Julia London's Blog, page 58

BOOK SATURDAY

As a reader, I've always enjoyed anthology stories.  I like the fact that I can read one in a matter of hours and that I often find new-to-me authors in a collection that I purchased in order to read one particular story.

As a writer, I love anthologies because the short length is not only challenging, but also because from the very first page, the ending is in sight.  It's much easier for me to know that I only have 80-100 pages to write as opposed to 400.

I'd already written a number of anthology stories when, way back in late 2005, I was asked to participate in a special project anthology.  I jumped at the chance as it would enable me to write something I'd always wanted to try–an older woman/younger man story.  I loved writing Summer Breeze (in the Come September anthology), and it went on to earn me a RITA nomination.

Do you like anthologies?  Why or why not?  Have you ever discovered a new author through an anthology collection?  What are you reading right now?  Hope your weekend is going great!

Share this:

My mind is a blank

So, I sat down last night to write today's blog, and realized I had no idea what I wanted to write about. No problem, I thought. I'd go to bed, refresh my brain, get up early and write something witty and pithy.

Yeah, right.

Apparently, my brain is on strike (more likely, it's focused on getting in these revisions due next week).

Since posting a "Sorry, I'm an idea-less dork" blog seemed less than ideal, I've decided to go random. So here are 10 random off the top of my head comments/observations/whatever:

1) Laundry breeds. And apparently it eats its young. This is why socks disappear.

2) Children's whininess increases in direct proportion with how much the adults in the family have to get done and how quickly they must get it done.

3) This new "feature" of the web that focuses pop-up ads to what websites you've visited is very annoying; just because I researched something for my post-stroke mother doesn't mean I want to see ads for Depends for the rest of my life. Really.

4) I am far too much of a tech-o-phile. I already have an iPad, which I love. So why does the Kindle Fire look so cool? (And not to read books. Bleh. I LOVE the b&w grayscale and do not want color or backlight)

5) Yo, spammers. Sending spam to me in French and Chinese does no good whatsoever. Really.

6) New kittens are a blast…they also have needlesharp little claws!

7) There is never enough time to read all the books I want to read.

8 ) Corollary A to number 7: there is ALWAYS enough time to read the latest J.D. Robb book (anyone else read New York to Dallas?)

9) Corollary B to number 7: Having a Kindle makes it easier to make a dent in all the books I want to read.

10) …. um, I'm at a loss. Help me out folks. Add to my list and make the day a little more random!

Share this:

Sneaky Sneakers

By now, we've all seen those trendy athletic shoes that are supposed to tone your tush and thighs when you're wearing them. At first, I wasn't tempted because the Skechers versions bore an unfortunate resemblance to orthopedic shoes. The last thing I wanted was to look like a grandma while out for my daily walk.

[image error]

* photo by Jack Gruber for USAToday

Then Reebok came out with their version, and I commented on the ad as being offensive to women. I did not like the way the ad portrayed the target audience. Certainly, I would never buy their stupid sneakers!

Click here to view the embedded video.

But then…

Brooke Burke started advertising for Skechers and I thought dang, if I can look that hot in Grandma's shoes, sign me up. And I was in a store looking for new walking shoes, had a moment of weakness, and bought the Reebok EasyTones. Not long after, I started having serious issues with calf and foot cramping when I walked in them. I threw them away and cursed my impulse shopping. [image error]

Well, lo and behold, I was scanning the Finance pages as I am wont to do (Stop laughing, Julia London. I really do read the Finance section!) and I discovered that the Federal Trade Commission has cracked down on unsubstantiated claims by these fitness companies that their shoes actually shape or tone. Ha!

According to USAToday, the Federal Trade Commission announced Wednesday that Reebok has agreed to pay $25 million to settle a complaint it used "deceptive" advertising to market so-called "toning shoes." Read the article here. Fascinating! And attached to that article was another article (here) that questions doctors on if the shoes work, which reveals that they don't necessarily work, they just make you walk funny, which might actually hurt you. Vindication!

