What a crazy year this has been. It's the year that my big appetite for music became voracious and I sought out friends and resources to feed it. It's the year that I "discovered" audio books as a natural result of driving for work - a lot. It's the year I didn't go to the theater as much as I used to, but everything came to DVD so much quicker. It's the year I hoped to finish my book. It's the year I started this blog.
This is a very personal best list, so the things that I'm highlighting as my favorites of 2008 may not have been released in 2008, just discovered by me in this year that's soon to be past.
Books - 2008 is the year I read more nonfiction, romance and thriller than ever before, not to mention almost all of Jennifer Weiner and Jennifer Crusie, Spiderwick and Neverland and a lot of David Sedaris. Out of the almost 150 books I've read this year, my 15 favorites in roughly the order I read them:
1. His Dark Materials (3) Philip Pullman
2. Gregor and the Code of Claw, Suzanne Collins
3. When a Man Loves a Weapon (this will be released in 2009), Toni McGee Causey
4. Things I've Learned from Women Who've Dumped Me, Ed. Ben Karlin
5. The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao (about halfway through the year now), Junot Diaz
6. The Rescue Artist, Edward Dolnick
7. The Ruby Key, Holly Lisle
8. To Kill a Mockingbird (finally read this!), Harper Lee
9. Mr. Sebastian and the Negro Magician, Daniel Wallace
10. Calumet City, Charlie Newton
11. Finn, Jon Clinch
12. A Very Long Engagement, Sebastien Japrisot
13. Special Topics in Calamity Physics, Marisha Pessl
14. Unaccustomed Earth, Jhumpa Lahiri
15. The Wolfman, Nicholas Pekearo
Notables: Continued reading some of my favorite series - the "Alice" books by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, Louise Rennison's Georgia Nicholson books, and Fourth Comings by Megan McCafferty. Also was blown away by a trio of historical romance writers - Gaelen Foley, Sherry Thomas and Suzanne Enoch, who gloriously re-invent the genre and write freaking well. Agnes and the Hitman and Faking It made me laugh myself hoarse. And I've been crazy about the Twilight series, of course, really impressed with how things wrapped up in Breaking Dawn.
Movies - I used to go to a movie by myself every Sunday, but that habit sadly went away. However, as a three year + member of Netflix, I still saw over 100 movies this year (and I did get to the theater some, of course). I'm going to try to approximate the order I saw them in.
1. Stardust
2. Once
3. Juno
4. Shoot 'Em Up
5. Across the Universe
6. Wanted
7. Live Free or Die Hard
8. Dear Frankie
9. I'm Not There
10. Persepolis
11. Dark Knight
12. My Blueberry Nights
13. The Brave One
14. Penelope
15. Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day
16. Mamma Mia!
17. Wall*E - in some ways, my favorite of the year
18. Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist
19. Twilight
20. I Could Never Be Your Woman
21. Rachel Getting Married
22. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Notables: Much, much better than I'd heard/you'd think - Speed Racer, Good Luck Chuck and The Cutting Edge 3. 21 and Atonement almost made my list, so I guess that makes me a big James McAvoy fan.
TV - This was the year my t.v. became largely decorative. When I forgot how to hook the cables and wires back up after Gustav and relied almost entirely on watching t.v. on my computer. But the shows I love, I love all the more for it. No particular order here.
1. How I Met Your Mother
2. Bones (NOT happy it's moving to Thursdays)
3. So You Think You Can Dance (Cat Deely's the bomb, Joshua wasn't my fav and we need DVD)
4. Survivor (yes, I still love this show)
5. In Plain Sight
6. Top Chef
7. Moonlight (NOT happy this got canceled)
8. Pushing Daisies (NOT happy this got canceled)
Notables: Big Bang Theory surprises me, whenever I manage to catch it, with how funny it is.
Music -This was the year of music. I've never been such an avid music listener and collector.
Singles -
1. Wagon Wheel, Old Crow Medicine Show (most listened to song in my iTunes)
2. Forever in Blue Jeans, Jason Castro (he wasn't my favorite, but this stuck in my head)
3. Toxic, Yael Naim (cover of Britney, haunting and freaky)
4. Fake Is the New Real, Alice Smith
5. Johnny and June, Heidi Newfield
6. Be My Husband, Lisa Hannigan and Damien Rice
7. So What, Pink
8. Another Way to Die, Alicia Keyes and Jack White
9. American Boy, Estelle and Kanye
10. Just Like a Woman, Charlotte Gainsbourg
11. Holding Out for a Hero, Frou Frou
12. Are You Strong Enough to Be My Man, Sheryl Crow
13. You Got Growing Up to Do, Patty Griffin and Joshua Radin
14. Echo, Cyndi Lauper
15. Comes Love, Billie Holiday
16. Whatever Lola Wants, Ella Fitzgerald
17. Love Song, Sara Bareilles
18. See You Again, Miley Cyrus (say what you want, but this song is catchy and cool)
20. Missed Me, Dresden Dolls
19. Hide and Seek, Imogen Heap
20. Arms of a Woman, Amos Lee
21. Lilac Wine, Katie Melua
22. Do I Move You, Nina Simone
23. Hurt, Johnny Cash
CDs -
1. Across the Universe soundtrack (oh glorious TV Carpio, put out a cd already! Dana Fuchs!)
2. Juno soundtrack
3. Once soundtrack
4. Acid Tongue, Jenny Lewis
5. Volume 1, She & Him
6. Black Snake Moan soundtrack
Performers, period -
1. Patty Griffin - I'm delirious over Patty Griffin
2. Jenny Lewis
3. Lucinda Williams
4. Emmylou Harris
5. Allison Moorer
6. The White Stripes, Jack White notably
7. The Dresden Dolls
8. Roisin Murphy
9. Katie Herzig
10. Sugarland
11. Krista Detor
Notables: My love for Nina Simone, Johnny Cash, The Magnetic Fields, Cake and The Beatles, always vibrant, has been renewed. I grew to really appreciate Kanye West (though my first love for him came after his infamous quote after Katrina). And I learned that, as amusing as I find it when my neighbor M. sings the lyrics to "Ding, Ding, Dong," I am NOT a fan of Gunther.
Websites - These are the websites I checked every day in 2008, once I knew about them!
1. Post Secret
2. I Am Fuel, You Are Friends
3. Living With Music - writers blog about music!
4. GalleyCat - how could I leave this one off?
5. Wikipedia
6. imdb
7. cdbaby
8. Amazon
9. Craigslist
10. YouTube
My Favorite Things - What I've been loving this year
1. Favorite Home Away from Home - Cheers, my coffeeshop
2. Friends - you know who you are and likely, you've introduce me to a lot of great music and food this year. I love you for it, this year and all years.
3. Family - for the pictures, the drama and the support.
4. Local Music - The Zydepunks, The New Orleans Bingo! Show, Loose Marbles and Gal Holiday
5. Food - the roast beef po'boy at Parkway just may be my favorite thing I've eaten this year
6. Lessons - dancing, parallel parking, how to be a better writer (friends again, thank you)
7. Libraries - Nola and BR, so very excited about having multiple library cards
8. Writing - NaNoWriMo, PerNoWriMo, Write or Die, Jamey
9. Epiphany - being excited and finding others who're also excited about the same things.
10. City - New Orleans. Of course and always.
That's it, Emilie's Top List for 2008. Enjoy. Argue. Applaud. Whatever. :)
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Lazy last day of the year afternoon
I won't call them resolutions (cause that's just asking for trouble and, usually, failure), but there are a lot of things I want to change and accomplish in 2009. I'm excited.
So on this last day of 2008, let me post a couple of things that please and amuse me (my Top of 2008 list will be up later, just for you).
First, I adore this short piece about a 5 year old chef with a television show. I sent a link of it to a few of my favorite people and Mamma Mia! wrote back in an email: "I would probably give it a test run. He looks cute. Your dad and I watched that angry chef that goes to restaurants and helps them turn them around and the chef acted like a 2 year old most of the time." Which made me laugh so hard I scared a few people. I have to assume she's talking about Gordon Ramsey.
Checking out Living With Music today, I'm reminded of how much Norah Vincent rocks. A while back, I read her Self-Made Man and I continue to believe that every American man needs to read this book. Also, women and non-Americans. But, having met quite a few guys with Peter Pan syndrome who struggle to know how they're supposed to be MEN in this day and age, I think they need to read a book about how a woman managed being a man for a year. We're all a bit confused these days about what it means to be a woman or a man, to be ourselves and our genders. It helps that Norah Vincent's a very good writer. (I met her when she came to LSU to promote S-MM, but I'm not posting the picture, sorry). Here's my favorite part of her LWM playlist: "Here Comes the Sun, Nina Simone. I had to put Nina on this list, because, to my mind, her voice, her music, is proof of the existence of God. She makes me feel less alone in the world, which is why, even though she’s usually singing the lowest of the low down dirty blues, I feel better when I listen to her. Her cover of this Beatles classic is just about the only even vaguely upbeat song she sings that isn’t about sin, heartbreak, injustice or all of the above. Still, be warned, she’s not for the unalloyed. This is a long-steeped melancholic’s brand of sweet tart, so don’t try this at home. There’s always a bit of bite to the sugar in Nina’s bowl but, for my money, that just makes the pleasure last longer." Looking forward to reading her new book, Voluntary Madness.
And we can't forget GalleyCat and their Year in Publishing (wish, wish, wish, there was one link I could give you for all of them, but here's January and December, just to get you started).
Look for the Top of 2008 List later today...
So on this last day of 2008, let me post a couple of things that please and amuse me (my Top of 2008 list will be up later, just for you).
First, I adore this short piece about a 5 year old chef with a television show. I sent a link of it to a few of my favorite people and Mamma Mia! wrote back in an email: "I would probably give it a test run. He looks cute. Your dad and I watched that angry chef that goes to restaurants and helps them turn them around and the chef acted like a 2 year old most of the time." Which made me laugh so hard I scared a few people. I have to assume she's talking about Gordon Ramsey.
Checking out Living With Music today, I'm reminded of how much Norah Vincent rocks. A while back, I read her Self-Made Man and I continue to believe that every American man needs to read this book. Also, women and non-Americans. But, having met quite a few guys with Peter Pan syndrome who struggle to know how they're supposed to be MEN in this day and age, I think they need to read a book about how a woman managed being a man for a year. We're all a bit confused these days about what it means to be a woman or a man, to be ourselves and our genders. It helps that Norah Vincent's a very good writer. (I met her when she came to LSU to promote S-MM, but I'm not posting the picture, sorry). Here's my favorite part of her LWM playlist: "Here Comes the Sun, Nina Simone. I had to put Nina on this list, because, to my mind, her voice, her music, is proof of the existence of God. She makes me feel less alone in the world, which is why, even though she’s usually singing the lowest of the low down dirty blues, I feel better when I listen to her. Her cover of this Beatles classic is just about the only even vaguely upbeat song she sings that isn’t about sin, heartbreak, injustice or all of the above. Still, be warned, she’s not for the unalloyed. This is a long-steeped melancholic’s brand of sweet tart, so don’t try this at home. There’s always a bit of bite to the sugar in Nina’s bowl but, for my money, that just makes the pleasure last longer." Looking forward to reading her new book, Voluntary Madness.
And we can't forget GalleyCat and their Year in Publishing (wish, wish, wish, there was one link I could give you for all of them, but here's January and December, just to get you started).
Look for the Top of 2008 List later today...
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
The Curious Case...
The other evening, I saw The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, which I enjoyed a lot. Somehow, in everything I read about the movie (and one of my friends from FD4 worked on it), I never found out that Katrina features in it. That's not necessarily a spoiler. But I will say, the way Katrina happened in Benjamin Button is similar to how I want it to take place in my book. I was fascinated by the locations of the movie and was pretty convinced that Queenie's retirement house was (at least in part) the "wedding cake house" on St. Charles. Well, I went and read F. Scott Fitzgerald's short story and yes, they're nothing alike. Nothing. They pretty much just have a title in common. I prefer the movie, but then I've never been a big F. Scott fan, so I may be prejudiced. It is fascinating to me how a roughly 20-page short story written at the beginning of one century can be the genesis of a film so evocative of the beginning of the next century. Check this out if you want to read a discussion of the short story and movie.
From wordsmith's word of the day today: "There is only one difference between a madman and me. The madman thinks he is sane. I know I am mad." -Salvador Dali [Word of the Day]
And to recycle some stuff from Christmas Eve that I never posted:
My horoscope (Tarot.com): Your imagination cannot be contained by traditional rituals and safe family activities. No matter what's happening on the surface, you have a metaphysical ticket to ride as the Moon moves through your 12th House of Spirituality. Make a commitment to be present for holiday festivities, while also keeping an eye on your inner journey.
Adem's 208 best songs of 2008 was my Christmas present to myself. It helped me discover some bands I'd never even heard of. Check it out, it has links to the songs on YouTube, MySpace, etc. Here's some music I've been liking (from the list and also recommended when I watched the links).
Crying Blood, VV Brown (Adem's #1, not as scary as it sounds, really fun and up-tempo)
No Can Do, Sugababes
A hysterical parody of Britney's Womanizer.
A bit scattered, but hope you enjoy.
