Quotable Books

Many people quote movies, but do you quote books in normal conversation or in occasional outbursts? Yeah, I do, too.

Here are a few from our household.

"Silencio!" and "Expelliarmus!" from Harry Potter

"Do it for Johnny!" from The Outsiders

Let's sleep in a "real pile." from Where the Wild Things Are (maybe that one is from the movie, can't remember if it's in the book too.)

"You do not like them. So you say. Try them! Try them! And you may." from Green Eggs and Ham

"You've got the cheese touch!" from Diary of a Wimpy Kid

"Wanna see my secret freckle? It's got a hair in it!" Diary of a Wimpy Kid (okay, that is inspired by the movie, too)

"Who Pooped in the Park?" from Who Pooped in the Park? - a book about scat in various national parks!

Various Shel Silverstein poems like "Chester," "Two Tutors" and "Boa Constrictor." Yeah, I just say them occasionally out loud to the kids. They are funny! I've memorized so many Silverstein poems since my childhood.

WHAT BOOK QUOTES DO YOU USE IN YOUR DAILY CONVERSATIONS?

Speaking of Johnny, did anyone catch Ralph Macchio on Dancing with the Stars? I don't watch it, but I had to google him on Youtube to see how he did! Dance on, Dance off!

Is anyone else having trouble cutting and pasting into blogger or adding pictures? Every time I try to add a picture or video, it closes! Arrgh! It's so frustrating that I'm not blogging as much (that and I'm busy!!!). Have a great rest of your week, friends!

This and That Thursday

WRITING
About three years ago I wrote a picture book called "Rockabet." It was an ABC book of rock 'n' roll. There was nothing like it anywhere in print. I submitted it to publishers, one being somewhat interested but passed, and then I moved on to writing two poetry collections and a middle grade novel. I was perusing Amazon.com yesterday and discovered an "ABC's of Rock 'n' Roll" picture book. ARRRRRGHHHH! It was written by someone in the music business and even had a blurb by Iggy Pop on its cover. I know the author didn't steal my idea; it's just frustrating when I knew I had a novel concept, and then I see it in print (and that publishers nixed my similar idea).
My book is slightly different as I had catchy couplets like

"A is for Aerosmith
Their first hit, "Dream On."

B is for the Beatles
George, Ringo, Paul, John." and so on.

Their book is the letter and the name of the band with a cool graphic on each page plus of course we have many different musicians listed. I wonder if mine is different enough to pursue sometime in the future... What do you think? And has this ever happened to you?

READING

I haven't had as much time to read as I'd liked, but I started reading Nightshade City by Hilary Wagner, and I'm amazed by her elegant, vivid, descriptive words.

What are you reading?

BLOGGING

Lots of huge news in blogland!

First, huge CONGRATS to Carolina Valdez Miller! She is now agented, and I am thrilled for her! Go to her blog and wish her congrats plus enter the amazing contest she is having. Win a Kindle, critique and books!

And yes there is more excellent news!
WriteOnCon 2011 is scheduled for August 16, 17,18! Woot!

I was a big winner in three blog contests in the last two weeks. First, thank you to Sherrie Peterson. I won Michael Spradlin's The Youngest Templar: KEEPER OF THE GRAIL on her blog . Also thanks to the fab WriteOnCon ladies, I won Lisa and Laura Roecker's book Liar Society plus yummy chocolate covered Twizzlers. Then I won Odd Girl In by Jo Whittemore at PJ Hoover's blog! I'm starting to feel guilty (but very appreciative) about all these wins. I think I'll stop entering blog contests for a few weeks and let new peeps win; I'll channel my luck to the agent world!

