Fatal Error, Reboot Brain

As a rule, I don't play many computer games. An occasional stop by the online arcade to play a puzzle game or a word game, possibly playing Tradewinds - an Oregon Trail type game of buying and selling set in late 19th century China, or pulling out the PS1 for a rousing round of Dukes of Hazzard racing or mahjongg. But lately, the PS1 has been collecting dust (and needing to be put back in its safe home under the TV cabinet) and I haven't fought pirates from Edamame to Shanghi in quite some time.

Back in the day, I used to play Origin's Ultima series, then I played Lands of Lore. I never finished either. My mother, however, still brings out LoL to play to cleanse her gaming palette for a new game. Or she recently found Eye of the Beholder I,II, & III and played them through with her favorite characters. She gets the walk throughs, and sometimes the cheatbooks and finishes the game with 500,000 gold pieces and all the treasure and special skills available. This makes her happy, and amuses me as well (I get to tell all the cute tech boys at the store that my mom's a gamer, too... endless joy out of that!)

I don't generally get into the computer games (console included) because I, like my mother, tend to get lost in them. I also have shunned the online versions of adventure games, the ones you can talk to other people and hang out and kill mobs with them. Those I tend to become much immersed in the social aspect and spend much of my time chatting and not playing (a chat room would be better, but somehow just as addicting so I stay away from those too.

I also have a job which requires me to sleep and arrive ready to work, and I no longer have the capacity I had just a few years ago to stay up late into the wee hours of the morning and still function like a semi-competent human being the "next" day. Now I need the sleep, in my own bed and not on someone's lumpy couch, to get me through the day. (Although, I have slept on many a comfy couch as well - thanks!!)

All this brings me to my point. I made the fatal error of getting a "new" computer game. New to me, not to the world at large, I might add. At the Red Store, I found a copy of The Sims and the expansion pack Makin' Magic. And later that week I ran out and bought (or my mom bought for me) Unleashed (where you can get the little animals to love, and who love you back - aww!).

So now I'm the proud, and often frustrated, owner of a bunch of Sims who do what I want, but only if they don't have anything better to do, who complain, get depressed, and generally make me tear my hair out. But then they do such great things like coming home from work every day and playing with the puppy first thing, even before getting something to eat or going to the bathroom. How can you stay mad at a person, Simulated or not, that loves their doggie so much... I know I can't, so I give him a pool and a computer and a grill... and use the funky cheat code to give him as much money as possible so he doesn't run out of puppy food or tell me he isn't having any fun.

Of course, I can't get him to interact with his neighbors... perhaps that's a reflection of my own relationship, or lack thereof, with my neighbors, of which I know exactly no one's name, and barely recognize them, but I'm pretty sure I could tell you their dog's names and when they walk through the courtyard on a weekend day...

And on a certain level I'm jealous of my Sims, they have nifty robots to clean the house, a refrigerator that always has fresh tasty food in it, and they can miss work and go to the park with the dog. And on another level, I sometimes feel like a Sim, with my Queue of things to do (like go home tonight and take out the trash, do the dishes, do some laundry, pay my bills).

All in all, I am enjoying myself, after all, isn't that what games are for?? Besides, just a few more minutes, that's all I'm asking. I just want to see him get into bed... safe and sound... well, maybe it IS time for bed myself...

CFO's R US

My company is going through some changes, people coming into the company, people moving around in the company, and people leaving. One of the people leaving is our current Executive VP/CFO. I wondered how long it would take to fill her position, and what the search would entail.

Earlier this week, we met our interem CFO at a lunch for the accounting department. When he got up to talk, he said he was part of a group of current and former corporate CFOs who provided companies with a person to fill that position on a temporary or permanent basis. I'm thinking to myself, this is like a temp company for high level corporate types. CFO's R US... And it can be temp to hire, some of the people stay with their temporary positions at the request of the companies who needed their services.

I did some temp work back in college and after, and it even started me on the path to my current position. Never did my temp company call me up and say, hey, would you like to work at XYZ company as their temporary CFO? Be in charge for a while? Nope, never happened. But now I know, they have their own group or service. Things you learn...

