So I get a package in the mail the other day from Joanne Rock. I wasn’t expecting anything, so I was very anxious to see what was inside. It’s been a rough couple of weeks. I’m bogged under on my deadline and am experiencing, let’s call it, “an elevated level” of stress. An unexpected gift is always appreciated.

But this one blew me away.

Inside were three books–three copies of Joanne’s newest Blaze, THE CAPTIVE.

Here’s the back cover copy:

Women should be sweet, mild mannered…docile. Unfortunately, Lady Gwendolyn, a rich Saxon widow, is none of those things.

But Wulf quickly finds that taking Gwendolyn and keeping her are two different things. And once she decides to engage in a seductive assault of her own, he’s the one captivated….

Viking romance. IN A BLAZE. I mean…can life get any sweeter?

Well, apparently, it can. Because a lovely note from Joanne instructed me to read the dedication page.

For Julie Leto–I’m proud to dedicate my first Harlequin Blaze Historical to you since I remember so clearly the way you complimented a historical contest entry of mine in the days before my first sale and consequently made me feel like a million bucks! Thank you for your willingness to always extend a hand–not just to me, but to so many other wirters who need a lift or advice. Cheers to you, my friend!

Yeah, I know, right? Blow me away, why don’t you? I have never had a whole book dedicated to me before…me and only me. And by one of the most beautiful women in the industry–and I mean that inside and out. Super talented and gracious beyond measure, Joanne Rock is the definition of genuine talent. I’m honored beyond words. It was easy to tell her way back when that she was hugely talented and had an amazing voice. It was, after all, the truth. Still is!

Don’t believe me when I say how generous she is? Well, as you recall, she sent THREE copies…one for me and TWO to giveaway to Plotmonkey readers.

All you have to do to be eligible to win (US residents) is write a comment about someone who has been a positive influence in your life. Maybe someone who just did something nice for you this morning–or someone who impacted you in a big way. Messages of gratitude are all that is required.

I’m going to go weep a little more. But it’s a good weep. Oh, and I’m going to read my copy of THE CAPTIVE, which isn’t officially released until next month!

I’m switching days with Julie this week (for those of you who keep track!) She’ll be here tomorrow!

So.
Two weeks ago, I posted Be Careful What You Wish For. It’s hard to believe it’s only been two weeks since the snowstorm from hell that knocked out my power for 36 hours, froze us, we lost a fortune in food from the fridge and freezer, paid for a new alarm battery (nearly $1,000 for all work) … etc. Because this past weekend, we had the Nor ‘easter from Hell … and it happened ALL OVER AGAIN.

I posted the link from two weeks ago in case a) you missed the blog and wanted to catch up; or b) you wanted to reread how pathetic my life has been before you go forward today and see how pathetic it still is. Now, don’t get me wrong, I am NOT complaining. Compared to a lot of people, we had it easy. Still do, as some of the county is still without power and heat. But come on, I know you all love reading about my travel and now weather related mishaps.

So here we go again:

Last Saturday night we had plans with college friends on Long Island. On Thursday I saw the weather forecast (severe rain, heavy winds topping 50 mph etc. for the entire weekend – like 4 days, the worst of the storm to hit us Sat night) and said to hubby, we’re not going to make it out there. Sure enough by Saturday 3 PM we KNEW things were going to get bad. I told my friends that we’d have to reschedule, that the roads were flooded (true) and … here is where I made my FATAL mistake … I said that if power went out again I didn’t want my kids home and us far away.

Soooo .. instead we took the kids out for a family dinner. While there, we got a call from neighbors that the power was out. Here we go again! Finished dinner and drove home … where we saw a transformer fire on the way home, near Westchester County Airport. We knew that was a bad sign in general and really scary!!! On the other hand, my parents live a mile away (they’re in FL but they have a house in NY) and for some reason, they had power (which they did not have during the snowstorm). So we went home, dug up the flashlights, packed ourselves up as best we could in the dark, grabbed both dogs (who have never been anywhere except: my house, the kennel, and the vet) and took them to my parents. We locked the four of us and the two dogs in their bedroom (because said dogs can’t be trusted to roam and they were panicked at the unfamiliar surroundings and my mother would KILL me if they did damage). We settled in, climbed into bed (I have a KING my parents have a QUEEN – they must like each other a lot more than me and hubby do), the dogs immediately joined us. Kids were scared of the crazy wind and stayed in same room as us. Oldest slept on huge recliner in bedroom and youngest (14) started out in bed with us but soon moved to the floor. Of course I took pictures just for YOU!

