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 |  Nothing like a fortune cookie to make a year intriguing. |
  Many thanks to kiyasama for the lovely image gracing this blog! A huge thank you to GabriellaR45  for the shiny yellow awardicon to bring the new year!It was a simple crack of an ancient fortune cookie that sparked the courage to keep writing on the eve of the new year. This is a test to see what a tiny slip of white paper can do for someone who was ready to hand in the towel, allowing every self-doubt and negative thought to take control. May this mark a beginning; a fresh start for the potential of something messy, dented around the edges, and absolutely all mine. Here's to blogging in 2011 (and 2012).   |
"30-Day Blogging Challenge ON HIATUS"  Day 12: Sand Between My Toes It's hotter than Hades in August and you're at the beach. You run out into the ocean waves, jump to get over that big one, and on the way back down, something bumps against your leg. What would you do? Would you dive under the water to see what it was? Would you yell for help? Would you swim toward shore in the same direction as the bump? Or something else? Prompt Creator: Happy May 2024!  The first time I remember taking a glimpse at the ocean I had just turned three-years old, and was spending the summer evening with my parents. Holding both of their hands, I walked towards the water, realized just how immense the ocean was, and climbed up the back of my 6'4" father like he was a jungle gym. My little fingers dug into his afro for dear life, and wouldn't get down until we got back into the car. Felt the same about Santa Monica, but who doesn't? That being said I grew to love the ocean and feel of salt water on my skin. The thing that caused me such fear in my heart ended up bringing me the most solace. My mom attributes it to me being a fish once in a former life and my ancestors all being from islands. Maybe so, but there's nothing like sinking your feet into the ocean waters and staring out into the Pacific. Spending all my life in California, I don't see the ocean enough, and it'll probably be the thing I miss most when moving to Washington. Standing in the ocean waves and diving (haphazardly - it's the only way I roll) underneath the water line, if I felt something bump my leg, I'd got after it like a severe dork. I'd peer into the salt water until my eyes couldn't stand it. If it were something that was alive, I'd go after it. I'm too curious a person not to know what wanted to get friendly. More likely than not I'd be messing with something I shouldn't. Still, there's too much beauty not to want to take a peak. |
| "30-Day Blogging Challenge ON HIATUS" Day 11: Personal Choice YOUR CHOICE --- 1. MTR or MOUNTAINTOP REMOVAL 2. GAS FRACTURING or Fracking 3. A tale of taking down the Christmas Tree in July… Prompt Creator: April Sunday Funny thing - I have had to take down a Christmas tree in July. My mom is a particular attachment to Christmas trees. When I was three-years old, the family discovered that she was allergic to pine trees. Plastic trees became the central part of our family after that. Somehow, since the tree couldn't dry out, it kept staying up longer and longer. The ornaments would come down, but the tree would still be in the corner of the living room. That was difficult to explain to my friends. Why the tree still up past Easter? We got creative. Valenpine Tree became a staple. Shamrocks found their way between the branches. It was definitely a thing... We staged an intervention at the beginning of July. I stayed and held my mother's hand while my brothers took the branches out of the metal hooks and put them back into the box. My dad would cart the box back into the garage for the next five months. I think he slipped her an airplane-sized bottle of vodka when we weren't looking. It's been easier over the years. If we can get that tree down before June, it's a good year. Still, kind of hilarious. Ah families - putting the fun back in dysfunction. |
"30-Day Blogging Challenge ON HIATUS" Day 10: Written-Word Geniuses Who are the authors who have inspired you work? Prompt Creator: very thankful  Writers, whether poetry or prose, have a way of showing the world through a different lens. Why are we here, but to share our own written word? There are so many writers I admire for their skill with words. Ones I grew up with, ones that make me laugh, ones that make me contemplate life. Each have their own merits and are beloved. Off the top of my head I'd have to say Jim Butcher, Neil Gaiman, Maya Angelou, bell hooks, Jennifer Crusie, T.S. Eliot, Julia Alvarez, Homer, Katherine Neville and Octavio Paz inspire me the most. Each of them have a distinctive voice and experience that they convey through their writing. Favorites every one. |
| "30-Day Blogging Challenge ON HIATUS" Day 9: End Of The World December 21, 2012 is supposed to be the end of the world. Do you think it will it be a cataclysmic shift of Earth itself, a transformative shift in human consciousness, or something else? Prompt Creator: Prosperous Snow celebrating  R.E.M. moment - forgive me. This is touching a subject close to my heart. Much to my significant other's chagrin, Eschatology (End of the World Studies) is a hobby of mine. There's something about how people view the end of the world, some karmically while other view simply as inevitable. Concepts like 12/21/12 being the end of times effecting the cultural dynamic becomes more and more as a phenomenon as the time draws closer. Much like the pastor in my home state that said this past May was the beginning of the end, only to see the day pass by like any other. What was more remarkable than the prediction was the national media coverage. I think when December 21st comes along in 2012 there will be a transformative shift in human consciousness whether the world