Check it out

Ok, I've been sadly neglecting this blog... but here's something that I have been doing lately:

Funny Forwards

Hope you enjoy it!

Books I'm reading (or trying to)

I am a pretty voracious reader; I enjoy a good book, high literature, modern short stories, early science fiction, all sorts of different, exciting books.

Since the beginning of the year, I've finished a few books and been at a bit of a loss for my next book(s). I tend to read at least two if not four or five different books at the same time. I've always done this, even as a young girl. I generally have a book in my handbag, a book on my nightstand, and a book in the living room (with an additional book in the car, or one at my desk at the office).

My handbag book is currently Foundation by Isaac Asimov. I've decided to re-read these books for pleasure as well as to retrain my science fiction mind. I just recently finished Deadline by John Dunning, a mystery based off of Mr. Dunning's experiences working at the Denver Post (a local newspaper). His books always keep me reading, and I enjoy the ride. Before that was the Medusa Stone by Jack Du Brul. A far flung, diamond chase across the deserts of Africa and into the politics of the Middle East. I'm the first to admit that I am not always the first to figure out whodunnit or where a mystery is leading, but I enjoy the relaxation of knowing that everything will be tied up in a nice neat bow at the end. Books such as this are mind-candy to me; a palate cleanser of sorts. It's a pleasure to lose myself in the twists and turns of the plot.

I've also recently finished three nightstand books (these tend to wander about the house as I often wish to read more than just a few minutes at bed-time). I think this is where my wandering is coming from, as one book was the finish to a six book series (one of my very favorite series) and another is the third of a series (book 4 is out; but not in my hot little hands).

Fool's Fate by Robin Hobb finished the Tawny Man series, which began with the Farseer Saga with Assassin's Apprentice. I have loved these books from the start, and even bought two of them at full hardback price because I couldn't wait for the paperback to be published. The ending was bittersweet, and left a life to live for the charaters while definitively denying any idea of another visit to this rich world filled with these people I know like my own friends and family.

After I finished Fool's Fate, I delved into the hilarious hijinks of literary detective Thursday Next in The Well of Lost Plots by Jasper Fforde. This foray into the parallel world where the Crimean War is still raging in the year 1985, and there are secret government agencies dutybound to protect the sanctity of literature, gives a peek into the Well where unpublished books are kept and generics learn to be characters in books. Highly entertaining and very breezy read. I recommend The Eyre Affaire and Lost In a Good Book (books one and two) first to ground you in the world (which can be discombobulating, so similar and yet so different from our own).

Finally, I read Skywriting by Jane Pauley. I've always liked Jane Pauley; when I was growing up I would watch the Today show with my mom as we got ready for work and school. This was an autobiography; extremely easy to follow, for all the twists and turns her appearingly simple life has taken. I really enjoyed the book.

Now, I've tried to start Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes (I just saw Man of La Mancha from NetFlix) and whereas it's a relatively easy read so far (being a reader some 500 years after its inception) the one thing that is troublesome (and only to me, and only as I try to read it before bed) is the vast quantity of endnotes (footnotes are there too, but I don't have to turn to the end to read them, they're right there!) Now, I read Les Liaisons Dangereuses a few years ago with endnotes, and I enjoyed it (not the endnotes specifically, but the book as a whole). I could read it without the endnotes, but invariably I'll come across something that needs the note and then I'll see all the notes I breezed by. So, Don Quixote is more of a lounging book rather than a off to bed type book.

So, I started Portrait in Sepia by Isabel Allende. So far, I'm a few pages in, and my biggest vision of the book is the great and terrible bed of the POV charater's paternal grandmother. Nice geneology in the front, makes it easy to follow who is who and how they're related. Similar to but of a completely different feel than One Hundred Years of Solitude.

And my mother lent me the latest Grisham, The Last Juror, which of course is tantalizing and difficult to put down. Perhaps this will be my next book. Or perhaps I'll finish it instead of Portrait (rather before it).

If you have any ideas about books to check out, I'd love to hear them.

