Jax's Artistic Journey...

WORD OF THE DAY
malediction: (noun) The calling down of a curse.
Synonyms: imprecation
Usage: They muttered maledictions and curses, but we ignored them.

BOOK OF THE DAY
This book has plenty of buzz and I've heard quite a lot of folks talking about it. Of course, I have heard about it, but never read the book or seen the DVD. So, I'm interested in picking it up and testing the theory. By this time next year if I get a multi-book contract than I will be spreading the word baby. LOL

Anyone got a bit of info on this? Do tell. Anyone totally thinks it's a hoax, please let me know... otherwise, I'll be channeling positive vibes out into the Universe so that I will receive wonderful news.... :)

MOVIE FRIDAY
A GOOD YEAR

I totally love this movie. Okay, it's not my all time favorite, but it's totally adorable. Lots of nostalgia for me as it makes me miss my beautiful France. I thought Russell Crowe was great in it and there are some absolutely wonderful bits about wine, lifestyle, and just enough humor and romance to make it a romance novel on the big screen. I'm sure some might disagree, but it's one of those movies you gotta watch with a few girl friends on a Friday night when nothing's going on. Makes you want to go through a few bottle of vin and take a trip to the wine country! Sante!

I take the 101 to the 405 every morning and I'm stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic. I've been grounded from talking on my cell phone until Thursday for going over my 1500 a month minutes. So, what is a girl to do besides cranking up the music?!!! Absolutely nothing compares to my morning phone calls to my friends all across the US. Never feel folks, I've got a blue tooth so my hands are firmly on the steering wheel and my eyes on the road. Fortunately for me, I can still use the phone with my Mobile-to-Mobile network with my girlfriends. I've even persuaded one of them to change over just so we can chat!

TODAY'S OBSERVATION....

I witnessed a Civic Hybrid in front of me. I tend to play the occupational guessing game. My first indication is that the guy drives a lot and wants to save money with gas. My second deduction is that he's got several pressed shirts hanging on a hanger. No, they aren't shrink wrapped. This tells me he's probably an actor. When I did acting gigs I would hang all kinds of clothes for changes. Possibly and extra as most actors have wardrobe personnel to help dress them. As I sputtered behind him for another two miles I noticed him reaching into the back seat during a stop traffic. He pulls out a cell phone and gabs away. After he's done and we move forward, he's pulling out the hair gel to spruce up his wet, short locks into the standard GQ hair sticking straight up. Next, he reaches in the back seat during another stop to pull out ... a pair of JEANS! WTF? He starts folding laundry!!!! As this fellow becomes more interesting I realize he sees me laughing like a hyena. Mr. Actor sped off... :(

What do I spy next? A woman putting on makeup! Yep, I'm talking the full face job. Moisturizer, concealer, press powder, eye shadow, eyeliner...the whole she-bang! Jeez people, can't you wake up early enough to fix your face without causing permanent damage if you hit someone??? Anyhow, truth of the matter is, I was fascinated that she was able to do all that! hehe

Now, I'm at work trying to get several passports turned in 48 hours for my bosses' kids for a trip they are taking next week. They're taking a cruise to the Carribbean and didn't think to pre-plan. So, what do I get to do? Freak out and make it happen...sigh. Yippee! Happy Day!

Available at Phaze.com

March, 2006ISBN 1-59426-524-0

After a quick and painless divorce, fashionista Diana Radford (formerly Simmons) is ready to start over. With a settlement of three million and a resort island off the coast of Grenada, she decides to realize her culinary dreams by taking over the island's restaurant, naming it "Dolce" after her mother. Although not classically educated in the culinary arts, Diana possesses a rare natural ability and puts it to work creating brilliant Italian/Caribbean fusion dishes.

Chance Kohler is a culinary celebrity like no other, with an arrogance to rival his talent. After helming several 5-star restaurants in the States, Chance jumped at the opportunity to host "Fighting Chance", his own reality cooking series. For the past two seasons, he's faced off against the best and the brightest of the cooking world. When Diana is selected as his next opponent, Chance balks at his producer's choice. The former waitress doesn't even have a degree and has only had her restaurant for six months, even if she is some kind of prodigy!

