Michaele profile picture

Michaele

Hey, careful, man, there's a beverage here!

About Me

My name is Michaele, pronounced like Michelle. I was named for the infamous Beatles song. My parents wanted to give me a hippie name like Desert Bloom, but they were worried that a wacky name would cause trouble in school, so they gave me an encrypted hippie name. My first name, while traditional-sounding and quite common, was inspired by one of the hippest bands of the era. My middle name, Irene, sounds very old-fashioned and it is also my maternal grandmother's name, but it was chosen because it means PEACE. V
I was born in Phoenix, AZ, grew up in northwest Iowa, and have lived in Tennessee for over a decade. Along the way, I've also lived in Minnesota, Nebraska, Manitoba and Texas. I wonder where I'll go next. Probably my hubby's home state, Oregon.
I'm a graphic designer by day and an aspiring novelist by night. As a designer, I work mostly with printed projects - brochures, catalogs, newsletters. I also do a little bit of web design, but I lean heavily on my company's web master for guidance. In between all that, I'm called upon to proofread and copy edit articles for a trade journal about the accounting industry, so my day job does allow me to flex my writing and editing muscles a bit. As a writer, I'm working on a series of suspense novels that revolve around the lives of a Danish-American family in Portland, OR.
My favorite books have always been in the mystery/suspense genre, but writers should be well-rounded readers, so I've branched out in the last couple of years; I even read some romance novels, a genre I had previously shunned. The joke was on me. It turns out there are a lot of well-written, tightly-woven, entertaining romances out there. No more judging books by covers for me!
The Stephanie Plum novels by Janet Evanovich are my favorite mystery/suspense books. ("Twelve Sharp" came out on June 20. I read it that night and loved it! Any Plummies who wish to discuss it, please e-mail me.) Evanovich's tone is much lighter than mine. That's probably what draws me to her work. It gets me out of my own head for a while.
Visit the Stephanie Plum Forum Site at stephanieplum.proboards7.com .
Above graphic design and writing, my number one passion is dancing. I especially love the rigorous training necessary to master the multiple facets of ballroom dance. That might not sound like fun to everyone, but it's heaven to me. Knowing when to lead with the heel (waltz, foxtrot, tango) or the toe (rumba, east coast swing, hustle), and then doing it right, is incredibly rewarding. I've still got a lot of training to do to actually accomplish all that and more. Sadly, due to finances, a depression following my mom's death, and other commitments, I'm taking a break from dancing, which has left me rusty and chubby.
Someday, though, all that will change. As my husband's career grows, the demands for financial support from me shrink. Our goal is that in the future I can quit my job so that I may study to become a certified dance instructor. I'll also be studying American Sign Language so that I may fulfill my dream of bringing ballroom dance to deaf students. Wish me luck!
I enjoy traveling and especially like to visit Santa Fe, New Mexico. There is so much to do in Northern New Mexico, I can't imagine running out of new and exciting things to discover.
I'm a major film buff, so it's a great blessing that my soulmate, Jason, turned out to me an aspiring filmmaker. My husband has been working in film and video production for about 15 years. In January 2004, he found the inspiration he needed to write a screenplay that was affordable to shoot. He'd written several screenplays before, but they were always big stories that required big budgets. He began shooting "The Human Trace" in December 2004 in the Middle Tennessee area. He's now in the final stages of post-production, and will be submitting the movie to film festivals soon.
Please take a moment to watch the trailer for the independent film he directed
Also, check out this cute short film that my husband directed.
When Jason isn't busy making movies, he's molding the minds of the youth at our church. Some people might find that thought scary (just kidding!), but he's actually a great youth leader. I haven't been to an adult Bible study myself in about eight years because I get so much out of Jason's class.
Jason and I are the proud parents of two feline fur babies - Josie and Sneaker. Throughout our marriage, we've had five cats. They've all been rescued from homelessness or abusive situations. It's been rewarding to give a good home to each of them, but the standout experience would be changing Maggie's life. Before she came to us, she'd been in an abusive home. When her previous owners tired of abusing her, they drove out to a sparsely populated area and threw her out of the window of their moving car. She landed in front of a country general store. The impact broke her sternum, so she couldn't move around. The store employees didn't want her there, so they threw lit firecrackers at her. Because of her sternum, she couldn't run from the firecrackers. A kind and generous woman named Lisa witnessed the firecracker barrage and took Maggie to a veterinarian. Jason and I happened to bump into Lisa on the day we were looking for a cat, and she matched us up with little Maggie. When we first brought Maggie home, she didn't like being in a room with more than one person (even one person made her nervous) and she didn't know how to play. Over time, she became sociable and learned how to have fun. She particularly loved ping pong balls. We were able to give her a safe, happy life for four years, but we lost her in 2004 to kidney failure. Watching Maggie grow from a timid, scared victim into a happy, friendly family member was one of the most enriching experiences of my life.
www.BigPuddleFilms.com
www.lebowskifest.com
www.TheHumanTrace.com

