Fashion

A friend of mine recently gave in to the pressure of blogs and got one of her own (I would post a link here but I think it's a secret blog, if you know what I mean). Anyway, she posted a blog about how she'd gone shopping and ran into a little old lady who had her arms in the air and was asking for help.

Turns out she'd tried on a dress that was missmarked and it got stuck as she was trying to remove it - arms in the air. As women, we know how this works. We can fit in a size 5 with one cut and in another we do good to fit in the size 9. There's little, if any, consistency to how women's clothes are cut. And that's just how it is.

It reminded me of when I was married and my then husband had put on some weight. He'd always liked his jeans tight so he was having a difficult time getting them on with the additional weight. I finally had to raise the subject that maybe he needed a bigger size pants. OMG, he balked at that in a major way. "The pants shrunk," he wailed. "You've had them for years but they didn't shrink until now?" I argued back.

We went back an forth until I finally convinced him to try a larger size. I drag him (kicking and screaming I might add) to the department store and select the next size up in jeans (for men, that's their waist size - pants length stayed the same) and point him in the direction of the dressing rooms.

He comes out a few minutes later, the jeans all but cutting off the circulation to the lower half of his body and says, "They're cut small."

Yeah, 'cause that's how it works.

Go Lisa Go!

I will eventually blog about something other than Dancing with the Stars. LOL I'm just excited about the dances they did tonight.

Let's start with, I thought I was going to miss the beginning of the show. I had a 5:00 doctor's appointment so I thought I had plenty of time to get home before the show started. I walked out of the doctor's office at a quarter of. I was a bit panicked because the way home is paved with construction. But I made it home with about two minutes to spare. *whew* ;)

Anyway, Lisa Rinna is really starting to shine. I think she has a strategy though. Have you noticed that the last two weeks she's opted to dance the same dance as the celebrity men rather than what all the other celebrity women are dancing? That way she can't be compared to the other women when being scored. Of course she's doing the same dance as the professional women but you know, she's really stepping up. I'd really like to see her stay in the competition to the end.

Who did you like this week?

Devastated

So this isn't a shot from the Tango which got her eliminated (those aren't posted yet) but does this shot look like a person who isn't flexible? How many 45 year olds do you know that could strike that pose? I'm not 45 yet and I know I can't.

At week one of the competition, I knew who four of the ten celebrity dancers were. I wasn't really all that invested in the show. Now, at just week three, I care about all of them. I don't want any of them to go. And it's only going to get harder each week.

Anyway, I was so disappointed to see Giselle eliminated last night. I thought she was doing so well. I also feel a little bad because I really didn't think she was in elimination range and I don't think I voted for her at all, although I know I considered it. (I was distributing my votes among those I worried might be eliminated by not getting enough viewer votes.)

They showed all the dances again, in their entirety again and I felt the same way as I had on Thursday...and I was looking for the flaws and strengths the judges said they had and I just didn't feel any differently about the performances.

I honestly believed that Jerry and P Miller would be in the bottom two last night. As such, Jerry got some votes from me (although I had a very hard time getting through on his phone line, which encouraged me). When he was the second named celebrity as staying, my first reaction was relief. My second reaction was "oh *censored*" because who was going to be down there with P? I got concerned.

Then, when a little later in the show, P Miller was saved and there were still four couples left, I knew I wasn't going to like it. I hadn't prepared for a contingency.

The last three standing were Drew, George and Giselle. A no win situation. They say they call the names in random order (although I don't recall them saying that last night) but who knows where they actually placed. I started feeling real bad about Drew, concerned that I was taking it for granted that he would continue on - and I honestly think he is doing the best job out there, regardless of his advantages. He's working hard and doing a wonderful job - he doesn't deserve to be eliminated. I silently promised myself if he made it through, I would vote for who I thought did best from now on. I also honestly believed he wouldn't be in the bottom two. He wasn't.

When it came down to George and Giselle I was sick. I wanted them both to stay. Of the two though, I wanted George to stay more (he got more than half my votes for Thursday's performance). But regardless, I thought it was a wrong call either way.

To Giselle I say, you did a wonderful job. You inspired me. You shouldn't have had to leave. Thank you for being such a good sport about it. Hopefully in a twist, they'll bring you back later in the season. :)

To P Miller, P it's time you really stepped up to the plate. We both know that if you didn't have such a strong fan base, you'd be gone by now but you need to put more into it. You are improving but I need you to convince me that you deserve to be a contender. Make me want to vote for you to stay.

