I feel a sense of relief...not the impending doom that I thought would loom over me when I sent out my very first query to an agent. After researching agents/agencies for months and months, I found one that I got a really good feeling from, so I just decided, what the heck...what's the worst that can happen? So I did it! I really sent it in!!!
That being said, now I must finish up that final spit and shine on The Crichton Heir. Revisions went no where for so long, and now I have been soooo motivated! I think it may be the cold meds I've been on...they make me HYPER!
I don't want to get my hopes up, but I can't help it. I think it must be the naive amateur in me that thinks I'll be one of the few writer's that actually don't get rejected three or four hundred times!
Below is the query letter that I sent, minus my personal info, of course, and minus the agents name.
Dear Ms. ******,
After months of researching agents (procrastinating), I decided that you sounded like someone that I could actually relate to on a personal level. From what I've read, you must have a great sense of humor, love a good cry, and actually admit to watching reality TV. It would therefore make sense that I would love to have you for an agent.
That being said, I would now like to tell you about the possible Pulitzer Prize winning novel I have just written. Okay, so I'm exaggerating just a bit...what I do have is The Crichton Heir, a very good Historical Romance that is approximately 95,000 words. It will be the first in a series, Crescent Cove, that is set in Scotland, 1790's.
The Crichton Heir keeps you guessing from the prologue to the end of the book as to who the Crichton Heir actually is. You have a strong, although rather naive, Lady Margaret Sinclair, who seems to always have her foot in her mouth. It only gets worse when the mysterious but handsome Sir Patrick Graham shows up unexpectedly at Crescent Cove, per her father's request. Sparks fly, and Margaret wants to pursue these new feelings, while Patrick knows that he should avoid the Laird's beguiling daughter who has his body reacting with a mind of it's own!
Margaret's world is turned upside down with the sudden death of her beloved father and she must agree to marry the Laird of Crichton Castle, Alexander Crichton, to save those around her from his threats. He is a deviant man who may have more than one death on his hands already. While Patrick struggles to save Margaret from a man he despises, he must learn to trust not only Margaret, but those that she would protect from Crichton; Josephine, her companion, who isn't what she seems, Frederick Kerr, the man that Margaret has always loved, and her own mother, Victoria Sinclair, who has her own secrets that may save all of them in the end.
I would love to share my work with you, and look forward to your response. Hopefully this will be the beginning of a wonderful working relationship!
Sincerely,
Terri Rainer
Now I get to play the waiting game...I will keep busy writing in the mean time!
:) Terri
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Saturday, April 19, 2008
April 19th...A Day to Remember
April 19th, 1995
Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
168 People lost their lives, over 800 were injured, and thousands more lost their children, spouses, parents, brothers, sisters, or friends.
No one who lived here at the time was untouched by this tragedy. Most can tell you where they were when they heard the blast. The following weeks are a mere blur to some who want to forget all the images that were on our TV's 24/7 (yes, they broadcast from the actual site on local stations for days and days), but some will never be able to forget.
I know firefighter's that still can't talk about what they saw, even some of the emergency workers could no longer live with those images and took their own lives years later.
This is a day to remember not only those who were lost, 19 of which were children, but to remember those who were affected by this horrible deed.
I refuse to remember any responsible for this tragedy, I feel they don't deserve it, instead I will remember those who suffered losses, and there were many, those lost, and those who will never forget that tragic day that Oklahoma's innocence was stripped away in mere seconds.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Guardian of the Veil, Gerard's Quest
I decided on the above title for my short story and sent it over to the publisher. I actually think that if I ever get tired of my Crescent Cove series, I may have to pursue the Gede, Gerard to start with of course!
Not much to say other than it seems as though everyone has been kept busy with their own busy lives lately (Skeeteeeerrrrr...where are you?).
Maybe by next week I will be immersed in my revisions once again, and will simply be posting my many complaints of how slow and disgusting I find it! LOL
:)
Not much to say other than it seems as though everyone has been kept busy with their own busy lives lately (Skeeteeeerrrrr...where are you?).
