When it comes to writing, I always have really good intentions. It's just that sometimes they don't come to be. Every Monday I start out thinking that ever day this week I will get some writing in. I think that from the time I get home from work to the time I go to bed I should be able to write for at least one hour. But a lot of times that doesn't happen.
Why? Well the biggest reason is that I have a full time job that right now is very frustrating and I come home exhausted. Once I get home booksm, television and the Internet keep me from writing and the fact that I'm exhausted. I could write on the weekends and sometimes I do but I don't want my writing to become work (which, I guess in reality it is - you definitely have to work at it) and, for me, the hardest thing is to find the time. And did I mention I come home from work exhausted?
And right now, I'm writing this blog instead of working on my book. I also plan to visit a couple more Web sites before calling it quits for the night (I've already visited a couple before I started writing this blog). Plus, at some point I'm going to have to cook dinner and I have to do all this before The Big Bang Theory and CSI comes on (I've got about an hour now).
In my defense, I did do some writing today during my lunch. I actually got the "skeleton" of my book finished. But it's still no where near being completely done. At 30 chapter and just under 50,000 words, I still have a lot of writing to do and the flash drive is right next to me on the desk, waiting to be plugged in.
Well, it's Thursday and it's been a long week and another Monday is right around the corner.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
Strange Neighbors
Yesterday a sign, of sorts, appeared on the wall outside the sliding doors of my first floor neighbor. It's a hand made sign from a piece of white notebook paper, the message written with a blue ball point pen and there is a lots of scotch tape attaching it the wall. The think it says something like: This porch is now under surveillance. Violators will be shot and killed.
Nice, huh?
I don't know exactly what prompted such a sign but it might have been due to cigarette buts. Over the last several months, at various times, there have been an excess of cigarette buts (I'm talking over two dozen) all over that patio. It's a first floor patio and all the resident in this part of the building have walk past it every day. It was rather disgusting. I'm not really sure who lives there (I think it's a disabled person who has a care giver) but I have seen a man in his mid-20s sitting in the beat up old swivel office chair on the patio smoking cigarettes.
Apparently the complex management doesn't know or doesn't care that one of it's tenants has posted a sign threatening people.
I would have taken a photograph of the sign for you but I didn't want to get shot and killed.
Nice, huh?
I don't know exactly what prompted such a sign but it might have been due to cigarette buts. Over the last several months, at various times, there have been an excess of cigarette buts (I'm talking over two dozen) all over that patio. It's a first floor patio and all the resident in this part of the building have walk past it every day. It was rather disgusting. I'm not really sure who lives there (I think it's a disabled person who has a care giver) but I have seen a man in his mid-20s sitting in the beat up old swivel office chair on the patio smoking cigarettes.
Apparently the complex management doesn't know or doesn't care that one of it's tenants has posted a sign threatening people.
I would have taken a photograph of the sign for you but I didn't want to get shot and killed.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
I See London, I See France...
I was just sitting a my computer, catching up on some blog reading and folding my clean socks and underwear (multi-tasking) when I had idea for my blog - underwear.
First, I keep my underwear in the top drawer of my dresser. Is this where most people keep their underthings? If so, why is that drawer the smallest? I used to keep bras, underwear and socks all in that drawer but a few years ago I had to move all my socks to an separate bin in my closest. Why? Because I guess I have to0 much underwear.
I rank my underwear:
Level 1 Underwear - The perfect pair. It fits perfect and it's still in good shape because it's still fairly new.
Level 2 Underwear - Still fits but is starting to show a little wear and tear.
Level 3 Underwear - There are two kinds in this category. There are the ones that fit perfectly but now might have a little hole or some of the elastic is starting to get wanky. And then there is the underwear that is still in great condition, almost new, but is so because it's just one size too small or were really cute in the store but didn't really fit right when I got them home. The too small ones were bought during a euphoric time when a couple of pounds had been shed and there was a sense of hopefulness that, I have to admit, didn't last. I don't throw out Level 3 Underwear as often as I should because this is what I wear when I have no more clean Level 1 or Level 2 Underwear (it happens sometimes). I know I should take stock of my underwear more often but really, who wants to spend time doing that?
