Weight of My World

The Time Has Come

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 16:25:17 GMT

**Second attempt at my good-bye post -- Yet another reason why this post has been a long time coming.**

The time has finally come to say good-bye to Spaces. Yes, I'm finally closing up my Spaces shop and heading down the block to a more prime location. Don't get me wrong. I've had some great times here at Spaces, like the week I was featured on What's Your Story. And I've met some great blog friends over here, too (plus many more), a good number of whom have also skipped Spaces Town. But the trouble of posting an entry these days far outweighs the benefits of being part of the Spaces community. Hopefully, if you like reading me here, you'll just update your link or blogroll and read me over at Blogger instead.

I'll be leaving this Space up, so you can still peruse my archives or check out my friends' spaces (they're listed to the left). I just can't continue to blog here. Not only was I unbelievably bad at keeping two blogs going (I mean, come on, I can barely come up with enough time and material for one!), but Spaces has gradually accumulated enough checks in the Cons column to force me to jump ship. It regularly takes me an hour or more to format, categorize and post an entry because it’s just not very user friendly. I can’t seem to save new categories, and the ones that I have saved don’t want to show up in the Categories module no matter how hard I try. I can’t use Spaces in Firefox and even in Internet Explorer it often causes my computer to freeze up. It’s just plain difficult, while Blogger is so, so easy. With all that’s going on in my life right now, easy is good. It’s great. It’s necessary, really.

So please, come visit me at http://writingherlife.blogspot.com. I think summer’s going to be full of inspiration, and who knows what kind of home owner adventures I’ll encounter in the next few months.

Thursday Thirteen #1

Thu, 31 May 2007 13:26:37 GMT

I heard about the apparently famous Thursday Thirteen from Caffeinated Librarian a while back. I thought it might be fun to give it a go, despite my late arrival to the party (yet again). It might be just what I need to get me motivated to blog again. So without further ado...

Thirteen Childhood Memories

1. In the spring and summer, on days when my Grandmother would babysit my sister and I, we would walk to a nearby farmer's market and enjoy the sights and sounds. I still remember the smell of fresh baked bread; the piles of ripe, red tomatoes; the friendly faces of the vendors, who would slip a piece of candy or other treat my way while my Grandmother tested the firmness of some vegetable or another.

2. My sister once lost my favorite baby doll during the walk back to Grandma's house from the market. We retraced our steps for what seemed like hours, but never found my Yawny Baby.

3. When I was growing up, I owned the Barbie Dream House complete with an elevator on a pull string and little plastic furniture. It wasn't the super-expensive wooden Dream House; it was the one made of plastic with the cardboard backing that had room scenes printed on it. I didn't care, though. My sister and I played with it for hours at a time.

4. I had a pink, banana-seat bike that my mom won in a raffle. It was the coolest! It had white rubber handle covers with pink and white streamers hanging from them.

5. We got an above-ground pool one summer when I was in junior-high. That summer it rained endlessly.

6. When it wasn't raining, I would spend as much time as possible in the water, where I was finally weightless.

7. Hot summer night rainstorms were the perfect excuse to play in the rain and skip in the puddles in our crumbling sidewalk.

8. Feet of snow in the winter meant building "igloos" and caves in the drifts. Who says you have to put away your sand buckets in the winter?

9. On New Year's Eve, my sister and I (and whatever babysitter was watching us) would have a mini-party, complete with noise makers, cardboard tiarras sparkling with glitter and glue, and enough snacks and soda to make us sick. We'd stuff ourselves and hope we could keep our eyes open for the ball-drop at midnight.

10. We had bunnies for a while and they would always get out of their cages and fenced-in running (or rather hopping) area. We would chase them around like mad kids, trying to catch them before our cat did.

11. We bought our first VCR, a Beta, at BJs in the nearest big city, along with huge packages of toilet paper, paper plates, paper towels and the like. If I remember correctly, going to BJs was a major outing for our family. Very exciting stuff!

12. Reading a complete book in a single day was a regular occurance. I miss those days.

13. My family's cat gave birth to a litter of kittens just weeks after we took her in. I remember watching those helpless little babies, rooting around for their Mama's milk, so tiny and soft and adorable. Having to give them all away was very hard for me. I didn't understand why we couldn't keep all 5 of them. It's not like they took up much room. They all fit in a little box.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

She's Alive!

Fri, 25 May 2007 01:43:32 GMT

I'm alive and kicking. Really.

I've been doing the following in my absence:

visiting the Farmer's Market
taking walks in the park
learning to live a life of moderation and healthy choices
mowing my lawn
whacking the weeds
trying to decide the best way to get rid of HUGE carpenter ants
planting a container herb garden
wishing my yard would landscape itself because my completely-the-opposite-of-green thumb and my lack of gardening knowledge have me wondering which plants in the previous owner's small garden are weeds and which are keepers
spending time with my new neighbors
working on that novel I keep talking about
getting rejections in the mail for those essays I sent out
collecting, formatting and writing content for my very own website
watching movies including Deja Vu, Catch and Release, Little Miss Sunshine, Spider Man 3, Fracture, Disturbia, Flight Plan, American Dreamz, Shut Up & Sing, Next, Sherry Baby
tightening my budget
reading The Audacity of Hope and trying to whittle down the pile of magazines that has accumulated in my magazine basket over the last 6 months
watching the last of this season's Lost and Heroes episodes
plus the usual everyday stuff like work, cleaning, sleeping, eating...