They’re cell photos and you have to look closely …:

Two in a Queen plus 2 Dogs:

Three in a Queen plus 2 Dogs:

No sooner did we settle than the CABLE TV went out (which means no TV at all) and no landline phones. But again we had heat, so nobody complained. Too much. Let me say that I got NO sleep. First, Bailey doesn’t relax. Ever. And on the few times she did, I must have dozed only to be caught off guard by her jumping off the bed and having to get her settled again. Buddy, who prefers to start aligned with my husband ended up aligned with me. So I had basically 80 pounds of dog on top of me in a Queen. I woke up feeling like someone had physically beat on me the entire night. My husband took the dogs for a walk, only Bailey peed, Buddy returned and let loose in the bedroom, (Shh! Don’t tell mom, I cleaned it!) so hubby took them back home, fed them (Buddy ate, Bailey didn’t and puked twice) and went to work. Smart man.

For the day on Sunday, we took youngest to her best friend’s (and didn’t see her again till Tuesday morning). But it wasn’t that simple. The three of us drove in my dad’s car to my parents (the world looked like a WAR zone!) only to realize WE HAD NO HOUSE KEYS. Hubby took my set with my car to work by accident. Back to Mom’s, searched for extra set of keys, found none and decided we’d go get breakfast in basically our PJ’s. Whatever. Last minute, youngest finds set of keys. Back to my house. Kids brushed teeth and dressed and we set out to find food. First direction we tried, roads were closed. Second direction we were too hungry to go to diner and we went to Dunkin Donuts, picked up coffee and bagels and back to Mom’s to eat. THEN youngest showered and we headed back home to ::gulp:: pick up dogs, AND CRATES this time, and loaded car with clothes and all things dog (food etc.) and went to Mom’s only to find out THEY HAVE NO ELECTRICITY.

And no I am still NOT kidding. Turn around and go home, deciding if we’re going to freeze we’d rather do it in our own home. Oldest daughter has crates and stuff and she UNLOADS it all again. Meanwhile, I pull over to side of road and call friend who owns kennel, figuring give it one last shot to get dogs comfortable and rid myself of responsibility (bad mommy! but I was in over my head!) And the man I couldn’t own dogs without, answered the phone and assured me he had power/electric and heat (this despite the massive and I do mean massive evergreen tree we saw on the side of the road next to the kennel (man did he get lucky it didn’t hit the place!). So I go around road blocks and bring the dogs who are already in car to the kennel. With that huge relief off my head, we went back home and unloaded MY car, then took youngest around corner to her friends. They have a generator.

Oldest and I went home, dumped freezer (AGAIN), and settled in for day of knitting and reading. First we unpack, and are thinking, OK it’s not THAT COLD, we can do this. So then we climb into daughter’s bed and under covers and spend hours knitting (you should see my blanket!). But by the time a few hours went by, we were NUMB and realized how cold it actually was! I had friends who lived like this for days while all this went on!) We were by now (3 PM) starving for lunch. Hubby brought food home from store (turkey and mayo he said) and just as he walked in, I got a call from a friend. Power on that side of the neighborhood was back on!

Once again, NO I am still NOT kidding! We pack up again and head to Mom’s. And NO, this story isn’t over yet! We sit down to eat and discover hubby did not bring bread, b/c we had bread at home, and nobody took bread from home. We ate turkey and chips. Dry. Didn’t even bother with mayo. Hubby and I both finally took first shower and changed clothes (it’s only been 24 hours but felt like 24 years), and we decide to go to mall. Hubby wants to get out of house and so do we. So we hit mall, where yes I preorder the iPad after all my trying to talk myself out of it, and we try to eat at PF Chang’s but there is over an hour wait. So we head to another local restaurant, eat and back to Mom and Dad’s. Phone call tells us due to numerous power outages, school is canceled tomorrow (Monday) and there’s already no school Tuesday (teacher conference day or something), and then the three of us read and go to sleep early, all in one room.