From the moment Chance sees Diana dicing mangoes in designer couture, she whets his appetite and leaves him craving for second helpings. Diana can't stand his antagonistic edge, but there's no denying the delectable sensuality in his every movement. After all, even if she loses to him, it means press for her resort. But if she wins, Diana will be the series' new host and Chance will suffer the humiliation of losing. Either way, the competition will be fierce but tasty, and the whole world will be watching.

Read the other two books in the anthology:

SUNSET KEY
RALEIGH IN RIO

I was driving off to lunch with workmates and saw ED BURNS! He's such a hottie.. then I scored tix to see Clippers vs. Utah Jazz and spotted John Schneider and Lorenzo Llamas... it was a very interesting day. YAY CLIPPERS!

Just got home from an exciting game and now I'm gonna kick back with this Italian wine from Tuscany a client of ours gave me. Isn't that sweet! It makes the shitty week seem suddenly a whole lot better.

What are my plans this weekend...? Humm...I'm taking Eden down with me. Web and book cover design, writing, writing writing. Lounging by the pool. Stuffing my face. Gossip, gossip, gossip. Writing, eating, and more gossiping. Sounds like I may get some work done after all. That's unless Eden decides to pull out all her costumes for Romantic Times and starts coordinating them. I'll draw the line there because I'll be drinking, drinking, drinking. LOL

I'm unbelievably tired so I think I'll go enjoy that bottle of wine.

It's apparent that I hate my job. I have one of those bosses that makes me feel like I'm no better than the icky stuff found in your bellybutton when you forget to clean it...maybe even more ickier at times. Being born with a silver spoon, he doesn't know how us real working class folks live. Not only is he a tyrant... and condescending... and arrogant... and an insensitive jerk ... he totally takes me for granted. I work about 14-16 hour days, my commute is an hour each way. I barely have a pee break and if I'm missing for 5 seconds he's having the office hunt me down. So, being a personal assistant isn't all it's cracked up to be. The perks and money doesn't out weigh the personal slavery...and that's the truth!

So, I've come up with a brilliant idea! I think that if I quit, I can find a way to survive for at least a month or two on donations. Heck, if that girl who was a shopaholic could pay off her debts in donations..I should be able to get something so I can quit my bloody job...LOL

Here's my game plan...get donations to help pay a month's worth of rent and then I can walk into my office and tell my boss to go to hell... :) Sounds simple enough. I'm so brilliant....haha!

I wish I had something to talk about besides my dull life, but you're all going to have to endure my endless rants and incredibly unenlightening posts.

Okay, I'm no witty Hulles or homeschool intellectual Eva, or fashionable as Kristen and Eden...but I can hold my own when it comes to cooking and eating! You know how hard it is to think of something clever to post? I think that all my brain cells have been eaten up by work. I find myself staring off into the great void of my computer screen and soon my mind trails off and I'm just babbling nonsense...like now.

Who's psyched? I sure am totally thrilled that Brangelina are adopting a baby from Vietnam, my home turf! There's this tingling sensation that takes shape and I can't help but feel proud that they'd want an orphan from my neck of the woods. More rambling...sorry.

I was tickled to death to discover My Dear Gerry's 300 made $70 Million over the weekend...but I'm told that he won't be my Gerry anymore now that he's gotten so much exposure! I can't help myself...my knees turn to jello when I see his half-naked torso onscreen. I wonder if it's considered stalking if I make it a mission to track him down and tell him I'll volunteer to bear his children?LOL

Back to reality....another day, another dollar. Thank God for payday Wednesday!!!!

Not going to begin to tell you how stressful this weekend was...however, I am going to tell you that I shall never drink another drop again -- well, not until Romantic Times Convention, anyways... I would paint a pretty picture of how inebriated I was but I'm not going to do it. I will tell you to never go into a Czech bar without knowing the warning signs! "Do Not Drink Czech Vodka"... unless you want to find yourself in some alleyway stripped of your dignity and your memory. Enough said. I will divulge that even a pro-lush as myself will bow down to the Czech Vodka Gods because they sure know how to wipe the floor with your face after a few cosmopolitans!

I think I'm still slurring from Saturday night. I've had a total of 3 hours sleep all weekend. Go figure I'm such a bumbling mess.

Adopt A Soldier :: We have such busy lives and schedules that we often forget about those great men and women who serve our country. Many faces that we should support and pray for because it's a dangerous job they're doing so we can stay safe.

