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 |  Well let's just try this AGAIN! |
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** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** I thought this was tough to start the first time....Don't worry I'll get it right SOME day.  Always there are nay-sayers. Just stick to your ideals. Hold fast to those dreams. Don't let go. |
| I have read so many blogs lately that speak to me of a greyness of spirit. Whether this is due to the climate changes, the goals folks have set for NaNoWriMo or just Life, I decided to give you a Harbor of Inspiration. Please know I do this to assist you all in climbing up out of that gunky pit of yukkinessity and with . ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” Ralph Waldo Emerson How many of you have not met these requirements in your life so far? Raise your hands please. I see no hands raised. Excellent. Moving on now.... “From what we get, we can make a living; what we give, however, makes a life.” Arthur Ashe I know from interacting with many on this site how giving so many are to others. I have seen time and advice given; sympathy and understanding given. Who disagrees with me? No one - good! Moving on.... “Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.” Norman Vincent Peale Here is the lion pit for many of you and if I was being honest, which I often am to other's dismay, for myself. To believe in yourself you have to understand yourself, your limitations, your frailties and your soul. I choke on that 'humble' bit though to be truthful. What, after all, is 'humility'? Is it a sincere overlooking of ones own importance? Is it to deny that you have any outstanding talents? It can't be lying to yourself can it? Humble people are everywhere, they don't know they are humble do they? They just are. I could list so many on WdC that have this quality but to do this would probably be to embarrass them. I don't do that - okay I do but not today. This is Anyea's Harbor of Inspiration. Feeling Inspired yet? NO?!?...moving on then.... Set Targets - Don’t Be limited by Your Own Thoughts - Don’t Listen to People’s Negativity - Be Focused and Wholly Committed - Remember Many Things were Impossible that came into Reality. Where to start? At the beginning and work toward the middle to finish at an end. Baby steps toward achievement is much preferred than standing still and letting Life run you over isn't it? If I can follow my own advice in this Harbor - what about you? Perhaps you can share your Harbor Thoughts with me and the others who need them today, tomorrow and into the future. Please don't quit, don't give up and don't despair. |
** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** Well I'm officially dead now. Six straight days of unrelenting work, lifting, heaving, bending, twisting, smiling, chatting them all up, work. I haven't written a NaNo word in - hm, maybe two days now? I haven't a clue or word in me needing writing. Inside my mind right now looks something like that picture up there  .At the core is the W.T.F. guys. These guys come in handy for those times when you need something to say, do, create or just be. They are twin brothers. Guess their names. For those in Nano did you read the latest inspiration letter from Sue Grafton? Did it inspire you? Little help here if it did - HOW? Oh, I read it, re-read it, turned the monitor upside down and tried reading it that way. I got nuttin. I carry my chocolate notebook everywhere and usually have something to write in it that I use when I sit down to write - blank blanks blankitie blank. Competition is stiff and so is my beat up body but I suppose those are two differing kinds of stiff. Do you think 'stiff' is related to 'stuff'? I mean like third cousins twice removed or something? Like 'pap' and 'pup' or 'blimp' and 'blomp' - all are probably related from some ancient language with their core root meaning...WHA? Hey look at the graphic if you get confused here today. Veteran's Day was yesterday. I didn't meet any Vets - or any that let on that they were Vets. When I was dragging my sore butt home I ran into two guys celebrating and they laughed at me. Told me I was a Veteran of working too hard. Okay boys - have another beer for me. What else? Oh yeah, I can't get caught up on all your blogs - its driving me nuts. Like when I mouse-over on a blog and it reads Private I forget I can at least try to open it up. Gotta go back and see who I missed cuz of that one. Bugzy still avoiding writing a blog entry I see. We the people of Blogsville simply must quit giving her excuses to not write huh? Sex is fine but she needs to write a real blog entry - soon. SOMEONE BAIL HER OUT WOULD YA? I'm going to go and figure out why my roommate managed to make our downstairs look so absolutely weird. She completely flipped yesterday and cleaned the entire downstairs. YIKES.  