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Bare and uncensored personal expression. Beware!!! |
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** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** "This is pretty much what journals are all about, at least to me. I knew as I wrote them that even though they provided an excellent place for brain (and heart, and psyche) dump, they were mainly a map of me." --- Colleen Wainwright "Writing gives you the illusion of control, and then you realize it's just an illusion, that people are going to bring their own stuff into it." --- David Sedaris "Please write again soon. Though my own life is filled with activity, letters encourage momentary escape into others lives and I come back to my own with greater contentment." --- Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey "In giving of myself onto these pages every day I allow myself to write regardless of the depth and meaning. I share myself with others without fear of recrimination for these are my thoughts, my feelings and my very being, and there are non who's opinion of me matters more than my own." --- Rebecca Laffar-Smith   The Writer's Round-About |
| Ok, so blogging time has come and gone but nothing interesting wants to be written about. I'm suffereing from flights of mindlessness. It's not that I'm without mind really, it's that today I've been so focused on doing things that require the left brain (logic) that I can't seem to get a right brain switch happening. That leaves me with nothing but logic and zero creativity. A real dilemma for someone who depends on her creativity. The good news is that I could help my daughter with some maths homework she did this morning. *chuckles* The bad news is that it was STILL challenging to do so. lol Year 2 maths and I'm finding it challenging. I always knew I was stupid. Still, got a fair bit of nothingness done today. Nothingness because while it was good busy work it's not really getting me toward anything that I actually WANT in life. It's certainly nothing that ever has the potential of putting food into my kids bellies. Ultimately I'm starting to think perhaps I put too much time into the pursuits that help others rather than into things that help me. Of course, I feel selfish thinking like that. Who cares that I spend most of my daytime hours doing things that aid others? It's not like I'd be writing if I weren't anyway. I have the time, 2 hours set aside every evening but instead I sit here mindless and twiddle with a halfassed attempt at blogging. I'm starting to think I'll just have to get used to the idea that I'll return to bag packing and till clanging. It's something that at least brings in a steady paycheck that would leave me with more than the $5 that's currently in my bank account. *sighs* At least I do have bread and milk, if I'm careful it will last until I get a little more incoming. I'm rambling nonsensically tonight. I want to write two poems but mostly my head just wants to turn off. Then of course I wonder why I bother writing poetry at all. I'd not really thought much of publishing any. I mean I've taken to submitting some ocassionally but I don't honestly think any of it will be published. I've tossed up the idea of a book of poetry but I struggle to create the poems that will go in that anthology. Perhaps that's what I should be focusing on at the moment when it comes to poetry. Completing that anthology. *sighs* Strange how I go through these waves of misguidedness. I feel like I'm going in circles I've been through before. What happened to this whole "Road of Life" idea? Did someone stick me on a round-about that has no exits? I'll chug along in my run down, oversized heap and pass the turn of inspiration, into the turn of deflation, the turn of insecurity, the turn of uncertainty, round and round and round. Perhaps I'm on the carousel instead of the bumper cars. Either way I want to get off now and start actually living a life instead of wearing myself into a ditch. |
| Today was an total flop. I did get up an get some digging done outside for the vege patch but that must have used up my dedication, enthusiasm and energy because the rest of the day has passed in a strange kind of buzzing blahness. There were so many things I wanted to get done but I just couldn't call myself to action on anything. Anything I attempted to start wandered and then fleeted through my mind. Time passed and progress faltered. Even now, as I'm sitting, typing my blog my mind isn't really present. I want to be elsewhere, doing other things. I was even tempted not to bother blogging tonight but brought myself back to my desk. It's important that I remain consistent. I mean it's easy to say, "I'll do it in the morning." But getting here in the morning will be just as challenging as getting here tonight. I did that yesterday. Not my blog, but the review. I'm aiming to do a review each weekday but yesterday it was gone late by the time I came anywhere near to getting around to it