Wordle is awesome. This is the text for my White Kitchen story.
Below is my favorite poem "Funeral Blues" by W.H.Auden.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
While I was at my parents' house, I wrote this.
I like that when we're home, we can spend a rainy Saturday morning at the art museum less than 5 minutes from our house. If we want to go out to dinner, we have a variety of cuisines, and restaurants within those categories that are excellent. I like that we live in a nice quiet neighborhood that's only a walk away from Husband's office (what used to be his office) and a major highway that can take us wherever we want to go. I like that we can walk to the grocery store, Target, two restaurants and a Starbucks without going more than 2 miles. Sam's doctor is 3 miles away. There's a big grassy park at the upper end of our street.
I really like living in the city.
Yet...
a few days ago I hung wet clothes on a clothesline next to a cherry tree.
My toddler ran around and around on an acre of land and never came too close to anything dangerous.
He smelled flowers and rolled in grass and went in and out of shrubs.
He was free, I had sun on my shoulders, a sweet smelling breeze in my hair and I thought...
okay. Country life is nice.
I really like living in the city.
Yet...
a few days ago I hung wet clothes on a clothesline next to a cherry tree.
My toddler ran around and around on an acre of land and never came too close to anything dangerous.
He smelled flowers and rolled in grass and went in and out of shrubs.
He was free, I had sun on my shoulders, a sweet smelling breeze in my hair and I thought...
okay. Country life is nice.
Friday, May 16, 2008
While I was away, I made this list.
Pros of living with parents for over a month:
1. No rent.
2. They haven't asked me to cook or clean anything.
3. Three babysitters who cost nothing and are overjoyed with the job.
4. A dog!
5. A huge yard, full of colorful flower gardens and flowering trees.
6. My laundry is hung to dry on a clothes line! Ahhh...that fresh air smell.
7. People have been bringing me flowers to cheer me up during this tough time.
8. Women in my parents church knitted me a prayer shawl. In purple, because they know it's my favorite color.
9. I do love my parents.
Cons of living with my parents:
1. At least three times a week I want to strangle my mother. It passes, but it reminds me why I like her so much more now than I did when I lived with her all the time .
2. Mom, Dad and Sister are all slobs. I don't just mean clothes on the floor, I mean unidentifiable smells coming from somewhere in the kitchen and a half an hour search to discover chinese food that had been left out for a few days.
3. Apparently the lush, fertile ground makes this particular area of the country the worst for seasonal allergy sufferers. For a few days at the beginning of this month, Sam and I couldn't leave the house because our nostrils would seal themselves shut and Sam's tear ducts would start producing "goo".
4. Dog hair is all over everything. Sam thought it was edible for a while. Ew.
The Pros far outweigh the Cons, until we get to this:
I miss my husband.
1. No rent.
2. They haven't asked me to cook or clean anything.
3. Three babysitters who cost nothing and are overjoyed with the job.
4. A dog!
5. A huge yard, full of colorful flower gardens and flowering trees.
6. My laundry is hung to dry on a clothes line! Ahhh...that fresh air smell.
7. People have been bringing me flowers to cheer me up during this tough time.
8. Women in my parents church knitted me a prayer shawl. In purple, because they know it's my favorite color.
9. I do love my parents.
Cons of living with my parents:
1. At least three times a week I want to strangle my mother. It passes, but it reminds me why I like her so much more now than I did when I lived with her all the time .
2. Mom, Dad and Sister are all slobs. I don't just mean clothes on the floor, I mean unidentifiable smells coming from somewhere in the kitchen and a half an hour search to discover chinese food that had been left out for a few days.
3. Apparently the lush, fertile ground makes this particular area of the country the worst for seasonal allergy sufferers. For a few days at the beginning of this month, Sam and I couldn't leave the house because our nostrils would seal themselves shut and Sam's tear ducts would start producing "goo".
4. Dog hair is all over everything. Sam thought it was edible for a while. Ew.
The Pros far outweigh the Cons, until we get to this:
I miss my husband.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Thoughts from a Business Partner
Love and marriage are certainly not wholly rational things, but in order for such a relationship to grow, a certain amount of rationale is needed. I suppose that’s the core of empathy.
The best advice I can give to newly married people are things that I have found make a working environment a much more productive and pleasant place, regardless of industry.
1. Don’t argue angry.
When a client or employee faults on something, you’re frustrated. Obviously. However, it would be unprofessional to call said client immediately to discuss the fault. Anger isn’t rational and you’re liable to say things you don’t mean, things that will hurt your relationship with the client in the future. Also, your reputation.
What you do instead is figure out what it is motivating your anger. Is it a repeated issue, is it the result of deceit, or have you just had a really bad day and a careless mistake has set you off? You take time and figure it out. You write down your thoughts and what you feel the core problem is. When you have calmed down, you state your case clearly, and without damaging outbursts.
