Sunday, February 28, 2010

Girls Nite Out


So - I haven't posted a blog in months. I think that means I probably suck - but I think I'm okay with that. I prefer to think that I'm just insanely busy living my life. I like to pretend to forget that most of that involves being at work :)
If you are wondering, "why are we being blessed? Why is it that Janell has finally decided to post?" I have an answer for you. Because we had a really fun Girls Nite Out last week! It's as food of a reason as any :)

We went to Painting with a Twist and got instructions on how to paint the picture in this blog.
By the way - I should make up an excuse as to why my hair sucks so hard in this picture. Something like "I worked out prior to painting" or "It was an incredibly windy day". Really - it's just that my hair kind of sucks right now. Can't decide how to wear my bangs (to grow or not to grow - that's the question).
Anyways - the place was a lot of fun. Obviously - I'm not much of an artist. I'm okay with that though. Couple of glasses of wine and some good friends make it all worth while. Now - just have to figure out what the hell do do with a mediocre painting of a black dress on an exceptionally small hanger :)

My goal - to blog more. I sort of assume that I've lost the few readers I had due to my extended absence, but who knows - maybe they'll return.
I also need to get back on my book and get past the 2nd chapter. Maybe I can combine those two tasks into one.. we'll see :)

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

My - How Time Flies

Wow - seems like I just finished my 2nd chapter a couple of days ago - but that must not be true because I haven't posted in FOREVER. Guess I should catch the world up on my life.

THE BOOK: Haven't made a lick of progress since chapter 2. Class ended and life got busy. I'm planning to take a "plot blueprinting" class in the Spring semester and that should get me motivated again. I swear it'll be more than just 2 chapters since a few of you got interested in it.

THE WORK: It's time to start the whole annual review process and I have several employees. That'll keep me busy. Add the fact that I am personally leading 2 projects that are about to deploy and I have several other projects that my team is working on that are having some hiccups. Work's definitely keeping me busy. Still working on boundaries though - so I manage to have a life(ish).

THE FAMILY:
Mom's recovering well from her hip surgery. I swear that woman is invincible. I really enjoyed getting to spend time with her while she recovered. I find it somewhat pathetic that I still can't beat in her in Scrabble when she's on morphine -either she's awesome or I suck.

Just bought tickets today to go see my sister, niece, and boyfriend in Steamboat Springs, CO in January. You HAVE to love airline miles - the ticket is going to cost me $5 - freaking awesome. I'm super looking forward to that.

THE FUN:
Went to see Regina Spektor last Thursday with Amanda. She was fantastic - seriously. I'm officially a fan now. If you haven't heard much of her - check her out. She was on SNL about a month ago and she honestly sings like a seal on one of her songs - totally odd - but in a good way.

Steve and I have a date to go see Guy Clark at The Granada on Greenville tomorrow night. He always puts on a great show and we're half convinced he'll die at any given moment and we'll have missed his last show - so we're sort of obsessive about going to see him.

Steve's folks are coming in this weekend and we're having a 'non-family' reunion with some friends/family (I know - that's cheating). Potluck dinner and beers - that's a good time. If you didn't get an invite but you're interested - just shoot me a note or show up at the house with a covered dish Saturday at 2pm :)

Mom and Pop are coming in town next week so that we can go see Lyle Lovett at Bass on Tuesday. It's Lyle and his large band. If you EVER have the opportunity to go see that - you owe it to yourself. You might not even think you're a Lyle fan - but try it out and you'll be converted.

Then - Thanksgiving! Get to see my family and my Denise all in the same week. Good times!

Wow - when you write it all out - I know why I feel so dang busy! I found a blog the other day that's all about a chick and her Modge Podge projects. I almost fell out of my car thinking about how crazy it would be to have that kind energy! What a concept!?!

I'll try to keep up better; my friend Denise makes me feel super guilty.

Have a great Thanksgiving!!!

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Another Chapter

So - have another one due this week. This is the chapter that would immediately follow my last post.
I'm working under the assumption that eventually I'll quit posting chapters here or I'll be in that "milk for free" situation if I ever try to publish it. Of course - that implies finishing it at some point and I'm still challenged on the overall plot.. but maybe I'll get there.
Shout out to Ben Folds for inspiring Eff U and to Stephenie Meyer for writing a kick ass Twilight Saga that will still be relevant long enough for me to maybe sell a book that references it (and hopefully not get sued).