Mom’s bed is harder than a brick and I still get very little sleep. Wake up cranky the next day. Hubby went to work. Oldest and I go home, get change of clothes, look up movie times, find out there’s nothing we want to see, and decide … another day of knitting and reading. No sooner did I get back to Mom’s when friend called and asked me to drive her son to another friend’s, so back out for a trip. Returned to Mom’s and read – this is the good part of the day: Read Larissa Ione’s Ecstasy Unveiled (book 4 in her phenomenal series – and wait till she guest blogs!) until Agent called. Asked for revisions on new proposal so she could send it out.

I was NOT going to lose days because I had no Internet. Head back home, picked up laptop and headed to mall and Starbucks for coffee and Internet. Made the changes, tried to send … laptop had 24% battery left and wouldn’t send. Ran to Mac Store with OPEN laptop and begged for a charge (my house has no electricity for days, yada yada) and they let me send. Success! Headed back to Mom’s, but on the way, I get a phone call …. POWER BACK ON at home!!!!!

Seriously? Must go see! Head on home and discover yes we have power. We have cable. We have landline phones! Luckier than a lot of my friends, let me tell you! So … guess what? Back to Mom’s, pack up entire house … At this point, I’ve lost count how many times I’ve done this … load up car and back home. Unpack car. Spend next hour unpacking bags and things and making home feel more like home again. It’s cold but slowly getting warmer in the house, thank goodness. No unexpected surprises post power failure to deal with except at my mom’s house, some issues I’ll need to take care of this week.

As of this posting, school started again today except for maybe one Elementary School with too many road closings to allow for attendance. Many roads, trees, etc. still down. Power still out at a lot of places. It’s crazy. Might as well have been called a hurricane. Except it wasn’t.

Just the 2010 Nor’easter from Hell!
Hope you all fared better than me!
And if you haven’t seen or heard from me lately, not anywhere on line, this is why!

*****

The winners of a copy of SAVIN’ ME by Alannah Lynne are:

Katie (Comment #4)

Jenn Hall (Comment #7)

Please contact Alannah with your email address at: Alannah @ alannahlynne.com (no spaces!).

I am a very lucky person–I have lots and lots of wonderful, amazing, incredible friends who are there for me day in and day out, at the drop of a hat…just 11 digits away on a phone dial. Julie, Janelle and Carly are fan-freaking-tastic people, whom I adore, and I have a few other SUPER close writer friends who I can see once every year and feel like an hour has passed since we last spoke.

I also have utterly amazing siblings. My 4 sisters, and my brother, are not only my relatives, but also very dear friends.

And, of course, my husband, Bruce, is not only my best friend but, honestly, the other half of myself.

But here’s the thing. Since moving to Maryland, uh…I’m lonely. Wah! Sounds pathetic, I’m sure, but it really has been a tough adjustment to me. In Florida, I was very involved with my local RWA chapter, and I had wonderful close friends with whom I could get together for lunch, or cookouts or shopping trips. I adore living so close to two of my sisters up here, but they both have busy jobs and lives, and it’s not like we can just go meet for a wine-y lunch (God I miss you Rocki & Camille!) I have a few high school friends in the area, but our lives have just gone in very different directions. The writer’s life is such a solitary one, and I really miss having someone to “talk shop with.” I am thinking of joining the Maryland Romance Writer’s group, so I guess that’s a start.

I’ve been wondering, though, how do you “make friends”? Where do you go to meet people? My kids aren’t little anymore so the days of “play dates” and stuff are long gone. I’d really like to get something of a social life again and I’m looking for inspiration. Help!

As always, we love to have guest bloggers here at Plotmonkeys. But it’s especially fun when one of those guest bloggers is someone who has been a part of the jungle from the very beginning. It’s doubly fun when the guest blogger is someone you’ve watched evolve from being a reader, to a published author in her own right! Her second book, SAVIN’ ME, is now out with Wild Rose Press. Please help me give a warm, jungle welcome to one of our own — Alannah Lynne!

First off, I want to thank Janelle, and the rest of the Plotmonkeys, for giving me my own grapevine to swing from today. They’ve been so supportive and encouraging over the past four years, I could never thank them enough or tell them how much it’s meant to me!!

As an avid reader, I always wondered where writers came up with their ideas. I’ve been asked that question several times myself this past week, and I decided I’d share the details of the long, drawn-out, often painful journey of writing Savin’ Me (it started here, and so much of it involves the jungle).

