Ergo, I need you. First, the what...
Please go here and vote for your favorite cocktail which I'm strongly suggesting will be the Mionetini created by my BFF Stacey Ballis as she used elderflower liqueur and we all know that it's the most delicious substance on earth. (Her name and cocktail are the sixth one down on the list. One vote per valid email address, please.)
Now the why... this summer Stacey and I were both on deadline and therefore we each found a thousand different ways to procrastinate, as writers are wont to do. Whereas I picked up the Twilight series, Stacey dodged her own work by entering recipe contests. Six months later, her book is done and her procrastination paid off - she's now competing for a trip to New York and a chance at the $5000 grand prize, whereas I am still correcting grammatical errors spurred from spending too many late nights shouting, "Renesme is the stupidest name I ever heard!"
And the what's-in-it-for-you... after entering dozens of contests and winning nothing, Stacey wrote the funniest article I've ever read about the experience. Part of it recounts her side of the story on the day I went up to her vacation house and got into a head-on collision with an Adirondack chair. I'm pretty sure if your votes catapult her up into the top three and she gets to go to New York, she'll put the story online.
In no way is this meant to look like a bribe, but if you guys WERE to get Stacey firmly into the number one spot, I'll put aside my seemingly never-ending editing and tell you my story about meeting Brian Dennehy and Carla Gugino on Monday.
Did I exclaim, "I loved you in Tommy Boy!"?
Did I shriek, "What was it like to work with Pauly Shore?"
Vote and find out.
(And thank you!)
Thank you all for voting - I've actually had this drink and it's every bit as good as it sounds.
New post coming tomorrow and thanks again!
Posted by: the governor of jennsylvania | January 29, 2009 at 12:07 AM
Ok. Voted. Husband voted.
NOW WHERE ARE THOSE NEW GAZILLIONS OF POSTS WE WERE PROMISED?????
Posted by: Becki | January 28, 2009 at 11:37 PM
I voted! She has 2181 when I voted with 28% of the vote! Can't wait to hear the funny story. I'm anxiously awaiting your new book, as I need a good laugh right now!
Posted by: Stefanie | January 28, 2009 at 11:16 PM
CLEARLY stacey must be required to prepare, lovingly pour, and serve you this drink whenever you request it, day or night. She is kicking ASS and winning handily with 28% of the vote. I agree with the person who said the Mionette people are going to think the site has been hacked. i was going to say something about the power of the pen and blah blah but i'm too busy yellowpage.com-ing local liquor stores that carry elderflower liquer.... rock on.
Posted by: BetsyBoo | January 28, 2009 at 10:22 PM
I'm with you on the name Renesmee! As much as I LOVED the series, I stumble EVERY SINGLE TIME I encounter it. Quite frankly, I feel like I would sound like I have a speech impediment if I were to say it out loud.
Posted by: Elle.Q | January 28, 2009 at 10:01 PM
Elderflower gimlets are one of my favorite things. In fact, I'm already on my second tonight.
Anyone who uses that liqueur has got my vote for whatever.
Posted by: Ann Marie | January 28, 2009 at 09:42 PM
I voted twice!(different emails hehehe)
Posted by: Andrea Aphrodesiac | January 28, 2009 at 09:41 PM
If I ever need people to vote for me, I hope JL likes me enough to solicit votes on my behalf! SB is winning by a landslide.
Posted by: Ginger | January 28, 2009 at 09:21 PM
I voted! I can't wait for you book to come out!!
Posted by: Stephanie | January 28, 2009 at 09:10 PM
Apparently, I can be bribed.
Now-- you need to come to Toronto on your tour :D I've never had an author sign a book for me, come to think of it.
Speaking of pomegranates (someone was)-- have you tasted Pama liqueur? I'll try eldeflower if you try Pama-- I finished a bottle over the (2 week) holiday season :)
www.pamaliqueur.com must try!
Posted by: Soren | January 28, 2009 at 09:00 PM
renesme sounds like an std....
and you make me want booze.
Posted by: carolyn | January 28, 2009 at 08:49 PM
Shirley Temple ( I get sick and turn beet-red when I drink). Now, please, please come to Miami. I've bought all your books and they are in desperate need of signing. I've recommended (hell, campaigned for) you. I've even read the books out loud to my husband (he thinks they're hilarious and he's a bit of a curmudgeon). And I can't even drown my sorrows with a screwdriver (my college favorite). So, pretty please??
Posted by: Maria | January 28, 2009 at 08:48 PM
I voted for Stacey - I kind of feel bad for the other entrants because they do not have a funny author to back them.
Posted by: Stacy Quaid | January 28, 2009 at 08:45 PM
Mionetini (Stacey Ballis) Votes:2023 27.84%
I did my part!
I've pre-ordered your book, which I NEVER do. Feel special now? ;0) So much of what you write is like someone following me around and writing the things I don't allow myself to say. Reading your stuff is so...therapeutic! Like I get to unload my thoughts about all the stupidity in the world without p*ssing anybody off! Thanks Jen!
Posted by: Norma | January 28, 2009 at 08:37 PM
She's now up to 2030! :-)
Posted by: Stacey | January 28, 2009 at 08:35 PM
Done and she's so gonna win!
Posted by: Sara | January 28, 2009 at 08:28 PM
She had 1,987 votes after I voted...the most by far. :)
Posted by: J. Cordelia | January 28, 2009 at 08:07 PM
Grains of paradise is a spice similar to pepper.
Posted by: Judy | January 28, 2009 at 07:56 PM
I voted & now she's up to 27.33%!
Posted by: Debbie | January 28, 2009 at 07:47 PM
My vote is in for Stacey.
Now to try out the cocktail.
