid, is a tiny mite, less than 0.4 mm long, that lives in your pores and hair follicles, usually on the nose, forehead, cheeks, and chin, and often in the roots of your eyelashes.

(A follicle is the pore from which a hair grows). Demodicids have a wormlike appearance, with legs that are mere stumps. People with oily skin, or those who use cosmetics heavily and don’t wash thoroughly, have the heaviest infestations … but most adults carry a few demodicids. Inflammation and infection often result when large numbers of these mites congregate in a single follicle.

The mites live head-down in a follicle, feeding on secretions and dead skin debris. At the left, you can see three demodicids buried in the follicle of a hair, and you can also see the hair’s shaft. If too many mites have buried into the same follicle, it may cause the eyelash to fall out easily.

An individual female may lay up to 25 eggs in a single follicle, and as the mites grow, they become tightly packed. When mature, the mites leave the follicle, mate, and find a new follicle in which to lay their eggs. The whole cycle takes between 14 to 18 days.

Sometimes demodex is called the ‘face mite’, since it is often associated with blackheads, acne and other skin disorders (although it is not the cause of these). Demodex are harmless and don’t transmit diseases, but large numbers of demodex mites may cause itching and skin disorders, referred to as Demodicosis.

The mites have tiny claws, and needlelike mouthparts for eating skin cells. Their bodies are layered with scales, which help them anchor themselves in the follicle. The mite’s digestive system results in so little waste that the mite doesn’t even have an excretory opening. So although there may be mites in your eyelashes, there isn’t any mite poop! Thank goodness!

However … did you know that you go to sleep at night on a pillow that is home to many thousands of dust mites …which help keep our homes clean by consuming the tens of millions of skin cells we shed each day? Just pretend they’re not there!

So guys, please don’t try to go look in the mirror. You need a microscope and one of your eyelashes to see these little guys. Happy grooming, fright fiends! 😉

Just when you thought I’d never do another quiz. I. just. cannot. help. myself. When I find a quiz, I have to share it with you guys. 🙂 So here goes:

P.S. Don’t forget to watch Fringe tonight!

Usually I’m kind of skeptical when it comes to some new TV show that claims to be the next best thing. And a new Fox series, FRINGE, was being compared to the X-files. I said to myself, “yeah, yeah, sure, sure. I don’t think so.” But wow. Fringe is one of my new favorite shows, hands down!

On last night’s episode (2nd one of the season), some guy had just had “relations” with a prostitute. Something in the woman’s stomach began writhing around soon after. By the time the guy dropped her off at the hospital, the prostitute was nine months pregnant. Then, only four hours later, her baby looked like this:

An old man! After four hours. That’s crazy. If you haven’t watched this show yet, then do so. It will take too long to post the character breakdown. But this show is a must-see. Watch it Tuesdays on Fox.

I should really be getting paid for all of this free publicity. 🙂

Phew, after a month away, I almost went into shock! I cannot stay away from Blogger. LOL.

Some wonderful things have been happening for writers lately. My friend L. A. Banks (pictured left) participated in an interview for the upcoming HBO shows: TRUE BLOODLINES: VAMPIRE LEGENDS and TRUE BLOODLINES: A NEW TYPE, which will air on September 6, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

The two shows precede Charlain Harris’ new series, TRUE BLOOD. If you don’t know Ms. Banks’ or Ms. Harris’ works, you should check them out. They’re awesome. 🙂

Also, Stephenie Meyer’s book, Twilight, has been transformed into a movie, and will be released

on November 21, 2008 in theaters.

This is all some awesome news. Please give these ladies a hand. Congratulations, ladies!! 😉

Hi guys. Sorry I haven’t been visiting blogs as often as I used to, but I promise that I will as soon as I get things together. I’m getting married, so I’ve been planning my wedding, plus working on a writing project that I will discuss later. 🙂 So bear with me as I get things together.

In the meantime, imagine getting older with your spouse. Some things are just priceless! And hilarious. Check out my favorite commercial as of late:

Anyone who knows me, is aware that I absolutely LOVE the Golden Girls. I watched them every week after the Cosby Show years ago when the show first aired, and I still watch the reruns till this day. I am even collecting all of the seasons on DVD.

The Golden Girls can still make you laugh with their timeless wit and humor. I have sat and watched all of the episodes for hours on end, holding my sides while I laughed and laughed. That show is a true classic.

Estelle Getty, a.k.a., Sophia Petrillo, was a star whose mouth made her one of my favorite characters ever on television. Her one-liners were hilarious. She will truly be missed.

Sophia Petrillo had her moments with various characters on the show, but one of the funniest and most memorable “Sophia” episodes for me was, “Yes, We Have No Havanas.” The episode involved a Cuban gentleman that Sophia and Blanche were both dating. When Blanche found out that Sophia was also seeing her beau, they agreed to share him. Watch the very funny clip below:

Estelle Getty, a.k.a., Sophia Petrillo, thank you for
being a friend. You were truly a Platinum Golden Girl. 🙂

When I read that M. Night Shyamalan was coming out with another film, I sighed in disgust. The only film I loved by him at that point had been The Sixth Sense. I really liked The Village as well, but I did not really care for his other films.

