Tuesday, February 28, 2006

Throw Me Somethin', Mister!

You just can't keep a party city down.

I've been to Mardi Gras a few times, mostly in Mobile, Alabama, home to the oldest Mardi Gras celebration in the U.S. Mardi Gras in Mobile is more laid-back and somewhat more family-friendly than the bacchanal in New Orleans. My favorite of the Mobile parades is the raucous and crazy Joe Cain Day parade, which is sort of the equivalent to a GDI in collegiate Greek society. It lacks the focus and discipline of the Krewe parades, but makes up for it in sheer creativity and enthusiasm.

I have been to New Orleans during Mardi Gras, once. Since I don't drink, smoke, toke, or bare my breasts for beads, it wasn't exactly a fun experience. However, I've visited New Orleans at other times of the year and loved it. I'm glad to see the old city slowly coming back to life. May she live to throw down for centuries to come.

Friday, February 24, 2006

Oooo, Looky!

I'm one of the Intrigue Authors!

My next big milestone is coming up quickly---I should get my June bookcover in the next couple of week. I've heard cover horror stories, but I'm really liking the current Intrigue covers. I like the new emphasis on the author name (well, duh, of course I do) and the more stylistic art appeals to me in a big way.

Here are some of my recent favorite Intrigue covers:

SECURITY MEASURES by Joanna Wayne

HOUSE OF SECRETS by Tracy Montoya

PRIMARY SUSPECT by Susan Peterson

PERSON OF INTEREST by Debra Webb

BENEATH THE TEXAS MOON by Elle James

As you can tell, I like the "evocative scene" covers better than the "lone hot guy" or "clinch in the midst of danger" covers. Although I must admit to some fondness for the "lone hot guy" covers, too. :)

I'll probably be happy with any cover I get--just getting a cover the first time will probably eclipse any more esoteric considerations. But I'm hoping for an "evocative scene" cover that really captures the eerie undertones of my story.

Bronze, Baby!

Congratulations to the U.S. Men's Olympic Curling Team (aka Team Fenson) for winning the first ever U.S. Olympic medal in curling!

As I noted in a previous post, I've become addicted to this little known and little understood sport (at least down here in Dixieland), thanks to the Olympics. Curling ran early morning on MSNBC, for the most part, and I was able to watch a good bit of it (especially the days I was out sick from work with the crud). Once I got the gist of how the game works, and what the strategies are, I found it utterly fascinating. It's a finesse game, full of thinking and strategy, easy to learn and difficult to master.

I'm not sure I'll ever go curling myself---the whole ice-o-phobia I have would make it problematic---but I'm definitely a fan of the sport now.

(And look! An online curling game!)

Wednesday, February 22, 2006

Blogging Blues

I'm in some sort of blogging funk. I haven't been able to think of anything to blog about that's not political, and I don't do politics on this blog, so I've just been silent. Part of it's due to the nasty upper respiratory infection I'm battling. Part of my funk is also dealing with my prima donna of a writing muse, who apparently took one look at the cold, rainy February weather, grabbed her hot pink bikini and hopped the first plane to Tahiti.

And part of it is my strange new obsession with the game of curling (I blame Paul Gross and the U.S. Men's Olympic Team). It's a very weird new obsession for an Alabama girl who thinks traversing ice by foot, ski, snowboard, skate or curling shoe is insane. (You could slip, fall and break something!)

Also did Sasha Cohen really have to skate such an amazing short program just when I'd talked myself out of getting sucked into the women's singles competition?

Maybe I have ADHD.

Monday, February 06, 2006

We Wuz Robbed

And no, I'm not talking about the Super Bowl. I didn't really care which team won.

I'm talking about the rain falling outside that was supposed to have been at least mixed with a little snow. The local weather guys were practically salivating last night at the prospect of a little of the white stuff, but noooooo. Just rain.

I know, I'm silly to wish for snow in Alabama. It only mucks everything up. But it's so rare down here that just the prospect of it is enough to make me giddy, and having the rug pulled out from under me, as usual, still stinks.

Friday, February 03, 2006

Can You Tell I'm a Frustrated Artist?

I can't ever get happy with the look of my website or my blog. I'm more limited on the blog due to using Blogger software and templates, but I wanted at least a little coordination between my blog and my website, so I decided to go for a blue-toned blog theme.

I'm a little obsessive about blue. It's been my favorite color from childhood, and I love to be surrounded by it. It makes me happy.

Is that weird?

Thursday, February 02, 2006

Wow, That Was Fast!

Congratulations to my fellow GH 2004 finalist, Tessa Rallis, who gave an online pitch to Silhouette Desire on January 9th, earned a request for a full, and got The Call today. Way to go, Tessa!