Since my last post, I've been trying various scans, tests, and clicking of this button and that button, downloading the latest what-have-you for my computer to keep it in tiptop running shape. All this so I can happily play at my sixth favorite haunt. Which, by the way, is moving up a notch, maybe two, in the next few days, due to finally getting a calm spot in the vortex of the galaxy far, far away. I think the g***s have learned a thing or two about sneakiness at those tournaments they attended.
All this time, I thought they were still out visiting somewhere and that the bro****s were making progress here at the site of my current predicament. Nooooooooooo, no, no, no.
This morning while trying to straighten out the cafe of one of my crew members, the monthly diagnostic test started. Those tests are supposed to be on a set date. Of course, it starts whenever it **** well pleases. {Now, father, that's not what you think it is.} So, I have to log out of my various browser windows and tabs that were set up. The test had come to the portion where it uses 150% of the available memory. Drats, drats and double drats. That's the first inkling I had that something was happening, and I wasn't going to like it. Sound familiar to some of you?
So. I sit and play spider solitaire for the next hour and a half, taking the occasional "nasty habit" break while the diagnostics ponder the state of my computer. Of course, I'm chomping at the bit, thinking of all the dishes that need to be cooked with less than six days to go. Ahhh, the freedom from worry during the other 28, 29 or 30 days of the month. I had just won my game of spider solitaire when the test ended.
It was red flagged!
A problem with one of the devices. Lacking the resources to contact support as suggested, I saved the log so I could espy the problem myself, do whatever needed to be done and rescue myself, my computer I mean. {Don't you hate it when paid support runs out? I think they should last for a set number of support contact times instead of this year by year business.} So, there was a feedback button which I ferociously hit, tried to phrase politely the problem inherent in contacting tech support when that option ran out two/three years ago. Then, I do the trusty search for the problem mentioned.
Well, I used to have the cute little search dog that would at least provide me with something to look at while the sniffer looks though the many files on my machine which also has an external hooked up because, as I mentioned, I was helping to fix a cafe. This involves a spreadsheet so I can track whatever messages are sent to the aforementioned galaxy's Customer Support. So, that caused my xxxxterrrrrrnal device to be caught up in the diagnostician's happy scramble to look at everything, shake violently to see if it's broken, and say "oops, you have a problem" when it looks at something it shouldn't have looked at in the first darned place. That cute little puppy would have kept me a little calm when I found the source of the R E D Flag.
2 files in a backup from an old hard drive that worked on an operating system that went on it's happy voyage near the black hole and was never seen again. Those files have since been restored and I haven't quite dared to delete the backup file which has all my writing and what-not's in there. HHHuuuuhhhnh! Should I or should I not recant my ferociously sent FeedBack? Now, there's something to ponder on.
Showing posts with label writing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label writing. Show all posts
30 November 2011
01 November 2011
November is that time again
Every year for the past five years, I've been getting ready for the trick or treaters and writing at midnight, 01 November, [0000] which is what I did tonight. I've been getting my sort of outline ready. Spent the last couple days looking over the NaNo site. Some changes have taken place.
A n n d, on my third favorite place, I've been frantically trying to get a 50% 4 in 1 stove for the you know what. and doing the three or so Catering Orders with it's attendant goals. You know the ones that everyone [at least the ones I see in "the forums,"] likes to complain about because there is so much to do in one 7-10 day period.
Some of us have even managed to convert all our stoves to the handy-dandy 50% ones. Not the nifty little 4-in-1. Oh no, that one you have to trick or treat and that involves going to your buddies walls. Now the fine thing would be a light or something like the kiddies have. Then you'd know if someone had a treat. I think it might have been something to do with the trick or two that happened to get posted. Those aren't as noticible. Drats. NaNo has affected me already and I only wrote 50 words.
I manage to stay awake until midnight, write my paragraph and go to sleep. This year, I am also trying to do a little more than I usually do. I have the cover for the book set. Now to get the thing uploaded while at the same time not worrying about editing. Not sure how that is going to work out. Might not make 50,000 words.
I also spent a lot of time sleeping since I got back from "the trip." I did get a chance to look over the pictures and will be setting up a photo album. I will also be working on my neighbor's camera and Ipad whenever the camera gets here. She mailed it to herself. Then I will have a few more of the prettier, ...not prettier, more stunning pictures of Bryce Canyon. Antelope Canyon was breathtaking also.
The Grand Canyon which was the highlight of the trip was not as awe inspiring because I was so high up. We didn't go down into the canyon. The rim where I walked to take pictures didn't have a railing. Of course, I walked along looking at the little 3x4 window of the camera. I happened to really look at the ground, saw the round stones, saw how close the edge was and decided it was not the place to be tripping. I usually manage to walk into something during the day. [Father used to yell at me "Get your nose out of that book. You're supposed to be cooking." Sigh, thump, ouch for grabbing the hot handle of the griddle.] It was along that order, so I moved a couple feet away and didn't get many good shots. Huuuuah.
Well, what do you know? I wrote more in this blog than I did for the official start of Nano.
A n n d, on my third favorite place, I've been frantically trying to get a 50% 4 in 1 stove for the you know what. and doing the three or so Catering Orders with it's attendant goals. You know the ones that everyone [at least the ones I see in "the forums,"] likes to complain about because there is so much to do in one 7-10 day period.
Some of us have even managed to convert all our stoves to the handy-dandy 50% ones. Not the nifty little 4-in-1. Oh no, that one you have to trick or treat and that involves going to your buddies walls. Now the fine thing would be a light or something like the kiddies have. Then you'd know if someone had a treat. I think it might have been something to do with the trick or two that happened to get posted. Those aren't as noticible. Drats. NaNo has affected me already and I only wrote 50 words.
I manage to stay awake until midnight, write my paragraph and go to sleep. This year, I am also trying to do a little more than I usually do. I have the cover for the book set. Now to get the thing uploaded while at the same time not worrying about editing. Not sure how that is going to work out. Might not make 50,000 words.
I also spent a lot of time sleeping since I got back from "the trip." I did get a chance to look over the pictures and will be setting up a photo album. I will also be working on my neighbor's camera and Ipad whenever the camera gets here. She mailed it to herself. Then I will have a few more of the prettier, ...not prettier, more stunning pictures of Bryce Canyon. Antelope Canyon was breathtaking also.
The Grand Canyon which was the highlight of the trip was not as awe inspiring because I was so high up. We didn't go down into the canyon. The rim where I walked to take pictures didn't have a railing. Of course, I walked along looking at the little 3x4 window of the camera. I happened to really look at the ground, saw the round stones, saw how close the edge was and decided it was not the place to be tripping. I usually manage to walk into something during the day. [Father used to yell at me "Get your nose out of that book. You're supposed to be cooking." Sigh, thump, ouch for grabbing the hot handle of the griddle.] It was along that order, so I moved a couple feet away and didn't get many good shots. Huuuuah.
Well, what do you know? I wrote more in this blog than I did for the official start of Nano.
28 October 2011
Social Interactions
My posting of the flight experience is an example of what I deal with on an almost daily basis. Most of those types of experiences are not as blatant or as humiliating. Mostly, my mother and I only go to places where we know we are welcome, mostly Indian owned and operated casinos and businesses who welcome us.
