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 |  probably stuff i think is funny. or aggravating. or both. |
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| hey, everybody! i have some news. brace yourselves: one of my stories will be published at www.espressofiction.com !!!!!  i just heard today, and i'm still all floaty about it. the story:
i also just heard from another website i submitted stories to, www.sniplits.com , about how they couldn't open the attachments to my emails (  ) and would i please resubmit by pasting the stories in the reply email and they'd bump me to the top of the review list. wow. how cool, when they could've just dumped me and i'd never know. classy joint, this sniplits.  also, barack obama gave an historical, inspiring speech today about race in america. he elevates us, by inspiring our hope for working together to make an even better country, and by raising our expectations for what we should demand of our political leaders. here's a link, in case you're interested and haven't seen it yet: http://youtube.com/watch?v=zrp-v2tHaDo allrighty...i think that's enough for one day. a banner day, my friends. a banner day. |
i forgot to wear green today.  brb....eating ramen.  okay, much bettah. so, what to say? you know, i read zwisis's blog -- her articulate, full-bodied, informed and politically conscious blog -- and if i had an ounce of shame, i'd stop my own wheezy breezy noodlings in their meandering wobbles in deference to her greater contribution to the virtual braintrust. i don't have a whit, of course, but i wanted to give her props for doing a consistently impressive job with her writing. her stories are wonderful, too. don't worry about me, though. i know i'm fabulous. i'm just a different, less patient kind of fabulous. a fabulous which prefers ding-dongs to duck a' l'orange, literarily speaking. which brings me to my wee nugget of bloggy point today:i found a new website dedicated to writers and writing. have you seen http://www.scribophile.com ? similar in concept to wdc, if maybe a little stricter about earning your reviewing karma (they even keep track with points!!  ), and a little more affordable for pay memberships. i've been lurking about the last day or so, and have joined with the intent of checking it out further. i also found http://authornation.com, which is much smaller in membership (about 2100 to wdc's 600,000), and also more primitive in setup. but it's free, so that's good. and friendly--as friendly as wdc, so far. which is saying something, people. you guys are wonderful.  so, i'm just looking around. i'm not leaving wdc--i have a great time here, have supportive wdc friends who have helped me improve my writing in big bunny leaps over the past two years (two years!!?? ), and i'm firmly entrenched in the culture. (i even catch myself trying to use emoticons in my email at work... ) but i'm looking to expand a bit, expose myself (as it were) to different people, see if it appeals at all. a lil fishing expedition. with a dinghy. no biggie. but if you've visited or know more of these other sites, please give me a holler--i'd love to hear from you. i did stumble across a few ex-wdcers at these other sites, but haven't made contact yet, to get their thoughts on the matter. the important thing is that i keep writing, working toward getting somewhere close to ready for my closeup. i hope everyone's well, chugging their artifically (i hope ) green beer and blessing the irish, as they've certainly blessed the rest of us year-round. erin go bragh!! |
| i've resisted to this point the carrying around of a notebook. i understand many writers find it essential to capturing those random moments of inspiration...but i've felt like a big dork when i've tried it. and never had any ideas i felt needed to be immediately noted. i also kind of thought people who carried avocational paraphrenalia with them took themselves a bit too seriously. but, i'm starting to change my mind. i've had a few ideas i know of that i forgot because i didn't write them down for later. and today, i've even begun fleshing out my novel plot and character developments on paper. i still don't take myself too seriously, but i can see the benefit to this safety net, just in case i need it. now, where to put it? |
| looks like a fun st patty's day raffle--and lots of neat prizes, too! ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** |