Not too eventful, but very productive.

Book Meme

Thu, 10 May 2007 02:09:13 GMT

Science Fiction, Fantasy or Horror?

Fantasy - This is Harry Potter's fault.

Hardback or Trade Paperback or Mass Market Paperback?

Hardback or Trade - Mass Markets just seem so small in my hands.

Amazon or Brick and Mortar?

Brick and Mortar - Atmosphere is everything.

Barnes & Noble or Borders?

B&N, but only because it's more convenient for me. Plus, the Borders around here don't have cafes in them.

Hitchhiker or Discworld?

I guess since I have no idea what this is referring to, I'll have to say neither...

Bookmark or Dog-ear?

I'm a bookmark girl (although I used to dog-ear everything). I can't even count how many bookmarks I have laying around, and if I can't find a bookmark there's always a slip of paper or a magazine subscription card within reach.

Asimov’s Science Fiction or Fantasy & Science Fiction?

Asimov

Alphabetize by author, Alphabetize by title, or random?

Random - too much order freaks me out. Although I do tend to order them by size.

Keep, Throw Away or Sell?

Keep or give away. Never, EVER, throw away.

Keep dust-jacket or toss it?

Keep it! Who would toss it? Who?

Read with dustjacket or remove it?

With it, unless I'm traveling or carrying the book around in a bag.

Short story or novel?

Yes

Harry Potter or Lemony Snicket?

Harry

Stop reading when tired or at chapter breaks?

At breaks, unless my eyes disagree and close on me.

“It was a dark and stormy night” or “Once upon a time?”

Depends on my mood.

Buy or Borrow?

I buy more than I should and don't borrow enough.

Buying choice: Book Reviews, Recommendation or Browse?

Yes, yes, and yes.

Lewis or Tolkien?

How could I choose?

Collection (short stories by the same author) or Anthology (short stories by different authors)?

Usually collection, but sometimes anthology

Tidy ending or Cliffhanger?

Tie it up in a little bow, please.

Morning reading, Afternoon reading or Nighttime reading?

Morning on the weekends and nighttime during the week.

Standalone or Series?

I usually get bored with series before they're over and then don't finish them. I'll take standalones most of the time.

New or used?

As long as it's readable.

Favorite book of which nobody else has heard?

The Knight and the Dove by Lori Wick

Currently Reading?

The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama and The Best Life Diet by Bob Greene

Wacker of Weeds

Sat, 05 May 2007 01:35:38 GMT

I met my next door neighbor to my left when I got home from work today. She offered me the name and number of their lawn guy (now she offers, I thought). We chatted on our stoops for a few minutes and then I went inside to assemble my weed wacker.

You see, in my lawn care ignorance, I'd let my grass grow way too high before I finally found the reel mower I'd been looking for at Home Depot. A reel mower, if you're unfamiliar, is really only effective when your grass is less than 2 1/2" tall. Mine was well beyond this limit, and growing fast. And I couldn't seem to catch any of the neighborhood lawn-care specialists to get it under control so that the reel mower could take over. Thus the weed wacker purchase.

I never thought I'd be spending my hard-earned money on things like heavy-duty extension cords and 3.4 amp weed wackers. Until Wednesday, that is, when I decided my lawn (by which I mean postage-stamp sized patches of grass in the front and back of my house) was becoming a jungle in the city and took a trip to Sears. There, C.J. so kindly took me through the many weed wacking options and I decided on the low-end Craftsman model. It would get the job done, C.J. told me, well enough that my reel mower could handle the rest. And I could use it to get at those hard-to-reach places, too.

C.J. was right. Tonight, I took weed wacking into my own hands. And in about two hours, I successfully mowed my back yard. It's not as easy as you'd think. Wacking weeds is hard work, despite the motorized parts. My left arm is still partially paralyzed from the strain of directing the wacker. My right hand is cramping from sqeezing the power trigger. And I may not be able to lift my arms or walk tomorrow because my shoulders and lower back feeling tighter with every passing moment. I'll be picking grass and weed bits from my hair for days, but I'm extremely proud of my accomplishment.

My neighbors were, too.

B & B, a husband and wife that live across the alley, had been sitting on their back porch watching me work myself into paralysis. When I finished, Mrs. B came over to introduce herself and offer me her rake. It was the first neighborly gesture I've received since I moved in. So, after talking for a few moments, I raked the mowed grass into three big piles (yes, I said three piles).