My Interests

..

"The Human Trace", film industry, movies, Jay Tavare, Owen Wilson, Benicio Del Toro, dancing, ballroom dance, latin dance, swing dancing, rock climbing, hanging with friends, hiking, NPR, public radio, writing, novels, Stephanie Plum, Janet Evanovich, reading, Santa Fe, handmade jewelry, cooking, dining out, Thai food, Greek food, chocolate, cultures of the world (please tell me about yours!)

What martial art would suit you?

iaido
One of the lesser known arts - the way of the sword. Lethal when applied - though extremely hard to master. Savagely beautiful to witness, this art is a way of life more than anything else.

Click Here to Take This Quiz
Brought to you by YouThink.com quizzes and personality tests.

Your Theme Song is Back in Black by AC/DC
"Back in black, I hit the sack,
I've been too long, I'm glad to be back"

Things sometimes get really crazy for you, and sometimes you have to get away from all the chaos.
But each time you stage your comeback, it's even better than the last! What's Your Theme Song?

Which Stephanie Plum series character are you?

You're Stephanie Plum! The main character with a loyal hamster, crazy family, and two sexy men always after her! In the movie, you should be played by Sandra Bullock
Take this quiz !

You Belong in Amsterdam
A little old fashioned, a little modern - you're the best of both worlds. And so is Amsterdam.
Whether you want to be a squatter graffiti artist or a great novelist, Amsterdam has all that you want in Europe (in one small city). What European City Do You Belong In?

You Are Austin
A little bit country, a little bit rock and roll.
You're totally weird and very proud of it.
Artistic and freaky, you still seem to fit in... in your own strange way.

Famous Austin residents: Lance Armstrong, Sandra Bullock, Andy Roddick What American City Are You?

You Are Likely an Only Child
At your darkest moments, you feel frustrated.
At work and school, you do best when you're organizing.
When you love someone, you tend to worry about them.

In friendship, you are emotional and sympathetic.
Your ideal careers are: radio announcer, finance, teaching, ministry, and management.
You will leave your mark on the world with organizational leadership, maybe as the author of self-help books. The Birth Order Predictor

The only child part is correct, but if I went for one of those careers, I'd totally crash and burn!

Your Hidden Talent
You are both very knowledgeable and creative.
You tend to be full of new ideas and potential - big potential.
Ideas like yours could change the world, if you build them.
As long as you don't stop working on your dreams, you'll get there. What's Your Hidden Talent?

