As I sit here in the office, I get bored of "dinking" on the computer. I don't want to go to my facebook every few minutes, I don't want to check my e-mail, and I'm tired of seeing if there is any new crap I want from totallyfreecrap.com
So I finally decide to write. I think I'm a writer just because I procrastinate with it...:P Not that I WANT to procrastinate, but...it's hard work and I put it off if I'm stuck or if I get distracted...anyway...
So I started organizing a playlist for my story "Violet's Monster" and I noticed that I started putting up several of the same genre of songs. It was strange, but I reasoned that they were for another 2 characters...and THEN I saw what my characters wanted. There is a second book! There is a continuation of this story!!! And it's exactly the kind of story I would love to read. I think I am on to something here.
I even got a vague idea of where a 3rd and 4th book could go, and I wrote it all down so I wouldn't forget. It literally made me so happy that I teared up just thinking about writing the scenes for the 2nd book.
Who knew?! I love being given ideas. I love it when they just pop into my head and I have this wonderful little present that I preserve on pristine white.
It's been a good day.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Once More With Feeling
Lately I have been feeling as if I'm on the brink of some wonderful discovery.
In between the times where I feel like a complete jerk because I don't want an inside dog and I have to do boring, normal things like housework and "work."
I think the doggie situation is going to be a little smoother...Stu suggested we keep her outside [never mind the barking], if we get her a lead line and patch the fence. I'm ok with that. She can even sleep inside when it gets really cold. We have a doggie igloo in the pen that we can warm up and put a heat lamp next to that will work too. That would be fine with me. I just don't want the neighbors to be annoyed with us if she yelps all the time. So we'll see how that works out. I think it would be awesome to have a dog that doesn't have to be taken out or watched over 24-7 and that we can walk nightly to get our exercise. That is cool. I just don't want a dog that needs CONSTANT attention. I can't give that and I would just end up angry and frustrated all the time.
We ARE getting a hamster. Which will be loads of fun. It will be awake at night, when we are home, and it will be in my craft room, where the wheel won't wake us up at night. We can hold him and feed him treats and laugh when he exercises in the little hamster ball. And it's easy to take care of them. Plus he won't require a pet deposit. So...looking forward to a wee little furbaby joining us soon.
Stu says I'm like a hamster - I can keep myself occupied with a myriad of things. Which, for the most part, is true. I like being by myself [sometimes] and even if I'm with people I will just do my own thing.
I'm watching through Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Season 6 now...it is remarkable how much characters can change throughout a show. Stu and I both love the serial story-telling style, and that is what draws me to television. Especially shows that connect through the episodes to end up going somewhere...it's fascinating to me. I still want to be in/write for a long-running T.V. show. It would be awesome.
Not much else to say at the moment, other than that I am trying to get to work on writing. I've got the children's picture book to illustrate, "Violet's Monster" to plot out and write, and then The Gentleman's Lady...I've got to do the promo poster and start getting the plotlines in order before I figure out whether it's going to be a t.v. show or a series of novels. We'll see.
Movies to watch this year:
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Where the Wild Things Are
Ponyo
UP
Gentleman Broncos
Coraline [already on DVD]
In between the times where I feel like a complete jerk because I don't want an inside dog and I have to do boring, normal things like housework and "work."
I think the doggie situation is going to be a little smoother...Stu suggested we keep her outside [never mind the barking], if we get her a lead line and patch the fence. I'm ok with that. She can even sleep inside when it gets really cold. We have a doggie igloo in the pen that we can warm up and put a heat lamp next to that will work too. That would be fine with me. I just don't want the neighbors to be annoyed with us if she yelps all the time. So we'll see how that works out. I think it would be awesome to have a dog that doesn't have to be taken out or watched over 24-7 and that we can walk nightly to get our exercise. That is cool. I just don't want a dog that needs CONSTANT attention. I can't give that and I would just end up angry and frustrated all the time.
We ARE getting a hamster. Which will be loads of fun. It will be awake at night, when we are home, and it will be in my craft room, where the wheel won't wake us up at night. We can hold him and feed him treats and laugh when he exercises in the little hamster ball. And it's easy to take care of them. Plus he won't require a pet deposit. So...looking forward to a wee little furbaby joining us soon.
Stu says I'm like a hamster - I can keep myself occupied with a myriad of things. Which, for the most part, is true. I like being by myself [sometimes] and even if I'm with people I will just do my own thing.
I'm watching through Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Season 6 now...it is remarkable how much characters can change throughout a show. Stu and I both love the serial story-telling style, and that is what draws me to television. Especially shows that connect through the episodes to end up going somewhere...it's fascinating to me. I still want to be in/write for a long-running T.V. show. It would be awesome.
Not much else to say at the moment, other than that I am trying to get to work on writing. I've got the children's picture book to illustrate, "Violet's Monster" to plot out and write, and then The Gentleman's Lady...I've got to do the promo poster and start getting the plotlines in order before I figure out whether it's going to be a t.v. show or a series of novels. We'll see.
Movies to watch this year:
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Where the Wild Things Are
Ponyo
UP
Gentleman Broncos
Coraline [already on DVD]
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Tidbits
1. Whenever I watch a t.v. show I have the urge to write and star in a long-running, award winning show. I sometimes believe I can make this possible. The Gentleman's Lady would be perfect. I want to speak to people, to connect, and to make them feel deeply.
2. I love reading mylifeisaverage.com. People do take joy in the little things.
3. I love eating vegetarian meals.
4. I'm considering pursuing a M.F.A. in Musical Theatre.
5. "Without music...my life would be a blank." [10 points if you name the place where this is quoted] It really would be. I can't do dishes without homework, I love singing along with my cds, and I write to soundtracks.