| part of my problem with rewriting my nano novel is rooted in this anxiety i have about it being unfixable. that too much of it is undiluted crap, and after chopping off all the gangrenous parts, it'll be nothing but a stump. not enough to work with. i'll have to trash the whole thing and start over. or not. i could discover i'm mediocre as a writer, that my dream is unreachable with my limited skills and imagination. i've been so fearful of this realization i've avoided even looking at the thing since i finished it in november. i'd been waiting to read it, wanting to see it with as objective a perspective as possible when i attempted edits; when i came close to giving up, though, i decided to fuck it and give it a read. one for old time's sake, like. a bottle of whiskey wouldn't have been out of place in this picture. yeah, i know. well, before you throw your hands up in disgust, wait i've been reading it. sections of it. i know i'll never be as objective as a pair of fresh eyes, but it's not bad. i can see mammoth plot holes, inconsistencies, all that stuff. but there's also some good description, some flavorful dialogue...it's much better than i remembered it. so, i'm back in the game, y'all. and i think my block with the rewriting might have eased up. i'm getting ideas, as i read. problems and their solutions seem clearer to me, and it all feels...simple. not easy, but straightforward. like fitting pieces into a puzzle. i have hope, and considering i was about to walk away, that's pretty fabulous. anyway, i wanted to share because i know others are blocked, or fretting a little over their own novels, and i'd like to stress to you: have faith in yourself. we writers are our own worst critics, and undoubtedly the work is better than we think it is while we're writing. hang in there! keep plugging away! whatever you do, don't give up on your writing. "Some men have thousands of reasons why they cannot do what they want to, when all they need is one reason why they can." --willis whitney |
| http://writetodone.com/ p sent this to me (so supportive! )--looks like there's plenty of useful nuggets all through this site. yay! |
| "The comma is a valuable, useful punctuation device because it separates the structural elements of sentences into manageable segments. The rules provided here are those found in traditional handbooks; however, in certain rhetorical contexts and for specific purposes, these rules may be broken. 1. Use commas to separate independent clauses when they are joined by any of these seven coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet. The game was over, but the crowd refused to leave. The student explained her question, yet the instructor still didn't seem to understand. Yesterday was her brother's birthday, so she took him out to dinner. 2. Use commas after introductory a) clauses, b) phrases, or c) words that come before the main clause. a. Common starter words for introductory clauses that should be followed by a comma include after, although, as, because, if, since, when, while. While I was eating, the cat scratched at the door. Because her alarm clock was broken, she was late for class. If you are ill, you ought to see a doctor. When the snow stops falling, we'll shovel the driveway. However, don't put a comma after the main clause when a dependent (subordinate) clause follows it (except for cases of extreme contrast). 1. She was late for class, because her alarm clock was broken. (incorrect) 2. The cat scratched at the door, while I was eating. (incorrect) 3. She was still quite upset, although she had won the Oscar. (correct: extreme contrast) b. Common introductory phrases that should be followed by a comma include participial and infinitive phrases, absolute phrases, nonessential appositive phrases, and long prepositional phrases (over four words). Having finished the test, he left the room. To get a seat, you'd better come early. After the test but before lunch, I went jogging. The sun radiating intense heat, we sought shelter in the cafe. c. Common introductory words that should be followed by a comma include yes, however, well. Well, perhaps he meant no harm. Yes, the package should arrive tomorrow morning. However, you may not be satisfied with the results. 3. Use a pair of commas in the middle of a sentence to set off clauses, phrases, and words that are not essential to the meaning of the sentence. Use one comma before to indicate the beginning of the pause and one at the end to indicate the end of the pause. Here are some clues to help you decide whether the sentence element is essential: If you leave out the clause, phrase, or word, does the sentence still make sense? Does the clause, phrase, or word interrupt the flow of words in the original sentence? If you move the element to a different position in the sentence, does the sentence still make sense? If you answer "yes" to one or more of these questions, then the element in question is nonessential and should be set off with commas. Here are some example sentences with nonessential elements: Clause: That Tuesday, which happens to be my birthday, is the only day when I am available to meet. Phrase: This restaurant has an exciting atmosphere. The food, on the other hand, is rather bland. Word: I appreciate your hard work. In this case, however, you seem to have over-exerted yourself. 