Here ya go:

The Stevers clan was big on maintaining family traditions. Actually, to be perfectly accurate – mom and dad were big on honoring traditions. Krista and Claire fought them progressively more each year as they realized that, in their family, a “tradition” was typically mom and dad’s way of throwing a grand & alliteration-filled label on something that was usually pretty lame. For example, their “Stevers’ Semi-Annual Sunshine Sensation” was really just dad’s way of getting the shrubs trimmed and flowers planted for free twice a year. In a similar disappointing vein, their “Stevers’ Saturday Swallow Soirée” was really just the ‘rents way of milking Krista and Claire for information on school and their social lives under the guise of an elaborately home-cooked breakfast. If you want to get real particular about it, the breakfasts weren’t even all that elaborate anymore. Claire rarely ate and mom and dad were always watching something; right now it was their cholesterol. Since this was the Saturday morning after the homecoming game, the topics were sure to be particularly mind-numbing to Claire.

“Honey, I’m so glad you’re awake and can join us!” beamed mom as Krista walked downstairs and headed towards the kitchen. This was the first time that either mom or dad had looked up from their egg white and spinach omelet since they sat down.

Claire didn’t mind that she’d been sitting at the table in silence with them for a good 15 minutes. They were just now on their second round of mimosas and were finally starting to get some momentum. Claire had her head buried in Twilight again and was determined to finish it this weekend. Edward was SO much hotter than any of the boys at school, especially the EMO kids she hung out with – even the ones that thought they might actually BE vampires. Mystic, her best friend at school whose real name was Violet, had finished it a week ago and was having trouble keeping her mouth shut about how it ended. Not cool.

“Hi, mom. Hi, dad. Do we have any grapefruit?” asked Krista. She was on her latest cheerleader-approved weight loss plan that involved consuming a freighting number of citrus and little else. A great side-effect was she had terrific breath but that was offset by a new-found gaseousness – very lady like.

“Sure thing, kitten. The grapefruit’s in the refrigerator like it’s been all week. How did you like the game last night? You and Chas do anything fun afterwards?” asked dad. He was at the game but it was obvious to everyone at the table that he was really fishing for details as to why his daughter wasn’t home by the previously promised one o’clock curfew.

In true Krista fashion, she avoided that question completely. “The game was great. Don’t you think I looked stunning riding around the field in that sweet new Plexus convertible? I thought I was going to have to smack Kelli because she was suppose to ride in the Plexus but it totally matched my dress way better and everyone knows that silver brings out my eyes. I finally just reminded her that I was the captain of the cheerleading squad and SHE was ONLY a lieutenant and EVERYBODY knows that a captain outranks a lieutenant. I mean, like really. What the F.., I mean, hell, was she thinking? On top of that, her shoes were from last year’s collection. I mean, someone could’ve totally looked down from the stands and saw them. You just can’t DO that in a Plexus. Tragedy avoided and I looked hot… so very hot. Some people… ugh.” After that short speech, dad’s eyes had glazed over, mom sucking down her 3rd mimosa, and Claire was almost envious of her sister’s ability to bore people to death in order to avoid answering a direct question. That was almost a trait worth learning.

“So dad, how’re things at Eff U?”

Those words, like always, caused dad to listen up and put on his ‘now kids’ face. Dad was a professor at Effingham College which was named Effingham University back before the world become crass. The president of the school eventually changed the official title, but the nickname stuck. It was known colloquially as ‘Eff U’ across all the neighboring states. With a moniker like that, it was doomed as only people with a tweaked sense of humor wanted it to be their alma mater. Dad taught entry-level literature classes so he was always busy as many locals started out at Eff U for financial reasons.

“Classes are going great, Krista. We’re studying 18th century English literature at the moment. Friday I had the class reading Pope and debating whether they thought he was being ironic or if truly he meant for the English to eat Irish babies. I was somewhat delighted by the unanimous result of the dialog. We’ve never landed on ‘Eat the Irish’ before.” At this point, you could almost hear crickets chirruping in the background as once again, the Soirée conversation had ground to a halt by one of dad’s completely creep-tastic comments. When it came to being a dad, the man was half Ward Cleaver and half Peter Griffin. Mom, on the other hand was sort of a chemically enhanced Carol Brady – more on her another time.

“Yeah…dad…okay… Hey Goth-girl, what are your plans for the day? Are you going to sit in your room and be sad, read about dead people, or write pathetic poetry? Just wondering how you’re spending the afternoon so I know how best to annoy you. I figure I need to put the final touches on my homecoming queen acceptance speech and then head over to Nicole’s so that we can do each other’s makeup and get ready for the dance. With that kind of busy schedule, I need to optimize my harassment so that you’ll cave in the least amount of time and loan me the damn necklace I asked for last night. I can’t believe you’re being so bitchy.”

