Well, the long Memorial Day weekend is behind us. I hope you had a safe, happy and relaxing three days.
I certainly enjoyed the break from my various freelance writing jobs. In spite of the huge stack of work-related projects that really needed my attention, I biked, read, planted flowers (okay, supervised the planting of flowers) and made a sinfully huge stack of light, golden brown, crispy on the outside-moist of the inside, absolutely fabulous, almond and walnut waffles for breakfast. Yum!
Remember the novel I mentioned in Saturday's post? Well, Mergers & Acquisitions by Dana Vachon is history. I finished it today around noon.
I didn't really get into the book until around page 30, but after that, the writing was pure joy. It's hard to believe this Vachon's debut novel because his control of the craft is amazing. I recommend Mergers & Acquisitions highly.
Playing on iTunes: Writers on Writing podcast. Host: Barbara DeMarco-Barrett. Guests: Novelists Masha Hamilton, Ellen Sussman and Amanda Ward. This is a great podcast for writers. Get it free from iTunes or from DeMarco-Barrett's website here.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Suddenly, there's so much time...
Here's one of the unexpected consequences (benefits?) of turning off the TV. Suddenly, there seem to be a lot more hours in the day. I mean, A LOT more hours in the day. And I'm very aware of each hour passing.
I finished Martha C. Lawrence's Ashes of Aries a bit sooner than expected, so now I have two new books on my table and a two new footers for my blog:
What I'm reading now:
Fiction: Mergers & Acquisitions, a debut novel by Dana Vachon.
Non-fiction: Write. 10 Days to Overcome Writer's Block. Period. by Karen E. Peterson, Ph.D.
Playing on iTunes: Canyon Legacy from In the Midst of Angels by Dan Gibson. This is very soothing, New Agey album that makes me feel like I'm in a day spa treatment room receiving a massage.
I finished Martha C. Lawrence's Ashes of Aries a bit sooner than expected, so now I have two new books on my table and a two new footers for my blog:
What I'm reading now:
Fiction: Mergers & Acquisitions, a debut novel by Dana Vachon.
Non-fiction: Write. 10 Days to Overcome Writer's Block. Period. by Karen E. Peterson, Ph.D.
Playing on iTunes: Canyon Legacy from In the Midst of Angels by Dan Gibson. This is very soothing, New Agey album that makes me feel like I'm in a day spa treatment room receiving a massage.
My TV Vacation, Pt. 1
What do you do when you don't watch TV?
The folks at the TV-Turnoff Network have given that a lot of thought, as you might imagine. They've come up with a list of 101 screen-free activities to keep grumpy minds occupied when there's no access to TV.
I found the list squirreled away in one of T-TN's many resources pages. I'll be honest. My first thought was that the list would be geared more to children. Well, guess what? I was wrong. Not only are there are lot of activities for adults, many help increase mindful living -- the state where we give full attention to what's going on around us rather than operating on autopilot.
Dr. Mehmet Oz, who makes frequent appearances on Oprah, has quite a bit to say on the benefits of that!
From the TV-Turnoff Network
"I really didn't like TV-Turnoff Week -- except I did notice that my grades went up and I was in a good mood all week."
-- Drew Henderson, 2nd grader, Donora, Pennsylvania
The folks at the TV-Turnoff Network have given that a lot of thought, as you might imagine. They've come up with a list of 101 screen-free activities to keep grumpy minds occupied when there's no access to TV.
I found the list squirreled away in one of T-TN's many resources pages. I'll be honest. My first thought was that the list would be geared more to children. Well, guess what? I was wrong. Not only are there are lot of activities for adults, many help increase mindful living -- the state where we give full attention to what's going on around us rather than operating on autopilot.
Dr. Mehmet Oz, who makes frequent appearances on Oprah, has quite a bit to say on the benefits of that!
From the TV-Turnoff Network
"I really didn't like TV-Turnoff Week -- except I did notice that my grades went up and I was in a good mood all week."
-- Drew Henderson, 2nd grader, Donora, Pennsylvania
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Am I missing something?
The web is full of articles about a huge fight (yep, another HUGE fight) between Rosie O'Donnell and Elizabeth Hasselbeck on The View.
