A New Era

One of the things I love most about our nation's democracy is how we're able to transition power without riots starting. The outgoing leader doesn't simply declare the election results illegal and seize control of the government with martial law. It's peaceful and jubilant, with a lot of pomp and circumstance.

I've been living in DC off and on for the past 9 years and have been here during the last 3 inaugurations. Maybe it was the historic nature of swearing in the first African-American president, but this one was entirely different from the previous two.

The closest thing I witnessed to a protest (let alone a riot) was a few peoplle carrying signs proclaiming that the rest of us were going to Hell unless we repented and some vegans who were passing out literature stating that to mark this historic era of change, President Obama (wow, that's fun to say!) should have banned all meat from the inaugural festivities.

During the first Bush inauguration, however, the law firm I worked at had thrown a party for their clients to watch the parade from their offices (right smack dab in the middle of the parade route at 8th and Pennsylvania), and as an employee, I was expected to attend, which meant that I had to cross the picket line of at least two causes I supported. It made me feel sad to do that, but as a student of politics and history, I did want to be there (even if I hadn't voted for the guy).

But at least those protestors were peaceful. What I witnessed from the 5th floor office of my boss was decidedly not. You see, a group of anarchists had decided to rip down the American flag from the Naval Memorial and replace it with a black flag. Almost within seconds, they were descended upon by a swarm of police in riot gear who started beating them down to the ground in submission with nightsticks.

So needless to say, I'm thrilled that this year's experience was the exact opposite.

As a writer, I rarely find myself without words adequate to express my emotions, but still two days later, I must admit to this inability this time. Just being there on the Mall or walking around downtown, I was faced with an electricity from the crowd that was stirring. And it wasn't just Democrats, either. I met plenty of Republicans who had not voted for President Obama (still get excited when calling him that!), but who wanted to be there to witness history.

It's fitting that the inauguration of the 44th President of the United States occured the day after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s 80th birthday. I only wish he had lived to see it because it truly was the realization of his dream.

Race relations in our country are far from perfect, but I'm truly hopeful that we will one day reach a point when we really are colorblind. This is a remarkable step closer to that day.

OK, enough sentimentalism. Let's get to the pictures!



Military presence was high, as security was stepped up.

We got to Sunday's concert at the Lincoln Memorial around noon-ish (for a 2:30 pm start time), but many people had been there since 6 am. Considering that it was bitter cold, I'm glad we waited and got there a little bit later, even if it meant that we only got as far forward as the very front of the reflecting pool. Of course, there were still probably at least 400,000 people behind us (all the way past the Washington Monument!), so we got fairly far forward, considering.

This is how far back we were when we first arrived. Fortunately two of our friends had gotten there earlier so we decided to try to go find them and got a lot father forward. Well, hey, what else were we going to do during a 2-hour wait, if not try to find our friends???

Some people decided to climb trees to listen to their favorite performing artists. It was the first time I've ever seen U2 or James Taylor live, and it was awesome!

Walking around, exploring the crowds.

MSNBC...the place for politics!

Mike Barnicle leaves the mobile news room. It was way too cold out to stay to try to watch "Countdown with Keith Olbermann" taped. So we watched it in the comfort of our living room instead.

Soledad O'Brien takes photos of the crowd during a commercial break from CNN.

I get my 15 seconds of fame on the local NBC News and when shown a tiny lunch sack and told that was as large of a bag as they would be allowing along the parade route and then asked what I would bring in it if I went, I said Chapstick (because it was so cold) and an ID. Oooh, brilliant, Amanda! In my defense, it was freakin' freezing and my brain froze.

Christina and I are klassy in our boots with ballgowns on the Metro!

I'm taking you inside an inaugural ball now. It's kinda like prom, only you can drink legally and there are random secret service agents hanging around.

Mr. Brice and I, all dressed up!

Christina shows off the only two Donkey cookies we could find. On most dessert trays, there were only Elephants left.

Random picture day!

It's RAAAAANDOM PIIIIICTURE DAAAAAY at the Fictionistas!! I'm going to post a few images I have saved on my computer:

This is a shot I took of someone dressed like Aang (from Nickelodeon's Avatar cartoons) at an anime convention I attended last summer. Yes, I'm a nerd. Yes, it was massively crowded (there were like 14 billion teenagers and adults), and insanely hot and sweaty. Yes, I dressed in a costume (I was a geisha). And yes, I had an utter blast!! I spent a lot of money, ate delicious Japanese pocky, watched anime, and lived it up with my fellow nerds. FUNNETY FUN!!

Here's a picture of my dog, Leela. This was right after we adopted her--we found her at a shelter. She was seriously underweight, and her belly was droopy because she'd just had pups--they weren't with her at the shelter :-( . She's been with us a year now, though, and we're happy to have her!