6. I wish sometimes that I could go back and do my life all over again. It would be very, very different.
7. I'm so glad Autumn is coming. It is my very favorite season.
2. I love reading mylifeisaverage.com. People do take joy in the little things.
3. I love eating vegetarian meals.
4. I'm considering pursuing a M.F.A. in Musical Theatre.
5. "Without music...my life would be a blank." [10 points if you name the place where this is quoted] It really would be. I can't do dishes without homework, I love singing along with my cds, and I write to soundtracks.
6. I wish sometimes that I could go back and do my life all over again. It would be very, very different.
7. I'm so glad Autumn is coming. It is my very favorite season.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Why I Love The "Bad Boys"
Professor Severus Snape. Spike. Captain Jas. Hook. Dr. Horrible.
These guys are some of my favorites in all of literature/media. They all have these deep personalities, complex, somewhat mysterious, and...intriguing.
I loved Professor Snape from the first. There was something about him...some...hint of depth behind the cold, dark eyes. I was hardly disappointed with his arc. You could say that the whole story of the Harry Potter series began with him. He taught Harry the spell that became his [Harry's] trademark.
Dr. Horrible is played by Neil Patrick Harris. Need I say more? He just exudes innocence. Even if he's trying to do something to get into the Evil League of Evil.
I didn't always love Captain Hook and Spike. I found a book a year or two ago that opened my eyes to Captain Hook's amazing character. The tagline reads "Even a Villain Can Have a Hero's Heart". It's...incredible. What happened BEFORE he became Captain Hook.
Spike has always been interesting. An amusing character, but who knew how deeply he really felt? And how could he look that way when something tragic happened?! There were also several "Save the Cat" moments in his arc in Season 5 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. ["Save the Cat" is what every HERO has at the beginning of a story. They do something that gains sympathy with the audience. It's why we're willing to root for certain people]
Now - what do these guys all have in common?
They were changed and often did things because of one thing: love.
Professor Snape did everything because of his love for Lily that lasted well beyond her death. Dr. Horrible wanted to show Penny he loved her. And he didn't want to do something bad and risk losing her. [No spoilers here!]
Spike and Captain Hook were both changed by love. I won't go into detail but...watching Season 5 of Buffy I realized just how much Spike's character transforms into something great. There's a piece of flair that I think is the reason why Spike is so popular: "Spike: Because he had to EARN his soul."
And that's why I like the "bad boys". At least in film/television/literature. They have such complexity and depth and...they have to work through things to become better people.
I guess that's why heroes have always been less interesting to me. They're already through their journey. They're just kicking butt and getting the girl.
These guys are some of my favorites in all of literature/media. They all have these deep personalities, complex, somewhat mysterious, and...intriguing.
I loved Professor Snape from the first. There was something about him...some...hint of depth behind the cold, dark eyes. I was hardly disappointed with his arc. You could say that the whole story of the Harry Potter series began with him. He taught Harry the spell that became his [Harry's] trademark.
Dr. Horrible is played by Neil Patrick Harris. Need I say more? He just exudes innocence. Even if he's trying to do something to get into the Evil League of Evil.
I didn't always love Captain Hook and Spike. I found a book a year or two ago that opened my eyes to Captain Hook's amazing character. The tagline reads "Even a Villain Can Have a Hero's Heart". It's...incredible. What happened BEFORE he became Captain Hook.
Spike has always been interesting. An amusing character, but who knew how deeply he really felt? And how could he look that way when something tragic happened?! There were also several "Save the Cat" moments in his arc in Season 5 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. ["Save the Cat" is what every HERO has at the beginning of a story. They do something that gains sympathy with the audience. It's why we're willing to root for certain people]
Now - what do these guys all have in common?
They were changed and often did things because of one thing: love.
Professor Snape did everything because of his love for Lily that lasted well beyond her death. Dr. Horrible wanted to show Penny he loved her. And he didn't want to do something bad and risk losing her. [No spoilers here!]
Spike and Captain Hook were both changed by love. I won't go into detail but...watching Season 5 of Buffy I realized just how much Spike's character transforms into something great. There's a piece of flair that I think is the reason why Spike is so popular: "Spike: Because he had to EARN his soul."
And that's why I like the "bad boys". At least in film/television/literature. They have such complexity and depth and...they have to work through things to become better people.
I guess that's why heroes have always been less interesting to me. They're already through their journey. They're just kicking butt and getting the girl.
Parker Posey
So...Kaitlin had a bit of a meltdown on Saturday. I have revelations about myself very rarely, but since I had not slept the night before and I hadn't eaten in 24 hours [not by choice, I will explain!], I went a little...ballistic. :P Again...poor Stu!
We picked up the puppy Friday night. She liked riding in the car, and we started playing with her new toy...we walked her around and a friend came over. Apparently she's a people doggy. Except I don't know that she likes darker people. :/ Anyway, we put a cushion by my side of the bed and taught her not to get on the bed. [I much prefer this method of training...no violence, only rewards for good behavior] She slept through most of the night and then took another nap while we slept until 9.
Stu had to work that day so I trained the puppy all morning and then put her in the HUGE pen [it's seriously 10X20, it's enormous] and...she hated it. Barked and barked for HOURS until I started reading "Captain Hook," which promptly made her go to sleep. Silly dog.
Exhausted and starving, I had no choice but to watch her because the pen isn't 100% secure and she found a way to get off her lead line/out of her harness. When Stu got home around 6 I was in tears and hating the little puppy's guts. I wandered around outside with her and begged Stu to get a kennel.
