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Baby wasn't the only one surprised.
Change.

Let’s talk about it.

I don’t much care for it. I know this about myself.

This got driven home yet again Saturday afternoon. ABC Family aired Dirty Dancing, which only happens to be one of my two favorite movies. Because I like to torture myself, I settled down to see how long I could stand watching it before being forced to change the channel.

Dirty Dancing is one of the few movies I know like the back of my hand. Watching it on non-premium channels is torturous because of the edits. I’ll never forget the time I watched it on VH-1 and they cut off the scene where Baby sees Johnny for the first time BEFORE she saw him. I was done.

Anyway, I assumed ABC Family would be doing the same. Oh, little did I know. I’m watching the movie. All is well. Nothing has been cut. And then…Baby sees Johnny kissing some random woman before she runs into his cousin carrying the watermelons. What the hell?!

I thought I was losing my mind. I whipped out my DVD just to make sure I hadn’t forgotten a scene of a movie I’ve seen countless times before. No, my mental faculties were still intact. In the studio version of the movie, she’s walking along with no sign of Johnny and runs into his cousin and offers to carry the watermelon.

I was thrown for the rest of the movie waiting for the other little “surprises” ABC Family had in store with their Dirty Dancing, Special Edition as they were calling it. I’m sure they thought they were giving us an insider’s look at the movie. To that I say, “Boo! Hiss!”

I want the same ole, same ole.*

It takes me a long time to adapt to change. I like the familiar. It’s comfortable and I know what to expect. Like they sing in the first High School Musical, I like to stick to the status quo.
OK, for all those still reading who didn’t disown me for referencing High School Musical, I say thank you. Ahem.

This is not to say I can’t handle change. I just don’t like it. I’m better when I can prepare for it, like going from elementary to middle to high school to college. It’s strange, but inevitable. There’s no point in whining about it because it’s going to happen, but when it smacks me in the face with its unexpectedness, that’s when I have the most trouble. I much prefer change on my own schedule.

Let’s talk about Twitter, shall we? A few months ago, Twitter started teasing the #newtwitter. I actually kind of got excited. When I finally got it, I wasn’t pleased. Things weren’t where I was used to them. Furthermore, they still had some bugs to work out because I’d click on something, but nothing happened.

I took my butt right on back to #oldtwitter. I wasn’t ready for this change.

A few weeks ago, I decided to give #newtwitter a try. This time, I was ready to give it a fair shot. I’d accepted that #newtwitter probably wasn’t the enemy trying to ruin my life. I adapted much better this time around. There are a few things I still don’t love, but I’ll live.

But Dirty Dancing, Special Edition? I hope to never see that again in my lifetime.

What about you? Do you throw the door open and let change in at every knock or do you make sure the deadbolt is securely locked?

xoxo,
Jamie

*The one funny thing is that Lisa, Baby’s sister, had a lot of lines that were cut from the final version. Oops for her.

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This would make a great Christmas card if I believed in such things (and wasn't completely lazy).
Just in case you didn’t know, Christmas is on Saturday. Yay! Some people like other holidays better, but Christmas has always been my favorite. I remember being a kid flipping through store catalogs picking out every toy in them. I remember watching Santa Claus: The Movie for the first time. I was enthralled with how the North Pole and Santa’s workshop were portrayed. They were straight out of a kid's dream.

As an adult, I love Christmas just as much as I did when I was younger. “Why?” you ask. Well, let me tell you.

Nostalgic commercials – Every year, I look forward to the Folgers’ “Peter” commercial. Last year, they updated it. I’m still trying not to be resentful. And the Hershey Kisses’ commercial makes me jolly. 
 
Christmas lights and decorations – They’re so pretty. All that green and red and gold and bright and shiny. What’s not to love?
 
Walt Disney World at Christmas – I took the above picture two years ago. Disney is my favorite place in the world. And when you combine with my favorite holiday? WIN! The decorations all over the property are so pretty. I attended the Candlelight Processional, where Rita Moreno read the Christmas Story. i can't forget the awe-inspiring Osborne Lights at Hollywood Studios. And while it’s not true every year, the week I was there, the weather was amazing. Perfect temperature. I wore jeans and a light jacket that I took off at mid-day. So wonderful. 
 
I love Christmas music, in general, but there are two albums that have a special place in my heart.
 
Mariah Carey’s Merry Christmas – How many times have I listened to this CD over the years? Way too many to count. Everyone knows “All I Want for Christmas,” but the entire CD is excellent and puts me in the Christmas spirit.
 
