Music Mambo

1. Song By The First Band You Liked
I don't remember the first band I liked but I remember I loved Elton John (still do) so I'll say "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road."
2. The Song That Makes You Think Of Your Best Friend
There are many songs that make me think of my best friend but at the moment it's "Captain Fantastic & the Brown Dirt Cowboy."
3. A Song By The First Band You Saw In Concert
Again, not a band. "Crocodile Rock."
4. A Song That Reminds You Of College/School
Any pre-"Born in the USA" Springsteen but if I had to pick one ... "Rosalita."
5. A Song That Makes You Think Of A Boyfriend/Girlfriend (Love) Past Or Present.
"Waiting for a Girl Like You" and "It's a Lonely Ol' Night." Both make me cringe & turn the radio off.

The First Four

What are the first four things you think of when I say:

High School

1.Steve ... my best friend who I met in high school. I had a crush on him then. I dunno what you'd call it now. Probably a sick obsession if we weren't such good friends. ;)
2.Football
3.Nuns
4.Pranks (A lot of them were pulled ... especially on the nuns.)

Wanna know why I picked this topic for The First Four? Keep reading if you do ....

On Tuesday Steve & I went to our old high school (which is not a high school anymore), sat in his car & listened to "Captain Fantastic & the Brown Dirt Cowboy." Brought back lots of memories. All good.

Wednesday Whatevers

1. Should somebody be your enemy if they are your parents' enemy? Why?

It depends. If I know why a person is my mom's enemy I might consider not be friendly to that person. However, my mom tends to hold grudge for-ever. There's a woman who did something to her sometime in the mid-70s and she still doesn't like her. I don't know what it was and, personally, I don't care. Maybe it's wrong for me not to care, but I don't. This woman is the nicest, sweetest woman and she's always been wonderful to me.


2. Why do you answer memes?

There aren't many I answer regularly. I look at the questions every week, and if the questions intrique me and I feel they give some insight into who I am, I answer them.


3. Do you use net slang or type correctly?

Most of the time I answer correctly, but idk sometimes when I'm lazy I use slang.

It was good

That's all I'm sayin'. This might not make sense but I'm afraid if I say anything else it'll ruin it. And, I don't think I have to write anything about it to remember the way I feel right now.

Stupid People

Definitely not a lack of 'em in this town. Case in point: This is a conversation I had with a guy a few minutes ago. (I was walking. He was driving.)

Guy: Excuse me ma'am, can you tell me where the new restaurant is?
Me: Which new restaurant?
Guy: Well, you're no help at all.
Me: There are three restaurants that I consider new. If ya give me a hint, maybe I could help you.
Guy: I saw it in the paper.
Me: (thinking: all 3 were in the paper in the last couple of weeks) Well, let's try this one. There's one on Main Street called The Lunch Box. Sound familiar?
Guy: It's not the Mexican place is it?
Me: No. (thinking: The Lunch Box/La Herradura. Sounds pretty similar.)
Guy: Where is it?
Me: Main Street. Keep driving to the STOP sign at Davis Street. Take a right. Go to the first traffic light. Take another right. It's next to the movie theater.
Guy: On Davis Street?
Me: No. Main Street. Next to the movie theater.
Guy: Which movie theater?
Me: You don't live here, do you?
Guy: Yeah, just around the corner.
Me: (thinking: You freakin' moron! You're two freakin' blocks away. Go look for it!)Go to Main Street. You can't miss it.


That wasn't enough to ruin my day though, because
1. I walked 5 miles before 10 a.m.
2. I lost another pound (114 all together now. Yay me!)
3. Dinner with Steve is less than 4 hours away!
4. I don't have to work today.
5. I got a thank-you note for a story I wrote for today's paper.

TV Tuesday

1. What's your favorite sitcom?
of all time -- The Dick VanDyke Show
current -- That 70s Show

2. Is there a sitcom you really don't like?
of all time -- Sanford & Son
current -- Yes, Dear

3. Which sitcom did you used to like, but now it just seems too hokey?
Family Ties

~Bonus~ If your life was a sitcom, what would the title be?
Dazed & Confused

More ...


Emo! You're very in touch with your emotions and
that's what I like about you! It's all about
the music for you... I have pity for your
tortured soul...you're just like me...


