When I consider the blizzards and hurricanes and tornadoes many other parts of America must face regularly, I sometimes think our rain is beautiful. True, it is gray—often cold and gray, with heavy low clouds, and the lack of sunshine is sincerely depressing. But if I look carefully, the gray has its own subtle lovelinesses. Soft shades of cloud. Dark fir-tree shapes waving against the sky. Fine droplets everywhere.
Still... late-winter rains make this the hardest time of year to see the stars, and I wish I weren't mostly missing this.
On the rare nights when I can catch sight of them, Venus and Jupiter are stunning, so close together. Never more so than when the moon drifts among them. Saturn, too, I love to see rising just before bed. Mars I have yet to find, and Mercury... Mercury would require a good stiff walk, just at dusk, on a clear night. That conjunction hasn't happened. But someday.
* * *
After weeks of looking like they meant to bud any time, the ornamental cherry trees finally began to bloom out these past few days—an early sign of spring for which I am always immensely grateful.
* * *
Maia's obsession of the week: clawing at the kitchen cabinet doors and yowling. I have no idea what she thinks she'll find inside, but it's hilarious. Scratching the ugly purple paint isn't the most destructive of her tricks, at least.
* * *
Writers' link of the week: Contract lawyer Passive Guy talks about author/agency agreements, with links to several other of his posts on the subject.
Also, Strange Horizons' extensive list of Stories We've Seen Too Often.
* * *
Music of the week: Last Friday night, Lou and I and his parents went up to WWU for an evening performance of Mozart's Don Giovanni. The libretto had been translated into English, and I must admit that the opera is pretty comical for being a tale about a man who won't stop womanizing, on account of which he gets dragged to hell.
This aria is between the Don and a young bride, Zerlina. Spoiler alert! Don't worry—he doesn't quite manage to complete the seduction.
* * *
Random amusement of the week: Prayers specific to your Myers-Briggs personality type. I am an ISFJ, and yeah, the thought's pretty accurate. :D
* * *
I'm off—I have a book to revise. Well, three. But one to focus on today.
Happy weekend!
Showing posts with label stargazing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label stargazing. Show all posts
12.09.2011
Many Moons and other stories
To the delight of stargazers everywhere, there's a total lunar eclipse in the morning!
I stayed up late last night finishing the Emily books, so I'm tired. And yet I might just get up and try to see this. It won't happen again till 2014, and who knows whether we'll have a clear night then?
And on the stargazing note: my favorite event of this past week was Lou setting up our telescope down at my parents', so we could all look at moon-craters and Jupiter with two of its moons. Mom and Dad and sister and brother-in-law and niece turned out for it. My two-year-old niece was enthralled at the sight of the moon through the lenses.
* * *
My favorite thing about the Kindle: it fixes that problem. Though I probably shouldn't stay up tonight blasting through Anna Karenina.
* * *
Early last year, my little city made Forbes' top five potential real estate trouble spots. Now it's in the news for having the lowest average sunshine amount in the nation (only because nearby Forks and Alger weren't counted, I'm sure.) And we won't even talk about the general tone of the bumper stickers around here.
Crazily enough, I love this little town anyway. It's immensely beautiful. Today, it's even sunny.
* * *
Writers' link of the week: Jon Morrow's 'Five Crippling Beliefs that Keep Writers Penniless and Mired in Mediocrity.' Important, thoughtful, interesting—but potentially dispiriting, so here's also a glorious little Sir Arthur Conan Doyle quote about books themselves, for inspiration.
* * *
Music of the week: I am so grateful to Michael Gungor for posting his thoughts on 'Zombies, Wine and Christian Music', I could just sing. He said much of what I've wanted to say for years:
"There are emotions and attitudes of different genres of music that are the soul of the music. You can’t remove the anger from screamo and have it still be screamo. It’s the soul of that music, whether that soul is good or evil is not the point, simply that it is the soul. So when you remove the soul from music and transplant the body parts (chord changes, instrumentation, dress, lights, and everything but the soul…) and parade it around with some more “positive” lyrics posing as Christian music, then what you have is a musical zombie."
I loved this article. I'd like to take it and write a very long post in response, enlarging on his thoughts and moving on to some of my own. And possibly migrating from music to fiction. Unfortunately, I haven't the time at this moment.
Anyway, that's not music, and what I promised you was music... so here's some Gungor.
* * *
And that's all from me... I know there's funny stuff on the Internet, but I'm out of ideas. Although you could always Google Dwight Schrute quotes.
Happy weekend!
And that's all from me... I know there's funny stuff on the Internet, but I'm out of ideas. Although you could always Google Dwight Schrute quotes.
Happy weekend!
5.13.2011
Watching the Sky and other stories
For those who don't know: Blogger went down hard yesterday, losing posts and comments and remaining out of service for most of the day. It deleted several comments on my blog, including Masha's latest in the Twilight conversation. But the comments did come to my inbox, and I will respond when I get a chance. So if you want to know why I love Twilight, keep an eye on that thread.
Also, I'm definitely going to back up my blog.
* * *
As an amateur stargazer, I'd be remiss if I didn't link this beautiful interactive sky map. It covers the night sky for both northern and southern hemispheres, has both constellations and bright stars marked by name at the click of the info button, and lets you zoom way in.
Speaking of which... all this cloud cover has got to go away. I haven't been able to use my telescope in weeks.
* * *
According to both the title and description of this list, it is guaranteed to make the reader feel old. After reading it, however, I do not feel old. Only one of the Backstreet Boys is younger than me. Take that, world.
* * *
Writers' link of the week: John E McIntyre on "The craft so long to lerne." This contains some of the best straightforward advice for young writers anyone could give.
* * *
Music of the week: The Oh Wells. They're relatively local. And apparently playing Bellingham tonight. Hmm.
* * *
Funny of the week: I'm not quite this cynical, but this did make me laugh. Hey, I'm a writer: I'm totally unashamed of having imaginary friends.
* * *
Lou is gone for the weekend. The whole weekend. I mostly feel like pushing out my lower lip and burying myself in novels, but I've got a house to clean and an accompaniment to work up for a friend's song and a manuscript to critique and two books to write and tomato plants to re-pot and I should really take a walk... and tomorrow night I might just rent Tangled and get ice cream because I think I'll need such things.
Happy weekend, everyone.
Also, I'm definitely going to back up my blog.
* * *
As an amateur stargazer, I'd be remiss if I didn't link this beautiful interactive sky map. It covers the night sky for both northern and southern hemispheres, has both constellations and bright stars marked by name at the click of the info button, and lets you zoom way in.
Speaking of which... all this cloud cover has got to go away. I haven't been able to use my telescope in weeks.
