Handwriting Analysis

What does your handwriting say about you? ( And I normally don't dot my i's with hearts... ) Click on photo for larger image...

Romance Reader Stats

•74.8 million people read at least one romance novel in 2008.

•The core of the romance fiction market is 29 million regular readers.

•24.6 percent of all American read a romance novel in 2008, versus 21.8 percent in 2005.

•29 percent of Americans over the age of 13 read a romance novel in 2008.

•Women make up 90.5 percent of the romance readership, and men make up 9.5 percent.

•The heart of the U.S. romance novel readership is women aged 31–49 who are currently in a romantic relationship.

Information from the RWA.

Buffy Vs Edward (Guess who wins?!)

If you like Buffy and hate Edward, this is for you! I used to love watching Buffy. I was barely able to get through Twilight (the book AND the movie).

Billy Mays Found Dead

TAMPA, Fla. – Billy Mays, the burly, bearded television pitchman known for his boisterous hawking of products such as Orange Glo and OxiClean, has died. He was 50.

Tampa police said Mays was found unresponsive by his wife Sunday morning. A fire rescue crew pronounced him dead at 7:45 a.m.

There were no signs of a break-in, and investigators do not suspect foul play, said Lt. Brian Dugan of the Tampa Police Department, who wouldn't answer any more questions about how Mays' body was found because of the ongoing investigation. The coroner's office expects to have an autopsy done by Monday afternoon.

"Although Billy lived a public life, we don't anticipate making any public statements over the next couple of days," said Mays' wife, Deborah. "Our family asks that you respect our privacy during these difficult times."

Tampa area media outlets reported that Mays was a passenger on a U.S. Airways flight that made a rough landing on Saturday afternoon at Tampa International Airport, apparently blowing its front tires in an incident that left debris on the runway.

Tampa Bay's Fox television affiliate interviewed Mays after the incident.

"All of a sudden as we hit you know it was just the hardest hit, all the things from the ceiling started dropping," MyFox Tampa Bay quoted him as saying. "It hit me on the head, but I got a hard head."

U.S. Airways officials said Sunday they could not immediately confirm that Mays was a passenger.

Born William Mays in McKees Rocks, Pa., on July 20, 1958, Mays developed his style demonstrating knives, mops and other "as seen on TV" gadgets on Atlantic City's boardwalk. For years he worked as a hired gun on the state fair and home show circuits, attracting crowds with his booming voice and genial manner.

After meeting Orange Glo International founder Max Appel at a home show in Pittsburgh in the mid-1990s, Mays was recruited to demonstrate the environmentally friendly line of cleaning products on the St. Petersburg-based Home Shopping Network.

Commercials and informercials followed, anchored by the high-energy Mays showing how it's done while tossing out kitschy phrases like, "Long live your laundry!"

Recently he's been seen on commercials for a wide variety of products and is featured on the reality TV show "Pitchmen" on the Discovery Channel, which follows Mays and Anthony Sullivan in their marketing jobs. He's also been seen in ESPN ads.

His ubiquitousness and thumbs-up, in-your-face pitches won Mays plenty of fans. People line up at his personal appearances for autographed color glossies, and strangers stop him in airports to chat about the products.

"I enjoy what I do," Mays told The Associated Press in a 2002 interview. "I think it shows."

Mays liked to tell the story of giving bottles of OxiClean to the 300 guests at his wedding, and doing his ad spiel ("powered by the air we breathe!") on the dance floor at the reception. Visitors to his house typically got bottles of cleaner and housekeeping tips.

Discovery Channel spokeswoman Elizabeth Hillman released a statement Sunday extending sympathy to the Mays family.

"Everyone that knows him was aware of his larger-than-life personality, generosity and warmth," Hillman's statement said. "Billy was a pioneer in his field and helped many people fulfill their dreams. He will be greatly missed as a loyal and compassionate friend."

Burger King Ad

(From another website--- NOT written by me!!)

If it hasn't already happened, today can go down in the record books as the day subtlety died. Burger King's latest advertisement -- for its, ahem, BK Super Seven Incher -- leaves little to imagination or interpretation. As you can see here, the woman in said advertisement is about to go down on said Super Seven Incher with a suggestive tagline that uses the word "blow." Mmhmm, I think it's safe to assume that such humor will only be going over the head of those younger than, oh, about 13 years old. (Sorry, parents!)