Maybe by next week I will be immersed in my revisions once again, and will simply be posting my many complaints of how slow and disgusting I find it! LOL
:)
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
I will be published in May!
It's hard for me to get overly excited about being published. First, it's not my novel, just a short story that took almost no effort, and secondly, it's in a new magazine that will see limited distribution.
That being said, I am excited that I can remove the "Pre" from my blog, and actually call myself a "Published Author"...It will be nice to have SOMETHING in a portfolio, to show that someone other than my mother feels that I am worthy of print. I seriously doubt that any agent will accept a note from my mommy telling him/her that I can write!
I have signed the contract, provided the magazine publisher with my information, and now I have to come up with a title to the story. Since I wrote it with multiple short stories in mind, I was thinking along the lines of this:
*Gede, Guardian of the Veil - Georgia's Story
*Gede, Keeper of the Veil - Georgia's Story
*Guardian of the Veil, Gerard's Quest (I think I like this one the best so far)
Now I must get back to the novel, as I have sorely neglected my revisions.
:)
That being said, I am excited that I can remove the "Pre" from my blog, and actually call myself a "Published Author"...It will be nice to have SOMETHING in a portfolio, to show that someone other than my mother feels that I am worthy of print. I seriously doubt that any agent will accept a note from my mommy telling him/her that I can write!
I have signed the contract, provided the magazine publisher with my information, and now I have to come up with a title to the story. Since I wrote it with multiple short stories in mind, I was thinking along the lines of this:
*Gede, Guardian of the Veil - Georgia's Story
*Gede, Keeper of the Veil - Georgia's Story
*Guardian of the Veil, Gerard's Quest (I think I like this one the best so far)
Now I must get back to the novel, as I have sorely neglected my revisions.
:)
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Thousand word short story
Well, here it is, in it's thousand word glory. I don't have a title yet, but any comments are always appreciated (even the BAD ones!).
Georgia was cold; colder than she had ever been while she was alive. She wandered through the halls of the hospital, not able to see her surroundings. Everything that she looked at appeared as though someone had smeared a thin layer of Vaseline over her eyeballs. No matter how hard she tried, she could never seem to clear up her vision.
She had no concept of time. How long had she been in this awful hell, a day, a week, a year? She thought of that cold day in November. She had walked the twelve blocks to the hospital and collapsed just inside.
She awoke some time later. Her arms and legs felt like over-filled sand bags. Even her eyelids were heavy. Try as she might, she couldn’t open her eyes. She would drift in and out, trying with all her might to stay awake.
At one point during her semi-conscious state, she could hear a strange noise. It reminded her of the day her Daddy had been out back sawing at the big Oak tree that had been struck by lighting. It almost seemed funny that the noise came and went with each breath.
As time continued to drag by, things became more confusing. She could move now. In fact, it took almost no effort. There must be something wrong with her voice or her hearing though. Every person that she tried to talk to ignored her and it seemed that everyone was always whispering around her. They just acted like she wasn’t even there. Down right rude they were.
She wasn’t sure how much time went by before she realized that she was dead. She knew that it was getting harder to see things. The walls, the floor, even the people seemed to change inexplicably from one minute to the next. Of course there was that time thing again. How slow or fast does time really travel when you’re dead? How was she ever going to find her way out? Weeping, Georgia curled herself up in a small ball and huddled in the corner of the room on the second floor that she had died in. She prayed that this was just a bad dream that she would wake up from, knowing full well that she would never be able to actually sleep again. She screamed out in anger and frustration, knowing no one would hear her…some one did.
Georgia was unsure how much time had passed when she heard his voice. At first it sounded like a low hum. Then it became clearer.
“Who are you?” The voice said. “Can you hear me? I only want to help you.”
Georgia looked about frantically, trying to locate the man that seemed to be speaking to her.
