Just because this song's been on my mind lately, here are the lyrics for Single by Natasha Bedingfield. I think every woman should listen to the words and pay heed - especially the young women among us who think they need a man to be a whole person. (It wasn't until I got over that thinking that I found the man who was right for me. One whole person meeting another whole person.)
Single
Ah yeah that's right
All you single people out there
This is for you
I'm not waitin' around for a man to save me
(Cos I'm happy where I am)
Don't depend on a guy to validate me
(No no)
I don't need to be anyone's baby
(Is that so hard to understand?)
No I don't need another half to make me whole
Make your move if you want doesn't mean I will or won't
I'm free to make my mind up you either got it or you don't
[Chorus:]
This is my current single status
My declaration of independence
There's no way I'm tradin' places
Right now a star's in the ascendant
I'm single
(Right now)
That's how I wanna be
I'm single
(Right now)
That's how I wanna be
Ah yeah Uh Huh that's right
Don't need to be on somebody's arm to look good
(I like who I am)
I'm not saying I don't wanna fall in love 'cos I would
I'm not gonna get hooked up just 'cos you say I should
(Can't romance on demand)
I'm gonna wait so I'm sorry if you misunderstood
[Chorus]
Everything in it's right time everything in it's right place
I know I'll settle down one day
But 'til then I like it this way it's my way
Eh I like it this way
Make your move if you want doesn't mean I will or won't
I'm free to make my mind up you either got it or you don't
'Til then I'm single
This is my current single status
My declaration of independence
There's no way I'm tradin' places
Right now a star's in the ascendant
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Picture Pause w/ Attitude
I shot this pic this morning. This is a Cooper's Hawk - w/ attitude.
"Are you talkin' to me? Are YOU talkin' to ME??"
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Giving Up on Books
Before any of you start encouraging me to hang in there, I'm talking about books I bought to read - not ones I'm writing. I just couldn't think of a better title for this post. If you came here thinking I was about to throw in the towel, I apologize.
Now if you've been here any length of time, you might know that I'm tight with the fundage. If not, let me explain something. I hate wasting money. I lurk around the sale bins at my grocery store. I become vulture-like at the local thrift stores. I even stalk the library's discard room for bargains.This makes it even harder for me to give up on a book I paid full price for.
Imagine if I paid full price for two out of three books in a trilogy. Oh the horror.
Okay, here's what happened. About a year ago, I bought a bunch of books at a 30% off sale. I just grabbed titles and threw them into my basket. If it looked interesting, it was in there. (Because, you know, the only thing I like better than saving money is spending it at a good sale.) When I got home, Darling Daughter pointed out that one of the books I bought was the third in a trilogy.
Not a problem, I thought. I'll just give it a whirl and see if I actually NEED to read the others to see what's going on. I got about halfway through the first chapter when I felt like I was lost. The writing seemed sound for a third book and I figured it wasn't the writing, it was me. So I bought the other two books, thinking I'd gobble those down and read the third. Get caught up, ya know.
I sat down today to read the first book in the series last week. I tried. The starting premise was awesome. The writing was pretty good. And then the author took the whole starting premise, threw it out the window and inserted another premise. Okay, I thought maybe the two premises would run side by side. Umm, if they do, I couldn't tell by chapter 8 when I flat gave up.
I guess it wasn't me needing to catch up by reading the other two books. This author's style really just kind of throws things out there and hope the reader catches it - preferably like a lightly tossed ball rather than a cannonball to the face.
It might be me. I can be kinda thick sometimes. On occasion, it takes me a bit to catch the drift of things. And then again, maybe it was the author.
Anyway, I hate to just give up. I tried. Really I did. Like I said, I got all the way to chapter 8 when I just couldn't take it anymore. The whole first 8 chapters were a hot mess I couldn't follow. This is, of course, entirely my opinion. Someone out there must be reading these books. Otherwise, there wouldn't be three. Right?
And this person isn't a three book wonder. They've written other books in other series. They've got a following. They're probably awesome and glittery with shining bank statements and a throbbing fan base. This series just didn't blow my skirt up.
I'm out like $20 - which sucks - but them's the breaks. At least I found one awesome author during that bargain sale last year - Nancy A. Collins and her totally incredible Right Hand Magic (Left Hand Magic due out later this year).
Unfortunately, I'm also left with another entire untried trilogy by a completely different person that I'm now afraid to start. Still, if I had it to do all over again, I'd throw books into my basket in wild abandon. After all, if you never try anything new, your brain stagnates. (I heard a news report about a study once that said something like that, so it's like scientific and junk.)
