So May is going to be insane. First, my reading is May 8th. So I'll have family and friends in town (I hope). I'm kind of worried about who will and will not be coming. And that sometime before then I should probably let my grandparents know that John and I live together.
Also in May brother #2 is graduating college and brother #3 is graduating 8th grade (which, in private school is a big deal). Luckily both of these things are close together (Sat and Tues of the same week) so if I go home for them, I can just make the one trip. Problem- My graduation is that Weds. So I would have to fly back from STL Wednesday morning and pray there are no delays so I can make it back. Or just not go to my graduation at all.
Of course while in STL, I want to go to the Ren Faire and a Cardinals game. Which just may be possible, looking at the schedules, but that makes quite a crazy trip. Perhaps just a Cardinals game is in order.
I should probably give myself another month before really getting worked up over this, but with so much going on, I really wish I could just get some plans settled.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Fire!
Last night a house down the street caught fire. We were awakened at 3:30 this morning by massive amounts of sirens and flashing lights. There were at least 3 fire trucks and a few other emergency vehicles. We watched from our bedroom window.
At first we weren't sure there was a fire. Then we saw spiderman on the roof of the building. This is at least how my half-dream-state self remembers it. Actually it was just a fireman climbing a ladder that was against the house. There was also a lot of visible smoke coming from the top of the house.
Storm trooper firefighters were all around our neighborhood. As they left they truck down the street for the house on fire, they looked like astronauts coming off a ship after a long journey. Like at the end of Armageddon.
This is especially scary since we live in townhomes. In our subdivision there are like 6 rows of homes. I just recently told my mom this is why we don't have a fireplace. "One mistake and the whole block's gone" I said. Luckily the burning house last night was not attached to us. But it was still scary.
Sometime during the "rescue" they planted a firetruck right in front of our house. This was where all communications occurred. We could hear parts of the back and forth going on on the radios inside the truck/attached to the men. This made it impossible to fall asleep. We could hear bits of information like "side C4, that's Charlie 4, clear". Other things were just a jumble of radio static, since we were inside, and on the third floor. I missed important info like if anyone was trapped inside or if fire fighters collapsed dramatically in the street after I had returned to my bed.
This all caused me to miss about 2 hours of sleep. 3:30-5:30am. This did not prove well for my attitude today.
I currently have no idea what really happened. How it started, etc. There's nothing in the news! This lack of information is making me upset. The houses are still standing and look to just have damage on the top floor, in the back. Who knows what the insides look like. I have chosen to blame someone smoking in bed, because this makes it all their fault and less scary since I don't smoke.
PS: John has lost all faith in the "interwebs," specifically ebay. All blame is currently on the Chinese. Especially one named Zhang. He just had a bad experience and wants everyone to know that you can't trust the system. Hope he gets his money back
At first we weren't sure there was a fire. Then we saw spiderman on the roof of the building. This is at least how my half-dream-state self remembers it. Actually it was just a fireman climbing a ladder that was against the house. There was also a lot of visible smoke coming from the top of the house.
Storm trooper firefighters were all around our neighborhood. As they left they truck down the street for the house on fire, they looked like astronauts coming off a ship after a long journey. Like at the end of Armageddon.
This is especially scary since we live in townhomes. In our subdivision there are like 6 rows of homes. I just recently told my mom this is why we don't have a fireplace. "One mistake and the whole block's gone" I said. Luckily the burning house last night was not attached to us. But it was still scary.
Sometime during the "rescue" they planted a firetruck right in front of our house. This was where all communications occurred. We could hear parts of the back and forth going on on the radios inside the truck/attached to the men. This made it impossible to fall asleep. We could hear bits of information like "side C4, that's Charlie 4, clear". Other things were just a jumble of radio static, since we were inside, and on the third floor. I missed important info like if anyone was trapped inside or if fire fighters collapsed dramatically in the street after I had returned to my bed.
This all caused me to miss about 2 hours of sleep. 3:30-5:30am. This did not prove well for my attitude today.