4. Do not use commas to set off essential elements of the sentence, such as clauses beginning with that (relative clauses). That clauses after nouns are always essential. That clauses following a verb expressing mental action are always essential. That clauses after nouns: The book that I borrowed from you is excellent. The apples that fell out of the basket are bruised. That clauses following a verb expressing mental action: She believes that she will be able to earn an A. He is dreaming that he can fly. I contend that it was wrong to mislead her. They wished that warm weather would finally arrive. Examples of other essential elements (no commas): Students who cheat only harm themselves. The baby wearing a yellow jumpsuit is my niece. The candidate who had the least money lost the election. Examples of nonessential elements (set off by commas): Fred, who often cheats, is just harming himself. My niece, wearing a yellow jumpsuit, is playing in the living room. The Green party candidate, who had the least money, lost the election. Apples, which are my favorite fruit, are the main ingredient in this recipe. Professor Benson, grinning from ear to ear, announced that the exam would be tomorrow. Tom, the captain of the team, was injured in the game. It is up to you, Jane, to finish. She was, however, too tired to make the trip. Two hundred dollars, I think, is sufficient. 5. Use commas to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses written in a series. The Constitution establishes the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government. The candidate promised to lower taxes, protect the environment, reduce crime, and end unemployment. The prosecutor argued that the defendant, who was at the scene of the crime, who had a strong revenge motive, and who had access to the murder weapon, was guilty of homicide. 6. Use commas to separate two or more coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun. Be sure never to add an extra comma between the final adjective and the noun itself or to use commas with non-coordinate adjectives. Coordinate adjectives are adjectives with equal ("co"-ordinate) status in describing the noun; neither adjective is subordinate to the other. You can decide if two adjectives in a row are coordinate by asking the following questions: Does the sentence make sense if the adjectives are written in reverse order? Does the sentence make sense if the adjectives are written with and between them? If you answer yes to these questions, then the adjectives are coordinate and should be separated by a comma. Here are some examples of coordinate and non-coordinate adjectives: He was a difficult, stubborn child. (coordinate) They lived in a white frame house. (non-coordinate) She often wore a gray wool shawl. (non-coordinate) Your cousin has an easy, happy smile. (coordinate) The 1) relentless, 2) powerful 3) summer sun beat down on them. (1-2 are coordinate; 2-3 are non-coordinate.) The 1) relentless, 2) powerful, 3) oppressive sun beat down on them. (Both 1-2 and 2-3 are coordinate.) 7. Use a comma near the end of a sentence to separate contrasted coordinate elements or to indicate a distinct pause or shift. He was merely ignorant, not stupid. The chimpanzee seemed reflective, almost human. You're one of the senator's close friends, aren't you? The speaker seemed innocent, even gullible. 8. Use commas to set off phrases at the end of the sentence that refer back to the beginning or middle of the sentence. Such phrases are free modifiers that can be placed anywhere in the sentence without causing confusion. (If the placement of the modifier causes confusion, then it is not "free" and must remain "bound" to the word it modifies.) 1. Nancy waved enthusiastically at the docking ship, laughing joyously. (correct) 2a. Lisa waved at Nancy, laughing joyously. (incorrect: Who is laughing, Lisa or Nancy?) 2b. Laughing joyously, Lisa waved at Nancy. (correct) 2c. Lisa waved at Nancy, who was laughing joyously. (correct) 9. Use commas to set off all geographical names, items in dates (except the month and day), addresses (except the street number and name), and titles in names. Birmingham, Alabama, gets its name from Birmingham, England. July 22, 1959, was a momentous day in his life. Who lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC? Rachel B. Lake, MD, will be the principal speaker. (When you use just the month and the year, no comma is necessary after the month or year: "The average temperatures for July 1998 are the highest on record for that month.") 10. Use a comma to shift between the main discourse and a quotation. John said without emotion, "I'll see you tomorrow." "I was able," she answered, "to complete the assignment." In 1848, Marx wrote, "Workers of the world, unite!" 