From wordsmith's word of the day today: "There is only one difference between a madman and me. The madman thinks he is sane. I know I am mad." -Salvador Dali [Word of the Day]
And to recycle some stuff from Christmas Eve that I never posted:
My horoscope (Tarot.com): Your imagination cannot be contained by traditional rituals and safe family activities. No matter what's happening on the surface, you have a metaphysical ticket to ride as the Moon moves through your 12th House of Spirituality. Make a commitment to be present for holiday festivities, while also keeping an eye on your inner journey.
Adem's 208 best songs of 2008 was my Christmas present to myself. It helped me discover some bands I'd never even heard of. Check it out, it has links to the songs on YouTube, MySpace, etc. Here's some music I've been liking (from the list and also recommended when I watched the links).
Crying Blood, VV Brown (Adem's #1, not as scary as it sounds, really fun and up-tempo)
No Can Do, Sugababes
A hysterical parody of Britney's Womanizer.
A bit scattered, but hope you enjoy.
Monday, December 29, 2008
I think this is really cool
Five female writers on the "Thinking Man's Sexiest" list. (Yes, yes, GalleyCat).
Hope everybody had a wonderful Christmas and is anticipating a glorious year ahead.
Hope everybody had a wonderful Christmas and is anticipating a glorious year ahead.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Catching up
So the 9th Annual Spaghetti Christmas Dinner went off without a hitch, thanks to everyone who celebrated with me. Next year, we'll have to do it up even better to commemorate a decade of spaghetti and friends. I'll put together an album of pictures from all the s'getti dinners, I think and have that out for everyone to see. What began in a dorm room at LSU and just took place in an apartment in New Orleans is now a tradition going strong.
There are a lot of things I've been meaning to talk about. One is my growing appreciation for Barack Obama, my increasing delight that his inauguration is coming up. What's to be so excited about? If for nothing else, I'm thrilled that our incoming president not only values reading and books, but is already a published author. I just finished listening to Audacity of Hope, read by Obama, and I'm looking forward to seeing him accomplish the things he discusses there - though it'll take time and continued support. He has big ideas and big hopes for this country and I can't believe it, but I finally have confidence in a politician.
Now, hoping that Obama and Oprah and continue to help the publishing industry (and the economy) make a comeback, here's a plethora of humorous, terrifying, and informative links about these scary times in The Industry:
Which creative writing programs produce the "best" writers? (GalleyCat)
Publish your rejection letters. (GalleyCat)
This pisses me off, wish I wasn't so jealous of a nine year old. (GalleyCat)
Gabriel Garcia Marquez's new book. (GalleyCat)
The self-destructing poem. (GalleyCat)
Best American Short Stories will include online writing. (GalleyCat)
And online journalism is now eligible for the Pulitzer Prize. (GalleyCat)
Y.A. too sexy? (GalleyCat)
Elizabeth Alexander to read at Obama's inauguration. (GalleyCat)
I honestly do read something other than GalleyCat, but they're usually the ones I want to link to most. Is there a prize for that?
So what I've been loving lately: Barack Obama and his books, Krista Detor , Special Topics in Calamity Physics (I really wanted to hate this book, but I just can't - it's one of my favorites now) and Unaccustomed Earth, which I just finished (Jhumpa Lahiri is scary talented). Maybe I'll do a list of 2008's Favorite Things before the year's over. Maybe...that'll be really hard.
There are a lot of things I've been meaning to talk about. One is my growing appreciation for Barack Obama, my increasing delight that his inauguration is coming up. What's to be so excited about? If for nothing else, I'm thrilled that our incoming president not only values reading and books, but is already a published author. I just finished listening to Audacity of Hope, read by Obama, and I'm looking forward to seeing him accomplish the things he discusses there - though it'll take time and continued support. He has big ideas and big hopes for this country and I can't believe it, but I finally have confidence in a politician.
Now, hoping that Obama and Oprah and continue to help the publishing industry (and the economy) make a comeback, here's a plethora of humorous, terrifying, and informative links about these scary times in The Industry:
Which creative writing programs produce the "best" writers? (GalleyCat)
Publish your rejection letters. (GalleyCat)
This pisses me off, wish I wasn't so jealous of a nine year old. (GalleyCat)
Gabriel Garcia Marquez's new book. (GalleyCat)
The self-destructing poem. (GalleyCat)
Best American Short Stories will include online writing. (GalleyCat)
And online journalism is now eligible for the Pulitzer Prize. (GalleyCat)
Y.A. too sexy? (GalleyCat)
Elizabeth Alexander to read at Obama's inauguration. (GalleyCat)
I honestly do read something other than GalleyCat, but they're usually the ones I want to link to most. Is there a prize for that?
So what I've been loving lately: Barack Obama and his books, Krista Detor , Special Topics in Calamity Physics (I really wanted to hate this book, but I just can't - it's one of my favorites now) and Unaccustomed Earth, which I just finished (Jhumpa Lahiri is scary talented). Maybe I'll do a list of 2008's Favorite Things before the year's over. Maybe...that'll be really hard.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Indie movie
So if you're looking for a film that ends with two naked people in a tub playing trumpets, I've got a recommendation for you. :) Happy Sunday everybody. I have sooooo much work to do.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
SNOW IN NEW ORLEANS!
I woke up this morning to several people texting me about snow in Nola. One said (after the excited expletives): "It's snowing in New Orleans. Next up: Zombie Apocalypse." Another, simply "Snow!" Have I ever said how much I love snow? I ran downstairs in my pjs, ridiculously underdressed, to gaze in stupefied joy at at the rather skimpy but still glorious covering of snow on the cars, trees and neutral ground in front of my house. W., my neighbor, came out, shivered and said glumly, "I just hope next year's hurricane season isn't awful. We had snow the Christmas before Katrina." And a side affect of snow in Nola: sirens. People just do not know how to deal with driving on icy streets here, unfortunately. By the time I saw it, icy rain was beginning to disintegrate the snow on my car and the ground. But the fact of the matter, beyond all that, is that it SNOWED IN NEW ORLEANS TODAY and that makes me ridiculously happy. It finally feels like the Christmas season to me.
With that in mind, check out this video by Krista Detor that Dave sent me today. I fell in instant love. It's not the actual video Dave sent, but one I found after watching the one he sent.
For the first time in a long time, I heard something last night that made me want to pray. I am not a religious person, but am still rather spiritual. And I heard a story that made me, not exactly pray, but wish fervently for something, for someone's health, for the happiness and security of their family. It feels like a gift, the snow and the ability to want something ephemeral so badly for someone I've never met.
Here are some pictures of the snow (thanks to Jamey for making it possible for me to get them where I wanted in this post):
With that in mind, check out this video by Krista Detor that Dave sent me today. I fell in instant love. It's not the actual video Dave sent, but one I found after watching the one he sent.
For the first time in a long time, I heard something last night that made me want to pray. I am not a religious person, but am still rather spiritual. And I heard a story that made me, not exactly pray, but wish fervently for something, for someone's health, for the happiness and security of their family. It feels like a gift, the snow and the ability to want something ephemeral so badly for someone I've never met.
Here are some pictures of the snow (thanks to Jamey for making it possible for me to get them where I wanted in this post):
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Four years ago...
Today is an important and highly personal anniversary for me. So I'm going to have a happy vacation day and celebrate. Happy Sunday everybody.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Some bad news
It's a bad time of year for folks to be losing jobs, not that it's every a good time. But we need to get this economy in shape fast.
This video got me. Read the article: ABC News: 533,000 Jobs Lost in November
Posted using ShareThis
This video got me. Read the article: ABC News: 533,000 Jobs Lost in November
Posted using ShareThis
Friday, December 5, 2008
I love this city
"New Orleans ain't a city, it's a star.
It's a home."
Saw that in a public restroom today, the second part added by somebody else in different-colored ink. It's in keeping with my own thoughts, feeling a resurge of my adoration of this city.
So Toni gave me some vital feedback on TCB that kind of forced some issues to a head, much like Jamey's feedback at the beginning of this year did. How is it possible to get so entrenched in a massive book and forget what it's actually about? So taking Toni's "you have too many cats" comment to heart, I have to decipher what is the story and what is me "not trusting that the story and its emotions are enough and packing the book with more." It feels like a house of cards to me, if I finagle out one character, subplot, issue, etc., the rest is going to come tumbling down.
There's something I have to remember. When people ask me what my story is about, I've been saying, "it's about the circus," and that's not true. The circus is a landscape of my book, as is New Orleans. But waaaaaay back in mid 2004, when the first recognizable inkling of this book (not counting my aborted story that I realized was a precursor) came to me, this is what came:
A woman is awake in bed next to her sleeping lover. She's just found out that morning that she's pregnant. She's terrified and doesn't know what to do. She climbs out of bed without disturbing him, packs a few things and leaves.
That's what I'm writing about.
I was clearer about that last night when M. drove me around the French Quarter, the Marigny, the 9th Ward and Mid City looking for a good location for something important near the end of the book. It was amazing, as a writer and as a new local still breathlessly in love with her city, to take that ride.
But my favorite part of the evening, I have to say, was going to Parkway to get po'boys. A little while ago, M. and I had their roast beef po'boy at the Po'boy Festival and it was incredible. We only had one napkin between the two of us and we ate walking back to the car, getting messy, but eating greedily anyway. I raved about it here on the blog and I've been wanting to go to Parkway and have it again. Sometimes, when you have such an astounding food experience, it can't be replicated and the food never lives up to that first time. That's NOT the case here. I ordered the roast beef again and M. got the Thanksgiving Dinner po'boy (turkey, stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce) and we shared some sweet potato fries at the bar. It was a good choice to sit at the bar because the owner came by, chatted with us and seemed to enjoy watching us enjoy our food. I employed my super-secret turn-the-po'boy-over eating technique, but near the end, had to ditch the bread unfortunately and just finish the roast beef, as there wasn't enough room for it all. M. quoted his friend, saying, "Go for the gusto." We were too full to have dessert (and we'd scored some sweet potato pies from Hubig's for later), but I asked the owner what he'd suggest we try next time we come. Perfect timing, it turns out, because his nephew came out of the kitchen with a rum cake they'd made by mistake for somebody. Hearing me ask his uncle about dessert recommendations, he said, "You can try this first," and gave us the rum cake. So of course we had to try it! It was warm pound cake, soaked just right in rum and it was heavenly. We couldn't finish it, of course, so I took it home (and you can bet it's all gone now. Yum).
So today I'm trying to get back to my story, dreaming of rum cake and roast beef po'boys and idly asking myself, "Is New Orleans a star - celebrity or celestial object?"
It's a home."
Saw that in a public restroom today, the second part added by somebody else in different-colored ink. It's in keeping with my own thoughts, feeling a resurge of my adoration of this city.
So Toni gave me some vital feedback on TCB that kind of forced some issues to a head, much like Jamey's feedback at the beginning of this year did. How is it possible to get so entrenched in a massive book and forget what it's actually about? So taking Toni's "you have too many cats" comment to heart, I have to decipher what is the story and what is me "not trusting that the story and its emotions are enough and packing the book with more." It feels like a house of cards to me, if I finagle out one character, subplot, issue, etc., the rest is going to come tumbling down.
There's something I have to remember. When people ask me what my story is about, I've been saying, "it's about the circus," and that's not true. The circus is a landscape of my book, as is New Orleans. But waaaaaay back in mid 2004, when the first recognizable inkling of this book (not counting my aborted story that I realized was a precursor) came to me, this is what came:
A woman is awake in bed next to her sleeping lover. She's just found out that morning that she's pregnant. She's terrified and doesn't know what to do. She climbs out of bed without disturbing him, packs a few things and leaves.
That's what I'm writing about.
I was clearer about that last night when M. drove me around the French Quarter, the Marigny, the 9th Ward and Mid City looking for a good location for something important near the end of the book. It was amazing, as a writer and as a new local still breathlessly in love with her city, to take that ride.
But my favorite part of the evening, I have to say, was going to Parkway to get po'boys. A little while ago, M. and I had their roast beef po'boy at the Po'boy Festival and it was incredible. We only had one napkin between the two of us and we ate walking back to the car, getting messy, but eating greedily anyway. I raved about it here on the blog and I've been wanting to go to Parkway and have it again. Sometimes, when you have such an astounding food experience, it can't be replicated and the food never lives up to that first time. That's NOT the case here. I ordered the roast beef again and M. got the Thanksgiving Dinner po'boy (turkey, stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce) and we shared some sweet potato fries at the bar. It was a good choice to sit at the bar because the owner came by, chatted with us and seemed to enjoy watching us enjoy our food. I employed my super-secret turn-the-po'boy-over eating technique, but near the end, had to ditch the bread unfortunately and just finish the roast beef, as there wasn't enough room for it all. M. quoted his friend, saying, "Go for the gusto." We were too full to have dessert (and we'd scored some sweet potato pies from Hubig's for later), but I asked the owner what he'd suggest we try next time we come. Perfect timing, it turns out, because his nephew came out of the kitchen with a rum cake they'd made by mistake for somebody. Hearing me ask his uncle about dessert recommendations, he said, "You can try this first," and gave us the rum cake. So of course we had to try it! It was warm pound cake, soaked just right in rum and it was heavenly. We couldn't finish it, of course, so I took it home (and you can bet it's all gone now. Yum).
So today I'm trying to get back to my story, dreaming of rum cake and roast beef po'boys and idly asking myself, "Is New Orleans a star - celebrity or celestial object?"
Monday, December 1, 2008
When in doubt...