As I was heading down the alley to return the rake, I ran into one of my neighbors from the house on the right. Mr. W introduced himself, and commented on what a great job I'd done with my lawn. I thanked him and we talked for a few minutes about how long he'd lived there and how well I was settling into the house. As we were talking, Mr. B came over to introduce himself. We all talked about the weather and my great mowing job, and then Mr. W climbed into his car to leave. Mr. B took his rake and headed back home, inviting me over any time. We waved to each other as I went inside to eat dinner, leaving the piles of grass for tomorrow.

It's amazing what nice weather and a weed wacker will bring. I'm finally starting to feel a sense of community in my new neighborhood. And I'm feeling pretty bad-ass for having taking on the jungle in my back yard. Next expedition: the front yard.

TBR #5 -- It's a Record!

Thu, 03 May 2007 23:29:15 GMT

It's the beginning of May - that's month number 5 - and I'm starting my sixth book in the TBR Challenge that I so bravely--and doubtfully--signed up for back in the fall. I haven't been very good at keeping up with reviews, but I've read five books in four months: On Writing Well, by William Zinsser; The Memory Keeper's Daughter, by Kim Edwards; The Guy Not Taken, by Jennifer Weiner; How to Read Literature Like a Professor, by Thomas Foster; and The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri. That's got to be my reading record for the last several years. I don't know when the last time I managed to put away more than a book every month or so was. Maybe early high school. I've always loved to read, and I've always made time to do it, but over the last couple of years I've been reading less and less. Until this year, that is. And whatever my yearly total is for 2007, I'm going to make it my personal challenge to better that by two books for 2008. Now, on to a mini review.

My fifth read for the TBR Challenge was The Namesake, by Jhumpa Lahiri. I had high hopes for this book, because I'd heard nothing but good things about it. It wasn't action-packed or exciting, but it was a well-written narrative that kept me turning the pages. I found myself relating completely with the main character, Gogol, who spent most of his life rejecting the life his parents had lived and attempting to turn his back on his culture. Much of the story was centered around his attempts to become his own person and the internal struggle of finding a balance between his Indian heritage and his American upbringing. It was a powerful story about how the choices we make from the moment we are able to make them shape who we become. I think the most important point I took away from the book was that we often fight against the currents of our past, only to discover that we belong downstream after all. I'm looking forward to reading Interpreter of Maladies in the near future.

Everyday Surprises

Thu, 03 May 2007 01:22:10 GMT

Today was one of those days where simple things, things that I probably see and do pretty regularly, seemed particularly surprising.

There was my lunch-time walk with a co-worker in the warm sunshine, the light breeze blowing, the smell of flowers in the air and the sounds of ships drifting off the Bay. I was almost too enthralled in the beauty of the day to pay attention to the conversation we were having, except that certain observations about my boss were exceptionally funny in the moment.

There was a conversation with my Dad, in which I learned that while he was in the Navy he had been stationed in Brooklyn for a year and a half. It stunned me that in 31 years of life, I don't ever remember knowing details about my Dad's time in the Navy. I knew he had served, and the approximate time-frame of his enlistment, but I had no idea that he was a Sailor for 4 years, that he was also stationed in Florida and South Carolina, or that he'd traveled to England, France and other European countries. It was almost like I was meeting him for the first time.

There were the husband and wife Mallards, nuzzling in the park near my home. They were sitting in the tall grass, almost hidden from my sight, just a few feet from the curb. The man-Mallard, with his shining green feathers, sat beak-to-beak with his missus. In the middle of the city, two ducks fell in love.

There was the friendliness of strangers as I walked in the cooling evening through my new neighborhood. The woman walking her dog, who met my eyes and said hello. The couple spreading grass seed in their yard. The young man who cat-called from his porch and asked if I was out exercising. It seems the sun brings out the best in everyone.

So many wonderful surprises in one day. I hope that doesn't mean I've used up my surprising moments rations for the month.

Turnoff Try

Tue, 24 Apr 2007 12:44:52 GMT

First 50 Words

Today's Topic: California Girl

There’s something about her that causes her to shine bright like the sun. Maybe her tan, or the golden color of her hair. Either way, she’s a California girl born and bred in Connecticut. She swims in the ocean and works in the garden, both with equal skill and joy.

Topic provided by First 50 Words

My Great TV Turnoff started yesterday, and it went well overall. After a very long day at work, I ran some errands and headed home, looking forward to lounging on the couch in front of Friends reruns and then doing some cleaning up before Heroes. But by the time I got home I’d remembered that the TV is off limits (mostly) this week.

So, I cooked dinner and ate it in silence. Feeling exhausted, I abandoned ideas of a clean office and sparkling dishes for the couch and a good book. I lay down under my front windows, opened wide, and enjoyed the late evening breeze and the last bits of sunlight. When the sun had almost set, I found my way to the computer, did some blog-walking and checked my email. After an hour, I was so tired that sitting up seemed to be an effort. I shut down Windows, put my laptop back in its resting position and curled up on my bed with my book until 9:00.