Here's a shot of my daughter wearing big red glasses. Yeah, I don't know what that's about, either, but isn't she cute? haha

Ahhhh, the infamous meat machine at my work--aptly named because of the fish, chicken, beef, and other kinds of scary meat products they offer...in a vending machine. Sadly enough, they took it out a couple of weeks ago and are supposed to replace it. But in the meanwhile, we can enjoy these pictures of such savory snacks as the...pasta(?) on the left, and the buffalo chicken sandwich on the right. A couple of years ago, one guy made it a challenge to eat one of everything in the machine. He no longer works here...a correlation? I gotta wonder...

Here's a shot I took of the Romance Divas dinner party in San Francisco, at the RWA national conference. The food was sooooo good...and who is that blurry lady in the front? Why, I believe that's a shot of our own lovely Gwen! LOL don't kick me, Gwen...

Here's a shot of a food store front window in Chinatown in San Francisco...appetizing, eh? haha

Well, that's it for me. Stay tuned in the future for another episode of RAAAAANDOM PIIIIICTURE DAAAAAY...

Going, Going, Gone!

Hey y'all! Blondissimo (my jewelry company) has donated some fun pieces to the auction Gemma Halliday is sponsoring to raise money for a homeless fan and her mom. You can read about it and place some bids at Romanctic Inks. Here's what I've donated:

A beaded book thong:

A crystal heart necklace:

Now go bid!

And The Oscar Nomination SHOULD Go To...

In three days, the Oscar nominations will be announced.

It's looking pretty darn certain that Heath Ledger will be nominated for Best Supporting Actor, and almost certainly win the Oscar.

And I'm delighted. First, because his performance was truly astounding. And second, because a movie that didn't have "Oscar" written all over it from its inception may take a major prize.

I wish that happened more often. I love all kinds of movies, but I think that nowadays, for some sad reason, "entertainment" is the kiss of death with the Oscars.

It wasn't always so. Once upon a time, movies like The Wizard of Oz, Music Man, Jaws, and even Airport regularly drew major nominations.

Okay, then, let's pretend you're a member of the Academy, and can right this wrong. So what "non-Oscar-typical" movies or performances would you be nominating for Oscars this week?

If I were voting, I'd start with Wall-E for Best Picture. (I've seen most of the major award-winners this year, and I thought Wall-E was better than any of them...and by that, I don't mean that Milk or Frost/Nixon weren't worthy, but that Wall-E was just that good.)

Then I'd throw in Robert Downey Jr. as Best Supporting Actor in Tropic Thunder. (Admit it: that was an amazing performance! And the fact that it was hysterically funny shouldn't count against it.)

And if they gave an Oscar for best hair, I'd give it to Twilight. I love the way Jasper's hair reveals his nineteenth-century origins, how Edward's hair looks right for the 1980s (a decade whose music he loves)...

I might even throw in a Best Picture nomination for Iron Man, for its razor-sharp dialogue, for another great performance from the versatile (and suddenly buff) Robert Downey Jr., and for its sheer entertainment value. (I had more fun at Iron Man than at any other flick this year...though Twilight and Wall-E both came close...)

So, how about you? What picture or performance do you think the Academy will overlook, but really shouldn't?


Cara
Cara King, who celebrated her geek credentials by seeing Iron Man and Twilight three times each in theaters, and Wall-E twice

Real Friends

"Is this one of your computer friends, or a real one?" That's often what my mom will ask when I am relating a story about somebody. She comes from a generation that only envisioned in its wildest dreams the miracle that is the internet. I met the love of my life online. I found my first success as both a writer and critic online. I have many friends online, most of whom I have never met in person. But it wasn't that long ago the idea might have seemed pretty strange to me, as well.

The internet was just coming to life as I graduated from high school and headed out into the world. A few people had something called Prodigy. Some people later got Compuserve. Then came AOL. Baby steps. This thing called "the internet" or "online" was only for a few. Today I only know a handful of people without internet access, and these few often have to visit a friend or library to survive in a wired world. Tax forms, information once readily available in business lobbies and banks is no longer printed out in cheery, glossy tri-folds. "You can get that online at wwww.this-site.com."

My dad still asks me, now and then, to find something online for him. Or he'll say "can you get that on your machine?" I think Papa is under the impression that I do something miraculous to get him the CD he can't find (on ebay), or the information he needs (google). If he knew how simple and second-nature this is to all of us he'd stop bragging at the donut shop about how clever I am.

I blogged about one of my very good online friends yesterday. She happens to be a Fictionista-- Gwen Hayes. You can read that gushingly joyful post here. Gwen is somebody I haven't yet met but can't wait to hug in person. I've been super-lucky enough to very briefly meet Fictionistas Kristen and Mel. I won't rest until I have hugged each of them at least once. Not by way of a monitor, either. And theRomance Divas are a few thousand of my best friends. Any opportunity to hug some diva will not be missed.

