Tuesday, May 30, 2006
miss me?
I'm back. I don't wanna be...but I am.
The lake was fantastic. Pictures will follow soon--after I delete the forbidden pics. (No! not naughty pics) The naughty pics stay--it's the pictures of me in a bathing suit that magically appeared in the digital camera. How did that happen? The family knows those pics are strictly foridden!
I returned today to a HOT house. HOT HOT HOT. Now, I had turned my air up so that it wouldn't run all day, but the house shouldn't have been so hot. I turned the air down to see what would happen. At 4:45 my son called me and said that it was 89 degrees in the house.
89 degrees and not a lake or a pontoon boat in sight. sigh.
So, I call my pal Bobby and Oxford Heating and Air. Bobby has rushed to my rescue before and I was hoping he could do the same for me tonight. I know, it's expecting a lot to ask a man to rush to your rescue moments before quittin' time...but I asked anyway.
At 5:05 pm, it was 91 degrees in my house. Bobby rang my doorbell and I wanted to hug him.
He found the problem, fixed it, and was out the door by 5:45.
It is now a lovely 72.
All hail Bobby.
posted by Mel Francis @ 9:34 PM |
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Thursday, May 25, 2006
LOST
Well, maybe one or two were, but in reality, more questions developed after last night's show than were answered. And now we have to wait.
My heart raced most of the time last night. I loved the finale, even though I do feel like I was misled with the promo of aswering all the questions. Maybe I'm dense (some have thought that of me, shocking, I know) but I missed the epiphany.
So, have the Others recruited Jack, Kate, and Sawyer to join their army? When Walt and Michael are "rescued" does that mean they die?
Are Mr. Eko, John, and Desmond (sigh--another sexy islander) still alive?
I have to say though, last night's finale left me wondering if my first theory about the island was right...that the Bermuda Triangle is a science experiment gone bad.
What are your thoughts?
I'll be quiet while I'm at the lake, so you guys talk amongst yourself...I'll be back by Tuesday!
posted by Mel Francis @ 7:40 AM |
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Tuesday, May 23, 2006
sunshine and summertime!
We're leaving on Thursday for Mountain Harbor on Lake Ouachita. The next five days will go something like this.
Get out of bed. Eat bacon, biscuits and gravy, eggs and coffee.
Pack food for lunch.
Pack Ice Chest. (make sure there are some beverages suitable for kids.)
Go to lake and sit on Pontoon boat for 6 hours.
Eat cheese dip, guacamole, and salsa for 6 hours.
Go back to house.
Eat dinner.
Write for a couple of hours.
Play card games til Midnight.
Go to bed.
Next verse same as the first....
I can't wait.
I'll post pics when I get back.
posted by Mel Francis @ 5:03 PM |
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Monday, May 22, 2006
Blog Hijack
Check it out!
posted by Mel Francis @ 1:47 PM |
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Friday, May 19, 2006
3 different posts in one day! It's a record!
As you all have probably figured out, my children are special. (that's southern for troublemakers) They are good kids at heart, but they are also boys. And those of you who have boys can feel my pain.
But this post is more about the school system than it is about my kids. Apparently, the youngest got written up on the bus for throwing rocks out of his shoe. This doesn't surprise me, as the youngest's life consists of waking, eating, peeing, pooping, farting, throwing things, eating some more and going back to sleep. That is how he spends every 24 hours in every day. So, because he was throwing rocks on the bus, he got suspended.
Fine. I really don't have a problem with the suspension. When you're a punk-ass and you get caught, you get the punk-ass punishment. I did tell the Asst. Principal that I hadn't seen the other write ups (apparently this was #3 or #4) and that I would like to see those copies to verify his suspension.
Youngest rides the bus home yesterday and both he and his brother tell me that the driver said he wasn't suspended because he had been suspended on his 3rd write up (news to me) and that he wouldn't get suspsended again until his 5th write up.
