Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Meeting the Undertaker

I have been thinking about how I should proceed with my ‘Wrestling Wednesdays’. Should I start from the beginning and give you a little play by play of my wrestling history? Should I jump around and tell stories as I feel like it? Hmmm.
I’m still not sure how I am going to do it, but this week I am going to tell you about meeting one of the greatest wrestlers ever. It is fitting, too, since Wrestlemania is this weekend and this particular wrestler is in a huge match.

I was in Memphis with my BFF for the Unforgiven PPV. We arrived in town early so we could go shopping and whatnot. That night we checked into our hotel, which had one of the most comfortable beds ever. No, I am serious! When I think about this trip I remember three things. Spending time with my friend, The Wrestlers we met, and how amazing the beds were!

In the evening we decided to go to the lobby to see what was going on. We knew that some of the wrestlers would be staying at the hotel and you never know who you are going to see. So, we were chilling in the bar when we saw a VERY large man sitting on a table near the main door. We both thought it was someone else, until we heard another fan saying it was the Undertaker in a very excited voice.

My BFF and I looked at each other in awe. The Undertaker?!?! But, it couldn’t be… no one EVER gets to meet the Undertaker! We were both freaking out. Okay, I may have been freaking out more… I will neither confirm nor deny this… Okay, I WAS freaking out more! I was even shaking I was so excited.

But then it hit me… HOW was I going to meet him? I mean, I couldn’t just walk up to him and say hi. I could see from across the lobby that he was mostly signing autographs, which sucked because I wanted a picture. (Side note: If I have to pick between an autograph and a picture, I want the picture!)

My BFF and I watched as he checked in and then began walking to the elevators. Oh no! Once he got on the elevator he would be gone! And when was I ever going to see him again! I mean, this was the first time that I had seen him and I have been going to shows for a very long time. In fact, I know some people that have went to shows longer than me that STILL haven’t met him!

I looked at my BFF and she nodded back. She knew what I was going to do. (another note: My BFF and I have an… “understanding“. I am usually the one who takes one for the team and asks for a picture. Then, if they say yes, she takes one, too. I like to give her a hard time about it, but I really don’t mind lol)

I took in a deep breath and stepped in front of him as he was walking by.

“Mr. Undertaker… sir?” I said in a shaky voice. “May I get a picture with you?”

I couldn’t even bring myself to look him in the eyes. He was going to say no, I knew it!

“Sure,” was his reply.

Wh… WHAT!?! I quickly jumped next to him and posed for the picture… but the flash never went off. My friend was staring back at me. And then I realized that she didn’t have my camera.

“It might help if I had my camera out!” I said with a nervous titter.

“It would, unless you want to take a mental picture,” The Undertaker replied with a laugh.

OMG OMG OMG! The Undertaker was joking with me! I tittered nervously again and handed my camera to my friend. She took the picture and then I took her picture for her.

We then said thank you and he moved onto other fans. My BFF and I went back to our table and we both freaked out together. We had met The Undertaker! I knew right then and there that this particular wrestling trip was going to be one of the best ones ever. And it was.

It was something that I will honestly never forget!
See the tears in my eyes, lol

Monday, March 28, 2011

Author Crushes

I have something to admit… I have a few Author Crushes. These are people who I read anything and everything that they write! I have been lucky enough to meet some of them, too. (I’m sure I came off as star struck lol)

Here are my top 10 Author Crushes:
1. P.C. Cast- OMG P.C. is amazing! I have met her (and her daughter, Kristen, before). She writes the YA series ‘House of Night’ as well as some wonderful romance books.
My favorite book is: Goddess of Spring.

