I must respectfully diasgree with Ms. Eva Mendes regarding the Cute vs Sexy debate

The last few weeks I've been working on my novel like crazy. I've neglected my apartment (which is a hot mess), my blog, etc. etc.

I have finally had an opportunity to come up for air the other day. I heard about this comment Ms. Mendes made to New York Magazine.

If I looked like Ms. Mendes perhaps I too would be sick of being called sexy. I don't.

I'm stuck on f-ing team cute. Guess what? Being called cute when you're over the age of thirty is not cute!!

I know being short has something to do with it. Eva claims being cute is more difficult than being sexy. What? Maybe for her. I don't know what she's talking about.

I'm not saying I need to be sexy 24/7. I'm sure sexy women get sick of it sometimes. That said, it would be nice to hear, "Wow, you look sexy" instead of, "Oh my God. You're so cute", or "That dress is too cute." Hello, I'm a grown ass woman. I don't want to be cute, dammit.

Okay, so that was my random post for today. There might be more randomness coming as my brain is completely fried from work.

Snapshot Rome - The dog days of summer

The heat is back.

We reached a high of 92 (f) degrees today and it's only June. Mamma mia, July and August are going to be molto caldo.

Last year I bumped into this dog taking a nap on a side street in Trastevere.

Nothing woke him up. Not the sound of people talking, cars going by or the scooters. Mr. Dog was determined to get his napping situation on.

Summer is here!

Ciao bloggisti,

Well, summer is upon us and the living is not quite easy. I will be close to home this year. I have to finish my novel. I wish I had a Medici as a patron so I could finish said novel in an environment with a cool breeze, like the Amalfi coast or perhaps Forte dei Marmi.

Instead I will take a few day trips out the beach.

What are your plans for the summer?

Here's a little old school freestyle music to get the summer started.

R.I.P. Clarence Clemons - Born To Run

Compared to my classmates at H.B. Whitehorne Middle School and then Verona High School in Verona, NJ, I was not the biggest Springsteen fan. I don't know all the lyrics to all his songs.

I did spend many an afternoon trying to learn Clarence Clemons's tenor sax solo in this song.

Back in the day some crazy Jersey politicians wanted to make "Born To Run" the office state song. Hello, did they not listen to the lyrics?

Every time I hear this song, I get chills. It's so f-king Jersey!

Good-bye Mr. Clemons. Some of the youngins may only know you as that guy who played sax with Lady Gaga. But for us folks who grew up in Jersey in the '80s, you will always be The Big Man.

My novel and Stephen King's great advice about writing.

Very funny. Apparently, TWILIGHT fans are very upset with Mr. King.

I've been working on my novel, aiming for 2000 words a day. I get up at 5:00 or 5:30 a.m. eat something light while I check e-mails from L.A., work out, shower, start writing.

Earlier I used to meet friends to work out in the morning. Until I'm done with my first draft I can't do that anymore. I need that quiet time in the park to work and think about the novel.

I wrote a very rough outline. I wasn't sure how to do one for a novel. I realized early on my outline wasn't long/detailed enough. I haven't looked at it since I hit the 30,000 word mark.

What I've been looking at are my characters. I spent a lot of time working on them before I wrote the outline.

It's interesting to work on a new novel after focusing on scripts the last four years. Screenwriting is very structured. Working on a novel is a completely different experience. I thought I knew what the ending would be when I wrote the outline. It's changed.

I also thought I knew what certain characters would do. I don't. It's fun to see what direction the story will take. However, to be honest, I have no idea what the hell I'm doing. I didn't go to grad school for a MFA. I did take creative writing courses in college, but that was a while ago.

I've been re-reading Stephen King's book on writing. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interesting in writing. It's part memoir, part advice. All of it is inspiring.

It was rough going after I returned from L.A. for a variety of reasons. His book is helping me get back to basics. It's about reading and writing. Yes, it's true Snooki is a NYT bestseller "author" despite telling a reporter she has read only two books in her life. Her ghostwriter has probably read more than two.

There a lot of things I cannot control in my career. What I can control is how much I write and how much I read.

Every project I work on is an opportunity to improve and grow as a writer. That must be my focus, not getting upset that nothing has changed since I co-wrote a hit movie. In fact, at a later date I should write about some of the jacked up BS I heard while in L.A.

I can't think about anything negative right now. I have to finish my book. Money and career worries are on the back burner. Maybe that's putting my head in the sand, but the amount of energy I use stressing about those worries is not healthy.

I am feeling very optimistic these days. It might be straight up denial. heh. That said, I'm excited about a new idea I have for another novel.

It helps that the weather has been gorgeous lately. We're enjoying a real spring in Rome this year. This is something I do not take for granted! I hope the blazing hot weather takes a while to get here.

Snapshot Rome - Pecore/Sheep

Normally, I walk on the old stone road when I go to Via Appia Antica.

A few weeks back, I decided to follow the joggers and cyclists and go through the park off Via Caffarella.

It's a very pretty path passing various ruins and big open fields. At one point I started to hear (and smell) sheep.

Hard to believe I was only a few kilometers from the center of Rome.

Jumping The Broom Mondays - (Updated) JTB opens in the United Kingdom this Friday

Ciao Bloggisti,

Our film was scheduled to open in the UK this Friday, June 10th. It has been postponed. As soon as I have more info, will post it.

This UK SITE has some information.

My producers told me the dates for Italy are July 29th and Sweden, August 26th. I'm trying to find out which company will be distributing in Italy.

In America, JTB is still in the top ten and has just crossed the 35 million dollar mark. Thanks again to everyone who came to support our film!

Here's the TV spot that played the week after our big opening weekend.

I love the look on Loretta Devine's face. Mike Epps is hilarious.

My inteview with Diana Strinati Baur

I had the honor of being interviewed by the amazing Diana Baur for her series on "Nice Girls Who Thing Big."

I've written before about how she inspires me.

I wrote about my trip to her fantastic B&B in Piemonte HERE

My interview is HERE.

Grazie cara!!

Flashback Friday - A little High School Musical for Shelley, An American In Rome

I am very happy to report that the lovely Shelley is back!!

Many remember her blog reallyrome.com which then became Un Americana a Roma.

Three years ago Shelley returned to the United States of America.

I can't wait to read about her reentry to the Bel Paese. It's a big move from the country (in Washington State) back to a city of four million.

I first met Shelley in person back in March 2007. I cannot believe that was four years ago.

Shelley, along with a few other expat friends, really paved the way for my move. They were inspiring, but also realistic. By the time I arrived, I was prepared.

I've met expats who moved here with the idea of an Under The Tuscan Sun-type paradise. Then they get mad at Italy, because living here and being on vacation here are two very different things.

Shelley, this cheeserific song is for you!