...dance sequences from Bollywood movies on YouTube! Or these from Lagaan: Radha kaise na jale and Chale Chalo. Sigh.
Christmas spaghetti
Invitations have officially gone out for the ONE party I throw every year, so now I'm getting excited. Only now, I have to start thinking seriously about cleaning the house.
You know, it's great that Cheers has gotten so much busier and popular. Except, you know, that it's not so great. It's not the place where everybody knows your name anymore, because there are A LOT more people, strangers. Though, the people who do know your name have totally bonded over the experience, even setting up buddy systems for bequeathing tables to Cheers regulars when we leave. Gotta look out for each other, us Cheers regulars.
And, apparently, I really like Wilco. Huh. Who knew.
You know, it's great that Cheers has gotten so much busier and popular. Except, you know, that it's not so great. It's not the place where everybody knows your name anymore, because there are A LOT more people, strangers. Though, the people who do know your name have totally bonded over the experience, even setting up buddy systems for bequeathing tables to Cheers regulars when we leave. Gotta look out for each other, us Cheers regulars.
And, apparently, I really like Wilco. Huh. Who knew.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
'Fess Up Sunday - the NaNoWriMo edition
So now that NaNoWriMo is ending tonight, I'm ready for one final November fess up.
I'm not going to make 50,000 words. It turns out that (and yes, I did know this, but now I know it) trying to do massive amounts of new words on an old project is very, very hard. But, I still won.
Oh not by NaNo's standards. However, this month was a massive epiphany, rolling waves of insights.
Here's a shortlist of my accomplishments:
1) I edited and wrote new scenes up to page 230 or so.
2) I rewrote, just this weekend, an imperative new edit of the first chapter.
3) I managed about 15,000 new words, including 1882 today alone -- and today's word count was entirely without the aid of Write Or Die (though can't tell you how happy I am that it exists).
4) Best of all, I'm still committed (more so now than ever) to finishing the book by the end of the year. I may have to escape from all human contact the last week or so, but I think it can be done.
So, good luck to all of you NaNo-ers, especially those of you who are in a writing frenzy to cross the finish line. No matter what your word count is for this month, isn't it cool what we've done?
I'm not going to make 50,000 words. It turns out that (and yes, I did know this, but now I know it) trying to do massive amounts of new words on an old project is very, very hard. But, I still won.
Oh not by NaNo's standards. However, this month was a massive epiphany, rolling waves of insights.
Here's a shortlist of my accomplishments:
1) I edited and wrote new scenes up to page 230 or so.
2) I rewrote, just this weekend, an imperative new edit of the first chapter.
3) I managed about 15,000 new words, including 1882 today alone -- and today's word count was entirely without the aid of Write Or Die (though can't tell you how happy I am that it exists).
4) Best of all, I'm still committed (more so now than ever) to finishing the book by the end of the year. I may have to escape from all human contact the last week or so, but I think it can be done.
So, good luck to all of you NaNo-ers, especially those of you who are in a writing frenzy to cross the finish line. No matter what your word count is for this month, isn't it cool what we've done?
Friday, November 28, 2008
MUSIC!
Hope everybody had a cozy, happy Thanksgiving (or as my friend R. called it, "steal a country and kill a turkey day"). Today, Black Friday, I'm giving you oodles of Christmas presents early, from me to you (and all without my favorites to back me up, on my parents' computer).
I have an enormous, voracious, ravenous appetite for new music. To that end, I have several tools that I use to find more. Whenever I see a movie, I often look up the soundtracks at imdb or Amazon. I'm likely to email my friends Dave and Nick and beg for suggestions. The Gossip Girl website is good for new music (there are separate playlists for all the characters) and cdbaby is always there for me (and now sending me a newsletter!). Another good source of music you hear on t.v. is TuneFind. Just while looking for one of my links, I found this blog called Song a Day, which didn't last long but looks interesting, but alas, I can't find the one I was looking for. I'm a big fan of Cassette From My Ex (though I wish they'd update more often), which I've mentioned before. One of my happiest finds was NPR's Song of the Day newsletter (they have a Music Notes newsletter, too). Another extremely good find was the NY Times' Living with Music blog where writers are asked to make playlists. One of my recent favorites was Elissa Schappell and I, of course, adored Nick Hornby's. He made me extremely angry about a Ben Folds song I can't find anywhere. And best of all, he introduced me to the music blog I Am Fuel, You Are Friends.
Okay, don't say I never gave you anything. Hey! If you want to give me something, send me some links for great new music finds. I always need new music. Have a great weekend everybody.
I have an enormous, voracious, ravenous appetite for new music. To that end, I have several tools that I use to find more. Whenever I see a movie, I often look up the soundtracks at imdb or Amazon. I'm likely to email my friends Dave and Nick and beg for suggestions. The Gossip Girl website is good for new music (there are separate playlists for all the characters) and cdbaby is always there for me (and now sending me a newsletter!). Another good source of music you hear on t.v. is TuneFind. Just while looking for one of my links, I found this blog called Song a Day, which didn't last long but looks interesting, but alas, I can't find the one I was looking for. I'm a big fan of Cassette From My Ex (though I wish they'd update more often), which I've mentioned before. One of my happiest finds was NPR's Song of the Day newsletter (they have a Music Notes newsletter, too). Another extremely good find was the NY Times' Living with Music blog where writers are asked to make playlists. One of my recent favorites was Elissa Schappell and I, of course, adored Nick Hornby's. He made me extremely angry about a Ben Folds song I can't find anywhere. And best of all, he introduced me to the music blog I Am Fuel, You Are Friends.
Okay, don't say I never gave you anything. Hey! If you want to give me something, send me some links for great new music finds. I always need new music. Have a great weekend everybody.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Lying to tell the truth
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It was actually a bit over 45 minutes, but the timer re-set itself while I was writing. Still pretty freaking awesome!!
Emily the Strange and Cyber Space
I'm amused this morning to see Emily the Strange and Lauren Conrad side by side on the main page of MySpace. Oh what a world we live in.
And in my inbox, Megan McCafferty's newsletter showing me the cover and synopsis of the fifth and final Jessica Darling novel, Perfect Fifths. These books have pretty much shadowed me at every turn of my growing up so far, since I read the first one, Sloppy Firsts. And I read an amusing blog from McCafferty on her Fifteen Minutes on Facebook and MySpace. I feel like that pretty much every day, but I will persevere on in this cyber space.
And in my inbox, Megan McCafferty's newsletter showing me the cover and synopsis of the fifth and final Jessica Darling novel, Perfect Fifths. These books have pretty much shadowed me at every turn of my growing up so far, since I read the first one, Sloppy Firsts. And I read an amusing blog from McCafferty on her Fifteen Minutes on Facebook and MySpace. I feel like that pretty much every day, but I will persevere on in this cyber space.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
You have everything you need
Jamey told me that my new mantra is, "You have everything you need," and I am invoking it as frequently as possible. It's already helped the past few days and considering how crazy I've been, imagine how much crazier I would've been without, "You have everything you need."
Let's talk about food for a moment. Or an hour.
Can I just say how impeccable and lovely the meals always are at the Monteleone Hotel? The food is wonderful and the service is to die for, cordial and consistent. I always feel like I'm living my dream life when I'm in the rooftop dining room, looking out over the curve of the Mississippi and eating my vegetables like a good girl. Words and Music, the parts I attended, was divine this year, as usual. It's always chock-full of memorable people and experiences.
Afterwards, I dashed into Beckham's Bookshop (which, if I remember correctly, was the first bookshop I ever visited in Nola ten years ago) to buy James Nolan's Perpetual Care. Then, went into Southern Candymakers to buy some pralines. I'm always welcomed there like an old friend and I amuse them by selling candy while I'm in line by recommending my favorites to the tourists. I was shocked and enormously pleased when they gave me a discount. I once had an argument with somebody over which was the best candy shop in the city and after about five minutes of intense disagreement, we realized we were talking about the two locations of the same shop (at either end of Decatur). Another friend insists Laura's Candies is the best, especially their truffles, which I'll admit I haven't tried, but my money is always on Southern Candymakers, especially for pralines (but also try a Jackson Square or their huge peanut butter cups or their white chocolate macadamia tortues or their covered Oreos or their fudge or anything really). One of the candy sellers and I have an intense ongoing debate about whether pralines are best served warm (him) or frozen with milk (me). Either way, peanut butter and coconut are my favorites.
After my candy purchasing, I hopped in the car with Martin and was whisked away from downtown to Oak Street and the New Orleans Po'Boy Preservation Festival. Great fun all around and ran into some of Martin's friends and some of my own, which was nice and always the best part of festivals. However, I will name my favorite discovery of the festival. At the suggestion of Martin's cousin's friend's girlfriend L, and then the smell of my friend T's po'boy, we ventured down to the Parkway Bakery tent and got a $2 roast beef po'boy that was simply to die for. We'd already had two excellent po'boys (and a beer) between us (and there's no counting how many the two of us have had in our lifetimes), so you can trust me when I say that this was one of the most amazing gustatory experiences I've ever had. My friend V created the best adjective when I was clumsily trying to describe it to her later: po'gasmic (you'll have to bring it up with her if you want to use this in advertising). [Martin loves picking on me when I'm tired and reminded me that L is not his cousin-by-marriage's girlfriend, but rather his cousin's friend's girlfriend. Oh, south Louisiana...]
Which brings me to the last thing I wanted to discuss today. My novel has been TRULY making me crazy lately and in her usual, knowing way, Toni has written what I needed to read in today's Murderati blog, called Comfort Reading. Go read it now. If it doesn't make you cry or start writing immediately, as it did me, you have no heart and no eyes.
I've been enjoying watching the counter shoot up. Thanks to everybody who's reading.
Let's talk about food for a moment. Or an hour.
Can I just say how impeccable and lovely the meals always are at the Monteleone Hotel? The food is wonderful and the service is to die for, cordial and consistent. I always feel like I'm living my dream life when I'm in the rooftop dining room, looking out over the curve of the Mississippi and eating my vegetables like a good girl. Words and Music, the parts I attended, was divine this year, as usual. It's always chock-full of memorable people and experiences.
Afterwards, I dashed into Beckham's Bookshop (which, if I remember correctly, was the first bookshop I ever visited in Nola ten years ago) to buy James Nolan's Perpetual Care. Then, went into Southern Candymakers to buy some pralines. I'm always welcomed there like an old friend and I amuse them by selling candy while I'm in line by recommending my favorites to the tourists. I was shocked and enormously pleased when they gave me a discount. I once had an argument with somebody over which was the best candy shop in the city and after about five minutes of intense disagreement, we realized we were talking about the two locations of the same shop (at either end of Decatur). Another friend insists Laura's Candies is the best, especially their truffles, which I'll admit I haven't tried, but my money is always on Southern Candymakers, especially for pralines (but also try a Jackson Square or their huge peanut butter cups or their white chocolate macadamia tortues or their covered Oreos or their fudge or anything really). One of the candy sellers and I have an intense ongoing debate about whether pralines are best served warm (him) or frozen with milk (me). Either way, peanut butter and coconut are my favorites.
After my candy purchasing, I hopped in the car with Martin and was whisked away from downtown to Oak Street and the New Orleans Po'Boy Preservation Festival. Great fun all around and ran into some of Martin's friends and some of my own, which was nice and always the best part of festivals. However, I will name my favorite discovery of the festival. At the suggestion of Martin's cousin's friend's girlfriend L, and then the smell of my friend T's po'boy, we ventured down to the Parkway Bakery tent and got a $2 roast beef po'boy that was simply to die for. We'd already had two excellent po'boys (and a beer) between us (and there's no counting how many the two of us have had in our lifetimes), so you can trust me when I say that this was one of the most amazing gustatory experiences I've ever had. My friend V created the best adjective when I was clumsily trying to describe it to her later: po'gasmic (you'll have to bring it up with her if you want to use this in advertising). [Martin loves picking on me when I'm tired and reminded me that L is not his cousin-by-marriage's girlfriend, but rather his cousin's friend's girlfriend. Oh, south Louisiana...]
Which brings me to the last thing I wanted to discuss today. My novel has been TRULY making me crazy lately and in her usual, knowing way, Toni has written what I needed to read in today's Murderati blog, called Comfort Reading. Go read it now. If it doesn't make you cry or start writing immediately, as it did me, you have no heart and no eyes.
I've been enjoying watching the counter shoot up. Thanks to everybody who's reading.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
The alchemy of reading
What happens when a room full of editors and agents get asked the question, "What would you do if you were Oprah for a day and could change the publishing industry?" Well for one, if you're extremely lucky and make like Jane Goodall (stay still, downwind and silent), they'll forget that you (lots and lots of writers) are there and inadvertently engage in an industry meeting that *every* writer should witness. To every person involved in that panel at Words and Music, every agent and editor, thank you. I'm so glad that I and a gaggle of other writers got to see that. I was going to quote some of you because I did manage to jot down some of the pithier things you said verbatim. But the thing I think needs to be stressed most is that to change the publishing industry, we need to change the way our culture reads, change the way we think and speak about reading. When we love a book, we need to use the power of our voices and our fingers to tell everybody we know. At heart, despite everything else, writing and printing books has an intended goal - for people to read them (the "selling" and "buying" parts are secondary processes that allow the writing and printing to continue, but it's not the goal or product). How can we forget, allow others to forget or neglect to teach our youth what it feels like to not only hold a book (paper, ink, words) in your hands and read it with our very own eyes and our very own minds and our very hearts, but to be transformed by a book. The alchemy that reading is capable of is like nothing else out there. Nothing.