..TR TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF - The Survey Name: Michaele Birthday: January 30 Birthplace: Phoenix, AZ Current Location: Nashville, TN Eye Color: Brown Hair Color: Brown Height: 5'2" Right Handed or Left Handed: Right Handed Your Heritage: white hybrid: Tuscan, Danish, Irish, Scottish, Welsh, Question Mark (Grandma was left on a doorstep) The Shoes You Wore Today: black, open-toed slides with kitten heels Your Weakness: chocolate Your Fears: finding a dead body Your Perfect Pizza: turkey pepperoni, pineapple, spinach, garlic, red sauce, mozzarella cheese Goal You Would Like To Achieve This Year: to write a novel Your Most Overused Phrase On an instant messenger: I've never used instant messenger. Thoughts First Waking Up: Can I get away with sleeping longer? Your Best Physical Feature: I think my nose is fabulous, but I get lots of compliments on my lips. Your Bedtime: 11:30 p.m. Way later than it should be. Your Most Missed Memory: Helping Scotty Decker babysit his little sister. Pepsi or Coke: Coke MacDonalds or Burger King: Neither Single or Group Dates: Thank goodness I'm out of circulation. Lipton Ice Tea or Nestea: Tazo Chocolate or Vanilla: chocolate Cappuccino or Coffee: hot chocolate Do you Smoke: Not anymore. Do you Swear: big time! Do you Sing: when I'm alone in my car Do you Shower Daily: yes Have you Been in Love: yes Do you want to go to College: been there Do you want to get Married: No. One husband is enough. Do you belive in yourself: yes Do you get Motion Sickness: no Do you think you are Attractive: Grandma says I am. Are you a Health Freak: no Do you get along with your Parents: I was raised by my maternal grandparents and I get along with them. Do you like Thunderstorms: yes Do you play an Instrument: sort of In the past month have you Drank Alcohol: no In the past month have you Smoked: no In the past month have you been on Drugs: no In the past month have you gone to a Mall: yes In the past month have you eaten a box of Oreos: no In the past month have you eaten Sushi: yes In the past month have you been on Stage: yes In the past month have you been Dumped: no In the past month have you gone Skinny Dipping: no In the past month have you Stolen Anything: no Ever been Drunk: no - boring, huh? Ever been called a Tease: not to my face Ever been Beaten up: yes Ever Shoplifted: yes How do you want to Die: very quickly What do you want to be when you Grow Up: a novelist What country would you most like to Visit: Spain In a Boy/Girl.. Favourite Eye Color: green Favourite Hair Color: brown Short or Long Hair: doesn't matter Height: average Weight: average Best Clothing Style: well-groomed casual Number of Drugs I have taken: zero Number of CDs I own: around 200 Number of Piercings: one in each earlobe Number of Tattoos: none yet Number of things in my Past I Regret: Oy! probably a lot, but who has time to count?
CREATE YOUR OWN! - or - GET PAID TO TAKE SURVEYS! ..TABLE

The Movie Of Your Life Is A Cult Classic
Quirky, offbeat, and even a little campy - your life appeals to a select few.
But if someone's obsessed with you, look out! Your fans are downright freaky.

Your best movie matches: Office Space, Showgirls, The Big Lebowski If Your Life Was a Movie, What Genre Would It Be?

You scored as Christianity. Your views are most similar to those of Christianity. Do more research on Christianity and possibly consider being baptized and accepting Jesus, if you aren't already Christian.

Christianity is the second of the Abrahamic faiths; it follows Judaism and is followed by Islam. It differs in its belief of Jesus, as not a prophet nor historical figure, but as God in human form. The Holy Trinity is the concept that God takes three forms: the Father, the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Ghost (sometimes called Holy Spirit). Jesus taught the idea of instead of seeking revenge, one should love his or her neighbors and enemies. Christians believe that Jesus died on the cross to save humankind and forgive people's sins.

Christianity


83%

Judaism


63%

Buddhism


38%

Islam


29%

Hinduism


29%

Paganism


29%

agnosticism


25%

Satanism


25%

atheism


13%
Which religion is the right one for you? (new version)
created with QuizFarm.com

M Mesmerizing
I Industrious
C Cool
H Healthy
A Accurate
E Entertaining
L Lazy
E Exhausting
Name / Username:

Name Acronym Generator
From Go-Quiz.com

I'm industrious and lazy? Wow! That's exhausting.

Congratulations, according to our experts, you are :

53% Flirty

Take the Flirting Quiz at Quizopolis.com

You Should Get a PhD in Liberal Arts (like political science, literature, or philosophy)
You're a great thinker and a true philosopher.
You'd make a talented professor or writer. What Advanced Degree Should You Get?

That's a flattering assessment, but I'd never have the patience for that much schooling.

You are a Romantic Realist
Okay, so you fall in the middle.
You know that love isn't like a greeting card...
Yet you can always find a greeting card to describe your feelings.

You are the best of both worlds
Girly yet independent, dreamy yet serious.
Almost any guy can find balance with you. Are You a Romantic or Realistic?