11. Use commas wherever necessary to prevent possible confusion or misreading. To George, Harrison had been a sort of idol. Comma Abuse Commas in the wrong places can break a sentence into illogical segments or confuse readers with unnecessary and unexpected pauses. 12. Don't use a comma to separate the subject from the verb. An eighteen-year old in California, is now considered an adult. (incorrect) The most important attribute of a ball player, is quick reflex actions. (incorrect) 13. Don't put a comma between the two verbs or verb phrases in a compound predicate. We laid out our music and snacks, and began to study. (incorrect) I turned the corner, and ran smack into a patrol car. (incorrect) 14. Don't put a comma between the two nouns, noun phrases, or noun clauses in a compound subject or compound object. The music teacher from your high school, and the football coach from mine are married. (incorrect: compound subject) Jeff told me that the job was still available, and that the manager wanted to interview me. (incorrect: compound object) 15. Don't put a comma after the main clause when a dependent (subordinate) clause follows it (except for cases of extreme contrast). 1. She was late for class, because her alarm clock was broken. (incorrect) 2. The cat scratched at the door, while I was eating. (incorrect) 3. She was still quite upset, although she had won the Oscar. (correct: extreme contrast)" i've borrowed (stolen) the above grammar rules pertaining to comma usage from http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/grammar/g_comma.html in order to preface my wee rant this evening. i learned my grammar in public school, and i'm the first person to tell you it ain't perfect. (see? ) but i've received several comments from some very well-intentioned fellow writers who tell me my comma use is...excessive. i can't swear i've never abused a comma, but i knows what i know, and these here rules  are the ones i follow. it's all grammatical, people. almost like math. *shudder*of course, rules are designed to be scorned, mocked, and even shunned; so i have a question for you. how strictly do you follow these rules? any rules? tell me about it, would you? let it all hang out. get groovy with it.  |
| heh. yep, i did it again. actually, i did it again twice. just now. i typed my entry, or a good chunk of it, and then deleted it before i posted. yep. i'm laughing so freaking hard right now my hernia's waving at the neighbors. (  sarcasm)so, here i am, trying one more time. if this doesn't work, i'll have decided god doesn't want me to blog anymore. i mean, it's a sign, right? it's gotta mean....something. intended blog entry ahead: "O Lord our Father, our young patriots, idols of our hearts, go forth to battle--be Thou near them! With them, in spirit, we also go forth from the sweet peace of our beloved firesides to smite our foe. O Lord our God, help us to tear their soldiers to bloody shreds with our shells; help us to cover their smiling fields with the pale forms of their patriot dead; help us to drown the thunder of the guns with the shrieks of their wounded writhing in pain; help us to lay waste their humble homes with a hurricane of fire; help us to wring the hearts of their unoffending widows with unavailing grief; help us to turn them out ruthless with their little children to wander unfriended the wastes of their desolated land in rags and hunger and thirst, sports of the sun flames of summer and the icy winds of winter, broken in spirit, worn with travail, imploring Thee for the refuge of the grave and denied it--for our sakes who adore Thee, Lord, blast their hopes, blight their lives, protract their bitter pilgrimage, make heavy their steps, water their way with their tears, stain the white snow with the blood of their wounded feet! We ask it, in the spirit of love, of Him Who is the Source of Love, and Who is the ever-faithful refuge and friend of all that are sore beset and seek His aid with humble and contrite hearts. Amen." --Mark Twain so, i found this book of quotations, and some of them have blown me away. the above quote, for instance. too easy for us to forget our compassion, our ability to see 'the enemy' as we see ourselves. i fall into the same trap sometimes, and mr twain here has given us a harrowing reminder in his brilliant fashion. we need to keep in mind how small this planet really is, how it becomes smaller every day, and that we all are human beings, regardless of our beliefs, our culture, our location. i'm sure i'll be posting more provocative/illuminating/entertaining quotations as i discover them--please feel free to send me your favorites, as well. sometimes someone expresses their thoughts with such perfection we can't help but pay homage. just typing the words helps me feel a little more creative, more talented...doing more of the thinking stuff which happens in my head. hope everyone's been doing all right--i haven't been very active lately, and well, that's a whole other blog entry. no biggie, just trying to beat down that troll sitting on my font of creativity. he seems to think it's a bidet. have a good night, y'all. |
