Finding Love In A Random World

Oh, to be a nanny...

2005-07-19T07:42:00.000-07:00

Has it really been a week since I've written? First of all, for anyone that read, "Angels" by Robbie Williams was my messed-up tune.
I read An American Haunting, and wow! Then later on the Absolute Write Forums, I saw a post started by Scott A. Johnson (the writer). I acted like a total star-struck fan. I'm sure the guy's looking at the message going "Oh my god, she's a freak." But seriously, if you like a good chill, pick up this book.
Now I've started reading Ya-Yas In Bloomby Rebecca Wells! I can't figure out which character I like more. Young Vivi, Young Teensy, or Young Siddalee. I'm in the middle of a chapter told from the POV of Sidda, so Sidda and Vivi's POVs are really the only things I got to see, but the tale of Teensy's Pecan is definitely something you have to read to believe!
I always read the Harry Potter books after the rush has died down, so if you're expecting me to gush about the book, it ain't happening. Not yet.
I'm back to fawning over Vanessa Virtue. I like her anyway, but I'm in love with her new guy. Not only is he a Paul Walker lookalike, he's a chef. He's the perfect guy! He's gotta have a flaw somewhere. He just has to. He's probably got ex/current girlfriend/wife drama. Or maybe baby drama. I don't know, but it has to be something. It just has to be.

And now for something completely different...

Jude Law slept with his nanny? While he cheated on his fiancee (I hear ex-fiancee now, but regardless, cheating is just wrong in my book), the first thing that ran across my mind was "Damn..I wish I was that nanny."

More Messed-Up Tune Fun!

2005-07-12T06:37:00.000-07:00

I'm bad. I said I was going to post my new idea, and I didn't last night. Want to know why? Because I got new books yesterday and I ended up scaring myself senseless reading An American Haunting by Scott A. Johnson. It's creepy. And even though it's set in San Marcos, Texas, and I live quite a bit away from San Marcos, there was this eerie sense of closeness there that had me jumping at every little thing. Yeah, I'm a big sissy. If I know a movie is going to scare me, I will watch it during the day. I made the mistake of watching SAWin the middle of the night and couldn't go to sleep until it was nearly dawn, because I kept hearing noises that I was sure was that guy coming to get me. Only after reading that book (I had to put it down because I was seriously creeped out), I was hearing noises and seeing shadows and I was sure that my house had some evil spirit.
So, creepy cold chill moment over, what's my idea? A matchmaker. My friend actually came up with the idea. I finished my little short-story that I was working on (I wanted to make it longer, and I still might. But for now, it's complete.), and now I want to get this started. Basically, I want to make her interactive, sort of like I planned for Aurora (who is eerily absent - maybe she's the evil spirit now?). I'll give more details once I finish my plan for her.

But now it's time for Name That Messed Up Tune!

For those that haven't played, the rules are pretty simple:
1. Take the lyrics to a favorite song.
2. Go to Babelfish. Translate the lyrics into German. Then from German to French. Then from French back to English.
3. Post the results verbatim.
4. Invite your friends to take a guess on the song based on the new and interesting lyrics!

Just one today. No hints this time!

I sat and await an angel considers my destiny? And do they know the places, where we go, if we are gray and old? ' I was declared because the rescue makes extend its wings. Thus, if I am in my bed, the thoughts which run by my head and I you believe that loves are me affectionate angels are with the place dead. And by it all, the offer me a quantity of protection love and leaning - if I am right or false. And throw the water fall, where it can take to me, me know to the bottom the life does not break me. If I come, leaves to name it me. I am affectionate angels with the place.

Random Pet Moment

2005-07-11T10:38:00.000-07:00

Yorkshire Terriers and blind kittens do not get along.

