Monday, January 31, 2011

Book Review...Touched By An Alien by Gini Koch

Relating to a character in a book, or a situation that a heroine has suddenly found herself placed (precariously or not) should be a key component when you really connect with a book. And by that, I mean really good, squeal in glee moment. Unfortunately, this moment happens less often than not (or, rather in the low end of the spectrum). Which, all in all, doesn't diminish the moment. I just don't make the kind of noises that make puppy dogs ears perk or husband's eyebrow quirk. And most of the time, I am perfectly okay with this.
Seriously, I'm not necessarily a faery hiding my dark side (though, there are times I feel a dark side want to peak out) or a lonely girl investigating the death of my sister with the help of a devastatingly darkly handsome mysterious bookstore owner.

What I am, besides book obsessed and tribal bellydancer (even though its a couch show at this moment), is a fan girl. With an extensive comic book collection, and yes even a few statues. Oh, did I mention I absolutely love the volleyball scene in Top Gun (Slider...sigh. And remember when Val Kilmer and Tom Cruise were drool worthy?)? My ipod, alas, has over 5,000 songs on it, and I routinely program with the help of Genius a playlist for the day.

(All of this wasn't very relevant at the time...but I think some of you may get the idea, huh?)

You see, a few months ago, one of my favorite book bloggers had a new review. Eh, I thought, not so in to the whole alien thing, but I'll check it out anywho. I liked Men In Black. Will Smith hangs a good suit. But, the only draw back was it sounded, well, cheesy? (I use this word with a cringe because one person's cute is another person's yummy.) I wasn't sure it was the book for me. But, as it happens, the snow ball effect began and everywhere I turned, there it was.
From the back of the book:
Marketing manager Katherine "Kitty" Katt had just finished a day on jury duty. When she stepped out of the Pueblo Caliente courthouse, all she was thinking about was the work she had to get caught up on. then her attention was caught by a fight between a couple-a domestic dispute that looked like it was about to turn ugly. But ugly didn't even begin to cover it when the "man" suddenly transformed into a huge, winged monster right out of a grade Z science fiction movie and went on a deadly killing spree. In hindsight, Kitty realized why she probably should have panicked and run screaming the way everyone around her was doing. Instead, she got mad, searched her purse for a weapon, and, armed with a Mont Blanc pen, sprinted into action to take down the alien.
In the middle of all the screeching and the ensuing chaos, a tall handsome hunk of a guy in an Armani suit suddenly appeared beside her, examined the body, introduced himself as Jeff Martini with "the agency," called out to an Armani-clad colleague to perform crowd control, and then insisted on leading her to a nearby limo to talk to his "boss."
And that was how Kitty's new life among the aliens began...
Aliens? Yep, there's the sticky ewy gooey aliens bent on taking over the earth type...but, hello ARMANI? Sigh...if only all men had the body to hang a good Armani. Gini Koch takes every fan girl's science fiction dream and makes it reality, throwing in what every girl also wants...a devastatingly handsome witty powerful man who adores her. (With maybe a little of that Top Gun fantasy thrown in... I mean, seriously!!!) What really hit the spot for me was how seamlessly it all stuck together with just the right amount of smarts, tongue in cheek sauciness, and good old fashion flirting and fight for the universe-we-all-share-the-same-things-in-common that made it entirely too difficult to put down.
Kitty is the kind of heroine a girl wants to be...smart, confident, and creative, all while rocking her jeans and kicking a little alien booty. And, let's just say the A-C's (that's the hot Armani clad aliens, btw) could use a girl like her....
Now, if you'll excuse me...I have playlist to get going. Hmmm, what would be perfect for Alien Tango?


Saturday, January 29, 2011

Midnight Musings...Missing My Shimmies!


The hardest part of any injury is the healing. Its incredibly and undeniably easy to injure yourself, sometimes so much so that you haven't even realized the severity until its, well, that severe.

And it sucks even more when you're a bellydancer.

The moment the EVENT (as I call it now, and not fondly) occurred, I honestly just stood up and brushed myself off and went on with my day. Not much slows me down, and I figured it was only a tad sore.

Looking back, I was an idiot. We all do it, forgetting to put ourselves and our wealth fare first.

So, here I am. Almost two and a half months, six x-rays, tons of anti-inflammatory meds, an air cast, countless icing sessions and one cortisone shot later. Still miserable and on a slow road of physical therapy and wondering if I'll be able to actually stand in the morning or even walking by the end of the day. And, barely twenty minutes of actual bellydance activity in that entire time. (I can kinda couch bellydance...real cute, let me tell you.)

Tonight, my girls and I have a benefit for a children's hospital, which I've been to committed to since November. And I desperately want to do. it..even if I have to fake it.

Here's to the Universe...you certainly have a way of making me remember what I really truly should be worrying about. And while it may no be okay for some people to be mean or just miserable when I'm at my job, its most definitely okay to miss doing the things you love. And to work hard to get back to them.

(While break a leg might be appropriate, I'll just send out a nice loud YIEP! and positive thoughts...coupled with some kick ass couch shimmies!)

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Winners...Better Late Than Never

Sigh...


Let me tell you, the Holidays were actually much easier to deal with this year than I have ever experienced. Because, it was the days after that killed me.


Sadly, I lost the first man in my life a few days after Christmas. (My kitty Drew has been in my life longer than my husband. Which, seems like there's never been a time when I haven't had him around to lovingly torture.) Tore me up.


And, to add insult to injury...literally...it seems I have an ankle issue that has made me grumpier than a certain dwarf with a huge yet adorable sniffer. Finding a good doctor is a journey I do not envy anyone.


Which brings us to today (quickly, because Shadowfever finally got left at my door!!!!!!!!! *dances giddily* The following lovies won my Holiday Celebration (chosen by my pumpkin of a niece who wishes I had more contests she could help me with!)


Ahem...


A Highlander for Christmas....Stephanie!

Christmas CD and Larissa Ione swag...Debbie!

Goddess of the Sea...Cathie!

Devil to Pay....Dren!


(Be on the lookout for an email!!)