Dude, it's Friday

I'm over at the Fictionistas today. Come celebrate the weekend!

Words for the Writer

Just a few observations this Friday on what it means to be a writer...

1. It's a hard job, don't kid yourself otherwise. Not only will you wear out your brain at times, but you may also wear out your hands and your back from hours spent at the keyboard banging away.

2. Rejections happen to everyone at every stage of a career. That means from the unpubbed to the author with 25 books to their name. Don't take it personally.

3. The further in your career you get, the more people are going to want from you.

4. Reviews can kill your spirit. Fan mail can revive it.

5. No matter what book you write, no matter the subject, no matter what lists the book hits, you will not please everyone. Don't try. Worry about pleasing yourself and your editor. That's all you can control.

6. Stress happens. Figure out some coping mechanisms.

7. The good days - and there will be good days - are phenomenal.

8. Learn to take time off. You've got to recharge your creative batteries.

Icky Friday

It's raining and windy and apparently a tornado just passed by us. So, you know, fun day here. We lost power once this morning and I wouldn't be surprised if it happens again.

I've got a busy weekend ahead - our niece is coming for a visit tonight, then I've got a chapter meeting tomorrow, church on Sunday and writing to squeeze into the cracks. What's up with you this weekend?

I need a longer week

I was woken up by the sound of duct tape this morning. *sigh* I really don't want to go into it, but let's just say that duct tape can be very loud.

I can't believe it's Friday. I have SO much to do. I need a few more weekdays. Of course, if the week were 9 days long, I'd probably still need more time. What I need to do is manage the time I have better. I just suck at it.

Any time management tips for me this Friday? Not that, you know, I'm actually going to use them or anything...

Featured Film Friday

Once again, I am the last person on the planet to see this movie, but I finally watched Love Actually! I can't believe it took me so long. What a great movie. Even Hotrod ended up watching it with me for awhile. The vignettes really draw you in and I enjoyed how they showed different aspects of love, not all full of light and bunnies - some really hit you hard.

If you haven't seen this movie, and you like romantic comedies, you'll enjoy this. Don't let the fact that it's billed as a Christmas movie stop you from watching it now.

Featured Film Friday

I know I'm the last person on the face of the earth to have seen this movie, but I finally got around to watching Slumdog Millionaire. I have to say, I wasn't that interested in it, but with all the hype, I figured there had to be a reason.

Wow. Was there ever. I really loved this movie! What a great job of storytelling. If you haven't seen it, what are you waiting for? If you have seen it, what did you think?


(And because I said I'd update you on my writing progress, things are going very well! I'm on track and going strong.)

Featured Film Friday

I am a huge lover of vampire movies. There aren't many I haven't seen, so when a new one (new to me anyway) comes along, I devour it pretty quickly. Pun intended.

I recently got to see a new one called Let The Right One In. It's Swedish and yes, it has subtitles, but there's not much dialogue, so don't let that stop you. It's violent and romantic and sweet. It's Twilight without the sparkles and angsty teenagers (the MCs are 12 years old, more or less). I adored it. If you're a Netflix member, you can watch it right on your computer.

Here's the trailer. Tell me what you think! Especially if you've already seen it. And feel free to recommend any vamp movies you think I might not have seen.

Freaky Friday

Have you seen these commercials?


The fact that the landscape is played by people really freaks me out. Not sure why, it just does. What you do think? Freaky or cool?

Odds-n-Ends

It's Friday! The most universally loved day of the week, I believe. Just a few things to share:

I can't stop listening to this song. Breaking Benjamin is a new band for me and I'm really digging them. Have you heard of them before?


And last night's premiere of Fashion Show on Bravo. I didn't think it was quite as good as Project Runway, I must confess. First of all, most of the clothes they produced were hideous. And that Merlin is so gay he makes my teeth hurt. He really ticked me off with his "male domination" comment. Male? Honey, have you seen the fancy feathered hat and 6-inch heeled white go-go boots you're wearing? Um. Yeah.

Did you watch? What did you think? Have a great Friday!

Friday Matinee

The new Nic Cage movie, Knowing, comes out today, so we're planning to hit the matinee and check it out, then do another round of homemade pizza for dinner tonight.

I'll also be writing - just like I did yesterday. Don't you love it when you feel like what you're working on is really, really good? I'm loving the book I'm writing, and I'm enjoying the work. Which is not to say it's easy, but that it's worth it.

Saturday, Hotrod and the Sicilian (doesn't that sound like a '70's movie?) are headed to the races in Sebring, FL. My dad knows a guy who sponsor a car so they're going to get to be in the pits and everything. My mother and I will be celebrating this exciting opportunity by shopping.

What are your weekend plans?

Friday the 13th

It's Friday the 13th again.

Some events have been intentionally scheduled for Friday the 13th for dramatic effect:

• Comic Relief Red Nose Day 2009 is on Friday 13th March.
• Resident Evil 5 will be released in the US and UK on Friday March 13th 2009.
• Black Sabbath's eponymous debut album was released in the UK on Friday, February 13, 1970.
• The Opening ceremony of Athens Olympic Games took place on Friday, August 13, 2004.
• The 13th book in A Series of Unfortunate Events was released on Friday, October 13, 2006 by Lemony Snicket, also known as novelist Daniel Handler.
• Four of the twelve films in the Friday the 13th series, including the most recent (a remake of the second), were released on a Friday the 13th.
• Joss Whedon's new show Dollhouse aired its pilot on the same day as above (February 13, 2009).
• Every Friday the 13th thousands of bikers ride to the small town of Port Dover Ontario, Canada.

Speaking of Dollhouse, are you watching? I have been, but I can honestly say the show hasn't grabbed me the way I'd expected. What's your take on it?

Random Things To Do On A Friday Night

As I am still in Costa Rica, I will probably be eating rice and beans and waving to the howler monkeys. You, on the other hand, might need some ideas. Here are some random things to do with your Friday night.

1. Make some of those handmade Christmas gifts you keep reading about.
2. Whip up a batch of rice krispie treats. Who doesn't like those?
3. Rent a movie, then make a coordinating dinner.
4. Write someone a letter. That's such a lost art.
5. Play with your kids/cats/dogs.
6. Prank call your friends.
7. Make a popcorn and cranberry string for the birds.
8. Read that book you've been meaning to.
9. Take a looooooooong hot bath.
10. Turn on your favorite tunes and dance like no one's watching.
11. Play a board game. Seriously. These are a lot more fun than you remember.
12. Break into a friend's house and clean it.
13. Then hard boil all their eggs and put them back into the carton.
14. Invent an alibi.

What other random things can you come up with for a Friday night?

Freaky Friday

Happy Friday! Here is my gift to you:
Just stare at that for awhile. Later, when you've begun more festive Friday night activities, feel free to come back and stare it some more.

You're welcome.

TGIF

Ahhhh...Friday! I like Friday. Means Saturday is just around the corner. lol Of course, when you work from home like Hotrod and I do, weekends aren't quite the same.

Still, there's a slightly more relaxed feeling to a Saturday than any other day of the week. I'm thinking I might try to get a massage. There's been more stress than usual this month and more to come with the amount of work still before me. I'd get one today but I have to pick Hotrod up at the airport.

Do you get massages? How often? Or is there something else you do to de-stress?