I'm having a little trouble keeping the blog going because I'm writing, not reading. Because I'm writing, not going to movies and because "I been sick." LOL! I guess the good news is, I'm writing! The bad news is, my TBR pile continues to grow and grow on my Kindle! Last time I dared look, I had 220 books on there. Okay, not all of them need to be read. There are some books I like to reread, so I leave them on there. Some are mine. Got some as freebies and need to decide if I want to read them. But its still an impressive number of books in a light and portable format.

I have also managed to watch a little TV. Was sad to see Jenn go last night on TOP CHEF. I liked her, but also like the brothers. Sorry they can't both win. Been trying to like STARGATE: UNIVERSE. Heard a rumor they are hiring a hot chick for next season. I suppose she'll be an alien, since that's the only way she take the miserable ride with all the other miserable people on board that "lost in space" ship. The show, so far and IMHO, is so bad, I DVR it and fast forward through boring parts. There are a LOT of boring parts. I think I watched maybe five minutes last week and that was so I could hear the song they used to start the show. Something about it being the worst day since yesterday. Yeah, that was the high point. I can't believe the same guys that did STARGATE: ATLANTIS wrote this dog. What happened to action? What happened to interesting characters? What happened to STORY? Story is NOT sex. Sex is NOT action. And trust me, the sex is NOT advancing the plot BECAUSE THERE ISN'T ANY PLOT. And since there is no sexual tension prior to the sex, I DON'T CARE ABOUT THE SEX. It's BORING. Did none of them get the memo about the lack of success of previous "lost in space" space shows? Okay, taking deep breaths. here's my memo to the writer's of STARGATE UNIVERSE. Hiring a hot chick won't keep me as a viewer. Please, please, please just make the SGA movie. And let this sleeping dog lie.

Haven't seen NEW MOON yet. Since my sinus infection/cold, I have been cursed with a cough. Can't go until I can go two hours with hacking up a portion of my lungs. Stinks, but there it is. Only movies I'm looking forward to right this minute, is my favorite Christmas classics, like WHITE CHRISTMAS and MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET.

I am also looking forward to my kids coming home for Christmas!

I'm doing preliminary work on a new book, as yet untitled. Still feeling my way around the story. If you haven't stopped by my website and checked out the new stuff, its never too late.

Here's hoping that you have time for reading this holiday season, that it is filled with love and family and peace. :-)
Perilously yours,
Pauline

 So I mentioned coming home to cat puke in my last post. What I didn't mention was their were SIX spots and that the big, tough men in my life left them for me to clean up. And that was just the beginning. I could list the damage, but any woman who has returned to a house dominated by men for more than a few days doesn't need a detailed description. 

I guess my question is, why? My guys aren't perfect when I'm there, but they aren't...pigs. But apparently it requires constant supervision to keep them out of the sty. Did I mention the cat is male, too?

Lucky for them the Merry Maids were due in two days, or I'd probably rubbed their noses in something or other (there was plenty to choose from!) 

They did penitent really well, but then they've all had lots of practice. My son pointed out that he "did the dishes." For me, that involve's wiping down counters and starting the dishwasher, not just filling the dishwasher, but he is a guy. 

Speaking of the whole Mars/Venus/Guys/Gals thing, I'm still playing Mario Kart, but I can't help notice how my goals differ somewhat from my son's. We both like winning, but for me there is also the neatness aspect. Each person can create their own "license," and compete inside that license. At first, it was just a place for me to practice to play with Our Son, but then it became an attempt to fill in all the spaces with matching circles. (You fill them in by playing Grand Prixs and winning "cups." The circles don't match if you don't win first place. I found this out when I got a silver circle, messing up my neatness factor.)

I got this sort of blinking "look," when I asked my son what that red thing was, messing up my chart. (I've since filled in my map with GOLD circles. Feel free to be impressed.) Unfortunately, filling in all the spaces with gold unlocks the mirror level, which is just what it sounds--not to mention fricking hard. So now I have another not-matching row and a time deadline. My Son is leaving with his Wii the end of August.

I've been hinting that I'd be open to getting a Wii for my birthday, but I'm surrounded by men, so I'm not holding my breath.

I see Stargate Atlantis starts July 11. Thank goodness! Teyla has been pregnant longer than I was (three thousand months the last time). I sure hope they finally resolve that story line. Not a favorite. In other Stargate news, the last movie is releasing the end of July. I love time travel things, so really looking forward to it. 