My dog, Spencer, is a four-pound, bouncing ball of energy known as a Yorkshire Terrier. He's extremely selfish and he's "Mommy's baby," and likes it that way. Spence has pretty much been the only pet in my house since I got him two years ago Christmas. He considers himself the center of my universe, and demands to be the center of attention, no matter where he is. While my mother's rottweiler Harley is a picture-perfect angel of a dog, Spencer is her devilish counterpart.
Now, enter Stevie. Stevie is a little black kitten that was born blind and since the first day I saw him and realized he was blind, I've been playing second mommy to him. Now that he's getting big enough to be away from his mother, I want to bring him in the house with me. We live out in the country (in a town that VERY few people have ever heard of - Kemp, Texas) and our house is right by the highway. So, being the sensitive animal mommy that I am, I have been going out of my mind, worrying about that little kitty when he's outside. So I've been bringing him into the house for increasingly longer amounts of time each day, hoping that he'll get used to exploring indoors rather than risking it outdoors.
But Spencer isn't happy with that. My "baby" is mad because this little black furball is inside, sitting on mommy's lap as I type. Spencer wants to play with Stevie (Spencer has been growing up around indoor and outdoor cats - my mother has a ton of them), but at the same time, it's like he's jealous that the cat is taking up my attention. The dog that sleeps in my bed, under the covers next to me, is jealous of a cat that would most likely sleep in the bathroom.
I used to have another cat in the house - Patches. This CRAZY Calico used to wait until I was asleep, then she would climb onto my head to sleep there. I would wake up because I was unable to breathe. Or she'd sleep on my chest - she was HEAVY!
Anyway, I'm working on getting Spencer and Stevie to exist together peacefully, but Spencer is one stubborn little dog. And STINKY - but that's another story entirely.

Details on my new idea later. Promise.

Tomorrow - Name That Messed Up Tune.

You don't want to walk around on fire for the rest of your life, do you?

2005-07-10T09:21:00.000-07:00

If I could be anyone other than myself...

...this is who I want to be. I wouldn't mind just looking even a little like her. I think she's absolutely beautiful and as an insanely guy-obsessed twenty-two-year-old, for me to admit a girl crush is saying something.

Yesterday, I took my younger brothers to see Fantastic Four. Not because I was doing the good big sister thing, but because I really wanted to see the movie. Yes, I'm something of a superhero geek. Peter Parker was my dream guy until the Spider-Man movies came out. I'm eagerly anticipating X-3. I'm not looking forward to the new Superman movie, but Tom Welling (who plays the young Clark Kent on Smallville) makes my knees weak.
But even though I've seen some really bad reviews for the movie, I thought it was actually pretty good. I've been making Mr. Fantastic jokes all week in preparation for the movie ("So he can stretch ANY part of his body, right? Must make him very popular."), although I bit my tongue in the theatre. I had to be the role model sibling, you know? Thankfully, they make a similar joke for me in the movie, so I was safe, and my sisterly good deed remained intact. In fact, the only negative thing I had to deal with during the movie wasn't with the movie at all, but with the two morons sitting behind me in the theater. Anyone that's seen the recent trailers knows that during at least one point in the movie, Sue Storm (Jessica Alba - see above) takes off her clothes when she turns invisible to hide from everyone. Well, when this part comes up in the movie (actually, she does this twice, and the idiots behind me did this both times), all I hear is "Yeah! Take it off!"
Now I have a sick fascination in annoying certain kinds of talkers during movies. When watching Harry Potter & The Chamber Of Secrets, a group of girls in front of me were talking about how cute they found Tom Riddle. When I heard one say "I wonder if he has a girlfriend," that was my cue to burst her bubble by leaning forward and saying "I read that he's gay." They didn't say another word the entire film.
In Fantastic Four, however, I bit my tongue, until they started complaining that they couldn't see anything. Naturally, I turn around at that and say "What did you expect? She's called 'The Invisible Woman for a reason."

Sorry. Couldn't resist sharing that.

I've been inspired to write again. I took a tiny bit of time off so that I could finish up some much-needed work. I'll share details soon.

To the people of London, my prayers are with you...

2005-07-07T07:11:00.000-07:00

First and foremost, my thoughts and prayers are with the people of London this morning. If you haven't already heard, at least two people have been said to be killed and scores more are injured after explosions on their Underground and one on a double-decker bus. They've been called "barbaric terrorist attacks" and it's sickening. And just a day after London was given the 2012 Olympics. One to always make jokes, my first remark was "Oh, it was Paris. They REALLY wanted the Olympics." But this is really no laughing matter. It's a tragedy. There are people that seem to believe that the only way to prove that they have the power to affect the world is to destroy as many innocent lives as they can. They make enemies where they could make allies. They are cruel and heartless, and they believe that by behaving in this manner, they are honoring and pleasing their God, by whatever name they choose to worship.

