The Bandwagon

Best Movies of 2009 and the Decade and How Should I Spend my Christmas Money?

I saw Terminator Salvation last night and loved it. When it was over, I asked the dh whose story it was. He said he didn't think it was one character's story, but clearly Marcus had a bigger story arc than John Connor. I fully expected it to be John's story, but this secondary character swept him off the stage. Let that be a lesson to writers everywhere--don't make your secondary character's story more interesting than your hero's!

Top Ten Movies of the Decade

10) Gladiator

9) Bourne Identity

8) Monsters Inc.

7) O Brother Where Art Thou

6) Enchanted

5) Dark Knight

4) Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl

3) Harry Potters (except the last one)

2) Wall-E

1) Lord of the Rings

Favorite Movies of 2009

10) Australia

9) Secret Life of Bees

8) Terminator Salvation

7) Ten Inch Hero

6) Penelope

5) Star Trek

4) The Wrestler

3) Avatar

2) The Departed

1) Gran Torino

What's weird for me is that not all of those are happy movies, and like my shirt says, I Love Happy Endings. But several of those had me thinking for days, and to me, that's a good movie.

I'm still playing around with how to spend my Christmas money. Apparently I'm in a jewelry mood. We stopped at the liquor store by our house and they had this for $20. I think it's way cool:

Then Angela James sent a link to this jewelry, which is SO cool, but $8 shipping

and they don't have the bracelet I want in stock.

And I want charms for my charm bracelet. For my road trip story, I want a car.

They drive a 1970 Chevelle, but the closest I can find in looks is this:

Or I can change it to a Dodge Charger like Michael Westin in Burn Notice.

And I wanted a Texas capitol building for my bodyguard story, but I may just get this:

Stay tuned, getting ready to announce my Countdown to Breaking Daylight contest!

Best TV of 2009 and the DECADE

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I was so surprised to get my Entertainment Weekly talking about best of the Decade. I can't believe it's over! Seems like yesterday we were moving into our house, talking about Y2K. So much has happened! But I had to adjust my annual top ten lists to account for the decade as well as best of the year.

Top Ten TV Shows of the Decade

10) Alias

9) Grey’s Anatomy

8) The Office

7) Veronica Mars

6) Gilmore Girls

5) Firefly

4) Lost

3) Friday Night Lights

2) Battlestar Galactica

1) Supernatural

Top Ten of 2009

10) Big Bang Theory

9) Dollhouse (season 2)

8) Lost

7) True Blood

6) Castle

5) Burn Notice

4) Glee

3) Battlestar Galactica

2) Friday Night Lights

1) Supernatural (come on, you're not surprised, are you?)

Anti-Social

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I hope everyone had a merry Christmas! My favorite gift, other than the Supernatural hoodie I asked for, was this T-shirt, from the dh:

I love it when people get me ;)

I'm figuring out what I want to spend my money on. I can get a Supernatural calendar, but it's $25 PLUS $8 shipping! And I'm looking at charms for my charm bracelet. I need one for the road trip story, but the closest model I can find for the car is a 1964 Chevy, instead of a 1970 Chevelle. And I would like a charm of the Texas state capitol for the bodyguard book, but may get a gun instead ;) Then there's a Supernatural travel mug to match my hoodie....decisions, decisions. I NEED a computer or a sewing machine, too.

Yesterday we had a lovely afternoon at my brother and sister-in-law's house. Every year I kind of freeze up before we go over there, because there are a LOT of people. She has 3 sisters and a brother, and their significant others, and 3 nephews and 2 nieces and a grand-niece (that's right, Sonia, you have a GRAND niece :P ). A LOT of people. But then I get there and everyone's so wonderful and welcoming and we laugh too hard and eat too much, and just have a lovely time. My MIL was the same way--she'd fight us about going. She lived alone so would really have trouble with all the people. But then she loved it and couldn't wait until the next time.

