Controversy?

Controversy, it's everywhere. If they're not blaring it on the news then they're discussing it on daytime talk shows, they're posting about it on Yahoo! and other media sites. I originally wanted to post a blog per day pertaining to each "controversial" issue and see what all of the blog hoppers thought, but unfortunately, I don't have that kind of time right now. Who does right? The holiday season is just a crazy time of year.

I want to discuss is the Glee photo spread in GQ. Anyone see this? I didn't even know that it existed until the ladies on The Talk went a little nuts over it. And not in a good way. (Please click the link to view these photos) I will say that these photos are racy, but that's as far as I'm willing to push it. One photo in particular I think is even in bad taste, but I wouldn't call any of them pornography. These actors are all over the age of 18. Cory Monteith is 29 years old, Dianna Agron and Lea Michele are both 24 years old and while they do play high school students on television, they're not in real life. They're adults. They're grown-ups, capable of making grown up decisions.

The other side of the coin? They appeared in character.

Sort of. People have a problem with the fact that they appeared "in character" for the shoot. Does anyone else watch this show? Rachael does not dress like this. She does not wear this much make up and she does not wear those totally awesome shoes. She dresses like "a preschooler and a grandmother all at the same time". Same goes for Quinn. She wears a cheerleader uniform. Every day. Her hair is always pulled back in a pony tail and she doesn't wear that much make-up either. Cory Monteith is the only one who appears even slightly in character for this shoot.

My biggest problem with this shoot? Where was Mark Salling? Why are he and Cory not half naked for this shoot? I guess it could have something to do with the magazine itself, Gentleman's Quarterly, but come on, a little consideration!

I guess the point I'm trying to make is this: if the ladies on The Talk hadn't told me about this, I would have never known. Sometimes I think the "news media" makes something a bigger deal than it would have been originally if they just left it alone.

What's your opinion? Inquiring minds and all that. :)

I'm trying, I really am

The beauty of listening to a book, as opposed to reading a book, is that listening to it is like listening to/watching a play. If the reader is good, you have different voices for different characters. The actions actually make sounds instead of just reading the words "he sneezed". You get the idea. The problem with listening to books, as opposed to reading books, is that if the reader sucks, forget it.

There are many books that I haven't been able to read because something about the story pulls me out too often. For example, when I tried to read THE DAVINCI CODE I couldn't. Too many words were in French and when I tried to sound them out, it pulled me out of the story. It's the same reason that I can't read the Kay Scarpetta books. I L O V E the Scarpetta series, but I can't read them. Without sounding like a complete idiot, the medical terminology pulls me out. They are not words I know so I have to stop and sound them out. (I swear, I'm not an idiot.) When I was reading LOVER MINE by J.R. Ward, I was pulled out every couple of chapters when she changed eras. These are some of things that pull me out of books. The other reason I listen to a book instead of reading it is if I have problems getting through it.

My daughter and a handful of friends have been telling me how completely wonderful the TWILIGHT series is. DD has read the series so many times I'm sure she can repeat it back to me from memory. I read all the Harry Potter books and I enjoy Meg Cabot and Gena Showalter's YA books, so it's not a YA thing. We all know I love paranormal so that's not it, I've just never had the inclination to read them.

I decided to give them a shot, I liked the movie, why not the book, so I picked up my daughter's copy of TWILIGHT. I read about a chapter and put it down. I never picked it back up. Why? I dunno. It didn't hold my interest. The first line is a grabber, "I'd never given much thought to how I would die..." it grabs you doesn't it? That was it though. The first chapter and I gave up.

I have decided to give TWILIGHT another chance. I've really enjoyed the movies, although Robert Pattinson is the worst Edward ever. I love him as an actor, but not as Edward. I watch the movies and wonder why Bella is such an idiot and doesn't just take up with that smokin' hot, barely legal werewolf. I mean seriously? My friends all assure me that Edward is awesome in the books. I want to see that for myself, so I've picked up the book on CD.

Back to the beginning of this blog. The reader of a book on CD is everything. This girl, who reads this book, is not. Don't get me wrong, she doesn't stutter, she doesn't whistle her S's or anything obnoxious like that. She reads the book. I could do that. I picture this girl sitting in a chair reading to me, like I used to do for my kids when they were younger. She does put emotion into the reading, but that's just not enough.

I am determined to get through this book. I want to get through this book. Wish me luck!

Best Kinds of Kisses

So, I have this kissing scene in my head for Megan and Cole and while I don't have a lot of details yet, I can see the kiss in my head. They're arguing over something, cuz that's what they do. I'm thinking it's about why he left her the first time and at some point during her rant, he boxes her in, puts his hands on either side of her face and kisses her.

In my opinion, face touching is hot during a kiss. Anyone ever see Simply Irresistible with Sara Michelle Gellar and Sean Patrick Flanery? There's this kiss in her kitchen where he is touching her face with his fingers. Just running them over her cheeks, and then he comes in for the kiss. It makes my tummy drop. I was trying to find this clip for you on You Tube, but they don't have it and apparently I don't have the capabilities to clip it from the DVD that I own, so I was searching around. I found this kiss, from Catch and Release. It makes my tummy drop too. Plus, Timothy Oliphant. HOT HOT HOT!