Now replace “client” with “spouse”. I know it seems like we shouldn’t need to write things feelings before we talk to each other, and we shouldn’t when we’re just talking about everyday things. However, in an argument, especially about something serious, there’s a greater chance that you’ll hurt someone’s feelings, or confuse them and (in your irrational state of mind) yourself.
Also, to look at it from a selfish point of view, angry people don’t win arguments. Calm people do.
2. Take notes on serious topics.
This ties back to #1, but it works no matter what the tone is. No one’s memory is perfect. When something big is discussed, when a subject that will require information to be saved, when legal matters may necessitate notes...TAKE NOTES! If there’s a risk you may be sued or need to sue, or even if you want to hold something in front of the client’s face and say “Actually, Mister Qwerty, you told us in our October 18th meeting that you thought this was an excellent idea. Remember?” (you show notes, client realizes and hopefully work progresses).
Does it seem lame to take notes when you’re discussing an upcoming vacation with the wife? Yep. Will you be glad you did when she asks you whose job it is to book the hotel room and you have paperwork to prove that you both decided that it was her job while your job was to call the neighbors about feeding and walking Sprockets while you’re gone? You will indeed.
3. After 7 p.m., emergencies only.
A good client does not call at 9 p.m. when some issue pops up that they have decided can’t wait another 11 hours. It’s rude, and you’re going to ruin someone’s relaxing night with their family. You’d hate it if they did that to you.
Don’t decide at 10.30 p.m. as you’re snuggling into bed or in front of the TV with your ice cream and slippers that it’s the time to bring up the fact that you don’t want to spend Christmas with your in-laws. Bad timing. You’re both tired. More likely to be cranky. You wanted to be sleeping in less time than it will take to resolve this.
Save it for another time. Say “Tomorrow over dinner, I’d like to talk about the plans for Christmas” (or write it down and tell them in the morning). If your partner has forgotten this rule and is an emotional mess, say “Vent if you have to, but we will not discuss this right now.”.
Obviously if your lawyer’s office just burned down, or you walk in on the husband shagging his personal trainer...exceptions. You may want to get some information clear immediately.
4. Be sure of your priorities, and their priorities.
When you discuss a project with a client, the words “We want” are used. This is how you know what to do for them. If the specifics are very important, make sure you state “this is very important to our company” and/or “completing project A by November 1st is our primary focus because of B.”
“I know you want us to go to Paris this Spring, but I think we should focus our finances towards saving for a house. Is that something we both want more than the vacation?”
If your client or spouse has different priorities, you need to know that. Knowledge is imperative to conflict resolution, but no one will know anything in your head unless you tell them directly.
5. Ask what’s expected of you.
You wouldn’t take on a project if you aren’t certain you know what you’re supposed to do. If you don’t ask, and you do the wrong thing, someone will get mad at you. You will get mad at you and you will realize that much time, energy, and possibly money will be saved if you suck in your ego and say “I want to be sure we both know that you want us to handle both the print and internet marketing for Superawesomefest.” or “Just making sure...you want me to listen right now, you don’t need solutions?”.
If the person you’re dealing with gets pissy at you for doing it, say calmly “I’d rather be sure now than wrong later.”
6. Tell them what they said. Tell them what you understood.
In a perfect world, everyone would say what they mean, and no one would have to analyze anything. Sadly, our race has been infiltrated with fear of rejection, fear of hurting people’s feelings, fear of failure, and that causes people to water down the power of their messages until they become so diluted you can’t figure out their point.
“You said you don’t want to go to the movie tomorrow. Is it that you don’t want to see that movie, do you want to just stay home, or do you not want to spend time with me?”
Very often, it is not the worst answer.
“You said you want to move the focus of the project from C to D? By that do you mean that you’re not pleased with our work on C, or do you think that D is going to be more profitable?”
Whatever they say, take it. If they’re not being honest, it’s their problem. You were proactive and involved. Expect honesty from them and give it in return. Blunt? Maybe. Hard to swallow? Could be. Better for everyone in the long run? Totally.
Of course, if they whine about it later, you can whip out your notes and calmly say
“But you see, Dearest Love, you told me that you did not want to go to that restaurant because you’d rather stay home. If you were really worried about spending the money, you should have told me so.”
“Miss Qwerty, I asked you if you wanted employee profiles on your site and what you said was “I don’t think Phyllis will like that.”
8. Do not use passive aggression or sarcasm.
All it will do is make you look like an asshole.
If both partners can commit to these, communication is so much easier and relationships are much more enjoyable.
And there’s more time for sex (in marriage).
The best advice I can give to newly married people are things that I have found make a working environment a much more productive and pleasant place, regardless of industry.
1. Don’t argue angry.
When a client or employee faults on something, you’re frustrated. Obviously. However, it would be unprofessional to call said client immediately to discuss the fault. Anger isn’t rational and you’re liable to say things you don’t mean, things that will hurt your relationship with the client in the future. Also, your reputation.