so I forgave myself and set the reminder for the morning. Morning came and went with no review. Today's review has joined it in the 'to do' pile as well and I know from my past track records that it is the start of all manner of routine collapsing. Interesting that it only ever lasts and feels good for a few days. So much for developing a habit. Anyway, I'm here and failing to concentrate, still. I don't know what to say so I'm not even going to bother. I was here and that's all I demand from myself. Sure, my personal standard insists I ramble on for a few paragraphs rather than writing an entry consisting of three words, "I woz 'ere", yeah that's more like 1.8 words or something. lol Now I'm going to go waste my time on something brainless and hope that tomorrow is a better day. |
| Autumn in Perth is a beautiful time of year. The summers tend to get very hot and while I love the rainy weather of winter it can get a little monotonous. Autumn is a balance of the two extremes. The weather is cooling down and the bright, sunny days are interspursed with cloud and rain. It's just warm enough to enjoy a few hours in the sun down at the park but cold enough to take a jumper (sweater? sweat-shirt? windsheeter? Um... What do American's call the extra layer of clothing that goes over their shirts?) My garden starts to flourish as the weather turns cooler. The glare of the summer sun overpowers many of the introduced flowers and only the native plants are hardy enough to withstand the clay, waterless earth they're forced to grow in. I have a little flower bed in my front window, leading up to the porch at the front of my house. The week before Christmas and New Year's my daughter and I planted some flowers she had been given as a gift in there with my three rose plants. One rose didn't survive the unpotting. The soil is hard to cultivate because the original sand was barren of good earth. It's had mulch and various mixtures dug into it since but sometimes it's still hard to get something fragile (like that species of rose) to take off after digging it in. The second rose is still recovering from being transplanted. It's growing well and has definately taken to it's new home but the flowers can sometimes be slow to come in. The first rose that took pride of place in that garden bed was my georgious "Invalid Item"  .Today the first blossom of the year finally opened and I clipped it quickly to sit in a small vase on my desk. This rose is actually a very pale, gentle, feminine flower. It's not the vibrant, deep, whiskey orange that you can see in that photo of the first rose of last year.*grrr* I just tried to upload my latest batch of photos from my digital camera but the cord is damaged. I think it got run over by the wheels of my chair a few weeks ago and now it's refusing to work. *grimaces* Will have to get a new one or perhaps install my multi-card-reader into the old computer so I can get them from the SD card instead. Off the point, sorry, just had to rant a little. Anyway, the rose has a really nice scent that just fills the room. It's only one little rose but the soft flavoursome smell fills my nostrils. I wish it cleared my head but so far it's not having that kind of soothing effect on my senses. I'm looking forward to developing my rose garden. I hope the miniture whites flourish and flower soon and I'm going to buy a new Candystriper to replace the one that didn't make it. I'll buy a mature one that's already in bloom so that I can have flowers this year.  The flowers my daughter planted are coming along sweetly too. They are filler flowers, nasturtians and um... somethin else. *chuckles* They offer a riot of color and I'm told butterflies really love them So far the flowers have been sporadic but consistant and I only wish we could pack them closer together in the flowerbed. It would look fantastic to see a sea of green dotted with bright oranges, reds, and yellows. Well, there you go, that's actually about the extent of my garden. I tend to avoid having too many flowering plants around my home because of my serious bee allergy. I am still planning to dig in a vegetable patch in the back yard. In fact, perhaps I'll snug up warm tomorrow morning and focus my Hour of Power there. Work up a good sweat digging out a decent patch so I can fill it with rich, earthy, nutrition-filled soil so we can finally get those seeds in. It would be fantastic to have fresh lettuce and tomato on hand frequently. Not to mention all the other things we can grow. I'm not a huge gardener. I don't really like the creepy crawly things that make their homes in the dirt but I love the products of a fantastic garden. Still, in Australia with our dry, arid weather not a lot grows. Keeping to the natives is always a great idea and if I'm lucky I can maintain an expanse of grass (in various degrees of green and brown) year round. Some years all plant-life is touch and go. I'm very conscious of the importance of conserving water. There just isn't enough rain and there isn't enough to waste. Having a pretty garden is far less important to me then allowing the farmers to harvest a full crop and the ranchers to bring in a full head for us to eat. It's touch and go some years (this one for example) but no matter how bad the summer has been it always comes good again in the autumn and winter, eventually. |