I admit, my TV Turnoff commitments couldn’t overpower my desires to see the first new episode of Heroes since March 5^th. But I turned it on at 9:00 sharp and turned it off as soon as next week’s previews were over. The only other TV I’ll be watching this week is Lost on Wednesday night. I figure two hours is much better than the several hours a week I usually have the television on, even if I’m not watching it. And just think, not only am I saving precious brain cells from atrophy, but I’m also going a bit greener by using less electricity.

The Real Thing

Sun, 22 Apr 2007 21:55:50 GMT

This afternoon I made my weekly trip the grocery store to buy fruits and veggies, some milk and bread. I can never stick to the perimeter of the store, like all the health magazines I read suggest. So as I wandered through the aisles, I passed an end-cap stacked high with cases of Coke products on sale. I glanced their way and had almost passed them, when I stopped my cart (or buggy if you prefer) abruptly and backed up, almost running over a tiny lady with an armful of cereal boxes.

I apologized profusely and then turned my attention back to the item that had halted me. "Diet Coke *plus," the box said, the "plus" spelled out in pretty rainbow letters. Now, I'm a big Diet Coke fan, so I of course read on. It turns out that the newest Diet Coke incarnation contains vitamins B3, B6, and B12, plus zinc and magnesium. Does anyone else find this a bit confusing?

In the Diet Coke Plus press release, senior vice president of Coca-Cola North America, Katie Bayne, made this statement:

"Consumers, including Diet Coke drinkers, are increasingly looking for more beverage options, and we wanted to offer them the convenience of a calorie-free beverage that is a good source of several essential vitamins and minerals, and one that delivers on the great taste that they have come to expect from us."

By good source, Ms. Bayne means that an 8-oz. serving of Diet Coke Plus provides 15% of the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of the B vitamins mentioned above, and 10% of the RDA of zinc and magnesium. I'm not impressed. Yes, most of us could stand to increase our vitamin and mineral intake. And yes, many soda drinkers have other unhealthy habits that keep them from getting the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of most vitamins and minerals. So why not help them out by adding some nutrition to their Diet Coke, right? But I'm not convinced that "fortifying" soda, which is otherwise nutrition-less, is a good idea.

I think that touting Diet Coke Plus as a "good source" of vitamins and minerals will give consumers a false sense of the health benefits of drinking the product. Yes, drinking several cans of Diet Coke Plus a day is probably better than drinking the same number of cans of regular Diet Coke or other diet soda, if you're not getting your vitamins from elsewhere. But honestly, I think it's just another poor imitation of nutritious. It's one thing to fortify our cereals, which tend to contain other healthy ingredients like fiber, but adding vitamins to soda? I just don't get it. Then again, a lot of people buy Vitamin Water, and that's the same thing--vitamins and minerals added to water, a basically nutrition-less beverage. But water doesn't start out with added colors, natural flavors, preservatives, and caffeine like many sodas, including Diet Coke. So, while I'll continue to drink the occasional Diet Coke, I doubt I'll be picking up a Diet Coke Plus anytime soon. I'd rather get my vitamins and minerals from the place nature intended – a good old fashioned multi-vitamin.

Turning It Off Again

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 18:21:05 GMT

National TV Turnoff Week is coming up (April 23–29) and I'm actually looking forward to it this year, unlike last year's resistance. Since I committed to writing more each week, I've been watching less TV anyway. But I can always use an excuse to turn off the tube and hit the sheets a bit earlier. I might get a few more writing projects done, too, which would be an excellent side effect. Who knows? I might be so productive that I decide to leave the thing off. I'm not sure that's realistic, but I do have to wonder how much more writing, reading, cleaning, sleeping, and just plain living I'd do if I didn't own a television.

Cutting Up

Tue, 17 Apr 2007 00:46:32 GMT

Last weekend I was flipping channels and got caught up in an infomercial for these. I've seen them before. And everytime I watch I think, "Man, I could use those." I mean, it's a set of 11 stainless steel knives that can cut through leather, that can saw through dry wall, that don't dull or break. At least that's what they say in the infomercial. And they're only $30! That's a great deal, right? But alas, I couldn't bring myself to pick up the phone and call, because these days that $30 is better spent elsewhere. Like on groceries, or a gallon of paint. I'd just have to suffer it out with the knives I've been using for years, that can barely cut through warm butter, but do the job just the same.

Imagine my joy when my step-sister handed me two belated birthday boxes filled with not only the 11 Miracle Blade III knives, but also an extra set of the steak knives and the butcher block to display them all in, standing tall and proud and sharp and brand new on my countertop. I haven't tested them out on flying pineapples or leather shoes, but they sure worked well on potatoes and onions when I was making dinner tonight. I used the "Rock 'n Chop" to cut me some french fries and slice me some onions. And the steak knives worked wonders on fresh strawberries. No crushed, mushed berries, just even, round slices. I can't wait to use the "Chop 'n Scoop" on some fresh parsley, or the "Slicer" on a fresh loaf of bread. We'll see if these things are really as sharp and useful as the infomercial says they are. They're definitely going to get their workout from me, that's for sure. I might even buy a pineapple and have My Love throw it at me to see if the slicer can slide right through it or if that's just the magic of TV. Either way, they work much better than the my pre-Miracle collection.

