Yesterday was my birthday.  YEAY!  I have to admit that I wasn’t looking forward to it.  Not because of it being “another year older” but because it’s been a rough year and I just wasn’t excited about my birthday.  Yesterday’s events made be a birthday believer, though.

My day started off by opening a couple of Victorian inspired gifts from Greg (gorgeous … he’s got great taste, my hubby).  I then proceeded to my day job, where my desk was decorated with balloons and banners (we take birthdays seriously in my office), a couple of wonderful gifts and a gorgeous cake that my staff created with the woman from my tracygoodwin.net site.  I can’t compliment them enough.  These clever women took one of my tg.net promotional cards and had it recreated on the cake.  It was gorgeous and unlike anything I’ve ever seen!

My work-day ended with Greg taking me out to dinner only after our youngest kitty led me to the backdoor where I found a brand new bicycle … how Greg trained him to lead me, so vocally, to the backyard, I haven’t a clue but somehow he did.  Greg was so proud of himself, let me tell you.

We returned from dinner and finished my day with Greg opening a card from me (it’s only fitting I tell him how much he means to me on my birthday) and me opening an iPod from him.

I know birthdays aren’t about presents but have to admit I do love mine.  And I’m truly touched by Greg’s thoughtfulness and the amount of fun he had preparing for yesterday.  So, my birthday wasn’t a bad one.  Far from it … I actually enjoyed it!

A special thank you to everyone who sent birthday wishes to me via card, email and MySpace.  How could someone not have a good birthday with all of those well wishes?

Onto another subject ….

I caught up on last night’s GHOST WHISPERER this morning and I got chills!  I’ve thought for some time that Jay Mohr’s onscreen wife was deceased but never expected their marriage was in such dire straits.  I can understand how he couldn’t forgive her but it was still heartbreaking.  Can’t wait for the next episode! 

Anyway, that’s my weekend so far.  How’s yours going?

A second trailer for the fifth HARRY POTTER film, THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX has been released.  If you haven’t seen it yet, check it out at http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/#article:9745.  I must admit, I think this is the best HARRY POTTER trailer to date (and I thought GOBLET OF FIRE was great). 

Fans of JK Rowling’s novels will be thrilled to see Fred & George’s triumphant exit from Hogwarts (I was hoping it would be in the movie version), lots of Dumbledore’s Army footage, and amazing looking scenes from the Ministry of Magic (so far, it’s like JK Rowling’s words have been brought to life exactly as written).  The thestrals flying to London are also featured in the new trailer and the footage looks amazing! 

The rebellion begins …. ominous, yes.  But that is the crux of this novel.  The rebellion of Harry, his friends, his mentors.  Persecution for telling the truth about a villian’s resurrection.  Alienation.  And the loss of a beloved God Father.

If I were to tell you that I’m excited about this movie, it would be an understatement.  This looks to be an awe-inspiring film.  From the footage I’ve seen so far, it appears that director David Yates may have done as well as director of the first two films (Chris Columbus) in bringing JK Rowling’s vision to life.

Countdown to the nation-wide release of HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX: 74 days.  Anyone else planning on seeing it at an IMAX theater?

My friend Morag posted a cute quiz on her blog today.  This one is called what type of writer should you be?  Here are my results:

You should be a romance novelist

You see the world as it should be, and this goes double for all matters of the heart.
You can find the romance in any situation, and you would make a talented romance story writer…
And while you may be a traditional romantic, you’re just as likely to be drawn to quirky or dark love stories.
As long as it deals with infatuation, heartbreak, and soulmates - you could write it.

As I posted on Morag’s blog, it’s nice to know the quiz thinks I’m in the right line of work.  So, what type of writer should you be?  Visit the link http://www.blogthings.com/whattypeofwritershouldyoubequiz/ and tell me what you scored.

I must admit that I’ve become hooked on Showtime’s series THE TUDORS.  It looked intriguing.  So much so that I ordered the cable channel just for the series and I’m so glad I did.  This show is addictive!

For anyone unfamiliar with the series, THE TUDORS stars Jonathan Rhys Meyers as King Henry VIII.  It boasts a stellar cast, including Sam Neil as Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, Jeremy Northam (love him) as Sir Thomas Moore, and Thomas Czerny as the third Duke of Norfolk Thomas Howard - the same man who encourages not one, but two of his nieces into the arms of Henry … both Queens to be beheaded.  Tough Family!  The cast also includes hottie (yes, I did say that) Henry Cavill as the first Duke of Suffolk Charles Brandon who is involved with the King’s sister, Margaret played by Gabrielle Anwar.  Natalie Dormer plays seductress Anne Boelyn and Maria Doyle Kennedy is fantastic as the graceful Katherine Queen of Aragon.

