Super Bowl Monday

Posted on February 3, 2014 by Silver James

funny-dog-pictures-not-ready-for-mondayNormally, I’m full of commercial talk on the Monday after the Super Bowl. I was rather…underwhelmed. A couple made me laugh. I was definitely sniffly over the Budweiser commercials–#bestbuds and #SaluteAHero. But by in large? Uhm…the ads flat-lined.

Reading–I finished off Jeaniene Frost’s UP FROM THE GRAVE which is the finale to the Cat and Bones series. There was a moment in the middle when I got all “OMGWTFBBQ?!?!?!?!? Did she really DO that?!?” I actually skipped ahead to see. Just in case you might read it, I won’t elaborate. It was a good book and a fitting end, though I have hopes she’ll revisit other characters and even Cat and Bones in the future. I also did my reread of NAKED IN DEATH. Now I want to read the rest of the In Death books. I also do. And I always find something new to highlight when I reread NiD. By the time you read this, I’ll either be started on GLORY IN DEATH or something else, though not sure what.

TV–anyone watching BLACK SAILS on…Cinemax(?)? It airs on Saturday nights. I have it set to DVR so I don’t remember which channel. It’s about pirates. In the Caribbean. But with guys way sexier than Johnny Depp. It’s gritty, down and dirty.

Did I mention we had snow? And getting more tomorrow? Then still more on Thursday? We’re back in drought conditions so I’m not complaining. I don’t mind snow at all. It’s ice that I hate.

How was your weekend? How’s your weather? What are you reading? Which commercials did you like?

Posted in Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Friday Sinema Matinee

Posted on January 31, 2014 by Silver James

The Super Bowl happens Sunday. I’ll be watching pregame and game as much for the entertainment value of the commercials as I’ll be watching the game–though I am a fan of Peyton Manning. 😉 Anyway, with that “commercial” spirit in mind, here are two videos that made me laugh this week. First up, VW’s version of “It’s a Wonderful Life.” *gigglesnort*

This one has been making the internet rounds. It’s a plane safety video produced by Delta Airlines that people might actually watch, especially those of us with a sick fondness for the 80s. How many Eighties Icons can you name?

And finally, be sure to watch for the new Budweiser Clydesdale commercial. I featured it on Facebook so won’t repeat here, but it’s AWESOMESAUCE CUTE! Have a great weekend!

Posted in Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

The Daily Universe

Posted on January 30, 2014 by Silver James

universeLong story about how this little note from the Universe lit up my radar. I’ll make it short. I was searching for an email. This popped up in the search. I read it, because I hadn’t actually saved the message in a draft.

See? Short. And yes, it pinged my radar like damn and whoah, even though it originally popped up back in early December.

Earth? Where every day you get a fresh start, Silver, every thought brings you closer, every word makes you more, every decision is the right one, every baby step makes it easier, every smile makes it happier, and, every tree knows your name.

Plus, I got you, babe –
~~The Universe
© http://www.tut.com ®
December, PJ? Eggnog.

Fresh starts. Every. Single. Day. And eggnog. I mean, seriously? I needed this reminder. About the fresh starts. Though I admit to craving eggnog now. Happy Thursday.

Posted in Writing Life | Tagged , , , | 13 Comments

Wednesday’s Words Bulletin Board Material

Posted on January 29, 2014 by Silver James

voices in my headWhy yes, the voices have been talking again. And some of what they said ended up on my bulletin board so I’d remember because I didn’t have a place to put the inspiration in one of the WIPs. In no particular order, here’s what the voices have been saying. 😉

No idea where this will go but I woke up laughing when it occurred in a dream:

He dialed the prosecutor’s office. A perky voice answered, “Criminal Justice.”

He responded, “Criminal Defense calling.”

“Ah, the Dark Side.”

He had to meet this woman.

These will all find a place. I have many love scenes to be written. 😉

Her passion shattered, sending shards of broken glass flying through her.

****

His gaze heated to the color of blue flame, scorching her skin as it roamed over her.

****

Her voice washed over him and like rain on a scorched desert, it filled his soul.

****
And last but not least, this one:

“He’s lying.”

“How do you know?”

“His mouth is open and words are coming out.”

Next week, I should be back to talking books since I’ll be done with the RITA books. Until then, any good words in what you’re reading?