Most of the social interactions I experience are on the level of waiting 5-10 minutes before being served, being followed by store personnel from the moment I enter a store to outright refusal to serve me accomplished by suddenly having to go on break. When I accompany my mother, it gets slightly worse if she is in a wheelchair. I've had similar experiences quite a few times with people actually shouting at my mother like she can't hear while towering over her in her chair, lecturing me like I'm a simpleton with no concept of how to take care of her, yelling at me that they hate it when someone doesn't do what they're supposed to meaning that they're right and I am wrong.
Now, my father has called me a radical since I was a teenager because I objected to this sort of treatment. He was born before the depression, my mom was born during the depression and I was born in the tail end of the baby boom. We grew up during turbulent decades: depression years, World War II years and Viet Nam War years. My father was sent to an Indian boarding school. My mother wasn't and she objected fiercely to any suggestion that her children be sent. Those growing up years determine how we each respond to discrimination, bigotry and hatred. Even when it's displayed by our own people. We're a loving, generous, and caring family who oftentimes go out of our way to help others.
We firmly believe in treating others as we'd like to be treated. We try very hard not to "treat others as we are being treated" when the treatment being received is negative in some manner. This is sometimes viewed as being a pushover by others. We do have limits on our patience. The difference in our responses shows at those times.
I have learned to walk away when my temper reaches the boiling point. I'd rather do that than deal with the consequences after the fact that I responded with violence or hurtful words. I'd be the one facing the judge in court even if I was defending myself. Sometimes, I do have to speak out. When I am tired and need time alone to recharge, I revert to my childhood mode of thinking where a simple gesture was often enough to express what takes many sentences in English.
With my own people, I must create pictures, images in a manner that corresponds to our native tongue. Often, there are no English words to help with that translation. Especially when vocabularies do not match. That same process causes complications when talking to others who don't have the same sorts of experiences. Twice I got out of my chair in order to be on the same level as the attendants. Attitudes quickly changed once I was standing. I was very disgusted upon learning the person who caused my problem bawled someone out when he was inconvenienced by a short delay.
You may want to reread Home at Last & II. I did get a comment from someone who made me smile about the whole thing. Miigwetch for that. When I can laugh about it, I'll have figured out what I needed to know.
Most of the social interactions I experience are on the level of waiting 5-10 minutes before being served, being followed by store personnel from the moment I enter a store to outright refusal to serve me accomplished by suddenly having to go on break. When I accompany my mother, it gets slightly worse if she is in a wheelchair. I've had similar experiences quite a few times with people actually shouting at my mother like she can't hear while towering over her in her chair, lecturing me like I'm a simpleton with no concept of how to take care of her, yelling at me that they hate it when someone doesn't do what they're supposed to meaning that they're right and I am wrong.
Now, my father has called me a radical since I was a teenager because I objected to this sort of treatment. He was born before the depression, my mom was born during the depression and I was born in the tail end of the baby boom. We grew up during turbulent decades: depression years, World War II years and Viet Nam War years. My father was sent to an Indian boarding school. My mother wasn't and she objected fiercely to any suggestion that her children be sent. Those growing up years determine how we each respond to discrimination, bigotry and hatred. Even when it's displayed by our own people. We're a loving, generous, and caring family who oftentimes go out of our way to help others.
We firmly believe in treating others as we'd like to be treated. We try very hard not to "treat others as we are being treated" when the treatment being received is negative in some manner. This is sometimes viewed as being a pushover by others. We do have limits on our patience. The difference in our responses shows at those times.
I have learned to walk away when my temper reaches the boiling point. I'd rather do that than deal with the consequences after the fact that I responded with violence or hurtful words. I'd be the one facing the judge in court even if I was defending myself. Sometimes, I do have to speak out. When I am tired and need time alone to recharge, I revert to my childhood mode of thinking where a simple gesture was often enough to express what takes many sentences in English.
With my own people, I must create pictures, images in a manner that corresponds to our native tongue. Often, there are no English words to help with that translation. Especially when vocabularies do not match. That same process causes complications when talking to others who don't have the same sorts of experiences. Twice I got out of my chair in order to be on the same level as the attendants. Attitudes quickly changed once I was standing. I was very disgusted upon learning the person who caused my problem bawled someone out when he was inconvenienced by a short delay.
You may want to reread Home at Last & II. I did get a comment from someone who made me smile about the whole thing. Miigwetch for that. When I can laugh about it, I'll have figured out what I needed to know.
13 October 2011
Of Goals, Objectives and Gremlins
During my perusal of the blogs I follow, mention was made of the annual event, NaNoWriMo, which I've taken part in every year since 2005. Got me to thinking that I have no plan for this year. Rarely had much more than a picture to begin with. I have a few ideas for this year, most of which introduce new characters in my world.
I've spent quite a bit of time developing that world. I have vague plans for a whole bunch of books, most of them stand alone. I thought about trilogies, series, etc. No can do. Unless following one or two people throughout their life is a series. There is so much more I have yet to learn about writing, genres etc.
Since I am a family historian of note within my family, I have a handy, dandy program called Family Treemaker. I've put most of the characters in there, added placeholders for a family which spans 20 generations. Fact I made sure to add: book/s I included them in. There is a section for notes which I have filled out with different items. I have included such things as news articles, photos of places and flora, fauna and sky shots for different characters.
When I think of the years I spent looking for a program to help me keep track of this family's books, I can only shake my head. The program has been sitting on my computer for the same amount of time that I have been doing NaNoWriMo. "Can't see the forest for the trees" or could it be "making a mountain out of a molehill." The only problem I have to deal with so far is whether or not to get another storage device to keep just this info and all my plots and schemes on. Now, I wonder about the makers of that program. Are they shaking their heads at some of the occupations-dreamcatcher or education-Protector?
Man, it's Thursday already. Four days left before I start the trip. My sister has kindly let me borrow her camera seeing's how the gremlins haven't returned my USB cord. I thought I had a button where I could "share it on FB." That button is nowhere to be found. Besides, the camera needs to be recharged. No charger either. I looked online for an extra one. Wouldn't you know it? Everyone in the United States who has bought this particular model also needs an extra charger/USB cord. Nary a one to be found anywhere until I happened to remember I have an ebay account. Yep, there is a couple there.
Makes me think someone had the foresight to buy up all the extra cords and chargers for this model expressly to sell them on ebay. Did those gremlins give that someone a hot tip after their various experiments with that black hole? Suspiciously close to the end of their tournament held a couple months ago.
I've spent quite a bit of time developing that world. I have vague plans for a whole bunch of books, most of them stand alone. I thought about trilogies, series, etc. No can do. Unless following one or two people throughout their life is a series. There is so much more I have yet to learn about writing, genres etc.
Since I am a family historian of note within my family, I have a handy, dandy program called Family Treemaker. I've put most of the characters in there, added placeholders for a family which spans 20 generations. Fact I made sure to add: book/s I included them in. There is a section for notes which I have filled out with different items. I have included such things as news articles, photos of places and flora, fauna and sky shots for different characters.
When I think of the years I spent looking for a program to help me keep track of this family's books, I can only shake my head. The program has been sitting on my computer for the same amount of time that I have been doing NaNoWriMo. "Can't see the forest for the trees" or could it be "making a mountain out of a molehill." The only problem I have to deal with so far is whether or not to get another storage device to keep just this info and all my plots and schemes on. Now, I wonder about the makers of that program. Are they shaking their heads at some of the occupations-dreamcatcher or education-Protector?