| They ALL do. They ALL work, and they ALL fail. 'Diets' become 'diets' because they work, have proven to work, are seen to be working, and provide success. They're all measured on the terms of losing weight in the short term and you can take any obese person, put them on any diet and if they follow it, they will lose weight, guaranteed. Taking the pounds off however is only half the battle. The real trick is keeping them off and living a healthy lifestyle. Most people can go a few weeks at anything. However, as the weight falls off progress slows, and it gets harder to shed those remaining pounds. As it gets harder we become more discouraged until eventually we fall off the wagon. In rolls the pounds again. They're always so much easier to put back on then to take off. That's the failure point of ALL diets. The point when the dieter STOPS 'dieting'. The reason all 'diets' fail is because they're considered temporary measures. To successfully lose weight and KEEP IT OFF you have to change your life' not 'go on a diet'. Unfortunately, some of the 'diet' options are not healthy as a lifestyle. Cutting out protein, carbohydrates, fat, or sugar, is not healthy. If you remember back to your health class in school you might remember the Healthy Food Pyramid? All of those food groups are on there. Your body NEEDS them all. Yes, even the fats and sugars. The way to successfully lose weight is to learn what your body needs and maintain that balance. It needs each of those food groups to some degree. The vegetables are the heavy weight at the bottom of the pyramid; they're the most important food group and should make up the majority of each meal. Everything slots into that pyramid. If you want to be the healthiest you possibly can be, plan every meal as if you're putting the pyramid on your plate. Of course, living like that would be challenging. I'm sure some people could do it. It would be a great diet', but it's not something most could sustain long term. If you're in for the long haul you'll simply have to learn what is good for you, what isn't, and develop the habit of choosing the healthiest option whenever possible. Treat yourself occasionally but remember to keep those top of the pyramid items in their balance. Coupled with regular exercise that will stimulate your body to USE the food you give it and allowing yourself to incorporate the BALANCE concept into your entire life you'll find you no longer need to 'diet'. You'll live it, and you'll love doing so. http://www.helium.com/tm/289676 *flushes with guilt* Yes, um... I'm being lazy and just reproducing something I wrote recently because I don't have the brain capacity to bother blogging tonight. Feel free to sledge me in my comments if you prefer my conversational blog entries. |
| I've been hearing a lot about VA Tech, the college in the US where a student killed a lot of people. Now I admit I'm not completely up to speed with what happened. Australia is far removed and while we have the issue scattered on the news it's in highlighted snippets of scare-mongering rather than facts. The scare-mongering is what has me concerned about this issue. Everyone seems to be completely focused on the shooter. His message is blast across the screen as if to highlight what a whack-job the boy is. He's cast off with stereotypes that alienate him from the rest of his peers. What I see when I hear his video suicide note is a boy who has been tortured and tormented. To me it looks like a serious case of bullying gone wrong. This kid, quiet, reclusive, studious wrote to get the anxst out of his system. He was compartmentalized by the education system and cast out from the peer system of other students. His final words seem to highlight the sense of victimization he felt at that school. It points at unnamed tormentors, rich kids because of the comment about their cars. To me it sounds like those kids had made his life hell. There comes a point when we can no longer turn a blind eye to our soul being crushed by the brutality of others. Why isn't an eye on the 'victims'? He shot those kids for a reason. I think he probably aimed very specifically for the ones that hurt him. He went in knowing he would not live through it. He'd sacrificed his life and soul in the utter hopelessness of having it decimated by others. There is the element of revenge there but I wonder if perhaps he was saving others from the same torment too. One side story I've heard is about the man who sold him the gun he used. The man says something along the lines of, "I did the right thing giving him a gun. If all those kids had guns that day there wouldn't have been a problem." OMG SERIOUSLY??? We don't put cars in the