AdSense

I've finally given in and put Google AdSense up. I don't like that I can't really choose what to advertise. Probably I'll take it down in a few months, or something.

Online Acronyms

I probably have ADHD, or am perhaps a slow learner, but there are some acronyms online I have a little trouble figuring out.

I know LOL means Laugh Out Loud, and WTF means . . . well, you know. OMG - yeah, know that one.

But ROFL? Not sure. ZOMG? I don't know what the "Z" means. Is that supposed represent the sound where you're exhale-snorting through your nose, like when you're trying to hold back a laugh and can't?

There are some others, but I can't think of them right now. Perhaps I will start a collection and post when I have a sizeable list.

Some Things You May Know . . . Or Not

I'm collecting all the banned books from the American Library Association's list of the most frequently banned books (from 1990—2000) in America. Of which I have . . . four. Hey, it's a start. (I could have sworn Cohen's book was the #1 banned book, but maybe that was another list.)

Anyway, in reading Curses, Hexes, and Spells by Daniel Cohen, #73, I'm learning a few new things.

Did you know the American presidency has had a twenty year curse since 1840? Every president who has been elected on the twentieth year of the cycle has died in office, either from natural causes or by assassination. I did not know that.

Makes me fear for Obama if he loses this term and wins the next. (Actually I fear for a lot more if McCain wins the next term, but that is an altogether different post, and probably one that does not belong on this blog.) And lest you think I'm off by four years, know that at least two of the presidents killed were elected to their second terms in their turn in the cycle. For example, President McKinley gets into the cycle when he's elected to his second term in 1900.

Also, from pjd's blog, women gained suffrage on August 18, 1920. My birthday is August 18. All my life I've complained nothing happens on my birthday. Found out I share a birthday with Robert Redford when i was 33. And now I find this out.

I tell you, had I known these things earlier, my life might have taken on a different trajectory. (No, I'm not falling back into an existential crisis. Just trying to be funny. And failing, probably.)

I don't get why this book is banned. It's only a short historical account of the basis for belief in certain curses, not a handbook on cursing your enemy. I guess . . . lemme think hard here . . . that the parents who challenged this book didn't read it.

Good Reads

Well, I was going to link the Good Reads website here and see who wants to join me, but the website's nowhere to be found now. Oh well, more on this later. At least I still have Librarything. As soon as I can afford it, I'm getting a lifetime membership. Then you'll see just how big my library is.

I feel like a guy bragging in a bar. Your "library"? Oh yeah. *wink, wink*

EDIT: Looks like Good Reads is back up. I'm not exactly sure how it works yet, but will report back. It sounds pretty cool.

Got a Job

I feel like Harvey in American Splendor when he wakes up, saying with relief, "I got a job, I got a job. . . . "

Don't know how long it will last, but the project sounds like fun. Proofreading a book of quotes.

You know, come to think of it, I may add a quote feature to this blog. Could be fun.

Good News

Well. Looks like I'm going back to school.

Some of you know all about my latest existential crisis. Some of you don't. If you don't, too bad. I'm not going revisit it.

I contacted my old school about resuming classes in the Fall. I assumed I would have to reapply to go back, seeing as I didn't 'mark my spot' when I left. (Such a crude way to put it.) But according to the head of the program to which I was accepted and the head of Graduate Admissions, my acceptance is still valid and there is a spot waiting for me should I resume in the Fall. (And I didn't even have to mark it!)

I'd really like to say something profound about taking advice from strangers, especially about something so important as that of a career path. *thinks hard* Nope, nothing profound to say. I'd say it's all a rather capricious business, but it's been something I've been regretting for a year (leaving school, that is), so I guess it isn't. I guess all I needed was a nudge.

I don't know if this is the "right" decision. There's every reason in the world not to do it. Yet I still want it, and with only 10 people accepted into the program a year, I've already beaten some odds. I know now I've put it off long enough.

Thanks again, all, for the kind words and gentle nudges. Special shout out to Robin S., who saw through the bullshit and said, "Now is now." (That's going to become my new motto.) Also to Fairyhedgehog, a fellow hearing aid wearer (we should share some war stories!). And Whilochre, who made me laugh. And last but not least, Kiersten, who said, "Cheer up. We don't even know you and like you already."

Cripes, I sound like I'm at the Oscars already.

Now I just have to make sure I follow the advice of the illustrious Muddy Waters. "Don't make no check with your mouth your tail can't cash."

Also. May have a job. We shall see.

EDIT: I see this whole 'enough about me' business lasted about a half an hour. Seems that I will fit in well in L.A.*

*a move that comes at the end of the two-year program

Distracted? I think so.

This morning, as usual, I got up and went straight to the coffee maker. I poured in new water, put in a new filter, and pressed "On." As the grinder got going, I vaguely noticed through my sleep-addled state that something sounded different, but I just attributed this to my hearing loss. Everyday is an adventure when you have hearing loss.

But normally I hear the beans grinding. Can you see where I'm going with this? Yep, forgot to put in the coffee.

Last week I turned on the dryer to fluff some clothes only to find a few minutes later that I'd already folded them. This happened twice.

I'm almost afraid to cook.

Favorite Writers

Okay, enough about me.

I want to hear from you. Who are your favorite writers? Who are the ones that wrote the books that changed your life, made you decide to be a writer? Why?

