On Writing and Synchronicity
As any word nerd will tell you, the discussion of the written word with someone who relishes the beauty and complexity of it as much as you do is nothing short of pure joy. (Yes. I know that oftentimes this blog contains neither beauty nor complexity.) There are several people with whom I discuss writing. We talk about our frustration at the bad and our exhuberance at the good.
A couple of weeks ago, I had lunch with one of those people. She's a friend, who used to be my editor and taught me more about writing in 5 years than I learned in all my years of school. One of the things we discussed was how refreshing it was to read that J.K. Rowling is sad to see the Harry Potter series coming to an end. It means she still cares about it. We're not sure if the same can be said about (just one example) James Patterson and his Alex Cross series. Does he still really care about Alex and his family, or is he just cranking out books for the money now? I promised myself that when I stop caring about Joe and Gina, the main characters in my series, I'll stop writing books about them.
Then there's The Best Friend. This is where the synchronicity comes in. One of the things we do for fun is critique newspapers from all over the country. (Gotta love the Internet. Again, only word nerds will totally understand this.) When he was away on business and we couldn't e-mail everyday, I happened to come across one of the worst metaphors of all time. Of course I haven't seen every metaphor ever written but, I'm tellin' ya, this one was bad. (I won't post it here because someone could Google it and find out who wrote it. Despite how bad it was, I don't want to embarrass a fellow writer. But if you care enough, e-mail me and I'll tell you what it was.) I was frustrated that I couldn't share the metaphor with The Best Friend. But, it was stuck in my head the whole time he was gone (That's how bad it was!) so I told him about it. He had, almost verbatim, the same reaction I had. Even when The Best Friend isn't away on business, he's not allowed to look at his personal e-mail at work so, on the days he calls me on his way home from work he hasn't yet seen my reply to his daily morning e-mail. Yesterday, in my reply, I was telling him about a newspaper article that just didn't cut it for me. Without going into my usual rampage about the seemingly lost art of the inverted pyramid style of news reporting, I said "If I read the first two paragraphs and don't know what the story is about or why I should care, I don't finish reading." When he called yesterday, before reading what I had written, he said "It was refreshing to read that article in The New York Times. I read the first two paragraphs and knew exactly what they were trying to say." See? We're so in synch. That's very, very cool. It's probably also one of the reasons I miss him so much when he's away on business.
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
Friends
Because of my low self-esteem issues, it's always hard for me to believe my friends really like me. Most of the time I get the feeling they're just tolerating me. Sometimes I can't imagine there's anything about me worthy of their friendship. No matter how many times (unsolicited) The Best Friend tells me how delightful and funny and smart I am, and how much he likes talking to me and spending time with me, I just can't equate myself with the person he's talking about.
There's this other guy I've been friends with for several years. Our initial meeting was work-related but, since then we've developed a friendship. He's helped me through a couple of difficult situations. I've helped him with some things, too. Every time we talk we just go on tangents about everything under the sun. But even with all of our history I wasn't sure if I was an "invite her to the wedding" kind of friend. Yesterday, I found out I am. I can't even tell you how happy that made me.
Because of my low self-esteem issues, it's always hard for me to believe my friends really like me. Most of the time I get the feeling they're just tolerating me. Sometimes I can't imagine there's anything about me worthy of their friendship. No matter how many times (unsolicited) The Best Friend tells me how delightful and funny and smart I am, and how much he likes talking to me and spending time with me, I just can't equate myself with the person he's talking about.
There's this other guy I've been friends with for several years. Our initial meeting was work-related but, since then we've developed a friendship. He's helped me through a couple of difficult situations. I've helped him with some things, too. Every time we talk we just go on tangents about everything under the sun. But even with all of our history I wasn't sure if I was an "invite her to the wedding" kind of friend. Yesterday, I found out I am. I can't even tell you how happy that made me.