This is actually kinda funny now but then I was suffering from hunger pangs and extreme exhaustion so everything was heightened and a little dramatic. And then it hit me why I was so upset that I hadn't been able to have any me time:
I have always had to care for something other than myself. When my brother died, I had to "take care" of my parents, as well as a 2 year old could. When I had siblings, I helped take care of them, even getting up in the night with my youngest brother [which is why, to this day, he will choose to be with me rather than anyone else]. I've had to care for pets too, even if they weren't mine, and when I got to school, I cared for people who took advantage of me [none of the present company, I promise!] and it wore me out.
I was tired of caring for others. I've become selfish and more introverted than before. This explains a lot of my behavior for the past year and a half...I wanted to be alone and enjoy my own time, which isn't a bad thing, but sometimes to the exclusion of everyone else, which can be a bad thing. I was unhealthy, and uncaring about others.
I see what Gina meant when she said it might be a good thing for introverted people to have pets. It brings out the better side of us. "I want to be the kind of person my dog thinks I am" is a very popular quote for doggy owners. It holds true for me. Although I can't say I adore Parker Posey...she's a cute little dog. Very smart. Easy to train...and I'm on my way to loving her.
Meanwhile I am working on my selfishness while also establishing time for just me, to make sure that I can be by myself to relax and then go and take care of whoever needs taking care of.
Pets can teach you a lot. I hope to be an excellent student.
We picked up the puppy Friday night. She liked riding in the car, and we started playing with her new toy...we walked her around and a friend came over. Apparently she's a people doggy. Except I don't know that she likes darker people. :/ Anyway, we put a cushion by my side of the bed and taught her not to get on the bed. [I much prefer this method of training...no violence, only rewards for good behavior] She slept through most of the night and then took another nap while we slept until 9.
Stu had to work that day so I trained the puppy all morning and then put her in the HUGE pen [it's seriously 10X20, it's enormous] and...she hated it. Barked and barked for HOURS until I started reading "Captain Hook," which promptly made her go to sleep. Silly dog.
Exhausted and starving, I had no choice but to watch her because the pen isn't 100% secure and she found a way to get off her lead line/out of her harness. When Stu got home around 6 I was in tears and hating the little puppy's guts. I wandered around outside with her and begged Stu to get a kennel.
This is actually kinda funny now but then I was suffering from hunger pangs and extreme exhaustion so everything was heightened and a little dramatic. And then it hit me why I was so upset that I hadn't been able to have any me time:
I have always had to care for something other than myself. When my brother died, I had to "take care" of my parents, as well as a 2 year old could. When I had siblings, I helped take care of them, even getting up in the night with my youngest brother [which is why, to this day, he will choose to be with me rather than anyone else]. I've had to care for pets too, even if they weren't mine, and when I got to school, I cared for people who took advantage of me [none of the present company, I promise!] and it wore me out.
I was tired of caring for others. I've become selfish and more introverted than before. This explains a lot of my behavior for the past year and a half...I wanted to be alone and enjoy my own time, which isn't a bad thing, but sometimes to the exclusion of everyone else, which can be a bad thing. I was unhealthy, and uncaring about others.
I see what Gina meant when she said it might be a good thing for introverted people to have pets. It brings out the better side of us. "I want to be the kind of person my dog thinks I am" is a very popular quote for doggy owners. It holds true for me. Although I can't say I adore Parker Posey...she's a cute little dog. Very smart. Easy to train...and I'm on my way to loving her.
Meanwhile I am working on my selfishness while also establishing time for just me, to make sure that I can be by myself to relax and then go and take care of whoever needs taking care of.
Pets can teach you a lot. I hope to be an excellent student.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Dancing Through Life
10 points to anyone who guesses where the title of this post comes from.
And now on to why I'm writing:
I feel like I'm just skating through what we call "life." True, I do have some crazy stories and I've had some weird experiences, BUT there are the proper ways people go about life.
1. School
2. Job
3. Marriage
4. Kids
5. Retirement
I've done almost everything I can to avoid the "proper channels." Even as a child, when I saw people living in neighborhoods, side by side, with everything the same, I was filled with an inexplicable, passionate distaste for the "ordinary." I didn't want to be like everyone else. I hated "normalcy." I wanted to be an oddball, someone who didn't fit in and who lived life a little...strangely.
I thought about that today and how "normal" my life looks now.
I also thought about how I've worked. I started working for my art teacher at about 12, and then landed jobs with help from parents and roommates. I've never been to an interview and I've avoided almost all the normal paperwork. Somehow. It is so weird to me. I know I'm not the only one who's "magically" avoided the odds and ends of job hunts [and I sure sent out 50 resumes this summer with nary a reply except for SPAM] but it's...strange. Like I'm just floating through this time in my life. No real manual labor to ground me in reality, no artistic passion to keep me inspired...
I'm not unhappy with my job. There are so many things about it that I LIKE. I just don't know...what [if anything] I will do after this ends. Because there will be an end. Either I will have to leave because I can't remain an alumnus/student worker forever, or I will get offered a job here that I won't take [I can't abide by some of the standards...watching movies and dancing, namely...sigh...] and I'll have to find a new job.
But I tried finding a new job. I looked all summer. 3 months. 50 resumes. Government jobs, law offices, doctor clinics, music schools, etc. I know that finding a job is really tough right now but there were a LOT of opportunities and none of them ever even wrote me a "thank you but we've hired someone else...".
Stu and I were talking today about how he felt like he should be more at his age. I can see why he feels that way, but honestly, few people get ANYWHERE before they are 30+. We try as hard as we can to get where we want to go but really God is the One who plans our steps and sometimes He takes it slow for us. Probably so we will learn to be patient. Which is not one of Stu's strong points. Or mine, for that matter. I just become apathetic. Anyway, we were talking about professionals because we were listening to someone on the radio who was interviewing Cheetah Rivera [famous Broadway actress/dancer/singer]. Stu mentioned he wanted to go to theatre school. I mentioned I'd love to go and do ballet as well. Then I said I could get a scholarship with my harp. I probably could.