The "copy" at the bottom of the ad -- not sure that you can even seen it here -- takes the whole thing even further: "Fill your desire for something long, juicy and flame-grilled with the NEW BK SUPER SEVEN INCHER," it says. "Yearn for more after you taste the mind-blowing burger that comes with a single beef patty, topped with American cheese, crispy onions and the A1 Thick and Hearty Steak Sauce."

"Something long, juicy"? "Yearn for more"? "Mind-blowing"? I think it's all rather glorious, in an I-love-trash kind of way. Who ever cared about cunning, cleverness, and nuance anyway? Blow your mind (and this Super Seven Incher) instead!

--Wow! (the burger itself sounds nauseating)

I Gotta Feeling...

Tonight's gonna be a good night. Click to watch.

Plagiarism in the news again

BOSTON – Elisabeth Hasselbeck, a co-host of ABC's "The View," has been accused of plagiarism.

A lawsuit in federal court in Massachusetts alleges that Hasselbeck lifted "word for word" content from a book on celiac disease written by a self-published author on Cape Cod.

Hasselbeck's book, "The G-Free Diet: A Gluten-Free Survival Guide," has appeared over the past month on several best-seller lists.

Author Susan Hassett filed the lawsuit Monday, saying she sent Hasselbeck a copy of her "Living With Celiac Disease" book as a courtesy after the TV celebrity disclosed she had the illness last year.

The lawsuit says Hasselbeck's book reproduces lists of grains containing gluten along with scientific names of the grains.

Hasselbeck's book "includes dozens of paraphrased as well as word for word regurgitations of phrases" from Hassett's book, the lawsuit claims, but it doesn't cite specific examples.

The lawsuit also says the books have a similar organization and chapter format.

Hasselbeck said in a statement that the allegations are baseless and she worked "diligently and tirelessly" on the book and was disappointed by efforts to discredit her work.

Writing Questions

Sometimes I get emails asking questions about writing and getting published. I always answer anyone who has questions and try to give them the best advice I can. Have you ever thought about writing a book but never started? Have you written a book but have no idea what to do next? I'm willing to answer your questions to help you out with your writing. I was lucky when I started to have someone to ask for advice. If I didn't I might not have ever submitted my first manuscript. Email me at annmarieauthor@yahoo.com. Please put "writing question" in the subject heading. I will answer back as quickly as time allows.

Disco Inferno

Might as well stick with that "hot" theme!! Watch the video and see some stylin' 1970's outfits!

Hot as hell

Today seems we are experiencing that "typical" Chicago weather. Typical here is extreme. First we were all freezing our asses off because of the cold when winter should have been over.

Then just a few days ago we had those torrential rains come through so bad I was fully expecting to see the ark float past my picture window. (And don't forget that water in the basement. I actually had it just coming up through the concrete floor. WTF??)

Now we have that heat that is so brutal and makes you step outside and melt. The sun is relentless. Another couple days of this and I'm sure we'll have those rolling blackouts happening. (Last year we had what... two or three days of no electricity here. Lost everything in my fridge and deep freeze.)I hate to say this since summer just started, but I am already looking forward to the fall. : )

Girl VS Legos!

I win!!! I completed two sets of Batman Legos yesterday for my boys. One of the kits had over 250 pieces in it, which doesn't really sound like a lot... but when they are all spread out in front of you on a table it is a bit much. But regardless... I win!!

Definition: Dick Inches

Arbitrary (and usually incorrect) units of measurement used mostly by males. Derives from men overestimating their penis size. Dick inches are much shorter than actual inches. Hence a guy can claim to have a 9 inch penis when it is actually closer to 5-6 inches. The term "dick inches" is usually used when over-estimating non-penis measurements.

Example:
fellow one: "Finally! There's a parking spot!"
fellow two: "No way, man...You can't park within 30 feet of a stop sign."
fellow one: "There's plenty of room."
fellow two: "Yeah, only if you're measuring in dick inches."

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there! Hope you have an awesome day with your kids!

Paradise by the Dashboard Lights

A classic video. Enjoy! Back to posting later tonight. The weather's too beautiful and I'm spending the day with the kiddies outside!

My Epiphany Moment

All my girlfriends told me to read this book and I haven't. They told me to watch the movie, and I didn't. Until last night. It was painful to watch. At some parts I winced and cringed because it was so dead on the money. And then, maybe a quarter of the way into it, this scene happened and it was my big epiphany moment. I had to get the remote and watch it again, right away. This scene told me what I knew in the back of my mind but have been trying to desperately ignore. I couldn't ignore it this time, and I sat and listened. Not only did I hear the truth; it roared in my ears:

"You seem like a cool girl so I'll be honest with you. Connor is never going to call you."