BTW - I have the same ranking system for bras.
Anyway, I have been known to go out and buy new underwear instead of doing laundry (in my defence I don't own a washer/dryer and have to leave my home to do laundry). I know, it's kind of shameful but sometimes it's easier to just go to Target than the Laundromat.
First, I keep my underwear in the top drawer of my dresser. Is this where most people keep their underthings? If so, why is that drawer the smallest? I used to keep bras, underwear and socks all in that drawer but a few years ago I had to move all my socks to an separate bin in my closest. Why? Because I guess I have to0 much underwear.
I rank my underwear:
Level 1 Underwear - The perfect pair. It fits perfect and it's still in good shape because it's still fairly new.
Level 2 Underwear - Still fits but is starting to show a little wear and tear.
Level 3 Underwear - There are two kinds in this category. There are the ones that fit perfectly but now might have a little hole or some of the elastic is starting to get wanky. And then there is the underwear that is still in great condition, almost new, but is so because it's just one size too small or were really cute in the store but didn't really fit right when I got them home. The too small ones were bought during a euphoric time when a couple of pounds had been shed and there was a sense of hopefulness that, I have to admit, didn't last. I don't throw out Level 3 Underwear as often as I should because this is what I wear when I have no more clean Level 1 or Level 2 Underwear (it happens sometimes). I know I should take stock of my underwear more often but really, who wants to spend time doing that?
BTW - I have the same ranking system for bras.
Anyway, I have been known to go out and buy new underwear instead of doing laundry (in my defence I don't own a washer/dryer and have to leave my home to do laundry). I know, it's kind of shameful but sometimes it's easier to just go to Target than the Laundromat.
Monday, January 3, 2011
The Year of the Novel
Another year has come and gone. I don't make New Year Resolutions but I do have a goal for this year: finish the current novel that I'm writing. I finished a novel last year but haven't found representation yet (and I'm losing hope that I will) so I've moved on to working on another novel that I started a couple of years ago.
Then I went to an agent's blog and saw this video posted:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9fc-crEFDw
It's hilarious and also brutally honest. I laughed at some parts and wanted to cry at others. If you don't already know, the writing industry kind of sucks. It's REALLY, REALLY hard to break into. While you see hundred and hundreds of books in a book store it's very difficult to get published (unless you have a couple of thousands of dollars to self-published but there is a whole lot more to that than meets the eye). And although the new technology of Kindle and Nook may sound really cool not much has been worked out in regards to the writers part in this new technology. What I'm trying to say is that this new technology is really screwing writers over.
But I will keep writing and keep trying to get published as long as there are people out there who want to read I have some hope. So get the real deal and buy books!
Then I went to an agent's blog and saw this video posted:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9fc-crEFDw
It's hilarious and also brutally honest. I laughed at some parts and wanted to cry at others. If you don't already know, the writing industry kind of sucks. It's REALLY, REALLY hard to break into. While you see hundred and hundreds of books in a book store it's very difficult to get published (unless you have a couple of thousands of dollars to self-published but there is a whole lot more to that than meets the eye). And although the new technology of Kindle and Nook may sound really cool not much has been worked out in regards to the writers part in this new technology. What I'm trying to say is that this new technology is really screwing writers over.
But I will keep writing and keep trying to get published as long as there are people out there who want to read I have some hope. So get the real deal and buy books!
Monday, December 27, 2010
Frustration with...
...Facebook. Yes, as many of you know, my Facebook/e-mail account was hacking into the day after Thanksgiving. You might have received some e-mail scam that said it was from me (but wasn't) asking for money. Anyway, I notified Facebook the day I found out (the day AFTER Thanksgiving). I changed my Facebook password and let them know about the scam. Almost one month later they notified me that I had been part of scam (D'uh, I'd figured that out already) by deactivating my Facebook account. I had to notify them that I wanted to reactivate the account by e-mailing them some information (nothing sensitive). That was seven days ago and I still can't log into my Facebook account. UGGGHHHH!!!