And that's what's bothering me. I can float through life while some people struggle to come up with a job at McDonald's. WHY?! It's not like it's easy for me, either. I don't KNOW if I could get a scholarship - I've just come to expect it because things like that come my way. I survived my entire college career because of scholarships. I play a unique instrument. I'd probably get in somewhere nice with it. But I just ASSUMED it would happen. And really...there's not much else going on for me at the moment.
All that to say that a) I am grateful for the opportunities I've had, even though b) I feel like things are given to me too freely and c) that I haven't really worked for them and d) that things will get harder from here on out and I can't expect any handouts.
What the hell am I supposed to be doing and why can't I see the next step?!
/End of ramble.
Thank you, Father, for teaching us to be patient and wait for Your Plan to unfold. I trust you with our lives. I thank you for the opportunities so far and I am grateful for any that come our way in the future. Please grant me wisdom and peace concerning these matters.
Amen.
And now on to why I'm writing:
I feel like I'm just skating through what we call "life." True, I do have some crazy stories and I've had some weird experiences, BUT there are the proper ways people go about life.
1. School
2. Job
3. Marriage
4. Kids
5. Retirement
I've done almost everything I can to avoid the "proper channels." Even as a child, when I saw people living in neighborhoods, side by side, with everything the same, I was filled with an inexplicable, passionate distaste for the "ordinary." I didn't want to be like everyone else. I hated "normalcy." I wanted to be an oddball, someone who didn't fit in and who lived life a little...strangely.
I thought about that today and how "normal" my life looks now.
I also thought about how I've worked. I started working for my art teacher at about 12, and then landed jobs with help from parents and roommates. I've never been to an interview and I've avoided almost all the normal paperwork. Somehow. It is so weird to me. I know I'm not the only one who's "magically" avoided the odds and ends of job hunts [and I sure sent out 50 resumes this summer with nary a reply except for SPAM] but it's...strange. Like I'm just floating through this time in my life. No real manual labor to ground me in reality, no artistic passion to keep me inspired...
I'm not unhappy with my job. There are so many things about it that I LIKE. I just don't know...what [if anything] I will do after this ends. Because there will be an end. Either I will have to leave because I can't remain an alumnus/student worker forever, or I will get offered a job here that I won't take [I can't abide by some of the standards...watching movies and dancing, namely...sigh...] and I'll have to find a new job.
But I tried finding a new job. I looked all summer. 3 months. 50 resumes. Government jobs, law offices, doctor clinics, music schools, etc. I know that finding a job is really tough right now but there were a LOT of opportunities and none of them ever even wrote me a "thank you but we've hired someone else...".
Stu and I were talking today about how he felt like he should be more at his age. I can see why he feels that way, but honestly, few people get ANYWHERE before they are 30+. We try as hard as we can to get where we want to go but really God is the One who plans our steps and sometimes He takes it slow for us. Probably so we will learn to be patient. Which is not one of Stu's strong points. Or mine, for that matter. I just become apathetic. Anyway, we were talking about professionals because we were listening to someone on the radio who was interviewing Cheetah Rivera [famous Broadway actress/dancer/singer]. Stu mentioned he wanted to go to theatre school. I mentioned I'd love to go and do ballet as well. Then I said I could get a scholarship with my harp. I probably could.
And that's what's bothering me. I can float through life while some people struggle to come up with a job at McDonald's. WHY?! It's not like it's easy for me, either. I don't KNOW if I could get a scholarship - I've just come to expect it because things like that come my way. I survived my entire college career because of scholarships. I play a unique instrument. I'd probably get in somewhere nice with it. But I just ASSUMED it would happen. And really...there's not much else going on for me at the moment.
All that to say that a) I am grateful for the opportunities I've had, even though b) I feel like things are given to me too freely and c) that I haven't really worked for them and d) that things will get harder from here on out and I can't expect any handouts.
What the hell am I supposed to be doing and why can't I see the next step?!
/End of ramble.
Thank you, Father, for teaching us to be patient and wait for Your Plan to unfold. I trust you with our lives. I thank you for the opportunities so far and I am grateful for any that come our way in the future. Please grant me wisdom and peace concerning these matters.
Amen.
Workout
Yesterday I started my exercise routine. I'll be exercising on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays...and I'm changing up my diet a bit to include more fresh things and less dead things. :)
A funny thing happened at the gym: I went through the cycle, a couple of toning machines, and then I decided to do a ballet warm-up/cool-down routine to finish. So I went into another room and noticed that there was a CD player. I LOVE CD players...especially when I'm exercising. So I opened it to see what was in it and there was a blank CD. So I put the player on "3" and waited for the music to start.
I did my cool-down routine to "The Final Countdown," giggling the whole time! I just watched "Good Grief" [Arrested Development, Season 2] and of course I couldn't help but remember Gob and that goofy song.
Today I'm a little sore, but less than I was expecting. I want to lose about 15-20 pounds [I'm just over the "overweight" line] and get back to the 130 pounds I should be [according to the National Heart and Lung Association's BMI calculator, which says I would be right up at the top of "Normal Weight," close to "Overweight"].
I'm not going on a diet. I'm going to cut a lot of snacks out [which are mostly carbs] as well as most meat. I'll eat it for protein but when I was a vegetarian I got LOTS of protein [peanut butter, rice and beans, TVP, etc.] and was still slender. I just want to be healthy. And I don't want to have to buy a lot of new big clothes.
I'm also trying to give my brain a workout - reading my 10 books, writing the research paper, and then writing my own manuscript based on my research will give me artistic license as well as practical knowledge and discipline. I'm hoping to finish up my first rough draft by the end of school. That gives me six weeks [after the paper is due] to write 30,000 words which is my goal. :)
So...hopefully my body and my mind get lots of workouts this semester.