LIFE
I decided to join in on the Blueboarder Biggest Loser Challenge. My goal is to lose 8 pounds in 9 weeks. I'm in my second week. Last week I gained a pound, but lost 1/2 of that this week so I'm up 1/2 pound. Go Kelly! I'll track my progress here as I think it will give me motivation.
I exercise regularly anyway, but trying to do a little more. Plus drink more water. My biggest challenge is cutting down on sweets. I seriously eat like five desserts a day. So trying to cut down eventually to one a day. Anyone else doing the challenge?
It's a warm day in the Midwest. So happy to see the sun and feel the warmth. Happy St. Patty's Day to you all! I am a wee bit Irish, and I'll be enjoying some corned beef today! You?

MUSIC
This is for Carol.

Dear Diary 4

Write what you know. You can dig down and remember feelings of teen angst by looking back to your own experiences. If you kept a diary like I did, you can see how you really felt about your parents, boys, sports, boys, school, and boys.

Here's another excerpt from the Diary of a With It Kid series. If you missed my last entries, see my aspirations as a youth here, puke entry here, and a fourth grade entry here.

Today's entry is how youth really can use classic literature to help their love life. Also how I had my eye on another seventh grader while "going with" another. (sorry, Logan) I was such a heartbreaker (NOT!). And I changed the boy's names to protect their fragile hearts.

Read on to see...

January 31

You know how I like Chase but I'm goin' with Logan. Well, only Sandy, Jenny, and Becky know - hopefully noone else because I didn't tell anyone else. Well, I don't know if I want anyone to know - I kinda wish Logan would break up with me because I hate breaking up with people. I knew, because I did it one whole other time. And it was Chase the summer before this school year of seventh grade. And I had my bff call him to do it. I hope Chase likes me.

February 3rd

Chase is a total babe. He's my "leifie" (that's German for little loved one. I got it out of Diary of Anne Frank). He knows what it means & he calls me "leifie" too. (It's pronounced leafye, but we just say leafy) Greg, Robert, Becky, Jenny and I were reading Diary of Anne Frank - this one book because we had already passed the eighth grade book. Chase was walking from Art (we were in the cafeteria for reading group) and "liefie" came along in the story & I called him that (Becky knew why!). So we told him what it meant! I'm so sneaky... Maybe he just thought I was flirting with him. But anyway, we call eachother "leafie" now. Notice how I change the spelling throughout the entry. I hope he likes me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See, I've always had an affinity for exclamation points. I was (or rather Becky was for me) my go to break up for me gal supposed to break up with Logan today after 4th hour, but he left early. I think Becky will call him and break up with him for me. I'm such a coward! When 4th hour was almost over, my stomach was doing flip flops because I thought I was going to break up with him soon. Then he left.

Chase is like a totally awesome, foxy, tubular, vicious for sure BABE all the way. Like freak me out! What a fox! Yes, I really wrote that.

February 6

I broke up with Logan today. Mary Kate told him 1st hour. Mary Kate is apparently my other go to gal for breaking up with guys for me. Chase is still a babe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mary Kate likes Don so she won't go to the dance with John. Becky is still madly in love with Ryan. Nothing real exciting happened today. Um, I'm single! I did my round off back in gym. Can you believe I could do that?! That's a back flip!

Though that was the end of my friends breaking up with guys for me. My next three junior high boyfriends broke up with me. Bastards.

February 7

It's all over the school that I like Chase. First only five people knew.Then Mary Kate told Jim, Jim told Scott. Logan and Chris knew too! Don't ask me how??! Because you told two friends and they told two friends and so on and so on, dipwad.

February 8

You'll never guess what Tracy told me! That Chase was going to give up girls for two years! Like, I'm so sure. Everybody (and I mean everybody) knows I like Chase. Way to be mysterious, Kelly.

February 10

The dance was okay. Becky doesn't like Ryan anymore, he's goin' with Jodi. Becky likes Joel. Mary Kate now likes John. I danced with Chase four times. He picked me twice and I picked him twice. I thought he'd ask me out but nooooooo. When we were dancing, Vicky came up and said, "Why don't you ask her out?" He shook his head. I could've killed her. I really thought he liked me because when Mary Kate asked him to dance he said, "No because I want to dance with Kelly." But the last dance he picked Tracy!