THE TUDORS is a lavish, sexy production (yes, there was quite a bit of nudity in the first couple of episodes which seems to have calmed down since).  And it is now my guilty pleasure (the DVR is working overtime to record all new episodes). 

Is it worth the price of Showtime? 

YES, YES, and YES! 

Even my hubby is hooked.  If you’d like more info on the characters or actors, visit http://www.sho.com/site/tudors/characters.do.

Now that you’ve heard about my guilty pleasure … what’s yours?

Let’s do something fun, something to get our minds off of the senseless tragedy that occurred this week.  For a few minutes, let’s escape.  How about another fun quiz?  What’s on the agenda today?  Let’s try what type of jewel are you?  Here’s the link:

http://www.quizilla.com/users/auquakid/quizzes/What%20Kind%20of%20Jewel%20are%20you%3F/

My results?  Diamond! You are treated like a queen and act extremely nice, you have a wonderful life.

Hmmmmm … a diamond?  That happens to be my birthstone.  Coincidence?  Let’s try another, similar quiz.  Go to http://www.quizilla.com/users/queenling/quizzes/Which%20beautiful%20Jewel%20is%20for%20You?

My result this time?  Pearl!  You are simply beautiful. Your simple, casual elegance perfectly supports the classic beauty of pearls.Keep the compliments coming!  Who knew that a quiz could be such a self esteem boost?    So, which quiz is more accurate?  The pearl quiz, I think.  Don’t get me wrong, I do love diamonds (and I love to be treated like a queen) but next to sapphires, pearls are my beloved gem of choice. So, join me in my sweet escape.  Which gems are you and which suits you better?  Tell me all … 

Are you superstitious?  If so, you’re not the only one.  So many people fear Friday the 13th that there is now a phobia associated with it.  As CNN Headline New’s Robin Meade reported this morning, paraskavedekatriaphobia affects 17+ million people.  Wow.  How do you even pronounce that?  Apparently, businesses loose a great deal of money on this day with slow sales and lost productivity.

Is it business as usual for you today or are you hiding on this Friday the 13th?

So, last night Haley Scarnato was booted from AMERICAN IDOL.  Surprised?  Not really.  To be honest with you, I was somewhat relieved.  Haley had suffered lots of harsh criticism and, week after week, I found myself really feeling sorry for her. 

Haley has a sweet voice and, in the beginning, her performances were just that … sweet.  Simon told her she was forgettable.  Okay, yeah, she was.  So, Haley started selling other assets, namely legs that most women would die for.  The judges were quite harsh on her. 

Randy tells Sanjaya Malakar that he doesn’t have a great voice (or something to that affect) but that he can give a great performance.  When Haley does the same, she’s judged harshly.  Double standard?  You bet.

Entertainment is a tough industry.  It is.  And IDOL is hard.  How many of us could last under such harsh scrutiny?  My hats go off to these contesants who brave that stage each week and succeed or tank in front of millions of viewers.

Truthfully, though, I find myself purchasing CDs from IDOL alums, but not winners.  Kelly Clarkson is the one exception (I love her second CD).  Give me a Chris Daughtry, Elliott Yamin, or Clay Aiken and I’m buying it.  So, I guess it doesn’t matter who wins.  It matters who puts out a great CD.

What are your thoughts?

Drum roll please …

Or, at the very least, a flourish of trumpets …

DANCE WITH DECEPTION has a publication date of November 28, 2007. 

As you can imagine I’m thrilled about this news.  By the end of this year you should be able to purchase your very own copy.  And add it to your Christmas list for friends and family.

Thanks for letting me share my news with you.  I’ll keep you informed!

Have you ever wondered what Bennet sister you’d be?  If your answer was a resounding “Yes!”, then have I found a quiz for you!  Go to http://www.quizilla.com/users/crimsonowl323/quizzes/ and see for yourself.

As for me, here are my results:

You are Elizabeth, the second Bennet sister.  You are very witty and bold.  You love fun and care about your friends.  But be sure to know when to hold your tongue!

 This is such a fun quiz!  Try it and then tell me … what Bennet sister are you?

It seems like a simple question, doesn’t it?  But it’s not, at least not for me.  The possibilities are endless.  One person on the top of a very long list is Jane Austen.  I’d love to have tea with the very talented author and her characters from PRIDE AND PREJUDICE.  Wouldn’t that be a wonderful (and highly entertaining afternoon)?

Think of it … afternoon tea with Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, Georgiana and the Bingley sisters, Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, Jane and Mr. Bingley.  And, of course, Mr. Collins.  It would be highly amusing, I’m sure.  Though I wouldn’t invite Lydia or Mr. Wickham (too painful for Georgiana and uncomfortable for Mr. Darcy), I would, most certainly, invite Lady Catherine de Bourgh if she arrived in the form of the grand Dame Judy Dench.

So, how about it?  Who would you like to meet?