Thursday, February 26, 2004
So I took the What Book Are You Quiz ....
Anne of Green Gables: "
Hmmmm
You're Anne of Green Gables!
by L.M. Montgomery
Bright, chipper, vivid, but with the emotional fortitude of cottage
cheese, you make quite an impression on everyone you meet. You're impulsive, rash,
honest, and probably don't have a great relationship with your parents. People hurt
your feelings constantly, but your brazen honestly doesn't exactly treat others with
kid gloves. Ultimately, though, you win the hearts and minds of everyone that matters.
You spell your name with an E and you want everyone to know about it.
Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.
Hmmmm
Wednesday, February 25, 2004
So, who is Bob, and why do I keep getting his email??
I know I'm not the only one out there getting the spam messages that start out "Dear Bob, here's that great link" or "Dear Bob, here's that information I mentioned about the great insurance rate." I mean, what? Do these companies really think I'm going to fall for that? ("Honey! Look! We accidentally got an email meant for Bob, and he gets the most amazing insurance rates. We simply must switch carriers NOW.") Uh, I don't think so.
Of course, an even bigger annoyance is that for the longest time, Dun & Bradstreet had my cell phone number listed as the contact number for U.S. Telcom. "Hi, can I speak to someone in your accounting department." "This is a private cell phone." Dead air. A few folks were polite and apologized. A few made grunting noises as if it were my fault (hey, I've had this number since 1999). When one particularly nice guy actually told me where the number originated (D&B) I called and they changed it right away (yay!). The calls have dropped, but there are still a few "lists" out there that have my number listed. (As in "Can I ask where you got this number?" "It's on my list." Ah, yes. The mysterious list circulated by the mysterious Them. I know, whenever I get that response, that I'll be getting these calls for a long time to come.) (And, no, I'm not going to change the number. I use it for business now. 8 bazillion people have it. And I'm lazy. Nuff said.)
But, getting back to the spam. Maybe it is only me. Maybe I really am the only one getting Bob's gone-awry emails. Poor Bob. Floundering about out in the world without that key URL or those exceptional insurance rates. I tell you, it's enough to make a girl get all teary eyed. ...
Of course, an even bigger annoyance is that for the longest time, Dun & Bradstreet had my cell phone number listed as the contact number for U.S. Telcom. "Hi, can I speak to someone in your accounting department." "This is a private cell phone." Dead air. A few folks were polite and apologized. A few made grunting noises as if it were my fault (hey, I've had this number since 1999). When one particularly nice guy actually told me where the number originated (D&B) I called and they changed it right away (yay!). The calls have dropped, but there are still a few "lists" out there that have my number listed. (As in "Can I ask where you got this number?" "It's on my list." Ah, yes. The mysterious list circulated by the mysterious Them. I know, whenever I get that response, that I'll be getting these calls for a long time to come.) (And, no, I'm not going to change the number. I use it for business now. 8 bazillion people have it. And I'm lazy. Nuff said.)
But, getting back to the spam. Maybe it is only me. Maybe I really am the only one getting Bob's gone-awry emails. Poor Bob. Floundering about out in the world without that key URL or those exceptional insurance rates. I tell you, it's enough to make a girl get all teary eyed. ...
Tuesday, February 24, 2004
Pepys' Diary
Pepys' Diary This is pretty cool. Want to know what someone living in the 1600's thought? Check out the transcription of Pepys' diary onto the net ...
big, Big, BIG!!!
Yes, I was happy with the series finale! (In other news, I've been ripped asunder by The Cold From Hell...still. And C, too. We're both sniffing and snorting and popping antibiotics like candy (well, candy you take 2/day under doc's orders.) So very little blogging lately. I'll be doing good tonight to stay up all the way through American Idol ...)
Friday, February 20, 2004
Ask, and ye shall receive!
Hey, whoo hoo! Sometimes it pays to be a pest. Just the other day I emailed my editor to let her know that the cover of THE SPY WHO LOVES ME wasn't up on Amazon (this is what is known as either a "whiny author moment" or a "procrastinating author moment" ... you decide). At any rate, I popped over today (that was definitely procrastination), and there (or here) it is: Amazon.com: Books: The Spy Who Loves Me Oh, happy day, and cyber kisses to my editor and The Powers That Be at Pocket.
And in other book news, I learned that APHRODITE'S FLAME, which was scheduled for July, is now coming out in August. Fortunately, I haven't printed bookmarks yet, so I don't have to go in w/ itty bitty stickers. Other than that, the month bump doesn't bug me (except it won't be available at RWA's National Conference. Bummer, man!). But my editor said the cover is done, and he says it's really cute. He's supposed to be mailing it, so ..... I'll post it soon, and then we can all decide if he Knows Of What He Speaks (Frankly, I'm hoping he does!)