I won't be looking for a refund. I threw the shoes away and I no longer have the sales information, if that's even needed, and I assume it is. I chalk it up to "live and learn" and I've moved on. But I do know lots of people who have versions of the shoes, or Fit Flops, that claim they really work for them. For some people, maybe they do. For me, not so much. So fess up.

What do you think of the Shape-Ups, EasyTones, and Fit Flop style shoes? Did you buy them? Did you think about buying? Have they worked for you, or given you trouble?

 

Share this:

Goodbye Pine Valley!

Okay, so I'll admit that I've been hooked on ABC soaps for more than thirty years.  And although I was right there on the front row for Luke and Laura's wedding (when I was in grad school), my heart has always belonged to All My Children.

I remember Erica when she didn't have any married names yet.   And Brook when she was just a teenager.  And Mona, Palmer, Myrtle Fargate and Phoebe Wallingford alive and kicking.  Not to mention my very first super romance couple Nina and Cliff.   I wanted to throttle Palmer and all his manipulations, but cheered every time Nina managed to find her way back to Cliff.

I remember when Tad was a cad.   And even before that, when he was a lost teenager.   I've always adored Michael E. Knight and was always glad when he arrived again in Pine Valley after

whatever grand adventure he went on.  And I loved his best friend Jesse.  And Angie (my second super couple).   And I love them just as much today.  How lovely it was to see them back on the canvas again.

I also remember Jenny and Greg, my third super couple (and all of that before there was even a term for it).  I loved the Romeo and Juliet romance.  And the friendship Jenny had with Jesse.  And of course cried buckets when she died.  That pesky water ski.   And was so sorry when Greg moved to China (at least I think that's where he was off to)

I remember Ellen and Mark, Erica's brother.   And of course Kate.  And both Ruths.  And I hated when Joe and Ruth moved off to Florida.  At least they lived –unlike Alan Quartermaine another favorite of mine who was killed off in a violent fit of ageism.  I remember Tom Cudahy.  And little Laura who died.   And Edmund and Maria.  And Haley and Mateo (would have loved to see them revise their roles for the finale).   Loved Jamie.  And Janet from another planet.  And Trevor.

Loved Kendall as both Sarah Michelle Geller and Alicia Kenshaw.   Her troubled relationship with both Erica and Greenlee were great soap opera drama.  And watching her with Zach was amazing.  (Also a super couple for me).  But then I think Thorsten Kaye is amazing period.    And I've loved watching Erica with all her various men—fighting her demons and not always winning.   I was actually happy to see Jack write her off in the finale.  As much as I love her—it's about time!

And I was so happy to see Stuart alive, I cried.  Agnes Nixon got it right—he was always the heart of Pine Valley.  And my hat off to David Canary for playing both Adam and Stuart so wonderfully.

Forty-one years—women writing about strong women.  Unpredictable, with sometimes outrageous storylines (Tad as "Ted", David and every plot ever involving him, Erica kidnapped by her double…etc…etc…) the writers (for the most part) always managed to capture our hearts.  And so we tuned in day after day and laughed, cried and fell in love with the residents of Pine Valley.

I realize that everything has to change.   And as I grow older, I'm going to see more and more of it, no doubt.   But I will miss All My Children.   And even if it does resurface on the internet, it will never quite be the same.

So for me… I'm going to pretend that JR was so moved by Stuart's reappearance that he gets sober and forgives Marissa.  And I'm going to pretend that Jack winds up with Crystal.  They deserve each other.  And Erica will survive.  And I'm going to hope that David finds peace with Cara and their new baby.   And that the lives of the people in Pine Valley go on even though I won't be able to be there anymore.

Thanks for the memories Agnes.

What about you guys?  Were you AMC fans?   Going to watch the new reality food show instead?

 

Share this:

Seeing the USA

We've been in Ocean City, Maryland these past few days, enjoying a VERY well-deserved vacation.  I had never been to Ocean City before, but it sounded like a fun place, and it was within driving distance of New York, and so we opted to visit, and I'm really glad that we did.

