Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Neigh
I have been accused of beating a dead horse before . . . so let me get my nose plugs and whip out . . . .

When did a "STOP" sign become a suggestion. People don't stop. You're lucky if, when it truly is your turn, you don't get hit by the jerk zipping through it.

School zones aren't instituted "just for fun" there is a reason why the speed limit is lower . . . and if your child is already late, what's the freaking rush!

When your lane ends, don't come zooming past me and hope I will graciously let you over . . ain't gonna happen. You WILL get my horn and the single finger salute--don't care if I know you or not.

Maybe I am a rule follower to my detriment, but the way I see it, there are reasons behind most of the ones people feel compelled to ignore. I swear people are freaking insane.

(and FYI, turn signals are built into a car to use . . . mother)

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Written at 8:07 AM by Denise McDonald.
2 comments
Sunday, October 21, 2007
The Comic Toolbox
I have not been a huge proponent of craft books (yeah, yeah I know about the grammar books, and as my CPs can attest, I don't use them much either--that's why I keep them around)--I don't have anything against them--mostly, I don't have the time to read nowadays and I have never recommended one to anyone. So color me surprised when after reading only two chapters, I wanted to tell you about this book.

Lori Wilde spoke at the 'Buds retreat earlier this month as I mentioned arleady. While there, she suggested several books, one being: The Comic Toolbox by John Vorhaus. I like to be silly, I am uber-sarcastic, and I try to write funny at times so I thought what the heck . . . .

The first two chapters of the book alone were worth every penny!

Sometimes, you may be in a slump--I know I have been with my writing--then you read something that unexpectedly gives you direction again.

Vorhaus, without going into too great a detail (BUY THE BOOK), helps you get past the doubting-self-'ems and you-suck-'ems with a few simple techniques. I realize this is not necessarily what he had in mind by offering up the exercises, but it had a profound result for me--don't take myself so seriously and finish the dern book!

I would recommend this to anyone who wants to write funny, anyone who likes to read funny (non-fiction--it is a craft book after all) and maybe just maybe for one or two who need a little direction!

He's damn funny!
Written at 8:08 AM by Denise McDonald.
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Friday, October 19, 2007
Mr. Mom had the right of it!

Okay, I saw Mr. Mom when it came out in 1983. I was only 11 but I *loved* the movie, thought it was hilarious . . . but I didn’t “get” some of it being a child and not in the PTA or workplace. Now however . . . . It rings so true for me. It should almost be the stay-at-home-mom bible!


The movie is so right on (I haven’t seen it in years, but I can remember so much about it). But I wonder why it is that it took a man to accurately portray a woman’s struggles. Now maybe we don’t all have the same strains ole Jack did—I have never used an iron on grilled cheese, but it has been done by many I am sure! But we all have moments when we have NO CLUE what to do or why we bother.


And hello . . . . the school driveway scenes . . . every damn morning there is some schmuck dropping their child off and NOT following the traffic rules. (and don’t get me started on the folks with the “mom’s taxi” who can’t freaking drive in only one lane and block the rest for EVERYone or the kids who get out of their car and don’t even look to see if someone may be coming up beside their parent who is dropping them off in the wrong damn lane . . . can you see I have a MAJOR issue with this???? Dropping off at three schools a day can get your blood pressure WAY up!) OMG!


Of course my fave character was Joan—Ann Jillian. She was the sexy coupon-ante poker playing trollip. When you envisioned motherhood, PTA and the likes, you wanted to be the wanton babe who seemed to have all the fun right? Or was that just me?


Ames says I have this Madonna/whore thing going for me (Madonna being the biblical version not the cone-breast wearing one). Maybe Mr Mom is why. I mean as I said it’s been years since I have seen it and I could probably describe it to you scene for scene all the years later. It left a HUGE impression on me.

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Written at 8:28 AM by Denise McDonald.
0 comments
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Thursday 13
I have my TT posted at my wordpress blog . . . haven't figured out how to make this thing redirect over to it (or even if I can . . .)
Written at 9:37 AM by Denise McDonald.
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Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Chica for a Day!
Hey Authors*,

How would you like to be a:


Chica for a day?


Do you have a book about to release? A great review you want to share? A crappy review you want to laugh at? Wanna give people the scoop on a great agent or editor? Or just have something you’d like to share and don’t have a group blog to post too?


You can be a Chica for a day!


Southern Fried Chicas has a Wednesday Chica slot open and we’re waiting for YOU!

E-mail us, tell us why you want to be a Chica for a day and maybe you can be Chica-licious fantabulous and have your own day!

(and hey, you never know, we could make it a regular gig!)

* please, published authors only

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Written at 5:49 AM by Denise McDonald.
1 comments
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Lookie--More me
Found me a new blog: In Denise's Head

. . . okay I didn't really "find" it. That would be weird right?
Wordpress has a multi-page blog. I have my books listed and a bio . . . SQUEE!!!

I am going to play with it for a bit--come check me out!
Written at 1:16 AM by Denise McDonald.
3 comments
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
My Ass!
Oh my aching ass . . . or hips to be more accurate. I go into the doc for Migraines--I have had them for YEARS (since I was single digits) but am uber-reluctant to doctor--for ANYthing--aside from the kiddos birth, I prefer NOT to mess with docs, hospitals and the whole shebang. Well, I go, it's time and the MIL has been putting the guilt on me for not taking care of me.

The doc (well the nurse actually) gives me two shots, a steroid shot in one hip and a meds shot in the other--owwee, if that weren't bad enough, I popped the left one pulling up my drawers dammit!

We'll see if it works or not. I have headaches 3 weeks out of the month so I don't really hold out much hope for it (though it has lessened considerably over the last half-hour), have gotten kinda used to it, but there are days when they are all but unbearable, which sucks when you have a housefull and too many activities to keep up with.

I go back in a month and he will/can alter the meds he gave me to try out.

TMI?

Well, I can't tell you the last time I even had a shot. The last that comes to mind was a flu shot in high school in 1988--surely there has been another since, but none that I recall--I told you, don't like doc's!!!!!!! So it's was note worthy.

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Written at 10:01 AM by Denise McDonald.
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Tuesday, October 02, 2007
From the mouthes of babes
Today is Mini-me's birthday. Yesterday he was running around skipping singing, "tomorrow is my birthday, tomorrow is my birthday." Then he walks up to me with a HUGE pout, "Why did you have to pick me last?"

You see, he's the youngest of four :-)

I told him, "It doesn't really work that way, hon."

He stared at me for a long time then turned and walked off. In a little huff I can hear him say, "Still wish she wouldn't have picked me last. I hate being last."

I am soooooo laughing at this!

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Written at 1:02 PM by Denise McDonald.
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