hands of teenagers because they just can't handle the responsibility. Guns are something very few people could handle. These kids are in college, they're all under a great deal of stress. Most of them feel like their very lives hang on the result of their final year exams, on every test and paper leading up to that too. They're on low to no sleep and generally have shockingly bad diets. You want to put guns into the hands of all of them? That would have meant more bullets would have been fired that day. Out of panic, or anger, or revenge, or even to end their own misery. Even if the bullets weren't aimed at anyone stray bullets would have lead to increased deaths. If the 'murderer' had not been able to get a gun he would not have found it so easy to do so much harm in so little a time. He might have come to another solution. He might have been able to get the help he needed. He doesn't sound any more mentally unstable then most of us. We all struggle with our demons, inside and out. He had a creative outlet and a good mind. Odds are, if he'd had more understanding, if he'd had a caring friend, if he'd been left alone by the bullies, he'd have grown into a talented writer, probably a best seller. Is there any chance they'll highlight the actions of the people around him that lead to this? Or will everyone just focus on the fact that a 'murderer' is dead, his 'victims' are all automatically going to graduate with full honors, and any kid who expresses any form of unhappiness is a potential risk and should be locked up. The truth is, it's bloody HARD! Growing up is a bitch and MOST of us have felt the hopelessness and depression that ravage those years. I've held a knife in my hands. Mostly I just wanted to end me because I thought I was worthless but trust me, in those moments when you're deciding how much you can stand the faces of every pain looks like a deserving target. Why isn't this a message about bullying? Why isn't it a message about being nicer to each other? Why isn't it a message about knowing, understanding and loving each other? |
| Right, to work then I guess. It's already 9PM and I have a smashing headache. I think it's because I'm not getting a full 8 hours sleep each night. My alarm goes off at 6AM and I bounce into my morning, determined to make the most of the day and start off with a good workout (usually involving housework to kill two birds with one stone). Anyway, now of course it's late and I'd like to chill out and relax. But I went to my Mother's in the evening and had dinner there so I'm way behind on my afternoon and evening 'work'. I haven't done my review of the day or my poem of the day. I'm here writing my blog which is something I guess and again, I'm not going to be plucking up the courage and giving myself over to The Flight of Torque. In good FoT news however I was sparked last night as I lay tossing and turning. I caved in and wrote a tiny snippet of a scene that belongs at the very end of the book. For now the longhand notebook is just shoved aside because I don't much know what to do with it. I do feel pretty good knowing that FoT is still there, hovering at the edges, perhaps waiting for me to take the plunge again. I feel like I need to know my characters better. The infamiliarity with them is still lingering and I can't quite nail down why I can't connect with them fully. I don't want to go into too much detail about the book in my blog, it's too special a story to disappaite with snippets of what's going to come. If you're really interested and you can promise to give me only encouraging and cheerleading comments send me an email and I'll link you up so you can read what I have so far and push me to keep at it so you can find out what happens next. See, there is the chamelean in me. Begging for acceptance, hoping someone likes it and wants to read it but not quite sure it's worthy, or I'm worthy. Anyone got a few handy, "I really love it and want more. Keep Writing!" within them? Of course I'm always plagued with the denial self-doubts. So even hearing those words (especially now I've mentioned how much I feel like I need to hear them) will feel false to me. You know that sense of, "they're just saying it to be nice." *sighs* If you've been reading my blog for any time you might be noticing a pattern here. I'm on the brink I think and this knife edge is tearing me apart. I feel like I'm so close to having the words again. I'm so close to having just that write balance of ego and humility. I'm so close to having the courage to face the page again. But I can't quite grasp the edge. I'm too afraid to let go of the safety of doing nothing. Perhaps I should be asking for a cosmic push. *chuckles* I just contemplated prayer. That's very strange of me. Not to Him because I don't believe some guy is sitting on the throne of the heavens condemning us all. But simply to the It factor, the force, the hands of Fate. Ladies, weave my thread. Of course, in the end I know the ultimate truth. That to take the step will