What genre of rock are you?
brought to you by Quizilla


You're Skittles!!! You have a very interesting
personality, you're so unique. You're the kind
of person who always thinks outside of the box.
You're also a very accepting individual, and
believe in inner beauty.


Which kind of candy are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

Quizzes

I should be out walking but it's just too humid. One of the things I miss about Bakersfield is it was very rarely humid there. (It's the desert, duh!) I just walked to the mini mart around the corner to buy a Lime Diet Coke & I was sweating so much I felt as if I walked 5 miles. So, the real walk is going to have to wait 'til the sun goes down. In the meantime, I'm doing quizzes. I haven't done any in ages so maybe it'll be fun.


You have a dominant kiss- you take charge and make
sure your partner can feel it! Done artfully,
it can be very satisfactory if he/she is into
you playing the dominant role MEORW!


What kind of kiss are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

regular, plain old sex-- boring to some, yet you
seem to love it. hey, do whatever pleases you!
(and of course your significant other)


What type of SEX do You enjoy?
brought to you by Quizilla


cuddle and a kiss on the forehead - you like to be
close to your special someone and feel warm,
comfortable, and needed


What Sign of Affection Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Dreaming

I had this weird dream ... I'm sure Sylvia Browne would say it was a "wish dream." Anyway, I was at work & doing an update on a story that had been written a few years ago. There were a few quotes from Great Smile Guy (he is so quotable) in an old story I was using for background info. I didn't know if I was allowed to use the direct quotes (In the dream, I didn't know. IRL I know.) so I thought I would ask this woman who used to be the city editor. We used to be really good friends, but have since drifted apart (more fallout from the midlife crisis/nervous breakdown). She answered my question, then we started talking and it was almost like old times, and felt as if we could get back to the way things were before. That, I think, is what made it a wish dream. I miss her.

Sunday Stuff

The First Four

What are the first four things you think of when I say:

Tom Cruise
1.smile
2.You can't handle the truth! -- Yeah, I know he didn't say it, but I love that movie.
3.tighty-whiteys
4.Nicole Kidman

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Finale:: season
   
2. Martial arts:: tae-bo (I know it's not a real martial art)
   
3. Flirt:: me
   
4. Energy:: bar
   
5. Flavor:: taste
   
6. Guess?:: jeans (I've been seeing too much Anna Nicole, I think)
   
7. Accomplishment:: feat
   
8. Prom:: high school
   
9. Diploma:: graduation
   
10. Bloody:: Mary (I need one now!)
    

Live & Learn

I was talking to my mom the other night and started a conversation with "I know you don't like The Beverly Hillbillies so you probably won't appreciate this ..." I was telling her I was happily surprised to learn Great Smile Guy likes The Beverly Hillbillies because I didn't think he would. Don't know why. I just didn't. But I'm thrilled that he does. I may just have to introduce him to my friend Bertha Mae soon. Anyway, my mom told me she loves The Beverly Hillbillies and watches it often. How did I never know that? I should have known because Bertha Mae cracks her up. Be that as it may, I have a whole new opinion of my mom now. <3

I'm trying to be good

There's this person I went to high school with who had a crush on Steve, too. I hate strongly dislike this person. Always have. Probably always will. I've heard rumors over the past few months to the effect that she & Steve are best friends and if he wasn't married ... blah, blah, blah. As far as I know, it's not true. I'm pretty absolutely sure he would have at least mentioned her name once in the e-mails we send each other daily. Anyway, back to my point. I've seen this person a few times since I knew Steve & I were going out to dinner. Although I've wanted to say "Hey bitch, guess who I'm going out to dinner with on Tuesday?" I haven't said a word. I decided I'd rather she find out some other way. Wouldn't want to rub it now, would I? ;)

I'm a dork

No. I really am. I talked to Steve's mom in church a couple of hours ago. She said something like "So, I hear you're going out to dinner Tuesday." I said "Yeah. Seventy-three hours ... Not that I'm counting or anything." One of the coolest things about Steve's mom is that she doesn't make me feel like a dork when I say such dorky things.

BlogMaze

This is my first time doing BlogMaze. I hope I did it right.

