Idol Season begins

Watched American Idol in its entirety last night. Those of you who've been around awhile here on this blog know the obsession that Idol season usually brings. This year, though, I've been rather 'meh' about the whole thing. And I realized why: I miss Paula.

I know, I know, she was sometimes hard to figure. She could be wishy washy, and vague, and speak in purple prose (haha...like me). Nothing against Ellen. She's also someone who takes a more pollyannish view of the contestants, something they need after being pummeled by Simon and the others. But Paula's work in the music biz gave her an edge in the credibility department.

So on to the show... Last night, the Top 12 women sang and it was ... just okay. If I had to wager ~ haha, don't be accusing me of promoting gambling now ~ I'd say that Lacey and Michelle will go home. Third guess is Ashley. I liked them all, but two have to leave, so those are my guesses.

Mi favorita of the night was Katelyn Epperly in her 80s hair singing Oh Darlin.

What did you think?

Doesn't he look angelic?

Found this picture of Charlie the Dog on my iPhone. My daughter likes to dress him up occasionally, and he always complies. You'd think he had the sweetest disposition ever, you know, to put up with all that fussing. But you'd be wrong. We adopted Charlie over a year ago and he still doesn't like many people, but for some reason, he puts up with all of us. Go figure.

He was actually my model for Moondoggy in A Shore Thing (see sidebar). Moondoggy is irresistible too, but friendlier to strangers. Although maybe he'd rethink that if his family kept putting funny hats on him.

Ah, well! Have a beachy day, my friends ~ wherever you are :-)

Julia and Julie II

Sorry for the delay in posts. Been writing on deadline while juggling too many other hats, and it's taking longer than originally expected. Can you relate?

As I've said before, I'm working on a book set in and around the famed Hearst Castle, designed by architect Julia Morgan. Morgan was the first female to graduate from UC Berkely with a degree in Civil Engineering, and later, the first woman to receive a certificate in architecture from Ecole Nationale et Speciale des Beaux-Arts in Paris.

On a recent tour of the sprawling castle, we were shown this lean-to off one outer wall. This was Julia Morgan's office. She spent nearly 30 years working on that hill with some of the most expensive pieces of art from all over Europe, creating a lavish castle that hosted A-list celebrity guests ~ and she worked in a tiny, nearly windowless office. Phew, that woman got a lot done!

With the hot breath of this deadline scorching my neck, I'm looking for a non-distracting place to get my work done. So, I'm wondering...do you think they rent that thing out?

Heart thoughts

People often ask how long it takes to write a book, and don't hate me, but I usually pull a number out of the air. That's because in addition to the writing, there's also the research, and the plotting, and the editing, etc. I'm too unorganized to account for all that time, hence the reason I can't come up with a hard number on that.

So I'm in the thick of writing Otter Bay Novel #3. Love the story, but I'm oh-so-tired of sitting on my derriere. And frankly, I'm just plain, oh-so-tired.

Thankfully, my hubby makes me a latte every morning (yes!) Here's the one he made the other day, complete with his first attempt at creating a heart on top. I set it next to a book about the sea that sits on my nightstand, patiently waiting for me to crack open its pages and give it a look. I figure as soon as I'm done writing this book, then I'll have the time.

Just don't ask me how long that'll be... ;)

Maddy Curtis sings

Sadly, or maybe not so sadly (according to the fam), Maddy Curtis didn't make it through Hollywood Week on American Idol. Her mama's been a longtime friend, and a writer who many of you may know. Read Barbara's post on her Mommylife blog.

Have a beachy one, my friends ~ wherever you are!

After hubby's conference on Friday (and my marathon writing session in the hotel room), we were planning to head home for our daughter's soccer tourney. Because of rains, though, the tourney was canceled (Ok, all you in the east...go ahead and get your laughs out. We'll wait.)

So anyway, since we were no longer pressed for time, we stopped in Cambria on the way home. Cambria is the inspiration for my Otter Bay Novels, by the way. While there, I finally took Tour #2 at the famed Hearst Castle. You may remember this post when my girls and I got stuck in a 'gulley washer' up there on the central coast. We had tickets for the tour then, but due to dangerous winds, the castle had to be closed.

So glad the rain didn't close up The Ranch (as it's sometimes called) this time. Loved the tour! On the way up we spotted barbary sheep and black-tailed deer. Took gobs of notes for my work-in-progress, due out next year. You're gonna love it!