Man, it's Thursday already. Four days left before I start the trip. My sister has kindly let me borrow her camera seeing's how the gremlins haven't returned my USB cord. I thought I had a button where I could "share it on FB." That button is nowhere to be found. Besides, the camera needs to be recharged. No charger either. I looked online for an extra one. Wouldn't you know it? Everyone in the United States who has bought this particular model also needs an extra charger/USB cord. Nary a one to be found anywhere until I happened to remember I have an ebay account. Yep, there is a couple there.
Makes me think someone had the foresight to buy up all the extra cords and chargers for this model expressly to sell them on ebay. Did those gremlins give that someone a hot tip after their various experiments with that black hole? Suspiciously close to the end of their tournament held a couple months ago.
08 October 2011
An Adventure Awaits for you and for me
I've mentioned that I was notified that I was eligible for the Elder's Trip in my long ago post. [Two weeks is an awfully long time on the net. Two ... weeks, man time is flying by.] A daily checklist of things that needed to be done was adhered to and both mom and I are cleared for the trip. All medicals, dentals, anything else has been taken care of. Now, we are just going through our clothes, washing them, making sure we have a decent mixture of dress and casual. Not to mention, checking with the other travelers to make sure they have what they need.
With all the details for preparations winding down, I'll finally get a chance to really look at the itinerary. All I know for sure is arrival at Las Vegas, Grand Canyon and trip home date. I've been to Vegas once. I've been to Phoenix, rather Mesa, AZ once. All else I only know from reading about the area.
There are a fair number of us going. The first thing anyone asks when meeting another elder is "Are you going on the trip?" Most answers are "Yes" which makes for a few people I know who aren't going for sure. Three to be exact. Must be more; I've only talked to one for sure.
In the midst of this, there is a bloghop I am participating in which is coming along nicely. The publish date for that is scheduled on 24 Oct 2011, Monday at 0000, give or take a few seconds. Hope you'll find it as interesting as it has been for us to create it. The begin of the adventure is linked to the bloghop logo on my sidebar. {which I'd better check on. Last time I tried to set it, it didn't go. The logo is there, just haven't linked it yet.}
I will be doing the bloghop myself. Although I have seen the parts as they have been created, I haven't really made my choices and followed along. I am looking forward to this adventure also. Hope you'll join me on that one.
With all the details for preparations winding down, I'll finally get a chance to really look at the itinerary. All I know for sure is arrival at Las Vegas, Grand Canyon and trip home date. I've been to Vegas once. I've been to Phoenix, rather Mesa, AZ once. All else I only know from reading about the area.
There are a fair number of us going. The first thing anyone asks when meeting another elder is "Are you going on the trip?" Most answers are "Yes" which makes for a few people I know who aren't going for sure. Three to be exact. Must be more; I've only talked to one for sure.
In the midst of this, there is a bloghop I am participating in which is coming along nicely. The publish date for that is scheduled on 24 Oct 2011, Monday at 0000, give or take a few seconds. Hope you'll find it as interesting as it has been for us to create it. The begin of the adventure is linked to the bloghop logo on my sidebar. {which I'd better check on. Last time I tried to set it, it didn't go. The logo is there, just haven't linked it yet.}
I will be doing the bloghop myself. Although I have seen the parts as they have been created, I haven't really made my choices and followed along. I am looking forward to this adventure also. Hope you'll join me on that one.
30 August 2011
On the Campaign Trail (teehee)
Today has been interesting, very interesting. As is usual in my meanderings through the Great Library called the Internet, I've managed to find several interesting things. One of my recently found relatives posted a picture of two of our great, great grandparents. I finally downloaded a copy and had fun checking them against pictures of various family members. Possible, very possible.
Then in the course of looking for the spreadsheet that lists all the books, characters, etc., I came across some poems I had written a few years ago. Naturally, I wrote another one. Then decided I'd check for the poetry group I thought I saw on the Campaign. Lo and behold it is now 7 hours later. I still haven't entered the group and only have 10, now 9 hours to do so. Maybe not.
I've come across more interesting blogs in the last couple days, excuse me if I've already mentioned this. It is so exciting to find so many all in one place. Yeah I like NaNo, and will keep doing the novel writing. I like reading all the different blogs. I read the forums on NaNo and it's difficult to get a sense of the people around you there.
I've come across some books I've added to my wish list. I found some people I'd like to get to know better. They're positive, upbeat and my kind of people. Some have been posting questions and I think I will work on some to post myself.
Then in the course of looking for the spreadsheet that lists all the books, characters, etc., I came across some poems I had written a few years ago. Naturally, I wrote another one. Then decided I'd check for the poetry group I thought I saw on the Campaign. Lo and behold it is now 7 hours later. I still haven't entered the group and only have 10, now 9 hours to do so. Maybe not.
I've come across more interesting blogs in the last couple days, excuse me if I've already mentioned this. It is so exciting to find so many all in one place. Yeah I like NaNo, and will keep doing the novel writing. I like reading all the different blogs. I read the forums on NaNo and it's difficult to get a sense of the people around you there.
I've come across some books I've added to my wish list. I found some people I'd like to get to know better. They're positive, upbeat and my kind of people. Some have been posting questions and I think I will work on some to post myself.
26 August 2011
Search for the Latest Interesting News
Apparently, I've missed something in my searches on the 'Net. If I mention some product, book, etc., I Must post a disclaimer, explaining the hows and why of the referral. Haven't looked up the exact regulation yet. It's on my "List of Things to Look Up." Methinks I must red ink some of those topics as soon as I can. It is amazing to me that this came up while searching out information about the tournaments. Thus, you will not be subjected to any more such referrals until I find out more about this disclaimer stuff. Had hoped I'd be able to line up my little ducks all in a row as I went along. Someone is using them for target practice before I get a chance.
As witness this post. I started it earlier this morning. Then I posted some comments, read some blogs, one thing led to another and before I knew it, I had signed up for something called Writer's Platform-Building Campaign. In the course of finishing the assignment, I suddenly was warned that a site had a malware, advised not to proceed unless I trusted the source, etc.
I immediately logged out of my browser {by the way, I no longer have to wonder about Google Chrome and Malware} and ran my trusty security program. Then did another check with another one. In the meantime, a third one started. {the aforementioned one that likes to interrupt my Cafe and Farm whenever I'm in a hurry.} Six hours later, here I am. Will be finishing what I started this morning.
Somehow, I will persevere and continue on the path I have chosen for the next portion of my journey. Tests notwithstanding, I hope to get my little ducks all in a row.
As witness this post. I started it earlier this morning. Then I posted some comments, read some blogs, one thing led to another and before I knew it, I had signed up for something called Writer's Platform-Building Campaign. In the course of finishing the assignment, I suddenly was warned that a site had a malware, advised not to proceed unless I trusted the source, etc.
I immediately logged out of my browser {by the way, I no longer have to wonder about Google Chrome and Malware} and ran my trusty security program. Then did another check with another one. In the meantime, a third one started. {the aforementioned one that likes to interrupt my Cafe and Farm whenever I'm in a hurry.} Six hours later, here I am. Will be finishing what I started this morning.
