Body Image - Curves are the new skinny?

I put up this post on my personal blog yesterday about body image and thought I would share it here.

These women are only part of the reason that curves are 'In'. But I wonder what caused the transition from "stick is it" to "curves galore"?

But here are two women who command the red carpet when they walk down it - Beyonce and Shakira. Others are Jennifer Lopez, Halle Berry and Gabrielle Union. I used to include Angelina Jolie in that category but for some reason she's almost down to twig size. Now is anything wrong with being really thin? Nope. But for a good long while the media made those of us with curves feel as if we were big fat unattractive blobs who should be running to Weight Watchers to get rid of our hips.

And what really gets me is that when someone else (Hollywood? TV? Who?) decided that hips were in, suddenly folks were running to the butt surgeon to have fat pumped into everything from the lips to their backsides. I for one don't allow anyone to label me or tell me how I should look, act or feel. They can all kiss my big 'ole...well, you know ;D

My grandma used to say, "Baby, as long as you're living in the beautiful skin of yours, that booty ain't going nowhere." And the woman was right, thank the stars. Those words stuck with me while I was growing up and because of my gran-gran, I learned a long time ago to accept my hips, my lips and all the rest as perfect. Besides, I could slim down to "knock me over by the next stiff breeze" proportions and my ass would still be the biggest thing on my body! Everything on me is where it's supposed to be (even if it's beginning to head South now ;D).

Watch this video and tell me what you think. Hips don't lie and these women look FABULOUS, big booties and all! (Ignore the commercial. Damned Yahoo.)


Beyonce and Shakira Dancing Together
Click HERE if you can't see the embedded video

vBlog and Chats (xPost)

Hi all,

I just published my very first video blog on Tuesday! Yay! It's over at my website -- Click Here

But in addition, me and as many authors as can make it from the Holiday Hottie contest will all be chatting live at both the Ellora's Cave and the Samhain Cafe reader loops. In addition to closing out the Holiday Hottie contest so we can announce the grand prize winners, we'll also be doing some contests, recipe swaps, jokes and just plain ole fun.

When: December 19, 2009
Time: 6:00pm to 9:00pm EST
Where: Ellora's Cave and Samhain Cafe Yahoo groups

Now...go check out my first vBlog! And no laughing...on second thought do laugh because I'm just plain silly ;D

TJ
www.tjmichaels.com

Thursday Ouchie!

Oh my freaking god, you are not going to believe what happened to me today. I have to tell this before I get into the really cool contest that Moira Rogers is hosting.

Okay, I was on my way out of the door at 6:30 am to get to the early morning sessions as the customer event the company I work with hosts each year. Well in my house we have a baby gate at the top of the stairs to keep my kids' puppies from running around the house at night.

Yours truly stepped over that gate, down one step...and my sock slipped on the carpet. I went down like a ton of bricks and slid down the stairs, bumping my ass and my head until I got to the bottom. It was SO not fun!

My son came running from his room to help me get up (my sacrum and head were on FREAKING FIRE!) the puppies were at the top of the stairs (amazingly the baby gate stayed in place) looking at me like 'what the hell...?' and my daughter, who can't walk right now, was in the living room downstairs yelling and asking if I was alright.

So here I am at the end of the day in the most amazing pain. My sacrum is bruised and it hurts to get up or sit down. Hurts to just sit here. Ack! But overall, the day was awesome! ROFL!

Now on to the good stuff...

Author, Moira Rogers, is holding the coolest contest I've heard of in awhile. Not only because one of my books is featured in it, but because it's an awesome idea for people (like me ;D) who enjoy series. I'm always looking for a good series, ya'll. So first, the cool graphic...then the details ;D



So, what do me, Sharon Cullen, Misty Evans, Carolan Ivey, Kate Johnson, Melissa Lopez, Michelle Pillow, Moira Rogers, Renee Wildes and Linda Winfree have in common? We're all authors with Samhain Publishing, and we want to hook you on a new series! These stories range from paranormal romance to romantic suspense, and are sure to entertain you. If you'd like a chance to win one, fill out the form on Moira's website and you'll be entered in the Get Hooked On a Series drawing. Eleven lucky winners will discover a new series! Winners will be announced on October 20th.

