X is a tough one.....

But since I am doing a theme- Music, Movies, and Books, I actually have one.

X is for X-tina.

I prefer not to focus on her lack of fashion sense or her divorce or weight gain or any of the there things in the tabloids. We'll focus on what matters: The Voice.

And not the show she judges...her actual voice.

I remember when Christina Aguilara came out. This cute little blonde singing about a genie in a  bottle. You gotta rub her the right way! The song was fun and poppy and you could dance to it. Everything I love. But she could really belt it out too. I remember the back and forth back then between her and Brittany, who I was never really a fan of. Who would win the Grammy for Best New Artist??? I was so glad when they'd announced Christina's name. She deserved it..and every one since. I believe Brittany is still Grammy-less.

But anyway, Christina had never had a squeaky image, but when her second album came out, that girl was Dirty!  But everyone loved her, including me. And she had the vocals to prove she was more than just a semi-clothed attention seeker. And she still is.

A-Z Challenge...W- Whoomp or Whoot? Which did you prefer?

Okay...here I go back into my early 90's nostalgia. I can't help it. Those were my high school years. And in my high school, everyone listened to hip hop and rap. And two of the hottest songs:

Tag Teams's Whoom there It Is!



And 95 South's Whoot There It Is!



Two very similarly named songs that were hot in 1993. I had to do a little research to find out they were released only about 6 weeks apart. These were staples at school dances and I believe both were played at my junior prom in 1994.

Not sure I can pick a fav. Whoomp was definitely the more popular one and was played more on the radio. But Whoot is fun too!

90's music...gotta love it! :)

Guest post AND A-Z Challenge Day 14!

I'm interrupting the A-Z Challenge (again) to host a really awesome guest blogger- Alison Stone!!!!! But PLEASE make sure you keep reading and check out today's Challenge post....I so enjoyed writing this one!!!!

A Sure Way to Fail

Thanks for hosting me on your blog, Stephanie!

I had the pleasure of meeting Stephanie about a year or so ago at our local chapter meeting. From the minute I met her, I knew I liked her. Then I started reading her blog and liked her even more. She shares her struggles and her excitement on her writing journey. As I writer, I can so relate. And how can you not like someone whose favorite movie is Dirty Dancing. Love, love, love that movie. I think it reminds me of my freshman year of college—a time of new adventure, new friends and a future bright.

Life has taken a lot of twists and turns since my freshman year in college—most of them good. Back then, I was an engineering major. Yes, I graduated and went on to work in various industries from pharmaceutical, to aeronautical and automotive. I had fantastic jobs if you measured them in terms of pay and benefits. However, I was never truly satisfied. After my second child was born, I started to think I’d like to become a full-time mom. After about six months of debating, I made the plunge. Fortunately, I was in a good position (read: my husband could support with us!) to make this decision. Eventually, I started to write, first children’s books then romantic suspense. During the first few years, I spent a lot of time questioning my new dreams. Me, a writer. Yeah right?

I don’t think I’m unique. Many people are dissatisfied with their jobs, yet they are fearful to make a change. Maybe they’re afraid their dreams are unrealistic. Maybe it’s not practical to up and quit, but maybe little by little, changes can be made. I love the quote:

What would you attempt to do if you knew you would not fail?— Robert Schuller

No one truly knows the outcome of any endeavor, but I know I wasted months—years maybe—asking myself why did I think I could be a writer? I’m not a writer. I’m a math person. Who was I kidding?

I wasted far more time questioning my abilities than just getting down to work. It was finally when I got to work that I found success. Did I think success was just going to fall into my lap? Sure, I had lots of rejection, but I learned a little more each step of the way.

Sixteen years after first getting the idea to write, ten years after joining Romance Writers of America, and five years after signing with my agent, I am finally going to be a published author. My first book, Random Acts, will be released on April 24, 2012. My second book, Too Close to Home will be released August 7, 2012. Finally putting aside my fear of failure, led to success.

I don’t know what the future holds and sometimes the doubts still creep in, but one thing I know for sure: I will absolutely NOT have success if I don’t work to achieve my goals. So, head down, hands on keyboard and keep plugging away.

Do you have a dream? Are you thinking about going back to college? Do you have a great idea for new business? How about applying for that new job?

Are you afraid to start taking steps toward it because you’re afraid to fail? What if you knew you couldn’t fail? I have a secret: You’re sure to fail, if you don’t take that first step.