I currently have no idea what really happened. How it started, etc. There's nothing in the news! This lack of information is making me upset. The houses are still standing and look to just have damage on the top floor, in the back. Who knows what the insides look like. I have chosen to blame someone smoking in bed, because this makes it all their fault and less scary since I don't smoke.
PS: John has lost all faith in the "interwebs," specifically ebay. All blame is currently on the Chinese. Especially one named Zhang. He just had a bad experience and wants everyone to know that you can't trust the system. Hope he gets his money back
Monday, February 16, 2009
Yikes.
I just had a momentary panic attack about my book. Thinking I should make certain people custom copies.
Because I really don't want my grandparents reading a poem with the word SEX in it!
Or an ex reading a 87% fictionalized poem about him and thinking that's how I really felt.
Woe is me.
Because I really don't want my grandparents reading a poem with the word SEX in it!
Or an ex reading a 87% fictionalized poem about him and thinking that's how I really felt.
Woe is me.
Valentine's Recap
Woke up to lilies by the bed Friday morning. John said "I didn't think I should keep them in the closet until tomorrow."
Saturday we went to stay at a historic inn that's just over an hour away. I wanted to be out of the house, so as not to be drawn away from romance by my manuscript. So we stayed at the Tidewater Inn, across the bay in Easton, MD. A very cute small town.
Had a horse-drawn carriage ride around the town. Very fun. Our horse was perfect and so adorable. I wanted to hug him, but I couldn't reach him, he was so tall!
We had a mixed experience with dinner. The hostess was rude, our waiter was MIA for most of the meal, and my steak was burnt on the outside but raw on the inside. I was ready to go all Top Chef judge on them. But as I said, we had no waiter so I couldn't even complain. Luckily John's food was great as was the rest of mine, and desert was divine (three flavors of creme brulee). Plus we just had a great time talking, making fun of other couples, etc, so the meal was still worth it. But they will be getting a phone call from me tomorrow!
Watched all the romantic comedies on TV that night, which was a lot.
Came home on Sunday and just chilled. Since John couldn't find chocolate covered strawberries he bought the stuff to make them. Which we did together that night. So fantastic!
Saturday we went to stay at a historic inn that's just over an hour away. I wanted to be out of the house, so as not to be drawn away from romance by my manuscript. So we stayed at the Tidewater Inn, across the bay in Easton, MD. A very cute small town.
Had a horse-drawn carriage ride around the town. Very fun. Our horse was perfect and so adorable. I wanted to hug him, but I couldn't reach him, he was so tall!
We had a mixed experience with dinner. The hostess was rude, our waiter was MIA for most of the meal, and my steak was burnt on the outside but raw on the inside. I was ready to go all Top Chef judge on them. But as I said, we had no waiter so I couldn't even complain. Luckily John's food was great as was the rest of mine, and desert was divine (three flavors of creme brulee). Plus we just had a great time talking, making fun of other couples, etc, so the meal was still worth it. But they will be getting a phone call from me tomorrow!
Watched all the romantic comedies on TV that night, which was a lot.
Came home on Sunday and just chilled. Since John couldn't find chocolate covered strawberries he bought the stuff to make them. Which we did together that night. So fantastic!
Friday, February 13, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Book in a box
I should probably stop blogging about my book. It may just confuse you all. Yes, I really do change my mind about things every day. No more water, just two sections. Now the fun part of trying "final" revisions. Ack!
And though I am not supposed to think of it right now, I just can't decide on a title. I officially hate titles!
Also, I really want to make a book in a box. But this book I don't think belongs in a box. I think I may be making a lot of books this summer. They will be in boxes. How cute is that?
And though I am not supposed to think of it right now, I just can't decide on a title. I officially hate titles!
Also, I really want to make a book in a box. But this book I don't think belongs in a box. I think I may be making a lot of books this summer. They will be in boxes. How cute is that?