On the right track

Ok, I have turned in my paperwork for my new 401k, taking advantage of my employers generous matching contributions, and am ready to take aim at the former employer's plan manager's mistake. I did already talk to the plan management company, and they suggested a course of action. However, I also talked to a financial advisor of sorts and have received another recommendation to pursue. And now that I have started my current 401k (I've been lax; been eligible for oh, 22 months now...) my other options are easier to manage.

I feel proud that I took a step in the right direction. The direction of a savvy, forward-looking member of Corporate America. Gotta do what I gotta do.

Television Shows and Netflix

I finally did it; I joined the DVD service NetFlix. I've already got nearly 200 movies in my queue and over 350 discs for tv shows. I like the separate queues you can have, even tho I'm currently the only one who uses this service in my house, I can still separate the tv shows (which take up lots of space with 2 to 6 discs per season or up to 12 for an entire series...) and get my fix of movies and tv episodes (in order no less!).

I don't have cable TV. I used to have free basic cable in my old place. When I moved into my new place over a year ago, I decided that I could afford one new service. I chose DSL. The cable company offered up in my neck of the woods was unknown to me and I didn't want to buy hardware and install a dish and everything. And the nice complex I live in is so new, they don't have an antenna to connect the tv to for better reception. So I have rabbit ears and not even all of the network channels (no WB, some CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, UPN and like 3 home shop network types). And knowing myself, I'd want the shiny digital w/ a tv guide and the music channels and some movie channels which costs more than I care to contemplate.

So now, for a much more reasonable amount, I can rent as many movies as I want, they come in the mail, and I can just drop them back in the mail when I'm done. What marketing genius came up with this idea? I hope they've made a buttload of money off it, because from everything I've heard (I know several people who belong) it's a GREAT service. And it was a lot of fun to fill up my queue (well ok, to put some stuff in there, it's not maxxed out like some people I know...)

Another letter and my 401k

Ok, I received another letter from my Wyoming lady. And two votes to send back a personal letter. I have returned the letters and cards through the postal service, hoping perhaps that the apt number or the address is just a little off and these can be delivered. Here's the deal, if I get another one, I'm going to write a note to the sender and let her know that whoever this woman she is writing is, she does not live at my address and I hope everything can be straightened out.

Two other strange pieces of mail in my box:

I also received a bill from the prior resident that I had received mail for several months ago. It went in the return mail with a note as well.

I also got a nice juicy check from my prior prior company's 401k administrators. I received my quarterly report in January, everything still there, still making a little money, and I know who to contact when I decide it's time to roll everything into my new company's 401k (which I need to start this year). Except, that I got a distribution check for the entire amount of my account (less the vesting they claimed I wasn't due (I was 100% vested, grandfathered in when the company was bought by a bigger one) and less the massive taxes taken out at the time of the disbursement.)

Now, I am not of an age to be expecting to qualify to withdraw from my 401k, nor did I request this disbursement. The only thing I can think of is that they're cleaning up their accounts and I have been separated from this company since late 2000. However, I received NO notice of this and I'm confused and a bit pissed because I had to pay taxes on it; now I can't roll it over w/o penalty; and I had absolutely NO say in this. They have my address, they've been using it to send me the quarterly reports. Nothing I've received from them stated this was a possibility.

Well, I guess tomorrow I'm going to be making quite a few calls (my HR for information regarding 401k laws, the prior company's HR to find out what happened, and finally the lovely 401k administrators.) Hopefully I can get this straightened out and get the money back into the account to be rolled over w/o penalty. *sigh*

Musical wanderings

Earlier this week, Bowling for Soup played at a local venue. Well, I didn't have tickets, and as I'm getting old and set in my ways, I have a hard time going to shows on a work night. But the guys from BFS were on my radio station in the afternoon for a quick interview. They played two or three songs and then Bo asked them to play a couple of sit-com theme songs.

They then played Gilligan's Island (a three hour tour...) and then they played The Dukes of Hazzard (Just the good ole boys, never meaning no harm...). Aww, I had forgotten the good ole boys song... and the deep subliminal messages imbedded into the music made some post-hypnotic suggestion to me and being as I am easily convinced to do something I already want to do, I went to my local DVD store and bought the Dukes of Hazzard Season One on DVD. And Season Two. And the Bowling for Soup cd - A Hangover You Don't Deserve.

