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Nov. 17th, 2018 08:13 pmToday was a glorious day off.
Ah, My Brain
Sep. 9th, 2018 12:13 amI was just telling Reb about how I need to figure out what I want on iPad as far as media and what and delete anything I don’t want so I can be ready for the trip to England. I got all jazzed in my own head and I realized how much I’m looking forward to doing that. I haven’t had a trip where I had a reason to do something like that in a while. Sure, I flew out to California to see my friend earlier this year and that was a bit of a trip, but that’s not an overseas trip. Also, I went to California to see my friend so while we did some touristy stuff, the real purpose was spending time with her. This trip will definitley be about seeing the family a bit, but it’s also largely about getting to do the tours and such. That means I’ll be spending a lot of time on planes both ways, plus there’s a ferry ride to Ireland and we have to drive to and from the port and I’ll need entertainment for all that.
It’s kind of hilarious to me that I’ll be spending a shit ton of time making decisions about what shows and movies I’m going to cram on my iPad and what I’m proabbly going to do the whole time I’m there is read. Let’s be real folks. I’m a reader. Though I love TV and movies too. But I’m a massive reader and usually when I have the oppurtunity to do nothing for hours on end that aren’t being spend “with my family” (like the flights by myself), I sleep or I read. I expect it’ll be something like six hours dozing, thirty minutes eating and browsing the onboard entertainment and an hour and a half of reading on the long flights. Something about planes tends to lull me into a napping frame of mind. I’m not sure if that’s just a pavlovian response of many trips past or if I’ve trained myself or if it’s something of the combination of knowing that I don’t have to do anything except say I want the chicken and an apple cranberry juice for several hours and the rocking quality of the plane as it hits patches of air. Yes, I just equated light to medium turbulance with being rocked to sleep as a baby. But dammit, that’s what it’s like for me. I was terrified the first time I flew, but it wasn’t long before I found I really liked flying. There are still moments that make my stomach swoop uncomfortably, but on a whole I love to fly.
There’s a comedian named Jasper Carrott who has a quote something like, “It’s my contention that airports are more traumatic than flying.” He’s hilarious and if you have a few minutes to look him up, I super hope you do. Granted, if you’re not used to English (specifically Birmingham) accents, it might be difficult for you to understand what he’s saying. Still, “Day Trip To Blackpool” is one of the funniest damn things I’ve ever heard. Seriously, hilarious. My favorite stand up is probably still “The Five Levels of Drinking,” but I do love a ton of Jasper Carrott’s stuff and when it comes to consistently writing and delivering what I consider to be absolutely fantastic comedy pieces, Jasper Carrott is the man. There are so many by him that I love. His thing about “The Mole” is just one of the funniest things ever (“It’s driving me mental! If I ever get hold of it, I’ll… I’ll bury it alive!”, “If they found a mole in Birmingham, they’d eat it.”)
A, tangents, they’re awesome.
But back to what I was saying.
When I realized that I’m going to get to prep for a trip, I swear to God I felt like I lit up like a Christmas tree or some shit. I really haven’t done that in forever and I feel like I could spend hours working on it tonight. That I’m wound up enough to stay up until sunrise messing with it. I won’t stay up until sunrise doing that, but the temptation is defiitley there. I also know that my brain has latched onto this idea and that pretty much means I’m not going to be thinking about much else until I’ll finished that project. I’m hoping that because I have three weeks before I’m supposed to leave that I’ll be able to at least limit my complusive habits regarding it. We’ll see!
I’ve been trying to focus on what needs to be done at work before I go to England and the only things I can think of right now are my teen blog for October, the audiobook binge recommendation I want to write, the DigiLit Class, and maybe a Teen Volunteer schedule. I should also do some ordering for my NaNoWriMo events in November. Maybe getting The Wine Vault to pass around some advertisements. Oh, also my book club. I need to read my book club book and write my book club questions. And Hayley and I are doing Kitchen Chemistry on Wednesday.
Okay, I have plenty to do. I stand corrected.