Posted by: Ritz | January 28, 2009 at 07:46 PM
Did any one else notice that contestant #2 spelled both the name of her drink (antioxidant) and the 1st ingredient (pomegranate) wrong?
As in a match.com profile, that is grounds for disqualification!
Posted by: Allison | January 28, 2009 at 07:36 PM
Let's see... Stacey has 1940 votes...runner up has maybe 30? Yeah, I think she's gonna win.
Posted by: Kate from Atlanta burbs | January 28, 2009 at 07:34 PM
And we're up to 26.88%! Is Stacy taking us all to NYC too? Can we at least meet up for Mionetinis?? Cheers!
Posted by: Alison | January 28, 2009 at 07:06 PM
Does anyone else feel bad for the other (not-as-well-connected-as-Stacey) contestants? Oh well, it just goes to show that internet contests are a sham.
Posted by: Lia | January 28, 2009 at 06:44 PM
Stacy's got 26.5% of the vote as of 5:20p MST.
Posted by: Wendy | January 28, 2009 at 06:24 PM
OMG- It's a landslide!!!! Go Stacy!
Posted by: Kelly | January 28, 2009 at 06:23 PM
Totally Voted. I think Stacy should randomly chose one of us (me, me , me) to go to the Big Apple with her.
Y'know as a reward for all of our hard work.
:)
Posted by: Debbie | January 28, 2009 at 06:22 PM
an alcoholic landslide!!
Posted by: Lauren | January 28, 2009 at 05:49 PM
Also wondering what "grains of paradise" are and seriously needing to pick up elderflower liquer. Go Stacey!
Posted by: Betsy | January 28, 2009 at 05:37 PM
Dear Brian Dennehy, I loved you in "Best Seller." Is James Woods really a ladies' man?
I can't wait until Jen tells us the story of meeting you.
Posted by: Terry from Mass. | January 28, 2009 at 04:51 PM
As of now she is 1000+ votes ahead of the runner up LOL! Good Luck Stacey!
Posted by: Jennifer | January 28, 2009 at 04:37 PM
Ok. So the vote has been placed per your request...BUT now I am procrastinating by googling "Grains of Paradise."
I consider myself pretty "worldy," but apparently I have lived a sheltered life.
Posted by: Stacie | January 28, 2009 at 04:36 PM
Stacey is kicking ass!
Posted by: Meg | January 28, 2009 at 04:08 PM
I really think they are going to wonder how this girl became so popular. No one is even close at this point!
Posted by: Ashley | January 28, 2009 at 03:56 PM
Ah, the power of Jen...I love it!
Posted by: Becky | January 28, 2009 at 03:48 PM
This poor girl is gonna get disqualified....they'll think she's hacked in or something.
Posted by: Jane | January 28, 2009 at 03:40 PM
Bwah! Ha! Ha! Haa!!! I just voted and she's at 23.4%, only a couple other recipes even register a full percentage point! Yes...Lancaster-bump.
Posted by: Jen | January 28, 2009 at 03:21 PM
She is totally going to win and how do 350 or so people have time to make up new cocktails and better yet why am I not friends with any of them!!! Can't wait to see the new post!
Posted by: Kristen | January 28, 2009 at 03:18 PM
A. That drink sounds Awesome.
B. Just finished Bitter and can't put down Bright Lights
C. Also, just found your fantastic blog.
Love it!
Posted by: Emily | January 28, 2009 at 03:12 PM
I hope that Stacy enjoys NY! What power you have!
Posted by: Liane | January 28, 2009 at 03:10 PM
Mionetto should pay for the extra couple thousands of people you got to visit their site...shit Stacey should pay you for the extra couple thousand votes...or at least make you unlimited samples of her tasty award winning cockatil. By the way.. a little late, but worth noting.. you were the funniest person at Funny Ha Ha by a landslide. And your outfit was way cuter! Just saying ;) So glad I got to meet you finally!! I was the one who had lost her voice and sounded like a man but had the really pretty big sparkly ring to make up for it :)
Posted by: Corrine | January 28, 2009 at 03:04 PM
Awesome - Ballis is rocking the $hit out of this contest...and this website shall also be my new to do list...there are over 300 very tastly sounding drink recipes. Very dangerous.
Agreed that Renesme is the lamest name, like, ever!
Posted by: Bad Kitty Kristi | January 28, 2009 at 02:57 PM
Done. Stacy's got it wrapped up! I must start living a little, I didn't know elderflower liqueur existed but now I'm on a mission.
Posted by: Beth | January 28, 2009 at 02:56 PM
I voted- this is soo hers but hmmm not sure if this was a great idea- you now know the true extent of your power - world be warned!
Posted by: Anita | January 28, 2009 at 02:54 PM
And I thought you were gonna tell of the mini frogs on the neck story again! I'm off to vote!
Posted by: Manic Mommy | January 28, 2009 at 02:20 PM
I voted! She's totally got this.
Posted by: Sara | January 28, 2009 at 02:18 PM
Thank you on the Renesme thing -- WORST name in the world and completely ruined the last book for me. Seriously, that's all she could come up with??
Just finished your books and LOVED them!
Posted by: Madame Queen | January 28, 2009 at 02:17 PM
Done!!! And as of now, Stacy is winning, by a ton of votes. So....Whatcha say??? Inquiring minds must know!!!!
Posted by: Sheri | January 28, 2009 at 02:17 PM
I'm going to vote...just after this. I'm so glad I'm not the only one having issues with the gramatical errors in the Twilight books. Did you ever see the movie?
Posted by: Kristi | January 28, 2009 at 02:12 PM
I VOTED
Want to drink a Minotini as soon as there is not another human being in my body.
Posted by: Texie | January 28, 2009 at 02:10 PM