Somehow, I will persevere and continue on the path I have chosen for the next portion of my journey. Tests notwithstanding, I hope to get my little ducks all in a row.
20 August 2011
I thought computer programs made life easier
I've been working on a blog that turned into a book. Trying to format it for the self publisher. Hah. The only problem with that is the amount of revising I have to do. Something about turning off the auto correct on the word processing program. I wondered how come I didn't have that many spelling errors. And it explains the revision of sentences though. Heeheehee. They'll be coming to take me away hahahohoheehee.
Some of the other errors involve correcting the links within the book. I had it working when I first set it up. Now, it says the file can't be found. Drats. The link is within the same doggone file. How do you throttle a program's neck?
I went to look at the print preview and the chart I used sometimes spread across two pages. Why is it doing that, I asked myself. Then clomped my head in disgust when I remembered it was supposed to do that.
I've been keeping up with my Camp Nano novel. Switched to the non-fiction book I started. Didn't realize that there were a great many things I wanted to say about being Indian. 42,000 words since my last post is a lot of writing that came fairly easily. I think it's safe to say I will make the 50,000 word count. That's the goal for the month. While visiting my cabin for the day, I had to revise the photo I am currently using for my profile. Took about 9 tries to get it to the correct size while keeping the part of the original I wanted. Didn't help that there are now 3 photo editing programs on my computer.
And fonts keep changing on me. Standard font is Times New Roman, which I find hard to read. I prefer Tahoma. This keeps changing back to Times and it's a chore to have to keep changing it back. Makes me think that gremlins are about again. They must have won their tournament and are now looking for something else to have fun with.
Some of the other errors involve correcting the links within the book. I had it working when I first set it up. Now, it says the file can't be found. Drats. The link is within the same doggone file. How do you throttle a program's neck?
I went to look at the print preview and the chart I used sometimes spread across two pages. Why is it doing that, I asked myself. Then clomped my head in disgust when I remembered it was supposed to do that.
I've been keeping up with my Camp Nano novel. Switched to the non-fiction book I started. Didn't realize that there were a great many things I wanted to say about being Indian. 42,000 words since my last post is a lot of writing that came fairly easily. I think it's safe to say I will make the 50,000 word count. That's the goal for the month. While visiting my cabin for the day, I had to revise the photo I am currently using for my profile. Took about 9 tries to get it to the correct size while keeping the part of the original I wanted. Didn't help that there are now 3 photo editing programs on my computer.
And fonts keep changing on me. Standard font is Times New Roman, which I find hard to read. I prefer Tahoma. This keeps changing back to Times and it's a chore to have to keep changing it back. Makes me think that gremlins are about again. They must have won their tournament and are now looking for something else to have fun with.
05 August 2011
Fantasy, fiction, gremlins and brownies
Discovery of the great good news yesterday has freed me from worries regarding my Publishing goals. I have commenced writing in earnest now, at least 6 hours a day. What a great feeling. Regarding the theme of fiction, I suppose I can count the posts because my novels are fiction-fantasy to be exact. Speaking of: I just found out there is high fantasy and low fantasy with many subgenres. I should say-just exactly what is meant by each. Ahhh. I should just leave searching for other things to read alone for awhile. It's all just making my head hurt. I really don't want to get involved in that sort of discussion. Enough that I am back to writing great stretches of novels at one sitting. {Methinks I'd better clip my nails. Going back to delete the extra letters or add a space between words is getting too tiresome and will distract me when I start revising those novels.}
I've recently reorganized the black hole area and things are still getting sucked into it. I wonder if the recent heatwave has anything to do with the strength of the thing's reach. Or maybe I've made it easier for the gremlins to conduct their experiments. I can see them now. Snickering and having a grand old time with the placement of objects. Maybe, they've invented a new game to amuse themselves. And the last few months were the beta phase. Now, that they've worked out the bugs, they are practicing in earnest for the Grand Tournament to be held sometime in the next few months. Could be they're deciding to have mini-tournaments to decide where to have the Grand Tournament. I so hope they decide to hold it elsewhere.
I hope that the gremlins latest activity is what is keeping the brownies from helping me find some of the currently lost items. In which case, I can't wait for the gremlins to move on to the next testing place. Maybe I can get some of the items that have been left here...ahh.could it be? The brownies are delivering the items back to their originals owners and that is why I haven't seen any evidence of their presence. {Maybe they are getting tired of smucking me upside the head to get my attention. Maybe they have located the USB cord and I'm just not listening?} Will ponder on this as I continue on my goal of 50,000 words by August 31.
I've recently reorganized the black hole area and things are still getting sucked into it. I wonder if the recent heatwave has anything to do with the strength of the thing's reach. Or maybe I've made it easier for the gremlins to conduct their experiments. I can see them now. Snickering and having a grand old time with the placement of objects. Maybe, they've invented a new game to amuse themselves. And the last few months were the beta phase. Now, that they've worked out the bugs, they are practicing in earnest for the Grand Tournament to be held sometime in the next few months. Could be they're deciding to have mini-tournaments to decide where to have the Grand Tournament. I so hope they decide to hold it elsewhere.
I hope that the gremlins latest activity is what is keeping the brownies from helping me find some of the currently lost items. In which case, I can't wait for the gremlins to move on to the next testing place. Maybe I can get some of the items that have been left here...ahh.could it be? The brownies are delivering the items back to their originals owners and that is why I haven't seen any evidence of their presence. {Maybe they are getting tired of smucking me upside the head to get my attention. Maybe they have located the USB cord and I'm just not listening?} Will ponder on this as I continue on my goal of 50,000 words by August 31.
04 August 2011
Lesson Learned or Image needs polishing
Today's news. I have been looking at all these writer's tips sites, workshops, what have you because I'm trying to find out plot and synopsis. Methinks my parent and sister just might have something with the neon colored "Gullible" on my forehead. Sometimes, I surprise myself. At least my mom has faith in me. She says "You're so smart, you're dumb." Which, when one thinks about it, just may be true.
For instance, yesterday, I was looking up plot. The search bar gave me a web address. Apparently, I had looked at this blog prior and it was "Plot Synopsis Project" posted on 17 March 2008 by Joshua Palmatier. I didn't read far enough. Reason to save some reading for when one has time. Lucky for me, it came up and I clicked it. Dare I say this and risk tarnishing my image? {After my father's bit of fun with me, I think...not much left to tarnish. My image was tarnished to begin with. I find more layers under the tarnish. Polishing is hard work at times.}
Last night, I found out there was more to the post than I had thought. Lo and behold. What do I see but a plot synopsis. There were links to others as well. Light bulb flashes with strobe light intensity. My wondering eyes and shaken up brain beheld the very thing I start my novels with. {Shaking my head in disappointment with myself.} Must go lie down and ponder the situation.
For instance, yesterday, I was looking up plot. The search bar gave me a web address. Apparently, I had looked at this blog prior and it was "Plot Synopsis Project" posted on 17 March 2008 by Joshua Palmatier. I didn't read far enough. Reason to save some reading for when one has time. Lucky for me, it came up and I clicked it. Dare I say this and risk tarnishing my image? {After my father's bit of fun with me, I think...not much left to tarnish. My image was tarnished to begin with. I find more layers under the tarnish. Polishing is hard work at times.}
Last night, I found out there was more to the post than I had thought. Lo and behold. What do I see but a plot synopsis. There were links to others as well. Light bulb flashes with strobe light intensity. My wondering eyes and shaken up brain beheld the very thing I start my novels with. {Shaking my head in disappointment with myself.} Must go lie down and ponder the situation.