For those of you who have never been to Ocean City before, it's been around for a long time, since the 1500s when Verrazano first explored the East Coast.  The area was finally developed in 1875.  It has a long stretch of beach that fronts the Atlantic Ocean, and some pretty good sand.  I'm usually not impressed with Atlantic Ocean sand, but I thought this sand was pretty great.  Along the beach is a three mile long boardwalk that was originally built in the 1900s.  At that time, the boards were rolled up in the winter, when the season was over.  Today, the boardwalk is out all year round, and is the home of such notable destinations as: Salty Yarns knit shop, Brass Balls Saloon, Bad Ass Cafe, and yes, Doggie Style Canine Cafe.  There's a huge Ferris wheel and a Ripley's Believe or Not museum, along with carnival games, a haunted house, and of course, funnel cakes.

Ocean City has an abundance of mini-golf courses, about as pervasive as Starbucks.  I think we passed ten mini-golf courses, including the House of Dragons, which I had to take pictures of.

House Of Dragons

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There's another cool site that we visited, Assateague Island, home of the only wild ponies I have ever seen in my life.  There's a herd of approximately 150 feral horses that have lived on the island for generations.  These are small animals (i.e. pony-sized), but judging from all the warning sides around, are not very friendly.

Wild Horses of Assateague

This afternoon we passed this place, and had to stop for margaritas and guacamole.  The margaritas were good, and the guacamole was decent, but no, it's not Texas.  Still, they got high marks for creativity.

Maryland Mexican Food

 

 

I hope everyone is having a great Tuesday.  Any creative shop names that you can remember?

Share this:

ROLL OUT THE BARREL!

Good times were had at Casa D'Alessandro over the weekend as we attended our neighborhood's annual Octoberfest celebration.  We weren't able to attend last year (our first year here), so we were excited to give it a try.  The evening included all those Octoberfest must haves–beer, bratwurst, sauerkraut, red cabbage, strudel, and oh yes, more beer.

[image error]

I'm not much of a beer drinker, which is unfortunate during Octoberfest.  But I do like champagne, so I simply brought my own supply of bubbly–and some extra glasses so I could share.  I was quite popular with the non-beer drinking ladies, LOL!

And what Octoberfest is complete without a band?  As I led the DH onto the dance floor, he said he didn't know how to polka.  I explained that if he could count to three, he could polka.  Turns out the DH is a heck of a polka-er.  Makes me wonder if there isn't some German blood in him somewhere.[image error]

Great company, yummy food, icy beer (and champagne), rowdy music–an excellent time was had by all. 

How did you spend your weekend?  Have you ever been to an Octoberfest celebration?  Do you like beer?  How about bratwurst?  Ever done the polka?  Roll out the barrel and share your favorite fall activities!

Share this:

A Christmas Secret

If you are a fan of my series, The Secrets of Hadley Green, you will remember that in the Year of Living Scandalously, Declan O'Conner had a younger sister Eireanne, who was tainted by scandal and deemed a little unmarriageable (is that a word?).  When last we saw her, she had been sent off to a girl's school in Switzerland in the hopes of makings some advantageous connections.

A Christmas Secret is an ebook exclusive novella that features Eireanne and her Christmas homecoming.  But when she comes home to Ballynaheath, her brother has married, her new sister-in-law's family is ever-present, and her friends, Molly and Mabe Hannigan are up to their usual tricks.  There are secrets and some surprises, and what Eireanne does with them will either sink her deeper into the scandals that have surrounded her family, or send her to London to find a titled husband who will hopefully add some dignity to a family who can't seem to stay away from scandal.

I hope you enjoy this Christmas novella.  And good luck to Eireanne, because she really needs it.

Share this:

Spooky Romance

If you are familiar with the Mammoth Books of short story fiction (e.g.,Mammoth Book of Romance, Mammoth Book of Regency Romance, Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance), you know they a category for any sub-genre your heart desires.  The editor there had asked me several times to participate in one collection or another, but I never had time, and as you write them essentially for free, it's kind of hard to make them a priority.  But she's really nice and she finally got me to agree to write one for the Mammoth Book of Ghost Romance, which comes out next week.

