Necromantic Friday

Okay, it's photo time for all you Jacob and Leanna fans out there. :) Last night Leanna, Marcos, Jacob and I went to our favorite NYC goth night - Necromantic - at the Knitting Factory in Tribeca. It used to be a weekly event; sadly they since turned it monthly. In any case, we made the most of the evening. Lots of fun as always. And this time, I brought my camera along. So you can get an idea of what it was like.


The Stage


Marcos and Leanna are too cool for school


That's DJ Father Jeff spinning the tunes. Our favorite NYC goth DJ.


Jacob dancing. He's wearing the TRIPP shirt I bought him for his bday.


I'm dancing to Temple of Love by Sisters of Mercy here. My favorite request.


I like this pic, even though I cut off Jacob's head.


Random goth types, doing their thing.


Blurry pic, but you can see the back of my corset.


Heading to the subway in the rain. Thought this pic of Leanna and Marcos turned out very New York/romantic.


"The girl with the red hat." A pan handler called Leanna out.


Ah, young love! :)


Jacob hasn't caught up on his sleep since he got back from Vegas!


Are we home yet??

Julia Allison

I don’t know if any of you outside NYC read Julia Allison’s blog, but I’ve been following it for a while now. She is Editor at Large for Star Magazine, among other things, and often you can find her on different talk shows, discussing celebs. She also keeps a very detailed blog about her life. In fact, she and her last boyfriend actually did a joint blog, posting everything and anything about their relationship. (It didn’t end well and now he does his own blog that literally takes everything she says and makes fun of it.)

Anyway, by putting everything out there on the web, Julia has invited in some pretty harsh criticism, commentary, and mean jokes from other national blogs. The question is, since she puts it all out there, is she fair game for their biting commentary? And when should common decency and humanity kick in? I feel like with a lot of blog stuff, people forget that there are actual human beings on the other side of the persona. Human beings who hurt, just like everyone else when publically humiliated—whether or not you argue that they asked for it by accepting their role in the public eye. It’s so easy with blogs to get a cheap laugh, I think sometimes we forget how hurtful it can be.

The situation totally reminds me of this past summer when Liz Maverick and I were blog slapped for our “costumes” at the RWA National signing. I just remember how badly it hurt to see authors we had long admired slamming us and ridiculing us in front of all our writer/reader peers. Every morning I’d wake up, dreading to see what had been posted now. I knew I should just walk away, but come on – who could do that when you know you’re being discussed on the web?

One of the things that got me through that was emails from others cheering us on and lending their support. So today I decided to write a note of solidarity to Julia. She’s probably bombarded by them, but still, I felt it was the right thing to do. I hope she goes back to her blog, too. Cause I like reading about her life. Actually she should just start writing a memoir or even a chick lit book! I’d definitely read it if she did.

Marianne

"Miranda" and Me

I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait for the new Sex and the City movie to come out! I got a chance to meet Cynthia Nixon at a More Magazine photo shoot a month or two ago. (She’s their March cover girl.) She was really nice and very classy. Seemed a bit tired after posing all day though. Not that I blame her – the woman leads a really busy life! Also, I liked that she is a native New Yorker and was talking about how, if she had the time/choice, she’d rather walk 20 blocks than take a cab or subway. I’m the same. I love walking around the city. And it’s good exercise, too!

If you haven't seen it yet, check out the new Sex and the City trailer just released. It looks soo good!! :)

Happy One Year Anniversary to Me!

Today is my one year anniversary of living in NYC!

Moving here was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

Ever.

Yay me!

Marianne

My Birthday - A Photo Essay :)

I arrived at Liz Maverick's brand new apartment for the event. She and her minions had created a beautiful table of wines, cheese, and both Magnolia AND Buttercup cupcakes. (Liz is a Buttercup girl, I'm Magnolia all the way!)



As a good hostess should, Liz made sure I was appropriately pampered.


The pleated dress. Worn by all fashionistas in the know. Not to mention Leanna and I.


Liz is happy she's been relieved of grape feeding duty.


While Leanna tries to sneak a second cupcake.


Okay the bet is on! Nick wants to see Liz stuff half a cupcake in her mouth at once. And he's putting his money where his mouth is!