2. Crystal Inman (aka C’Ann Inman)- I picked her book up by chance at a local writing convention. And then I found her on myspace and we became friends. She has been a great help to me!
My favorite book is: What He Wants

3. Jordan Dane- I met Jordan at the same local writing convention I mentioned above. She was funny and charming! When I went to the same convention two years later, Jordan was there and remembered me! I was in shock! I found her on Facebook and we have kept in touch. Jordan is truly an amazing person and has helped me the most with my writing. I am lucky to count her as a friend and a mentor. Oh! And I cant wait to read her new YA novel ‘In the Arms of Stone Angels!’
My favorite book is: No One Heard Her Scream

4. Rachel Vincent- I found one of Rachel’s books at Wal-Mart and became a fan. Her ‘Shifters’ Series is just amazing as well as her YA ‘Soul Screamer’ Series.
My favorite book is: Alpha (the last Shifters book)

5. Susan Elizabeth Phillips- Oh my! Where to begin! I almost got to meet her, but the weather was bad and I couldn’t go. *cries* I hope to meet her one day!
My favorite book is: Nobody’s Baby But Mine

6. Jennifer Ashley- Her books never fail and always make me smile!
My favorite book is: The Mad, Bad Duke (this book is honestly one of my favorite books ever! There is one line that I love that is said in a love scene. HOT HOT HOT!!!)
7. Gena Showalter- I met Gena at a local Borders at a book signing. She was too sweet!
My favorite book is: The Nymph King

8. Jill Monroe- I met her at the same signing as I met Gena, which is not surprising. Gena and Jill are great friends and have done several signings together in my city. Her books are very steamy!
My favorite book is: SEALed and Delivered

9. Lora Leigh- Her books are also very steamy! My sister actually found a book by her and then passed it onto me. And I loved it so much that I went out and bought my own copy!
My favorite book is: Dangerous Games

10. Lois Duncan- I first read one of her books when I was in the seventh grade and her writing stuck with me. I mean, it REALLY stuck with me. A lot of her books are hauntingly beautiful. I love all of her books, too, so it was hard to pick just one… but I did.
My favorite book is: Locked in Time

Who is your favorite Author or what is your favorite Book? Let me know! And I hope you all check out some of the books I mentioned above!!

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Yard Sale Prep

Good news! You can now subscribe by email to my blog.
Its on the right side of the page!!!!



Oops, I forgot to post my blog yesterday! But I have a good reason, really, I do!

Here it is: I was going through my house gathering Yard Sale stuff...

Sadly, I am serious! I spent all day going through clothes, shoes, and other random things putting price tags on them.

I did the same thing today.

Guess what? I'm doing the same thing tomorrow, too! Except tomorrow I get to work out in my shed.. eek! I hate going out there. It creeps me out.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

How Dedicated Am I?

As I have said before, I got to a LOT of wrestling events. Mostly WWE, of course. So I started thinking… “How many shows have I been to over the years?”

Now, here is a little tidbit about me. I keep a journal, so when I go to WWE events, I usually write about it, just so I will remember. I’m not perfect and I am sure I have missed a few, but here is a little list that I came up with and some info about each event.

RAW
RAW is aired live every Monday night on USA. There is nothing quite like it because the air is static with electricity. When they go live YOU go live! You just can’t help but get into it!
I have been to: 15

Smackdown
Smackdown is taped every Tuesday night and then airs on Friday nights on Syfy. Smackdown is different because it is not live and there is not the same rush that comes with RAW. Its better in a way because the wrestlers seem more relaxed
I have been to: 10

PPV (pay per views)
PPV’s are obviously something that you have to pay to see on TV. The tickets for these events are usually more than a normal TV taping, but worth it. For one thing, if your seats are on the floor level within the first four row (I believe) you get to take home a souvenir chair. And, before you ask, I have some of these chairs! You ought to see the look on the airline attendants faces when you check in a metal, folding chair! PPV’s are when the wrestlers are at their very best.
I have been to: 7

House Show
A House Show is a non-televised event and, in my opinion, the BEST show to go to! Both RAW and Smackdown have house shows during the weekend and it is kind of like rehearsal or practice for the wrestlers. My favorite part is that they are more laid back and the wrestlers can goof off a little more and participate with the crowd.
I have been to: 20

Supershow
A Supershow is where both RAW and Smackdown wrestlers appear at the same show. They tape Smackdown and then RAW goes live. They are fun because you get to see everyone and the show last for like five hours (towards the end, your energy is just not the same lol)
I have been to: 2

Saturday Night’s Main Event
This is a throwback to the glory days of wrestling and is almost like a PPV, but it is on regular TV, on a Saturday night.
I have been to: 1

Superstar Appearances
The WWE is really good about promoting their talent. They do this by having autograph signings where fans can meet their favorite wrestler. They are a lot of fun, most of the time.
I have been to: 11

When you add these up, I have been to roughly 66 WWE events since I was 16. Not too shabby. One of my favorite things about the wrestling community is that there are other dedicated fans who also do the same. And through wrestling we meet and become friends.