February 15

Chase gave Tracy a note Valentine's Day. He said he liked me for a friend, only for a friend. But scribbled out, "She's not my type." Oh, well. I started laughing when I read that. You go, girl. I think I like Jon, too. He's pretty funny. Yes, go for the funny ones, Kel!

February 23

Here's a list of total babes - Chase, Mike, Ricky Shroeder, Tom Howell, and Michael Jackson.

Boy crazy, much?

And those were the days of my seventh grade life. Who did you think was a total babe when you were in seventh grade?

Super 8 Debut Albums Blog Hop Plus the Oscars!

Well, hello! Thanks for stopping by for the Super 8 Debut Albums Blog Hop hosted by DiscConnected . Check other lists at DiscConnected's blog!

Since I also have the Oscars to talk about today, I'm going to jump right into the list!

Honorable Mention: Winger by (yes) Winger. I loved this album SO much! I played it over and over and I even had a poster of Kip Winger on my college dorm wall. Seriously. Who doesn't love "Headed for a Heartbreak?" Okay, well I do.

8. Habits by Neon Trees and Race You to the Bottom by New Medicine. (2010)They get a mention because both of these bands came out with debut albums just last year. Both have amazing tracks on their albums. I saw both of them live while attending concerts for other bands that I love, but they ended up being just as good! I'll see them both live again this year. I love when you can listen to the entire album without wanting to skip songs.

7. Infest by Papa Roach (2000) Triple platinum major label debut album by one of my favorite bands. "Last Resort" and "Between Angels and Insects" from this album are staples at live concerts. I've seen Papa Roach live five times because they are all energy and all over the place live.

6. Skid Row (1989) Sebastian Bach has killer vocals. Plus I had his Rolling Stone cover on my sorority house bedroom door. This album has rockin' songs as "Youth Gone Wild" and "I Remember You." They opened for GnR when I saw them live in the early 90's.

5. Rubberneck by The Toadies. (1994) The Toadies are pretty much known for their hit, "Possum Kingdom" but this whole album rocks. "Tyler" is one of my fave songs of all time. I haven't ever seen The Toadies live :(.

4. Foo Fighters. (1995) This album is amazing because Dave Grohl wrote and recorded this album all by himself. He did the writing, vocals, and instruments. He's so freaking talented! Great songs like "This is a Call," "Big Me," and "I'll Stick Around" are on this album. Plus the silly Foo Fighter music videos started with "Big Me." I've seen them live twice, and I'm looking forward to their next album that comes out this year!

3. Third Eye Blind. (1997)I wish 3EB would release another successful album like this. I love every single song on this album (faves: "SemiCharmed Life" and "Narcolepsy"). I played this CD and only this CD for months maybe years in the late 90's. I also saw them in concert in 1997 and 2009.

2. Hot Fuss by the Killers (2004). I heard "Somebody Told Me" on the radio, and I had to bought the CD right away. Along with great songs like "Mr. Brightside" and "Jenny Was a Friend of Mine ", this was an album my hubby loves too. We saw them in concert in 2009. They were awesome live, too. Love Brandon Flowers' quirky lyrics and smooth vocals (and okay, he's not bad on the eyes either).

1. Appetite for Destruction by Guns 'n' Roses. (1987) This album came out in the height of the hair bands, but it was true and dirty rock 'n' roll. I bought this cassette in high school and turned it up on my boom box in my room F bombs and all. I felt like such a rebel knowing my parents would be appalled at the language on this album. But um, they never said anything. So much for my big rebellion in high school. I was 13th row for a GnR concert in the early nineties. Pure awesome. I was screaming along to the words in my preppy white tee and ponytail with the metalheads (with my friend passed out from JD next to me). I've also seen Slash, one of the best guitarists ever, play live with Velvet Revolver and his last solo tour. If only Axl wasn't such an ass...

