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The last time I saw him dance, live at Madison Sq.
I'll remember him like this.
Some of my favorite songs by him:
Man In The Mirror
Black or White
Billie Jean
Beat It
Off The Wall
Human Nature
Smooth Criminal
Dirty Diana
Remember The Time
Two first-name only icons.
My first highheels. My first flickaway-bangs. Highschool ideas of glamor. Watching TV with my siblings--we all didn't speak English very well but it was fun to check out the clothes.
Rest in peace, Farrah.
Watching my dad dance. One of my first record collection. Watching my first moondance and being mesmerized by his dancing all over again. Giggling at his excuse for his lightening skin. That concert years ago--wow--that concert.
Rest in peace, Michael.
Not taking away Ed McMahon's passing, untimely deaths of icons of our own era remind us of our mortality. Time passes and we're reminded that each day should be lived fully.
well, I don't know what to make of it, except maybe I've been editing too much and my brain has gone cuckoo. Last night, I had two dreams--same dude, in black, writing calligraphy. Beautiful Chinese calligraphy, at that. Except that I don't read Chinese that well, having forgotten much of the characters...I can read some and not all.
Argh.
I woke up thinking I have a message and if it's a warning, I'm in so much trouble since I have no idea what it is ;-).
Or maybe it's an inspiration from the Muse? So, to make use of it, I'm making Armando Chang do calligraphy. He's cryptic enough and should be able to spout off Chinese idiomatic expressions, right? And wouldn't it be romantic if he writes Chinese poem to his mate, when I find her in my consciousness?
No...! No thinking of Armando's story. I have edits to finish and Virtually One to write!!!
It's like waiting for the water to boil.
Like watching the drops filling up a bucket.
Like swimming laps and you're on lap 70 out of 72. Like running a marathon towards the finished line. Like being trapped five stories above the air and needing a bathroom, and you can see the person with the ladder walking towards your building...very slowly....
Edits for Virtually Hers! Yes, I'm almost there. Smell the baking bread!
So, humor my inability to make sense for a while longer, 'kay? Speaking of humor, if you're a Buffy fan and you have the same reaction about Twilight's Edward as I do (I have a teeshirt that says "And then Buffy killed Edward. The end), you HAVE TO watch this video below. It is classic. Genius. So damn funny.
Now why can't I procrastinate creatively like that?!
Dear Dad,
You're far away and you have seven other daughters ;-). I know I'm the crazy one who never calls and writes books instead of letters. I know sometimes you wonder whether that insane daughter will ever straighten up, get married and have kids. I know maybe you've even given up on me being normal. But you're on my mind today and I love you.
*****************
This video cracks me up for some reason, which just shows, I have a warped sense of humor.
Nothing serious going on on the Interwebs. Why squabble on a Saturday when you can giggle at other more controversial things, like a Mr. Hong Kong WET swimsuit contest?
You don't need to understand Cantonese to know what's going on on this video though I'm still scratching my head about the female alien dancers. But I must agree, the cutest smile (#12) beat out the buffest bod (#4) :D.
And umm...don't click, Vince and other male readers, unless you're curious, hee.
You all know I love me some Presents candy now and then, in spite of their titles, right? But this one?
The Sheikh's Virgin Stable-Girl?!
This ad is the latest from Calvin Klein. It's causing quite a hullaballoo in NYC because, well, the ad is the size of a FIVE-STORY building, and people are saying that, unlike a TV channel or a magazine, they can't turn themselves, or their kids, away.
Terry Odell, author and member of the Central Florida Romance Writers Association, wrote a succinct summary of the writing workshop I gave in Orlando a couple of weeks ago. It's always interesting to read what other writers think about my speeches and thoughts on writing. I probably didn't sound as eloquent as her notes ;-), but I do hope that what I shared gave some insight to the writers who took time to attend!
Sharon Leach wins Pretentious Biotch of the Week Award. She smugly wrote:
I suppose I can understand romance novels being recession-proof, in theory. Women, the biggest consumers of the genre (and also the writers) love escape fantasies. Harsh economic times would perhaps send women scurrying further into that good abyss of un-reality. They're afraid they'll lose their jobs, their kids are driving them around a hairpin bend, and their husbands, bless them Lord, are themselves worried about keeping the family afloat, so intimate relations may often not, well, rise to the occasion. The answer: live vicariously. Read a book about some hottie who's ripping off the heroine's bodice.