Posted in Books, Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments

Tuesday Links of Tease

Posted on January 28, 2014 by Silver James

Still recuperating but had this tucked back for a rainy day. Or a sick one as the case might be. These are all things that I’ll get around to adding to my Pinterest board of really cool ideas and products I’d use. If you like interior decorating, you’ll want to take the few minutes to check this out. Seriously. CLICK HERE

I know not everyone is a fan of GAME OF THRONES on HBO but I am. Even so, I never really looks closely at some of the costumes. Holy cow! There’s some seriously cool embroidery on some of them. You can check out the GAME OF THRONE COSTUMES by clicking.

And that’s all I have. I am feeling a bit better. Still short of breath when I have to move around and have no energy but I’m not coughing like I was. I made it through most of yesterday without cough meds. See y’all around the webs today. Maybe. 🙂

Posted in Writing Life | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Monday Sick Call

Posted on January 27, 2014 by Silver James

funny-pictures-my-official-monday-faceI’m calling in sick today, boss. *koff-hack-koffkoffkoff-gag-hack* Sooo not kidding. Lawyer Guy had the flu for 2 1/2 weeks. I started with the scratchy throat on Thursday night, upper respiratory tickle on Friday, and Saturday I was flat on my back. Where I’ve been since. I have to finish up NRCA judging assignments or I’d stil be in bed. In fact, I may head back there soon. No energy, hard to breath, but the coughing has lessened. I don’t think I got as many germs as LG had. He’s just now getting around and spending any significant time at work.

I’ll be scarce around the interweb. I had 314 emails this morning. I’ll get to them as able. In the meantime, don’t breathe too close to your monitor. You know, just in case! This crap is nasty!!!

Hope y’all had fun weekends. Feel free to talk among yourselves. I’m headed back to bed to get a second wind. *koffwhimperhackwhimperkoff*

Posted in Writing Life | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Finally Friday!

Posted on January 24, 2014 by Silver James

I’m soooo glad Friday is finally here. I’m not sure why, since my Saturdays and Sundays are pretty much like the rest of the week. 😆 I guess it’s a flashback to the days when I actually had to drive to work on a regular schedule–working on call notwithstanding. I am full of randomness today, so in true Iffy stream-of-consciousness style, here’s the free-for-all.

My WordPress dashboard shows me the most used search terms that brought people to the site. Here are the top four:

silver james, http://www.silverjames.com, james silver, goodreads menage machu picchu

Yeah, I’m not sure I get that last one either. raised eyebrow gif

Lawyer Guy has had the flu for two weeks. I have a drippy nose and the beginnings of a cough. I will NOT be a happy camper if he gives me his crud. Is everyone else staying healthy? Any hints on heading off this $h!t?

Who wants to see the movie, I, Frankenstein? Here’s the OFFICIAL TRAILER.

Gargoyles! Sexy gargoyles. Fighting demons. I am soooo there!

Starbucks has a new “instant” product: Via Mocha and Vanilla Latte mixes. Haven’t tried it yet. You can get the deets HERE. I indulge in the occasional Skinny Vanilla Latte so I might give these a try at some point. And speaking of coffee…

Good morning coffee

Who has plans for the weekend? I’m still making NRCA reader assignments. I’m dreaming in technicolor Excel sheets. This is NOT a good thing. If it stays bitter cold, I’m hiding under the covers, hopefully to get more RITA books read. I’m about half-way through with them but I may have to divert and re-read NAKED IN DEATH because my inner reader is squirming in anticipation. Have a great weekend!

Posted in Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Thursday’s Thoughts: Pacing the Universe

Posted on January 23, 2014 by Silver James

universeMost of you know that these messages from the Universe show up in my inbox because I subscribed to tut.com years ago. Sometimes, the messages really hit home but are far too personal to share with anyone but my subconscious. And sometimes, due to where my life happens to be, the messages I copy and keep here as drafts all follow a theme.

This year’s word might should have been “Journey.” I’ve previously posted several essays and quotes dealing with making the journey, taking steps, moving forward, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. (And who’s now picturing Yul Brynner waltzing Debra Kerr around that Siamese ballroom?). Anyway, as I scrolled through the titles I’d stuck on saved Universal Thoughts, this one caught my eye. And guess what? Yeah…all about the journey! shifty-eyes-ani2faster

Rarely, Silver, are the first steps in a journey anything like the final ones, either in direction, pace, or grace. So please believe me when I tell you that none of those things are even half as important as the fact that there are steps at all.