That said, here's a book that looks like it'll be really good and I soooo wish somebody had asked me to write for, Zombies Versus Unicorns. Anybody wanna guess which side I'm on???? :) And another book that I'm gonna read after hearing James Nolan read from it, Perpetual Care. And one of my favorite books ever, the one I buy every copy of in used bookstores to give as Christmas presents, re-read every year or so, Boy's Life by Robert McCammon. That should keep you busy while I play hooky from writing conferences and writing both...
P.S. This is my 100th post.
That said, here's a book that looks like it'll be really good and I soooo wish somebody had asked me to write for, Zombies Versus Unicorns. Anybody wanna guess which side I'm on???? :) And another book that I'm gonna read after hearing James Nolan read from it, Perpetual Care. And one of my favorite books ever, the one I buy every copy of in used bookstores to give as Christmas presents, re-read every year or so, Boy's Life by Robert McCammon. That should keep you busy while I play hooky from writing conferences and writing both...
P.S. This is my 100th post.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Outlook good...
So today kicks of Words and Music, whooo hooooo and I've been lucky to meet Laura of The Three Ps of Post-MFA '08, not to mention a gaggle of other writers/filmmakers with whom she's associated, which is exciting AND NaNoWriMo is still on-going (so there's still a breath of a chance that I might actually do 50,000 words). So much going on.
The funny thing about working for a writer (who also happens to be your friend and mentor) is that eventually (even if you try to avoid it) you end up talking about writing and she (the writer, your friend and mentor) ends up figuratively kicking your ass in a much-needed way. Thank Gawd for Toni. After the figurative kick in the pants, I drove home from Baton Rouge in UTTER silence (which I never do) and sometimes spoke my story out loud and realized about seven major things in the book that I needed to know. Example? The biggest one - I realized one of my favorite characters has died by the last third book and oddly, the character has been trying to tell me that he's dead already for a while now by not appearing for the scenes I want him to be in. He just doesn't show up. I have every intention for him to be in that scene and then he stays in his apartment and won't play with the characters like I want him to. Whew.
So, I got home and went to pick up Chinese food at this place I like and it turned out I didn't have an acceptable mode of payment with me. Since they've seen me in there before, they were kind enough to let me leave without paying, trusting that I'd call them with a credit card. I did, of course, but I love that kind of trust in this day in age. And I had two fortune cookies in my bag, so I opened both of them (of course) and amazingly, it was the SAME fortune (different luck numbers): "Use your abilities at this time to stay focused on your goal. You will succeed."
All of my fortune cookies (and horoscopes) seem to be telling me the same thing - focus and you can finish this book by the end of the year.
So I had a great writing night that night and a pretty good one tonight. Hence:
I'm off to get pretty for dinner.
The funny thing about working for a writer (who also happens to be your friend and mentor) is that eventually (even if you try to avoid it) you end up talking about writing and she (the writer, your friend and mentor) ends up figuratively kicking your ass in a much-needed way. Thank Gawd for Toni. After the figurative kick in the pants, I drove home from Baton Rouge in UTTER silence (which I never do) and sometimes spoke my story out loud and realized about seven major things in the book that I needed to know. Example? The biggest one - I realized one of my favorite characters has died by the last third book and oddly, the character has been trying to tell me that he's dead already for a while now by not appearing for the scenes I want him to be in. He just doesn't show up. I have every intention for him to be in that scene and then he stays in his apartment and won't play with the characters like I want him to. Whew.
So, I got home and went to pick up Chinese food at this place I like and it turned out I didn't have an acceptable mode of payment with me. Since they've seen me in there before, they were kind enough to let me leave without paying, trusting that I'd call them with a credit card. I did, of course, but I love that kind of trust in this day in age. And I had two fortune cookies in my bag, so I opened both of them (of course) and amazingly, it was the SAME fortune (different luck numbers): "Use your abilities at this time to stay focused on your goal. You will succeed."
All of my fortune cookies (and horoscopes) seem to be telling me the same thing - focus and you can finish this book by the end of the year.
So I had a great writing night that night and a pretty good one tonight. Hence:
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Friday, November 14, 2008
Further signs of the apocalpyse
Proposed New York library budget cuts. If anybody reads this, it'd be awesome if you'd sound off in the comments about why libraries rock. Why they're essential for an educated, healthy society and should be elaborately and lavishly funded.
[11/17: Nothing? Really? No one wants to say a word in defense of public libraries? I know there's been a bit of traffic here over the weekend...]
[11/17: Nothing? Really? No one wants to say a word in defense of public libraries? I know there's been a bit of traffic here over the weekend...]
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Lucinda's luxurious lyrics lulling...
Listening to Lucinda Williams' Little Honey, which I finally broke down and (found!) bought myself. I have hereby bought my first Lucinda Williams cd, after all of the cds SOO's given me just bursting with her songs. Mr. Fox asked me what I wanted for my birthday, and I said that, so then I thought I was being silly and should treat myself to what I wanted...
So much to discuss! Where do I start??? The physical act of writing has been crummy lately, but I've been getting tons of insights and everything I see, hear, read, feel seems to be influencing. I should be woken EVERY morning by one of my doctors calling me and gamely diagnosing my fictional character for me via the telephone. LOL. He's a good sport, he is, for taking the, "Uh, did your nurse tell you the question's not about me but about the character in my book...?" so very well. And the last line of my horoscope (Tarot.com) is telling: "Staying true to your character today is the best course of action."
Amusing me lately are these:
Code names for the future first family.
Apparently, I grew up in one of the best places to raise kids. But I'm no longer anywhere near such a place...
Enjoy the Rachel Getting Married website, then go enjoy the movie. It's a bit tough, but sooo beautiful and extraordinary. And I'm not just saying that because Demme somehow, magically picked my brain and filmed MY WEDDING years before it takes place. Seriously. I wasn't the only person to think so. Two people who know me both independently told me, "It was weird to watch your perfect wedding in the middle of that movie." Before I said anything about it. Between the multicultural aspect (for no explained reason, but which felt so right for the family and the couple), particularly the Indian influence (THAT CAKE! THOSE SARIS!) and the loose collection of musicians constantly playing and demonstrating, that is my wedding. Almost exactly as I've described it to friends. One part talent show a la Dr. Angelou's family Thanksgiving celebration, one part ongoing, random music concert and lots and lots of friends and family being angsty and loving and impossible and gorgeous. Seriously. On the other hand, if I ever do make a movie, I want to make it just as Demme et al did with this one. He invited his friends and family to be extras, guests at the wedding, armed guests/extras with cameras and had everybody at risk to the camera constantly, including the musicians, who played whenever and however they wanted. Seriously, SO COOL. (Somebody could give me the soundtrack for my birthday... if they wanted...)
Speaking of music, saw a great show at Circle Bar earlier this week: Simon Lott, Helen Gillet and Lucas Davenport. Check any and all of them out if you get the opportunity, highly recommended.
So sitting here at Cheers, I saw a girl who couldn't have been more than 8 or 9, entirely self-possessed, walk into the coffee shop with a copy of Twilight under her arm. She went and ordered a TALL coffee and then, equally self-possessed, walked out. It touched me and scared me to see her reading that book. It's a great book and I'm glad to see an 8 or 9 year old reading such a large book (not that the vocabulary would be too tricky...) BUT part of me wanted to stop her and go, "PLEASE don't grow up looking for love like this. Love like this in real life is SCARY. It's all well and good in a novel, but loving somebody or being loved like Bella and Edward love each other in these books is NOT something you want to aspire to. It's debilitating and dangerous." I like the books a whole lot, but it really scares me to see young folks looking at love through this lens - probably like it scared people when Wuthering Heights came out. Or even Romeo and Juliet, probably.
Now, I'm going to have to use this nifty little tool that comes to me by way of both After the MFA and GalleyCat and get some writing done.
So much to discuss! Where do I start??? The physical act of writing has been crummy lately, but I've been getting tons of insights and everything I see, hear, read, feel seems to be influencing. I should be woken EVERY morning by one of my doctors calling me and gamely diagnosing my fictional character for me via the telephone. LOL. He's a good sport, he is, for taking the, "Uh, did your nurse tell you the question's not about me but about the character in my book...?" so very well. And the last line of my horoscope (Tarot.com) is telling: "Staying true to your character today is the best course of action."
Amusing me lately are these:
Code names for the future first family.
Apparently, I grew up in one of the best places to raise kids. But I'm no longer anywhere near such a place...
Enjoy the Rachel Getting Married website, then go enjoy the movie. It's a bit tough, but sooo beautiful and extraordinary. And I'm not just saying that because Demme somehow, magically picked my brain and filmed MY WEDDING years before it takes place. Seriously. I wasn't the only person to think so. Two people who know me both independently told me, "It was weird to watch your perfect wedding in the middle of that movie." Before I said anything about it. Between the multicultural aspect (for no explained reason, but which felt so right for the family and the couple), particularly the Indian influence (THAT CAKE! THOSE SARIS!) and the loose collection of musicians constantly playing and demonstrating, that is my wedding. Almost exactly as I've described it to friends. One part talent show a la Dr. Angelou's family Thanksgiving celebration, one part ongoing, random music concert and lots and lots of friends and family being angsty and loving and impossible and gorgeous. Seriously. On the other hand, if I ever do make a movie, I want to make it just as Demme et al did with this one. He invited his friends and family to be extras, guests at the wedding, armed guests/extras with cameras and had everybody at risk to the camera constantly, including the musicians, who played whenever and however they wanted. Seriously, SO COOL. (Somebody could give me the soundtrack for my birthday... if they wanted...)
Speaking of music, saw a great show at Circle Bar earlier this week: Simon Lott, Helen Gillet and Lucas Davenport. Check any and all of them out if you get the opportunity, highly recommended.
So sitting here at Cheers, I saw a girl who couldn't have been more than 8 or 9, entirely self-possessed, walk into the coffee shop with a copy of Twilight under her arm. She went and ordered a TALL coffee and then, equally self-possessed, walked out. It touched me and scared me to see her reading that book. It's a great book and I'm glad to see an 8 or 9 year old reading such a large book (not that the vocabulary would be too tricky...) BUT part of me wanted to stop her and go, "PLEASE don't grow up looking for love like this. Love like this in real life is SCARY. It's all well and good in a novel, but loving somebody or being loved like Bella and Edward love each other in these books is NOT something you want to aspire to. It's debilitating and dangerous." I like the books a whole lot, but it really scares me to see young folks looking at love through this lens - probably like it scared people when Wuthering Heights came out. Or even Romeo and Juliet, probably.
Now, I'm going to have to use this nifty little tool that comes to me by way of both After the MFA and GalleyCat and get some writing done.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Cake
I'm rediscovering Cake lately. The band, not the food. But that reminds me that I seem to be obsessed with bands with food names lately. Hot Chocolate. I wondered if anyone else had the same problem and found this question on Google. Anyway, just listened to, "Friend Is a Four Letter Word" and apparently I will do *anything* rather than write.
Friday, November 7, 2008
An ode to Cheers
The thing I love best about Cheers, as I just told Martin and as indicated by its (fake) name (let's call it a nickname) - if you sit still there long enough, eventually all people and things come to you. Just ran into my old friend Simon Lott and out of town musician Tim Collins walking down the street hitting as many coffeeshops as possible in one afternoon (they call it morning, but same difference).
The one thing not coming my way after hours of sitting at Cheers? Words. But eventually. All things in time, in good time, in their time...
Can I count these words?
The one thing not coming my way after hours of sitting at Cheers? Words. But eventually. All things in time, in good time, in their time...
Can I count these words?
College at 16??
Do you think you were ready for college at 16? Not sure how I feel about this. I was in the IB program in school, so I can see the advantages and disadvantages of accelerated education. I think the important thing would be some sort of opt-in and opt-out options for the students.
One of the links within the article is to a Times photoessay "If Teens Could Vote." Here's my favorite teen Aaron, 17, and his quote, "I want to conquer the fascist American regime."
Have written 5,290 words this month so far. It's a lot, but need more. :)
One of the links within the article is to a Times photoessay "If Teens Could Vote." Here's my favorite teen Aaron, 17, and his quote, "I want to conquer the fascist American regime."
Have written 5,290 words this month so far. It's a lot, but need more. :)
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
OBAMA
I watched both McCain's and Obama's speeches last night and I have to say that I think they're both great men, but I'm most certainly satisfied with the results. Let's see what Obama can do with four (and hopefully more) years. I think that the air of excitement and expectation that we feel now is remarkable and will hopefully propel great changes for our country.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
The Vote so far
So after frantically searching for both my voter registration card and my social security card (which I realized was "missing" while I was looking for the first), I discovered that I'm much more organized and rational than I expect myself to be (yeah, they were both in safe, obvious places) and went to bed.
Was a little later than I would've liked leaving the house for the poll. But once I got started, I was feeling good. Walking in brisk, but not cold breezes and happy-making but not sweltering sunshine, I ate a nectarine and was at my poll in less than five minutes. And sure enough, there in line is one of my favorite celebrities who make New Orleans home, chilling with his neighbors and waiting to vote. Gave him a big grin, glad he's part of the neighborhood and got into line.