"Oh really? How do you know?"

"Because I'm a guy and that's just how we do it."

"He said it was nice meeting me."

"I don't care if he said you're his favorite female since his mommy and Joanie Cunningham. Over a week went by, ok GiGi? And he ain't calling you."

"But maybe he did call and I didn't get the message. Or maybe he lost my number? Or he's out of town? Or got hit by a cab? Or his grandma died?"

"Or maybe he just didn't call because he has no interest in ever seeing you again."

"Yeah, but my friend Terri once went out with a guy who never called. She totally wrote him off. Over a year goes by and she ran into him and it ended up they-"

"You're friend Terrie is an idiot. And she's also the exception. By the way, the rare exception."

"Ok. Ok. But what if I'm the exception?"

"No, you're not. You're not at all. In fact you're the rule and the rule is this: If a guy doesn't call you he doesn't want to call you."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Always?"

"Yeah always. Look, I know what blowing off a woman looks like. I do it early, I do it often. So trust me when I say if a guy is treating you like he doesn't give a shit, he genuinely doesn't give a shit. No exceptions."

"Thank you. You've given me a lot to think about."

I'll tell you what. He gave me a lot to think about too.

This is just wrong...

I think there is a resemblance between Bruno and Andrei... LOL

The frightening thing is one of these "models" is the real thing... And I know him personally!!! LOL

Color Me Jealous!

Misia just sent me this from the Cubs game. She's there with her son and it looks like they have good seats.

Kindle ads on Chicago buses

I've been seeing buses with advertisements for the Kindle on them. I'm glad that e book readers and e books are getting the publicity.

Definition-- Elevator Circles

Walking awkwardly around a large elevator lobby after you press the button, because you don't know which elevator door to stand by.

Example:

At work yesterday, my boss walked by while I was doing my elevator circles, and now he thinks I'm crazy.

Chicago Tribune is on guard for Chgo

Yeah, ok... whatever you say. This was from the Sunday Chicago Tribune.

Parking Karma- Definition

The uncanny ability to find an open parking space in a desirable location of a busy parking lot.

Example:
I always have to park out in the boonies, but when I ride with Paul we're always in the front row. He's got some great parking karma.

Look Out! Bret Michaels Flattened at Tony Awards

I know it's not nice to laugh at other people, but watch this and tell me you don't cringe and laugh at the same time.

Total Eclipse of the Heart--- Literal Version!!

Check this out!!! Pretty funny and this proves people have way too much time on their hands! (And come on... admit it... you liked this song when it originally came out!!)

Dinosaurs Alive! at Brookfield Zoo

I took my boys to Brookfield Zoo yesterday to see the Dinosaurs Alive! exhibit. I think it took us all of ten minutes to walk through, and it only took us that long because we had to avoid all the strollers blocking our way. Yeah the dinosaurs move a little bit, but after seeing Walking With the Dinosaurs last year, and having been to Disney, this was not a big deal at all.

I would say if you have small kids who like dinos, this is a great exhibit for you. It's relatively cheap and doesn't take a lot of time to go through. Be warned the end of the exhibit leads you right into the dino store, which is pretty typical for museum exhibits.

Admission
Admission to Dinosaurs Alive! is:
Adults - $5
Children (3-11) and Seniors (65+) - $3
Members – Half price

General zoo admission is:
Adults - $12
Children (3-11) and Seniors (65+) - $8
Children 2 and under - Free

All-in-One tickets (general admission and discount admission to the zoo’s many attractions, including Dinosaurs Alive!) are available from early spring through late fall.

You Were On My Mind

Guess which version I like better? LOL

Caps Lock Voice

When a normally calm person has to raise their voice and use an authortative tone. It is the equivalent to using the caps lock key in the digital world.

Examples:

Sara tried to get an attitude with me yesterday and I had to turn on my caps lock voice and put her in check.

Chris was being run over at work, so Jason told him it was time to turn on his caps lock voice.

Arnold Schwarzenegger to scrap school textbooks in favor of ebooks

Governor of California seeks to cut budget deficit by replacing 'outdated' textbooks with electronic reading devices.

In the first Terminator movie he tried to extinguish all human life. Now, as governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger wants to make textbooks history in favour of digital formats.

Schwarzenegger, trying to plug a budget hole of $24.3bn, thinks he can make savings by getting rid of what he decries as expensive textbooks. The governor is serious about an idea that might make Gutenberg turn in his grave. He appeared in class yesterday to push an idea he set out in the San Jose Mercury News newspaper.