Mostly been writing, but did manage to finish Armed and Magical by Lisa Shearin. I liked the book, though I'm hoping in the next ones she gives Mycheal more to do. He's my favorite, but she keeps saying Raine likes bad boys, so I'm thinking she'll chose the goblin. I understand there are at least two more books in the series. The first was Magic Lost, Trouble Found. I like her style, voice and the world she's created. Also finished Grimspace, which everyone was talking about several months ago. I liked it, but it was very dark. Also finished Loretta Chase's new book. I had a hard time with the prostitute heroine, but Loretta is such a good writer, I finished and went, okay, that was ultimately good.

In writing news, I'm looking forward to the print release of my two non-fiction books and working hard on the next two. I need to clear my decks for the novel. (I know, I keep saying that, but I can't go anywhere until I finish the novel, so it will get down this summer or I will die trying.)

Okay, haven't seen any movies since I last blogged, but dying to go see Get Smart. Yes, I am old enough to have seen the TV series and yes, I liked it. Sorry, but I like goofy humor. I downloaded a trailer from iTunes and it was hysterical. I may go by myself this week, but the men want me to wait for them. 

And if you haven't heard, I do have a contest running at Author Island. Sign up to win a comedy bundle and a purse charm (made by my amazingly talented sister). Click on contests or visit my contest page on my website.

That's all my news (and aren't we all thankful!). Hope you have some fun, summer reading (cause there's sure not much on television!) and plenty of time to read. :-)
Perilously yours,
Pauline

 After a nasty start (rain, high winds) this morning, the sun has broken through and its beautiful outside! The air was dry and cool when I strolled down the mailbox earlier. I sent off the prizes for the Author Island contest and I hope the winners like the stuff my sister made for me as much as I do. They are pretty special and I hope will be keepsakes for them for many years to come. :-)

It's amazing how the sun can lift your mood. I woke too early and had downed three Diet Dr. Pepper's by nine! Usually I manage to spread them out over the day better, but well, my day started at SIX. It's amazing I'm coherent. Um, I AM coherent, aren't I?

Not sure if my blog readers know that I'm releasing a serialized short story through my newsletter (and then posting the parts on my website, but to get it first, you need to subscribe to the newsletter.) The short is called Falling for Willa and it is a romance short. No dead bodies or high adventure (too much tension in my real life for that!). I'm also working on another one for when I finish with Willa. To subscribe to my newsletter, click here.

It's a huge relief just to be writing, priming the writing pump. It seems to be helping with the blogging, too. I know I've been sporadic about posting. I did find a fun review of The Key on this blog. I didn't realize I'd written a space opera, but now that I think about it, I'm thinking I like the description. I've been struggling to come up with the right one. :-)

While I was browsing WalMart today, I found what looks to be a fun book called The Little Lady Agency. It's by a first-time, British author called Hester Browne. Liked the bit I read and looking forward to finding a new favorite author. 

In Stargate Atlantis news, I'm liking the new episodes so far. Wasn't thrilled with all of them last year, but I think they've hit their stride. I'm glad Sam is on Atlantis. I would have really missed her, though I wonder how she keeps things going with Jack when she's in another galaxy. (grin) I'm committed to a happy ending there, even if the writer's aren't. (grin again)

I know I could probably be more interesting and even dredge up some news, but I did wake at oh-dark-hundred this morning, so I'm afraid this is the best I can do!
Happy reading! 
Perilously yours,
Pauline

...but the wind shifted around and the heat and humidity are creeping back! Oh well, I promise to put on my big girl panties and not whine. At least not publicly. 

I was almost in two traffic accidents while driving down to MD Anderson yesterday. Maybe I should start notching the steering wheel every time we escape death on the freeways? I can't decide if that would be a healthy thing or not. On the one hand, it would affirm my continued existence, but it's also a bit of a downer. And I'm not sure there'd be room on the steering wheel after a month or so. 

Anyone else bummed about the tv writers' strike? We wait so long for a new season and now it's going to be cut short? Not that I'm not completely sympathetic. There'd be NO shows without writers, so they should get a fair cut of the financial pie. It just seems like the seasons are already "blink and they are over" short already. Here I am whining and I haven't seen much of anything this year. I have a friend who I used to watch TV with (while we talked on the phone), but she moved into a different time zone. So I keep forgetting to watch anything except Stargate Atlantis (which my son and I like to watch...in the same room. <g>)

Speaking of Stargate Atlantis, I'm really hoping Sam makes the transition into the show. I like her a lot and want her to stay, but so far the melding doesn't seem to be working. And then I wonder how it will work without writers actually working on the stories?

Mostly I read, but I haven't finished my Jasper Fforde and have TWO Monk books to read. That's because they are print books and I'm having too much fun reading on my Sony Reader to want to mess with print books. I'm resisting the urge right now, in fact. It's so cool!

Hope you're November is going well (and if you're doing NaNo Write, best of luck!) and there's time to read!
Perilously yours,
Pauline