Happy Halloween, everybody.
In my humble opinion, it sure ain't what it used to be.
One of my favorite comedians is Heywood Banks of Bob and Tom fame. He has a Halloween song that about sums it all up: it's hard to be scary at four in the afternoon. We've watered down a holiday in the fear that someone will be offended. Now granted, this is a celebration of the icky, the spooky and the dead, but it doesn't have to be.
I just read an article about how it is mathematically impossible for vampires to be real. Okaay. Kinda sad when we have to be told this, isn't it? You'd think that after all these years, someone would have found proof somewhere about vampires, werewolves, monsters, etc. It is FICTION. Granted, it is fun fiction. I am huge Buffy/Angel, Charmed, and Supernatural fan. Not a big horror movie fan though. More like spooky-lite. I know that is probably a cop out to the die-hard fans out there, but that's where my comfort level is.
Back to Halloween. Schools can't have Halloween parties anymore. Parents have the check out the candy before the kids eat it. Some places offer free x-rays for the candy. Some people look at you like you are a Satan worshipper if you even talk about Halloween. You can't adopt a black cat around Halloween. Those things are even scarier to me than the day itself. Sad, sad, sad.
Sometimes I think the best way to remove the negativity from something is to make it into something so ridiculous that it becomes trivial. Costumes aren't just about monsters, ghosts and witches. There isn't anything really scary about a ballerina or a cowboy or a pretty princess. We buy costumes for our pet's now, for pete's sake. Trust me, my dog is none to happy about that particular development but I can't seem to help myself.
I love dressing up. A pirate, an 80's flashback, a gypsy - all big favorites of mine. I had a friend in high school whose birthday was around Halloween and every year she threw a big costume party. Puns and wacky costumes were always the biggest hits. My father is threatening to dress up like a Chick Magnet - a black sweatsuit covered with little rubber chicks. Gee, great Dad. My father the Chick Magnet. Remind me to stand over here ...
Now I also do believe there is genuine evil in the world, but I hardly think that handing out candy to a bunch of kids dressed as M&Ms is going to be the end of the world as we know it. Take back the night and put the scary stuff back where it belongs - in the stuff of stories and urban legends. Line up the angels and superheroes next to the villians and see who outnumbers who.
Every once in a while I think we need the darkness to see the light.
Have a safe and Happy Halloween!
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Friday, October 27, 2006
Audience Participation - Opening Scene
I'm looking for a little help here. I have two versions of an opening scene, but I've been knee deep in them for so long, I've lost my perspective. If you are so inclined, give these a read and tell me which one works better for you.
This is the opening scene for a historical romance set in approximately 1890 in New England.
Thanks for your help!
Version I
Sixteen year-old Bethany Spencer’s world just tilted on its axis.
She could not catch her breath. She felt dizzy, off balance. She floated several inches above the ground. Birds were singing. The sun was shining. In fact, Bethany would not have been surprised if a choir of heavenly hosts began to sing. Not a single rational thought existed in her muddled brain.
Her first kiss was everything she ever dreamed of and more. Of course, in the hands of Tyler St. James, there was no doubt in her mind it would be anything less than wonderful.
She finished her morning ride and stopped at the pond that bordered the lands between her home and Tyler’s. As she stood along the railing in the gazebo that overlooked the water, Tyler appeared. This in itself was not that uncommon as the gazebo was shared by both their families and she and Tyler frequently met here when they rode together, although not as much of late. With the young ladies of town falling under the spell of dark hair and mesmerizing green eyes, Tyler and his twin brother Derrick were well on their way to becoming an out and out scoundrels. Lately Tyler spent most of his time chasing one skirt or another while ignoring the skirt of the girl had known nearly his entire life. That is, until this very moment.
It was several moments after he set her back on her feet that her senses returned. She blinked her adoring eyes several times up at his, finally focusing on the rather smug look on his handsome face.
“Surprised you, didn’t I?” he said, extraordinarily full of himself.
She barely trusted herself to speak, so she kept her words simple. “Why?”
“Why did I kiss you? I don’t know, really. It just seemed like the thing to do.”
He just kissed her and he didn’t know why. Some of her elation began to dissipate. Not that she expected a declaration of undying love or anything, but something would have been nice.
“Like the thing to do?” she repeated.
“Yes. It is a wonderful day. A wonderful day and I’ve received wonderful news.” He was in constant motion around her, unable to constrain his enthusiasm.
“What good news?” she asked, suddenly wary.
“You may be the first to congratulate me, Beth. I am officially engaged to be married.”
She stilled. Her breath lodged itself within her throat and there seemed to be a rather real pain in her heart from the metaphorical knife stabbing her there.
“Married,” she managed to croak. This was not news she expected to hear. After all, she rather planned to marry him herself, eventually. Of course, he did not seem to know this.
“Yes! I am engaged to the most beautiful girl in all the world.”