Ever spent a chunk of your book-buying budget only to hate the books you bought? How did that make you feel? Pull up a couch cushion and tell me all about it. (Just don't use any names or titles or describe the plot so everyone knows which books you're talking about anyway. That's just mean. And please note I didn't give names, titles or even gender. Don't ask. I'm not trying to hurt anyone here. I'm just trying to release some frustration without causing injury.)
Now if you've been here any length of time, you might know that I'm tight with the fundage. If not, let me explain something. I hate wasting money. I lurk around the sale bins at my grocery store. I become vulture-like at the local thrift stores. I even stalk the library's discard room for bargains.This makes it even harder for me to give up on a book I paid full price for.
Imagine if I paid full price for two out of three books in a trilogy. Oh the horror.
Okay, here's what happened. About a year ago, I bought a bunch of books at a 30% off sale. I just grabbed titles and threw them into my basket. If it looked interesting, it was in there. (Because, you know, the only thing I like better than saving money is spending it at a good sale.) When I got home, Darling Daughter pointed out that one of the books I bought was the third in a trilogy.
Not a problem, I thought. I'll just give it a whirl and see if I actually NEED to read the others to see what's going on. I got about halfway through the first chapter when I felt like I was lost. The writing seemed sound for a third book and I figured it wasn't the writing, it was me. So I bought the other two books, thinking I'd gobble those down and read the third. Get caught up, ya know.
I sat down today to read the first book in the series last week. I tried. The starting premise was awesome. The writing was pretty good. And then the author took the whole starting premise, threw it out the window and inserted another premise. Okay, I thought maybe the two premises would run side by side. Umm, if they do, I couldn't tell by chapter 8 when I flat gave up.
I guess it wasn't me needing to catch up by reading the other two books. This author's style really just kind of throws things out there and hope the reader catches it - preferably like a lightly tossed ball rather than a cannonball to the face.
It might be me. I can be kinda thick sometimes. On occasion, it takes me a bit to catch the drift of things. And then again, maybe it was the author.
Anyway, I hate to just give up. I tried. Really I did. Like I said, I got all the way to chapter 8 when I just couldn't take it anymore. The whole first 8 chapters were a hot mess I couldn't follow. This is, of course, entirely my opinion. Someone out there must be reading these books. Otherwise, there wouldn't be three. Right?
And this person isn't a three book wonder. They've written other books in other series. They've got a following. They're probably awesome and glittery with shining bank statements and a throbbing fan base. This series just didn't blow my skirt up.
I'm out like $20 - which sucks - but them's the breaks. At least I found one awesome author during that bargain sale last year - Nancy A. Collins and her totally incredible Right Hand Magic (Left Hand Magic due out later this year).
Unfortunately, I'm also left with another entire untried trilogy by a completely different person that I'm now afraid to start. Still, if I had it to do all over again, I'd throw books into my basket in wild abandon. After all, if you never try anything new, your brain stagnates. (I heard a news report about a study once that said something like that, so it's like scientific and junk.)
Ever spent a chunk of your book-buying budget only to hate the books you bought? How did that make you feel? Pull up a couch cushion and tell me all about it. (Just don't use any names or titles or describe the plot so everyone knows which books you're talking about anyway. That's just mean. And please note I didn't give names, titles or even gender. Don't ask. I'm not trying to hurt anyone here. I'm just trying to release some frustration without causing injury.)
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Best Laid Plans
Okay, so maybe I jumped the gun thinking now that Ki's off to school, I could have all this free time to write and clean and generally get stuff done.
Ya, right.
I'm still in the thick of things with the kid. (I know you're reading this. Don't apologize. It's my job as 'the mama'.) We've talked via phone or chat several times a day, burning through cell minutes like they were peanut M&Ms. I don't mind, really. I'd rather take a few hours of my life to make sure she's getting what she needs to succeed than not. (After all, that's why I went with homeschooling. Yep, I'm the mama.)
Anyway, I did manage to get pages back to my crit partner (yeah, we've gone past beta reading into critting) and look through the notes she sent me. BTW, I'm loving what's she's pointing out. This book will be so much better because of her.
I also managed to get some words re-typed into UEQ. So it's not all bad. It sure as hell better than I've done since June. So, I'm calling it a win. (Okay, maybe an honorable mention. LOL)
What thing hasn't turned out as well as you'd hoped, but that ought to be a win anyway?
