The cashier at the corner mart is growing his hair out. I told him it was getting long and he said he wouldn't get it cut until after baseball season was over.
He's growing it for luck. Because the Red Sox will be in the series if he doesn't get a haircut. It could happen. The Red Sox have been known to win a game because I turned off the TV in the early innings and didn't turn it back on until the ninth inning.
Then he said, "I don't know what my wife will do when it's short."
Too cute: he dropped the wife bomb on me. In a subtle way.
Our exchange made me love him a little more.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
A year of blogging
I wanted to post on the exact anniversary, but the day came and went. But a couple days after is close enough to spitting distance.
What the year gave me:
1. Two stories accepted and one published. I want to match that again this year. I'd say I would want to surpass it, but don't want to be greedy.
2. A trip to New Orleans and Key West. Travel is on the agenda for this year too. The girls are already planning a trip to Savannah in June (can you say Midnight in the Garden? Of course you can).
3. Another year of teaching and although I'm gaining a certain amount of skill, there's still miles to go. I need more patience and less doubt.
4. A haircut. The shortness of my hair knocks about ten minutes off my morning routine. I'm tempted to keep it this way.
5. More time on the internet than I can tally. Sure, it's a timesink, but I discovered Nathan Bransford's blog, Wil Wheaton's blog, and a host of others that make me feel like part of a community.
6. Continued addictions to the following: instant-watches on Netflix, Jacob's episode breakdowns on Television without Pity, tvtropes, Stephen King's column in EW, and C- or lower reviews on Dear Author.
I liked this year. It was mellow. I'm all for a simple life and simple joys. I wouldn't mind it if the next year brought more of the same.
What the year gave me:
1. Two stories accepted and one published. I want to match that again this year. I'd say I would want to surpass it, but don't want to be greedy.
2. A trip to New Orleans and Key West. Travel is on the agenda for this year too. The girls are already planning a trip to Savannah in June (can you say Midnight in the Garden? Of course you can).
3. Another year of teaching and although I'm gaining a certain amount of skill, there's still miles to go. I need more patience and less doubt.
4. A haircut. The shortness of my hair knocks about ten minutes off my morning routine. I'm tempted to keep it this way.
5. More time on the internet than I can tally. Sure, it's a timesink, but I discovered Nathan Bransford's blog, Wil Wheaton's blog, and a host of others that make me feel like part of a community.
6. Continued addictions to the following: instant-watches on Netflix, Jacob's episode breakdowns on Television without Pity, tvtropes, Stephen King's column in EW, and C- or lower reviews on Dear Author.
I liked this year. It was mellow. I'm all for a simple life and simple joys. I wouldn't mind it if the next year brought more of the same.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
One more edit, one step closer to publication
The editor at Changeling Press sent me a new round of edit notes for "The Serpent's Lair."
I've decided my whole-hearted appreciation and fangirl infatuation with editors are emotions usually reserved for college professors. Both groups are brilliant at what they do and help me become a better whatever-I-am-at-the-time. What's not to love?
"The Serpent's Lair" will be out in October. Can't wait until there's another book cover at the top of the blog and a link to the story.
Why yes, I'm feeling quite giddy at the thought.
I've decided my whole-hearted appreciation and fangirl infatuation with editors are emotions usually reserved for college professors. Both groups are brilliant at what they do and help me become a better whatever-I-am-at-the-time. What's not to love?
"The Serpent's Lair" will be out in October. Can't wait until there's another book cover at the top of the blog and a link to the story.
Why yes, I'm feeling quite giddy at the thought.
The Guild season three
The first episode of season three of THE GUILD is up!
Anyone who hasn't watched season one or two has my full unadulterated envy. I want to be able to watch the entire block and not be stuck in this limbo of waiting.
If you were walking by my window this afternoon, you would have heard a fangirl squee at the last minute of the show.
Anyone who hasn't watched season one or two has my full unadulterated envy. I want to be able to watch the entire block and not be stuck in this limbo of waiting.
If you were walking by my window this afternoon, you would have heard a fangirl squee at the last minute of the show.
Reading Rainbow's still on in my 'verse
Blogs all over the place mourned the cancellation of READING RAINBOW last week.
Effing lack of funding.
READING RAINBOW was one of my guilty pleasures. Guilty because I didn't start watching it until I was in my twenties. PBS played it and DEGRASSI HIGH on Sundays. There was nothing better than going to Dunkin Donuts for an egg sandwich and huge coffee, then sitting down to watch them both.
My favorite episodes were the one when Levar went to the Renfaire and the one when he visited the set of TNG. Who knew the transporter effect was just sparkles being stirred around in water?
The people who watched the RAINBOW, that's who.
I loved his spontaneous laughter and the interest he showed any activity he was called upon to do.
I'm sad that there'll be kids (or twenty-somethings) who don't get the chance to watch Levar or have books read to them by famous people. READING RAINBOW was one of the greatest educational shows-
But you don't have to take my word for it.
Effing lack of funding.
READING RAINBOW was one of my guilty pleasures. Guilty because I didn't start watching it until I was in my twenties. PBS played it and DEGRASSI HIGH on Sundays. There was nothing better than going to Dunkin Donuts for an egg sandwich and huge coffee, then sitting down to watch them both.