I dare you.

Wanna Bet?

Okay, since Honey asked so nicely, I'll give my review. :)

I have never in all my years of devouring books, read the last chapter of a book to see what happened. I've always come to the last chapter as a natural course of reading the book. But, when the book opened Once upon a time I had to know...was the last line and they lived happily ever after? As I was flipping to the back page I thought, "Naw, that would be too cheesy."

But sure enough (at the risk of giving out a spoiler) that was the last line. I rolled my eyes and thought, "this is going be great" (and not in a good way).

You have to understand that I've only read one other of Jennifer Crusie's books and I absolutely hated it. Not disliked it. Not didn't care for it. I hated it. I didn't like the characters - at all. One pissed me off so bad it wasn't funny. But a friend had recommended the book so I read the whole thing (based on her lie that the secondary character I really, really hated wasn't in much of the book...I was kinda ticked at my friend after that and haven't really read anything she's recommended since). So I was very skeptical going in reading Bet Me.

With that in mind I will say this, had I read this book first, I would probably be out buying up all the Jennifer Crusie books I could get my hands on. It was so funny and I was hooked very early on. I would read something and I would have to put the book down because I was laughing so hard (and couldn't read while laughing).

There was one thing though - I really hated Min's mother. Fortunately she wasn't in much of the book but she annoyed the heck out of me. I guess she was needed for the story that was being told but I was having flashbacks (not the good kind) when she was in the story. If not for her, I would still (despite my feelings for the first book) probably be buying up all the Crusie books I could find. It leaves me with the impression that Ms. Crusie likes to have over the top characters that create friction or conflict. But seeing as I know these people personally - have lived with these people but have finally gotten them out of my life, I don't want to revisit them in a book - it just brings me down. I like to read for escape and those types of characters make the enjoyment difficult. As I said though, Min's mother wasn't in much of the book so she didn't take over the overall enjoyment of the book. In fact, if I hadn't read the other book first (and hated the characters), I probably wouldn't be near as annoyed with Nanette's character - but again, she wasn't really a key player. Anyway as a result I will read more of Ms. Crusie's books but it will be sporadically (and somewhat skeptically) rather than buying out the book store.

Bottom line on this book though is, I loved this book. It was a lot of fun - very funny, and I liked the way it was all neatly wrapped up at the end. :)

Can you say Ouch?

I know I said I wanted a P elimination - and I do - but could Len have been any more harsh? He told Master P that it was time he and the competition parted. All I can say is Ouch!

I was so excited to see Lisa and Tia break out. They were great! And to see them do so well in the rating. I was very pleased with that.

And I absolutely LOVE George Hamilton. How funny was it that he went to the Assisted Living Center to solicit votes? He got my vote for that alone - and his dance wasn't too shabby either. :) And Giselle was funny when she interpretted what George was saying, "He said, 'Vote for Giselle'. " Even George laughed. Teehee

Like the judges, I was a bit disappointed with Jerry tonight. It seemed too slow and wasn't up to what he did last week. I still gave him a vote though because I do not want to see him leave and P stay (but I still thing Len was too cruel).

I disagreed with the judges where Giselle was concerned. I thought she did a good job. Of course that's my "I know what I like when I see it" trained eye, not a "I know the hell what a tango should look like" eye, but I thought she looked great.

And lastly, I think Drew is the breakout leader. I think he will be the one to beat this season. He does so good and just seems to really enjoy himself. I think he has an edge because his wife is a choreographer and he can practice with the "professional" a gazillion hours a day and then go home and get coaching from his wife (and I read he does do that but that also indicates his dedication, so there you go). He hasn't gotten any of my votes yet but not because he doesn't deserve them. I just don't want the wrong people being eliminated just yet. :)

Buh-Bye Tatum

Is anyone else following the Dancing with the Stars? I love watching the celebrities learning to dance.

This season though has been somewhat disappointing to me. Last season the celebrities seemed to check their egos at the door. Yes they knew it was a competition but the goal was to do their best, however it worked out. They seemed to be having fun.

This season, however, some of the egos are huge and distracting. Last season the judges and audience were voting on different dances so they changed it where everyone is voting on the same dance and rather than wait a week to find out who is eliminated, you find out the next night. On the second night, they show some backstage happenings and comments by the contestants.