I have chocolate chip ice cream, sausage and crackers, and a huge bottle of wine. Think I'll go roll around in indulgences for a bit - later all! |
| The artwork for today is in my Blog's Header . The sentiment I would like to express lays hidden behind walls of exhaustion, veils of muddled thoughts, so I will give you the following song lyrics I found which fit this day we should celebrate. Talking Old Soldiers Lyrics by Bernie Taupin Why hello, say can I buy you another glass of beer Well thanks a lot that's kind of you, it's nice to know you care These days there's so much going on No one seems to want to know I may be just an old soldier to some But I know how it feels to grow old Yeah that's right, you can see me here most every night You'll always see me staring at the walls and at the lights Funny I remember oh it's years ago I'd say I'd stand at that bar with my friends who've passed away And drink three times the beer that I can drink today Yes I know how it feels to grow old I know what they're saying son There goes old man Joe again Well I may be mad at that I've seen enough To make a man go out his brains Well do they know what it's like To have a graveyard as a friend `Cause that's where they are boy, all of them Don't seem likely I'll get friends like that again Well it's time I moved off But it's been great just listening to you And I might even see you next time I'm passing through You're right there's so much going on No one seems to want to know So keep well, keep well old friend And have another drink on me Just ignore all the others you got your memories You got your memories This song was done by Elton John if anyone is interested. I have never heard it and would love to know what you think if you go out and do find it to listen to. To all veterns I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you very much. |
** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** I dunno...I just am kind of strange...how about you? |
** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** Just popping in today to wave and say hello. waves at the nice peoples I hate my Nano story but that's okay. I am going to put green pigs in it next. I swear I am. A green pig carrying a machete screaming "ELEPHANT? You show me that bugger!" The pig has issues okay? He isn't related to Kermit, doesn't know Miss Piggy and watch out any Big Bad Wolves! I threw myself into the lion's den yesterday at work and carried on a conversation with a three-year-old. Her grannie was buying her a Piggie Bank. The pig was - yup - green. So I explained to the child, calmly mind you, that pigs aren't green. She just grinned and disagreed. I wish when adults disagreed with me they could grin like that. Anyway I asked her finally, "Well, if pigs are green what color are elephants?" "You know!" Was her wise response, leaving me feeling stupid. Holidays are coming up and I see more and more soft toys being sold. Oh there are plenty of the wooden train sets as well, teeny tiny dishes and wee pots and pans, but the soft toys are the best. We have this rather large Hippo (in grey thank you) and yesterday I see it sliding toward me butt first. Understand that the tag with the bar code is stitched to the back side, but to see a Hippo trotting down toward me butt first? I laughed. There is a song I heard and will probably hear on the radio stations this year. "I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas. Only a Hippopotamus will do." Every time I see that Hippo that song goes through my head. It promises to be a L-O-N-G season. We also see, you will not believe this, soft cockroaches. They are too cockroaches! Okay they look like them. Grey with shiny antenna, buggy eyes, blood red mouth which opens really wide....EW EW EW...these we don't sell a whole bunch of. Gee wonder who came up with that toy! Idiot. Then we have these ittsy bittsy soft animal guys. I figured out they are the mutants of the toy world at IKEA. Yup. there is a pink elephant [for those intending to get drunk this holiday season], blue alligator [he is really chilly], green giraffe [doesn't WdC have one too?] and others but I can't remember them all. Two college girls bought eight - yes eight of the pink elephants. Then they stood there and lined them all up, side to side and started ooohhh'ing at them. "Look they are SoOoOo CUTE!" "Okay girls. Time for you to leave my line now! Shoo...go!" Scary girls.  Let's see yesterday was Thursday, it was abnormally crazy busy. Today is Friday another big sales day at our store. Saturday - total killer of a day there. Sunday, no rest from those shoppers and then MONDAY. Monday is a holiday which I plan on decorating my blog for. Tuesday I should be dead which is fine as it is my day off. I've tried to "get ahead" with my word count because I know how busy the store will be from here on out. I know how damn tired I'll be and how under-creative I most certainly will be. I am starting to hate Annie and her "Tomorrow" suddenly. The elderly people confuse me totally. I mean some are soooo funny and sweet. Then I get some that I swear drink battery acid and spew it out onto the world. When an elderly person is next in line I have a difficult time assessing them. Is this one going to stab me through the heart with his cane when I explain the "no free bags" policy? Will that elderly lady break out in tears when I attempt to explain that 100% silk pillow coverings are just not on sale for $1.99? I had two ladies yesterday and only one spoke English. They were from Germany. Whoa! Well, we get many foreigners in IKEA - it's Swedish after all, but these two...OUCH. Ever get yelled at in German? It involves much spitting. Gutteral words and things were flung about. Okay, I'm done now. My tummy is rumbling about and its time to stuff something in it I suppose. OH yeah major COMPLAINT time! They now charge their employees $2.00 FOR A FRICKIN' SALAD. That peeved me completely off. It used to be only $1.00. I only had $2.00 left cuz I