You Should Be a Film Writer
You don't just create compelling stories, you see them as clearly as a movie in your mind.
You have a knack for details and dialogue. You can really make a character come to life.
Chances are, you enjoy creating all types of stories. The joy is in the storytelling.
And nothing would please you more than millions of people seeing your story on the big screen! What Type of Writer Should You Be?

Your Italian Name Is...
Majella Moretti What's Your Italian Name?

You Should Be An Aquarius
What's good about you: philosophical and idealistic, you are a great thinker

What's bad about you: you require a lot of space - it's hard to get close to you

In love: you're quirky and playful, but you hate to be smothered

In friendship, you're: likely to have many acquaintances and very few good friends

Your ideal job: pilot, snow boarder, or science fiction writer

Your sense of fashion: unconventional, unique outfits that turn heads

You like to pig out on: anything with garlic or unique spices What Sign Should You Be?

You Should Be a Dancer
You have a unique combination of grace and athleticism..
Whether you become a salsa dancer or a ballerina, you need to get dancing! What Sort of Artist Should You Be?

Your Linguistic Profile:
70% General American English
10% Yankee
5% Dixie
5% Midwestern
5% Upper Midwestern What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

You Are 40% Selfish
In general, you are a very giving person who treats others very well.
But at times, you insist on getting your way - when it matters most to you. How Selfish Are You?

You Have Low Self Esteem 28% of the Time
Generally, you feel pretty darn great about who you are, even when you mess up or fail.
Occasionally, a huge setback will make you question yourself, but you pick yourself up quickly. How is Your Self Esteem?

You Passed 8th Grade Science
Congratulations, you got 8/8 correct! Could You Pass 8th Grade Science?

You Are 40% Boyish and 60% Girlish
You are pretty evenly split down the middle - a total eunuch.
Okay, kidding about the eunuch part. But you do get along with both sexes.
You reject traditional gender roles. However, you don't actively fight them.
You're just you. You don't try to be what people expect you to be. How Boyish or Girlish Are You?

You Are Sky Blue
Dreamy and creative, you see the potential in everyone ... and everything!
And while you strive to have an ideal life, you are pretty mellow about it. You know your time will come. What Color Blue Are You?

You Are 8% Abnormal
You are at low risk for being a psychopath. It is unlikely that you have no soul.

You are at low risk for having a borderline personality. It is unlikely that you are a chaotic mess.

You are at low risk for having a narcissistic personality. It is unlikely that you are in love with your own reflection.

You are at low risk for having a social phobia. It is unlikely that you feel most comfortable in your mom's basement.

You are at low risk for obsessive compulsive disorder. It is unlikely that you are addicted to hand sanitizer. How Abnormal Are You?

You Are a Learning Cook
You've got the makings of an excellent cook, and the desire to be one.
But right now, you're just lacking the experience. You couldn't be a top chef yet, but you could be an apprentice. Are You A Good Cook?

.. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- START YOUTHINK.COM QUIZ RESULTS --
What kind of jewel are you?
Pearl
Classic and lovely, you are exquisitely feminine.

Click Here to Take This Quiz
Brought to you by YouThink.com quizzes and personality tests. .. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- END YOUTHINK.COM QUIZ RESULTS --

I don't know how this happened. I LOVE pearls, but I'm soooo not feminine. I'm like an unathletic tomboy.

Your Toes Should Be Dark Red
Sexy and a little dangerous, you give off a totally vampy vibe.

Your flirting style: Straight forward and seductive

Your ideal guy: Powerful and a little intimidating

Stay away from: Mama's boys What Color Should Your Toenails Be?

You Are 32% Cynical
Generally you give people the benefit of the doubt. But there are exceptions.
You buy into many of the things that mainstream society believes, but you're not anybody's fool. How Cynical Are You?

You Are Rain
You can be warm and sexy. Or cold and unwelcoming.
Either way, you slowly bring out the beauty around you.

You are best known for: your touch

Your dominant state: changing What Type of Weather Are You?

Take the quiz:
What kind of muscle car are you?