Anyway, I wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Hope everyone had a good one. Ours was low key (they always are since it's just my sister, my mom and myself). To be honest I'm more excited that I had two days off work but dread going back the week between Christmas and New Year's because there is usually nothing for me to do. At least a three-four of the staff is on vacation (our offices in Canada and Australia actually just close down that week) so there is nobody there to support. It's going to be a long, long week four day week. I do get next Monday off for New Year's Day! Whoo-hooo!!!!!
Happy New Year everyone!
Anyway, I wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Hope everyone had a good one. Ours was low key (they always are since it's just my sister, my mom and myself). To be honest I'm more excited that I had two days off work but dread going back the week between Christmas and New Year's because there is usually nothing for me to do. At least a three-four of the staff is on vacation (our offices in Canada and Australia actually just close down that week) so there is nobody there to support. It's going to be a long, long week four day week. I do get next Monday off for New Year's Day! Whoo-hooo!!!!!
Happy New Year everyone!
Monday, December 13, 2010
How About Some Cheese With Those Crackers
Everybody has some. Those songs you would never admit to liking but will sing at the top of lungs in the car when nobody is with you. Yes, I'm talking about those cheesy songs you are ashamed to love. There are tons of them out there but it seems as if the 70s and 80s produced a lot of them. Well today I'm going to admit to five cheesy songs that I love. Here we go...
5. Don't Mean Nothing by Richard Marx. I actually got to see him perform live on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno back in the 90s. Actually he almost ran my sister and I down with his car after the show but I won't hold that against him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8E_dkESwzg
4. Hold On by Wilson Phillips. Okay, so when you're in your early 20s and on your own for the first time and you think your life is miserable, this song can mean a lot to you.
http://video.yahoo.com/watch/219016/1010156
3. Can't Fight This Feeling by REO Speedwagon. Oh the unrequited love of high school in the 1980s.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67Fb8XbpWMM
2. Pretty much any song by ABBA. With the new popularity of Mamma Mia, ABBA has had a resurgence but cheese is still cheese. One of my favorites is one of their lesser know songs, Does Your Mother Know.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9o1DlaQw8Rc
1. Any song from Air Supply. They are the Royalty of cheese. Yes, I own their Greatest Hits CD (and have some of their songs on my MP3 player) and probably know the words to most of their songs. If I had to pick a favorite it would be Making Love Out of Nothing at All (warning: the video is just as cheesy as the song so if you are lactose intolerant, I don't recommend that you watch).
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1wsvu_air-supply-making-love-out-of-nothi_music
I have one honorable mention. I really don't like this song but I made a mix CD in September for a road trip with my sister and put this song on it just for her. It's Escape/The Pina Colada song by Rupert Holmes. It's pretty cheesy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVdhZwK7cS8
Now I know you have a collection of favorite cheesy songs so don't judge me.
Enjoy!
5. Don't Mean Nothing by Richard Marx. I actually got to see him perform live on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno back in the 90s. Actually he almost ran my sister and I down with his car after the show but I won't hold that against him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8E_dkESwzg
4. Hold On by Wilson Phillips. Okay, so when you're in your early 20s and on your own for the first time and you think your life is miserable, this song can mean a lot to you.
http://video.yahoo.com/watch/219016/1010156
3. Can't Fight This Feeling by REO Speedwagon. Oh the unrequited love of high school in the 1980s.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67Fb8XbpWMM
2. Pretty much any song by ABBA. With the new popularity of Mamma Mia, ABBA has had a resurgence but cheese is still cheese. One of my favorites is one of their lesser know songs, Does Your Mother Know.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9o1DlaQw8Rc
1. Any song from Air Supply. They are the Royalty of cheese. Yes, I own their Greatest Hits CD (and have some of their songs on my MP3 player) and probably know the words to most of their songs. If I had to pick a favorite it would be Making Love Out of Nothing at All (warning: the video is just as cheesy as the song so if you are lactose intolerant, I don't recommend that you watch).