loaned another cashier a buck. Told the guy in the cafe that stoopid salad better last me a week - $2.00 my left cheek! I put more stuff on it after I paid I can tell you that much. Bye for now - have fun and yes, I'm reading and commenting when I can. Trust me, you don't want my comments some days. With only 1/2 a brain cell left functioning - nahhhhh.... |
** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** I have an unusual ability I have discovered. Actually I re-discovered it yesterday at work and it's been on my mind since the latest occurrence reared its massive head. I can make kids cry just by talking to them! This is true! Scary yes, but true. Let me relay the latest episode of Anyea-ism. A mother comes up with her shopping cart. A three-year-old is standing in the back of the cart and a one-year-old is seated in the front. Okay, got that? Now, while mama is busy I begin chatting with the three year old. I called her by her name, which I had heard her mother use. The child looked at me shocked! I said, "Not my fault! Your mommy said it first!" Mother laughed and assured her child she had. Then I gesture to the one year old (a girl) and ask the 3 year old: "So, is her name John then?" The 3 year old giggles and the 1 year old is staring at me with a sort of dread fascination. This is kinda spooky having a little kid look at you like you are a geek at the circus tearing head off chickens or something, let me tell ya. I ignore the weird look from the 1 year old and again ask the 3 year old, "Okay not John what about Zack?" You would have thought I had slapped that 1 year old. She let out a wail that could be heard back in the far regions of our warehouse. I was surprised Security didn't come and take me away. The kid is sobbing and wailing, put her head down and I swear everyone was looking not real friendly in my direction. Of course what was the poor mother going to do? She attempted to reassure me. "Oh, she's just a very tired little girl." I would have bought that except this wasn't the first time I have talked to a small child and had this same thing happen. I think I need someone to take my picture while this occurs so I can see if my eyes have flames in them or what! I don't get it. Why didn't the 3 year old have massive fits and cry? Is there an age where a kid is immune to whatever it is I unintentionally do to make them cry? I do not see children in my future - do you? For those interested - I did my word count today already. Have to go to work late today so don't know if I'll have energy later to write. Keep going everyone - NaNo loves you! yeah right - love - yeah okay...sure... |
** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** This is a lonely task I've set myself. Seven thousand five hundred thirty-six kids have been born, painfully, do-not-go-back-and-read-them birthed. I think they are illegitimate, born in the back alley of a forgotten village, in a country not yet discovered. They don't cry or make any noise these kids, and they better not at this time. I find myself at work, grabbing anything made of paper, scribbling notes on conversations that must take place, character traits I forgot to put down, tools I could maybe use later on. The customer does not understand why I just can't give them their receipt. Get over it. You can't bring that stuff back okay? Think yard sale and go away. I'm getting all g-r-r-y on them. Then the stomach punch - I get home, totally exhausted, just knowing I have no words in me, and see other's word tallies. The spine straightens, the fingers flex - the hell I can't write after working for nine and a half hours straight! So what if I lifted the equivalent of five hundred pounds over the day? No excuse there, write damn it - write! More little kids get born and I'm not so sure their mommy is in any shape to pop out more tonight. Think mental stretch marks would you? I'm even spelling out numbers in here! I got labor pains again. Have to go spit forth another kid or two or more. Tomorrow I have off. Should be an interesting day in the Maternity Ward of my room. You all behaving are you? You better. Bugzy is the "official" mid-wife I hear. Oh, the official cheerleader? When did they allow cheerleaders into a birthing room? She must be special. I still hop in here before I go to work and check out your blogs and to each and every person involved in Nano this year, I have one small bit of advice: PUSH damn you PUSH! |
When you walk through a storm, Hold your head up high And don't be afraid of the dark At the end of a storm is a golden sky And the sweet silver song of a lark  Walk on through the wind Walk on through the rain Tho' your dreams Be tossed and blown Walk on.. Walk on.. With hope in your heart And you'll never walk alone You'll never walk alone A song written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II for their 1945 musical, Carousel ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** People constantly get confused about 'stuff'. Some believe when they are alone, they are lonely. Other folks will experience loneliness in a crowd. I am about to embark on a 'lonely journey'. I won't feel lonely though. I have me to keep me company. Trust me when I tell you, one of me is like a crowded theater waiting to see The Bourne Ultimatum - Part X. Many of you, that I have read, have an opinion about loneliness, about being alone. Some of you may hate it, others require it. In all things, it