I sort of get that.
Only, I don't. Not really.
Oh, I tried it. Well, okay. I didn't buy a bodice-ripper. I haven't been able to stomach one of those since high school. (How do grown women read them without a trace of irony? We know real men are NOT like the heroes of romance novels.)
This is just a partial transcript of the very mini chat I held at Writerspace last night. It was supposed to be about The Protector. Guess who showed up? ;-)
Gennita Low: Yes, I'm here, eating icecream
CUMBER joined the room.
CUMBER: Well, where's everyone?
Gennita Low: They didn't show up, I guess.
CUMBER: Why not? I'm here. Where the babes?
Gennita Low: Cumber, it's just you and me tonight. How are you?
CUMBER: Would be better if there were babes in here.
Gennita Low: Excuse me, chop suey here or what?
CUMBER: Pardon me, ma'am. You're the Queen Babe.
Gennita Low: Much better.
Gennita Low I'm sorry it's not much of a chat, but can you tell me what's coming in terms of scenes for me? Many readers are missing your presence, Cumber.
CUMBER: Hey, I don't blame them. I'm a memorable guy, what can I say. I think you'll see me--I mean several of us--in what's coming up. You know, the next book.
Gennita Low: Really? Virtually One? No kidding? That would make the thing too damn crowded, what with the commandos and all.
CUMBER: Well, writing isn't my job, ma'am. That's yours. You figure it out.
Gennita Low: Hey, you're supposed to help me out here...not get all cumbersome.
CUMBER: Cumbersome. Ha. I like you.
Gennita Low: You better cooperate or I'm putting you in another opera scene.
CUMBER: ---, no. I mean, freaken no. Am I allowed to say freaken on this board?
Md joined the room.
Gennita Low: Obviously not. Well, they censored that first word. :D Amusing.
CUMBER: What a stupid place. They censored me? Cumber?
Md: Hi Genn. How are things going for you? I have to tell you, I am a Florida fan.
Gennita Low: Well, you think about it...Do you want to be an opera scene or be cooperative?
Gennita Low: Hi MD!
Gennita Low: Umm, sorry about the small turnout here.
Md: Having 'puter problems or net problems?
CUMBER: I'll cooperate. Will you get me a girl soon, boss?
Gennita Low: No...I think everyone is busy tonight, MD ;-). So I'm here talking to Cumber all by myself. Weird, I know, but what I can I say? A chat is a chat.
Md: I am really happy that you have found another publisher.
Gennita Low: Cumber, the way you talk so big, no girl's gonna want you.
Md: How's the old boy doin'? Don't imagine he is getting much action these days. Has he got any news to share?
Gennita Low: Md, Samhain is great. The second book has been written for so long I'm just happy to get back into it.
CUMBER: Hey, who're you calling an old boy? Me??
Md: Will Samhain also do the third book in the series?
CUMBER: And for your information, big is very popular among romance readers, I hear.
Md: Yeah, you Cumber, you old son of a gun.
Gennita Low: Md, yes, Virtually One is contracted too!
Md: It's not what you got, Cumber ole boy, it's how you use it.
CUMBER: Md, sweetheart, I'm never too old for ladies.
Md: What are you thinking of doing after V One?
CUMBER: And I use mine well.
Md: Cumber, I hate to disillusion you, but lady I ain't. Broad is probaby a better description.
Gennita Low: MD, I've several ongoing projects that I'm doing at the same time, even though my first focus is on VHers right now and then VOne.
CUMBER: Md baby, I loooooove broads. //puts on sunglasses.
Gennita Low: Right now, I've been writing an urban fantasy tentatively titled Viking Dude And His Big Sword.
Md: How about doing something paranormal. The V books are a start, but why not pull out all the stops. Cumber, I do believe you are flirting with me.
CUMBER: Viking Dude? That's a good role for me in Hollywood. I've got a big sword.
Gennita Low: Viking Dude is paranormal/urban fantasy.
Md: I'm old enough to be your mother -- maybe even grandmother.