There are my buddies at another online site, The Sceptic's Tank, that I've known since... well, Prodigy. We were among the first nerds to take over the wires. I worked with a few of those dorks at-- for real!!-- the FBI. It was back when the internet was so new it scared everyone.

So how many special people are trapped inside your computer? Any good love stories? Any great friendships?

I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President...


Next week, our 44th President of the United States will be sworn into office. That calls for Inauguration Trivia! Because I am a dork like that.

• The first president to ride in a car at his inauguration was Warren Harding in 1921.
• Harry Truman had the first televised inauguration in 1949.
• Obama will be the 44th President of the United States and this will be the 56th formal inauguration.
• George Washington's was the shortest inaugural address at 135 words.
• The first inaugural ball was held for James Madison.
• In 1985, Ronald Reagan's second inaugural had to compete with Super Bowl Sunday.
• Except for Washington's first inaugural, all presidents until 1937 were inaugurated in March in an effort to avoid bad weather.
• The warmest inauguration was Ronald Reagan's first (Jan. 20, 1981). It was 55°. The coldest was Reagan's second (Jan. 21, 1985). It was 7°.
• Only four retiring presidents have not attended the inaugurations of their successors.
• The oath is taken with a hand upon a Bible, opened to a passage of the president-elect's choice. Each president has chosen a different passage. Theodore Roosevelt's 1901 oath was the only one not sworn in on a Bible.
• The weather was so cold during the second inauguration of Ulysses S. Grant that the valves on the band's musical instruments froze during the ball, and guests danced with their coats on.
• George H. W. Bush celebrated with nine balls, while Bill Clinton managed to attend each of the 14 balls held in his honor, if only briefly.

Edited by Rhonda to add: We have a winner! I threw all the entries into a big bowl and drew out the following name: Lauren Bjorkman!! CONGRATS!! Please email me at rhonda @ rhondastapleton dot com with a valid email address...and, since you commented on both my blog post and Amanda's, you get $20 worth of Amazon gift cards. YAY! She and I will get those out to you ASAP. Thanks again to everyone who entered--we're so glad to have such thoughtful and smart commenters!

The Devil is in the Details

I admit it. I love big, complicated, detailed plots. Sure, I have certainly been known to love some books with very straight-forward, simple plots, too. But for the most part, the more detailed and complicated, the better!

(This is assuming, of course, that the author has the skill to dangle multiple plot threads at once and to tie everything up by the end of the book, or at least by the end of the series.)

It seems that many of the "big" YA books -- you know the ones I mean...that hit all the bestseller lists, get lots and lots of attention, and have a large crossover audience of adults as well as teens -- have detailed plots and multiple subplots. Not all of them, of course. There are plenty of excellent books out there that are incredibly straight-forward.

Yet, there are some people who believe that YA should not have detailed, complicated plots, because teenagers have shorter attention spans than adults. Frankly, I think that's a little patronizing, and fails to take account of some of the "biggest" books out there.

Which brings me to cross-over novels, those YA books that appeal to both teens and adults. Most of these books have large, detailed plots with multiple subplots and often a large cast of characters, all of whom get their own thread. Are "big books" with detailed plots more likely to be cross-overs than straight-forward books?

What are some of your favorite YA books? Are they super complex or more straight-forward? Dish!

BONUS: I'll throw in an additional $10 to Rhonda's Amazon prize, but you need to comment on today's thread!

Review of Ophelia by Lisa Klein AND CONTEST!

I made a New Year's resolution to read more books (in fact, to read one a week). Ophelia, a YA novel by Lisa Klein, was the first book I completed in 2009. And I loved it so much, I had to write today's blog post about it.

Most people have either read Shakespeare's Hamlet, or have at least heard about it--Hamlet, the prince of Denmark, is haunted by his father's ghost that claimed to have been murdered by Hamlet's uncle...the very same man now occupying the throne, and who also just married Hamlet's own mother. Drama! Intrigue! Potential bloodbath!

Of course, since this is a Shakespearean tragedy, Hamlet goes on a rampage, until there's, like, only one person left alive in the end...and it ain't Hamlet.

One of the people affected by this tragedy is Ophelia, Hamlet's love--in the play, she goes mad with grief after Hamlet accidentally kills her father, and she ends up drowning herself.

I always loved Ophelia and wished Shakespeare had written more about her. Well, he didn't, but Lisa Klein did. Starting from Ophelia's childhood, Klein explores Ophelia's upbringing--how she came to fall in love with Hamlet, the twists and secret plots that ultimately kept them from being together, and what happened to Ophelia when Hamlet went mad...and afterward.

Ophelia is a strong, empowering character who struggles to find her sense of purpose, as well as true happiness. I was gripped by the narrative and had a hard time putting the book down.

Even better, this novel breathes new life not only into Ophelia, but into the play itself. The author cleverly comes up with plot ideas that fit the frame of the original story. The language is vivid, beautiful, and evocative, but still a quick read.