“Language, young lady,” sighed dad.

“First - I’m EMO, not Goth. Second - dead people,” replied Claire. “God, I’m so glad that you are not my real family. You guys are a freak show.” And with that, she picked up her book and headed to her room.

“What’d she mean by that comment?” asked dad.

“What was that about Eff U and the Pope?” redirected Krista with a mischievous grin.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

A Chapter - Be Gentle

OK - This is totally me going out on a limb here and being all "vulnerable" and "exposed" and those of you who know me well enough to be reading this blog know that I'm not good at that...

We had to write a chapter for class tomorrow. Didn't have to be the first chapter (which is great news) but it had to be a chapter. I'm at a loss because I know lots of stuff about my characters - but not a lot about my plot. Well - I'm sharing it here - and I need you to be gentle to me. I get feedback in class tomorrow, so I might make my updates here OR I might just pull it off my blog and cry (she says only half-jokingly).

So - here goes...

To Claire, it was a typical Friday night in September, translation, “Ugh, football season”. That meant a lot of things. First – Krista was going to be extra perky because she’d be in the spotlight at “the game”. Rumor was that she’d made it to the top of the pyramid, god help her. Second – the diner would be particularly crowded by about 10pm with people high on hot chocolate and football fever. Claire and her friends would have to listen to everyone talk about “the game” while they discussed politics and poetry and drank coffee. Third – and worst of all – she knew she’d dream about Charlie again tonight. Totally unfortunate since he was both her sister’s boyfriend and captain of the football team and those things should make him completely repulsive to her. What Claire had somehow forgotten was that tonight was doomed to be even worse than most as it wasn’t just any old football game, it was homecoming. And even more monumentally awful, Krista was favored to be the homecoming queen.

Claire was in her room, steadfastly ignoring the fact football season. She was lying on the feinting couch she’d inherited (a.k.a. begged mercilessly for) from her grandmother. Whenever she sat there reading books, she felt it gave her a vaguely romantic and despondent appearance that almost made up for the fact that she was cursed with rosy cheeks, sun-kissed blonde hair, and an affinity for a certain jock. Currently she was re-reading Twilight but she had her copy of Catcher in the Rye close by in case someone important happened by.

Without so much as a warning shot, in barged Krista barking, “I don’t know why grandma felt compelled to give you beautiful things. They’re totally lost on you and your sad self. It would’ve been more fitting for her to leave you that shrunken head she got in Borneo.” Krista headed straight towards Claire’s dresser and started rifling through the drawer where she kept all her most cherished possessions. As she tossed aside a silk Asian scarf, a worry stone, and Claire’s cherry condition copy of The Beatles, she triumphed, “I found it!” and turned to leave.

“Why in god’s name do you look like something a Barbie threw up? And where in the hell do you think you’re going with my stuff?!” bellowed Claire. “The typical cheerleader skirts are bad enough, but what’s up with all that hot pink crap you’re wearing? Did you lose a bet? You must’ve because your shoes are even dyed to match.”

“You know that I’m up for homecoming queen tonight,” responded Krista, “and it’s not my fault you don’t know a beautiful outfit when you see it. God, you can be such a troll. For your information, a dress just like this was in People just last week on Katie Holmes and you know people are always saying I look just like her.”

“Just like her ass…,” replied Claire. Krista was always claiming that people said she looked ‘just like’ someone famous. Interestingly enough, it was usually just another one of her shallow friends saying it in order to get a compliment in return. The only person that Krista even marginally resembled was that brainy girl from the original 90210 and she wasn’t even all that pretty.

“Whatever!” was the only reply that Krista could manage through her irritation. “I’m borrowing your beaded necklace. It’s the perfect finishing touch to my look, and it’s not like you need something this pretty to go with your green Doc Martens. So - just chill and go back to reading that vampire book that you like to pretend you’re too cool to actually own.” Claire was totally busted.

“You’re not talking about the necklace grandma gave me?” asked Claire. “She gave that to me. Not you. She knew that you would sully it by wearing it with Barbie puke dresses. She was smart not to trust you with it. She’d roll over in her grave if she knew what you have planned for it. Hand it here. Now! Don’t make me thump the crap out of you because a big purple knot would NOT go well with your heels.” Claire stood up, ready to attack, and noticed that she wasn’t even wearing her Doc Martens at the moment. Not that she didn’t wear them a lot – but Krista needed to get her facts straight if she was going to pick a fight. “And for your information – these are flats, not Doc Martens. Want to see how one feels when it’s kicking your ass? I asked you to give me back my necklace. At this point, I’m telling you.”

