The other day, my supervisor and I were talking with another co-worker and my supervisor made a comment about her wearing tennis shoes.

“Oh yeah, I have to wear these now. When I was working out, I would get this painful cramp in my feet. Sometimes it hurt so bad that I was practically hobbling back to the locker room! It was a little crazy. It would always happen while I was working out, so I finally went to the doctor and he told me it was because I was wore high heels. Now, I can’t wear them anymore. I may start out wearing them in the morning, but halfway through the day, I have to slip these on. I had no idea high heels could cause problems with your feet, knees and back.”

I just looked at her in disbelief. “I—uh, seriously?”

She was smiling when she said it, but she was serious. Yeah. Wow.

That’s when I started laughing.

I wanted to say, “There’s a reason why they’re called Killer Heels. They may be pretty and make your legs look like they should be insured for millions of dollars, but they kill your feet.” But I didn’t.

All those runway models and famous actresses who wear heels on a daily basis may look good from the ankles up, but I bet you anything they’re feet are a freakin’ mess!

A Useful Warning

On Wednesday, Dr. Oz had a show on the fastest growing cancer in women, thyroid cancer. It was a very interesting program and he mentioned that the increase could possibly be related to the use of dental x-rays and mammograms. He demonstrated that on the apron the dentist puts on you for your dental x-rays there is a little flap that can be lifted up and wrapped around your neck. Many dentists don’t bother to use it. Also, there is something called a “thyroid guard” for use during mammograms. By coincidence, I had my yearly mammogram yesterday. I felt a little silly, but I asked about the guard and sure enough, the technician had one in a drawer. I asked why it wasn’t routinely used. Answer: “I don’t know. You have to ask for it.” Well, if I hadn’t seen the show, how would I have known to ask?
Someone was nice enough to forward this to me.

I was watching SOMEWHERE IN TIME with Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour and was totally blown away by their first kiss. If you’re not familiar with the 1980 movie, here’s the blurb:

A Chicago playwright uses self-hypnosis to find the actress whose vintage portrait hangs in a grand hotel.

Fast forward to about 3:28 – when they’re right outside her hotel room door–and you’ll see what I mean.

I have no idea why there’s no sound, but that’s no problem, I can tell you what she’s saying. Because as you can see, his lips don’t do anything at all but touch hers during this scene.

“What do you want to talk about?” she asks breathlessly.

Then:

“No,” she says breathlessly. Maybe even a little halfheartedly. Because, really, who in their right mind would say no to a kiss from Christopher Reeve.

And then:

“I can’t believe this is really happening,” she whispers.

And here’s the kicker: no tongues were involved. It was a really passionate, no-tongue kiss….but it still made me squirm a little bit because it was so beautifully done! That whole scene, from the moment he closes the door to when he kisses her, was just abso-freakin-lutely perfect.

He didn’t talk at all, just let her know without words what he really wanted to do and gave her plenty of time to refuse him. Even though it was just a movie, it seemed like Chris and Jane were really in love. Every time he clapped eyes on her, it was with deep adoration and this all-consuming love. At one point during the movie, after they “get together”, she says, “I want to be your everything” and he responds “You are.”

*wistful sigh* It might sound cheesy, because you know a man and a woman wouldn’t say that in this day and age, but GAWD it was so romantic. In an old-fashioned way.

Stuff like that just doesn’t happen in real life. I love it when the man cups the woman’s face. I love reading a line like that in a novel. That is such a turn-on to me and it’s not even an intentional sexual move! And wow, wasn’t Christopher drop dead gorgeous back then?! And Jane was so beautiful. Still is. They made such a great couple and had fabulous chemistry. Amazing. I loved it.

If you get a chance, rent this movie.

And it reminded me why I love reading romance books. And why I love reading about the tender, tentative, getting-to-know-you-please-don’t-slap-me-or-knee-me-in-the-balls type of kisses that lead up to the I-want-to-devour-you-whole kisses.

Ironically, there was a SUPERMAN marathon after that, #’s 1-3. Day-um, that man was foin. I think it was the dark hair/blue eyes combo that did it for me. I only watched the first one because it was already getting late. The funny I noticed when watching both movies: he spoke to Jane the same way he spoke to Margot Kidder as Clark Kent, the sort of shy-unsure-I-don’t-know-how-to-talk-to-girls tone of voice.

Really, it was just a fab night of “me” time: bed snuggling and movie-watching.

