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!

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...

Colorado Summer Vacation

I got back this Friday (at like midnight) from spending the week in South Fork, CO with my mom's family. By "mom's family" I mean her brother and sisters and all their kids and grandkids. There were just a few folks unable to attend (Nolan & Tonya had to work; Bobbie & Greg are insanely pregnant) so it was a great turn out. I took around 400 pictures - because apparently when I actually remember to carry a camera, I go insane!! I promise they won't all be posted here. It was one of those gigs where I'm in almost none of them because I took them all - WTH..

Day one of vacation:

We left DFW about 8:30AM on Sunday. For those of you who know Steve and I well, you know that's just plain "off". I drove the morning and he slept. The goal was to make it to Raton, NM. We were meeting my folks there, it broke the 13+ hour trip up, and it got us close to where we wanted to start day 2. Some things that we learned that day that you should know:

People like to shoot the "Welcome to New Mexico" sign. We don't know if it's because people are pissed to be leaving Texas or if it's that they are just needing to shoot something after being in the car for a long time... there's no reason to be that close to the NM border as the towns around it are tiny.. so you must've come from a long way off if you see the sign.

There's nothing to do in Raton. So time your trip so that you get to Raton just in time to go to bed. We hit up K-Bobs for dinner as it was the "super nice" place in town that was open on a Sunday night. My nephews loved it. Tanner said "These are the best dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets I've ever had." That's high praise if I've ever heard it. Ha! Steve and I ended up at this joint:

If it tells you anything, it was a bar/liquor store combination and it closed at 9pm. It also had a sign posted above the bar that said "We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone, regardless of who you are, who you think you are, who your father is, or how much money you have." Nice :)

Day two of vacation:

We woke up, had Continental breakfast (what's with that) at the Comfort Inn, and headed out to The Great Sand Dunes National Park. In case you've never been there.. it's pretty dang cool. You're in a valley, looking up at monster sand dunes, that stand in front of mountains that still are showing a little bit of snow. It's really neat.. and the closer you get, the more you realize those "ants" crawling across the top of the dunes are actually people. They are so huge - I can't imagine how long it takes to climb them. My sweet nephew (Tanner) actually was thinking he would climb to the top until we started walking towards them and he realized how far away (and big) they were. At that point - he decided it was just more fun to create sand angels :)

Day three of vacation:

We drove into Creede, Co and did some hot dog eating and sight seeing. The scenery was beautiful but it started pouring down raining in the afternoon - so we didn't stay long. Spent the remainder of the afternoon napping/playing with my niece and nephews/being mellow.

Day four of vacation:

This was the official horseback riding day. It was a great time and a neat way to see more of the mountain behind our cabin. The youngest rider was 5 and the older was 60+. It was quite the ensemble. I had a great time, but I have to admit that my knee was killing me that day from the

trip back down the mountain. My butt was sore from the saddle the next day! My horse's name was Mary Lou and all she wanted to do was eat grass and crowd my sister's horse in front of me. She was feisty and I enjoyed her thoroughly.

Later that afternoon, Steve and Pop took a shot at fly fishing. I'll let you ask Steve about his experience as I'm not sure what the "official" story is. Ha!

Day five of vacation:

This was magical river rafting day. If it tells you anything about the water level, it took a little over 3 hours to travel 8 miles of river. I don't have soft copies of my pictures just yet.. will post them when I get them. Steve and I were in a raft with Tanner, Judy (my aunt), and my cousin Paul and his wife. At first - the rowing was comical.. but eventually we got our acts together and made good progress down the river (Rio Grande). We got stuck our fair share of times and someone would have to get out and push us off.. but mostly we looked like we new what we were doing. It was totally fun and I'd do it again tomorrow (especially if it got me out of work).

As another random thing - most nights, Steve (and sometimes me) would end up at this place for beers and good company. It was amazing how many people from Texas were at this place - sometimes working, sometimes visiting, and sometimes as part of a large group of geologists traveling from a TX university in search of a particularly unique rock that you could only find in this part of Colorado. Never did figure out what was so special about that rock.. but apparently it takes about 15 geologists to find it.

Day six of vacation:

We bit the bullet and drove the whole way home in one long-ass day. It was totally worth it to get to sleep in our own bed with our sweet (sorely missed) pups.

Great vacation overall. Glad we went because it was a good combination of family fun, being mellow, and being outdoorsy.

Seeing the Springs

Consider this a "catch up" post since it's from an event that happened on July 10th. I have GOT to keep up with this whole blog thing...

Thanks to our friend Dina, we got a small group together Friday the 10th and went and saw Eleven Hundred Springs at the Granada (in case the picture isn't ridiculously self-explanatory - ha!).