| so, i had this great entry. thought-provoking, amusing but self-deprecating. i even quoted henry david thoreau. then i accidentally erased it before i posted. i officially suck. and good night. |
| i've been wanting to use this all day: oh, crikey!!! i have no reason. no crikey moment to share...i just like the phrase. i'm watching 'ghosthunters' (a slightly shameful pleasure), and what's cracking me up is the resident demonologist--currently cleansing a house of a 'mischievous spirit'--is in retail sales. that's....that's just laden with comedy gold. such potential. of course, i can't access it right now because my brain is mushy from lack of sleep. so everything's funny, but i have no idea why.  and my dog just farted again. jeebus crow. doesn't matter what we feed him, he emits the deepest, darkest, most sulfurous, eye-watering fumes. maybe we could use a demonologist around here... the power of christ compels you!! heh.i had a skinny day today, which rocked. (if you're a guy and don't know what the frick that means, ask the nearest chick and i bet she'll know.) empirically, i realize i'm the same size i was yesterday and will be tomorrow, but today, i just felt skinny. sveldt. it was AWESOME. for a few hours, i forgot i'm thirty pounds overweight. i'm still behind with editing...let's admit the truth here, sparky: i haven't edited or rewritten a dang thing this month. gotta get going on that...if i work on it on my weekends, i can edit ten pages each sunday and make my goal all right. but dayamn. okay, gotta pee. will return tomorrow. carry on. (notice how i carefully avoided talk of the march 4th primaries? yyyep. sssshhh...don't speak.) |
| aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaauuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu uuuuuugggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!! (pant, pant).....deep breath...... aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaauuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuugggg gggggggggggggggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!! you ever just have one of those primaries? the kind that leave your armpits all moist and your heart all palpitaty? only several more hours to go.....i can only imagine how the candidates feel right now. defibrilators on hand?? check. we'll get through, if i end up weighing 2-3 more lbs tomorrow, i'll at least have my sanity intact. heh. you, in the back, shut it. here's an ecstatic bit of news: Wolfedale  popped in today!!! i don't know if he's back back, but he has a wdc identity. that's encouraging! you guys who remember him will agree--wolfey's one of the most supportive, hilarious people i've met here. he's canadian, and he's fabulous!! |
| i've already blown it. why do i do this? *sigh* march is a lost cause, and it's only the 3rd. i missed 2 blogging days, and i'm already behind on this freaking nowrimo rewriting project...my tiny internal perfectionist voice is chewing me out so bad right now. makes me want snacks. in other news, i've watched way too much political news today. my head hurts, and my battered soul is feeling bruised, too. i just don't understand why the system seems to be designed to tear people down. why we can't run elections based on honest, straightforward discourse and informed voters, i don't know. i guess campaigns smearing each other with muck and lying to/misleading voters is easier than actually earning votes. doesn't seem like it should be, but i don't want to conclude some people enjoy being hateful for its own sake...i don't want to kill off that last innocent shred i hold for humanity. let me keep this one thing? please? |
| so, p is sick. no, not in the head. he has the flu, poor guy. he's sleeping the sleep of the drugged, tho, and that should help. best thing for the plague, a nap. he sleeps with a pillow piled up on the top half of his face, so all i can see is his chin above the covers. so cute! kinda germy right now, but i'll show him how thekthy i think he is when he's feeling better. in a few days. after a liberal lysol spritz. so, how're y'all? i'm munching on cheez-its (truly, an evil snack cracker), watching msnbc's variety of political commentary shows running the gamut from middle-of-the-road-but vaguely-assholish (chris matthews) to bow-tie-conservative (tucker carlson) to gleefully-liberal-and-glibly-cheeky (keith olberman--my fave ), and mentally glaring at myself for having skipped editing/outlining duties for the past several days. i'm beginning to make myself uncomfortable. i may pepper spray myself, if i don't stop. i'm not sure what i'll do if that doesn't work.when's the last time you danced with abandon? i mean, with abandon. like when you were a kid, and didn't worry