I was in the bank on Friday, not one of the first places you would think of to talk about writing. I was chatting with a personal banker and the topic of my being a writer came up. I mentioned that I’d written Hollywood and Catholic Women to which the banker responded that she thought her niece had read the book and even better, really liked it.
I didn’t initially believe the banker (her name was Consuelo) simply because Hollywood and Catholic Women is more of a textbook targeted toward women’s studies programs than a book for leisure reading. But Consuelo proved me wrong when she began naming films from the book, then explained he niece had gotten the book from a teacher.
Naturally, I was thrilled and told Consuelo that if her niece still had the copy, I’d be happy to autograph it for her. So a 10-minute conversation taught me a lot. First, you never know who you’ll talk to that has read your book or as in this case, knows of your work through a family member or friend. Second, because number one often comes as a surprise, always be polite and courteous. And third, show your appreciation when someone admires your work.
For my part, I’ll be sure and follow through on my promise to Consuelo’s niece. If that gives her two copies of the book she can keep the personally autographed one for herself and pass the other on to someone else who just might enjoy it as much as she did.
Saturday, July 04, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Hollywood Role Reversal
The Proposal starring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds reverse long-standing roles often seen in Hollywood romantic comedies. Instead of a much older male star (Clint Eastwood and Renee Russo, Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt, Cary Grant and Grace Kelly – or just about any of Kelly’s leading men) and a starlet, it’s Bullock who’s older and the high powered boss to Reynolds put-upon executive assistant. And it works just fine (the film opened last weekend to $34 million plus).
It also takes place in the publishing industry, as Bullock’s tough editor-in-chief cajoles and soothes jittery authors, getting them to promote their books by appearing on Oprah. Reynolds highly organized assistant Andrew Paxton is really a writer who works for Bullock’s Margaret Tate and puts up with her grief just so he can someday get her to read the manuscript of his novel. In order to keep her Visa status in the U.S. and avoid deportation back to Canada, Margaret persuades Andrew to marry her. With some conditions of his own and the government investigating the charade, the two are forced to travel to Alaska and spend a long weekend with his family.
Hollywood would do well to remember that women have a lot of money to spend on movies and that actresses don’t just fade away at forty.
Fun ironic fact – in real life it’s Reynolds who hails from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
It also takes place in the publishing industry, as Bullock’s tough editor-in-chief cajoles and soothes jittery authors, getting them to promote their books by appearing on Oprah. Reynolds highly organized assistant Andrew Paxton is really a writer who works for Bullock’s Margaret Tate and puts up with her grief just so he can someday get her to read the manuscript of his novel. In order to keep her Visa status in the U.S. and avoid deportation back to Canada, Margaret persuades Andrew to marry her. With some conditions of his own and the government investigating the charade, the two are forced to travel to Alaska and spend a long weekend with his family.
Hollywood would do well to remember that women have a lot of money to spend on movies and that actresses don’t just fade away at forty.
Fun ironic fact – in real life it’s Reynolds who hails from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Deaths Really Do Come In Three's
Michael Jackson has died, making it three celebrity deaths in one week. Farrah Fawcett died of cancer earlier today and Ed McMahon died on Tuesday.
No writer could make this up, especially Jackson's demise. The LA Times is still reporting he stopped breathing and was rushed to the hospital at 12:30 Pacific Time.
LA Times now reporting Jackson being hospitalized. Having just missed these, People magazine will be furious.
What a day.
No writer could make this up, especially Jackson's demise. The LA Times is still reporting he stopped breathing and was rushed to the hospital at 12:30 Pacific Time.
LA Times now reporting Jackson being hospitalized. Having just missed these, People magazine will be furious.
What a day.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Kiva: Changing the World One Loan at a Time
This last week I came across a unique opportunity to lend money in the form of microloans of as little as $25.00. In June the San Francisco-based Kiva (a 501(c) (3) nonprofit) began funding entrepreneurs in the United States, in addition to those they already help fund across the world.
Kiva’s simple mission is to connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty. It is the world’s first person-to-person micro-lending website, empowered individuals to lend directly to unique entrepreneurs around the world.
In my first foray into micro-lending, I provided two micro-loans of $25.00 each to women of color looking to fund beauty shops in their neighborhoods. Kiva will provide updates on the entrepreneur’s progress in paying back the loans and growing their business. Once that’s done, I can reinvest my funds in other businesses of interest.
