Three more poems...

at Prick of the Spindle.

Yeah, I'm double-posting again.

:)

poetry & fairy tales...

Happy Holiday!

I'm pretty pumped to have three poems up in the latest issue of Sein und Werden.

Read them here, here, and here.

Sometimes, I'm not sure where to post my random thoughts. I think I have too many blogs! Anyway, I'm rambling on about technology and the new Amazon Kindle here.

I'm curious to know what other writers (and avid readers, for that matter) think of going paperless.

P.S. As of today, at least one of the aforementioned web projects is a go! I'm anxious to get started...I tend to feel better when I'm ahead of schedule, and it's supposed to be finished just a couple of weeks after I'm done with the winter issue of blossombones! (I've started making daily "to do" lists again. I'm wondering how exactly I'm going to "schedule" some time for poetry! I'm sure I'll figure out something.)

when it rains...

***


(You know what I'm talking about.)

This is what I get for kvetching about needing to find more work. Two inquiries this week about putting together some web-type projects for folks (probably ASAP)...although both are in the "maybe" stage right now.

We'll see how all this pans out, eh?

I'm also trying to get all my duckies in a row for blossombones as well. I've been reading and checking so much stuff my eyes are starting to cross.

Holiday Prep...

Am suddenly feeling a little overwhelmed by the holidays.





This is what my kitchen looks like when I bake pie. As you can see, it's the real deal. A godawful mess, but worth it.




I figure I can't complain because I did not have to get up at the a$$crack of dawn to make turkey.

Besides, there is nothing quite like homemade apple pie.

Did you know: when combined with French Vanilla ice cream, it deadens the side effects of holiday drama?

Trust me.

I hope everyone had a lovely holiday.

I hope there was pie.

That is all.

What's new:

Three of my poems are in the Fall 2007 issue of wicked alice. You'll find them here :)

*Be sure to check out my co-editor Melissa's poems as well!

**********************************************************

road trippin'

(A.K.A. My rather goofy little photo essay.)



It's been a while since I've posted! Had a lovely time in Door County this last weekend, where all was very quiet and autumnal.



This was the view from my room. Lovely. While we were officially past the peak fall foliage season, I thought the scenery was still very beautiful.



A few more pics--



This one's at the Marina...it was strange to see the place so utterly devoid of boats!



Ah well, at least I learned to whittle wood:



(Impressive, no?)

***

I was also rather amused by this:



Stop! Do not drive directly into the bay.

***

Yeah. We were feeling a little loopy towards the end:



:)

Had some really great wines here and here. Did quite a bit of just walking around, too. Very nice.

Anyway, it's been a bit hectic since getting back and catching up with all things domestic and otherwise. I've also managed to do a bit of writing this week, so perhaps the break did me a bit of good after all...

In honor of All Saints Day...

Your Deadly Sins

Gluttony: 40% Sloth: 40% Greed: 20% Wrath: 20% Envy: 0% Lust: 0% Pride: 0% Chance You'll Go to Hell: 17% You'll die from a diabetic coma.

How Sinful Are You?

Okay, so I'm no saint, but if you do the math....I have an 83% chance of heavenly bliss...

Not bad for a lapsed/former catholic, eh?

reading period(s) for blossombones

(I've posted this on the blossombones blog as well.)

Just in case I don't get the chance to update the website until next week (which seems likely considering my current schedule), I'm posting reminders about our reading period(s).

Unless we've written to you personally, today is the last day to submit work to be considered for the Fall/Winter issue of blossombones.

Keep in mind that we do have rolling submissions, and work received between November 2nd and May 1st will be considered for the Spring/Summer issue. (So even if you've missed the November deadline, please do consider submitting for the next issue.)

I hope to post a complete list of contributors by mid-December at the latest (about a month before the issue goes online).

If you haven't heard from us yet, expect an email within the next six weeks!

It's always something...

isnt't it?

For example, after weeks of error messages I can now load the new comcast home page, but now the blossombones blog is screwed up for some reason.

(An issue with Blogger, I believe, rather than with me.)

What a nuisance!

***

addendum: all seems to be working again (computer-wise), which is rather nice, really.

And a new, functional dishwasher is on the way, so I can cross dishpan hands off my list of worries :)

excuses, excuses.

I should be writing something other than a blog entry right now. A cover letter, some copy for a certain website, maybe even some poetry.

Perhaps it's some kind of compulsion to procrastinate.

I am blaming the bloody broken dishwasher for my lack of productivity.