about looking sexy, or especially coordinated. i love dancing, in theory. i haven't gone to a club since 1987 (college), and i can assure you my dancing was chock full of anxiety. i may have looked cute, but inside i was cataloging everything from the shine on my nose to how far up my bum the seam of my pants had crawled to how i seemed to be doing more aerobicizing than grooving, there on the dance floor. (a helpful college boy informed me. so helpful. so very, very helpful.) but i danced. now, i groove, but i don't dance. i tap things--my steering wheel, my thighs, other people's thighs --i wiggle my booty in an understated way, i stomp my feet occasionally, but i don't cut loose. sadly, i discover i've lost the ability. granted, i hold back to keep from hurting the dogs (they like to crawl up in my stuff wherever i go around the house.) but i suffer moments of jealousy toward people who can still move like they mean it. even....even the ladies wiggling in the jello commercial. yes, surely this is the rock bottom about which i hear so many talk. please tell me it is. well, tomorrow's a new day. i can medicate my beau, get some editing done, and maybe even throw in a kooky dance step or two. i can always tell p he was hallucinating. oooh, hey, if you haven't already noticed the above sig, check out wdc's march nowrimo--i'm gonna be rewriting all month!! a great way to get a BUTTLOAD of work done in a short amount of time, and completely neglect your friends and family in the process. sounds great, yeah? i know!! join us, won't you?? |
| my fabulous friend sent me a link to this fabulous blog: http://mightygirl.com/ reminiscent of all those goofy, non-sequitor ranty conversations i've had with my gaggle of girlfriends from times long ago. *sigh* i miss those times. definitely a hoot, and maybe even a nanny. |
| oh, bloggy goodness. i'd be commenting on something, but i just spent my last two hours of the evening watching the last (?) democratic debate, and now have gotta go to bed if i'm gonna be worth anything tomorrow. i have high hopes i'll be back at a decent hour tomorrow, and will blog more appropriately then. i hope everyone had a fabulous day, and i'll be around to read yer blogs tomorrow. (hey, i didn't even get to my editing at all. that's how much i love ya. ) |
| uhhh...wait. first, need ice cream. brb. okay. baaack! i had blue bell vanilla ice cream, warmed brownie bites, fresh blueberries and a dabble of chocolate sauce. yum!! on to business. i watched the movie 'stranger than fiction' several days ago, and i have to tell you, i've never finished watching a movie feeling the way i did after this one. i was inspired, encouraged, motivated beyond--look, have you ever felt so positive about something that your doubts disappear, the path seems so simple and straightforward you have to slap yourself in the head and yelp, 'doh!!'? that's how i felt after watching this movie. and i felt this way about writing!! the intensity didn't last, of course, but i remember exactly how it felt, and how much i wanted to run to the computer and write right then and there OH MY. so, what was it that affected me so deeply? well, i don't want to ruin it for you if you haven't seen it. because you need to experience the movie as it plays out, and not anticipate any of the plot events, or it won't hit you as perfectly. but i can tell you the story involves a writer, and the story itself involves faith in humanity, and ambivalence, and the 'right' decision to make...oh, i can't explain it well enough. just rent it, okay? anyone will like this movie, and be moved by it, but if you're a writer, it'll hit you on a totally separate level as well. i've rarely felt as justified in my dream of being a writer. can i be any more vague? probly not. (see it anyway.) |
| hallo. are you watching the oscars? i can't even try to be cynical when i watch the oscars. as much as i know it's business, that industry folk appear to further themselves, that every aspect from dress to production is geared toward furthering the mainstream entertainment business....i can't help but get excited when awards are announced, especially for those 'smaller' awards--the short films, whose producers/writers/directors worked on them out of heart and drive; the technical awards for those who never get public credit but once a year. really, whenever anyone gets all excited about receiving an award i love seeing it. *sigh* i get all starry-eyed. i haven't seen all the nominated movies--only 'ratatouille' and 'juno', which both kicked MAJOR bootie. and 'ratatouille' just won best animated picture!! woohoo!!!!! one thing that does piss me off, though, is how the producers of the show cut off the freaking winners as they try to speak their thanks!!! so what if their 20 seconds might put the show over at the end of the night? these people's dreams are coming true; this is the biggest night EVER for them. least we can do is give them time at the mic, eh? garg. alright, i'm off to watch the show. hope everyone's having a good evening, full of sparkle and ponies. |