What you do instead is figure out what it is motivating your anger. Is it a repeated issue, is it the result of deceit, or have you just had a really bad day and a careless mistake has set you off? You take time and figure it out. You write down your thoughts and what you feel the core problem is. When you have calmed down, you state your case clearly, and without damaging outbursts.
Now replace “client” with “spouse”. I know it seems like we shouldn’t need to write things feelings before we talk to each other, and we shouldn’t when we’re just talking about everyday things. However, in an argument, especially about something serious, there’s a greater chance that you’ll hurt someone’s feelings, or confuse them and (in your irrational state of mind) yourself.
Also, to look at it from a selfish point of view, angry people don’t win arguments. Calm people do.
2. Take notes on serious topics.
This ties back to #1, but it works no matter what the tone is. No one’s memory is perfect. When something big is discussed, when a subject that will require information to be saved, when legal matters may necessitate notes...TAKE NOTES! If there’s a risk you may be sued or need to sue, or even if you want to hold something in front of the client’s face and say “Actually, Mister Qwerty, you told us in our October 18th meeting that you thought this was an excellent idea. Remember?” (you show notes, client realizes and hopefully work progresses).
Does it seem lame to take notes when you’re discussing an upcoming vacation with the wife? Yep. Will you be glad you did when she asks you whose job it is to book the hotel room and you have paperwork to prove that you both decided that it was her job while your job was to call the neighbors about feeding and walking Sprockets while you’re gone? You will indeed.
3. After 7 p.m., emergencies only.
A good client does not call at 9 p.m. when some issue pops up that they have decided can’t wait another 11 hours. It’s rude, and you’re going to ruin someone’s relaxing night with their family. You’d hate it if they did that to you.
Don’t decide at 10.30 p.m. as you’re snuggling into bed or in front of the TV with your ice cream and slippers that it’s the time to bring up the fact that you don’t want to spend Christmas with your in-laws. Bad timing. You’re both tired. More likely to be cranky. You wanted to be sleeping in less time than it will take to resolve this.
Save it for another time. Say “Tomorrow over dinner, I’d like to talk about the plans for Christmas” (or write it down and tell them in the morning). If your partner has forgotten this rule and is an emotional mess, say “Vent if you have to, but we will not discuss this right now.”.
Obviously if your lawyer’s office just burned down, or you walk in on the husband shagging his personal trainer...exceptions. You may want to get some information clear immediately.
4. Be sure of your priorities, and their priorities.
When you discuss a project with a client, the words “We want” are used. This is how you know what to do for them. If the specifics are very important, make sure you state “this is very important to our company” and/or “completing project A by November 1st is our primary focus because of B.”
“I know you want us to go to Paris this Spring, but I think we should focus our finances towards saving for a house. Is that something we both want more than the vacation?”
If your client or spouse has different priorities, you need to know that. Knowledge is imperative to conflict resolution, but no one will know anything in your head unless you tell them directly.
5. Ask what’s expected of you.
You wouldn’t take on a project if you aren’t certain you know what you’re supposed to do. If you don’t ask, and you do the wrong thing, someone will get mad at you. You will get mad at you and you will realize that much time, energy, and possibly money will be saved if you suck in your ego and say “I want to be sure we both know that you want us to handle both the print and internet marketing for Superawesomefest.” or “Just making sure...you want me to listen right now, you don’t need solutions?”.
If the person you’re dealing with gets pissy at you for doing it, say calmly “I’d rather be sure now than wrong later.”
6. Tell them what they said. Tell them what you understood.
In a perfect world, everyone would say what they mean, and no one would have to analyze anything. Sadly, our race has been infiltrated with fear of rejection, fear of hurting people’s feelings, fear of failure, and that causes people to water down the power of their messages until they become so diluted you can’t figure out their point.
“You said you don’t want to go to the movie tomorrow. Is it that you don’t want to see that movie, do you want to just stay home, or do you not want to spend time with me?”
Very often, it is not the worst answer.
“You said you want to move the focus of the project from C to D? By that do you mean that you’re not pleased with our work on C, or do you think that D is going to be more profitable?”
Whatever they say, take it. If they’re not being honest, it’s their problem. You were proactive and involved. Expect honesty from them and give it in return. Blunt? Maybe. Hard to swallow? Could be. Better for everyone in the long run? Totally.
Of course, if they whine about it later, you can whip out your notes and calmly say
“But you see, Dearest Love, you told me that you did not want to go to that restaurant because you’d rather stay home. If you were really worried about spending the money, you should have told me so.”
“Miss Qwerty, I asked you if you wanted employee profiles on your site and what you said was “I don’t think Phyllis will like that.”
8. Do not use passive aggression or sarcasm.
All it will do is make you look like an asshole.
If both partners can commit to these, communication is so much easier and relationships are much more enjoyable.
And there’s more time for sex (in marriage).