Okay. Fine. I tell youngest that if he gets on the bus in the morning and the driver says, "But you're suspended!" that he should promptly get off the bus and come back inside.
He got to school just fine.
GREAT! I think. He's not suspended! (I mean, why would the driver let him on the bus if he was really suspended, right?)
Um. Wrong.
I get a call from the ASSt. Principal again. I'm chastised and treated like a 12 year old. "Mrs. Francis. I noted in our call yesterday that I told you that your son was suspended from the bus. Do you not remember that?"
Um. Yeah. I can remember as far back as yesterday.
"Mrs. ASSt. Principal, I do remember that. (I go on to explain what the boys had told me) Plus, if he were suspended, why did she let him on the bus??? I don't understand."
"That's not the point."
"It's my point."
The rest of the conversation is just as hard-headed and irritating. I know what a handful my kid is and I have no issue with him being suspended for his behavior. I do have issue with the incompetence of the school and honestly, am I the only one confused as to how a "suspended" child was allowed on the bus?????
Happy weekend everyone!
posted by Mel Francis @ 3:02 PM |
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any old school trekkies out there?
I'm thinking this pin-up of young Spock would convert anyone to the ways of Star Trek... Yowza!
posted by Mel Francis @ 9:35 AM |
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check it out!
posted by Mel Francis @ 9:05 AM |
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Thursday, May 18, 2006
somebody has to be the pickle in this friendship...
I was talking with my other CP, Louisa, yesterday. (I would love to link you to her blog, but--achem--she doesn't have one. YET. I'm considering setting one up for her...) Anyway, Louisa and I were chatting about personality types and I made a comment that people either really like me or really don't because I have such a strong personality.
She didn't agree with that. She thinks I'm a very well liked person...of course, she doesn't blog so what does she know...
Anyway, our conversation led us down the path of how we fit into friendships...I decided I'm the best kinda friend to have, because if we all were in a plane crash, I don't panic easily and there's plenty of meat on my bones to feed a small country. Plus, my liver is probably pretty close to a pickle after my recent hot tub and wine incident (to be shared at some later date)...so I'm the perfect condiment in a friendship.
She chose to be ketchup. She really likes ketchup. If she had a blog, she'd probably tell you about it.
Condiments are important in food and relationships. They add a different flavor, a different spice and they complement the exisisting dish.
What condiment do you want to be?
posted by Mel Francis @ 11:08 AM |
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Wednesday, May 17, 2006
creating realistic characters
I wonder at what point in our lives do we lose that ability to forgive and forget? High school? College? After marriage? Is it an age thing? Once we can vote we can no longer trust? (Heh. There's probably a lot of truth in that question.)
But, isn't it a shame that we can't let go like we used to?
I dunno. The reality is, if we did readily forgive and forget nowadays, we'd all be doormats.
As a writer, my goal is to create realistic characters. The problem is, how realistic does the reader really want? If I write a Happily Ever After story, then the characters have to show growth and overcome their conflicts. So, if a character is betrayed by a friend or a lover in a story and that betrayal is eating the Main Character up inside, technically the story can't end until that character confronts the issue and everyone kisses and makes up.
But is that really realistic?
How do you balance the real world with the fiction world but still create 3D/believable characters?
posted by Mel Francis @ 9:13 AM |
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Friday, May 12, 2006
Blahgdom
I haven't felt like posting and I haven't been doing my usual jaunt through blogville either. It's been almost two weeks since I've visited some of my favorite blogs.
Where did this funk come from? Has anyone else fallen into a blahgdom?
I guess I should catch you guys up on what's been going on....
My oldest son is having trouble in school again. We thought we'd had that fixed but apparently not.
My youngest son has been his usual self. His grades are fantastic, but he is bored to death with school. He also does not like the substitute teacher and since his regular teacher has been out a lot due to family problems, my son has had his fill with the sub. He told her the other day that he was "sick of her telling him what to do." He spent that afternoon with the principal and the rest of the day doing slave labor for me. Disrespect is not tolerated, no matter how bored you are.