And what about those old knives that are in my drawer right now? What should I do with them? I'd hate to give them to someone else knowing they're only good for sawing through cooked cabbage. I'm thinking they'd make a nice set of wind chimes, or a beautiful piece of industrial art.

Last-minute Visit

Sat, 14 Apr 2007 00:17:56 GMT

My mom called today and said, "I'm coming down tomorrow." I was a might-bit surprised, as it's a 6 1/2 hour drive, and a might-bit anxious, as I don't really have any room for guests (no bed in the guest room which has been taken over by all of the things I haven't found a place for yet). Turns out she's going to ride down with my step-sister, who's bringing my nephew down to visit his grandparents for Spring Break next week. So tomorrow morning, I'll be hanging out with my mom!

Despite the fact that I have "no room at the inn," I'm really excited to see her, my step-sister, and my nephew (although I won't really get to see much of any of them). This will be their first visits since I bought my house, so they'll get to see it (and the slow progress I'm making in decorating it). It will also be the first time I've seen them since Christmas. I'll get to spend all day Saturday with my mom, and we'll meet back up with my sister for dinner. They'll only be here for hours, really, but I'm sure we'll make the most of it. What a great weekend surprise!

Now, I've got some cleaning to do!

Burkhead's Baby

Thu, 12 Apr 2007 00:05:47 GMT

Dear Media Outlets, Reporters and Paparazzi,

Dannielynn's daddy is Larry Burkhead. There. Now we know. Can we please, oh puh-lease, stop hearing about the sorted details of Anna Nicole's life, death and addictions? I hope that poor little girl is able to overcome the legacy that her mother has left behind. And I hope that the people in her life do what's best by her. Now go away. Leave. Her. Alone.

Progress!!!

Thu, 05 Apr 2007 16:40:41 GMT

Time's short so I'm going with bulleted lists today.

On my writing goals:

I've been steadily making progress on some projects I've had in the burner.

Remailed my first essay to a new set of Literary Journals, since everyone in the first set sent me such nice form rejections. I reworked my cover letter a bit and sent it on its way.
Mailed out two other essays, each to its own set of publications.
Did some basic character sketches for a story I've had floating around in my head.

I've been sticking to my 5-hours-per-week writing goal. I didn't meet it last week because of wedding trip preparations and the weekend away, but I met it the first week, and I'm plugging away at it this week.
My goal of getting a website up and running has jumped to the top of my list of priorities, so I'm spending some time gathering pieces for my portfolio and writing some general content.

On life in general:

I'm feeling healthy, happy and focused.
My Love's birthday was Tuesday and we're hoping to do something special this weekend--not sure what, we're going to be spontaneous.
Things at work are going well, mostly because I do what needs to get done while I'm there and worry about what I need to do when I get home, when I get home. (What a concept, huh?) I realized that spending my whole day thinking about all the other things that I could, should or want to be doing is not the most efficient way to use my time. And it doesn't excatly make life at work pleasant.
I've been thinking a lot about the importance of having a community of people in your life.

On my blogs:

I'm considering making this a health/weight loss related blog and making the other a writing/life blog. I'm not sure how that would work out, but I figure it can't hurt to give it a try.
There's still the chance, if all else fails, that I'll be moving to Blogger-only mode, but I'm going to continue posting on both blogs for now.

Thanks for sticking with me through this dry spell!

A Wedding, Some Direction, Lots of Distraction

Fri, 30 Mar 2007 00:43:32 GMT

The Wedding

Last weekend I was visiting a friend in Louisiana for her wedding. The wedding was amazing. I got to see some people I haven't seen in quite a while, and I got to meet some new people, too. I was totally out of my comfort zone because I didn't know many, but I forced myself to be friendly and interact as much as I could handle (which probably wasn't enough, but was a good start). The bride and groom were beautiful together, and the ceremony inspired me in more ways than simply reminding me of the wonders of marriage. And at the reception, I pulled the ribbon with the engagement ring. My Love is definitely feeling the pressure now! (Not that I put much stock in those silly things, but it's nice to fantasize for a minute or two and make him squirm.)

Direction

I traveled to the wedding with a woman I haven't seen in several years and I experienced some amazing synchronicity and serendipity when we started talking and learning about each other again. She had some great advice, listened well, asked all the right questions, and encouraged me in all the right ways. I hope I was able to do the same for her. I soaked it all up, though, every piece of information and every feeling of hope, and I brought it all back with me. I feel things moving in the right direction. I've stated my intentions, I've made a plan and I'm stepping onto the path of my present and my future.