Monday, May 12, 2008
Immature Giggle
Whilst buying a massive box of diapers today at BJ's Wholesale Club, I found two products so perfectly placed beside each other.
Trojan Condoms and Depends Adult Undergarments.
Hee hee hee hee.
Trojan Condoms and Depends Adult Undergarments.
Hee hee hee hee.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Happy Mother's Day!
My gift to myself is letting my son watch two whole Thomas videos as soon as he got up.
While I lay on the couch with a magazine.
Ahhhh.
While I lay on the couch with a magazine.
Ahhhh.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Very Long Story Short
My family is moving. We're not sure to where yet, but this weekend, my son and I are going to my parents' house for a while. My husband has to find a new job, and a new place to live. In my pregnant and perpetually sick state, I'd be better taken care of with them.
Our version of "normal" is going on hiatus, so this blog will, too. Let's face it, lately I've been too exhausted and sick to write anything anyway.
We're going to be fine, but it's going to be a difficult few weeks/months (let's pray for weeks).
Our version of "normal" is going on hiatus, so this blog will, too. Let's face it, lately I've been too exhausted and sick to write anything anyway.
We're going to be fine, but it's going to be a difficult few weeks/months (let's pray for weeks).
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Oh. Kay.
I am pregnant. Didn't go to that party because I was feeling too sick.
I'm happy about being pregnant...I think. I mean, we wanted our kids three years apart, and this new little one is going to arrive a few months before Sam turns 3.
No, I know I'm happy about being pregnant, but I really don't feel happy. I feel exhausted and queasy and fat and scared. Very scared. Terrified.
My son is a handful. He's active and demanding and he's very stubborn. He refuses to talk, even though he can, so trying to figure out what he wants is difficult. Seriously, it will take this kid fifteen minutes of him whining and tugging on the door of the fridge to finally yell "JUICE!". Even though we know that may be what he wants, we won't give it to him unless he says it (or if he says "please" or "yes" when we ask him). We're trying to get him to use the words he already knows, and he isn't going to do that if we respond only to his nasal whining.
So, I have a two year old who won't speak and takes up the majority of my energy and I'm careless enough to get pregnant again? What the hell is wrong with me? How the hell am I supposed to do this? How come I forgot how much being pregnant sucked the first time? Did I forget that I was in labor for TWENTY THREE HOURS?
There are so many good things, but I spent all day feeling sleepy and am now wide awake. I can't think of anything.
I'm happy about being pregnant...I think. I mean, we wanted our kids three years apart, and this new little one is going to arrive a few months before Sam turns 3.
No, I know I'm happy about being pregnant, but I really don't feel happy. I feel exhausted and queasy and fat and scared. Very scared. Terrified.
My son is a handful. He's active and demanding and he's very stubborn. He refuses to talk, even though he can, so trying to figure out what he wants is difficult. Seriously, it will take this kid fifteen minutes of him whining and tugging on the door of the fridge to finally yell "JUICE!". Even though we know that may be what he wants, we won't give it to him unless he says it (or if he says "please" or "yes" when we ask him). We're trying to get him to use the words he already knows, and he isn't going to do that if we respond only to his nasal whining.
So, I have a two year old who won't speak and takes up the majority of my energy and I'm careless enough to get pregnant again? What the hell is wrong with me? How the hell am I supposed to do this? How come I forgot how much being pregnant sucked the first time? Did I forget that I was in labor for TWENTY THREE HOURS?
There are so many good things, but I spent all day feeling sleepy and am now wide awake. I can't think of anything.
Friday, February 08, 2008
She doesn't want you to solve her problems, she just wants you to listen.
He's tired and grumpy and refuses to nap.
My self esteem is really low because I went to McDonalds on the way home from a friend's house and I'm trying to lose ten pounds, so I shouldn't have gone to McDonalds.
My friend is totally non judgemental, but she has an excellently behaved one year old daughter who shares well and talks perfectly and my son whined when she wanted to play with his Thomas train and kept taking her pacifier even though he doesn't like them, and kept trying to turn their TV on and off and finally flopped into my lap and frowned for the last 15 minutes of our visit while the one year old adorably ate all of her peaches and held up her hands in a precious "all done" gesture when she had finished.
My house is messy, yet for the half an hour...fuck it...the hour that I let my son hang out in his crib I just read a magazine and lay on the couch like a hideous beached whale.
My period hasn't arrived, but I am PMSing like a madwoman and I'm afraid that if it doesn't come it means I'm pregnant, and I would like to be pregnant next month not right now because a week from today I am going to a party at a cool Boston club and I want to wear something sexy and drink.
I can't stop yawning.
I haven't worked on the Evie illustrations since Sunday. I know I have until March, but I'm terrified that this is going to be a pattern.
My libido has plummeted. I hate it when that happens. I think it's worse that being horny and frustrated, because as least then I have my vibrator, but nothing is working and WORST of all my husband doesn't feel well so he doesn't seem to care and
I'm going to go watch Backyardigans and snuggle with my son.