Those who have been hanging out in the jungle for…oh, the last four years or so, have been taking the journey with me. They’ve heard bits and pieces along the way – especially those who participate in the Saturday “mini workshops.” The first line was actually selected by Kimberly Raye in a “First Line” contest she did here in the jungle. Savin’ Me became affectionately known as the “Strawberry Story.”

As a new writer, there was one piece of advice I’d heard over and over: Write what you know. This sounded like a really good idea since I knew less than nothing about the actual process of writing. People always seemed interested in the story of how I met my husband, and it had a happy ending, so I decided to write about that. I mean, it was something I knew. Right?

I had just finished the first draft when Julie mentioned the TARA (her local RWA chapter) contest. It seemed like a great way to get feedback, something I desperately needed, so I got the first chapter spit-shined and sent off. I don’t remember how long it was from the time I sent the entry in, to the time I heard back, but it seemed like months and months and months. In the meantime, I’d taken a lot of classes and while I still had a ton to learn, I knew enough to know the chapter I’d sent off to TARA was horrible! It was to the point I was dreading getting them back, and they couldn’t have come at a worse time. They came the third week of July. I remember it with amazing clarity.

It was the week after my husband was diagnosed with a brain tumor, my oldest son was diagnosed with kidney problems and my youngest was told he needed to have 5 teeth pulled.

To say I was overwrought and overwhelmed would be an understatement. When I saw the SASE in my mailbox, I knew it was from TARA. A sick knot of dread wrapped around my stomach. I couldn’t stand to open it and hear how awful it was. I needed good news, not to beaten down some more. I carried the envelope into the house and went straight to the trashcan with it. My curiosity, however, got the best of me and several hours later I retrieved it from the trash. I still didn’t open it, though, for several more days. One afternoon, when I was feeling a little stronger and thought I could take it, I opened it up to read the comments.

All of the judges said the same thing. They liked my voice, they liked my characterization but….surprise! There wasn’t any conflict. Well, of course there wasn’t. LOL. I’m not going to say my relationship with my husband is perfect but…well…there wasn’t a lot of conflict there.

Encouraged by the judges’ comments (and let me say here, they were right on, professional, and even though they thought things needed to be changed, they said it in a constructive, positive way. I would strongly encourage any new writer to enter the TARA contest. The feedback is well worth the entry fee!) Anyway…encouraged by the judges’ comments, I sat back down and started again. I kept the characters, but not much else, and wrote in what I thought was a bunch of conflict. However, when I sent it to my CP (critique partner), she said there still wasn’t enough conflict.

She spent 3 hours in Instant Messenger with me one night and we piled the gloom, despair and misery onto my characters – mostly Erik, my hero. The poor guy. I rewrote the story again…in its entirety…for the second time. By this time, I was working with two new CPs and they really liked it but had a few comments and additions that resulted in…severe edits that could probably be considered rewrites.

Okay, let me say, at this point…I should have taken what I’d learned, applied it to a new story and stuffed this one in a very deep hole. But I didn’t. I couldn’t. I loved Erik. And he was so wounded, and had been carrying so much hurt and guilt around with him for so long, I needed to make sure he had his happy ending.

I’m not sorry that I rewrote it so many times and spent four and a half years of my life with Kat and Erik. But I don’t think I’d do it again. First, I hope I’ve learned enough in these past four years that it wouldn’t take me that many tries to get it right. And secondly, I’m smarter about my career now. Hopefully, I know when it’s time to release a work-in-process, and move on to something new.

I can’t be the only one who’s done this, am I? Has anyone else had something they just couldn’t give up on? A new dress that looked absolutely nothing like the picture on the front of the pattern package? Quilted placemats that didn’t have a single perfect square? A piece of thrown pottery that was supposed to be a bowl, but you were the only one who knew what it was supposed to be? Something, that despite how bad it was, you just kept pushing through until you’d gotten it the way you wanted it?

I’ll be giving away two downloads of Savin’ Me today. All you have to do is leave a comment to be entered. Thanks for listening to my story and I hope today is the start of a great week for everyone!!

The winner of Leslie’s Jungle Madness giveaway of an arc of COLD SIGHT is…

MARTHA LAWSON! Message # 72. Congrats Martha! Please send me an email author @ authorleslieparrish . com (no spaces) with your snail mail addy.