*NSYNC’s Home for Christmas – That’s right I said it. In 1998, the group hit it big and their record label saw dollar signs and had them record a Christmas CD. I’m so happy they did. Their version of “O Holy Night” always puts a smile on my face. 
 
Presents – I admit it. I’m shallow. I love getting gifts. Stuff I love that I don’t have to buy. Woo hoo! But I also love giving gifts. I pride myself on being a great gift giver. I love the feeling I get when the recipient’s face lights up with joy. Score! I haven’t even mentioned the sales that make my thrifty heart go pitter-patter. 
 
Love – What would Christmas be without spending it with my wonderful, often dysfunctional family?
 
Do you love Christmas or does some other holiday come first in your heart?

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Saturday, I ended up at Walmart. I’d originally gone to Target to get the new Mariah Carey Christmas CD, but Target wanted $11.99 for it. Not gonna happen because I knew Best Buy had it for $9.99. Why not just go to Best Buy? Best Buy is farther away, and I was feeling lazy. Walmart is down the street from Target, so I figured what the hey?

I don’t go to Walmart a lot because it tends to be a stressful, hectic situation. There are so many people in there crammed in the aisles.

But I’ll give Wally World this. This store, at least, has been remodeled. They’ve widened the aisles, so I don’t feel like a canned sardine. Anyway, when I arrive, I make my way to the entertainment section only to get completely sidetracked by the books aisle. Something else Walmart has going for it – they have a large book section and a sizeable African American author section, which isn’t always the case at other retailers.

Hugs…
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I start perusing the books when another woman joins me. Let’s call her Reba Reader. She starts talking to me. She loves to read and asks me if I’ve read such and such books and authors. She loves Mary B. Morrison and Carl Weber. She shows me the books she’s recently read. According to Reba Reader, books are like movies and a lot of times better, because there’s so much action, but you just keep turning the pages. I love her and her enthusiasm. As a fellow lover of books and an aspiring author, it did my heart proud. I’m so introverted. I wish I could be an extrovert like her. Later, I thought I should have gotten her name and number, so she can do my PR if/when my books comes out. Except that would have been creepy, but you understand what I’m saying.

Anyway, I pick out the books I want (because I am a weak individual with no willpower). No, I didn’t get the Mariah CD because it was $11.88 and I’m cheap like that. I head to the checkout counter also known as the worst place to be at Walmart. For whatever reason, people think they have to buy the entire store at that one time. To avoid the typically mammoth lines, I look for a self-checkout lane, but Walmart has taken those out apparently.

However, I do see an express lane, 10 items or less, so I get in that lane. There are three people in front of me, but it’s the express lane. How long can they possibly take? Oh, let me tell you.

Bugs…
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When I step in the lane, I notice a guy ahead of me. Let’s call him Cowboy Roy. Cowboy Roy looks like he just stepped off a ranch. He has the hat, the plaid shirt, belt buckle, jeans, and boots working for him. Now I live in Texas. I won’t say it’s uncommon to see cowboys, but it’s not something I see every day, especially in this part of town. But frankly, I don’t care that he’s a cowboy. What I do care about is how many items are in his cart.

He starts unloading the cart. Um, he has more than 10 items, probably close to 20. I look up to make sure that I am, indeed, standing in the express lane. Yep, it says right there – 10 items or less. I want the cashier to call him out and tell him to go wait in the regular line, but she doesn’t. Strike 1 for Cowboy Roy.

And THEN…

 He asks the cashier to fetch him some cigarettes. Are you kidding me? Strike 2 for Cowboy Roy.

And THEN…

He pays for his items and the cashier hands him his receipt. You know what that means, right? Transaction over. Except Cowboy Roy wants to stand in his exact same spot and study the receipt. Um, hello there’s someone behind you who needs to get to the credit card machine to pay for her stuff. Also, even if there is a problem, you’re going to have to go to the customer service desk anyway. MOVE. Strike 3 for Cowboy Roy. You’re out.

I was done with him. D-U-N done.

So that was my Walmart adventure. How do you feel about Wally World?


P.S. I did get the Mariah CD…from Best Buy. I ordered it online and picked it up yesterday.

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Hugs: Breakthrough

Bugs: Freaking out and needing a breakthrough

It’s been a week since my last blog post, and that’s never my intention, but crap happens. I didn’t write anything Wednesday because I hadn’t been reading anything for pleasure. My manuscript doesn’t count, unfortunately. L

And then by Friday, I’d had yet another crisis of faith in my writing. And I really didn’t want to write about that. I’d reached the 70% (or thereabouts) mark of the manuscript, and I freaked out about where the book was headed. I was mostly worried that I was cramming too much stuff in the last section of the book. Writing is fun, but, man it can be stressful. L

I didn’t like freaking out, so I came up with a plan to overcome it J, and spent the weekend putting it into place. I reviewed the story from the beginning till the freak out point and then looked at what I’ve written for the end.