BRIEF OSCARS WRAP UP

See a complete list of winners here (who do I look like, Maria Menounos?).

RANDOM THOUGHTS WHILE WATCHING THE OSCARS

1. Cute beginning montage of the James, Anne, and Alec Baldwin within the nominated movies (and I just finally saw Inception the night before). James Franco and Anne Hathaway are an odd pick for hosts as cute as they are. I kind of feel bad for James that he can't just kick back and enjoy the night being nominated.

2. Do you think Josh Brolin and Javier Bardem planned their outfits? (don't love the cream suit...but I love the name Javier. Favorite Spanish name. JAVIER!)

3. Wow. Trent Reznor looks and sounds like a dignified businessman. I kind of want him to break out into "Head Like a Hole!" Seriously, he's a gifted musician. Congrats to him.

4. Matthew McConaughey should receive Excellence in Sound. Love his draawwwwl. (only his, though. Others remind me of Larry the Cable Guy.) Did they make him put on a shirt at the Oscars? Darn!

5. Ha! Which brings us to "Doesn't He Own a Shirt" ditty by Edward Cullen.

6. Fave James Franco quote of the night: "I'm a little offended by some of the movie titles this year. A little inappropriate for network tv. Winter's Bone. Rabbit Hole. How to Train Your Dragon. That's disgusting."

7. I'm kind of sick of seeing Gwyneth singing on these awards shows. (I'm sorry!) She doesn't seem as comfortable as a singer as she does as an actress.

8. Best moral of the night: "Listen to your mother." And who else thinks Tom Hooper looks a bit like James Cameron?

9. Colin Firth permeates class. Handsome, talented, and eloquent. And as Myra put: adorkable.

Best Dressed: Jennifer Hudson looked amazing. Love the bright color, and it fit perfectly on her (except in the chest area), I loved how it showed off her trim figure! I also loved Anne Hathaway's shiny, red dress.

Worst Dressed: Cate Blanchett. She's such a phenomenal actress, natural beauty, but that dress! Yikes.

Best Accessory: Nicole Kidman's choker necklace.

I'm White and Nerdy at the Book Brunch

On Saturday, I was pleased to attend Anderson's Bookshop 9th Annual Children's Literature Breakfast. This breakfast included amazing keynote speakers like Mark Teague, Tim Green, and Weird Al Yankovic (yes, that Weird Al). Several Illinois authors also participated in this fabulous event.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Trent Reed wrote Words in the Dust about an Afghan girl after serving there in the U.S. Army. Best quote: "Literature is an essential part of life-not a luxury."

• Tim Green was definitely the most vivacious speaker. Green is an ex-NFL player, earned his law degree, and now has written several books for adults and middle school readers like Football Genius. And yes, he's handsome too. He visits schools and tells the kids this: "Take your talent and work like a maniac! Work maniacally until you throw up! Also, you need to be lucky along the way, so you need a back up plan with education. Know what you want to be - what you CAN be!"
  
• Mark Teague, the fabulous illustrator of my favorite Jane Yolen Dinosaur books, showed us illustrations of his book, Firehouse! I loved how the dog in his book is inspired by his own Boston terrier.


• Kathryn Lasky's books such as the Guardians of Ga'Hoole series are centered around animals. She said, "For the past ten years, I have written about animals and to be truthful, I don't really care for animals." And she really doesn't! Funny!


• The last speaker was Al Yankovic. Not only is he a genius of parodies (and yes, I've even seen him in concert once as a teen), but a picture book author, too. Al did a fun Q&A, and he really is witty in person. When asked does he want to remembered as an author or a singer or a poet or question mark, he replied, "A question mark. An enigma."

He signed this book for my kids who have seen his "White and Nerdy" video a hundred times!

I also enjoyed meeting and chatting with these wonderful ILLINOIS AUTHORS!