So Very Posh
I hadn't heard this until I saw it on Lynda's blog. Is Andy Kaufman really alive? If he is -- if this is real -- he's a genius.

And She Said
nice review of Shrek 2

Deep Thoughts
I really liked Adelle's post on tipping. "I am going to start asking for tips when people want my opinion, ask to borrow something, etc.


Aged & Confused
Yvonne's post about the death of an online friend really touched me. One of my online friends died several years ago. Although I never met him in person, I think of him often and I miss the fun we used to have in Yahoo! chat. I hope ya know that Mark! <3

Tales from the Left Hand Path
Very interesting read. "No one likes a vagina more than I do."

Random Questions; Random Days...

Do you daydream? If so, what about?

Yes. Great Smile Guy. Big surprise, huh? One of my favorites is when I win an Emmy Award (because my books have been made into a TV series. Hey, it's my daydream, I can dream big if I want.) and I thank him for continuing to inspire me everyday (which he does).

Great Smile Guy

I've known for years it was more than his killer smile. Actually, the first thing that attracted me to him was his sense of humor. Second, his intelligence. Third, the way his entire face lights up when he talks about his kids. So, I'm really not that shallow. But I noticed something today that I never noticed before: His voice makes my knees turn to jelly. I love listening to him talk, and now I know it's not just because of what he's saying. However, there is one thing he said tonight that, had I been wearing jeans instead of a skirt, woulda made me cream 'em. He called me "my dear." *sigh* *swoon* *smile* I do believe I haven't stopped smiling since he said it.

I hope his daughter never finds this blog because, well, idk, I just think she'd be apalled if she saw this and figured out someone was this nuts about her dad. But ... /whine I just can't help it. /end whine.

Good-night & have a pleasant tomorrow ...

I'm sad about Jimmy Fallon leaving SNL. I know a lot of people got annoyed when he and Horatio Sanz would make each other laugh, but I thought that was one of the best parts of the show. But, as sad as I am, I know life goes on and SNL goes on. I remember feeling almost the same way when Chevy Chase left. Oh well. I guess we'll see what happens.

On a sad note ...

I just heard Tony Randall died. So, in honor of him I'll post these lyrics as well:

No matter where they go
They are known as the couple.
They're never seen alone
So they're known as the couple.

As I've indicated
They are never quite separated,
They are peas in a pod.
Don't you think that it's odd.

Their habits, I confess
None can guess with the couple.
If one says no it's yes
more or less, with the couple.

But they're laugh provoking;
Yet they really don't know they're joking.
Don't you find
When love is blind
It's kind of odd.


I didn't even know The Odd Couple theme had lyrics. So, thanks Isabella, for pointing this out!

TV Tuesday

1. What is your favorite TV theme song?
"Where Everybody Knows Your Name" -- Cheers

2. Which song drives you crazy enough to hit mute on the remote?
I really can't think of a song that drives me that crazy but whenever I hear the "Sanford & Son" theme I change the channel becasue I hate the show.

3. Which song are your proud to say you remember (most of) the lyrics to???
There are SO many I remember all the lyrics to. One night Nick & I stayed up for hours singing TV theme songs. Among them were The Jeffersons, Green Acres, Petticoat Junction, The Partridge Family, The Brady Bunch and ...

~Bonus~ Put the lyrics on your page (from memory), and I'll list you next week in the TV Tuesday Theme Song Hall of Fame. Don't forget to leave a comment so I'll know you posted!

This is it. This is life -- the one you get -- so go and have a ball.
This is it. Straight ahead and rest assured you can’t be sure at all.

So while you’re here enjoy the view keep on doing what you do
So hold on tight we'll muddle through one day at a time.