Monday, February 9, 2009
Wet, Sunny Weekend
I've found my weekends to be so trying lately, that it is best to summarize them.
Did not get my oil changed because I got caught up in school work and forgot it had to be done. There's always next weekend.
Finalized our plans for Valentine's Day.
Tried desperately to get my manuscript to tell me what kind of book it wanted to be. Finally decided on sections: Droplets, Puddles, Rivers, Flood, Fog, Dew, in that order. These may change if I change my title in the next week, but I like what they're doing so far. I just have to figure out if the right poems are in each section. Final ms due next week, so I'm a bit stressed out getting it "right."
Fought with InDesign to create my chapbook. Figured some things out, none of which will help me create the final book. I think I cheated on a lot of things and took the long way through certain tasks. The instructions were not helping, which was surprising as I've found them to be good in the past. This just means more studying before I start putting the real book together. This assignment is at least done. Or will be when I print it. Must find a really great paper to use.
Stayed home alone Friday night while John went out with friends. I did homework most of the evening. It was sad. Then I drank a glass of wine to unwind, which was also sad as I was still alone.
Feel asleep during Benny and Joon, which is so wrong I can't stand it. I missed a good hour of Johnny time. I woke up 15 mins from the end, 10 mins before John walked in the door. But in my defense, I had been doing school work for like 12 hours straight. So I was dead.
Got a virus on my pc, from who knows what. It didn't want to go away either. But it's better now.
Got a flat tire. Had to stay home from work today to take it to get fixed. Ended up having to get two new tires, since the flat was unrepairable. Need to get the other two replaced when I can afford it cause they're getting old.
Got mad at someone who I think has been lying to me. But of course, didn't tell that person I was upset.
Saw "He's just not that into you" with a friend. It was pretty cute. And in some instances, realistic. Ben Affleck's character was the one great man in there.
What I learned:
I will need 4 day weekends, not 3, in order to not cry each week from the stress/frustration of school.
While I am stressed, I really love my book and making it. I mean, I cried over my book not speaking to me, but then was utterly thrilled when I finalized my section titles. Does this say something odd about be loving stress? Maybe.
Did not get my oil changed because I got caught up in school work and forgot it had to be done. There's always next weekend.
Finalized our plans for Valentine's Day.
Tried desperately to get my manuscript to tell me what kind of book it wanted to be. Finally decided on sections: Droplets, Puddles, Rivers, Flood, Fog, Dew, in that order. These may change if I change my title in the next week, but I like what they're doing so far. I just have to figure out if the right poems are in each section. Final ms due next week, so I'm a bit stressed out getting it "right."
Fought with InDesign to create my chapbook. Figured some things out, none of which will help me create the final book. I think I cheated on a lot of things and took the long way through certain tasks. The instructions were not helping, which was surprising as I've found them to be good in the past. This just means more studying before I start putting the real book together. This assignment is at least done. Or will be when I print it. Must find a really great paper to use.
Stayed home alone Friday night while John went out with friends. I did homework most of the evening. It was sad. Then I drank a glass of wine to unwind, which was also sad as I was still alone.
Feel asleep during Benny and Joon, which is so wrong I can't stand it. I missed a good hour of Johnny time. I woke up 15 mins from the end, 10 mins before John walked in the door. But in my defense, I had been doing school work for like 12 hours straight. So I was dead.
Got a virus on my pc, from who knows what. It didn't want to go away either. But it's better now.
Got a flat tire. Had to stay home from work today to take it to get fixed. Ended up having to get two new tires, since the flat was unrepairable. Need to get the other two replaced when I can afford it cause they're getting old.
Got mad at someone who I think has been lying to me. But of course, didn't tell that person I was upset.
Saw "He's just not that into you" with a friend. It was pretty cute. And in some instances, realistic. Ben Affleck's character was the one great man in there.
What I learned:
I will need 4 day weekends, not 3, in order to not cry each week from the stress/frustration of school.