Tatum took a firm stand and said she would be the winner because she was the best out there. But when it came to the bottom two contestants for elimination last night, it was P. Miller and Tatum O'Neal with the two lowest scores. Personally I would have been happy if they'd both been eliminated but they only eliminate one at a time.

P. Miller has been totally disrespectful to the judges, his partner and the audience. He refuses to wear ballroom dance shoes, despite instruction from the judges and requests from his partner but he goes out each time and talks about doing this for Katrina victims, which I'm sure is why he's pulling in the call-in votes. Thing is, nothing has been mentioned about any charities benefiting from this competition.

Anyway, Tatum was eliminated last night and when she went to have her final comments with the hosts she whined "But I'm an actress!" Um, Tatum hon, none of the celebrities are dancers - they all are learning to dance, just like you were.

Next week, I'm hoping for a P elimination.

Recommended List

The Players:

Jane Marlow: Jane is an Estate Attorney up for a partnership in the firm she works for. She's known for being reliable, dependable and very predictable. Her life is very structured. She's the person whose throw pillows are placed at a specific angle (forty-five degree angle if you want to be exact), her money in her wallet is arranged by denomination, face up. Her CDs are alphabetized by artist and then chronological, in order of release. And, like Monica Gellar (of Friends), she'll chase you around the house sweeping up food crumbs.

Teddy Rock: Formerly known as Theo Brockford. Teddy is the aging rock star who wants to make a comeback. His one hit Janey 245 made him a household name back in the late '80s. His fall from grace was long and very public. His latest album is about to be released and he has to convince the public that he has changed his ways so they will buy his album.

Andy Marlow: Andy is Jane's brother. Irresponsible and impulsive, he's the opposite of Jane. But when he catches and episode of Off the Record and realizes that Teddy Rock is the quiet boy from their childhood neighborhood, Theo Brockford, (not to mention that he and Jane grew up at 245 Memorial Circle), he is convinced that Janey 245 was written about his sister and is determined to capitalize on that fact.

Drew Weston: Drew is a partner in the firm Jane works for. He works out of the DC office but has come to Chicago to help Jane with a case that went from estate planning to litigation between grandmother and granddaughter. He has a reputation of being a playboy, reportedly having his way with the temporary receptionist on the xerox machine at his going away party (he worked in the Chicago office before transferring to DC). He's going to have to work very closely with Jane to settle the dispute with Jane's biggest client.

Jane is working towards becoming a partner in her law firm when her brother suggests she is the inspiration for Teddy Rock's one hit, Janey 245. He wants to capitalize on it to help save a family friend's (Sam) bar. When Jane is reluctant to participate in her brother's scheme, Andy sets out to put her in a position of not being able to say no.

Drew Weston has been brought in to help Jane on a big case she is handling. She set up the financial planning of Kitty Farnsworth's estate and it was being contested by Kitty's seventeen year old granddaughter, Darcy, despite the fact that Kitty was still alive. Jane believed she had set up airtight legal documents and that is what Drew was there to prove, and Jane's partnership depended on it.

Jane had heard (specifics) of Drew's playboy ways so she was expecting him to be making advances left and right. When he didn't, she confronted him about it. His response was not what she'd expected. He had heard about her reputation as well. When he described her life (quite accurately), she wanted to prove him wrong. That she wasn't a no nonsense, hospital corner kind of girl. So she invited him to Sam's bar.

And that's when everything changed.

Off the Record was a fun read for me. It follows, in a humorous way, the career of a has-been rock star that wants to make a comeback, with newspaper and magazine articles starting each chapter, chronicling the rise and fall of Teddy Rock and potential rise again. The story is told from the perspective of the rock star's muse, Jane Marlow.

Jennifer O'Connell told a fun and touching story that made me both laugh and cry. I recommend it highly.

The Bloggies

On my nightly blog hopping I came across something interesting. There are blogger awards. That's right folks, you can nominate and vote for your favorite blogs. And like the academy awards, there are a number of categories.

I be-bopped over there and checked it out. You can only submit nominations once. It's late in the week and I confuse easily so I hope I did everything right when I made my nominations (nominations made incorrectly will be disqualified). Now I'm wondering at what point the nominees are notified and if they are told who nominated them.

