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Archive for June, 2011

Monday Mayhem

Monday, June 27th, 2011

I sent this to my husband when we were in the midst of our move. He thought it was hilarious and worth sharing – so here you go:

I got myself all put together this morning to drop the stuff by the Realtors office – ie – no paint smudged clothes, but wearing full makeup and all undergarments required in polite society. As they don’t open right away and I don’t have an envelope to use their drop slot, I go to Panera and get a coffee. As I’m sliding across the front seat to get to the drivers side (my driver’s door will not open from the outside) I nudge the cup holder, leaving an undetermined brown streak on the knee of my nice khaki capris.

Poo… But okay – no harm, going on.  

To Target to pick up a big envelope to put the stuff in so I can drop it thereby ensuring I don’t have to venture out again (the whole writing, packing, mothering, life thing is looming and I don’t want to ‘waste time’ waiting). As I’m sliding into the car, I hit the coffee in the drink holder. It spills ALL over my ankle and pants leg – like dripping wet… Biting back tears (and muttering some rather colorful explectives) I use every napkin in the car to get as much sopped up as possible. Alas, my pants are now dingy and stained, in addition to the unidentified brown smudge.

Feeling somewhat deflated, I put the very important papers (no worries – they stay dry and pristine through it all) in the envelope and decide to just stick it all in the slot on the front door and head home.

As I’m pulling into the parking lot, I roll down the window to revel in the fresh air. I decide to leave the window down and enter through the drivers door (you can open it from the inside, not the outside) versus climbing across and encountering any further knee bumping dangers. Besides, it’s beautiful out today.

I park, get ready to open the door and a bird (some gigantic-ish winged creature) poops on the other knee of my pants.

No, I’m not kidding. My pants (the pants I am wearing!) appear to have suffered through some traumatic ordeal or hazardous fluid leak. And – from the looks of them – they may not survive.

But I can’t not do what I’m here to do. The whole reason I ventured out looking civilized (a look I can no longer claim) was to get these important papers here. So I open the car door, run up to the drop slot to shove the envelope inside undetected.

But a Woman (the receptionist?) OPENS the door to help me. She gets a very strange look on her face (I can’t imagine why?)… I blurt out that my coffee exploded, hand her the envelope while telling her it’s for my agent and retreat quickly - with said bird sludge, coffee, and brown streak all visible.

I can only imagine what she thought.

When I get home, I see I the key for the agent on the table… The key that should have been included in the envelope that I’d just delivered… The key that has to be in their office Today…

 *SIGH*

It’s Monday all right. Hope yours is less eventful.

Light at the end of the tunnel…

Friday, June 24th, 2011

The maze of cardboard, packing paper and various miscellaneous bits of …stuff are growing more sparse with each passing day. Yes, it would seem that ‘the move’ is finally behind me. Now I get to tackle the next substantial item on my agenda – getting the ids registered for their new schools. I’m hoping it will be relatively painless, but I know better. Alas, it is a very necessary process. I cannot imagine having them home with me all the time – I sincerely admire those that home school. I do not have the patience. Me attempting homeschooling = very bad things.

Once the whole non-homeschooling thing is handled I might actually have some fun.

Yes, that’s right – it’s that wonderful time of year when the words Conference, RWA, and Nationals arebouncing around like little giddy bubbles in champagne glasses. I’m going to savor each and every bubble. AND I will be blogging about my adventures in New York. So, all of you that wish you were able to go, I will do my very best to post the hightlights and a pic or two along the way.

Now, back to champagne bubble-less duties… Happy Friday all!

To Tweet or Not to Tweet, that is the Question…

Wednesday, June 15th, 2011

I KNOW social media and networking is essential for many professions and industries. As an aspiring author, it’s a constant topic of debate or conversation. If you decide to have an outlet, what to choose? Most have Facebook and blogs – but not all are Twitter subscribers.

Some very popular and successful published writers do not tweet. Case in point, Internationally published author (and fellow DARA member) Diana Cosby does not tweet. Yet her lack of tweets hasn’t slowed her down! She’s the kind of success in print that makes wanna-bes like me hang on her every word and take copious notes. Thankfully, Diana is generous with her time and advice!

One ocritique partner has recently become a bit of a twitter addict. At stoplights, in meetings, you name it – she’ll tweet it. And she loves getting new followers and feedback. She has noted that your twitter followers aren’t necessarily the same as those that subscribe to your blog, though. And she does both = a lot of time. But Miss Alexander isn’t slowing down, so it must be working for her.

So, I’m curious. What form of social networking do you use and why. And what do you think is the least effective? I look forward to hearing thoughts on this one!

Dear Young Hollywood…

Monday, June 6th, 2011

Dear Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson,

I am was a total fan. The initial Honeymoon phase of awkward posing, stammering or muttered speech, slouching poses, and general adorable discomfort with your newfound ‘status’ as rising Hollywood stars has gone is dead. Granted,  it’s waned a bit with each new Twilight film. While the movies are decent are getting better, you are not. I KNOW there has to be a manager or stylist or SOMEONE out there just dying to help you. And I’m imploring you – find those people!!! And, PLEASE, let them HELP YOU BOTH!!!!

Tonights MTV Movie Awards were horrible painful toturous - and not just because of Jason Sedakis. The two of you were  are embarassing. And, contrary to what some misguided soul might have told you, you’re not coming off the least bit charming. Robert, take a shower and brush your hair for crying out loud. You are were cute, but now you make me itch. Kristen, stand up straight. Stop with the attitude and just smile and say thank you. People like you guys, give them a reason to like you. You’re both attractive, intelligent people – so act like it.

Twilight is ending soon. Taylor Lautner has some promising projects lined up. He’s also charming, well-spoken and humble (without being condescending or affected) – a really likable, cute, clean cut guy without all the angst or attitude. He’s younger than you both, but he seems to have it figured out. He also appears to have better hygiene and no aversion to the sun. (Side note – He’s actually making me rethink my Team Edward stance.)

I hope you take these suggestions to heart. I don’t mean to pick – but you make it soooo easy…

Young Hollywood has very slim prospects. While I think you both have potential, Bella and Edward’s time is almost up. What then, Mr. Pattinson and Miss Stewart? Without Edward and Bella you might lose your ‘indie’ cred or ‘slacker coolness’.

Will you be ‘fine’ being ’That awkward British guy who played Edward’ or that ‘Condescending chick who was Bella Swan’? All protestations aside, I don’t think so. I think you want to be stars, right?

So take a cue from Mr. Lautner. He’s on the path to staying Taylor Lautner – like Harrison Ford and Matt Damon. They play parts, but we still remember their real names. And that is the testament of a real actor.

Taylor Lautner's Publicist Leaves Him

Good luck!