I need to remember to breathe while doing this journal update with the most wonderful (but probably not surprising) news! Bernie aka `foureyes, a remarkable photographer I've watched for years, is Grand Prize Winner in the National Geographic & Energizer Ultimate Photo Contest! I can't express how happy I am for him, what a talented & respected guy he is in his craft. I'm almost as excited over the fact that one of two photos of his that won first prize in their categories, is the photograph that I wrote & dedicated a poem to: "When..." [link] which Bernie liked enough to fave!
And my thanks to Andy who featured "When..." in his latest journal [link]
UPDATE: 10/24/09: Squeezing in this bit of trivia news -- today I've been a deviant for 6 years, and also marks this day as the start of my 7th!
My first occasion as a sponsor and a co-judge - this time for a competition with sweeping scope of theme, and plenty of time for you to prepare a submission, or even two. It's Whitney's "All About Life Contest" [link] which runs clear till January 1st, 2010. If that sparks your interest, here's the basis of this contest's theme:

Are you optimistic or pessimistic or a little bit of both? Do you like to write poetry, prose, Flash Fiction, or all of the above? If you answered yes to any of these questions this contest is for you.

If you aren't able to join in, please help pimp this event by hearting the news article here [link] - thanks so much, and hope to see you!
UPDATE: My poem "Equinox" [link] is entered in Jay's "All Hallow's Tales Literature Contest" along with many other entries written in the spirit of the season - and is now closed as of October 24th, having taken in 58 entries - holy socks!
UPDATE: My haibun "Firebrands" [link] is entered in the club's "The Night Sky Contest" along with other lovely examples of the night sky theme in short poetry forms such as haiku, tanka, and haibun - and is now closed as of October 16th.
I recently won my very first writing competition with a little 'ku I wrote for Cat's lovely photo in her "Zen Garden Haiku Contest" - the piece can be seen here: [link]
& UPDATE: I am one of the judges for the "Confessions Contest", hosted by the dynamic duo of Joseph & Alice, which closed October 2nd with 24 entries - results of the winners to be announced, judges to have their votes in to Joseph no later than the 25th.
I'm entered in the "Down with Cliches Contest" with my poem "Jugular" [link] - as part of an amazing array of other entries - and runs till November 15th.
...and....
I'm also entered in Kate's 13th poetry competition "the weather" with my poem "Mangos" [link] which is now closed, with the winners being announced soon.

A DD for my poem "Scourge" [link] - a wonderful surprise, and a timely gift just as I was pulled out of a medical nose dive. My undying thank you to the dedicated ^LadyLincoln for the feature, and to little sis moonRae *rottenpeeches for the suggestion.

Another honor from =DailyLitDeviations, this time for my poem "Goddess" [link]

August 9th, 2009:The third issue of The Clearfield Review is out and features my "Quicksilver" [link] also -

The summer issue of Riverbed Haiku is out and has featured one of my haiku [link]
July 20, 2009: I better start keeping smelling salts near for all the surprises that have me close to fainting lately! A DLD given to my poem, "crossroads" [link] , and a DLD given to the collab I did with *Mahi-Fish, "Memories of a Fish" [link]
July 17, 2009: This month keeps coming up with more surprises for me! [link] DistinctLit's first issue is out on lulu.com - and I'm one of 25 writers chosen with my poem "Madonna" [link] among the collection.
UPDATE: I'll be reappearing in the second issue!
July 12, 2009: Even though many of you already know, I thought I'd update with the news that my collection for the 2009 Summer Haikuthon has been given a Daily Deviation! I never dreamed a month-long set of mine would ever garner such an honor - and featured by none other than Will himself. I'm also thrilled to have this happen during such an event.
For the 2009 Summer Haikuthon, another beautiful stamp was designed by `RetroZombie with a wee bit of help from a friend. *coffs*
Click the stamp to view my set.
During the month of June, there was a wonderful contest wherein haijin were asked to send submissions showing photos of their working notebooks & journals [link]
To give you an idea, here was one of my entries (which garnered an honorable mention) ...

"Tea House Haiku Journal"