is I believe, a balancing act. We need to sometimes be alone, to sort ourselves out. Other times we require another person, perhaps just one friend, that we can share life's journey with for a time. "No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent." -- John Donne Of course Johnny boy also said: "Art is the most passionate orgy within man's grasp." Then that is what I shall be doing for the next thirty days. Having an orgy with myself. I will satiate my need to write - something, anything, but words will be written. I will drench my senses; touch, taste, smell, hearing, and sight with writing. I will do this - alone. During this time I will flash on what I have read from all of you, your stories, your secrets, your hopes and dreams. I will not forget anyone. When the icy winds of aloneness bear me down, I'll wrap myself in the warmth of knowing you are all still here, still caring for each other, laughing and living. I'll remember the BullFrog Party, the Pool Party - that was so fun. I will remember being TUGGED - not with great fondness perhaps, but it did prompt me to write. There were those pesky Otters of Bugzy that still haven't voted on all the issues, cookies or no cookies. Folks moved, found their dream, others lost dear ones. Families were torn apart by strife and stapled back together with love. Fires raged, earthquakes roared, yet here you all still are. This community of caring, sharing wonder that is Blogsville in WdC I will not be lonely. Out of the night that covers me, Black as a Pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul. In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud, Under the bludgeonings of chance My head is bloody, but unbowed. Beyond this place of wrath and tears Looms but the horror of the shade, And yet the menace of the years Finds, and shall find me, unafraid. It matters not how straight the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate: I am the Captain of my soul. - Willian Ernest Henley (1875) I memorized that poem in fifth grade. I can recite it still from memory, but had to look up who wrote it! Please take care of yourselves, each other, and watch for me. I will be around. I will be reading, laughing, crying with all of you. Maybe out of the chaos of this next month I can even find an entry or two to leave. Remember - being alone isn't as horrible as some may think. |
** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** I happen to love black and white photos. This one caught my eye and imagination immediately. It is very Esher-like isn't it? You don't know who Esher was? Ahhh...someone who blogs on this site has an Esher print in their Blog intro. Nope - not telling you. Maurits Cornelis Escher was a Dutch graphic artist. Well known examples of his work include Drawing Hands, a work in which two hands are shown, each drawing the other; Sky and Water, in which light plays on shadow to morph fish in water into birds in the sky; Ascending and Descending, in which lines of people ascend and descend stairs in an infinite loop. The impossibility of possibilities, this artist drew, causes brain cells to go into overdrive. The human imagination is called upon to expand, take a deep breath and grow up. When the eye sees something that at first looks illogical, impossible, the brain takes over the job of breaking down whatever fooled the eye into spasms. The human brain has the ability to unfocus our logical systems and rev up the artistic non-linear mode. Science calls it Right Brain / Left Brain use. I call it Mature Imagination. A young child can imagine quite a lot. I talk to many of them during my job and can usually invoke answers to outrageous questions. A child's imagination has not the power of years of experience behind it however. An adult should have fed, cared for and encouraged their imaginations throughout the years they have lived. Sadly, many adults store their imagination in some box somewhere and believe they cannot find the key to get it out again. There is a "skeleton" key to everyone's locked boxes however. We call it Art. Art has the ability to free those imaginations stored so carefully away from the harsh light of reality. Art is the key. Whether it is a drawing, a novel, a vase blown from glass, a bowl created from clay, a quilt lovingly sewn by hand, a comic on stage, a photo taken, it is Art that can free each adult. Each Artist then has a responsibility to cut their unique Keys carefully. Think what Keys you have crafted. Think about the locked boxes, the stagnating imaginations you have managed to set free or wish to set free. Then feel pride in your ability. You are a Craftsman, you are an Artist. I bow to each of you. |
** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** Listen you all - when you see me sitting around 'thinking' - STOP ME would you? Seriously. I have major traumas when I sit and think. I am supposed to be working on the chapters general idea file for N_ N_ (sparing you all from reading THAT again) and I just wasn't inspired enough I guess. I started - THINKING - and where were you all? HUH? Now I'm sitting in a corner all curled up and rocking back and forth. Two more days...two more days...two more days...is the litany I am reciting. Some of my "buddies" tell me, "Anyea have FUN with it!" Others "Look one word written is ahead of the game isn't it?" What no one understands, or understands poorly, is that I am somewhat of a perfectionist. Oh, not