Monday Blues...or Musings - Take Your Pick :)

It's Monday. That should follow with enough said, but just for those who perhaps love their Monday's, I'll resist the urge.

Maybe a Monday is your Friday and you're excited to have your week day time off. For me, the day brings crazy long hours, which leads me to want to do nothing but veg in front of the TV when I get home. After feeding the doggy babies and Science Guy, that is.

Tonight starts 'Dancing With The Stars' and although I said I wasn't going to watch it this season, we've already got it TiVo'd. Guess we'll see if it's going to turn out to be okay or not and then make the choice.

However, no matter how crazy of a day it's been, no matter how much I'd to do nothing but put on a pair of pj's, cuddle back into one of our oversized red chairs, watching TV while my mind wanders aimless through the show, I can't. I won't.

Why? Because I must write. I'm in a very small dingy, making my way to the writing island where other author friends are partying, err...I mean writing furiously (there's cabana boys and margarita's there).

Should be fun since my hero has just been thrown for a loop when he saw what the heroine did. And the coolest part is she doesn't really know what she did. She knows something changed, but she's not exactly sure what it was. Just yet that is.

Your turn. How was your day? Got any plans for tonight, or are you going to veg and re-coop from the day?

xoxoxox,
Vicki

Friday Five

It’s been a week of weeks, but Friday is finally here and I’m about 30 minutes from being free for the weekend. Free to write, read, and okay…write. A lot. I’ve got to finish this wip very soon. :)

So what has the past week brought?

Let’s see…

1. Saturday’s TARA meeting ROCKED! Lauren Abramo was amazing in both sessions and dinner with her was way too much fun.

2. I got a new phone and it’s a smartphone, a iPhone to be exact. I love it.

3. Since I got said phone I’ve downloaded a couple of apps and although I do love the Kindle for iphone, I’ve got to say, I’m addicted to Zombie Farm.

4. The time change has brought wonderful long evenings, walking the dogs again is not only good for them, but for Science Guy and I as well.

5. Watched Idol and truthfully didn’t think the right person went home. Not that I thought she would stay for a long time (if she didn’t show what she can really do), but there was another that based on this week’s performance, I thought would be the one. But hey, everyone got their vote and apparently didn’t feel the same way as me.

What about you? How did your week sum up? Exciting? Crazy?

Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki

Japan - A Place of Honor

First, let me say my heart goes out to those both in Japan and those around the world who have friends and loved ones living or working there.

The fury of the earth as it unleashes its power never ceases to leave me speechless and saddened. Many have lost their lives, their homes, or family and people who are dear to them. I can't begin to know what that feels like, so I send prayers for peace that passes understanding to wash over them.

Below is a link to a blog that my sister sent to me. Before I even clicked the link I paused and realized that throughout all of the news coverage I've not seen anything about looting.

People who live there are amazing in their reaching out to help others without thinking of taking for themselves. It's a country who has always been built on honor and in this horrific time we are seeing that this is not words, but this is who and what Japan is.

Why there is no looting in Japan

Vicki

American Idol – New & Improved?

I admit it, I love, love, love American Idol. I’ve watched it from the very beginning. I used to vote each week, but now, not so much. I’ve learned over the years of the show that there are many who don’t win Idol and yet go on to have a better career than the winners. So now, even though I may have my fav’s, I pretty much leave it up to the rest of the voters to keep them on the show or not. Which means if my fav is voted off I can’t complain. Nope, just root for someone else at that point.

Science Guy and I had decided we’d give it through Hell Hollywood week and maybe the first live show to decide if we’d continue to watch. Guess what, we’re hooked again.
The new judges and new format (how quickly they narrowed it down to 12 13), seem to be working. Nothing is stale and we aren’t sitting around waiting to get it ‘really’ started.

Both Steven Tyler and J-Lo are great IMVHO. They critique them, but they’re totally destroying anyone, which I like. Although I will say, this year has an abundance of talent. Most of them look like they been on the big stage forever. For me this is a double edge sword. I liked seeing them come into their own, growing each week with more confidence on the stage, reacting with the crowd and the TV audience more.

