sockii is just your typical Jane-of-All-Trades who never has enough time in her day for all of her projects. She has written for many websites online including Squidoo, Zujava, Yahoo! Contributors Network, HubPages and Wizzley. She has been attending and vending at science fiction and media conventions for over 15 years, and for several years ran an art gallery and jewelry store in Philadelphia. Today she is happy to be living in South Jersey with her partner David and their 6 cats. Sockii is a member of several affiliate sales programs including Amazon Associates and Viglink. Products from these services may be advertised on her posts and pages to generate sales commissions.
Dr. David D. Carrozzino – Classical Painter and Podiatrist
October 28, 2015 | Posted in TRADITIONAL ART AND PAINTING | By sockii
Many of us have hobbies we enjoy pursuing in our free time. For Dr. David D. Carrozzino, a podiatrist practicing in Woodbury, New Jersey, that hobby is classical oil painting. David’s passion for art, particularly the art of the Italian Renaissance, has been an important part of his life for many years…
A Little Too Broken by Brad Vance is a little too banal
October 23, 2015 | Posted in LGBT THEMES, ROMANCE | By sockii
Jamie and Tom are two “broken” individuals. Jamie hasn’t been with anyone since his last (drug-pushing, abusively dominating) boyfriend infected him with HIV—he’s convinced he’s now unlovable and destined to be forever alone. Tom, who is former military, lost both of his legs in Afghanistan…
Half Way Home by Hugh Howey: A Half Way Good Read
October 22, 2015 | Posted in LGBT THEMES, SCIENCE FICTION, YOUNG ADULT | By sockii
In the future, there is no faster-than-light travel, no wormholes to speed the exploration and colonization of other worlds. Instead, nations send out colony ships filled only with 500 blastocysts, ready to be nurtured into life if a planet is found to be hospitable to human settlement…
Buried in the “Sand” – Hugh Howey’s Disappointing Post-Apocalyptic World
October 12, 2015 | Posted in SCIENCE FICTION | By sockii
I recently read – more like devoured – author Hugh Howey’s “Silo Saga” books, an impressive trilogy that presented a truly unique post-apocalyptic vision of the future. I was so impressed by these books that I…
The Silo Saga by Hugh Howey
October 9, 2015 | Posted in SCIENCE FICTION | By sockii
I only recently discovered author Hugh Howey and his incredibly popular “Silo Saga” books, thanks to a recommendation from someone who knows my taste in science fiction. I downloaded the first title, Wool, based on the intriguing description—and the fact that it was a book with over 10,000 customer reviews, most of them extremely positive…
Tips for Painting Realistic Flesh Tones in Oil
September 26, 2015 | Posted in TRADITIONAL ART AND PAINTING | By sockii
Ask any artist who does portrait or figure painting and they will tell you that mixing and applying realistic flesh tones is one of the hardest challenges they face…
MasterChef US Season 6 Episode 20 Recap and Review: September 16 2015
September 19, 2015 | Posted in EPISODE RECAPS, REALITY TV | By sockii
It’s here at last: the grand finale of another season of MasterChef. Tonight it will be Claudia facing off against Derrick in the standard three-part battle of appetizer, entree and dessert
MasterChef US Season 6 Episode 19 Recap and Review: September 16 2015
September 18, 2015 | Posted in EPISODE RECAPS, REALITY TV | By sockii
The lights come on in the MasterChef kitchen and Stephen, Claudia and Derrick enter. Claudia says she has “grown and changed” so much since this journey began and she’s setting the example for her daughter…
Paestum: Magnificent Greek (and Roman) Ruins in Southern Italy
September 17, 2015 | Posted in ARCHEOLOGY, HISTORIC PLACES | By sockii
Usually when we talk of important archeological sites in Italy, we focus on Roman ruins: the Forum of Rome, the lost cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, or the aqueducts and catacombs along the Appian Way…
MasterChef US Season 6 Episode 18 Recap and Review: September 9 2015
September 10, 2015 | Posted in EPISODE RECAPS, REALITY TV | By sockii
Last week we said goodbye to Katrina, after she failed to impress with a Mystery Box of classic Italian ingredients and served up raw veal. Who will be going home tonight? It’s down to Claudia, Nick, Stephen and Derrick and the episode begins with…