* * *
According to both the title and description of this list, it is guaranteed to make the reader feel old. After reading it, however, I do not feel old. Only one of the Backstreet Boys is younger than me. Take that, world.
* * *
Writers' link of the week: John E McIntyre on "The craft so long to lerne." This contains some of the best straightforward advice for young writers anyone could give.
* * *
Music of the week: The Oh Wells. They're relatively local. And apparently playing Bellingham tonight. Hmm.
* * *
Funny of the week: I'm not quite this cynical, but this did make me laugh. Hey, I'm a writer: I'm totally unashamed of having imaginary friends.
* * *
Lou is gone for the weekend. The whole weekend. I mostly feel like pushing out my lower lip and burying myself in novels, but I've got a house to clean and an accompaniment to work up for a friend's song and a manuscript to critique and two books to write and tomato plants to re-pot and I should really take a walk... and tomorrow night I might just rent Tangled and get ice cream because I think I'll need such things.
Happy weekend, everyone.
4.08.2011
Looking for Planets and other stories
After a year and a half of writing and rewriting, I'm down to Anne Mini's prescribed pre-query final test: reading the manuscript in its entirety, in hard copy, and out loud.
While I expected to catch a few repeated words that way, the read-through has thus far proven even more helpful than I thought. It's giving me the perspective to find things that hid during months of jaded staring at a computer screen. Things like: is it really clear who's speaking in this dialogue? Is that line actually necessary, or is it slowing down the scene?
Ms. Mini's prescription has my full recommendation. And I'm devoting as much time as possible to that read-through this weekend, because... I'd like to start querying next week.
* * *
Once I'm in the query process, I plan to go dark on this novel until I have something real to report. Also in my plans: putting it and its sequels aside, and working on my other story. Maybe pretending this is November and speeding through a first draft.
Much as I love my little story, I'm so excited to work on something unrelated right now. So. Excited. And those twelve short chapters of a middle-grade urban fantasy, begun nearly three years ago, long for completion.
* * *
Late winter and early spring in western Washington State frustrate amateur stargazers to no end. Lou and I haven't been able to take the telescope out in a couple of months, and I've not managed to learn the constellations rising after Perseus.
But the sky cleared last night, and at nine-thirty we set it up on the darkest side of the house (we turn all our lights off, but the neighbors... not so much.) Saturn has risen above the rooftops, and with the 10mm lens in, we could see the rings. It looked kind of like this:
Also, some of the constellations made themselves distinctly tough to trace last year. All of a sudden, Leo and Virgo look down at me like "You know, we're really not that hard to find."
* * *
Writers' link of the week: Austin Kleon's How to Steal Like an Artist (and 9 Other Things Nobody Told Me). It's a superb illustrated piece on some of the most important lessons any creator can learn. Granted, I still think my work is better when I type rather than write by hand. I do. But in nearly every other case, I wholeheartedly agree with him.
* * *
Music of the week: Jimmy Wong combines the stories of Orpheus, Eurydice, and Lot for a great original song:
* * *
Funny of the week: Harry Potter tries to get Hermione Granger to read his manuscript. By Tahereh Mafi.
* * *
To-do list:
Happy weekend!
While I expected to catch a few repeated words that way, the read-through has thus far proven even more helpful than I thought. It's giving me the perspective to find things that hid during months of jaded staring at a computer screen. Things like: is it really clear who's speaking in this dialogue? Is that line actually necessary, or is it slowing down the scene?
Ms. Mini's prescription has my full recommendation. And I'm devoting as much time as possible to that read-through this weekend, because... I'd like to start querying next week.
* * *
Once I'm in the query process, I plan to go dark on this novel until I have something real to report. Also in my plans: putting it and its sequels aside, and working on my other story. Maybe pretending this is November and speeding through a first draft.
Much as I love my little story, I'm so excited to work on something unrelated right now. So. Excited. And those twelve short chapters of a middle-grade urban fantasy, begun nearly three years ago, long for completion.
* * *
Late winter and early spring in western Washington State frustrate amateur stargazers to no end. Lou and I haven't been able to take the telescope out in a couple of months, and I've not managed to learn the constellations rising after Perseus.
But the sky cleared last night, and at nine-thirty we set it up on the darkest side of the house (we turn all our lights off, but the neighbors... not so much.) Saturn has risen above the rooftops, and with the 10mm lens in, we could see the rings. It looked kind of like this:
 |
| Kind of. This is my attempt to recreate it by means of Paint.net. |
* * *
Writers' link of the week: Austin Kleon's How to Steal Like an Artist (and 9 Other Things Nobody Told Me). It's a superb illustrated piece on some of the most important lessons any creator can learn. Granted, I still think my work is better when I type rather than write by hand. I do. But in nearly every other case, I wholeheartedly agree with him.
* * *
Music of the week: Jimmy Wong combines the stories of Orpheus, Eurydice, and Lot for a great original song:
* * *
Funny of the week: Harry Potter tries to get Hermione Granger to read his manuscript. By Tahereh Mafi.
* * *
To-do list:
- Print and read chapters 4-13 of novel out loud
- Clean house
- Make quiche
- Write up reviews for Ella Minnow Pea and Wheel of Time book 5 before I forget too much
- Get some exercise (it's sunny! I can go for a walk!)
- Spend a little time on music practice
Blog
Happy weekend!
1.21.2011
Sword-Wielding for Girls and other stories
Our cat and I went through the following conversation more times than I can count this week:
* * *
Did I mention that Lou got me a little telescope for Christmas? We've had rain for a couple of weeks solid, but before that we braved the cold long enough to see Jupiter's moons, resolve the star Albireo into its double form, and look at craters on our moon. I'm loving it.
* * *
The blog posting schedule may switch up a bit next week. I'm running out of recipe ideas, and I've found a couple of book memes that I think have better questions than Booking through Thursday, so probably Tuesday and Thursday will change up. Hopefully the shift isn't too annoying. :)
* * *
Okay, open-heart moment.
If you were ever taught that it's wrong to fall in love with someone you're not already engaged to—or that boys and girls should be "shamefaced" around each other—or that kissing and holding hands and saying 'I love you' are best saved for marriage—or that it's a sin to marry without your parents' approval, no matter why they're withholding it—or anything similar... Darcy's post on emotional purity is for you. Please read it.
My parents did not subscribe to all of these ideas, and they understood grace too well to stay under such teachings for long. I've had friends who were less fortunate. But the concept of emotional purity appealed straight to my natural legalism, and it took me years to get free. I still struggle with some of the effects.
Also from Darcy: this one's for the girls. We get to wield swords and slay dragons, too. YESSSS.
* * *
Writer's link of the week: With brilliance and brevity, here's Alan Lastufka on trust and the creative life.
