Mailbox Monday on Tuesday, Bull Riding, and Other News

First, for the answer to my "Creative Writer" lies!

2. In college I rode a mechanical bull to level four.
Nope.  I was born in Houston and grew up in a suburb of Nashville, but not exactly in the kind of family where you learn to ride a bull.  And, in college, I was never sober enough to hold on to level four anyway!
3. I have driven from coast to coast on US highways 10 and 40.
Close--I lived in Phoenix for three years and drove Hwy 10 left to the Pacific and right to Texas.  I have also lived in Houston and driven a bunch of the same highway, as well as bits and pieces through the Southeast, but not quite the whole stretch.
I-40 is a closer match--I have driven every inch of it except between Kingman, AZ and Barstow, California.  That is 205.5 miles I am missing!

4. After a flight to New York I found out Edward Norton was on the same plane as me. I nearly fainted with frustration, as he is my favorite actor and backup husband (he just doesn't know it yet).
Oh, I wish.  TRUTH: he really is my backup husband.  LIE: I've never been on a plane with him--that I know of!  Now I'm scared that I've unknowingly missed my chance!  I lied myself into paranoia!
5. I know someone right now living in every state in the United States.
This one took some work to figure out.  I sort of threw it out there without knowing if it was true or not, and I am not counting blogger friends--not that you don't count, it would just be too easy to say this is true, then!
By my count, I do NOT know someone in about eight states.  They are spread out, too--from the Dakotas to Maine.
6. I have the sweetest Southern Belle accent you ever did hear. Listenin' to me is like sippin' sugar.
I do NOT have a Southern accent!  I grew up in an area of Nashville (Brentwood) that eschewed country flair.  Also, I prepared for my TV journalism career, beginning in middle school, and was highly aware of how I sounded.  Today, if you get me drunk (which only takes one drink these days!), I will give you a little country twang, but it is not my normal voice.

And that leaves...

1. I once saw Kirk Cameron at a gas station in L.A. and all I could think to say was, "I like your car." (He was driving a black Jaguar convertible.)
Yes!  This odd moment in history is the truth amidst lies!  I was 15 and in California for a national soccer tournement when my parents decided to tack on a family vacation to L.A.  It was a fantastic trip--hair and makeup done on Rodeo drive, tour of classic Hollywood stars' homes, movie at Grauman's Chinese Theatre.  We were tourists just getting gas in our rental car, when who pulled up beside us?  Every 1980s pre-teen's dream--Kirk Cameron!  I was brave and walked up to him, got his autograph and say, "I like your car."  And that is my Hollywood moment.

Mailbox Monday (on Tuesday)
This is, by far, my favorite meme, and I am always too involved in another post to participate.  However, this past week was a great week for new books coming into my home, so I am doing a special tagalong edition of Mailbox Monday today, on Tuesday.  The meme is hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page, and I was reminded about it by Cathy at Kittling Books.  Check out both their blogs for great posts and new reads!
New books that came into my home last week...
1. Christopher Fowler's The Ten Second Staircase, via PaperbackSwap
2. Mark Mills' The Savage Garden, via PaperbackSwap
3. Michael Stanley's A Carrion Death, via PaperbackSwap new PBS Market
4. Sandi Ault's Wild Penance, which I won at A.F. Heart's blog, Mysteries and My Musings

I am currently reading Bangkok Haunts, the third in John Burdett's Sonchai Jitpleecheep series.  (I thought it was the second book, and I am a bit confused at points, so I recommend reading this series in order.)  There are some really beautiful and interesting photos of Thailand on Burdett's site, so I recommend clicking that link.  I am less than 20 pages from finished with this read, and will next tackle some historical mystery--Tasha Alexander's A Fatal Waltz.

What books did you borrow, buy or steal this past week?  What are you reading now?