Lovely. The knife in her heart began to twist. “Who … who is the lucky lady?”
“Miss Julia Dobbs.”
And the knife stabbed home for the killing blow.
“Julia Dobbs. Blond haired, blue-eyed Julia Dobbs?” Viper-tongued, evil eyed, don’t-trust-her-as-far-as-you-can-throw-her Julia Dobbs? She began to see him in shades of red. And scarlett. And crimson.
His grin went ear to ear. “That’s the one.”
To her utter amazement, her voice showed no reflection of the upheaval she felt erupting inside. “So, you asked her to marry you, she accepted, and you celebrate by giving me a kiss.”
Something in her tone pierced through his euphoric haze. He sat upon the railing, pushing his dark hair away from his eyes as he had let it grow unfashionably long. Again. “You are happy for me, aren’t you, Beth?”
“Words cannot describe it. I can think of only one thing that could possibly top my day.”
He smiled. “What is that?” he asked.
She marched right up to him and swung her fist, connecting solidly with his nose, exactly how he taught her. He fell backwards over the railing and into the flowerbed.
She then promptly yanked her skirts out of the way, turned on her heel, and marched back to her house. All in all, she thought she showed admirable restraint considering he just ruined her first kiss.
And their lifelong friendship pretty much went to hell in a handbasket after that.
******************************************************
Version II
Sixteen year-old Bethany Spencer’s world just tilted on its axis.
She could not catch her breath. She felt dizzy, off balance. Not a single rational thought existed in her muddled brain.
Her throbbing hand finally gathered her attention, as did the colorful bout of swearing coming from the other side of the gazebo railing, most likely from bushes. She shook her hand in the air, hoping the tingling would stop soon. Apparently today was going to be marked as a series of firsts for her. It was the first time she had been kissed. It was also the first time she ever hit someone in the nose.
Her first kiss was everything she ever dreamed of and more. Of course, in the hands of Tyler St. James, there was little doubt in her mind it would be nothing short of wonderful. She was still undecided on the hitting part.
Tyler was a scoundrel, as was his twin brother Derrick. That particular fact never bothered her until now.
“What the devil has gotten into you?” she heard Tyler demand from somewhere within the bushes.
Honestly, she could not say. All her life she strived to be the perfect daughter, the perfect image of respectability. However, when your hell-raising neighbors nickname you “Perfect” and torment you constantly, it gets to be somewhat tiresome. At some point, something would have to give.
She did not plan to fall in love with Tyler. It just happened. He was perfect (well, except for the scoundrel part) and completely the opposite of his annoying brother Derrick. She refused to do anything that let Tyler know her feelings, of course. She rather hoped that one day he would figure it out for himself, he would shed his scandalous ways, and they would marry, living in perfect harmony.
Then he went and ruined it all by announcing he was going to marry. And not just anyone either. He was going to marry Julia Dobbs, the bane of her existence.
“Bethany! Blast it, I think you broke my nose!”
Unbeknownst to either of their fathers, Bethany blackmailed Tyler into some less than proper lessons. He taught her how to shoot a pistol and how to throw a knife. She was an excellent horsewoman and rode nearly as well as he did. He even taught her how to defend herself in case she would ever be accosted. As if that would ever happen in their sleepy little town of Fairlane. It was all a part of her plan for him to fall in love with her.
What he didn’t realize was that she was studying him for more than lessons. She watched him flirt and cajole his way through the female population of Fairlane. She learned all the tells of a scoundrel in the making and committed them to memory. She knew if he preferred blondes or brunettes (blondes). She knew his favorite color (blue). She even knew the name of each and every girl he ever kissed (too many to mention – the cad!). Still it came as a complete surprise when he strode up to her this afternoon, pulling her into his arms, and kissed her.
And then told her he was getting married. To her.
She stepped right up to him and swung her fist, connecting solidly with his nose, exactly how he taught her. He fell backwards over the railing and into the flowerbed.
In fact, he was still sitting in the flower bed holding his nose. She felt a moment’s remorse for hitting him, but then she remembered why she had done so.
The scoundrel.
She yanked her skirts out of the way, turned on her heel, and marched back to her house. All in all, she thought she showed admirable restraint considering he just ruined her first kiss.
And their friendship pretty much went to hell in a handbasket after that.
This is the opening scene for a historical romance set in approximately 1890 in New England.
Thanks for your help!
Version I
Sixteen year-old Bethany Spencer’s world just tilted on its axis.
She could not catch her breath. She felt dizzy, off balance. She floated several inches above the ground. Birds were singing. The sun was shining. In fact, Bethany would not have been surprised if a choir of heavenly hosts began to sing. Not a single rational thought existed in her muddled brain.
Her first kiss was everything she ever dreamed of and more. Of course, in the hands of Tyler St. James, there was no doubt in her mind it would be anything less than wonderful.