Oh well, know this, if you're reading this blog, chances are you were nominated for something. :)

Good luck!

It's Raining Books

Yesterday (my first day back after being off for two glorious weeks) I was talking with a co-worker and I mentioned that I had an exercise video that gives you a good workout without making you sweat. I asked her if she would workout with me during lunch if I brought it up to the office. She said she would.

So last night I dutifully set out to locate the video and put it in my car, before I forgot. Only it's MIA. I couldn't find it anywhere.

I did, however, find seven - count them seven - books I'd set aside but haven't read yet. Seven!

I thought I'd done so well over the holidays, reading a book almost every day and now I find out I'm right back where I started in the TBR pile. *sigh*

I never did find the blasted video.

Retrospective/Looking Ahead

I'm looking forward to the start of a new year. 2005 was not a particularly good year for me. A dear friend of mine died unexpectedly at the age of 46, leaving a hole in my heart. I got my first ever flu shot, only to find out that the vaccine was not what was in the syringes and that the FBI was investigating the matter. (A number of side dramas are attached to that one.) Not to mention a number of smaller (in general) events that added to the desire to see the end of 2005.

Having had the last couple of weeks off just to recharge the batteries has been wonderful. Today I feel an energy that I haven't felt in a long, long time. I know that work is going to be a challenge in 2006 (my work load doubled in 2005 and I was informed right before my vacation started that I would be taking on more responsibility in 2006, keeping all my current responsibilities) but I hope to be up to the challenge. The personalities I will be working with are the challenge, not the work itself per se. So, I'm hoping that 2006 gives me what I need to do my job, do it well and not kill anyone in the process. :)

On a personal level, my goal is to do things that make me happy, including (but not limited to) the following (in no particular order):

1. More massages in 2006
2. Take more time to read
3. Spend more time writing because:
a) I plan to enter contests in 2006,
b) I plan to query agents in 2006,
c) I plan to pitch at National, and
d) I want to get the story written!
4. Be more social
5. Get healthy/lose weight
6. Take time to smell the roses
7. In general, do more to pamper myself

Note, these are not resolutions but goals so if you see me shoving an entire Sara Lee Chocolate Cheese Cake down my throat on January 5th, I'm not breaking any resolutions. ;o)

Happy New Year to all! I hope 2006 is good to us all!

What are your goals?

Remembering a Princess

I don't know what it is but I've always been fascinated by Princess Diana. I remember when she married Prince Charles. VCRs weren't commonplace at the time. In fact, I'm not really sure if they were around. I do know, if they were, they were still too expensive for the average Joe to have one. As such, I didn't have one but I wanted to see the wedding so I got up at something like 3:30 am so I could watch it.

I also remember where I was and what I was doing when she died. It was so shocking. I kept thinking there had to be a mistake. She was too young and how she died was so awful. VCRs were more common then, it was unusual if you didn't have one, so I recorded the funeral rather than get up in the middle of the night to watch it. And I cried when I watched it.

I've been appalled at the people who have tried to exploit her, for their own gain, since her death. For instance, the man who, whenever he needs money, sells off more of her private story but when interviewed, refuses to answer certain questions because he wants to respect her privacy. Yeah right! You just want to save something for the next time. He should be shot. Or better yet, slowly tortured. Nothing is too horrible. But I digress.

Yesterday I went to an area museum to see the Princess Diana Exhibit . It's a traveling exhibit which happens to be on display in Houston now. The exhibit was divided into a number of different rooms, each representing an area of her life. There were pictures, video and actual memorabilia from all phases of her life. Her wedding gown was on display and video from her wedding was shown. The actual sheet music from Elton John's tribute song was on display, and played while video of her life and funeral were shown (heard a lot of sobs in that room) while it was played.

I went alone to the exhibit and I'm glad I did. I was able to spend a lot of time there without worrying about someone else being bored, tired or anything else. I read everything in every room. I watched every video in its entirety. When I reached the end, I went back almost to the beginning and came back through, just looking.

I know people are making money off of the exhibit and that may be their only reason for allowing her things to be viewed but whatever the reasons I want to say this: This exhibit honors Princess Diana and is done in a very respectful manner to her memory. To me, it was worth every penny (including the $8.00 parking fee) I paid to see it.