“I’m here! Please, I’m so frightened.” Georgia pleaded.
Before her, she could see the outline of a man, a very tall man. She concentrated, willing herself to be seen. She knew there had to be a way, it was just so tiring, but now might be her only chance.
Georgia heard the man’s intake of breath as she watched him come into focus. He stood to her right, and a pale blue glow emanated from him. His eyes were the same striking color, framed with dark lashes and long dark hair blanketed his shoulders. He was dressed in a purple and black flowing robe.
“My name is Gerard, I am Gede. Your cries have summoned me to release you from this hell you are trapped in. You have but to take my hand.” As he reached out, Gerard could sense the girl’s heart racing. It made him ache with need. He knew the only way to release her spirit so she could move on from this place, was to sever the last cord that bound her to the physical world. To do that, she would have to give herself to him. This was certainly no hardship to him, as she was a stunningly beautiful young woman. Regardless of what her physical appearance had been, he felt hope that her spirit would be the one that he had been searching for; the one to complete him.
Desperate for any warmth, Georgia slid her hand into his. The sensations that filled her upon his touch were electric, but as he pulled her against his hard chest, she experienced heat like she had known neither in life, nor certainly not in death. His mouth was everywhere at once. Her hands clutched at anything to anchor herself to him. There was no more thought, no more pain and longing, just pleasure. Biting, overpowering, excruciating. She felt as if she would fly apart into millions of pieces.
The Gede spirit used his gift of pleasure to prepare Georgia for her departure from the veil, the world between the living world and the spirit world. Sensing her building need, Gerard became one with her, spirit joining spirit in a timeless dance. He could feel her quiver, as his energy grew larger inside her.
As the air around them began to spark, Georgia threw herself back and let out a joyous scream that seemed to push the Gede to join his deep voice with hers. He gave one last thrust, and Georgia was gone.
Gerard stood rooted to the spot. He knew that the woman, Georgia, had now crossed the veil and was at peace. He, however, was still searching; searching for that woman that would redeem him, the one who would set him free. He knew she was out there; the Baron, Lord of the Gede, had foreseen their joining. With that coupling, there would be peace for Gerard, and a thousand lifetimes to live with one woman, one true soul mate. Gede spirits used the gift of libido to release trapped souls. It had been rewarding the first millennia, but it had become a lonely existence and he longed for more. If only he could find her, the one who would set him free. Perhaps next time…
Terri Rainer copyright 2008
Georgia was cold; colder than she had ever been while she was alive. She wandered through the halls of the hospital, not able to see her surroundings. Everything that she looked at appeared as though someone had smeared a thin layer of Vaseline over her eyeballs. No matter how hard she tried, she could never seem to clear up her vision.
She had no concept of time. How long had she been in this awful hell, a day, a week, a year? She thought of that cold day in November. She had walked the twelve blocks to the hospital and collapsed just inside.
She awoke some time later. Her arms and legs felt like over-filled sand bags. Even her eyelids were heavy. Try as she might, she couldn’t open her eyes. She would drift in and out, trying with all her might to stay awake.
At one point during her semi-conscious state, she could hear a strange noise. It reminded her of the day her Daddy had been out back sawing at the big Oak tree that had been struck by lighting. It almost seemed funny that the noise came and went with each breath.
As time continued to drag by, things became more confusing. She could move now. In fact, it took almost no effort. There must be something wrong with her voice or her hearing though. Every person that she tried to talk to ignored her and it seemed that everyone was always whispering around her. They just acted like she wasn’t even there. Down right rude they were.
She wasn’t sure how much time went by before she realized that she was dead. She knew that it was getting harder to see things. The walls, the floor, even the people seemed to change inexplicably from one minute to the next. Of course there was that time thing again. How slow or fast does time really travel when you’re dead? How was she ever going to find her way out? Weeping, Georgia curled herself up in a small ball and huddled in the corner of the room on the second floor that she had died in. She prayed that this was just a bad dream that she would wake up from, knowing full well that she would never be able to actually sleep again. She screamed out in anger and frustration, knowing no one would hear her…some one did.