Is it just me, or is anyone else concerned that the bigger issue -- our growing inability to have anything that resembles civil discourse in this country -- is being ignored? I haven't watched The View in years because the sound of the hosts shrieking at each other is like nails on a blackboard.
I can't stand it.
Oh, and I didn't read the articles about the O'Donnell/Hasselbeck argument, either. The headlines were enough.
Playing on iTunes: The Gods Love Nubia by Heather Headley from the Aida soundtrack. This lady has an incredible voice.
Is it just me, or is anyone else concerned that the bigger issue -- our growing inability to have anything that resembles civil discourse in this country -- is being ignored? I haven't watched The View in years because the sound of the hosts shrieking at each other is like nails on a blackboard.
I can't stand it.
Oh, and I didn't read the articles about the O'Donnell/Hasselbeck argument, either. The headlines were enough.
Playing on iTunes: The Gods Love Nubia by Heather Headley from the Aida soundtrack. This lady has an incredible voice.
Viagra and hamsters
Viagra helps hamsters overcome jet-lag from westbound flights.
I mean, seriously...
Seriously.
Playing on iTunes: Whenever You're Ready by Mary Chapin Carpenter.
I mean, seriously...
Seriously.
Playing on iTunes: Whenever You're Ready by Mary Chapin Carpenter.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Bored now. Hanging up the remote.
The revolution may have started without me, but I think I'm catching up.
According to an AP article published on CNN.com, TV network viewership is down 2.5 million people from this same period last year.
Some experts say viewership isn't declining. Rather, the way people watch TV has changed. They're more likely to use TiVo or DVR and watch a program when it's convenient than watch during the regularly scheduled airing. Since Nielson doesn't track people who watch a recorded episode, numbers look smaller than they actually are.
I'm not so sure about that.
Until recently, I was one of those dedicated TV viewers. Ask me about the latest episode of Heroes or Grey's Anatomy, and I could tell you all the details.
Not so anymore. This week, I retired my remote for the summer. Whether I pick it up again in the fall is anyone's guess.
Playing on iTunes: This Is My Time by Raven. (Yep, Raven. That cute little girl from The Cosby Show.) Good song.
According to an AP article published on CNN.com, TV network viewership is down 2.5 million people from this same period last year.
Some experts say viewership isn't declining. Rather, the way people watch TV has changed. They're more likely to use TiVo or DVR and watch a program when it's convenient than watch during the regularly scheduled airing. Since Nielson doesn't track people who watch a recorded episode, numbers look smaller than they actually are.
I'm not so sure about that.
Until recently, I was one of those dedicated TV viewers. Ask me about the latest episode of Heroes or Grey's Anatomy, and I could tell you all the details.
Not so anymore. This week, I retired my remote for the summer. Whether I pick it up again in the fall is anyone's guess.
Playing on iTunes: This Is My Time by Raven. (Yep, Raven. That cute little girl from The Cosby Show.) Good song.
Monday, May 21, 2007
New site for readers (and writers)
earlyink.com posts all sorts of interesting information about new and upcoming books. I can't take credit for finding this site -- author Jenny Crusie mentioned it in her blog this week -- but it's definitely a fun place to visit.
What do you think?
On my iPod right now: Sweet Potato Pie by Ray Charles and James Taylor. Fab-u-lous!
What do you think?
On my iPod right now: Sweet Potato Pie by Ray Charles and James Taylor. Fab-u-lous!
Joy!
Amy Tan once said she keeps her dog nearby while she writes because she is a constant reminder to step out of the world of her imagination, take a deep breath and enjoy life.
I think she's right. Can you look at this picture and not smile?
(To those who emailed and asked if this was a photo of Amy Tan's dog, the answer is no. This is Jake, my best buddy and muse. My husband and I adopted him from the Humane Society about three years ago. When we brought him home, he was afraid of people and didn't know how to wag his tail. Now, he's king of the world. I don't know what wonderful things he did in a former life, but all I have to say is, Karma happens!)
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Friendly fired...
I got fired the other day.
No, not from a job. I was fired as a friend.... And, not the other day, actually -- rather, more like a few months ago if the string of unreturned emails and phone calls is any indication. I just started thinking about it seriously the other day, though, thus the odd smooshing of time.
