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AUTHOR INTERVIEW-RAE ANN PARKER

Posted on by Melissa Chambers

My son and I are both excited to have Rae Ann Parker, author of The Devil’s Backbone on my blog today. We tackled this book together and had a blast discussing each chapter as we went. I’ve never been down the Natchez Trace, but after having read this book, I most definitely want to plan a family trip there soon. My son loved the book, and we both learned so much about the history of the Trace and had a lot of fun at the same time!

(About the Book) David Baxter takes the blame for the graffiti on the school gym doors to keep his friend out of trouble and earns a three-day suspension. His dad, the juvenile judge, forces him to go on a road trip to redemption on the Natchez Trace Parkway. What his dad doesn’t know is that David meets a ghost carrying the last letter of Meriwether Lewis—the piece of evidence that may solve the 200-year-old mystery of Lewis’s death. Thanks to the ghost, David just might figure out how to relate to his dad and forgive his wayward mom.

Welcome Rae Ann! Thanks so much for stopping by today to answer a few of our questions!

Thank you to you and your son for taking the time to read The Devil’s Backbone! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for having me on your blog.

I’ll jump right in. Where does the title The Devil’s Backbone come from?

The Devil’s Backbone was the nickname for the Natchez Trace in the early 1800s when outlaws roamed the Trace, robbing travelers who walked back up the Trace after selling their goods in Natchez and New Orleans. I think it’s a really cool name and wanted to use it for the title of the book.


For those who aren’t familiar, can you give us a brief summary of what makes the Natchez Trace special and unique enough to merit its own book?

The first time I visited the Natchez Trace Parkway after moving to Tennessee, I knew right away that it was a place full of history. Many people had traveled the road and they all had stories. I wanted to learn more about those people and their stories. I began reading about the history of the Trace and decided to write a fictional story about a boy who makes a special discovery while traveling on the Trace.


You describe the stops along the Trace in such fantastic detail—I’m picturing weeks or months of research on your part! What kinds of research did you tackle for this book?

I started by reading about the Trace, but I knew I needed to travel the Trace (all 444 miles of it) in person before writing my story. Or maybe I just wanted an excuse to explore the Trace. It is fascinating! On the research trip, I documented my journey in a notebook (similar to David’s journal) noting the time I stopped at each site, the Park Rangers I talked to and what I learned from them and the historical markers on the Trace. I am still researching the Trace. It amazes me and I often learn something new when I visit.


One part in this book that made me squirm was (part of) the reason for the trip—to see David’s mom who had left her family to follow her dream. I think you as an author handled her more than fairly. Was her storyline difficult for you to write?

I always want the people and families in my books to have real problems that readers can relate to. My previous work as a social worker influences my writing. The theme of this book is forgiveness and second chances. We all face challenges, but we work through them together.


In your acknowledgements you thank your family for dinnertime conversations about the book. How involved was your family in the writing of this book?

My family helped a lot in my research for the book. They accompanied me on my primary research trip on the Trace, taking photos, reading maps, and walking on the trails with me. They’re always willing to listen to me talk about my writing at dinnertime or anywhere else. I appreciate it!


You’ve set the bar pretty high with this one. Can you tell us about your next project in the works?

Thank you! I’m working on another middle grade novel about a middle school boy with a big problem to solve. This book is a realistic novel, so there are no ghosts in this one.

You can find more info on the Trace at www.scenictrace.com

Rae Ann Parker lives in Nashville, Tennessee with her family. When she is not writing or reading, she enjoys exploring the Natchez Trace Parkway and playing the piano and violin. The Devil’s Backbone is her first novel. For more information about the author, visit www.raeannparker.com

TOP FIVE BRAT PACK MOVIES

Posted on by Melissa Chambers

We will complete our August series of Top Fives with the best of the best of Brat Pack Movies. At the risk of sounding like somebody’s parent, they just don’t make movies like they used to. In the 80’s the movies made for teens weren’t raunchy, romps all about drinking and getting laid. They were works of art that endeared you to the characters and had you leaving the theatre thinking. From these 80’s teenage masterpieces emerged a group of young actors who would appear in these roles and we followed their lives and watched them grow up before our eyes. This group of young actors was charmingly referred to as The Brat Pack.