CUMBER: Md, I'm not married and over 18.
Gennita Low sigh. Cumber, behave. He's a flirt, Md, ignore him.
Md: I am married and well beyond 18.
CUMBER: dammit, why are they always married? Md, you're a lovely married lady.
Gennita Low: charmer, isn't he. Anyway that's my work in progress.
BREAKING NEWS!
My editor sent me an email announcing that Virtually Hers is scheduled to be out mid-October, 2009.
I'm still doing edits but everything looks good so far. Once I turn that in, I'm going to concentrate on giving you some updates on the FYEO blog. It was tough to keep it going when the books were on hold because you would have been way, way ahead of the timeline by now! So, give me a couple of weeks to get this project done.
Boy, it's so good to be able to give you a definitive answer. And right before RWA too, yeeha!
Any of you going to RWA? Any of you planning to get Big Bad Wolf? Because if you are, you'll have to say so here or email me so we can all set up a meeting place (drinks, chat, group hug) so that you can get BBW. Why? Because RWA doesn't allow BBW to be part of any signing, even one FOR DONATION to a good cause ;-P.
So...who will be at RWA? Please let me know!
I thought I'd take a writing break by taking a nice late night walk with Bad Puppy. It was really humid outside so instead of the usual brisk pace, I took my time and strolled. I live in a pretty quiet neighborhood and usually, by this time of the night, everyone's inside their cool homes.
Not tonight.
A young man was outside with his unleashed dog. Big dog. It was dark and I didn't see him leaning against his car till it was too late and the big boy started coming after Bad Puppy. I couldn't scoop my baby up because he was playing Alpha Dog and running out to block the attacker's path. This dog was five times the size of Bad Puppy.
I didn't even have time to yell out. Everything was moving in slow motion. All I saw was this hugggge maw about to swallow Bad Puppy's head. I tugged at my leash as hard as I could and sort of did a bad pirouette with one leg while my free hand reached out in between the two dogs. I'm still not sure what happened, but I must have swung my arm hard enough to toss my furbaby into the air.
One moment he was about to get mauled and the next, he was yelping because of the tight leash as he flew into my arms. I started running like a mad woman because the other dog was still trying to jump up after his new toy.
The man, who had been yelling all this time, finally managed to get his dog under control but I was already half a block away. Because it was dark, I couldn't tell whether Bad Puppy was hurt since he was yelping and wincing. When I set him down, he just curled up and refused to budge. That got me really worried, I tell you.
When the other dog's owner finally caught up with me, he began apologizing profusely and tried to pet Bad Puppy. I had to stop him since my baby didn't like strange men getting too close to me. I was suddenly aware of my wet hand. I prayed it was piss and not blood.
Calming down a noisy apologetic man and a whining dog at the same time without raising my voice was quite a feat. I finally convinced him to just. Let. Me. Be. for a few minutes. Bad Puppy finally got up and we walked under a streetlight.
Oh no, my hand was bloody.
I knelt down again, this time feeling more panicky. Where was he bleeding? I undid the leash so I could look better and Bad Puppy whined again.
"Where are you hurt, Jiggy? Where are you bleeding?"
He allowed me to run my hands up and down his body and didn't seem to be hurting. I stood up and following my lead, he did the same. I frowned. WTF? He seemed okay.
I looked at my hand again. Oh. Looking closely, I realized that I was the one bleeding. It was just a tiny puncture wound but I guess all that adrenalin made it appear worse than it was. I think Bad Puppy's teeth grazed me when I snatched him from the air. I'm pretty sure the Other Dog didn't bite me or I'd definitely have more puncture wounds than this one. Bigger ones too.
Anyway, I'm home now. Bad Puppy is fine. A bit on the quiet side but I'd checked him thoroughly. Nothing. Maybe wounded pride that he didn't get to fight. He didn't understand that he'd have lost that one if Mommy hadn't stepped in.
Ah well. It was supposed to be a nice peaceful stroll for the uber author looking for some relaxation and to perhaps lose a few calories. Instead, I'm now wide-eyed and all tied up in knots. Need comfort food. Where's the icecream?