"It's nonsensical and expensive to look to traditional hard-bound books when information today is so readily available in electronic form," Schwarzenegger wrote. "Especially now, when our school districts are strapped for cash and our state budget deficit is forcing further cuts to classrooms, we must do everything we can to untie educators' hands and free up dollars so that schools can do more with fewer resources."

Schwarzenegger points out that California last year set aside $350m for school books and argues that even if teachers have to print out some of the material, it will be far cheaper than regularly buying updated textbooks.

Schwarzenegger plans to launch the scheme in August next year when California's high-school pupils will have access to online maths and science texts. They would also use a digital textbook such as Sony reader, which can hold the same information as up to 160 books.

Ebook readers are gaining in popularity. Yesterday, Apple presented an upcoming application for its iPhone, that allows users to buy books, including textbooks, on their phones and also copy and email large chunks.

"Basically kids are feeling as comfortable with their electronic devices as I was with my pencils and crayons. Textbooks are outdated, in my opinion," Schwarzenegger told pupils."For so many years, we've been trying to teach the kids exactly the same way."

Holding up four large books he joked: "I can use these for the curls," in a nod to his bodybuilding days before he became one of Hollywood's biggest stars.

But some teachers wonder whether Schwarzenegger's idea of getting rid of textbooks might end up costing more not less, with digital textbooks going for $300.

Kristina Fierro, a high school teacher in Bakersfield, said it would be expensive to get the materials, train the teachers and train the students to use the materials properly. She was also worried about the students once they are out of the classroom.

"I would say out of a class of 30, maybe 10 or less ... have a computer at home. The governor hasn't given many details about the programme, but so far the digital addition isn't looking like a subtraction for California's budget," she told KGET, a local TV station.

In an effort to cut the state budget deficit, Schwarzenegger has signed an executive order to scrap funding on contracts from 1 March, and bar state agencies from entering into new ones. Between 2005 and 2008, the state of California signed an average of 65,000 contracts a year, which ranged from peanut butter for prison inmates to consultants for computer system upgrades. This year the number stands at about 36,000.

Schwarzenegger said: "Every state agency and department will scrutinise how every penny is spent on contracts to make sure the state is getting the best deal for every taxpayer dollar."

I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)...Worst song ever...

yet every time it's on the radio I have to listen to it! Click to watch the video below. (And does he say Albert Hitchcock instead of Alfred Hitchcock?? LOL Sounds like it...)

Oh... btw... I was told that the spanish lyrics say... (a loose translation)... Stop talking and use your mouth for what it's really there for. (Implying a bj the way he says it).

Wishes Through Time now available!

When Caitlyn wishes to meet the man of her dreams, she has no idea her wish will take her to medieval England.

Caitlyn is in the armor hall at the Art Institute of Chicago when Morgan, a real live knight appears and pulls her through time to medieval England. He believes she is his one, true love and Caitlyn quickly starts to believe he may be right. Caitlyn discovers finding true love and adjusting to life in 1400 much more difficult than she could have ever imagined. Will true love prevail or will they just be two people passing each other in time?


Click here to go to the Resplendence Website

Click here to join the Annmarie Ortega Fans Yahoo Group

LFO Summer Girls

I've been in contact with one of the singers (Brad) from the group LFO recently. He is a really talented guy... writing books and performing his own music. (I've had the pleasure of hearing some of it and it is GOOD. His music is very different from what LFO was known for, and he has got some great style!!) LFO will be back on tour this summer after taking some time off and working on individual projects. (Also Rich Cronin, the "lead" singer of the song below, had been diagnosed and treated for leukemia.)I think it's great they are getting back on the road to do what they love... Click here to go to the LFO MySpace page with tour dates




And btw... I actually DID see New Kids on the Block for my 25th birthday a LONG time ago!! LOL I think my friend Kelly and I were the only ones old enough there to drink!! (And believe me, we did!! haha)

Important Women's Health Issue

Do you have feelings of inadequacy?

Do you suffer from shyness?

Do you sometimes wish you were more assertive?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist about Margaritas..

Margaritas are the safe, natural way to feel better and more confident about yourself and your actions.

Margaritas can help ease you out of your shyness and let you tell the world that you're ready and willing to do just about anything.

You will notice the benefits of Margaritas almost immediately and with a regimen of regular doses you can overcome any obstacles that prevent you from living the life you want to live.

Shyness and awkwardness will be a thing of the past and you will discover many talents you never knew you had. Stop hiding and start living, with Margaritas.

Margaritas may not be right for everyone. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use Margaritas. However, women who wouldn't mind nursing or becoming pregnant are encouraged to try it.

