These cracked me up! I spent an hour on youtube watching these videos. Their expressions are fabulous.
What is the worst tasting thing you’ve ever eaten?
Apr9
Author Archives: alicamckennajohnson
Apr7
Body Love
Body Love Conference
This Saturday I went to the Body Love Conference It was amazing, inspiring, and motivating! It also had moments of being really raw, honest, vulnerable, and revealing. I loved it, I didn’t want it to end, and I can’t wait for next year’s conference.Thank you to everyone who made i
Go check out the link—most of the amazing speakers (all volunteered their time to this conference) have websites and other social media connections.
What I learned:
In my first seminar I did letter writing with Kristen Nelson and looked at our first moment of body shame. For me it was when I was molested at five. This surprised me because I have always blown it off as not that big a deal. It was only one time, I wasn’t physically hurt, and the teenager created this illusion of my being in control of the situation. For me finding this root of body shame, finding the source and realizing how what happened to me and how it was handled later have affected how I look at myself and the world was a bit of an epiphany.
Jes, aka The Militant Baker, and why were are here.
In the second seminar with the vibrant and regal Sonya Renee Taylor I was inspired to start a Radically Unapologetic Healing Challenge 4 Us (RUHCUS) This is a way to break free from what is holding you back, from your fears, and worries, and the yucky gunk that lives between your ears. You do one thing that scares you for thirty days, you have a ceremony, and then blog about your progress. I’m excited. I’m ready.
I have no idea what to do!
Sonya in all her glory.
I’m scared of many things. I don’t trust myself to make good choices, or to keep myself safe (see above). I’m afraid of putting myself out to the world, especially with my writing. I’m afraid if everyone knew everything about me that they wouldn’t like me anymore. Which I’m sure a lot of people find shocking because I have no filter. Or it seems I don’t, but I do I keep things to myself, I downplay how important things are to me, I don’t offer my opinion on subjects because the other people have researched it more or because I know/think they will look down on me, and keep things hidden.
But part of me still screams to get out. I’m loud. I’ve toned down what I wear to fit in but still manage to have to show a part of who I am. I want to shine. I want to be who I really am, and not be scared to express myself. I’ll have to find the start of my RUHCUS in this.
After lunch, which I shared with some wonderful ladies, I went to a talk on Body Trust taught by Dana and Hilary they talked about learning and accepting your body. About proper nutrition for health from a weight-neutral perspective. They really spoke to where I want to be—focused on my health and strength but not my weight. Trusting enough to listen to my body for what it wants to eat, and when to eat, and when I am full. My ten years of dieting has brought me forty more pounds and vicious nasty self-talk reels that play in my head over and over again. I’m sick of this, and it isn’t healthy on any level.
I choose to end the conference with a bang, and went to a talk on Incredible Self Confidence with the World Famous “Bob” I felt energized just being in the room with her. I want to shine like she does, be that strong and honest and amazing! She gave us some great visual techniques for stopping our negative self-talk tapes. Do not water the negative plants! And I got to sit by Jade , who I modeled for last year. Her honesty and how she really looked at me when we partnered and talked about our dreams, made me feel seen in a way I haven’t in a long time. I have a new focus and a “courage challenge step” to take towards my dreams.
Jes, aka The Militant Baker and the photo that started all the fun.
I feel so rejuvenated and connected to the amazing group of people who were at the conference. The only thing I want for next year is MORE. I want longer sessions and at least two days’ worth of amazing lectures, AND I want to be well rested enough and have time off, so I can go to the Saturday night burlesque show. :)
Mar31
Sexy fun
My friend Heather sent me a link to a favorite Tarkan song and I then spent the next hour on youtube and wanted to share of of my favorites with you all.
Mar24
Tim Minchin for a Laugh
ACK!!!! I was so busy today, but I want to post, so here is a video of my editor Kilian’s favorite new comedian.
Who is your favorite comedian?
Mar19
Is my mind just in the gutter or …
Mar17
Writer Heaven and Haven
Power rings activate!
This weekend was the Tucson Festival of Books, or TFOB for us locals, and I was in bliss. Not only did I get to hang out with my wonderful RWA group, but I hung out with/ babysat Kristen Lamb and Piper Bayard, both as lovely and amazing in person as they are in the web. I love it when I get to meet spider friends! I threatened my way into . . . um . . . asked to moderate all of their talks at the festival, so they couldn’t escape me . . . to support and help them.
I had help because Piper brought her lovely elfin daughter to help her. So when I had to go to the bathroom, someone else was there to keep an eye on them. Note for future: when Kristen’s fingers are shaking, it means she didn’t eat breakfast; must bring gluten-free, dairy-free snacks next time, because those Snickers commercials are based on her.
Kristen was so entertaining that during her first social media talk a man who is not an author bought her book just to learn more, once I promised him that the book was written just like she talks.
Kristen and me being photobombed by Piper’s DD
I learned so much about spies from Piper’s talk that I shall now yell in frustration during spy movies, except for RED because Helen Mirren’s awesomeness fixes everything. I’m also going to polish up my assignation technique.
Piper and me during a lull in her book signing of Firelands.
The two different social media talks that Kristen and Piper gave together were so funny and empowering. It was awesome to watch the crowd go from scared quivering writers, terrified of Twitter, to ready to take on blogging and set up webpages!
Piper says, “I have to disagree with Kristen on this one.” Kristen is not amused LOL!
I did fear for my life a few times as the crowd rushed towards Kristen and Piper to get books, ask questions, and thank them for sharing their wisdom. But fear lets you know you’re still alive.