simply require me taking it. Letting go. Making the leap (with faith) and hoping that I don't plummet to my death and that the next ledge, or the next vine I'm attempting to catch, the cliffs of the next mountain I'm trying to climb, won't bloody me up too much. Anyway, tonight I simply have to face two more things before I can sleep. I did contemplate not facing them. But writing this entry made me aware of how far I've come already. If I waver on this point and don't write a poem tonight then I'm walking backwards on roads I've already passed. If I don't write a review tonight I'm soaring myself into the icy currents of wind where the only way is down instead of continuing to ride the thermal winds spiraling upward. Onward, a poem, a review, a blog. And I'll praise myself for my stamina, my dedication, my courage, my resolve. And I'll forgive myself for not diving off the cliff into The Flight of Torque tonight and vow to stand on the ledge until I do. |
| *sighs* Time is compounding on me again today. I was blazing through this evening feeling like I had time to spare, sat down to read an item, got drawn in enough to leave a comment, got into an email conversation with the author of that item while also checking out some forums and reading and responding. Now I find an hours gone by when I should have been writing a poem. That time has passed and I'm into the time I should be writing my blog. My resolve to write a poem today is still burning strong and my resolve to write my blog today is too. The only way to have time for both now is to make their goal the same. So, apologies to Anyea  today I'm going to write a poem and post it in my blog.  Compromise! Woot!! lolWritten for the "Invalid Item" Prompt 11 - In any form write a poem that includes the all four prompts below: ~ a flash of lightning ~ a photograph of an elderly man ~ someone playing an upright piano (you choose who) ~ a vase of red roses And He Played On The shadows cast in cloud, a summer noon. A flash of lightning sparked the stormy skies. I stand in puddles whipped by the monsoon and wish the warmer weather would reprise. A melody sang out, soft jazz, nearby, from dimly lit and smoke-filled matinee. It called with a Pied Piper's lullaby to draw me in and beckon me to stay. A photograph of an elderly man, an aging grey against a vase of red, red roses, stood on an upright piano. They filled me with an agony of dread. The pianist played on without regard to one lost daughter left alone, a shard. I went with the Shakesperian Sonnet form but had to break a rule or two to make it work. I wonder if Larry knows that forms don't have to be followed exactly to be perfect if it works better inexactly. Or maybe it's just a sign of me being lazy and running out of time? Still, that's what an hour of labor and a good image inspiring prompt will give me. This round ends today so I don't have time to try again and I'm moderately pleased with the result as is. I did think perhaps a Ballade or Ballad form could produce another nice poem with those prompts. Perhaps I'll try that another day.For now I still have to post the poem as a static item and submit it to the contest. Wish me luck. |
| I was reading a fantastic book today, "Seven Steps on the Writer's Path: The Journey from Frustration to Fulfillment" by Nancy Pickard and Lynn Lott. The book is brilliant and I recommend all writers click that link there to see the product review I wrote and get yourself a copy to read cover to cover and keep on your writer's shelf at home. Anyway, one section really caught my eye and sparked my interest. It made me want to start asking everyone, "What Animal Are You?" The section describes a technique Lynn Lott uses on her psychology clients which she calls top cards. She believes there are four categories and each generates a different behavioral response in a crisis. Firstly, pick a box, which of these would you most like to avoid? 1. Stress and Pain 2. Criticism and Ridicule 3. Rejection and Hassles 4. Meaningless and Unimportance Don't skip ahead! Pick one! Go with your first instinct but make sure you've made a choice before you read on. 1. Turtle - Comfort When faced with a challenge (fear) a turtle reacts instinctively with one of two reactions. You'll either retreat into the safety of your shell or snap at anyone who tries to help. A turtle will do whatever it takes to find the greatest comfort, even if that means dealing with an extended degree of discomfort and pushing out their boundaries to reach it. "Real-life turtles say that when they feel stressed, they eat or procrastinate and wish others would simply empathize with them." If you're a turtle, you probably won't 'let go' unless you get so uncomfortable with the status quo that you have to change something. The most important thing for a turtle to remember is to take everything in small steps or small bites. Things can seem large and overwhelming to a turtle and it is much easier to face challenges in bits and pieces. Turtles should also find