So scoot on over to Moira's and get in on the goodies...while I go take some more Motrin! ;D

TJ

Life-type Stuff

Let's see, where to start...? The move to the Seattle area is coming up quickly. I was there running around with my realtor last weekend and saw some really nice houses. As soon as I got back, my daughter had major ankle reconstruction surgery. Poor baby. She's miserably ill from the anesthesia but her attitude is stellar. Our biggest challenge is controlling her pain. She's a high tolerance chick that can't stand to be bedridden, but with twelve weeks of 'no pressure' on her ankle, bed ridden is pretty close to what she'll be.

With lots of life stuff happening I must admit that writing is just not at the top of the pile. Luckily I have a day job and can write when I pretty much feel like it. Part of it is that my Samhain editor is moving on and I was passed to someone else. I've sold on proposal to my Samhain editors before, but my new one doesn't know me. So it's like starting all over again. But no worries. The story I was hoping to sell on proposal will just have to wait - contracted work always takes precedence.

Just got home from the pharmacy - going to try a new medicine and hopefully it won't make my girl so nauseous. If I see her puke one more time, I may just join her!

Oh, and the HOLIDAY HOTTIES contest that we ran last year is coming up again. That contest was a blast! People gots oddles and oddles of stuff and it was such a big hit it's coming to a website near you.

Of course, subscriber to TJ On A Tangent newsletter will get the details first. Then we'll put it out there for everyone else.

Gotta run and check on my kid. See ya'll later!

TJ
www.tjmichaels.comL

Sex as Taboo - Smart or No?

When I was growing up there was the old adage that 'Good girls don't...until they get married.' And while I believe that abstinence among young girls is a good thing, now that I'm older I'm not so sure that it's a natural thing. My mom's well-meant attempts to keep me pure and untouched just made me more curious about sex. In the end, I was one of those women who felt guilty about enjoying sex with my husband because I'd always been taught that it was such a bad thing...

What wasn't explained was 'why' sex was supposedly such a terrible and dastardly deed before the 'I-do's' were exchanged. And it led to all kinds of problems.

So with my kids, I answer all their questions about sex and assure them that sex is a normal, natural thing that can be freaking fantastic (especially if your partner really knows that they're doing)!

But I also explain why it's not a good idea for them to have sex now. First off, there are too many cooties out there these days, some of them are incurable while others can lead to AIDS, herpes and cervical cancer. Then there's always the real possibility of an unwanted pregnancy which affects both sexes.

Attempting to hide sex from children (I'm talking pre-teens and up, who are mature enough to deal with it) just isn't smart. It either makes them super curious and wonder what all the mystery is about, or it makes 'em scared so that even after they've met the person they want to spend their life with, they will not be comfortable with their sexuality.

So, the bottom line is - SEX IS NOT TABOO IN MY HOUSE.

What was it like in your house growing up? Taboo or not?

Happy Freaking Thursday!

The first review for Hatsept Heat hit my mailbox yesterday and I'm FREAKING STOKED!!! Okay, repeat after me, "We love Fallen Angel Reviews...We love Fallen Angel Reviews..." Now just say that until you're walking around in a daze like I am.

Nothing makes your day like a FIVE ANGEL review!

Here's some of the review and the link to Fallen Angel Reviews where you can read the whole thing. And to purchase Hatsept Heat, click here ;D And as always, feel free to visit my site at www.tjmichaels.com - YAY!



"T.J. Michaels is back again with her exciting third installment in the Vampire Council of Ethics series. Although, this book can be read independently, I would suggest reading the previous two novels in order to gain a better understanding of the historical events mentioned in Hatsept Heat. I was very impressed by how Ms. Michaels was able to insert just the right amount of vulnerability into Shinju’s personality but, didn’t allow it to become overbearing or allow it to take away from the storyline. Kenoe was a true alpha male who was used to having his way without being questioned or denied, however, he learned the hard way that Shinju wasn’t going to fall in line just because he told her to do so. Without a doubt I knew that Kenoe had everlasting love for Shinju and he was willing to protect her at all costs, regardless of the outcome of his actions. And, on the flip side, Shinju was equally determined to fight her own battles. As you can imagine with two very determined, headstrong characters, Kenoe and Shinju’s sexual escapades were hot, hot, hot! I just couldn’t get enough of this couple. I simply had to keep reading until I discovered just how everything was going to pan out. Readers, you will not be disappointed with this thrilling, mysterious, super-hot plot. Hats off to Ms. Michaels for writing yet another spectacular novel!"