The official members of the Pack varied depending on who would you ask, but unarguably, the core members were Ally Sheedy, Andrew McCarthy, Anthony Michael Hall, Demi Moore, Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald and Rob Lowe. Basically, if you were cast in either The Breakfast Club or St. Elmo’s Fire, you were in The Brat Pack.

More than any of my other Top Five lists, I really wanted this to be a Top Ten, but keeping with the theme of the month, I reluctantly narrowed the list to these five fantastic flicks.

#5 – THE OUTSIDERS

If you haven’t read this book by S.E. Hinton might I suggest you add it to your reading list, like stat! Written by Ms. Hinton at age 16 and published when she was 18 in 1967, it’s a classic that stands the test of time, dealing with the same issues that follow teens through the years—namely social class wars and unrequited love. But if you aren’t a reader, you can see the characters come to life in this movie that showcases the men of the Brat Pack and beyond. Just about every 80’s hunk started his career off with this movie, including Tom Cruise, Rob Lowe, Patrick Swayze, Emilio Estevez, Matt Dillon, C. Thomas Howell, & Ralph Macchio.

Featuring characters with names like Ponyboy, Sodapop, Dally, Darry, and Cherry, how can you go wrong? But directed by Francis Ford Coppola, this film certainly isn’t child’s play. You cringe through gang fights, heroic rescues and the death of a best friend. Stay gold Ponyboy…stay gold.

#4 – SIXTEEN CANDLES

It’s a crying shame that this movie is #4 on any list, as it easily could take the #1 spot, which is only a testament to how incredible the next three movies are, but I digress. Written and directed by John Hughes who provided us with jewels such as National Lampoon’s Vacation, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Weird Science, Some Kind of Wonderful, Uncle Buck, and Home Alone, Sixteen Candles is the quintessential 80’s high school happily ever after.

Jake Ryan, our leading lady, Sam’s love interest, wins the award for best heartthrob in an 80’s movie. There was something about Jake, other than his looks, that was utterly compelling. And I give it to the actor, because I’ve seen him in other movies where he wasn’t even really likable. I think the attraction here is the dream-come-true for every average teenage girl. Sam, who goes unnoticed and unacknowledged even by her own parents on her 16th birthday, swoons for Jake, a popular, gorgeous athlete who actually returns her affections. Teenage girls across the world were validated and finally given hope. The scene at the end where he comes to get her from the church and mouths, “Yeah you,” **hand to heart** precious doesn’t even begin to cover it.

The impeccably cast Anthony Michael Hall as Farmer Ted is superb as he stumbles along the way on his quest for the love of Sam. And who doesn’t love our favorite foreign exchange student, Long Duk Dong. So many quote worthy lines from him, including my friend’s favorite “Ooh, sexy girlfriend!” and to this day when I’m hungry I still say, “The Donger need food!”

#3 – PRETTY IN PINK

Molly goes all serious and angsty for her role as Andie in this movie that was inspired by the Psychedelic Furs song of the same name. Sporting mostly New Wave music, the soundtrack is one of the best of the 80’s featuring tracks by New Order, Nik Kershaw, Echo & the Bunnyman, OMD and The Smiths. The band The Rave-Ups play in a nightclub scene, which I remember reading way back in the day was one of Molly Ringwald’s favorite bands. *Fun fact – she had their name written on a notebook she carried in Sixteen Candles.

You root for Andie and Blane as they struggle through their relationship and the peer pressure they each feel from their own side of the figurative railroad tracks. Andie struggles to make ends meet for her and her dead beat dad (do they live solely off her record store income?), while Blane was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Andie’s friend Duckie, who steals the whole movie with his lip syncing scene, is in love with her and drives her absolutely nuts in his adorable but annoying attempts at her affection.