03 August 2011
Fathers who should know better.
My father and I sat and had a long talk about the business yesterday. Interesting.
Me: Well.
Father: {shrugs his shoulders while trying to hide a grin.}
Me: {tapping my foot}
Me: {drumming my fingers on the table}
Father: {puts palms up in the air, shakes his head, then hides his mouth with one hand.}
I gave an exasperated sigh, shook my head and left the room before he could see the twinkle in my eyes.
That's the extent of the conversation we had about the 'guest post'. He followed me into the kitchen and told me I write good. Told my sister I'm a chip off the old block. As if that will excuse any more pranks he has up his sleeve. Somehow, I'd forgotten just where my sister gets her sense of humor. I failed to foresee this possibility.
I've been working on some guidelines for him. Today, he told me that he'd come up with something for me. Huuuuh, I don't know. I don't think I will announce when he is guest blogging anymore. I'll just post it after I see it. That way, if I get two or three solved crytograms as his post, I can leave it on my computer. Sometimes, it's hard to keep one step ahead of him, and come to think of it, my sister. I grew up with gullible written on my forehead.
I am the oldest, hence I shouldn't be falling for these little pranks of theirs. I may have posted on this very subject before, somewhere, somewhen. I keep telling myself, "I won't fall for their tricks again." A week, two weeks, sometimes a month goes by. Wham. There goes Millie's forehead again. Gullible must be painted in neon colors and it just gets to be too much for them to resist.
That's the only explanation I can think of. The younger ones also do this on a smaller scale. So far, I've managed to discourage them at least. Now, they all know how to read. It might get to be a tad difficult to keep their shenanigans in check.
I will see if my father is sufficiently recovered from his bout of laughter over the past day or so. Maybe I will get a decent blog post from him. I should strike while the guilt is thick. Yes, that is exactly what I'll do. {leaving to get a pack of the 'you know what' while the getting is good.}
Me: Well.
Father: {shrugs his shoulders while trying to hide a grin.}
Me: {tapping my foot}
Me: {drumming my fingers on the table}
Father: {puts palms up in the air, shakes his head, then hides his mouth with one hand.}
I gave an exasperated sigh, shook my head and left the room before he could see the twinkle in my eyes.
That's the extent of the conversation we had about the 'guest post'. He followed me into the kitchen and told me I write good. Told my sister I'm a chip off the old block. As if that will excuse any more pranks he has up his sleeve. Somehow, I'd forgotten just where my sister gets her sense of humor. I failed to foresee this possibility.
I've been working on some guidelines for him. Today, he told me that he'd come up with something for me. Huuuuh, I don't know. I don't think I will announce when he is guest blogging anymore. I'll just post it after I see it. That way, if I get two or three solved crytograms as his post, I can leave it on my computer. Sometimes, it's hard to keep one step ahead of him, and come to think of it, my sister. I grew up with gullible written on my forehead.
I am the oldest, hence I shouldn't be falling for these little pranks of theirs. I may have posted on this very subject before, somewhere, somewhen. I keep telling myself, "I won't fall for their tricks again." A week, two weeks, sometimes a month goes by. Wham. There goes Millie's forehead again. Gullible must be painted in neon colors and it just gets to be too much for them to resist.
That's the only explanation I can think of. The younger ones also do this on a smaller scale. So far, I've managed to discourage them at least. Now, they all know how to read. It might get to be a tad difficult to keep their shenanigans in check.
I will see if my father is sufficiently recovered from his bout of laughter over the past day or so. Maybe I will get a decent blog post from him. I should strike while the guilt is thick. Yes, that is exactly what I'll do. {leaving to get a pack of the 'you know what' while the getting is good.}
01 August 2011
Camp Nanowrimo and Birthday
I've discovered Camp Nanowrimo. Actually, I had donated to the cause earlier in the year. What one does at this camp is write a novel in 31 days. There was one held in July and now in August. Hadn't been keeping up with the latest in the Nanowrimo world. For some reason, my second favorite haunt isn't showing the post from this organization, the Office of Letters and Light. It shows my gaming posts though. Must be the ones with the most activity.
So, the idea is to write a completely new novel from scratch. Since I already have a few that need revising, I'm going to be editing those for publishing. The word count one sees will be the number of words in my finished novel. Good enough? I think there's an editing one somewhere. I did that one one time, or rather started it. I haven't come across it lately. I will check it. {there is a forum on the Nanowrimo site with info on editing and publishing. More help if one needs it}
On another note, I decided to put all my genealogy posts in a separate blog. Easier to keep track of. There will be links to sites of interest. I will give hints for the roadblocks I had and talk about finding ways through or around the ones I still have. For the most part, I won't be posting there as often, twice a month at the most.
May I be excused for not posting as much this day? It is my birthday. I'm gonna celebrate in the manner which I've become accustomed to. Teehee.
So, the idea is to write a completely new novel from scratch. Since I already have a few that need revising, I'm going to be editing those for publishing. The word count one sees will be the number of words in my finished novel. Good enough? I think there's an editing one somewhere. I did that one one time, or rather started it. I haven't come across it lately. I will check it. {there is a forum on the Nanowrimo site with info on editing and publishing. More help if one needs it}
On another note, I decided to put all my genealogy posts in a separate blog. Easier to keep track of. There will be links to sites of interest. I will give hints for the roadblocks I had and talk about finding ways through or around the ones I still have. For the most part, I won't be posting there as often, twice a month at the most.
May I be excused for not posting as much this day? It is my birthday. I'm gonna celebrate in the manner which I've become accustomed to. Teehee.
30 July 2011
Surfing and madmares
Aaniin. Greetings. I've been surfing the net once again. Most interesting. I read a few blogs about writing. Most are about technique, making time etc. Haven't read all of them. Looking for some who are more inspirational for me. I don't want to get too bogged down with craft type blogs. I'm the type who will inevitably start to worry about what people think of my writing, is it good enough, that sort of thing. I write because I want to. It is good to know that I am tightening up my sentences. It's good to know my grammar is readable. {I say that because some of my writing is based on dialogue-not always spoken with perfect grammar.}
I am looking for a few blogs written by crafts people. I enjoy crafts such as beading, quilting, working with colors mostly. Some crafts, I mostly admire. I don't have the inclination to actually do these things myself. After all, I only have 24 hours, six of which I spend in refreshing sleep. {Okay, last night I had a madmare. Not to be confused with nightmare. This is one of those dreams that I get angry with someone and try to give them a piece of my mind. Then someone in the real world wakes me up. "Are you having a nightmare?' "No, I'm mad." Stayed mad for a full 45 minutes after waking. Mostly, cause I couldn't get my words said. My family weren't the ones I was mad at. And staying mad about it is not good. It is something over which I have no control, thus a waste of time and energy.}
I'm also trying to find a blogger with my sense of humor. Not very many of those. In fact, there are only about 10 that I've come across. And are there any Shinab bloggers besides me? And are there any who listen to the type of music I do. Not many. I found one who had an excellent playlist on her blog. {I'm still figuring that out. Playlists are my next objective. So far, I listen to my son's list. Not always what I want to hear at the moment.}
I found some websites containing info I need to strengthen my understanding of the sciences, math and magic. I may post these at some point. I am looking for the sites I used to use before the motherboard gave up the last bit of electronic data I had stored and went out in a star shaped burst of blue-white glory. The geeks here have the hard drive but I haven't taken the time to try to pull those. I think he said some of the files were fried. I did get the ones most important-my writing. Then I also found a tool to restore the backup from my x drive. Yay. My family history files.