And not long after (really short wait), I voted in my private booth and walked out happy. I fulfilled my responsibility, exercised my right and communicated my choice. Yesterday, I was inundated by a lot of stress that Obama wouldn't take the day and worried about less-than-happy citizens should he do so. I've never worried so much over an election (four years ago was close, but I had a pissy certainty of what was going to happen, despite our being a reasonably intelligent country) or a candidate. But today, I'm filled with joy that I did my part. I'm proud of M and N for campaigning the last two days and proud of everyone who's voted already or will do so, especially YOUNG voters who are taking this very seriously and very personally, as they should.
As for the McCain-Palin truck that came driving through my neighborhood honking its horn and begging for attention and votes - we may lose Louisiana, much to my chagrin. But you don't have me and you don't have my neighborhood. That's something.
Was a little later than I would've liked leaving the house for the poll. But once I got started, I was feeling good. Walking in brisk, but not cold breezes and happy-making but not sweltering sunshine, I ate a nectarine and was at my poll in less than five minutes. And sure enough, there in line is one of my favorite celebrities who make New Orleans home, chilling with his neighbors and waiting to vote. Gave him a big grin, glad he's part of the neighborhood and got into line.
And not long after (really short wait), I voted in my private booth and walked out happy. I fulfilled my responsibility, exercised my right and communicated my choice. Yesterday, I was inundated by a lot of stress that Obama wouldn't take the day and worried about less-than-happy citizens should he do so. I've never worried so much over an election (four years ago was close, but I had a pissy certainty of what was going to happen, despite our being a reasonably intelligent country) or a candidate. But today, I'm filled with joy that I did my part. I'm proud of M and N for campaigning the last two days and proud of everyone who's voted already or will do so, especially YOUNG voters who are taking this very seriously and very personally, as they should.
As for the McCain-Palin truck that came driving through my neighborhood honking its horn and begging for attention and votes - we may lose Louisiana, much to my chagrin. But you don't have me and you don't have my neighborhood. That's something.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Fess Up Sunday
I guess I feel compelled to fess up again so soon because I've committed to not using my writing for TCB on NaNoWriMo. So I want to be accountable here, cause it'll help me keep writing. Thanks be to Jamey, who sent me a link to Tayari Jones' blog (so pretty and nice) where she named at least part of the process I'm doing - NaFinWriNoMo. Good to know there are others! Community is helpful to create pressure and propulsion and keep making progress. Good luck Tayari!
So, ahem:
D&R: 1,154 words so far ("official" NaNoWriMo word count)
TCB: 1,872 words last night.
I went from about 185 "done" pages to 202 "done" pages, in addition to that new writing. Let's see if I can keep it up...
A cheer for everybody doing NaNoWriMo. Keep it up, you can do it!!!!
So, ahem:
D&R: 1,154 words so far ("official" NaNoWriMo word count)
TCB: 1,872 words last night.
I went from about 185 "done" pages to 202 "done" pages, in addition to that new writing. Let's see if I can keep it up...
A cheer for everybody doing NaNoWriMo. Keep it up, you can do it!!!!
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Fess Up First
In lieu of Fess Up Friday, which I abandoned early last month in shame because I wasn't generating new words, I'll fess up to my pre-NaNoWriMo word count, which is about only about 1,167. Wasn't working all that often, wasn't counting much when I was because I wasn't generating new words, but editing. So, toward that end, I'll confess that I have about 186 edited and "done" pages of TCB. I'm roaring toward the halfway mark and the pieces are falling together.
Crazy proposition that it is, I'm doing a dual NaNoWriMo project. I'm going to work on a brand new fun project in order to fulfill the mandate of NaNoWriMo, though I may not "win" this year as my focus will be on using the in-built propulsion of NaNoWriMo to finish all of the new writing for TCB. The new, fun project will serve as a writing exercise to open up my writing pores and get me going so I can get into the new writing for TCB more easily. We'll see how this goes, exactly how crazy it'll prove to be.
For the new project, which I'm lazily calling "Ryan & Dana" at the moment, I wrote 1,154 words today. Those are the only words I'll input into my NaNoWriMo word counter, but I'll confess both here.
Crazy proposition that it is, I'm doing a dual NaNoWriMo project. I'm going to work on a brand new fun project in order to fulfill the mandate of NaNoWriMo, though I may not "win" this year as my focus will be on using the in-built propulsion of NaNoWriMo to finish all of the new writing for TCB. The new, fun project will serve as a writing exercise to open up my writing pores and get me going so I can get into the new writing for TCB more easily. We'll see how this goes, exactly how crazy it'll prove to be.
For the new project, which I'm lazily calling "Ryan & Dana" at the moment, I wrote 1,154 words today. Those are the only words I'll input into my NaNoWriMo word counter, but I'll confess both here.
A side note - t.v. studios are great bunches of idiots
Though I should be noveling and kick-starting my NaNoWriMo project, I took a second to queue up The Ex List as a reward for getting my words done today since, of course, I didn't catch it last night. And I discover that it's been canceled. Four episodes in. CBS, for shame!
There's several points I want to make here:
-CBS, nobody watches t.v. regularly on Friday nights except for older folks and young marrieds. Singletons like me will watch irregularly, but not enough to give you the numbers you want. So therefore, do you really think that The Ex List's demographic was the same as THE GHOST WHISPERER? Really? You put it on the wrong night. Face it, you're idiots. It would've been okay if you'd just let us watch it online when we wanted and been happy with that.
-EVERY studio is guilty of making this massive investment of money and NOT INVESTING TIME! Four episodes?! Did it ever occur to any of these pinhead executives that modern t.v. audiences a) don't like to sit down at the same time every week to watch t.v., even their favorite shows and b) don't trust that a show's going to last and often wait to see if the show makes it before they'll commit their time and affection to it. So we're developing a vicious cycle here. The studios put the shows out, but we've been burned before, so we go into wait-and-see-cautious mode. Therefore, after a very small amount of time (4 episodes!), the show gets pulled cause not enough people are watching. Because you've TRAINED us to realize that shows are likely to get pulled, no matter how much we love them, early on unless enough people get on board quickly.
-WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE between me watching the show on my t.v. (paying for cable, watching commercials) and watching it later, at my own convienence on my computer (paying for Internet, watching commercials). AND, All-Wise-and-Knowing-T.V.-Idiots, you can actually keep better track of how many unique hits there are on the Internet than you can of who's watching on t.v. the night it airs. Think about this - people get up and walk away from commercials to make popcorn, etc. You can't control whether they see it or not. When we watch it on the Internet, we can still get up and walk away, but there's only one ad, so we're less likely to. We can browse away from the ad, but we can still hear it. AND, because there's only one ad, rather than a handful, we're more likely to remember the product and message. We're more likely to be exposed and affected to the spots that are attached to the shows online than we are on t.v.. It's to your freaking advantage for us to watch the shows for free when we want to.
-Just because younger generations of t.v. watchers are known to have shorter attention-spans doesn't mean you shouldn't commit to a full season of a show and give everybody a chance to get into it. They already freaking shot 11 episodes! Why not air 11 episodes, rather than a RERUN OF NCIS (which is a show I like, but don't watch - I wait for the DVDs). Face it, pinheads, t.v. watching is forever changed by the Internet and by DVD episode sales. Get with it and invest your time in a show, not just a shitload of money. You owe it to us, the people you're trying to make money off of, to let us have a chance to reject or accept a show. A real chance. Our hearts are not yo-yos. We can't take the uncertainty of not knowing if a show's going to last or not, or all of the re-scheduling and rumors. Make a show. Air a show. Give us a season to like it. That's fair, all around.
There's several points I want to make here:
-CBS, nobody watches t.v. regularly on Friday nights except for older folks and young marrieds. Singletons like me will watch irregularly, but not enough to give you the numbers you want. So therefore, do you really think that The Ex List's demographic was the same as THE GHOST WHISPERER? Really? You put it on the wrong night. Face it, you're idiots. It would've been okay if you'd just let us watch it online when we wanted and been happy with that.
-EVERY studio is guilty of making this massive investment of money and NOT INVESTING TIME! Four episodes?! Did it ever occur to any of these pinhead executives that modern t.v. audiences a) don't like to sit down at the same time every week to watch t.v., even their favorite shows and b) don't trust that a show's going to last and often wait to see if the show makes it before they'll commit their time and affection to it. So we're developing a vicious cycle here. The studios put the shows out, but we've been burned before, so we go into wait-and-see-cautious mode. Therefore, after a very small amount of time (4 episodes!), the show gets pulled cause not enough people are watching. Because you've TRAINED us to realize that shows are likely to get pulled, no matter how much we love them, early on unless enough people get on board quickly.
-WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE between me watching the show on my t.v. (paying for cable, watching commercials) and watching it later, at my own convienence on my computer (paying for Internet, watching commercials). AND, All-Wise-and-Knowing-T.V.-Idiots, you can actually keep better track of how many unique hits there are on the Internet than you can of who's watching on t.v. the night it airs. Think about this - people get up and walk away from commercials to make popcorn, etc. You can't control whether they see it or not. When we watch it on the Internet, we can still get up and walk away, but there's only one ad, so we're less likely to. We can browse away from the ad, but we can still hear it. AND, because there's only one ad, rather than a handful, we're more likely to remember the product and message. We're more likely to be exposed and affected to the spots that are attached to the shows online than we are on t.v.. It's to your freaking advantage for us to watch the shows for free when we want to.
-Just because younger generations of t.v. watchers are known to have shorter attention-spans doesn't mean you shouldn't commit to a full season of a show and give everybody a chance to get into it. They already freaking shot 11 episodes! Why not air 11 episodes, rather than a RERUN OF NCIS (which is a show I like, but don't watch - I wait for the DVDs). Face it, pinheads, t.v. watching is forever changed by the Internet and by DVD episode sales. Get with it and invest your time in a show, not just a shitload of money. You owe it to us, the people you're trying to make money off of, to let us have a chance to reject or accept a show. A real chance. Our hearts are not yo-yos. We can't take the uncertainty of not knowing if a show's going to last or not, or all of the re-scheduling and rumors. Make a show. Air a show. Give us a season to like it. That's fair, all around.
Get ready, get set, WRITE!!
NaNoWriMo is on!
And my horoscope for today. See if you can make sense of it:
Saturday, Nov 1st, 2008 -- You may feel pretty set in your ideas, yet something's gnawing at you from deep within your subconscious mind and you cannot make it go away. Perhaps it first arose in a dream or a passing thought. Now, however, you may be ready to embark on a journey of discovery that could include a quick getaway in the real world. There's no reason to struggle trying to separate facts from fantasy. For now, let them be the same thing.
And my horoscope for today. See if you can make sense of it:
Saturday, Nov 1st, 2008 -- You may feel pretty set in your ideas, yet something's gnawing at you from deep within your subconscious mind and you cannot make it go away. Perhaps it first arose in a dream or a passing thought. Now, however, you may be ready to embark on a journey of discovery that could include a quick getaway in the real world. There's no reason to struggle trying to separate facts from fantasy. For now, let them be the same thing.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Happy Halloween
Everybody be safe and have fun this Halloween, whatever that entails for you. I'm excited about my plans.
And tomorrow, NaNoWriMo begins, so get ready...
And tomorrow, NaNoWriMo begins, so get ready...
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
The opening of fiction as seduction
Once again, Toni has a great writing post over at Murderati. This one is all about how to write the opening of a book, thinking of it as a seduction... Dammit (but also thank you).
Worried and sad
I'm horrified to read about Jennifer Hudson's mother and brother. Hoping for the safe return of her nephew, Julian King.
[10.28.08 Update: Sadly, I just learned that Julian King was found dead yesterday. My thoughts are with Jennifer Hudson and her family.]
[10.28.08 Update: Sadly, I just learned that Julian King was found dead yesterday. My thoughts are with Jennifer Hudson and her family.]
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Voting, NaNoWriMo and extraneous fun
On the very precipice of NaNoWriMo (Nov. 1st) and the all-important vote (Nov. 4th), I'm finally writing again. Not that I haven't had things to say, but it seems like I haven't stood still long enough to say them lately.
First - very excited about the kick off of NaNoWriMo ONE WEEK from today. I still haven't decided if I'm going to participate fully and officially by writing something new or if I'm going to try to use the crazy in-built propulsion of NaNoWriMo to do the rest of the new writing I need for TCB. If you want to keep track of my new words and be my novelling buddy, here is my NaNoWriMo profile. I will say that it's important for me to participate in some way this year as last year was my first year and saved my life and/or my writing. Seriously. No hyperbole here. I've written "seriously" (my definition) since I was 10 years old and after 7 steady years of studying creative writing, I'd forgotten how fun writing could be, how much joy there was there for me. I had a memory of what it was like to want to write more than anything else, to enjoy it, and I desperately wanted that feeling back. NaNoWriMo helped give that back to me last year and I think I need a booster shot. Sign up and be my buddy. Commit to 50,000 words in one month - shoot for the stars. Even if you don't achieve 50,000 words, you will have achieved something you never would've thought is possible - even if it's 5 words you wouldn't have written, 50, 500, 5,000.
And while I'm encouraging participation, it is ESSENTIAL that everybody vote. No matter how you vote (though I think everybody knows how I'd prefer this one to go), we MUST remember how much the power to vote means, how hard so many people fought for the right. And it is a right and a responsibility. We owe it to ourselves to do our part and speak up. Up until yesterday, I wasn't entirely certain if I'd remembered to register to vote in Nola and I can't tell you how pleased I was to learn that not only had I done my civic duty and registered appropriately, but I can WALK to the polls on my day off. That's going to make it a very fun activity for me. Everybody vote - you won't have any right to complain unless you do because you wouldn't have done the bare minimum we can do as citizens to affect change.