Molly shines in this movie in her too-cool homemade pink ensembles, and what teenage girl didn’t beg her parents for a pink Karmann Ghia after they saw Andie pull up to school in hers. The music, the clothes, the drama—the essence of the 80’s is Pretty in Pink.

#2 – SAINT ELMO’S FIRE

We watch our Brat Pack grow up in this engrossing character study of seven newly graduated twenty somethings trying to find their way and their identity in post-college life.

This movie was my first introduction to Demi Moore, and I was glued to the screen, fascinated with her “it” factor. I so wanted Jules to be okay and to keep her fabulousness. And power couple Alec and Leslie seemed unbreakable until Alec confided in Kevin about his conquests. Ooh, I wanted to smack him! And watching Kirby chase after Doctor Dale was heart wrenching!

We’re not left with a happy ending, but more of a life-moves-on reality check, which is a tough pill to swallow, but somehow you walk away feeling okay about it all.

#1 – THE BREAKFAST CLUB

(Click here for dramatic effect)

What child/teenager of the 80’s hears that drum lick and those two chords and doesn’t get transported in time to that library at Shermer High School in Shermer, Illinois. The Brain. The Athelete. The Basket Case. The Princess. The Criminal. My best friend and I snuck in to see this movie back in 1985, as it was rated R and we were not yet of age (that’s right, I’m not all that ancient yet). We thought we were being sneaky, but what we saw blew us out of the water.

It wasn’t until after I was out of the theatre that I realized I had been held captive by these five actors in basically the same scene the whole time. How compelling do the actors and writing have to be to keep the viewer’s attention for 90+ minutes in a school library? John Hughes and his cast certainly pulled it off with flying colors.

I can remember being obsessed with Molly Ringwald after watching this film. I’d seen her previously in Sixteen Candles, but her character Claire was by far, THE coolest girl I’d ever come in contact with. That brown leather bomber jacket; those tall, cognac, tie-up boots paired with that brown skirt and that v-neck pink shirt—even the way she danced was unique. Every teenage girl wanted to BE Claire, and I was number one on that list!

Then there was John Bender played impeccably by Judd Nelson. He was so wrong, but so right. The scene at the end where Claire makes her way to his detention room and he looks at her and says, “You lost?” Oh, how my heart melts every time!

And who can forget when Allison spreads pixie stick dust onto her crunchy sandwich!

It’s a movie that I own, and can watch over and over again with renewed fervor. And if you are seeing it for the first time, know going in that you’ll never categorize a high school personality again.

I hope you have enjoyed this and the other August Top Five blog posts. I’ve certainly had a blast writing them! If you have a topic or a Top Five you’d like to see me post about, feel free to comment here or email me at melissa@melissachambers.com

TOP FIVE HOLLYWOOD HUNKS

Posted on by Melissa Chambers

For our third installation in this month’s Top Five series, I enlisted the help of a boatload of female friends. They were asked to submit to me their favorite Hollywood Hunks, as many as they liked. I narrowed it to any hunk who earned two votes or more in round one, then the ladies were asked to again pick as many as they liked from the list, the only requirement being that they be absolute gah-gah over the guy – like heart speeding up, uncontrollable grin, weak knee swooning when the hunk’s face (or whatever) comes on the screen. As a result, I give you our version of the Top Five Hollywood Hunks:

#5 – IAN SOMERHALDER**

Rumors began to surface that Ian Somerhalder was being considered for the role of Christian Grey, so I began stalking checking periodically to see if the decision had been made. Then in June it was announced that the Magic Mike guy was confirmed for the role. My teeth have been gritted ever since, but today’s research reveals that alas, a Christian has NOT been named! Ian may or may not be up for the role at this point, but a girl can keep on dreamin’ until the official announcement.

While Ian positively smolders in his role as Damon Salvatore on the CW’s The Vampire Diaries, his best work is in indie films such as The Rules of Attraction and one of my all-time favorite movies Life as a House. (If you have not seen this movie, I beg you to watch it the instance you can get to it.)