Winners from yesterday’s drawing of a copy of Julie’s DIRTY LITTLE LIES are:
#10 Kara T
#5 pat (pageofhope)
#32 Patsy Roberts

Winners from Monday’s drawing for four backlist titles from Julie are:
#8 ev
#31 Diana Tidlund

If these winners will contact Julie (Julie @ julieleto . com) she’ll take care you!

Now a few laughs on dating vs. marriage. Enjoy!

When you are dating….. Farting is never an issue.
When you are married ….You make sure there’s nothing flammable near your husband at all times.

When you are dating….. He takes you out to have a good time.
When you are married ….He brings home a 6 pack, and says “What are you going to drink?”

When you are dating….. He holds your hand in public.
When you are married ….He flicks your ear in public.

When you are dating….. A Single bed for 2 isn’t THAT bad.
When you are married ….A King size bed feels like an army cot.

When you are dating….. You are turned on at the sight of him naked.
When you are married ….You think to yourself “Was he ALWAYS this hairy????”

When you are dating….. You enjoyed foreplay.
When you are married ….You tell him “If we have sex, will you leave me alone???”

When you are dating….. He hugs you, when he walks by you for no reason.
When you are married ….He grabs your boob any chance he gets.

When you are dating….. You picture the two of you together, growing old together.
When you are married ….You wonder who will die first.

When you are dating….. Just looking at him makes you feel all “mushy.”
When you are married ….When you look at him, you want to claw his eyes out.

When you are dating….. He knows what the “hamper” is.
When you are married ….The floor will suffice as a dirty clothes storage area.

When you are dating….. He understands if you “Aren’t in the mood.”
When you are married ….He says “It’s your job.”

When you are dating….. He understands that you have “male” friends.
When you are married ….He thinks they are all out to steal you away.

When you are dating….. He likes to “discuss” things.
When you are married ….He develops a “blank” stare.

When you are dating….. He calls you by name.
When you are married ….He calls you “Hey” and refers to you when speaking to others as “She.”

I’m back, prepared to destroy yet another myth perpetuated by the “promo or perish” crowd.

Unfortunately, I’m short on time today, so I’m going to just ask a single question of our readers. Next week, I’ll interpret those answers into proof my hypothesis that unpublished writers do not NEED websites.

READERS: Why and when do you visit an authors website?

I don’t know about you guys, but I go for one reason and one reason only–to find out more about their latest book. The first info I want is WHEN IT WILL BE RELEASED. The second might be an excerpt. Third, bio information because I’m looking up something specific (for instance, where they live because I’m going to suggest my TARA chapter invite them to speak or perhaps I need to email them about guest blogging at Plotmonkeys, so I check them out there.)

Why do you visit an author’s website? And when?

Three commenters get a signed copy of DIRTY LITTLE LIES, my second book in the Marisela action-adventure series…just because.

Yay, it’s Friday! This is a particularly nice one because oldest is coming home for the weekend…a few days stop-over before she leaves for India for a study abroad trip. Worried Mom is very nervous, but also very proud.

Anyway, I know it’s a few months away, but I thought I’d see if I can drum up a little interest in my July release…

I should have ARC’s of this book within the next couple of weeks.

Anybody want one?

You know what to do…just leave a comment and you’re entered to win!

PS: Can I say I absolutely LOVE this book without sounding too cockyi? If you want to learn more about the book & read an excerpt, click here!

I’m a morning person. Generally. If I can get 8/9 hours of sleep, once I’m up, I’m up and ready to roll. I get all the important things done early in the day (i.e. I’ll write from 9 – 11 and then do errands if I have any), be home by 1 PM so I can write some more till the kids come home. I love being home in the afternoons. Whether I am working, or watching soaps, making dinner etc., that is the perfect day.

Enter my life now. My youngest daughter needs physical therapy on her ankle and because she’s in school all day, that’s a 3:45 PM appointment. Twice a week. For an hour and a half/two hours. I could drop her off but I feel like by the time I get home, I’ll have little time to turn around and go back again. So I bring my laptop, my kindle, and my knitting. I work. I get things done there. I know this is actually a good thing.

But it’s killing me. Because for some reason, losing my afternoons is making me irritable, grumpy and exhausted! It doesn’t make sense, but there you have it. And it seems like it’s going to be an endless proposition, although to be honest she only has appointments booked through early April and then we’ll re-evaluate. But I’m really out of sorts.

