Posted with permission And feel free to visit Zola's website at www.dinnerwithzola.com
Where to Eat Before it's too Late...
You people are an inspiration. Sometimes you write me to ask for recipe ideas. Sometimes you just write to say hello and let me know how a column affected you or made you laugh. And then there are times when you write to me about something that makes ME think. This column is about one of those emails I received last week.
The email started off with a reader who said she and her group travel to Chicago every year and they always struggle over which restaurants they are going to eat at while here. This is when I know I have a real group of "foodies" on my hands. Most people come to a conference and either eat at the conference or just wander out of the facility and find food.
Not these people. They want to dine. They want to soak up the atmosphere. They want to enjoy the authentic Chicago. I commend them.
In the email the woman asked me to recommend some restaurants. They figured that if Zola lives in Chicago she ought to make a pretty good restaurant recommendation source; comprehensive even. And they would be right! I used to tell people I've eaten my way from one end of this city to the other. I used to say that when I was skinny. Now I don't think it sounds so good, but I still feel the emotion. I am proud of so many things Chicago has to offer and I'd put our culinary prowess up against even the most highly touted food centers in the world. News Flash!: Chicago's Stephanie Izard just won America's Top Chef competition! Stephanie used to own a little bistro down the street from my place. It was called Scylla, and my husband and I were big fans.
Anyway, back to the restaurants. I wrote back asking her to narrow her request. I could spend an afternoon giving restaurant recommendations. I could do it by cuisine type. I could do it based on budget. I could do it by neighborhood location. I could do it by featuring the newest or even the venerable. You get my drift. I needed to be narrowed down. Then I'd be prepared to shoot off a list.
Her email came back later that afternoon. She asked for American steak houses and Italian. Chicago used to be the "butcher capital to the world" so beef made perfect sense. Italian, as she pointed out, is universally loved, so everyone would be happy with Italian restaurants. Then she added the kicker that really made me think. She said, "Zola, if you found out you had to move and you could only eat at three Chicago restaurants before you had to ship out and never return, which places would you pick?"
I was blown away. No one had ever set me up with a challenge like that one before. I really had to think. My easy way out was to answer her steak request and then her Italian request so that was 7 or 8 restaurants that I could type up in a flash. I was stopped dead by her last request. I realized it was one of the most difficult food-related decisions I could make. I interpreted it to be, "If you could only eat three more dinners in your life, and you had to eat them in Chicago restaurants, which ones would you pick?" It sent me into a tizzy.
My brain went into overdrive. First I focused on the ones I had already given her in the Italian and steak categories. I had to ask myself, if I were picking the last three, would any on those lists make my final? Then my mind started racing all over town. As my brain settled on each restaurant, the menu came into focus and I tried to factor in what I'd order so I knew if that was a perfect choice.
I realized a couple of things that were new to me. I decided, that as a good cook myself, I could get lots of good food. What was going to be a deciding factor in the myriad of good, and even fabulous, Chicago restaurants was going to be the atmosphere. My mind started conjuring up the smells, the music, the lighting, how comfortable the seating is , the service- all of these things more than the food. Interesting observation for a food writer, I thought. The creativity of the menu was important, and did they branch out beyond things that I'd cook in my own kitchen? Or did that matter?
What I wanted was all of those things clustered into one restaurant. Or at least three.
And you know what? In the final analysis and the time allowed, I couldn't do it. I gave her three and gave her my reasoning but I told her I really needed time to visit about 50 or I was always going to feel like I had left something behind.
Then I took it another step, and I'm going to invite you to do this too. I took my internal conversation to cocktail hour. I had a few minutes with my husband before I had to head off to a business dinner. I was sitting with him on our roof deck as the sun was fading and I told him the story of the email and I followed it up with the question, "Which three would you pick?"
Right away he turned it back on me. "Which did you choose? He wanted to know". "You're not getting off that easy", I said. "You give me your list first and then I'll share mine". Dead silence. Then he started trying to guess mine instead of being forced to pick his own. It was the funniest thing to watch. Very interesting. No giggling. I had to just let him fight with it. And oddly enough, his list didn't match mine; although just about every restaurant I've eaten in, I've eaten in with him. He knows my tastes and I know his, but our lists didn't match.
So here's my challenge to you. At the dinner table, or even better, at a dinner party with friends, pose the question. Unless your town only has three restaurants, I bet this will make for interesting conversation. It's not politics, but it's a conversation that can generate some passionate consideration as each person lobbies for their favorite restaurants and why they've chosen them.