The damned thing has been growling for months. Saturday, it leaked a big 'ol puddle of water on the floor--which of course I discovered after stepping in it.

Yeah.

I am convinced that major appliances are designed to fall apart within a certain amount of time. (In this case, eight years.) It's a conspiracy.

I think I dislike washing dishes by hand.



I try to see it as some kind of Zen thing...to approach the task mindfully, take my time, use it as a meditative moment, since I'm also working on this "slowing down" business...

But it feels like a time-waster.

How quickly we become dependent on our machines.

At the risk of sounding like somebody's grandma, talking about walking to school in the snow (uphill, both ways) I feel compelled to mention that we did not have a dishwasher in the house when I was a kid. My sister and I did the dishes by hand, taking turns with washing or drying and putting them away. It never seemed like that big of a deal.

Later on, my mom got one of those big old-fashioned dishwashers on wheels, that we stored in the corner of the kitchen, and rolled over to the sink after dinner. It had a hose that hooked up to the faucet.

I haven't thought about that in years.

Boy, that thing was ugly. And HEAVY.

And yeah, I am indeed so compulsive that all the forks and spoons must dry in a straight line, in the vicinity of like utensils.

It's a sickness.

Enough of this rambling! I've got dishes to dry.

It's a lovely October day...

and while I haven't had much of a chance to enjoy it, I thought my avatar might like to get all gussied up and take a walk among some rather stunning fall foliage.

a wee bit of Irish-Catholic guilt for a Monday morning...(a.k.a. a tour of my office)

The joy of being brought up as an Irish-Catholic gal in the Midwest is that no matter how much your life or beliefs shift dramatically over time, you still feel guilty about pretty much everything.

Heck, I think I'm feeling guilty about neglecting this blog :)

Admittedly, if I'm not blogging here, it's because I'm posting something on the blossombones blog.

And then there's MySpace, my most neglected internet baby--I'll post something there, too, if I get the chance...

Here's what else is on my mind today:



Yeah, I know. I should clean up that work space a bit. But an empty desk is a sign of a dull life, I suppose. (Or perhaps just indicative of a tidier personality than my own.) I am fascinated with what's on other people's desks. So anyway, here's a glimpse of mine...

*Lots of books...no particular genre: some poetry, fiction, non-fiction, computer manuals, etc...

*The ever-present bottle of Ice Mountain water. (And lest you think me terribly untidy, do note it's sitting on a coaster!)

*My lil' feng-shui dragon, who occupies what I think may be the NE corner of my desk. I'm not sure if that's the right place for him, though. I'll have to dig out one of my Feng Shui books and check on that. (Great. Now I've got something else to worry about!)



*A Swingline stapler (I know, I know. It's not red, like the one in Office Space. Nevertheless, an excellent device.)

*My Mac. I love my Mac.



*Other stuff: the ubiquitous paper, pens and pencils, stamps, envelopes, magazines, my journals, cell phone, tarot deck, and of course, a desk dictionary, so I do not embarrass myself by misspelling common words (not often, at least).

**Speaking of needing to reorganize, I may want to consider the current state of my bookshelves. Yikes.

comfort food

While I'm glad to see some real fall-like weather, my body is in a state of revolt. My knees have almost completely locked up to the point where it's difficult to go up and down the stairs. It's making me feel very, very old to have so much trouble getting around. So, I was kind to myself today :) I set a bunch of not-so-fun-type work aside for the afternoon, and made tomato soup and grilled cheese.



There's nothing like comfort food on a chilly fall day. It made me feel so much better! I spent this lovely Thursday in comfy sweats and fuzzy slippers, laying out some rough plans for the Fall/Winter blossombones. I was looking over the content today, and I'm really excited about it! I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the submissions, too.

I have to admit, I do love a quiet afternoon at home every once in a while. As I was in domestic mode today, I also baked a little pan of gingerbread.



It was yummy.

Is it October already??

Hmmm. Haven't posted here in a while...although I've been busy, busy with writing and blossombones stuff...As I am currently trying to decide how to lay out the first issue!

I also need to finish up sending out Fall submissions...

On the upside, a few bits of good news:
My essay, "Mother of Us All" is in the current issue (Issue 73, The Mother) of SageWoman Magazine! Available now online and on the magazine rack at cool bookstores like Borders :)

And some super-exciting news about my chapbook! See the sidebar here.

I am still utterly overwhelmed, thrilled, and otherwise over-the-moon...

Today was cool and gloomy--and most decidedly fall-like. An excellent day for writing poetry and reading.

Longing for travel, solitude.