Now that the advertisement and public service announcement are over, here's some links to things I've been paying attention to:
Hannah Tinti's new book and a tiny tidbit more on the humorously, pointlessly heated YA/adult fiction schism (from GalleyCat). [REALLY folks, WHY is it so necessary to define the difference as if both aren't as difficult, as valid and as if they don't crossover as much as they certainly do?]
WHOA - Christopher Buckley. Good for you. Also from GalleyCat.
Jewel of Medina's only sold 3,000 copies, probably cause people are having trouble finding it. And a link from the above piece on Borders' book buying. Both from GalleyCat.
I feel like there's so much more I'm forgetting to say and to link to. That's what happens when I don't keep up with my interests and thoughts diligently, religiously. :) Am very excited and conflicted about the multitude of amazing Halloween shows (Zydepunks and the New Orleans Bingo! Show. In one night! And this is even without trick-or-treating and costumes. Oh man.) Speaking of costumes, I love that I keep seeing people randomly walking around in them. Loving the cool weather, but not looking forward to retiring my flip-flops and being conscientious about sleeves. I'm not good at that stuff - am in serious denial. Maybe I can find some furry flip-flops and get away with just a scarf... I think I seriously need to consider buying a coat. Sigh.
First - very excited about the kick off of NaNoWriMo ONE WEEK from today. I still haven't decided if I'm going to participate fully and officially by writing something new or if I'm going to try to use the crazy in-built propulsion of NaNoWriMo to do the rest of the new writing I need for TCB. If you want to keep track of my new words and be my novelling buddy, here is my NaNoWriMo profile. I will say that it's important for me to participate in some way this year as last year was my first year and saved my life and/or my writing. Seriously. No hyperbole here. I've written "seriously" (my definition) since I was 10 years old and after 7 steady years of studying creative writing, I'd forgotten how fun writing could be, how much joy there was there for me. I had a memory of what it was like to want to write more than anything else, to enjoy it, and I desperately wanted that feeling back. NaNoWriMo helped give that back to me last year and I think I need a booster shot. Sign up and be my buddy. Commit to 50,000 words in one month - shoot for the stars. Even if you don't achieve 50,000 words, you will have achieved something you never would've thought is possible - even if it's 5 words you wouldn't have written, 50, 500, 5,000.
And while I'm encouraging participation, it is ESSENTIAL that everybody vote. No matter how you vote (though I think everybody knows how I'd prefer this one to go), we MUST remember how much the power to vote means, how hard so many people fought for the right. And it is a right and a responsibility. We owe it to ourselves to do our part and speak up. Up until yesterday, I wasn't entirely certain if I'd remembered to register to vote in Nola and I can't tell you how pleased I was to learn that not only had I done my civic duty and registered appropriately, but I can WALK to the polls on my day off. That's going to make it a very fun activity for me. Everybody vote - you won't have any right to complain unless you do because you wouldn't have done the bare minimum we can do as citizens to affect change.
Now that the advertisement and public service announcement are over, here's some links to things I've been paying attention to:
Hannah Tinti's new book and a tiny tidbit more on the humorously, pointlessly heated YA/adult fiction schism (from GalleyCat). [REALLY folks, WHY is it so necessary to define the difference as if both aren't as difficult, as valid and as if they don't crossover as much as they certainly do?]
WHOA - Christopher Buckley. Good for you. Also from GalleyCat.
Jewel of Medina's only sold 3,000 copies, probably cause people are having trouble finding it. And a link from the above piece on Borders' book buying. Both from GalleyCat.
I feel like there's so much more I'm forgetting to say and to link to. That's what happens when I don't keep up with my interests and thoughts diligently, religiously. :) Am very excited and conflicted about the multitude of amazing Halloween shows (Zydepunks and the New Orleans Bingo! Show. In one night! And this is even without trick-or-treating and costumes. Oh man.) Speaking of costumes, I love that I keep seeing people randomly walking around in them. Loving the cool weather, but not looking forward to retiring my flip-flops and being conscientious about sleeves. I'm not good at that stuff - am in serious denial. Maybe I can find some furry flip-flops and get away with just a scarf... I think I seriously need to consider buying a coat. Sigh.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
I'm in love...again...
I have reunited with my love, The Magnetic Fields, and come away from the event with my love renewed and amplified and electrified. Sigh. Drove 1,000 miles in 48 hours in order to catch them in Atlanta at the Woodruff Arts Center, picking up my sister and nephew on the way. We got stuck in really gross traffic (road work, accidents, rain), which made the trip into Atlanta, delivering my nephew to Grammy and getting ready take at least twice as long as it would've normally. But, we listened to "69 Love Songs," "Get Lost," and "The Charm of the Highway Strip" all the way from her house in Alabama to Atlanta (deliriously following a combination of MapQuest and sweetly surly Woodruff operator directions to the parking garage off of Peachtree Street ("JUST Peachtree Street, after you cross over West Peachtree Street..." - thank GAWD I grew up in Atlanta, thank GAWD I'm used to driving in a city) on 16th. The whole way, Me was blissfully "Not Mommy at the Moment," throwing up her hands with her charming, pleased-to-be-out-even-if-we're-not-there-yet smile. :)
Demonically exhausted and residually sick, I sat with Me in the 2nd row, to the left of the stage (if you're facing it) and lapped up every sound, every second of the event. It's the first time I've seen them live, after all. First, we watched Michael Hearst, their opening act, who was amusing and interesting and, best of all, a producer for Cassette from My Ex, which I discovered recently and adore. On the way back from dropping Me and the kid off, I got one of my typical "road trip brainstorms" for what, I realize now, is essentially Cassette from My Ex. Ooops. Good idea. ;")
I was blissfully happy while The Magnetic Fields were playing and dismayed when they weren't. They didn't play either of my two utter favorites, but they did play some songs I hadn't heard and some of the lovely familiar ones. Here's a set list from a show earlier this year that was pretty similar (though, yes, different, so be warned).
One of my favorite moments was Stephin's introduction to "California Girls," "This is a song about media literacy. (decent length pause) And feminism." He didn't speak much, but was very funny when he did. It doesn't matter what he says or sings, his voice is astounding. He's one of the few people who embodies that saying, "he could read me the phone book," which brings to mind "The Book of Love" lyrics, "I love it when you read to me and you can read me anything" and later, "I love it when you sing to me and you can sing me anything." Really Stephin, those lyrics embody my feelings for your voice. On top of the "he could say/sing anything" sentiment is a ever-present thrill at how intelligent, witty and canny his lyrics and delivery are. I know I'm raving about Stephin Merritt and there are many other gorgeous vocals on their songs - Claudia Gonson and Shirley Simms. They deserve miles of appreciation for their vocals, it's just that I don't want to marry their voices like I want to marry Stephin's. :) Oh Stephin, you brilliant, funny, human Eyeore "Something bad will happen to them anyway," he says about children on Good Day Atlanta, his persona underscoring the inanity of the newscaster's. Priceless. I was amused, but not surprised, to read recently that ABBA is Stephin's favorite band and whenever Shirley Simms sings, I have little flashes of Fleetwood Mac (in the best possible way). My other favorite moment was hearing "This Little Ukulele" for the first time. You can see it in Pt. 2 of this interview here (and here's Pt. 1 for you, too).
In other things-I'm-interested-in, read this and watch the two SNL clips featuring Fey as Palin, Palin as Palin and a whole lot of can-you-name-what's-wrong here. (Vising my parents' home on my whirlwind Atlanta 48 hours, I was HORRIFIED to see my parents sandwiched in my McCain-Palin yard signs. There goes the cul-de-sac.)
Congrats to all the National Book Award Finalists, but especially E. Lockhart for The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks (via Publishers Lunch).
And: Oct 16 marks the 250th birth anniversary of Noah Webster (1758-1843), lexicographer extraordinaire, who compiled the American Dictionary of the English Language (1828), the first authoritative lexicon of American English." The word of the day that day (via Wordsmith) was epeolatry, which is the worship of words. Hmmm. Maybe that's my religion. I could really get into that. What would the appropriate church be? Perhaps Cheers, as everyone here is the loving-words type. Well everyone I talk to.
Did I say how good it is to be back? It feels like weeks and months since I got to lounge at Cheers. And whoa, somebody or other even made an appearance today, right on cue, all the way from NYC. Great timing SOO (as your nickname is anagrammed).
My coughing fit (yes, still coughing) is disturbing the others and I have a casserole dish full of Mamma Mia!'s world-famous, belly-infamous tuna casserole to enjoy. So, I now depart Cheers, stage right.
Demonically exhausted and residually sick, I sat with Me in the 2nd row, to the left of the stage (if you're facing it) and lapped up every sound, every second of the event. It's the first time I've seen them live, after all. First, we watched Michael Hearst, their opening act, who was amusing and interesting and, best of all, a producer for Cassette from My Ex, which I discovered recently and adore. On the way back from dropping Me and the kid off, I got one of my typical "road trip brainstorms" for what, I realize now, is essentially Cassette from My Ex. Ooops. Good idea. ;")
I was blissfully happy while The Magnetic Fields were playing and dismayed when they weren't. They didn't play either of my two utter favorites, but they did play some songs I hadn't heard and some of the lovely familiar ones. Here's a set list from a show earlier this year that was pretty similar (though, yes, different, so be warned).
One of my favorite moments was Stephin's introduction to "California Girls," "This is a song about media literacy. (decent length pause) And feminism." He didn't speak much, but was very funny when he did. It doesn't matter what he says or sings, his voice is astounding. He's one of the few people who embodies that saying, "he could read me the phone book," which brings to mind "The Book of Love" lyrics, "I love it when you read to me and you can read me anything" and later, "I love it when you sing to me and you can sing me anything." Really Stephin, those lyrics embody my feelings for your voice. On top of the "he could say/sing anything" sentiment is a ever-present thrill at how intelligent, witty and canny his lyrics and delivery are. I know I'm raving about Stephin Merritt and there are many other gorgeous vocals on their songs - Claudia Gonson and Shirley Simms. They deserve miles of appreciation for their vocals, it's just that I don't want to marry their voices like I want to marry Stephin's. :) Oh Stephin, you brilliant, funny, human Eyeore "Something bad will happen to them anyway," he says about children on Good Day Atlanta, his persona underscoring the inanity of the newscaster's. Priceless. I was amused, but not surprised, to read recently that ABBA is Stephin's favorite band and whenever Shirley Simms sings, I have little flashes of Fleetwood Mac (in the best possible way). My other favorite moment was hearing "This Little Ukulele" for the first time. You can see it in Pt. 2 of this interview here (and here's Pt. 1 for you, too).
In other things-I'm-interested-in, read this and watch the two SNL clips featuring Fey as Palin, Palin as Palin and a whole lot of can-you-name-what's-wrong here. (Vising my parents' home on my whirlwind Atlanta 48 hours, I was HORRIFIED to see my parents sandwiched in my McCain-Palin yard signs. There goes the cul-de-sac.)
Congrats to all the National Book Award Finalists, but especially E. Lockhart for The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks (via Publishers Lunch).
And: Oct 16 marks the 250th birth anniversary of Noah Webster (1758-1843), lexicographer extraordinaire, who compiled the American Dictionary of the English Language (1828), the first authoritative lexicon of American English." The word of the day that day (via Wordsmith) was epeolatry, which is the worship of words. Hmmm. Maybe that's my religion. I could really get into that. What would the appropriate church be? Perhaps Cheers, as everyone here is the loving-words type. Well everyone I talk to.
Did I say how good it is to be back? It feels like weeks and months since I got to lounge at Cheers. And whoa, somebody or other even made an appearance today, right on cue, all the way from NYC. Great timing SOO (as your nickname is anagrammed).
My coughing fit (yes, still coughing) is disturbing the others and I have a casserole dish full of Mamma Mia!'s world-famous, belly-infamous tuna casserole to enjoy. So, I now depart Cheers, stage right.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Vote or shut yo' mouth!
Becks just sent me this link. I especially love the campaign slogan, "Vota o quedate calla'o" — "Vote or keep your mouth shut." I think we need our American version to be, "Vote or SHUT YO' MOUTH!"
Today's horoscope (Tarot.com): Thursday, Oct 9th, 2008 -- Today you may get a glimpse of the intense times that lay ahead for you. This little "fast forward" can be instrumental as you try to figure out what you want to do next. But don't try to make any important decisions yet, for you haven't had sufficient time to explore the different paths. Instead, remain open to wherever you are led; you'll have time later to make a more educated choice.
So sad and so true, 2008 is particularly bad (and that's SAYING something!) for post-MFA graduates trying to find jobs. And I thought I had it rough last year. Well, I suppose I'm still technically a post-MFA looking for a job. Ish.
And in the MOST EXCITING NEWS EVER (E-V-A-H!), I just bought tickets to see The Magnetic Fields, one of my favorite bands if not THE favorite, in Atlanta next weekend. Whoooo hooooo!! Here's a pretty cool video someone did of their song "Busby Berkeley Dreams":
And another that Martin sent me that's just cool (NOT Magnetic Fields):
And one I found that I really like:
Today's horoscope (Tarot.com): Thursday, Oct 9th, 2008 -- Today you may get a glimpse of the intense times that lay ahead for you. This little "fast forward" can be instrumental as you try to figure out what you want to do next. But don't try to make any important decisions yet, for you haven't had sufficient time to explore the different paths. Instead, remain open to wherever you are led; you'll have time later to make a more educated choice.
