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Archive for September, 2011

Goosebumps II

Saturday, September 17th, 2011

While writing, I find mood music essential. I love putting together a playlist on YouTube that adds to the vibe I’m creating. While each project has a different vibe, I find that there are a few repeat songs/artists on my playlists.

A few all time favorites:

Florence and the Machine. I LOVE Cosmic Love .

Way before it had anything to do with Water for Elephants – I fell completely in love with this song. It helped me create a powerful scene at the end of my recent MS – perfectly encapsulated the feel, desperation, pain and sweet reunion at the end…

Lisa Gerrard. Talk about your mood music. I know, I know, I’m a moody music lovin’ gal – but she rocks it. Elysium is one I listen to a lot.

As my current books take place in Ancient Greece, I’ve found one of two songs that help me ‘get there’.

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And then there are a couple of movie/mini-series scores that speak to me. From HBO’s Rome, Starz Spartacus, King Arthur and the Clash of the Titans redux.

This is by no means all of them, but these are a few I’ve found most helpful. My playlists normally run 1 1/2 – 2 hours,enough time to hammer out quite a few pages!

Any music speak to you? It doesn’t have to be for writing… or for any purpose except that it resonates with you in some way? If so, what are your absolute favorite songs/themes and why?? Thanks for sharing :)

Goosebumps

Wednesday, September 14th, 2011

I’m a sucker for romance, especially when it involves a strong man having to yield their stoicism for love. It gets me everytime.

Here is one favorite example (click here)  from Pride & Prejudice (2005)

One from Leap Year – :) (click here)

Of course, I have to post one for my beloved Hector. And another for Leonidas, too.

Yes, I know – I have a thing for cliffs… Interesting that I’m just now realizing it.

I’ll be posting more of my favorite scenes and excerpts from books as well. I’d love to hear about the movies, books, and songs that inspire your heart to pick up speed – so share! That’s all for now… :) Enjoy

Andy Whitfield

Monday, September 12th, 2011

I was saddened to hear that Starz Spartacus Andy Whitfield died. He died of non-Hodgkins lymphoma, age 39.

While this show was admittedly over-the-top with its blood and *ahem* explicit scenes of naughtiness – I was a fan! Yes, it was a very guilty pleasure – one I happily watched via Netflix – wincing, blushing – and watching every episode.

But I applaud the cast and writers for embracing the show for what it was. A cheeky, cheesy escape - naughty and raw to its very core.

And yet Andy, aka Spartacus, brought a certain taut jawed vulnerability to his part. Yes, he could fight, look dashingly handsome and slightly dangerous while covered with filth and sweat, but he also conveyed those hero qualities I can’t resist. Loyalty, passion, and determination. And I shall miss seeing him as Spartacus – and not just because he a fine speciman of a man, but because he embodied my idea of a hero both onscreen, as Spartacus, and off screen while fighting cancer.

While he’s been replaced for the second season of Starz Spartacus – I’m sticking with the first for now.

Yes, I’m a sucker for sword and sandal epic – even the bad ones. But you’ll find that, all gratuitous nudity and shock value aside, there’s a rather powerful love story you can get swept away with here as well.

Thank you, Mr. Whitfield.

First Impressions

Thursday, September 1st, 2011

So, as I might have mentioned, we’ve moved. Which means a lot of first impressions are being made.

For the most part, I embrace my ‘funny mom’ status and simply hope to be as pleasant a parent (for both my kids and their teachers as possible) as i can be. I smile, I wave, I try not to cause waves or do anything to bring undo attention to myself – I’m a ‘behind the scenes’ kind of mom. And I am perfectly content to remain so here in our new city.

When it’s me and my brood, however – I poke and tease and generally remind them that I rock and they’re lucky to have me. I like to stay connected to my kids and don’t mind horrifying them in the process.

Take yesterday for example:

Me: Did you have a good day?

Kid 2: It was okay

Me: What did you do? Do you have homework? Anything exciting.

Kid 2: Nope

Me: Did you meet anyone new?

Kid 2: shakes head

( By now I’m tired of sitting in long car lines in 100+ heat. We pass one of the teachers who monitors the pick-up line – a Hotty Coach)

Me: He’s a cutie. Bet you can’t wait til you have him for PE.

Kid 2: Mom! (BUT I finally made her laugh – so score one for me!!!)

This morning we’re pulling up to the drop off line.

Kid 3: Oh, Mom, you know how you were saying Coach ***** is cute? He laughed when I told him what you said…

Kid 1: You told him?

Me: You told him?

Kid 2: You told him?

Kid 3: (sensing danger) I… I’m sorry….

Kid 1: So not cool.

Kid 2: So not cool… Dude

I sense Kid 1 & Kid 2 circling for the big sister smack down. My choices: a. a tirade about not sharing our every conversation or b. amusement. I choose b. (it was close) and start laughing

Kid 3: I’m so sorry, Mom.

Me: No big deal.

It’s out turn next in the car pool line. And, you guess it, Hotty Coach is waiting for me to pull forward. I have no choice here – the kids have to go to school, right?

Kid 2 and Kids 3 climb out of the car. Kid 1 is hiding her face in the front passenger seat.

Hotty Coach sees Kid 3, makes the connection and SMILES like he’s a five year old on Christmas morning. Then – he BLUSHES.

Kid 1: Oh my God….

Me: Smile and wave. Smile and wave. (And I do – I mean, what else can I do??)

So much for staying under the radar. But at least I made one doozy of a first impression…