He did give the one year old a big grin and a hug when he met her, though. It was pretty cute, especially since, standing up her head barely reaches his shoulder. It was more like a head hug.
My self esteem is really low because I went to McDonalds on the way home from a friend's house and I'm trying to lose ten pounds, so I shouldn't have gone to McDonalds.
My friend is totally non judgemental, but she has an excellently behaved one year old daughter who shares well and talks perfectly and my son whined when she wanted to play with his Thomas train and kept taking her pacifier even though he doesn't like them, and kept trying to turn their TV on and off and finally flopped into my lap and frowned for the last 15 minutes of our visit while the one year old adorably ate all of her peaches and held up her hands in a precious "all done" gesture when she had finished.
My house is messy, yet for the half an hour...fuck it...the hour that I let my son hang out in his crib I just read a magazine and lay on the couch like a hideous beached whale.
My period hasn't arrived, but I am PMSing like a madwoman and I'm afraid that if it doesn't come it means I'm pregnant, and I would like to be pregnant next month not right now because a week from today I am going to a party at a cool Boston club and I want to wear something sexy and drink.
I can't stop yawning.
I haven't worked on the Evie illustrations since Sunday. I know I have until March, but I'm terrified that this is going to be a pattern.
My libido has plummeted. I hate it when that happens. I think it's worse that being horny and frustrated, because as least then I have my vibrator, but nothing is working and WORST of all my husband doesn't feel well so he doesn't seem to care and
I'm going to go watch Backyardigans and snuggle with my son.
He did give the one year old a big grin and a hug when he met her, though. It was pretty cute, especially since, standing up her head barely reaches his shoulder. It was more like a head hug.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Added to the sidebar.
A few people that I've been reading regularly lately have been added to my sidebar. Also someone I've been reading for a few years and thought he was already there and just realized this morning that he's not. So check out Mike Sterling, Kristina Wright, Jeremy Edwards, Redhead Fangirl and Sam Costello's fantastic webcomic "Split Lip".
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Sunday, January 20, 2008
I shall be productive!
Recycled Paper Greetings:
finish editing samples, have them printed & shipped out no later than Jan. 18th.
The book I am writing about Evie (my next door neighbor’s 2 year old):
text finished by Jan. 26th.
art finished by Mar. 1st.
gift printing finished by Mar. 15th. (save copy for agent search sample)
Agent Search:
5 new samples by Apr. 19th.
1/2 hour active search (M-F) beginning Apr. 26th.
I am hoping to still post a here from time to time, but I can't promise. I really love the feeling of finishing a project...need to do more of it.
Sam being more and more active has made me realize that I need to be LESS flexible about my writing. I’ve been too flexible, and have rescheduled and rescheduled writing until I have run out of time in the day. That has to change.
finish editing samples, have them printed & shipped out no later than Jan. 18th.
The book I am writing about Evie (my next door neighbor’s 2 year old):
text finished by Jan. 26th.
art finished by Mar. 1st.
gift printing finished by Mar. 15th. (save copy for agent search sample)
Agent Search:
5 new samples by Apr. 19th.
1/2 hour active search (M-F) beginning Apr. 26th.
I am hoping to still post a here from time to time, but I can't promise. I really love the feeling of finishing a project...need to do more of it.
Sam being more and more active has made me realize that I need to be LESS flexible about my writing. I’ve been too flexible, and have rescheduled and rescheduled writing until I have run out of time in the day. That has to change.
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Eulogy for a Handbag
A little over three years ago I was invited to a designer knockoff party by a woman I worked with. I’m not typically a designer junkie, but I saw a purple number that I fell in love with. At $75. I bought it.
I took this bag all over. So many pockets...I could fit a notebook, my wallet, cell phone, plastic bag of first aid stuff, a snack, small bottle of water, and a spare diaper in it. People raved about its style and color. One woman actually said “Wow...you guys must be doing great!”. She thought it was authentic.
Last night, however, I placed the bag on my lap, and a loose wire almost tore my jeans. I sighed, and said I may have to cut around the pleather piping to remove the rest of the wire. My husband pointed out that it was wearing out on the bottom as well, and maybe it was time for a new bag.
So my gorgeous purple friend was replaced my a hot little scarlet number. Not a designer knockoff, but a genuine leather bag bought at Macy’s on sale. At $58 dollars, it was less expensive, but I wasn’t paying for a plagiarized name, and it’s a higher quality.
Still. I felt sad disposing of my knockoff. People recognized me because if it, and it carried my necessities. Only a thing, but it felt like an appendage.
Rest in peace, Purple M*** J***** Handbag.
I took this bag all over. So many pockets...I could fit a notebook, my wallet, cell phone, plastic bag of first aid stuff, a snack, small bottle of water, and a spare diaper in it. People raved about its style and color. One woman actually said “Wow...you guys must be doing great!”. She thought it was authentic.
