T-shirts! Yeah, I'm boring. I wear a lot of jeans and t-shirts. Mine happen to be wearing out, so I've been looking for new ones. Naturally I tend towards movie-oriented shirts , but I tend to like the subtler ones. The ones that require you know the movie to get it. Right now, I'm particularly fond of this one, as it references one of my all-time favorite movies, The Dirty Dozen, but rather slyly. I do believe I need to get me one!
And I have this version of "The Witch Doctor" stuck in my head right now. I love the disgruntled neighbors walking in a line at the end.
And that wraps up the 30-day meme!
Friday, April 30, 2010
Day 29 → Hopes, dreams, and plans for the next 365 days
No shortage of hopes, dreams, or plans. They're the stuff life is made of! But they can be distilled down to staying happy and being with family and friends (including online friends) as much as possible. I plan to finish the revisions to one my novels and get it out the door to find an agent. I'm itching to get to work on a brand new YA fantasy novel that's not even a week old. I was brainstorming about this other novel idea, and this brand new idea dropped into my head. Isn't that the way it always goes? It's really grabbed me too, so it'll probably be my nano project this November. If I can wait that long.
I'd planned to train for a half-marathon, but the whole front yard landscaping thing really threw me off track, and I have this 24/7 neck pain that make me wonder how smart it is to be jarring around running. Still, I'd like to take a shot at it because I have a friend doing the same thing. I'd like to at least start getting out walking/jogging an hour a day on weekdays.
I'd planned to train for a half-marathon, but the whole front yard landscaping thing really threw me off track, and I have this 24/7 neck pain that make me wonder how smart it is to be jarring around running. Still, I'd like to take a shot at it because I have a friend doing the same thing. I'd like to at least start getting out walking/jogging an hour a day on weekdays.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Day 28 → This year, in great detail
2010, so far, has consisted primarily of home improvement projects and very little else. After being cited by the City for being in violation of the municipal landscaping code for having bare dirt in my front yard (I'd dug it up to re-do it... they just cited me before I could start work), I was forced to start work ASAP or be fined. Deadlines are good things though, and it really kept me focused and on track. I did most of the work myself (other than the large lawn section) and am quite pleased with how it came out. Just need some patio furniture now so I can hang out and enjoy it.
That project was wrapping up just as I finally had the opportunity to re-do my bathroom, which took several weeks; in fact, the last bits were just completed yesterday.
I've done little new writing this year, but have been working on revising one novel following the lessons in Holly Lisle's How To Revise a Novel course. So far, I'm really enjoying this course, even more than the How To Think Sideways one. It is direct, to the point, and it meshes very well with my own goals in the revision.
I've inherited another abandoned young cat this year, Flinx. Well, two technically, but the other (Binx) stays outdoors and just wants a little food in the morning and evening. Flinx, on the other hand, wants a lot more than food. He wants love -- lots of it, and playtime, and to sleep inside at night, and more playtime, and more love. I tried to find him a good home, but that didn't work out and now I'm kind of glad because it turns out he's the best cat I've ever owned. He has the most amiable and loving personality, plays with my dog and other cats, catches gophers, curls up in my lap whenever he can, and is gorgeous on top of it all.
That project was wrapping up just as I finally had the opportunity to re-do my bathroom, which took several weeks; in fact, the last bits were just completed yesterday.
I've done little new writing this year, but have been working on revising one novel following the lessons in Holly Lisle's How To Revise a Novel course. So far, I'm really enjoying this course, even more than the How To Think Sideways one. It is direct, to the point, and it meshes very well with my own goals in the revision.
I've inherited another abandoned young cat this year, Flinx. Well, two technically, but the other (Binx) stays outdoors and just wants a little food in the morning and evening. Flinx, on the other hand, wants a lot more than food. He wants love -- lots of it, and playtime, and to sleep inside at night, and more playtime, and more love. I tried to find him a good home, but that didn't work out and now I'm kind of glad because it turns out he's the best cat I've ever owned. He has the most amiable and loving personality, plays with my dog and other cats, catches gophers, curls up in my lap whenever he can, and is gorgeous on top of it all.
Day 27 → This month, in great detail
April: the month of spring flowers, spring showers, and birthdays! It seems most of my family, friends, and favorite actors are all born in April. There's even a wedding anniversary in there. It's a very crowded month! There's been a fair amount of rain this month, which has been nice for my new lawn. Not so nice because of the sheer quantity of weeds springing up in the backyard, but that's okay. I'd rather do outside chores than inside ones. It's kept things nice and cool too, which I like. The heat's coming soon enough. I visited with one out of town friend and got to show her around Los Angeles for the day. That was fun and a nice break.
Other than that, it's been pretty much my nice ordinary and routine week in detail times four.
Other than that, it's been pretty much my nice ordinary and routine week in detail times four.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Day 26 → Your week, in great detail
Well, the typical week includes 40 hours of the day job, household chores, walking the dog, playing with the cats, a grocery store trip or two, eating dinner and visiting with family, writing, reading, and watching movies. Intersperse that with internet browsing and lots of listening to music and that's the average week. To go into any greater detail would be rather boring, so we'll leave it at that!