So sad and so true, 2008 is particularly bad (and that's SAYING something!) for post-MFA graduates trying to find jobs. And I thought I had it rough last year. Well, I suppose I'm still technically a post-MFA looking for a job. Ish.
And in the MOST EXCITING NEWS EVER (E-V-A-H!), I just bought tickets to see The Magnetic Fields, one of my favorite bands if not THE favorite, in Atlanta next weekend. Whoooo hooooo!! Here's a pretty cool video someone did of their song "Busby Berkeley Dreams":
And another that Martin sent me that's just cool (NOT Magnetic Fields):
And one I found that I really like:
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
HOW could a whole week have gone by already??
I have even less context telling me WHERE I'm at (BR or Nola) than usual lately. Which has kind of kept me spinning, kept me from blogging and from writing much. Not much to confess for last week's 'Fess Up Friday. I'm working, but not so much in terms of word count. Thinking, editing and adding slowly but surely (only about 185 new words last night, but BOY are they brilliant).
Via After the MFA, a great quote from thank-goodness-for Junot Diaz:
Today's horoscope (from Tarot.com): Wednesday, Oct 8th, 2008 -- Your key planet Saturn is locked in a tense dance with healer Chiron today and it's up to you to figure out how to take this uncomfortable energy and turn it into a positive expression. You have the potential for grace in your life now, but you must be able to forgive someone or even yourself. The realization that no one is to blame can free you to process an old wound and move on with your life. (This one, I'm thinking might not have so much to do with my writing as my personal life, though since my writing is personal and a part of me, I'm sure it relates, also).
The Louisiana Book Festival this past weekend was awesome. WORLDS more organized and slick than it was during the first one, which I volunteered for (they were actually pretty organized for that one too, which just goes to show how far they've come). It was nice to catch up with a lot of my BR writing peeps at the author party I attended with Toni the night before, mostly former teachers and always mentors. Toni was kick-ass during her talk and it was a VERY pretty day, so perfect for an outdoor festival in Southern Louisiana.
The best part, though? (Sorry Toni...) ZYDEPUNKS!!! Whoooooo hoooo!! I missed their cd release party cause I went to GA after Gustav and then I missed the show they had the night before, Friday, cause I was in BR for the author party (DAMN you, Nick Fox for that little snippet you sampled for me over the cell phone. LOL). So, I got to catch their action for the first time in a long while AND snap up the new cd Finisterre, which is only available in Louisiana at the moment, until the 21st. I linked to cdbaby.com, though Finisterre isn't available there yet simply because it's the BEST cd-buying experience one can have online. Anyways, as soon as I had the new cd in my hot little hands, I ripped open the shrink wrap on my way to the car and shoved the sucker in immediately, listening to it all the way back home to Nola. Sooooooo good, so perfect for my long-deprived ears. How can you not like a band that's a little bit punk and a lot zydeco and every bit delicious?
I got another cd at the festival, too. My good friend, Randolph, was kind enough to give me his band Flatbed Honeymoon's cd (self-titled). I listened to it the same day and was very, very pleased and proud. I forgot several times that I know 2/3 the band from my English Dept. days and just felt like I was luxuriating in some classic, tried-and-true tunes I'd loved forever. Especially "Constantly Insecure," "The Electrician," and "The Moon is Blue." You can listen to "The Electrician" and some of the other songs from the cd on their MySpace page.
So I had a glut of amazing music, all in one day and I've been compulsively re-listening ever since. Also been listening to Kerli's Love is Dead pretty intensely. And got wowed by Linda Ronstadt's "We Will Rock You," which is short but delightfully sweet and creepy.
Caught the first episode of The Ex-List online yesterday and very thoroughly enjoyed it. It was funny and I hope the show's given a decent chance cause I'd like to see where it goes. Elizabeth Reaser is hysterical, but I like that they're making it more of an ensemble with her sister and friends/housemates (DO they all live together in that house? Seems like it.) Kinda reminded me a bit of my soft spot show Quarterlife, which I believe can only be found online now (SUCH a good show, hope a DVD comes out soon). And also kinda reminds me of Friends and How I Met Your Mother a bit - in the sense of a group of young friends living together (or near each other) and trying to figure life out. That's a really sappy description, but you get my drift, I hope.
Speaking of How I Met Your Mother, it's been VERY good so far this season.
I think that's pretty much all I have to say at the moment. Till next time...
Via After the MFA, a great quote from thank-goodness-for Junot Diaz:
Here's something I like. My most recent fortune cookie: Your present plans are going to succeed within the year. Since the only plan I currently have is to finish the novel (and I hope to finish it by the end of the year), I'm taking this as an EXTREMELY good sign. We'll have words if you don't take it that way too (and maybe we can count them and I can add them to my 'Fess Up Friday tally...).What I learned was that to write a book you have to first become the person you need to be to write that book. I had to, like, literally change. I had to become a new person. I had to grow the f— up.
Today's horoscope (from Tarot.com): Wednesday, Oct 8th, 2008 -- Your key planet Saturn is locked in a tense dance with healer Chiron today and it's up to you to figure out how to take this uncomfortable energy and turn it into a positive expression. You have the potential for grace in your life now, but you must be able to forgive someone or even yourself. The realization that no one is to blame can free you to process an old wound and move on with your life. (This one, I'm thinking might not have so much to do with my writing as my personal life, though since my writing is personal and a part of me, I'm sure it relates, also).
The Louisiana Book Festival this past weekend was awesome. WORLDS more organized and slick than it was during the first one, which I volunteered for (they were actually pretty organized for that one too, which just goes to show how far they've come). It was nice to catch up with a lot of my BR writing peeps at the author party I attended with Toni the night before, mostly former teachers and always mentors. Toni was kick-ass during her talk and it was a VERY pretty day, so perfect for an outdoor festival in Southern Louisiana.
The best part, though? (Sorry Toni...) ZYDEPUNKS!!! Whoooooo hoooo!! I missed their cd release party cause I went to GA after Gustav and then I missed the show they had the night before, Friday, cause I was in BR for the author party (DAMN you, Nick Fox for that little snippet you sampled for me over the cell phone. LOL). So, I got to catch their action for the first time in a long while AND snap up the new cd Finisterre, which is only available in Louisiana at the moment, until the 21st. I linked to cdbaby.com, though Finisterre isn't available there yet simply because it's the BEST cd-buying experience one can have online. Anyways, as soon as I had the new cd in my hot little hands, I ripped open the shrink wrap on my way to the car and shoved the sucker in immediately, listening to it all the way back home to Nola. Sooooooo good, so perfect for my long-deprived ears. How can you not like a band that's a little bit punk and a lot zydeco and every bit delicious?
I got another cd at the festival, too. My good friend, Randolph, was kind enough to give me his band Flatbed Honeymoon's cd (self-titled). I listened to it the same day and was very, very pleased and proud. I forgot several times that I know 2/3 the band from my English Dept. days and just felt like I was luxuriating in some classic, tried-and-true tunes I'd loved forever. Especially "Constantly Insecure," "The Electrician," and "The Moon is Blue." You can listen to "The Electrician" and some of the other songs from the cd on their MySpace page.
So I had a glut of amazing music, all in one day and I've been compulsively re-listening ever since. Also been listening to Kerli's Love is Dead pretty intensely. And got wowed by Linda Ronstadt's "We Will Rock You," which is short but delightfully sweet and creepy.
Caught the first episode of The Ex-List online yesterday and very thoroughly enjoyed it. It was funny and I hope the show's given a decent chance cause I'd like to see where it goes. Elizabeth Reaser is hysterical, but I like that they're making it more of an ensemble with her sister and friends/housemates (DO they all live together in that house? Seems like it.) Kinda reminded me a bit of my soft spot show Quarterlife, which I believe can only be found online now (SUCH a good show, hope a DVD comes out soon). And also kinda reminds me of Friends and How I Met Your Mother a bit - in the sense of a group of young friends living together (or near each other) and trying to figure life out. That's a really sappy description, but you get my drift, I hope.
Speaking of How I Met Your Mother, it's been VERY good so far this season.
I think that's pretty much all I have to say at the moment. Till next time...
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Nibbled to death by ducks
Via my emailed Publisher's Lunch from a few days ago, I find that Scotland Yard has foiled a terrorist attempt on the life of The Jewel of Medina's UK publisher. Here's the link PL sent. The next day (yesterday), PL included this snipet:
"Managing director of Compass (the sales company for the UK's Gibson Square) Alan Jessop tells the Bookseller that Martin Rynja "has put publication [of THE JEWEL OF MEDINA] in suspended animation while he reflects and takes advice on what the best foot forward is." The book was supposed to be published in the UK on October 15. Jessop added, "Everyone is going to have to be patient. This requires some careful thinking."
That report follows author Sherry Jones's agent Natasha Kern telling the NYT that Gibson Square "is planning to go ahead with the book, as are other publishers worldwide, despite this shocking attack."
President of Beaufort Books Eric Kampmann indicates to the AP "that there were no immediate worries about safety" in the US and his company is proceeding with publication."
I'm not liking the direction that all of this is taking - terrorism and censorship. The news about the terrorist attempt begs a chicken or egg question: did the terrorists get the idea to target the publisher of this controversial book from the NEWS reporting that terrorists might react negatively to it? Which came first? The speculation about terrorism or the idea on the part of the terrorists to terrorize?
Some speculation about Donna Tartt changing houses, via GalleyCat.
It feels wrong to speculate about terrorism and censorship in one breath and then talk about the more frivolous things I want to talk about, but I'm gonna do it anyway.
From Becks, a photograph of the world's largest cupcake. That makes me happy.
In more sugar-related happiness news, I got to tour the Hubig's Pies bakery today with a friend who works there. The private tour was complete with fresh (fresh!) off the press (?) apple pies and a beautiful mandatory hairnet. Too bad there's no pictures of that - Emilie in a hairnet eating an apple Hubig's pie. They don't really advertise, but I bet they would've used that one and really moved some pies. LOL.
And to end on a not-frivolous, but still fun and touching note, read about Ruthie the Duck Lady.
(The nibbled to death by ducks comes from Joan Didion's The Year of Magical Thinking, which I'm listening to in the car.)
"Managing director of Compass (the sales company for the UK's Gibson Square) Alan Jessop tells the Bookseller that Martin Rynja "has put publication [of THE JEWEL OF MEDINA] in suspended animation while he reflects and takes advice on what the best foot forward is." The book was supposed to be published in the UK on October 15. Jessop added, "Everyone is going to have to be patient. This requires some careful thinking."
That report follows author Sherry Jones's agent Natasha Kern telling the NYT that Gibson Square "is planning to go ahead with the book, as are other publishers worldwide, despite this shocking attack."
President of Beaufort Books Eric Kampmann indicates to the AP "that there were no immediate worries about safety" in the US and his company is proceeding with publication."
I'm not liking the direction that all of this is taking - terrorism and censorship. The news about the terrorist attempt begs a chicken or egg question: did the terrorists get the idea to target the publisher of this controversial book from the NEWS reporting that terrorists might react negatively to it? Which came first? The speculation about terrorism or the idea on the part of the terrorists to terrorize?
Some speculation about Donna Tartt changing houses, via GalleyCat.
It feels wrong to speculate about terrorism and censorship in one breath and then talk about the more frivolous things I want to talk about, but I'm gonna do it anyway.
From Becks, a photograph of the world's largest cupcake. That makes me happy.
In more sugar-related happiness news, I got to tour the Hubig's Pies bakery today with a friend who works there. The private tour was complete with fresh (fresh!) off the press (?) apple pies and a beautiful mandatory hairnet. Too bad there's no pictures of that - Emilie in a hairnet eating an apple Hubig's pie. They don't really advertise, but I bet they would've used that one and really moved some pies. LOL.
And to end on a not-frivolous, but still fun and touching note, read about Ruthie the Duck Lady.
(The nibbled to death by ducks comes from Joan Didion's The Year of Magical Thinking, which I'm listening to in the car.)
Feeling good for October
Today is one of the prettiest I've seen in a long time. I'm in Nola, there's a cool breeze and good things are happening. Groovy.
What good things, you ask?
My volleyball team won 2 of our 3 games last night. My serves improved, even if my communication hasn't improved much yet. The team rocked and I was very proud of all of them, to be a part of them.
A few days ago, I finished Part I of TCB and barreled straight on through a good portion of the first chapter in Part II. Perhaps I'm being overly optimistic, but it feels like the rest of the book could come faster now because a significant portion of the new material is in Part I. I have a lot of new material left, but it feels like the rest of the book is more a matter of finessing and editing that creating from scratch. Almost all of Part I was brand spanking new. Maybe about 75% at least.
Looking forward to the Louisiana Book Festival this weekend. Hope the weather continues to be so pretty.
What good things, you ask?
My volleyball team won 2 of our 3 games last night. My serves improved, even if my communication hasn't improved much yet. The team rocked and I was very proud of all of them, to be a part of them.