She finished her morning ride and stopped at the pond that bordered the lands between her home and Tyler’s. As she stood along the railing in the gazebo that overlooked the water, Tyler appeared. This in itself was not that uncommon as the gazebo was shared by both their families and she and Tyler frequently met here when they rode together, although not as much of late. With the young ladies of town falling under the spell of dark hair and mesmerizing green eyes, Tyler and his twin brother Derrick were well on their way to becoming an out and out scoundrels. Lately Tyler spent most of his time chasing one skirt or another while ignoring the skirt of the girl had known nearly his entire life. That is, until this very moment.
It was several moments after he set her back on her feet that her senses returned. She blinked her adoring eyes several times up at his, finally focusing on the rather smug look on his handsome face.
“Surprised you, didn’t I?” he said, extraordinarily full of himself.
She barely trusted herself to speak, so she kept her words simple. “Why?”
“Why did I kiss you? I don’t know, really. It just seemed like the thing to do.”
He just kissed her and he didn’t know why. Some of her elation began to dissipate. Not that she expected a declaration of undying love or anything, but something would have been nice.
“Like the thing to do?” she repeated.
“Yes. It is a wonderful day. A wonderful day and I’ve received wonderful news.” He was in constant motion around her, unable to constrain his enthusiasm.
“What good news?” she asked, suddenly wary.
“You may be the first to congratulate me, Beth. I am officially engaged to be married.”
She stilled. Her breath lodged itself within her throat and there seemed to be a rather real pain in her heart from the metaphorical knife stabbing her there.
“Married,” she managed to croak. This was not news she expected to hear. After all, she rather planned to marry him herself, eventually. Of course, he did not seem to know this.
“Yes! I am engaged to the most beautiful girl in all the world.”
Lovely. The knife in her heart began to twist. “Who … who is the lucky lady?”
“Miss Julia Dobbs.”
And the knife stabbed home for the killing blow.
“Julia Dobbs. Blond haired, blue-eyed Julia Dobbs?” Viper-tongued, evil eyed, don’t-trust-her-as-far-as-you-can-throw-her Julia Dobbs? She began to see him in shades of red. And scarlett. And crimson.
His grin went ear to ear. “That’s the one.”
To her utter amazement, her voice showed no reflection of the upheaval she felt erupting inside. “So, you asked her to marry you, she accepted, and you celebrate by giving me a kiss.”
Something in her tone pierced through his euphoric haze. He sat upon the railing, pushing his dark hair away from his eyes as he had let it grow unfashionably long. Again. “You are happy for me, aren’t you, Beth?”
“Words cannot describe it. I can think of only one thing that could possibly top my day.”
He smiled. “What is that?” he asked.
She marched right up to him and swung her fist, connecting solidly with his nose, exactly how he taught her. He fell backwards over the railing and into the flowerbed.
She then promptly yanked her skirts out of the way, turned on her heel, and marched back to her house. All in all, she thought she showed admirable restraint considering he just ruined her first kiss.
And their lifelong friendship pretty much went to hell in a handbasket after that.
******************************************************
Version II
Sixteen year-old Bethany Spencer’s world just tilted on its axis.
She could not catch her breath. She felt dizzy, off balance. Not a single rational thought existed in her muddled brain.
Her throbbing hand finally gathered her attention, as did the colorful bout of swearing coming from the other side of the gazebo railing, most likely from bushes. She shook her hand in the air, hoping the tingling would stop soon. Apparently today was going to be marked as a series of firsts for her. It was the first time she had been kissed. It was also the first time she ever hit someone in the nose.
Her first kiss was everything she ever dreamed of and more. Of course, in the hands of Tyler St. James, there was little doubt in her mind it would be nothing short of wonderful. She was still undecided on the hitting part.
Tyler was a scoundrel, as was his twin brother Derrick. That particular fact never bothered her until now.
“What the devil has gotten into you?” she heard Tyler demand from somewhere within the bushes.
Honestly, she could not say. All her life she strived to be the perfect daughter, the perfect image of respectability. However, when your hell-raising neighbors nickname you “Perfect” and torment you constantly, it gets to be somewhat tiresome. At some point, something would have to give.
She did not plan to fall in love with Tyler. It just happened. He was perfect (well, except for the scoundrel part) and completely the opposite of his annoying brother Derrick. She refused to do anything that let Tyler know her feelings, of course. She rather hoped that one day he would figure it out for himself, he would shed his scandalous ways, and they would marry, living in perfect harmony.
Then he went and ruined it all by announcing he was going to marry. And not just anyone either. He was going to marry Julia Dobbs, the bane of her existence.
“Bethany! Blast it, I think you broke my nose!”
Unbeknownst to either of their fathers, Bethany blackmailed Tyler into some less than proper lessons. He taught her how to shoot a pistol and how to throw a knife. She was an excellent horsewoman and rode nearly as well as he did. He even taught her how to defend herself in case she would ever be accosted. As if that would ever happen in their sleepy little town of Fairlane. It was all a part of her plan for him to fall in love with her.
