Category: Friday Five

Friday Five – Picture Book Addition

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More often than not, I focus my blog posts on young adult literature. It’s what I love most. But, a close second as far as amazing books go, are children’s picture books. I have a three-year-old who LOVES books, so we spend a lot of time in the Borders Kids section and at our public library. Plus, I’m a former elementary school teacher. I used to love using picture books as part of my curriculum, even when I taught fifth graders who pretended to be too old to be read aloud to. Over the years, I’ve adopted some favorites picture books. There are the classics, Goodnight Moon, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, anything Dr. Seuss, Corduroy, the Frances books and Blueberries for Sal.

That being said, my very favorite kids’ books to read aloud all happen to rhyme. There’s something about the rhythm and the sing-song quality they take on that makes picture books in verse hard to pass up. So, for today’s Friday Five I’m sharing some of the best.

 
One) Bear Wants More, by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Jane Chapman – The story of a bear who wakes up from winter hibernation, and  his forest friends who attempt to satisfy his HUGE hunger.

Two) Cha Cha Chimps, by Julia Durango, Illustrated by Eleanor Taylor – Ten little chimps head out to the neighborhood dance hall for a night of counting and fun, until their mama comes looking for them.

Three) Edward the Emu, by Sheena Knowles, illustrated by Rod Clement –  The tale of a lonely emu who searches the zoo for true love.

Four) Is Your Mama a Llama? by Deborah Guarino, illustrated by Steven Kellogg – A little llama explores nature and meets lots of different animals, hoping to find his mother.

Five) The Snail and the Whale, by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler – A snail with an itchy foot hitches a ride with a whale who roams the sea. They forge an unlikely friendship while the little snail learns how big he can be.

What about you? What are your favorite picture books? Are there any you’re happy to read to your child(ren) over and over again?

Friday Five – What’s awesome this week?

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It’s a random Friday. I’m knee-deep in WIP, and therefore not reading a lot or watching much TV. But, I have gotten out a little and here are the things that make my awesome list this week. 🙂

1) Okay, movies first. I saw two last weekend and they both rocked (the Munchkin slept over at Mimi and Baba’s and my husband and I pulled a double feature!).

The Social Network – Fast paced, funny, and completely relevant. I was in college when Napster came out (I may or may not have had a few free songs downloaded on my computer. Shhh…) and have had Facebook for a few years now. The Social Network is a story of friendship, money and betrayal, and the impact of technology on masses of people. There’s really no good guy in this movie; at times, I was sympathetic to all of the main characters. The Social Network is proof that good ideas are a dime a dozen. Actually being able to execute them WELL is what’s important.

 

AND It’s Kind of a Funny Story –  Based on a YA novel, It’s Kind of a Funny Story reminded me of Little Miss Sunshine, a movie I adore. It’s a little bit dark, a little bit funny, and a lot heartfelt. The actors are adorable, and the movie focuses on a realistic teen with realistic problems (pressure at school, unrequited love, feelings of isolation). At times, it’s a little heavy-handed on its lesson (things are never as bad as they seem), but I still loved it.

2) I found a local independent new/used bookstore! A Good Book Cafe in Sumner, Washington might just be my new favorite place to buy books. They have a huge selection of all genres and are willing to special order anything they don’t stock. Plus, they took two huge boxes of old books off my hands in exchange for discounts and store credit. Yay! 

3) Vampire Diaries – I know it’s aimed at teens, blah, blah, blah, but I think Vampire Diaries is one of the best shows on TV. It’s steamy, with super sharp dialogue, new twists and turns in every episode, and a freakishly attractive cast. If you’re not watching, start with Season One. Too much goes on in each and every scene to jump in mid-Season Two. But do watch–definitely!

4) I found the perfect actor to play the romantic interest in the movie of my WIP, Where Poppies Bloom (hey, a girl can dream!). Meet Alex Pettyfer. Yeah. I know.