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1wsvu_air-supply-making-love-out-of-nothi_music
I have one honorable mention. I really don't like this song but I made a mix CD in September for a road trip with my sister and put this song on it just for her. It's Escape/The Pina Colada song by Rupert Holmes. It's pretty cheesy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVdhZwK7cS8
Now I know you have a collection of favorite cheesy songs so don't judge me.
Enjoy!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Bah! Humbug!
I'm going to be honest, every year I dislike the "Christmas season" more and more. To me Christmas has become brash and commercialized and even tacky. I feel as if the season is forced upon me and I don't like that. I don't like having to listen to Feliz Navidad everywhere I go BEFORE Thanksgiving and I don't understand why people feel the need to celebrate this holiday for four weeks by putting up decorations the minute the Thanksgiving turkey is cleared from the table.
I know why I feel like this. Christmas as an adult isn't the same as Christmas as a child. As an adult I have a small family and although I love my mom and sister more than anything else in the world, I miss my dad and the childhood Christmases spent with my grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins. I do miss my extended family.
But I think somewhere our society has changed Christmas and it's all about excess. Christmas is one day but for some reason we have to celebrate it for at least four weeks? We don't do that with any other holiday. Thank goodness we don't have to endure four weeks of Valentine decorations everywhere we go. But with Christmas it just seems like there is too much, too much of everything and for me that isn't the meaning of Christmas.
Christmas has definitely changed since I was a kid. I used to love to watch those holiday TV shows like Santa Claus is Coming to Town and The Year Without a Santa Claus. But they used to be scheduled closer to Christmas. Did you know that they have already shown Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer? Yep, you missed it already. Also there was the time off school. That was the best. Now, as an adult, if you don't save some of your vacation time you end of up working, sometimes even on Christmas Eve. And I don't know about you but NOTHING happens at work the week between Christmas and New Years.
Here's what I love about Christmas. I love that I get to spend time with my family and friends. I love that I get time off work (my company gives us two days of holiday - I'll take whatever I can get). I love that maybe in some little way I can make a difference in the life of a person who may not be as blessed as I am. For Christians this is the time to celebrate the birth of our Savior. It's not about four weeks of lights, decorations, music or spending money leading up to Christmas. And it makes me sad because it feels like the meaning of Christmas has really, really changed.
I know why I feel like this. Christmas as an adult isn't the same as Christmas as a child. As an adult I have a small family and although I love my mom and sister more than anything else in the world, I miss my dad and the childhood Christmases spent with my grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins. I do miss my extended family.
But I think somewhere our society has changed Christmas and it's all about excess. Christmas is one day but for some reason we have to celebrate it for at least four weeks? We don't do that with any other holiday. Thank goodness we don't have to endure four weeks of Valentine decorations everywhere we go. But with Christmas it just seems like there is too much, too much of everything and for me that isn't the meaning of Christmas.
Christmas has definitely changed since I was a kid. I used to love to watch those holiday TV shows like Santa Claus is Coming to Town and The Year Without a Santa Claus. But they used to be scheduled closer to Christmas. Did you know that they have already shown Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer? Yep, you missed it already. Also there was the time off school. That was the best. Now, as an adult, if you don't save some of your vacation time you end of up working, sometimes even on Christmas Eve. And I don't know about you but NOTHING happens at work the week between Christmas and New Years.
Here's what I love about Christmas. I love that I get to spend time with my family and friends. I love that I get time off work (my company gives us two days of holiday - I'll take whatever I can get). I love that maybe in some little way I can make a difference in the life of a person who may not be as blessed as I am. For Christians this is the time to celebrate the birth of our Savior. It's not about four weeks of lights, decorations, music or spending money leading up to Christmas. And it makes me sad because it feels like the meaning of Christmas has really, really changed.
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