Good news – the last part of the book is workable and viable. I still have to make it publishable because it’s still in the rough first draft stage, but it makes sense (in my head, at least). And frankly, that’s all that matters right now.

Of course, that’s not to say that during the editing process, I won't discover that I’ll have to change the ending. I’m okay with that, but, for now, I’m going to go with it as is and see where it leads me.

One other thing I figured out during my review is that I need to add EMOTION. I’ve been so concerned with the external plot and Dee and Jeremiah’s motivations that I haven’t concentrated enough on how they feel about each other in the present beyond the sexual attraction. I need to make sure the emotional attraction is there as well. In my first novel, I was very conscious of this, and each scene served a dual purpose of plot and emotion (in my opinion, they did, anyway). In the third draft, I will be sure to concentrate on this.

P.S. This is the biggest Hugs of them all – the Texas Rangers are going to the World Series!! My exhilaration knows no bounds. And I get to go to a World Series game!

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The Texas Rangers celebrate winning the 2010 American League Division Series.

Saturday afternoon, I attended Game 2 of the American League Championship Series between the Texas Rangers and the New York Yankees. The Rangers won, tying the series 1-1, and all was right with the world.

I went to the game by myself for a few reasons. One, I was too lazy to ask anyone to go with me. I get uncomfortable asking people to spend money on things they’re not passionate about, and I didn’t want to deal with it. Two, most people I know don’t like baseball. It’s too long and slow/boring are the usual complaints.

I understand why they think that way, but I disagree. I’m not trying to convince anyone that they should love baseball like I do. We all have our likes and dislikes and I do my best not to ridicule other people’s hobbies because I’ve been on the other end plenty of times for my choices. But I do want to tell you why I love the American pastime.

Too long?

The games usually last around 3 hours, which is the same amount football games last.

Too slow/boring?

I love baseball because each play could be “The Play.” Each pitch has the potential to be fantastic or demoralizing for your team. You just never know, which pitch is going to be THE pitch. The next pitch could be a wild pitch that sends the winning run home or the strikeout that gets you out a bases loaded jam. You just never know.

For instance, in the American League Division Series’ game two, Michael Young (my favorite player by the way) started to swing, but held up. If the umpire thought he’d gone too far, he would have struck out. But the umpire said he stopped in time, so he got another shot. Young hit a three-run homerun. The Rangers won the game and life was good.

How can that edge of your seat anticipation be boring?

I love baseball.

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I don’t listen to bands, but I love Maroon 5. 

I got into Maroon 5 in 2004, I’m guessing. I was working at my old job and “Harder to Breathe,” the band’s first single, was out. It was hard and loud and angry and I loved it. Every time I heard it on the radio, I would crank it up and sing along. But I was reluctant to explore the band’s music further because, like I mentioned, I don’t listen to bands. I’m not a rock person (not that M5 is rock, but they’re as close as I get). I like pop and R&B.

Anyway, one day, while in a co-worker’s car driving to lunch, I started looking through her CD Collection. Guess what she had? The Maroon 5 CD! I asked to borrow it. She let me, and it was love at first sound. The CD, Songs about Jane, and I connected. The soul-infused album contained songs about a toxic relationship that was unhealthy for both participants. It was real and honest, and I “got it.”

That album was the only CD I listened to for months. I could be exaggerating, but I’m not. I knew all the words and the riffs Adam, the lead singer, would go off on.

I’ve been lucky that Maroon 5 likes to tour and I’ve been to three of their concerts. I get to see them again next week, and I’m beyond excited. I’ve been listening to their new CD Hands All Over nonstop, and I love it.

This morning I was thinking how grateful I am that I get to see them. If they’d been touring last year at this time, I would have had to miss the show. Last year, I had no job and no money. I had to miss several concerts of artists I adore, like Pink and Kelly Clarkson, because I was BROKE. And I LOVE concerts. I love being in the atmosphere and listening to my favorite singers and singing along. It’s so cool.

It sucks not having money. It truly does. I was so grateful last November when I finally got a job. I’m even more thankful now that I have my new job because I can see Maroon 5 in 10 days without obsessing about whether or not I can afford it.

Life throws us so many curveballs, good and bad.

I've learned that when you have the opportunity to do something you love (without being irresponsible, stupid, or bankrupting yourself), do it because you don’t know what the future holds.

 xoxo,
Jamie
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Hugs...