In fact, I met my Best Friend at a Supershow in Little Rock, AR, and she has been my partner in crime ever since. But, that’s another story ;)

Monday, March 21, 2011

Books, books... everywhere!

This blog is going to be a short one. I did a LOT of reading this weekend and was able to knock down my 'to-read' pile! I love it when that happens, because I tend to let the pile build up.

Here is what I read:
A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
This one is a great YA novel, but it is definitely for the older teens. My 11 year old niece wont be allowed to read this one for a while. I, on the other hand, cant wait to read the next book. :)

Bras & Broomsticks by Sarah Mlynowski
OMG I loved this one. It is also a YA novel and full of humor. What fifteen year old girl doesn't want to be a witch!? Too bad its the main character's LITTLE sister who is the witch! GREAT BOOK! I cant wait to read the rest of the series!

Phantom's Touch by Julie Leto
I got this one during a 'dirty Santa' party. The joke is on them because this book was HOT HOT HOT! A must read for romances readers!

And right now I am reading:
The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan
I loved the "Percy Jackson" series, so I cant wait to read this one!

What books have you read recently that you would recommend?

Friday, March 18, 2011

Spring has Sprung!

It’s Friday Woooooo!

Today, I was lucky enough to get off work early and that made me extremely happy. Spring has sprung here in Oklahoma and its so nice being outside.

So I started thinking… what else makes me happy?

Hmmm… Let’s see.

* My family and friends.

* Writing and Reading

* Traveling

* Wrestling

* Music

* Playing with my niece and nephew


So, what makes YOU happy!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Front Row... or Bust!

Last time I mentioned that I go to wrestling events when they are near. The WWE (world wrestling entertainment) was in my town on Sunday, but I didn’t go. Why, you ask. I’ll tell you.

Way back in 2000 I went to my first live wrestling event. It was in Tulsa during winter and my Dad didn’t want my best friend and I to drive there alone. So he did the unthinkable… He made my older sister go as a chaperone. She was mad. I was mad… but we got to go. Well, not, not really. We almost didn’t get to go because there was an ice storm the day before the show, but thankfully my friend’s mom got us a hotel room, so we went despite the weather.

So we got to the Arena and found our seats. Here is what our view looked like.


Okay, I exaggerate… but we were two rows back from the VERY top of the arena! No joke! TWO ROWS! The next show we went to we were a little closer. We were only six rows from the very top!

But then a funny thing happened. The more events I started going to, the closer my seats started getting to the ring ( I also started to learn little tricks here and there about purchasing tickets, but that’s another story). I was mid-bowl, then lower level, and then I finally made it to the floor! My first floor seat was 8th row and I was in heaven!

But in 2006 my seating adventures took a whole new turn. My family and I were going to a house show ( a non-televised live event) in Little Rock for my niece’s birthday. I was supposed to get 6 tickets for my family and my friend and her family. When I went to get the tickets, something happened between entering “6” and going to the next page and somehow I ended up with “8” tickets… in the first row!

Um, y’all aren’t as excited as me. Let me say it again…

8 tickets in the FIRST ROW!!!

I was ecstatic! I had only dreamt of a front row seat and now my family and friends were going to enjoy it with me! We went to the show and it was, without a doubt, one of the best shows that I have ever been to!

But it also created a problem. After sitting in the first row, being in the eighth row just wasn’t as fun. I could handle being in the second and third row… but anything after that and it just wasn’t worth it anymore.

Call me spoiled, and maybe I am… but it would be like someone giving you a brand new iPhone and then telling you to use an analog phone. Yeah, not cool!