Woot!

Happy Almost Friday!

Hey ya'll! I'm reading about dragons and my god they are HOT! And not just 'cause they blow fire either. It's part of the Shadow of the Dragon series by Tielle St. Clare. I'd read the other books in the series a year or two ago and they were absolutely fabulous. The characters in those stories were well written, along with the dragons who accompanied their charges. Talk about details! Tielle made me 'see' what the characters were seeing. Made me 'feel' what the characters and their dragons felt. I figured book four in the series, called Dragon's Prey, would be the same. And I was spot on!

I'm only on page 364 and I'm burning my poor eReader up! Now, I like sex in a book as well as the next person, but sex for the sake of sex is boring. Give me some plot. Give me some action. Give me some suspense. Give me a reason to care about the characters. Give me all that and I'll stick with you forever.

Well, Tielle, I'm with you forever, girlfriend 'cause the Shadow series RAWKS from beginning to the end!

Here's the blurby bit from Tielle's book, Dragon's Prey:
Shadow of the Dragon - Dragon's Prey By Tielle St Clare
Book 4 in the Shadow of the Dragon series.

Captured and put into slavery, it should be a simple thing for Kayla to escape, if only her dragon would cooperate. But the blasted beast — bored with the males at home — sees Kayla's captivity as the perfect opportunity to find her mate.

When her dragon finds the man for Kayla, he's all wrong. He's too strong, too aggressive and way too grouchy. He's the perfect mercenary but he'll make a rotten husband. Unfortunately, her body — and her dragon — don't care about any of that and while she wants to hate Captain Sixx, she finds herself unable to resist him.

For Sixx, getting the pretty little slave as a gift is more irritation than pleasure. What's he supposed to do with her? He's got enough troubles — including a curse and a snotty young warrior preparing to challenge him — now he's got her to deal with. Of course, having Kayla chained up in his bedchamber does have its benefits.

So now Kayla just has to figure out how to get home, keep Sixx safe from her father's wrath, oh, and tell her lover she's part dragon.

Wanna see what she's up to? Visit here at her website, www.tiellestclare.com

Love ya!

TJ
www.tjmichaels.com

...from a reader!

This was in my e-mailbox on Sunday and it made my freaking day. I asked the reader if it was okay to put it up on the webiste, so here goes. Oh, by the way, this reader won my book from a contest hosted by the Erotic Romance Writers group. The RAWK!

"Date: Sun, August 03, 2008 2:27 pm
To: "TJ Michaels"

Hi,

I just wanted to let you know that I read Carinian's Seeker last night. I could not put it down until it was finished. OMG! This story is awesome. I have never read a story about an interracial couple and I have never read one where the heroine was at least 36 yers old. I reallllllly needed to broaden my horizons when it comes to my reading tastes and this story was the perfect start.

Bix is the ultimate alpha hero vampire and Carin was a smart, sassy, kick-ass heroine. I can't forget the scorching sex scenes. I almost forgot the reasons for my five year celibacy. (LOL) This is an amazing book and I will definitely order Serati's Flame and Hatsept Heat ASAP!

Have great week.

Tara "

The book she was talking about is the first book in the Vampire Council of Ethics. If you haven't read it yet, please do and be sure to let me know what you think. If you have read it, then pick up the latest book, HATSEPT HEAT. Woohoo! I just love it when someone likes my writing!

So Glad It's Thursday!

I was on the radio last night with Mandy Roth and Michelle Pillow on the Raven Vampire Radio Show last night. It was a hoot! Gia Dawn (she writes cool books for Samhain) was on, too. Get the four of us together in the same room and we just take over the world!

I did spend some time talking about the release of Hatsept Heat (which came out on Tuesday. (To purchase, Visit Samhain Publishing ), but we spent more time cracking up and being bad than anything else. Geesh, no surprise there ;D

To listen to the show, click HERE --> BlogTalk Raven Radio.

