Michele Hauf's Blog, page 17
January 1, 2011
more STV cuts
Another lost scene...
Originally, after Rhys finds Viviane at Notre Dame, I had Cressida steal her away because she had intentions to keep Viviane very close to her. This is a little snippet between Steve, Simon and Rhys, after they realize Viviane is gone and track her to a night club where Cressida is hiding her... (again, unedited)
The club was not open to the public, yet a bouncer had staked out territory at the back door. Rhys studied him from behind the shaded window in the backseat of the Mercedes. Not human, but couldn't be vampire for he didn't wear sunglasses against the bright daylight.
Vampires could go out during the day, but not for extended periods, and the first thing to burn was their eyes. A vampire who had not been aboveground for so long, such as Viviane, could not risk even a moment.
"Demon?" Simon prompted from behind the driver's seat.
"What?" Steve fidgeted on the seat next to Rhys. "I just want to go home. I want to sleep and wake up from this nightmare."
"Do you really want to risk sleep again?" Rhys said slyly.
"You mean I can't? What did that faery do to me? Oh man!"
He was completely free of the glamour, but Rhys had no intention of releasing the boy from worry until he was finished with him.
"Likely demon. They can scent any paranormal. I can risk it, because I know I can take him, but let's think this through first."
"You're sure she's inside?"
"I can sense Cressida's presence. The air is alive with her essence. And there's something darker, dull. Bloodless."
It pained him to imagine Viviane may be suffering. Hell, she may have become a vicious killer by now, thriving only on blood from a wicked kill she could have no morality over whatsoever.
"Dude, I didn't think vampires ate food."
"They do not," Rhys snapped.
"Yeah? Well she was snarfing on the croissants something fierce. And then she ate the pickles from the fridge. Well, she dumped the pickles out and drank the juice. Like a pregnant chick, or something."
Disturbed at the comment, Rhys flickered his gaze across Steve's face. The boy shrugged and looked out the window.
Pregnant? Could she be…?
Impossible. She'd only been out of the coffin a day or two.
He slapped his hand about Steve's neck. "Is there something you need to tell me, boy?"
Originally, after Rhys finds Viviane at Notre Dame, I had Cressida steal her away because she had intentions to keep Viviane very close to her. This is a little snippet between Steve, Simon and Rhys, after they realize Viviane is gone and track her to a night club where Cressida is hiding her... (again, unedited)
The club was not open to the public, yet a bouncer had staked out territory at the back door. Rhys studied him from behind the shaded window in the backseat of the Mercedes. Not human, but couldn't be vampire for he didn't wear sunglasses against the bright daylight.
Vampires could go out during the day, but not for extended periods, and the first thing to burn was their eyes. A vampire who had not been aboveground for so long, such as Viviane, could not risk even a moment.
"Demon?" Simon prompted from behind the driver's seat.
"What?" Steve fidgeted on the seat next to Rhys. "I just want to go home. I want to sleep and wake up from this nightmare."
"Do you really want to risk sleep again?" Rhys said slyly.
"You mean I can't? What did that faery do to me? Oh man!"
He was completely free of the glamour, but Rhys had no intention of releasing the boy from worry until he was finished with him.
"Likely demon. They can scent any paranormal. I can risk it, because I know I can take him, but let's think this through first."
"You're sure she's inside?"
"I can sense Cressida's presence. The air is alive with her essence. And there's something darker, dull. Bloodless."
It pained him to imagine Viviane may be suffering. Hell, she may have become a vicious killer by now, thriving only on blood from a wicked kill she could have no morality over whatsoever.
"Dude, I didn't think vampires ate food."
"They do not," Rhys snapped.
"Yeah? Well she was snarfing on the croissants something fierce. And then she ate the pickles from the fridge. Well, she dumped the pickles out and drank the juice. Like a pregnant chick, or something."
Disturbed at the comment, Rhys flickered his gaze across Steve's face. The boy shrugged and looked out the window.
Pregnant? Could she be…?
Impossible. She'd only been out of the coffin a day or two.
He slapped his hand about Steve's neck. "Is there something you need to tell me, boy?"