As if we needed another reason to clap our hands to our hearts over Ian, he has his own foundation which “…aims to empower, educate and collaborate with people and projects to positively impact the planet and its creatures.” http://www.isfoundation.com He also founded RYOT which is a pretty cool news website where you can click on an IMPACT button and learn more about issues or donate to worthy causes.

#4 – BRADLEY COOPER

While I enjoy Bradley Cooper, several of my girlfriends are nothing short of giddy for him. In the voting process, most all who mentioned him noted “those eyes.” Named People Magazine’s 2011 Sexiest Man Alive, clearly they aren’t the only ones swooning.

While I know he’s most famous for his roles in Silver Linings Playbook and The Hangover series, I found his work in Limitless to be extraordinary. I was pleasantly surprised with this movie and thought Bradley did an excellent job with the transformation from strung out writer to brilliant businessman. It was one of those movies that left me thinking and working out possibilities in my head for weeks.

Looks like there are already Oscar predictions for the 2014 awards season for his upcoming release American Hustle where he reunites with Silver Linings Playbook co-star Jennifer Lawrence and also stars alongside Christian Bale, who would have made this list had I had my druthers, but that’s enough whining from me…for now.

#3 – JOE MANGANIELLO

I was so excited to see Joe Manganiello make our list! As a True Blood addict, I got on board with Joe two summers ago when his character Alcide appeared trying to win Sookie’s affection (get in line) and transforming into his werewolf alter ego – which of course for us means, lots of skin! And oh how much skin there is. Standing 6’5 and all muscle, when Alcide growls at his werewolf pack members, they cower while us viewers wipe up the drool.

We were also graced with Joe in last summer’s Magic Mike, though I thought he was robbed of precious screen time. Although, the director attempted to make that up to us with that one scene…you know the one. (Channing Tatum on “that scene”) Awh yeah.

Very early speculation and rumors suggest Joe may be in the running for the role of Bruce Wayne in the Superman sequel. If it can’t be Christian Bale (he has said he will not reprise his role, according to the Hollywood Reporter), then Joe, you have my blessing…and my twelve bucks (or whatever the theatres are extorting out of us these days).

#2 – JOSH DUHAMEL

I first came to know Josh Duhamel in the movie Life as We Know It with Katherine Heigl. For about the first ten minutes of watching him on screen I was reduced to a blathering idiot. Who in the hell was this guy? And how was I just now discovering him? He had to be in his late thirties and I had somehow missed his small or big screen presence? How was it possible?

When I was finally able to regain composure I was glued to the television, fixated really. Was it humanly possible for a man to look so perfect without being too pretty? Somehow, he was pulling it off.

My research uncovered that he had been on All My Children in the late nineties and early 2000’s. Ah, that explained some things. I’m convinced soap opera stars are bred in some kind of incubator where only flawless genes and features are allowed, and they are molded and shaped into utter perfection. It all made sense.

I’ve only seen him in that one movie, because, well, my free time is consumed with writing, but I look forward to catching Safe Haven sometime late at night when the husband has gone to bed. He’s supportive of me and will watch just about anything I ask him to, but even he has his limits.

#1 – MARK WAHLBERG

No matter how I shook things up, my #1 Hollywood crush made it to number one on our list. And I didn’t even have to cheat!

No other man alive could fall on stage, pick himself up with blood pouring down his face and somehow seem sexier than when he started, which my man was able to pull off brilliantly in one of my all-time favorite flicks, Rock Star. And although his role in Date Night was ti-niny, that moment when he opens the door to his apartment for Claire and Phil, shirtless and drenched in sweat…do I really need to continue here? (I just you tubed it in the name of “research”. I highly suggest you do the same. Click here, and prepare to salivate.)