Good luck and feel free to report out at: Zolacooks@gmail.com
Challenge
Where would you eat, in your home town or favorite city, if you could eat 3 final meals?
My 3 would be Ruth Chris's Steakhouse, The Melting Pot, and Chez Jean.
Ruth Chris: Filet mignon
Melting Pot: Surf 'n Turf and fondue. YUM!
Chez Jean: Fabulous French restaurant! Ate there a couple of years ago on our anniversary, and it was an incredible taste bud experience:)
Post yours in the comments. I'll post my favorite Zola recipe tomorrow.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Happy Sunday:)
I have good news to report:
My van is fixed! My neighbor is cheering:)
Busy day ahead, including a change of plans: Church at 11; birthday party across the street at 2; leaving for Terre Haute at 4; dinner and celebrating daughter's birthday at Olive Garden between 5 and 7. Somewhere in there I also have to go grocery shopping and finish hubby's laundry. I did most of it yesterday; I only have one more load.
Expanded my new story to include 2 more chapters. I wrote one yesterday and the first line of the last chapter last night. I'll include a word count later, and I think I'm going to have to change the title.
Who knew some private attention from my husband and a chocolate martini would kick-start the creativity? Last year at this time, it was a news blurb on the radio!
I'm still drinking my way through a bottle of Sutter Home White Zinfindel. I couldn't find the Blueberry wine in the liquor store, and I wasn't in the mood to drive 4 hours just to purchase it from the winery. If I sell more books (or the gas prices drop!), I'll order a couple bottles and let them ship it to me. I'm having no trouble sleeping at night! One glass a night has turned into a wonderful relaxing ritual. The kids joke about mom getting into the hootch, but if they see me drinking responsibly, then I'm setting a good example, right? And its not like I do this every week!
My van is fixed! My neighbor is cheering:)
Busy day ahead, including a change of plans: Church at 11; birthday party across the street at 2; leaving for Terre Haute at 4; dinner and celebrating daughter's birthday at Olive Garden between 5 and 7. Somewhere in there I also have to go grocery shopping and finish hubby's laundry. I did most of it yesterday; I only have one more load.
Expanded my new story to include 2 more chapters. I wrote one yesterday and the first line of the last chapter last night. I'll include a word count later, and I think I'm going to have to change the title.
Who knew some private attention from my husband and a chocolate martini would kick-start the creativity? Last year at this time, it was a news blurb on the radio!
I'm still drinking my way through a bottle of Sutter Home White Zinfindel. I couldn't find the Blueberry wine in the liquor store, and I wasn't in the mood to drive 4 hours just to purchase it from the winery. If I sell more books (or the gas prices drop!), I'll order a couple bottles and let them ship it to me. I'm having no trouble sleeping at night! One glass a night has turned into a wonderful relaxing ritual. The kids joke about mom getting into the hootch, but if they see me drinking responsibly, then I'm setting a good example, right? And its not like I do this every week!
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Memorable 4th:)
Ahhh...what a fantastic day yesterday was! The kids slept late and then scattered to friends' houses; I wrote nearly all day (32oo words...may not sound like a lot, but when I tried to do it in November, it nearly killed me!); the on-and-off rain stopped just before the parade began and stayed away the rest of the evening; and since I was thrilled with what I had accomplished (not to mention forgotten about planning dinner!), my family took me out for dinner.
And then the neighbors came over and we watched our teens set off the fireworks. Even the toddlers enjoyed the sparklers!
(I lifted the following from my website. Since I didn't know many of you this time last year, I thought I'd post it here. Enjoy:)
Another memorable one was the year I was 16. My boyfriend and I had broken up; I was extremely angry about it and trying to win him back. Another friend of mine was having problems with his girlfriend; we spent the entire concert at Tapawingo Park sitting on our 'beach' by the Wabash (so we called our little strip of sand!) bemoaning our problems with the opposite sex. When it came time for the fireworks, we shared a lawn chair, and all of a sudden, a friendly game of Mercy turned into a hand-holding session that sparked something...and I didn't want the display to ever end. But it did, and afterwards, I was thrilled when he collapsed the chair and grabbed my hand again! I know...trivial stuff by today's standards, but the fireworks inside me were also conflicted with my desire to regain my exboyfriend's attention. I can't remember if my 4th ended with a kiss, but I do know that he became my 'Sunday Evening Date' the rest of that year at my church's Youth Group, until he realized I wasn't returning his affection...in hindsight, it's a what-the-hell-were-you-thinking kind of moment, the kind where you want to go back in time and give yourself a slap upside the head for throwing away a potentally fantastic relationship!