To add insult to injury, (haha) this week we add a dentist appointment for her on another afternoon at 5:45, and then another appointment or two next week. And … WAAAH!!!!

So I guess that makes me a morning person. Who needs her afternoons at home!!! What about you? Morning, afternoon or night?
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And a very special HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my baby girl! Bailey is three years old today!

There were times I didn’t think we’d make it. Bailey was the most challenging puppy. I can really say watching her grow into herself and her personality has been a fascinating journey! I watched her learn how to be a pet, overcome (most) of her anxieties (with the help of medication), and really become the pet she was meant to be. She is all personality. She loves to be rubbed on her back, but will ease around until she is getting a “butt rub” instead. She still isn’t 100% trained and thinks the dining room is an acceptable place to poop, but we’ve come to accept there are things you can’t change. She’s sensitive and if I think she needs the vet or something is wrong, there usually is. She was just diagnosed with Lyme’s Disease this week after she hiked up her paw and refused to put weight on it. Last week it was an intestinal issue. But she is worth every little bit of work and aggravation. The ONLY thing I would change is that she doesn’t cuddle into me in bed the way Buddy does. Buddy loves body contact. Bailey just wants to be near me. If that’s the worst, I’ll take it. Even Buddy, who’d never admit this out loud, loves having a running partner in the yard. He will be 12 next month and she keeps him young!

I must get a more recent pic of her posted!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY GIRL! I love you :)

So, I switched days with Julie this week, and completely forgot until late last night! Usually I’m thinking about what I’m going to blog about over the weekend (since my posts are on Mondays), but didn’t have to do that this past weekend. So, when it dawned on me that I had to write I blog for today, my mind was BLANK!

So, instead of a regular blog, how about some brain teasers to see how sharp you all are? I have to admit that some of these I got right, and some of them I didn’t. But they were fun to do and think about.

Question: You are a participant in a race. You overtake the second person. What position are you in? (Scroll down for answer).

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Answer: If you answered that you are first, then you are absolutely wrong! If you overtake the second person and you take his place, you are in second place!

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Question: Mary’s father has five daughters:

1. Nana, 2. Nene, 3. Nini, 4. Nono, and ???

What is the name of the fifth daughter?

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Answer: Did you answer Nunu? Of course it isn’t! Her name is Mary. Read the question again!

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Question: A mute person goes into a shop and wants to buy a toothbrush. By imitating the action of brushing his teeth, he successfully expresses himself to the shopkeeper and the purchase is done.

Next, a blind man comes into the shop who wants to buy a pair of sunglasses. How does he indicate what he wants?

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Answer: It’s very simple. He opens his mouth and asks for it!

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Very Tricky Math Question: This must be done in your head only! Do not use paper and pencil or a calculator.

Take 1000 and add 40 to it. Now add another 1000. Now add 30. Add another 1000. Now add 20. Now add another 1000. Now add 10. What is the total?

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Answer: Did you get 5000? Then you are WRONG! The correct answer is actually 4100. If you don’t believe it, check it with a calculator!

I got three out of the four correct. How did you do?

I’m deep in I-gotta-finish-this-book-like-last-week and am too brain dead to think of anything beyond these couples having another wild wedding night. (fun fun fun!)

So, please, chat amongst yourselves. What’d you think of the Oscars? (I thought they were dull as dishwater.) What’d you think of Steve Martin & Alec Baldwin as hosts? (Double dull. Love them individually, together they had no chemistry and the jokes fell entirely flat.) What about the winners? (Love Jeff Bridges, love the guy from Inglorious Basterds, love Sandra Bullock, haven’t seen Precious.) And the Best Pics? (I saw 5 of the 10 nominees and ranked The Hurt Locker # 4 out of 5 and Avatar # 5 out of 5, so obviously I’m out of step with the Academy. I liked Inglorious Basterds, District 9 and Up better than either of those) The Hurt Locker was a good, solid movie, but it left me cold and rather unmoved, afterward. It was interesting, but not compelling, the characters never really grew or changed. Just overall “meh.”

What about the dresses? I loved Helen Mirren’s and Sandra Bullock’s and the chick in the yellow dress who was giving out awards! Hated Sigourney Weaver’s.

Anyone else?