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Baloney
For weeks, I've been having cravings for bologna. I haven't bought any, though, because I didn't really want it that badly. So today I was at a friend's house and we were looking in the refrigerator for something to drink. And that's when I saw the bologna. I exclaimed "You have bologna!" (Actually, I said "baloney" not "ba-loge-na." I never understood the inconsistency in the pronounciation vs. the spelling.) With a confused look on his face, he said "Yeah. So?" I said "I've been craving that." He told me to go ahead and have a slice or two. Excitedly, I took one and ate it. Just plain, not in a sandwich or anything. You know how sometimes the anticipation of a certain event is greater than the event itself? Well, let's just say I'm glad I didn't buy a package of bologna for myself. One slice was plenty.
But now that I have this song stuck in my head, I'm going to stick it in your head, too.
My bologna has a first name
It's O-s-c-a-r.
My bologna has a second name
It's M-a-y-e-r.
Oh, I love to eat it every day.
And if you ask me why I'll say:
Oscar Mayer has a way with
B-o-l-o-g-n-a.
You're welcome. ;)
For weeks, I've been having cravings for bologna. I haven't bought any, though, because I didn't really want it that badly. So today I was at a friend's house and we were looking in the refrigerator for something to drink. And that's when I saw the bologna. I exclaimed "You have bologna!" (Actually, I said "baloney" not "ba-loge-na." I never understood the inconsistency in the pronounciation vs. the spelling.) With a confused look on his face, he said "Yeah. So?" I said "I've been craving that." He told me to go ahead and have a slice or two. Excitedly, I took one and ate it. Just plain, not in a sandwich or anything. You know how sometimes the anticipation of a certain event is greater than the event itself? Well, let's just say I'm glad I didn't buy a package of bologna for myself. One slice was plenty.
But now that I have this song stuck in my head, I'm going to stick it in your head, too.
My bologna has a first name
It's O-s-c-a-r.
My bologna has a second name
It's M-a-y-e-r.
Oh, I love to eat it every day.
And if you ask me why I'll say:
Oscar Mayer has a way with
B-o-l-o-g-n-a.
You're welcome. ;)
Preparation
I'm getting ready for Blogathon. The most important thing I learned from doing Project Blog last year is: Be prepared.
One thing I'm doing to get prepared is have an idea of what all 48 posts are going to be beforehand, or at least the majority of them. Last year, I learned that in about the 20th hour of non-stop blogging my brain doesn't function properly and it's very difficult to string sentences together, let alone type them. If I have an idea of where I'm going, it'll be a little easier. I hope!
Another important part of the preparation process is stocking up on supplies ... chocolate, water, snacks, chocolate. I learned this valuable lesson during my years of doing NaNoWriMo. When you're trying to write 50,000 words in a month, you need chocolate. That's just a basic rule of life.
So, obviously, preparing for Blogathon got me thinking about NaNo. On the message boards last year, in a thread about how to get to 50,000 words if you're having trouble, someone suggested subscribing to dictionary.com's Word of the Day then using every word in your NaNo novel. Great idea, I thought. But today I saw that I have 188 words (thanks to gmail's nifty labeling system) but I haven't done anything with them except let them sit in my inbox. One of these days, before November 1, I'm going to have to organize them into some kind of useful form. Knowing me, I'll do it sometime after I've passed out candy to trick-or-treaters.
Being a procrastinator and trying to prepare for something in advance just don't mix sometimes. My brain hurts just thinking about it.
I'm getting ready for Blogathon. The most important thing I learned from doing Project Blog last year is: Be prepared.
One thing I'm doing to get prepared is have an idea of what all 48 posts are going to be beforehand, or at least the majority of them. Last year, I learned that in about the 20th hour of non-stop blogging my brain doesn't function properly and it's very difficult to string sentences together, let alone type them. If I have an idea of where I'm going, it'll be a little easier. I hope!
Another important part of the preparation process is stocking up on supplies ... chocolate, water, snacks, chocolate. I learned this valuable lesson during my years of doing NaNoWriMo. When you're trying to write 50,000 words in a month, you need chocolate. That's just a basic rule of life.