Great show and good friends. You can't go wrong with that. It had been ages since we last saw the guys and I have to admit two things.
1) They get better each time. Not sure how they manage to do that, but it's still true. I think the song list is way more crowd friendly in format and they just looked snazzy (suits and hats and all that jazz).
2) Either I'm getting older or their crowd is getting younger. Not sure if it was because it was a Friday night - and that makes it harder for working stiffs to still have energy - or what. I do know that although we weren't the oldest folks there (thankfully), there was a higher % of the college-age crowd than I'm used to. I suppose that's a good thing because those are also the folks more likely to buy merchandise. Eventually you look goofy with a raise hell/drink beer t-shirt. They just don't work for casual Friday at the office :)

Anyways.. it was a great show and a good time. Wish more of you could have been there. Kept thinking it would've been cool to have had my chickies to dance with. Next time - I'll spread the word and spread the love!

And then she was older.. damn

So I had a birthday this weekend. It was a great weekend but it was kind of funny because the greatness was only incidentally related to the birthday-ness.

Friday night - worked late and then had drinks with a friend. Got to chat about books, True Blood, and other random girl stuff. It was nice and relaxing. Ended up home watching Zach and Mira Make a Porno... that movie is kind of terrible, so consider yourself warned.

Saturday - my mom and dad came to visit us. We had lunch at Babe's Chicken Dinner House (SUPER yummy), played Wii and then went to a Rough Riders baseball game. RRs won and everything! Yippee! Watched Gran Turino with the 'rents when we got home - good flick.

Sunday (birthday) - brunch at Mattidos (even better than Babe's), a 3 hour nap, and then read most of a great book. My sweetie got me a super pretty bracelet and mom and dad got me a care package of stuff like booze/jammies/chocolate.

I think it's funny because 2 years ago I had an 80s themed roller skating party for my birthday. It was awesome and exciting and I figured I'd want all birthdays to be like that. This year - I am all about "mellow" for my bday instead of "awesome". I think I'll blame it on the fact that it was a Sunday instead of the fact that I'm older. Sunday's are supposed to be laid back - so that's probably it.. yeah... We'll go with that.

BTW - Denise, glad you made it to Canada!

And We're Back! (from Lufkin)

So - if you didn't read the previous blog.. do that first. Otherwise - you're just going to get all confused and stuff and we don't what that to happen (ick!).

To start with the big news first - we didn't make it to the zoo.. no otter update. We ended up leaving early on Sunday (2ish) and that's typically "zoo day" if you will. Hence - no update. We did get home about 5pm, so that part was nice though. If you go to the Lukfin zoo page (click the blog title) - they claim they have a river otter, but they've claimed that a while now. So... who the heck knows for real.

We did manage to visit with Grannie. She's doing well and has a "gentleman caller" at the assisted living place that makes her feel special. She was yelled at playing her radio too loud (she was jamming to some Randy Travis). They don't currently have an "arts & crafts" lady so they do a lot of walking. Pretty sure there are other highlights that I'm forgetting - but her "man friend" Bob is the biggest of the news.

We hit Cafe Del Rio and had beverages and Nachos Del Rancho on Saturday. Picture a huge pile of tortilla chips with ranch dressing, grilled chicken, and monteray jack. Melt the hell out of that picture. The resulting super tasty outcome is the Nachos Del Rancho. Umm.. yummy. The concept of hot ranch dressing is disgusting (admittedly) but it's super tasty.

Hanging out at Cafe Del Rio

Late Saturday night was the cowboy bar (Electric Cowboy.. but really called Wild Horse Saloon techncially but not really). I was able to dance with Gary Don Wallace (concrete man extraordinairre) who is a super smooth dancer (I was either drunk or dancing better than average - didn't step on him that I remember). He's a character that would almost be worth devoting a whole book to in order to properly explain his complexity.. but basically imagine a small town man with a big ego and you get the picture. I also (yippee!) got to dance with my sweetie (Stevie). We aren't the best dancers together (or I was drunker) but we have a lot of fun and I like being held by him.. so that all counts. Oddly enough - we ran into our bartender from Friday night (Logan's very own Lydia) and got to hang out with her for a while. She's an exception to the Blondie v. Fattie rule and is kind of awesome.

At Wild Horse Saloon

Apparently - we might've imbibbed a little too much because I was the only one of the kids that got up for breakfast at 9am on Sunday AM. Had a pancake because my body wasn't too cool on the whole food concept. It was a good time hanging out with Steve, Betty, and their friends. We talked about who died recently (one works at a funeral home.. but it might be the age more than the occupation) and where all Jimmy went on his trip to New Mexico. Apparently - he went to Phoenix just because he thought it would be a neat drive... didn't have any plans once he actually made it there.. just a neat drive. I think I might've beat him within an inch of his life based on driving me > 1000 miles each way just to "get there". I think his wife might've agreed with me.. :)

Anyways.. it was a good trip. Would've been even better if our XM radio was working. Note to self: Gotta get that fixed before our 14 hour road trip to Colorado in July. Otherwise - ouch!

I'll post pics in the next day or so... Not that there were a lot.. but they didn't suck entirely.