Latest Plug

Part of my vacation agenda is to read as many books as possible. In the past four days I've read three - all wonderful. The latest of which is Julia Quinn's An Offer From A Gentleman.

It's a Cinderella-like story. Sophie is the bastard child of the Earl of Penbroke. Her mother had died in childbirth and her maternal grandmother had cared for her until she turned three, at which time she deposited young Sophie on the doorstep of her father.

Recognized as the Earl's "ward" (not daughter), Sophie was raised in luxury, if not love. However, when Sophie's father married, his new wife made it clear that she could not be treated in the same manner as her daughters (two - Rosamund and Posy).

The Earl died unexpectedly at a young age. His wife would receive 2000 a year, or 6000 if she provided for Sophie until she was twenty. He also provided for a dowry for all three girls.

The stepmother kept Sophie on so she could collect the money but not in the manner she had previously lived. She made Sophie work for her keep - without pay.

And then they received an invitation to a masquerade ball. Sophie dilligently prepared her step-mother and step-sisters for the ball, never dreaming of going herself. But once they were on their way, the staff prepared Sophie to attend the ball herself. She wore clothing that had been her grandmother's (on her father's side) and was taken in the family carriage. The one caveat, she had to meet the carriage at midnight, otherwise she could be caught.

So dressed in her grandmother's clothes, her face covered by a mask, she attends the ball. On entrance, she garners the attention of several men but it's Benedict Bridgerton that whisks her away. They both are smitten but she refuses to give him her name and he steals a kiss.

He comments that her hair feels like silk. She laughs and reminds him that he has on gloves. He has her remove his glove and feels her hair. She asks for the same liberty so he removes her glove, which bears the family crest and her grandmother's initials. He is about to remove her mask when the clock starts chiming midnight and she narrowly escapes, having left the glove behind.

He spends years trying to locate her and she dreams of him, knowing that societal proprieties will not allow for them to be together, so she tries to forget him. When they meet again, he does not recognize her (he never really saw her face). He's drawn to her but cannot allow himself to really give in to his care for her because he feels he's being unfaithful to his true love, the mystery lady from the ball.

It was a fun, light read. Predictable? Yes, but still fun. I highly recommend it. :)

Another Plug

Earlier this year I read Metro Girl by Janet Evanovich for a reading group I participate in. I'd never read anything by Janet Evanovich and wasn't overly impressed but everyone kept saying her Stephanie Plum series was wonderful so I said I'd give it a try.

Well, I ordered (and received) One for the Money last week and since I rotate what I read in genre's (so I don't get over tired of one particular genre), I cracked open One for the Money yesterday for my "mystery" genre.

For all intents and purposes I read it in one sitting. I took a couple of breaks, surfed the net and took restroom breaks but basically, I read it in a few hours time.

It was a light, fun read with a mystery to boot. I'm officially a fan. :)

P.S. Merry Christmas!!!

My remote control is possessed!

I have a number of TV remotes in various conditions. Several bear teeth marks from Max and/or Brewsky. The one in my living room has loose parts inside of it while the one in the bedroom has buttons I have no idea what their purpose is. These two remotes are in the best condition of my collection.

Anyway, the remote in the living room rattles when I pick it up now. I'm sure this is because it has been dropped so many times. But, here's the deal, I will be watching TV and I'll want to mute the TV for some reason (maybe a call, maybe to write a blog) and when I hit the mute, it turns my TV off. Not every time but enough to aggravate me.

Other times I'll move my remote and the channel changes...on the TV, not the cable channel. That's the weirdest thing because if I click on the channel up or down it changes the cable station I'm watching. If I punch in the numbers in the remote, again, it changes the cable station I'm watching so to have it change the station my TV is on is just bizarre. And did I mention I won't have clicked anything on my remote when this happens? Again, not all the time, just periodically.

Maybe the rattling I'm hearing in the remote is little gremlins out to make me crazy. So far their plan is working.

Perfect Days

My vacation officially started at 4:33 pm Tuesday, December 20. I'm off for the rest of the year. (You can't see it but I'm doing the happy dance here.)

I left work and went immediately to get a massage from the massage queen, Robin. Came home and had a good night's sleep.

Yesterday I got up and met a friend for a leisurely lunch - very nice.

A little later I went to the movies and saw The Family Stone. It was different than I thought it would be but I liked it. I laughed and cried during the movie. I debated sitting in the theater for a while after it was over so the puffiness of my eyes would go down.