So, obviously, preparing for Blogathon got me thinking about NaNo. On the message boards last year, in a thread about how to get to 50,000 words if you're having trouble, someone suggested subscribing to dictionary.com's Word of the Day then using every word in your NaNo novel. Great idea, I thought. But today I saw that I have 188 words (thanks to gmail's nifty labeling system) but I haven't done anything with them except let them sit in my inbox. One of these days, before November 1, I'm going to have to organize them into some kind of useful form. Knowing me, I'll do it sometime after I've passed out candy to trick-or-treaters.
Being a procrastinator and trying to prepare for something in advance just don't mix sometimes. My brain hurts just thinking about it.
Comments
I just switched my comment thingy to Blogger because I was sick of the old system working only when it felt like it. Besides, I don't remember my username or password to get into the old system. I wanted to change the color to match the new color scheme. Well, I guess it's not new anymore but, that's beside the point. I think the username is my old e-mail addy, which I don't even have anymore and, therefore, could not retrieve a lost password from it. So, switching to Blogger was the easiest, quickest option. As if anyone cares what comment system I'm using. ;)
I just switched my comment thingy to Blogger because I was sick of the old system working only when it felt like it. Besides, I don't remember my username or password to get into the old system. I wanted to change the color to match the new color scheme. Well, I guess it's not new anymore but, that's beside the point. I think the username is my old e-mail addy, which I don't even have anymore and, therefore, could not retrieve a lost password from it. So, switching to Blogger was the easiest, quickest option. As if anyone cares what comment system I'm using. ;)
Monday, August 01, 2005
Food for Thought
I just wanted to note that I have a lot of friends and family all over the country so when I mention "this person" or "that person," it doesn't necessarily mean I talked to that person when I ran into him/her on the street here. And, seeing as I am a writer of fiction, could it be possible that this entire blog is nothing more than a product of my over-active imagination?
I just wanted to note that I have a lot of friends and family all over the country so when I mention "this person" or "that person," it doesn't necessarily mean I talked to that person when I ran into him/her on the street here. And, seeing as I am a writer of fiction, could it be possible that this entire blog is nothing more than a product of my over-active imagination?
Sunday, July 31, 2005
Issues
Have I ever mentioned that I know someone who doesn't believe in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and, therefore, the treatment of that or any other mental malady? I don't remember the circumstances that led up to this revelation enough to even blog about it semi-accurately so all I can say is this: Several months ago, I happened to mention something about PTSD and someone being treated for it. This person pretty much said "Bullshit" with much eye rolling going along with it. The weirdest thing about this, in my opinion, is that the person who doesn't believe in therapy has more issues than a room full of Saturday Evening Posts.
Have I ever mentioned that I know someone who doesn't believe in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and, therefore, the treatment of that or any other mental malady? I don't remember the circumstances that led up to this revelation enough to even blog about it semi-accurately so all I can say is this: Several months ago, I happened to mention something about PTSD and someone being treated for it. This person pretty much said "Bullshit" with much eye rolling going along with it. The weirdest thing about this, in my opinion, is that the person who doesn't believe in therapy has more issues than a room full of Saturday Evening Posts.
Saturday, July 30, 2005
Drinkin'
I'm supposed to take it easy on drinking anything cold, carbonated or caffeinated until my digestive system is back in normal working order, and it's getting pretty close, mostly because I've been very good about doing what I'm supposed to do. I've had 3 or 4 cups of coffee, but that was on days after I didn't get any sleep and needed to be awake. I also had a couple of beers with The Best Friend a few weeks ago. Except for that, I've been drinking only water and a cup of herbal tea every now and then. But I'm so sick of water! I already drank 3 16 oz. bottles today & couldn't do another one. So, I looked in the refrigerator to see if there was anything else I could drink. To my surprise, I still had a tiny bottle of Pinot Grigio. Despite the fact that it's only 2 in the afternoon, I'm drinking it because it reminds me of The Best Friend and last summer when we saw each other in person for the first time in years.
By the way, The Best Friend is back and he e-mailed. He's so good.