Meanwhile, I'm at work sitting in a training class. I've been teaching all week and asked another staff member to come in and touch on a subject that she's an expert at. So, I'm sitting here listening to her talk to my students while I write this blog. Class is over this afternoon - I have to give the students an exam first.

And when the day is over, I'm gonna count down to FRIDAY!!!!

I've been getting back to the next Vampire Council of Ethics story - it's Alaina Bixler and Shale Krulm's tale. But I just can't think of a name for it. So, I'm just going to forget about it for now, and get on with the story. I've been jumping back and forth between working on the outline and actually writing. There's this song by India.Arie called 'Brown Skin' that just makes me all hot and bothered. You can bet I'll be listening to it as I write the steamy lovin'.

O, and in case you don't remember, Shale Krulm almost got his butt kicked by Bix in Carinian's Seeker when he spoke to Carin out of turn. But it's years later and now...HE'S FREAKING HOT!!!

Talk later!

And don't forget that HATSEPT HEAT came out on Tuesday! Woo!

TJ

On The Plane (xPost)

We're in the airport on the way home. Even with our flight delayed I couldn't be happier to be on my way back to Colorado. And it's not because I think Colorado is so fabulous (can't stand the place) but...MY BED IS THERE! I totally loved vacation but there's no place like your own home, your own bed, your own bathroom, your own kitchen, etc.

I saw that Lauren has a new book called FATED - be sure to pick it up. The Cascadia Series rocks! Shelley also has some pretty cool things hitting the shelves, too. I love her Middlemarch Mates series.

And for me, it's 5 days and counting until HATSEPT HEAT, Vampire Council of Ethics Book 3 comes along! Can't wait!!!

My plane will be boarding shorly, so I'm off to gather all my crap together. I pack like I"m going on a month-long trip or something - geesh, who needs so many clothes for a one week trip? Anyway, catch ya'll later ;D

TJ

Dating Sites (xPost)

I'm just curious how many people have tried a dating site. I know I've talked to at least two or three personal friends who met their husbands through Match.com. I'd love to know what the experience was like for anyone who's tried dating this way.

I checked into eHarmony but, uh, they rejected me. Can you believe they actually said that I'm too nice and so balanced that people tend to think I'm too good to be true, so they couldn't possibly match a person like me. Now is that ri-damned-diculous or what? LOL!

I'm actually considering a service called "It's Just Lunch" because frankly I haven't dated in so long I don't even know where to go to meet a quality person, let alone find a date. Gah, I had no idea how expensive it could be to get someone to match you up to have coffee with a person! And even though I'm not looking for a husband (dinner and a movie suits me just fine, thank you) do I really want to pay to be set up? On the other hand, if I want to meet someone that I don't mind actually being in the same room with, perhaps paying is the way to go?

What do you think? By the way, here's some facts from the It's Just Lunch website. Some of 'em are interesting. Take number 6 for example. It this is true, they sure don't seem to be in Colorado!:

1) 11: The number of single friends the average 27 year old has.

2) 76% of Men: Prefer brunettes over blondes.

3) Wednesday: The best day for a first date according to 41% of singles.

4) One Hour: The time it takes for a woman to determine whether or not she wants to see a man again.

5) 15 Minutes: The time it takes for a man to determine whether or not he wants to see a woman again.

6) 110 Million: The number of single adults in the United States.

7) 43% of Singles: Have Googled someone on the internet before their date.

Sold!

I'm totally dancing on air right now (look out below!) - remember the contemporary older woman/younger man story I told you about? It was my first contemporary and I was feeling a bit insecure about it. It's the first time I've written a book without the paranormal element and boy did it feel weird not to have vamps, shifters, weres and spirit guides running around trying to take over the story.

I submitted said story to both my pubs. One didn't like it at all, the other loved it! So with a few tweaks to the plot, a bit more suspense and some (u-hem) grammar correction, I can now announce that the book, CARAMEL KISSES, has been sold to Ellora's Cave! YAY!!!!

Contracts are in the mail and I'll be putting a blurb and excerpt up on my website soon on the Sneak Peek page.