I truly enjoyed this novel and would recommend it to anyone who loves Shakespeare or Shakespearean-era stories. Huge, huge thumbs up to Lisa Klein for a wonderful tale.

PS--Klein has a new YA novel out set during the Civil War, called Two Girls of Gettysburg, and you'd better believe I'll run out and buy it, too!

OKAY, CONTEST TIME!!!

Who's your favorite Shakespearean character, and why? Leave a comment in this post telling me, and you'll be entered into a random drawing to win a $10 Amazon gift card (it'll be emailed to you).

Contest winners will be announced Friday morning on Gwen's post, so you have today (Wednesday, 1/14/09) and tomorrow (Thursday, 1/15/09) to leave a comment in this post and enter to win.

Good luck!

Do you library?

As a kid, libraries were a huge part of my life. I could spend hours in the small local library, wandering the stacks, reading the magazines, planning what books I'd take out next time because I'd already used up my quota for that visit. In high school, the school library became my refuge. Having gone to private school until half way through the 9th grade, I didn't understand how a large public school functioned (cafeteria? What is that?) so I spent every free moment (lunch, study hall, cough*gym*cough) in that sacred space. I probably read 75% of the fiction books they had.

Oddly enough, as adult, I've fallen away from my first love. I'll be honest. I don't actually know where my local library is. Sad, isn't it? I don't have a library card, but I plan on getting one and soon. There are an estimated 123,129 libraries of all kinds in the United States, so there's really no excuse not to visit one. When was the last time you went to the library?

on empty

Gang, I'm totally out of gas. I'm on deadline and am trying to continue working out while I'm forcing this book onto the paper and let me tell ya, it ain't easy. Usually going to the gym is the first thing I give up when I'm stressed. This time I've realized how important it actually is to maintaining my state of mind.

My brain hasn't shut down for 2 months and I'm exhausted. I haven't been sleeping much because I'm constantly working out a plot point or dialogue or I'm thinking about other stuff like, you know life. Things like why hasn't Matt Damon moved on? Didn't I make it clear? Doesn't he realize I'm stressed out enough as it is? I don't need him stalking me, looking at me with those puppy dog eyes and begging me for one more chance as his not-so-secret-pretend girlfriend. I'm sorry, bud. It's over. Move on.

So today's blog is really about nothing. Sorry. I'm just a mess right now. Can't function. Need brain fuel. I need something to stimulate my mind, jump start my thinking, challenge me, make me focus on something else other than the microcosm of thoughts I've been having. Any suggestions? Someone out there wanna offer up a little brain fuel for me?

They're BAAA---aaack

They're here. There is nowhere to hide. They know where you live. They know where you shop. They have cookies and freckles and sweet little faces, and they have no mercy...

GIRL SCOUTS

Oh, you laugh... but there is something deeply diabolical about these sick little tykes with their scrubbed faces, sitting at tables outside the local market or Walmart with their pink cheeks and box upon box of resolution-destruction. Brightly colored boxes with "0% TransFat" and other hypnotic lures printed in cheery letters, a merry, seductive font. You walk in thinking you'll strut right by as you leave.

Fool.

You think to resist? No. Resistance is futile. Everyone knows it. Walk by on the way in, go ahead. But make sure you leave space in the carriage, hero. You'll be leaving with several boxes. Thin mints. Oh yeah. Samoas, with their caramel and coconut. Yup. Or Tagalongs, perhaps, with their rich peanutbutter buttons of joy... just give in. You'll be giving in anyway.

And you know... I don't really have a problem with girlscouts or cookies or the sale of cookies by girlscouts. I don't. But why now? Why on this first full moon of a brand new year, with snow coming to trap me inside with those mocking, evil, brightly colored boxes? Why in January?

Because they're cute, yes, and sweet, yes, but they are also very, very clever. Don't be fooled. Don't try to avoid the inevitable. Just buy the damned cookies, eat the damned cookies, and pray you survive til the next assault...

VALENTINE'S DAY

Having to do with goddesses and Boston

I just found a wonderful review of my upcoming release for Samhain Publishing. Megan at Fallen Angel Reviews had this to say about Oh Goddess:

"I would recommend Oh Goddess to all of my friends and family. If you’re looking for a hilarious and fun read with magic and love, then grab this fast; I promise you won’t be disappointed!"

I can't tell you how excited I am for the release of this baby. Not just cuz I wrote it--but because all author and editor proceeds are going to the Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis. The cause is near and dear to my heart of hearts and I want everyone to promise they will buy a copy or four and help a 'Nista out.

(p.s. Oh Goddess is totally pg-13 and has less sex (actually--no sex) than most YA's I've read which is why I'm okay with promo-ing it here.)

And another thing. I'm going to the New England RWA chapter conference in March. Tell me, if you had one full day to sight see--what would you do in Boston? Because I've never been and I want to make the most of my trip.