What he didn’t realize was that she was studying him for more than lessons. She watched him flirt and cajole his way through the female population of Fairlane. She learned all the tells of a scoundrel in the making and committed them to memory. She knew if he preferred blondes or brunettes (blondes). She knew his favorite color (blue). She even knew the name of each and every girl he ever kissed (too many to mention – the cad!). Still it came as a complete surprise when he strode up to her this afternoon, pulling her into his arms, and kissed her.
And then told her he was getting married. To her.
She stepped right up to him and swung her fist, connecting solidly with his nose, exactly how he taught her. He fell backwards over the railing and into the flowerbed.
In fact, he was still sitting in the flower bed holding his nose. She felt a moment’s remorse for hitting him, but then she remembered why she had done so.
The scoundrel.
She yanked her skirts out of the way, turned on her heel, and marched back to her house. All in all, she thought she showed admirable restraint considering he just ruined her first kiss.
And their friendship pretty much went to hell in a handbasket after that.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Coming attractions and Audience Participation
You know, this blog is supposed to be kickstarting my manuscript, so I think it is time that I commit myself (no, not that way, sheesh) to putting something out here for people to actually read that isn't about my venting about the injustices in life.
On the He Wrote/She Wrote blog, there is a lot of discussion about prologues, flashbacks, their purpose and/or necessity. In my manuscript, I have a single event that has a profound effect on the heroine's life, but I don't want to get bogged down in backstory when I could hit the ground running. I've written three different versions of the opening already, so this is where I am going to ask for feedback.
So hopefully in the next few days, I will post the different openings and with any luck the crickets won't scare anybody away. Let me know which one works for you and makes you want to read more.
Whew. There's no turning back now.
On the He Wrote/She Wrote blog, there is a lot of discussion about prologues, flashbacks, their purpose and/or necessity. In my manuscript, I have a single event that has a profound effect on the heroine's life, but I don't want to get bogged down in backstory when I could hit the ground running. I've written three different versions of the opening already, so this is where I am going to ask for feedback.
So hopefully in the next few days, I will post the different openings and with any luck the crickets won't scare anybody away. Let me know which one works for you and makes you want to read more.
Whew. There's no turning back now.
Friday, October 20, 2006
*** Warning! Venting in Progress - Again
Adventures in Parent Teacher Conferences
Ugh. Today is DSS’s first parent teacher conference of the year. Conferences, historically speaking, have never been dull. DH and I dated for four years before we finally tied the knot (two years of it was in planning the big day – another long story).
The first conference I was “eligible” to attend as a brand spanking new step-mom pretty much set the tone for the following years. Prior to the wedding we were informed that I was not welcome at parent teacher conferences as DSS was not my kid and I meant nothing to him. All righty then. As became her habit, DH’s ex did not inform us of the date or time and we had to contact the school. It wound up being two days away. DH needed more notice than that at work, so I got to go solo. And sit next to the ex. Yay me.
I arrive and wait. And wait. And wait. No ex. The teacher and I began without her. Come to find out, DSS did not attend school that day. Hmm. Interesting. What was fun was telling the ex that the new wife went to the conference and oh, by the way, hope what you were doing was important because there are serious matters we parents need to discuss. It turns out she let the kids play hooky and went to a big arts and crafts fair near here. Now, to her credit, DH’s ex has not missed a conference since, but she hasn’t exactly made it her highest priority to let us know when it is either. And that is a big no-no in the guidelines.
Ok. I’m back from the dreaded conference.
First and most importantly, DSS is doing fantastic over what he did last year (Fourth grade this year is a repeat). He is making all As, Bs and Cs. No Ds or Fs. That makes me very happy for him.
DH’s ex REALLY needs for her karma to kick in right about now. I had to peel DH off the ceiling so he didn’t say anything rash at the conference. With a sister who is a teacher, I have great sympathy for teachers this time of year. It is not their fault people are idiots.
First, to her credit, the ex actually arrived on time. Brought the latest boyfriend too (please see afore mentioned comment about my being “eligible” to attend a conference). Ok, maybe they were going somewhere afterwards. This guy seems like a decent guy so far. DSS tells us that he didn’t turn in his football equipment last night after DH spoke to the ex and she said she would take it over. This is the last week of football. DSS has not gone for the past week and a half due to homework, missed alarm clocks and general indifference. Explaining responsibility and how the team counts on each member is currently falling on deaf ears. We’ve been getting calls from the coach saying that if DSS isn’t going to play, he needs to turn in the equipment. Fine. Thought we had that taken care of. When asked why it wasn’t turned in, DSS said that he wasn’t allowed to ride his bike (hell-oo, the school is across a major highway) and his mom didn’t feel like going out.
Aaaurrrgh!
Then the conference is about to start and we have to sit nicely and act like we’re not going to lunge across the table and strangle the ex. Ok. Deep breaths. We can handle this.
