Heat Wave

I've noticed that there isn't a gradual build up into summer around here. It's a week of humidity at 75 degrees and then POW! it's a hundred or higher from then on.

In protest we put up the pool.

I received my first sunburn of the summer.

And it was very nice.

Trains

You're the Ghost Train!

You often feel that you're the subject of songs, legends, and
even myths. But are you really feeling something real or is this just an
overactive imagination? Is something really calling to you in the great
beyond or do you just really like Halloween? Only you can answer this
question, howling through the darkness as you have been known to do. Maybe
you've spent too much time in philosophy classes, but you're not even really
sure that you exist. This is only part of the reason that you tend to scare
other people.


Take the Trains and Railroads Quiz
at RMI Miniature Railroads.

Viva le France

You're France!

Most people think you're snobby, but it's really just that
you're better than everyone else. At least you're more loyal to the real
language, the fine arts, and the fine wines than anyone else. You aren't
worth beans in a fight, unless you're really short, but you're so good at other
things that it usually doesn't matter. Some of your finest works were
intended to be short-term projects.


Take the Country Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid

College?

You're the University of Chicago!

A bit stuffy and pretentious, you definitely think you're
superior to most of those around you. At the same time, you live in a terrible
part of town and have even gone through a rather large Goth phase. Instead of
trying to resolve these conflicts in a social setting, you prefer to hole up on
your own and study the roots of the issues. Your basement is rather unsafe, and
in your backyard you have a little gravestone marked "Fun".


Take the University Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.

Book Quiz

You're Ulysses!

by James Joyce

Most people are convinced that you don't make any sense, but compared
to what else you could say, what you're saying now makes tons of sense. What people do
understand about you is your vulgarity, which has convinced people that you are at once
brilliant and repugnant. Meanwhile you are content to wander around aimlessly, taking in
the sights and sounds of the city. What you see is vast, almost limitless, and brings you
additional fame. When no one is looking, you dream of being a Greek folk hero.


Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.

Now That I'm Here

I can't think of anything I want to write. Let me contemplate....

Sorry that blogger was having a brain fart - I couldn't really access anything for 3 days.

Oh, I know, Music.

Have you ever noticed how productive you are when music is playing? What about different kinds? Soundtracks, country, blues, alternative, goth. Every one of them puts me in a different frame of mind. Or maybe takes me out of a frame of mind. I do know it's darned difficult to write mellow and light when I'm listening to LOTR's orc/ogres theme and I can't get too worked up when the hobbit number has a showing. The elven bits get my fingers moving but the actually fellowship keeps them moving.

When I'm mad I end up housecleaning to B.B. King or Rob Zombie. Once my mood lightens up I find things like Garbage or The Dresden Dolls keep me moving. Country keeps me awake in the car usually as does Tom Petty. Soundtracks are my splurge zone though. I love a soundtrack for any number of reasons and usually they cover whatever emotional zone I'm in. The other nice thing? Many times if the soundtrack is good I can remember the scene in the movie where it was playing.

Right now? I know it is the mines of moria "A walk in the dark". Excuse me, the tracks actually called "A Journey in the Dark" I think I'm going now because the bridge scene always stirs me up.

"All art constantly aspires towards the condition of music." - Walter Pater

Books - The More the Merrier

Meh - Barbara Taylor Bradford / Unexpected Blessings

Whohoo! - Naomi Novik / The Black Powder War

To Be Read - Steve Alten / The Loch

Websites That Have Sucked Me In:

Paperback Writer

and

Destress Toy of the Day:

Music - Dresden Dolls

Every Day

Stream of conciousness? I don't know that I can handle that kind of post. I like to have all my answers all thought out and "ducks all in a row." It is hard because I want to write. Really write. I want to have a novel in my hands that I wrote. I don't know that its possible.

Well, it could be if I stopped doubting myself. Sometimes I have to wonder if it is possible that my background caused this writer's block. Something about being the oldest child, the most responsible. The one who Had To Take The Important (Practical) classes. Maybe my imagination just needs stretching.

I wish I could just let go, but when the day job doesn't pay enough and the landlord is setting unreasonable time limits, and the money isn't stretching far enough - well, my mind doesn't want to daydream. It wants to worry. *Sigh*

"Use your imagination not to scare yourself to death but to inspire yourself to life." - Adele Brookman

"So Much To Read, So Little Time"

How to deal with someone who insists you need to read someone's books that, quite truly, you'd never touch (10 foot pole optional)?

Do you just baldly state you don't read that "crap"? I can see that going over real well with the friends or the little old ladies.

Do you lie and say you have? Nothing like being asked about such-and-such a character and try to fib your way out of that one.

My favorite? I've just got so many books on my to read stack, I haven't had the time to pick up a new author. It is polite and leads the fevrent fangirl or fanboy to believe you are seriously interested.

"Good manners are the technique of expressing consideration for the feelings of others." - Alice Duer Miller

Time Off

I'm all for a little time off. Even my regular days off. I'd just like them better if they weren't split up throughout the week. Two days off IN A ROW would make me all kinds of happy right now.

Anyway, new blogness for consumption : Paperback Writer

It is all good.

Do Something!

Ah, dear Internet, how I've neglected you. Truth to tell darling, I've been busy with other pressing business. I've found that my One True Love has been wasting away from my lack of affection and I have been striving to correct that oversight.

(In other words, I've been reading. And having a wonderful Anniversary (9 years now!) with my hubby this weekend. Oh, and helping assorted family members with moving various heavy furniture items.)

But you've been so patient and wonderful and here I am! Ready to relive all my daily anxieties and frustrations for you. My ups and my downs. It will be fantastic! I've missed you so much and I'm glad to be back, lit by your magical glow.

Author is feeling whimsical and amused today.

All the Things I Have Read...

In the last two weeks. Sorry I've been gone so long, I needed a break from the world so I retreated to my imagination. Anyway, it seems my imagination needed some quality reading time. I ended up reading around eight books this week and I think I've finally finished my marathon run.

Monday Mourning, Murder List, Talk to The Hand, R is for Ricochet, Shadow of Sagnami, Druid's Sword, Daughter of the Blood, Heir to the Shadows, Queen of the Darkness. There is another one wriggling around trying to get me to remember its name, but for the moment this list will have to do.

I think I'll go start a series I've got the whole set around so I have something else to occupy my time until work tomorrow.

"All words are pegs to hang ideas on." - Henry Ward Beecher

Books For My Pleasure...

Finished "Throne of Jade" and I can't wait for number three, "Black Powder War." This series is a fast and fun read. I also like what she's done with the ideas of dragons and riders. Fascinating.

Also finished my reread of Anne McCaffrey and I remember why I liked these so much. I read them when I was younger, junior high - high school, when my reading tastes were more . . . immature. The story is there and the characters, but it is almost like an outline. I want someone to come along and fill in all the details. Everything just seems to move too fast. Still, a good light read, which is what I needed after all the cleaning and cleaning and cleaning.

3. R is for Ricochet - Sue Grafton

4. Dragonquest - Anne McCaffrey (I hate to only read one of a series.)

Starting a 50 Book Challenge For My Amusement

I saw this pop up on several blogs and I figured since I do read profusely, why not?

1. Throne of Jade by Naomi Novik

2. Dragonflight by Anne McCaffrey

I've really enjoyed Mrs. Novik's "His Majesty's Dragon" and I'm really looking forward to reading the 2nd book in this series.

Dragonflight is a re-read for me but since I haven't picked this up in ages I thought it'd be nice to visit where I'm getting my Final Fantasy Character names from. : )

I'll jump back by on how TofJ was in a few days.

Messing Around on Colors Yet Again

I realized I had not explained my current profile photo. Google "Laughing Man". I thought it oddly appropriate since I'm not terribly keen on letting the world know who I am and where I'm at. It's always nice to have a little anonymity. I'd rather not be "Dooced" for talking about my numbskull job and I'd rather not have an audience of people I know reading about how life and everything peeves me some days.

Anyway, back to the blog colors and maybe getting fancy one day. I think that is the best estimate on when I'll have graphics in the background. One day. As soon as I actually sit down and plow through the programs that'll help me figure it out and the books and the sites....yada yada yada. The red is nice enough for now. Besides, messing with my template colors gives me something other to cuss at than the landlord or work. Isn't that exciting?

"To err is human, but to really foul things up requires a computer." - Anonymous (Farmer's Alamanac for 1978

More Quizzy tastic ness

What Subversive Alternative Paradigm Are You?
created with QuizFarm.com

True Alternative 90% Mystic 75% Otherkin 70% Magician 55% White Lighter 45% Discordian 45% Aimless Eclectic 35% Spiritualist 35% What Subversive Alternative Paradigm Are You? created with QuizFarm.com

You scored as True Alternative. You are a True Alternative! Labels do not suit you well, particularly as you tend to strike your own path and to grow purely via experience. No armchair quarterbacking for you! Originality and creation are your specialities, and sometimes you can even articulate what the hell just happened. Someday you may find yourself drawing the maps for other people... lots of other people.

What Subversive Alternative Paradigm Are You?
created with QuizFarm.com

Fae? Hmph.

What type of Fae are you?

Frustration

I just haven't been in a writing kind of mood, at least not since I got a tax notice from the state about how they are going to garnish wages. Oh bugger. So I've been stressing trying to make sure that I can swing it and cover everything else too. I think I've got it figured out but thats not concrete.

I also was messing around on myspace and found one of the gals that I used to work with. I'm not surprised by what she's done with it, but I definitely have the feeling that others will be. This should be interesting.

X-Files Season 5

I've just spent the last two days catching up on my tv shows of the past. I'm watching 'The End' which is the season finale for Five. I like. I like lots.

Late Nites and Long Stories

I'm forever and always staying up late at night. I just don't get tired until one or two in the morning. I've been fairly productive tonite, I created a myspace.com account so that I can hook up with my sisters. Hooha. And I've decided I hate html code even if I do "get it." It's still frustrating and time consuming to deal with. I've also explored photobucket and have found the joy and wonder of pictures. So, enjoy my new profile picture. (hehe)