in certain things (including housework, spelling, grammar, laundry). When it comes to me challenging myself - I get up there on that HIGH horse [congrats to David McClain  for falling in love by the way]. I give myself intense lectures."Listen Anyea. If you are going to do this thing, then you are going to do the whole thing. There will be no excuses. Every day you will write a minimum of 2,000 words. There will be no cheating, no evading, no denying and you will accept full responsibility for any failures which may occur." You think this is fun, these lectures? Hence I now sit in a corner (figuratively speaking) and am rocking back and forth. Two more days ... two more days ... two more - NOW KNOCK THAT OFF! I even yell at myself. I understand most people do not view N_ N_ as Life or Death. I will be the exception to that one as well. I am a writer. I take that very seriously, no matter how much I love playing with you all and your blogs [ waves at bugzy is baaaccck!! ]. I take the written word as seriously. Not like I believe everything I read - actually I question everything I read but someone put those thoughts down. I have respect for that. People are out there every day taking a chance on their art. Not me not yet anyway. I will and I promised myself that.I am aware that many on WdC, most of whom I have not even met, are not serious about writing. There are probably many on this site who have no intention of ever seriously writing anything. That's fine. I don't live in their heads. I am not responsible for their joys or sorrows. I am responsible for mine. You see what is happening here? I AM THINKING. THIS IS BAD! BAD BAD BAD!!! >sigh< I would settle for just feeling sorry for myself. Really! Self-pity is fine when balanced out with some laughter. No harm in having a pity party for oneself as long as chocolate is involved. My dogs ate my chocolate. Can't have a pity party either. I am afraid, terrified, petrified, mortified, stupefied (hey I like those 'ified' words okay?), mummified, bulgarified, traumafied, ... oh that isn't a word - okay stopping that list now. I do not accept failure from myself. I have set up a goal and by every GUMMY bear out there - I will succeed - I hope. I wish. I wonder. I think. SOMEONE TURN OFF MY THINKING WOULD YA!?! There is more bad news from myself to you all. During November I won't have any words to spare for my blog, and maybe not for your blogs either. I mean I hope I have some left overs to use at least in your blogs, but don't count on me in November. On November 30th, N_N_ will be over. On November 30th is my birthday as well. Some present I'm getting me huh? Whew. Okay I'm going to go rock some more now...two more days....two more days....two mo.... |
| Well it's almost Halloween isn't it? Everyone is out preparing for that party, or walking their child around in costumes. Candy is bought to satisfy those door-to-door Tricksters. But I ask you - does anyone think how a Pumpkin feels about this night? This Sunday Fun Ease is all about one poor pumpkin. Let's call him Sol - as his dignity and identity must remain private. If you notice, while walking around your neighborhood, driving to the store or just out running errands, Sol's many cousins reside outside right now. Their predicament is plain to see. The stress of this upcoming holiday cannot be more accurately described than the picture below. Enjoy this one. Sol would love to hear from you. Show him that we have a heart and care about his plight. ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** I won't be home until late tonight - again. Once more into the frey, fray, disaster of retail customer service I go. I wanna laugh when I get home though! Don't let me down now. You all are so creative. |
** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** Meet my Uncle Bones. He's a wise guy. Not the Italian variety type either. Uncle Bones has a way about him. He can ask a question, you will feel compelled to answer. He will tell you his thoughts on a subject and everyone pays attention. This is everyone's Uncle by the way. His name is "Death", brother to "Life". The other night, his favorite time of "Day", he and I were sipping our drinks and conversing. His preference is of course Death In The Afternoon, which is pernod and champagne. After relaxing and talking of nonsense, I just had to ask him something. "Yo Unk! What's up with humans thinking they will live forever? I mean they think they have all this Time to get stuff done." "Some guy once said, 'Nothing keeps. There is one law in the Universe: NOW.' I believe he almost got that right. Humans are frail little creatures aren't they now? Talking of tomorrow as if that counts. Speaking so fondly of yesterdays long gone. When a person remembers how little the amount of living they have to do to accomplish greatness inside themselves, then wisdom can begin." Inside of each human is a grain of greatness. I believe this. It doesn't have to be the grain that cures diabetes, or feeds the hungry. The grain can be as small as one kind gesture given selflessly to another. "Hey Unk? I'm involved in the NaNoWriMo this year. Whatcha think of that?" "Writers! Now those are my favorite breed of human. Yes, I would put them right up there with zoo keepers and brain surgeons. To accomplish filling that blank page, a writer must be willing to shift - shift beliefs, shift emotional bases, shift his butt. A writer must also