New Project

So, I'm kind of excited about this new project I'm working on.  Titled, Finding Nirvana, it's about a girl addicted to grunge and obsessed with Kurt Cobain, who goes on a journey of self discovery.  I think.  It's mostly still in my head.

But I'm excited to do some research on this.  On the way back from the ocean, I went through Aberdeen to find his childhood home (on the right).  There is a documentary on Netflix I'm going to watch, and an exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum.

Here's a little totally rough, brand new, unedited excerpt:

      My name is Lanie and I’m a grunge addict.  Yes I’m well aware that it’s 2010, and grunge was so 1990’s, but it wasn’t really a choice, it was a way of life.  At times I felt like I was born a decade too late.  I would have totally fit in with the Seattle grunge scene, but that was my mom’s life, not mine.  So deep into that scene, she chose to name me Layne Veddar Cobain Cornell Miller.  Ridiculous I know, but she couldn’t make up her mind between her favorite singers from Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, and Soundgarden, respectively.  I decided when I started school that I would go by Lanie.  It sounded more, well, like a girl.

       When it comes to my dad, things get a bit more complicated.  You see, I don’t really know who he is, well, I kind of do.  He could be one of three guys, the first being Kenny James.  He’s a totally smart way cool dude who manages a couple local bands, the most “famous” if you can call it that being Toke.  The second might be BJ Dubois, the drummer for Drop Dead Lead, and no I don’t know if that’s his real name, or if he took the initials just to be funny or clever, which he’s neither, though he thinks he is.  He’s a bit socially retarded, but he’s nice, and not bad to look at.  The last contestant on “Who’s My Dad” is Doug “Spaz” Harris, singer of The Deceased .  If you knew Doug, you’d know exactly why they called him Spaz.  First of all he’s got Tourettes, so he tenses up and blurts out the most insane funniest shit at times, also,  on stage, he dances  like he’s having a seizure.

     These three are pretty much interchangeable to me, all white, all in their early thirties, all still living life as if they’re rock stars.  I can’t blame them really, I’ve got the bug myself and it’s hard to shake, plus I’ve never heard of a twelve step program for this kind of addiction.  When you look at those guys, there’s not one distinct feature you could point out and say, “oh, he’s GOT to be Lanie’s dad.”  I mean, my eyes are blue like Kenny’s, I have full lips, like BJ, and I’m tall and thin like Spaz.  I guess seventeen years ago my mother loved them all.  So there you have it. 

On a different note, I was invited to one of the Readergirlz Diva's book launch (Holly Cupala) and I'm so excited.  I've been wanting to meet some of these ladies since I started writing.  Only hitch, it's on my daughter's birthday.  Now, it's a teen book, and I can bring people, so I've talked to her about it and we're considering making a day of it in Seattle and getting a hotel room and stuff.  But I told her it's up to her. Still, it's exciting just to be invited. :)

That's all, let me know how you like the excerpt.

 Ciao,

 Megan

Back to Life, Back to Reality...

Now that I've lived like a rock star for five days, it's time to clean up, pack up, and get back home.  I've got a lot on my plate the next few weeks and I'm not sure where to start.  I know a trip to either the consignment store or Goodwill is in order as I've come to the realization that my closet is way too full of clothes I haven't worn in way too long.  I'm also going to make Thing One and Thing Two go through their things.

My muse as of late has been working overtime and I cannot get her to slow down. So now I've got two ms's I'm actively working on, and still probably need to do another round of edits on Cheesy before sending it to my agent toward the end of summer.  Have I mentioned that I hate edits?  I try to fool myself into thinking it's fun, but in reality, it's not.  If someone likes edits please tell me why.  Sway me into liking them.

I'm also house hunting.  I've found the perfect place, but unfortunately, it's a short sale, which my realtor tells me is a pain in the butt.  Figures.  I fell in love with it and of course now nothing will live up to it in my eyes.  It's big, it's colorful, it's full of light.  It's perfect for me.

Other than that, I'll need to lose the 20 pounds I gained this weekend, get myself a pedicure, and patiently await my advance check which should be coming within the next few weeks.  Woot!

Have a great Tuesday all.

Ciao,

Megan

We didn't blow our arms off...

We had a safe and fairly sane holiday weekend.  It was mostly devoid of sun, but of course it usually is here in the beautiful but gray and wet Pacific Northwest.

The girls and I came to the beach Thursday afternoon.  Traffic was fine, and the drive was okay except for the fact it was raining and rain + car = tired Megan.  But we arrived without incident, got settled then I took the girls our for dinner, and luckily their tastes still border on the simple, so they did not break the bank.  That night we had a mini 80's film fest with The Outsiders and Pretty In Pink, which I thought the girls would like since they had gotten into 16 Candles, Breakfast Club, and The Heathers (girls after my own heart)  They preferred the latter to the former and I'd forgotten how cute those boys were and how I was so in love with every one of them, especially C. Thomas Howell, Rob Lowe, and Emilio Estevez.