Georgia was unsure how much time had passed when she heard his voice. At first it sounded like a low hum. Then it became clearer.
“Who are you?” The voice said. “Can you hear me? I only want to help you.”
Georgia looked about frantically, trying to locate the man that seemed to be speaking to her.
“I’m here! Please, I’m so frightened.” Georgia pleaded.
Before her, she could see the outline of a man, a very tall man. She concentrated, willing herself to be seen. She knew there had to be a way, it was just so tiring, but now might be her only chance.
Georgia heard the man’s intake of breath as she watched him come into focus. He stood to her right, and a pale blue glow emanated from him. His eyes were the same striking color, framed with dark lashes and long dark hair blanketed his shoulders. He was dressed in a purple and black flowing robe.
“My name is Gerard, I am Gede. Your cries have summoned me to release you from this hell you are trapped in. You have but to take my hand.” As he reached out, Gerard could sense the girl’s heart racing. It made him ache with need. He knew the only way to release her spirit so she could move on from this place, was to sever the last cord that bound her to the physical world. To do that, she would have to give herself to him. This was certainly no hardship to him, as she was a stunningly beautiful young woman. Regardless of what her physical appearance had been, he felt hope that her spirit would be the one that he had been searching for; the one to complete him.
Desperate for any warmth, Georgia slid her hand into his. The sensations that filled her upon his touch were electric, but as he pulled her against his hard chest, she experienced heat like she had known neither in life, nor certainly not in death. His mouth was everywhere at once. Her hands clutched at anything to anchor herself to him. There was no more thought, no more pain and longing, just pleasure. Biting, overpowering, excruciating. She felt as if she would fly apart into millions of pieces.
The Gede spirit used his gift of pleasure to prepare Georgia for her departure from the veil, the world between the living world and the spirit world. Sensing her building need, Gerard became one with her, spirit joining spirit in a timeless dance. He could feel her quiver, as his energy grew larger inside her.
As the air around them began to spark, Georgia threw herself back and let out a joyous scream that seemed to push the Gede to join his deep voice with hers. He gave one last thrust, and Georgia was gone.
Gerard stood rooted to the spot. He knew that the woman, Georgia, had now crossed the veil and was at peace. He, however, was still searching; searching for that woman that would redeem him, the one who would set him free. He knew she was out there; the Baron, Lord of the Gede, had foreseen their joining. With that coupling, there would be peace for Gerard, and a thousand lifetimes to live with one woman, one true soul mate. Gede spirits used the gift of libido to release trapped souls. It had been rewarding the first millennia, but it had become a lonely existence and he longed for more. If only he could find her, the one who would set him free. Perhaps next time…
Terri Rainer copyright 2008
Monday, April 14, 2008
1000 word short story...
Okay, I had a new challenge thrust upon myself as a writer. I had to write a short story, 1000 words or less. Paranormal romance was the genre I went with.
WHAT WAS I THINKING? OMG this is harder than I thought. After an hour and a half, I had my thousand words, but I'm not too sure it's worth reading.
This is for publication (hopefully) in a new quarterly magazine coming out in May. It is a romance geared magazine. I love a challenge, and boy has this been one. I will be getting feedback from some of my trusted comrades, and I might post it here if I deem it worth the space on your monitor that it would take up!
:) Terri
WHAT WAS I THINKING? OMG this is harder than I thought. After an hour and a half, I had my thousand words, but I'm not too sure it's worth reading.
This is for publication (hopefully) in a new quarterly magazine coming out in May. It is a romance geared magazine. I love a challenge, and boy has this been one. I will be getting feedback from some of my trusted comrades, and I might post it here if I deem it worth the space on your monitor that it would take up!
:) Terri
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Mirror Mirror on the Wall...Who wants a baby?