And, btw, nothing's a fail if you keep trying. I may not be doing the schedule I posted earlier, but I'm not giving up. As I told my CP this morning - Never give up. Never surrender.*
*Shameless stolen from Galaxy Quest.
Ya, right.
Anyway, I did manage to get pages back to my crit partner (yeah, we've gone past beta reading into critting) and look through the notes she sent me. BTW, I'm loving what's she's pointing out. This book will be so much better because of her.
I also managed to get some words re-typed into UEQ. So it's not all bad. It sure as hell better than I've done since June. So, I'm calling it a win. (Okay, maybe an honorable mention. LOL)
What thing hasn't turned out as well as you'd hoped, but that ought to be a win anyway?
And, btw, nothing's a fail if you keep trying. I may not be doing the schedule I posted earlier, but I'm not giving up. As I told my CP this morning - Never give up. Never surrender.*
*Shameless stolen from Galaxy Quest.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Call for Positive Thoughts
Author Rob Thurman was in a car accident recently and is in critical condition. Send whatever thoughts, vibes and energy you can her way. If nothing else, go buy her books and show you care. (They're awesome and totally worth the money, even if you don't know her work enough to actually feel for her.)
If you're not familiar with Rob (short for Robyn), she writes urban fantasy. Currently, she has three different series working - 1) Cal Leandros, 2) Trickster, and 3) Chimera. Her second book in the Chimera series - Basilisk - just released. It sucks that during this time when she should be celebrating her sales and her career, she's clinging to life.
Hang in there, Rob. The world needs you.
8/25/11: Update - she's not doing any better, but if you want to do something, the post tells you what you can do to help.
8/26/11: Update - a slight improvement. Keep sending those positive thoughts. Rob has to pull through.
8/28/11 - Update - another small step forward. Rob's off the ventilator. Yay!
8/29/11 - Update - BIG step forward. Hooray!!
8/30/11 - Update - Rob is holding steady.
If you're not familiar with Rob (short for Robyn), she writes urban fantasy. Currently, she has three different series working - 1) Cal Leandros, 2) Trickster, and 3) Chimera. Her second book in the Chimera series - Basilisk - just released. It sucks that during this time when she should be celebrating her sales and her career, she's clinging to life.
Hang in there, Rob. The world needs you.
8/25/11: Update - she's not doing any better, but if you want to do something, the post tells you what you can do to help.
8/26/11: Update - a slight improvement. Keep sending those positive thoughts. Rob has to pull through.
8/28/11 - Update - another small step forward. Rob's off the ventilator. Yay!
8/29/11 - Update - BIG step forward. Hooray!!
8/30/11 - Update - Rob is holding steady.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Getting Back to Work
I promised myself that once I got the kid off to school, I'd get back to work. Umm, it didn't happen on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. (Other than sending notes on another writer's work, that is.) I'm not flagellating myself over the lapse yet. Instead I sat down this evening and worked up a general schedule for myself.
(Subject to change as needed, of course.)
Wake up - When Hubs leaves for work = online stuff (ie blogs, FB, Twitter, etc.)
Hubs Leaving - 10am = personal stuff (errands, phone calls, cleaning, etc.)
10 - Hubs home for lunch = rewriting UEQ
Lunch
Hubs back to work until 2pm = research, catch up, miscellaneous writerly stuff
2-4pm = TV time (Okay, who am I kidding? This is my Grey's Anatomy time.)
4-Hubs home = beta reading, critiquing for others
Hubs home - 7pm = dinner, relax time, dishes
7pm-9pm = editing on Djinnocide (depending on crit notes) or new words on another project
This will be solid, but fluid - like jello. If I need to slip something in somewhere, I've got time. Or if my personal junk takes less time, I can slide some more writing time in. The idea is to get at least two hours of writerly stuff in before lunch and another 2 hrs in before bed - with at least an hour to take care of my crit commitments - every day but Sunday. Then I've got Sunday to catch up or get ahead as needed. 4 hrs a day 6 days a week. Doable. Totally.
We'll see if my expectations meet with reality or if they collide in some writerly train wreck. Keep your fingers crossed.
(Subject to change as needed, of course.)
Wake up - When Hubs leaves for work = online stuff (ie blogs, FB, Twitter, etc.)
Hubs Leaving - 10am = personal stuff (errands, phone calls, cleaning, etc.)
10 - Hubs home for lunch = rewriting UEQ
Lunch
Hubs back to work until 2pm = research, catch up, miscellaneous writerly stuff
2-4pm = TV time (Okay, who am I kidding? This is my Grey's Anatomy time.)