Hmmmm. Wish I were going here this autumn, because it's quiet, and the changing leaves are so beautiful...

Alas, this is not in the cards, for now.

On the upside, I'm back on my 20 lines a day kick--more or less--so I'm hoping to have a few more "submittable" pieces on file.

It's all about persistence.

Still, I can't help but think a vacation would feed the creative spirit.

mass media, celebrity culture, and the female body

Prepare yourself. It's time for a feminist rant. Again.

I think the recent media frenzy over Britney Spears' MTV music awards performance exposes our cultural fascination with the state of women's bodies. I must say, I was especially disturbed to read the all the "Britney looked fat" comments--and I'm not talking about bloggers and such, I'm talking about the AP articles, the comments by so-called journalists...It seems to me as though you can't walk through a supermarket without being inundated with headlines about women's bodies, especially celebrity bodies. It's always about who's "fat" and who's "scary skinny," or who's lost weight, gained weight or is sporting a possible "baby bump." (Oh, the baby bump phenomenon...that's a rant for another day!)

Now, I'm no fan of Spears, and as a general rule, my response to celebrity articles is something along the line of "who cares?" but it seems utterly ridiculous to be talking about her body in the press. This woman had two children. Recently. And frankly, she looks okay to me, but I'm not obsessive about weight. At least, I try not to be in a culture that practically demands that women be distracted by the shape of their bodies.

And I think it's important to note that the bodies of male celebrities are rarely subject to the same kind of scrutiny. I mean, if somebody like John Travolta or Richard Gere start to look a little paunchy or bloated, they don't make the cover of five magazines because of their weight. Nobody speculates that male weight gain (or loss) indicates some kind of impending emotional breakdown.

Why is it that women are rarely given the same kind of attention for their talents, their good works, or their character, that they receive for their bodies? I'm just wondering.

It seems as though we being told that our value resides in the shape of our bodies, in whether or not we meet some standard of "desirability." Perhaps this is because there's money to be made by savaging women's self-esteem. Quite a lot of money. The weight loss and plastic surgery industries have something to gain by making women feel bad. It's all about the $$$.

For example, whenever I am unfortunate enough to stumble across one of those reality tv plastic surgery shows (i.e. "Dr. 90210") they always seem to depict some flaky mother buying her sixteen year old daughter a new, (and bigger, always bigger) set of breasts. Why breasts? Why not a college fund? Or piano lessons? Or a trip to Europe? What does this tell a child (and make no mistake, sixteen is still a child, folks) about her value?

Now, I don't have a daughter, so maybe I'm missing something. But I doubt it. Besides, I have two nieces. I worry about how this kind of thing will affect them someday. Of course, they are lucky enough to have smart, sensible parents, who would never think a set of breasts makes a great "sweet sixteen" present.

Still, I think it's a brutally difficult thing, to grow up female in a society so focused on women's bodies and so utterly disinterested in the state of our souls.

lost days, migraines

I--of course--had plans for making this Monday productive. I was going to go to pilates class. I was going to do some writing. I have a couple of websites that need updating. Today was NOT supposed to be a waste.

I don't know if I pinched a nerve in my neck or what, but I developed one of the worst headaches of my life by about 8:30 this morning. It felt like someone had driven a knife into the base of my skull, all the way into the back of my eye. Ugh.

So I took a couple of maximum strength Tylenol and lay down on the couch. That was pretty much my day.

:(

Sunday afternoon confessions

1. Like many bloggers, I spend WAY too much time online. Seriously. Of course, I like to think of it as a fieldwork exercise, studying cyberculture for some future writing project or some such thing, but really, I think I might just be cyberslacking ...

2. I haven't worked out in two weeks. I feel mega-guilty. Maybe tomorrow.

3. I was going to tackle some laundry this afternoon, but I just couldn't do it. Here's why:


He just looks so comfy.

4. I have an overwhelming desire to engage in some serious virtual book-shopping. There are so many poetry books I'm dying to read...Adding things to the wish list is satisfying, but not nearly as satisfying as when I find a box from Amazon on the porch.

5. I have no desire to study for the GRE. I've decided I'm not taking it until next year, if at all. Eff it.

6. While I wrote this up primarily for sh*ts and giggles, I like my moody writer bio so much I'm considering changing my blogger profile.

7. While I got up at a reasonable hour this morning--generally unheard of on a Sunday! At least for me--I lay about on the sofa watching The Host and eating rice krispie treats until about 10:30. I can't think of a better way to be completely unproductive.