be willing to change at any given second his Muse screams at him to do so. Now there's a job description that defies even mine. A writer's Muse. You would not believe the paperwork involved in applying for that position." "How come everyone fears you?" I asked him, wondering exactly what he thought about us and our fears of old age and Death. "There is no one to answers all those questions for you is there? Where do I go when I die? Is there a Hell? Is there a Heaven? Will I end up as nothing? Who is going to step up and answer these honestly though? Me? Not part of MY job description." We ended our peaceful evening swapping jokes. He got some good laughs and finally bid me good night. Would you be afraid to entertain Death? What would you tell him about your Life? Would you make silly promises that in days coming you wouldn't keep? Personally I always invite Life when Death calls. She keeps him in line you see. |
| Yeah okay so I got this uhhh gift today. Let's call it what it actually is. BUGZY BRIBED ME! Yes she actually did. Now, I'm all for being bribed, if the bribe is actually worth it. This bribe - not so much. It seems that Bugzy has a problem - internationally known by now - with Otters. Hm. Well she brought this one on herself. She took away one of their commodes and taunts them with it every day. I refer to her canoe. Initially word has it, this was the commode of the Otter Community in her area. She stole it. She also has been seen banishing weapons to do physical stuff upon lil Otters bodies. Well, I sent her some info from the Otters who are up in Paws at her behavior. Now the Otters have decided I am a "FH"...or Friendly Human. Yup!  I have been put on their mailing list it seems but being the kind hearted person I am, I forewarned Bugz that the Otters really don't like her. Messing with Otters could be hazardous to her well being. Or mental being. Or just being.As a token of her appreciation, Bugzie sent me a SMALL TOKEN. When I say small - I mean REALLY SMALL...okay? You can eye-ball the "token" as I have included it below.  I still am not certain of what Bugzy thinks this SMALL TOKEN will get her though? She hasn't asked me to be the Peace Maker between her and the Otters. She didn't mention anything about soothing over ruffled fur. So perhaps this SMALL TOKEN is merely her way of thanking me for keeping her in the loop. I don't know.I just want to go on record to state that I prefer just CHOCOLATE CHIP cookies. I like my M&M's straight not in doughie confections. If the Otters happen to sweeten the deal - well, I'll let you all know - ko? Thank you for your patience with this situation. I'm sure a solution is in the offing...NOT THAT KIND BUGZY!!! ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** |
| ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** I just need to take a break from all this writing/research/figuring-out-stuff I have been doing off and on all day long. So, once again a touch of art work plus some interesting observations from Moi'. On the SciFi Channel there are always "interesting" advertisements. Always. However, yesterday while laying back waiting for a taped show to play I got to see a brand new ad. At first I just couldn't believe my eyes. When the reality of what I was seeing hit me - I burst out laughing. Partly in shock and mostly because it is the most outrageous ad SciFi Channel has yet put on. Picture this.... A man stands on a stage in front of a curtain. The viewer gets a sense that he is some sort of magician. Man picks up tiny dog, carefully lifts dog's tail and blows into the dog's uhhh uhhh...rear workings  . P*O*P The doggies left front leg blows up to look just like a balloon animal's would. The magician again blows and ... P*O*P ...the doggies RIGHT front leg blows up. Magician continues puffing away and finally the entire dog is one huge balloon dog. Said balloon dog proceeds to kick the crap out of the magician. Sorry this made me laugh so hard I fell off the couch. WHO would do such a thing? I don't care HOW much they pay ya. I ain't blowing into an uhhh...you know... What will this channel come up with next? I swear you gotta see this ad. It is hilarious. My roomie walks in and watches it and asks me, "What is this supposed to be about?" That made me roll on the floor laughing even harder. I couldn't talk. I couldn't even hand her a sign! Oh...love to see creative advertising - don't you? There used to be a very classy advertisement for the SciFi Channel with a woman made up of butterflies that inspired a short story I wrote. THIS ad, no way no how uh uh...won't go there! |
** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** No messing with PhotoShop today for me. I wanted to share this photo with you all because it represents so much to me. Perhaps to you as well, but I'll let you be the judge of that. I don't have work today [ and after seven straight days I needed a day off ]. I want to work on my outline and notes for NaNo but keep getting so excited when I see all of us - WdC'ers - joining NaNo this year. Some of you are pro's at NaNo and I'm going to take advantage of each one of you - it won't hurt, I promise!  