4-Hubs home = beta reading, critiquing for others
Hubs home - 7pm = dinner, relax time, dishes
7pm-9pm = editing on Djinnocide (depending on crit notes) or new words on another project
This will be solid, but fluid - like jello. If I need to slip something in somewhere, I've got time. Or if my personal junk takes less time, I can slide some more writing time in. The idea is to get at least two hours of writerly stuff in before lunch and another 2 hrs in before bed - with at least an hour to take care of my crit commitments - every day but Sunday. Then I've got Sunday to catch up or get ahead as needed. 4 hrs a day 6 days a week. Doable. Totally.
We'll see if my expectations meet with reality or if they collide in some writerly train wreck. Keep your fingers crossed.
Friday, August 19, 2011
She's Gone
Well, I did it. I left my daughter at CSU yesterday.
What a day. We left here at 6:30am and I arrived back home at 7pm. Along the way, we dealt with long lines, full elevators, 7 flights of stairs and what I thought was too much stuff (until I saw how much her roommate brought). My brain was wrecked by the time I got home.
My body is wrecked this morning.
On the bright side, her room is really nice and the view is to die for (pics later). Her roommate seems like a good person and I met the girl's father - who seems stable - so that worry is lessened. Her mentor is really cool and they have a lot in common. The resident advisor for her floor reminds me of my first RA - which is a good thing. Chris (my RA) was awesome and is the person who introduced me to Monty Python.
When I left her at 4, we were in such a whirlwind, we barely had time to hug. She had a meeting to get to and I had to get the hell out of the city before rush hour drowned me. On the long drive home, I kept expecting to break down. I mean, I just dumped my baby in the middle of a sea of people. I deserted her. But I didn't feel anything except that a weight was off my shoulders.
I mean, it was a long road getting her to this point. And I've been angsting over this for months. I should feel some relief that this part of the trial is over, right? I'm allowed that.
Last night, as I was getting ready to dragged my wrecked butt to bed, I passed the stairwell down to my daughter's room. That did it. That little act of passing the stairs instead of stopping, switching on the light and calling down "Night, Ki!" Well, that undid me.
The relief is gone. And now I'm trying not to cry. My little girl isn't so little anymore. In fact, she isn't little at all. She's a grown woman, out in the world for the first time. She'll do fine, but I miss her. Who am I gonna dish the dirt with now? Who am I gonna look at something cute or funny or disturbed with now?
Who am I gonna call down the stairs to?
And if you're reading this, Ki? Unpack your dufflebag already (the blue one, not the white bag). I left something in there for you. Oh, and read your email - you have a mandatory get together at the COB.
See? I'm can't stop calling down the stairs - even when the stairs are 3 hrs away.
What a day. We left here at 6:30am and I arrived back home at 7pm. Along the way, we dealt with long lines, full elevators, 7 flights of stairs and what I thought was too much stuff (until I saw how much her roommate brought). My brain was wrecked by the time I got home.
My body is wrecked this morning.
On the bright side, her room is really nice and the view is to die for (pics later). Her roommate seems like a good person and I met the girl's father - who seems stable - so that worry is lessened. Her mentor is really cool and they have a lot in common. The resident advisor for her floor reminds me of my first RA - which is a good thing. Chris (my RA) was awesome and is the person who introduced me to Monty Python.
When I left her at 4, we were in such a whirlwind, we barely had time to hug. She had a meeting to get to and I had to get the hell out of the city before rush hour drowned me. On the long drive home, I kept expecting to break down. I mean, I just dumped my baby in the middle of a sea of people. I deserted her. But I didn't feel anything except that a weight was off my shoulders.
I mean, it was a long road getting her to this point. And I've been angsting over this for months. I should feel some relief that this part of the trial is over, right? I'm allowed that.
Last night, as I was getting ready to dragged my wrecked butt to bed, I passed the stairwell down to my daughter's room. That did it. That little act of passing the stairs instead of stopping, switching on the light and calling down "Night, Ki!" Well, that undid me.
The relief is gone. And now I'm trying not to cry. My little girl isn't so little anymore. In fact, she isn't little at all. She's a grown woman, out in the world for the first time. She'll do fine, but I miss her. Who am I gonna dish the dirt with now? Who am I gonna look at something cute or funny or disturbed with now?
Who am I gonna call down the stairs to?
And if you're reading this, Ki? Unpack your dufflebag already (the blue one, not the white bag). I left something in there for you. Oh, and read your email - you have a mandatory get together at the COB.
See? I'm can't stop calling down the stairs - even when the stairs are 3 hrs away.
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