Next to me is Lori Degman, the author of 1 Zany Zoo which was also the winner in the Cheerio's Spoonful of Stories Contest. Next to her is Laura Ripes whose picture book, The Spaghetti Slurping Sewer Serpent is coming out next year! Both ladies attend the same local SCBWI chapter as I do!


After reading a week of James Kennedy on Murph's blog, I was excited to meet the very funny James Kennedy, author of The Order of Odd-Fish. James helped launch the 90 Second Newbery Film Festival. Check out details here. Film one yourself or watch the clips! Deadline is September. I also just realized that James kind of resembles James Spader in this pic...


Yes, Hilary Wagner is as sweet and beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. I was so glad to meet her in person. The sequel to her middle grade novel Nightshade City comes out in October!


Who writes funny stuff about kissing zombie and American history plus gives ghost tours in Chicago? Adam Selzer, that's who. I am looking forward to reading I Kissed a Zombie and I Liked It. My children now like to sing that version of the Katy Perry song...


I also met the wonderful Cynthea Liu who signed Paris Pan Takes the Dare for my daughter. I wish I'd taken my picture with her! She was very helpful with a manuscript in one of her Red Light, Green Light critiques!

My Tune for Tuesday today is by of course, Weird Al Yankovic. Check out the hilarious "White and Nerdy."

This and That Thursday

LIFE

Last week I met Sue Kirchner for coffee (okay, iced tea/lemonade) at a local Starbucks. Sue is the CFO (Chief Fun Officer) at Chocolate Cake Moments. Chocolate Cake Moments.com is a website for busy parents. It features lots of fun activities/crafts for kids and parents to do, movie reviews, party ideas, and more! On the site, there is even a Chocolate Cake Club online boutique with products that make parent's lives easier. Check it out!

Hubby and I are taking our three kids to a waterpark for a fun getaway one night soon. Splish! Splash! I hope I don't blind anyone with my pasty, winter white skin! And thank goodness for tankinis!

READING

I read two funny books this week. Guys Read Funny Business, edited by Jon Scieszka and The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger. Both amused me. Funny Business is a collection of short stories by entertaining authors such as Adam Rex, Jeff Kinney and more smart aleck men (plus Kate Dicamillo!). Origami Yoda reminded me a bit of Diary of a Wimpy Kid with awesome Star Wars references and different viewpoints.

What are you reading right now?

BLOGGING

According to my statcounter, lately the majority of people coming to my blog through a google search has searched CRYING! Remember my post For Crying Out Loud? Seriously there are 20 "crying" searches in the last week for every other one. So I hope they come here and smile instead of cry. Chin up, people! Stop your blubbering! Life is beautiful!

Thank you to Adventures in Children's Publishing blog! I won Cloaked and Beastly by Alex Flinn in a recent contest!!!

Plus thank you to Teresa Milstein and Nicole Zoltack! I won a query critique from Nicole at Teresa's blog celebrating her 400 followers! Thanks, ladies!

TWITTER
I'm still very much a newbie at tweeting. I do though find it fun. I especially enjoy the kidlitchats on Tuesday nights. It's fun to chat with a bunch of writers (though I'm still a little intimidated to post too much during the chat).
I also bombard Daniel Tosh on Tuesdays with questions on Twitter. Daniel live tweets with fans during Tosh.0 (on Comedy Central) those nights. He still hasn't answered any of my questions yet (bastard), but I will keep them coming until he does. I mean he must only get a thousand or so during that night, right? Speaking of Tosh.0, if you love inappropriate humor, you will love this show. It may knock The Soup on E! to number two for my fave TV show. Heh, heh. I said number two.
Are you tweeting yet? Why or why not?

MUSIC

I put my car iPod on song shuffle so I could listen to songs I haven't heard in a while. I get into grooves of listening to the same band and ignore my other bands, so I thought I'd give them all a chance. My kids aren't loving it. On the way to basketball practice, they cringed at Adam Ant's "Beat My Guest." But they did enjoy the Beatles. I have mostly rock on my iPod but I do have other genres as well.