Oh, I changed the desktop background. It's got more colors to frame windows I have open. Looks nice. Has a few of my favorite colors. Yippee. And floral too. Yes. Makes a difference in my attitude. {I'd have to say I'm fully over my madmare.} Guess I will continue to surf and see if I can find a few of those blogs or sites. Somewhere there has to be more of what I'm looking for. Could get lost for days in this library.
I am looking for a few blogs written by crafts people. I enjoy crafts such as beading, quilting, working with colors mostly. Some crafts, I mostly admire. I don't have the inclination to actually do these things myself. After all, I only have 24 hours, six of which I spend in refreshing sleep. {Okay, last night I had a madmare. Not to be confused with nightmare. This is one of those dreams that I get angry with someone and try to give them a piece of my mind. Then someone in the real world wakes me up. "Are you having a nightmare?' "No, I'm mad." Stayed mad for a full 45 minutes after waking. Mostly, cause I couldn't get my words said. My family weren't the ones I was mad at. And staying mad about it is not good. It is something over which I have no control, thus a waste of time and energy.}
I'm also trying to find a blogger with my sense of humor. Not very many of those. In fact, there are only about 10 that I've come across. And are there any Shinab bloggers besides me? And are there any who listen to the type of music I do. Not many. I found one who had an excellent playlist on her blog. {I'm still figuring that out. Playlists are my next objective. So far, I listen to my son's list. Not always what I want to hear at the moment.}
I found some websites containing info I need to strengthen my understanding of the sciences, math and magic. I may post these at some point. I am looking for the sites I used to use before the motherboard gave up the last bit of electronic data I had stored and went out in a star shaped burst of blue-white glory. The geeks here have the hard drive but I haven't taken the time to try to pull those. I think he said some of the files were fried. I did get the ones most important-my writing. Then I also found a tool to restore the backup from my x drive. Yay. My family history files.
Oh, I changed the desktop background. It's got more colors to frame windows I have open. Looks nice. Has a few of my favorite colors. Yippee. And floral too. Yes. Makes a difference in my attitude. {I'd have to say I'm fully over my madmare.} Guess I will continue to surf and see if I can find a few of those blogs or sites. Somewhere there has to be more of what I'm looking for. Could get lost for days in this library.
28 July 2011
Fiction is the theme for August
I was able to post my blog link on Nablopomo to begin posting every day for a month. The theme for the month is Fiction. Fiction is what I want to get published. Yay. I've posted a summary of the projects I am currently working on earlier. I have a total of 43 posts since I started way back in 2008 or thereabouts. Should have 76 or so by the end of August. I know there are prizes for people who do post every day. Will I make it? "Only the Shadow knows" as my dear dad likes to tell me.
I'm giving fair warning what my posts will be generally. This is like being in school, getting the assignment, planning, wondering how I'm going to fill up the space with the required words. Luckily, this theme doesn't have a required amount of words. I have all sorts of ideas pushing themselves around trying to get my attention. Fiction can mean so many different things.
There's the fiction one tells one parents when one is out past curfew. Fiction is usually the basis of explanations for why something is not done. {Lies, all lies. You know who} Fiction is found in all areas of life. The one I will focus on is the fiction I write in the hopes of being published. This will entail self publishing because I don't have the patience to send out queries, wait for a rejection, send out again. That is a loop that weeds out those less serious about writing. Then again....One needs to decide why one writes.
Fiction also means books, image on the badge for the month. I may or may not write about fiction books, because those books can be so boring when they're written to a formula. Or if the world they build is not believable. Or if the writer tries to hard. I have taken the time in the past few years to analyze writers whose work I admire. I've checked how they did what they did, why they put this and that in the story. All the elements that in high school, I found so tedious when I had homework assignments. {the reason it's taken me 30 years to read Pride and Prejudice. I noted 40 years earlier because I have been reading books since I learned how to read in first grade.}
Besides, the hallmark for me is if I find a book I like, I read til I finish it. Thus, depending on the number of words, I may find myself reading when I "should" be writing. That would put me in a terrible dilemma. It would be a battle between reading and writing. I'm not sure I want to find out which would win; reading or writing. Cause I have the feeling that reading just might win out.
I'm giving fair warning what my posts will be generally. This is like being in school, getting the assignment, planning, wondering how I'm going to fill up the space with the required words. Luckily, this theme doesn't have a required amount of words. I have all sorts of ideas pushing themselves around trying to get my attention. Fiction can mean so many different things.
There's the fiction one tells one parents when one is out past curfew. Fiction is usually the basis of explanations for why something is not done. {Lies, all lies. You know who} Fiction is found in all areas of life. The one I will focus on is the fiction I write in the hopes of being published. This will entail self publishing because I don't have the patience to send out queries, wait for a rejection, send out again. That is a loop that weeds out those less serious about writing. Then again....One needs to decide why one writes.
Fiction also means books, image on the badge for the month. I may or may not write about fiction books, because those books can be so boring when they're written to a formula. Or if the world they build is not believable. Or if the writer tries to hard. I have taken the time in the past few years to analyze writers whose work I admire. I've checked how they did what they did, why they put this and that in the story. All the elements that in high school, I found so tedious when I had homework assignments. {the reason it's taken me 30 years to read Pride and Prejudice. I noted 40 years earlier because I have been reading books since I learned how to read in first grade.}
Besides, the hallmark for me is if I find a book I like, I read til I finish it. Thus, depending on the number of words, I may find myself reading when I "should" be writing. That would put me in a terrible dilemma. It would be a battle between reading and writing. I'm not sure I want to find out which would win; reading or writing. Cause I have the feeling that reading just might win out.
22 July 2011
Musings from the writer within
Getting up this morning was a bit hard. I've got some more of my stories ready. Thinking about doing an anthology with 4 short stories. Managing time to blog is getting better for me, along with editing, revising those drafts. I'm gad I had that many drafts. Those novels were written during Nanowrimo, 7 of them, 4 were started at various times and never saw the light of revising and one is the one I started as the challenge with my son.
I giggle at some of the paragraphs. Thought I'd have a hard time with revising. The actual story is not a problem. It's the notes I stuck here and there. One or two words just doesn't make sense with this much time gone. So much for the advice of writing everything down. I still have the pictures in my head for each one of them. Yay.
At this stage, all the characters are patiently waiting their turn. It's like a family reunion, the way they're crowding around. I used to read some of the other writer's posts about this very thing. I didn't see how that could happen. Now, I do know. It's fun now because each one of them are their own person and I'm getting advice from some of them on how to rework a scene.
Such scenes in my head means that I'd better get those short stories out there or it's gonna be reunion gone haywire. Hah. I'm sure some are picturing a clash/bash or two that they'd really rather not have attended.