While I am stressed, I really love my book and making it. I mean, I cried over my book not speaking to me, but then was utterly thrilled when I finalized my section titles. Does this say something odd about be loving stress? Maybe.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Open Hearts
Jane Seymour (yes the JS from Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman) has used part of an essay I wrote in her new book, Open Hearts. It's a cute little book about love. It includes her artwork as well as personal experiences of her own and others (me!). Her new open hearts jewelry collection and paintings really speaks to my sentiments-love can be painful and grand, but through it all you need to remain true to yourself. Great Valentine's gift, if you still need something.
Cover of the book:
Here's my DPS:
I know you can't read that. I may type it up later.
Cover of the book:
Here's my DPS:
I know you can't read that. I may type it up later.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Water quotes
If I do keep the water thing going, these are two possible quotes to use as an epigraph at the beginning of my book. Thought?
“Nothing in the world is more flexible and yielding than water. Yet when it attacks the firm and the strong, none can withstand it, because they have no way to change it. So the flexible overcome the adamant, the yielding overcome the forceful. Everyone knows this, but no one can do it.” ~Lau Tzu
“Water is life's mater and matrix, mother and medium. There is no life without water.” ~ Albert Szent-Gyorgyi
“Nothing in the world is more flexible and yielding than water. Yet when it attacks the firm and the strong, none can withstand it, because they have no way to change it. So the flexible overcome the adamant, the yielding overcome the forceful. Everyone knows this, but no one can do it.” ~Lau Tzu
“Water is life's mater and matrix, mother and medium. There is no life without water.” ~ Albert Szent-Gyorgyi
Manuscript frustration
The good news is my book will be great, one day. The bad news is I don't know how to get it there.
I am now completely panicked about my manuscript. It is pretty much done in terms of writing. I still have a few revisions I'd like to make. But turning it into a book is another story. I knew this was my main problem, but I thought class would help me figure out where to go with it. Class just made me more confused.
I need to come up with sections for the book. The obvious thing may be chronological or by "themes" (marriage, divorce, siblings, old boyfriends, etc). I don't like either of these options. Probably b/c they are both obvious. And I don't like the tone that theme sections creates. It's far too much about marriage/divorce and not enough about finding a peaceful relationship.
So what to do? I think of Laux, she has two sections Smoke and Fire. Or Olds has a book with different seemingly unrelated things, blood, tin, straw, as the titles of her sections. I think something like this will work. But what.
The title is currently "To Understand Water." My inclination is to have a set of water words as my section breaks. Bay, river, storm, evaporate. I don't know that I like any of these words, but it gives you an idea of what I'm talking about. The question is do I separate my poems and then label them or come up with labels and then put the poems where they belong.
Or is water totally the wrong way to go and I need to figure out something else. I think I will rearrange it like this and see what Kendra says next week. She'll probably be more help one-on-one.
I am now completely panicked about my manuscript. It is pretty much done in terms of writing. I still have a few revisions I'd like to make. But turning it into a book is another story. I knew this was my main problem, but I thought class would help me figure out where to go with it. Class just made me more confused.
I need to come up with sections for the book. The obvious thing may be chronological or by "themes" (marriage, divorce, siblings, old boyfriends, etc). I don't like either of these options. Probably b/c they are both obvious. And I don't like the tone that theme sections creates. It's far too much about marriage/divorce and not enough about finding a peaceful relationship.
So what to do? I think of Laux, she has two sections Smoke and Fire. Or Olds has a book with different seemingly unrelated things, blood, tin, straw, as the titles of her sections. I think something like this will work. But what.
The title is currently "To Understand Water." My inclination is to have a set of water words as my section breaks. Bay, river, storm, evaporate. I don't know that I like any of these words, but it gives you an idea of what I'm talking about. The question is do I separate my poems and then label them or come up with labels and then put the poems where they belong.
Or is water totally the wrong way to go and I need to figure out something else. I think I will rearrange it like this and see what Kendra says next week. She'll probably be more help one-on-one.
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