Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Sometimes I even surprise myself...

I'm a classic rock kind of gal. I love the beat, the songs, the voices...you name it, I like it. I grew up with that music and I still turn to it when I need a good song to sing along to. I guess in light of this, I really shouldn't be baffled my why I enjoy Kid Rock's latest, All Summer Long. It combines two fabulous songs, Sweet Home Alabama and Werewolves of London, both catchy tunes in their own right.
Still, I just can't figure out why I like this song...or why I'm starting to think he's not such a bad musician.
Anyone else have realizations like this?

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Friday, July 25, 2008

More book fun...

While I'm scrambling to get in as much writing as my hands will allow this summer, I have plenty of books to look foward to. This is my favorite time of year (at least, for this year), thanks to releases from some of my favorite authors. Not to mention the Literacy Signing at Nationals. I'll be in book heaven!
In the meantime, here are some titles you should check out:
Into the Fire by Suzanne Brockmann - I can't wait for this one. The return of many of my favorite characters promise a fabulous read.
Acheron by Sherrilyn Kenyon - need I say more? Fans have waited years for Ash's story, and our wait is almost over. It's also why you may not hear from me much the week after the conference. The book is around 900 pages...so I'll be busy for a few days.
So while I'm in my happy place, what are you reading?

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Monday, July 21, 2008

Ow!

The RWA National conference is creeping up way faster than I think anyone expected. In just over a week I'll be in San Francisco gearing up to pitch my manuscript, schmooze and be inspired. All over the country women (and even some men) are pulling themselves together for this conference. They're getting waxed, buffed, polished, mani-ed and pedi-ed, all in an effort to put their best face forward.
So like my fellow conference-goers, I ran out this morning for my every 6 months (or so) brow wax. And now I hurt. I have a lovely little burned strip just above my eye lid, and it looks lovely. It should fade before San Fran, but if it doesn't, please don't look too closely at my eyes when you see me there. I appreciate your understanding. In the meantime, as soon as the burning sensation goes away, I'll experiment with covering it up with make up. Wish me luck!

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Friday, July 18, 2008

Oh, but I couldn't...

I am a compulsive book buyer.
There, I admit it. Of course, most of you out there reading this blog are also compulsive book buyers, so I know I'm not alone in the world.
But do you have a mother like mine? My mom enjoys reading. She's not the type to re-read a book, so she often gets hers from the library (or Costco because they're on discount). We have very different taste in books, but every once in a while she'll borrow one from me. This is where life gets weird. See, I love to loan out my books. I want them back, don't get me wrong, but I'm happy to share the love. As a matter of fact, if I can get another reader excited about a series that I enjoy? It's like the heavens open up and a choir of angels begin to sing.
When I come across a book I believe she'll like, I make sure to share. I do so almost without thinking. I don't notice if it's a hardcover or soft cover. If the spine is broken or not. I don't usually even worry about how long she has it.
But mom does. She worries about all of it. Apparently I take such good care of my books, I've given her a complex. As much as she enjoys borrowing certain books, she gets very nervous...and has almost turned and given them right back a time or to.
Don't even get me started on the signed copies.
You'd think I loaned her the Hope Diamond. Or perhaps the Queen of England's Crowned Jewels. I don't understand her either. I've never yelled at anyone for returning a book in a condition other than the way it left me. I think the most I've said on the subject is, "It's a signed copy, so I'd eventually like it back." Her nerves confuse me.
What about you? Do you loan out books? Do you borrow books? Why or why not?

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Monday, July 14, 2008

Fireworks!

I may have missed them on the 4th, but I found them the other night. Washington loves its festivals. Almost every town has a festival of some kind or other. In the summer you can pretty much find something to celebrate every weekend, thanks to this. And this weekend was our turn. Normally I miss it. I'm usually busy running around, and frankly, it screws up traffic because they close down several main roads. This time I went. Booths for food, civic groups and local business lined the parking lot. Music set the mood in the background. They even drew a crowd...even if the crowd was lame. C'mon people! Where there's music there's movement. If the band tells you to get up and move, then get up and move! I really don't understand this polite, "must sit still" mentality when it comes to live music here. I will never understand it.
Still, they ended the festivities with a bang...literally. I took myself down to the grocery store and sat on a bench to watch the fireworks explode. The light show totally made up for the lack of them on the 4th of July. It was fun to listen to the children babble on in excitement. I even didn't mind listening to one man explain light speed v. sounds speed to his 7 year old daughter.
So here's hoping your weekend went off with a bang!