With a default rate of only 1.5% covering $37 million dollars in completed loans, this is an investment I look forward to expanding.
Kiva’s simple mission is to connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty. It is the world’s first person-to-person micro-lending website, empowered individuals to lend directly to unique entrepreneurs around the world.
In my first foray into micro-lending, I provided two micro-loans of $25.00 each to women of color looking to fund beauty shops in their neighborhoods. Kiva will provide updates on the entrepreneur’s progress in paying back the loans and growing their business. Once that’s done, I can reinvest my funds in other businesses of interest.
With a default rate of only 1.5% covering $37 million dollars in completed loans, this is an investment I look forward to expanding.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Grandma Loves Texting
This is not something I thought I would see – my mother discovering and loving texting. I mean, we don’t even text (isn’t that what e-mail is for?), arguing that phoning someone is faster and easier. Perhaps not.
Mom just bought a new phone with a keyboard and loves texting her many grandkids. At a very active 74, she’s more tech savvy than most, still, texting? She’s hooked and promises to teach both my husband and I the finer points of texting when she visits in July. If anything, this proves you cannot hide from new technology.
Mom just bought a new phone with a keyboard and loves texting her many grandkids. At a very active 74, she’s more tech savvy than most, still, texting? She’s hooked and promises to teach both my husband and I the finer points of texting when she visits in July. If anything, this proves you cannot hide from new technology.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Sizzling Summer Television
With the four major networks on summer hiatus, Cable comes to the rescue with sizzling shows over the summer. A few of my favorites.
The Closer – Mondays, TNT
Deputy Police Chief Brenda Lee Johnson finally married FBI agent Fritz Howard at the end of last season. Post-honeymoon, the chief is back in action with a quadruple homicide in the premiere. Under Brenda’s soft southern drawl is a steel magnolia who heads a police team of cranky codgers, sparring ex-lovers, and top notch cops who find just right mix of humor and pathos.
Saving Grace – Tuesdays TNT
Detective Grace Hanadarko is a bad girl with a gun, a badge, and fearless attitude. Grace has managed to land a last-chance angel in Earl, the other-worldly being who’s trying to save her from herself. This multi-layer portrait of a rebellious Catholic cop in the Bible Belt of Oklahoma City will definitely make the second edition of Hollywood and Catholic Women.
Bones – Thursdays, FOX
Dr. Temperance Brennan is a highly skilled forensic anthropologist who works at the Jeffersonian Institute in Washington, DC, and writes novels as a sideline. When the standard methods of identifying a body are useless law enforcement calls in Brennan for her uncanny ability to read clues left behind in the victim's bones. Special Agent Seeley Booth of the FBI's Homicide Investigations Unit mistrusts science and scientists - the "squints," as he calls them -- who pore over the physical evidence of a crime. But even he cannot deny that the combination of his people-smarts and Brennan's scientific acumen makes them a formidable team. And let’s not forget the increasing physical attraction between the two leads.
Burn Notice – Thursdays, USA
Everyone’s favorite burned CIA spy, Michael Westen, along with his trigger-happy girlfriend Fiona and best friend/spy, Sam now knows who burned him, but isn’t sure why. Michael’s still got a target on his back as he works to get his life back (and we hope Miss Fiona Glenanne, also a freelancing bounty hunter). But first, he’s got to help his very upset mom rebuild her destroyed sun room.
What’s so interesting is that every one of these shows features strong, smart, multi-faceted female characters, three of which are in the lead roles. The only thing that could be cooler is the terrific Glenn Close series, Damages being on at the same time. Alas, I’ll have to wait until January for that.
The Closer – Mondays, TNT
Deputy Police Chief Brenda Lee Johnson finally married FBI agent Fritz Howard at the end of last season. Post-honeymoon, the chief is back in action with a quadruple homicide in the premiere. Under Brenda’s soft southern drawl is a steel magnolia who heads a police team of cranky codgers, sparring ex-lovers, and top notch cops who find just right mix of humor and pathos.
Saving Grace – Tuesdays TNT
Detective Grace Hanadarko is a bad girl with a gun, a badge, and fearless attitude. Grace has managed to land a last-chance angel in Earl, the other-worldly being who’s trying to save her from herself. This multi-layer portrait of a rebellious Catholic cop in the Bible Belt of Oklahoma City will definitely make the second edition of Hollywood and Catholic Women.