* * *
Music of the week: According to my sources, Meghan Tonjes sang on the Ellen show this week. But she started on YouTube.
* * *
Funny of the week: The Onion on building excitement in the NFL.
* * *
I'm off to clean house. Happy weekend, everybody!
Maia: Play with me!Needless to say, she usually won. At least, until I moved the said box of telescope accessories out of her reach. But I think she's grateful that now I'm back to playing like cats' people are supposed to.
Me: Bring me your toy, and I'll throw it for you.
Maia: I brought you my toy.
Me: You didn't bring it to me. You left it all the way over behind the coffee table.
Maia: You're supposed to get up and get it. That's part of the fun.
Me: I'm sick. I don't feel like moving. Bring it to me.
Maia: I'll get into your box of telescope accessories.
Me: I'll squirt you with the squirt bottle.
Maia: I CAN BE PERSISTENT.
* * *
Did I mention that Lou got me a little telescope for Christmas? We've had rain for a couple of weeks solid, but before that we braved the cold long enough to see Jupiter's moons, resolve the star Albireo into its double form, and look at craters on our moon. I'm loving it.
* * *
The blog posting schedule may switch up a bit next week. I'm running out of recipe ideas, and I've found a couple of book memes that I think have better questions than Booking through Thursday, so probably Tuesday and Thursday will change up. Hopefully the shift isn't too annoying. :)
* * *
Okay, open-heart moment.
If you were ever taught that it's wrong to fall in love with someone you're not already engaged to—or that boys and girls should be "shamefaced" around each other—or that kissing and holding hands and saying 'I love you' are best saved for marriage—or that it's a sin to marry without your parents' approval, no matter why they're withholding it—or anything similar... Darcy's post on emotional purity is for you. Please read it.
My parents did not subscribe to all of these ideas, and they understood grace too well to stay under such teachings for long. I've had friends who were less fortunate. But the concept of emotional purity appealed straight to my natural legalism, and it took me years to get free. I still struggle with some of the effects.
Also from Darcy: this one's for the girls. We get to wield swords and slay dragons, too. YESSSS.
* * *
Writer's link of the week: With brilliance and brevity, here's Alan Lastufka on trust and the creative life.
* * *
Music of the week: According to my sources, Meghan Tonjes sang on the Ellen show this week. But she started on YouTube.
* * *
Funny of the week: The Onion on building excitement in the NFL.
* * *
I'm off to clean house. Happy weekend, everybody!
11.12.2010
Daisies Standing Guard and other stories
Current word count: 20,268
"I'm at twenty thousand words and I'm feeling awesome/man, I should make writing my career
My main characters have chemistry, my setting is believable/think I'm gonna win this year" *
How I wish that were the case.
Last year I never once considered quitting NaNoWriMo. This year, I've written twenty thousand words that are almost entirely wrong—bad prose, wrong emotional progressions, inane scenes. The story in my head, what shards of it exist, is not what keeps coming out on paper.
I've considered stopping, even though I've been ahead on word count for almost the entire time, and the tingling in my right hand and pain running from elbow to palm are pushing me that direction. The only thing keeping me going is that every couple of days I hit on something that I do actually want to use in the final draft.
Well—that and the fact that I hate giving up.
But as I crossed the 20,000-word mark this morning, I found a little joy in it. I started a new chapter yesterday, and the 1700 words it contains are, for the most part, not crap. One more small encouragement to continue.
* * *
Apart from writing novels at top speed, November means a return to winter weather around here. Much to my amazement, I know people who actually wanted this to happen. Since we didn't get summer weather till the second week in July this year, I would have been just fine not having winter weather till January.
...but we did have such a beautiful sunrise this morning. And sometimes I've even been able to see the stars.
* * *
Yes, the stars. The Pleiades are up this time of year, bright and beautiful. Next on the to-find list: Aldebaran, which should be close by, and the shape of Taurus. Aquila and the Swan have moved to the west during my most-common stargazing hours, and Cassiopeia is nearly overhead. I've never been able to really trace Pegasus—it's hard in town if the constellations aren't composed of very bright stars, which problem has also held me back on Aquarius and Perseus. Oh well. I do what I can.
* * *
Music of the week: This one's for all of you Hunger Games fans. I've got to say, mixed as my feelings were about that series—as a lyricist myself, I loved Collins' folk songs. I might not have imagined Rue's lullaby in a minor key, and the recording here isn't the best, but ultimately, this is beautiful.
* * *
Writer's link of the week: John Green's NaNoWriMo pep talk. Favorite quote:
"Here’s my answer to the very real existential crisis that grips me midway through everything I’ve ever tried to do: I think stories help us fight the nihilistic urges that constantly threaten to consume us."
* * *
Funny of the week: The Oatmeal on How to Pet a Kitty. Not quite as funny as the printer one, which I've already linked some months back, but equally true.
* * *
I'm off to clean house. Happy weekend, everybody.
* Lyric from The NaNoWriMo Song by Kristina Horner and Luke Conard.
"I'm at twenty thousand words and I'm feeling awesome/man, I should make writing my career
My main characters have chemistry, my setting is believable/think I'm gonna win this year" *
How I wish that were the case.
Last year I never once considered quitting NaNoWriMo. This year, I've written twenty thousand words that are almost entirely wrong—bad prose, wrong emotional progressions, inane scenes. The story in my head, what shards of it exist, is not what keeps coming out on paper.
I've considered stopping, even though I've been ahead on word count for almost the entire time, and the tingling in my right hand and pain running from elbow to palm are pushing me that direction. The only thing keeping me going is that every couple of days I hit on something that I do actually want to use in the final draft.
Well—that and the fact that I hate giving up.
But as I crossed the 20,000-word mark this morning, I found a little joy in it. I started a new chapter yesterday, and the 1700 words it contains are, for the most part, not crap. One more small encouragement to continue.
* * *
Apart from writing novels at top speed, November means a return to winter weather around here. Much to my amazement, I know people who actually wanted this to happen. Since we didn't get summer weather till the second week in July this year, I would have been just fine not having winter weather till January.
...but we did have such a beautiful sunrise this morning. And sometimes I've even been able to see the stars.
* * *
Yes, the stars. The Pleiades are up this time of year, bright and beautiful. Next on the to-find list: Aldebaran, which should be close by, and the shape of Taurus. Aquila and the Swan have moved to the west during my most-common stargazing hours, and Cassiopeia is nearly overhead. I've never been able to really trace Pegasus—it's hard in town if the constellations aren't composed of very bright stars, which problem has also held me back on Aquarius and Perseus. Oh well. I do what I can.
* * *
Music of the week: This one's for all of you Hunger Games fans. I've got to say, mixed as my feelings were about that series—as a lyricist myself, I loved Collins' folk songs. I might not have imagined Rue's lullaby in a minor key, and the recording here isn't the best, but ultimately, this is beautiful.