Oh goodness, I almost forgot to tell you what the story is about - it's the story of a woman named Sydni Cannes. She's an executive, high rolling, six-figure babe who's worked her butt off not only to make it in life, but to put her younger sister through school. Well, Syd has had less than stellar luck in the 'guy' department and has simply buried herself in work and responsibilities instead. She isn't a man hater, but simply doesn't want to deal with Mr. Right, Mr. Right Now or Mr. Warm Pulse. A life without the drama is simply fine with her. Well, that and her trusty B.O.B.

Thankfully her younger sister knows Syd is missing out on enjoying the companionship she deserves. So what does she do? She talks her Syd into letting her hair down for a night. The result? Sydni lands in jail! Low and behold, her knight in shining armor come to bail her out is none other than a co-worker she's been avoiding like the plague. Yes, Drew has come to save her from the humiliation of the county clink. Gorgeous as all get out, the man is too charismatic by half, too damned good looking, several shades too light and...eight years her junior! All wrong! Hell, if Sydni didn't know better, she'd think it was all planned from the beginning...

Stay tuned... *tj giggling like a kid in a candy shop with a million dollars to spare!*

(xPost) Big Cats! Jaguars

If you've read my books, such as Jaguar's Rule, Spirit of the Pryde, Primed to Pounce or Egyptian Voyage, you know I really have a thing for large cats. I don't mean overweight Garfield types, but lions, tigers, jaguars and the like. I was thinking about my need to schedule my family's next camping trip to enjoy the great outdoors, and a thought came to mind - what would it be like to run up on one of my favorite animals in the middle of the night? I mean, if he wasn't after ME, of course ;D



Ever wonder what a jaguar sounds like? Well, I've got an answer for you. Choose from the several selections on the player below, close your eyes and imagine yourself in the jungles of Belize in the middle of the night...

Strangely enough, the sounds didn't scare me or make me feel afraid. But after you listen to them, tell me whether they curled your toes! Especially, sound clip number three. Whew!

Love, TJ (a/k/a Big Cat Nutball Extraordinaire)

That Was Then, Damn It ;D

Hi all ;D

I’m a bit late posting this and apologize for that. It’s been nuts at work. In fact, before I could get out the door this morning my phone was ringing because some of my customers were having major problems.

My customers are pharma and biotech manufacturers. While they add to our lives by producing everything from life saving medicines to good-ole-cracker-jack vitamins, sometimes they forget that the sun doesn’t rise when they wake up in the morning. Besides, the sun can’t rise when they wake up, ’cause it saves that honor for when I crack open my eyes and sit up in bed ;D LOL!

Anyway, as the day went along the problems kinda of piled up. I even found myself at odds with a co-worker. In fact, we ended up in an argument. Bottom line - my boss gave me instructions to do something a certain way, and the co-worker didn’t give a fig and was determined to do it her own way. The problem with that was that I’d still end up on the hook if the tasks weren’t completed on time or in a satisfactory manner. Can we all say, ‘Bump that mess’ boys and girls?

So, I backed up, backed off…and called my boss to let her handle it.

Now, if that had happened fifteen or twenty years ago I probably would have handled it all wrong by continuing to press my point with my co-worker, even if I knew it wasn’t going to get me anywhere. However, the years of experience in a thing called ‘life’ have given me some wisdom on when to just back up, call it a day, and leave it alone. I do the same thing in relationships (which I haven’t had in for-EVAH!). I think the biggest compliment my ex has ever given me was in front of a counselor when he said, “She doesn’t ask me for much, she doesn’t nag me about anything, she handles the big things like a champ…” Most men would be happy to have a woman like that, wouldn’t you think?

But I digress. My question to you is this - are there things you used to do a certain way at one time in your life that you do completely different now? You don’t have to get too personal, but I’m just curious.

New Covers 'n Stuff (xPost)

Hi all! Fabulous news! Hatsept Heat, Vampire Council of Ethics Book 3 is up on the Samhain Publishing coming soon page. To get a look, click here.

I also received the cover for the Pocket Books anthology that will contain Jaguar's Rule. It's called DOING IT THE HARD WAY.

I'd love to know what you think.

Gas (damn it) and Pics from Ireland (xPost)

I promise there are pictures from Ireland below, but first I just have to say...