The brick in the picture - ahh yes, that brick. When I saw this photo my first impression was, "HOLLY BERRY. What a cool idea." Then I sat and pondered upon it. To me, now, it represents Art, with the capital "A". (SWEETS! is it capitAl or capitOl? She knows stuff like that!) No matter the medium, this planet has a plethora of artists. That is partly what gives our human race hope. Seriously. If there were no artists, who would bother to dream? What would result would be all those grey boring bricks. TaDa - along comes Art. Color us some dreams would ya? Take a picture! Paint a canvas. Sculpt some clay. Sew a quilt. Design a house or office building. Art. All over the world coming from so many humans. I love Art. I can go to a museum and sit in front of an Old Master's painting or stand in front of a modern artists rendition and just lose myself in wonder. I pick up a new book, smell that ink, and clench up inside my mind at the anticipation of the written words. Art. Fantabulous! Rainbows being created from the souls of humans all over our planet. Shine on my brothers and sisters - shine on! Yeah yeah yeah...I'm going to do my research - again. SHEESH! Nags... |
| ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** I think Reading and Writing got married! I am sure of it. No one can just read and not write, can they? A writer can't write and not read, can they? I am sure the two go hand in hand. Wedding March cues up Do you Reading take Writing to be your constant companion? Do you pledge yourself to each other no matter what comes in between you? Can you both learn to assist the other throughout your lives? If you so agree to these standards I then pronounce you W and R. Forever may you prosper and flourish. I have a very eclectic reading library in my apartment. People see my two huge bookcases and start browsing only to stop with confusion and questions. "Anyea? Why is your book on Fortran next to the Stephen R. Donaldson series?" "Perhaps because it makes perfect sense to me? Yup that would be why!" "Um, then did it make 'perfect sense' to put The Humongous Book of Calculus Problems next to Dr. Seuss?" "OH that's where I put it. Thanks!" And on it goes. In between some of my series are notepads. I can read a book and at the end of it I need to put down how I felt, what I thought, and what I hoped for from the author. Sometimes the notepad holds programming code, or the solution to a calc problem. Sometimes I wonder on paper about using so many adjectives in a certain book or research questions to figure stuff out. Reading and Writing. Intertwined and now I married em! HA! During the preparation for - ahem - NaNo, I haven't had time for pleasure reading. I have so many thoughts revolving around this 30 day marathon I'm about to run. The awesome thing is that so many will be running right along with me. The latest is a man who I have come to respect and admire - David McClain . There is a community of WdC folks in NaNo and its all very exciting - scary exciting but exciting. I wish everyone would try this at least one time in their lives. There are no losers. Ask the founders of NaNo! No one loses by not birthing all 50K of those kids. Read - Write - Write - Read...and the children are forth coming!  |
** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** I know this is one conversation I have had with younger people and am very sick of having. Goes something like this: "Anyea, what would you call someone who can cast spells but also knows a lot of science?" "Why are you asking me this?" "Because you always have answers!" "Wrong buster. I do research. I look for the answers. Have you done any research into your question?" "Uh, I don't like doing research." "Well, in that case don't ask me to solve something for you that you haven't put any work into." The conversation will result in M.P.T. [major pouting time] I have to put my foot down repeatedly with the younger generations about doing their own research. One day someone in MY age group asked me: "Hey Anyea! What is the name of that guy who wrote that book? You know the one all about war in some country written by that foreign guy?" Yes, I handed him his sign. Sorry but I can't but help think of that song when people ask me such insane questions. Do I look like a mind reader? I don't think so....[the book turned out to be "War and Peace" by the way] Research for writing is vital. I just read an article about some short story that had its facts all screwed up. How hard is it, with our vast Internet resources, to come up with the correct facts? So I believe this lack or desire to do the research stems from inner laziness. Yup it does. Completely intelligent people act like their brain has left the building sometimes. For this upcoming Nano challenge I have done research. Not as much as I put into my last novel, but a fair amount. Now here's where it starts to get 'interesting'. I need information about gory murders. I do not want to look at photos and then figure out how to write the blood and gore so what do I do? I went looking on the web for a group that may have information for me. Found one that is run by an ex-police detective and some of his buddies I guess. People write these guys the most AMAZING questions. None of them assisted me in my quest. I talked to a guy at work, who has ADD + OCD + bunches of other acronyms. He is very interesting this guy. He sat down and in five minutes gave me more ideas than anything or anyone else has. The thing is, when you do research, you need to be open to finding answers everywhere. Just like ideas for stories, information is also everywhere. In the five minutes I sat listening and hearing this guy talk (and trust me no one can shut him