Hubby took this pic of me at the castle gift shop. It could be anywhere USA, but he thought it most appropriate to take my picture next to a glass dolphin. Lol...I agree :)

Pass me a hanky

I'm holed up in a hotel room far north of home today, writing as fast as I can. My hubby's attending an all day seminar, so I jumped at the chance to get some undistracted writing time. Of course, since I've been here I've been in touch with two out of three kids several times, played on the Internet, and eaten butter cookies for breakfast (a courtesy of the hotel). Lord, please help me write that killer scene today!

No view of the beach from here, but the mountains are pretty and I've got a late checkout (woo-hoo!). So here I go (again). Off to write a scene that's sure to break my heart...any wonder why I keep avoiding it?

On another note, Dear John comes out today. It's based on Nicholas Sparks' novel, which teen daughter and I loved. It also broke my heart into a million pieces and I can't wait to see it with her when I return. I'll try to save some Kleenex for then! (If you have a chance to see it, leave me a comment!)

Have a beachy day, my friends ~ wherever you are!

Cry your eyes out

Sit back and enjoy this touching, beachy video.

still wingin' it

I do not miss all the smoochin' that former Bachelors relied on for ratings. There's nothing worse than a guy who tells a girl he's totally into her, makes out with her, then does the same thing with another girl the very next day (or next hour). Rinse, repeat.

That said, this season's a tad boring. If I wrote this kind of dialog into a novel, I'd never write again. Most overused line: "How are you?" blah, blah, blah. Maybe the other bachelors were boring too, but I was too busy being grossed out by all that tongue bathing to notice.

On the flip side, my daughters can watch with me without having to fast forward a hundred times. (I do, however, still remind them that when it comes to finding your man, "This is not how it's done." Yeah, and they love me for my reminders...)

Seriously, Jake seems like a genuinely nice guy, even with that smile that at times resembles the Joker's. He's kind-hearted and that's a good thing in a prospective husband. And I'm glad he had at least one semi-deep moment when Tenley asked him what he expected from a wife. He said "that she's always got my back" and "Respect." (On a side note, I called out to my husband, "Hey, do I always have your back?" Hubby: "Yeah, yeah, back." Me: "And do I respect you?" Hubby: "Hm? Yeah, respect. Yeah."

But my favorite moment came after Tenley asked Jake about pilots and cheating. He said, "Cheating's a choice. The woman I marry will be the last woman I look at."

Okay, now that was good.

Here birdy, birdy

A friend emailed this picture over. Apparently this little guy arrived on his deck looking sickly then took refuge on the rocks below. Due to storm run off oils that stick to their feathers, pelicans here on the west coast have been getting hypothermia. Our friend was able to catch the birdy and hold onto him until Pelican Rescue arrived. Good job!

Have a beachy Monday, my friends ~ wherever you are :-)

Me and Jon Lovitz, er, Stephen King

Anyone remember this SNL skit? If you do, you're old, like me. Haha. Anyway, Jon Lovitz plays Stephen King, furiously tapping away on a smith-corola or similar. In those days, Stephen King had so many books out he had to release some of them under a pseudonym.

I'm going from memory here (because I can't find the actual clip online), but as I recall, the interviewer asks Mr. King about his prolificness (yes, it's a word~I looked it up :) and suddenly, inexplicably, the typing stops. Panic overtakes Mr. King and he begins to bemoan his writer's block, uttering phrases like, It's over! I'll never be able to write again! My career is gone!

After a comedic pause, a thought drops into his mind, he blithely says, "nevermind", and then he's back to furiously tapping those keys.

This is so my life.

California wavin'

It's tough to tell by this pic taken with my cell, but those are some pretty nice-sized waves cresting in the distance. After a week of rain (and more rain) we had a sunny break over the weekend. Tuesday, though, the spigot'll be turned back on (and I'll get to keep wearin' cute boots :)

In other news, The Bachelor's on tonight and silly as it seems, can't wait to switch off the computer and watch something brainless, and thankfully, pretty tame. Hey, we all have our vices ... ;-)

Have a beachy day, my friends, wherever you are!

Storm watch

The first part of the video shows waves at the famed Rincon, but it's the Mussel Shoals clip that will give you a better idea of the ocean surges that have been happening up and down the coast. More thunder and rain expected today!

Wet Wednesday!