8. I laid out my cards this week, and the King of Swords appeared. Again.



This is the fourth time in a row. Obviously, I need shift gears, and be more assertive in pursuing all this *stuff* I'm trying to achieve. I'm feeling overwhelmed, though.

Tomorrow, I will NOT bum around. I swear.

But you have to admit, sometimes it's just necessary.

buggin' out, part deux

Check out this bad boy. He's been living on my front porch for the last couple of days. I finally got up the courage to take a picture.

You may not be able to tell from the digital photo, but this praying mantis is HUGE. I mean it. I think he's about the size of my forearm.

Of course, it could very well be a "she" rather than a "he."

But I don't intend to get THAT close!

The bugs REALLY are taking over...

figuring out my life with blogthings:

You Should Be a Science Fiction Writer

Your ideas are very strange, and people often wonder what planet you're from. And while you may have some problems being "normal," you'll have no problems writing sci-fi. Whether it's epic films, important novels, or vivid comics... Your own little universe could leave an important mark on the world!

What Type of Writer Should You Be?

You Should Get a PhD in Liberal Arts (like political science, literature, or philosophy)

You're a great thinker and a true philosopher. You'd make a talented professor or writer.

What Advanced Degree Should You Get?

Your Career Type: Artistic

You are expressive, original, and independent. Your talents lie in your artistic abilities: creative writing, drama, crafts, music, or art. You would make an excellent: Actor - Art Teacher - Book Editor Clothes Designer - Comedian - Composer Dancer - DJ - Graphic Designer Illustrator - Musician - Sculptor The worst career options for your are conventional careers, like bank teller or secretary.

What's Your Ideal Career?

Your Career Personality: Independent, Insightful, and Ingenious

Your Ideal Careers: Architect Artist Business strategist College professor Computer programmer Mathematician Neurologist Philosopher Photographer Video game developer

The Quick and Dirty Career Test

You Should Go to Grad School

Grad school definitely isn't for everyone, but it looks like it's for you. You have a pretty good idea of what you want to study - and how it will further your career. So go ahead and go for it! You're ready to be a PhD.

Should You Go To Grad School?

Whew! I'm exhausted just thinking about it...

'tis the season

for fall submissions...

I have quite a few things in limbo already (Does anyone else hate the "not knowing" *almost* as much as rejections, if not perhaps a little more?)..at least with a rejection slip, you know somebody read your work, even if they didn't like it!

(That said, I'll try my best to be prompt in replying to submissions to blossombones!)

I try not to get antsy, but I can't help it.

I figure the best way to deal with it is to send out more stuff! I think I'll brainstorm a list of journals today...especially those whose submission periods are just opening up for fall.

***




On a related note, the King of Swords has figured prominently in my last few tarot readings, so I know that action is called for, rather than contemplation. I also need to be less emotional about my work, and more logical/intellectual about the overall game plan...

Meh.

with gratitude...

I feel compelled to post again today, primarily because the wasp photograph is making me a little nauseated. Said photo must be pushed a bit down the page, so that I don't have to look at it next time I sign in.

Yes, I really am that phobic.

Having survived my brush with terror (or at least, with a terrible insect) I think it's time for a little gratitude list :)

Today, I am grateful for the following:

1. blue jeans

2. the latest issue of Bitch magazine, which arrived in the mail yesterday. (It's brilliant, as always.)

3. the wonderful writers who contributed work to the first issue of blossombones. (The ezine will debut in January of 08!)

4. my super-fabulous co-editors, Melissa and Missy. (You grrls rock!)

5. dictionaries

6. grad schools that don't require one to take the GRE...

7. horror movies on deck for this evening: Dead Silence and Audition. (I've been wanting to see Audition for ages...but from what I've heard, I should probably approach my DVD frightfest with an empty stomach...)

8. the approach of Autumn--my favorite time of year.

9. my family--who always make me laugh, even when times are difficult.

10. Saturday afternoon naps.

11. according to my horoscope (found every month on the best astrology site on the web--Susan Miller's AstrologyZone), there are positive changes afoot! (much needed for this tired-out Aquarius...)

when I say wasp, I mean insect, folks...

I'm talking 6-legged, winged, flying, stinging critters. NOT people. Really. It never even occurred to me that anyone should think otherwise...

I suppose one of the dangers of blogging is being misunderstood!

I shall consider the multiplicity of interpretations for any and all entries from here on out...

How do you spell relief?

I believe the correct spelling would be: D-E-A-D W-A-S-P.

Does that sound a bit cold-blooded?