people in their lives who can be empathetic but who don't feel the need to 'fix things' or offer advice. "Turtles need cheerleaders, not advice columnists." A turtle can truly appreciate the sort of friend who will encourage you every step of the way or hold you back if you're going into dangerous grounds. If you are a turtle you should confide in a trusted friend who can be that cheerleader. Tell that person everything, completely come out of your shell and reveal yourself to them and ask that they simply listen and allow you to feel. 2. Eagle - Control An eagle's automatic response to adversity is to fight. Eagles make a lot of noise and become very agitated. An often feels like they need permission to act or feel the way they do. An eagle is a fixer - of other people’s problems. When it comes to managing crisis or solving their own problems they can become held up by their need to have all the answers. They feel like they must have every step, every risk, every angle covered. Eagles can work on multiple projects and in any environment. "Real-life eagles said that when they are stressed, they organize, shut down, work frantically, argue and explain, and get defensive. What they are wishing for in that moment is acceptance and understanding. Some eagles find it easier to 'let go' if they have a friend who gives them permission to do so. The kind of friend who can tell you it's ok to follow your dreams and to take chances or to show you the other choices you mightn't have seen in your blinded sight of the goal. Eagles tend to find being an employee or a contract writer works best for them. Having a 'boss' to keep them in line with deadlines, pointing them in the right direction, giving approval for the go-ahead at each step and who ultimately takes the responsibility for what is accomplished is ideal for them. An eagle can gain a great sense of empowerment by writing whatever they feel like writing whenever they feel like writing it. Try ‘freewriting’ or writing out of order. Write fast and don't allow yourself to censor or edit along the way. You might also find it helps to talk to someone in your life you feel has the authority to guide you. Ask their permission to want what you want. Eagles should also remember not to take criticism personally. It is a part of being a writer and every remark is another achievement. Wear it with pride. 3. Chameleon - Pleasing Chameleons survive by disappearing, by becoming one with their environment, blending in, keeping quiet, and basically just stay out of the way where they can't bother anyone. Chameleon's often feel the need to be accepted and supported. They'll seek out the approval, confirmation and support of family and friends. Chameleons are plagued by self-doubt. They might feel talented, creative and clever but they're never quite sure if they really are. These writers also tend to adapt to their surroundings and the people around them. They'll pick up the habits of the people they work with and mirror them. A chameleon often finds they can't say no, their instinct is to please others. "Real-life chameleons aren't really sure what they do, but they know how they feel when stressed - overwhelmed, guilty, defeated, compromised, and anxious. They are hoping that someone will understand what they are going through, put it in perspective, and say, "I wish I were just like you."" A chameleon needs a sense of approval so they can feel secure enough to 'let go'. They need to know that whichever step they take they'll be loved. They need to know that they are doing the right thing. A chameleon also finds it easiest to focus on their work in their own environment. They need to feel like they can blend in. To gain strength a chameleon can find it empowering to ask someone they admire to reassure them they are on the right path. Ask for acceptance. Ask for approval. The best way for a chameleon to break into that sense of 'letting go' is to break out of their camouflage. Be noticed, voice your opinion and realize that what you think is important, what you want matters and you have the right to go for it. Chameleons should remember to persevere, keep trying, and then try again, and again. Remember that your chameleon self has an inner core that can rebuild after any downfall. Don't be afraid to take those chances. Finally, learn to say NO! to others and YES! to yourself. You're not responsible for the happiness of everyone around you. 4. Lion - Superiority When threatened a lion 'may hide out in his cave doing absolutely nothing or go on the attack'. A lion personality gets aggressive and dominating. I lion will believe that everything they do is important and vital. Every step they take has the power to change the world (at least it 'should'). Lions tend to find they work best if everything is organized and neat, or everything is a mess of clutter and chaos. A lion often feels there is only one right way to do things. They are often perfectionists and care a great deal about how others see them. Lions find themselves