There was this short in a folder with no title on it. I thought it was more notes, web addresses. Not. I'm glad I found this one. It might be the first one I'll publish. It's based on an idea that my mom gave me a few years ago. It's taken on a life of its own and I got the willies just reading it. I thought, 'I wrote this?"
Enough of my musings for this day. Happens to be one of the days I have little time between shifts. That story? It's supposed to be fantasy. I think it's more horror. Maybe dark fantasy?
I giggle at some of the paragraphs. Thought I'd have a hard time with revising. The actual story is not a problem. It's the notes I stuck here and there. One or two words just doesn't make sense with this much time gone. So much for the advice of writing everything down. I still have the pictures in my head for each one of them. Yay.
At this stage, all the characters are patiently waiting their turn. It's like a family reunion, the way they're crowding around. I used to read some of the other writer's posts about this very thing. I didn't see how that could happen. Now, I do know. It's fun now because each one of them are their own person and I'm getting advice from some of them on how to rework a scene.
Such scenes in my head means that I'd better get those short stories out there or it's gonna be reunion gone haywire. Hah. I'm sure some are picturing a clash/bash or two that they'd really rather not have attended.
There was this short in a folder with no title on it. I thought it was more notes, web addresses. Not. I'm glad I found this one. It might be the first one I'll publish. It's based on an idea that my mom gave me a few years ago. It's taken on a life of its own and I got the willies just reading it. I thought, 'I wrote this?"
Enough of my musings for this day. Happens to be one of the days I have little time between shifts. That story? It's supposed to be fantasy. I think it's more horror. Maybe dark fantasy?
18 July 2011
Devising a plan of sorts
Aniin. Greetings. Today's another sunshiny morning. Getting ready to hunt down that black hole that's got hold of my USB cord. Why don't you just get another one you ask? It's the principle of the thing. Black holes shouldn't just appear and then disappear whenever they feel like it. And then there's the issue of why give back one item and hang on to the rest.
Most of the items are of interest only to me. A few may have passing interest for some which means that someone on the other side of that black hole has set this item as their heart's desire. I do not want to encourage this sort of behavior.
Oh for those of you who might argue that I'm talking about a wormhole: things come back from a wormhole. Not so with black holes, unless you have a very smart brownie who will go out of his/her/it's way to rescue something for you.
And the thing with brownies, one has to feed them. Or so I've heard. I've not had the pleasure of personally dealing with one, so I don't know how one goes about it. A quick look on the net reveals that I was right. There appears to be a catch to this feeding. If I bribe the brownie or pay it, it will leave forever. Good thing I haven't done that. Well, I guess that plan goes out the window. I must depend on the brownie's goodwill.
Does that sound familiar to some of you? Well, not the part about leaving forever after forcing a brownie to accept payment/bribe. The part about feeding. Apparently, the brownies are little people who like water, may be related to water sprites, and do household chores if it strikes their fancy. If you don't feed one, it may do mischief. According to another site, brownies become attached to a family and may move with the family if they move, due to their protective nature. Hmmm.
Another thing I discovered is that some Scots will leave a chair open near the fire for their brownie. Only children, because of their innocence, {or those with second sight} can see them. Hmmmm. Hmmmm.
On another note, I also looked up gremlin. Apparently, their origin is more recent, 1923 -1940, the advent of airplanes in general use. The RAF is credited with telling their stories first. Now, they seem to be more mischief makers with machines. Much of the mischief is more along the lines of boys playing pranks. I may have been right when I first surmised that a gremlin might be experimenting with my USB cord.
It's looking more and more like I'd best stick to my original plan and hunt down that black hole myself.
On another note, I also looked up gremlin. Apparently, their origin is more recent, 1923 -1940, the advent of airplanes in general use. The RAF is credited with telling their stories first. Now, they seem to be more mischief makers with machines. Much of the mischief is more along the lines of boys playing pranks. I may have been right when I first surmised that a gremlin might be experimenting with my USB cord.
It's looking more and more like I'd best stick to my original plan and hunt down that black hole myself.
14 July 2011
Getting a library or Kindle figured out
Figured out the Kindle app on my computer. It's great. Now, I'll have the problem of not enough time again because of my love of books. Dragons feature prominently. I looked at the available titles on Amazon. I haven't figured out yet if I can download from other sites. There are some free sites listed under the free collections. Went to one and the system was slow.
The best thing is I can get a lot books that I don't have the physical room for. The house is currently full to the point of walking around the boxes. Getting to ones I want to read again is tough. Books are moved because there are eight of us who read. Oh. I remember when I used to want to live in a library. "Be careful what you wish for" seems to fit right now.
Being able to get the books I'd like may mean getting a second job to pay for them. Many of the ebooks are under $5. It'll be hard to resist the temptation of overbuying. I looked at a few on the Smashwords site. Luckily there is variety of formats to choose from. If you have the time, you can use the web page view and read without downloading.
I have just a few more edits on my short story. Will be publishing it. Haven't decided which self publisher to use yet. There are a couple that I'm thinking about. Soon as that is figured out, I will be back to posting various items I call random thoughts or whatever catches my attention. Most likely something to do with the latest black hole on my favorite haunt. Or... something to do with the latest misadventure with the black hole located in my bedroom that sucks up all my important items such as my USB cord for my camera which also happens to be the charger for it.
I swear, I think the little people are out having fun these days. Forgot about them. Pays to remember such things and keep stuff put away. Haaahn now that leads to organizing the area around the black hole which leads to getting storage things to put my items in. Then leads to putting those things in a spot inaccessible to gremlins who may be the ones responsible for items being put near the black hole.
Hmmm. They may be experimenting with such things as: How close can they set an item such as my USB cord to the edge of the hole before it gets sucked in. Or maybe there is another being such as the one that eats socks in the washer. Hmmmm. Must ponder on this for awhile.
I have just a few more edits on my short story. Will be publishing it. Haven't decided which self publisher to use yet. There are a couple that I'm thinking about. Soon as that is figured out, I will be back to posting various items I call random thoughts or whatever catches my attention. Most likely something to do with the latest black hole on my favorite haunt. Or... something to do with the latest misadventure with the black hole located in my bedroom that sucks up all my important items such as my USB cord for my camera which also happens to be the charger for it.
I swear, I think the little people are out having fun these days. Forgot about them. Pays to remember such things and keep stuff put away. Haaahn now that leads to organizing the area around the black hole which leads to getting storage things to put my items in. Then leads to putting those things in a spot inaccessible to gremlins who may be the ones responsible for items being put near the black hole.
Hmmm. They may be experimenting with such things as: How close can they set an item such as my USB cord to the edge of the hole before it gets sucked in. Or maybe there is another being such as the one that eats socks in the washer. Hmmmm. Must ponder on this for awhile.
02 July 2011
Posting Blogs - News or Views
July heat has begun. Wondering where June went. "They" say time flies when you're having fun. Was June fun? In many ways, yes. Learned several new things. Caught up on reading, mostly blogs, stuff on the web.
One thing catching my attention is the changing views on blogs. Several headlines mentioned that blog writers are increasingly being treated as reporters; apparently, expressing your opinion about politics, styles, books, etc is news.
An opinion according to dictionaries(dot)com - 1. a belief or judgment that rests on grounds insufficient to produce complete certainty. 2. a personal view, attitude, or appraisal. 3. the formal expression of a professional judgment: to ask for a second medical opinion.