Being fired as a friend has the potential to bring up all sorts of issues. When I was younger, losing a friend was horrendous. I'd spend hours -- okay, let's be honest, weeks -- struggling to figure out what went wrong. (Later, of course, I dream up all sorts of fitting calamities for Former Friend Now Known as Spawn of Satan, but that's beside the point.)
The funny thing is, growing older brings a weird acceptance of the impermanence of things. It also makes it much easier to find lessons almost everywhere.
In this particular case, I learned that there's only so much talking I can do before people demand a little action. Complain endlessly about wanting to lose weight? Sooner or later, your friends are going to expect to see you shed a few pounds. Go on and on about wanting to write a book or speak another language or travel to a far-off land (or, even Minnesota)? Your buddies are going to want to see some progress.
Getting fired as a friend doesn't make me want to kick up my heels in joy, but if I make some positive changes as a result, it will be a great, great lesson.
What I'm reading this week: "Ashes of Aries" by Martha C. Lawrence. This is the fifth installment in a series of mysteries featuring "psychic detective" Elizabeth Chase. I've read two of the earlier novels, "Aquarius Descending" and "Pisces Rising." Both were very good.
No, not from a job. I was fired as a friend.... And, not the other day, actually -- rather, more like a few months ago if the string of unreturned emails and phone calls is any indication. I just started thinking about it seriously the other day, though, thus the odd smooshing of time.
Being fired as a friend has the potential to bring up all sorts of issues. When I was younger, losing a friend was horrendous. I'd spend hours -- okay, let's be honest, weeks -- struggling to figure out what went wrong. (Later, of course, I dream up all sorts of fitting calamities for Former Friend Now Known as Spawn of Satan, but that's beside the point.)
The funny thing is, growing older brings a weird acceptance of the impermanence of things. It also makes it much easier to find lessons almost everywhere.
In this particular case, I learned that there's only so much talking I can do before people demand a little action. Complain endlessly about wanting to lose weight? Sooner or later, your friends are going to expect to see you shed a few pounds. Go on and on about wanting to write a book or speak another language or travel to a far-off land (or, even Minnesota)? Your buddies are going to want to see some progress.
Getting fired as a friend doesn't make me want to kick up my heels in joy, but if I make some positive changes as a result, it will be a great, great lesson.
What I'm reading this week: "Ashes of Aries" by Martha C. Lawrence. This is the fifth installment in a series of mysteries featuring "psychic detective" Elizabeth Chase. I've read two of the earlier novels, "Aquarius Descending" and "Pisces Rising." Both were very good.
Monday, May 7, 2007
On living with passion...
Check out the May 4, 2007 post on author Carleen Brice's blog, The Pajama Gardener*. Not only is this a touching tribute to her grandfather, it's a timely reminder of the value of living your life with passion.
Sometimes, I think expressing my passion about certain things has a tinge of selfishness. After all, how can I be passionate about writing or snowshoeing or...dare I say, Gray's Anatomy (until this past season) while so much of the world is in turmoil?
The funny thing is, as you'll notice from Carleen's blog, living with passion or expressing your passion isn't selfish at all. Instead, it adds a spark to others' lives. (After all, could you actually NOT smile reading about the 24-hour jazz party in a house with one bathroom? Could anyone who was there not remember that for the rest of her or his life?)
There's that big question of, Can one person change the world? Guess what? Carleen's grandfather did.
And maybe, by sharing a pinch or two of our passions with others, we can too.
*You'll find her post here: http://pajamagardener.blogspot.com/
Sometimes, I think expressing my passion about certain things has a tinge of selfishness. After all, how can I be passionate about writing or snowshoeing or...dare I say, Gray's Anatomy (until this past season) while so much of the world is in turmoil?
The funny thing is, as you'll notice from Carleen's blog, living with passion or expressing your passion isn't selfish at all. Instead, it adds a spark to others' lives. (After all, could you actually NOT smile reading about the 24-hour jazz party in a house with one bathroom? Could anyone who was there not remember that for the rest of her or his life?)
There's that big question of, Can one person change the world? Guess what? Carleen's grandfather did.
And maybe, by sharing a pinch or two of our passions with others, we can too.
*You'll find her post here: http://pajamagardener.blogspot.com/
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