I need to break that down and get as much of that done this week as possible because the next week is gonna fly by and the week after that I’ll be useless.
But that all sounds like a tomorrow problem.
England, Ireland, and Atlanta
Aug. 13th, 2018 10:39 pmI’m so excited about the next couple of months. I’m stressed too, of course, but the really exciting things are DragonCon coming up in like two and a half weeks and then a month or so after that, I’m heading off to England and Ireland for Dad’s Retirement/60th birthday adventure. Dad is paying for the tours and mom is helping me with the tickets for the flights so it’s been a chunk of change out of my wallet today, but it’s also going to be worth it. I’ve never been to Ireland before so I’m incredibly excited about that. I’ve got my nice camera too! I need to take a refresher and practice before we go. Of course, I’ll have to figure out something other than the Best Buy courses because they’re only on the first Saturday of the month and the September date I’ll be in Atlanta for DragonCon and then the next one I’ll be on the last day of my trip.
I really need to find a way to practice before DragonCon which is honestly only a matter of days away. Seriously, it’s like 16 days before I leave. And only like 45 until I head to England! It sort of feels real now, in a way it really didn’t when dad has talked about the trip over the last few months. I’m so, so excited. It’s unbelievable how many cool, wonderful things are going on in my life right now and I’m just so excited for all of them.
Friends and Patrons
Aug. 11th, 2018 07:10 pmI really, really meant to do some writing at work today, but I was hoping every minute and the few moments I wasn’t I was far too busy and distracted to get anything down. Not even the blog post I’ve been trying to write for a week. Tonight I’m at my friend Emily’s. I’m excited because I don’t get to see her much now that we don’t work together so this is a rare treat. Jacob, her three year old son, has gone to bed now and her husband is at a music festival so we’ve got the house basically to ourselves. We’re about to do some paint by numbers and drink some… herbal tea… or something, anyway. It should be great. It’s too bad I have to work tomorrow, but it’ll be super awesome to have a three day weekend next weekend, even more so because my family will be out of town and it’s pride weekend here and I have plans to do stuff. Stuff which sounds exhausting and overwhelming at the moment, but that I will likely be glad I did if I can talk myself into it.
I need to write, but I can’t say I have much motivation for anything at the moment. I had big plans that absolutely did not happen today. That’s fine, mostly, I think I needed a bit of a vacation and this is definitely that. Still, I hate to miss my word count mark. At this point I’m not too far off goal, average wise. My goal is 600 a day, and I need to average about 615 words a day through the end of the month in order to make it. That really shouldn’t be that hard. There were a couple of days this week when I wrote 1,000+ words so it’s not like it’s outside of my scope. But I did just finish one story that I was very engrossed in writing. Being engrossed in a project makes it easier to get the word count, which is great. Unfortunatley once it’s initially finished but needs editing, the word count thing gets harder. I have trouble writing a new project while the old one is in limbo and writing and editing both come from the same “time bank account” so to speak so they end up battling each other a little bit.
I’m grateful that I was engrossed in the story and as much as it may not be some great work of art, I’m looking forward to posting it. I can’t do justice to Lyall and Biffy, not really, not when Gail Carriger is such an amazing writing and storyteller and character builder, but it was a story I really needed to see them get. I know that a fanfic story isn’t what Toni Morrison had in mind when she said, “If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.” That said, that’s how I felt about it. Maybe one day Gail will write a modern story of Biffy and Lyall that will show how them getting engaged “really” goes down and you can bet that I will buy it as an ebook and an audiobook when she does, but until that day, I’ve written the story I needed to feel complete. Shit, I hope one day that they’ll turn up in her modern series. Granted, there’s already a werewolf named Biffy in her modern stories.