Do you have to fight feeling anti-social? I would so much rather curl up in my house, but I know it's not good for me. Still, every time I go to something social, I fight with myself. Over the summer some of the teachers from my first school got together and Cindi even offered to drive me, but I didn't go and now I wish I had. And New Year's Eve my friend Lucinda has a party and I stopped going for a few years but now I make myself go, though I have to talk myself into it every time. Does anyone else do this?

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

I hope everyone has a SAFE and HAPPY holiday! We'll catch up tomorrow ;)

Vintage Christmas/ baby Jesus Pictures, Images and Photos

Roller Coaster

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Today is the last day for the Samhellion contest AND for the Nobody Writes It Better contest.

I'm thinking of running to the grocery store to get the ingredients to make this. Am I nuts? A front blew in last night and it's rather chilly. Another is coming in later, the same one that has the midwest socked in.

We went to see Avatar yesterday afternoon. We got to the theater at 4:45 for what I thought was the 5:30 show, but it turned out they had a 4:50 show. Good thing, because we got out at 8!!! Yup, that's 3 hours. I liked it, it was stunning, solid storytelling, emotional moments, kick-ass heroines (3 of them!) and nice conflict.

When we got home, I watched 500 Days of Summer. Might have liked it better if it was linear storytelling.

This week has been a roller coaster for writing. I finished the bodyguard book (YAY!) and started a short story (YAY!) and experienced some frustration (BOO!!!) and professional jealousy (BOOOO!!!!) It's not that I'm thinking I deserve something more than another writer. It's that I'm wondering what she's doing right and I'm doing wrong, you know? It's an ugly feeling and I need to shake it off and remember why I do this--because I love telling stories. (And I might go crazy if I bottled them all up!)

We celebrate Christmas Eve with my folks tonight and I have a little more wrapping to do. I never buy wrapping paper appropriate for small gifts, so it always looks junky, and I leave them to last. Then, proofing and cleaning and writing, if I'm lucky. I think I will head to the grocery store after all.

Wednesday

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I got my hair cut yesterday (no big change, I am a chicken, should have let her bob it) and the girl and I talked movies like wild. Now I'm dying to see AVATAR. I thought we'd go yesterday, but the dh had band practice. Maybe today, after the dh fixes the toilet in the master bath.

She was also a Twilight junkie, which is not my thing, but we agreed Stephanie Meyer needs to write Jacob's story. He's hugely popular, and though he has a heroine, they have a built-in conflict.

I need to make sugar cookies today. I'm going to make really big ones so it'll go quickly. Also, cleaning the kitchen, editing and working on my short story. Not nearly as busy.

Don't forget about the Samhellion contest. I think the last day is tomorrow. Also, Nobody Writes It Better is having a Super-Secret-Santa giveaway, so check it out!

What I'll Miss (and WON'T Miss) About the Christmas Season

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I finished the bodyguard book yesterday!!! Will start revisions once I'm done with these galleys.

Yesterday the dh and I were at the grocery store and I was looking at the amaryllis and thinking I should buy one for Christmas, but...Christmas is Friday! It won't bloom by then.

So I started thinking of all the things I love and will miss when Christmas is over.

1) Decorated stores, especially with pretty displays, like the amaryllis with the rosemary trees.

2) Christmas movies

3) Christmas scents

4) What we call "concoctions"--Sprite with a slice of orange and maraschino cherries

5) My Christmas dishes and glasses

6) good sales

7) Christmas books

8) all the anticipation, my favorite part

What I won't miss:

1) crowds

2) my Christmas decorations. I'm always ready to put them away as soon as Christmas is done. Makes the house roomier

3) Christmas carols. After 3 weeks of listening to them with my class, I'm done.

4) chasing Mama Kitty out from under the tree

What about you? Ready for Christmas to be over, or are you still loving every minute?

Don't forget about the Samhellion contest, where you could win a Kindle 2! And....Nobody Writes It Better is having a holiday giveaway, too!

