Bono's Birthday Bash

I'm going to show off my U2 fan-dom geekiness right now with a picture...

I want to declare my devotion to U2 and the front man of this awesome-beyond-this-universe-amazing Irish band by saying:

HAPPY  BIRTHDAY BONO!

I hope you've had a lovely day. I sure hope all my followers have had a blast of a Bono's birthday, too!

Cheers and I'm out!

Writing Jewels

I Amaze Myself Sometimes

Here's my recent moving stories:

 

In the span of a year and a half, I have moved 4 times. Yup, that's a couple too many times, for sure.

 

Move #1: To get me out of my parents' house. I had lived there for far too long in order to pay off some debt. Did that happen? Uh, I plea the fifth.

 

Move #2: I needed cheaper rent, plus my lease had ended.

 

Move #3: I was offered a job in Salt Lake City, Utah, meaning my commute was a little over an hour. Gas prices were kickin' my pocket book's butt, so the move was out of necessity to keep me from donating plasma or something totally make-me-pass-out worthy.

 

Move #4: My roommate and dear friend moved to Germany (pouts) and our lease had ended. I wanted to stay in the area, so I moved just down the road to where a ton of people I know live.

 

I'm getting really good at packing, moving, and unpacking. Woot!

 

Move #4 was interesting in that I had to be out of my old apartment by April 30, and the girl that was moving out of my current apartment couldn't get into her new place until May 1. That meant that my stuff and her stuff were in the same place for a day. Talk about massive chaos. It all worked out well, though. Phew!

 

I took the day off from work on Thursday and dug into the mess of boxes. I would have gone completely bonkers mad if I hadn't have done so. I'm sort of OCD about having my things in order.

 

This is what my bedroom looked like to begin with:

This is what it looks like now (Zen):

And I did this all in maybe 10 hours and that includes some deep cleaning and putting away my kitchen junk (ok, junk food). Do I win the best unpacker award of the century or what?

 

And yes, that is a pillow with a picture of Bono on the front. Lance Armstrong graces the other side. (G-rated totally, I promise) My good friend made me it as a birthday present a couple years ago. And yup, I own a banana chair, too. :) I am definitely awesome. You totally want to be my BFF now, don't you?

 

Well, tell me about your moving stories? How fast have you unpacked? Well, I have to admit I don't have a ton of stuff, and I am just one person. I don't have a husband and three kids' worth of crap to unload. I have it a bit easier than some. 

 

Writing Jewels

Smiling all the Way From A to Z -- G

First of all, thanks for all the birthday wishes last Saturday. The day was full of love and happy smiles because, well heck, it was totally all my day!

And the challenge continues. I'm drinking a ton of water and making sure I'm pacing myself so I don't burn out. Oh, this isn't a marathon, is it? I've been confused as to why I'm just sitting here typing instead of running and sweating really bad. Back to the real point of this post, now. We are to the letter G and I'm going to tell you what makes me smile beginning with this letter:

GUYS

Oh, guys, guys, guys how I love thy name and cute butts, too. haha I have yet to catch myself a hubs but by golly men are sure fun to look at, or to read about for that matter (coughs--Edward Cullen). You do make me cry sometimes, so shame, shame, shame on you!

These are my famous guy crushes: Bono from U2 and Lance Armstrong (I still think you rock and you should be given back your yellow jerseys).

And I'll be honest... I really like kissing. Guys, you make me swoon with your magic lips.

So, do you like kissing? No lying now (please keep this G-rated, get it? Letter G-rated). Who are your fictional or famous people crushes? Starting with the letter G, what makes you smile?

Writing Jewels

PS: Refer to the blurb on the very top of my blogs sidebar to know why I am posting about what makes me smile. Go forward and smile!

Unforgettable Scenes

I've been listening to Twilight on audio book again. No matter how many times I read (or listen) to this book, it feels like it's the first time I'm being pulled into the thick of its addictive story.