I am not going to complain about gas prices in the U.S. anymore. Hell, I'm not even going to whine or whimper. Why? Because I just came back from overseas and the price of gas over there is ri-goddamned-diculous!

For example, I spent $57 USD to put a QUARTER TANK of gas in a little Mazda rental car. Most folks on this side of the pond I've told this story to jump on the, "Well, it's because the dollar is weak right now" band wagon. But let me tell you what the folks over there said.

One guy told me, "Well, it's so bloody expensive because almost 80% of our gas price goes to taxes."

Another said, "Even before the dollar started takin' a beatin', I can remember paying alot for petrol. We buy it by the liter here at about 1.25 GBP right now. But it was around .89 GBP back in 2003, which would amount to more than 7.00 USD. And the dollar wasn't quite outpacing the GBP at the time, but it was kicking the piss out of the Euro by quite a bit back then."

While I was blessedly oblivious to how much it would cost me to replace the gas in our little rental, these are a couple of scenes from the streets of Dublin.

Next, hop over to www.dynamicthree.com/blog to see more pics of our trip to Dublin, Ireland and Liverpool in the UK.


A really cool billboard promoting a local theater production


This is the coolest damned bus I've ever seen. And I spent quite a bit of time behind it ;D


Shops don't stay open late on Sunday as people are usually hanging out with their families. These folks are enjoying the nice weather on a Sunday afternoon.

Happy Almost Friday!

TJ
www.tjmichaels.com

Headed to Ireland...

Hi all,

I've been in Belgium for work all week, and today I'm headed to Ireland, then the UK to teach another class for the day job. I haven't gotten to see much of Belgium, but from what I've seen of the little town I'm in it's quaint, very old style (there's a church down the street built in the 1500's!). The bread it TO DIE FOR. I don't even eat bread all that often when I'm at home, but I could live on this stuff.

Hey, have you ever ridden on a plane with people sneezing all over the place? I'm sure their mama's taught them to cover their mouths when they sneeze or to sneeze in to the crook of their elbow to keep the nasties from flying all over the place. Well, needless to say I have the marvelous privilege of sitting right in front of a woman who didn't listen to her mama. And, yes, you guessed it, TJ is now fighting a frickin' cold. I went to the apothecary (that's what they call the pharmacy here, which makes total sense) and got some cold medicine. It was cool to see the lady to go a wall of drawers and pull out some powdered stuff and tell me exactly how to use it. Even though I feel like crap, she sure made me feel special.

I know you're wondering "did TJ pick up some Belgian chocolate or what?" Well, of course I did! Got it from a baker next door to the hotel. And they dont' have bagged bread here. People buy it fresh from the bakery. Also, the fruit and veggie department in the local grocers is HUGE! And it doesn't cost more to eat healthy here than it does to eat junk. Unlike home, where you can eat a whole crappy meal for $3 bucks and can't get a decent meal for less than $10, this place is a healthy eaters paradise.

Killing my pocket book, though. It cost me $200 to get 116 Euro! Gasp! Choke! I'll be glad when the dollar bounces back a bit! Sheesh!

Off to bed - I have to get up at 6:30am and head to the train station so I can make my plane on time.

Night!

TJ

(for a recap of my first night in Belgium, click here)

Belgium, Here I Come! (xPost)

Well, I'm heading out of town again for work. Only this time I'm going to Belgium. I've never been there and I'm a bit nervous. See, to get there you can either fly into Brussels then make your way to the train station to get to the city I'm traveling to. Or you can fly into Amsterdam, get the train that's located (thankfully) in the airport, then travel by train from the Netherlands to Belgium...which means crossing borders.

While I don't look forward to the travel, I do look forward to reaching the destination. Wish I were going for something other than work. But then again, there's CHOCOLATE!!! Belgian chocolate!

Leaving on Saturday - be back in a couple of weeks ;D I'll have to have a contest to see who I send the goodies to when I get back!

Cool Reviews & Idiot Sightings

First before we get to the funny stuff, let's get the writer stuff out of the way. I submitted my first contemporary to my editor and am shaking in my books. Contemporary romance didn't seem to flow from my fingers to the keyboard like paranormal does, but I got this idea in my head and had to put it to paper. So, we'll see...