So my nostalgia has been completely sated, as I spent many hours perusing the episodes where John Schneider was eighteen and just as cute as I remember. I don't remember their shirts off quite so much (but it's still nice) and I don't remember how terribly cute John's smile was. Or how um, well, dumb (for lack of a better word) his character was written. Ah well, it was still quite fun. Although yee-haw is still ringing in my head and I'm sure I'm going to be saying y'all a mite more than normal next week...

Mail oddities

Recently, I've received three lovely greeting cards that were addressed to someone I don't know at my address. They're all within the last three weeks, one I returned at the post office and the other two I picked up today (jan 15 and jan 19 postmarks). Now, I've received mail at my address last year for a man's name, but never a woman's name. I moved in a year after construction was completed, so I'm only the second tenant in this unit. It's been over a year, so whatever forwarding was submitted has expired as well.

The cards are all addressed to the same woman, and the handwriting is very clear and very clearly states my address and number. It looks like someone is reaching out to this person who likely lived in my place before me. It's possible that the wrong number is being used and the unit up the block from me is the actual owner of this mail. Many things are possible and that's what's got me thinking and rambling tonight as my clothes tumble in the dryer.

The cards, all three of them, are very nice cards (I didn't open them!) from the evidence of the envelopes, which are all decorated and are from Tree Free, which makes lovely cards which are all blank. So someone is writing cards, not just sending a pre-printed sentiment, and whoever they belong to isn't getting them delivered.

Is this a mother reaching out to an estranged daughter that she hasn't spoken to or heard from in over a year? Is it a sister sending thoughts and recipes to her younger sister, far from home? Am I just a bit obsessive about these cards?

See the thing is, I like to get cards. I recently spent some time organizing my cards, and realized I need to catch up my correspondence with several people. The hand written note, the thank you note, even greeting cards seem to get pushed to the side with the advent of the instantaneous communications, namely the telephone (evolving into the cell phone) and email (as well as text messaging). I recently had a conversation with several associates where the fact that one used to spend hours a day corresponding; it was an expected social convention. Whereas now we probably spend hours emailing, and talking on the phone. I didn't even do Holiday cards this year (it took me a way long time to get into the spirit) but I have purchased new cards for next year and put them where I can find them!

I like to look back and see someone's handwriting, to have a tangible record. I like getting real mail in my box, not just bills, and junk, and credit card offers (which are junk, but take my time and thus earn a category as I have to shred them). And I know that I need to send things out myself, that's the only way to get correspondence back. It has to be a two way street or the corresponder could develop feelings of resentment and disenchantment with the correspondee.

Back to the greeting cards, I wonder if there is some way that these cards are getting to their intended receipient, or if they're slowly being returned, unopened and unread, to the writer. And how does that make her feel, out there in the windswept plains? I wonder...

Lunchtime Musings

I made a totally nostalgic purchase yesterday at lunch. I went into the EB by the shop I got lunch at, and I got myself a “previously played” copy of The Dukes of Hazzard racing game.

When I was little, I loved this show. I would watch it every week, and after every show, I would write to John Schneider and tell him how great the show was. I had a photo of John , a black and white 4x6, “autographed” that I toted around with me in a little wicker basket. I even snuck into my mother’s closet and borrowed her strappiest high heel shoes and pretended I was Daisy Duke. Ah, to be 9 again.

At any rate, the game is pretty fun, and even tho I’m really good at racing games, I’m not so good at them on the Dual Shock controller (but the analog stick is easier to use than the buttons) And you get to hear voices from the show and get to go over ramps and do the General Lee horn sound. So for my ten bucks, it was worth the ride.

Busy Day off

My goodness, not only did I have a full plate when I went to bed last night, the optical people called and my glasses are done. So off to run my little errands, get my glasses, then return to do 2 weeks worth of laundry and vegetate on my couch. Of course I have to get ready for going back to work tomorrow (hence the laundry) and get some real food in my house (and get rid of the "bad" food or at least put it out of the way).