I'm still doing the eating right and exercise thing, but the weight doesn't want to come off. I'm getting stronger and my shape is changing, but I only lost 1 lb last month. That's frustrating as hell.
My husband looks great. I am very proud of him. And jealous, too.
The writing is going slowly. I've added a prologue and I've switched POVs for the opening scene and I think it's much stronger. I just have to finish these revisions and get the new MS to Deidre soon.
That's about it. More to come this weekend, I hope.
posted by Mel Francis @ 11:10 AM |
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Wednesday, May 10, 2006
I'm done.
That said...
I'm done with American Idol.
Of the final 4, Chris Daughtry was the best, most consistent performer. I have nothing against the other 3...I actually like them all for different reasons. BUT, none of them are of the same caliber as Chris. Period.
So, now that it is official AI is a popularity contest based on personality and has nothing to do with popularity due to perfomance, I'm done.
Am I pouting? Yeah. I am. But I don't care. Only old and boring people don't like Chris. And those are the exact same people who voted for Clay Aiken back in the day. And he was the wrong person for AI, just like Elliot is. Elliot is a great singer--so was Clay--but they aren't the next big "Pop Star". I think Old People should not be allowed to vote. (btw: being "Old" has nothing to do with age. I know people younger than me who are old bitties.)
Anyway. I'm done.
End rant.
posted by Mel Francis @ 8:42 PM |
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Sunday, May 07, 2006
David Blaine "Drowned Alive!"
Seriously, does anyone give a rat's ass?Isn't this about the dumbest stunt ever?
Why would ANYONE do this?
Oh. Wait. Money.
I forgot.
Fine...he's an idiot who decides to become the Little Merman for a week and then plans to be shackled underwater while attempting to hold his breath for 9 mins. Oh, and he has to escape the shackles.
Sigh.
So, why would anyone watch this?????
posted by Mel Francis @ 10:15 PM |
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Friday, May 05, 2006
For Lucy
Until then, please enjoy a little more Josh Duhamel.
Sigh.
posted by Mel Francis @ 1:53 PM |
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Thursday, May 04, 2006
And then there were four...
Bwahahahahahahahahaha!I don't care how fun his crazy ass was to watch...seeing the look on his face when he got booted tonight was worth any amount of entertainment he might've provided in future shows.
Do you hear me laughing?
Bwahahahhahahahahaa!
See, here's the thing: That tribe sealed their fate tonight. They don't have the votes. The remaining members of the tribe have screwed everyone on the jury.
I don't believe anyone can beat Terry now...unless Terry just grows stupid and gives his idol away to the highest bidder.
Aras proved himself to be a momma's boy tonight. What a stupid crock. "Wah. My momma is just as important to me as your wife is to you. Wah! She's my rock! Wah! How dare you say that isn't important."
Get real, Momma's boy.
You realize Aras is the reverse of Sara? Yeah...he proved it tonight. Wah!!!!! I have more estrogen than testosterone. Wah!
Poor Shane. I'm sorry he was blindsided. (no I'm not. That's what Survivor is about) but honestly, the old Kasaya team needs to realize they aren't a TEAM anymore and get the fuck over it. Grow a pair. It's Survivor. You got played.
Hahahahaha.
And I'm glad. That was a fun show.
posted by Mel Francis @ 10:42 PM |
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Wednesday, May 03, 2006
I got nuttin'
Nuttin'.
I would post something fantastic or funny--but I got nuttin'.
So, here's my place holder until I can think of something to say.
posted by Mel Francis @ 3:37 PM |
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Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Lucky Break
TSgt Will McCrae's job is to turn a flighty, overdressed, neo-hippy into an Aircraft Maintenance instructor. Despite his misgivings, when duty calls, he answers, strictly by the regs. But how exactly are the regulations going to help him, when she walks through his classroom door—and into his heart?
Go buy this book today. My friend Jan will appreciate it!
posted by Mel Francis @ 3:22 PM |
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