Rain continues to fall and wreak havoc out here on the coast (although you wouldn't know by the flip-flop shod feet I spotted in downtown Ventura yesterday during a clearing). Anyway, here's some video of what the weather's doing to the pier. Good times. (If you're a surfer, anyway :)

Roadtrippin'

My youngest missed out on church winter camp this past weekend because she'd already committed to an all-star soccer tourney. At the time, we didn't realize they'd choose a holiday weekend to host the tourney (grrr). To cheer her up, I decided rather last minute to take the girls on a ROADTRIP after the last game on Sunday morning.

Didn't check the weather report beforehand, though. Big storm rolled in to Cambria (the small town that serves as part of the inspiration for my Otter Bay Novels) on Sunday and stayed til, oh, right about the time we had to check out. Lol... My older daughter loves the rain, so she was happy. Wet, but happy.

So anyhoo, we ate, we shopped, we got stuck in a 'gulley washer' and sat in my car, waiting it out. Our tour of Hearst Castle got cancelled, but we found other fun things to research for my books, like the 1920-something cabin that the heroine in my 2011 release finds in the woods. My youngest spotted it while I tried to keep us from driving off a cliff. Anyway, we drove into the driveway to poke around, and hoped the neighbors wouldn't call the cops, haha.

Later we ended up at Nitwit Ridge (see pic). Built years ago by an eccentric gent, the rain soaked "Poor Man's Hearst Castle" still stands at the base of a hill in Cambria. It's made out of all kinds of local 'finds' such as beer cans, car parts and on the pretty flip side, mounds of abalone shells pried off local rocks. A sign advertised tours at 1pm, but I doubted it. "Looks like it's about to come down," I told the girls.

We ended up in SLO (San Luis Obispo) for yummy Mexican fare at Tio Alberto's, then headed home. As I sit here, the rain's whipping through my back yard and I'm determined not to get caught up watching it through my window. LOTS to write today, and even though the weather tried to derail my research, it failed 'cuz I'm raring to go,

Have a beachy day, my friends (rain or shine!) ~ wherever you are :)

spread the Word :-)

Book sale for Haiti

Happy Friday my beach-lovin' friends! It's a beautiful day here on the west coast, perfect for a lead in to a weekend of...soccer. Ha ha, you thought I was going to say beachcombing or surfing or something equally beachy. Reality is, our youngest is a soccer tiger and she's in the first of two tourneys this month. So that's where I'll be (probably with a laptop since I've got a ton of writing to do.)

Before I sign off for a few days, wanted to let you know of another way you can help Haitian children. Through this weekend, ALL proceeds from the sales of my first two books, Chocolate Beach and Truffles by the Sea at Julie's Beach Shop will be sent to Compassion International ~ Haiti. A great time to stock up on gifts for other beach-lovin' friends, while also giving to children who desperately need our compassion and generosity.

Have a blessed and beachy weekend, my friends ~ wherever you are!

Having compassion

Writing with a heavy heart today as more pictures and information about the earthquake in Haiti pour in. Although I do not have definite information on the status of our sponsored child, Nicole, and her family, I have learned that they live far north of the quake's epicenter. Grateful news to receive! Compassion International serves more than 65,000 children in Haiti and about a third live quite close to hardest hit areas. Compassion needs help, so please consider giving generously.

For Shore!

Hope this whets your appetite for A Shore Thing! Thanks to B&H Fiction for putting together this fast-moving and fun trailer for my summer release. You guys rock!

clueless

Happy New Year! On a couple of deadlines right now (edits for one book, and writing another one) so the blogging's been sparse. Sorry! My heart's been racing and I feel more overwhelmed than usual, yet I know I'm in a good place because my mind's caught up with the story I'm working on. In other words, I'm thinking/plotting all the time. Good for the novel, but not so good for life.

Here are a few lame-head things I've done in the past couple of days while my mind's been occupado:

* Drove to grocery store instead of bank.
* Made it to the bank, and withdrew cash to buy groceries, etc. Went to grocery store (again) and paid with debit card, totally forgetting I'd just picked up cash (doh).
* Ordered myself a kid's meal at Subway ... didn't have a clue until the cashier asked, "Is this for a girl or a boy?" (And yes, I'm lovin' the cute pink beach bag that came with the meal.)
* Let the chai tea boil over while I was working on a scene ~ SUCH a mess.

Ah, well. When the book I'm working on finally makes it to shelves in 2011, my weirdness will be a distant memory (right???) Anyway, I'm switching gears this evening and looking over the final edits for A Shore Thing which releases this July. That's a pic up there at the top. It's already on Amazon and other places, and I'm excited because it's my first foray into writing a second point of view: the male protag's. Woo-hoo!