Lost scenes from STV cont'd
Ok, so Cressida took off with Viviane and their at a nightclub. While Cressida directs the crazy vampiress to a mortal to drink his blood, she gets it on with the vampire Jean-Hugues, the club owner. Until, Viviane comes back... (There is a reason these scenes have been cut; and you'll figure that out while reading them.) :-)
The office door cracked and split off its hinges. Cressida finished pulling up her dress and shoved the vampire, pulling up his own pants, aside. In the doorway stood Viviane, blood drooling from her mouth and down her neck. Her hands were bloody and she grinned maniacally. "I know you," the vampiress said as she sashayed into the room. She took survey of the office, and tilted her head curiously. "How do I know you?" "We met a few years ago." Centuries actually, but time was irrelevant between the two of them. "At Lord Constantine's ball?" "Constantine?" The vampiress looked down, spreading a hand down her stomach and smearing blood trails into the fabric. "A vampire? But you are not?" She approached, eyeing Jean-Hugues, who wisely remained behind Cressida. "He smells like you." "He's just fucked me, so that is possible." Cressida did not fear the vampire lunging for her. Let her drink her ichor and add addiction to insanity. "Wasn't the human enough for you?" "He's smelly. I…" She wobbled, stretched out her arms for balance "…need a patron," she decided with a sudden smile and focus on Jean-Hugues. "He's available." "Oh, no." Jean-Hugues stepped to parallel Cressida. "Patrons are no longer necessary. We've evolved from patronage over the centuries. We, male and female vampires, are equals now." "She missed that part," Cressida snapped. "She's still operating on eighteenth century time. Go on, Jean-Hugues, patron her. She seems to have become more coherent with the blood. Perhaps taking from her own kind will snap her out of the madness like that." "Why is it," he said, "that you subsisted in the same catatonic state alongside her, and yet you seem more rational—as rational as a faery with a pet vampire can be—and she is quite mad?" "I am nature. If you would imprison me in a steel building surrounded by technology and people and all that is not natural, I would go insane. She lives for blood. Take that away from her, she goes insane. Isn't that right, Viviane?" The vampiress was noticeably less aggressive now. She shivered and clutched her shirt. "I am not insane. He will patron me? Why do I know you? You are…I know…" She fisted her temple, attempting to pound memory or simple sense back into her brain. Cressida lifted her chin. "I am the one whom you owe a boon." "Boon? I have nothing. Not here in my head." She pounded again at her skull. "Need more." So pleadingly she appealed to Jean-Hugues, who slinked further behind Cressida. "Please?" She thrust out an arm, her fingers grasping, begging. Feed me. Make me whole. "Jean-Hugues," Cressida intoned sweetly. "She needs you." "I don't want that crazy bitch sucking on my neck." "Oh come. It's either that or I dust you." "Bring it, faery. A little dust never hurt me." "Fine. If you don't mind the intense craving for ichor that comes along with the dust, then—"
He gripped her hand, held before her mouth as she prepared to blow dust in his face. "Wait. She seriously needs a patron? That's so…archaic." "You could master her with your blood. She's quite lovely." "And mad." "Not mad." Viviane lunged and Cressida stepped aside, but toppled and landed the sofa where she had just allowed Jean-Hugues to pump into her body. "Give me blood," she demanded of Jean-Hugues. "All right!" He surrendered. "But no chewing. Just get it done, and quickly." The vampiress landed the vampire and they collided on the floor. Cressida drew up her legs and watched from over her bent knees as the vampiress made quick work, bringing the vampire to a moaning swoon. More theatrics involved than the climax he'd just experienced from her. Whatever. When Viviane had apparently finished, and leaned over the relaxed, half-sleeping vampire, Cressida stood and gripped her by the hair on top of her scalp. "Happy now? Because if you are, we should be leaving. The club opens soon." Not expecting the swift backhand, Cressida landed the couch high and collided with the wall, cheek first. Viviane flashed her fangs and licked away the blood from her lips. "I remember now. Rhys. He promised the faery..."