does end or not. In a way, I think the world is looking for a vast change, and the date gives everyone something to work with. Using this date makes if feel more like destiny or self-sustaining prophecy. I think the change has already happening. The cultural wave, I believe, will only be a matter of time. While studying Mesoamerican Art, my professor attempted to teach us how to read the calendar. This is extremely difficult to do in only a few hours. It is believe that Mayans had specialists who dedicated their lives to telling time through the stars and predict changes and obstacles from the Gods. As I joke, I asked my professor if maybe, instead of time simply ending, the specialists just got bored and left the rest to the next generation. I'd get bored with it too after a while, lol. What will happen? Time will tell. At least, as a community of writers, we'll all be together to discuss it.  |
"30-Day Blogging Challenge ON HIATUS" Day 8: Birthday Call Since today is my birthday, my prompt is this: If you could give yourself a call on a past birthday of yours, what would you tell yourself? Prompt Creator: Lonewolf  If I could call myself on a past birthday, I would call seven-year old me and have her sit down for a couple moments. I'd call her Sam just to calm her done. There would be birthday cake on her shirt, a gift from her brothers, and I'd mention that to get me through to door in terms of believing. She'd freak out a little, but I think she'd deal. "Listen, kid, before this phone gets lost in the space-time continuum." Then I would set up the groundwork for for the next fifteen-years.  Beware of the roller skates! Do yourself a favor and skip the day at the roller rink. Men are tricky, fickle, and will leave even when they love. Don't let this get you down, and don't make this a reason to stop loving those around you. It may get hard. You may feel like you're becoming jaded early. In the end, you'll be stronger. Keep your chin up. It may sound funny, but things really do happen for a reason. Puberty will suck. Your life is about to get immensely difficult, and it will only go down hill from here. But whatever people may say about you, you're a strong girl. You'll get through it even when there are moments when it doesn't feel like there will be another sunshine. Through the pain that will come, just keep smiling, and remember to love yourself. Forget the headache, and don't lend out money. Ever. No matter how much the people cry, or how much you love them as people. It doesn't make you a bad person, and it'll help them more if they don't get them from you. Hug your mom more, for no particular reason. She's going to need it. Oh, and do not, under any circumstances, peel the stickers off of C--'s television. It'll be more of a hassle than you can ever imagine.This could get interesting... Happy Birthday, Lone!  |
| "30-Day Blogging Challenge ON HIATUS" Day 7: Musical Inspiration Music can be inspirational. Has music ever inspired you to write or to create? If so, what music inspires you the most? Any particular song(s) or artist(s)? If not, what inspires you to write? Prompt Creator: LdyPhoenix Music, like writing, has saved me on more than one occasion. It is the one thing that has been a constant thread in my life. A lifetime of dozens of mp3 and CD players. Every day, for at least a couple hours a day, I'm hooked to the music much like one needs food to survive. As cheesy as it sounds, Dick Clark got it right when that music is the soundtrack of our lives. Who's dancing now? Just kidding... Many of the stories and poems I've post on WDC is based on songs I've heard. Just like spotting something while grocery shopping or taking a walk through the park, music can spark something in the brain that pushes the need to create. Off on a tangent for a moment, what's interesting about music in television shows is how it showcases the song. When handled correctly, both can enhance each other. It becomes storytelling at it's finest. When listening to a song I can be taken to a different place. The lyrics unravel in the mind, weaving the story. Music is...well, life. |
"30-Day Blogging Challenge ON HIATUS" Day 6: Redo/Rewind If life had a "redo" or "rewind" button would you use it? If so, what situation comes to mind? If not, why? Prompt Creator: aralls It is so very tempting to be kind and rewind. Looking back on those big events in my life, it does make me wonder what I could have done differently. The ones where I wish I had just a little more time with a person, to say the things I wish I could have said. To take back hateful words and tell the person that I love them before they leave. There are other moments I would have stopped from happening from jump street, or encouraged another to act right instead of wrong. To cherish reverent moments just a little longer. Ah, if only there was that possibility. However, no one would be the same if life presented each person with a rewind button. Time would constantly be in flux from the changes taking place. What if two people or more want to change the same event for different reasons? What happens to the other people in the event? What happens to history itself? The constant tug and pug from everyone hitting that damn button over and over again. What if...there was a zombie apocalypse? *Bites nails in fear while clutching survival pack tighter to body*  One paragraph earlier...However, no one would be the same if life presented each person with a rewind button. However harder life has been for all of us, it is the those devastating moments and those embarrassing moments and those cringe-worthy moments that make us who we are today. What we've learned, the ability to look back of life and wonder if life could be different, make us who we are today. Hitting the redo button would erase all we learned and everything that made us grow as individuals. The offer does have a siren's appeal, but I ultimately don't know if I would like the outcome. I'd have to say no. |