While VH1 is not afraid to give the man true credit honoring him with the top spot on their list of Top 40 Hottest Hotties of the 90s, apparently the good folks at People Magazine are. For the name of all that is holy, People Magazine, would you PLEASE come to your senses and give this man the much deserved title of Sexiest Man Alive???!!! Come on! Whatever. We don’t need your validation, People. He’s the reigning King of Hot on this list. That’s all that matters. **indignant pout**

Mark is more than just a handsome face. He oozes masculinity. He’s got swagger comin’ and goin’ but not in that annoying cocky way. And he knows how to laugh at himself (I so enjoyed Ted). And this scene from The Departed (another fantastic flick) is one I’ve hit rewind on probably fifty times. Love him!

**Honorable mentions go to Channing Tatum, Zac Efron & Johnny Depp who tied for 5th place with Ian. This blog author reserved the right to break the tie. J

I hope you have enjoyed this top five list as much as I loved compiling it – probably not possible, but I hope you liked it nonetheless. I wish to thank all my friends who participated in the survey and for indulging me with multiple emails on the subject. Without you, well, it could have been possible, but wouldn’t have been nearly as fair or as fun!

And finally, I would like to acknowledge my own personal hunk, whose handsomeness, hilarity, and pure male essence are far greater than all the men on this list combined. I love you, Jody Chambers! (Does that make up for this blog post, Sweetie?) J


TOP FIVE TELEVISION SHOWS

Posted on by Melissa Chambers

For this week’s installment of our Top Five series, we’re going to look at television shows. You know televsion right? The thing that has all the programs? Which you can get online at https://att-bundles.com/att-tv/? Please tell me you know it. Ah, television. I remember television. It was my favorite addiction before this annoying writing bug got a hold of me. Now it feels like there are new shows appearing everyday on streaming services such as HBO, Showtime and Peacock that you can see more information about here. Truth be told, it may take me three or four months to get caught up on everything, but I make sure to never miss an episode of True Blood, Mad Men (still three in the can waiting to be watched from this last season), Parenthood, The Vampire Diaries or Modern Family.

But with more and more streaming services such as VIZIO becoming available, I’m starting to find I don’t have time for is to dig into any of these wonderfully gritty, deeply addictive cable network shows. My good friend, Author Greg Howard, is always on the brink of these shows, which is why I have enlisted his help to give you the best of the best of what’s on.

Disclaimer – I have not seen a single episode of any of these shows, so if you are up in arms about the order, or an all too important show that we have shunned, feel free to leave a comment here letting me know all about it! You can watch them when they’re broadcasted, or alternatively, if you have any of the centurylink internet plans, you can stream them later on.

#5 Orphan Black – BBC America – Saturday Nights, 8:00 CT (Season One complete)

(From www.bbcamerica.com) “Orphan Black” features rising star Tatiana Maslany in the lead role of Sarah, an outsider and orphan whose life changes dramatically after witnessing the suicide of a woman who looks just like her. Sarah assumes her identity, her boyfriend and her bank account. But instead of solving her problems, the street smart chameleon is thrust headlong into a kaleidoscopic mystery. She makes the dizzying discovery that she and the dead woman are clones… but are they the only ones? Sarah quickly finds herself caught in the middle of a deadly conspiracy and must race to find answers about who she is and how many others there are just like her.

(From Greg) Tatiana Maslany is THE hardest working woman on any show on television right now. She plays seven different roles (so far), all clones of her main character and brings them all to life with ease. Each one has their own distinct identity, look, voice, and even multiple accents. Plus, it’s full of action, intricate plotting, humor, and heart. The best show on TV that you are probably not watching. Get caught up on Netflix before season two begins!


#4 Sons of Anarchy – FX – Season Premiere September 10th, 9:00 CT

(From Greg) Never in a million years, did I ever think I would be interested in watching a show about a ruthless, gun running, T&A obsessed motorcycle club. I came to the party after hearing the buzz about the first season, but I have never missed an episode.

It’s a crime against humanity that Katey Sagal has never even been nominated for an EMMY for her ball breaking to heartbreaking portrayal of Gemma Teller, the pistol packing, foul mouth matriarch of SAMCRO. (That’s “Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club, Redwood Original Charter” to the uninitiated.)