So up on your feet. Up on your feet. Somewhere there’s music playing.
Don’t you worry none. We’ll just take it like it comes. One day at a time.

~~~

Actually, my favorite lyrics are from "WKRP in Cincinnati" but Isabella already posted that & I didn't want to cheat :)

Matters of the heart...

1. What do you look for in a guy/girl?
He has to be smarter than I am, but he has to know he's smarter so he doesn't have to prove it all the time.
2. Looks or personality?
Personality ... with one exception: He has to have a great smile.
3. If your guy girl cheated on you, what would you do about it?
I'd say adios. I'm not looking for another serious relationship so I wouldn't go through the emotional turmoil involved in discussing it.
4. Would you date someone just because they're popular?
"just because?" No, but it helps.
5. If your parents disapproved of your relationship, what would you do?
Now? Nothing. If she doesn't like him, too bad.

From The Daily Dirt

Something cool happened ...

... in church last night. Usually people leave church before the priest leaves the altar. Or they leave as he's walking up the aisle. Well, last night the closing song was "Let There Be Peace on Earth." Everyone stayed to sing. The priest was already out the door and people were still inside the church singing the second verse! It's kind of a miracle, really.

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Playoffs:: basketball
   
2. Morris:: Tom -- I have no idea who Tom Morris is but I read his name last night on someone's "shout outz" page
   
3. Break up:: a guy ... but I can't even put my feelings into words
   
4. Eggs:: benedict
   
5. Parker:: Stevenson
   
6. Hardy Boys:: Shaun Cassidy
   
7. Deluxe:: Wal-Mart's mixed nuts. (Yes, I know that's strange ... but they're good!)
   
8. Protection:: from abuse order
   
9. Girl Scout:: cookies
   
10. Salsa:: Paul Newman (His salsa is the best!)
    

The First Four

Ice Cream
1.Blue Bunny Carb Freedom Mint Chocolate Chip
2.Ben & Jerry's
3.Atkins peanut butter swirl (and why doesn't my Wal-Mart carry it anymore?!!?)
4.Custer City Drive-in ... the best soft serve ice cream in the world!

From Spark:

Who is your best friend? Your most trusted confidant, your most reliable advisor, your most honest critic and most enthusiastic fan? Who is this person? When and how did you meet? Do you remember the moment you first realized he or she had become someone you could most intimately trust?

Good topic! I don't know if he even knows he's my best friend but he is. We've known each other for 30 years; since high school. I've always considered us friends but we've gotten much closer in the past year or so. Actually, we started getting closer a few years ago, but I got scared and ran away. I wasn't sure if I could seperate the "high school crush" feelings from the adult feelings of a strong friendship. Anyway, when we were in high school he always pushed me to do/be better than I thought I could. He's still brutally honest with me, and still pushes me to do my best. He edited my second book for me & had no problem telling me if something didn't make sense, or just downright sucked. But he always told me when I wrote something good. At one point when he told me the chapters he just read were the best I'd ever written I was beside myself with joy because I knew he wouldn't just say that to make me feel good. When my first book came out I was really nervous about him reading it because I knew he'd give me an honest appraisal. In fact, I didn't even believe it was good until he told me he liked it. ... OK. Onto when did I realize ...? A few years ago during my midlife crisis/nervous breakdown he was one of the reasons I was a mess. As I said, I wasn't sure I could seperate the feelings, and I had too many other things going on that were confusing me. I was afraid of doing/saying something that would irreparably damage our friendship, so I didn't e-mail him for a long time; almost a year. (Makes sense, doesn't it? Told ya, nervous breakdown.) We had been e-mailing several times a week. But in January 2003 I needed to tell him my book was being published. The experience wouldn't have been complete without him. Slowly, we got back to e-mailing regularly. Now, barring unusual circumstances, we e-mail each other daily. I really look forward to that. He says he does, too. We talk about everything almost everything. And it's wonderful. We haven't seen each other in six years but he'll be here soon and we're going out to dinner in 11 days. (11 days! Holy shit! OMG!!) So, what did I mean by the aforementioned "almost everything?" Well, there's one thing I want to say but can't because I'm afraid it would be taken the wrong way. But, seeing as how he knows me so well (or at least he thinks he does; I'm always surprising him with things from my lurid past), I would guess he knows without me actually having to say it. I hope he does anyway.

<3

The Tuesday Twosome

1.The last two songs you heard:
When I Look to the Sky -- Train
Are You Gonna Be My Girl -- Jet