At the risk of sounding entirely like a Woodstock reject (I'm 22) - why can't we give peace a chance?

P.S. If you're wondering what my Messed-Up Tune songs were....#1 was "Crash & Burn" by Savage Garden. #2 was "You and Me" by Lifehouse. If you haven't heard those songs, you should! They're beautiful.

ONE World, one very little soapbox..

2005-07-05T16:29:00.000-07:00

It was my intention to watch the Live8 concert on television when it came on Saturday. Had there been a concert in my city, I would have attended, but since there wasn't...and money is extremely tight, I was going to settle for the televised version. But somehow I missed it. And I feel like I missed out on something. I mean, sure, some of the greatest performers ever were performing there. But for me, it was more about...feeling like I did my little part for something greater than myself.
I went to The ONE Campaign website and did my research. I'm going to be getting the wristbands soon. I've signed the declaration. If every little bit counts, then why aren't more people doing that "little bit." If adding your name to a list of people, to boost the number up a bit more..to make a higher authority stand up and take notice, then why aren't more people doing it? Besides, all you celebrity watchers out there - George Clooney, Heidi Klum, Kate Hudson, Cameron Diaz and a ton of others have signed the declaration - why haven't you?
I'm aware that everyone has their opinions. But I'm also very aware that those that don't take a stand are usually the ones that have the biggest negative opinion on the way things are in the world. The world isn't going to change unless we do something about it. And if everyone does their "little bit," we just might make the world a little better after all.

Okay, okay! I'll get off the soapbox now.

Name That Messed Up Tune!

2005-07-05T11:57:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Lynn, I have caught the Name That Messed Up Tune bug!

The rules are pretty simple:
1. Take the lyrics to a favorite song.
2. Go to Babelfish. Translate the lyrics into German. Then from German to French. Then from French back to English.
3. Post the results verbatim.
4. Invite your friends to take a guess on the song based on the new and interesting lyrics!

So, to kick off my own procrastination - here are two for your amusement-

1. If you smell completely only and if the world turned its back on you, please give me one moment, around your wild and wild heart with zaehmen. I know that you feel as the walls on you close inside. It is hard to find the relief, and of the people can be so cold. If blackening is after your door and can believe you, as you cannot take to me let with more that be which you name. If you jump, I break your case raise and to fly far them with you in the night. If you must fall separately, I can repair a defective heart. When you must run up to run up and fire - you are not only only.

2. All the things which I would like to precisely say, do not come from the right. I release on words. They have my principal spiders. I do not know, where one goes from here. The cause should be made you and myself and all the people with nothing. Nothing to examine. And all is you and myself and people. And I do not know, why, I cannot hold far my eyes of you. There is now something on you, whom I cannot represent completely outside. All those it is it, well. All those it is it, enough.

Need a hint? Think Lifehouse and Savage Garden. Obviously I know the answers...but you have to guess first. Procrastination over....for now. Back to writing!

Chasing Aurora...Right To Bed?

2005-06-30T07:34:00.000-07:00

I think she's asleep. The character Aurora that has irritated me so. Although I have a ton of information on her, I'm at a spot where I'm stuck. I've had to put her aside and get back to my real life lately.
I broke up with the boyfriend last night. Cried more than I expected to. But I feel much better now. I feel like this huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders and I can move on - and so can he.
I've started a new piece this morning with a chick lit/romantic comedy feel. I love it already. Of course, the main character is -gasp- pregnant at the start of the book, so I'm doing a lot of research on pregnancy and the signs and symptoms that come with each stage - both physically and emotionally. I'm sure anyone looking at my computer in the last few days is wondering if there's something I'm not telling them!
In the Chick Lit Writer's group that I'm in, someone is looking for historical chick lit. One of the names mentioned was The Accidental Duchessby Jessica Benson. I purchased the book immediately, after reading the excerpt. There should be more books like this! I'm excited about getting the opportunity to read it.
To leave you so that I can get back to my writing, I took the "World's Shortest Personality Test" today.

You are dependable, popular, and observant.
Deep and thoughtful, you are prone to moodiness.
In fact, your emotions tend to influence everything you do.

You are unique, creative, and expressive.
You don't mind waving your freak flag every once and a while.
And lucky for you, most people find your weird ways charming!

