A New Year -- And Unplugged

I hope everyone has an enjoyable and SAFE New Year celebration!

In the past, I've had a hard time staying awake until midnight, but given my newish status of Night Owl, I don't think I'll have a problem this year.

As we bid a fond farewell to 2010, I'm sure we're all wondering what 2011 has in store for us.  Well,

I HAVE A DREAM....

about what 2011 COULD bring... 

Here it is... my ideal 2011 (this in no way is a resolution list, because I refuse to make them! ;)

-Finish Anemone (my most promising WIP)

-Query it

-Get an agent

-Get a publishing deal for fall 2012

-Look like a swimsuit model by summer

-Win a photography contest

-Knit all my Christmas gifts

-Be able to speak Italian conversationally

-Learn to curl my own hair

-Finally outgrow my teenage skin

-Learn not to complain

-Try new foods

-Sell a painting

Sigh... a girl can dream!

I'll be unplugged through the New Year (As I'm sure many of you will also be), so HAPPY HAPPY, and I'll see you in 2011 with a fresh face, and lots and lots and lots of possibilities!

Love and sparklers,

Me

I Was Framed!

Well, I'm getting frames!  I've partnered with a frame company, The Organic Bloom, that only sells to photographers and I think it's love.  Here's the promo I made (and other vendors are asking me if they can use it too--so I feel SUPER cool!).

These all come in pretty much every size you can want, starting at 2x3 ornament size up to gigantic. 

My samples are on their way! So excited! :)

If any of you are interested in more info about ordering some, just holler!

Ahead to 2011 -- Back to the Future

It almost sounds space-age doesn't it??  2011?? Are we seriously already here?  You see kids walking around in letter jackets for class of 2013 and you think, it CAN'T BE.  

In one of my favorite movie trilogies, Back to the Future, Marty goes to 2015 (in Part II).  Back in the 80's, with the way technology was developing, they probably really thought we'd be in hover cars by then, and that we could rehydrate food in a device like a microwave and enjoy a large, pre-sliced, steaming hot Pizza Hut pizza.  We laugh at this now, because we are certainly more than 4 years from that sort of advancement, but they did nail a few things.  Flat panel TVs that take up entire walls, thumb print security systems, voice commands, etc.  Still waiting to be able to fly my car around (could you imagine the accident rate! Not to mention insurance!).

So looking ahead to this next year, what are our expectations? Have any goals?

It's really hard to believe we're at this point again where we talk about New Year Resolutions.  I always say I don't want to make any because I rarely follow through with them, but there are definitely a few things I'd LIKE to accomplish this year.  Though I'm not eager to share them because they sound too similar to last year's and I'm pretty sure none of it got done.  Sigh.

If you're into books (as many of my followers are), check out Stephanie's list of books coming out in 2011.    I'm definitely waiting on some of these.  

There are also movies coming out in 2011 that I'll definitely be seeing: 

Water for Elephants - After I read the book, I seriously didn't think I'd go see this movie (especially because of the Reese/R-Pat pair up), but I just watched the trailer, and it looks sort of good (and the soundtrack sounds awesome).

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides - Though I'm not much of a Penelope Cruz fan, this movie is all about CAPTAIN JACK SPARROW and that's enough for me.  Check out the trailer, it looks pretty good :)

The Green Hornet - Now, I'm not always into superhero movies that don't include RDJ or Christian Bale, but this one looks a bit hilarious.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II -- Can't wait for the trailer for this!

Breaking Dawn -- Because there's no NOT going to see it.

Best of 2010 - Part Three - Movies

Ah... who doesn't love a good movie??

In no particular order...

Holy. Cannoli. Best. Movie. Since. The. Matrix.

If you haven't seen this yet... it's your loss.  See it on the big screen while you still can.

I love movies that twist multiple character story lines into one... this one surprised me. I liked it. 

I thought this movie was gorgeous.  Alice in Wonderland was one of my fav Disney cartoons growing up (I was weird... okay, am)--add Tim Burton and I'm ALL over it.

Robert. Downey. Junior.

Need I say more? Didn't think so.

I went into this with no expectations, and I absolutely loved it.  Jason Bateman did fabulous, Jeff Goldblum is a genius, and it's the best movie Jennifer Aniston has ever done.  I even got a little teary. 

Worth Mentioning:

So the Twilight Saga is far from the best made movies, but I am a girl, and we like our boys. :)

I was a little iffy about this one after seeing it in the theater, but I watched it again the other week, and it really is quite funny.  If you haven't seen it yet, watch it just for the sake of the brilliance that is Matthew Goode.  

Stupid? You bet.  Will it make you bust a gut with laughter? You bet.

Also...

Robert. Downey. Junior.

So I got the shivers (not in a good way) watching Jeff Bridges with Maggie G... but it was a pretty good movie.

Movies I Still Have to See:

  

  

Anything else I miss this year that you recommend? 

Best of 2010 - Part Two - Books

This past year, some REALLY great books have come out, and next year looks very exciting, too! (except for the obvious hole left behind by The Hunger Games...). 

Here are the highlights of what I read this year (not limited to only 2010 releases).  Did any of them make your list? 

Mockingjay -- Suzanne Collins

Paranormalcy -- Kiersten White

Hush, Hush -- Becca Fitzpatrick

Hex Hall -- Rachel Hawkins

The Dark Divine -- Bree Despain

The Body Finder -- Kimberly Derting

Shiver -- Maggie Stiefvater

The Forest of Hands and Teeth, The Dead-Tossed Waves -- Carrie Ryan

  

Sea Change -- Aimee Friedman

Life as we Knew It -- Susan Beth Pfeffer

Magic Under Glass -- Jaclyn Dolamore

Visit my Goodreads page for reviews on any of these titles and more. 

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