Bottom line is, DSS is doing very well this year, but he still needs a lot of help to catch up to the others. The ex does her little “concerned mom show” that she pulls out every year where she says all the right things then never follows up with them. Believe me, she has it down pat. That’s how she gets away with as much as she does.
Then the boyfriend starts interjecting his two cents. Oh boy. Apparently he’s going to work with DSS on the weekends (um, the teacher just said she tries to not give homework on the weekends, plus we’ve had him EVERY weekend lately) and monitor his habits more closely. Excuse me, BUT THAT’S WHAT HIS MOTHER IS SUPPOSED TO BE DOING.
This guy has been in the kid’s life for not even two months. Granted, he seems like a nice guy and treats DSS pretty well so far. The ex is not exactly queen of the long-term commitment. She has three kids by three different guys. She’s had more sleepover buddies in the past two years than the number of students in my senior class. Forgive me if I don’t hold my breath to see if this guy works out through the holidays, let alone the school year.
I just wish these guys would quit making promises to DSS that DH and I know will be broken. Every time she breaks up with a guy, DSS loses someone he’s tried to bond with. And it’s heartbreaking.
Anyway, after about seven minutes, the ex is in an all fired hurry to get to the youngest son’s conference. They leave and now DH and I have what we’ve come to call Part 2 of the conference, where we have a more heart-to-heart with the teacher and we discuss possible plans to work with what we’ve got – namely an absent primary caregiver and a kid who needs help. That part went well too. The teacher is really on the ball and pretty quick to discover the difference between what is said and what is meant.
One more thing. I also wish the ex would show half as much attention to DSS as she does the other two kids. She bends over backwards to attend their sporting events, school programs, etc., but when it comes to DSS, her attitude is “well, his dad will do it.” In the past soccer and football seasons combined, she made it to two games. Together.
And that’s why I almost had to peel DH off the ceiling this afternoon. Obviously there was a reason he missed the psycho sign on her forehead when he married the ex, because DSS is a great kid. I just wish we were at a place where we could do more about it.
Ugh. Today is DSS’s first parent teacher conference of the year. Conferences, historically speaking, have never been dull. DH and I dated for four years before we finally tied the knot (two years of it was in planning the big day – another long story).
The first conference I was “eligible” to attend as a brand spanking new step-mom pretty much set the tone for the following years. Prior to the wedding we were informed that I was not welcome at parent teacher conferences as DSS was not my kid and I meant nothing to him. All righty then. As became her habit, DH’s ex did not inform us of the date or time and we had to contact the school. It wound up being two days away. DH needed more notice than that at work, so I got to go solo. And sit next to the ex. Yay me.
I arrive and wait. And wait. And wait. No ex. The teacher and I began without her. Come to find out, DSS did not attend school that day. Hmm. Interesting. What was fun was telling the ex that the new wife went to the conference and oh, by the way, hope what you were doing was important because there are serious matters we parents need to discuss. It turns out she let the kids play hooky and went to a big arts and crafts fair near here. Now, to her credit, DH’s ex has not missed a conference since, but she hasn’t exactly made it her highest priority to let us know when it is either. And that is a big no-no in the guidelines.
Ok. I’m back from the dreaded conference.
First and most importantly, DSS is doing fantastic over what he did last year (Fourth grade this year is a repeat). He is making all As, Bs and Cs. No Ds or Fs. That makes me very happy for him.
DH’s ex REALLY needs for her karma to kick in right about now. I had to peel DH off the ceiling so he didn’t say anything rash at the conference. With a sister who is a teacher, I have great sympathy for teachers this time of year. It is not their fault people are idiots.
First, to her credit, the ex actually arrived on time. Brought the latest boyfriend too (please see afore mentioned comment about my being “eligible” to attend a conference). Ok, maybe they were going somewhere afterwards. This guy seems like a decent guy so far. DSS tells us that he didn’t turn in his football equipment last night after DH spoke to the ex and she said she would take it over. This is the last week of football. DSS has not gone for the past week and a half due to homework, missed alarm clocks and general indifference. Explaining responsibility and how the team counts on each member is currently falling on deaf ears. We’ve been getting calls from the coach saying that if DSS isn’t going to play, he needs to turn in the equipment. Fine. Thought we had that taken care of. When asked why it wasn’t turned in, DSS said that he wasn’t allowed to ride his bike (hell-oo, the school is across a major highway) and his mom didn’t feel like going out.
Aaaurrrgh!
Then the conference is about to start and we have to sit nicely and act like we’re not going to lunge across the table and strangle the ex. Ok. Deep breaths. We can handle this.
Bottom line is, DSS is doing very well this year, but he still needs a lot of help to catch up to the others. The ex does her little “concerned mom show” that she pulls out every year where she says all the right things then never follows up with them. Believe me, she has it down pat. That’s how she gets away with as much as she does.