So back to the show here in my town. I didn’t go because I didn’t get ‘good’ seats. I’m not disappointed though… I had a surprise encounter with a wrestler at a restaurant, which made my day. And, there will always be another show to go to.  :)

Monday, March 14, 2011

Music Behind The Words

I’m going to let you in on a little secret… writing is a job and it takes work. Don’t get me wrong, its nothing like my day job (which really isn’t that bad), but sometimes it is hard to come home and write.

Let me give you a little breakdown.
* I get up at 4am M-F
* I work from 5am to 2pm
* I come home and do things around the house, which also includes laundry, dishes, babysitting my baby nephew and 11 year old niece, homework with niece, taking a lil nap, making sure everyone gets a shower and dinner, checking emails and facebook…

Okay, you get the point. I do a lot when I get home. (did ya notice there was a nap thrown in there? I HAVE to get a nap, or I would go to bed at 7pm! I’m not kidding. 7pm!)

So doing all those things and then sitting down to write can be hard. (Sometimes its not. Sometimes I can sit down and write away.) But most of the time I have to make my creative juices flow.
And this is how I do it… I put my Beats by Dr Dre headphones on (which are noise canceling!) and then turn on my iTunes to my Writing playlist. The playlist has a variety of songs that inspire me.


Some inspire EMOTION, such as:
You Won’t Be Mine- Matchbox Twenty
I Will Not Bow- Breaking Benjamin
In The Darkness- Dead by Sunrise


Some inspire THOUGHTS, such as:
2 am/Just Breathe- Anna Nalick
Use Somebody- Kings of Leon
Running Up That Hill- Placebo (I actually heard this while watching wrestling! See, it all ties in my friends!)

Some are SIMPLE (with no words), such as:
Casper’s Lullaby- James Horner
O Fortuna- Carl Orff
Moment of Happiness(from Buffy)- Christophe Beck


And some REMIND ME (of certain people), such as:
Addicted- Kelly Clarkson
Music Again- Adam Lambert
Familiar Taste of Poison- Halestorm


The list goes on and on! My writing playlist currently has 250 songs in it . I hit “shuffle” and go! And then I do what a writer does… I write!

So, what songs do YOU listen to?

Friday, March 11, 2011

Fun Friday!

It’s Friday everyone! *cues band playing music!* We have worked all week to get to this point and now it is here! In honor of Fun- Friday, I am going to share a story with you all about my wacky niece, Kayla.

Now, here is a little tidbit about Kayla… she has a GREAT imagination, even though she is only 11. This is a good thing, but it can also be a bad/ hard to explain trait. And this brings me to my story.

When Kayla was in the third grade, she had a teacher that she adored. (Ironically, I also had this teacher when I was in the third grade). Anyway, it was time for the parent-teacher conference and my sister knew she didn’t have anything to worry about. Kayla might talk a lot, but she is a good kid.
So my sister went to the conference and it went a little something like this:

Teacher: I am glad to hear that Kayla’s got to spend some time with her dad. It is just great that he took her ice fishing!

My sister: Ummm…

Teacher: And Kayla described it beautifully! I felt like I was there with her! She said that she and her dad had to bundle up because it was so cold outside. Then, they walked across the ice where the hole had been cut. Kayla said that when they dropped the line into the water that it was so cold that the worm froze! She said it was like an ice cube! I just couldn’t believe it!

My sister *trying not to laugh*: Um, that never happened.

Teacher *blinking*: What?

My sister: Kayla has never been ice fishing. In fact, she has never been fishing before…

Teacher: But… but…

My sister: Welcome to my world!


LOL I will tell you all one thing, I get a LOT of ideas from my niece! On that happy note, I bid you all farewell until Monday! Have a great weekend!

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Wrestling Wednesday!

It's Wrestling Wednesday, my own personal shout-out to the sport that I love. And yes, it is a sport. (Yes, Yes... I KNOW its scripted, but accidents to occur! Trust me, wrestlers are skilled athletes). I promise I won't get carried away on these days, but I want to share my thoughts and memories about it. And there are a ton!