And I have to admit, Steven Tyler cracks me up. He’s trying to be good (most of the time), but really, he is who he is and it’s just going to come out.

It is a little odd each week when I see Randy in Simon’s seat and I’m not sure if he’s torn between being Randy and throwing a little bit of Simon in there.

One of my favorite changes is the fact that each contestant can stay true to who they are. Since American Idol is all about finding fresh new talent, then I love that country, rockers, jazz, etc. can stay true their voice. Wonder why it took so many seasons for them to figure this out?
All in all, I think they did a great job of choosing the new judges and hope they’ll stay on for a few seasons, if Idol continues on.

Your turn. Are you watching it this season? If so, what do you think about the new judges, the format, or really anything else new about the show? And do you have a favorite already, or are you still trying to figure that one out?

Vicki

I’m a SmartPhone Girl

I know what you’re probably thinking; she’s a little late to the party.

The thing is I like my other phone and when I got it that was the cool phone. Very tiny, flip up to answer and really you can could put it in the pocket of your jeans and hardly know it was there.
The battery life was amazing. At least three days and the phone was 5 years old.

But…

I couldn’t check my email, twitter, facebook, listen to music and although I could text, it was like being on an old fashion typewriter. It took forever.

So…

This past Sunday I went to my carrier and checked out the smartphones. The very wise and extremely helpful associate told me about the difference between the three types of phones I was looking at. And in the end I choose the iPhone since he assured me it was the easiest one to learn on my first foray into the smartphone world. It was also the one that was on ‘sale’, which I thought made him even more great. He could have very easily talked me into one of the higher price phones. I was ready to buy and he knew it. Thank you wonderful associate!

It was funny when he kept asking me questions like: how much time do you spend listening to music on your phone, or how much time to do you spend emailing, and things like that. Each time I held up the tiny phone and said, ummm…don’t really know. It wasn’t an option.
Which wasn’t exactly true. I could do most of those things on my tiny phone (not the music), but it took forever and was a royal pain, so I didn’t.

And…

Now I have a few apps, (love Zombie Farm),

got my Kindle for iPhone, of course Twitter and Facebook. I’ve added some songs to the phone (haven’t listened to them yet), and have my email accounts, including my work email on my phone at the touch or swipe of my fingers.

Yep…

In basically 2 days I’m hooked and don’t know why I waited this long, other than it’s that how change issue. I’m not so much fond of change.

How about you? Have you been at the party for a while now, or are you like me and just coming to the smartphone world?

What do you love best about your phone and what’s your favorite app?

Vicki

Friday Five

I don't about you, but I'm very happy Friday has finally arrived. For most of yesterday I thought it was Friday...so not a happy thought when I realized it was still Thursday.

So, five things about this week....

1. American Idol has started. Sure I know it started back with the auditions and Hell (I mean Hollywood) week. But as far as I'm concerned it really starts once America gets to vote.

2. Romance Junkies is having a great contest. Each week they're putting up six entries and you can vote on them. There are prizes for both readers (voters) and for those who are putting up their entries.

3. I've started a crochet project, which I hope will be a throw when it's finished. Red, Black, and Cream in color. Soft yarn and the pattern is really pretty easy. Yes, I know that spring is sort of here and summer will be here before we know it in sunny Florida, but hey, I'm feeling crafty and besides if this turns out well I might do some for Christmas presents. (Trust me it will take me this long to do all of them since they are done around my writing.)

4. Tonight I'm going to dinner with several of my TARA sister's and Lauren Abramo. WhooHoo, this should be a blast!

5. I've been working on Raising Hannah (instead of TLIAV), but this week I've been pulled back to that manuscript. I'm loving the plot for RH and will work on it in bits and pieces around TLIAV.

So, not really a ton happened this week. What about you? Anything exciting happen to you this week?

xoxoxo,
Vicki