roaring loudly but doing little. "Real-life lions say that when they are stressed, they cry, scream, complain, criticize, catastrophize, and blame. What they need is for you to submit or understand or appreciate them or nourish and cheer them on." A lion often finds that being over shone or challenged is a great way to give them the freedom to 'let go'. If someone appears better, faster or more talented then they are they'll jump into the race to catch up and surpass their competition. They like to meet challenges and are inspired by having a bar set for them that reaches beyond what others have already accomplished. Lions want to be the best and to leave a lasting impression that glorifies their name. To 'let go' a lion needs to give up the idea of perfection. Give yourself permission to make mistakes and acknowledge that you can only ever give the best you can give at any given moment. Concentrate on the enough; enough meaning, enough significance, enough power, enough emotion, enough. A lion should also remember it's important to verify all the facts. Allow yourself to learn from others and to know you don't always have the answers. Put aside your pride and don't be afraid to ask for help. * * * Does your number/animal sound like you? I found that I have elements of all four characteristics but my instinctive choice, 3. The Chameleon (pleaser) is the most accurate. Anyone who knows the true me well knows that I blend into my environment. They know that I work hard to make other people happy. I'm one of those people who laps up attention and begs for approval and acceptance. I want to be loved. It was eye-opening to read this because I have found that one of the biggest stalling points for me in my own writing journey is the solitary aspect of being a writer. The chameleon in me needs to be acknowledged and appreciated. It needs someone to say, "You're doing great, keep going!" as often as possible. The other amazing thing about chameleons is that they can apparently grow back their own tails if it is cut off. It's empowering to feel that core of inner strength. I've faced challenges in the past. I've had my hopes and dreams decimated but I've struggled on. I might reclude, turning invisible while I lick my wounds but I always come back stronger and wiser than before. This new concept let me see that one of my primary coping mechanisms when I'm in an emotional low or a writing 'block' is to close down and shut off. To disappear and disconnect. On the web I can be seen and noticed and I've mastered the hermit aspect of shutting everything out, of being unseen. I thought this might be a turtle instinct, to retreat into my shell but it's really not. I don't need the safety of home or the comfort of the known, I need the illusiveness of being unnoticed. Sometimes when I shut off I can be standing in a crowded shopping mall, I'm very good at blending in and pretending I'm normal. Anyway, this entry ended up a great deal longer than I had planned. lol Obviously I really enjoyed this section of the book. I'm enjoying the whole book in fact and finding my batteries recharging with a jolt of writers inspiration. Now I'd really love to know which animal my friends are. Which animal are you most like? Do you resonate with these concepts? Does it make you see yourself differently and give you any ideas on how to face your own challenges? What do you think? |
| In the days of multimedia the web is a wonderful resource for writers’ workshops. Poets are turning to online means of learning the art and craft of poetry, for gathering with other poets, sharing written works and having a warm, considerate environment to express their creative aspirations. One fantastic community, found on writing.com (http://www.writing.com/main/handler/item_id/1145708), is known as Persevering Poets Present and was founded by Rebecca in August 2006. The group has grown strongly with a large array of talented poets and poetry enthusiasts of all levels and experience. Writers share their experiences and discuss their work and lives in the popular Ponder Poetry Forum. They have the opportunity to request reviews and critique from the group, ask for help, find new opportunities, discuss markets and publishing, discover poetry contests and challenges, and share the art with like-minded friends. The group also hosts two distinct workshops for specific discussion. The Tools of Poetry Workshop and The Poet of the Week Discussion. These two forums bring together education and experience. They allow both experienced and novice poets to explore the various aspects of poetry in a warm, light-hearted, and easy-going atmosphere. The Tools of Poetry Workshop begins simply and introduces some of the major elements of poetry to members. It gives members the opportunity to practice new techniques to strengthen their poetry and to see poetry in a new way. The workshop also continues to grow and expand. It caters to the beginner and the more advanced poets and explores some of the lesser known ‘tools’ of poetry that can be used to take an average poem and create something truly remarkable. The Poet of the Week Discussion allows members to explore the life and times of poets past and present. Members can share their favorite poems and their knowledge about the poets and the poetry they’ve explored. The lives and works of famous poets offer a wealth of inspiration and cultivate a deeper understanding of the finer elements involved in writing poetry. There is so much the group offers with more workshops and features planned for the future. New members of all experience levels are always welcome. The only requirement is a passion for poetry and a willingness to contribute at least once a month to the group atmosphere. The benefits of working with a community to learn and practice poetry are phenomenal. The inspiration and encouragement brought to the page every day generates enthusiasm and joy. I’d definitely recommend joining a Poetry Workshop online today and seeing the new heights your poetry reaches when you embrace the mentoring and nurturing aspects of working with others. http://www.writing.com/main/handler/item_id/1145708 BTW - These helium.com links on some of my blog entries are to almost identical articles I've posted on helium.com. Each unique view earns me a cent so click to donate to the Starving Artists Coffee Fund  and if you'd like to join Helium so you have a coffee fund of your own just let me know so I can send you an invite. |
| I finally got to see 300 yesterday. My mother took the kids to see Mr. Bean and she surprised herself by actually enjoying it. The kids had lots of laughs all through it and I got to see something I actually really enjoyed. It's the kind of movie that, if you enjoy this kind of movie, you should definately see on the big screen with stadium seating and surround sound at least once. I think it'll be great to watch at home in the dark of night curled up with a blanket too. Of course, if you've a tender stomach and don't like violent movies then you should give it a miss. It's definately not one I'd let my kids watch and since I'm the laid back kind of parent who lets them watch Harry Potter and Jurassic Park that's saying something. There's a LOT of skin which is a good think for adults but again, not suitable for children. The beginning of the movie was a little slow. There is a great deal of exposition before the REAL action starts but it really wouldn't work any other way either. The whole format is based on the story being a retelling from beginning to end. We watch the past unfold but in the early scenes it's made clear that the storyteller is talking about the past and at the end that's brought back into focus. The battle scenes were fantastic. I just realized that a lot of it must have been CGI but it's truly flawless. In the whole movie there was never a moment when I noticed computer graphics at work. It was seemless and brilliantly done. I'm usually the sort of person who notices that sort of thing, I watch movies from a writers perspective more than a viewers so finding myself engrosed in the magic on the screen is a huge plus for a movie. The characters were intensely portrayed. Each role significant and varied. There were only a handful of primary characters and in a movie that involves so many faces it was wonderful to connect with those few only and not feel overwhelmed by all the names. It's definately NOT a chick flick. Ladies should only watch it if they really LOVE war and strategy movies and games. There are at least two scenes that will have pretty much all women cringing. You have to remember that history dictates the place of women. Having said that, there is also one scene that had me smiling about the difference between cultures and their respect of women. Looking at reality today and what was showing in that movie it's a shame to see nothing much has changed. *sighs* Overall I really enjoyed this movie and I'll watch it again. I may even buy it on DVD myself to put beside Troy and Kingdom of Heaven on my shelf. This one is definately one of the best movies when it comes to battle scenes and at one point I found myself reminded of Lord of the Rings. In the Battle at Helms Deep you see Legolas and Gimli in friendly rivalry besting each other over body counts. There is a scene in 300 where two men do a similar thing and it's very warming. To see the comradery of men even in the face of such adversity. The theme really focuses on the glory of man. How honor and a desire to be remembered and to protect their home and family can give them strength against greater odds. How unity and training creates men who stand and fight as one beast against the hordes. It tells the tail of an inner triumph, conquering and coming to command the person within and never sacrificing that inner truth to bow at anothers feet. A remarkable message and in the packaging that entertains and enthralls. You know, I want to write a movie. *chuckles* |
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