And as if hanging out with those three wasn’t amazing enough I was surrounded by writers all weekend! People who understand that you might have to stop and write down your new historical/horror/monster love/memoir because the way that man just took a bite of his hot dog made you have this massive epiphany about how your hero will court your heroine. Of course you need to write down your brilliance. I’ll hold your purse, get that epic idea down before … squirrel!
There were also readers there; readers who don’t actually know that as a writer I spend most of my time in yoga pants and old tee shirts staring at the word ‘the’ because I’m not sure if I spelled it right. Readers who are impressed and in awe of those of us who have so many voices shouting in our heads that we have to write or face spending our days wrapped in a strait jacket.
Now it is over, and I had to say good-bye to Piper, her daughter, and Kristen. And while I feel inspired to write more, blog more, and re-commit myself to my author journey, I am sad that I won’t see them tomorrow and my haven filled with other people crazy and creative enough to be writers is gone, until next year. Of course I always have my wonderful spider writer friends online to help keep me sane-ish.
A hungry Kristen tries to hot-wire a cart to go in search of food.
Tell me about your favorite conference, one day my kids might move out and I could have money to go to it too!
Feb22
Let’s kick some bones.
Sorry Foreign Film Friday is coming on Saturday but yesterday was crazy, but in a fun way :) Now onto the fun
!!!!
Last week hubby and I watched the BBC series Bonekickers, a show about a university archeology team causing havoc, solving mysteries, and getting into trouble in England. I loved the characters, although the team leader Gillian Magwilde, played by Juile Grahm, does lean a bit too much on the bitchy side sometimes. It is consistent with her character, though, and you get enough back story to understand why.
Gregory Parton, played by Hugh Bonneville, and Ben Erga, Adrian Lester (love him), balance Gillian and add humor to the story.
Now two things, first this is only a single-season show. The plot arc is wrapped up by the end, so I think it was only meant to be one season. And second, you shall have to give some creative license for the archeology. Archeology takes time, patience, and a lot of tests, which this show just doesn’t have time for. So if you can’t hush your inner critic, which I had difficulty doing a few times, this might not be the show for you. BUT, I loved the history, the stories, the mystery, and the characters. I think you should check it out.
Also I am sorry if there is still code in this, I don’t know what’s happening. I only see it on my blog not on the edit page, when my son wakes up I’ll have my tech department work on the problem :)
Feb17
Sexy, sassy, and sweet
So I’m having a MONDAY kind of day, which is odd because I usually like Mondays as I work all weekend and finally get time off on Monday, but not today le sigh. So I thought what makes me happy and I came up with
John Barrowman
He is awesome, and here is a video of him being awesome. And if you ever have a chance to see him, go. And if you have a chance to take a photo with him, do so! I wish I had done the photo op at Phoenix ComicCon. I will never make that mistake again—ever!!
James Marsters version of their kiss
And just in case you haven’t seen it, the kiss they’re talking about.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hj7Q2M5hB5A
Again having issues with adding youtube video’s sorry.
Feb14
True loves, new loves, and music
Foreign Film Friday is back! I have two wonderful British movies for you today in honor of Valentines Day.
Quartet
With the cast of Maggie Smith, Tom Courtenay, Billy Conolly, Pauline Collins, Michael Gambon, and a ton of amazingly talented musicians there is now way this movie could be bad. Set in a retirement home for musician Quaret is filled with music, wonderfully quirky characters, Diva’s trying to hold onto their fame, and a few trying to hold onto their dignity and age with grace.
I fell in love with the characters, the music, and the love story. This is such a sweet movie and it makes me want to stay in shape so my ‘golden years’ can be filled with fun and causing nursing home staff all kinds of trouble.
Unfinished Song
Okay get out the soft tissues because this movie is a tear jerker, staring Terence Stamp, Vanessa Redgrave, Gemma Arterton, and Christopher Ecceleston.
This movie focuses on a seniors choir as they practice and enter local competitions, the songs picked are so funny and the joy on the faces of the singers contagious. Terence Stamp’s character, Arthur is grumpy and thinks the whole thing silly, but once his wife passes away and he’s is left along with out any idea what to do with his life he them as a way to honor his wife and find some joy in life.
I cried a lot, some from sadness other tears with joy.
For some reason I can’t see to load a second youtube video, but go check out the trailer!
Feb12
Hugs and Kisses!!!
I missed all of you so much! I’m sorry I’ve been gone so long, but the crazy won. My hubby became a houseparent at the group home we work at so trying to balance three households, thirteen children, and the holidays … well let’s just say it was special (ignore the eye twitch it’s rude to stare).
My dad, the trouble maker :)
Then my father passed away unexpectedly on Friday the 13th, he isn’t bound to his body any more so be careful he could be causing trouble anywhere and everywhere.
So needless to say I have been feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope with anything above the essentials for a while.
But now I’m back and I wish I had something amazing to say, but I don’t not really, hopefully my next post will be more entertaining I just wanted to get the ball rolling and post again.
I do have a few hopefully interesting things.
1- I am going to start doing Foreign Film Friday’s again. I miss telling you guys about fun foreign movies AND it gives me an excuse to sit on my butt and watch them when I should be doing other “productive” things.
2- A Tala quote, during her student led conference Tala was talking about a class she had to take last quarter and said the she, “hated it more than she hates people.” I about died! Also I need to create a character like her so I can use that line in a book.
3- My son is volunteering with the fire department and hasn’t once called me to come and bring him something. WTH??? Why is he trying to keep me from meeting his new firefighter friends? I just don’t understand.
4- Why is it I can’t get wifi in my bedroom, but my computer can connect while I’m sleeping, download updates and restart itself causing major panic the next morning when I open it to find all my word docs have been closed and I can’t remember if I saved them? I think the computer might be plotting against me.
How have all of you been doing??
