Amie Stuart ~ On the Back Porch

Join us at Southern Fried Chicas today for Behind the Book with Julie Cohen. She’s talking about HIS FOR THE TAKING (under its original title, DRIVING HIM WILD) was shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s 2008 Romance Prize, for the year’s best category romances.

Ok now on to American Idle (yes I KNOW I spelled it wrong). Overall I have to agree with Simon–few of the performances were memorable or stood out–a sad disappointment after the promise of Hollywood Week.

Paula……my chicky dude, do you smoke CRACK? I don’t think you spoke one coherent sentence the entire night!

1. David H–dude, I love you. WTF happened? Okay I’ll cut you some slack because you had to go FIRST, but next time *shakes finger*
2. Chikezee –dude sorry for butchering your name. I actually liked the throwback 60’s vibe (and I’m not much of one for 60’s music)
3. David Cook–my bald mohawk dude, you totally brought your A game. I really liked the modern feel of your song.
4. Jason Yeager–my local dude, WTF? I totally agree with Simon. Sorry to see you go home so soon.
5. Robbie C–my forgettable dude, I don’t even remember what you looked like but my note here says “Okay” –that’s not good, dude.
6. David A–I so hart you dude. You are so cute and you had so much fun. Now, go buy yourself a bottle of poise and stop with the nervous giggle thing when you try to talk.
7. Danny N–dude, you remind me of the nephew from Ugly Betty and I like that about you–I like that you seem to know who you are, and you can stalk smack to Simon, but dude, that song was kinda frantic. I was disappointed because I’ve seen you do better.
8. Luke M–my bad dude. You were just bad and forgettable. I have to agree w/Simon on this one. Sorry to see you go so soon.
9. Colton–Yo dude, FWIW I totally didn’t agree w/Simon and I thought his performance was fun and he seemed to have a good time.
10. Garrett–my hairy dude…GET A HAIRCUT! You look like Leif Garrett not Peter Frampton. Frankly maybe you should have SUNG Peter Frampton (Do you feel like I do?? *sigh*). You look like you’re drowning and you were kind of forgettable.
11. Jason (Castro?)–my hairy semi-local dude…didn’t much care for the braids but you have such a gorgeous face and beautiful eyes! I thought you were cute and hip. Two thumbs up.
12. Michael–my Ausie dude…….you took the prize. *bows down*

Just to recap, I think Luke M and Jason Yeager are going home IMO.

Now, let’s see what the ladies can do tonight.

PS I actually wrote like 2 pages last night. I’ve written myself into a bit of a corner so it’s going to take some mulling.

I’m over at SFC today blogging about my writerly hang ups….come share. I’m feeling lonely.

Mercury Retrograde is OVAH!

So did anyone tune in for the NBA All Star weekend? Can you say SUPPA-MAN? (be sure to watch the slow-mo repeats)

If you want to see highlights of all the dunks, go here

moar humorous pics

Remember when I posted about Exxon’s record profit a few weeks back?

Check this out…..

General Motors reported a fourth-quarter loss of $722 million on Tuesday and offered more buyouts to all 74,000 of its unionized employees in another bid to keep its turnaround from stalling…(snip)For all of 2007, GM posted a loss of $38.7 billion, the biggest ever for an automaker.

Interesting…….in ways that turn my tummy.

Now on to the Mavericks attempt to get Jason Kidd. MARK CUBAN WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU SMOKING???? You’re trading off nearly the ENTIRE starting lineup for Jason and someone we’ve never heard of? WTF?!

Here’s the breakdown: He [Devean George]and point guard Devin Harris, swingman Jerry Stackhouse, center DeSagana Diop, guard Maurice Ager, two first-round picks and cash [reportedly 3 million dollars which is probably pocket change to Cuban] were to be sent to New Jersey for Kidd and forward Malik Allen.

The upside is, NJ will reportedly buy out Stackhouse’s contract so he can RETURN to the Mavs. I love me some Jerry. And don’t get me wrong, Kidd can play some mean ball (and he’s HAWT HELLO can I rub your head, sugar? *drool*) but he’s OLD!!!!!! Yes, he’s younger than me, but in basketball years, 30-something is old. Hello, did you see what they did to Shaq (who, btw, is like 35 or 36 and injured)?

Update from Bailey!:

The NBA will investigate the possibility the Mavericks and Stackhouse violated league rules with a prearranged agreement for the forward to return to Dallas after reaching a contract buyout in New Jersey and sitting out the 30-day waiting period, sources said. Several league sources said the NBA will consider forbidding Stackhouse to re-sign with the Mavericks this season as punishment for public comments the forward made on Wednesday that suggested tampering could have occurred.

If it comes to that, the deal is dead. Dallas owner Mark Cuban wouldn’t complete the trade for Kidd without a belief that he could bring back Stackhouse this season. Ultimately, sources say, Mavericks management decided that losing Stackhouse would be too hard of a hit to the Mavericks’ depth, too steep a price to pay for Kidd.

And then…….last but not least, Texas has finally rescinded a, ahem, personal massager law and Smart Bitches is celebrating. I think the contest is closed but no blog day should pass by without sharing this image.

The Texas Attorney General’s Office, which represented the Travis County district attorney in the case, has not decided whether to appeal, said agency spokesman Tom Kelley.

Um dude, might want to cut your losses, k? Cuz it was a stupid law to begin with.

It’s Friday. No writing, but I did start reading the bestest book ever last night! OMG I’ve been dying for some good chick lit women’s fiction. Okay fine, chick lit. I don’t care if it’s “dead”, because I wasn’t one of those folks who glutted myself on it in the first place. So anyway I started reading this book last night and I could TOTALLY see Mik writing this. It’s sarcastic, it’s funny, but it’s not bitter which is what makes it work especially since it’s a “post-divorce” story. And of course, it’s about something ALL WOMEN can relate to.

Last but not least, I’m gonna ask ya’ll to pray for my good friend Kody. He’s a young’un undergoing some very scary surgery on Monday. *sigh* (Aunt Amie Loves ya bud!)

I’m out…….have a good one.

I know I’ve talked about my bush before–I THINK it’s a peach tree gone wild but I”m not sure. Whatever it is, it loves 40-50 degree weather and right now, is in full bloom. It’ll stay that way until about June or so.

I have a post coming on the Mavs trade/shuffle but don’t have time to tell ya’ll how disgusted I am right now.

I’m still in the chokehold of this contest for another day or two so no writing. None. Nada. No reading either.

Did I mention also that my eye is f*cked up? Yeah it is. Apparently I’m allergic to my lens rewetting drops … in one eye. And my nose ring is infected.

Before another minute goes by, i wanted to let you know that Melissa Blue is our guest blogger today over at SFC so stop on by!!!!

Remember ya’ll, tomorrow is just another day

I woke up with one of those someone-hit-me-in-the-face-with-a-hammer headaches and can barley see. I’ve blogged over at NAS giving you yet another reason why we should end the travesty that is Valentines Day. Thank you, Vivi.

Also, guess who’s over at Barbara Vey’s blog today? Guess! GUESS!!! Margie Lawson!! So go stop by because Margie is wonderful!!!

ALso, I swiped this from Meljean…..it’s WELL worth the read if you haven’t already.