Official Kissing Day Blogfest

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Sherrinda had a great idea to salute mistletoe this time of year, so I've joined in the Great Kissing Day Blogfest with a scene from Beneath the Surface, my September 2009 Samhain release.

Blurb: In retrospect, perhaps archaeologist Mallory Reeves shouldn’t have delivered the divorce papers to her estranged husband mere weeks before her marriage to another man. She knew seeing Adrian again would stir up memories, but she didn’t expect so many of them to be good, not after the mess they both made three years ago.

She also didn’t expect to want to stay at the dig site on the Yucatan Peninsula. But the lure of the ancient ship and, yes, her sexy ex provide more of a draw than the white picket fence she thought she wanted.

Marine archaeologist Adrian Reeves has good reason to trust no one. His former partner—and former best friend—made off with his last archaeological find. And his wife left him, frustrated by his obsession for professional revenge.

Now both Mallory and his nemesis have returned, and it can’t be an accident that they’ve turned up in the middle of the most important excavation of his career. Seeing her again unearths old pain—and rekindles never-forgotten desire. Now he has to decide if he can trust Mallory again. More importantly, if he can trust himself with her.

SET UP: Adrian has just unearthed a medallion that will prove his shipwreck is not from the Caribbean, when he spots Mallory on the dock. She'd left weeks ago with her former fiancee, looking for another job in archaeology, to see if she missed the job or she missed Adrian. She tells herself his discovery has drawn her back, but she knows it's a lie.

EXCERPT:

Adrian didn’t wait for Toney and Jacob to tie the boat off before he leaped to the dock. He barely registered the vibration of the dock beneath his feet as he strode toward her.

“Adrian, I—”

He didn’t let her finish. Damn, she was so pretty, even windblown, even with the flash of uncertainty he saw in her eyes. He took her face in his hands, stroked his thumb over her cheek and kissed her. Surprise had her tensing for a second, and he feared she might pull away. Instead, she relaxed, just a bit, and he came home.

She was as soft, as sexy as he remembered. Her taste hadn’t changed, her mouth moved beneath his the same way, as if those three years had never passed.

He rubbed her hair, regretting the calluses on his fingers that snagged on her hair, her skin. Her fingers closed on his bare shoulders, her nails digging in briefly before sliding under the straps of his shirt, and he was lost. Dropping his hands to her hips, he drew her against him.

Slowly, it came to him where they were, why they were standing here, and he lifted his head to smile. “You came back.”

She looked a little dazed, her mouth swollen, her eyes dark. She blinked, lowering her hands from his shoulders. “Adrian, I—”

“Come see what we found.” He slid his hand down her arm to take her hand and guide her to the Miss M. She resisted at first, then followed him, trying to ignore how everyone else was watching them with interest.

What the hell had she done, coming here? Mallory swayed on the dock and watched Adrian beckon her. Once she’d reached home, she’d put her feelers out. The offers had come in fast and furious, but all she could think of was getting here to help Adrian. She waffled for a long time about how much help she’d give him. The cashier’s check in her bag was the least she could do. Staying to help excavate was the most.

After that greeting, she didn’t know how wise it was to stay, even as everything female inside her proclaimed they were ready to set up camp. Had he been so glad to see her? No, something in his eyes told her there was more. Something out there had gotten his juices flowing.

Something out there always did.

I want to READ

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I met my writing goal last night at almost 11 PM. My eyes were crossing. Yet I had two books calling to me. I'm reading Silent Night on my iPhone and Ice by Stephanie Rowe in paperback. Both are awesome suspenses, and I'm juggling which to read when.

Then I have Meg Benjamin's first book to read (and her third just came out! I'm so far behind.)

And Elisabeth's new book is coming out next week and I've not read her second.

And then there's Hard to Hold by Stephanie Tyler, which I'm dying to read. I just...need...more...time!

What are you reading? What are you itching to read? Mostly, I'm in the mood to read something I've not written!

Don't forget about the Kindle 2 you can win with the Samhellion contest!

