Is that a gun in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?

(And, let’s face it, with romance, you never know…)

Precious Readers, I cannot begin to tell you how much it warms my heart to see people still checking out my blog, even though I may have… kinda-sorta… disappeared into a black hole the last couple of weeks.

My apologies, Precious Readers – I did not mean to neglect you.

It’s just been a crazy-busy last few weeks.

The Ugly

Pilot was in Portland for practically a week, and then I was working and subsequently went to Oregon the following weekend.  I’m sad to share with you, Precious Readers, November is a tough month for me. Especially to be left alone to my own devices.  Even more especially when it’s the first time Pilot and I have been separated since our wedding.

November is the same month my dad died, and it happened the day after Thanksgiving.  Needless to say, as I’ve pointed out in earlier posts, I am not a fan of the holiday season.

When the hell did I get so needy?  After Pilot came home, it was the middle of the week and then I left Friday morning, (yes, I used precious vacation hours to take Friday, Nov. 2nd off) to drive all the way down to Cannon Beach.  He and I had less than 48 hours together upon his return, most of which I spent at my job or sleeping.  Not much of a romantic reunion.

Pilot: Hey Sweetie, want to watch a movie or something?

Me: Zzz…

Pilot: Or we could turn on the Roku, see if any of our shows are on.

Me: Zzz… Njai verk nahl dah… Jnah fle muh zleen

Pilot: I know you worked all day. You must be tired.  Ok, I’ll just let you sleep.

Me: Zzz…

Fresh and early-

Ok, it was 9:00am… But that’s early-ish, right?

-I picked up my friend Peace* in Lynnwood and we headed down for 3-days of fun-filled female companionship.

Wait… that didn’t sound right.  Let me try that again.

Girl’s weekend!

Ah-ha! There we go!

My friend Obie-One-Pin-Obie is turning 30 later this month, but since her birthday is close to Turkey Day, she likes to celebrate it a little earlier.  And so, I was to partake in a weekend of girly silliness.

I left that semi-soggy morning, ready and raring to go!

8.5 hours later, a new car part and my wallet lightened by $160 for aforementioned new car part, we finally made it to the rented house.  Let’s just say not enough wine was consumed, a battery jump was necessary, and a lot of taffy purchased. No questions please.

It was a long enough weekend and my friends read this blog.  I’ll write more someday in the future when it’s actually funny. Promise.

The Sunday I arrived home and crashed with Pilot-

Wait… Phrasing…

-Pilot and I vegged around the house-

Ah-ha! Again, better.  See Precious Readers? I must be more diligent about my writing, otherwise my skills go to shit.

Life is busy and I wish there were 365 days of writing challenges so I become more disciplined.

The Bad

One of my favorite British authors to read is Carole Mathews.  Unfortunately I tried reading Let’s Meet on Platform 8.  It’s the second book in my life I had to put down.  And didn’t finish.

Not going to write anymore about this because it’s not worth it.

If you want a GREAT read (one of my top 10 favorites) read Carole Matthew’s For Better, For Worse. Hilarious romantic comedy + a jewelry-eating duck.  Need I say more?

The Good

Status update on writing: haven’t accomplished much. However, I am testing a new schedule of 7:30-4:30 at work, which hopefully will give me more time in the evenings.

Speaking of writing – in case you haven’t noticed yet, I am a huge fan of intrigue, suspense, thrills, chills and bumps in the night.

And considering I’m aspiring to be a romance novelist, there are two forms of bumping in the night, but that’s neither here nor there.

Since the very recent release of Skyfall it’s helped me re-tap into my love of espionage.  As previously mentioned, I am a HUGE action movie fan!

During Skyfall I witnessed a pretty awesome preview for the next Die Hard film.  Can’t wait!  <Squee!>  Also, Skyfall was wicked awesome. A must see!  Despite that Daniel Craig is more notorious to me as “James Blonde” he is still quite the sight to behold.

Haven’t mentioned this much before, but I am also a HUGE spy genre fan!  Mission: Impossible¸ Get Smart, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, RED, Austin Powers (yes, those are great spy movies), James Bond, The Recruit (Colin Farrell!), The Bourne Identity series, Spy, etc.

Currently I’m hooked on Gina Robinson for spy novels. She’s one of my spy novel faves. Can’t wait for Live and Let Love.  She’s a Pacific Northwest author-

Support your local authors!

-and just love the way she weaves a story with hilarity!  I highly recommend checking her stuff out!

What is your favorite spy book or film?  What type of job would you like for espionage?  The daring agent Ethan Hunt or James Bond style?  The mysterious M or Q?  The deadly assassin?  The damsel/love interest care of Ms. Moneypenny or girl-who-gets-caught-up-in-the-mess?

*Name has been changed to protect privacy