Distraction

Which brings me here. I'm obviously having a bit of trouble posting regularly these days. I think part of my problem is that things are a little hectic in my life and I've made a commitment to myself to spend my off-work hours investing in my writing goals. I also think part of my problem is that there are so many distractions out there. I'm sure I've said it again and again, but everything from a sink full of dishes to my Bloglines feeds to my lack of exercise and the newest episode of Lost have me feeling pulled in a million directions. And none of them are getting me any closer to that first draft of my book or that published essay collection.

Then there's this blog (and its identical twin over at Blogger). I absolutely love this thing. When I write here, I feel like I'm chatting with friends and writing in my journal all at the same time. But I also feel guilty that I'm not writing something that I could potentially get paid for. Plus there's my dread at having to copy and paste and reformat this same posting somewhere else. I started the duplicate site so that people who were having trouble viewing me here because they didn't have a Spaces account could come visit me there. Unfortunately, it's becoming a hassle and it's deterring me from posting at all. So I have to ask...if I stop posting here, and go Blogger-only, will my regular readers follow me there? I'd hate to alienate anyone, and it would suck to have to leave all my old posts here, but it's so much easier to access me there. And I think if I continue to try to keep up both sites I'll end up not posting at all. What do you say? Will you come with me?

Review: The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards

Sun, 18 Mar 2007 00:59:44 GMT

First 50 Words

Today's Topic: My Favorite Animal

It's been a long time since I've thought about what I might choose as my favorite animal. Subjects like this used to be at the forefront of my mind. When I was a kid, I'd focus on my favorites--colors, boys, places, people, animals--as though my life depended on my choices. And maybe it did, maybe those choices influenced who I became. But now it's hard for me to take the time necessary for choosing favorites unless they immediately impact my decisions. What difference does it make to my life if my favorite animal is a house cat or a zebra?

Topic provided by First 50 Words

Of all the goals I've made for 2007, reading a book a month for the TBR Challenge seems to by the one I've been most successful at pursuing so far. I finished On Writing, by William Zinsser, the first week in February. Then I devoured The Guy Not Taken, a collection of short stories by Jennifer Weiner, over the next several days. I don't have much time to read, so finishing each book before midnight on the last night of the month has been a pleasant surprise. Luckily, each book I've chosen has held my interest and been worth the hours I've put into them.

My March read was The Memory Keeper's Daughter, a story about a doctor whose wife unexpectedly gives birth to twins--a healthy boy and a girl with Down's sydrome--and the fateful choice the doctor makes to send the infant girl to an institution and tell his wife she died. The story started out a bit slow for me, but as soon as the secret of Dr. David Henry's daughter was introduced, I knew I'd love this book. I loved each of the characters, so deeply affected by a single event, by one decision made by a man trying to protect the woman he loved from a deep pain.

Before I started this book, I'd heard from several readers that it wasn't very good. I was afraid I'd be trudging through a bad story. But like everything else in this world, different people have different opinions about books, and I'm so glad I didn't let the bad reviews keep me from picking this story up and delving in. I liked everything about it (except the excessive details in the first few chapters). I loved the alternating points of view. I liked the characters, even when they weren't acting very likeable. I enjoyed the mistakes and imperfections of each of them, and I particularly enjoyed the pursuit of redemption, each character attempting to reconcile their choices and perspectives based on what they know and don't know is the truth.

I read a comment from another reader who said she had a hard time believing that someone would react the way Dr. Henry reacted in the story. But I know personally that in the time that Memory was set, raising a child with Down's syndrome wasn't easy, and doctors regularly encouraged families to put the child in an institution and forget about him or her. Keeping such a child at home just wasn't something you did in those days. Thankfully, there were parents who challenged this status quo and fought for the progress that so many benefit from today. Kim Edwards' story reminds me that there was a time when people with mental disabilities had little hope of living a productive and fulfilling life within our society and makes me thankful for those people (like my grandmothers) who refused to follow the pack and pushed for the rights their children deserved. It also reminded me of how far we have yet to go, of mothers who continue to fight for their childrens' rights to an education, to opportunities, to experiences, that so many of us take for granted.

If you haven't already read this book, I'd recommend it. You may or may not like it, but I think it's worth a try. And if you have read it, I'd love to know what you thought, good or bad.

Window of Opportunity

Thu, 15 Mar 2007 17:51:28 GMT

First 50 Words

Today's Topic: Networking

She learned early on that success isn't about what you know or who you are, but who you know. She practiced her networking skills from the moment she stepped on campus and her Rolodex was overflowing with names and business cards now. She knew someone who could help her with anything from finding a hairdresser to designing a building. It wasn't the fact that she knew these people that made her feel successful, though. It was her ability to help other people get things done. She was the go-to person for everything. If someone needed something, they came to her. And she delivered every time.

Topic provided by First 50 Words

I'm supposed to be working on this week's article for Feed the Soul and clocking a few of those 5 hours per week of writing that I committed to.