Technorati Tags: SOMEWHERE IN TIME, Christopher Reeve, Jane Seymour, SUPERMAN, Margot Kidder, Clark Kent

An oldie but a goodie – “Lonely Teardrops” by Jackie Wilson

Some alternative – “Hero” by Skillet, “Dragonfly” by Shaman’s Harvest, “Cry Little Sister” by Seasons After, “Smack My Bitch Up” and “Firestarter” by Prodigy, “She Talks To Angels” by The Black Crowes

A few Big Hair Bands – “18 and Life” and “I Remember You” by Skid Row, “Wait” and “When the Children Cry” by White Lion, “Nobody’s Fool” by Cinderella

A little 80’s and 90’s – “Nothing Compares 2 U” by Sinead O’Connor, “Listen to Your Heart” and “Dressed for Success” by Roxette, “How to Be a Millionaire” and “Be Near Me” by ABC, “Informer” by Snow, “Ice Ice Baby” by Vanilla Ice.

Some show tunes – “Poker Face,” “Dream On”, and “To Sir With Love” by the Glee Cast

And an instrumental – “Requiem for a Tower Dream” by London Music Works and Clint Mansell (if you heard it, you’d recognize it. They play it a lot in movie trailers.)

I figured it was time to get some new tunes in the iPod. All the other stuff was getting a little stale. The majority of my music came from my CD collection, with several downloads thrown in for good measure. I keep it on shuffle so I can hear a different mix of music, but the same artists keep coming up a lot (probably because I have multiple albums). Hence the need for some new stuff.

There are tons more songs I want to get, and I’ve quickly learned how addicting iTunes can be. I went a little crazy with my first iPod (8GB…Babendude upgraded me to a 16GB for my b-day) and racked up a nice $80 bill in one day! Utter craziness, I tell you. As you can tell, I listen to a variety of music, with a few exceptions: No jazz (although I have one song by Michael Buble…and I have it because it sounds like a James Bond song), no country, and no every-other-word-is-a-curse-word type of rap.

So, who’s on your iPod?

Technorati Tags: iTunes, Lonely Teardrops, Jackie Wilson, Hero, Skillet, Dragonfly, Shaman’s Harvest, Cry Little Sister, Seasons After, Smack My Bitch Up, Firestarter, Prodigy, She Talks To Angels, The Black Crowes, 18 and Life, I Remember You, Skid Row, Wait, When the Children Cry, White Lion, Nobody’s Fool, Cinderella, Nothing Compares 2 U, Sinead O’Connor, Listen to Your Heart, Dressed for Success, Roxette, How to Be a Millionaire, Be Near Me, ABC, Informer, Snow, Ice Ice Baby, Vanilla Ice, Poker Face, Dream On, To Sir With Love, Glee, Requiem for a Tower Dream, London Music Works, Clint Mansell, iPod, Michael Buble, James Bond

“…Through the whole story I just kept thinking. “Duuuuuude, I would love to read this book, it’s awesome!” I love how the Draven can relate to girls and guys (in a sense). Her life just seems exciting with even a few real details that some kids have gone through…”

Totally made my night.

What I’m loving about this group is that I’m not just getting a small paragraph on what the reviewer thought. I’m getting serious feedback. Feedback that could amount to a 1 or 2 pages worth of suggestions/comments, etc: what could be changed, what doesn’t make sense, what could be added. I LOVE it. These teens are serious about their reading and it shows in their comments. I wish I could submit more, but at least I know I’m off to a good start.

It’s been professionally edited and looked over by beta readers. Now I just have to insert all the feedback.

Technorati Tags: YALITCHAT

CLICK ON PIC TO ENLARGE

Jason (Ryan Kwanten) and Bill (Stephen Moyer) are also on the cover of Details mag, but despite the fact that I’m all about Team Bill (I love the way he says “Sookie”), this cover called to me more. Go fig.

After reading the story on him in this mag, I now have to see the video for Lady Gaga‘s “Paparazzi”. Apparently, he makes an appearance.

Technorati Tags: Ryan Kwanten, Stephen Moyer, Details, Lady Gaga, “Paparazzi”

If you answered yes, I want to know why? Was it something you were taught to do by your Mom? Is it something you just did on your own? Leave your answer Comments.

I hear a lot of:

Live
Gavin DeGraw
Linkin Park
Creed
Scott Stapp
Glee Soundtrack
Dishwalla
High School Musical (all 3)

I find myself shuffling past these artists–well, not Linkin Park–in hopes of getting a onesie-twosie-threesie song I downloaded.

Technorati Tags: iPod Nano, Live, Gavin DeGraw, Linkin Park, Creed, Scott Stapp, Glee Soundtrack, Dishwalla, High School Musical

Children Write About the Ocean…

1 ) – This is a picture of an octopus. It has eight testicles. Kelly, age 6

2) – Oysters’ balls are called pearls. Jerry, age 6

3) – If you are surrounded by ocean, you are an island. If you don’t
have ocean all round you, you are incontinent. Alex, age 7

4) – Sharks are ugly and mean, and have big teeth, just like Emily
Richardson . She’s not my friend any more. Kylie, age 6

5) – A dolphin breaths through an asshole on the top of its head. Billy, age 8

6) – My uncle goes out in his boat with 2 other men and a woman and
pots and comes back with crabs. Millie, age 6