I'm supposed to take it easy on drinking anything cold, carbonated or caffeinated until my digestive system is back in normal working order, and it's getting pretty close, mostly because I've been very good about doing what I'm supposed to do. I've had 3 or 4 cups of coffee, but that was on days after I didn't get any sleep and needed to be awake. I also had a couple of beers with The Best Friend a few weeks ago. Except for that, I've been drinking only water and a cup of herbal tea every now and then. But I'm so sick of water! I already drank 3 16 oz. bottles today & couldn't do another one. So, I looked in the refrigerator to see if there was anything else I could drink. To my surprise, I still had a tiny bottle of Pinot Grigio. Despite the fact that it's only 2 in the afternoon, I'm drinking it because it reminds me of The Best Friend and last summer when we saw each other in person for the first time in years.
By the way, The Best Friend is back and he e-mailed. He's so good.
Sad & Difficult Decision
My mother told me yesterday that she decided next time she's in the hospital, she's going to go into a nursing home instead of going home. It's inevitable that she'll be hospitalized again. She has congestive heart failure, which forces her to be on oxygen 24/7, along with a few other ailments. Yesterday, she told me that she's finding it more difficult each day to navigate the house. (It's 10 rooms, 2 stories, basement, attic. Big house!) She feels "wobbly" sometimes, which scares her. And, although she didn't say this, I'm just not adequate help anymore. She needs someone with some kind of medical knowledge to help her. We both know that.
She was trying really hard to hold back the tears when we were discussing this but, a few fell anyway. How could they not? She's lived there for 45 years, as of last Monday. She raised her three children there. She's watched her three grandsons play there. She's had 45 years' worth of family gatherings and parties there. All her most precious belongings are there. It's just all very sad.
She also told me she's hoping that she won't "linger." She wants the end to come quickly. Ya know, she drives me nuts sometimes but, I'm in no way ... no way ... ready to let her go yet. I just can't imagine life without her. I know that's inevitable, too, but just not yet.
My mother told me yesterday that she decided next time she's in the hospital, she's going to go into a nursing home instead of going home. It's inevitable that she'll be hospitalized again. She has congestive heart failure, which forces her to be on oxygen 24/7, along with a few other ailments. Yesterday, she told me that she's finding it more difficult each day to navigate the house. (It's 10 rooms, 2 stories, basement, attic. Big house!) She feels "wobbly" sometimes, which scares her. And, although she didn't say this, I'm just not adequate help anymore. She needs someone with some kind of medical knowledge to help her. We both know that.
She was trying really hard to hold back the tears when we were discussing this but, a few fell anyway. How could they not? She's lived there for 45 years, as of last Monday. She raised her three children there. She's watched her three grandsons play there. She's had 45 years' worth of family gatherings and parties there. All her most precious belongings are there. It's just all very sad.
She also told me she's hoping that she won't "linger." She wants the end to come quickly. Ya know, she drives me nuts sometimes but, I'm in no way ... no way ... ready to let her go yet. I just can't imagine life without her. I know that's inevitable, too, but just not yet.
Friday, July 29, 2005
More on My Addiction
Although I've been trying to get the reality tv monkey off my back, I knew I couldn't skip "The Law Firm." And, wouldn't ya know it, I love it. I'm not surprised because I do have a thing for lawyers after all and I totally expected to like it. So far, Olivier is my favorite.
There's no way I'm going to be able to wean myself off BB6 either. I probably could have if no one from "The Dark Side" won HoH but, since Maggie won ... In the words of Monica from BB2 "It's on!"
Although I've been trying to get the reality tv monkey off my back, I knew I couldn't skip "The Law Firm." And, wouldn't ya know it, I love it. I'm not surprised because I do have a thing for lawyers after all and I totally expected to like it. So far, Olivier is my favorite.
There's no way I'm going to be able to wean myself off BB6 either. I probably could have if no one from "The Dark Side" won HoH but, since Maggie won ... In the words of Monica from BB2 "It's on!"