But the banging downstairs won't stop. I should have known better. I went to work today bright and cheery, with the knowledge that I'd be leaving early and heading home for a rare afternoon of writing time. It never occurred to me that focus and concentration would be out of the question while the men downstairs installed my new triple-pane Preservation windows in the living room. I can work through just about anything, but it sounds like they're ripping out the entire wall, and all I can think about is the horror stories I've heard of construction and contracting gone wrong.

I'm trying to quell the anxiety by visualizing my beautiful, energy efficient new windows, but then I start picturing bits of duct tape holding the frames in place and nails sticking out of the wall. I'm actually afraid to go downstairs and see what's going on. What if they're making a mess that I'll have to clean up later? What if the measurements were wrong and the windows don't fit? What if I made a mistake?

Ah, paranoia...why do you keep coming around? I guess I'll go start a load of laundry. At least something productive will get done.

And I can catch a glimpse of whatever is going on downstairs on my way through...

UPDATE: Turns out I was worrying for nothing (of course). Soon after I posted this, the banging subsided and I got some serious writing done. Plus, the windows look fantastic! If only I'd had the $9000 to do all the windows in the house at once. Two down, six (plus the four basement windows) to go. I really am going to spend all of my spare cash on this house now, aren't I?

Disciplinary Action

Tue, 13 Mar 2007 01:01:48 GMT

First 50 Words

Today's Topic: Free

Sara had wanted to be free from the moment she knew free existed. She wanted to leave her small town and never look back. There was so much more out there, she just knew it. And she knew freedom would be hers if she could show everyone how much she deserved it. She would be the best at everything, make good grades, get into a good college and get a good job. Anything she could imagine would be hers for the taking. Free. She would be free.

Topic provided by First 50 Words

So it turns out that to be a writer--to actually believe that you are one and to make other people believe it, too--you have to write something. I'm working on this part of begin a writer. I've go the "call-yourself-a-writer-and-you're-a-writer" thing down. And I've been sporatically publishing here and there. But it's the actual discipline of writing I'm having a bit of difficulty with. While I write regularly for Feed the Soul, and I just published the final article in my online series on home buying for Radiant Magazine, I'm not getting very far with my essay collection and that novel I keep thinking (and, to my dismay, telling people) about. I think I actually believe that if I keep talking about these things they'll materialize without any effort on my part. Clearly, I'm absolutely nuts.

The only good that can come out of this telling is that the pressure that it puts on me to perform, to not let all of these people down, is pushing me to get my arse in gear and write something. I know I keep saying this, but maybe if I keep talking about it I'll actually do it. In fact, I'm always the first person to point the finger at "talkers." You know people like this: they always have big plans, but never seem to see them through. They drive me crazy. And here I am, acting like a talker myself.

I don't want to be a talker. I want to be a doer. But how do I get from the talking to the doing?

I guess I just do.

Patresa recently posted about her realization that people treated her writing like a hobby because she treated it like a hobby, and that hit me as being true of myself, too. So I'm going to start treating it like the job that it should be. Here's the plan. (Yes, I've made a plan, because "a goal without a plan is only a wish," and wishing never got me anywhere.)

I'm committing to write at least 5 hours a week: 2 hours on either Tuesday or Thursday night, and three hours on Sundays. And this blogging thing, while I love it, does not count as my writing time. That means you may see less of me around here until I get into the grove of my new routine. I love you all, but I'll hate myself if I never really pursue this dream with all that I have.

I spent Sunday doing more market research and I'm sending my first essay out to more journals this week. The last five submissions were rejected, so it's on to the next group on my list. And I finished a second essay on Sunday, which I'm going to start submitting, too. I also started character sketches for my main characters for that novel I've been talking about. I'm going to be seeing an old friend in two weeks, and when I mentioned my goal to get a first draft finished this year, she told me she'd hold me to having at least a title page printed by the time we meet up. I want to have those character's fleshed out by then, instead. And I'm working through the Freelance Writer's Bible in the hopes that it will live up to it's promise and help me to develop a consistent writing practice and a lucrative freelance career.

Here's to living our dreams and making them happen!

Ahhh...No More Viruses

Fri, 09 Mar 2007 01:59:56 GMT

First 50 Words

Today's Topic: Spring Flowers

Sara slowed the car and put her left-turn signal on long before she saw the memorial. She'd been coming here every day for more than a month now, and still each time felt as painful as the first. The scent of spring flowers hung heavy in the car. She picked daffodils and tulips that morning from the garden she'd planted soon after she found out she was pregnant. Now they would lay on the spot where that fragile little boy that she had barely gotten the chance to know had slipped away from her.

Topic provided by First 50 Words

I can't believe how much of a difference a clean slate makes. My computer has been restored to its original state and is happily flying from website to website. Programs are opening in seconds instead of minutes, and I'm getting stuff done in record time. I'll be around to visit and I'll be back to writing regularly. Big thanks go out to my new favorite co-worker for taking care of my computer, a machine I've realized I'm very dependent on.