When I work out to my Sports Active Wii, I also have been listening to blocks of some of my well liked, yet ignored artists. Monday was Alien Ant Farm. Tuesday was Brides of Destruction. Wednesday was Justin Timberlake. Today? Maybe the Killers or Foo Fighters...or Duran Duran.

What bands do you like but have ignored lately?

Grammy Wrap Up

I almost didn't watch the Grammy's last night. I just don't love any of the artists nominated, and there's not enough rock 'n' roll in the show anymore. But I figured "What the hey" and watched it anyway for the love of music.

Click here for a complete list of the winners (who do I look like, Lisa Rinna? Okay, besides the lips...)

RANDOM THOUGHTS WHILE WATCHING THE GRAMMYS

1. Nice Aretha (my hubby calls her Urethra, sorry Miss Franklin) tribute with an eclectic group of talented ladies. I hope Christina remembers the words... (I know, I know. She has one amazing voice!)

2. I just realized that this Aretha tribute was 12 minutes long. Whoa.

3. "Yeah!" yelled my 8 yr old daughter when Train won for Best Pop Duo or Group Performance for "Hey, Soul Sister," her fave song.

4. I need to get myself a pair of silver pants (like Ricky).

5. I think Lady Gaga "Hatched This Way."

6. I hope the Volturi don't take notice of the blatant vampire sparkles of Muse!

7. Awww, cute pep talk from Usher to the Biebs.

8. They found someone shorter than Bieber to sing with him! And speaking of Jaden Smith, I gotta wonder why Will and Jada let their kids enter the entertainment industry so young...

9. Best Rock Album nominees are a bunch of old guys (except for Muse). What about newer rock bands? They are good, too! Muse did win and frontman mentioned his "Beautiful, pregnant girlfriend" (Kate Hudson) then cackled nervously.

10. Lady Gaga has got herself some round, protruding leather boobies and bootay!

11. Lead singer of Mumford & Sons looks like a cross between Kyle Chandler (Friday Night Lights) and Mario Lopez.

12. They bring muppets in for the F - U song?!

13. Did anyone else catch Katy Perry on one of my favorite shows last week? She was on How I Met Your Mother!

14. Who wants to bet that John Mayer hit on Norah Jones after the awards show? (Norah's hair looks adorable btw)

15. I think Shy Ronnie should have joined Eminem and Rihanna on stage. (Cool dress for Love the Way You Lie, and it's a cool song.)

16. In Memoriam left out the Rev of platinum selling rock band, Avenged Sevenfold, last year and left out Slipnot bassist, Paul Gray, this year. Slipknot even won a Grammy in 2006 for "Before I Forget!" Ticks me off that they left them out and didn't honor them.

16. Tik Tok! This guy looks like Mick Jagger. Oh, it is!

17. Did the audience give a standing ovation for Barbra because they didn't have to pay the usual $1000 like the attendees at her regular concerts? I know, she's a music legend!

18. Did they not show all the awards? Did I miss Them Crooked Vultures win Best Rock Performance? Speaking of awards, is it just me, or was it twenty minutes between each award?!

Best Dressed

Ladies: Selena Gomez in a beautiful metallic dress and Margaret Cho had a simple, but beautiful gray gown.

Men: This guy looked cute, especially the metallic nails.

Best Tweet about the Grammy Awards by @Lord Voldemort7 (yes, I follow the Dark Lord. He's actually quite funny). I also follow Darth Vader. Srsly.

"#grammyforbieber is trending. I'm concerned. Is this about the music award or has his fan base moved from tweens to the elderly"

Anyone else watch?

And by the way, I heart you for stopping by my blog today! Happy Valentine's Day! I hope your day is filled with hugs and chocolate!