* * *
Writer's link of the week: John Green's NaNoWriMo pep talk. Favorite quote:
"Here’s my answer to the very real existential crisis that grips me midway through everything I’ve ever tried to do: I think stories help us fight the nihilistic urges that constantly threaten to consume us."
* * *
Funny of the week: The Oatmeal on How to Pet a Kitty. Not quite as funny as the printer one, which I've already linked some months back, but equally true.
* * *
I'm off to clean house. Happy weekend, everybody.
* Lyric from The NaNoWriMo Song by Kristina Horner and Luke Conard.
9.24.2010
No Computers for Jadis and other stories
If you haven't taken part in the Thursday Book Questions, and you'd like to, don't be put off by the word Thursday. You can still answer. I've loved reading every comment I've received these two weeks, and it's fun to find the various commonalities we bookworm types often have.
* * *
This week's battle with my novel (in a bottle... with a paddle... on a noodle-eating poodle...) has been: Is it middle grade, young adult, or adult? All because one blogger commented that broader save-the-world-type scopes are usually middle grade (but my protagonist is the wrong age, and with reason) and then another made an offhand remark about semicolons adding to the sense of adult voice. And I like semicolons.
But after several rewrites of the first section of Chapter Five, I feel like I'm gaining some momentum. There's victory on one front, at least.
* * *
It's been awhile since I posted about stargazing, mostly because it has rained a lot. To my interest, though, the sun reached its autumnal equinox yesterday morning. I couldn't tell you what that looked like, because it rained most of yesterday. Does tracking what the sun does count as stargazing?
* * *
Which Narnia character are you?
According to the results page (minus several spelling errors): "As Mrs. Beaver, you may be a bit ditzy, but you are caring, sensitive, and loyal. Just make sure there isn't a sewing machine around in times of danger."
Haha. I can see myself being the one taking too long packing and then saying "I suppose the computer's too heavy to bring?... I can't abide the thought of that Witch fiddling with it, and breaking it or stealing it, as likely as not..."
* * *
Writer's link of the week: Rachelle Gardner's brief post "What is Success?" Because it's a question we all need to answer.
* * *
Cool link of the week: Exact UTC time. My computer clock was only ten seconds slow this morning. Now it is about seven seconds fast; setting the clock's time to the second is harder than it looks.
* * *
Funny of the week: Okay, I get a kick out of snarky Venn diagrams. This one, for instance.
* * *
Lou's sisters are visiting for the weekend (hurrah!), Maia is sick (poor little kitten), and I have a house to clean plus a short story and a novel to write, so... that's all from me today. Have a great weekend, everybody. :)
* * *
This week's battle with my novel (in a bottle... with a paddle... on a noodle-eating poodle...) has been: Is it middle grade, young adult, or adult? All because one blogger commented that broader save-the-world-type scopes are usually middle grade (but my protagonist is the wrong age, and with reason) and then another made an offhand remark about semicolons adding to the sense of adult voice. And I like semicolons.
But after several rewrites of the first section of Chapter Five, I feel like I'm gaining some momentum. There's victory on one front, at least.
* * *
It's been awhile since I posted about stargazing, mostly because it has rained a lot. To my interest, though, the sun reached its autumnal equinox yesterday morning. I couldn't tell you what that looked like, because it rained most of yesterday. Does tracking what the sun does count as stargazing?
* * *
Which Narnia character are you?
According to the results page (minus several spelling errors): "As Mrs. Beaver, you may be a bit ditzy, but you are caring, sensitive, and loyal. Just make sure there isn't a sewing machine around in times of danger."
Haha. I can see myself being the one taking too long packing and then saying "I suppose the computer's too heavy to bring?... I can't abide the thought of that Witch fiddling with it, and breaking it or stealing it, as likely as not..."
* * *
Writer's link of the week: Rachelle Gardner's brief post "What is Success?" Because it's a question we all need to answer.
* * *
Cool link of the week: Exact UTC time. My computer clock was only ten seconds slow this morning. Now it is about seven seconds fast; setting the clock's time to the second is harder than it looks.
* * *
Funny of the week: Okay, I get a kick out of snarky Venn diagrams. This one, for instance.
* * *
Lou's sisters are visiting for the weekend (hurrah!), Maia is sick (poor little kitten), and I have a house to clean plus a short story and a novel to write, so... that's all from me today. Have a great weekend, everybody. :)
8.13.2010
It was Just a Freaking Love Potion and other stories
Lou: "Not much happens. There are really only three acts."
Me: "Well, it's opera, so: they meet, they fall in love, they die?"
Lou: "Pretty much."
Apologies for not posting yesterday! Lou and I left at 4 PM to see Tristan und Isolde in Seattle and we got back after 1 AM; I didn't get a post up before leaving, and when we came home I was tired enough to go to bed with makeup on and everything.
All those hours of Wagner sounded a little overwhelming going in, especially as listening to the music on its own beforehand didn't do much for me. With the story and the visuals, though, I found it breathtakingly beautiful. Even though I never did figure out which was the famed Tristan chord. And even though the romance was partly killed by the fact that most of the passion arose from a love potion that was supposed to be a death potion. Oh, the drama.
I liked Marke. Good guys don't get enough credit in this world. Besides, he had a superb voice.
* * *
Lou and I are leaving Monday morning to go huckleberry picking for three days. If I can get it together, I'll try to have posts scheduled for those three days... I'll try. But if I post on Monday and don't reply to your comment till Wednesday, it doesn't mean I don't like you. :)
As for huckleberry picking, I'm not quite the camping fiend I used to be in my rock-climbing raft-guiding days. Two years ago we fought more mosquitoes than I've ever seen in my entire life, all together in one place; last year it was hornets. I didn't know the world, let alone Western Washington, had that many hornets. This year--I understand and accept the usual outdoor difficulties, but PLEASE, GOD, LESS BUGS.
* * *
Back on the subject of opera: Can I someday sing like this? Please?
* * *
Another good show: The Perseid meteor shower. When we got home last night, I stopped outside to look at the stars, and one of the brightest meteors I've ever seen shot right through Cygnus and beyond. So beautiful! Despite the late night yesterday, I'm more than a little tempted to take a blanket out in the back yard tonight.
* * *
Writer's link of the week: Nathan Bransford's "Do You Suffer from One of These Writing Maladies?" Many, many props to Mr. Bransford for working the Old Spice Guy into his post. I keep reading this and laughing aloud.
* * *
Time-sucker of the week: Catalog Living.