Of course the crying thing could have just been me. They showed a preview for a movie called Eight Down or Eight Under, something like that. It's about a dog team. They are taken out on an adventure (not sure exactly why) and things go awry. The dogs save this man's life and then when help comes, they leave the dogs behind, planning to come back later. Then the weather gets really bad and they can't go back for them so the dogs have to fend for themselves in this artic weather. I was crying at the preview! So, it could have just been me that got weepy at The Family Stone.

Anyway, I left there and went to Foley's to spend my gift card the attorneys I work with gave me. I couldn't find what I wanted so I went to leave the mall - passing the movie theater on my way to my car. I happened to look at the time and see what was playing...Fun with Dick and Jane started in ten minutes so I bought a ticket and went to see it too. I'm not a Jim Carrey (sp?) fan but I liked this movie. It was funny.

Today I'm going to see if I can find a local theater that still has Rent playing.

I love being on vacation!

Embarrassing moments

A number of years ago my mother told me this story.

A little old lady (okay, I think she just said a lady...I just imagine her as little and old) was coming out of the grocery store with her shopping cart full of grocery bags. As she approached her car she realized that there were three "thugs" (you know, look like trouble making late teen, early twenties kids) sitting in her car. Well, she knew the times had changed so she carried a gun in her purse and she thought this was the perfect opportunity to pull it out and use it. So she walked up to the driver's side window (which had been rolled down) and pointed the gun at the "head thug's" (why else would he be in the driver's seat) head. She calmly told them to get out of the car. And they did. Running away as fast as their thug legs would carry them.

Happy that she'd defended herself and her vehicle, she unloaded her groceries into the car and then got in the front seat. It was then that it dawned on her.

It wasn't her car.

Her car, she realized, was a couple of parking spaces over. She loaded the groceries back into the shopping cart and then into her car and drove to the police station to explain what had happened. As she was telling her story the police officer started laughing. When asked what was so funny he pointed to the three kids that were reporting a car jacking by a little old lady.

That story always makes me laugh because I can just imagine the kids' faces as this lady pulls a gun on them and tells them to get out of the car - their car. LOL

Anyway, so what made me think of this story? Last night when I was leaving the office, I spotted my car in the parking lot and noticed that some sort of flyer was on my car. I work in a place that has tight security so I knew it was something the company had put on the car. It kind of annoyed me.

So, I'm walking to my car and as I approached it I snatched the flyer off the windshield and clicked the automatic locks on my keychain. Nothing happened. I'm reading the flyer, even more annoyed at the message, as I click the locks again. Still nothing. I turned the keychain around and clicked it again and heard a faint beep. I tried to open the door and it was locked. I clicked one last time again I heard a faint beep but this time I noticed a car a couple of spaces over with its lights flashing. Then it dawned on me, I was trying to get into the wrong car. I dart around the car to my own car, realizing that I'm taking the flyer from the car with me. I make the decision not to return it but as I'm snatching the flyer off of MY car, I look back and see someone walking straight towards me with this big grin on his face.

I knew immediately that it had been his car I'd tried to break into. I walked over, laughed as I gave him his flyer while he told me he'd done that with my car before (yeah, but he never got caught!). Very embarrassing moment. LOL

Is it just me?

My boss took our group to lunch today - a holiday lunch. We went to Pappas Seafood. I'm not sure if that's national or local. In any event, it's one of the nicer restaurants in the area. More upscale.

Anyway, one of my attorneys has been in a pissy mood for at least two weeks now and it's not been real clear why. All I know is the first week I went in to say good morning to her and she bit my head off. Actually she did that two out of three mornings. I quit going in to see her.

Then she stopped talking to me altogether. Wouldn't even make eye contact with me last week. On one occasion she needed something done and rather than tell me, she wrote it on a post it note and stuck it on my desk.

I was sitting at my desk at the time.

So this kind of behavior has been going on for at least two weeks. The invitation for lunch went out before she stopped talking to me. She made some comment about she didn't want to go. See, I'm like the only one in the group she likes and she didn't want to spend her lunch hour with a group of people she doesn't like.

Fine - it was optional.

So my boss sends out a reminder this morning about it and offered to drive me and the other two staff support ladies. Said if anyone didn't want to go to let him know, otherwise we'd get a table for the group.

No one declined.