She really wants that five bucks!


And we have a winner!!


Morgan is a dedicated photographer. And isn't Sarah's dress awesome?


Once in a while I can get Morgan on the other side of the lens.


As you can see, a fun time was had by all!


Okay! It's midnight. Time for a few dedicated party people to bundle up and head to Lotus for some dancing!


Yeah, we're scenesters. Fer realz.


I love the concept of bottle service! You never have to go up to a bar. And thanks to my favorite NY party promoter, Etie, it's totally free!! (Normally $300 for the bottle and table. Yes, people do pay that. It's NYC.)


The music was (unfortunately) hip hop. But Stacy and Liz got down anyway.


And the goth girlz try and fail to look street.


One bonus of a $300 table? You can dance on it!


A fact that disturbs Leanna greatly.


It's past two am. And the club is still a hoppin'...


But after seven hours of partying, my hosts were ready for their beds. Can't blame them, really!
---

And there you have it! My birthday!! As you can probably see from the pics, it was a total blast!!! Thanks to all the SWAT GIRLS for making it a night I'll never forget!! :)

Now back to writing my book.

Marianne

Birthday Dress

Here's the birthday dress! In the end, I decided on boots. More party pics to come!

Happy Birthday to Me!

It's Saturday afternoon around 2:30. I've finished working on Razor Girl for the day. Making really good progress now. Hope I can keep it up for the home stretch. Now I've gotta start thinking about getting ready for tonight's birthday festivities! Did I mention I LOVE birthdays? Not just mine - everyone's! I think birthdays are the best holidays ever. Mainly cause you can celebrate people you love and make the day special just for them!

I found a really cute dress to wear tonight. Trying to decide if I should hit Loehmans to pair it with some cute shoes as well or just wear boots. It's actually warmer out today so it'd be okay to wear real shoes. I just don't know if I have time or energy to shoe shop.

Your fun link for the day is a blog that was featured yesterday on Daily Candy. It's called STUFF WHITE PEOPLE LIKE. It's pretty true to life, I thought!

Okay - time to shower and dress and consider shoes...
Marianne

Birthdays and Zombies

This week has been pretty uneventful because every night I’ve been going home to work on the book. We’re getting down to the wire – it’s due March 17th. I cannot wait to have it done so I can have my life back!

This weekend should be fun though. On Saturday night we’re celebrating my birthday. My fellow Rebel of Romance/dear friend Liz Maverick is hosting a wine and cheese party at her swanky new apartment in my honor and then we’re going dancing at this scene’y club called Lotus. I have a new friend who hosts a party there every Saturday night and she’s promised us VIP treatment – no line, free table, free bottle of vodka. Considering normally you have to spend like $300 a bottle at this place, this is a good deal!! Can’t wait!

The rest of the weekend, however, I plan to be a good little girl and work on the book that will not die. Of course, it’s about zombies, so I guess in a weird way that makes sense.

Oh and speaking of zombies.



Someone with a bit too much time on her hands crocheted some. She calls it “Dawn of the Knitting Dead.” I LOVE IT!

And while we’re on weirdness, check out this personal ad on the Best of Craigslist. Too too awesome.

That’s all I gotz. Go buy News Blues!! Support the dying chick lit genre!
Mar

Book Release Day!!

Today is the official release date for NEWS BLUES - my ninth novel.

:)

Marianne

PS I'd happy dance, but I'm on deadline...

Oscar Party

Went down to Williamsburg for an Oscar party last night. Was a lot of fun, though I did not walk away with the pool. I actually started out pretty strong, but I knew sooner or later my wild guesses (having seen practically none of the movies!) would catch up to me. Overall was fun. Glad I didn't have to work today though! Though I have been writing from home all day. Getting a lot done on the book, which is encouraging.

Here are some pics of the party!


Tome hosted the party and he wasn't fooling around! He had all the ballots inputed to a spreadsheet even! No cheating allowed!


It can be hard to tabulate scores after drinking a few candy apple martinis!


Jaberwock - the puggle - is dubious about Jacob's ability to double fist his drinks.


But Jacob shows he can manage do it with style!


As usual the awards ran long and attention at times waned from the TV.