#3 Homeland – Showtime – Season Three Premiers Sunday, September 29th, 8:00 CT

With eleven Emmy nominations and two consecutive Golden Globe wins for “Best Television Series-Drama,” clearly we should all be glued to our televisions come September 29th.

(From Greg) Edge of your seat, addictive television. Danes and Lewis have both been duly rewarded for their amazing acting on this nail biting thriller. You go to bed at night praying that there isn’t a shred of realism to the show.


#2 The Walking Dead – AMC – Returns October 13th

Fun Fact: According to amctv.com, The Walking Dead is the most watched drama in basic cable history.

(From Greg) For those of you not watching because you don’t like zombies – IT’S NOT ABOUT THE ZOMBIES! It’s about the people. Characters to rich and real, I stress out worrying about their post apocalyptic safety from the time the season finale airs until the next season premiere begins. The zombies are just a secondary conflict tool, but mind you, a great one. You also have to love a show that is not afraid to shake things up by killing off main (and beloved) characters. I am still traumatized over Andrea!


#1 Downton Abby – PBS – New Season Premieres on January 5th, 2014

(From Greg) Another show driven by characters you love, characters who break your heart and some you just want to give a good smack across the face. Story lines that will have you on the edge of your seat and simply torn up by its twists and turns. The writing is king on this show, mainly because it’s quick and efficient moving stories along to always keep things interesting. But frankly, I would watch simply to gaze at Maggie Smith’s Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham, sipping tea, raising an eyebrow and pursing her lips. Classic Violet quip expressing her dread of a trip to the country – “That’s the thing about nature. There’s so much of it.” I rest my case.

Greg’s never miss honorable mentions: Mad Men, Game of Thrones, Dexter, Scandal, and House of Cards

*****

TOP FIVE BEACH READS

Posted on by Melissa Chambers

Who doesn’t love a top five? It’s quick, it’s easy…it’s the best of the best! For something a little different, I’m going to give you a new blog post each August weekend with a different top five. I’m even going to enlist the help of a few friends who are “experts” in their top five fields so I’m truly giving you top five excellence!

Since I’m an avid reader/listener (audiobooks), we’ll kick off this event with the summer’s top five beach or pool reads.

#5 Family Pictures by Jane Green

With her unique writing style, Ms. Green sucked me into yet another fantastic “settle in” kind of read. Her novels aren’t meant to be wildly humorous or edge of your seat page-turning, but with each novel of hers that I take in, I become a bigger fan. She’s an expert at getting you inside the minds of her characters in an honest way I’ve never seen another author achieve. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve blushed at the ridiculous thoughts her characters have had, as I could see myself thinking the same insane thing! She’s awesome. This, her newest novel weaves together two very different families with one commonality. If you finish and want more, I highly suggest for your next Jane Green reads: To Have and to Hold & Jemima J.

#4 Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter

I’ll be honest, I haven’t even read this book yet, but I’ve heard so many great things about it that I feel compelled to add it to this list of great summer reads. The cover caught my eye while in line at Parnassus then within days I had multiple friends posting about it on Facebook. A friend has loaned it to me and it sits next in line on my bookshelf to start as soon as I finish the current Kristan Higgans book I am reading.

#3 Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

I had to throw in a Young Adult novel. This book was so simple but yet so engaging. No demons or warlords wielding knives, no sixteen year old girl in charge of the world which is hanging in the balance, just a sweet story of a high school girl in a Paris boarding school (yes, I know most YA books take place in boarding schools, but there are very obvious, very good reasons for that). We go with her as she falls out of and into love, and the English/American pint-sized hero will captivate your heart.

#2 Defending Jacob by William Landay

It’s a legal thriller with a twist. I really don’t want to say much of anything because I don’t want to spoil it for you! If you like legal thrillers, I think you’ll really enjoy it. Period.