Grandparents are arriving tomorrow; the toddler's been invited to the other toddler's birthday party at 2pm. Hope the grandparents don't change their mind and want us to meet them an hour north!
Today, hubby is putting in a new alternator and I'm getting ready to tackle the house. Laundry, cleaning up the kitchen, and a complete vacuuming of the floors is in order. Thankfully, the teens are pitching in as well:) So with that said, I'm getting offline and setting a good example for the chores to be started. Hubby and K are already hard at work on the van; W is 'helping' in his own way...he's the 'gopher' and unofficial 'supervisor'. I need to get a pic of him...he's wearing his blue jeans, snow boots, snow gloves (whenever he picks up a tool), and wearing Daddy's hard hat! Bob the Builder, watch out!
And then the neighbors came over and we watched our teens set off the fireworks. Even the toddlers enjoyed the sparklers!
(I lifted the following from my website. Since I didn't know many of you this time last year, I thought I'd post it here. Enjoy:)
Another memorable one was the year I was 16. My boyfriend and I had broken up; I was extremely angry about it and trying to win him back. Another friend of mine was having problems with his girlfriend; we spent the entire concert at Tapawingo Park sitting on our 'beach' by the Wabash (so we called our little strip of sand!) bemoaning our problems with the opposite sex. When it came time for the fireworks, we shared a lawn chair, and all of a sudden, a friendly game of Mercy turned into a hand-holding session that sparked something...and I didn't want the display to ever end. But it did, and afterwards, I was thrilled when he collapsed the chair and grabbed my hand again! I know...trivial stuff by today's standards, but the fireworks inside me were also conflicted with my desire to regain my exboyfriend's attention. I can't remember if my 4th ended with a kiss, but I do know that he became my 'Sunday Evening Date' the rest of that year at my church's Youth Group, until he realized I wasn't returning his affection...in hindsight, it's a what-the-hell-were-you-thinking kind of moment, the kind where you want to go back in time and give yourself a slap upside the head for throwing away a potentally fantastic relationship!
Grandparents are arriving tomorrow; the toddler's been invited to the other toddler's birthday party at 2pm. Hope the grandparents don't change their mind and want us to meet them an hour north!
Today, hubby is putting in a new alternator and I'm getting ready to tackle the house. Laundry, cleaning up the kitchen, and a complete vacuuming of the floors is in order. Thankfully, the teens are pitching in as well:) So with that said, I'm getting offline and setting a good example for the chores to be started. Hubby and K are already hard at work on the van; W is 'helping' in his own way...he's the 'gopher' and unofficial 'supervisor'. I need to get a pic of him...he's wearing his blue jeans, snow boots, snow gloves (whenever he picks up a tool), and wearing Daddy's hard hat! Bob the Builder, watch out!
Friday, July 4, 2008
Climbing on the Soap Box
Woo Hoo! Finished the story I was working on! Right now it's 6,693 words, but I can keep going if it's too short. No sex until chapter 2, so probably won't qualify for EC. Any suggestions? Not bad for a lazy 4th of July! Can't finish the ones I need to finish, but I can write something new. Go figure...I'm off to go buy some plonk to celebrate:)
Warning: The following contains strong Christian themes. I'm not trying to offend anyone; I just found yesterday's devotional too good to not post.
Yesterday's In Touch topic was titled, A Civic Responsibility. And yes, it ties in with today's culture. Here's the condensed version:
Matthew 5:15 says, "I will take vengeance in anger and wrath upon the nations that have not obeyed me."
Our Heavenly Father has given us a clear indication of what will happen if we don't pay attention and keep his commandments. Yet, we have pushed God out of the schools, removed the Bible and prayer from govornment meetings, and making laws that defy divine commands. Sadly, godless ways are making huge inroads in our country, and many Christians don't fight this trend.
We strive to be 'sensitive' and 'tolerant' to other's beliefs. But when does tolerance include pushing our own basic beliefs aside in order to accommodate others? This country was founded upon basic Biblical principals. But sadly, we're letting the Bible become 'just another book', and even some ministers out there do not even acknowledge Christ as the Messiah! It's happened in my home church; there was a vote to split the affiliation from the churches who were led by timid preachers too afraid of offending anyone from the pulpit. How are we going to 'build a fire' in new Christians' hearts, to inspire a desire to know Him, if we send the message that Jesus 'may be' the Savior of the world? You either believe or you do not; there is no middle ground.