My favorite episodes were the one when Levar went to the Renfaire and the one when he visited the set of TNG. Who knew the transporter effect was just sparkles being stirred around in water?
The people who watched the RAINBOW, that's who.
I loved his spontaneous laughter and the interest he showed any activity he was called upon to do.
I'm sad that there'll be kids (or twenty-somethings) who don't get the chance to watch Levar or have books read to them by famous people. READING RAINBOW was one of the greatest educational shows-
But you don't have to take my word for it.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
If at first you don't like it...
Took me five episodes to fall in love with TRUE BLOOD. I couldn't get into the show even though I enjoy the books immensely. Charlaine Harris has one of my favorite author pics. She looks as if she'd tell you a joke and share her cookies.
I decided to give the show another try after reading the recap on Television without Pity. Jacob recapped an episode and hooked me.
Tangent: I love Jacob's recaps and am a little in love with him. I decided we don't have to be friends. I want him to teach a TV class where we can talk about episodes, but mostly I get a chance to listen to him. He's brilliant beyond brilliant and I'm a fangirl for anyone who mixes philosophy with pop culture.
I gotta say the show is much better than I first thought. What initially turned me off was the lack of attraction I had for Bill (I'm sure he's crying about that). I don't know what it is about him. I'm usually a sucker for guys with southern accents.
The way he says Sookie drives me crazy: "Suckey!" in an intense low voice.
But the supporting characters make the show. Tara and Lafayette are fleshed-out characters and amazing divergences from the page. So much depth and development. Michelle Forbes has shown up and she's always great to see. The writing is awesome: obvious and single entendres one minute, profound concepts the next.
And don't get me started on Eric: hot on all levels and perfect in every way. He's a cross between Bill Pullman and Viggo Mortensen, but takes that to a wicked level of sexiness. It's no small pleasure to see him nekkid.
The show is darker than the books, but now that I think of it (especially with the last book), Harris has always put a darkness in the series. I wasn't aware of how much until I saw it on the screen.
I decided to give the show another try after reading the recap on Television without Pity. Jacob recapped an episode and hooked me.
Tangent: I love Jacob's recaps and am a little in love with him. I decided we don't have to be friends. I want him to teach a TV class where we can talk about episodes, but mostly I get a chance to listen to him. He's brilliant beyond brilliant and I'm a fangirl for anyone who mixes philosophy with pop culture.
I gotta say the show is much better than I first thought. What initially turned me off was the lack of attraction I had for Bill (I'm sure he's crying about that). I don't know what it is about him. I'm usually a sucker for guys with southern accents.
The way he says Sookie drives me crazy: "Suckey!" in an intense low voice.
But the supporting characters make the show. Tara and Lafayette are fleshed-out characters and amazing divergences from the page. So much depth and development. Michelle Forbes has shown up and she's always great to see. The writing is awesome: obvious and single entendres one minute, profound concepts the next.
And don't get me started on Eric: hot on all levels and perfect in every way. He's a cross between Bill Pullman and Viggo Mortensen, but takes that to a wicked level of sexiness. It's no small pleasure to see him nekkid.
The show is darker than the books, but now that I think of it (especially with the last book), Harris has always put a darkness in the series. I wasn't aware of how much until I saw it on the screen.
Time for that editing whirl
My editor from Changeling Press sent me her notes for "The Serpent's Lair" on Saturday.
I believe editors have superpowers, one of which is uncanny timing.
This weekend found me devoid of purpose and I was glad to get them. I already sent my bio and cover art request. The editor found links to some amazing pictures which fit my criteria perfectly(even though I hadn't told her! Psychic? maybe...)- hot guy who's the focus of the shot, looking directly at the reader.
I can't wait until I can announce the pub date!
I believe editors have superpowers, one of which is uncanny timing.
This weekend found me devoid of purpose and I was glad to get them. I already sent my bio and cover art request. The editor found links to some amazing pictures which fit my criteria perfectly(even though I hadn't told her! Psychic? maybe...)- hot guy who's the focus of the shot, looking directly at the reader.
I can't wait until I can announce the pub date!
It's wick, I tell you
Second day of school and everything seems copacetic (knock the biggest nearby oak).
I'll be relieved when Monday feels like Monday and Tuesday feels like Tuesday. Right now, I can't wrap my head around going to work or even wearing socks and shoes.
Poor, poor me.
A copy machine is broken, the names I've memorized so far have been the knuckleheads, and the principal has already fielded one complaint from a parent: "What do you mean teachers don't accept late homework?"
In other words, everything is running on schedule.
I'm hoping the year brings a minimum of BS and a reasonable amount of satisfaction.
I'll be relieved when Monday feels like Monday and Tuesday feels like Tuesday. Right now, I can't wrap my head around going to work or even wearing socks and shoes.
Poor, poor me.
A copy machine is broken, the names I've memorized so far have been the knuckleheads, and the principal has already fielded one complaint from a parent: "What do you mean teachers don't accept late homework?"
In other words, everything is running on schedule.
I'm hoping the year brings a minimum of BS and a reasonable amount of satisfaction.
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