Which… what is her obsession with werewovles named “Biffy” come to think of it? I mean, it’s a nickname in both cases and it does SORT of make sense for Sandalio de Rabiffano to be named Biffy especially when he likely got the nickname from Lord Akeldama who, as a character, constantly nicknames people rediculous things if he likes them. He calls his adopted daughter, “Puggle” and almost never calls Alexia by her name but rather just a stream of cutesy things like “rose petal” and something something “button” I can’t remember. He renames Randolph Lyall, “Dolly” of all things so “Biffy” isn’t really a stretch there.
But the other “Biffy” …
Just looked at those books again, and apparently his real name is Bryan and they call him “Biff” not “Biffy” and their originally Alpha is “Fifi” and a dude. Now that I think about it, I’m thinking these aren’t really in the same world. Magic isn’t really a “thing” in the Parasol Protectorate series and I don’t think the wolves are “immortal” in the same way either as they are in her first series.
I get that as a writer she might want to continue to write about vampires, werewolves, and other supernatural creatures but experiment with them in new ways and I’m glad that she’s able to do that, but I think I’m probably always going to think about all of her books in terms of the ‘rules’ set up by her Parasol books. Partly because she has eleven books and four novellas in that universe with another two on the way and partly because I read Soulless (the first in the Parasol Protectorate series) before I read anything else by her and so it set the precedent for my future readings.
Anyway, hopefully I’ll get more Biffy and Lyall and more of Primrose and Tasherit, but I’ll happily read just about anything she writes. There is only one book that I haven’t read by her yet. It’s a sci-fi YA story and I’m sure I’ll get there eventually. For now, I’m going to go read something totally unrelated and hope that I can get my word count and my editing done in time.
Happy New Year (Again)
Jan. 1st, 2018 03:56 amI’m probably going to have a bruise on my ass tomorrow and possible some pain in my ankle, but I had a blast tonight and I was way too drunk to feel it when it happened. I immediately asked if I broke anything when I fell, but I was asking about cups and bottles and such—not my body. I figured if something on my body was actually broken that no amount of alcohol would’ve blinded me to that kind of pain. Now I can feel that there’s a little twinge in my ankle but it moves just fine and there’s a sensitive spot on the side of my right buttcheek that I imagine will be less than comfortable to sit on when I’m driving home tomorrow. Still totally worth it although I should maybe wait until tomorrow before I say that for sure.
Tonight was so fun though. We were laughing at stupid movies after we finished Winter Soldier and we ate French Toast Cupcakes that were out of this world (they were gluten free and still unbelievably good), and drank every time a trope popped up on the Hallmark movies. Around 11:30 we paused for new drinks, some toasts, some pictures, a shot, me falling on the floor, watching “The Five Levels of Drinking” by Larry Miller, and then having an impromptu dance party that did make me feel like I might throw up some of that booze however briefly. We then watched the ball drop and after that we danced and sang a little bit more. I only felt sort of sorry for Casey’s neighbors. They didn’t bang on the walls or anything so I guess they forgave for singing incredibly loud and off key songs like “I Wanna Get Better,” “Mr. Brightside,” and “Inside Out” for a good… well 30 minutes at least. And when I say we were singing loudly, it was more like sort of shouting with a slight melody with it while we jumped around like fools. There was video but it was via Snapchat so with any luck, that evidence won’t make the rounds.
But seriously, dancing around and scream-singing was therapeutic and encouraging. We had such a good time being loud and together and drunk. I don’t get drunk very often anymore so it’s kind of a treat when I get to do that with other people and I don’t have to drive anywhere after.
This whole weekend has been phenomenal and I’m so sad that I’ll be driving home tomorrow because I just seriously want three or four or five or thirty more days exactly like the last two. I know when I get home that I’ll be excited to be back in my own bed and that however nervous I may be about the program I’m co-hosting with Hayley for preteens on Tuesday or the book minute on Wednesday or the hospital trips in the coming weeks, I am going to enjoy being back at work because I honest-to-God love my job.
And even though I’m sad about this weekend ending, I know that there are many, many wonderful trips and adventures to come—most notably my upcoming trip to California to spend some time with J while we celebrate our birthdays. I have never been out to the West Coast and I am indescribably excited for it.