“You’re impossible,” answered Krista as she flung the object of the quarrel at Claire’s feet. “Here’s your precious damn necklace. Never mind that you never wear it. Never mind how great it will go with my tiara once I win. Never mind that she wasn’t even your freaking grandma anyway.” With that, Krista turned to leave.

“Wait! What’s that supposed to mean?” asked Claire. “She’s my grandma just as much as she was yours!”

“True,” smirked Krista, “but only if you ignore the fact that you’re adopted.” With that – she slammed the door and walked away.

Claire was shocked; she collapsed down on the couch in disbelief. A smile crept across her face. This might be the best news she’d heard in years. What if Krista was right? How awesome would that be? She was so busy contemplating the implications of the news; she failed to hear the horn honk when Chas showed up to pick up her sister for the big game. She didn’t even remember to roll her eyes at the cliché of the cheerleader going to homecoming with the captain of the football team. All she could think was, “maybe there is a god."

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Micellaneous Catching Up

Wow - I've been neglect again and haven't posted in a while. Lots to catch up on.. so here we go!

I've been to two "Basics of Writing a Novel" classes at the community college. I gotta say - the instructor may have the worst case of adult ADD of anyone I've every met (and that includes my brother-in-law, Kelly, who gets so sucked into the TV that he doesn't complete a sentence. Her website: http://patriciaburroughs.com/bio_1.htm
We spent the first class getting to know each other and what kind of authors we want to be. I can tell you that Harry Potter and Twilight have spawned a flood of aspiring "young adult" fiction writers. Half the class wants to write for that audience - don't know what - just that audience. The other half of the class are into sci-fi/fantasy and are all "Engineer by day/Writer by night" types. I think I'm the only one in there who's all "I dunno - I want to write stuff that doesn't suck". It's a little more specific than that - but not much. Ha! Hard to sell that to a publisher someday as that category/genre doesn't exist - much as I think it should.
We got a few cool assignments that first week:
1 - Write 3 pages (front and back) a day. Doesn't have to be towards you book or anything. Just gets things out of your head to clear your thoughts. They actually suggest all artsy-types do that, not just writers. So far, I'm about 25% successful.. but I'm working it.
2 - Every week, schedule time for an "Artist's Date". That means you need to set aside 2-3 hours every week to allow yourself time for something creative. Could be going to a museum or library. Could be coloring. Could be going to some sub-titled movie by yourself because no one else is brave enough to go with. Week 1 - I busted out some markers and made myself a super pretty file folder. This week - it's live music (Bowling for Soup tonight, 1100 Springs tomorrow, and Miyagi Saturday).
2nd class was about about the 3 Act concept in writing. Every story needs a beginning, middle, and end - which sounds obvious but I've read some that don't. Then we spent a lot of time talking about the movie Witness (1980's Harrison Ford) and how it did/didn't follow that structure. Not as interesting of a class - but probably more practical.
Next week - characterization. Think that one will be fun.

Last Sunday, I co-hosted my adorable friend Monica's baby shower. I need to post a pic or two (so maybe over the weekend) to demonstrate the cute-ness. It was a success (at least in my eyes). Stephanie came up with really fun shower games. Sperm = Swedish Fish in her world, so I'll never be able to eat that candy. I almost said "again" but I don't think I ever have to start with. Long fun story - for another time. We also had Monica read us The Ugly Duckling and were reminded how violent and "just not right" fairy tales are. The moral of that story "People will like you more (and you'll have self confidence) if you're hot. Otherwise, you're screwed." Nice - huh? I'm sure it's a little deeper than that - but that's the gist. Anyways - good food, great friends, and an overall pleasant time. Again.. promise to post pics at some point.

Hmm.. what else... We went to a Rangers game in the rain with the in-laws (more fun than it sounds). I finally got to see the new Cowboys (only from the outside) and it's gorgeous. Whoever thought all that glass would be good in a state that is big for strong wind and hail is beyond me, but they'll learn. I survived Annual Operating Planning (budget) cycles at work another year - just barely but that works. Steve went and saw a rapper (totally odd). Hmm.. that might be it...yet I felt so busy.

Anyways.. that's life. Weekend with the 'rents coming up. Going to see my brother's band play (in case you were wondering who Miyagi was) at Falls Fest. Apparently they are opening for 38 Special which would be really cool if I could tell you a song they played - but I can't. I'll take pics and let you know if they rock out or not.

Til later...