* * *
Funny line of the week, from EW's Keith Staskiewicz: "Twilight is significantly affecting how Americans name their babies, with a marked increase in Cullens and Bellas. All I can say is thank goodness this didn’t happen with Dr. Seuss, or we’d all be named things like Phooswacker and Bortle."
* * *
Also: I love Microsoft Word 2010, at least compared to the 2007 and 2003 versions. But everybody did not hate Clippy. I liked the MS Word Assistant.
Speaking of Word, I think I'm going to try one more time to scrap/redo the first chapters of my book, and if that doesn't work, then it's time to accept it as is and move forward. First, however, I have to clean the house. Happy weekend, everybody!
Me: "Well, it's opera, so: they meet, they fall in love, they die?"
Lou: "Pretty much."
Apologies for not posting yesterday! Lou and I left at 4 PM to see Tristan und Isolde in Seattle and we got back after 1 AM; I didn't get a post up before leaving, and when we came home I was tired enough to go to bed with makeup on and everything.
All those hours of Wagner sounded a little overwhelming going in, especially as listening to the music on its own beforehand didn't do much for me. With the story and the visuals, though, I found it breathtakingly beautiful. Even though I never did figure out which was the famed Tristan chord. And even though the romance was partly killed by the fact that most of the passion arose from a love potion that was supposed to be a death potion. Oh, the drama.
I liked Marke. Good guys don't get enough credit in this world. Besides, he had a superb voice.
* * *
Lou and I are leaving Monday morning to go huckleberry picking for three days. If I can get it together, I'll try to have posts scheduled for those three days... I'll try. But if I post on Monday and don't reply to your comment till Wednesday, it doesn't mean I don't like you. :)
As for huckleberry picking, I'm not quite the camping fiend I used to be in my rock-climbing raft-guiding days. Two years ago we fought more mosquitoes than I've ever seen in my entire life, all together in one place; last year it was hornets. I didn't know the world, let alone Western Washington, had that many hornets. This year--I understand and accept the usual outdoor difficulties, but PLEASE, GOD, LESS BUGS.
* * *
Back on the subject of opera: Can I someday sing like this? Please?
* * *
Another good show: The Perseid meteor shower. When we got home last night, I stopped outside to look at the stars, and one of the brightest meteors I've ever seen shot right through Cygnus and beyond. So beautiful! Despite the late night yesterday, I'm more than a little tempted to take a blanket out in the back yard tonight.
* * *
Writer's link of the week: Nathan Bransford's "Do You Suffer from One of These Writing Maladies?" Many, many props to Mr. Bransford for working the Old Spice Guy into his post. I keep reading this and laughing aloud.
* * *
Time-sucker of the week: Catalog Living.
* * *
Funny line of the week, from EW's Keith Staskiewicz: "Twilight is significantly affecting how Americans name their babies, with a marked increase in Cullens and Bellas. All I can say is thank goodness this didn’t happen with Dr. Seuss, or we’d all be named things like Phooswacker and Bortle."
* * *
Also: I love Microsoft Word 2010, at least compared to the 2007 and 2003 versions. But everybody did not hate Clippy. I liked the MS Word Assistant.
Speaking of Word, I think I'm going to try one more time to scrap/redo the first chapters of my book, and if that doesn't work, then it's time to accept it as is and move forward. First, however, I have to clean the house. Happy weekend, everybody!
8.06.2010
Pacific Northwest Greatness and other stories
The last full month of summer has arrived, and NaNoWriMo is coming up again. For some time now, I've had alternating feelings on whether or not to sign up this year. And... I think I will. If I can finish revisions by the actual end of summer, September 21, then I can set myself up to write again in November.
Revisions are a real struggle for me right now, though. I am stuck in Chapter 2, which according to my instincts is the least interesting in the book—but it's also foundational to the rest of the story. I won't submit the book until that chapter is up to par with the rest. Unfortunately, I won't let myself move forward with the rest of revisions either, so I'm really quite stuck. Bah.
* * *
Wait... The Lonely Forest got signed by Chris Walla from Death Cab for Cutie? I did not know this, but I know them—or John, anyway, who'd actually wave at me if I ran into him in the grocery. (Wow, that sounded oddly fangirlish. Thought I was too sedate for that.) Anyway, they have a free download at the link, a fun song about preferring the Pacific Northwest to LA or Nashville. My favorite piece of theirs is the old She Smiles, which I can't find on YouTube, but here's a perfectly good video of the band:
* * *
Well put:
Thanks to Travis Prinzi for passing that along.
* * *
Stargazer's report: Bellingham has had haze this past week, night and day (and one thunderstorm.) I've been able to smile at Arcturus and Vega, both of which are decidedly brighter than the average, but that's about it.
* * *
Writerly link of the week: I don't have one off the top of my head, but there have certainly been enough posts and articles about e-books to inspire this. I laughed, oh yes. Hat tip to Nathan Bransford for the link.
* * *
Funny line of the week: I'm still laughing at Jon Acuff for referring to "Cornelius, the white dove who brings me official Christian blogging rules."
* * *
Time to go water my plants, finish cleaning my house, make pizza, write Monday's post and a couple of things for The Hog's Head, and find a way to rewrite Chapter 2. It's going to be a busy afternoon. Happy weekend, everybody!
Revisions are a real struggle for me right now, though. I am stuck in Chapter 2, which according to my instincts is the least interesting in the book—but it's also foundational to the rest of the story. I won't submit the book until that chapter is up to par with the rest. Unfortunately, I won't let myself move forward with the rest of revisions either, so I'm really quite stuck. Bah.
* * *
Wait... The Lonely Forest got signed by Chris Walla from Death Cab for Cutie? I did not know this, but I know them—or John, anyway, who'd actually wave at me if I ran into him in the grocery. (Wow, that sounded oddly fangirlish. Thought I was too sedate for that.) Anyway, they have a free download at the link, a fun song about preferring the Pacific Northwest to LA or Nashville. My favorite piece of theirs is the old She Smiles, which I can't find on YouTube, but here's a perfectly good video of the band:
* * *
Well put:
Thanks to Travis Prinzi for passing that along.
* * *
Stargazer's report: Bellingham has had haze this past week, night and day (and one thunderstorm.) I've been able to smile at Arcturus and Vega, both of which are decidedly brighter than the average, but that's about it.
* * *
Writerly link of the week: I don't have one off the top of my head, but there have certainly been enough posts and articles about e-books to inspire this. I laughed, oh yes. Hat tip to Nathan Bransford for the link.
* * *
Funny line of the week: I'm still laughing at Jon Acuff for referring to "Cornelius, the white dove who brings me official Christian blogging rules."
* * *
Time to go water my plants, finish cleaning my house, make pizza, write Monday's post and a couple of things for The Hog's Head, and find a way to rewrite Chapter 2. It's going to be a busy afternoon. Happy weekend, everybody!