Update

Wed, 07 Mar 2007 17:08:15 GMT

Just a quick post to say I'm still alive, but my computer is only hanging on by a thread. I've been doing as little as possible on it over the last several days and trying to fix the problem on my own, but it's just not fixing. I'm leaving it with a co-worder tonight to work some magic on it, and hopefully I'll be back to posting regularly in no time.

Custom List: Contact Info

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 13:11:25 GMT

Contact Info

Duplicate Site
Check me out here if you're not a Spaces member but want to be able to leave comments.

Custom List: In Print

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 00:31:06 GMT

In Print

Feed the Soul
I write and edit content for this Nutrition and Fitness Consulting company's companion website.
Single's Guide to Home Buying
1st article in a planned series published at Radiant Magazine Online
Exercise for the Time-Impaired
Article published at Relevant Magazine Online
Single's Guide to Home Buying Pt. 2
2nd article in a series published at Radiant Magazine Online
Single's Guide to Home Buying Pt. 3
3rd article in a series published at Radiant Magazine Online
Single's Guide to Home Buying Pt. 4
4th article in a series published at Radiant Magazine Online
Single's Guide to Home Buying Pt. 5
Final article in a series published at Radiant Magazine Online
Review: A Near-Perfect Gift
Book Review published in Baltimore's City Paper
Review: All Alone in the World
Book Review published in Baltimore's City Paper
Going Green Blog
I contribute weekly posts for Radiant Magazine Online's blog about living a greener life.

Blog list: Blogs You Might Like...

Thu, 17 May 2007 23:57:55 GMT

Blogs You Might Like...

image and word
The world through Phil's lens.
Sexless in the City
Anna's tales of dating in the Big Apple.
Fat Chick
Fat chicks have to stick together!
Mocha Mama
She does it all...while drinking a cuppa joe.
The Jenni Chronicles
Jenni's starting over (again) and she's inviting you along for the ride.
Howling from the mountain
Kat shares her beautiful writing from her mountaintop.
Quarking Out Loud
Mindful musings about life...and other random stuff, too.
Miss Snark, the Literary Agent
Ask Miss Snark anything...or learn from the questions of others.
Adventures of the Future Dr. Cara
An inside look at the life of a med student, and a little advicefor good measure.
SnarkSpot
A day in the life of author Jennifer Weiner.
Catholic Mom (Again)
She's made the jump and gone out on her own...check out her newsite.
Gord
He's Gord. You'll like him.
Random Dreamer
Fun & Frogs - Life at its best.
Single in St Louis
She's single; she's in St. Louis. She'll tell you the rest.
a geographical oddity
Jen tackles life and MS with a good dose of humor. Check out hernew digs!
Some Girl
She's not just Some Girl anymore. Check out the prettiness at her new space!
BlogHer
Women bloggers unite!
Epistolary Blog
Lauren's a letter writing fool. Reading her mail is always goodfor a laugh!
Ninja Poodles
Life: 100% real and in your face. And she's hysterical, to boot.
The Caffeinated Librarian
She's a coffee-drinking, book-loving librarian with a lot to say. And her tour-de-blogs ROCK!
First 50 Words
Daily writing prompts for the (un)inspired.
Katy's Life
One of my favorite people, on family, life, loss, and God.
Official Live Earth Blog
Go Green!

Book List: What I'm Reading...

Sat, 16 Dec 2006 01:27:38 GMT

What I'm Reading...

Custom List: What I'm Reading...

Sat, 16 Dec 2006 01:23:24 GMT

What I'm Reading...

July 2006
Elizabeth Berg: A Year of Pleasures
July 2006
Elizabeth Berg: Say When
Aug. 2006
Jane Austin: Sense and Sensibility
Aug. 2006
Sheri Reynolds: Firefly Cloak
Aug. 2006
Liza Palmer: Conversations with the Fat Girl
Sept. 2006
Candace Bushnell: Lipstick Jungle
Sept. 2006
Arianna Huffington: On Becoming Fearless

Custom List: Quotes to Live By

Thu, 17 Aug 2006 11:59:04 GMT

Quotes to Live By

"It was high counsel that I once heard given to a young person,'always do what you are afraid to do.'"
--Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you've imagined."
--Henry David Thoreau
Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.
--J.W. Goethe
Where there is no vision the people perish.
--Proverbs 29:18

Custom List: What makes me smile...

Mon, 17 Apr 2006 19:05:13 GMT

What makes me smile...

Children laughing
Hot chocolate on a cold day
Unexpected moments with someone I love
Good food
Lunch with a friend I haven't seen in a while
A satisfying ending
A hopeful beginning
A clear night sky in my hometown
Beautiful sunsets
Bubble baths with a good book and sweet scented candles
Snow days
My mom's lasagna (and her cheese popcorn)
Nuzzles from my kitty
Smell of summer rain right before it starts to fall
My boyfriend's dimples