A Meme -- Tagged by Shelley Munro

The wonderful Shelley Munro has tagged me for this Blogging Meme. So, here is my response. Thanks for the tag, Shelley!

Paz

When Did You Start Blogging and Why?

I started blogging shortly before my first book, Vacation Souvenir, came out – April 2006. Initially, I didn’t intend to blog. I only opened a blog account to be able to leave comments on other blog sites that required blogger accounts. So, for a while my blog page was empty. Then I noticed that people were stopping by. However, they had nothing to look at. I decided to take my blog page seriously and started my first post, blogging about my new book.

What Don't You Talk About?

Ummm… I’m not sure yet. Like Shelley mentioned on her blog, I won’t discuss topics like politics and religion. I’ll talk about a little of this and that, but mainly things related to my books. For example, in earlier posts, in keeping with the theme of Vacation Souvenir, I’ve talked about ideal vacation spots, places I’d like to visit, story characters, etc… We recently had the World Cup event, so I got sidetracked with that topic. Hehehe! It’s over now… ;-(

Are You and Your Blogging Persona the same person?

Yes!

How Do You Use Blogging to build Friendships?

I’ve met a lot of interesting and nice people through blogging. And I’ve gotten to know others a lot more through their blogs. It’s been a very positive experience.

How Would You Describe Your Writing Style?

Hmmm… My writing style on the blog? Since I just started blogging, I’m not sure. I’m still working on that. At the moment, I write whatever I feel like, whenever I want, whenever I get a chance… Any readers want to give me your opinion?

Who Do I tag?

Shelli

Nicole

Karen

Kimberly

Louisa

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Bittersweet - Louisa Trent (Loose-Id)
The Fine Art of Kissing - Catherine Chernow (Triskelion)
Nice Girls Do - Marilyn Lee (Loose-Id)
Tourist Attraction - Shelli Stevens (Cobblestone Press)

Tourist Attraction by Shelli Stevens

The Beautiful Game #9

2006 World Cup Winners - Italy Team

The 2006 World Cup is over. Sniff. The last game garnered eight billion viewers – yes eight billion – and occurred yesterday, Sunday (June 9) between Italy and France. I almost missed the game because I was supposed to get my hair done. Guess what? I didn’t get my hair done. ;-)

Italy won in a penalty kick shootout (5-3).

It’d been a Beautiful Game until Sunday’s game. Then it turned out to be not so beautiful. Not for me, anyway. During the game, each team played well and hard. The score was tied 1-1. So the game went into overtime. Still no break in the tie.

Sometime during the overtime game, French team captain Zidane rammed his big bald head into the chest of Italian player, Marco Materazzi after they exchanged words. No one knew what was said. Now, it’s rumored that Materazzi said something racist but Materazzi has denied it. True or not, I won’t repeat the report. After the head butting incident, the referee gave Zidane a red card (the most serious penalty) and sent him off the field.

After that ugly incident, things went downhill fast for the French team and they lost.

I was horrified, disheartened and disappointed to see such a turn of events. I think that Zidane is a good person and very talented footballer. He’s retiring after the World Cup games and it’s such a shame to end his career and the World Cup on that fury-driven, ugly note.

Oh well, c’est la vie. N'est pas? That’s life. Isn't it? Life will continue. I’m moving on, too. Actually, I’m giving myself a week to get over the World Cup high and my disappointment in the ending.

For the most part, the games were fun. I enjoyed watching all the different teams and the effort and heart they put into playing. I also enjoyed watching the spectators’ enthusiasm and love for the Beautiful Game.

Until the next World Cup, which will take place in four years in South Africa; Adieu. Or since the Italians won, I guess I should say, Ciao.

Paz

Zidane get red card from referee

U.S.A. President Clinton and daughter Chelsea

were among the many dignitaries at the final game

The Beautiful Game #8

Italy's Andrea Pirlo, ecstatic after team scores a goal

All photos from fifa.com

The Victory of Success; the Agony of Defeat

In the World Cup (and of course, other games), unless a tie occurs, there’s a winner and loser. When a team wins, the players are ecstatic. After the game they run around the field, hug and kiss each other, and wave to their overjoyed fans. If they're good sportsmen, they'll shake the hands of their opponents and sometimes even exchange shirts (sweat-drenched and all).

On the other hand, the losing team is devastated. Some players are so sad they stay in the same spot for a while. Dejected, other players hang their head down with disappointment. Others cry and they comfort each other, while their fans look on in disbelief and disappointment. If the players are good sports, they'll shake the hands of their rivals, too.

This week, during the semi finals Italy beat Germany (2-0) by scoring two rigorous goals in the last three minutes of the overtime game. The Italy team and their fans were extremely happy. The German team and their fans looked inconsolable. During the France vs. Portugal game, France won by making a upsetting goal (1-0). The Portugal team and their fans were sad.

Watching the games, it's dawned on me that the feelings an author experiences are similar to the ones team players go through after playing the Beautiful Game. When an author completes a manuscript (or even a page or a chapter), meets a deadline – when a publisher offers a contract, or readers like the story, the author feels victorious. It’s like kicking that ball past the goalie and landing it into the net. GOAL!!! GOAL!!! GOAL!!! Very exciting!

When an author is stuck on a plot or can’t get started on a story, or if a story is rejected, or a bad review comes in, whatever causes anguish – the feelings experienced are very much similar to the ones a losing team goes through. Just as the players console each other, fellow authors give support when needed.

Yes, playing on the writing field results the same emotions as that of playing on the field of the Beautiful Game.

Paz

THE VICTORY OF SUCCESS:

Henry and Zidane of France team

France team

Zidane, France team captain (wining team) applauds fans,

while Brazil player (from losing team) lays on ground in defeat

After game, opposing team captains Figo (Portugal) and Zidane (France)
congratulate each other

THE AGONY OF DEFEAT:

Ronaldo of Brazil team reacts after his team's loss

Fans of German team shocked at team loss

German team

Portugal team

Vacation Souvenir gets 4 stars from Fallen Angel Reviews!

Fallen Angel Reviews gave VACATION SOUVENIR a 4-star rating!

"Paz Edwards does a great job in this story... Sweet and hot in a way that will make you believe that even large-sized women can find love..."

Thank you, reviewer Lena C.

Paz

Man eats 53 3/4 hot dogs in 12 minutes

Hot dog eating champion, Takeru Kobayashi
All photos from news.yahoo.com

That's the newspaper headline describing a yearly activity on Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York. Every Fourth of July, a hot dog eating competition brings hopefuls from all over the country and beyond to participate.

For the past 6 years a young man from from Japan has been the winner. I remember the first time I saw him, he was a skinny young man. But it seems throughout the years, he's been body building and become more developed.

Funny. He still looks smaller next to his competitors but each year he manages to out eat them. Each year, the spectator crowd grows. This year, thousands of people showed up to watch the competitors.

It seems that the winner has a certain technique of shoving the hot dogs and buns into his mouth. Very interesting to watch...

If it were up to me, I'd prefer to take my time eating and enjoying my hot dog. You can read ( and see more photos) about the event here.

Would you consider entering a wacky competition like this? Have your participated in any such competitions?

Paz