The office door cracked and split off its hinges. Cressida finished pulling up her dress and shoved the vampire, pulling up his own pants, aside. In the doorway stood Viviane, blood drooling from her mouth and down her neck. Her hands were bloody and she grinned maniacally. "I know you," the vampiress said as she sashayed into the room. She took survey of the office, and tilted her head curiously. "How do I know you?" "We met a few years ago." Centuries actually, but time was irrelevant between the two of them. "At Lord Constantine's ball?" "Constantine?" The vampiress looked down, spreading a hand down her stomach and smearing blood trails into the fabric. "A vampire? But you are not?" She approached, eyeing Jean-Hugues, who wisely remained behind Cressida. "He smells like you." "He's just fucked me, so that is possible." Cressida did not fear the vampire lunging for her. Let her drink her ichor and add addiction to insanity. "Wasn't the human enough for you?" "He's smelly. I…" She wobbled, stretched out her arms for balance "…need a patron," she decided with a sudden smile and focus on Jean-Hugues. "He's available." "Oh, no." Jean-Hugues stepped to parallel Cressida. "Patrons are no longer necessary. We've evolved from patronage over the centuries. We, male and female vampires, are equals now." "She missed that part," Cressida snapped. "She's still operating on eighteenth century time. Go on, Jean-Hugues, patron her. She seems to have become more coherent with the blood. Perhaps taking from her own kind will snap her out of the madness like that." "Why is it," he said, "that you subsisted in the same catatonic state alongside her, and yet you seem more rational—as rational as a faery with a pet vampire can be—and she is quite mad?" "I am nature. If you would imprison me in a steel building surrounded by technology and people and all that is not natural, I would go insane. She lives for blood. Take that away from her, she goes insane. Isn't that right, Viviane?" The vampiress was noticeably less aggressive now. She shivered and clutched her shirt. "I am not insane. He will patron me? Why do I know you? You are…I know…" She fisted her temple, attempting to pound memory or simple sense back into her brain. Cressida lifted her chin. "I am the one whom you owe a boon." "Boon? I have nothing. Not here in my head." She pounded again at her skull. "Need more." So pleadingly she appealed to Jean-Hugues, who slinked further behind Cressida. "Please?" She thrust out an arm, her fingers grasping, begging. Feed me. Make me whole. "Jean-Hugues," Cressida intoned sweetly. "She needs you." "I don't want that crazy bitch sucking on my neck." "Oh come. It's either that or I dust you." "Bring it, faery. A little dust never hurt me." "Fine. If you don't mind the intense craving for ichor that comes along with the dust, then—"
He gripped her hand, held before her mouth as she prepared to blow dust in his face. "Wait. She seriously needs a patron? That's so…archaic." "You could master her with your blood. She's quite lovely." "And mad." "Not mad." Viviane lunged and Cressida stepped aside, but toppled and landed the sofa where she had just allowed Jean-Hugues to pump into her body. "Give me blood," she demanded of Jean-Hugues. "All right!" He surrendered. "But no chewing. Just get it done, and quickly." The vampiress landed the vampire and they collided on the floor. Cressida drew up her legs and watched from over her bent knees as the vampiress made quick work, bringing the vampire to a moaning swoon. More theatrics involved than the climax he'd just experienced from her. Whatever. When Viviane had apparently finished, and leaned over the relaxed, half-sleeping vampire, Cressida stood and gripped her by the hair on top of her scalp. "Happy now? Because if you are, we should be leaving. The club opens soon." Not expecting the swift backhand, Cressida landed the couch high and collided with the wall, cheek first. Viviane flashed her fangs and licked away the blood from her lips. "I remember now. Rhys. He promised the faery..."
STV - Rhys and Cressida
Originally, Rhys and Cressida had a very different relationship. Here's a snippet from the ballroom scene with Cressida in it... (Unedited)
"Viviane." Over the faery's shoulder Viviane saw Rhys approach. She felt the faery tense as her fingers tightened about her wrist, and then she clutched her hand behind her waist. When the faery turned to face the oncoming werewolf, Rhys slowed. His expression changed so quickly, Viviane found she fixated on every movement he made. He recognized this faery. It was as clear to Viviane in his open-mouthed gasp, as when he immediately tried to soften that to utter surprise. "Monsieur Hawkes," the faery said. "It has been a long time." "Madame Cressida." He touched his forehead and then his chest in an acknowledging manner. The faery bowed to him, touching her heart slightly. Interesting. Viviane was unaware of propriety amongst the sidhe. Rhys obviously was. Of course, as one who lived in the country and close to nature, she assumed the werewolves must have a repour with the faeries. Rhys positioned himself between the two women. He did not take Viviane's hand, and he seemed unsure what to do with them and so clasped them loudly before them. "Mademoiselle LaMourette, you are acquainted with Madame Cressida?" "We've only just met," Cressida jumped in. Her eyes danced in Rhys's regard. Viviane sucked in a breath at her reaction to the twosome. It was almost as if the twosome were putting out—what had the faery termed her ability to attract male vampires? Whatever it was, these two had it. "How do you two know one another?" "Ah?" Rhys now met her gaze as if he'd only just noticed her. He couldn't erase the struggle between confusion and helplessness from his face. "It's been decades," Cressida said. "The wolves and the sidhe share a natural bond. Likely a midsummer's eve celebration, wouldn't you guess, monsieur?" "Perhaps, yes." "I