And in other book news, I learned that APHRODITE'S FLAME, which was scheduled for July, is now coming out in August. Fortunately, I haven't printed bookmarks yet, so I don't have to go in w/ itty bitty stickers. Other than that, the month bump doesn't bug me (except it won't be available at RWA's National Conference. Bummer, man!). But my editor said the cover is done, and he says it's really cute. He's supposed to be mailing it, so ..... I'll post it soon, and then we can all decide if he Knows Of What He Speaks (Frankly, I'm hoping he does!)
Thursday, February 19, 2004
The National Book Foundation - S. King's acceptance speech. This man rocks!
Wednesday, February 18, 2004
What if Writers Went on American Idol?
I'll confess. I'm hooked.
I'm not sure how it happened. I mean, D and I didn't even watch the first two seasons of AI. (Puh-leeze, we'd say. Watch *that*??? All the while vegging on the couch watching Elimidate late into the evening ... We have our standards, doncha know?)
But we decided to watch Season 3 and, what can I say, it caught my fancy (she bang ... she bang ...). I'll admit to liking the early shows better than the later ones (where everyone can -- mostly -- carry a tune). I think it's cathartic. (THOSE people can't sing either, but look! They're not singing on national television!)
Yesterday's episode was less than stellar. Unlike Simon, I won't say that most of the singers were actually *bad* (well, except maybe to D or good friends, in private or after several drinks) because (also unlike Simon) even in their not-stellar-ness, they're a heck of a lot better than I could ever hope to be, belting out a tune in front of millions of people and, well, Simon.
Even if I *could* carry a tune, would I have the guts to do that?
Which got me thinking. What if there was an American Idol for writers. Could I do that? For a chance to be up there in the Tom Clancy/Nora Roberts/John Grisham/Janet Evanovich stratosphere, could I get up on that stage in front of 3 critics (Simon, I suppose, would be replaced with someone like Mrs. Giggles) and "write" for 3 million viewers? (Let's leave alone, shall we, the dynamics of how this would work).
Would I? Could I?
I'm really not sure. But I will say that those idolettes get a thumbs-up from me for gumption. And most of them can actually sing, to boot.
I'm not sure how it happened. I mean, D and I didn't even watch the first two seasons of AI. (Puh-leeze, we'd say. Watch *that*??? All the while vegging on the couch watching Elimidate late into the evening ... We have our standards, doncha know?)
But we decided to watch Season 3 and, what can I say, it caught my fancy (she bang ... she bang ...). I'll admit to liking the early shows better than the later ones (where everyone can -- mostly -- carry a tune). I think it's cathartic. (THOSE people can't sing either, but look! They're not singing on national television!)
Yesterday's episode was less than stellar. Unlike Simon, I won't say that most of the singers were actually *bad* (well, except maybe to D or good friends, in private or after several drinks) because (also unlike Simon) even in their not-stellar-ness, they're a heck of a lot better than I could ever hope to be, belting out a tune in front of millions of people and, well, Simon.
Even if I *could* carry a tune, would I have the guts to do that?
Which got me thinking. What if there was an American Idol for writers. Could I do that? For a chance to be up there in the Tom Clancy/Nora Roberts/John Grisham/Janet Evanovich stratosphere, could I get up on that stage in front of 3 critics (Simon, I suppose, would be replaced with someone like Mrs. Giggles) and "write" for 3 million viewers? (Let's leave alone, shall we, the dynamics of how this would work).
Would I? Could I?
I'm really not sure. But I will say that those idolettes get a thumbs-up from me for gumption. And most of them can actually sing, to boot.
Monday, February 16, 2004
Sniffly yuckiness
I've been absent from bloggy-land this weekend. I'm not sure if it's a cold or allergies, but at this point, I don't really care. Excuse me ... I must go buy stock in Kleenex. Ugh.
Saturday, February 14, 2004
Friday, February 13, 2004
This kid's ruined ... better luck with the next one ...
So, C's riding her tricycle around the living room, and she hollers out "come on, mommy!" Come where, I ask. Her answer: Starbucks. She is soooooo my child .....
Manor House. Quiz | PBS
Wednesday, February 11, 2004
The Kicker - Elizabeth Spiers blogs about New York - New York Magazine
The Kicker - Elizabeth Spiers blogs about New York - New York Magazine Ah, a new site to add to my list of reads ....
Color me red!