A journalist is 1. a person who practices the occupation or profession of journalism. 2. a person who keeps a journal, diary or other record of daily events.
I thought I'd make it clear the focus of my blog posting is to express my opinions about things that interest me. I realize others may or may not agree with me about everything. It's your opinion, your option. I may or may not agree with your opinion. That's life.
I am interested in writing stories that are fiction. I post about events that affect me and how they affect me. Postings include my memories of events in the past. I do my best to check the facts on which I base my conclusions. I change my mind, my conclusions, upon occasion whenever I feel the necessity for it. Anything more, I leave to the experts in journalism. I do hope they remember that they can't possibly report all the facts known about something and they, too, pick and choose which facts to present in their columns.
One thing catching my attention is the changing views on blogs. Several headlines mentioned that blog writers are increasingly being treated as reporters; apparently, expressing your opinion about politics, styles, books, etc is news.
An opinion according to dictionaries(dot)com - 1. a belief or judgment that rests on grounds insufficient to produce complete certainty. 2. a personal view, attitude, or appraisal. 3. the formal expression of a professional judgment: to ask for a second medical opinion.
A journalist is 1. a person who practices the occupation or profession of journalism. 2. a person who keeps a journal, diary or other record of daily events.
I thought I'd make it clear the focus of my blog posting is to express my opinions about things that interest me. I realize others may or may not agree with me about everything. It's your opinion, your option. I may or may not agree with your opinion. That's life.
I am interested in writing stories that are fiction. I post about events that affect me and how they affect me. Postings include my memories of events in the past. I do my best to check the facts on which I base my conclusions. I change my mind, my conclusions, upon occasion whenever I feel the necessity for it. Anything more, I leave to the experts in journalism. I do hope they remember that they can't possibly report all the facts known about something and they, too, pick and choose which facts to present in their columns.
28 June 2011
Being true to Oneself
Aaniin. Greetings all. Up til today, I had dreams of writing and publishing a book. I do have several drafts that are in various stages of editing. All are in the fantasy genre and two or three in nonfiction-biography and history. My dreams aren't dreams any longer. I have written 12 books. Now, I just need to get them published and I have plans for that.
Ever since high school, I've thought about writing. I wrote poems and gave them to people. Once, I was writing a poem. One girl asked me what I was doing. "Revising my poem." "A true artist doesn't have to revise." "Yes you do have to revise." "The words will just automatically be there. You shouldn't have to revise."
Yep, you guessed it. My self confidence took a nose dive and I quit writing. Only once did I write a poem that didn't need revision. This happened shortly before the aforementioned conversation. Remembering this incident lent weight to her words.
Being true to oneself is another thing I heard while growing up. I certainly wasn't true to myself that day. Listening to others is a two edged sword {pen in this instance} that has lasting effects on me. One effect of this piece of advice is that I do a lot of revising in my head now. I visualize paragraphs, reactions, pictures of what I want to create. Getting the words to match the picture I see is what makes the process of writing an adventure.
Another effect is one I find harder to put aside. The hesitation just before I show my work to someone. I hear the tone in her voice which is so easy to project to someone else. I'm grateful for it. It has made my writing better in the long run.
My son and I decided we'd see who got a book published first. That was 8 years ago. Neither one of us has published so far. We're still working on it. The path to that published book has taken each of us in different directions. I've learned a few things from him. His words, his voice are replacing the other in my heart.
I think about my son's reaction when I gave him the first couple chapters of my first book. He read it, handed it back to me without any notations whatsoever. "I don't want to do this." "Why?" "I want to wait until the book is finished."
Ever since high school, I've thought about writing. I wrote poems and gave them to people. Once, I was writing a poem. One girl asked me what I was doing. "Revising my poem." "A true artist doesn't have to revise." "Yes you do have to revise." "The words will just automatically be there. You shouldn't have to revise."
Yep, you guessed it. My self confidence took a nose dive and I quit writing. Only once did I write a poem that didn't need revision. This happened shortly before the aforementioned conversation. Remembering this incident lent weight to her words.
Being true to oneself is another thing I heard while growing up. I certainly wasn't true to myself that day. Listening to others is a two edged sword {pen in this instance} that has lasting effects on me. One effect of this piece of advice is that I do a lot of revising in my head now. I visualize paragraphs, reactions, pictures of what I want to create. Getting the words to match the picture I see is what makes the process of writing an adventure.
Another effect is one I find harder to put aside. The hesitation just before I show my work to someone. I hear the tone in her voice which is so easy to project to someone else. I'm grateful for it. It has made my writing better in the long run.
My son and I decided we'd see who got a book published first. That was 8 years ago. Neither one of us has published so far. We're still working on it. The path to that published book has taken each of us in different directions. I've learned a few things from him. His words, his voice are replacing the other in my heart.
I think about my son's reaction when I gave him the first couple chapters of my first book. He read it, handed it back to me without any notations whatsoever. "I don't want to do this." "Why?" "I want to wait until the book is finished."
11 June 2011
11 June 2011 Getting to be Annual Blogpost time
Aaniin, greetings one and all. I lost my password, then had to work on getting my website back up and running. Found my password. Then had to find the site I looked at earlier in May. Went to my website to get the necessary admin stuff out of the way so I could access my blog. After all that, I found out that I had a regular account. Hah. Then had to find the site that was supposed to help me get in the habit of posting every day. Missed the deadline of June 5 for the "Blogroll". Looked at the prompts, looked at a few of the blogs. Found my Blog, read back over what I had previously posted. Now here I am. Only took roughly 2 weeks. Ahh well, didn't let you know about the daily excursions to Cafeworld or semi-daily trips to Farmville. These two games have been taking up the majority of my off-duty time.
I found out one of the hazards of cooking dishes in the fantasy kitchen of Cafeworld is the discussion with my sister concerning what to serve next. Do not discuss what is being cooked when there are several hungry people in the next room who can hear what you're saying.
"I'm cooking the pot roast." ends in "I hate you. I hate Cafeworld." when it is discovered that the pot roast will take two days to cook. Discussions of French toast and Eggs Benedict end in groans from the next room. "You got my hopes up and all set for good food." when it is discovered that I just served 40 of the required 80 Toasts and still need 165 Eggs Benedict.
And the hazard of farming is forgetting the time of the crops planted, going to the site, waiting several minutes for it to load, only to find the crops had wilted. Now, I'm delaying visiting my farm until I hit the required time for one of my goodhearted neighbors to unwither my crops because I ran out of Farmville Cash with which to unwither them myself for the hefty price of 5 FV. Hahhnhh.
Now, I've added another objective to my long list of things I want to do when I find the time. Daily blogging. This objective is to turn the Annual Blogpost into one of the following varieties:
1. monthly at the least
2. weekly for a lessening of the "oh drats, what did I do with that password"
3. daily for the great sense of accomplishment I just know I will feel seeing my blog added to daily.
Gathering all the necessary items takes up several minutes. I just have to have chips to chomp, coffee to slurp, an open path to the door for my, oh horrors, dare I say it?? Yeah. My twice hourly cigarette. Ahh, there it is. In reality, my twice hourly cigarette is both halves to make a finished one.
That leads to thoughts of my son's comments which leads to the hankering for the real thing.
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