Psalm 33:12 also says, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord."
Clearly, the Lord will punish the nations who disobey Him or follow other gods. This truth should not make believers fear. Rather, it must prompt us to take a stand for what is right. We have serious responsibilities as both citizens and Christians. Pray that the people will elect leaders who follow His statutes. And then explore your sphere of influence; what can you do to impact people in your daily lives and exemplify Christ in our country?
-Rev Charles Stanley, editor of InTouch devotions
And before you ask, 'But wait...you write books that don't necessarily agree with your biblical principal..." and call me a hypocrite, you're right. I don't write Christian romances. But I do try to write stories that provide entertainment, and as we all know, I'm not perfect. My characters do not necessarily reflect my beliefs. My creativity has taken me out of my comfort zone at times, and I've tried to project a tolerant voice in those books.
Just because I write it doesn't mean I practice it.
And even more important: Let's not destroy what our forefathers worked so hard to attain? Freedom.
More on this later; I'm stepping down now. Happy birthday America and God Bless the USA!
In other news
I got inspired this morning. I wrote six pages on that latest idea of mine, and I rather like where it's going.
My mom also told me that my childhood 4th of July concert no longer exists! We used to look forward to the Symphony concert, always concluding with the 1812 Overture, complete with cannon fire. A great way to stir up patriotism! So is 'Stars and Stripes Forever'...in fact, I can even remember some of the flag choreography I performed in high school at the parade. I also remeber the dance moves to 'Get Away' and 'Tuxedo Junction', but that's another blog topic! I've been told that Connor Prairie may have my beloved 1812 Overture and cannons; I may just have to drag everyone up there one year!
It looks as if the rain will be moving out before fireworks time. Sorry Barb; I think it's headed your way! Or maybe it's heading south?
Warning: The following contains strong Christian themes. I'm not trying to offend anyone; I just found yesterday's devotional too good to not post.
Yesterday's In Touch topic was titled, A Civic Responsibility. And yes, it ties in with today's culture. Here's the condensed version:
Matthew 5:15 says, "I will take vengeance in anger and wrath upon the nations that have not obeyed me."
Our Heavenly Father has given us a clear indication of what will happen if we don't pay attention and keep his commandments. Yet, we have pushed God out of the schools, removed the Bible and prayer from govornment meetings, and making laws that defy divine commands. Sadly, godless ways are making huge inroads in our country, and many Christians don't fight this trend.
We strive to be 'sensitive' and 'tolerant' to other's beliefs. But when does tolerance include pushing our own basic beliefs aside in order to accommodate others? This country was founded upon basic Biblical principals. But sadly, we're letting the Bible become 'just another book', and even some ministers out there do not even acknowledge Christ as the Messiah! It's happened in my home church; there was a vote to split the affiliation from the churches who were led by timid preachers too afraid of offending anyone from the pulpit. How are we going to 'build a fire' in new Christians' hearts, to inspire a desire to know Him, if we send the message that Jesus 'may be' the Savior of the world? You either believe or you do not; there is no middle ground.
Psalm 33:12 also says, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord."
Clearly, the Lord will punish the nations who disobey Him or follow other gods. This truth should not make believers fear. Rather, it must prompt us to take a stand for what is right. We have serious responsibilities as both citizens and Christians. Pray that the people will elect leaders who follow His statutes. And then explore your sphere of influence; what can you do to impact people in your daily lives and exemplify Christ in our country?
-Rev Charles Stanley, editor of InTouch devotions
And before you ask, 'But wait...you write books that don't necessarily agree with your biblical principal..." and call me a hypocrite, you're right. I don't write Christian romances. But I do try to write stories that provide entertainment, and as we all know, I'm not perfect. My characters do not necessarily reflect my beliefs. My creativity has taken me out of my comfort zone at times, and I've tried to project a tolerant voice in those books.
Just because I write it doesn't mean I practice it.
And even more important: Let's not destroy what our forefathers worked so hard to attain? Freedom.
More on this later; I'm stepping down now. Happy birthday America and God Bless the USA!
In other news
I got inspired this morning. I wrote six pages on that latest idea of mine, and I rather like where it's going.
