Motivation

We had our first writing group of the year at my house today (after a mishap on the ice - banged up my knee). We talked about writing, looked at some old journals (some very old) and discussed motivation.

What motivates your characters? Why do they do what they do? Making the writing about the characters makes for more interesting and more unique writing (not just rehashing something that has been written before and probably better). I've been thinking about writing more lately, not to push it (though I want to finish NaNo 2007 to be printed and 2008 cuz it was a cool story). I'm going to work on motivation (both my characters and my own). Inject some fresh perspective.

First I'm going to get a cheeseburger (sorry Smashburger) for lunch and take another handful of ibuprofen. And watch some NetFlix. But never fear, I will get some writing done - even if it's just writing about everyone's motivation.

Holiday Update

We had Christmas dinner for my family at my house this year. Mom came up several times to set up the table and decorate and help spiff up the house for the big event. The menu consisted of a bevy of appetizers (including my favorite beefy dip on rosemary olive oil Triscuits), holiday candies, walnut and cranberry salad, roast beef, ham, potato leek au gratin with Gruyere cheese, green beans with almonds, pumpkin bread, banana bread, and of course pie (pecan and pumpkin). And I think we could have fed twice as many people and still had leftovers.

All in all it was a lovely evening, my family liked my new house (this was the first official entertainment, although Jeff was officially my first and only guest up till now). My brilliant cousin K came in from Brazil (she's a principal of an international private school) after a harrowing experience with the airlines (she spent the night in Dulles airport before catching a plane to Denver, effectively skipping her side trip to Montreal).

Friday, we went up to my Aunt's house for sandwiches and fish chowder (which was excellent). Little Miss had a showing of Wall-E for me and Mom, which was at times very sweet and very sad. I snapped pics of Little Miss and her Auntie K in their matching hats (you can guess who made them). It was fun, and relatively low key.

Today, walking and playing in the freezing cold. Had fun swinging and sliding with Jeff behind the camera. Still coming home wobbly in the knees, but getting better and having fun. Got a picture of some sort of hawk and saw a couple of flocks of geese flying over (no pics of those).

Christmas Party Tonight!

Wow, it's December and it's getting on toward the holiday season. Mom apparently had 3 Christmas parties this week alone! One of them is going to be my work party tonight, and I'm waiting for my nails to dry (yes and typing at the same time, I'm strange that way).

Today was a good day, Jeff came over this morning and we went walking in the neighborhood and ended up walking about 4 miles. He brought a little yappy dog (I love terriers!) and she was very well behaved and had a great time chasing ice chunks we kicked down the path.

So, I'm tired, but I know more about my neighborhood than I did before (including where the nearest recycling center is!) Not bad for a Saturday.

Ok time to go shower and do my hair. Then I'm going to eat and drink just a little too much and enjoy the party.

Not giving up

Ok, I'm really, REALLY behind on NaNoWriMo this weekend. I haven't written nearly anything I should have in the past several days.

But I'm not giving up. I'm considering resetting my goals, but still working to finish the story. Whatever it may turn out to be.

Here we go again!

All or Nothing?

If you love someone, let them go. If they come back they're yours. If they don't, they never really were in the first place.


I'm not sure if this is true; it seems counterintuitive. But I definitely am trying to let go, to take a step or two back and just breathe.

It's hard, though. It feels like I have a hole in my heart.

[W]hy do they always teach us that it's easy and evil to do what we want and that we need discipline to restrain ourselves? It's the hardest thing in the world--to do what we want. And it takes the greatest kind of courage. I mean what we really want.

The Fountainhead, Ayn Rand

NaNoWriMo week 1

Ok, this week has been a bit rough and I'm paying for it now in my wordcount. Here's the plan, I'm getting up early to write, and going to write. Going to bed later, after writing. Thinking about the novel and the plot and my characters, and not other things I cannot control.

Sounds good, sounds like a plan.

Hope I can stick to it.

One minute you’re waiting for the sky to fall
The next you're dazzled by the beauty of it all

Nothing worth having comes without some kind of fight
Got to kick at the darkness 'til it bleeds daylight

- Lovers in a Dangerous Time - Barenaked Ladies

Hope and perspective

For all the world, the stars aligned and everything fit perfectly.