5) Last but not least, I have found my new favorite non-writing/non-publishing blog ever – www.whatclaudiawore.com. I have to admit, I was intensely fanatical about The Baby-Sitters Club when I was a kid. Not only did I read every. Single. Book, but, I owned most of the too. Silly as they seem now, I was an uberfan. My favorite character was Claudia Kishi, the Asian American girl with the almond-shaped eyes. So what if she sucked at school and had an insane candy addiction? She was arty and unique and she wore–seriously–the coolest clothes ever.  Somehow I’ve managed to stumble across a blog written by a twenty-something who shares in my previously dormant  Claudia obsession. Her posts are snarky and fun, featuring the way-too detailed descriptions of Claud’s outfits straight from the books’ text, with her witty commentary laced it. Lately, she’s been doing her take on the book covers too, which are nothing short of hilarious. Yep. Check it out! 🙂  

(Kristy pic from http://incredulouskristy.tumblr.com/, also worth checking out!)

Friday Five: What my WIP is teaching me…

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So, I’m somewhere around half-way through draft one of my WIP, Where Poppies Bloom. It’s been a learning experience, to say the least. It’s the third full-length YA novel I’ve tackled, and for whatever reason, everything that worked for me while writing the first two is NOT working for me this time around. It’s a learning experience, and a definite labor of love. Here’s what I’ve picked up at this stage of the game.

1) I’m a romance writer, through and through. WIP’s original outline started out with very little romance, and even that didn’t come until the end. It was so not working for me. I’ve made some adjustments. Now, my two main characters realize their feelings for each other earlier, and it’s so much more fun to sit down and spend my afternoon working on their relationship with them. I’m inspired again. *whew!*

2) I’m an unapologetic lover of adverbs. Yeah, I know. Don’t use them, it’s amateur, they’re a crutch, blah, blah… Whatever. I dig them AND I use them. Of course, many are edited out at a later stage of the game, but in the first draft I drop them in without inhibition. Why? Because they’re easy. They say what I want to say quickly, and I can revise later if I need to. They help set a mood. And I think adverbs–when used thoughtfully–are capable of making a YA voice just a little more authentic.

3) I’m capable of writing scenes out-of-order. Who would have thought?! Oh, my last manuscript was so easy. Seriously… effortless as far as getting the words down on paper. I outlined scene by scene, then I wrote that sucker, scene by scene. There was no jumping ahead, no backtracking. This WIP… not so much. It’s a struggle. Like pulling teeth some days. So I skip around. I write what I’m feeling, what I can’t get out of my head. Then I go back fifty pages and stick in a new scene that just randomly popped into my head. And it’s okay! (I have to keep reminding my OCD of this.) Writing fiction is like putting the pieces of a puzzle together. (And this.) The manuscript will survive! (And this.) After all, that’s what revisions are for, right? Smoothing it all out, plugging holes, and shining it up.

4) Speaking of revisions, I love them so much more than writing the first draft. Yep. It’s true. It’s HARD getting the story down on paper. I’d so much rather make something that already exists pretty. I love to edit. I love to revise. I can’t wait until I get to that phase.  

5) Setting is really important, and fun to create! I’ve created a whole town for Where Poppies Bloom. It’s called Bell Cove. It’s on the Oregon coast. And it’s beautiful. Most importantly, it plays a big part in the story, much like a character. All these events that take place? They can only happen in Bell Cove. It’s quaint and touristy and quiet. I sort of want to live there someday. And this house that my main character is living in? It’s spooky and historical and in the midst of a remodel. Awesome. And the beach? Well, I didn’t create the beach, but it’s lovely and sort of symbolic and it’s really fun to write the scenes that take place there.  

So yes, WIP is giving me fits, but she’s fun and I’m learning, and that’s why I keep going back for more. What about you? What has your WIP taught you lately?

Friday Five: Up-And-Comers!

Today’s Friday Five is a list of intriguing YA books that have either just come out or are coming out in the next few months. Their premises are fresh and compelling, their covers are beautiful, they all boast a romantic element, and several are written by debut authors. All blurbs are from Goodreads, followed by my brief commentary. Feel free to click on the covers for each book’s Amazon link. You may also click on the author’s name to be linked to their website.

1) Nevermore by Kelly Creagh – Debuted just the other day, August 31, 2010

Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due—so unfair—on the day of the rival game. Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he’d rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can’t help but give this enigmatic boy with the piercing eyes another look. Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life. As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined, and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind. Now she must find a way to reach Varen before he is consumed by the shadows of his own nightmares. His life depends on it.
 