can see Monsieur had no intention to find you anything but alone," the faery said. "I'll take myself back into the ballroom. Pleasure to speak but a moment, Mademoiselle LaMourette. Monsieur." The faery curtsied and glided off into the ballroom. Waiting for Rhys to move in close, to embrace her, or at the very least kiss her quickly, Viviane was disappointed. She touched his face, drawing his attention back to her. "Decades ago? You seem far too troubled by the faery for it to be a mere chance meeting tens of years ago." "Hmm? Oh, Viviane, no, she is correct. It was long ago. So you've wandered away from the festivities? I got worried when I didn't see you in the crowd." "I needed a moment away from Constantine's side. I'd much prefer to stand at your side at these soirees. Can we ever make it so?" He kissed her knuckles and stroked his beard across her flesh. "I will die to make it so. But you are the one who will decide our fate when you determine whether or not you will mate with my werewolf." "I like having control." "I like giving it to you. But now you will be angry with me. I must leave you again. Orlando is meandering about, and I don't think he should be left to his devices tonight. He's had far too much to drink." "Drunk wolves make for randy bed partners?" "It's not so much his virility I worry about, as the woman he pursues. She's a dryad. Nasty sidhe, if you ask me." "What of Madame Cressida? Is she nasty?" "Viviane." He kissed her jaw and the brush of his nose along her skin made her shiver deep in her breast. "You are jealous." "Have I need to be so?" "Never. I love you, Viviane." With that, he stepped away, and backed down the hall away from her. He did not turn from her gaze until he was five paces from the door, then he quickly slipped away. Compelled by a deep instinct, Viviane scurried forward, lifting her skirts as she made the ballroom, and lifted her head to scan the crowd. Rhys was nowhere in sight. Though, there, she spied Madame Cressida's pale tresses. And behind her, leaning in to speak close to her ear, was Rhys.
[To learn what Rhys and Cressida's relationship originally was, stop back tomorrow.]
"Viviane." Over the faery's shoulder Viviane saw Rhys approach. She felt the faery tense as her fingers tightened about her wrist, and then she clutched her hand behind her waist. When the faery turned to face the oncoming werewolf, Rhys slowed. His expression changed so quickly, Viviane found she fixated on every movement he made. He recognized this faery. It was as clear to Viviane in his open-mouthed gasp, as when he immediately tried to soften that to utter surprise. "Monsieur Hawkes," the faery said. "It has been a long time." "Madame Cressida." He touched his forehead and then his chest in an acknowledging manner. The faery bowed to him, touching her heart slightly. Interesting. Viviane was unaware of propriety amongst the sidhe. Rhys obviously was. Of course, as one who lived in the country and close to nature, she assumed the werewolves must have a repour with the faeries. Rhys positioned himself between the two women. He did not take Viviane's hand, and he seemed unsure what to do with them and so clasped them loudly before them. "Mademoiselle LaMourette, you are acquainted with Madame Cressida?" "We've only just met," Cressida jumped in. Her eyes danced in Rhys's regard. Viviane sucked in a breath at her reaction to the twosome. It was almost as if the twosome were putting out—what had the faery termed her ability to attract male vampires? Whatever it was, these two had it. "How do you two know one another?" "Ah?" Rhys now met her gaze as if he'd only just noticed her. He couldn't erase the struggle between confusion and helplessness from his face. "It's been decades," Cressida said. "The wolves and the sidhe share a natural bond. Likely a midsummer's eve celebration, wouldn't you guess, monsieur?" "Perhaps, yes." "I can see Monsieur had no intention to find you anything but alone," the faery said. "I'll take myself back into the ballroom. Pleasure to speak but a moment, Mademoiselle LaMourette. Monsieur." The faery curtsied and glided off into the ballroom. Waiting for Rhys to move in close, to embrace her, or at the very least kiss her quickly, Viviane was disappointed. She touched his face, drawing his attention back to her. "Decades ago? You seem far too troubled by the faery for it to be a mere chance meeting tens of years ago." "Hmm? Oh, Viviane, no, she is correct. It was long ago. So you've wandered away from the festivities? I got worried when I didn't see you in the crowd." "I needed a moment away from Constantine's side. I'd much prefer to stand at your side at these soirees. Can we ever make it so?" He kissed her knuckles and stroked his beard across her flesh. "I will die to make it so. But you are the one who will decide our fate when you determine whether or not you will mate with my werewolf." "I like having control." "I like giving it to you. But now you will be angry with me. I must leave you again. Orlando is meandering about, and I don't think he should be left to his devices tonight. He's had far too much to drink." "Drunk wolves make for randy bed partners?" "It's not so much his virility I worry about, as the woman he pursues. She's a dryad. Nasty sidhe, if you ask me." "What of Madame Cressida? Is she nasty?" "Viviane." He kissed her jaw and the brush of his nose along her skin made her shiver deep in her breast. "You are jealous." "Have I need to be so?" "Never. I love you, Viviane." With that, he stepped away, and backed down the hall away from her. He did not turn from her gaze until he was five paces from the door, then he quickly slipped away. Compelled by a deep instinct, Viviane scurried forward, lifting her skirts as she made the ballroom, and lifted her head to scan the crowd. Rhys was nowhere in sight. Though, there, she spied Madame Cressida's pale tresses. And behind her, leaning in to speak close to her ear, was Rhys.
