Oct 31, 2008 | Fun, General, Life |
Did you decorate for Halloween? I have two pumpkins, uncarved. I bought candy. I think that's good enough. 🙂 What about this place, hmm? It's in West Virginia. There are over 3000 pumpkins, and a group of volunteers carves them (ya think?). You can read more about it here.
When I was a kid, I used to look forward to Halloween so much. I didn't live in a suburb, but in the country. My mom had to pile us into the car and take us driving around the countryside for candy. These days, kids have such safe choices — neighborhoods banding together, malls, churches, etc, that hold Trick or Treat for kids. I think that's great.
Indeed, Halloween has turned into its own season now. The decorations, parties, greeting cards, etc. It goes on and on. When I was a kid, costumes were chintzy — K-Mart or Wal-Mart things with those horrible plastic masks that you couldn't see through or breathe out of. I can't remember any of the costumes I had. I do remember one I threw together though.
I wanted to be Samantha from Bewitched so much. My mother had this flowing black coat that made me think of Samantha's coat. I borrowed the coat, and a blonde wig (not that I wasn't blonde already, but my hair didn't look like Sam's). I think I wore a pair of my mother's shoes (they were too big, naturally). That was my costume, LOL. I imagine I looked seriously odd, but I was happy.
What was your best costume ever? Will you be dressing up for Halloween today? What was your favorite Halloween candy? I loved candy corn, though I can't stand the stuff now. 🙂
Oct 28, 2008 | Contests, Fun, General |
The MNF party was a success, and I was up too late (yes, watching football) and cleaning up. Therefore, no brilliant post at the moment.
Besides, you probably want to know who wins the B&N Gift Card. 🙂 I'll announce that sometime today. In the meantime, you still have time to sign up (see Yahoo Group in the sidebar). Last chance!
Oct 17, 2008 | Fun, General, Travel |
Every year, the Heart of Dixie RWA has a retreat. This is my second year going, and I am so looking forward to it! As you read this, I'll be meandering my happy way into the Tennessee mountains, chatting with a friend, and looking forward to the massage waiting for me this afternoon.
After the massage, I'll shower and get dressed (casually, very casually) for a fun evening of talking, dancing, drinking some concoction or other, and general whooping it up by the giant fireplace in the Inn.
Saturday is general laziness, along with massages (not me since mine is today) and a plotting party. It was at the retreat last year that I mentioned my desire to write for Harlequin Presents — and Kelley St. John told me to go for it. She also sent me the contest announcement about a month later. 🙂
Saturday evening is our Murder Mystery party. Last year, we dressed like 1920s gangsters and it was a blast. This year, we're going for more casual — a spa retreat, which means we get to wear our pajamas and all be girls (I was Rhett Bumbler last year — the fedora and fake cigarette was fun, but I'm glad to be a girl this time).
Monday morning, I'll be back at the computer, hopefully refreshed and ready to work. Hope your weekend is a blast too!
Oct 9, 2008 | Celebrations, Fun |
Yesterday, I met several friends for lunch at a local restaurant. Little did that lunch crowd, mostly comprised of engineers and assorted military types, realize that five creative women sat at a table in their midst talking about books, contracts, agents, and due dates that had nothing to do with babies.
The best of all possible worlds is when a writer has writer friends. The things we talk about! There was a discussion of sex toys that started when we discussed a particular author and her use of odd things in her books. One of our number had never heard of this particular implement, so we had to whisper it, and describe it, which turned hilarious when we glanced around to make sure no one was listening.
At least we didn't discuss how to hide the body, which sometimes happens. Or whether to simply kidnap someone instead of kill them. But this wasn't a gathering of suspense writers, so we didn't really go there.
I needed that time away from the computer, and I cherish it. It was a great lunch — we laughed and talked a lot. Two ladies had to go back to work, but three of us stayed for another 2.5 hours. We originally got together to celebrate my sale, and I'm so happy they wanted to do that. But really, sale or not, it's just fun to get together with people who think like I do — who get lost in their heads, who think it's perfectly acceptable to talk about characters like they are real people, and who are serious about what they do. It helps keep me sane, I swear. 🙂
Do you have writer friends you love to get together with? Do you talk about crazy things? Do you need that connection from time to time? If you don't have writer friends close by, what do you do to decompress? And if you aren't a writer, what do you and your friends talk about when you get together? What is the one big thing you have in common?
Sep 10, 2008 | Fun |
I'm too busy for a proper post, so how's about a little eye candy? George Clooney and a puppy — does it get any better?!
Okay, back to the roller coaster of Revision Land!
**Edited to remove photo
Jul 3, 2008 | Fun, Video |
My fellow Americans, as we approach the historic date of the celebration of our Independence, I have an announcement to make. Yes, I am running for president of the U.S. of A. See this news report for details! Thanks for your support. 🙂
Did you decorate for Halloween? I have two pumpkins, uncarved. I bought candy. I think that's good enough. 🙂 What about this place, hmm? It's in West Virginia. There are over 3000 pumpkins, and a group of volunteers carves them (ya think?). You can read more about it here.