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...

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!