Hi guys. Sorry I didn’t post last week, but I have been ridiculously busy. I’ll explain later 😉 Anyhoo, on to this week’s topic.

Have you or anyone you know, ever experience a supernatural occurrence? Even if you haven’t or don’t know of anyone who has, please weigh in on this topic anyway. I’d like to know what you guys think about it? Are you a skeptic or believer? Somewhere in between?

I am a mega fan of the awesome TV series, Supernatural. Sam and Dean are made of awesomeness. Especially, Dean. 🙂

I’m just waiting for the producers or directors to realize that I’d like to write an episode of Supernatural. LOL.

So, what have you guys experienced? Please share your supernatural occurrences with us!

I had the pleasure of meeting Brandon Massey in person at a Book Festival in February 2006. He is a great writer and a great person. He’s given me writing advice and has helped me in ways he’ll never know—and I appreciate that.

He has penned several novels: THUNDERLAND, DARK CORNER, WITHIN THE SHADOWS, TWISTED TALES, THE OTHER BROTHER, and VICIOUS. He was also an editor and contributor to a series of short stories from several wonderful writers: DARK DREAMS, VOICES FROM THE OTHER SIDE: DARK DREAMS II, and WHISPERS IN THE NIGHT: DARK DREAMS III.

Brandon has a new novel that is coming out on Tuesday, July 1, 2008. It’s entitled, DON’T EVER TELL. Here’s the logline:

With a new identity, a new city to live in, and a wonderful new husband, Rachel Moore believes she’s finally free of the demons in her past. But nothing could be farther from the truth. For the deadly secrets she thought were long buried are now on the brink of being exposed…

If you’ve never read Brandon’s novels before—you really should. He has a way of bringing you into his world and holding on so tight, that you won’t be able to get free until you finish reading that novel.

Brandon was kind enough to grant me an interview and agree to give away a signed ARC of DON’T EVER TELL. So, to enter, you must leave a comment and tell me what you like about a particular novel by Brandon, or, if you haven’t read anything by him, why you should win a copy. All entries need to be in by Monday, June 30, 2008, midnight, EST. Read my interview with my friend, Brandon Massey below.

Demon Hunter: 1.) What draws you to write in the horror genre?

Brandon Massey: I actually would say that as of my last two novels (starting with THE OTHER BROTHER) my work has less of a horror bent and more of a suspense/thriller angle, and that is the direction I’m continuing to pursue. But when I was writing flat-out horror (and I still enjoy reading it), most evident in my first two novels, THUNDERLAND and DARK CORNER, and my story collection, TWISTED TALES, I most enjoyed offering my own take on some of the genre conventions, such as vampires, werewolves, and ghosts. I grew up reading those kind of stories and watching those kind of movies, so it was fun to explore those traditions, in my own way.

DH: 2.) Who were/are some of your author influences?

BM: My reading is pretty much all over the place these days, but Walter Mosley has long been a favorite of my mine. I also enjoy Steven Barnes, Octavia Butler, and Tananarive Due.

DH: 3.) What advice do you have for unpublished writers? For published authors?

BM: For unpublished writers–don’t do it for the money. Do it for the love, and the money will come in time.
Also, do your homework. Learn the business. Be professional, always, especially in the face of rejection.
And keep writing.
I can’t really say what advice I’d offer to published writers. If they succeeded in getting published in our current marketplace they must be doing something right. 🙂


DH: 4.) Could you see yourself working in any other profession? Why? Why not?

BM: I could imagine myself playing in the NBA, but I’m probably about six inches too short (and fifteen years too old!) to have a real shot at that.
Honestly, writing’s all I’ve ever wanted to do since I was a teenager. I’m living my dream.

DH: 5.) What is your favorite book that you have written thus far? And why?

BM: At the risk of sounding cliched, I will say that my books are like my children–I love ’em all, for different reasons.


Thank you so much for participating in the interview, Brandon! 🙂

**Guys, don’t forget to enter for a chance to win a copy of Brandon’s book—DON’T EVER TELL. To enter, you must leave me a comment and tell me what you like about one of Brandon’s novels. But if you’ve never read his work, then you need to tell me why you should win a copy. That’s it. I’ll draw the names randomly. All entries need to be in by Monday June 30, 2008, midnight, EST.

There is a cool new blog launching on Monday, June 23, 2008. It’s called Book Roast. It’s hosted by the talented, Chris Eldin. The rest of the wonderful folks that make up the team are Blogless Troll, Jason Evans, Phoenix, and Shona Snowden.

The sight features a variety of authors, contests, and just plain ‘ole fun. So, stop by when you get a moment, and say hello.

I can already tell that I’m going to be visiting this place quite often. :*)