**So much about this book intrigues me; Varen’s description, the good girl/bad boy relationship, the Poe references, and the dark tone of both the blurb and the cover. Looking forward to getting lost in this one!**

2) Firelight by Sophie Jordan – September 7, 2010

**I am so not a fantasy person. Dragons, especially, do nothing for me. Still, I was automatically drawn to Firelight’s cover (stunning!) and what seems to be a life-and-death romance brewing between Jacinda and Will. Firelight seems refreshing and engaging.

’s rebelliousness leads her family to flee into the human world, she struggles to adapt, even as her draki spirit fades. The one thing that revives it is Will, whose family hunts her kind. Jacinda can’t resist getting closer to him, even though she knows she’s risking not only her life but the draki’s most closely guarded secret.Jacinda—the descendants of dragons who can shift between human and dragon forms. But when drakiis special even among the  JacindaWith her rare ability to breathe fire,

3) Freefall by Mindi Scott – October 5, 2010

 Seth McCoy was the last person to see his best friend Isaac alive, and the first to find him dead. It was just another night, just another party, just another time where Isaac drank too much and passed out on the lawn. Only this time, Isaac didn’t wake up. Convinced that his own actions led to his friend’s death, Seth is torn between turning his life around . . . or losing himself completely. Then he meets Rosetta: so beautiful and so different from everything and everyone he’s ever known. But Rosetta has secrets of her own, and Seth will soon realize he isn’t the only one who needs saving . . .

**So many secrets! I love a book with a male main character, especially ones that include romance. Also, I love when YA books tackle real-life issues (here, binge-drinking–among other things, it seems) that some might prefer be swept under the carpet. Very interested to see how Freefall plays out.  

4) Matched by Ally Condi – November 30, 2010

**This is one of the most gorgeous covers I have ever seen. I love books about twisted could-be-real-life societies, and Cassia’s society seems about as twisted as they come. Certain aspects of Matched remind me of Lois Lowry’s The Giver, which is one of my all-time favorite books, so I can’t wait to find out more about Cassia’s world.**

and Ky, between the only life she’s known and a path no one else has ever dared follow—between perfection and passion. Matched is a story for right now and storytelling with the resonance of a classic.XanderCassia has always trusted their choices. It’s barely any price to pay for a long life, the perfect job, the ideal mate. So when her best friend appears on the Matching screen, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is the one . . . until she sees another face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. Now Cassia is faced with impossible choices: between

5) Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins – December 2, 2010  

Anna was looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. So she’s less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris — until she meets Étienne St. Clair. Smart, charming, beautiful, Étienne has it all . . . including a serious girlfriend. But in the City of Light, wishes have a way of coming true. Will a year of romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited French kiss? Stephanie Perkins keeps the romantic tension crackling and the attraction high in a debut guaranteed to make toes tingle and hearts melt.

**I follow Stephanie Perkins on Twitter and read her blog. Let me tell you, she seems absolutely delightful. And her book… I love a good contemporary romance and Anna happens to be set in France, the most romantic city in the world. This book has gotten some wonderful reviews and some amazing blurbs, which all make me even more eager to read it!**

Friday Five: Mockingjay Edition

Apologies for the twice-in-one-week Mockingjay posts, but I just can’t help myself. First, I should say that definite spoilers will be found below. If you haven’t finished reading, please skip this post for now.

Originally I was going to write a bona fide review, but frankly, I suck at reviews. Especially with this book, one that I’ve been anticipating with excitement that’s hard to verbalize, and especially because my thoughts about it are still a bit of a jumbled mess. So, I’m sorting my Mockingjay opinions into talking points in a Friday Five post.

First, let me start by saying that for the last two days every chance I’ve gotten I’ve pretty much been doing this:

Again, SPOILERS BELOW!!!

#1 – Overall, I loved Mockingjay. While I was reading, it was all I could do NOT to flip to the last few pages to see how it ended. Now that I’ve finished reading the book, I’ve read several reviews of differing opinions, all with valid points. Clearly, Mockingjay means different things to different people, and different life experiences seem to weigh in on a lot of the reviews I’ve read. Some hated the violence, others found in realistic. Some hated the ending, many found it poignant. To me, none of that matters as much as the fact that readers all over the country are excited about a (YA!) book. Three people stood in line with me at Borders on Tuesday when I bought my copy. I smiled when I realized all three had their own Mockingjay books in hand.