Perfection isn't possible, not for me, though I continually strive for it. I know that in my mind, but my heart often feels different and that if just I could reach that perfection I would be happy.

It's not about being happy, it's not about having everything fit, but it is about my heart. I want to say it is fresh and unblemished, but like everyone, I've been hurt, I've opened myself and been turned aside. I've not said things I should say, things I feel and things I mean, deeply in my heart.

But if my silence made you leave
Then that would be my worst mistake
So I will share this room with you
And you can have this heart to break
- Billy Joel "And So It Goes"

My regrets are few, but all have to do with what I have not done, not what I chose to do.

My deepest hope is to share my love with someone who loves me back. He does love me. Where this ends is anyone's guess, but I have hope.

When in joy, energy swirls
chaotic and divine
to capture fleeting moments
of ecstasy, contentment
more agonizing
than spilling blood as ink
when in despair

Change in the weather

So it's rained last night, and my furnace came on for the first time in the new house. I'm wrapped up on one of my blankets and am thinking strongly of crawling back into bed under my warm down comforter.

I got the crocheting bug last night and started a new project with a new stitch. So far it's turning out very nice.

Listening to my newest mix and it's making me smile. Buddy Holly, Alanis, Dixie Chicks, and many others making a special space in my environment.

Kittens are tussling, too early for that...

Another quiz or two

Couldn't resist... got the quiz bug I guess...

Your Political Profile:

Overall: 45% Conservative, 55% Liberal Social Issues: 25% Conservative, 75% Liberal Personal Responsibility: 25% Conservative, 75% Liberal Fiscal Issues: 75% Conservative, 25% Liberal Ethics: 0% Conservative, 100% Liberal Defense and Crime: 100% Conservative, 0% Liberal

How Liberal Or Conservative Are You?

What Your Driving Says About You

You are generally an easy going, laid back person. However, you can't help but feel a little jealous and competitive sometimes! You are a fairly aware person, but you can't help but make judgment errors from time to time. You'd like to think you're a fair person, but you occasionally think you deserve a special kind of justice. You can be a rather tense, grouchy person - but you try to maintain your dignity. You have the utmost respect for authority figures. You feel that rules - and their enforcement - are important. You are somewhat focused, but you are also a bit scatterbrained. Distractions can get you in trouble. You are a very responsible and conscientious person. You often consider the feelings and needs of others. Your ego is a healthy size. You don't think you're more important than anyone else.

What Does Your Driving Say About You?

Taking Quizzes

Long day cleaning and unpacking. Taking some time to poke around on the intarweb and take some quizzes. Interesting results...

I love the autumn...

Your Autumn Test Results

You are a dynamic, vibrant person. You aren't afraid to pursue your passions. When you are happiest, you are calm. You appreciate tradition and family. You enjoy feeling cozy. You tend to be afraid of change. You are never ready for things to be different. You find solitude to be the most comforting thing in the world. Being alone with your thoughts feels very peaceful. Your ideal day is active and full. You like to keep busy with your favorite things, and you appreciate a routine. You are very impatient. You spend more time waiting for something than actually enjoying it.

The Autumn Test

With the upcoming national election, I thought I'd take a few political quizzes. The next two are parody items, just for fun but I couldn't resist taking both... Obviously I'm 20% something else... hrm...

You Are 8% Republican

If you have anything in common with the Republican party, it's by sheer chance. You're a staunch liberal, and nothing is going to change that!

How Republican Are You?

You Are 72% Democrat

You have a good deal of donkey running through your blood, and you're proud to be liberal. You don't fit every Democrat stereotype, but you definitely belong in the Democrat party.

How Democrat Are You?

And a relationship quiz to round out the day:

Your True Love Is a Cancer

Why you'll love a Cancer: Cancer's loyal and sincere heart makes your own sensitive heart melt. Caring and devoted, a Cancer will take the lead in pursuing you - and not give up! Why a Cancer will love you: You're laid back enough to deal with Cancer's little mood swings and freak-outs. A fellow homebody, you know how make Cancer comfortable and at home with you.

What Sign Is Your True Love?

Move Update

Well, it was a very successful day moving. Glender and DJ came over while Clark and I were filling up his truck. (GirlZoot did not make it due to her busy schedule but I'm looking forward to perhaps seeing her tomorrow).