Author Bio:

Alison Stone graduated with a degree in industrial engineering from Georgia Tech. After working in Corporate America for a number of years, she retired to raise her young family. Soon the writing bug bit. After years of conferences, critique groups and writing, Alison sold two manuscripts that will be released in 2012. She claims it was easier to earn her engineering degree. Random Acts is her debut novel. To learn more about Alison Stone please visit www.AlisonStone.com.

***Note from Stephanie- Please click one of the links for a blurb!!! For some bizarre reason, I can't get the excerpt to paste into the post :(


Random Acts available at:

Samhain Publishing: http://store.samhainpublishing.com/alison-stone-pa-1705.html

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Random-Acts-ebook/dp/B00795G1X4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1334076604&sr=8-1

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/random-acts-alison-stone/1108890294?ean=9781609288242&itm=1&usri=alison+stone

And now we return to the A-Z Challenge!!

N is for New Kids on the Block!!!!

Yeah...anyone that even remotely knows me knows I am a HUGE NKOTB fan!! Yes...still!

Of course I had my obsession when I was a kid...plastering my bedroom wall with every poster I could get my hands on. I sure helped keep Bop and TigerBeat magazines in business. But when they fizzled out...I was still a fan, but more in a nostalgic way. I followed my favorite guys, supporting solo careers through the late 90's and early 2000's. I voted every week for Joey when he was on Dancing With The Stars. I was even lucky enough to meet him when the DWTS tour came to my city in 2007.

Then, later 2007 or early 2008, I heard a bit of buzz about their website being updated. There was some music playing on it...something I'd never heard before...something new. Could it be? Oh yes! The guys had reunited with a new album and a tour. I was so there!!!

And they haven't stopped since. They are all older, and all but 1 are in their 40's, but hotter than ever. Seen them perform 7 times since the first reunion show in September of 08. And I can't wait til they tour again!

L is for...

LFO!

Yes.......I admit. I adore some kinda corny music. There isn't a boy band I didn't love (obsess over) at one time or another (just wait til Monday's post for N!) But I truly am a fan of pop music and let's face it, hot guys!!!

I remember when I first heard LFO's debut Summergirls. (circa 1999) Friends of ours told us we had to hear it...it was an awesome song about nothing. It came on the radio...and we loved it! I went right out and bought the cd. Loved every song. They toured and we saw them at a small club, then several other times at music festivals and what not. They always put on a great show! Then they dropped off the face of the earth.

In July 2009 I'd heard about a reunion and had to check into it. Yep! They were back together and touring...and again, playing a small club nearby! We were there, got there early, and were in the front row! I was even in one of the pics they took from stage and posted on their FB page!!

Hubby videoed them singing Summergirls...so so awesome!!



After the show they did meet n greet and I got their autographs and a pic taken with them. so so cool!

Rich was sick...he had leukemia. He died not long after this :(

A-Z Challenge! H is for......

It's day 8 and that's H! Hip Hop!!!!!

Hip Hop music was such a huge part of my teen years...when, IMHO, was the best time for Hip Hop. (90's!!) So much of the music that emerged then is still played today...songs people know by heart and will never forget, even the younger generations!

Some of my favorite 90's Hip Hop acts:

Salt n Pepa
TLC
Sir Mixalot
Naughty by Nature
Dr. Dre
Snoop Dogg

Who were/are your favorites? :)

A-Z Challenge! G is for Gaga

I absolutely love Lady Gaga!!!!! Can't really pin point the exact reason why. I love that she does outlandish creative things and is constantly giving the world something new to talk about. I love that she stands for something...she's not just some attention seeker. And talent....she oozes it. She is a pop singer and so often pop singers are ridiculed for their genre. But I love music that is fun and catchy and you can dance to it. And her stuff is edgy too...always pushing boundaries.

But sometimes she does go too far and sometimes her stunts distract from her real talent.

Lady Gaga...are you a fan???

Top 10 Music Choices Blogfest!

This was way too fun to pass on!!!!!

Alex J. Cavanaugh is hosting this blog today! Please stop by and view the list of participants!! Should find some really awesome music choices!!

So when I sat down to write this post, I realized it was way harder than I anticipated. I mean, only 10 songs, from the entire history of all music??? Is this the 10 songs I'd want with me on a deserted island? I guess that's how I'm gonna treat it! Some selections were easier than others. when I thought of a particular artist, one song stood out. But others...way too many good ones. Very hard to choose. Some of my selections are great, classic songs that I know will be around and loved for years, others, I know what you'll be thinking! I have my guilty pleasures just like everyone, though I rarely hide them. I am quite proud of the music I love!