7.30.2010
Defenestrating Arachnophobes and other stories
Novel update: After two weeks of hard wrestling with replacements for three long scenes I basically scrapped, I think I've finally come up with a solution that doesn't shake the whole book at its foundation. There's no way to know for sure until it's fully written, but I'm optimistic.
Unfortunately, over those two weeks, I let myself slip into the habit of drifting onto the internet when I got stuck for ideas. To counteract that, I plan to try a new tactic this week and spend an hour writing every day before even pulling up a web browser. No email, no Google Reader, no nothing. Just me and MS Word and my characters. Once I've gotten my mind into the book, I'm a lot more likely to give it full attention later in the day.
We'll see how this goes. I had fun with it this morning.
* * *
After a nearly five-year break from the days when I led worship and belonged to worship team bands, babysat in the nursery and took youth groups whitewater rafting and rock climbing, I've... gotten involved in church work again. And I'd forgotten how much I love it.
* * *
I'm also very pleased at having archived over 800 messages in my gmail, leaving only the messages that require some response in my inbox. My to-do list is more manageable now.
* * *
Stargazing report: Next on the to-find list is the constellation Pegasus, and then Aquarius. I've found Epsilon Pegasi, Enif ("nose"); it makes a nice triangle with Deneb and Altair. But Pegasus is huge and some of the stars are pretty faint for a town-dweller to pick out. Time to draw up a little chart, methinks. And maybe get someplace dark for once. We've got huckleberry picking coming up...
* * *
Pet peeve of the week: Hearing that Bella Swan has no personality. Hey. I identified pretty strongly with her. Just what are people saying? :P
* * *
Writerly link of the week: Dealing with the Top Idea in Your Head. That gave me a lot to think about, as it were. Thanks to @jana_kaye for passing it on.
* * *
Funny line of the week goes to commenter Helen at The Hog's Head, for defining arachnofenestranaut as "people who jump out of windows when they see spiders." I'm still laughing at that.
But I'm not done with the funny yet. George sent me this (okay, the book/movie Fight Club has one of the more disturbing premises I've come across. This is a little disgusting as a result, but it still made me laugh):
* * *
Time to go re-pot my new butternut squash start (also thanks to Jana), spray the aphids off my thyme, vacuum the oregano flowers from the living room carpet and otherwise put my house to rights. Happy weekend, everyone.
Unfortunately, over those two weeks, I let myself slip into the habit of drifting onto the internet when I got stuck for ideas. To counteract that, I plan to try a new tactic this week and spend an hour writing every day before even pulling up a web browser. No email, no Google Reader, no nothing. Just me and MS Word and my characters. Once I've gotten my mind into the book, I'm a lot more likely to give it full attention later in the day.
We'll see how this goes. I had fun with it this morning.
* * *
After a nearly five-year break from the days when I led worship and belonged to worship team bands, babysat in the nursery and took youth groups whitewater rafting and rock climbing, I've... gotten involved in church work again. And I'd forgotten how much I love it.
* * *
I'm also very pleased at having archived over 800 messages in my gmail, leaving only the messages that require some response in my inbox. My to-do list is more manageable now.
* * *
Stargazing report: Next on the to-find list is the constellation Pegasus, and then Aquarius. I've found Epsilon Pegasi, Enif ("nose"); it makes a nice triangle with Deneb and Altair. But Pegasus is huge and some of the stars are pretty faint for a town-dweller to pick out. Time to draw up a little chart, methinks. And maybe get someplace dark for once. We've got huckleberry picking coming up...
* * *
Pet peeve of the week: Hearing that Bella Swan has no personality. Hey. I identified pretty strongly with her. Just what are people saying? :P
* * *
Writerly link of the week: Dealing with the Top Idea in Your Head. That gave me a lot to think about, as it were. Thanks to @jana_kaye for passing it on.
* * *
Funny line of the week goes to commenter Helen at The Hog's Head, for defining arachnofenestranaut as "people who jump out of windows when they see spiders." I'm still laughing at that.
But I'm not done with the funny yet. George sent me this (okay, the book/movie Fight Club has one of the more disturbing premises I've come across. This is a little disgusting as a result, but it still made me laugh):
* * *
Time to go re-pot my new butternut squash start (also thanks to Jana), spray the aphids off my thyme, vacuum the oregano flowers from the living room carpet and otherwise put my house to rights. Happy weekend, everyone.
7.16.2010
Happy Weddings and other stories
A wedding, a couple of get-togethers with cousins, five hours of driving each way, sleeping—or not sleeping—in a motel, several trips back and forth to my parents' for time with grandparents, trying to write book in my head in spare moments because I haven't had much time with my computer—and little Jenna is pretty tired out tonight.
It has, of course, been worth every measure of weariness.
* * *
I do love a good wedding. And when I say "good wedding" I mean the real thing, where you know the bride and groom actually mean their vows, where God is respected, where the couple appear to have made it a family event instead of a selfish one, and where they both look honestly happy.
Our cousin's was just such a one—simple and beautiful and cheerful and full of faith and love. It made me happy to witness it.
* * *
That set of Lou's cousins live in the country, and I'm afraid that the country spoiled me for stargazing in the city. I could actually see the Little Dipper, which I've never managed to do from my house because it doesn't get that dark. The band of the Milky Way showed clearly, running through Cygnus and Aquila.
And I got to looking at the stars I thought were Virgo, and thinking... and on the next clear night at home, I spent a very frustrating hour re-trying to trace that constellation. Finding Virgo is easy, everybody says. Just "follow the arc to Arcturus and speed on to Spica (Alpha Virginis.)" Well. I beg to differ over the easy part. I've been tracking it wrong for months.
I have, however, figured out the constellation at last. Unfortunately, only the alpha and beta stars are clearly visible from my front yard. Oh well.
* * *
If I read any exceptionally funny lines or sites this week, I've forgotten, so in lieu of that, here's a joke my dad passed to me over Facebook awhile back:
"My computer beat me at chess but it was no match for me at kickboxing."
I'm pretty sure I laughed till I cried at that one.
* * *
As much as I'd like to keep on writing of other things I've thought about this week, my brain is simply done. Lou and I have a quiet day at home tomorrow, and I'm grateful. Sunday we spend a little more time with my grandparents before they leave for Florida, and I'm grateful for that too.
Happy weekend, everyone.
It has, of course, been worth every measure of weariness.
* * *
I do love a good wedding. And when I say "good wedding" I mean the real thing, where you know the bride and groom actually mean their vows, where God is respected, where the couple appear to have made it a family event instead of a selfish one, and where they both look honestly happy.
Our cousin's was just such a one—simple and beautiful and cheerful and full of faith and love. It made me happy to witness it.