#2 – Now, to get into more of the specifics! I loved the realism of Mockingjay. Katniss and Peeta somehow managed to make it through TWO Hunger Games, and in the aftermath took very authentic journeys through post traumatic stress. The nightmares, the anger, the confusion, the depression… they never seemed to fit back into the lives they led before the Games. Had Collins chosen to make them super heroes, rising above the ashes, overcoming whatever was thrown their way with grace and ease, I would have been sorely disappointed. The Hunger Games Trilogy is about normal kids who are effected by an oppressive government and unparalleled violence. To show Katniss, Peeta, and even Gale, as mightier than all their adversaries would have been a disservice to the series.

#3 – I loved the subtle romance in Mockingjay. Gale, coming into Katniss’s hospital room after the choking incident and brushing his fingers over her bruises. Katniss, kissing Peeta underground because it’s the only way she knows to show him things are real. Gale, coming to the realization that Katniss is only truly invested in him when he’s hurting. Finnick and Annie. One of Peeta’s final lines, “You love me. Real or not real?” Though I longed for more, I thought Collins handled the romance quite well, especially considering the horrific situations her characters found themselves in the midst of.

#4 – I very much enjoyed learning more about District 13. The way it paralleled what had been happening with the Capital, controlling citizens, regulating food, the domineering President Coin. I thought the way Collin’s initially presented 13 as a new sort of utopia was quite genius, especially considering 13 turned out to be exactly what the rebels were fighting against all along.

#5 – And here’s what I didn’t like… my one and only major gripe with Mockingjay: Katniss didn’t seem to make a choice about who she would spend her future with. Sure, she ended up with Peeta, the boy with the bread, the boy she was destined to be with all along, but I’m not entirely convinced she picked him. He almost seemed like the default; Gale disappeared, Katniss was in the midst of a major depression, and Peeta was just… there. Willing to pick up the pieces, willing to save Katniss once more. While I was reading, I kept thinking of the worst case scenarios for the ending of the book. First, it was that either Gale or Peeta died, leaving Katniss with whoever was leftover. Then, it was that Katniss didn’t pick either, and rode off into the sunset all alone. Then, I decided that the very worst thing that could happen was that the book would end with Katniss’s death and she would never have the opportunity to choose. The reality… I’m not sure if it’s better or worse than my worst case scenarios. It just seemed… to easy. Yes, I’m glad Peeta and Katniss ended up together, but I wish truly Katniss would have been more proactive in her choice.

And there it is, my Friday Five breakdown of Mockingjay. Let me know what you thought of the book in the comments… agree with my thoughts? Disagree? I’d love to hear your opinion!

Friday Five – Summertime Edition

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1 – First, I have to rave about Jenny Han’s Summer series, of which the first two books I devoured in about 48 hours total. Amazing, amazing, amazing… and an extra amazing because I got to read them under the sun with my feet in my daughter’s kiddie pool!

 

Seriously, they’re the kind of books you read that make you want to quit writing because they are so beautiful and emotional, but simple and without airs, too. You want to BE the main character, because she’s adorable and has two awesome boys who love her. But at the same time, you’re glad you aren’t her, because she’s flawed and has impossible decisions to make. I can’t stop thinking about the characters and their love triangle that has no good outcome; I have a feeling that at least one of those characters I love is going to be left heartbroken.

2 – I’ve been listening to Kenny Chesney A LOT lately. He’s just so fabulous and has the very best summertime mood music… here’s my favorite:   

3 – Summer means a new season of one of my very favorite shows, Project Runway! I think Heidi Klum is so darn fabulous, I love the eccentric cast of designers they always seem to find, and Tim Gunn is my hero! Plus, the challenges are always so imaginative and fun. If you’ve never watched, I highly recommend giving it a shot. Lifetime, 9pm, Thursdays.