Maroon 5 released a new CD, which I’m loving a little more every time I listen to it. The band is coming to town in October. Very excited!

My Texas Rangers clinched their first playoff berth in 11 years. Very, very, very excited about this.

Usher is coming to town. I've been a fan since I was a teenager, but I've never seen him in concert.

There’s a class called French Novels of Erotic Intrigue I want to take. Cool.

Bugs...

Do you see where this is going?

Two concerts, a playoff game, and a class. Yeah, that’s an easy $400 right there. Why does everything cost money? And so much money at that.

Oh, well. I’m definitely going to the concerts. I’d planned to go to a playoff game, but they conflict with my work schedule, and now they’re sold out. I want to take the class, but I’m still on the fence about that.

Why can’t money grow on trees? My life would be so much cooler if it did.

What/who are you hugging this week?
What/who is bugging the mess out of you?

xoxo,
Jamie
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Hugs...

This week is premiere week for all the major TV networks. Woo hoo! I love love love TV. Dancing with the Stars, Castle, America’s Next Top Model, Grey’s Anatomy, Law & Order: SVU. I could go on and on. All these shows start this week, and I’m beyond excited.

Bugs...

But I’m only one person. I can’t watch everything. It’s just not possible much to my dismay. Tonight, I’m missing The Event and Lone Star, two new shows I’m really interested in. And don’t get me started on missing Gossip Girl, the bestest, most ridiculous scripted show on TV. But I feel the need to watch Dancing with the Stars live because someone is getting kicked off.

I know I can watch the shows on Hulu, but there really isn’t enough time for me to watch everything, so I'm forced to pick and choose.

Woe is me.

What/who are you hugging this week?
What/who is bugging the mess out of you?
xoxo,
Jamie

 
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So yeah, this post was supposed to be done yesterday, but things have been kind of hectic. I started a new job Monday, and commuting wears me out. I need to remedy that situation ASAP. Also, I planned to write my blog after the U.S. Open Men’s Final on Sunday, but the match got washed out. Rafael Nadal and Noval Djokovic played last night FINALLY.

On to the point…

                   Hugs

Being a sports fan can be amazing. Sports are the ultimate reality TV. You’re never sure of what you’re going to get. You can get the sublime like your favorite player winning his first U.S. Open final, which is what happened Monday night. Rafael Nadal, through his tenacity, strength of will, and sheer talent, won the tournament that had managed to elude him over the years. He is the best tennis player in the world, bar none. I was so beyond ecstatic for him.

What a feeling!

                   Bugs

As I’m sure we’re all aware, Sunday comes before Monday. As thrilled as I was Monday night, I was equally pissed Sunday night. The Dallas Cowboys found another creative way to lose a game – to a team they have no business losing to if they have Super Bowl aspirations. The only consolation I can take is that it was the first game of the season, and they have 15 more games to go.

What a feeling indeed.

What/who are you hugging this week?
What/who is bugging the mess out of you?

xoxo,
Jamie
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                   Hugs

I love Big Brother. As far as I’m concerned, summer doesn’t start until Big Brother premieres. It’s been a staple in my summer TV viewing for the past 11 years, and I don’t anticipate that changing any time soon. I love the show because of the crazy personalities that become amplified when people are trapped in a house for three months. I especially love the weekly power shifts. When the house divides into “us versus them” that’s a sure sign the season is going to be great. Season Six was a perfect example of this. You had the sane, fun people versus the crazy, self righteous crowd. The weekly power shifts were great to watch. There’s nothing like waiting for Thursday night to see who would win the coveted Head of Household and cheering when someone you were rooting for wins or deflating when someone you hate wins. Ah, yes. Big Brother can be the definition of greatness when it’s clicking on all cylinders.

But when it’s not…

                  Bugs

You get this year’s edition of Big Brother – BB12. Sigh. The women allowed themselves to be picked off one by one. But that’s not even the worst part. The worst part is you get four men in the house, who are part of a stupid alliance called the Brigade. Only one member of this alliance has done anything worth any merit the entire summer. The other three win nothing and do nothing but talk about how powerful they are. They’ve skated by the entire summer and let everybody else do everything. But they’re so powerful. Give me a freaking break. Show just the slightest ability to win a competition and I might start believing in your words of what you’re going to do. They haven’t had to do anything. They’ve orchestrated nothing. And yet here they are in the Final 4 (well three of them anyway). Drives me absolutely insane!

But I’ll be back next summer. It’s a weakness I can’t and don't want to shake.

xoxo,
Jamie
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