A funny thing happened at the gym: I went through the cycle, a couple of toning machines, and then I decided to do a ballet warm-up/cool-down routine to finish. So I went into another room and noticed that there was a CD player. I LOVE CD players...especially when I'm exercising. So I opened it to see what was in it and there was a blank CD. So I put the player on "3" and waited for the music to start.
I did my cool-down routine to "The Final Countdown," giggling the whole time! I just watched "Good Grief" [Arrested Development, Season 2] and of course I couldn't help but remember Gob and that goofy song.
Today I'm a little sore, but less than I was expecting. I want to lose about 15-20 pounds [I'm just over the "overweight" line] and get back to the 130 pounds I should be [according to the National Heart and Lung Association's BMI calculator, which says I would be right up at the top of "Normal Weight," close to "Overweight"].
I'm not going on a diet. I'm going to cut a lot of snacks out [which are mostly carbs] as well as most meat. I'll eat it for protein but when I was a vegetarian I got LOTS of protein [peanut butter, rice and beans, TVP, etc.] and was still slender. I just want to be healthy. And I don't want to have to buy a lot of new big clothes.
I'm also trying to give my brain a workout - reading my 10 books, writing the research paper, and then writing my own manuscript based on my research will give me artistic license as well as practical knowledge and discipline. I'm hoping to finish up my first rough draft by the end of school. That gives me six weeks [after the paper is due] to write 30,000 words which is my goal. :)
So...hopefully my body and my mind get lots of workouts this semester.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Next Friday
So...we went to see the puppy yesterday [Thursday]. We drove out to Batesburg and Stu was a little nervous, because apparently Batesburg/Leesville isn't the safest area of South Carolina. I know nothing of these things.
I did laugh when I saw how many road names were areas in South Carolina - there was a West Columbia Avenue, a Charleston Street, and...something else...I forget. Anyway, it made me chuckle. Silly South Carolinians.
I had called the lady that was keeping the puppy and she sounded like an older woman. When we got to the little white house, we saw that she was not older, but almost our age. I think she smoked so her voice was a little husky. :P We went to the backyard and noticed that there were pens everywhere - sheep, goats, bunnies, ducks, dogs, and cats. Wow. There were a lot of animals! The puppy was on a lead line and I think both of us immediately fell in love.
She was quite a bit smaller than we expected, but that was good because we wanted a small dog. She looks like she's a mix between a beagle and a dachshund [built like a dachshund, colored like a beagle] which is what a pocket beagle is, which is what we were looking at in the first place. Except this puppy is QUITE cheaper.
The lady was nice and the puppy adorable. She ran around saying hello and then tapped our knees with her paws, as if to say "Pick me up!" So we took turns holding her and she cuddled against our shoulders. We put her down and she just plopped on the ground. So apparently, she's not hyper. A plus. I didn't sniff or sneeze once, which is another plus.
So we are bringing her home next Friday so we can spend some time with her on Saturday and Sunday before I have to go back to work on Monday.
I'm more excited that I was earlier. She's not big, she's not high-energy, and she loves to cuddle. I can do that. :) Plus I am excited about walks. We went to Petsmart tonight and bought her a few things - Stu picked out a pretty collar, we got her a ball, some chew toys, and a rope, and we grabbed a harness and some treats. Now we just have to pick up a lead line, a leash, and some food. Yay for puppies!
We are still debating on a name. Now it is down to Penny or Parker. We're going to watch her for a few days and see what she's like before reaching a final decision.
Here is a picture of our new furbaby!
I did laugh when I saw how many road names were areas in South Carolina - there was a West Columbia Avenue, a Charleston Street, and...something else...I forget. Anyway, it made me chuckle. Silly South Carolinians.
I had called the lady that was keeping the puppy and she sounded like an older woman. When we got to the little white house, we saw that she was not older, but almost our age. I think she smoked so her voice was a little husky. :P We went to the backyard and noticed that there were pens everywhere - sheep, goats, bunnies, ducks, dogs, and cats. Wow. There were a lot of animals! The puppy was on a lead line and I think both of us immediately fell in love.
She was quite a bit smaller than we expected, but that was good because we wanted a small dog. She looks like she's a mix between a beagle and a dachshund [built like a dachshund, colored like a beagle] which is what a pocket beagle is, which is what we were looking at in the first place. Except this puppy is QUITE cheaper.
The lady was nice and the puppy adorable. She ran around saying hello and then tapped our knees with her paws, as if to say "Pick me up!" So we took turns holding her and she cuddled against our shoulders. We put her down and she just plopped on the ground. So apparently, she's not hyper. A plus. I didn't sniff or sneeze once, which is another plus.
So we are bringing her home next Friday so we can spend some time with her on Saturday and Sunday before I have to go back to work on Monday.
I'm more excited that I was earlier. She's not big, she's not high-energy, and she loves to cuddle. I can do that. :) Plus I am excited about walks. We went to Petsmart tonight and bought her a few things - Stu picked out a pretty collar, we got her a ball, some chew toys, and a rope, and we grabbed a harness and some treats. Now we just have to pick up a lead line, a leash, and some food. Yay for puppies!
We are still debating on a name. Now it is down to Penny or Parker. We're going to watch her for a few days and see what she's like before reaching a final decision.
Here is a picture of our new furbaby!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Playlist for The Gentleman's Lady
The Gentleman's Lady is always in the back of my mind. I think of the characters, what happens to them, and how they would react to certain situations. Sometimes, a song will match perfectly the tone that I want to convey.