The story (The Lovers: A Ghost Story) is about a marriage that is on the brink of being on the rocks.  But a trip to England to get a family home ready for sale puts them in the path of a couple of ghosts who will either help them find each other again, or push them farther apart.

I have taken The Lovers: A Ghost Story, and made it into a little ebook.  It will be on sale for your Kindle or Nook next week, for .99c.  Marsha Canham made the cover for me.  It's perfect for Halloween reading!

What's your favorite ghost story?

Share this:

WE ALL SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM!

Some friends I'm on an email loop with were discussing their favorite ice cream flavors, and now ice cream is now all I can think about (clearly I'm very susceptible to the power of suggestion, LOL!).  I recently discovered two new-to-me brands of ice cream and I am seriously in love.  Actually, they aren't ice cream–one is a gelato and the other is a sorbet–but they're creamy and dreamy and icy cold, so close enough.  I'm only willing to share the info with you all because 1) I love youse peeps, and 2) none of you live close enough to me to empty the shelf of my Publix of these delectable treats.

First the sorbet.  It's called Whole Fruit and it's AMAZING.  My favorite is the mango–it tastes exactly like a perfect, icy mango.  Deliciously refreshing and best of all, fat free!  That calls for an extra scoop to celebrate! YAY!

[image error]

The gelato is by Talenti.  They also make sorbetto (those Italians make stuff that already sounds divine sound even better!).  The flavors are incredible–Belgian chocolate, Tahitian coconut, Mediterranean mint to name just a few.  But my absolute favorite is the Sea Salt Caramel.  It is…gawd, there are no words.  It has these fabulous, decadent chunks of chocolate in it…whew.  I just shivered in delight at the mere thought of it.  Try it.  You'll love it.  It's not fat free, but it's worth every single calorie. 

[image error]

The definition of "deliciousness"

Of course, if I find out you've come to my Publix to empty the shelves of my mango sorbet and my sea salt caramel gelato, I'm going to hunt you down and beat you with my ice cream scooper.

Hmmm…I may need to check into mango/sea salt caramel rehab.

What's your favorite flavor of ice cream?  Do you like your ice cream straight up or with toppings?  What toppings do you like?  Have you recently discovered a new-to-you food/flavor that you love?  Hope you have a great weekend! xox     

Share this:

Ringtone Mania

So, there are a lot of things I like about my iPhone, but lately I've gone a little bit wacky with the ringtones. (And, yes, I realize all phones have ringtones, but still…)

For a while there, if you wanted anything other than the "normal" buzzes and beeps (or, I think, a few precut ringtones), you had to edit a song yourself and then upload it. No more! In their infinite capitalistic wisdom, Apple has made it easy squeezy, providing a gobzillion cuts from music right there on your phone in the alarm/call section. Wheeeee!

Because I get used to certain tones and sleep through them, I used some of the new music to set up new alarms: The James Bond Theme and the Sir Robin song from Monty Python (my husband swears he can't watch James Bond or Monty Python anymore…).

There are others I plan to get (lots and lots of movie themes), but I'm saving them for when these become old hat.

Of course, I still have my original standbys that I created doing the cut and loop thing. For waking up, I had Simon & Garfunkel's Wake Up Little Susie (seemed appropriate). Designating my agent calling, I have the Beatles' Paperback Writer. For Kathleen and Dee, who abandoned me for the wilds of New York so many years ago, I have Lone Star's No News ("You can telephone, tell a friend….").

But the best is the one I have for my daughter is Clint Black's Killing Time, which cracks my husband and I up (and embarrasses her) because it was the first song she learned, at age two, and hearing a two year old sing about how "You were the first thing that I thought of when I thought I'd drank you off my mind…when I get lost in the liquor, you're the only one I find…" completely cracked us up. Yes, we're easily amused. That song and Tom Petty's Free Falling were, for about ten months, the only songs she wanted to hear in the car when we were on road trips. So now it's like ringtoning my way down memory lane…

How about y'all? What's on your ringtones?

Share this: