Gotta love WoW

The Wheel has Turned

And the fantasy world is a little poorer this week. James Rigney, Jr. - pen name Robert Jordan - passed on from this world to the next on Sunday. I've read quite a few tributes, posts, blogs and remembrances. They all point out to me that this world has lost not just a good writer but a good man.

"And there are never any words except 'The light shine on you, and the Creator shelter you. The last embrace of the mother welcome you home.'"
-Loial, The Great Hunt pg. 178

An Extraordinary Author

In the whirlwind of packing and family stress and drama, I had totally forgotten that I had won a contest on Paperback Writer's blog. The package came today. It had a neat tote bag that Mom thought was extremely cute (and so did I) various and sundry little surprises, more books that you can shake a stick at (Wabi Sabi for Writers, Tied to the Tracks, The Spooky Art, Soul Song, and several others) and these.






They were signed.

I did a little dance around the living room and squealed like a teenage girl at a boy band concert. My husband thinks I'm weird now.

What I don't think I could ever express to the author is how much this thrills me. I've never owned a book signed just for me. She troubled herself sending this to me (USPS instead of UPS because of the moving issue) and she didn't have to. I've never thought that I could win anything like this. I didn't think I was worth the trouble. Granted, this was sheer luck of the draw - but still...

I needed to hear/receive something positive. And I did.

And for the first time in more months than I want to think about, I want to write.

That is inspiration.

Thanks, PBW.

200

200 posts.

I didn't think I'd make it this far. I started out thinking that this blogging trip was just a fad I was going through. Guess not.

I surfed today and found all kinds of interesting things: Zube Girl had her a baby girl : ) , Dooce is going crazy with the contractors in her house, Rad Fanny is getting married and Jay at Kill the Goat is having her some rough life moments right now. I don't know these girls in real life and I wouldn't since they are spread over half the globe but if I could? Oh yes I would. The Nets bring the most interesting people to my attention and even if I'm not spreading the love and commenting like a fool, (which would require a NAME or something - I'm such a chicken sh*t) I'm interested in their stories, the real and the poetical.

You gals rock. I wish I could write about my life as half as well as you all do.

Stupid Trains

As I'm up two hours before my alarm is supposed to go off, I thought I'd take the time to stop by and say hello. I'm not sure what the engineers don't get about leaving running trains with noisy ass air compressors running RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE but I'm sure breakfast at Dennys doesn't take 2 hours and counting. I'd mind less if they (all 6 of them) were on the far side of the three tracks in front of my house or there were some train cars between me and them.

I think what really bothers me is the fact that they aren't hooked to anything. There's just 6 engines sitting down here running. Instead of parked behind the dairy plant a block away. Or better yet, downtown at the offices for these bastards. Since the tracks run right by there.

P.S. - That's the view from my living room with the door open. Spectacular isn't it?

#49

All kinds of interesting and uninteresting but time consuming things have been going on lately, so pardon my absence.

The Secret Life of Houdini - by Kalush and Sloman

Houdini as spy. His life, his love, and what may have been his real job. Fascinating. More info and footnotes at : www.conjuringarts.org .

Actually I just picked up the book to begin with because I thought it was a bio of Houdini and I think he's cool.

The Trip to Hell was Wonderful

Well, I was sick for two weeks. It was completely boring. I worked, I went home, I slept, I worked. That puts us up to nearly last week. And then? The hot water heater sprung a leak. So there was emergency house cleaning because I'd been a slob for two weeks so the repairmen could actually get through the house. *Sigh* I need a vacation from my time off.

My sister got accepted to GRADUATE SCHOOL. And she called and left a VERY long and EXCITED message on my phone. If I could translate what she said into print, there would be lots of CAPS. Way to go!

My Stepmother spent the weekend at my mom's with her two boys (long convoluted story) while hoping the police could catch up with my dad to serve him with a restraining order. The boys had fun and were not excited about going back but it's all up to the paperwork. We've (mom and I) done what we can, but being able to go to the appointments and all the red tape is what's left.

Hmmm, oh and my hubby wished me Happy Valentines Day with flowers and a balloon. Twice in a one month time span. Freaky, but I'm not complaining.

It seems to have been a very busy two weeks and hopefully the next trip I take I'll remember to get the pictures for the slideshow.