"30-Day Blogging Challenge ON HIATUS" Day 5: When I Do Good - When I Do Bad "When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad. That's my religion." ~Abraham Lincoln Intriguing premise, President Lincoln. My younger siblings and nieces come to mind with this prompt. My little brother and sister are still at that age where their wants and what is feasible are very different things. Sometimes, when things are bad, their first reaction is to try and cover. This usually doesn't work and guilt catches up with them. They're learning to make good decision as well as how guilt can be a great motivator; Being Catholic has it charms. For me, I think today's quote greatly applies to me as well. When I was four-years old, I stole some candy from the corner market where my mom went to pick up some milk. I kept it in my pockets for an hour before I finally confessed to my mother what I had done. My oldest brother S-- was proud I turned myself in. My older brother C-- was disappointed that I didn't try to get away with it. Punishment was dealt out swiftly. The principle still applies. I wonder if this always rang true for President Lincoln. What intrigues me most about this quote is whether the 16th president felt this everyday or tried to look at this as something to strive for. After making his stance on slavery, war ensued and he literally lost close to half of the country. While this decision was right, I wonder if it felt good. Were there times in his life, before his assassination, that his religion didn't feel quite right? Definitely food for thought. |
"30-Day Blogging Challenge ON HIATUS" Day 4: Just Go with It or Go Against It? Some countries legalize same sex marriage. Which is your stand, Just go with it or go against? Go with it. Why the hell not? As my father likes to point out, everyone should be equally miserable in marriage, whether gay or straight. I think he has a point. To get technical with the topic, I examined it from three perspectives - anthropology, psychology, and regular, literal old me. Anthropologically speaking, marriage is simply a social/economical contract first created for two families to maintain property or to help warring factions to try and come together to solve their differences peacefully. This is more of a merge than the romantic notion of marriage. Actually picking ones partner for life is a relatively new concept. Usually, the head of the family would choose a spouse for the child/grandchild/niece/nephew. Psychologically speaking, marriage carries with it a certain societal status. Marriage equals acceptance. Acceptance as a whole can go a long way into improving a person's mental capacity, especially in times of distress. Unfortunately, homosexual individuals have a higher chance of dying from disease. Not because of risky behavior; because family and friends ostracize them once they come. Having a legal stance in their favor to be a step forward to having more community acceptance. Literally, why would you do it even if you could? There's such a high failure rate to marriage. Divorce is almost inevitable, and has little to do with the relationship between two people. Love is love. Registering with the state to signify that love has a high percentage rate of killing it. Will same sex marriage become legal in the United States? Yes, and soon. It should - there's not two-ways about it. But is it the best thing that can happen for GLBT rights? Probably not. I think the bigger question is why people, as a whole, can't be more accepting. We should be able to move forward - as a community, as a country, and as fellow human beings. Acceptance. Love. Peace. Sounds like crunchy granola, but really, it's a good thing. |
"30-Day Blogging Challenge ON HIATUS" Day 3: Good Traditions Every country has its prestigious traditions. Some of those are our favorites. In the community you live now enumerate the good traditions you and your family are anxious to celebrate. Interesting topic. I'm not sure that my family has any traditions that we're anxious to celebrate. As a whole, we're so scattered, always on the move, that it was hard growing up to really have a staple in things to look forward to. In a way, it's the small things that we look forward to, at least in my opinion. My family has had some lean years. When Christmas seemed like too much of an extravagance, we celebrated Three Kings' Day (Epiphany). I remember stealing a pair of my father's shoes to set outside my bedroom door the night before the gifts were suppose to arrive. Bigger shoes, bigger reward. Christmas or Epiphany, my older brother C--- and I would wake up before the sun was barely peaking over the horizon to open presents. We were mercenary in waking the others up. Had some great family moments when we were still all together. The first days of summer have always been big. California summers hit the senses fast and hard. There's a feeling one gets along the skin when the days stretch out longer and the nights warmer; a tingling in the pit of of stomach and a slow smile that creeps. When we lived in the agricultural valley, the heat was oppressive. We used to watch eggs sizzle on the pavement and play baseball in dirt fields where crops weren't growing anymore. Every year, a tradition of sorts, my older brothers and I would buy ice cream from the ice cream man. He came only twice a year - once during the winter when no one wanted cold things and a drive-by pass in the summer when someone would have to stand in the street (brave soul) to flag him down. We'd stock up for the long summer days ahead. I can still remember the liquid blue sugar high. Good, nontraditional traditions - the way I like them.  |
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