* * *
That set of Lou's cousins live in the country, and I'm afraid that the country spoiled me for stargazing in the city. I could actually see the Little Dipper, which I've never managed to do from my house because it doesn't get that dark. The band of the Milky Way showed clearly, running through Cygnus and Aquila.
And I got to looking at the stars I thought were Virgo, and thinking... and on the next clear night at home, I spent a very frustrating hour re-trying to trace that constellation. Finding Virgo is easy, everybody says. Just "follow the arc to Arcturus and speed on to Spica (Alpha Virginis.)" Well. I beg to differ over the easy part. I've been tracking it wrong for months.
I have, however, figured out the constellation at last. Unfortunately, only the alpha and beta stars are clearly visible from my front yard. Oh well.
* * *
If I read any exceptionally funny lines or sites this week, I've forgotten, so in lieu of that, here's a joke my dad passed to me over Facebook awhile back:
"My computer beat me at chess but it was no match for me at kickboxing."
I'm pretty sure I laughed till I cried at that one.
* * *
As much as I'd like to keep on writing of other things I've thought about this week, my brain is simply done. Lou and I have a quiet day at home tomorrow, and I'm grateful. Sunday we spend a little more time with my grandparents before they leave for Florida, and I'm grateful for that too.
Happy weekend, everyone.
7.09.2010
Learning the Stars and other stories
Though apparently Anchorage got 75-degree days before we did, Bellingham has finally decided to give the clouds a week off and we've had sunny days in the high 80s. This is what I've been waiting for—I love it. Sweet summer! How I long to keep it for the next three months.
* * *
One of Lou's cousins is getting married this weekend, so we're leaving for the east side of the mountains in a few hours. I still haven't decided whether or not to take my laptop or just a chunk of my manuscript and a notebook. Either way, I need to write.
But I'm also bringing China Miéville's Un Lun Dun (can't stay out of the kids' lit...) Sometimes it's just nice to read.
* * *
I need to learn to write when other things are on my to-do list. Most of the time I try to get everything else out of the way first, which never works—if I do succeed in clearing the day's list, I'm too tired to focus, or I get good and warmed up to the story at about 10:00 PM when I should be winding down. Next week's goals include getting some serious writing time in early in the day.
* * *
One of my favorite things about summer weather: I can stargaze without having to guess around clouds to trace constellations. This week I've located Aquila and its alpha star, Altair; Cygnus and alpha star Deneb; most of Scorpius including alpha star Antares; part of the constellation Libra, and the star Polaris. I had trouble with Polaris until I learned that a line drawn through Merak and Dubhe of the Big Dipper points straight at it.
Venus has also been shockingly, beautifully bright above the western horizon at sundown. The first time I saw it, I thought it was an airplane and couldn't believe my eyes when it did not move.
I've also learned this week that the zodiac is the ring of constellations along the ecliptic (the path of the sun.) This might be an appalling display of ignorance, but I never knew the term had a scientific meaning. Interesting.
* * *
Learning the stars' often strange and difficult names makes me think of this:
"If you've been assigned to me, I suppose you must be some kind of a Namer, too, even if a primitive one."
"A what?"
"A Namer. For instance, the last time I was with a Teacher—or at school, as you call it—my assignment was to memorize the names of the stars."
"Which stars?"
"All of them."
"You mean all the stars, in all the galaxies?"
"Yes. If he calls for one of them, someone has to know which one he means. Anyhow, they like it; there aren't many who know them all by name, and if your name isn't known, then it's a very lonely feeling."
—Madeleine L'Engle, A Wind in the Door (Bantam Doubleday Dell, New York: 1973), 78-79
That's one of my absolute favorite moments in fiction, especially in context with the rest of the book. A Wind in the Door is well worth reading and re-reading.
* * *
Lou and I watched the first several episodes of Season 3 of The Office on Monday night. I am still laughing at Jim sending Dwight faxes from Future Dwight, Andy calling Jim "Big Tuna," and Michael's response to a black-lit hotel room.
But then, I'm also still laughing at Dwight's complaints against Jim from an episode in Season 2. That reminds me of several pranksters I've known—and of the time when some other girls and I put all the youth leader's shoelaces in Zip-loc bags of water and froze them, and lay all fourteen of his boxes of Blueberry Morning breakfast cereal (no, I'm not exaggerating) under the sheets in his bed... haha, those were the days. :)
* * *
Twilight fans, I loved this post—recommended to me by fellow Blogengamot member Arabella Figg—about the power of Eclipse and the Saga in general. I think he's on to something.
Unfortunately, if anyone responded sensibly to his question at the end, it got lost in the hundreds of comments by trolls. But here are my two cents: I don't think it is possible to be pro-woman without understanding that what almost every woman wants is to be loved by someone who is stronger than themselves in some quantifiable way, and to propagate the species. Bella's story speaks to those primal desires. Of course it draws the crowds.
* * *
Funny line of the week, thanks to Tyler Stanton: "To whom it may concern: Please start a blog that consists entirely of pictures of people about to sneeze. This is the funniest face a human can make."
With that strange mental picture—Happy weekend, everybody!
* * *
One of Lou's cousins is getting married this weekend, so we're leaving for the east side of the mountains in a few hours. I still haven't decided whether or not to take my laptop or just a chunk of my manuscript and a notebook. Either way, I need to write.
But I'm also bringing China Miéville's Un Lun Dun (can't stay out of the kids' lit...) Sometimes it's just nice to read.
* * *
I need to learn to write when other things are on my to-do list. Most of the time I try to get everything else out of the way first, which never works—if I do succeed in clearing the day's list, I'm too tired to focus, or I get good and warmed up to the story at about 10:00 PM when I should be winding down. Next week's goals include getting some serious writing time in early in the day.
* * *
One of my favorite things about summer weather: I can stargaze without having to guess around clouds to trace constellations. This week I've located Aquila and its alpha star, Altair; Cygnus and alpha star Deneb; most of Scorpius including alpha star Antares; part of the constellation Libra, and the star Polaris. I had trouble with Polaris until I learned that a line drawn through Merak and Dubhe of the Big Dipper points straight at it.
Venus has also been shockingly, beautifully bright above the western horizon at sundown. The first time I saw it, I thought it was an airplane and couldn't believe my eyes when it did not move.
I've also learned this week that the zodiac is the ring of constellations along the ecliptic (the path of the sun.) This might be an appalling display of ignorance, but I never knew the term had a scientific meaning. Interesting.
* * *
Learning the stars' often strange and difficult names makes me think of this:
"If you've been assigned to me, I suppose you must be some kind of a Namer, too, even if a primitive one."
"A what?"