My mom also told me that my childhood 4th of July concert no longer exists! We used to look forward to the Symphony concert, always concluding with the 1812 Overture, complete with cannon fire. A great way to stir up patriotism! So is 'Stars and Stripes Forever'...in fact, I can even remember some of the flag choreography I performed in high school at the parade. I also remeber the dance moves to 'Get Away' and 'Tuxedo Junction', but that's another blog topic! I've been told that Connor Prairie may have my beloved 1812 Overture and cannons; I may just have to drag everyone up there one year!
It looks as if the rain will be moving out before fireworks time. Sorry Barb; I think it's headed your way! Or maybe it's heading south?
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Successful Operation
No, not on me. On Forbidden Love, #3 in the Arbor University series! Here's a quick blurb:
Keri Patterson meets an older man, and is instantly transported into her first adult relationship. But is Kyle Sampson really telling her the truth about his ex-wife? Is Keri's ambition to someday be a part of an Indianapolis 500 racing crew interfering with her love life?
In the first book in the series, Keri's general outlook on her ambition is clear: She's in college to get certified, be ranked first in her class of all-males, and to work for a racing team, eventually working her way up to becoming the first female Chief Mechanic. Halfway through the book, she meets Kyle.
In the second book, Love Finds a Way, Keri's dating Kyle, and Stephanie fills Amy in on some of the details of the relationship, again, about halfway through the book.
But when I started writing Keri's story, I was also writing Amy's story; Elicia's story was fifteen years from being written; I went back to the beginning and began the set-up. They meet, are attracted to each other...and then I put it down and didn't touch it for six or seven years. When I did pick it up again, I continued on, making the occassional changes, as I had most of Gretchen's story finished. So yes, I wrote Amy first, then Gretchen, Keri, Caitlyn, and finally, Elicia, Stephanie, Susan, and now I'm trying to write Lynne's story. But she's not cooperating at the moment.
I sent Keri off on her merry way, and was first rejected because it does not have the romance gotta-have HEA ending. So I sent it elsewhere, who also rejected it, but who also very nicely pointed out the fact that my first couple of chapters TELL the story; they don't SHOW the action.
Right after I received that email, my PC crashed.
No, it's not that sensitive to my rejection letters, lol! The virus just happened to coincide with it.
But it's been restored; I successfully re-installed Word on it, and yesterday popped the disk into the PC, made a copy of the document, and started ruthlessly cutting.
I ended up cutting the first 5 or 6 chapters and adding in some details to the beginning, as well as other pertinent information so that the readers aren't scratching their heads and asking, 'And who is this person?"
The result? I'm happy with it. Yes, it was painfull to cut several of my favorite scenes, but they still exist in the original document. They are not gone forever, and maybe I can re-work them into a later book?
Now I just hope an editor appreciates my efforts and offers to publish it!
Happy Birthday Sara:)
Jackie called. My birthday girl is eating fresh strawberries and Splenda for her breakfast. They will arrive around 1:00 and we'll all go to lunch at Zander's. Later, S has said she wants Applebees for dinner, and we'll pick up her Pirates of the Carribbean cake and take pictures of her blowing out the candles. And in the grand tradition of holiday birthdays, the celebration will continue tomorrow night with the fireworks, and whenever her grandparents arrive, there will be more presents!
Busy Day!
I also typed the pages I had written Monday (three handwritten translated to 1.5 typed!) and kept going. I'd intended to only work for 2 hours; I actually put in 3.5! I literally had to force myself to stop; otherwise my toddler was only going to get junk food for dinner. And it's a good thing I stopped when I did; I fixed tortellini and garlic bread and he devoured his supper! Afterwards, I gave him a long hot shower, read him two books, and he passed out.
Don't know if I'll work some more on it today and this weekend; it depends on whatever we decide to do. Today's going to be busy cleaning up the house before the rest of the family arrives, and if we go to the family reunion on Sunday. D is fixing my van on Saturday, and my parents are arriving sometime in the next four days to see their grandchildren and to spoil the birthday girl (see yesterday's post!).
I'm also planning on taking my memory card to Walmart and downloading the pictures of Holiday World, the race, and this weekend, so maybe I'll post some for you to see.
Enjoy your day; we're expecting rain again. AJ, I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll try to send it your way:)
Keri Patterson meets an older man, and is instantly transported into her first adult relationship. But is Kyle Sampson really telling her the truth about his ex-wife? Is Keri's ambition to someday be a part of an Indianapolis 500 racing crew interfering with her love life?