#1 Wedding Night by Sophie Kinsella

Lottie, fresh off an unexpected breakup, reconnects with an old flame who may or may not have a screw loose. In a whirlwind of romantic bliss, he sweeps her off her feet An Officer and a Gentleman style and the two head off to the chapel. Lottie, who is a card or two short of a full deck leaks to her sister, Fliss her plan to begin trying for a baby as soon as their wedding night.

Fliss, fresh off a bad divorce, springs into action to save her sister from making another “unfortunate choice.” Having recently learned that an annulment can be instated if the couple does not consummate their marriage, Fliss tries everything in her power to stop the two from coming together as one until she can make it to their honeymoon destination in the Greek Isles to meet with Lottie face to face (the only way she’ll be able to convince her to end the marriage). Fliss, well-connected in the hotel business, is able to finagle a staff of pretend butlers to head the two horny newlyweds off at the pass—over and over and over.

I could not keep the grin off my face as I reveled in the crazy tricks Ms. Kinsella was able to come up with to keep these two from sealing the deal. And as always, she weaved poignancy into hilarity for us readers. There’s a reason I always refer to her as my favorite author, and with this newest release she does not disappoint.

Everyone loves a good recommendation! If you have one, please feel free to leave a comment here on my page with your favorite beach or pool read.

Enjoy the rest of your summer!

The Horror of the Photo Shoot

Posted on by Melissa Chambers

Ever had a photo shoot done? What’s the big deal? You sit down in front of a camera while a photographer or his assistant scurry around making sure the lighting around you is perfect, fluffing about, snapping photos when the time is right. You, as the subject, only have to sit there and smile pretty for the camera. Easy enough, right?

But then it becomes your turn under the lights. Suddenly this photographer who seemed harmless enough a couple of hours ago is scrutinizing you for optimum photo excellence—because to him or her, it’s not just about satisfying you, the client, but it’s about their work. They know these photos will be used, and if they turn out disastrous due to your little facial quirks or misguided attempts at “sass” they don’t want their name anywhere near them.

You realize this only by reading the look of horror on the photographer’s face. Change of plans. You decide on a new approach. You think to yourself, I want to look cute and mischievous in my photo, so you tilt your head slightly down, raise an eyebrow and lift your lips into a naughty little grin. But as you notice the photographer trying to keep the smile from brimming across his lips you realize that it’s possible you may not be achieving the desired effect.

You ask nicely, “May I see the photos so far?”

The photographer, steps back and presents the camera to you, keeping hold of the advance forward button, as he doesn’t want your goofy ass touching his expensive equipment. You scooch by with a smile to see your beautiful, professional photos, only to discover that the special lighting and the clearer-than-the-naked-eye resolution of his umpteen thousand dollar camera is revealing not only every single wrinkle, frown & laugh line, jiggly skin (come on, you know what I’m talking about), clogged pore, pimple, age spot and flyaway hair that you had no idea even existed. 

And that cute and quirky, mischievous pose? Unless you’re under the age of six, let’s get real.

Thank God my nightmare is over, and the shoot produced one lone picture out of about a hundred that has been deemed “acceptable.” (I use this term extremely loosely.) And that final polished, retouched photo will not resemble anything close to the mess presented to me on the index screens, as my photographer is also my friend, and he knows that I know where he lives. 

My advice—keep snapping away with your smart phones. This high quality nonsense is for the birds.

Stay tuned…

WANTED: Someone Who Doesn’t Want To Lose Ten Pounds

Posted on by Melissa Chambers

Everyone I know or come into contact with perpetually wants to lose ten pounds. I’ll think I’ve finally met someone who looks perfectly thin then inevitably they’ll mention how they’ve recently gained ten pounds and are looking to take it off.

What is up with this God-forsaken ten pounds? Why do we all have it? I’ve never not had it, even at my thinnest teenage best. Just under 5’11 and a whopping 140 pounds, I wanted to weigh 130. Thought I was huge. Could have grabbed “handfuls” of the extra ten pounds on my belly to prove it to you.