Monday, September 7, 2009

And then there was iPhone

I was doing such a sane job staying away from email after hours and not becoming one of those people who sit across from the table from someone and text them... and then there was iPhone.

A little over a week ago, I made a comment to my sweet husband about the fact that I wasn't going to be able to avoid 24x7 email access that much longer because my work life was getting more complicated/demanding. Then I mentioned that we're starting to create iPhone apps at work (not me personally) - so it would make sense for me to get an iPhone when I finally caved in. Not sure what it was about those brief statements - but they caused my existing crappy "chocolate" phone to completely become possessed. It started doing stuff like calling Steve when I was trying to call my mother. Or (even better) randomly calling people from my purse - nice feature when you have a social life that you try to keep separate from your work life. Meanwhile - Steve bought himself an iPhone and became even more convinced that I needed one. When I let it slip that my phone was now a "piece" - next thing you know I had an iPhone.

I have to admit that now that I have one - I sort of get what all the fuss is about. Do I dig being able to check email 24x7? Not really. Do I dig being able to make pretend toast and top it with peanut butter & bacon and make yummy noises when I "eat it" (see More Toast! in the iPhone apps store)? Hells yeah! Not sure why - but that fascinates me. Combine that with the insane accessibility of my Facebook account (I don't post things like "I'm sitting in traffic" - not that pathetic yet) - and I get it. I totally get it.

I sort of hate that I've become that person that texts her husband when he's sitting in the same room.. but I'm thinking that will pass in time. Hopefully.

Anyways.. This was me trying to get back to the basics and back in touch with my friends and the tangible world.. and then there was iPhone. Ha!

Thursday, August 27, 2009

One Sure Sign.. and Life After Work (?)

One sure sign that you're a workaholic is that it's 8:50 and you just finished your work day and you decide to go ahead and blog from work because you know if you shut down your computer... not happening. Another sign.. it's been WEEKS since your last blog. What's with that?! Apparently - I suck (not a big surprise to many of you.. and that makes you mean... and honest... and...).

The good news (maybe) is that I'm trying to turn over a new leaf. I just enrolled in a continuing education class called "Basics of Writing a Novel" on Monday nights 9/14 - 11/2. Now - I admit that my lack of "stick-to-it-tive-ness" with regularly blogging doesn't bode well for a future novel. However - I'm going with the assumption that I won't be on some big publisher-enforced timeline if I ever do get around to writing a book. (Just like I keep trying to get around to starting yoga.. it's been like 18 months of me saying that.. I disgust myself). So - theory is - learn something about novels, get all motivated with a fantastic plot line, and WHAM!! there's my reason for leaving work at a reasonable hour to work on my passion. The planets have to sort of align for all that to become a reality.. and when that happens in 2012, the Mayans swear we'll die... but it COULD happen and we COULD actually survive it. Seriously.. maybe..

One of the things to light of fire under me is the fact that I'm all into reading books by Chuck Palahnuik these days and he's a fascinating writer. (I fess up - I had to look up his name.. how the heck do you even pronounce that???) He wrote Fight Club and I read an interview with him in Playboy a few months ago and thought, "this dude's just jacked up enough to be interesting." So I started the reading process. I think this is sort of odd of me (it's taxicab true confessions time here) but I haven't yet read Fight Club. It's his most famous novel, but I kind of feel like I'm being a "follower" or something if I read that before I plow through the rest of his work. Sometimes.. I try too hard to be independent and over think things. This is one of those times. Anyways - recommend his stuff and warn you that it's odd. Just NEAT writing style that makes me want to write even more.. not that I'll be even 10% as good.. but that's okay too. You guys will still love me anyways.. right?

Another thing.. I think I have a pesky habit of only following through on work commitments and not personal ones. Back to the "trying to start yoga for 18 months" thing. That's not that hard. You find a class, you put on activity-specific pants, you show up and sweat. I've gone as far as registering on-line at Sun Stone Yoga.. not showing up.. just registering in case I ever do. I've made plans with Molly (and canceled them) on numerous occasions. My butt is not getting any smaller... Another example - it took me almost 9 months to finally go out and test drive an Infiniti. It's not like I have a lot going on over the weekends. What's with that?! So - this is me, trying to follow through on a commitment I made to myself. If you've ever read The Speed of Trust, you'd know that's a big step in building trusting relationships. Go me.

And finally... we lost a good friend this week and it reminds me that sometimes, you have to stop putting off things you really want to do, because damn it - there might not be a tomorrow.

This is Janell - signing off and hoping to be able to report out in two weeks how my first class went...