Lalala and here I am surfing and blogging... Here I go, shower and errands, back in a couple hours and home for the kitty and the laundry. Ah, so lovely to have a day off...

New Years Resolutions (Rough Draft)

Ok, it's that time of year again. I'm thinking about Resolutions for the coming New Year. Here's my short list (rough draft).

1. Write every day (At minimum 5 lines in my new 5 year journal)
2. Finish my novel
3. Go to bed early
4. Get up early
5. Move my body
6. Eat well
7. Help others (still working on specifically how)
8. Work on organization

I think that's enough for today. And it's time for bed (might as well start now!)

Quizzes

I've not been on top of my blog this month, and when I started getting back into reading my friend's blogs, I came across Girlzoot's Crappy Gift post. Now I'm throughly enjoying myself by wading through other quizzes and finding stuff like you know you're from... when... hehe... Now, I only work in Boulder, but this next list made me laugh so I'm sharing it here:

You Know You're From Boulder When...

Your diet consists largely Boca burgers, Silk Soymilk, sushi, and Celestial Seasonings tea. You understand the utility of burning a couch in the street. Your kids wear 'Baby Gap' clothes. You really believe that there is a war between Boulder High and Fairview. You shop at Alfalfa's, and think that it's quilty eating. You wear shorts in the winter. Riding your bike in the middle of the street is okay. You had a hour long coversation about the Ramseys, and your sure you know who "did it." Your hybrid car is stocked with Ani Difranco and Indigo Girls CD's. A member of your family either works or plays for C.U. Sandals are worn year around, regardless of temperature. You have either been, or sent your child to an alternative school, (ie. New Vista), because the other schools didn't challenge you/them enough. Your waiter has a PhD in philosophy, and a MA in Women's Studies You rather starve than eat something that isn't organic You understand that "8 glasses of water a day" is what is required before 10:00 a.m. Your sense of direction is: towards the mountains and away from the mountains. Your friends don't eat meat, but they guzzle microbrew and designer coffee like it's water. In any given line you can see a white person with dreadlocks who is barefoot and the next person is wearing Prada, Chanel sunglasses, a Rolex and is dripping in diamonds. You're invited to a Halloween party only to find out "party" means serving peanut-pumpkin soup and sitting around reading Edger Allen Poe. A "bike ride" is at least a 4-6 hour event, a "shower" is optional. The only women wearing makeup are over 50 years old. You know all 4 seasons: "winter," "two day spring,""drought season," and "one day fall". The 3 most popular bumper stickers are: "Free Tibet," "I love my dog," and any array of Democratic political candidates. The more holes a young person has in his clothes the more zeros are in his trust fund account balance. April showers bring May blizzards. You tell someone you're training for a 10K and they tell you they're training for a marathon and the Ironman. The true feud which divides people is between those who "board" and the "two-plankers." You've dressed in shorts, sandals, and a parka. You've gone skiing in July. You've gone sunbathing in January. "Rio," "Pearl," and "Walnut" have nothing to do with Rio, pearls or walnuts. You actually get these jokes and pass them on to other friends from Boulder.

Get Your Own "You Know You're From" Meme Here

Crappy Gift, anyone?

You Are a Fruitcake!

You taste like nothing else in this world.And get ready, you're about to get tossed!

What Crappy Gift Are You?

HOLIDAY EATING TIPS

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. Like in single-malt scotch, it's rare. In fact, it's even rarer than single-malt scotch. You can't find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-aholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or, if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards!!!!!!!!!!!!

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Reread tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.