In the first book in the series, Keri's general outlook on her ambition is clear: She's in college to get certified, be ranked first in her class of all-males, and to work for a racing team, eventually working her way up to becoming the first female Chief Mechanic. Halfway through the book, she meets Kyle.
In the second book, Love Finds a Way, Keri's dating Kyle, and Stephanie fills Amy in on some of the details of the relationship, again, about halfway through the book.
But when I started writing Keri's story, I was also writing Amy's story; Elicia's story was fifteen years from being written; I went back to the beginning and began the set-up. They meet, are attracted to each other...and then I put it down and didn't touch it for six or seven years. When I did pick it up again, I continued on, making the occassional changes, as I had most of Gretchen's story finished. So yes, I wrote Amy first, then Gretchen, Keri, Caitlyn, and finally, Elicia, Stephanie, Susan, and now I'm trying to write Lynne's story. But she's not cooperating at the moment.
I sent Keri off on her merry way, and was first rejected because it does not have the romance gotta-have HEA ending. So I sent it elsewhere, who also rejected it, but who also very nicely pointed out the fact that my first couple of chapters TELL the story; they don't SHOW the action.
Right after I received that email, my PC crashed.
No, it's not that sensitive to my rejection letters, lol! The virus just happened to coincide with it.
But it's been restored; I successfully re-installed Word on it, and yesterday popped the disk into the PC, made a copy of the document, and started ruthlessly cutting.
I ended up cutting the first 5 or 6 chapters and adding in some details to the beginning, as well as other pertinent information so that the readers aren't scratching their heads and asking, 'And who is this person?"
The result? I'm happy with it. Yes, it was painfull to cut several of my favorite scenes, but they still exist in the original document. They are not gone forever, and maybe I can re-work them into a later book?
Now I just hope an editor appreciates my efforts and offers to publish it!
Happy Birthday Sara:)
Jackie called. My birthday girl is eating fresh strawberries and Splenda for her breakfast. They will arrive around 1:00 and we'll all go to lunch at Zander's. Later, S has said she wants Applebees for dinner, and we'll pick up her Pirates of the Carribbean cake and take pictures of her blowing out the candles. And in the grand tradition of holiday birthdays, the celebration will continue tomorrow night with the fireworks, and whenever her grandparents arrive, there will be more presents!
Busy Day!
I also typed the pages I had written Monday (three handwritten translated to 1.5 typed!) and kept going. I'd intended to only work for 2 hours; I actually put in 3.5! I literally had to force myself to stop; otherwise my toddler was only going to get junk food for dinner. And it's a good thing I stopped when I did; I fixed tortellini and garlic bread and he devoured his supper! Afterwards, I gave him a long hot shower, read him two books, and he passed out.
Don't know if I'll work some more on it today and this weekend; it depends on whatever we decide to do. Today's going to be busy cleaning up the house before the rest of the family arrives, and if we go to the family reunion on Sunday. D is fixing my van on Saturday, and my parents are arriving sometime in the next four days to see their grandchildren and to spoil the birthday girl (see yesterday's post!).
I'm also planning on taking my memory card to Walmart and downloading the pictures of Holiday World, the race, and this weekend, so maybe I'll post some for you to see.
Enjoy your day; we're expecting rain again. AJ, I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll try to send it your way:)
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Generation Gap?
Currently Reading: Downloaded Carol Lynne's Coach for free yesterday off the TEB website (thank you Ashley for reminding me!!!) and loved it! If you missed the free day, go buy it anyway. So far, I think it's my favorite of the ones I've read by her!
My daughter's 14th birthday is tomorrow. What does she want, other than a ferret (not happening!) or a home back up in the old neighborhood (be patient...it will happen one day!)?
A laptop.
And her grandparents and loving aunt and uncle are pitching in to get her one.
Part of me says 'Not fair...I want one first!"
But on the other side, if she gets her own, then she won't be bugging me so much when I'm working or networking???
I remember when I turned 14.
My hair was down past my shoulders, and I received my first makeup kit; a curling brush...the kind you plugged in, let it heat up, and then wrapped the hair around it for curls? I don't know if the curling IRON had arrived yet; all I know is my cousin and I were thrilled, until we tried it out before reading the instructions carefully.