Bones – Thursdays, FOX
Dr. Temperance Brennan is a highly skilled forensic anthropologist who works at the Jeffersonian Institute in Washington, DC, and writes novels as a sideline. When the standard methods of identifying a body are useless law enforcement calls in Brennan for her uncanny ability to read clues left behind in the victim's bones. Special Agent Seeley Booth of the FBI's Homicide Investigations Unit mistrusts science and scientists - the "squints," as he calls them -- who pore over the physical evidence of a crime. But even he cannot deny that the combination of his people-smarts and Brennan's scientific acumen makes them a formidable team. And let’s not forget the increasing physical attraction between the two leads.
Burn Notice – Thursdays, USA
Everyone’s favorite burned CIA spy, Michael Westen, along with his trigger-happy girlfriend Fiona and best friend/spy, Sam now knows who burned him, but isn’t sure why. Michael’s still got a target on his back as he works to get his life back (and we hope Miss Fiona Glenanne, also a freelancing bounty hunter). But first, he’s got to help his very upset mom rebuild her destroyed sun room.
What’s so interesting is that every one of these shows features strong, smart, multi-faceted female characters, three of which are in the lead roles. The only thing that could be cooler is the terrific Glenn Close series, Damages being on at the same time. Alas, I’ll have to wait until January for that.
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Reusable Bags and Bacteria
Replacing plastic bags with reusable cloth ones are definitely better for the environment but there is a downside. According to a just published Canadian study (funded by the Canadian Plastics Industry Council), bacteria accumulates in reusable grocery bags. However, environmental proponents say the problem can be easily solved by doing two things – washing the bags and not carrying groceries in the same reusable bags used to carry gym clothes or diapers.
The study examined swabs from 28 reusable bags and had the following results:
Sixty-four percent of bags had some level of bacteria.
Of those, six bags had bacterial counts higher than the amount considered
safe for drinking water and three had coliforms and fecal intestinal
bacteria.
Forty percent of the bags had yeast or mold.
The more waterproof the bag, the more likely it is to breed bacteria.
Food safety concerns focused on the risks of cross-contamination of food placed in bags contaminated by previous use in successive trips. Contaminants could also be transferred from one bag to another in the packing process during checkout. The report noted that “the most, dark, and warm interior of a folded reusable bag that has acquired a small amount of moisture is an ideal environment for bacteria.
The problem is similar to the one posed by bacteria on kitchen countertops and cutting boards that can also be transferred to food. Again, washing reusable bags regularly and drying them properly solves the problem. What consumers need to be aware of in drying bags is not to dry reusable bags by laying them out flat. Instead, turn the bags inside out to dry or machine dry bags. Many bags such as those made from canvas can be easily machine washed and dried.
Dr. Richard Summerbell who interpreted the results strongly suggests that cleaning instructions be included when reusable bags are sold and says this in no ways means consumers should stop using reusable bags. At a minimum, bags should be turned inside out and air dried. The approach is one of common sense – wash reusable bags when they are dirty, just as you would your clothing.
The study examined swabs from 28 reusable bags and had the following results:
Sixty-four percent of bags had some level of bacteria.
Of those, six bags had bacterial counts higher than the amount considered
safe for drinking water and three had coliforms and fecal intestinal
bacteria.
Forty percent of the bags had yeast or mold.
The more waterproof the bag, the more likely it is to breed bacteria.
Food safety concerns focused on the risks of cross-contamination of food placed in bags contaminated by previous use in successive trips. Contaminants could also be transferred from one bag to another in the packing process during checkout. The report noted that “the most, dark, and warm interior of a folded reusable bag that has acquired a small amount of moisture is an ideal environment for bacteria.
The problem is similar to the one posed by bacteria on kitchen countertops and cutting boards that can also be transferred to food. Again, washing reusable bags regularly and drying them properly solves the problem. What consumers need to be aware of in drying bags is not to dry reusable bags by laying them out flat. Instead, turn the bags inside out to dry or machine dry bags. Many bags such as those made from canvas can be easily machine washed and dried.
Dr. Richard Summerbell who interpreted the results strongly suggests that cleaning instructions be included when reusable bags are sold and says this in no ways means consumers should stop using reusable bags. At a minimum, bags should be turned inside out and air dried. The approach is one of common sense – wash reusable bags when they are dirty, just as you would your clothing.
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