The Shadow of the Day by Linkin Park is great because it is a specific part in a character's life. [So far, there are 9 characters - 6-7 main ones and those who aren't quite main characters but also not minor characters]
Anyway...just wanted to share that. I always get excited when thinking about this story. :) Hopefully it will get its chance someday.
The Shadow of the Day by Linkin Park is great because it is a specific part in a character's life. [So far, there are 9 characters - 6-7 main ones and those who aren't quite main characters but also not minor characters]
Anyway...just wanted to share that. I always get excited when thinking about this story. :) Hopefully it will get its chance someday.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
The Gentleman's Lady
I got an idea over the weekend for a possible poster/book cover for my story that's just waiting around for me to write it..."The Gentleman's Lady" sounds better than "The Gentleman & the Lady" so I'm going with that for now. I'm going to get Stu to take a picture of what I want and then I'm going to attempt some photoshop and/or drawing to make a mock-up of the potential advertisement.
I'm...rather excited. I think it's the best story I've got and honestly, I would love to see it as a movie [it would have to be a pretty epic movie...] or a t.v. series. I love the characters so much and I want to see them breathing and moving and living out their stories...I think it could speak to a lot of people.
So...with all the unpacking, reading, writing, and work that I'm doing, I'm hoping to find a few quiet hours so I can sketch the beginning of my life's masterpiece. :P I'm not saying I write masterpieces...I'm just saying it's probably the best thing I'll ever do. Years in the making. Epic-ness. Heart-break. Hope. Love.
The Gentleman's Lady.
I'm...rather excited. I think it's the best story I've got and honestly, I would love to see it as a movie [it would have to be a pretty epic movie...] or a t.v. series. I love the characters so much and I want to see them breathing and moving and living out their stories...I think it could speak to a lot of people.
So...with all the unpacking, reading, writing, and work that I'm doing, I'm hoping to find a few quiet hours so I can sketch the beginning of my life's masterpiece. :P I'm not saying I write masterpieces...I'm just saying it's probably the best thing I'll ever do. Years in the making. Epic-ness. Heart-break. Hope. Love.
The Gentleman's Lady.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Being Alice Cullen
This title actually makes sense with what I'm about to post, trust me. It's one of those double-meaning titles that will take me a while to describe, so if you're bored, please do read on. :)
This weekend we went to North Carolina so Stu could be a groomsman for a guy he's been friends with since high school. I have met a few of Stu's old friends and I find them all to be wonderful, hilarious, goofy people that I would hang out with of my own choosing. Good to know we have similar taste in the company we keep. :)
Anyhow, I had a predicament. What do I wear? Stu's got a rented tux [*whistles*] but I...have not unpacked all of my [2] fancy wedding outfits. [they're basically the same dress, one is just a solid color and one is a print...they're both amazing though, and comfy!] I couldn't find either of them [having packed them together, of course] so I wandered around the house wondering if a long skirt, short skirt, pant suit, or another combo I hadn't thought of would work.
I decided to check out what was in the closet of my craft room. Mom had given me some of Nanna's old gowns [ok, my sister is about 5'9" and weights about 120 at the MOST so I don't know why Mom thought I would want them! Perhaps for costumes for plays/movies but...who wears a size 2 at age 20+?!?!]. I recalled one of them being "too big for her" which meant it would most likely fit me. How humiliating.
I opened the closet and grabbed a navy dress. Ooops, wrong one. Too silky. Ugh. Definitely one of Nanna's dresses. I searched through the other outfits and finally saw the other navy one. I pulled it out and gave it a once-over. Not bad...
The top of the gown wraps around the neck and so no cleavage/chest area would show. Check. I had a bra that I could strap that way so no one would have to see hot pink straps next to the navy. Check. The gown was navy with a brighter blue glitter. Interesting...I liked it. The back was WAY lower than I normally wear but I'd much rather have a low back than a low top so...I grabbed the dress, stuffed some blue dress shoes in with it and a box [a chocolate box] of jewelry with it and off we went.
My hair is in the Alice Cullen hairstyle, not really on purpose. I just happen to love pixie haircuts. Plus, whatever people may say, Alice Cullen is pretty awesome. So I don't mind.
This is where the Alice Cullen part of this post comes in.
None of Stu's friends have ever seen me with long hair. They've seen me with very short hair, always, after my awkward-teen stage. After the braces. After the horrible glasses. After all the yucky growing-up stuff happened. Stu's friends met me as an adult.
I am prettier now, I think, than I've been since I was 6 [I was a cute little kid. Then I just got awkward looking. I have pictures]. I'm not really too conscious of it because it's a weird, unsettling feeling so I don't dwell on it but...I think Stu's friends think I am good-looking. Or at least, I don't think they think I'm ugly, which is how I felt all the time growing up. I was pretty sure everyone was like "Ew!" every time they saw me. Not a fun way to become a teen.
Anyway, Stu's friends just seem to think I look nice. Which does wonders for my self-esteem, let me tell you. It makes me feel much more confident and open as a person and I was surprised that upon meeting some other friends of Stu's, I had lost all my shyness and, in fact, was talkative, outgoing, interested, and excited about meeting new people. Such a weird thing. Especially in my dress. I felt like a movie star. I had all pearl jewelry, the dress, and high heels...my hair was nice and I had put a teensy bit of makeup on [a touch of foundation...purple eyeshadow and mascara. That's about it.] and it was like...None of these people think I am unbearable to look at.
It was a revolutionary thought. I did feel a little like Alice Cullen.
The reason it's a two-fold meaning is because a) I did FEEL like Alice Cullen because I was in a gorgeous dress and I know I looked at least nice. A beautiful gown that you know looks good on you is a great thing to have. Take note, ladies. :) The second meaning is b) Although I did tell people things about myself...no one there knows me. I'm a stranger, and one who can choose what she tells people, instead of having her looks speak for her [or prevent her from speaking. I had suffered from crippling shyness as a child]. So, people took me at face value. Here is a young married woman who has a beautiful dress, a handsome husband, and looks, actually, quite nice.