There's a wonderful picture of my sister holding the contraption, with my hair tangled around the bristles. I'm looking rather anxious, and my cousin is frantically flipping through the manual! I think we eventually had to cut my hair loose, and I had to change my hairstyle for several weeks.
I also recieved another electric blanket, records (don't ask by whom...I can't remember everything!), and the first two Trixie Belden books.
But my daughter is a new breed. She's not interested in boys yet; has no desire to wear perfume; loves the outdoors; likes to read occasionally; loves taking care of animals; and has a wonderful aptitude for drawing.
I hope she likes what her dad and I got her, but I know the laptop will be the main attraction for weeks to come.
And yes, the parental controls will still be intact!
And Mom, if you're reading this, can I please have an AlphaSmart for my birthday?
Does anyone else remember their 14th birthday? What did you receive?
Remember my interviews with my guys and gals last fall? Check out Ginger Simpson's blog http://www.mizging.blogspot.com/ and read her version! It's hilarious:)
My daughter's 14th birthday is tomorrow. What does she want, other than a ferret (not happening!) or a home back up in the old neighborhood (be patient...it will happen one day!)?
A laptop.
And her grandparents and loving aunt and uncle are pitching in to get her one.
Part of me says 'Not fair...I want one first!"
But on the other side, if she gets her own, then she won't be bugging me so much when I'm working or networking???
I remember when I turned 14.
My hair was down past my shoulders, and I received my first makeup kit; a curling brush...the kind you plugged in, let it heat up, and then wrapped the hair around it for curls? I don't know if the curling IRON had arrived yet; all I know is my cousin and I were thrilled, until we tried it out before reading the instructions carefully.
There's a wonderful picture of my sister holding the contraption, with my hair tangled around the bristles. I'm looking rather anxious, and my cousin is frantically flipping through the manual! I think we eventually had to cut my hair loose, and I had to change my hairstyle for several weeks.
I also recieved another electric blanket, records (don't ask by whom...I can't remember everything!), and the first two Trixie Belden books.
But my daughter is a new breed. She's not interested in boys yet; has no desire to wear perfume; loves the outdoors; likes to read occasionally; loves taking care of animals; and has a wonderful aptitude for drawing.
I hope she likes what her dad and I got her, but I know the laptop will be the main attraction for weeks to come.
And yes, the parental controls will still be intact!
And Mom, if you're reading this, can I please have an AlphaSmart for my birthday?
Does anyone else remember their 14th birthday? What did you receive?
Remember my interviews with my guys and gals last fall? Check out Ginger Simpson's blog http://www.mizging.blogspot.com/ and read her version! It's hilarious:)
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Tuesday Happenings
Currently Reading: Finished Demon Wind last night, and boy is it good! I had a private laugh, because one of the minor characters has the same name as one of the characters I invented last August! Fortunately, they bear no resemblance to each other:)
Print: I'm down to the last six books in the box! Read The Marcaboth Women, by Vina Delmar, and thoroughly enjoyed getting inside the four women's heads; I'm getting ready to start The Torch Bearers, by Bernard V. Dryer.
Found something interesting in one of the books I pulled out yesterday: An old letter to my then-soon-to-be-sophomore-in-high-school husband from his Audio-Visual instructor.
Talk about how technology has changed!
The letter is dated August 20, 1969, and talks about how the students will be 'mastering' the following A/V equipment:
-16mm projectors
-Record Players
-Filmstrip Projectors
-Tape Records (esp. RCA)
-Videotape Records, focusing on recordings and playback functions
-Thermofax copying
Are any of these still in use today?
I remember always wanting to be the one chosen to advance the filmstrip, and when I worked in the A/V part of the library, it was the thrill of knowing how to set up the projectors and the freedom of roaming the hallways to push the equipment to and from the classrooms. But when I got to high school, VCR's were used, or the TV/Radio dept would set up the movies.
I've never even heard of Thermofax copying!
Quiet Author Time
Attended my 2nd Writer's Guild meeting, and began a new wip. Yeah, yeah...I haven't even stepped out of chapter 1 of the new one! So why the hell am I starting something new? Because I Can! And so now I'm writing 3 new books at the same time, plus getting ready to perform major surgery on my 3rd finished book. Now I just need to get rid of all my kids for a week...or the summer...any takers? Oh wait...some of them disappear for a day or two, and I actually do manage to get some work finished...
Crash!