Last night, however, I placed the bag on my lap, and a loose wire almost tore my jeans. I sighed, and said I may have to cut around the pleather piping to remove the rest of the wire. My husband pointed out that it was wearing out on the bottom as well, and maybe it was time for a new bag.
So my gorgeous purple friend was replaced my a hot little scarlet number. Not a designer knockoff, but a genuine leather bag bought at Macy’s on sale. At $58 dollars, it was less expensive, but I wasn’t paying for a plagiarized name, and it’s a higher quality.
Still. I felt sad disposing of my knockoff. People recognized me because if it, and it carried my necessities. Only a thing, but it felt like an appendage.
Rest in peace, Purple M*** J***** Handbag.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
I haven't fallen off the face of the Earth.
I have been unbelievably busy this past month plus. I know, I know, you all have, but I have been focusing any writing time (which is next to no time) on my children's books and haven't had any time for the reflections and reviews that both of my readers (ha ha) expect from me.
As of 2008, my hours at work will be going down, and my domestic obligations (that sounds like sex for Victorians, but it's not) will be decreasing, so I will be fully able to devote 20-30 minutes at LEAST to writing every single day.
That's the plan, anyway.
Until January, have a Merry Christmas, or a Happy Hanukkah, or a Blessed Yule. I celebrate the first one, myself, but whatever you believe, I hope it is a season filled with love and peace.
As of 2008, my hours at work will be going down, and my domestic obligations (that sounds like sex for Victorians, but it's not) will be decreasing, so I will be fully able to devote 20-30 minutes at LEAST to writing every single day.
That's the plan, anyway.
Until January, have a Merry Christmas, or a Happy Hanukkah, or a Blessed Yule. I celebrate the first one, myself, but whatever you believe, I hope it is a season filled with love and peace.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Sister Rage
I have a friend.
My friend is lovely, graceful, amusing,
and one of the most intelligent people I have ever met
(and I have met some very intelligent people).
My friend has a sister.
A sister that she has frequently not seen eye to eye on.
A sister that she spent most of her childhood
and adolescence squabbling with.
A sister who is pregnant.
A sister that she loves very, very much.
This sister has a husband.
A husband who knocked her down,
dragged her through their house,
threw her against a door jam,
sat on her,
and called her a nigger loving cunt.
My friend is in a Sister Rage.
The earth shakes with her anger
at what this sick man has done to her family,
to the child,
to her sister.
My friend prays for him.
She prays that he will get help,
she prays that he will learn the extent of his illness.
My friend is incredible.
I have a sister,
and if I had Sister Rage,
I would make the man bloody and broken.
I would gladly go to jail for it.
My Sister Rage would tear a hole in the world.
My friend's Sister Rage is fixing a hole.
She's putting her Rage into prayer.
She's using the energy that I would use to break fingers,
and praying prayers that burn a lovely, graceful fire.
My friend is so utterly admirable.
God, help my heart to be that strong,
and please don't ever let me know that Rage.
------
My Friend
My Sister
My friend is lovely, graceful, amusing,
and one of the most intelligent people I have ever met
(and I have met some very intelligent people).
My friend has a sister.
A sister that she has frequently not seen eye to eye on.
A sister that she spent most of her childhood
and adolescence squabbling with.
A sister who is pregnant.
A sister that she loves very, very much.
This sister has a husband.
A husband who knocked her down,
dragged her through their house,
threw her against a door jam,
sat on her,
and called her a nigger loving cunt.
My friend is in a Sister Rage.
The earth shakes with her anger
at what this sick man has done to her family,
to the child,
to her sister.
My friend prays for him.
She prays that he will get help,
she prays that he will learn the extent of his illness.
My friend is incredible.
I have a sister,
and if I had Sister Rage,
I would make the man bloody and broken.
I would gladly go to jail for it.
My Sister Rage would tear a hole in the world.
My friend's Sister Rage is fixing a hole.
She's putting her Rage into prayer.
She's using the energy that I would use to break fingers,
and praying prayers that burn a lovely, graceful fire.
My friend is so utterly admirable.
God, help my heart to be that strong,
and please don't ever let me know that Rage.
------
My Friend
My Sister
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Writer's Gridlock?
It's funny how once I set goals for myself, other things come along that refuse to be ignored.
I have wanted to focus on New Frontier and get my review of that up. Mostly because it's an assignment I set for myself, and I want to be disciplined. Also, I really really really love this comic. It’s the best super-hero literature I have ever read. I would like to explain why, but a new story idea popped into my head, and will not shut the hell up. I've thought about it for at least a few minutes every waking hour. Damn English couple in 1910 who ran into the woods and were eaten by trees.