Whether you're donating or wanting to actively take part, why not sign up for the Walk for Diabetes or 3 Day Walk for the Cure for Breast Cancer. If you don't have time, give give give. I am living with Fibromyalgia or FMS and every opportunity I have I try to give to this cause or other amazing causes to help support finding a cure.

Lonely? Why not rescue a pet that may be next in line to be put down :( Go to your nearest Animal Shelter or contact the Humane Society and save their little lives. Sniff sniff

This may not be for everyone, but one of the things I am most certainly going to do is Adopt a Child during my lifetime and it's something to think about for those who are or aren't able to have children. I'm a big advocate of adoption as I've known many wonderful people who have adopted or have been adopted by a loving family. There are so many children out there in desperate need of love and we have the power to give it. If you have the finances to do this, you should. I hope to have children of my own, but I will definitely have additions to the family!

If you aren't able to do any of those suggestions, I'm sure you can do something nice for somebody today.

Pass it on....

So, one of my favorite Monday night shows.."The Class"..may not return for another season :( "AI" is starting to bore me and I can never remember when "House" is on. Mind you, I don't watch tv all that much, honest! I have enough problems prying my butt from my seat in my office to eat dinner with my hubby...However, lately, I've been hit with the tired bug. Ever since my disastrous flu incident I can't seem to predict when would be the appropriate sleep time. Somedays I'm up until 3 AM and others I am wiped out by 7:30! Sure I get up between 5:30 & 6:00 AM to start my work regimen, but I'm an early bird so it shouldn't affect my pattern. I use to stop off at Starbucks EVERY morning and $4 a day really adds up. About two weeks ago I picked up these 3 in 1 coffee packs and haven't had a need to stop off anymore and it saves me a bundle! I now go to Starbucks as a treat to myself. I'm sure I'll probably get cancer from drinking instant coffee that is as strong as three espresso shots, but right now it is YUMMY and it keeps me from detouring 15-20 minutes of my morning before my hour commute to Brentwood. What do I have going on tonight? Deadlines that I never finished and will get shit for from my publisher and writing partner. It's hard enough trying to stay awake...it's even harder to be motivated when all you want to do is hit the $350 million lottery in CA.. Coincidentally, I won $.22 in my office pool! Wow! I only lost $1.78 minus 4 additional dollars that I bought on my own because I thought I'd outsmart my office if I won... sigh, I'm not going anywhere because we found out some folks in New Jersey and some ho-dunk city won :( So much for native Californian's having any luck!

Until next time....

Aren't deadlines fun? It's so easy to find yourself trying to meet them when you thought you'd have plenty of time to finish but you don't anticipate getting sidetracked by life's little mishaps. My father's been hospitalized twice in a week, my job consists of 14-16 hour days and I'm prepping for all kinds of fun things for conference. That's not all. I'm doing computer training, web maintenancing, and trying to find time to do my own side projects! There's never a dull moment and I keep on ticking. Yes, I know, I need to keep healthy and I'm working on it. As of this week I'll be going through alternative medicine/acupuncture and then sign up for pilates or work out at my gym to start off. It's going to be tough, but I'm gonna work around it. I've decided to jump into the New Year's Resolution a little late, but at least I'm doing it! I haven't picked up any smoking habits and I have cut down my drinking indulgences to a bare minimum--ha! Yes, the lush is backing down on my sweet mixed drinks and Irish brew...until conference, anyway ;)

So, what does today have in store for me? A heck of a lot of work and plenty of late hours.. Yippee! Bring it on Universe!

The TAKEN ADVANTAGE SYNDROME?

7 Classic signs

1. People expect you to go out of your way to do things for them without returning the favor
2. People assume you're available to hear them rant without giving you an opportunity to rant yourself. When you do need to vent they point out that you are selfish and don't allow them a word in edgewise
3. Your name is submitted as a volunteer without being asked if it's okay
4. You get regular calls to pick up your "friends" when they're stranded and need a ride home
5. You work on professional projects for "friends" and they assume you don't need to be compensated and they don't offer to pay
6. You have an outing with "friends" and you're stuck with the bill or a majority of the portion because they can't calculate well
7. You are the designated driver every outing because you have a gas efficient car

The reality...I recently noticed a pattern. People take advantage of me because I have a problem saying "no". I'm a giver and I give until I don't have time for myself and often it becomes apparent to me that people don't value me. Sure they're nice and say "thank you" but they just don't stop asking, demanding, expecting...it's the reason why I have backed away from a lot of things lately.