On Friday took them to see Eclipse, and since it was my favorite book of the series it only makes sense it was my favorite movie.  Taylor Lautner's abs were the star of the show and it didn't suck (haha, get it? Suck?) to look at the new vamp, Riley.  When we came out of the movie, the sun had miraculously decided to show itself so we hung out in the back yard, played badminton, and I bbq'd us some chicken, and it was good.

Friday night my sister and her kids came and we just chilled while watching Lords of Dogtown.  Which of course is the only way to watch Lords of Dogtown, if you're not chill, forget it.  Great movie btw, and I love Emil Hirsch and of course the late Heath Ledger.

Shopped around and laid in the sun all day Saturday.  Got the kids some pizza and my sister, her mother in law and I hit the casino.  Starship was playing (suddenly belts out *Jane, Jane, Jane!*).  We lasted about five songs as the wind was kicking and a glass of wine and Lobstermania slots were calling my name.  I dropped a $20 and it was good.

Then the grand finale, July 4th, the weather was crappy, like I said.  We just chilled, I made my famous (okay it's really Rachael Ray's) pesto pasta salad, we pretty much ate all day, bbq'd (I grilled the perfect hot dogs) then hit the beach for fireworks.  It was freezing, Thing Two and my nephew pretty much blew everything up while the rest of us bundled up in blankies or sat in our cars, and as soon as they were done, we were out of there.  I could not stay up for one more minute, so hit the hay.

Today me and the girls and whoever else wants to join us will take some garbage bags to the beach and help clean up.  Because sad as it is, people leave their trash for the tide.  Dead fireworks, bottles, cans, food wrappers.  We did the same thing last year.  It's a good lesson for the kids and we're doing our part, if only a little.

Hope you all had a great holiday.  I know I did.


Ciao,

Megan

F³A: Celebrating Our Freedoms

With Independence Day right around the corner, I thought I'd chat you up about our freedoms and traditions.

I do realize I  blogged about freedoms when Memorial Day rolled around, but I think we, and when I say we, I mean Americans, forget how good most of us have it.  We take for granted the things that other people only dream about.  Little freedoms, big freedoms, think about it.

Like right now, I'm sitting in a beach house, using my laptop to talk to people all over the world.  How cool is every little bit of that?  My kids are sleeping in their own room, in a comfortable bed, and they will wake to my famous cheesy eggs and ham.

I'm drinking purified water from a bottle and good coffee.

Little things.  Big things.

Last night we had an 80's DVD film fest (The Outsiders and Pretty in Pink). And today I think we'll go see Eclipse.  Little things.

All religions, races, and cultures are able to live in this country together in peace (mostly, don't get me wrong, I know there is still prejudice, bias, and bigotry, but still...) while other countries still kill for these reasons.  Big things.

So, how do you celebrate these freedoms?  Do you have traditions?  Or do you just see what comes up?

We've been going to the beach for a few years now.  We usually buy fireworks and shoot them off on a mostly abandoned beach on July 5th, which is way cool.  This year is a little different for reasons I'll not be going into at the moment.  This year will involved spending it with some family, bbq, hopefully some sun so we can play fun games like ladder ball, and water balloon volleyball.

And though I'm not pro war or anything, it wouldn't hurt to thank a soldier today, I know it's not a soldier-thanking holiday, but their sacrifices and just their presence make these freedoms possible.

So, have a safe and sane Independence Day.  Don't blow your arm off.

Ciao,

Megan

Current song on my iPod: Kandi by One Eskimo

Current read: Fatted Calf Blues, and anthology of short stories by Steven Mayoff.  And let me just say, I'm impressed so far.

Current watch: Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief.  Will probably be watching this tonight.

Quotes of the week: "Independence is my happiness, and I view things as they are, without regard to place or person; my country is the world, and my religion is to do good." ~ Thomas Paine


"You cannot build character and courage by taking away man's initiative and independence." ~ Abraham Lincoln

"I am lord of myself, accountable to none." ~ Ben Franklin

In search of the perfect hot wing...

So a friend of mine referred me to a place that serves great hot wings.   I was less than impressed.  What I got was a huge plate full of over crispy wings, a tiny cup of Franks and a tiny cup of blue cheese.

Now I am going on a Wednesday blog mission to find the perfect hot wing.  I know it sounds crazy, but I love hot wings and I want to know who makes the best.

If you have any local suggestions, let me know.  I may take this gig national some day, but money ain't quite rolling in right now, if you know what I mean.

I was going to go vegetarian, but I think this mission is much more important than that.

Ciao,

Megan