I have spent the entire day RELAXING! Sometimes you must follow your own advice and take some time out for yourself. I am almost back to my overly chipper self...almost.
It's another sad story of neglect and abandonment. Our Daddy left our Mommy to take care of us all alone. There are six of us, and that's just too many for her to take care of!
We are looking for new families to love and protect us from the hard cruel world we were born into. We are all very playful and we think that we are cute too!
We don't want to be a burden to our Mommy, she has rather loose morals and likes to spend many nights out with her friends. We can't really blame her, we have sharp claws and teeth, and frankly, she has started to avoid us, seeing as how needy we act when she is around!
We eat solid food, drink our water, and although we like to play in our litter box, we are learning what it's really for!
If you would like pictures of any of us individually, please email the nice lady who feeds us, and she promises to send them. Four of us are black, and two of us are striped tabbies.
Won't you give one of us a nice warm bed and food in our bellies? We'll love you forever if you do!
Signed,The Baby Kitties
I have now been over-run by baby kittens. My daughter's cat, Amelia, has a very low moral compass. Needless to say, she has another litter of kittens that now need a home...ASAP.
I placed an ad at OK4Free.com today. It takes a business day for it to be viewed, so I am hoping that by tomorrow, it is there and I get LOTS of calls (anybody interested locally, by all means email me!). I will have to put a link to it when it is posted, but for now, here is how it reads:
It's another sad story of neglect and abandonment. Our Daddy left our Mommy to take care of us all alone. There are six of us, and that's just too many for her to take care of!
We are looking for new families to love and protect us from the hard cruel world we were born into. We are all very playful and we think that we are cute too!
We don't want to be a burden to our Mommy, she has rather loose morals and likes to spend many nights out with her friends. We can't really blame her, we have sharp claws and teeth, and frankly, she has started to avoid us, seeing as how needy we act when she is around!
We eat solid food, drink our water, and although we like to play in our litter box, we are learning what it's really for!
If you would like pictures of any of us individually, please email the nice lady who feeds us, and she promises to send them. Four of us are black, and two of us are striped tabbies.
Won't you give one of us a nice warm bed and food in our bellies? We'll love you forever if you do!
Signed,The Baby Kitties
I have lost my mind!
(Tessa,her eyes don't ALWAYS look like that, pooping puppy Cookie, and Tory)
(Tiffany before the dance)I TRIED TO DO WHAT MRS.4444 DOES, AND PUT PICS WHERE THEY WOULD MAKE SENSE, BUT I JUST DON'T HAVE THE SKILL OR PATIENCE THIS MORNING TO DO IT...SORRY, I'LL FIGURE IT OUT LATER!
Okay, I must say that I have been blogging way too much, mostly commenting on everybody else's blogs, looking at new ones, and basically wasting time, when I could be working on my book. I think it's just the nosey, busy-body in me that won't let me stay away from other's blogs. It's sometimes like looking in the window of somebody else's house, seeing what goes on with other people; voyeurism, without the taboo, or threat of arrest.
That being said, I decided I would give anyone who cares a peek into my own window (don't worry, I'm fully dressed at all times!).
The last week, plus a few days, has been hectic to say the least. Here's a timeline of events:
Friday, April 4-
*Had a birthday party for my youngest, now 6.
*Up early, cleaned, shopped and decorated all day.
Saturday, April 5-
*AM - Up at the crack of dawn, taking my oldest to High School Pom Pon (why the heck the second one ends with an "N", I have no idea, but it does) try-outs, which took all morning, and she made the squad.
*PM - Took three girl's (Oldest, Tiffany,her BFF, and my niece, Alisa) to the spring formal, amongst giggles and assurances that my daughter would win Queen (she was on the court). She didn't, and like most girl's their age, talked of the mother counting the votes, and miraculously, her daughter won. I had to do the right thing and assure them that could not have possibly been the case, and tell my daughter not to repeat that, as it would make her look like a sore loser.
