New York, New York

I'm sure there will be just short of a gazillion pics floating on blogs as the RWAers get back from conference and upload or download their cameras.

I didn't visit the Big Apple this year with the writing world, but instead toured it in March -- a bit damp -- with a group of HS students. Choir HS students. Let me start by saying, 'It's never quiet when you're with 16, 17 and 18 year-old singers. That old 'burst into spontaneous song' really does happen. Anywhere. Anytime. That aside, they were quite amazing. Unbelievably careful with each other considering how little sleep was really to be gained during the whirl-wind trip. Four days, three nights and no, we didn't stop. The first day started at 4am (time to meet the bus for departure to the airport) and ended around 11pm. Many of the little darlings hadn't slept in front of the 4am bus departure. We, supervising parents, had, however been to bed to fortify ourselves for the upcoming marathon. The choir directors were nothing short of miraculous. They not only kept going, like Energizer Bunnies, but managed to herd 39 teenagers all in the same direction. I marveled at the Herculean effort and again was reminded why my stint at substitute teaching lasted only a scant two years. It's simply exhausting.

This was my first trip alone with my youngest child, who was just short of her 17th BD at the time of our excursion. It was a wonderful adventure.

Best day . . .

Definitely the day we had 5 hours to ourselves. For those familiar with the streets of NY, we started our walk-about at the Donald Trump Tower, around 54th or 55th and came down 5th Avenue, window shopped at ridiculously expensive jewelry stores, stopped in a chic clothing store or two, enjoyed the dog-walkers and their broods and nannies a-plenty with more broods, past the NY Library, onto Macy's and it's wonderful wooden escalator, past the most decadent cheesecake known to a woman's hips and finally hit 32nd. A good stretch of the legs and we found Madison Square Garden. BTY: we were in town during March Madness, and with our lovely luck there was a game that night. Spawning Salmon have nothing on my attempt to head back uptown and to Time's Square against the surge of New Yorkers and out of towners that evening. With the subway rumbling beneath the streets and the stamp of New Yorkers by the tens of thousands, my daughter and I swam in the ambience that is New York.

Go again? You bet.

For those who enjoyed the fun of New York during the writer's conference, here's hoping your time amongst the skyscrapers was every bit as poignant as mine.

Monday Meanderings . . .

Did I watch the big O?

For awhile. The glam of the gowns, the terrific yumminess of men in tux, watching to see if anyone falls -- those heels are killers, the dazzling drip of diamonds (thanks Kate Winslet for making my eyes pop out), but the speeches do get redundant for me, even understanding that the Shinning Star of the moment needs to thank all those folks who've made them famous. Bottom line: I, like most of America, don't recognize the names of the 'thanked' so the name dropping is useless. Now, if the Shinning Star were to give me a hint as to why the 'thanked' are mentioned, it might be an interesting speech.

Oh, wait, Sandra Bullock did that.

And I did love her speech.

Happy Monday to all.
Drop by the porch later. I'll have some grammar tips to add.
Until then,
~Sandra

Care about who was at the parties? Visit A-list.

Fine Living magazine cocktail quiz

On a long car trip, you're listening to:

1)Pop hits on the radio
2)'80s hair metal
3)Spanish language tapes
4)Smooth singers like Frank Sinatra
**I'm a Pop Hits sorta gal.

On Saturday night, you can be found:

1)Pushing my way to the front of the crowd at a rock show
2)Getting down in the center of the dance floor at a club
3)At the opera house watching La Boehme
4)Enjoying classic movies on a blanket in the park.
**Well, Saturday nights are not normally night this exciting for me. HOWEVER, I'd be the enjoying classic movies, WITH hubby, on a blanket in the park, if we could combat the mosquitoes and keep each other awake.

Your favorite dish is:

1)Chocolate mousse with whipped cream on top
2)A spicy bowl of chili
3)Homemade macaroni and cheese
4)Pad Thai noodles
**I cheated on this one because I've already revealed my favorite sin in white chocolate, Macadamia nut cookies, but if a gal must decide then I'll go with homemade mac and cheese.

If you could be a movie star, you would be:

1)Salma Hayek
2)Jennifer Aniston
3)James Dean
4)Fred Astaire
**Definitely, Fred Astaire. Hey, don't anyone tell my hubby that I'm channeling a man. Really I want to channel his dancing shoes. I would love to be able to move with rhythm and style.

Your dream vacation would be:

1)Visiting Cape Cod for a tour of famous lighthouses
2)Relaxing on the deck on an all-inclusive Caribbean cruise
3)Hopping on a motorcycle for a cross-country ride
4)Traveling to Japan to experience
**Okay, this one is easy. Ever seen my house? Some have and it's drenched in lighthouses. I love them, and taking a tour to visit lighthouses would be complete up my alley.