Then the boyfriend starts interjecting his two cents. Oh boy. Apparently he’s going to work with DSS on the weekends (um, the teacher just said she tries to not give homework on the weekends, plus we’ve had him EVERY weekend lately) and monitor his habits more closely. Excuse me, BUT THAT’S WHAT HIS MOTHER IS SUPPOSED TO BE DOING.
This guy has been in the kid’s life for not even two months. Granted, he seems like a nice guy and treats DSS pretty well so far. The ex is not exactly queen of the long-term commitment. She has three kids by three different guys. She’s had more sleepover buddies in the past two years than the number of students in my senior class. Forgive me if I don’t hold my breath to see if this guy works out through the holidays, let alone the school year.
I just wish these guys would quit making promises to DSS that DH and I know will be broken. Every time she breaks up with a guy, DSS loses someone he’s tried to bond with. And it’s heartbreaking.
Anyway, after about seven minutes, the ex is in an all fired hurry to get to the youngest son’s conference. They leave and now DH and I have what we’ve come to call Part 2 of the conference, where we have a more heart-to-heart with the teacher and we discuss possible plans to work with what we’ve got – namely an absent primary caregiver and a kid who needs help. That part went well too. The teacher is really on the ball and pretty quick to discover the difference between what is said and what is meant.
One more thing. I also wish the ex would show half as much attention to DSS as she does the other two kids. She bends over backwards to attend their sporting events, school programs, etc., but when it comes to DSS, her attitude is “well, his dad will do it.” In the past soccer and football seasons combined, she made it to two games. Together.
And that’s why I almost had to peel DH off the ceiling this afternoon. Obviously there was a reason he missed the psycho sign on her forehead when he married the ex, because DSS is a great kid. I just wish we were at a place where we could do more about it.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Hey, Rosalie. I think I gotta little virus.
(from I Love You To Death)
Actually not a virus, but was miserable just the same.
Every once in a while my body decides to take a little siesta, complete with Montezuma’s Revenge for whatever reason. Apparently too much stress, too little sleep and an extremely sensitive stomach was reason enough this time. Plus throw in Mother Nature’s way of saying, “Hey, you’re not PG,” and I was down for the count. I know, TMI, but I swear it’s like getting the stomach flu every month with every worst symptom. Yay me.
While I was in a moping contest yesterday with the dog for “Who is More Pathetic,” I finished reading Janet Evanovich’s “How I Write.” Excellent book, and not just for Plum maniacs such as myself who want to know every since detail of what went into writing the series of Stephanie Plum mysteries. In the back is an excellent section of resources for writers, including organizations, books and websites. As soon as I am fit to go out in public, I’m going to comb my local library to see what they’ve got from Janet's lists.
Over the weekend, my husband and I rented some movies, none of which were particularly noteworthy with the possible exception of “The Sentinel” with Michael Douglas and Kiefer Sutherland. I liked it and was pleasantly surprised. Our other selections were kinda “out there” and included “Larry the Cable Guy in Health Inspector” (DH's pick. I cannot believe someone let my stepson watch it and it wasn’t at our house), “UltraViolet” (loved the cinematography and choreography but fell asleep due to the plot) and a documentary on the Boston comedy club scene from the eighties (love Stephen Wright, but it turns out I wanted straight up comedy, not a documentary about it).
Speaking of, my favorite Stephen Wright line is, “I spilled spot remover on my dog and he disappeared.”
Followed by my next favorite, “I’m in love with my dental hygienist. I eat a box of Oreos an hour before my appointment.”
(These are paraphrased because I don’t have my source handy and the man is just too funny not to share.)
Now if you will excuse me, I need to try and suck down some more 7-Up. Cheers.
Actually not a virus, but was miserable just the same.
Every once in a while my body decides to take a little siesta, complete with Montezuma’s Revenge for whatever reason. Apparently too much stress, too little sleep and an extremely sensitive stomach was reason enough this time. Plus throw in Mother Nature’s way of saying, “Hey, you’re not PG,” and I was down for the count. I know, TMI, but I swear it’s like getting the stomach flu every month with every worst symptom. Yay me.
While I was in a moping contest yesterday with the dog for “Who is More Pathetic,” I finished reading Janet Evanovich’s “How I Write.” Excellent book, and not just for Plum maniacs such as myself who want to know every since detail of what went into writing the series of Stephanie Plum mysteries. In the back is an excellent section of resources for writers, including organizations, books and websites. As soon as I am fit to go out in public, I’m going to comb my local library to see what they’ve got from Janet's lists.
Over the weekend, my husband and I rented some movies, none of which were particularly noteworthy with the possible exception of “The Sentinel” with Michael Douglas and Kiefer Sutherland. I liked it and was pleasantly surprised. Our other selections were kinda “out there” and included “Larry the Cable Guy in Health Inspector” (DH's pick. I cannot believe someone let my stepson watch it and it wasn’t at our house), “UltraViolet” (loved the cinematography and choreography but fell asleep due to the plot) and a documentary on the Boston comedy club scene from the eighties (love Stephen Wright, but it turns out I wanted straight up comedy, not a documentary about it).
