Love my friend Lacey for a variety of reasons, one being: her constant support. First my quilts, now the "Untitled Epic"
http://laceywaterman.blogspot.com/2010/07/book-smart.html
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Officially Published!
My short (short) story Butterfly in the Subway is set to be published in The Houston Literary Review's September issue.
I can't post it here because...well...that would be publishing it. But it's very exciting to be a "published author" (in September).
Next step...a novel:-)
I can't post it here because...well...that would be publishing it. But it's very exciting to be a "published author" (in September).
Next step...a novel:-)
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Celebrating Freedom...not quite, but a 4th of July Adventure Nonetheless
So I'll admit that I had forgotten completely (until Thursday) that this was weekend was the 4th of July. It's never been my favorite holiday. Perhaps because bold blue and red aren't my colors. I'm not a huge fan of fireworks...kinda don't care one way or the other about them. They don't mystify me like they do some. I'd rather stare at a starry sky, or a full moon, searching for shooting stars.
More than any of that...I detest crowds. Any holiday that results in massive hoards of people trying to get to the same place = last on my list of "things to do." Parades, theme parks, shopping...I'd rather miss out on 70% off, or being the first, than fight the the loud and obnoxious crowds.
Prime example: this weekend, Saturday (note: not the actual holiday) I wanted to go to a movie. Not even one that opened this weekend, and I decided to go to the first showing of the day...all acts designed to avoid crowds. But what happened? I was derailed by a local parade. Every entrance to the movie theatre/shopping center was blocked by lawn chairs, barricades, and traffic cops. A 5 minute drive turned into a 30 minute obstacle course. In the end, I was successful, but not after much stressful frustration.
Despite all that, once I realized that the holiday was upon us...I got excited (for the first time since I was a little girl). I wanted to go to a BBQ, eat watermelon, and go swimming. I longed to be around friends and family, celebrating not just our patriotism (which honestly wasn't even on the list), but also SUMMER, sunshine, and the love of family and friends. So...I was relieved and excited to be invited by just that sort of person to her house...kids ranging from 3-65, some swam and others ate...
The dessert made the whole thing feel like Texas and summer...homemade red velvet cupcakes from scratch, deviled eggs, and potato salad. What a spread. See pictures and recipes below:
Paula Deen's Red Velvet Cupcakes (note: different from full size cake, I didn't add a garnish, and used 2 tsp coloring instead of 2 tbls)
More than any of that...I detest crowds. Any holiday that results in massive hoards of people trying to get to the same place = last on my list of "things to do." Parades, theme parks, shopping...I'd rather miss out on 70% off, or being the first, than fight the the loud and obnoxious crowds.
Prime example: this weekend, Saturday (note: not the actual holiday) I wanted to go to a movie. Not even one that opened this weekend, and I decided to go to the first showing of the day...all acts designed to avoid crowds. But what happened? I was derailed by a local parade. Every entrance to the movie theatre/shopping center was blocked by lawn chairs, barricades, and traffic cops. A 5 minute drive turned into a 30 minute obstacle course. In the end, I was successful, but not after much stressful frustration.
Despite all that, once I realized that the holiday was upon us...I got excited (for the first time since I was a little girl). I wanted to go to a BBQ, eat watermelon, and go swimming. I longed to be around friends and family, celebrating not just our patriotism (which honestly wasn't even on the list), but also SUMMER, sunshine, and the love of family and friends. So...I was relieved and excited to be invited by just that sort of person to her house...kids ranging from 3-65, some swam and others ate...
The dessert made the whole thing feel like Texas and summer...homemade red velvet cupcakes from scratch, deviled eggs, and potato salad. What a spread. See pictures and recipes below:
Paula Deen's Red Velvet Cupcakes (note: different from full size cake, I didn't add a garnish, and used 2 tsp coloring instead of 2 tbls)
Need a 2nd Opinion??
First, I need to make it clear that I do not follow movie reviews. Never have, never will. I have been protested by friends who base their entire movie going experience on everything from Rotten Tomatoes to the New York Times, and refuse to go to a flick that doesn't get a positive write up. I get it, and its fair enough if that is what you like to do. I know there's a difference between reviewers and critics; and that some of them are incredibly talented writers with great intelligence. Regardless of who they are, I would rather make my own decision. Unbiased. It's the same reason I don't like to see too much of a preview, I want to be surprised...good, bad, or ugly.
That said, I have started to follow my mom's example...which is to read the review AFTER I see the movie. Just to confirm my own experience, or see someone else's, and maybe get some insight on aspects of the film I didn't catch on first viewing.
Whether you like to read them before or after is your own business, but I would like to suggest you check out Nick Pinkerton of the Village Voice. He is caustic, sarcastic, sharp, insightful, and witty. Reviewing everything from Grown Ups to Kurasawa -- I laughed out loud, nodding along, or saying "fair enough" repetitively. His vocabulary is extensive, and pay closer attention to his thoughts in parenthesis because that's where he puts his insults, jokes, and deeper insights.
Here are some of his best (but since I just found him, I have some back reading to do).
Remember Me (2010)
Grown Ups (2010)
Karate Kid (2010)
Shutter Island (2010)
Crazy Heart (2009)
Amelia (2009) ...this one hurts, but I'm biased
Penelope (2009)
That said, I have started to follow my mom's example...which is to read the review AFTER I see the movie. Just to confirm my own experience, or see someone else's, and maybe get some insight on aspects of the film I didn't catch on first viewing.
Whether you like to read them before or after is your own business, but I would like to suggest you check out Nick Pinkerton of the Village Voice. He is caustic, sarcastic, sharp, insightful, and witty. Reviewing everything from Grown Ups to Kurasawa -- I laughed out loud, nodding along, or saying "fair enough" repetitively. His vocabulary is extensive, and pay closer attention to his thoughts in parenthesis because that's where he puts his insults, jokes, and deeper insights.
Here are some of his best (but since I just found him, I have some back reading to do).
Remember Me (2010)
Grown Ups (2010)
Karate Kid (2010)
Shutter Island (2010)
Crazy Heart (2009)
Amelia (2009) ...this one hurts, but I'm biased
Penelope (2009)
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