[To learn what Rhys and Cressida's relationship originally was, stop back tomorrow.]
December 29, 2010
A visual tour of Seducing The Vampire
Ok, prepare for a few promotional posts in the following days! SEDUCING THE VAMPIRE is in stores, and I would be remiss as an author if I did not plug my work. And as usual with all my books, I like to blog a bit about inspirations for the story and other tidbits. Today I thought it would be fun to post some of the pictures from my 'Pics' file for the story (keep one of those for every story).
I do like to post pics of the people who I have in mind to play the characters, but I always wonder if it might turn some readers off because that isn't who they imagined. Ah well, we all form different pictures in our minds as we're reading and writing.
So for the hero, Rhys Hawkes, half vampire/half werewolf, this guy is who I had in mind (you go right ahead and use whoever you like to fill in the hero's image as you're reading). This is taken from the film Queen Margot, and I love Jean-Hugues Anglade as an actor.
And then when I was doing promo for this book I found this stock photo, and kind of liked the looks of this guy, too.
The heroine, Viviane LaMourette, a vampire, has always been Monica Belluci to me. I love this pic of her because she's sexy but there's an innocence on her face that could turn to danger very quickly.
Here's the closest I could find in the stock photos, and I think it's pretty good. I chose this one in particular because of the necklace she's wearing, which isn't at all like the choker in the story, but well, it gives the idea of what I had in mind.
I collected pics of dresses from the time period. In the earlier scene where Viviane meets Rhys, she is wearing a dress similar to this one.
Here's a pic that inspired the choker Constantine gives to Viviane...
This is an image I adore and I gave Viviane a similar hair piece of roses, each with a tiny bird skull in the center. But also, this woman is close to what I imagine Cressida, the faery, would look like.
This is a frockcoat that I had Rhys wear when meeting Viviane, though probably not quite so much embroidery or fancy stuff. He's a no-nonsense kind of guy.
If you like Steve Monroe, here's who he looks like...
This is Constantine de Salignac (yes, he's the Apocalyptica dude)
And this is one of Constantine's frock coats (with all the razzle dazzle embroidery and jewels, of course).
So there you go! A visual browse through my brain as I was writing the story.
I do like to post pics of the people who I have in mind to play the characters, but I always wonder if it might turn some readers off because that isn't who they imagined. Ah well, we all form different pictures in our minds as we're reading and writing.
So for the hero, Rhys Hawkes, half vampire/half werewolf, this guy is who I had in mind (you go right ahead and use whoever you like to fill in the hero's image as you're reading). This is taken from the film Queen Margot, and I love Jean-Hugues Anglade as an actor.
And then when I was doing promo for this book I found this stock photo, and kind of liked the looks of this guy, too.
The heroine, Viviane LaMourette, a vampire, has always been Monica Belluci to me. I love this pic of her because she's sexy but there's an innocence on her face that could turn to danger very quickly.
Here's the closest I could find in the stock photos, and I think it's pretty good. I chose this one in particular because of the necklace she's wearing, which isn't at all like the choker in the story, but well, it gives the idea of what I had in mind.
I collected pics of dresses from the time period. In the earlier scene where Viviane meets Rhys, she is wearing a dress similar to this one.
Here's a pic that inspired the choker Constantine gives to Viviane...