Jaberwock is pretending to watch, while scouting for food!


The triumphant winners of the Oscar pool - Tome (3rd) Dawn (1st) and Mark (2nd)


Jacob won a booby prize of a hover ball pipe thing!


Took a lot of tries to take a pic with the ball actually hovering though...

Snowy Friday

Nothing too exciting to report here. Working furiously on Razor Girl as the deadline looms. Hopefully I can pull it all together. Remind me not to accept such a tight deadline next time, okay? Argh.

Other than that, I'm psyched it's Friday, even if the weather outside is frightful. We had snow this morning, but it's mostly rain and slush now. I can't wait for spring. That's the only thing I don't like about New York - it doesn't have San Diego weather! Still, it's a lot better than Boston, which has gotten socked by many, many storms this winter! Luckily all those guys are hardcore skiers and snowboarders and like that kind of thing.

Last night I went over Jacob's to celebrate his birthday. We made steak adobo tacos using a Rosa Mexicano recipe. Came out yummy! Funny thing about New Yorkers - we go out to eat so often (whether to a deli or a 5 star restaurant) that it's eating home and cooking your own food that's the treat sometimes. Go figure! It was fun though.

Anyway, I know this entry is boring, but really, that's all I've got. Esp since I've gotta go get ready to go out! :) Going to a play that Jacob's friend is in and then hopefully some clubbing! Woot!

Marianne

The Tale of the Valentine's Day Rose

Once upon a time there lived a beautiful red rose. It was bought with love and presented to a special someone on Valentine’s Day, only to end up rejected and abandoned at an above-ground Astoria subway stop. Left to die in the bitter cold, without water, without love.

Why was the rose rejected? We will never know. But we do know that at that point three lovely New Yorkers came upon this lonely rose. They took one look at it and realized that they needed to rescue this rose from its fate. So they took it with them as they traversed into Manhattan. They realized that the rose, this simple flower, may have true power, hidden deep inside. Power to change fate, to alter lives, to make things better. (Or at least just to make them laugh and give them something to take photos of.)

So they cared for the rose. Filling a Diet Red Bull can with water to nourish it.



And they communed with it, attempting to still its pain and perhaps revel in its power.





Oh and they took some silly pictures with it as well. After all, roses like to have fun, too!





And the rose, in turn, brightened their night and beautified the trashy bar they’d brought it to.



And it made them all very happy!







And the rose managed to escape its intended fate and instead live out the remainder of its day surrounded by friendship and love. Happily ever after, one might even say.

THE END!

News Blues - one week away!

Though I often digress from book information on this blog, it's good to pull it back once in a while, especially when I have a new book coming out in a week! :) The book, in case you aren't aware, is called NEWS BLUES and it's the story of a downtrodden television producer (ring any bells?) named Maddy.

Hope you get a chance to check it out! Here's the summary and some reviews:

TUNE IN

All 27-year-old Maddy Madison wants is a cute guy, a designer handbag and to work at Newsline. What she has is a dead-end job at News 9 San Diego, a psycho boss and a counterfeit Kate Spade. One with a badly glued-on label. Oh, and no guy.

TURN ON

Just when Maddy’s sure her days of producing sensationalistic puff pieces will never end (“Perilous Pets!” “Deadly Dishwashers!” “Clay that Kills!”) she’s offered a promotion. She’s now an investigative producer—and that’s not all; she’s also partnered with the station’s newest photographer: sexy, motorcycle-riding bad boy and former moviemaker Jamie Hayes. But every silver cloud has a stormy lining. Her new job is with News 9’s narcissistic anchor, Terrance Toller; Jamie’s getting married (not to her); and reporting the truth is about as easy as watching your divorced parents get remarried (not to each other).

TAKE OFF

So, how does Maddy get to produce real news, bag her boss and win her man? Stay tuned. It’s the story of a lifetime.


TOP PICK! "A fast-paced, hilariously funny look into life behind the scenes at a local news stationa fast-paced, hilariously funny look into life behind the scenes at a local news station." -- Romance Reader at Heart

"[An] original and quirky twist on chick-lit." -- Romance Reviews Today

"Intriguing look behind the scenes of TV news production, including a pleasing romance." -- Fresh Fiction