As a kid, it was Beverly Cleary. As a teenager, Judy Blume and Stephen King. As an adult, Ray Bradbury and Neil Gaiman.

Beverly Cleary because she wrote a character that was just so me: Ramona Quimby. Ramona was weird and individual and totally followed her own beat.

Judy Blume because she wrote books that allowed girls to explore being a teenager, including that sex thing. Yeah.

Stephen King because his writing was so scary yet so conversational.

Ray Bradbury, because in Something Wicked This Way Comes he nails what it means to be alive.

Neil Gaiman because his ideas have such a twist and are the most original thing out there. There's no one out there doing what he's doing.

Oops

My apologies for deleting my last post. Here's the link that touched it off—JK Rowling's address to Harvard graduates regarding the fringe benefits of failure. My post basically said it's difficult for me to see the benefits of failure when right now I feel like I'm one big ball of F.A.I.L. Was feeling sorry for myself and deleted the post later in embarrassment. Though it is still on RSS feeds. Ah well. Live and learn.

Those of you who saw, feel free to comment or not. From now on I will leave up whatever I'm stupid enough to post in the first place, embarrassing or not.

Except pictures. If I ever post more . . . well, they may not last, despite that old saying.

What Book I Am

I saw this on fairtyhedgehog's blog and took the quiz:

You're The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe!

by C.S. Lewis

You were just looking for some decent clothes when everything changed
quite dramatically. For the better or for the worse, it is still hard to tell. Now it
seems like winter will never end and you feel cursed. Soon there will be an epic
struggle between two forces in your life and you are very concerned about a betrayal
that could turn the balance. If this makes it sound like you're re-enacting Christian
theological events, that may or may not be coincidence. When in doubt, put your trust
in zoo animals.


Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.

This is amusing because this was my favorite book as a kid.

What the Novel Is Turning Into

It's turning into a graphic novel.

I like writing it as a graphic novel, because writing it that way forces me to think about the plot. One thing about second drafts that I find frustrating is that when I rewrite, the plot I had in the first draft spins wildly out of control. Either that, or I get so caught up in the prose I move at a snail's pace. I've been stuck for weeks on the prologue and chapter one. Writing the novel as a graphic novel forces me to think about the things I tend to let fall by the wayside. It's pretty fun. I may just submit the first few pages to some comic book publishers, just to get something out there to quell this nervousness about the rent.

Theology of Street Kids

I don't know what dredged up this article, Myths Over Miami, from the depths of my memory (it probably had something to do with the novel, which seems to be turning into a graphic novel), but I've been thinking about an article I read about the theology of street kids, most notably in Miami.

Edit A lot of this is rather heartbreaking, so if you're an extra-sensitive person, don't read. I just find it interesting that these kids came up with a theology that is almost as complex as Christianity (and far more cynical) or [pick religion of your choice].

Read the article and see what you think.

Are You Feeling This?

All About Meme Me

Okay, no one tagged me on this (and I'm a little bummed), but I don't think anyone would mind if I answer some questions. Apparently some people think I'm a bit of an enigma.

Inquisition Meme

What were you doing ten years ago?

I was completing my fourth year as a Music Composition student. Ah, the good old days . . .

What are five things on your to-do list for today?

Hmm. Work on the novel. See if I can't come up with a version of Danse Macabre for cello and double bass (or maybe two double basses). Watch a movie. Clean up the kitchen (maybe). Send out a few resumes.

Hey, it's Saturday.

What are some snacks you enjoy?

Chocolate, of course. Brownies. Grapefruit. Almonds.

What would you do if you were a billionaire?

I would buy a big-ass brick Victorian house in the country with lots of land (half meadow, half timber, with a creek or a pond or both), invite my parents, brother, nieces, and sister to live with me, and go effing crazy on Amazon. I'd go crazy adopting kids from all over the world, a la Angelina Jolie. I'd get two dogs and four cats. I'd have a huge garden. I'd send money to researchers studying to cure hearing loss. I'd donate a lot to Defenders of Wildlife, especially their wolf program, because I adore wolves. I'd save the polar bears and possibly try to solve world hunger. I'd take a long trek through Europe and check out all the old castles that I could. Last but not least, I would build a recording studio.

Oh, and I'd pay Alexander Siddig to marry me.

What are three of your bad habits?

I'm disorganized and a bit of a pack rat. I don't finish enough short stories. I'm temperamental and moody. I don't trust my gut enough.

Okay, that's four. I could go on, but you wouldn't like me anymore.

What are five places where you have lived?

Dorm room
Basement apartment that flooded twice, with sewage water
Dallas, Texas
Chicago, Illinois (Lincoln Park)
Chicago, Illinois (Andersonville)

When I lived in Lincoln Park, I lived three blocks south of Wrigley Field. But don't go romanticizing that if you're a Cubs fan. After every game, the drunks would vandalize everything in sight and no resident could walk down the street without being hassled. That sucked. And now Cubs games are filled with people who aren't even there to watch the game!

What are five jobs you have had?

Waitress
Bartender
Writer
Editor
Music instructor

What were the last five books you read?

I don't remember the order of these at all, but here goes: All the President's Men, V for Vendetta, Heart-Shaped Box, Mr. Big, The Golden Compass

Okay. There's a few things you didn't know about me.

Ooh La La

Is it just me, or does Neil Gaiman look kind of sexy in this photo?