Speaking of, my favorite Stephen Wright line is, “I spilled spot remover on my dog and he disappeared.”
Followed by my next favorite, “I’m in love with my dental hygienist. I eat a box of Oreos an hour before my appointment.”
(These are paraphrased because I don’t have my source handy and the man is just too funny not to share.)
Now if you will excuse me, I need to try and suck down some more 7-Up. Cheers.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Accountability & Responsibility
Mel Gibson was recently quoted as saying that apologizing for his drunken behavior and subsequent arrest was "getting old."
Here are my two cents. I am not an advocate for flogging a person their entire life for a mistake, but I am one for accountability and responsibility. That's part of being an adult.
For those of you who know me, here comes my favorite soapbox: There are consequences to one's actions. Some are more life altering than others. The adult part is where one acknowledges that fact. Sometimes a trust is shattered, or at least seriously dented. Sometimes it changes you as a person and how others perceive you. Permanently.
I know someone who may have committed adultery. By this I mean, there was a definite relationship but whether or not it was consummated is up for debate. There were letters indicating intent. Whatever. The fact remains that a relationship existed with full knowledge that it was wrong and damaging to a marriage and a family. And the person grouses that it keeps being thrown in his/her face.
Deal with it. No one held a gun to your head and made you make the choices that lead to your downfall. If the fact that everyone now sees you as adulterer, that is your consequence, your cross to bear.
And dear, dear Mel: I know you are an alcoholic. That does not change the fact that you did something that hurt people. Maybe your test in humility is to keep being humbled, to keep apologizing. For the people who didn't hear you the first time, keep apologizing until they get it.
Because just maybe, if you don't, you were not humbled enough. Heaven only knows, there are few enough saints in this world. But we are supposed to emulate them, be guided by them, and be inspired by what a mere mortal can do.
Just my two cents worth.
Here are my two cents. I am not an advocate for flogging a person their entire life for a mistake, but I am one for accountability and responsibility. That's part of being an adult.
For those of you who know me, here comes my favorite soapbox: There are consequences to one's actions. Some are more life altering than others. The adult part is where one acknowledges that fact. Sometimes a trust is shattered, or at least seriously dented. Sometimes it changes you as a person and how others perceive you. Permanently.
I know someone who may have committed adultery. By this I mean, there was a definite relationship but whether or not it was consummated is up for debate. There were letters indicating intent. Whatever. The fact remains that a relationship existed with full knowledge that it was wrong and damaging to a marriage and a family. And the person grouses that it keeps being thrown in his/her face.
Deal with it. No one held a gun to your head and made you make the choices that lead to your downfall. If the fact that everyone now sees you as adulterer, that is your consequence, your cross to bear.
And dear, dear Mel: I know you are an alcoholic. That does not change the fact that you did something that hurt people. Maybe your test in humility is to keep being humbled, to keep apologizing. For the people who didn't hear you the first time, keep apologizing until they get it.
Because just maybe, if you don't, you were not humbled enough. Heaven only knows, there are few enough saints in this world. But we are supposed to emulate them, be guided by them, and be inspired by what a mere mortal can do.
Just my two cents worth.
Janet and Alex Rules!
DH and I took a long weekend and visited my parents and (wink, wink) Janet Evanovich just happened to have a book signing in Nashville Monday night. Not only was I able to be among the first fifteen fans in line, but I got to meet Alex too.
Can you tell I'm trying to restrain myself here? Because what I really want to say is, "OHMYGOD I GOT TO MEET JANET AND THAT WAS SOOOO COOL AND ALEX WAS FREAKIN' AMAZING TO MEET TOO AND JANET SIGNED MY LIKE FAVORITE BOOK AND OHMYGOD IT WAS LIKE FAN-TASTIC!"
But, no, I'm restraining myself.
Seriously, this was a major deal for me. I am an absolute Plum Crazy fan and harass Alex on the Q&A all the time. I was afraid if I told Alex who I was she'd call security. That and there were tons of people in line and I didn't want to be a pig. Well, any more of a pig than I already was.
As for the DH and DSS portion of the weekend, we were lucky enough to be in town for the Orange County Choppers 2006 tour. For those of you who don't know, OCC is the motorcycle garage on American Choppers on the Discovery Channel with Paul Sr, Paulie, Mickey, Vinnie, Rick, Cody, Christian, Jason, and the rest of the gang. I'm not a true motorcycle person, but I can truly appreciate the beauty of these bikes. They brought twelve of their choppers with them for the fans to see and the level of detail was just insane. The television just doesn't do them justice. It was a great show, and family-oriented which was nice, especially considering I had no idea what to expect. I was accidentally in Sturgis at the beginning of the big rally up there one year. At first I wasn't intimidated, but then I saw part of the pay-per-view special from after I left ... and you can probably kinda guess the reasons for my hesitation from there. There are hard-core bikers and then there are great families who have bikes.