What's your idea of the perfect kiss?

Thank You Lisa Kleypas

I was wandering around my local library a few months ago and I decided to peruse the MP3 aisle. As I'm reading the different authors and titles the security guard bellows, "the library is closing in five minutes. If you haven't already checked out your books you should be standing in line to do so." Five minutes? Seriously? How am I going to find a good book to listen to in five minutes? I mean really! I return my eyes to the MP3 books and search desperately for an author that I know and a title that I haven't read. Lisa Kleypas. Lisa Kleypas has a book on the shelf. Mine 'Till Midnight. Haven't read that one. Listened to Blue Eyed Devil. Loved it. I'll check it out.

I check out my audio book in record time and head out to the car. I sit down and decide to read the summary on the back of the case.

When an unexpected inheritance elevates her family to the ranks of the aristocracy, Amelia Hathaway discovers that tending to her younger sisters and wayward brother was easy compared to navigating the intricacies of the "ton," Even more challenging: the attraction she feels for the tall, dark, and dangerously handsome Cam Rohan. Wealthy beyond most men' s dreams, Cam has tired of society' s petty restrictions and longs to return to his " uncivilized" Gypsy roots. When the delectable Amelia appeals to him for help, he intends to offer only friendship-- but intentions are no match for the desire that blindsides them both. But can a man who spurns tradition be tempted into that most time-honored arrangement: marriage? Life in London society is about to get a whole lot hotter... .

UGH! It's a historical. I don't really like historicals. They're boring, the women are wimps and, well, just yuk, I just don't like them. *big sigh* But I want to listen to a new book. I'm ready for a new book and I know I like this author *big sigh* and the last historical I read (so long ago I can't remember when) was so good that I even remember the title. The Madcap Marriage by Allison Lane. I'll be honest, I had to Google the book to get to the author, but it was so much fun to read that I still remember it. I guess I'll give it a try. If I don't like it I can come back tomorrow and return it for something different. *sigh*

I slip the CD into the player in my car and am prepared to be bored out of my head. Nothing like going into a new book with a positive attitude! The story begins and this reader has the most amazing voice. I'm transfixed. At the next red light I pick up the case and check out the name of the reader. Rosalyn Landor. Just wow. Even if the story stinks I'm really going to enjoy just listening to her talk.

Are you ready? Here's the kicker. The story is amazing. Amelia is strong and opinionated and enjoyable. Her sisters, Poppy and Beatrix are cracking me up. Merripen is broody and withdrawn. Winn is physically fragile but mentally strong. Cam is hot. Just hot hot hot hot hot. The dialogue is witty and the plot has grabbed me by the lapels and won't let me go. I enjoyed this book so much I was actually sad to see it come to an end.

Guess what. Go ahead. Guess. You'll never guess. IT'S A SERIES!!!!! It's a series of five books. Count them. Five!

I just finished listening to Tempt Me at Twilight, the third book, and it's just as amazing as the first two. So, to sum up this rambling blog, thank you Lisa Kleypas. Thank you for introducing me to a world that I had no idea I would enjoy so much. I just might have to give other historicals a try.

Stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives

My friend Sabine Goldman is collecting money for the Leukemia Society. If everyone donates just $2.00 it would be a huge contribution.

I found this information on Sabine's donation page, please check it out:

I'm training to participate in an endurance event as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training. All of us on Team In Training are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives. I am completing this event in honor of all individuals who are battling blood cancers. These people are the real heroes on our team, and we need your support to cross the ultimate finish line - a cure! Please make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance LLS's mission. The father of a dear friend (Susan Holm) was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. This fundraiser and marathon is in honor of him, Mr Peter Holm of Milford, CT. I hope you will visit my web site often. Be sure to check back frequently to see my progress. Thanks for your support! I am asking each of my FB friends for a small donation of $2, that is less than the cost for a gallon of gas or even a cup of coffee. $2 isn't much your right but $2 each from over 2600 people make a whole lot of difference. I know I can count on you.

Every dollar helps.

Something to blog about...

I know I am behind the eight ball on this but I just learned that they're making a movie for ONE FOR THE MONEY by Janet Evanovich. I'm so excited. It's been a long time since I read the first book and when I heard they were making a movie I almost went back and read it again. I didn't though. Anyone know why? Because they always make changes to the story, characters, etc when making a book into a movie. I want to like this movie. I'm excited about this movie. I even like a majority of the actors who they cast, therefore, I refuse to read the book any time soon.

So, in case you're behind the eight ball like I was here is the cast...

Stephanie Plum

Lula

Ranger

Joe Morelli

Connie & Vinnie

So? What do you think? Any opinions? I know I have a bunch and a half....

I Watch Too Much TV

Here I go again. Do these two bear any resemblance? Just asking...