 

As I drove into my garage yesterday after work, I had to stay in the car until I finished the chapter, "Confessions." I admit, I was out there for about twenty minutes (with the car off of course. I don't want to die of exhaust exposure). Anyway, this is the part where Bella and Edward are in the meadow and express their feelings for each other. Just thinking of this part of the book brings a heaviness of angsty happiness into my heart. Seriously, they don't even kiss but the romance flooding through the words is unforgettable. Beautiful. Breath-taking. Ok, they do kiss by the end of the chapter... Dreamy!

Bar-none, there is no other scene in a book that has had the exact same effect on me. Ok, there are many others that are beyond swoon-worthy, but this one sticks out strong in my list of amazing-makes-my-heart-stop scenes.

It's sort of like my two famous people crushes--Bono and Lance Armstrong, they just stick. I adore them. All right, one day when I have a boyfriend/husband, he will definitely be in first place. Sorry, Irish hottie and cycling champion.

Are there any scenes in books that ring out as unforgettable for you? Do tell! Or maybe in a movie?

In movies, I'd have to say the kiss scene at the end of the mini-series of North and South (Elizabeth Gaskell)  is delicious indeed. Shown below!

Mysterious Ways and Writing

Yesterday, my withdrawals from seeing U2 in concert made me listen to their music almost all day. I had to do something to get over the musical high. Well, I ended up listening to their song Mysterious Ways like twelve times.

I tend to focus on the singer/lyrics of songs—everything else is pushed to the background. But this time around, I found myself focusing on each of the instruments individually and tuning out the others. Let me tell you, it’s hard for me not to listen to Bono’s voice. Anyway. The drums were being hit with a vibrant beat that varied throughout the song. The bass was thrumming with subtle precision that I could feel in my chest. The guitar electrified the song with power. And the lyrics were sung with a surge of intensity that made me fall in love with the song, again.

This exercise got me thinking about how you can’t have a kicking, rocking song like Mysterious Ways without having all of the elements (singer, guitar, bass, and drums) pulled together in a fluid expression of music. This is the same in writing. Without characters, plot, pacing, dialogue, and setting, a story won’t become a fluid masterpiece. If the characters are lacking development and the plot is falling short to grasp the reader(s) attention, then the story won’t shine. It’s the same with the technical properties of writing; grammar and punctuation. Those elements can throw readers off from the stories flow. In the end, the story must have all of these fundamentals well-executed.

The more times I go through my MS, the more I see how it can unravel into a polished whole. Also having others read it will help you become aware of what your story is lacking.

That makes me think of something someone told me last summer. They said that there will be numerous edits as I write my book. I didn’t believe them. Oh, man, I do now. It takes a lot of time cultivating your story and making sure that all its elements are well-meshed together. That’s what will get your story to its end. The End. The editing process is not easy, but it’s worth it. And you know what? It helps you to become more intimately familiar with your story; it’ll be even more alive and tangible. At that point, your story will have blossomed as magnificently as U2’s Mysterious Ways.

Photography by Julia King.

The BIG Four

My love for music pretty much equals the adoration I have for books. Traveling is equal, too, but not as easily accessible.  Today, my love for music is gonna trump books and traveling. Why? Because, my friends, today will mark the big fourth time I will see my absolute favorite band in concert--U2. I have adored them since 1997. It goes back a little farther, though. With having grown up with an older brother and sister who loved 80's music, U2 was a part of their listening enjoyment.

Alas, a year and four months wait to see the phenomenal U2 is almost here. Tonight is the night! And I will be dancing and yelling my voice horse and singing along with Bono--even if he can't hear my voice for the crowd. Perhaps I will get to dance with him this time. Wish me luck. haha. 

In honor of the concert, I am posted some of my favorite U2 songs for you (and me) to enjoy this fine May 24, 2011. Enjoy the tunes because it is a "Musical Journey" as Larry Mullen Jr. would say.

Before you listen to the glorious and perfect songs, which band is YOUR favorite and why?