And Mikey ... that guy just cracks me up. I'd consider myself a serious groupie, but well, I'm married and that seriously cuts down on my lusting after the funny guy. Gotta love Mikey though.
So now we are back in Indiana and it just started to snow. Flurries, really, but still. Ugh. I wanna go back already.
Can you tell I'm trying to restrain myself here? Because what I really want to say is, "OHMYGOD I GOT TO MEET JANET AND THAT WAS SOOOO COOL AND ALEX WAS FREAKIN' AMAZING TO MEET TOO AND JANET SIGNED MY LIKE FAVORITE BOOK AND OHMYGOD IT WAS LIKE FAN-TASTIC!"
But, no, I'm restraining myself.
Seriously, this was a major deal for me. I am an absolute Plum Crazy fan and harass Alex on the Q&A all the time. I was afraid if I told Alex who I was she'd call security. That and there were tons of people in line and I didn't want to be a pig. Well, any more of a pig than I already was.
As for the DH and DSS portion of the weekend, we were lucky enough to be in town for the Orange County Choppers 2006 tour. For those of you who don't know, OCC is the motorcycle garage on American Choppers on the Discovery Channel with Paul Sr, Paulie, Mickey, Vinnie, Rick, Cody, Christian, Jason, and the rest of the gang. I'm not a true motorcycle person, but I can truly appreciate the beauty of these bikes. They brought twelve of their choppers with them for the fans to see and the level of detail was just insane. The television just doesn't do them justice. It was a great show, and family-oriented which was nice, especially considering I had no idea what to expect. I was accidentally in Sturgis at the beginning of the big rally up there one year. At first I wasn't intimidated, but then I saw part of the pay-per-view special from after I left ... and you can probably kinda guess the reasons for my hesitation from there. There are hard-core bikers and then there are great families who have bikes.
And Mikey ... that guy just cracks me up. I'd consider myself a serious groupie, but well, I'm married and that seriously cuts down on my lusting after the funny guy. Gotta love Mikey though.
So now we are back in Indiana and it just started to snow. Flurries, really, but still. Ugh. I wanna go back already.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Village Idiot
Hi there. Obviously, I'm the village idiot today, maybe even longer.
Apparently you have to set things up a certain way on Blogger to not only allow people to comment, but to be able to read the comments people make. I wasn't ignoring anyone, really. So thank you ZaZa and Robin S for commenting.
So now the pressure is on. Kinda like singing in your car. On the one hand, you have this thought that hey, this is awesome. Everyone should see this. But in reality, someone is probably watching me make an ass of myself. Which, really isn't a bad way to go. The making people laugh part, that is.
And now in my infinite wisdom, I decided to merge Blogger to Beta and I think I've given myself another identity. Yup, I've lost myself.
I knew I called it Blogger/Flogger/Frappr/Crappr for a reason.
Apparently you have to set things up a certain way on Blogger to not only allow people to comment, but to be able to read the comments people make. I wasn't ignoring anyone, really. So thank you ZaZa and Robin S for commenting.
So now the pressure is on. Kinda like singing in your car. On the one hand, you have this thought that hey, this is awesome. Everyone should see this. But in reality, someone is probably watching me make an ass of myself. Which, really isn't a bad way to go. The making people laugh part, that is.
And now in my infinite wisdom, I decided to merge Blogger to Beta and I think I've given myself another identity. Yup, I've lost myself.
I knew I called it Blogger/Flogger/Frappr/Crappr for a reason.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Sheesh
Hi there. I'm an idiot. Or at least a blogger idiot. I don't even know how to run my own site. Sheesh.
I've been typing away, trying from time to time to say something that at least sounds witty. And yet, I was stumped why no one ever commented on the posts.
Not that I was saying anything earth-shattering. Or even necessarily comment-worthy. I was just expecting a "howdy" somewhere.
When I first put this blog up, I was instantly spammed. That or that guy REALLY wanted me to look at his furniture site. So I made a few adjustments.
Sigh. You know it's hard to invite people in if you forget to leave the doors or even windows open.
Sorry folks. Hopefully a few of you will drop a note to let me know I fixed it.
I've been typing away, trying from time to time to say something that at least sounds witty. And yet, I was stumped why no one ever commented on the posts.
Not that I was saying anything earth-shattering. Or even necessarily comment-worthy. I was just expecting a "howdy" somewhere.
When I first put this blog up, I was instantly spammed. That or that guy REALLY wanted me to look at his furniture site. So I made a few adjustments.
Sigh. You know it's hard to invite people in if you forget to leave the doors or even windows open.
Sorry folks. Hopefully a few of you will drop a note to let me know I fixed it.
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