Today I am going to take you back to the beginning. Well, the beginning for me at least. I don't count being FORCED to watch it with my cousin on Saturday mornings the beginning! (Love you Neil!)

Way back in 1999 I was walking through our family room. I had been hiding in my room most of the night, reading. We didn't have cable and there wasn't anything on TV so I would put my nose in a book for entertainment. (It IS great entertainment, by the way.)

As I said, I was walking through our family room and my little sister was watching TV. I believe she was also eating sunflower seeds, spitting the shells into a cup, which used to drive my Grandma nuts because of the sound it makes. Anyway, I got a soda from the refrigerator and then walked back through the room. It was then that I noticed what my sister was watching.

"Are you really watching that?" I asked her with a laugh.

"Yes. There isn't anything else on..." she replied without looking up.

"Tell me about it!" I replied as I sat on the arm of the couch. "Is this that Smack show?"

"Smackdown," she quickly corrected me as she spit a shell. "And yeah."

"Hmm."

We sat in silence, both watching WWE Smackdown. To this day I can still tell you who was wrestling that night. It was the Hardy Boyz (their last name is really Hardy. I thought at first they just liked the Hardy Boy Mysteries lol) fighting Edge and Christian.

"They are hot." I said to my sister. "Who is the one with the rainbow hair?"

"That's Matt Hardy." she replied in an annoyed tone. I was starting to get on her nerves for once. It was usually the other way around.

*** Come to find out it was really Jeff Hardy with the rainbow hair, but I don't hold it against her and i would NEVER remind her that she was wrong. ;) ***

We both sat there in the family room until the show was over. Then we each retreated to our own rooms. I didn't give it much thought, but the next week I found myself turning my own TV on to wrestling. And then the next week. And the next... and you get the idea.

That my friends is how I became hooked on Wrestling. It was just a normal night with nothing to watch, but it certainly changed things for me. I am sure everyone thought back then that I would "grow out of it". LOL boy were they wrong!

And the big question: Do I still watch Wrestling?

Yes, I watch RAW every Monday and I go to live events when they are near. In fact, I will probably be going to an event on Sunday. But, more on that next week.

So there ya go! An inside look at my world! Stay tuned for more! :)

Monday, March 7, 2011

Telling and Showing

I have been thinking about writing and everything that I have learned thus far. And let me tell you, I have learned so much over the years! When I first started writing I thought I knew it all. Boy was I wrong! I look back at my old stories and things that I started, but never finished and just laugh.

Don't get me wrong. The idea was there, the *wow* factor. But I would TELL the reader what was going on instead of SHOWING them. It took me a long time to figure this one out.

Here is an example:
Tell: She was mad. He was there and she didn't want to see him.

Show: Her fists clenched at her side as she looked across the room. That jerk had the nerve to crash her party!

Both convey the same thing. The girl doesn't want the guy there. The first one is telling you. The second one shows your, or, at least, I hope it does. Hey, I'm still learning here! Every day that I write I learned something new and that is the point.

Writing and Leaning.

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Refocused and Ready to Go!

Since getting back from DFWcon, a writing conference in Dallas, I have been super motivated. Therefore I have decided three things.

1) I will be published sooner than later (mind over matter)

2) I am going to take my destiny into my own hands

3) I will post more on my blog so that everyone can follow my journey as a writer. (Look for postings three times a week, as this seems to be the magical number!)

But I will get back to these three things in a second.

Back to DFWcon. It was...amazing. I am not going to lie, I was scared about going by myself. I can be shy at times, so I have to make a conscious choice NOT to be shy. The first night I was at the hotel I was going down to the restaurant to eat and to see if I could spot other writers and *maybe* go up to them. I didn't have to go far. When I got to the elevators I met one. When we got to the restaurant we met more. And before I knew it I was meeting people! I no longer had to worry about being the wallflower in the corner of the room! YAY!

On top of meeting wonderful writers, I also was able to go to classes and learn more about the craft of writing. And believe me, it IS a craft! When the conference was over, I left feeling motivated and hyped!

So back to my three things. I am going to repeat these three things to myself everyday. And before I know it, I will be published!