Sunday, April 6-
*Youngest breaks out in a rash, that spreads to cover her whole body.
Monday, April 7-
*Take Youngest (Tory, I suppose she does have a name), to the Dr where I must argue with him about the fact that she has Fifth's Disease, and NOT the hives. I won, after he consulted his medical book. She's my 4th...I've been through most childhood illnesses more than once at this point.
*Pick up Tiffany from Pom meeting after school
Tuesday, April 8-
*Cleaned my house like a maniac, after spending the day at the Dr before. Vacuumed, shampooed carpet, did mountains of laundry all day, and far into the night.
*Pom parents meeting that evening also.
Wednesday, April 9-
*Got up early, started laundry again, got kids off (Tory still home from school), and received a call around noon from the school, second to youngest, Tessa, had a tummy ache. She came home.
*Picked up Tiffany from Pom practice after school.
Thursday, April 10 -
*Wake up to husband coming home from work early at 7:15 AM, to inform me that he had thrown up on his side of the bed, the side that I had put Tory on earlier that AM. He had gone to work, but thrown up again, so he came home.
*Called Dr, got Tessa in for her tummy ache...it has been on-going, not the flu. She had blood drawn, x-rays, and had to pee in a cup (at 7, she cried about that, but was thrilled about seeing her blood...she's an odd duck).
*Picked up Tiffany after Pom practice.
Friday, April 11-
*Tessa and Tory both home from school, MUST clean house again, and still doing laundry...EXAUSTED!
*Tiffany spends the night at my sister's with her cousin, Alisa.
*Son, Tommy, decides to rearrange his room. He has HEAVY wood furniture, including a bunk bed. We stay up till after 1 am working on that.
Saturday, April 12-
*OMG exhausted! Cramps, bloating, back ache...SHIT! I hate that time of the month, no wonder I'm cranky at this point!
*Have to pick up Tiffany from sister's house, Tessa and Tory have become the spawn's of Satan, due to their confinement...Calgon, take me away!
*Husband wants to go to dinner...OH hell no! I'm too tired, so he went and took his mother, who has been staying with us for going on two months, due to leg sores. She wouldn't stay off her feet, and ended up in wound care (she's diabetic, among other things), so we brought her here so we could TRY and keep her off her feet.
Now, keep in mind, I have to feed 4, sometimes 5 kids, when my stepdaughter Emily (she's 13) is here (every day after school and every other weekend), a husband, MIL, and myself. Do all the laundry (OMG there are mountains of that). I clean every day, Tory has a new poodle puppy she got for her birthday, that craps ALL the time, and she's a tiny thing. I have a poodle that has separation anxiety when she's not on your lap, and I have a 95,000 word manuscript that is crying for revisions that I can't seem to get to. I actually read at least 3-4 books a week, trying to keep myself in the mind-set of a writer, and it's no wonder I am freakin tired!
I'm sure I have left out a whole bunch, but you should get the idea.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Tairen Soul...the best series I've read.
C.L. Wilson's
Tairen Soul Series
C.L. Wilson is BRILLIANT!
These books were originally one very long book that were published as two. Lord of the Fading Lands is Wilson's first published novel and she spins a tale so engrossing and intricate that you soon lose yourself in a world full of magic, both light and dark, honor, betrayal, and truemates Rain and Elly. Lady of Light and Shadows is the continuation of their intriguing story.
Rainier vel’En Daris (Rain Tairen Soul) is the Fey King who is called from the sky while in his Tairen form (a large panther-like creature with wings who can breath fire) by Ellysetta Baristani, a mere woodcarver's daughter with a secret past that may destroy both their worlds.
Wilson has now moved to the top of my favorite author's list. Her next book in the series, King of Sword and Sky, will be out in October 2008 (I am definitely pre-ordering) and Queen of Song and Souls will be released in early 2009.
I was reminded of Lord of the Rings while reading these books. It's the closest thing I can give you to describe the world that she has created. I would be willing to bet that these books will be made into a movie/movies. They are FABULOUS!