Law School = High School?

Occasionally people will wonder how I can write about teenagers. "I hated high school," they say. "I would never want to go back."

Well, in many ways I did go back. At the age of 24, in fact.

Because that's when I started law school.

This is an observation made by pretty much anyone who has been a 1L. It's pretty basic when you think of it. High school, only you're legal to drink this time.

First of all, they give you lockers. We have these ginormously thick textbooks, so it makes a lot of sense.

Second, they assign you all your classes (at least your first year). Not only that, but they even assign your seat.

And don't even get me started on cliques. Wow.

And everyone wants to be all up in everyone else's business. Law schoolers gossip and spread even more rumors than high schoolers. Probably because our lives are so boring and focused on intense studying that we're just hoping that someone is leading a more interesting life than we are.

Of course, there are lots of section hookups and dating, which adds to the rumors and gossip. Yes, Mr. Brice was my study partner first semester. Enough said.

I found this video on YouTube. It pretty much says it all:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mdHHtMRldo

So yeah, is it really any surprise that I write about teens? In many ways, teens display more maturity than the average law student.

More Random Things I'm OCD About

I made a list back in July (see here) of a few things I'm OCD about...I've realized over the last couple of days that there are lots of other weird things I do. So of course, I wanted to share them with you fine folk! haha.

Here we go:

1--following my handwashing routine. I have to pump the soap into my hand, wash my hands, and shake my hands three times into the garbage can to get excess water off. Then, I pull down three pumps' worth of paper towels, dry my hands, use the paper towel to wipe off any water on the paper towel handle, and dump the paper towel in the trash.

2--putting mail in a mailbox. I hold the mailbox door open and down, letting the mail rest on top of it, then spread the mail out to verify all envelopes have an addy and a stamp. There have been times I've been tempted to actually open envelopes and make sure I signed my checks, but I usually resist that impulse (not always, however).

3--checking for the car's headlights to be off. I'll check my car door two to three times to make sure the lights are off. I've actually walked away, then walked back to check again...like the car gnomes would have turned the lights on in the point-three seconds I was away.

4--making a mental list of homophones. every time I hear or read one (is that the right word, where they sound the same but have different spellings?), I make a mental list of it. I don't know why--it's not like I'm compiling a book or something. But I have to make a mental note of the word.

5--mentally typing. I often think in terms of how words look on a keyboard. Sometimes, I'll even move my fingers along when spelling out the word in my head, like I'm pretend-typing them. My goal is to find words that use all eight of my fingers once. And when I do, I make a mental list of those words, as well.

6--turning off dueling electronics. I can't have two sound-making electronics on at the same time. If the TV is on, I can't STAND when someone has a radio on in the other room. I can't even stand when the radio is on and the TV is on mute--I can almost hear the electronic hum of the TV, so it's no good. When I write, I usually put on my iPod and crank it up so I don't hear anything else...my new headphones really kill external sounds, which is a total blessing.

7--"clearing" the microwave timer. I can't stand when the microwave is left on 1 second left. If I see it, I'll cancel out of the job so it won't be on "hold" anymore. This will drive me insane, and it'll be all I see if I don't do it.

8--staring at dashes in the road. When I'm riding as a passenger in a car, I stare at the lines in the middle of the road. More specifically, my eyes jump to every other line.

9--lining up my flags/paperclips. I have to have symmetry in certain aspects of my life: when I put post-it flags on stuff, they have to be at the very edge of the paper, and all spaced equally apart from each other (same with paperclips and binder clips).

10--popping body parts. I have to pop certain parts of my body every day: knuckles, elbows, shoulders, knees, and jaws. I feel weird if I don't.

What about you? Any OCD tendencies to share? I know I'm not the only weird person out there...haha

What your dream pet says about you...

Since the Fictionistas are big pet lovers, I thought this little quiz might be fun. Plus, I couldn't come up with any else to do. lol Besides, unlike most quizzes, the answer - for me anyway - was surprisingly accurate. That rarely happens with me and internet quizzes.

If space, money or regulations weren't an obstacle, which one of the following would you absolutely like most as a pet?

1. Dog
2. Cat
3. Ferret
4. Monkey
5. Horse
6. Tiger

No peeking below until you've made your choice!

This is NOT scientific, meant only to help you take a closer look at you in a very unsophisticated manner. This activity has been used successfully to facilitate discussions around self understanding in therapy groups.

Please accept what fits for you and reject what doesn't... be honest though.

Our pets tend to reflect our personalities. Here's what your choice suggests about you and how it impacts your relationship:

Dog. You're faithful, loyal and trustworthy or you'd like to be. You tend to stick around even if you're been beat down or pushed around. You can become aggressive when cornered, but you're generally harmless and make up quickly after a quarrel.

Cat. You're quite aloof and ever curious. You love the companionship of your partner, but on your terms. You're meticulously clean and like things orderly and routine. You definitely like to be in control.