The female attorney rode out with another attorney. In the restaurant, she sat in the corner with her arms crossed the entire time. She never joined in the conversation or made eye contact with anyone and she didn't even order lunch!

So, is it just me or is that not rude?

Aside from her negativity, it was a nice lunch.

No Plot? No Problem!

That's the name of a book intended as a writing tool for writers. Chris Baty is the author and, if I'm not mistaken, he also is the one that heads up the annual NaNoWriMo in November. But that's not really the subject of this post. It's about books that have no plot.

I know people who don't like books without a plot. I know others who say the story is all about the characters.

I think I fall in the latter category. Not that I have anything against plots but if I'm not relating with the characters in some way, the author can have the best plot ever devised and s/he will have lost me as a reader. On the flip side, if s/he can make me care about the characters, I probably won't notice/care that there is no plot.

If the author has created a character who hits a nerve with me and I hate them, that's okay because they've been so descriptive that they've evoked an emotion out of me. It's only bad when it's the hero or heroine. And that happens.

I've heard (and find it to be true for my tastes) that it's not good to have a book that is only about sex. A well written love scene is one thing but when the characters can't seem to drag themselves out of bed long enough to have a discussion or a life, there's a problem. I'll move on to the next book.

I recently read a book where all either characters could think about was having sex with the other one. I think there was only one scene where they actually consummated the relationship but it never left their thoughts. (And the sex scene was on the cutting room floor. They discussed it and thought about it a lot afterwards though but the act itself didn't make the cut.) I didn't hate the book but the author also did not go on my "automatic buy" list.

For me, reading is an escape. I like mindless reading. I love fun, light reads - something that can make me laugh and/or cry but not require too much thought on my part. Don't get me wrong, I love John Grisham thrillers and Mary Higgins Clark mysteries but those kinds of books only make up about twenty-five percent of my reading. The other seventy-five percent is made up of lighter fare. But if they can't make me care about the characters, they lose me as a reader. (Can't stress that enough. LOL)

So, bottom line for me and my reading preferences, my motto is: No Plot? No Problem! ;o)

How about you?

Your Honor, I give you Exhibit A

Men don't listen. A woman rarely has a man's full attention. The one exception is when he is watching sports and you get between him and the television. Even then though, he's not listening. He will pretend to listen and promise anything to get you to move but the second you move, you've lost him again. And for those of you that would think you have his attention during sex, I'm sad to say, you don't. Little Johnny has his attention and little Johnny isn't going to listen to you either. In fact, the only word little Johnny understands is "yes" and every word known to man (or woman) sounds like "yes" to little Johnny.

Some of you may be reading this and shaking/nodding your head in agreement but for those of you who are not convinced, I bring proof.

To give a little background, I was making limo arrangements for my boss yesterday. He's attending a company sponsored event tomorrow night and wanted to arrive in style. He placed the charges on his corporate card. I like my boss so I didn't comment but it got me to thinking, does this mean that since the Christmas party is company sponsored I can hire a limosine to take me there and have the company pay for it? Hmmmm....something to consider - but I digress.

So, I called our travel department and reached, what else, a man. We'll call him Travel Guy or TG for short for the purposes of this transcript. The following is the actual transcript of the telephone conversation:

TG: How may I help you?
Me: I need to set up limosine services.
TG: Is this for travel already scheduled?
Me: No, it's transportation within the city for a company sponsored event.
TG: I see. And the name?
Me: I give him my boss' name, spelling the last name because it's one of those names that is spelled in a way that you're convinced someone's cat ran across the keyboard (multiple times) as it was being typed but actually sounds like "Smith".
TG: How will Mr. Smith be paying for this?
Me: Corporate AMEX.
TG: He's putting it on his corporate card?
Me: Yes.
TG: Account number (recites account number).
Me: Like I have his number committed to memory! Not to mention I've NEVER been asked to confirm a credit card number before! Yes.
TG: Are we picking him up at his home (proceeds to recite home address).
Me: No. I have an address for pick up. (I recite the street address.)
TG: What is that?
Me: I don't know. I just have the address. It could be his townhouse but I'm not sure.
TG: What's the zip code?
Me: I don't have that information.
TG: Well, I need that to schedule the pick up.
Me: Realizing boss is in the office next to mine, probably standing near the doorway. Hang on one minute. (covering mouthpiece of phone - yelling) Mr. Smith!!!