The clothing item you can't live without is:

1)A pair of yellow kitten heels
2)A leather bomber jacket
3)The perfect merino wool sweater
4)A flowing silk scarf
**Where's sweat pants on this list? All right, maybe they didn't intend writers or moms or women who want to be comfortable to take this test. Whatever . . . I'll go way with the flowing silk scarf. Goes better with my Fred Astaire impersonation. It would certainly look great in the lighthouse pictures.

What did you dress up as last Halloween?

1)A pirate
2)A cowgirl (or cowboy)
3)A belly dancer
4)A flapper (or gangster)
**This would have to be none of the above. However, I did go as a Fallen Angel (all in black and no halo) once, which would put me somewhere between belly dancer and flapper.

Your dream house is:

1)A mansion in Hollywood Hills
2)An apartment in the East Village
3)A low-slung midcentury-modern home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright
4)An adobe casa in the Southwest
**Definitely the adobe casa in the Southwest.

If you won the lottery, you would:

1)Buy a custom-designed wardrobe
2)Head up the fan club for your favorite band
3)Fill your garage with vintage cars
4)Spend a year backpacking across Europe
**Oh, let's be real. How about pay for my kids' college tuition? Or re carpet my house? This one is some far beyond my realm of reality, I just pushed a button.

Of these inventions, which do you find the most exciting?

1)Hair extensions
2)Frequent flier miles
3)Crossword puzzles
4)Guitar Hero
**There must be something twisted in this personality quiz. Of all the 21st century inventions, these are the choices? In the end, I had to go with Crossword puzzles. Too much of a word smith not to appreciate that choice.

So what's my favorite cocktail?
Vodka Gimlet

The phrase "don't change a good thing" was practically invented for you. You love the classics, like movies, cars and, of course, cocktails. Our Vodka Gimlet is made with high-quality vodka and lime juice, shaken in a cocktail shaker just like they've always been.

Well, I've never had a Vodka Gimlet, but I do like Gray Goose vodka, so I'll try this out next time.

Want to take the quiz on your own?

Head over to Fine Living for a bit of entertainment. Do share your results.

Have a lovely Saturday and drop by my back porch again.
Until then,
~Sandra

Credit Card laws . . .

Not my normal subject matter, I know, however, these changes are ones that I've been watching for a bit. Hubby did a lot in the credit restoration industry years back . . .even helped him formulate and design an 80-page self-help manual on the subject, so anytime the credit industry is being overhauled, I'm all about staying on page.

A few of the CC changes went into effect last August. Most, however, hit the percentage points today.

Feel free to stop by any of the major news sources and you'll see this matter covered for the next few days. If, however, you'd like an overview, this is what I found interesting.


Limited interest rate hikes -- meaning, the CC companies cannot jack your rates. Well, almost. CC companies can increase your interest rate if: (1) you're late on payment, (2) you have a variable rate card, (3) or it's the end of the promotional period you signed up for. GOOD NEWS -- CC companies must give 45 days notice before rate hikes on existing balances, and interest rates can only increase on new transactions after the first year.

Limited universal default -- meaning, in the past CC companies could adjust your interest rate using credit data from any # of sources. GOOD NEWS -- they cannot pull obscure credit data to raise your interest rates. Existing balances cannot be adjusted just because the phone company, the insurance company, the electric company submits damaging information against your credit file. Word of caution: with 45 days notice the CC company can raise your rates using this info. But, they have to tell you what they're going to do and give you the 45 days, which means you can shop around for another credit source and send their slab of plastic back in teeny, tiny pieces.

Limited credit to those under 21 -- well, giving CCs away like candy to those struggling with their first taste of financial freedom or to make college ends meet has never seemed like a very good idea to me. Someone in Washington final got on the same page. GOOD NEWS -- Now, those under 21, must have a co-signer or must show MEANS to make the CC payments.

MY FAVORITE!

Time to pay the bill and pay it on time -- CC companies must give 21 days to pay a bill. GOOD NEWS -- No more sending out bills where the due dates have been moved forward and expect consumers to juggle finances to get the bill paid on an earlier date. Believe me, CC companies won't ever move your due date back on the calendar. Also, CC companies cannot make payments due before 5pm on the DUE DATE. Word of caution: I couldn't find whose 5pm the law references. My guess, but do check this out, it will be based on wherever the corporate office is located for your CC company.