Ferret. You are a detective of sorts. You love to get at the root of problems. Therefore you're a fun partner when it comes to finding lost items, but one to be nervous around if you're trying to keep a secret.

Monkey. You're high spirited and constantly chattering. You're inquisitive, assertive and like to be the life of the party. At times your partner might find you annoying while at other times you're just what's needed to add humor to a dull day.

Horse. You're strong and loyal with just a tad of a wild streak. You respond well to a gentle hand and tend to flee when spooked or afraid. Hanging out together with your companion is your preference over being alone. And though basically cooperative you can be competitive too.

Tiger. You are enamored by beauty and love to feel powerful. You're a bundle of energy and at times lash out in fury. Being alone is not a problem for you, on the contrary at times your companion has to entice you to doing things together.

Can you guess which one I picked? Which one did you pick? Was the asnwer correct?

when tasering should be allowed

Here is my list of infractions that should allow for automatic tasering:

• If you don't return your cart to the cart corral
• Express checkout with more than the maximum
• Self-checkout with a full basket
• Separate checks at a drive through window
• Allowing your dog to poop in my yard then not cleaning it up
• Using cell phone in movie theater (especially talking on the phone. Texting is slightly annoying but I can live with it. Talking? minimum 3 zaps)
• Putting the roll of toilet paper on the wrong way (under not over!!!!)
• Anyone between the ages of 14-18
• Husbands
• Perfect people at the gym
  
• Actually, all perfect people
• Bill collectors
• Door to door salesmen (doesn't matter what you're selling, vacuums, bibles, flo-bees: 2 zaps!)
• Stupid people (yes, this is subjective, but seriously, if I think you're stupid, you're stupid and deserve a zap)
• Abusive people (animals, people, cars, whatever. Zap, Zap, Zap)
• Mean people (not the same as abusive. All abusive people are mean, all mean people aren't abusive. Zap!)
• Clowns
  

Who or what would you add to the list?

Happy Whatever

Yeah. Whatever. New year in da house. Whoop-de-freakin-do. Seriously, I'm over it. 2008 was too long and 2009 is getting on my nerves already. Have a parade, why don't you?



You know, it's not that I can't think of positive things coming in this shiny, sparkly new year. Sure I can. But I've gotta be honest. This was a lame changing of the calendar for me.

First, where were all the cool year-in-review shows? I have a bajillion cable channels. What was on? A Monk marathon (seen them already) and History Channel's Seven Deadly Sins (done them already) series. Um. Hello? Where were the celebrity scandal specials? Where were the top 10, bottom 10 count-downs? What the heck???

Second, the year ended with me parted from my beloved, who had a stomach virus and then strep throat. Since I have no immune system we could not be together. He is exiled to Cambridge, with me mired in a foot of snow in Green Harbor, and half our stuff between a rock, a hard place, and Nova Scotia.

Third, I haven't accomplished my goals for the last year and everyone is making lists for the new one. There will be no resolutions for me. I'm not done with the last set yet.

So 2009 is here. I'm stuck in to-be-continued.

Talk to you next week, k?