No response (which actually, when you think about it, could be used as Exhibit A-1. Like the (A-1) sauce. Not really all that strong by itself but boy can it bring out the flavor of the meat!)

Me: (back into the phone) He didn't hear me.
TG: I can look it up on mapquest.
Me: (Look at destination, realize no address number or zip code is listed, turn to computer and pull up mapquest myself.)
TG: I found it. (He recites the zip code he found to me.) Does that sound right?
Me: (Pull phone away from my ear, make face and exaggerated arm gesture, excuse me but didn't I just tell you I DON'T KNOW the zip code? How the heck would I know if it "sounded" right? put phone back to ear) I have no idea. (rolling eyes) Sure, whatever.
TG: Do you know the name of these townhouses?
Me: I don't know that it is his townhouse. It may not be. But to answer your question, I don't know the name of the townhouses he lives in. And this may not be his townhouse anyway. Don't put that on there because it may not be his townhouse.
TG: So where are we taking him?
Me: (I give him name address and zip code of destination.)
TG: What time do we need to pick him up at the townhouse?
Me: I don't know that it is his townhouse but he needs to be picked up at the address I gave you at 6:30 pm.
TG: Okay, so what time does he need to be picked up from (name of destination)?
Me: 9:45 pm
TG: Okay, so let's recap: We have him being picked up from his townhouse at 6:30 pm, address (gives address).
Me: (interrupting) I DON'T KNOW THAT THAT IS HIS TOWNHOUSE!
TG: (continuing as if I hadn't said anything) We will pick him up at 9:45 pm and bring him home.
Me: Those are the right times and addresses but I don't know that the address is his townhouse. I don't know the address to the townhouse. That needs to be removed from the record in case it's not.
TG: Okay, is there anything else I can do for you today?
Me: Yes, is it possible to put in the record that this needs to be charged immediately? We want to prepay for the services.
TG: We can do that. He's putting this on his corporate card?
Me: Yes. Also, he wanted me to be sure the limo service had his cell number, just in case they had difficulty locating him.
TG: He wants the limo service to have his cell number in case they get lost going to his townhouse?
Me: (through gritted teeth) I don't know that that is his townhouse! He wants them to have the number in case they need to reach him for any reason! Can that be included in his record?
TG: Of course.

We finish up the call with him telling me he would email me the confirmation. I submit to you Exhibit A. (Due to technical difficulties I cannot post the confirmation but in big bold letters it said to pick up the passenger at his TOWNHOME!!!!! P.S. there was no zip code listed anywhere on the confirmation either) No mention was made of prepayment or cell number.

I called the limo company directly. No mention was made on what they received about prepayment so I set that up directly (and they charged immediately, thank you very much...did I mention I spoke with a WOMAN at the limo service? yeah!). As for the cell number, she said a number was included and proceeded to give me the number provided, which happened to be MY work number. Yeah, when the limo service is trying to locate Mr. Smith, it will be good that they call my work number, after hours, on a Friday night. We fixed that too. (When I saw the confirmation had it listed as his townhome I went to Mr. Smith. He confirmed that it WAS his townhome so I didn't have to address that with the limo company - but that wasn't the point.)

So, with that, Your Honor, I rest this case.

Tune in tomorrow when we look at the hypnotic properties or gravitational pull of a woman's breasts, also known as "excuse me sir but my eyes are up here!"

What the devil?

At the recommendation of Honey, I decided to wait to read Jennifer Crusie's Strange Bedfellows. In its place I'll be reading Shirley Jump's The Devil Served Tortellini.

For Maria Pagliano, too much of a good thing has always been a problem. Whether it's men or carbs, she just can't say no. But that's about to change. For her high school reunion, Maria's vowed to reinvent herself as a woman who has her life strictly in order. No more pasta, bread, dessert, or datingeven if the menu offering is one sexy chef named Dante Del Rosso.

Everything about Dante is off-limits. From his come-hither smile to his sultry way around the kitchen in his Boston restaurant, he's too much temptation...for her taste buds and her heart. Just being around the guy makes her crave more. The only thing to do is go cold turkey on Dante. But he has other ideas. Now, this devil is out to woo his dream woman using every spicy, sweet, and sinfully delicious weapon he's got. And once Maria gets a taste of the real thing, how can she possibly settle for anything less?