The World's Shortest Personality Test

OH! Does anyone else live in the DFW viewing/listening area? If you do, am I the only one that finds the Spanish-language commercial for 94.9 FM confusing, since it plays on English-language television channels?

Chasing Aurora - Interactive?

2005-06-24T17:40:00.000-07:00

I've been doing a lot of (probably unnecessary) thinking over Aurora and what to do with her. In her current story, she's just not working! So I've been reworking her, turning her story into something different. Something more from her point of view. Something...simply Aurora.
So I got to looking at Vanessa Virtue's blog (For those who don't know, Vanessa Virtue is a character written by the great Marley Gibson), and I was thinking - why not do one for the diva herself? What if I turned Chasing Aurora interactive? Hmm..food for thought. How many authors do this? I love the concept, and while I think it would be too much time to turn every character interactive, Aurora is sort of a pet project of mine. I could give her an email addy of her own for questions and comments, a journal to rant about her issues (and her friends..and her guys...and those cute shoes she saw at the boutique), possibly a website (although that might be more trouble than Aurora herself!)...the possibilities are as endless as designer labels in Aurora's closet!
I'm trying to finish up the website for myself and Tarra Young, for our co-writing efforts. I want to get it up and fully-functional by this weekend. Wish me luck! Oh, is it August yet? I'm so anxious to find out the results of the Romance Junkies contest! Check it out! Our story has gotten some pretty good comments, and I've got my fingers crossed!

I'm back off to my writing, but I'll ask you what you think on this, because every opinion is helpful - should I make Aurora interactive?

You are the true Lord of the Dance, no matter what those idiots at work say...

2005-06-22T07:33:00.000-07:00

I love listening to music while I write. It seems to set me in the mood for whatever scene I'm working on. But lately, I've had some really weird tastes in music.
Weird Al is a big one. Now, I'm very easily amused. To me, Monty Python is comedic genius. My mother thinks it's foolishness. I spent ten minutes laughing hysterically - OVER NOTHING! Now, I actually heard Weird Al's music when I was younger, but until his Running With Scissors album, I never really thought he was all that funny.
I have so much fun with this album. My cousin turned me on to this. My favorite song on the CD is "Your Horoscope For Today", which begins with Aquarius - There's travel in your future when your tongue freezes to the back of a speeding bus. Now, my cousin, her sister, and I are all Aquarius, and we think it's hilarious. My boyfriend (soon-to-be-ex, but that's a WHOLE other story) is also an Aquarius, but he doesn't think it's very funny at all. In fact, he thinks it "dumbs me down" when I laugh at stuff like that.
Anyway, before I start on a rant about him and HIS tastes, I'll get back to the point. I've actually started wanting to write to this music - and get this - a romantic comedy, at that! Something with the sarcastic, silly humor that I find just hilarious.
Unfortunately, I've got more to do than I ever imagined. I'm reworking Chasing Aurora so that I can make it truly fit the character. I'm working on a series of books with Tarra Young. I'm doing a lot of freelance writing to build up my portfolio. I'm on an increased workout schedule to try to shed some of these nasty little pounds that have crept up on me. It's amazing that I actually sleep anymore!

I need a vacation.

Character Takeover Syndrome....

2005-06-21T09:45:00.000-07:00

Writers, I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. When the character in your story just completely grabs a hold of you and refuses to let go until you've gotten whatever they need to say out of their system? I call it Character Takeover Syndrome. I'm sure I'm not the first to give it a name. But I am probably the first to think about it from a medical point of view. Can you imagine the commercial they'd make if they came up with a prescription drug for it? "It might be multiple personalities...OR it could be Character Takeover Syndrome, also known as CTS..."
I'm weird, so it makes sense to me. Especially right now. I've been working on a WIP, where the main character is completely kicking my butt. I need a tape recorder, because Aurora (the character) is completely a diva. You know there's always that actress that everyone calls a bitch behind her back? Say hello to Aurora.
She annoys me so, and yet, she wants me to make her the sweet little girl-next-door type? It's extremely hard to do, especially since I really haven't seen that side of her. I only know the "You're not doing it right!" side of her. I've actually started working on a tell-all by the diva, since she's always rambling. I figure, why not?
Speaking of which...I need to get back to that. I can hear her now. "You're not writing!!"

Has anyone else had a character like this? So possessive that they almost DO become your second personality?