7) – When ships had sails, they used to use the trade winds to cross
the ocean. Sometimes when the wind didn’t blow the sailors would
whistle to make the wind come. My brother said they would have been
better off eating beans. William, age 7

– Mermaids live in the ocean. I like mermaids. They are beautiful
and I like their shiny tails, but how on earth do mermaids get
pregnant? Like, really? Helen, age 6

9) – I’m not going to write about the ocean. My baby brother is always
crying, my Dad keeps yelling at my Mom, and my big sister has just got
pregnant, so I can’t think what to write. Amy, age 6

10) – Some fish are dangerous. Jelly fish can sting. Electric eels can
give you a shock. They have to live in caves under the sea where I
think they have to plug themselves into chargers. Christopher, age 7

11) – When you go swimming in the ocean, it is very cold, and it makes
my willy small. Kevin, age 6

12) – Divers have to be safe when they go under the water. Divers
can’t go down alone, so they have to go down on each other.
Becky, age 8

13) – On vacation my Mom went water skiing. She fell off when she was going very fast. She says she won’t do it again because water fired right up her big fat ass. Julie, age 7

14) – The ocean is made up of water and fish. Why the fish don’t drown I don’t know. Bobby, age 6

15) – My dad was a sailor on the ocean. He knows all about the ocean.. What he doesn’t know is why he quit being a sailor and married my mom. James, age 7

I was taking three classes, but then dropped the Modern Fiction course at Rio Salado. I guess I wasn’t into is as I thought I’d be. I figure I’ll take up a Creative Writing course at a later date. I’ve also been working on a community project for one of my other courses (which I’ll officially announce on Monday) and that’s overshadowed just about everything. That assignment involved a powwow with my BF and grew into something worth “squeeing” about.

I knocked out one of my New Years Resolutions last month by joining a gym: 24 Hour Fitness. I’m currently taking 2 dance fitness classes a week and let me tell you: that first class was. A. Killer. The 24Dance is on Monday nights at 530, so I basically go there straight from work. It’s all different types of dance—salsa, jive, hip-hop, bellydancing, etc. Seeing as how it was my first time, I didn’t stretch out. And paid for it two days later. By the time the Zumba class rolled around on Thursday evening, I was no longer sore. Of course, that comforting thought ended after an hr in that class. I could barely walk the next few days. Everything hurt and my body was saying things like “Ohmygodohmygodohmygod. Stop. Moving.” But I was sleeping good. Sleeping like the dead. And I had more energy. Now, a month later, I think my body’s gotten used to the high-intensity-heart-pumping classes and I’m no longer sore. Ar least, not as much as I used to be. I think I may be even losing some weight.

In the midst of all this, I tried to join a writing accountability group. “Tried” being the key word because I only did it for 2 weeks. This group was going to help me balance my writing life with my real life. We posted daily goals each week, but by the second week, I was already starting to see a pattern: 1) I would forget was I was supposed to be doing each day and 2) When I was supposed to be concentrating on writing DA3, I would think about something I had to do for school. During this 2 week period, I was feeling a little depressed and was carrying around this…raging anger. I was holding all this in and it was affecting my interactions with my manager at work.

The group itself wasn’t making me feel this, by no means. Part of it, I’m sure, was because of Auntie Flow’s Monthly Visit. The main thing was that I had inserted something new into my life and it wasn’t working. Once again, I was getting overwhelmed. My writing felt forced. I needed to take stock. Even though I was excited and hopeful about being a part of this group, it was just a case of wrong place, wrong time.

I’ve come to realize that until I find a balance with school, I can’t balance anything else. I need to find a groove with school before I can throw writing into the mix. I’m a officially a junior now, in my second semester, taking only two classes. I’ll be taking 3 starting in the summer until I graduate. I may never find a groove. Trying to find a mentor for these classes is a little intimidating and a little time-consuming. It’s something that’s always in the back of my mind, so I can never really relax. I may not be able to fit writing in–comfortably–until I graduate. I don’t want it to come to that, but it’s a possibility. I’m not okay with that, but unfortunately, I know me and my personality… I’m hoping that next year–January maybe?–I may have calmed some and can get back into Draven’s world.

Due to the whole school thing, I’ve also been neglecting my first two books. They’ve been reissued through a new publisher, with new covers, and I have yet to re-introduce them to the public. To help a sistah out, I invested $20-something and change in John Kremer‘s 1001 Ways to Market Your Books. Little by little, I hope to get the word out again about my books.

So…that’s the story. That’s where I’m at right now. You may see more posts, but don’t hold your breath. LOL. I like participating in the Sunday Scribbling and YA Highway’s Road Trip Wednesday. Maybe I’ll get back into the Weekend Wrap-Ups, too.

Technorati Tags: 24 Hour Fitness, John Kremer, 1001 Ways to Market Your Books