Only Since It's My Favorite Holiday

St. Patrick's Day is my favorite holiday. I love all things Irish. I love U2. I love Bono. I love the movie Waking Ned Divine. I love Ireland. I love Irish Spring soap. I love claddagh rings. I love Dublin. I love the Dingle Peninsula. I love the accent. I love Enya. I love Celtic dancing and music. I love clovers. I love it all.

Here are some St. Patrick's Day pics I thought were fun!

I hope everyone has a fantabulously wonderful St. Patrick's Day!
What's your favorite holiday? Are you doing anything fun for St. Patty's Day?

Elf Dancing with a Few Rockin' Men

It took me becoming an elf to meet these four guys that rock (some really do too).  I finally am found in Bono's arms at the end of the dance.  It was fun to learn how to dance with these men.  I think they enjoyed meeting me too.   

Merry Christmas Friends and Followers.

5th Day of Christmas

Band Aid - Do They Know It's Christmas

Ok, how can you not like this song?  It was for a good cause, and it has incredibly great 80's musicians in it like Bono and Sting. Hehe. Hey, that's not the only reason why I like the song.  The best part, other than Bono and Sting, is Boy George with the cool aid colored red hair.  He does his eye makeup better than I do--that's sad.  Interesting little tidbit for you, I was two years old when this song came out.  Gees, I have little crushes on men (Bono and Sting) who way older than me.  Could that be construed as weird?  :) 

Question: What was one of your favorite Christmas memories and why?

One of my favorite memories was the year that my brother and I tried to catch the elves that were helping my parents wrap presents in their bedroom.  We put a broom under the door to wrangle the little guys in.  They were very elusive and difficult to see. :)  My dad ended up pushing the broom out and it hit my brother in the eye.  That was not the reason why I liked it, though.  I really felt bad for my brother.  Regardless of my brother getting hurt, we had fun. 

Stages of Bono

When I was in high school I drew a funny stick figure drawing of Bono. Actually, there were four stick figure Bono's—each progressively drawn with shorter hair. I coined it, "The Stages of Bono." Yes, stick figures because my art skills are so rockin. I wish I still had the pic, but it sadly has fallen prey to my shuffle of stuff. Below is my new and improved version of "The Stages of Bono."

Ok, his hair started off shorter.

The "Unforgettable Fire," oh, yeah, mullet.

The attractive long style.

And the occasional ponytail.

ZooTV brought on the chop of the hair and Bono dons the sunglasses.

Popmart brings on the buzz—the side we never thought we’d see.

A little longer now, granted I drew the pic just after the Popmart tour.
BTW, love the "Pop" album. Everyone should.

And just for kicks, Pope Bono arrives.

And last but not least in the Stages of Bono tour,
a little longer hair cut than the buzz and totally cute.
Sunglasses still in style for Mr. Paul Hewson.

I love Bono! Can I meet you please? Hehe!

I like concerts

I was thinking last night of all of the concerts I have been to. I love music and I love concerts even more. They are completely fun. They allow me to step out of my shell to dance around to my hearts content. I want to make a list... This may not be exhaustive but I think that it will be fun to try to remember them all.

Sting (twice)
Tori Amos (twice)
INXS (with Michael Hutchense)
Kays Choice
The Verve
Tonic
Morrissey
Depeche Mode (twice)
U2 (three times - four next year. They are my FAVORITE)
David Bowie
Blue Man Group
Moby
Busta Rhymes (not by choice)
Rage Against the Machine (there again, not by choice. They opened for U2)
Sarah McLachlan (Lilith Fair - can't remember who all performed)
Sarah Brightman (Totally Awesome)
Pet Shop Boys

Imogen Heap
Muse

Hanson

There are lots of concerts that I wish I could have gone to like U2's ZooTV tour. I was a bit too young at that time and not a die hard fan then. It would have been awesome though. Funny thing is that I have seen Bono's home in Ireland and took dirt from his front yard. Yes, that obsessed but not stalker obsessed. Maybe that will get back to him and he will want to meet me just because I am strange enough to take dirt from his front yard.

If you haven't been to a concert, GO! They are fun!