Although the reception was ruined for me by my Aunt Flo visiting me and screeching so loud at me that I had to leave...it was a magical night because I realized that although the outward appearance doesn't really matter in the long run [at least, to me]...sometimes it's nice to know that people don't hate having to look at you.
This weekend we went to North Carolina so Stu could be a groomsman for a guy he's been friends with since high school. I have met a few of Stu's old friends and I find them all to be wonderful, hilarious, goofy people that I would hang out with of my own choosing. Good to know we have similar taste in the company we keep. :)
Anyhow, I had a predicament. What do I wear? Stu's got a rented tux [*whistles*] but I...have not unpacked all of my [2] fancy wedding outfits. [they're basically the same dress, one is just a solid color and one is a print...they're both amazing though, and comfy!] I couldn't find either of them [having packed them together, of course] so I wandered around the house wondering if a long skirt, short skirt, pant suit, or another combo I hadn't thought of would work.
I decided to check out what was in the closet of my craft room. Mom had given me some of Nanna's old gowns [ok, my sister is about 5'9" and weights about 120 at the MOST so I don't know why Mom thought I would want them! Perhaps for costumes for plays/movies but...who wears a size 2 at age 20+?!?!]. I recalled one of them being "too big for her" which meant it would most likely fit me. How humiliating.
I opened the closet and grabbed a navy dress. Ooops, wrong one. Too silky. Ugh. Definitely one of Nanna's dresses. I searched through the other outfits and finally saw the other navy one. I pulled it out and gave it a once-over. Not bad...
The top of the gown wraps around the neck and so no cleavage/chest area would show. Check. I had a bra that I could strap that way so no one would have to see hot pink straps next to the navy. Check. The gown was navy with a brighter blue glitter. Interesting...I liked it. The back was WAY lower than I normally wear but I'd much rather have a low back than a low top so...I grabbed the dress, stuffed some blue dress shoes in with it and a box [a chocolate box] of jewelry with it and off we went.
My hair is in the Alice Cullen hairstyle, not really on purpose. I just happen to love pixie haircuts. Plus, whatever people may say, Alice Cullen is pretty awesome. So I don't mind.
This is where the Alice Cullen part of this post comes in.
None of Stu's friends have ever seen me with long hair. They've seen me with very short hair, always, after my awkward-teen stage. After the braces. After the horrible glasses. After all the yucky growing-up stuff happened. Stu's friends met me as an adult.
I am prettier now, I think, than I've been since I was 6 [I was a cute little kid. Then I just got awkward looking. I have pictures]. I'm not really too conscious of it because it's a weird, unsettling feeling so I don't dwell on it but...I think Stu's friends think I am good-looking. Or at least, I don't think they think I'm ugly, which is how I felt all the time growing up. I was pretty sure everyone was like "Ew!" every time they saw me. Not a fun way to become a teen.
Anyway, Stu's friends just seem to think I look nice. Which does wonders for my self-esteem, let me tell you. It makes me feel much more confident and open as a person and I was surprised that upon meeting some other friends of Stu's, I had lost all my shyness and, in fact, was talkative, outgoing, interested, and excited about meeting new people. Such a weird thing. Especially in my dress. I felt like a movie star. I had all pearl jewelry, the dress, and high heels...my hair was nice and I had put a teensy bit of makeup on [a touch of foundation...purple eyeshadow and mascara. That's about it.] and it was like...None of these people think I am unbearable to look at.
It was a revolutionary thought. I did feel a little like Alice Cullen.
The reason it's a two-fold meaning is because a) I did FEEL like Alice Cullen because I was in a gorgeous dress and I know I looked at least nice. A beautiful gown that you know looks good on you is a great thing to have. Take note, ladies. :) The second meaning is b) Although I did tell people things about myself...no one there knows me. I'm a stranger, and one who can choose what she tells people, instead of having her looks speak for her [or prevent her from speaking. I had suffered from crippling shyness as a child]. So, people took me at face value. Here is a young married woman who has a beautiful dress, a handsome husband, and looks, actually, quite nice.
Although the reception was ruined for me by my Aunt Flo visiting me and screeching so loud at me that I had to leave...it was a magical night because I realized that although the outward appearance doesn't really matter in the long run [at least, to me]...sometimes it's nice to know that people don't hate having to look at you.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Bringing Home the...Puppy?!
So...we are in talks with someone who found a young beagle and wants to find a home for it. Stu wasn't so excited at first but then I e-mailed the lady and now he's super excited and I'm not. I'm thinking about how we are never going to go anywhere, I'll never have time to sit down in my craft room and just craft/write/whatever, and all the money we'll be spending at the vet and the pet store.
What is wrong with me?? I love dogs, I always have, but another responsibility when I already am getting more at work and trying to keep the house clean seems to much, on top of training a dog and making sure it's fed and watered and well and exercised. Whew. That makes me tired just thinking about it.
The thing is, it wasn't Stu's idea - it was MINE. It was a spur of the moment...action. There wasn't even a thought - I just wrote the lady.
Now, I didn't say we'd take the dog. I am going very slowly on this whole process and we are going to see it next week before we make any decisions. After all, we did find it on Craigslist. :P
I am making a budget, researching prices for a leash, collar, food, etc., and getting recommendations on vets in the area. We're also drawing up a name list. I'm looking up how to house-train a dog, how to makes sure I know it's healthy, and what to feed it based on its size. And etc. We've both grown up with dogs so I'm mostly confident that we'll be alright.