Vroom, vroom –
The Universe
© http://www.tut.com ®

Silver, by the time you’re really rolling, it will be in a direction you cannot now even imagine. So please, for the time being, just roll.

Today’s message? That’s how I roll. How about you? How do you roll?

Posted in Writing Life | Tagged , | 8 Comments

Wednesday’s Words: Wish I’d Said That

Posted on January 22, 2014 by Silver James

Writer's Mind Do you ever read a book or catch something on the internet and think, “Gee…I wish I’d said that!” Yeah. Me, too. 😉

So here are some of those quotes, lines, internet It’s-A-Thing(tm) and what not to keep you entertained on this happy hump day…

Next time a stranger talks to me when I’m alone, I will look at them–shocked–and just whisper quietly, “You can see me?”

I swear that’s going in a book. Some how, some way.

The probability of being seen is directly proportional to the stupidity of your actions.

Yeah, want to use that one, too. Now, an old favorite. From NAKED IN DEATH (JD Robb): Roarke to Eve…

“You know, lieutenant, you wear your weapon the way other women wear pearls.”

Sinjen would say this to Sade but…well…plagiarism, y’know? And he’d call her Special Agent but still… And as long as I’m very likely going to reread NID because…well…it’s that time of year, here’s the opening paragraph–and one of my favorite openings of all time. I’m soooo jealous I didn’t write this.

She woke in the dark. Through the slats on the window shades, the first murky hint of dawn slipped, slanting shadowy bars over the bed. It was like waking in a cell.

What about y’all? Liza, are you ready for your NID reread? 😉 Who found a quote, quip, or opening they love? SHARE!

Posted in Books, Writing Life | Tagged , , , | 15 Comments

Werewolves are the New LBD on TV

Posted on January 21, 2014 by Silver James

Nathaniel's wolfLBD = Little Black Dress. You know what that is, right? That one outfit that is sort of one-size-fits-all-occasions that every smart woman has hanging in her closet. Men used to be lucky when it came to fashions–a black suit, a sport coat, slacks, and a shirt could take them through most events. Well, and jeans for the truly casual moment.

For a long time, publishing said vampires were dead. Go ahead and laugh. There’s a pun in there. But someone forgot to tell TV. And now there’s been a surge in supernatural shows, especially shows about wolves or with a wolf/wolves as main characters. In fact, on the non-“Big Three” networks, there’s been a surge of supernaturally-themed shows.

As an author of such fare, I’m happy. As a reader of the genre, I’m happier still, even though it clogs up my DVR. Both of them. I have one in the bedroom and one in my office. Works great when there’s a conflict as I can only record two shows in the same timeframe. Monday is now totally crowded! And Tuesday isn’t much better. Anyway, we’re talking TV today–supernaturally speaking. Here’s the list of new and old favorites I’ve tagged to watch:

Fox:
Sleepy Hollow (though the two-hour finale aired last night)
Almost Human (love the human/android cop buddy basis)

CBS:
Intelligence (okay, more SciFi than supernatural but any guy with a computer chip in his head who can access the internet is pretty spooky in my book 😉 )

SyFy:
Lost Girl (I love this gritty show about Fae)
Haven (based on a Stephen King short story, and a combination of supernatural/scifi)
Bitten (based on the Kelley Armstrong books that I haven’t read. Yet. This series just started. The second episode airs Friday.)

CW:
The Originals (a spin-off of The Vampire Diaries) about vampires and werewolves in New Orleans.

ABC:
Agents of SHIELD

I keep thinking there are others out there I watch but can’t remember. There are other supernatural shows I don’t watch. The aforementioned Vampire Diaries, Arrow (though I might should look into that one again), Beauty and the Beast, Supernatural, Being Human, Orphan Black, Dracula (didn’t make it through the first episode), Grimm (watched the 1st two seasons then lost interest), True Blood (not even Joe Manganiello could keep me around after the first couple of seasons), and a few more. I found a list HERE.

So I want to know what your favorite supernatural series is, and what book/series would you like to see made into a TV series?

Posted in Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , | 14 Comments