4 – Not a huge Zac Efron fan, but I’m dying to see the movie Charlie St. Cloud. From what I’ve seen, this movie looks like the perfect mix of romance, action, and emotion, all mixed up with a bit of a ghost story. Plus, when Zac Efron cries in the trailer, those big blue eyes all filled with tears, my heart just about breaks. Something about a guy torn up by the death of a family member really pulls at my heartstrings.  

5 – I think I’m ready for a new WIP! I need something to take my mind of the querying process, and what better than to dive head first into a new project? I think of it sort of like a rebound boyfriend after a bad break-up… I need something new to distract me and keep me busy while I work on distancing myself from the project that previously consumed me. So… my new WIP’s going to be set in the summer time, at a place sort of like this:

And I’m trying to weasel my husband into taking a trip (strictly for research 🙂 ) here:

And while we’re at it, I’ve been inspired by this too:

Hope you’re having a wonderful summer! 🙂

Friday Five!

1 – Savvy Authors (my favorite writing community) is hosting a Summer Symposium. Here’s the basic info: Join us for five days as we talk craft – from plot and character, to dialogue, suspense, theme and story question (with a bunch of stuff in between) in chats, Q&A forums and mini-workshops. Our presenters will be sharing what works – whether it’s world building or setting or layering in back story; or even if it’s a technical detail and the fruits of research, they’ll be exposing the craft that underlies a good story. We’ll also be talking about publishing and promoting, offering pitch opportunities to the attendees and raffling off books on craft from folks like James Scott Bell and Sherrilyn Kenyon, software such as Liquid Story Binder, 3-chapter critiques from published authors and more. Click here for more info! (Make sure to scroll down!)

2 – Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett is one of my very favorite books and has been made into a miniseries that will air on Starz beginning July 23. We don’t get Starz, but you’d better believe I’ll be ordering it specifically so I can watch. The trailer is below and looks amazing, and if you haven’t read the book, I highly recommend checking it out.

3 – Had some major revision issues to think through this week, which led to long(er) showers, lengthy car rides and leisurely bike rides. My poor daughter was my little shadow, dutifully following wherever I went, chatting my ear off, cheerfully picking flowers on the long walks we took. Thankfully, I figured some plot stuff out and got plenty of exercise. I live in a small town on a river, surrounded by lots of farms. It is around these farms that I usually take my bike rides. The other day I took pictures. The quality isn’t the greatest (taken with my phone, not my actual camera!) but you’ll get point. I’m lucky!  

 

4 – Read a great article on writing the other day: Janet Fitch’s 10 Rules for Writers. Among them: Write the sentence, not just the story, Smarten up your protagonist, Learn to write dialogue, and Kill the cliché. Definitely worth checking out!

5 – My munchkin’s birthday is coming! She’ll be three on August 3rd (her golden birthday!) and we’re planning a big party for her. The official theme? The Princess and the Frog Mardi Gras Birthday Bash! I bought beads and little Mardi Gras masks for the kids and I’m serving virgin hurricanes and beneits (as well as all the traditional birthday treats). Super excited!

Friday Five: Visual Inspiration

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I’m a visual girl; therefore I often troll the internet in search of actual pictures of the images and ideas I write about. So, for today’s midsummer Friday Five, I’m posting five of my favorite WIP visuals. I’m posting the pictures without comment, first, so as not give anything in WIP away, and second, because I don’t wish to influence your perception. The images below might become something completely different to you than what they are to me. Without further ado:

Ooh, and a bonus. Lucky you! This is competely unrelated to WIP, but here I am with my little family on Independence Day… isn’t my Munchkin a cutie pie?!

Friday Five: Eclipse Edition

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So, I went to see Twilight: Eclipse opening night. While I’m not a huge Twilight fan, I appreciate the books and movies for what they are: a romantic and action-packed escape from reality. I took my husband along who, at the very least, is a good sport. He’s not read the books, but he knows Eclipse was my favorite of the series and, after I repeatedly told him how the movie was supposed to be the best so far, he agreed to come along. Our experience was fun, random, and giggle-inducing. Here, for a Twilight-inspired Friday Five, is what I liked best about the movie and date night with my hubby…  


1) Lots more romance. What hooked me about the Twilight series was the romance. Call Edward a stalker if you will, (I might not argue) but Bella loves him and he loves her. The first two movies, in my opinion, were sorely lacking in romance. Eclipse makes up for that with lots of cute moments, sweet gestures and steamy kisses that actually felt genuine. I even bought into Bella’s kiss with Jacob, which says a lot.  