So here are mine, but there was no way I could rank them in order. So here are my top 10 songs, ever, in no particular order!

The Right Stuff, NKOTB






Dirty Dancing, NKOTB


I never ever hide the fact that I am a huge NKOTB fan! I adored them when I was 12 and never stopped. And when they reunited and started touring again recently, I went to 5 shows between September 08 and June 09, 4 of which were in different states than where I live. And one was across the Canadian border, and one was from a radio contest where we flew cross country to LA! Can't wait for the next show- Pittsburgh in June with BSB!


You Outta Know, Alanis Morisette



Alanis reminds me of college!!!


Creep, Radiohead





Love this song...the music, the lyrics...just awesome.


Glycerine, Bush



Glycerine is probably my most favorite song. Ever see the clip of Bush performing at one of the MTV Spring Breaks in the rain??? OMG!!!! You must click on it!!




Bullet with Butterfly Wings, The Smashing Pumpkins





Love the chorus on this one!

What About Your Friends, TLC





This song always gets me groovin'!!! Love love love it! Me and some friends even dressed as TLC for a costume party. Aren't we cute?



Hella Good, No Doubt





Love the beat! I keep trying to get my dance teacher to use it for our recital routine!

Just a Girl, No Doubt





Such a great song!!

Poker Face, Lady Gaga





Love me some Gaga!! I think this is my fav!

That was really fun!!!! Now, don;t forget to sign up for my Show Me the Love blogfest, happening in a couple weeks!!!! It's sure to be a lot of fun too!

What's your pleasure?????

Today I'm talking about pleasures....the guilty kind! This time of year we relax into all kinds of guilty pleasures from sugary treats, to corny holiday movies and that hippopotamus song.

You're probably singing it in your head now, aren't you???

"I want a hippopotamus for Christmas, only a hippopotamus will do..."

But anyway....I'm here to question why these silly things are considered "guilty" pleasures. The definition for guilty pleasure is: something one considers pleasurable despite feeling guilt for enjoying it. Often, the "guilt" involved is simply fear of others discovering one's lowbrow or otherwise embarrassing tastes, rather than actual moral guilt.

If someone feels pleasure from something...if someone enjoys something...why should they feel guilty about it?? If the pleasurable activity is not hurting anyone...then why not be proud?? There is so much in this world that is depressing and very un-pleasurable. I'm not going to waste any time feeling guilty for liking what I like.

So come on...share you pleasures!! Any of them...I won't make fun of you!!!!

Me...here are a few of the simple things in life that bring me true joy and I don't care who knows!!

New Kids on the Block (and those of you who know me, know I have NO problems what so ever shouting to the world that I am a huge Blockhead!!)
All 80's music
Boy Bands: Backstreet Boys, N'Sync, LFO, 98 Degrees, OTown
Patsy Cline
Dirty Dancing
America Pie Movies (only the three with Jason Biggs...not all the ones that followed)
Scrapbooking
Chick Lit and Romance Books (and I like the sexy scenes too!)
Dancing with the Stars
All My Children
Disney World
Celebrity Gossip Mags

I will add more later when I think of them!!

This will be my last post before the holiday!! Have a wonderful week!!!!!

Do you listen to music while you write???

I know tons of writers who feel completely inspired when they’re writing to Metallica, Beethoven, Jay Z, Brittany Spears….whatever floats their boat. Me…I just can’t do it. Music certainly inspires me….songwriting is poetry set to words, no matter what the genre…rap, pop, metal…it’s all art as far as I’m concerned. And since I started writing seriously, I listen to the words of songs much more intently than I ever did before and I appreciate the heart and soul that went into them. It’s not easy to put one’s insides into something…then put it out there for judgment.

But I just cannot concentrate on my own writing if there is other stuff going on around me. I am writing this blog with the music for my blog playing in the background. And I LOVE the music (it’s the NKOTB medley) and I totally want to abandon my cocoon and dance around my living room, belting out every lyric I’ve known by heart since I was 11 years old. But writing to it…even just a blog, is kinda difficult. For me anyway.

Silence seems to be my muse. Nothing gets me typing faster than complete silence. I can hear my characters voices better…see their faces more clearly….envision their actions without distraction.