1972 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454
You are a 1972 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454. You car has a huge ass engine....and thats all you care about! You know you can whoop on anyone at the dragstrip...and you love it! You really don't care about gas mileage...but you sure do go to the gas station alot!

Quizzes by myYearbook.com -- the World's Biggest Yearbook!

Your IQ Is 140
Your Logical Intelligence is Below Average

Your Verbal Intelligence is Genius

Your Mathematical Intelligence is Genius

Your General Knowledge is Genius A Quick and Dirty IQ Test

Your Travel Profile:
You Are Extremely Well Traveled in the Midwestern United States (100%)
You Are Very Well Traveled in the Western United States (68%)
You Are Somewhat Well Traveled in the Southern United States (38%)
You Are Somewhat Well Traveled in the Northeastern United States (29%)
You Are Mostly Untraveled in Canada (20%)
You Are Mostly Untraveled in Latin America (7%)
You Are Untraveled in Africa (0%)
You Are Untraveled in Asia (0%)
You Are Untraveled in Australia (0%)
You Are Untraveled in Eastern Europe (0%)
You Are Untraveled in New Zealand (0%)
You Are Untraveled in Scandinavia (0%)
You Are Untraveled in Southern Europe (0%)
You Are Untraveled in Western Europe (0%)
You Are Untraveled in the Middle East (0%)
You Are Untraveled in the United Kingdom (0%) How Well Traveled Are You?

You are 87% Aquarius
How Aquarius Are You?

My score on The Greek Mythology Personality Test :

Orpheus

You are an artist, an aesthete, a sensitive, and someone who has never really let go of that childlike innocence. To you, all of life has a sense of wonder in it, and the story of Orpheus was written about someone just like you.When the Argo passed the island of the Sirens, Orpheus played a song more beautiful than the Sirens to prevent the crew from becoming enticed. When his wife died, he ventured into the underworld to charm Hades but, in his naivete, he looked back becoming trapped there.You can capture your unique world view and relate it to others with the skill of a master storyteller. Your sensitivity and creativity make you a treasure to the human race, but your thin-skinned nature and innocence can cause you a lot of disenchantment and pain. What's doubly unfortunate is that, if you try to lose those traits, you never will, and everyone will be able to tell that you're putting up an artificial shell to prevent yourself from being hurt.Famous people like you: Hemingway, Shakespeare, Mr. Rogers, Melville, Nick Tosches Stay clear of: Icarus, Hermes, AtlasLink: The Greek Mythology Personality Test

What Famous Leader Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

Take the quiz:
What character from a chick flick are you?

Josie Gellar - Never Been Kissed
You are Josie Gellar! You are a sweet, innocent, smart ... and a little bit of a nerdy girl! But you are also beautiful ... flaunt that every once in a while! Even though you may never have been kissed yet ... believe me ... YOU WILL! and it will be spectacular ... and if everybody keeps calling you Josie Grossie ... make up a bad nickname for them!

Quizzes by myYearbook.com -- the World's Biggest Yearbook!

img src="http://www.quizilla.com/images/blue_drk_corner1.gif" style="float: left" height="4" hspace="0&quot

I'd like to meet:

I'd like to meet: JAYBIRDS, writers, Jon Stewart, Bob Edwards, CAT LOVERS.

I wish I had met: Ginger Rogers, Audrey Hepburn, Anne Frank, Christopher Reeve.

My Babies:

Music:

The Beatles, Aimee Mann, Sheryl Crow, Lisa Loeb, Jim Croce, The Eagles, Dierks Bentley, Matchbox Twenty, Gary Allan, Rob Thomas, Rich Mullins, Sarah McLachlan, Keith Urban, Little Big Town, Norah Jones, Ozomatli, Rivers Rutherford, Gipsy Kings, Django Reinhart, Gypsy Hombres, The Doors, Duran Duran, Chopin, The Mamas and The Papas, Wallflowers, Brad Paisley, Billy Joel, Elton John, U2, Michael Jackson (he’s a wacko guy, but a hell of a musician and entertainer), Steve Miller Band, Eric Clapton, Trisha Yearwood, Savage Garden, Van Morrison, David Allan Coe, Garth Brooks, Ricky Martin (if you can’t shake your bon bon to RM, your bon bon don’t shake), Santana, Dean Martin, Elvis (the KING!), Suzy Bogguss