This is an image I adore and I gave Viviane a similar hair piece of roses, each with a tiny bird skull in the center. But also, this woman is close to what I imagine Cressida, the faery, would look like.
This is a frockcoat that I had Rhys wear when meeting Viviane, though probably not quite so much embroidery or fancy stuff. He's a no-nonsense kind of guy.
If you like Steve Monroe, here's who he looks like...
This is Constantine de Salignac (yes, he's the Apocalyptica dude)
And this is one of Constantine's frock coats (with all the razzle dazzle embroidery and jewels, of course).
So there you go! A visual browse through my brain as I was writing the story.
December 28, 2010
I'm over at Riding With The Top Down today. Talking...
I'm over at Riding With The Top Down today. Talking vampires in frockcoats and what's your favorite half breed mix?
December 27, 2010
I'm at VampChix today, giving away copies of SEDUCING THE...
I'm at VampChix today, giving away copies of SEDUCING THE VAMPIRE!
December 24, 2010
December 20, 2010
My gift to you...
Happy Holidays! I finally figured out how to make a downloadable pdf file (after much sweat, it was virtually too easy—like a click of the mouse—after asking my son for help). So my gift to you this 2010 Holiday season is a free downloadable copy of THE SIN EATER'S PROMISE.
This short story was originally published in The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance 2 this fall, and it is a part of the Of Angels & Demons series. If you're interested in a sweet little story about a sin eater and a soul bringer, this is the one for you. (Yes, it's sweet; just a kiss.)So click over to my website, and you can either read it online or download the pdf file.
Merry Christmas!
I am currently preparing a Christmas surprise for readers...
I am currently preparing a Christmas surprise for readers. (that's the only hint you get)
December 14, 2010
Hey! Haven't posted for a while. I took my co...
Hey! Haven't posted for a while. I took my computer in for repairs last week (cross your fingers it comes back with all my data intact) and have been working on my laptop lately. I don't have all my files on the laptop and think of my computer sort of a command central. I don't even download email on my laptop. So it's sort of been a week of stripped down online stuff and minimal emailing, which is fine.
Been working on drafting out The Werewolf's Wife, and also just sent in the contracts for the Nocturnes and Nocturne Bites I recently sold, so been busy. Just found out KISS ME DEADLY is going to be a free download again next year. So if there's anyone in the US who hasn't downloaded it yet (is there anyone?), 2011 is your chance! It's also going to be made available for download outside the US, which is awesome.
Got most of my Xmas shopping done, but also have two birthdays within a week of Xmas and that always throws me for a loop shopping-wise. I have a hard enough time figuring out what to get people, but to add in B-day presents? I love to give gifts, but I really love it when they have wishlists at Amazon. :-)
So is it cold where you are? Been below zero the past few days. I know, I have a cushy job where I don't have to commute and get to snuggle up with a blankie and park on the couch all day to work, but still, I'm cold! I suffer. (sniffle) Don't you feel sorry for me? (Don't answer that, please.) But seriously, my toes suffer during winter. Why is that? Well, during the summer I run around barefoot all the time and my tootsies are happy little campers, then when the cold comes I'm forced to put on socks (I hate socks!) and the seams rub my toes tender and make them achy. I know, weird, but again, don't you feel sorry for me? ;-)
Hope you're keeping warm wherever you are!
Been working on drafting out The Werewolf's Wife, and also just sent in the contracts for the Nocturnes and Nocturne Bites I recently sold, so been busy. Just found out KISS ME DEADLY is going to be a free download again next year. So if there's anyone in the US who hasn't downloaded it yet (is there anyone?), 2011 is your chance! It's also going to be made available for download outside the US, which is awesome.
Got most of my Xmas shopping done, but also have two birthdays within a week of Xmas and that always throws me for a loop shopping-wise. I have a hard enough time figuring out what to get people, but to add in B-day presents? I love to give gifts, but I really love it when they have wishlists at Amazon. :-)
So is it cold where you are? Been below zero the past few days. I know, I have a cushy job where I don't have to commute and get to snuggle up with a blankie and park on the couch all day to work, but still, I'm cold! I suffer. (sniffle) Don't you feel sorry for me? (Don't answer that, please.) But seriously, my toes suffer during winter. Why is that? Well, during the summer I run around barefoot all the time and my tootsies are happy little campers, then when the cold comes I'm forced to put on socks (I hate socks!) and the seams rub my toes tender and make them achy. I know, weird, but again, don't you feel sorry for me? ;-)
Hope you're keeping warm wherever you are!