A few days ago, I finished Part I of TCB and barreled straight on through a good portion of the first chapter in Part II. Perhaps I'm being overly optimistic, but it feels like the rest of the book could come faster now because a significant portion of the new material is in Part I. I have a lot of new material left, but it feels like the rest of the book is more a matter of finessing and editing that creating from scratch. Almost all of Part I was brand spanking new. Maybe about 75% at least.
Looking forward to the Louisiana Book Festival this weekend. Hope the weather continues to be so pretty.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
I forgot to watch t.v. and a belated Fess Up Friday
I'm a t.v.-holic and I've been forgetting for weeks now that most t.v. shows have returned from hiatus. Honestly, I'm having fun not watching t.v., not being chained to the boob tube. There's lots of shows I want to be watching, I don't think we've necessary lost quality. But I don't want to be told where to be and when any more than I have to be. Don't have Tivo, so that means I'm going to watch t.v. shows like Bones, which I don't want to get behind on (my favorite show), online. The studios need to get with it and start counting downloads rather than cancelling quality shows based on out-dated and inaccurate Nielson ratings. We're still getting our dose of advertising, so what's the difference? Did catch most of Survivor this Thursday, after forgetting it was premiering till an ex-coworker and always friend reminded me. I'm way behind on House. And I missed How I Met Your Mother, but I'll rectify that shortly. How does anybody have the luxury of being bored anymore?
From somebody or other, here's a hilarious video of the mock Sarah Palin Disney movie Head of Skate. Oh watch it and laugh, for ye will.
And my Fess Up Friday reckoning:
9/20 - 1,646 words (finishing 5/I and working on 5/II)
9/24 - 607 words (probably continuing work on 5/II)
9/26 - 1,303 words (finishing 5/II and working on 5/III)
Still lame, but getting better all the time. Let's see if I can get into better habits and pick up the pace in October before NaNoWriMo kicks off November 1st. That means, I need to write today.
From somebody or other, here's a hilarious video of the mock Sarah Palin Disney movie Head of Skate. Oh watch it and laugh, for ye will.
And my Fess Up Friday reckoning:
9/20 - 1,646 words (finishing 5/I and working on 5/II)
9/24 - 607 words (probably continuing work on 5/II)
9/26 - 1,303 words (finishing 5/II and working on 5/III)
Still lame, but getting better all the time. Let's see if I can get into better habits and pick up the pace in October before NaNoWriMo kicks off November 1st. That means, I need to write today.
So sad
RIP Paul Newman. Really wish I'd gotten to meet you, you seemed like a really awesome person and I always loved your movies. I think I'll watch The Long Hot Summer today in memorial.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Late Fess Up Friday
9/16: 1,092
That's it. Slightly less depressing than nothing, but nothing to brag on. I'm getting closer to what I want and making some solid realizations. One of which is that I don't think I'm letting anybody read the book anymore until I finish a draft that I'm happy with. This is so opposite to how I usually work - I thrive on feedback. But, I'm figuring out that with TCB, there are too many cooks in the kitchen and I'm kicking them all out till I finish my masterpiece feast. Just wait till you get to taste it - it'll be worth it then. Promise.
So my friend Nick Fox, a writer, doesn't have a website or a blog or anything. He's amazingly low-tech, with only an email newsletter (in which he often argues with Ernest Hemingway and others) sent out to family, friends and folks he meets on his travels. With his permission, I'm quoting from his most recent (a return to New Orleans on The City of New Orleans):
"There’s something to be said for inefficiency, I think. If I’d flown to New Orleans, I would have been here in a couple of hours. But that’s like entering a time machine. You go through elaborate security measures, you find a neatly ordered seat inside a round capsule, there’s some noise and bumping and a couple hours later, there you are, on the other side of the country. It’s time travel. And it’s not very interesting.
On the train, you wait. You watch the scenery go by. There is the sense of an actual journey to a destination. You do not click your heels three times and say, “There’s no place like Basin Street. There’s no place like Basin Street.” You wait. And if you have to wait three hours at a standstill because of trouble with the line, that’s just part of the deal. And if the rails are flooded around New Orleans due to Hurricane Ike and they have to bring busses up to Mississippi to pick up the passengers and take them the last hundred miles in the rain, then that’s just the way it goes. It’s a journey. And you enjoy this journey."
I'm passing along a link about Gustav with a picture of Anna West (one of the infamous Baton Rouge Annas) and here's a link to an interview Nick did with C.J. Hribal (in lieu of a link to an actual, you know, website). Welcome home, mister.
A friend, James B. (one of the roommate candidates) forwarded me a bit of hilariousness regarding Brocabulary. Here's some funny ones (the source of the forward):
brostalgia - Nostalgia for something you did with your bro or bros. 'Oh, man, all this talk about keg stands is making me brostalgic.'
duedonym - A name that only your dudes call you. 'I used to play football with this guy, Kevin. But everyone knew him by his duedonym, 'One Ball Rosenthal.''
fellodrama - Melodrama between fellows. 'Brody peaced at Stephanie Pratt's bday to avoid any fellodrama with Spencer.'
friendjamins - Hundred dollar bills, lent to a friend. 'It's all about the friendjamins, baby.'
guyamese twins - Two guys who are pretty much inseparable. 'Can you believe Brad Pitt and George Clooney are doing another movie together? Those dudes are like total guyamese twins.'
And The Magnetic Fields are coming to Atlanta next month, on the 17th. Anyone want to go to the show with me? I can't miss it, haven't seen them live yet and they're pretty much my favorite band. Or one of them.
A friend of a friend of mine rescued an adorable puppy in Baton Rouge. I want to adopt it so badly but can't, so I'm making it a mission to help find it a home. If anybody relatively close to BR wants this puppy, let me know.
[Thanks to my friend M. and his friend M., the puppy has found a home. Thanks to K. who originally rescued her in BR and to C. for connecting K. and me.]
[M. has informed me that his friend M.'s friends (the new family) have named the puppy Kia. Now there's a name for "the puppy." Yay!]
That's it. Slightly less depressing than nothing, but nothing to brag on. I'm getting closer to what I want and making some solid realizations. One of which is that I don't think I'm letting anybody read the book anymore until I finish a draft that I'm happy with. This is so opposite to how I usually work - I thrive on feedback. But, I'm figuring out that with TCB, there are too many cooks in the kitchen and I'm kicking them all out till I finish my masterpiece feast. Just wait till you get to taste it - it'll be worth it then. Promise.
So my friend Nick Fox, a writer, doesn't have a website or a blog or anything. He's amazingly low-tech, with only an email newsletter (in which he often argues with Ernest Hemingway and others) sent out to family, friends and folks he meets on his travels. With his permission, I'm quoting from his most recent (a return to New Orleans on The City of New Orleans):
"There’s something to be said for inefficiency, I think. If I’d flown to New Orleans, I would have been here in a couple of hours. But that’s like entering a time machine. You go through elaborate security measures, you find a neatly ordered seat inside a round capsule, there’s some noise and bumping and a couple hours later, there you are, on the other side of the country. It’s time travel. And it’s not very interesting.
On the train, you wait. You watch the scenery go by. There is the sense of an actual journey to a destination. You do not click your heels three times and say, “There’s no place like Basin Street. There’s no place like Basin Street.” You wait. And if you have to wait three hours at a standstill because of trouble with the line, that’s just part of the deal. And if the rails are flooded around New Orleans due to Hurricane Ike and they have to bring busses up to Mississippi to pick up the passengers and take them the last hundred miles in the rain, then that’s just the way it goes. It’s a journey. And you enjoy this journey."
I'm passing along a link about Gustav with a picture of Anna West (one of the infamous Baton Rouge Annas) and here's a link to an interview Nick did with C.J. Hribal (in lieu of a link to an actual, you know, website). Welcome home, mister.
A friend, James B. (one of the roommate candidates) forwarded me a bit of hilariousness regarding Brocabulary. Here's some funny ones (the source of the forward):
brostalgia - Nostalgia for something you did with your bro or bros. 'Oh, man, all this talk about keg stands is making me brostalgic.'
duedonym - A name that only your dudes call you. 'I used to play football with this guy, Kevin. But everyone knew him by his duedonym, 'One Ball Rosenthal.''
fellodrama - Melodrama between fellows. 'Brody peaced at Stephanie Pratt's bday to avoid any fellodrama with Spencer.'
friendjamins - Hundred dollar bills, lent to a friend. 'It's all about the friendjamins, baby.'
guyamese twins - Two guys who are pretty much inseparable. 'Can you believe Brad Pitt and George Clooney are doing another movie together? Those dudes are like total guyamese twins.'
And The Magnetic Fields are coming to Atlanta next month, on the 17th. Anyone want to go to the show with me? I can't miss it, haven't seen them live yet and they're pretty much my favorite band. Or one of them.
A friend of a friend of mine rescued an adorable puppy in Baton Rouge. I want to adopt it so badly but can't, so I'm making it a mission to help find it a home. If anybody relatively close to BR wants this puppy, let me know.[Thanks to my friend M. and his friend M., the puppy has found a home. Thanks to K. who originally rescued her in BR and to C. for connecting K. and me.]
[M. has informed me that his friend M.'s friends (the new family) have named the puppy Kia. Now there's a name for "the puppy." Yay!]
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Political correctness burns me up, especially when it's worthless
So I'm at a notary public's office where they do vehicle registrations for the DMV and they had a display of possible license plate choices. One of them read: "Choose Life." I'm not going to get into my personal beliefs on the abortion issue or attack anybody else's. But on a very real, rhetorical level, I object to the very way we discuss abortion and our stance on the issue.
PRO CHOICE or PRO LIFE. That's absurd. ABSURD. AB-S-U-R-D. How can there be two pro sides on an issue? If we're debating, we're already screwed. Therefore, many people would have us think that it's "Pro life" and "Anti life," but that's not the issue at all. The issue is about CHOICE, not about LIFE. If I support a woman's right to choose, I'm therefore pro CHOICE. If you don't support somebody's right to choose (and want to pick a DMV license plate to announce that), then you're really ANTI CHOICE, not PRO LIFE. It's that simple. Nobody who supports a woman's right to choose wants to kill babies, is against the idea of babies or new life. We (ahem, they) merely support the idea that a woman should be able to decide. But the pro lifers would NEVER agree to be on the anti stance of this debate and they don't want to discuss the real issue, which is about choice (do we not live in the land of the free? the "freest" country in the world?) because then people would actually have to THINK about the issue, what the issue really is, rather than make an emotional decision. And it's hard not to be emotional about babies. That's biology.
And where's the pro choice license plate option? So much for separation of church and state.
Then there's this: Rose McGowan's comments. When did we get so afraid of people having opinions? Even if they're different than ours. What kind of an idiot would assume that Rose McGowan's personal opinions represent the thoughts and opinions of her studio? I mean, I get that it's for legal purposes. But I just detest this pandering we do to absolute ridiculousness. She has an opinion and it's a little shocking. And, worst of all, she actually spoke her mind. Reminds me of the link I put up a while ago about Katherine Heigl kicking heiny. Yes, they're gorgeous actresses. But that doesn't mean they don't get to speak their mind, even if their studio does think it's ill-timed. What great press, though. Hadn't even heard of the movie and now I have.
I'm getting so tired of people being afraid to argue (even me, y'all). Argue properly in a way that genuinely challenges beliefs, laws, conventions. It's the truth of all things - when your belief in something has been challenged, it is all the stronger when it passes through. But the truth is we're afraid our beliefs won't stand the challenges. And maybe they won't. Scary stuff.
PRO CHOICE or PRO LIFE. That's absurd. ABSURD. AB-S-U-R-D. How can there be two pro sides on an issue? If we're debating, we're already screwed. Therefore, many people would have us think that it's "Pro life" and "Anti life," but that's not the issue at all. The issue is about CHOICE, not about LIFE. If I support a woman's right to choose, I'm therefore pro CHOICE. If you don't support somebody's right to choose (and want to pick a DMV license plate to announce that), then you're really ANTI CHOICE, not PRO LIFE. It's that simple. Nobody who supports a woman's right to choose wants to kill babies, is against the idea of babies or new life. We (ahem, they) merely support the idea that a woman should be able to decide. But the pro lifers would NEVER agree to be on the anti stance of this debate and they don't want to discuss the real issue, which is about choice (do we not live in the land of the free? the "freest" country in the world?) because then people would actually have to THINK about the issue, what the issue really is, rather than make an emotional decision. And it's hard not to be emotional about babies. That's biology.
And where's the pro choice license plate option? So much for separation of church and state.
Then there's this: Rose McGowan's comments. When did we get so afraid of people having opinions? Even if they're different than ours. What kind of an idiot would assume that Rose McGowan's personal opinions represent the thoughts and opinions of her studio? I mean, I get that it's for legal purposes. But I just detest this pandering we do to absolute ridiculousness. She has an opinion and it's a little shocking. And, worst of all, she actually spoke her mind. Reminds me of the link I put up a while ago about Katherine Heigl kicking heiny. Yes, they're gorgeous actresses. But that doesn't mean they don't get to speak their mind, even if their studio does think it's ill-timed. What great press, though. Hadn't even heard of the movie and now I have.
I'm getting so tired of people being afraid to argue (even me, y'all). Argue properly in a way that genuinely challenges beliefs, laws, conventions. It's the truth of all things - when your belief in something has been challenged, it is all the stronger when it passes through. But the truth is we're afraid our beliefs won't stand the challenges. And maybe they won't. Scary stuff.
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