| mmm...sparkling pomegranate juice. yum! so, today was good. i did a BUTTLOAD of dishes, did a bunch of other stuff all afternoon, then went to Trader Joes for some succulent fresh blueberries, sourdough bread, costa rican coffee, and the aforementioned sparkling pomegranate juice. i love Trader Joes, but i can't get all my staples there. like, tampons? no tampons. but if yer looking for fun stuff, they're good for a looksee. and affordable! then we went to the local used bookstore, and picked up about a half dozen books. yay! of course, i have stacks of books giving me the gimlet eye right now, but who cares? not like i need to keep room in the freezer for my paperbacks. yep, that was my day. oooh. and the police came by. that was interesting. they're looking for a suspect (for some crime unknown to me), canvassing the neighborhood. i've never been questioned by the police before. it was kinda exciting. and the suspect sounded like a bad character. bad teeth, acne scars....yeesh. and my good buddy donna lou sent me some fabulous flannel bunny jammies. that's right, i said BUNNY jammies. you just can't beat jammies with bunnies on them. i think you've surmised (and correctly) by now i've got nothing of any substance to write about.....*crickets*.....well, i'm off to continue with my outlining/editing. i've so far gotten two chapters down, am working on the third. of twenty-one. and my novel's maybe 75% done. needs LOTS of rewriting and fleshing out. see you next fall!! (no, i'll be back tomorrow. y'all won't get away that easily.) |
| hi, y'all. i'm back. i haven't cried for two days, i feel level, in control. i'm not as afraid to go out in public. i took a shower. i thought about writing today. life is looking up. i alluded to a renewed motivation with the writing (and editing--ooohhh, the editing) in my last entry, and two days later, i feel it even more. there's nothing stopping me but myself, so i gotta get on the stick. in that vein, i'll be starting my editing (for a second time--the first attempt using powerpoint was erased during pc troubles a few weeks ago ) on the novel tonight. woohoo!!!i'd like to thank miss dragonfly~guess who's back? for the loverly merit badge. you're a wonderful support, and i count you among my friends, my dear. here's my horoscope for today: "Cancer: Your ability to get your point across -- even through crosstalk or confusing circumstances -- is very strong right now. Take advantage of the opportunity to tell someone what you think is going on." (courtesy of astrology.com) sounds like i should be doing some writing, eh? heh. on a different topic: i read articles about the democratic candidates fairly often, and will intentionally peruse the reader comments afterward, looking to get some kind of read on the going zeitgeist (or at least on the sample cross-section which responds to online political articles)....all i gotta say is 'whoooeeee'. people is ignorant. i know the anonymity of online comments encourages people to let it all hang out, to express sentiments they wouldn't whisper in confessional, much less in a face-to-face conversation, but my god, people like to be mean. somehow, we've developed a taste for the quick zinger; a strong, wishful yearning for the ability to knock someone down with the unbreachable bon mot, except many people's idea of a mot juste includes words like 'cunt', 'towelhead' or 'nigger'. this is, needless to say, disheartening. depressing. maddening. infuriating. i know i should just keep my nose out of the comment posts. that i'll find no illuminating thoughts thrashing around in there. i guess i look because i feel like i need to know what kind of sewage people will be flinging during the general election. i don't want to be caught off-guard....although how i could possible brace myself for that kind of hateful vitriol, i don't know. my hope is that these sort of comments are posted by face-biting adolescents trying to shock and awe the grownups with their potty mouths. let's hope they grow out of it before they hit voting age. (crosses fingers) |
| i've had an interesting several days. i've learned a little. well, confirmed a little. i know who i can count on, who i can call a friend. and i know why i'm here, what my priority has to be. sliding off track is so easy, with all the activities, the friendly interactions. but my goal is ambitious and requires a full dedication, and i can't let myself stray any longer. too much to do, and too little time. i don't know if my mom would be proud, but i know now i've got to accomplish my goals starting now, if i'm ever going to succeed. i can't live in fear anymore. |
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