I just...I am finding out more and more that I just want time to myself. I don't want kids, I don't want other people interrupting me, and I don't really want a dog barging into my craft room. Does that make me selfish? I'm thinking maybe.
Anyway...just pray that I regain my sanity and that God shows us the right direction to take with this. I love puppies, I really do, it's weird that I feel this way. I guess I feel like the responsible one and that I have to do all the training because I'm the one that read up on it and I have very strict ideas on how to do it and all that stuff. I just need to calm down and realize that Stu and I BOTH are sharing the responsibility and, probably, Stu will be happy to have a little furbaby in his office while I build my dollhouse.
Doggy names we like so far:
Penny [from Inspector Gadget]
Parker [from Leverage]
Norah [we just like the name]
Names Stu likes:
Hera
Persephone
Names I like:
Luna
Fiona
Starbuck
Dax
Which name do you like best?
What is wrong with me?? I love dogs, I always have, but another responsibility when I already am getting more at work and trying to keep the house clean seems to much, on top of training a dog and making sure it's fed and watered and well and exercised. Whew. That makes me tired just thinking about it.
The thing is, it wasn't Stu's idea - it was MINE. It was a spur of the moment...action. There wasn't even a thought - I just wrote the lady.
Now, I didn't say we'd take the dog. I am going very slowly on this whole process and we are going to see it next week before we make any decisions. After all, we did find it on Craigslist. :P
I am making a budget, researching prices for a leash, collar, food, etc., and getting recommendations on vets in the area. We're also drawing up a name list. I'm looking up how to house-train a dog, how to makes sure I know it's healthy, and what to feed it based on its size. And etc. We've both grown up with dogs so I'm mostly confident that we'll be alright.
I just...I am finding out more and more that I just want time to myself. I don't want kids, I don't want other people interrupting me, and I don't really want a dog barging into my craft room. Does that make me selfish? I'm thinking maybe.
Anyway...just pray that I regain my sanity and that God shows us the right direction to take with this. I love puppies, I really do, it's weird that I feel this way. I guess I feel like the responsible one and that I have to do all the training because I'm the one that read up on it and I have very strict ideas on how to do it and all that stuff. I just need to calm down and realize that Stu and I BOTH are sharing the responsibility and, probably, Stu will be happy to have a little furbaby in his office while I build my dollhouse.
Doggy names we like so far:
Penny [from Inspector Gadget]
Parker [from Leverage]
Norah [we just like the name]
Names Stu likes:
Hera
Persephone
Names I like:
Luna
Fiona
Starbuck
Dax
Which name do you like best?
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Nostalgia, Notes, and Photos
We have finally moved everything out of the trailer and into our new house. Hopefully I'll be a better housekeeper here. :P I've already unpacked quite a few boxes and as I went through some of my old stuff a few days ago, there were a few things I hadn't gone through in...well, probably about 3-4 years. I found:
-old notes from one of my two friends from my senior year in highschool
-photos of my friends in Spain, along with a yearbook from that year
-letters that sustained me through a horrible summer
-photos of me as a happy little girl
As I sat there flipping through all of this stuff, I thought, "I have been loved." It's a new thought for me - I used to feel so unloved, and I still struggle with accepting the fact that some people do, in fact, love me. All these people that I've met, befriended, and loved...and, as life goes, I lost touch with. There were even notes from some of my friends here that have grown distant. I wish we still kept in touch. I love loving people. Learning to be loved is a hard lesson and I don't think it hit me until a few nights ago when I saw myself surrounded by people who wanted to hang out with me, people who wrote in my yearbook about how beautiful my smile was [before braces] and those people who kept my spirits up when I was trapped in a crappy job in a dead town with no one to talk to.
1. I miss the people my friends used to be
2. I miss the person I used to be
3. I want to get back in touch with those who meant the most to me
4. I want to rekindle old friendships
5. I want to make new friends
6. I am learning to be loved
This post is a little incoherent because I feel things rather than think them...but just picture a girl sitting on the floor, sifting through a box of notes and pictures, thinking back to the way things were before and wondering about the possibility of rekindling some of it.
It was a bittersweet evening.
I know Stu has what he calls his "I am loved" box - full of funny drawings, notes, and pictures of people that he's loved and have loved him. I think I'm going to start a "I am loved box" - and make sure that my kids each have one.
-old notes from one of my two friends from my senior year in highschool
-photos of my friends in Spain, along with a yearbook from that year
-letters that sustained me through a horrible summer
-photos of me as a happy little girl
As I sat there flipping through all of this stuff, I thought, "I have been loved." It's a new thought for me - I used to feel so unloved, and I still struggle with accepting the fact that some people do, in fact, love me. All these people that I've met, befriended, and loved...and, as life goes, I lost touch with. There were even notes from some of my friends here that have grown distant. I wish we still kept in touch. I love loving people. Learning to be loved is a hard lesson and I don't think it hit me until a few nights ago when I saw myself surrounded by people who wanted to hang out with me, people who wrote in my yearbook about how beautiful my smile was [before braces] and those people who kept my spirits up when I was trapped in a crappy job in a dead town with no one to talk to.
1. I miss the people my friends used to be
2. I miss the person I used to be
3. I want to get back in touch with those who meant the most to me
4. I want to rekindle old friendships
5. I want to make new friends
6. I am learning to be loved
This post is a little incoherent because I feel things rather than think them...but just picture a girl sitting on the floor, sifting through a box of notes and pictures, thinking back to the way things were before and wondering about the possibility of rekindling some of it.
It was a bittersweet evening.
I know Stu has what he calls his "I am loved" box - full of funny drawings, notes, and pictures of people that he's loved and have loved him. I think I'm going to start a "I am loved box" - and make sure that my kids each have one.
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