2) Crazy fans. I didn’t actually take the picture below, but these might as well have been the girls who sat behind us. Lots of cheering, lots of swooning, lots of love for Jacob. We had some middle-aged Twi-Moms, too (something I do NOT consider myself!) who did their fair share of cheering and giggling at the shirtless Jacob moments. We even had a group of high school age girls who came dressed in inappropriate and ill-fitting prom gear. What is with these movies and their ability to encourage people to let their freak flags fly?

On a similar note, we got to briefly observe the line of Last Airbender fans waiting for the midnight showing. Holy Crap. Again, I didn’t take the picture below, but I might as well have. The people waiting were in full (very poorly made) costumes. Maybe I’m sheltered, but I’d never even heard of Last Airbender until the movie trailers came out, so I was surprised to see the intensity of the fan level of these people. Good for them though, for braving the judgment of others to completely fan-girl/fan-boy out!

3) More Cullens. I like the Cullens. I like them a lot more than Edward, Jacob and Bella. I don’t, however, love how they were portrayed in the first two movies. Cheesy. Eclipse was better though! The Cullens were more natural, better dressed and seemed to have more of a spark. I loved Rosalie’s back story scene, I loved Jasper teaching the gang how to fight, and I loved the subtle interactions between the couples. In fact, the Cullen scenes were my favorite of the movie.   

5) Yay for battles that weren’t cringe worthy! The special effects of Eclipse were much better than the previous two movies. In fact, I didn’t find myself distracted and squirming every time a vampire ran, jumped or fought. The wolf phases seemed smoother, too. I’m sure it’s due mostly to the bigger budget, but kudos to the director of not half-assing the actions scenes. They were crucial to the movie and pretty well done.   

5) My husband came! He was deployed during the release of the last two movies, so I was excited to share in all the crazy with him this time around. Though he had some very random (funny and often inappropriate) running commentary, his presence was greatly appreciated. He’d die before admitting it, but I think he really enjoyed the movie. **He’s reading over my shoulder now muttering, “Untrue.”**

Friday Five

A very random Friday Five:

1)      My To-Read shelf is officially out of control again. I’m smack in the middle of Ken Follett’s World Without End, which is nothing short of AMAZING, but I’m looking forward to finishing because I’ve got three YA books I’ve already bought that I’m dying to read:

  

2)      So, I know I’m majorly late in jumping on the Six Feet Under bandwagon, (yes, I’m aware that it’s been off the air for years!) but it’s so amazing that I feel compelled to mention it here. If you like dark, dry, humorous, and thought-provoking (and are not easily offended), you simply must watch this show. I was a huge Michael C. Hall fan going in (Dexter, anyone?!), but I officially worship him now. Six Feet Under is my newest guilty pleasure.

  

3)      Thanks to Savvy Boot Camp and my amazing team, ANGST ARMY, I have finished the first draft of WIP (as I will continue to refer to it until I come up with a title I adore). I have written somewhere around 40,000 words this month and have started into Revisions: Phase One. I know I’m crazy and probably in the minority, but I love revising and editing and polishing! Also in Savvy Authors news—I have discovered that with almost constant camaraderie, writing is even more enjoyable. Loving the Savvy chat rooms! Don’t ever want to write alone again!

   

4)      My husband is coming home from a two-week work trip today! Though I did manage to write more than half of WIP during his absence, I have missed him greatly (as does my Munchkin). As an Army captain, he has deployed to some of the most despicable places on the planet, but this trip was to a tiny tropical island chain in the Indian Ocean. I’m slightly envious and wish I could have gone too, but he definitely deserved this trip. He got to Jet Ski and snorkel with sea turtles and got a wicked sunburn… lucky! Here’s a picture of where he was (emailed to me the other day):

 

5)      I don’t watch a lot of TV, but when I do, it’s almost always Bravo. Their newest show is called Work of Art and it’s very cool. Think the aesthetics of Project Runway mixed with competitiveness of Top Chef, plus paints, eccentric people, screen-printing, “found art,” and Sarah Jessica Parker producing. What’s not to love?