I’m excited to see if I can make this year an even better year than last year. I’m excited about the new friends I’m making. I’m excited about the new things I’ll see. I’m excited that my sister is engaged and may well get married soon (no news on the date yet). I’m excited for the books and fanfiction I’ll read and the words I’ll write (I already have my spreadsheet for January ready) and the jokes I’ll laugh at and the movies I’ll see. There is just so much. This is, perhaps, the most hopeful I’ve felt in years… Perhaps in my whole “adult” life.
Hallmark Movies
Nov. 17th, 2017 05:20 pmI think I’m feeling a little better today. Not perfect, I’m still congested and I’ve got a bit of a sinus headache, but I think sleep helped. I’m spending the day watching Hallmark movies and reading--at least that’s the plan. So far, so good as far as goals go. I’ve only done the Hallmark part so far today, but I’m confident I can fit in some reading too. I’m enjoying the day for sure. I’m not a fan of being sick, but at least I’ve got time to rest before I have to be back to work. I’d rather not take any time off from work for illness if I can help it. If I can avoid taking any sick leave for 7 pay periods, they’ll give me 4 more hours of vacation time which is a pretty sweet deal. I mean, that’s half a day of vacation or not calling out sick over the period of 98 days, especially since they do give separate vacation and sick time. That adds to a pretty good amount of time off per year, even as someone just starting out.
I really do enjoy the job. I know it’s rediculously dorky to say but it still doesn’t feel like work most of the time which makes it a lot easier to spend forty hours there a lot easier.
We’re watching one of the Hallmark Movies and mom says, “this is kind of just like that other one.” … Uh, duh, mom. They’re all the same. That’s like… the point? I mean, I still enjoy some more than others and in different ways, but they are pretty similar and the point is the familiarity and faith in the happy ending. Otherwise, what would be the point? They would be like any other movie you could see anywhere else. I guess that sounds sort of odd, but other movies always have the chance of ending badly or partly happy or whatever. You can’t really say for sure how things are going to turn out. The book “The Little Black Book” with Brittany Murphy was touted as a romantic comedy and it’s a great movie, but it doesn’t have the happy ending you get with a Hallmark movie. My point is that you can’t trust the majority of other movies, not really. But you can always count on a Hallmark Movie to give you a super sweet happy ending and that’s something I love. Sort of get that people like the unexpected. Sometimes that is something I get excited about, but I can’t binge on that the way I can binge on happy endings.
I’m going to go get some food. Maybe there will be a part two later.
Morrow Mountain and Sleepy Hollow Vol 1.
Nov. 10th, 2017 11:30 pmWe went to Badin today and the weather was perfect. The leaves were gorgeous and were just starting to fall so the colors were brilliant. The view was spectacular, as always, and I loved it immensely. The only sad part was that the place we always have lunch/dinner at was closed! Apparently the owner closed it up and disappeared in the night without anyone knowing what was going on. Mom and I didn’t know because we really only go out there around Veteran’s Day and this happened over the summer I think (it’s hard to tell exactly, it’s not really “breaking news” to most of the world). We were doubly said because we thought that meant that we wouldn’t get to see our friend Joe who we always see at the Badin Inn. Mom usually hangs out with him and some of his golfing buddies and they drink a beer or two then I drive the rest of the way home.
We’ve been making this trip out there for quite a few years now (I wish I knew exactly how many—I’m hoping Facebook will give me a hint tomorrow with it’s memories thing) and we’ve been hanging out with him since this started. Since it was closed, we didn’t think we’d see him. But then we went to one last scenic spot and he was there! Just hanging out, having a beer and looking out over the view. We had a really good laugh and mom got his number this time so we can make sure that we can say “hi” even if we don’t run into him like we normally do, especially if the Badin Inn and Golf Course doesn’t reopen.
I’ve got work in the morning so I don’t want to stay up too much later and I still have laundry to get out of the wash so I need to get off of here, but I’m glad that the trip did end up being amazing today (I got two graphic novels read and some good pictures!) and that we did still get to see Joe.