"A Namer. For instance, the last time I was with a Teacher—or at school, as you call it—my assignment was to memorize the names of the stars."
"Which stars?"
"All of them."
"You mean all the stars, in all the galaxies?"
"Yes. If he calls for one of them, someone has to know which one he means. Anyhow, they like it; there aren't many who know them all by name, and if your name isn't known, then it's a very lonely feeling."
—Madeleine L'Engle, A Wind in the Door (Bantam Doubleday Dell, New York: 1973), 78-79
That's one of my absolute favorite moments in fiction, especially in context with the rest of the book. A Wind in the Door is well worth reading and re-reading.
* * *
Lou and I watched the first several episodes of Season 3 of The Office on Monday night. I am still laughing at Jim sending Dwight faxes from Future Dwight, Andy calling Jim "Big Tuna," and Michael's response to a black-lit hotel room.
But then, I'm also still laughing at Dwight's complaints against Jim from an episode in Season 2. That reminds me of several pranksters I've known—and of the time when some other girls and I put all the youth leader's shoelaces in Zip-loc bags of water and froze them, and lay all fourteen of his boxes of Blueberry Morning breakfast cereal (no, I'm not exaggerating) under the sheets in his bed... haha, those were the days. :)
* * *
Twilight fans, I loved this post—recommended to me by fellow Blogengamot member Arabella Figg—about the power of Eclipse and the Saga in general. I think he's on to something.
Unfortunately, if anyone responded sensibly to his question at the end, it got lost in the hundreds of comments by trolls. But here are my two cents: I don't think it is possible to be pro-woman without understanding that what almost every woman wants is to be loved by someone who is stronger than themselves in some quantifiable way, and to propagate the species. Bella's story speaks to those primal desires. Of course it draws the crowds.
* * *
Funny line of the week, thanks to Tyler Stanton: "To whom it may concern: Please start a blog that consists entirely of pictures of people about to sneeze. This is the funniest face a human can make."
With that strange mental picture—Happy weekend, everybody!
6.11.2010
Debates, Jim vs. Dwight and other stories
As a continuation of last week's saying no, I am forcing myself to walk away from online debates more often. About once every month or two, someone somewhere manages to write up something really awful and I find myself wanting to get in there and defend what I believe to be truth, or at least common sense. It usually derails my day, and sometimes my week.
But I realized the other day that none of us can correct all the wrongheadedness on the internet. I can't even promise to never be wrongheaded myself. But I can write a decent novel, and my time is generally much better spent doing that.
* * *
As for novels, I have started revision again--a brand new draft in a brand new Word document. Right now I'm not setting a deadline, but I'd like to be submitting to agents in the fall. Might need to speed up, though--this first page has had me deadlocked for hours.
Maybe I'm doing something right? At any rate, I loved what Heath Gibson has to say in the linked article. He talks about wanting to write a great story instead of just a good one. I am with him on every word of that.
* * *
So... Lou and I, having run out of comedic movies to watch, have taken to renting and watching seasons of The Office (again, not clean, but funny...) Michael Scott is incredibly painful to watch, but the Jim/Dwight rivalry makes up for it in hilarity. When it comes to Jim and Pam, though, I keep finding myself wanting to yell "ONE OF YOU PLEASE ASK THE OTHER ONE OUT YOU'RE DRIVING ME CRAZY PRETENDING YOU DON'T LIKE EACH OTHER!!!" But I suppose it would have made bad television to start things out all happy for them.
What I really don't get about The Office is Angela. Seriously, I have lived my entire life around Christians. Almost all of my friends and even my coworkers have been Christians, and while I'm used to seeing horrible stereotypes from Hollywood that might bring to mind one or two religious people I've known, I can't think of anyone who she reminds me of.
* * *
To my delight, we've had two nights this week when the clouds backed off and let the stars come out. I found Antares the first night and wanted to go out where I could look for Saturn and Vega but--well, I'm afraid of the dark. (I have a good imagination. There could be anything in those shadows!) Lou came out with me the next night, and if my calculations were correct, we found Vega over the house.
I still haven't found the Pleiades, but they're in Taurus, which appears to be only up during sunlight this time of year. Maybe in the fall.
* * *
I'm in Victoria for a couple of days with my schola, so I'll stop writing now. For those of you who have any experience in graphic design or layout or text development or breaking the chain on email forwards, this made me laugh and laugh. Thanks to Travis for the link.
And if you find humor in Michael and Dwight and the others, there's always Bryan Allain's Exodus According to The Office (possibly blasphemous, but funny...)
Happy weekend!
But I realized the other day that none of us can correct all the wrongheadedness on the internet. I can't even promise to never be wrongheaded myself. But I can write a decent novel, and my time is generally much better spent doing that.
* * *
As for novels, I have started revision again--a brand new draft in a brand new Word document. Right now I'm not setting a deadline, but I'd like to be submitting to agents in the fall. Might need to speed up, though--this first page has had me deadlocked for hours.
Maybe I'm doing something right? At any rate, I loved what Heath Gibson has to say in the linked article. He talks about wanting to write a great story instead of just a good one. I am with him on every word of that.
* * *
So... Lou and I, having run out of comedic movies to watch, have taken to renting and watching seasons of The Office (again, not clean, but funny...) Michael Scott is incredibly painful to watch, but the Jim/Dwight rivalry makes up for it in hilarity. When it comes to Jim and Pam, though, I keep finding myself wanting to yell "ONE OF YOU PLEASE ASK THE OTHER ONE OUT YOU'RE DRIVING ME CRAZY PRETENDING YOU DON'T LIKE EACH OTHER!!!" But I suppose it would have made bad television to start things out all happy for them.
What I really don't get about The Office is Angela. Seriously, I have lived my entire life around Christians. Almost all of my friends and even my coworkers have been Christians, and while I'm used to seeing horrible stereotypes from Hollywood that might bring to mind one or two religious people I've known, I can't think of anyone who she reminds me of.
* * *
To my delight, we've had two nights this week when the clouds backed off and let the stars come out. I found Antares the first night and wanted to go out where I could look for Saturn and Vega but--well, I'm afraid of the dark. (I have a good imagination. There could be anything in those shadows!) Lou came out with me the next night, and if my calculations were correct, we found Vega over the house.
I still haven't found the Pleiades, but they're in Taurus, which appears to be only up during sunlight this time of year. Maybe in the fall.
* * *
I'm in Victoria for a couple of days with my schola, so I'll stop writing now. For those of you who have any experience in graphic design or layout or text development or breaking the chain on email forwards, this made me laugh and laugh. Thanks to Travis for the link.
And if you find humor in Michael and Dwight and the others, there's always Bryan Allain's Exodus According to The Office (possibly blasphemous, but funny...)
Happy weekend!
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