As seen in my email

THINGS TO DO BEFORE the Jan 20th Bush inauguration, while you still can:

1. Get that abortion you've always wanted.
2. Drink a nice clean glass of water.
3. Cash your social security check.
4. See a doctor of your own choosing.
5. Spend quality time with your draft age child/grandchild.
6. Visit Syria, or any foreign country for that matter.
7. Get that gas mask you've been putting off buying.
8. Hoard gasoline.
9. Buy all the porn you can carry.
10. Borrow books from library before they're banned - Constitutional law books, Catcher in the Rye, Harry Potter, Tropic of Cancer, etc.
11. If you have an idea for an art piece involving a crucifix - do it now.
12. Come out - then go back in - HURRY!
13. Jam in all the Alzheimer's stem cell research you can.
14. Stay out late before the curfews start.
15. Get within 6 feet of a stripper in a state where it's still allowed.
16. Go see Bruce Springsteen before he has his "accident".
17. Go see Mount Rushmore before the Reagan addition.
18. Use the phrase - "you can't do that - this is America".
19. If you're white - marry a black person, if you're black - marry a white person.
20. If you're gay, learn to butch it up so people will think you are straight.
21. Take a walk in Yosemite, without being hit by a snowmobile or a base-jumper.
22. Enroll your kid in an accelerated art or music class.
23. Start your school day without a prayer.
24. Pass on the secrets of evolution to future generations.
25. Stockpile hard liquor.
26. Learn French.
27. Two words - Doggy Style.
28. Attend a commitment ceremony with your gay friends.
29. Take a factory tour anywhere in the US.
30. Try to take photographs of animals on the endangered species list.
31. Visit Florida before the polar ice caps melt.
32. Visit Nevada before it becomes radioactive.
33. Visit Alaska before "The Big Spill".
34. Visit Massachusetts while it is still a State.

Holiday Wishes

A bit late, but Happy Thanksgiving! Banana bread anyone??

My baby cousin, Caitlin, loved her new blanket that I crocheted for her baby shower. “Grandma” says she sleeps with it in her crib, and regularly kicks it off, just like we all did at her age. “Mama” says she loves how soft it is. Aww, warm fuzzies!

Thanksgiving was relatively peaceful; we brought our baby, Charlie, and nearly gave my aunt a coronary. But the dog was good and she didn’t chase the cats, mostly she made laps around the kitchen and dining room and tried to eat the cat food. Elmo, the scaredy cat, came out after everyone else had left and bapped Charlie on the nose. I was upset until I remembered that Elmo has no toenails and could really only sass my dog, which she didn’t even seem to notice, poor dear.

I even got some writing done, but I have yet to upload anything from this long weekend. I will be done tonight, huzzah! I am less than 2k away from my NaNo goal of 50k! But the story won’t be done, not by quite a bit. I think I made some good habits about writing every day, so even if I write less, it will still be good. I hope to have the manuscript done by March for NaNoEdMo, hehe. I imagine, taking into account what I’ve already written, that the finished first draft will be around 85-95k :) Not bad for a first draft!

Neil Diamond Lyrics

Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show

Brothers and Sisters
Little bitty children
Black and white
Rich and poor
Gay and straight
Great and small
We are god’s children ALL!


I must have some live version of this song, I couldn't find these lyrics anywhere on-line, official or unofficial, but every time I hear it, I just get goosebumps.

Thought I'd share :)

Having my writing read

Ok, I've been in writing groups in the past, and shared my writing with my fellow poets/storytellers. I sometimes needed a bit of encouragement to read my stuff out loud, but I always knew when I was sharing my work, and with whom.

Since I'm blogging my NaNoWriMo novel, I know that people are able to read it at any given time. I've given out the address to my friends and family for encouragement and to show what I've been working on all month (while holed away in my little apartment).

It is still the most surreal thing to me that unbeknownst to me at the time, people are actually reading it, and hearing a friend tell me that she wanted to shake one of my characters and say "Look, lady, you need to back off!" is both encouraging and so strange to me. I like it a lot, I think it's such a great medium to share practically instantly with the community. Still, it's strange to get a call from my mother at 10:30 at night asking if the different entrys are just very short chapters or what... But really cool to hear people talking about my work.

I can't wait to get back into the writing group groove again and read my fellow author's stuff, this is so encouraging, so fascinating, oh, I'm so tired.

Ni ni.

Huzzah!!

Ok, I reached 30,000 words tonight. *YAY*

Must sleep now, no fill pen first then sleep. Blessed sleep.