Side effects may include:

Dizziness, nausea, vomiting, incarceration

Erotic lustfulness

Loss of motor control

Loss of clothing

Loss of money

Loss of virginity

Table dancing

Headache

Dehydration

Dry mouth

And a desire to sing Karaoke

WARNING:

The consumption of Margaritas may make you think you are whispering when you are not.

WARNING:

The consumption of Margaritas may cause you to tell your friends over and over again that you love them.

WARNING:

The consumption of Margaritas may cause you to think you can sing.

WARNING:

The consumption of Margaritas may make you think you can logically converse with members of the opposite sex without spitting


Please share this with other women who may need Margaritas. Thank you.
(And thanks to Misia for sending me this!!)

WTF? Burger King at Irving Park and Narragansett

The manager said she didn't understand what I was saying when I told her the graffiti needed to be removed from the drive thru. She saw it and didn't seem to care. Now I'm no gang expert, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say the picture posted here is not from some innocent kid tagging a drive thru.

For a friend

This is for a friend I talked to the other night. I wish I had some good advice to give him, but I didn't. I'm good at writing about love and romance but when it comes to real life... not so much. Now that I've been thinking about our conversation the only thing I can tell him is I think that some relationships are meant to happen and others aren't. You can be in a relationship and know it is doomed from the beginning, or that it is a total and complete train wreck from the start, but you go on and hope that things will work out. (Because you want it to so desperately.) The bottom line is, you can be absolutely crazy about someone where you would walk on fire to be with them (oh... fire... clever, right? My friend is on the CFD...LOL... never mind) but if they don't feel the same about you, you have to move on. It's not easy to do, but you will eventually find the one who is perfect for you. And from past experience, it will be when you least expect it. : )

And the song... I don't know if it really applies to the situation, but the title caught my eye, plus it's Michael McDermott!! Enough said!

Word of the day "Going Multiball"

going multiball

A synonym for going mental. Literally, a state of flux, as in the multiball stage of a pinball game, wherein the player must keep two or more balls in play. See also: multiball, multitasking.

Example:
The company project is due tomorrow! I am totally going multiball!

Vince Shlomi, ShamWow Pitchman, Arrested for Battering Hooker

ShamWow pitchman Vince Shlomi was arrested on felony battery charges in Miami last month following a violent encounter with a hooker, according to The Smoking Gun:

Shlomi told cops he paid [Sasha] Harris about $1000 in cash after she "propositioned him for straight sex." Shlomi said that when he kissed Harris, she suddenly "bit his tongue and would not let go." Shlomi then punched Harris several times until she released his tongue. The affidavit...notes that during the 4 AM fight Harris sustained facial fractures and lacerations all over her face.... After freeing his tongue, a bleeding Shlomi ran to the [hotel] lobby, where security summoned cops. Harris refused to cooperate with officers, who recovered $930 from her purse.

Harris is reportedly considering a lawsuit against Shlomi, though prosecutors "declined to file formal charges" against him.

This is disturbing- Joe Jonas does Beyonce

Have you seen the video of Jonas Brother Joe Jonas doing his Beyonce imitation? He's wearing a bodysuit and heels. Anyone else see anything wrong with this? LOL I don't know if they meant it to be funny, but I think it is super creepy. Click below to watch and get creeped out.

Justin Timberlake on SNL

Click to watch.

"Bring it on down to Plasticville!!"

Today's word- "Deflating the doll"

deflating the doll

1) packing up a hotel room to check-out

2) generally being late when meeting colleagues in a hotel





Example:
"hey bill, what's the hold-up? we're all waiting for you in the lobby to catch a cab to the airport"

"sorry mike, just deflating the doll. be right down"

I met CeCe Peniston today...

She was very cool to meet and she performed her song "Finally." Watch her perform "Finally" below if you don't rememebr the song. And even though my kids didn't know who she was they loved watching her sing! (Meanwhile I had major flashbacks hearing her song!)

Take a look how Presidents age

A quick look at how Presidents and their leading ladies age during their presidency:

Jimmy & Rosalyn Carter:
















Ronald & Nancy Reagan:






























Bill & Hillary Clinton:
































George & Laura Bush:


































Barack & Michelle Obama:

This makes my heart ache

My prayers to the CPD officer who was shot early this morning. I hope he recovers and that they catch the asshole(s) who did this. I love Chicago, but lately I am hating living here. I'm also thinking this is not the best place for my boys to be growing up. It truly makes me sad the city I love is falling to ruin.