Distracted by Alyssa Milano
It's my last day in Florida. The trip so far: a success. In a moment, I'm going to give you a few highlights, but first let's talk about Alyssa Milano.
Why, Kate? I don't understand, you say as you scratch your chin.
Allow me to elucidate. I was a bit iffy on whether I wanted to write about this segment of the trip, even though staying in a retirement community in Florida is a hoot (you'll see soon). So I googled interesting blogs, thinking I might get inspired if I looked at other interesting posts.
On the first site I opened, there was a link for Alyssa Milano's ten favorite blogs. Of course I had to check that out, right? I was SERIOUSLY disappointed that my blog wasn't on her list, and I was VERY surprised that three Dodgers blogs were. Apparently she has her own Dodgers blog as well. You learn something new every day. Would you have guessed her for a hardcore baseball fan? Just goes to show you that people have layers.
Onward!
Because you want highlights from Florida, I know.
- We stayed at with my Magic Man's grandmother, who lives in a retirement community in Delray Beach (a very quaint Floridian town). All the people in this gated community were escapees from New York. If you closed your eyes, you would have thought you were in Queens. Very surreal. One lady said to me, "I'm from New Yawk." I wanted to say "Duh" but I just nodded and smiled sweetly.
- My first day here, an agèd Lothario offered to serve me apple martinis poolside. Needless to say, I rocked the edits I was working on. I think. Ahem.
- We taught the Magic Man's tiny, sweet ninety-eight year old grandmother to speak gansta. Watch out, or she'll bust a cap in your tush.
- We kicked off my birthday month with cupcakes from Cupcake Couture. I got "Mounds-olo Blahnik"—chocolate cupcake with coconut topping. All the cupcakes were named after posh brands, like "Donna Karrot." I was pleased they served me even though I didn't accessorize with a chihuahua that day.
Next up...
New Orleans! Stay tuned for next week, when I eat beignets and my sister walks arm-in-arm with a man in a banana suit.
Baring Teeth
I flopped backwards on my bed. Dangling my feet, I stared at the ceiling and sighed long and with feeling.
"What's wrong with you?" my sister Parisa asked me as she walked into my bedroom.
"I need a vacation from blog writing."
Silence.
"I think I'll take this week off," I said, testing the waters.
"No you won't," was her immediate reply.
Frowning, I propped myself on an elbow so I could direct the full force of my pout at her. My pout is crazy powerful. "But I've written so many posts lately, for all kinds of different sites. Can't I just have one week off? It can be my Christmas present. I know Santa would agree I've been a good girl this year."
Parisa shook her head in the pragmatic way she has, obviously immune to my pooched lips. "You went too far with the good girl part. No one would believe that."
Not shockingly, I didn't really believe it either. "What should I write about then?"
"Write about me." Then she laughed. "Doesn't it just crack you up how I always think you should write about me?"
"Not really."
"I think it's funny." Still chuckling, she said, "Whatever you do, don't write something Christmas-y. That'd be obvious."
I did what I needed to do: I painted tomatoes.
"I don't want to write. I want to paint." I pursed my lips. "Maybe I'll paint a picture. It'd be work, because I'm guest blogging on Pens Fatales about museums on Friday. It'd all tie in nicely."
"Oh geez," my sister muttered not-too softly. "Do I want to know what you wrote about on the other blog?"
"Probably not."
"I didn't think so." After a moment, she said, "Shall I bring you some water for your watercolors?"
I smiled brilliantly. My smile is even more potent than my pout. "Yes, please."
Taking Care of Business
Do you know how many blog posts I've written in the past week? A whole heck of a lot. I've been asked to guest blog during the month of July, and I'm cranking out the posts to turn in. Don't worry—I'll post details when I know the whens and wheres of the event.
You know where I'm going with this, don't you? Can you blame me? I've written so many blogs, I don't have it in me to write this one. But as tempted as I am to post a Gone Fishing graphic and flake out, I can't bring myself to let you down. That's love. Except it's the vague and shallow kind of love that only merits random miscellanea (see below).
So long, Madrid.
I'm back in San Francisco, and I feel pretty good about it. Yes, I miss Madrid—and New York, for that matter. But there's something refreshing about having the ocean and the fog again. It's good to be back.
I'd rather clean the toilet.
A few days ago, I got the proofs for my next book, TEMPTED BY FATE. Don't tell my editor this, but proofs are my least favorite part of the publishing process. (Translation: it's utter torture.)
Picture this: you get a copy of your book, formatted for printing. Your job is to go through and make sure the pages are set properly and that everything is in order (no typos, that all the copyedits were inputted, etc). Sound easy? It is. But it's freaking tedious, especially after you've already read the book several times in the previous few weeks.
A blast from the past.
I'm getting together with my best friend from high school today, and I'm beyond excited. It's been twenty years since I've seen her. Life tore us asunder. (Insert dramatic sob here.) But several weeks ago while I was in Madrid she emailed me, and we're seeing each other for lunch. I have no expectations, but I know it'll be lovely regardless of the outcome.
Vamos Argentina!
Argentina is advancing to the next round of the World Cup. They play Germany on Saturday, a game which may cause a rift between me and my sister. She has a crush on one of the German players but—dude—the Argentinians are way hotter. Especially the goalie. And Messi is a futbol god. There really shouldn't be any question of who to root for.
Disney World, here I come.
At the end of July, I'm headed to Orlando for the RWA National conference. Why should you care? Because I'll be signing books at the RWA literacy event on July 28th (I think). Stop by Disney World's Dolphin and Swan Resort if you're in the area, say hi, and buy a book for a good cause.
Sneakiness.
Did you notice how I just slipped a little bit of World Cuppiness into this post? I'm sly that way.
Speaking of posting...
I haven't written a craft post in forever. Anyone want one? And what would you want? Character stuff? Plotting? A discussion on scene? Pacing? Dialogue? Let me know if you've got things you want to discuss.