Goals for Christmas Vacation

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Boy, yesterday was lonnnnnngggg. But I have 16 days of freedom, some overlapping with the dh. These two weeks will be as busy as my last vacation, but with more sleep.

1) Finish bodyguard book

2) Finish short story

3) Promote, promote, promote. I have several guest blogs these next 3 weeks, since Breaking Daylight is coming out the 5^th. Also, a new newsletter.

4) Proofs of DLB.

5) Christmas baking—sugar and molasses cookies, and sugar plums, if I can find the recipe.

6) Last last minute prezzies

7) Breakfast with Mom and BB

8) Get hair cut and eyebrows done

9) Paint bedroom

10) Find someone to take down two Chinese tallow trees in our backyard

11) Do some serious culling

12) Get MIL’s house cleaned out

13) Enjoy family time

14) Celebrate 23^rd anniversary

15) Get email down to one page

16) Go see Sherlock Holmes and maybe Up in the Air

17) READ!

Don't forget the Samhellion contest! You could win a Kindle 2!

Only Hours Away

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I can't believe I almost forgot! Today is the first day of the Samhain Author Scavenger Hunt! You could win a Kindle 2 by playing! Go here for more details! If you've come here to play, scroll down on the left for your clue!

The dh is actually on vacation starting today. His first chore is to take YaYa to the vet. Something's wrong with her mouth.

I made a call yesterday I wish I hadn't and fear it will ruin everything for the rest of the school year. I think I ruined the progress I'd made the last 2 weeks, just before the holidays.

The teacher next door was watching Ice Age on an HD screen and WOW. Wow. That picture sure popped. The dh and I were looking at them over Thanksgiving, but I'd have to give up my TV cabinet (gorgeous pine) because the new TV aspect ratio won't fit. And if we put it on the wall, as we're told we're supposed to do, where do you hook up the DVD and Tivo?

I hate story transitions, just so you know. I've been up since 4 working on this one, thinking I had it figured out. Also last night I noticed another running theme in my books, but it's near the climax, so I won't give that away ;)

Hours now...hours....some of the teachers were talking that we won't hear little kid voices for 2 weeks.

3 More Days

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I made gingerbread cookies and banana nut muffins yesterday, then bought pizza ;)

I cut 3000 words from my bodyguard book, but it's all new writing from here, not trying to rearrange scenes and fit things in, so should go smoother.

Did I mention I've seen last week's Dollhouse 3 times? Glee, too. Love!

We're testing today, then tomorrow is the teacher breakfast and the dance, then Friday is the party. I know I'm ready to be out!

4 More Days

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And tomorrow we test. Thursday is insane and Friday will be worse. Today is the last normal day of 2009.

The ds had me do his online shopping for him yesterday. Today he's selling his textbooks to pay me back.

I keep slicing away scenes from my bodyguard book, so I'm 3500 words behind my goal. Now, if this computer would charge up, I could get to work! I watched Dollhouse twice yesterday--lots of yummy Paul scenes. Very inspirational.

Trish's new cover is on Amazon! Go drool!

Goals for the Last Week of School Before Christmas Break!!!!

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My neighborhood is pretty quiet, but last night around 4 AM I heard talking outside. Apparently my neighbors had a party and their guests were leaving in the wee hours. I went back to sleep and just got up at 7:30! Late for me.

Yesterday I finished the last of my galleys, so I can focus on WRITING this week!

1) Finish bodyguard book

2) Bake gingerbread cookies

3) update website

4) send out newsletter

5) send home progress reports

6) survive the increasingly hectic days with the kids. Hopefully the weather will be nice enough that they can have recess--they haven't had it since before Thanksgiving!

Real Life Isn't a Romance Novel

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We use it as a trope, a source of conflict for our heroes usually. I've used it twice--a young wife dying suddenly, once in my historical and once in STTA. I read a book with the conflict this week, and it was the basis of the conflict in Mrs. Miracle, the Christmas movie I watched this week.