up) I found ideas popping up in my head like a popcorn machine. Simple statements blossomed into ideas, plans for this novel and others in the future. He gave me gold. I thank him as well as someone on this site who has also given me information. I love research. I love going to the library, going to a bookstore, doing in-depth searches on-line. I can find the information I need plus many times I find interesting facts that may well serve me in something else I will write one day. Research. Don't fear it, don't be bored by it - try it. You may find you really like it! If you already do research what do you do to get to the answers you need? Where is your goldmine? Do you save it to disk or do you handwrite it down? Research.....fun stuff.... |
** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** It is almost here that insane thirty days of birthing 50,000 children. It is upon me. I need all the inspiration, motivation, preparation I can get. To that end I went to look at the Forums in NaNo and found some e-mails sent out to all participants in 2006 by Chris Baty. Here are some excerpts from the emails: "As we face that whomping thirty-day deadline together this month, I hope you'll keep two things in mind: 1) You are awesome. Whether you recognize it or not, you are a tremendously powerful literary force. Currents of creativity run so deeply through the human condition that the central problem of writing is not a shortage of inspiration but an overwhelming surplus of it. Make writing a daily part of your life in November, and your novel will take care of itself. No sweat. 2) We're all in this together. This month, let's take care of one another, and go the extra mile to keep other Wrimos around us motivated and on track. Whether you spread some friendly encouragement on the forums, in local groups, on in one-on-one writing sessions with friends or family, be sure to reach out with kindness whenever someone is struggling. And should kindness fail, reach out with a sharp stick or other prodding device." I love the guy's sense of humor. I like the way he encourages all writers and the force he puts behind his words. We could walk alone to that finish line, sure. But the real joy of the journey comes from tackling the challenge together; in spending time writing loudly, sharing our weird plot developments, character epiphanies, and noveling breakthroughs, and -- after one long and productive month -- raising our voices in a mighty, combined roar as we celebrate on the far side of 50K." What is not to love about his enthusiasm? Writers are a breed of artist that requires constant care and feeding - of our imagination if not our bodies and souls. We require massive doses of belief in what we are attempting to do - writing the words raging in our collective minds. So NaNo provides an outlet for thousands upon thousands of writers. There are writers from all over our earth, joined together in a thirty day birthing process. Some will reach the end and "roar" at the celebration of completion. Others will fall away during the month; losing their spirit, their drive, and even their interest. I find it uplifting that art, in the written form, brings so many together seeking one goal. I am not sorry I joined this year. Perhaps at the end I'll be mentally hung over, wrung out, spirit sore and weary, but I won't have regretted it at all. |
| I can't help myself sometimes. I saw the picture, started laughing and just had to share. Unfortunately it deserves a really awesome caption - I know, again! I can't help myself at times.... ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** Now...what do you think happened? Don't go all birthday frosting on me either! I had three things simultaneously pop into MY head as to what this kid is thinking at this moment in time. What pops into yours? It's a very long working weekend for me so have mercy on me you all. Give it a shot and me some humor okay? Thanks! GAK...poor kid.... |
| Yup this entry is all about naked. Yup it is. There - now let us just see how many had the stamina to scroll down...down...down....down..... still scrolling? Naked entry..... HA! GOTCHA! You all thought I was going to tell you I was typing this entry naked or about me being naked or about somebody I just saw naked - didn't you? Nahh...I am so tired that I decided to do a lil test of my own. I want to see: A.) If the word "naked" is in the title and the mouse-over doesn't reveal the subject of the blog entry - how many people would bother to open it. B.) What impact does that one word have on folks. C.) Why is it every Interactive I've been involved in, others always make me NEKKID...well you wouldn't know or most of you wouldn't...>sigh< D.) I'm playing ya! Oh...is that bad? Hm... E.) There is no artwork at all in this entry - what will the impact of THAT be? F.) Publisher Clearing House dared me to do this...uh...they didn't? Who did then? You all have a great weekend and think of me at work or rather DON'T think of me - ENJOY YOURSELVES! |
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When we were first married we had an inner city apartment. It didn't matter how much you cleaned and tried to run them off. They just visited next door and came back when the fumes wore off. After nine months of doing battle with earth's oldest creatures we moved. Now that you've mentioned their love for warm and dark computer cases I have a whole new source for nightmares. 