2.The last two CDs you bought:
My Private Nation -- Train
Dashboard Confessional Unplugged

3.Two songs you hate at the moment:
Sunrise -- Norah Jones
100 Years -- Five for Fighting

4.Two songs you are loving at the moment:
For You to Notice -- Dashboard Confessional
Extraordinary -- Liz Phair & This Love -- Maroon Five
(I couldn't pick just two. Sorry.)

5.Two singers (dead or alive) you would like to meet:
Bruce Springsteen
Jon Bon Jovi

(The last question dates me, doesn't it? Oh well. *sigh*)

<3

He makes me feel so strong and so weak. *sigh*

For You to Notice ...

I wish I'd written this, but Dashboard Confessional beat me to it.


I'm starting to fashion an idea in my head
where I would impress you
with every single word I said.
Would come out insightful, or brave, or smooth, or charming
and you'd want to call me..
And I would be there every time
you'd need me
I'd be there every time...


But for now I'll look so longingly
waiting...
For you to want me, for you need me, for you to notice me

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Vagina:: Monologues
   
2. Racism:: Hatred
   
3. Mother's Day:: Going to church with my mom (which is what I did in lieu of a gift)
   
4. Fire alarm:: The original title of my third novel, which I recently changed to "Reasonable Doubt"
   
5. Elvis:: Nick
   
6. Pregnant:: Don't wanna be ... EV-ER!
   
7. Vacation:: National Lampoon
   
8. Waffles:: John Kerry (on the issues)
   
9. Perpendicular:: Horizontal
   
10. Hospital:: General (although I haven't watched it years)
    

The First Four

Dreams

1.Fleetwood Mac's "Rumors" album
2.Sylvia Browne
3.Fantasies
4.Great Smile Guy

And another thing ...

Research. I think anyone who does research for any kind of job would agree it's hard work. And, yes, I do research. For example, in the book I just finished one of the main characters is 39 years old & pregnant. Because I've never been pregnant, I had to do research to find out what she's feeling & going through. Also, there's a lot of law-related stuff in my books. Because I'm not a lawyer, I have to do research on that as well.

So there!

Paranoia

Anyone who knows me ... I mean really knows me will know how freaked out I got when I checked my hit counter and saw that someone got here via this. My first reaction was "Holy shit! What did I write?!!" Thankfully, it was all perfectly innocent.

<3

Writing *IS* my job!!

I fucking hate it when someone asks my mother if I'm working. What I hate even more is her answer: No.

No. No?? What the fuck?!?! My first novel was published. I got a royalty check, which means I got paid for writing a book. The second book, and the next royalty check for the first book, are due within months. How is that not working? Normally, when someone gets paid for doing something, isn't it considered working?

I know some people out there think writing isn't work. Obviously, they are the people who can't write ... or worse, people who think they can but can't. Writing is work! And, it's hard. Yes, there is a certain amount of talent and inate ability involved but, for the most part, it's hard work. Grammar. Sentence Structure. Making sure your story makes sense. Making sure your story says what you want it to say. Coming up with the story is the easy part. Getting it right is w-o-r-k.

And then there's writer's block. You never hear check-out people at Wal-Mart saying "Ya know, I keep trying to put everything in the bag the right way but, I just can't seem to get it right." At least I never do. Maybe they do. Who cares? They get paid no matter how they throw stuff into the bag. If I don't write, I don't get paid.

Then, after the book is out there's promotion, publicity, book signings, speaking gigs. Not work? Ha!!

I'm starting to calm down a little so perhaps this entry will start looking as if a published author ... and not some slacker wannabe ... is writing it.

Back to writer's block ...

During the last NaNoWriMo there was a thread on one of the forums asking about the writers' muses. One said her muse was a wood sprite named Floralee or some such thing. Another person said her muse was a pixie who always wears pink and sits on her shoulder. I can't even remember the others. I didn't post to that thread because my muse is a real live person (the previously mentioned Great Smile Guy). I kind of realized it before but, earlier this week I knew for sure. I'd been having a wicked bout of writer's block. I talked to him for 2 1/2 minutes, then went and wrote eight pages. My fingers couldn't keep up with my brain. So, Great Smile Guy ... thanks :)

Look at that. Up there ... at the end of the last sentence ... see it? It's a smile. Just thinking about him makes me smile.

OK. I'm smiling, so the rant must be over.

Please disregard the poor grammar and anything else you might want to criticize because it's "fun" to pick out mistakes in a professional writer's posts. This is my blog. I do not get paid to write here so I can write whatever I want the way I want to write it.

<3