The thing is, in those books, the event has some distance. Time has passed, the hero is thinking of moving forward, or not, until he meets the heroine.

We don't see, but can imagine those first days, those first weeks, the struggle to find a balance. We don't see the bone-deep grief and terror and loneliness, the blurring days.

Right now I feel guilty for ever using this device, because my brother's best friend is dealing with all this right now. His 43-year-old wife died suddenly, leaving him and his three-year-old son alone. Worse, he was in California and she was in Texas when it happened. He has to be strong for his son, for his family, and he's so intensely private, I don't know how he's going to accept help. It breaks my heart.

Off Kilter

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Last night we watched Public Enemies. I liked it, but it left me with an ugly feeling. I mean, not really uplifting at all, was it?

Then I woke up at about 1:30 worrying because it was supposed to freeze last night and I wasn't sure the dh had dripped the pipes. Of course I couldn't go back to sleep, so I finished reading this allegedly Christmas-themed Harlequin that people have been raving about on Twitter. For one, the only Christmas in it was a shopping scene leading up to the black moment, which was WAY out of the blue. I knew something bad had to happen, because a) the hero's wife had died, so I knew the heroine had to have something happen to her and b) everybody was slappy-happy with 60 pages to go. Still, the BBM? Didn't see it coming. Felt jerked around by it, and that did NOT make me happy. Yes, I cried, okay, I'm not heartless, but it also made me mad.

So I didn't get enough sleep and my last two attempts at entertainment are bugging me. I'm going to finish watching Mrs. Miracle, and put on some GLEE.

Coming from Behind

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I finished the galleys on Surface today, not too terrible since they've already been through beaucoup revisions. Still need about 70 pages to go on DLB galleys. Hope to finish those this weekend.

Caught up on grading--woot!

I've been using the dh's computer and it is NOT energy efficient. For example, I've been on 28 minutes and have used 18% of the energy. By the time I get to writing, I'll have to charge it. I can't sit in my chair with the handy plug nearby because it's COLD back there. Can you believe it's going to freeze again tonight and we're not even in winter yet? And not just a little freeze--down in the 20s!

Okay, off to type in galley changes....just wanted to catch up!

Goals for the 2nd Week of December

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1) Christmas party Friday—what to wear? What to take for white elephant gift?
2) Math district assessment Tuesday—do math like wild tomorrow
3) Tutoring one day
4) Blog at WNP and SPN Sisters
5) Grocery store
6) Finish galleys on Surface
7) Work on galleys for DLB
8) Work on bodyguard book—want to be done by Christmas vacation
9) House (didn’t touch it last week, sadly)

Just In Case

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The weather forecasts are predicting a 70% chance of snow tomorrow. Snow. In San Antonio. In December. It's not even winter yet and my cozy pjs are already in regular rotation.

Now I know you Yankees are laughing, but seriously, the city will shut down if it snows. It never snows here. We had 2 ice days 3 years ago, but in my whole career I only remember being off for bad weather 5 times.

In 20 years. The last time it snowed I was in college.

So, just in case I'm home on Friday, I've made a snow day checklist.

fuzzy socks

soft sweatshirt

cozy pj pants

hot cocoa AND hot tea

makings for grilled cheese

cookie dough

new JDM DVD (Live! Not really uplifting, but hey, JDM)

more books than I can possibly read

kittehs

But alas, not enough Diet Coke. Must remedy that!

Anything I've forgotten? Am I jinxing it?

Recurring Themes

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Even though I'm a morning person, this picture cracked me up.

I've been proofreading galleys on two stories and writing on the bodyguard story. I've noticed I have some recurring situations.

I have a lot of hospital scenes, and it's always my hero.

I have a couple of scenes where the heroine is stitching up the hero.

I have a lot of elevator scenes--you'd think I wrote for Grey's Anatomy.

I have a few confined-in-cars scenes.

Do you notice that in your writing?