And because I had such a good sprint today, I’m now only about 2,500 words from getting to buy the other book I want! This whole thing seems to be working out really well so I have to say I’m pretty excited about that. This may be something I have to keep doing year round.
Write-Ins Write On
Nov. 6th, 2017 11:46 pmI said I would host a few write-ins at work which I am so excited about. I only had one person there today but it was fun and she asked if we could do a sprint together so we did a little fifteen minute sprint and it was amazing! I got a few more words written. I’ve got enough words now to buy the book I’ve been dying to get!
I haven’t written this many words in this short a time in months so I have to say that this has been a pretty effective way of motivating me to write. The sprint I did was fiction too which I haven’t written since… well, gosh I’m not sure. It’s been a minute though. I really haven’t written much of anything that wasn’t me ranting since before the workshop so I’m really pleased about that.
I really just want to read my book tonight. And sleep.
It’s been a fun day overall and I’m looking forward to tomorrow too. I enjoy Tuesdays because I can sleep in, lol. I got to sleep in today too so that was great. Wednesday there’s a morning meeting so I’ll have to be in BY 8 and Thursday I’m going to one of the other branches to help with a program they’re having for teens. I’m excited and nervous about that too.
My days go by so fast at the library for the most part. I know that part of it is that I’m new and anything new has a certain amount of “not-mundane” to it, but I’m really enjoying myself so far. Today was over in a blink. What’s nice about that is that I feel like I’m tired in good ways. I’m also getting more rest overall. I’m not sleeping as much on the weekends either because I’m not as exhausted at the end of the week. I track my sleep using the “Sleep Cycle” app. I started tracking it in August at Scholastic and my average sleep per night was just under 6.5 hours. I know there are people who sleep less than that, but keep in mind that was including the 10-11 hours I’d sleep on weekends and days off.
And here’s the other part of that: I am not an insomniac. I don’t have any trouble going to sleep or staying asleep. My problem was going to bed--I’m better at it now and with the slight change in hours, I’m able to sleep a little later. Between the new hours and being better at going to bed, my average is now nearly to 7 hours (6 hours and 59 minutes)!
I know lots of people get much less sleep because they can’t get to sleep or they can’t stay asleep or some horrible combination of those things and it honestly hurts my heart that people are so badly rested because they can’t sleep. I was exhausted and sick with lack of sleep because I was doing it to myself. I was choosing not to get the sleep I so badly needed and that is not the same issue.
Anyway, I’m going to head to my bed for the night. Good luck to my other writer friends!
The first thing I want to talk about is my AirPods. I was pretty skeptical about them, but I had a pretty decent sized gift certificate to Best Buy and I’m basically a slave the to the Apple so, you know, I had to try them.
Y’all, I was not only not disappointed, I was honestly astounded. It was like I had surround sound speakers instead of tiny earbuds. I kept taking them out to make sure I wasn’t losing it. In order to pair them with my phone all I had to do was put them near each other and then my phone asked if I wanted to use them. So seriously, holy shit, easiest Bluetooth pairing in the history of Bluetooth pairings. And again, the sound quality is something else. I was concerned that they wouldn’t stay in my ears if I was moving around, but they fit really nicely and use the tension of the angle against my jaw to stay in place. I mean, if you’ve used any set of earbuds ever you know it’s a shit time keeping them in your ears so I was super nervous that one or both would constantly be falling out but no, my friends, not at all. They stay perfectly in place with no hassle. It’s unbelievable.
A quick double tap to either earbud and you can activate Siri on whatever device you’re using them with (or answer a phone call). I have tried the Siri function (to skip a song) and it worked wonderfully. I have not yet tried the call feature but I’m sure I will soon just to see how it goes. I’m pretty curious about that. I don’t spend a lot of time on the phone in general and when I am on the phone there is a pretty good chance I’m in my car driving home from work so that isn’t a feature I would use often but it would be nice to see if it worked well.
I am just so very, very pleased with them!
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