Check out C.L. Wilson's site, the link is on the right of my page.
Look out JK Rowling, CL Wilson is ready to join your ranks!
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Tornadoes and Drinking Games
After reading a post by Skeeter about Oklahoma tornadoes:
(http://atomiczebra7.blogspot.com/2008/04/tornadoes-in-oklahoma.html)
I decided to chime in on the subject, because, YES, it's that time of year!
Skeeter mentioned living in Norman, while I have the distinct honor of living in Moore (yes, yes, I'm a Mooron), which is a suburb of south of Oklahoma City. Moore is just north of Norman, also a suburb of OKC and home of the University of Oklahoma (GO SOONERS!).
Now I say it is a distinct honor, that may not be the right words to use while referring to the freakin tornado magnet that I live in. If you've seen shows about giant ass tornadoes, such as the one Skeeter mentions in his blog, then I bet you've seen video of Moore, or what was left over after any one of 3 or 4 tornadoes in the past decade tore us up.
Location being established, I must also add that I am extremely "weather aware". NOT PARANOID, just weather aware...24/7 during the spring time especially.
I have a serious case of hero worship to go along with my weather phobia. GARY ENGLAND. He is the weather guy for the OKC CBS affiliate on channel 9. He is a weather GOD! I have watched him since I was an elementary school kid (a LONG time ago). He is so good that on days that we expect bad weather, the way that we gauge how bad it will potentially get is whether or not Gary is in early, or if he comes in on the weekend. When that happens...look out!
Gary England was also the weather guy that they showed on TV during the movie Twister. He's so COOL! He's so cool in fact, that a Gary England Drinking Game has been passed around in emails since last year. I thought I would post it here, and see just how many people get it and how many people take one look and say "WTF???".
If severe weather is in the area, make sure the liquor cabinet is stocked...
Gary England Drinking Game
Pregame
1. Everyone selects a storm chaser other than Val Caster. Every time Gary talks to your storm chaser, you take one drink. Take two drinks every time we see footage from your storm chaser. Take four drinks if your storm chaser says "tornado on the ground."
2. Everyone selects a county other than Pottawatomie County. Every time Gary mentions your county, you take one drink. Take two drinks every time we see footage from your county. Take four drinks if a tornado touches down in your county.
One drink
1. Take one drink every time Gary says the following:"Hook echo" "Updraft" "Metro" "Doppler radar" "Wall cloud" "Ranger 9" "Underground" "Mobile home"
2. When Gary gives a list of counties, take one drink for every county in the list.
3. Take one drink every time Gary interrupts a program. Take one drink if Gary says "You're not missing any of [program name]." Take one drink when Gary says "We'll keep you advised."
Two Drinks
1. Take two drinks every time Gary says the following:"Baseball-sized hail" "Waterloo Road" "Pottawatomie County" "Deer Creek High School"
2. Take two drinks every time Gary mentions the following towns:Altus Burns Flat Dill City Gotebo Hydro Lookeba Meeker Mulhall Oktaha Olustee Shattuck Slaughterville Tryon Vici Waukomis Wayne (or Payne) Weleetka Wetumkah
3. Take two drinks every time Gary talks to Val Caster.
Three Drinks
1. Take three drinks if we see footage from Val Caster.
2. Take three drinks if we see footage from Pottawatomie County.
3. Take three drinks if Gary mentions the following:"Immediate tornado precautions" "National Weather Service" "Mesocyclone" "Portable Radio" "Take shelter" "Tornado warning in effect until ..."
Four Drinks
1. Take four drinks if Ranger 9 must land to refuel.
2. Take four drinks if Gary issues his own tornado warning, not recognized by the NWS or says the following:"Will someone please answer that phone?" "Do you see power flashes?"