So if you are someone who is happy with your weight as you are, I would love to scoop you up into my arms (as I’d likely be able to do that with ease if you don’t want to lose ten pounds) and whisk you away to a science lab to be studied under a microscope. But I will settle for a response to this blog.

Please, tell us, what’s it like to be you? Do you fret over every piece of food that enters your mouth? Or do you eat sensible, reasonable meals and are you okay with that? Do those meals make you full or do you want to gnaw off your own fingers thirty minutes later? Do you breakdown and eat a family-size bag of dark chocolate peanut m&m’s that you keep hidden so nobody else in the family can get to them? (Me? Nooo, never. Just an example…really.)

Share with us what it’s like to wake up every morning and not eye the evil scale. Do you splurge? And what does that look like? Would you consider a binge a bagel on a Sunday morning? (Seriously, I once heard a celebrity name a bagel when asked what her biggest binge food was. I consider that health food.) Or do you have so little interest in food that you just eat when necessary to fill the hunger void? (I once heard this from a perfectly shaped and ripped gay man…of course.)

Share with us. Enquiring minds want to know.

Gotta run. I hear rustling in my secret drawer…

5 Incredible Bands You Aren’t Listening To

Posted on by Melissa Chambers

My first official blog-and if you know me, you know it’s only appropriate that it be about my other passion…music.

If you haven’t already, take a look at these five bands that I can’t get enough of. Several of them owe us new albums, which I am waiting for with bated breath, but they’ve all still got great material out there that most of you have never heard. So that’s new, to you, right?

Enjoy!

The Arctic Monkeys

Okay, you may be listening to them. But if you aren’t, boy, are you in for a special treat. Creepy, cool, quirky, eerie, playful, and above all, one of the most unique sounds to ever ooze through your speakers. 

Check out “R U Mine?”, a lone single released last fall to keep us longing for their next studio album, which is hopefully forthcoming (please, please please).

R U Mine?


Kasabian

When I listen to the Alternative radio station on Spotify, it seems like every time I think I like that song, who is that? it inevitably is Kasabian. This is groove music. It’s impossible to listen to them without bobbing from side-to-side.  Tom Meighan’s vocals are powerful, like his heart is pushing them up through his vocal chords. He seems to want us to feel the music like he does. I’m on board, Tom!

Check out “Days Are Forgotten” from their 2011 release VELOCIRAPTOR!

Days Are Forgotten


The Duke Spirit

While many female fronted bands can sound interchangeable (Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Sounds, The Joy Formidable, Metric-which by the way, are all bands I enjoy), there is no mistaking the sound of The Duke Spirit. I’ll classify them as epic rock.  I have no idea if that’s a real term, but that is the one that comes to mind when I hear the larger than life, full, fat sound of The Duke Spirit. It’s rock.  It rocks. 

Try “Procession” from their 2010 release BRUISER until they decide to grace us with a new album. But my favorite tracks are actually from their 2008 release NEPTUNE.

Lassoo (from NEPTUNE)


Civil Twilight

I’ve often referred to them as my favorite “newer” band. Originally from South Africa, the guys now call Nashville home.    The band has a sound that is reminiscent of early U2 (think WAR and BOY), but with a more chilled out vibe. I usually prefer harder rock, but I get lost in the passion of this band’s heartfelt lyrics and the soothing sound of Steven McKellar’s sincere vocals.

Try “Fire Escape” from their 2012 release HOLY WEATHER, although it will confuse the hell out of you based on my above description. Can’t help it, I love that song. But for the real Civil Twilight experience, try “Letters from the Sky” from their 2009 self-titled release.

Fire Escape  Letters from the Sky


Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

You wanna rock? Turn ’em on. They are different, interesting, but somehow soothingly familiar. When I am graced with one of their tunes on Spotify radio, I want to stop working and kick back with a cigarette and a smile, and I don’t even smoke.

Try “Let the Day Begin” (a remake of the original song by The Call in 1989) from their 2013 release SPECTER AT THE FEAST.

Let the Day Begin