We ran one run over then I headed out to pick up my car with the dolly in it (didn't drive after my cocktails last night). We had lunch and DJ took off to his regularly scheduled weekend. Glender, Mom, Clark, and I went down into the basement (crawl space really) to check out the insulation situation (on walls but not on ceiling. I got the cash for Glender I owed her, and she helped us load up Clark's truck and Mom's car again before leaving.

After several more loads, Clark and I are much better acquainted (I rode with him as navigator each trip and helped load and unload) and the apartment looks mostly moved except the major furniture and some odds and ends (kitchen stuff, food in fridge, freezer and pantry, bike, cleaning supplies, etc).

The drywall in the garage has been repaired and the cabinets look amazing in the garage and the medicine cabinet is installed. Whoot!

It appears that most of my stuff (except the furniture, will fit in the garage as a launch zone. The furniture moves on Monday and the freezer arrives Tuesday morning.

Fun fun fun! I'm so excited!

The big move

Today starts a marathon of moving in my world. Well, actually, last night did, when after a few cocktails for me, Clark and I put together two sets of industrial shelves and moved two other shelves (the latter with Mom's help) to fill out my shelving needs. Whee, I've got a ton of storage space now, and will fill it before the day is through.

Today, Clark's coming back to help move the rest of the garage and small items out of my apartment. He will be joined by my faithful friends Glender and DJ, with a possible cameo appearance by GirlZoot. Mom already has snacks and sandwich fixings at the new place and we're raring to go. Except that I'm currently still in my PJs waiting for the dry wall dude to show up. Cabinet man never showed. He said call if it was a no go, so we didn't call.

Sunday, Toni and Ange, two of my bowling buddies, are going to come over and bat cleanup for any remaining stuff. Amazing!

Monday the movers come and bring the furniture and books, and any other large heavy things (like the TV, which I suppose is sort of furniture, but sort of not).

Neways, exciting days ahead. Once moved, we've got the old apartment to clean, then all the boxes to UNpack after we so carefully packed them. Fun times all around. Luckily I have the entire week off.

And Wednesday, I've decided we're going bowling in the evening. Just to get out of the house.

O Frabjous Day!

Today's the day!

I'm signing on my new home and I have two pens ready, one that's comfy and the other if they need blue ink. Ok, so I'm a pen dork. but hey, whatever gets you through the day.

Tonight, after I've signed my life away, I will be a homeowner. Next great adventure!

Lyrics in my head

Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off

She said I’m going out with my girlfriends
Margaritas at the Holiday Inn
Oh have mercy, my only thought
was tequila makes her clothes fall off

I told her put an extra layer on
I know what happens when she drinks Patron
Her closet’s missing half the things she’s bought
Yeah, tequila makes her clothes fall off.

She’ll start by kicking out of her shoes
lose an earring in her drink
leave her jacket in a bathroom stall
drop a contact down the sink

Them pantyhose ain’t gonna last too long
if the DJ puts Bon Jovi on
she’s might come home in a table cloth
yeah, tequila makes her clothes fall off.

She can handle any Champaign brunch
Bridal shower with Bacardi punch
Jell-o shooters full of Smirnoff
But tequila makes her clothes fall off

She’ll start by kicking out of her shoes
lose an earring in her drink
leave her jacket in a bathroom stall
drop a contact down the sink

She don’t mean nothing she’s just having fun
Tomorrow she’ll say oh what have I done?
Her friends will joke about the stuff she lost
yeah, tequila makes her clothes fall off
oh, tequila makes her clothes fall off
Oh, tequila makes her clothes fall off

Good luck in Brooklyn, boys!

NY Cake
Originally uploaded by Arcadiajoy

Tuesday, Shaych and Valium left Colorado for their next adventure in New York. Sunday, they had a little soirée at Rumba in Denver. The picture is from there.

Good luck, boys! Not that you need it, you've always made your own luck. I'll miss you both! Until I can get back there for a visit.

Quick hello

Been busy running around looking at houses. I'll update when I have more info, but having fun in a kind of scary, hair flying in my face kind of way.

I just finished Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. Fun.

I've got this whole stream of consciousness going but nothing coming out on screen so I'm signing off. G'night.

Canyon Man

Girlzoot showed me Ritch Shydner probably 10 years ago and I loved this bit. Just found it on YouTube. Love me some YouTube...