Movies:

Movies: The Human Trace, Strictly Ballroom, Rear Window, The Royal Tenenbaums, The Big Lebowski, Rio Bravo, Shanghai Noon, Traffic, North by Northwest, Lost in La Mancha, The Dancer Upstairs, Lost in Translation, Amelie, Jackie Brown, Broadcast News, Sunset Blvd., Swingers, Chocolat, Stand by Me, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Cinema Paradiso, Standing in the Shadows of Motown
Directors: Jason Satterlund, Alfred Hitchcock, Coen Brothers, Steven Soderbergh, Wes Anderson
Actors: Jay Tavare, Owen Wilson, Benicio Del Toro
Movie/TV characters I'm most simlar to: Shy, quiet observer Charlotte in Lost in Translation and geeky Marshall on Alias. My husband says I'm nothing like Marshall, but ... he's just being nice.
Movie/TV character I would marry: I LOVE Luke Danes on Gilmore Girls. He's cute, sassy, hardworking, he lets you know where you stand with him, he looks after the people he cares about, and he's there for you if you need a shoulder to cry on. He acts a bit gruff, but he's just hiding his inner marshmallow. But I'm more than happy to stick with my sweet husband who says I'm nothing like geeky Marshall on Alias!

Television:

Dancing with the Stars (my one reality TV guilty pleasure, for which I feel no guilt - ballroom dancing rocks!), Seinfeld, Sports Night (the sitcom), Six Feet Under, Soap, Arrested Development, Sopranos, Entourage, Law & Order, Gilmore Girls, Keen Eddie, Friends, Sex and the City, I Love the '70s, I Love the '80s, I Love the '90s, PBR BULL RIDING, Tour de France, Cyclism, Living Single, Animaniacs, thirtysomething, Moonlighting, China Beach, The Daily Show

Books:

Books: Blue Treasure, One for the Money, Two for the Dough, Three to Get Deadly, Four to Score, High Five, Hot Six, Seven Up, Hard Eight, To the Nines, Ten Big Ones, Eleven On Top, Whole Lotta Trouble, I Think I Love You, In Deep Voo Doo, Got Your Number, Kill the Messenger, The Confessor, Death in Vienna, Midnight, Lightning, Dark Rivers of the Heart, Desert Heat, A Walk in the Woods, Me Talk Pretty One Day, Split Second, The Last Detective, Lost Light, The Narrows, Big Bad Wolf, The Coffin Dancer, The Stone Monkey, Outlander

Writers: Helen Girvan, Janet Evanovich, Stephanie Bond, Tami Hoag, Daniel Silva, Dean Koontz, JA Jance, Bill Bryson, David Sedaris, David Baldacci, Robert Crais, Michael Connelly, James Patterson, Jeffrey Deaver, Diana Gabaldon

Genres: mystery, suspense, thriller, romantic suspense, romance, time travel, chick lit, travel, true crime

Heroes:

Jason (my husband), Gary Allan

My Blog

Rising Up and Moving On

I have a friend who has been working her way out of a relationship with a big jerk who doesn't want to fully dedicate himself to her, but doesn't want her to move on. So she'll break up with him, and ...
Posted by Michaele on Wed, 19 Jul 2006 07:49:00 PST

Top 10 Albums

My friend Mr. Magoo asked his friends to send him a list of their top 10 favorite albums. It was a fun project and I decided to share the results. What about you? What are your favorites? Michaele's T...
Posted by Michaele on Thu, 01 Jun 2006 01:22:00 PST

Stormy Weather

There's a big storm going on right now. It's 10 a.m. and the sky is black. There's reckless wind, heavy rain, bright lightning, rolling thunder. I love it! Because it's so dark outside, it seems brigh...
Posted by Michaele on Thu, 25 May 2006 08:09:00 PST

How Gary Allan Became My Hero

There are some people who are curious about why hard-partying honky tonk singer Gary Allan is one of my heroes. I don't drink, smoke, do drugs, or sleep around. He's pretty much my opposite. (At one p...
Posted by Michaele on Wed, 03 May 2006 09:02:00 PST