Second, my good friend, SHELLEY MUNRO, GOT A KICK-A$$ REVIEW on her book FANCY FREE from Ellora's Cave. In fact, it's been Joyfully Recommended. Visit Joyfully Reviewed to read the review.

Now, for the Idiot Sightings:

Beware, They Walk Among Us! (This was at the Ford dealership in Canton , Mississippi) When my husband and I arrived at an automobile dealership to pick up our car, we were told the keys had been locked in it. We went to the service department and found a mechanic working feverishly to unlock the drivers side door. As I watched from the passenger side, I instinctively tried the door handle and discovered that it was unlocked. 'Hey,' I announced to the technician, 'its open!' His reply, 'I know. I already got that side.'

They Walk Among Us!

I walked into a Starbucks with a buy-one-get- one-free coupon for a Grande Latte. I handed it to the girl and she looked over at a little chalkboard that said 'buy one-get one free.' 'They're already buy-one- get-one-free, ' she said, 'so I guess they're both free'. She handed me my free Lattes and I walked out the door.

They Walk Among Us!

One day I was walking down the beach with some Friends when one of them shouted, 'Look at that dead bird!' Someone looked up at the sky and said, 'Where?'

They Walk Among Us!

While looking at a house, my brother asked the real estate agent which direction was north because, he explained, he didn't want the sun waking him up every morning. She asked, 'Does the sun rise in the North?' When my brother explained that the sun rises in the East, and has for sometime, she shook her head and said, 'Oh I don't keep up with all that stuff.'

They Walk Among Us!!

I used to work in technical support for a 24/7 call center. One day I got a call from an individual who asked what hours the call center was open. I told him, 'The number you dialed is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.' He responded, 'Is that Eastern or Pacific time?' Wanting to end the call quickly, I said, 'Uh, Pacific.'

They Walk Among Us!

My sister has a lifesaving tool in her car designed to cut through a seat belt if she gets trapped. She keeps it in the trunk.

They Walk Among Us!

My friends and I were on a beer run and noticed that the cases were discounted 10%. Since it was a big party, we bought 2 cases. The cashier multiplied 2 times 10% and gave us a 20% discount.

They Walk Among Us!

I couldn't find my luggage at the airport baggage area, so I went to the lost luggage office and told the woman there that my bags never showed up. She smiled and told me not to worry because she was a trained professional and I was in good hands. 'Now,' she asked me, has your plane arrived yet?'

They Walk Among Us!

While working at a pizza parlor I observed a man ordering a small pizza to go. He appeared to be alone and the cook asked him if he would like it cut into 4 pieces or 6. He thought about it for some time before responding. 'Just cut it into 4 pieces; I don't think I'm hungry enough to eat 6 pieces.'

Yep', They Walk Among Us,
and they Reproduce,
and Worst of all
.....they Vote!

Oh my aching back! (xPost)

Yesterday we started our move to Washington...sort of. In my Sunday post I mentioned the madness of trying to move. We're doing a 6 month stint in a new house until we move away for good. While the rental madness all worked out, my back is protestingl. Loudly. We moved so much stuff! Where the hell did it all come from? Now, look, I am the QUEEN of 'throw it away.' I don't do the pack-rat thing and I'm quick to have the Salvation Army come and get anything I haven't worn in a year or two.

So, after having them come take away the desks and livingroom furniture, and tossing out all the stuff (and I mean ALL the stuff that we haven't touched in a while) I'd like to know how we still ended up with a garage full of crap that we don't have room enough to throw away? Anyone? Anyone? I'd give half my right leg to know how this happens.

Oh, I did learn one thing - I know where at least half of my missing socks ended up...behind the dryer! Gack!

So, TJ is living on Advil for the next day or two. And we've still got cleaning to do at the old place. If I weren't looking forward to hitting the coast here soon, I think I'd just sit down in the middle of the floor and blow a gasket! ROFL!

Okay, as for book stuff...I don't have any internet connection the next few days while Comcast gets its $#@%! together and shuffles over to my house to hook it up. So perhaps I'll actually get some writing done on a cute little contemporary I'm working on. We'll see...

TJ