Yeah, you read that right. The trees ate them. The leaves rained down on them, sliced them up like razor blades and absorbed their flesh. This is a story that popped into my head when I was at the park on a gorgeous day with my toddler. After half an hour I had three generations of this cursed family. Do I want it to be a short story, or a novel, or...graphic novel? Not sure. I have a lot of detail sifting to go through, to find out what’s important and what’s not and where I want it to go.
Another thing on my mind is an idea for a writer's round. Someone starts a story, then another person does the following chapter...you get the picture. I sent out an offer to wicked smart writers who have various styles. The feedback I got from most of them was "Cool idea, but I barely have time to eat, sleep and pee. Let me know how it goes."
Maybe I'll revisit that, because I think it would be lots of fun.
So it is not lack of imagination, lack of material, it's all the plots and thoughts and good old fashioned projects bumping up against each other in the dark of my psyche. Is this the opposite of writer's block? What does one call this?
I have wanted to focus on New Frontier and get my review of that up. Mostly because it's an assignment I set for myself, and I want to be disciplined. Also, I really really really love this comic. It’s the best super-hero literature I have ever read. I would like to explain why, but a new story idea popped into my head, and will not shut the hell up. I've thought about it for at least a few minutes every waking hour. Damn English couple in 1910 who ran into the woods and were eaten by trees.
Yeah, you read that right. The trees ate them. The leaves rained down on them, sliced them up like razor blades and absorbed their flesh. This is a story that popped into my head when I was at the park on a gorgeous day with my toddler. After half an hour I had three generations of this cursed family. Do I want it to be a short story, or a novel, or...graphic novel? Not sure. I have a lot of detail sifting to go through, to find out what’s important and what’s not and where I want it to go.
Another thing on my mind is an idea for a writer's round. Someone starts a story, then another person does the following chapter...you get the picture. I sent out an offer to wicked smart writers who have various styles. The feedback I got from most of them was "Cool idea, but I barely have time to eat, sleep and pee. Let me know how it goes."
Maybe I'll revisit that, because I think it would be lots of fun.
So it is not lack of imagination, lack of material, it's all the plots and thoughts and good old fashioned projects bumping up against each other in the dark of my psyche. Is this the opposite of writer's block? What does one call this?
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Meme-ing kills the time!
Yo Mella Honey.
Three things that scare me:
1. Small, dark, enclosed spaces.
2. The big evil space bug that crawled out of our tub drain.
3. Extremism.
Three people that make me laugh (brought to you by the letter "S"):
1. My son.
2. My sister.
3. Steven Colbert.
Three things I hate:
1. That our government will allow a man and a woman with no prior relationship, no true intention for commitment, no understanding or appreciation for a lifelong love to get married, but will not allow another couple who have been together for 15 years (and adopted and raised 2 children to be loving, moral individuals) to get married because they're both guys.
2. That my husband still has health problems that fight us to be the center of our lives. They're not winning, but I hate that they're still there.
3. Onions. Blech.
Three things I don’t understand:
1. Financial Management.
2. Obsession with celebrities.
3. Yo Gabba Gabba.
Three things I’m doing right now:
1. Listening to Corinne Bailey Rae
2. Watching my son play with his "new" trains.
3. Wishing it wasn't so freakishly hot. It's almost October! I want my 60 degrees!
Three things I want to do before I die:
1. Go to France.
2. Live near the ocean.
3. Be a grandmother.
Three things I can do:
1. Imitate the voices of other people to the point where I can fool my family and friends over the phone.
2. Make an amazing grilled cheese sandwich.
3. Read bizarrely fast.
Three ways to describe my personality:
1. Extroverted
2. Instinctive
3. Odd
Three things I can’t do:
1. Make another person's life happy all by myself.
2. Protect my children from everything bad.
3. Pull my legs behind my head (anymore).
Three things I’d like to learn:
1. How to balance my checkbook.
2. How to do anything with my hair. (I repeat Mella)
3. How to play the drums like Meg White.
Three favorite foods:
1. Salmon.
2. French Bread.
3. Peanut Butter.
Three beverages I drink regularly:
1. Frappuccino
2. Water
3. Milk
Three shows I watched as a kid:
1. The Cosby Show
2. Cheers (NBC Thursday nights were big at my house)
3. Happy Days
Three things that scare me:
1. Small, dark, enclosed spaces.
2. The big evil space bug that crawled out of our tub drain.
3. Extremism.
Three people that make me laugh (brought to you by the letter "S"):
1. My son.
2. My sister.
3. Steven Colbert.
Three things I hate:
1. That our government will allow a man and a woman with no prior relationship, no true intention for commitment, no understanding or appreciation for a lifelong love to get married, but will not allow another couple who have been together for 15 years (and adopted and raised 2 children to be loving, moral individuals) to get married because they're both guys.
2. That my husband still has health problems that fight us to be the center of our lives. They're not winning, but I hate that they're still there.