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Thursday, July 10, 2008

A word of warning...

A word of warning to those of you out there who might be walking on a trail that is also commonly used by cyclers and/or bladers. You can get out of the way a lot easier than I can. When I am traveling at approximately 12-14 mph, my ability to stop is less controlled. When there are walkers on one side of the trail (with a safe strip to step to the side on to) and a man in a wheel chair on the other side (next to a lovely embankment), the walker is expected to move to the side. Not the man in the wheel chair. So unless you are looking for an excuse to do your impression of roadkill, I do not have to be nice when I'm notifying you for the THIRD time that I'm coming up and need room. Especially when I was more than polite the first two times.
I'm very sorry if I offended your delicate sensibilities by saying with great sarcasm, "Excuse me! Thank you!" But to be honest? Oh. Well. I really didn't want to find out how well I fit into the lap of the man in the wheelchair.

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Monday, July 07, 2008

Doesn't it figure...


Ever have one of those days? You know, the kind where you run into all the people you know who you wouldn't mind running into...if it were any other day?
Yeah, you know what I'm talking about.
I had one of those yesterday. First after a hard ride with Mom, I ran into Target to return a shirt, and pick up a few last minute items, only to run into a WW co-worker of mine. I adore this gal, but I was exhausted and dirty and wasn't planning to see anyone.
Then that afternoon, still exhausted, I dragged myself off to the bookstore for a natural pick me up. A cupcake and a book. I've been eating very well for more than two weeks, and I wanted a little something. Of course, I was still exhausted from earlier so I spent much of the subsequent drive and shopping with my head in a fog. The fog continued as I got in line and didn't even realize I was behind my WW territory manager/leader I work with. Again, a good friend, but I was tired and holding a giant cupcake. Talk about embarrassing. Who wants to be caught at the bookstore by their boss (from the weight loss company they work for) while holding a giant buttercream frosting cupcake? I know I didn't. Thankfully, the opaque bag hid my treat well. Of course, I'm still in a fog, but that's neither here nor there.

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Friday, July 04, 2008

New discovery...

I made a fantastic new discovery the other day. It must come from having just a wee bit of too much time on my hand. I actually have the time to sit down and, oh, I don't know. Read one of my many back issues of RWR? Because I did...two of 'em!
And in one I found a brave new world...or at least one that doesn't require me to wait around for twelve different sites to load. Now, this discovery won't be new to most of you. In fact, at least half of you will laugh at me. But that's okay.
You want to know what it is? Really?
Google Reader.
It's a blog feed that works off my google account, and I'm in heaven! I click on one button, and if the google gods are feeling generous, seconds later I most of the blogs I read regularly popping up on one page...and telling me up front if they have new posts or not. No more skipping from blog to blog, hoping for new content. No more wondering if that page is going to load today, only to find out when it does, that it's the post from three days before that I've already read five times.
It's freedom.

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Tuesday, July 01, 2008

Priceless

Miles ridden on the bike: 58
Pages written: 21
Books read: 4
Movies watched: 2
Hours slept: more than I can count
Being on summer vacation: priceless
Okay, hokey I know. But I had to. School ended a week ago Friday. I've spent a busy week between relaxing and working job #2. I've visited with friends, hung out with Mom, and I've written. After almost a month off thanks to report cards and various other end of school duties, I needed to get back to my book. And get back I did! I'm not sure it was my wisest move to set a goal of 20 pages after not writing for four weeks...but when have I ever claimed to be wise?
This week is looking to be another beautiful week, filled with more biking, more writing, and way more reading. And maybe we'll even throw in some adventures.

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