Pardon the growls. Deep in revisions and fighting a stuffed head and nagging migraine, ouch ouch ouch. It's difficult to write about love and emotional stuff when I feel like a giant slug about to turn into that thing in alien. Sigh.
Maybe standing on my head might help.
When I'm stuck on a writing problem I eat a lot. I think it's the bane of doing work at home because the fridge is handily nearby. So I'm just munching and munching and stomping about the house in between trying to write. And oh, torturing Bad Puppy. Of course, that goes without saying. It's fun to torture Bad Puppy; he gets jealous when I play with his toys. Silly, I know, but hey, Sick Author here, 'kay?
Any advice to fight off sickness and get the brain cells working again?
Goals for the week:
1) Finish the major portion of revisions for VHers
2) Get ready panel stuff for RT 2010
3) Stop eating icecream like it's a real meal
4) Read a book--it's getting weird just rereading VHis and VHers over and over....
5) Placate Viking Dude who's not happy at being shunted aside
6) Buy air tickets for RWA trip if I'm not driving (have I told you? I'm considering driving up to DC. Am I crazy?)
7) Umm...pay bills...lotsa billlllllls...help!
What are your goals for the week?
I don't know but these kinds of "romances" sound extremely painful. The first story is about an Egyptian man who cut off his penis because his parents won't let him marry the woman of his choice. Ouch. So much for love, and now would his beloved still want him?
The second has to do with a Singaporean secretary and her boss. In a parked car. She ended up with a mouthful.
If you read the small article following this piece, about an air stewardess' memoir about her "sexual escapades in the sky," don't you think that blurb is sort of deceptive when, in the following paragraphs, she claimed she said NO to all of them? What kind of sexual escapades in the sky could have happened if NOTHING happened? And would that book be about two pages long?
Sort of like:
He asked me to have sex with him. I said no. Then another guy during another flight asked me for sex. I told him no. So, next flight, another man, this time a really tall and handsome one, asked me for a sexual encounter. I paused because I was really tempted, but then I also said no. The next one was easy. He was eighty years old. I said no to him immediately, without any thinking at all.... :-/
And then there is this rich British kid and the giant penis big enough to be seen on Google Earth that he drew on the roof of his parents' one million-pound mansion. Clearly this TOPS it all. And it's certainly giving this rooferauthor ideas.... ;-P
Kind of lovely to look at from space, isn't it? Rich kids have all the fun!
1) Revising Virtually Hers. I'm done with one problem, now I'm onto a more difficult one. Hint...emotional Jed? Hmm.
2) Getting ready for my workshop in Kissimmee this Saturday: the romance and the suspense in hero-centric vs. heroine-centric romantic suspense. Or something like that, since I keep changing my mind ;-).
So, your homework tonight and tomorrow is to help me out here. What authors' stories represent the quintessential hero-centric romance? Heroine-centric? Would be nice to hear your thoughts.
If that's JUST TOO DAMN DEEP for a Friday, okay, how about entertaining me instead?
PIRATES or NINJAS? Why? Let the discussion begin....
For myself, I think I'm a Ninja girl. I think super spies are somewhat ninja-like, don't you? On the other hand, (romance) pirates get to have so much fun!
Romancelandia lost Edith Layton today. She was one of my favorite Regency writers.
If you'd like to write her family a message of condolence or share your memory about Edith in any way, please visit Word Wenches. She will be greatly missed by readers and friends.
Courtesy of Jeri Smith-Ready, who writes a great vampire urban fantasy series, by the way. Laugh-out-loud lines in this classic Bonnie Tyler video, including "mullets with headlights," LOL. Enjoy.
Three roofing jobs and revision for Virtually Hers. Oh, did I add 100 degrees on the roofs.
Please excuse the quick hi and bye for now, but I wanted to make sure you all miss me ;-). I wanted to start Anne Stuart's newest but a review (and a friend confirmed) that the heroine was still married when she and the brother-in-law did the wild thang. I'm not sure I really want to read that theme right now since one of my neighbors just did the same thing and ugh, the family drama was terrible. This being romance, I'm sure everything would be swept and hidden away and I know La Stuart would handle the situation well.
Perhaps another month.
What about you? Would you mind reading this hot button theme?
Now off I go and be hot on a roof.
MAY 07