OK, so on Monday, I meet the fabulous and talented Julia London at my absolute favorite restaurant in Austin. We're doing the lunch thing because I want to hit her up for story help on the book that's next in line after the one I'm currently finishing up. Complicated suspense plot, and though I'm already far into the book, I need some bouncing off time. No problem. Julia's great. She's more than happy to help. Plus, the restaurant is right next door to this FABULOUS store with great cards, great jewelry, Hobo bags, and other fun and fabulous items. (We are nothing if not great shoppers.) So, I arrive early w/ my beloved Alphie and get about 5 pp done on the current WIP. The waitress is great, constantly refilling my coffee cup (which, really, is soooooo important). Julia arrives, I run through my story, she offers a few tweaks, and I'm feeling confident and happy about ten minutes later. Life is good. We proceed to more important stuff: general gossiping about life, writing, and everything. The food comes. We eat. (It's good, b/c it always is; this is my favorite restaurant, remember?). We gossip and talk more. The store a/c the parking lot seems to beckon to us like a siren's call. Being polite, we answer the call, grabbing our belongings and trotting over there. We shop. We start to pay. We realize we both have cash. How can this be? We should be cash-less after paying for our food .... And then we realize. We'd skipped the check!!! ARGH. Major embarrassment and feelings of idiocy ensue. We schlep back a/c the parking lot and find the waitress. We pay. We tip REALLY well. We skulk away, hoping they'll have forgotten us the next time we eat there. And, hopefully, if I have the same waitress, she'll still be attentive and refill my coffee cup ....
Tuesday, February 10, 2004
ok ... i'm cleaning out my mom's storage shed this weekend ....
STAR WARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CNN.com - Original 'Star Wars' films coming to DVD - Feb. 10, 2004 Oh, happy day!!!! I've been so bummed only having the (what I lovingly call) Stupid Version where Han Solo doesn't fire until fired upon. (For the record, I do have the original trilogy on Laser Disc. What I don't have is access to my laser disc player). Fabulous news. I'll be first in line .....
Monday, February 09, 2004
Top 50 Allergy Capitals
Top 50 Allergy Capitals Why, why, why does Austin have to SUCK in the allergy department? I'm about to rub my eyes out here ....
Sunday, February 08, 2004
Big! Big! We want Big!!
Puppies!!!! I'm so happy about the puppies! (Woulda preferred a baby, but, hey). The fabulous Dee Davis and I are with Miranda, though, on the whole Alexander P/Paris thing. I mean, moving to (OMG!) Paris notwithstanding ... I'm just not into this relationship for a lot of reasons, Chris Noth being only one of many. Big! Big! We want Big! (Actually, I think this calls for a new poll. For those who want to know these things, the covers are running 57% to 43% in favor of the pink cover ... and now, the new poll: Big or Baryshnikov?)
Look Ma! No banner ad!
Saturday, February 07, 2004
Search by Location
Search by Location Ah, a handy tip! Kathleen forwarded this to me and told me I could use it to find the nearest Starbucks .... (she knows me well!)
The Bloggy madness continues ...
The Cat's Fancy
Julie Kenner, The Cat's Fancy Okay, a little self-serving plug here (hey, it *is* my blog!) ... I found out that my very first single title is being reprinted and rereleased in August! Color me happy! I love this book (and, as always, a portion of the royalties are earmarked for spay/neuter efforts. So far, my husband and I have spayed or neutered over 15 ferel cats in our neighborhood!)
Friday, February 06, 2004
quick note
Just woke up. Well, woke up at 5:30 a.m. and had an endoscopy thingamajigie where they give you drugs and then my mom drove me home and I went back to sleep. So basically lost an entire day (where *did* I put it?). I now feel like I'm 18, stayed up for five days cramming for finals, and haven't slept in a week. Ugh.
Wednesday, February 04, 2004
10 pages!
Tuesday, February 03, 2004
New Poll!
I've posted a new poll to the right. Check it out! (By the way, the votes were even in the Jeannie/Samantha poll. Hmmmm)
Monday, February 02, 2004
Oh, now, this is just the BEST!!!!!!!!
Blast from the past!
Oh, yeah. The Internet just keeps getting cooler and cooler. I just popped over to check my message board, and there was a note from a friend from my high school days! What a hoot! Hey, Elise! (waving frantically!) ... And, yeah, I'm easily amused. But I managed 11 pages today (and got a handle on the part of the story that was giving me grief) so I deserve it! Julie's Forum - A Bravenet.com Forum
Sunday, February 01, 2004
ugh
Well, I seem to have caught C's stomach bug. Yuck. Spent the day on the couch writing on Alphie and watching anything and everything on television. Better today. Gonna try and write while D and C watch the SuperBowl.