There are a number of other CC issues that the new bill regulates. Again, go to your favorite news source for the best, up-to-date information. However, I did find this great site for new CC fees that the CC companies are putting into effect. Many are already hidden in the small print of your new CC information. Check out: creditcards.com

This was interesting as well: 10 worst mistakes on credit cards

Sorry, if this post seems a bit droll, but hey, giving the CC sharks more money than they deserve is cause for revolution in my financial book.


On the back porch, it's been cloudy and cool, and, wow, has the wind blown. I have my rose bush under cover again -- yep, there's snow in the forecast once more. Frankly, not expecting much this time. A dusting, they claim, but it's certainly cold enough to snow.
Do drop by again.
Until then,
~Sandra

lars and the real girl

Okay, I've got to admit I thought this movie just looked silly. And I don't mean silly in a good way. Oops, bad of me because this, fellow movie fans, is a great film.

In a few weeks, loads of North Texas Romance Writers will gather for the NT Two Step, with guest speaker Michael Hague (screen-writer). Honestly, I don't know what all great stuff he's going to teach us, but I can't wait. I do know that he will be dissecting the film 'lars and the real girl' during our Sunday morning workshop. To that end, I finally broke down and watched a movie that from the snippets I'd seen appeared too 'silly' for words.

Well, it maybe seem that 120 minutes of a man who totes around a mannequin is silly, but news flash to all us disbelievers, this is a poignant story of loss and redeemation, of a town's deep and abiding love for one of its residents, and the journey from wishful reality to the-real-deal.

I cried for the last twenty minutes. Now, who's silly?

What was the last movie you watched that surprised you? Good or bad?
And do tell your take of 'lars and the real girl'

Barbequed on the back porch tonight. In the 50s and that's warm enough for me. Best part? Nary a bug in sight. Ah, I'll miss this treat in June and July. Also, I didn't have to sweat while BBQing and my wine stayed chilled. How sweet it is?
Drop by the porch again.
Until then
~Sandra

Inspiration . . . what inspires you?

Do you need to fill up the well? Jolt that creative side of your muse? What are the things that make your soul sing with joy? What inspires you? Makes you smile when the world is dark and gloomy?
For me . . .

Family!

My dad's 80th birthday party -- and my son getting a royal ribbing for being the red-haired grandson.
My dad.

Christmas is more fun in a cowboy hat.
Vacations really inspire me.

Dogs are family, too!

Friends!

Critique partners -- The Flip-Flop Sisters

Success!

The first book cover.
My daughter's college ring.
My son building his own super-sized, mega computer.

Great Scenery!

The Vitamin String Quartet.

Great Music!

What else?

White chocolate, Macadamin Nut cookies. A tall, frosty glass of . . . orange juice. (Gotcha!) My favorite restaurant (Bob's Chop & Steak House). Spring sunrises. Walks with hubby. The perfect sentence.

What inspires you? Do share.
Drop by the porch again, anytime.
Until then,
~Sandra

Xue SHEN Hongbo ZHAO Cup of China 2009 SP

Where you watching last night? Figure skating? The first pair of Xue Shen and Hongbo Zhao? Then you missed a treat.

The You Tube video is the same routine, however, as the Olympics closely guards their videos for release, this one is of the Chinese pair during the 2009 Cup of China.

If you'll watch through the end of the video, there is a Russian (I'm assuming -- as this sounds like Russian to me) commentator who reviews the routine. Don't worry about the words. Simply watch the slow motion of the couple.

For all of us who write, the expression of absolute trust on her face and complete confidence on his face is what we dream of existing between our protagonists. Watch the beginning -- the grasp of his hand around her fragile wrist -- firm, secure -- keep watching and in a few moments, he grasp again, but then with the slightest brush of her fingers, he releases. When he lifts her, spinning across the ice, she balances on his two thin blades, the palm of his hand, and his strength, yet not for one instant do we, the viewers, believe he doesn't hold her securely and safely.

I suppose this especially struck a chord with me considering it happened on Valentine's Day . . . that most outrageous of suppositions that love needs to be celebrated on ONE DAY! Watch that video again. The love between this couple is captured in every move between them, their expressions, and the absolute certainty they place in each other. Real love isn't celebrated on a SINGLE day, any ONE day, but EVERY day.

I'm really routing for this couple. I don't care about their nationality, or religion, or even that Olympic Gold is the one skating dream, which has eluded their grasp. Xue Shen and Hongbo Zhao represent to me the pinnacle of a true couple . . . they are a pair, each whole on their own, but so much stronger, so much sweeter because the existence of the other.

The back porch is visible again. Snow in Texas is like good sippin' whiskey: comes down smooth and then doesn't linger long enough to leave an after taste.

However, it was lovely while it lasted.

Until then
~Sandra