3. Onions. Blech.
Three things I don’t understand:
1. Financial Management.
2. Obsession with celebrities.
3. Yo Gabba Gabba.
Three things I’m doing right now:
1. Listening to Corinne Bailey Rae
2. Watching my son play with his "new" trains.
3. Wishing it wasn't so freakishly hot. It's almost October! I want my 60 degrees!
Three things I want to do before I die:
1. Go to France.
2. Live near the ocean.
3. Be a grandmother.
Three things I can do:
1. Imitate the voices of other people to the point where I can fool my family and friends over the phone.
2. Make an amazing grilled cheese sandwich.
3. Read bizarrely fast.
Three ways to describe my personality:
1. Extroverted
2. Instinctive
3. Odd
Three things I can’t do:
1. Make another person's life happy all by myself.
2. Protect my children from everything bad.
3. Pull my legs behind my head (anymore).
Three things I’d like to learn:
1. How to balance my checkbook.
2. How to do anything with my hair. (I repeat Mella)
3. How to play the drums like Meg White.
Three favorite foods:
1. Salmon.
2. French Bread.
3. Peanut Butter.
Three beverages I drink regularly:
1. Frappuccino
2. Water
3. Milk
Three shows I watched as a kid:
1. The Cosby Show
2. Cheers (NBC Thursday nights were big at my house)
3. Happy Days
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
I walked out of the mall at 10pm
to what I can only describe as a perfect Autumn night. I wore a long sleeved shirt, but no jacket was needed. A breeze lifted my hair and cooled my tired skin. I breathed in, and a smell both sharp and damp, filled my head, rolled behind my eyes, and cleaned out my lungs of stale mall air. Purification.
Though we associate this season with decay, don't we?
Is that why some people think Autumn is a sad? I understand that, I guess. I have felt it as well. It's the kind of feeling you have before a gentle, satisfying cry or when you remember a loved one who died a long time ago.
I suppose it's because humans connect the seasons to life cycles. Autumn comes before everything dies in Winter.
I'd rather think of it as a long day, than a short life. Autumn is the time when we're snuggled into bed, the worries of the day done with, covered by colorful leaves. Before we drift of to hibernation.
Though we associate this season with decay, don't we?
Is that why some people think Autumn is a sad? I understand that, I guess. I have felt it as well. It's the kind of feeling you have before a gentle, satisfying cry or when you remember a loved one who died a long time ago.
I suppose it's because humans connect the seasons to life cycles. Autumn comes before everything dies in Winter.
I'd rather think of it as a long day, than a short life. Autumn is the time when we're snuggled into bed, the worries of the day done with, covered by colorful leaves. Before we drift of to hibernation.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
The Stuff I Read: Comics: True Story Swear To God: Chances Are
Life is not comedy or tragedy. It’s a little of both, and a whole lot of stuff in the middle. The best writers get that, and whether or not the story they write is true, it rings true.
In case you didn’t guess by the title...this one's true. Tom Beland (read his bio here) went to Florida, and met Lily Garcia on his way to a Stevie Wonder concert. “Chances Are” tells the story of how their relationship began and developed into love. It’s also about Tom and his large, loving family. It’s romantic, sad, uplifting, and the when Tom’s brother gets married it is oh so funny. It’s a very realistic portrayal of a long distance love, and individuals who have experienced pain and healed wounds.
Tom Beland isn’t really a writer of graphic novels. He’s a cartoonist, his strips are autobiographical. “Chances Are” began as a gift for Lily, that she urged him to publish.
The art plays second to the narrative. Best in true stories, I think, because the words are more important. Beland does a lot with his clean, simple cartooning, The single lines that serve as smiles seem happier and more authentic than they would if he had someone else give it a “realistic” style.
I would suggest this to so many people who would never think to enter a comic shop, or read a comic book. People who think they're all tights, fights, and improbable bosoms. Also people who think that all Romance comcis are cliché and saccharin...and bad.
A friend of mine let me borrow this book over 2 years ago. Then I accidentally left my car windows open and it got water damage. I bought him a new one and kept the slightly damaged copy for myself.
Doesn’t really have anything to do with why I like it so much, but just in case my friend stops by, I want him to know I credit him with my discovering this story.
It's as sweet and satisfying as homemade flan de leche.
Saturday, September 01, 2007
The Stuff I Read: Comics
My top 5. Next week I'll tell you why.
1. True Story Swear To God: Chances Are Tom Beland
2. The New Frontier, Darwyn Cooke
3. The Plain Janes, Cecil Castellucci/Jim Rugg
4. Watchmen, Alan Moore
5. Dark Victory, Jeph Loeb/Tim Sale (the comic bloggers roll their eyes)
1. True Story Swear To God: Chances Are Tom Beland
2. The New Frontier, Darwyn Cooke
3. The Plain Janes, Cecil Castellucci/Jim Rugg
4. Watchmen, Alan Moore
5. Dark Victory, Jeph Loeb/Tim Sale (the comic bloggers roll their eyes)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