My body shut down last night at 10pm. I'd been awake since 3:30am, but felt as if I hadn't really slept at all. I woke up and tackled my kitchen, which the teens decided they would 'forget' about last night, and oh, I never actually said, 'Don't forget to do the dishes'...the only thing I did say was 'please bathe your little brother'. Mission accomplished. Darn kids...can't they read my mind for once? Or is that asking too much? How often does Mommy fall asleep on her feet, anyway? Don't answer that.
Jackie's coming to pick up the teens, so they can finish helping her landscape the yard. K has already gotten several admiring glances on his retaining wall, and Jackie said the traffic has picked up in front of their house. Apparently the wall is the new tourist attraction in town! I asked K if he'd had any offers by people wanting to hire him, but he said no. And then Jackie said the admirers were probably afraid of how much he would charge them!
What's everyone else up to on this first day of July? The authors at the Oh Get a Grip blog are talking about inaccuracies in the media. Yesterday Anny was talking about the mistakes in books; today Kelly's discussing the ones in movies. I personally haven't noticed any in movies, until they are pointed out. But I have spotted typos and names being changed in series' books, but blame them on the editors, not the writers! Of course, I admit I'm not perfect, and if you spot a glaring problem in one of my books, please drop me a polite line and bring it to my attention? The Space Shuttle mistake...not my fault. Other issues, such as the fact that Fort Ben in Indianapolis is an ARMY base, not Air Force...I'm already working on how to explain creative license when that book gets pubbed.
Print: I'm down to the last six books in the box! Read The Marcaboth Women, by Vina Delmar, and thoroughly enjoyed getting inside the four women's heads; I'm getting ready to start The Torch Bearers, by Bernard V. Dryer.
Found something interesting in one of the books I pulled out yesterday: An old letter to my then-soon-to-be-sophomore-in-high-school husband from his Audio-Visual instructor.
Talk about how technology has changed!
The letter is dated August 20, 1969, and talks about how the students will be 'mastering' the following A/V equipment:
-16mm projectors
-Record Players
-Filmstrip Projectors
-Tape Records (esp. RCA)
-Videotape Records, focusing on recordings and playback functions
-Thermofax copying
Are any of these still in use today?
I remember always wanting to be the one chosen to advance the filmstrip, and when I worked in the A/V part of the library, it was the thrill of knowing how to set up the projectors and the freedom of roaming the hallways to push the equipment to and from the classrooms. But when I got to high school, VCR's were used, or the TV/Radio dept would set up the movies.
I've never even heard of Thermofax copying!
Quiet Author Time
Attended my 2nd Writer's Guild meeting, and began a new wip. Yeah, yeah...I haven't even stepped out of chapter 1 of the new one! So why the hell am I starting something new? Because I Can! And so now I'm writing 3 new books at the same time, plus getting ready to perform major surgery on my 3rd finished book. Now I just need to get rid of all my kids for a week...or the summer...any takers? Oh wait...some of them disappear for a day or two, and I actually do manage to get some work finished...
Crash!
My body shut down last night at 10pm. I'd been awake since 3:30am, but felt as if I hadn't really slept at all. I woke up and tackled my kitchen, which the teens decided they would 'forget' about last night, and oh, I never actually said, 'Don't forget to do the dishes'...the only thing I did say was 'please bathe your little brother'. Mission accomplished. Darn kids...can't they read my mind for once? Or is that asking too much? How often does Mommy fall asleep on her feet, anyway? Don't answer that.
Jackie's coming to pick up the teens, so they can finish helping her landscape the yard. K has already gotten several admiring glances on his retaining wall, and Jackie said the traffic has picked up in front of their house. Apparently the wall is the new tourist attraction in town! I asked K if he'd had any offers by people wanting to hire him, but he said no. And then Jackie said the admirers were probably afraid of how much he would charge them!
What's everyone else up to on this first day of July? The authors at the Oh Get a Grip blog are talking about inaccuracies in the media. Yesterday Anny was talking about the mistakes in books; today Kelly's discussing the ones in movies. I personally haven't noticed any in movies, until they are pointed out. But I have spotted typos and names being changed in series' books, but blame them on the editors, not the writers! Of course, I admit I'm not perfect, and if you spot a glaring problem in one of my books, please drop me a polite line and bring it to my attention? The Space Shuttle mistake...not my fault. Other issues, such as the fact that Fort Ben in Indianapolis is an ARMY base, not Air Force...I'm already working on how to explain creative license when that book gets pubbed.
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