survey says

60 Questions People Dont Ask Survey from Quizopolis.com

When's the last time you ran? - today--trying to get Wiley the Puppy outside before he piddled
Do your jeans have rips, tears, and holes in them? - one pair is lightly distressed
What are you dreading right now? - work and end of year reports
Do you celebrate 420? - No
Do you get the full 8 hours of sleep a night? - not since I met Wiley the Puppy
If anyone came to your house on your "lazy days" what would ya'll do? - Make sure there were no "presents" from Wiley on the floor and invite them in
Who last grabbed your butt? - That guy I'm sleeping with (aka Mr. Gwen Hayes)
Have you ever been on your school's track team? - er..no
Do you own a pair of Converse? - nope
Did you copy and paste this survey? - nope
Do you eat raw cookie dough? - only in ice cream
Have you ever kicked a vending machine? - no
Don't you hate it when the radio ruins good songs by playing them over and over? - YES. But I hate it worse when they play bad songs over and over
Do you watch Trading Spaces? - not for many years
How do you eat oreos? - by the fistful
Have you ever stayed online for a very long time waiting for someone? - back in the day
Are you cocky? - do you kiss your mother with that mouth?
Could you live without a computer? - no, please no
Do you wear your shoes in the house? - not usually
Who or what sleeps with you? - One man, one dog, one poop machine
At what age did you find out that Santa wasn't real? - Santa is real.
How many phones, house phones and cell phones are in your house? - Right now there are 8 teenagers in my basement. Guess.
What do you do when you're sad? - watch an even sadder movie
Who would you call first if you won the lottery? - that guy I'm sleeping with
Last time you saw your best friend? - august
Are you in high school? - no thank goodness
What jewelry are you wearing? - wedding ring
Is anyone on your bad side now? - *eyeing puppy* not at this very moment
What's the first thing you do when you get online? - check my email
Do you watch Grey's Anatomy? - not even once, but I love
do most people spell your name? - y-o-u-r-n-a-m-e
Would you wear a boy/girlfriends clothes? - sure, but I'm not allowed to have a boyfriend
Where do you work? - the threshold to hell
What are you doing tomorrow? - visiting the threshhold
Is Justin Timberlake becoming the next Michael Jackson? - I would let JT be in the same room with my children, so no
Favorite name for a girl? - Hayley
Favorite name for a boy? - Harrison
Will you keep your last name when you get married? - no
When was the last time you left your house? - yesterday
Do you return your cart? - I always put it in the cart return
Do you have a dishwasher? - I have four teenagers, so I have four
What noise do you hear? - strains of Guitar Hero from the basement
Would you survive in prison? - I would probably run the prison within a week, less if I got incarcerated with Kristen
Who is the youngest in your family? - Wiley
If all of your friends were going on a road trip, who would most likey overpack? - yes
Do you know anyone with the same name as you? - full name? no
What's the last thing you purchased? - blockbuster movies
Do your siblings ever pay for stuff for you? - I have none
What brand are your pants right now? - I'm fairly certain they are walmart sweats
Ever been to Georgia (the state)? - no, but someday
What irritates you most on the internet? - It is starting to be annoying surveys
What brand is your digital camera? - Kodak
Do you watch movies with your parents? - sadly, my grandparents are all non-corporeal now
What song best describes your life right now? - Is there a song about boring people wearing walmmart sweats?
Do you own expensive perfume/cologne? - not really..unless Estee Lauder is considered spendy
Are you taking college classes right now? - not this year
Do you like sushi? - I have never had sushi, thanks anyway
Do you get your hair cut every month? - seriously?
Do you go online everyday? - no also I am a compulsive liar
Take This Survey at Quizopolis.com

_______________________________

ETA: The winner of yesterday's contest is BUGSY!

Please email your snail mail address to amandabrice (at) myway (dot) com to claim your prize. Congrats!

New Year's Resolutions Contest

Simple contest to kick off 2009. Simply post a New Year's resolution before it becomes Jan 2, and you're entered to win a 2009 calendar!

Happy 2009, everybody!!!!

I get the last post of 2008--YAY!

For 2009, I've decided to not only make writing goals/plans, but personal goals, too. Here are some of my personal goals:

1--I'm going to find time EVERY DAY to spend by myself.

2--I'm going to re-study Japanese again.

3--I'm going to read at least one new book a week (I may do a weekly post on my blog discussing the book I read--that could be fun!)

4--I'm going to learn at least 1 new dinner recipe a month.

5--I'm going to plan and book my dream trip to Japan!!

6--I'm going to come up with a sensible "diet" and exercise plan.

7--I'm going to use my foot spa and massage chair thingie at least once a week.

8--I'm going to get a for-realz massage at least once a month.

9--I'm going to get a new tattoo.

10--I'm going to make sure I drink at least one glass of tea per day.

What about you? Any goals you have for 2009? Funny, weird, serious--share 'em!!

Cranky old writer

Today's post is random rambling about things that drive me nuts, which is why I'm wearing my cranky pants.

1. Lose/loose - get it right people. The two words are NOT interchangeable. When you LOSE weight, you get LOOSE pants. Seriously, that makes me crazy.

I went out for a brisk walk yesterday, and this provided me with #2 and #3.

2. If you have kids, great. But your kids Christmas scooters (there were NINE of them) don't belong all over the sidewalk where I'm trying to keep up a certain pace. Don't you teach your kids the value of their toys? Or was that your way of telling your neighbors "screw you?" And don't pretend like you didn't see them. You were standing in the yard talking with your other slacker friends.

3. Keep your giant, slobbering dogs on a leash. I like dogs, but not when they come running at me. I don't know your dogs. I don't know if they're nice or mean. And I don't want my crotch sniffed, especially when I don't know whose crotch they sniffed last. (That's six degrees of separation even Kevin Bacon would back away from.)

And lastly, YOU KIDS STAY OFF OF MY LAWN. That is all. Now go read a book. Or tell me what makes you cranky?

sports movies

I'm a huge fan of sports related movies. Friday Night Lights, We Are Marshall, Bull Durham, Hoosiers, Jerry McGuire, Juwanna Mann (seriously, too funny)--you name a sports film, I've probably scene it. More than once. Hell my favorite TV Show of all time was Sports Night--which was about sports casters.

Last week, I spent some time rewatching favorite movies. Friday was Bull Durham. There is a scene in that movie that makes every girl weak at the knees. Crash Davis set the bar high for men all across the world with this speech: (strong language warning)



And yesterday, while folding laundry, I watched my all-time favorite sports movie, The Replacements, starring Gene Hackman and Keanu Reeves. It wasn't a blockbuster hit, but I could watch this movie every time it's on. Wait, I do watch this movie every time it's on. And I watch it other times as well because it's on my keeper shelf.