3. Take four drinks if a shirt-less tornado victim is interviewed.
Finish your drink
1. Finish your drink if someone uses the word tornado as a verb or if Gary mentions the nearest cross streets to you.
2. If Gary says "We've lost Val," pour a little out for your homies and finish your drink.
(http://atomiczebra7.blogspot.com/2008/04/tornadoes-in-oklahoma.html)
I decided to chime in on the subject, because, YES, it's that time of year!
Skeeter mentioned living in Norman, while I have the distinct honor of living in Moore (yes, yes, I'm a Mooron), which is a suburb of south of Oklahoma City. Moore is just north of Norman, also a suburb of OKC and home of the University of Oklahoma (GO SOONERS!).
Now I say it is a distinct honor, that may not be the right words to use while referring to the freakin tornado magnet that I live in. If you've seen shows about giant ass tornadoes, such as the one Skeeter mentions in his blog, then I bet you've seen video of Moore, or what was left over after any one of 3 or 4 tornadoes in the past decade tore us up.
Location being established, I must also add that I am extremely "weather aware". NOT PARANOID, just weather aware...24/7 during the spring time especially.
I have a serious case of hero worship to go along with my weather phobia. GARY ENGLAND. He is the weather guy for the OKC CBS affiliate on channel 9. He is a weather GOD! I have watched him since I was an elementary school kid (a LONG time ago). He is so good that on days that we expect bad weather, the way that we gauge how bad it will potentially get is whether or not Gary is in early, or if he comes in on the weekend. When that happens...look out!
Gary England was also the weather guy that they showed on TV during the movie Twister. He's so COOL! He's so cool in fact, that a Gary England Drinking Game has been passed around in emails since last year. I thought I would post it here, and see just how many people get it and how many people take one look and say "WTF???".
If severe weather is in the area, make sure the liquor cabinet is stocked...
Gary England Drinking Game
Pregame
1. Everyone selects a storm chaser other than Val Caster. Every time Gary talks to your storm chaser, you take one drink. Take two drinks every time we see footage from your storm chaser. Take four drinks if your storm chaser says "tornado on the ground."
2. Everyone selects a county other than Pottawatomie County. Every time Gary mentions your county, you take one drink. Take two drinks every time we see footage from your county. Take four drinks if a tornado touches down in your county.
One drink
1. Take one drink every time Gary says the following:"Hook echo" "Updraft" "Metro" "Doppler radar" "Wall cloud" "Ranger 9" "Underground" "Mobile home"
2. When Gary gives a list of counties, take one drink for every county in the list.
3. Take one drink every time Gary interrupts a program. Take one drink if Gary says "You're not missing any of [program name]." Take one drink when Gary says "We'll keep you advised."
Two Drinks
1. Take two drinks every time Gary says the following:"Baseball-sized hail" "Waterloo Road" "Pottawatomie County" "Deer Creek High School"
2. Take two drinks every time Gary mentions the following towns:Altus Burns Flat Dill City Gotebo Hydro Lookeba Meeker Mulhall Oktaha Olustee Shattuck Slaughterville Tryon Vici Waukomis Wayne (or Payne) Weleetka Wetumkah
3. Take two drinks every time Gary talks to Val Caster.
Three Drinks
1. Take three drinks if we see footage from Val Caster.
2. Take three drinks if we see footage from Pottawatomie County.
3. Take three drinks if Gary mentions the following:"Immediate tornado precautions" "National Weather Service" "Mesocyclone" "Portable Radio" "Take shelter" "Tornado warning in effect until ..."
Four Drinks
1. Take four drinks if Ranger 9 must land to refuel.
2. Take four drinks if Gary issues his own tornado warning, not recognized by the NWS or says the following:"Will someone please answer that phone?" "Do you see power flashes?"
3. Take four drinks if a shirt-less tornado victim is interviewed.
Finish your drink
1. Finish your drink if someone uses the word tornado as a verb or if Gary mentions the nearest cross streets to you.
2. If Gary says "We've lost Val," pour a little out for your homies and finish your drink.
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