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Day 25 → Your day, in great detail
Today happened to be a Sunday, and it happened to be book club meeting day. We had just finished reading The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory. One person hated everything about the book, the other three of us enjoyed it -- except the ending. Can you say crappiest cop-out ending of all time? The book is about Katherine of Aragon, and right in the middle of her early life (her daughter Mary has not even been born yet)... the book jumps twelve or fifteen years for a very strange sort of 3-page interlude regarding Anne Boleyn which is really meant to be some sort of hasty wrap-up, and that's it. The end. WHAT? Are you kidding me? I mean seriously, crappiest book ending ever. It's like she just ran out of time, said "I'll end the book here, in the middle, and since most people know about Anne Boleyn, I'll throw this little moment in which has nothing to do with anything that came before..." I wanted to throw the book against the wall, which is not a good thing, because, as they say, it's the ending that sticks with you. Give your readers a bad ending and it doesn't matter how good the rest of the book was, they're going to be angry and not apt to pick up another of your books.
The rest of the book was easy enjoyable reading, nothing stand out wonderful, nothing bad, just entertaining. I very much enjoyed the comparisons of life in Spain vs. life in England, the day-to-day details about how exactly, people ran their homes, etc.
But the end... grrrr.
Anyway, we enjoyed lunch, and then, since it was such a lovely day, my nephew spent an hour throwing rubber duckys into the pool while we watched. Then drove home, and there's the day, nearly gone. I've walked the dog, and all that's left is dinner, some writing or reading, and then bed.
The rest of the book was easy enjoyable reading, nothing stand out wonderful, nothing bad, just entertaining. I very much enjoyed the comparisons of life in Spain vs. life in England, the day-to-day details about how exactly, people ran their homes, etc.
But the end... grrrr.
Anyway, we enjoyed lunch, and then, since it was such a lovely day, my nephew spent an hour throwing rubber duckys into the pool while we watched. Then drove home, and there's the day, nearly gone. I've walked the dog, and all that's left is dinner, some writing or reading, and then bed.
Day 24 → Whatever tickles your fancy
I just found this quiz I'd done for my sister. I'd forgotten all about it. We were talking about classic actors voices we really liked and decided to make a quick page for each other with clips of some of our actors speaking, to see how many each of us could guess. So, feel free to guess the speaker! Some are very easy, some are probably difficult.
Day 23 → A YouTube video
Yeah, yeah, it's another What's My Line, but this one's my favorite, and I watch it quite frequently.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Day 22 → A website
Jonathan Carroll's journal.
I love his writing, love his stories, love that there's always something to think about in his journal entries. He has a way of making me look at the most common situations/things through completely different eyes, and I am a bit in awe of that talent.
I love his writing, love his stories, love that there's always something to think about in his journal entries. He has a way of making me look at the most common situations/things through completely different eyes, and I am a bit in awe of that talent.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Day 21 → A recipe
This was posted by one of my friends just a month ago, and it was so intriguing I had to try it on the spot! They came out wonderful! They got better as they aged, as in, about five days after I made them, they were even better. Great in hot chocolate, great just to munch.
Marshmallow Candy
2 envelopes Knox unflavoured gelatin (or 15g of powdered gelatine)
1/2 c. cold water
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Sprinkle gelatin in 1/2 cup cold water and vanilla extract in mixing bowl. It'll swell while you're working with the rest of the recipe.
In a saucepan, combine:
1/2 c. light Karo Syrup (or clear Glucose syrup)
3/4 c. water
1 3/4 c. white sugar
Dash of salt
Bring to a boil until approximately 235°F (115°C) or, soft ball stage.
Pour boiling syrup onto softened gelatin and beat with a mixer at highest speeds until it becomes light and fluffy and holds a soft mound. (This takes about ten-fifteen minutes.) If you don't get enough air in it, they don't set up.
Pour into a buttered 9x12" pan or individual molds. Let set about thirty minutes.
Marshmallow Candy
2 envelopes Knox unflavoured gelatin (or 15g of powdered gelatine)
1/2 c. cold water
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Sprinkle gelatin in 1/2 cup cold water and vanilla extract in mixing bowl. It'll swell while you're working with the rest of the recipe.
In a saucepan, combine:
1/2 c. light Karo Syrup (or clear Glucose syrup)
3/4 c. water
1 3/4 c. white sugar
Dash of salt
Bring to a boil until approximately 235°F (115°C) or, soft ball stage.
Pour boiling syrup onto softened gelatin and beat with a mixer at highest speeds until it becomes light and fluffy and holds a soft mound. (This takes about ten-fifteen minutes.) If you don't get enough air in it, they don't set up.
Pour into a buttered 9x12" pan or individual molds. Let set about thirty minutes.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Day 20 → A hobby of yours
"A hobby is an activity or interest that is undertaken for pleasure or relaxation, often in one's spare time."
Spare time? What's that?
Watching old movies and television shows! Listening to music! Reading! Writing! Arithmetic! Wait, no. Not the last, definitely not the last. But watching (and re-watching) old movies, definitely something I do for pleasure and relaxation. Discovering "new" old movies, and new actors, is so much fun.
Spare time? What's that?
Watching old movies and television shows! Listening to music! Reading! Writing! Arithmetic! Wait, no. Not the last, definitely not the last. But watching (and re-watching) old movies, definitely something I do for pleasure and relaxation. Discovering "new" old movies, and new actors, is so much fun.