This is my favorite scene in the movie. It cracks me up every time. Is it realistic? I dunno. But it's funny as hell. The best part of the scene? The very last line. So watch it all the way to the end. (sexual content warning)



Are you a fan of sports movies and tv?

Holiday Reunions and a Great Video Clip

Have you seen these guys? They are Straight No Chaser, an acapela group reunited after college when one of the guys posted a clip on YouTube. Hoping to connect with his old singing buddies, he got them discovered by Atlantic Records. And the rest, as they say, is holiday history...

What I love about the story is not the record deal or even the great music, though they certainly are terrific. What I like is how they got together after time, and life, and miles had drawn them apart. My own friends often wander home for the holidays. I see old students, kids I knew through my family home from college. I run into high school pals visiting parents, siblings, whomever... finding themselves back in Green Harbor for a little while.

I hope everyone enjoyed the holiday and will continue to do so as we head for a brand-spanking new year. And I hope you find a few old friends in the hustle and rush.

The Day After

I used to think the day after Christmas was the most depressing day of the year. Something happened to me this morning, though. I realized I actually like this day.

• There is plenty of nummy food in the kitchen, and I no longer need to make it.
• The lights are still up and I can enjoy them without the constant to-do list streaming through my head.
• There is still a "vacation" vibe, yet things start getting back to normal.
• Did I mention the end of the constant to-do list in my head.

I can breathe! I can relax.
Happy Boxing Day!

Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas! Happy Chanukah! Happy Kwanzaa! Happy Solstice (a little late)! Happy New Year!

Whatever you celebrate, I wish you and yours a wonderful holiday season!

And so does Bailey!

'Twas the day before Christmas...

It's Christmas eve, and I'm one of a handful of people in my office today. In some ways, it's cool--hello, RUN WITH SCISSORS while the bosses are out! In some ways, it sucks, though--I'd much, much rather be home. haha. So, for those of you who are stuck at work with me and have access to a computer, here are some online fun and games to check out:

--You can download the classic Elf Bowling game and wow your coworkers with your amazing ability to knock elves over!

--Into Mah Jong? Here's a Christmas Mah Jong game for ya.

--If you're an evil heathen like I am, you can watch the Ding Fries are Done guy on YouTube and laugh, laugh, laugh your work cares away.

--And last but not least, check out the picture that I found on funmunch.com (this pic made me snort out loud):

I hope you all have a Merry Christmas!!

A Twist on Chrismas Songs

Here's a fun version of a old favorite. Have you heard this one yet? You might want to listen to it twice to really get the whole thing. Pretty awesome.


What's your favorite Christmas song?

Let's play a game

I'm going to make a list of things and you guess which ones are me, and which ones aren't. How well do you know me?

1. Jeans, T-shirt, flip-flops is my outfit of choice. TRUE
   
2. I'm naturally a red-head. FALSE (naturally a dirty-blond girl)
   
3. I played basketball and softball throughout high school. TRUE
   
4. I turned down a softball scholarship for college. TRUE
   
5. I don't like listening to Jazz. TRUE
   
6. I don't like old movies. TRUE (there are rare exceptions to this...)
   
7. The first feature I notice on a guy is their butt. FALSE (it's a tie between eyes and smile)
   
8. My favorite flower is a daisy. TRUE
   
9. My favorite animal is a poodle. FALSE (flamingo)
   
10. My all-time favorite movie is Dirty Dancing. TRUE
    

Now, go! Which ones are true and which ones are false?

Snow!

It snowed last night. Not the wimpy, little dusting we've already had, but the real deal that we've been waiting for. I don't care how old you are or how jaded you've become. Around here this is special an the kid emerges from the basement of every soul. It SNOWED. It covered everything and we awoke to a sense of softness, sounds made dimmer by the thick layer on the house. Morning light was more pearly and had no sharp angles to it. There as a smell... a slight, softened edge to the air like springwater, but with no trace of green. If you live in New England or a place with a similar climate you know what I mean. You don't need to look outside to know it snowed. You rush to the window because you know already.

And there it is... a thick blanket (the dustings don't count) made for careening down hills, sliding over big back yards, and building monstrosities of white. Snowmen, snow houses, igloos, you name it. The holiday decorations are suddenly magical. Every nativity scene achingly beautiful. The boats in the harbor decked out in ridiculous lights, wreaths, santa hats... nobody embraces the winter like our local lobstermen. I think you have to be slightly insane to do the job anyway.

We deck our lighthouses with holly and bay. We greet N'oreasters with grins and hot cider (usually spiced with something suspiciously stronger than cinnnamon). We build snow-lobsters and snow-forts and have snowball fights with mailmen we've known for years. We're not right in the head, I guess.

Must be all the snow. :)