Mike found my little winged tormentor crouched on a cabinet hinge in the kitchen. I must say, those critters know how to stay well-hidden in plain sight.

freakin' out!

Okay, so there's been a wasp in the house for the last two days...

He appears on walls, windows, or wherever and succeeds in generally giving me the major creeps. I can't kill it because I have a phobia, and even the thought of approaching it makes me nauseous. I see spots, start to hyperventilate, the works.

Said creepy insect then goes into hiding as soon as Mike gets home. Thus, I find myself walking around in constant fear, because I KNOW it's here somewhere.

Z. has suggested hypnotherapy for the treatment of severe phobia. Not a terrible idea, but not particularly helpful NOW.

Yuck. I'm moving out. I'll be back in January.

Some Monday Stats

# of times I hit the snooze button this morning: 2

# of unpleasant phone calls received: 4

# of pleasant phone calls received: 2

# of hours spent sitting in doctor's office: 2

# of aspirin taken today: 4

Estimated cost of MA: $24, 736.00 (tuition only!)

# of hours spend sulking over estimated cost of MA: indeterminate



You get the idea....Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.

wow. this makes me sound boring...

You Are An ISTJ

The Duty Fulfiller You are responsible, reliable, and hardworking - you get the job done. You prefer productive hobbies, like woodworking or knittings. Quiet and serious, you are well prepared for whatever life hands you. Conservative and down-to-earth, you hardly ever do anything crazy. In love, you are loyal and honest. If you commit yourself to someone, then you're fully committed. For you, love is something that happens naturally. And you don't need romantic gestures to feel loved. At work, you remember details well and are happy to take on any responsibility. You would make a great business executive, accountant, or lawyer. How you see yourself: Decisive, stable, and dependable When other people don't get you, they see you as: Boring, conservative, and egotistical

What's Your Personality Type?

I can't imagine anything I'd hate more than being an accountant.

thunder in the vicinity

I love the way weather.com sometimes describes a storm as "thunder in the vicinity." It sounds like the title for a poem.

It's been a weird week. I am strangely fixated on the weather.

The tornado sirens went off twice today. The first time it creeped me out and I sat huddled in the basement waiting for the roof to blow off. The second time, I just sat on the couch and watched a rerun of CSI. How quickly one gets jaded by a false alarm!

I've also been looking for GRE Test prep materials on Amazon.com. The thought of studying for this exam gets less and less appealing every time I try to get started. The books are costly too, because there's one for math, and another one for verbal...and I don't even want to contemplate the subject test for literature. No doubt I should have a reading list compiled that would probably take me a year to finish...Ack. My brain hurts.

I did find this suggestion for which books are most helpful...but I'd hate to have to buy four books!

***

Thunder remains in the vicinity, making it hard to sleep. I'm reading The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant, hoping it will make me drowsy...Every now and then, I stop and scribble cool words in my journal, which I might use for something later on.

This is not making me sleepy.

I'm only happy when it rains...

Day 2, rain.

Gloomy. I skipped pilates this morning, and I'm feeling guilty. However, I am in the midst of some kind of massive allergy attack--mold spores, maybe? Is that hydrocortisone cream all over my keyboard? Crap.

Having shirked my workout responsibilities today, I feel the need to brainstorm a list of productive, non-guilt inspiring things to do:

--Clean the kitchen, including throwing out the 75 or so plastic bags living in the cabinet under the sink.

--Help Z. organize his school supplies...I can't believe he goes back tomorrow! Way too soon for summer vacation to end!

--Write something, dammit. It's been a week already.

--Scour monster.com for such excellent career opportunities as "proofreader" and "dog-walker." Try to decide which one is preferable...(Either way, I'm cleaning up someone else's sh*t.)


Of course, if I'm feeling self-indulgent, I may decide to spend the day reading novels with no literary value whatsoever, and baking cookies.

Actually, that sounds pretty good.

rain, rain, go away.....

Utterly crappy outside today, and showing no sign of improvement...

All this wet weather is stirring up my allergies, too. Mmmmmmm, benadryl.

Sometimes I really like a good, stormy day, but I'm feeling blah about this one. You'd think I'd take advantage, and do some writing, but while the day is wet, my brain is completely dry. No good ideas for poems, or anything else for that matter.

Instead, I'm sitting at the computer obsessing about the whole work vs. grad school thing again...

I haven't really done any significant amount of studying for the GRE, yet, and time is growing short for that, if I want to take it in October. I can't seem to bring myself to deal with the math. Ugh.

Jobs that seem really appealing to me right now:

*baker
*professional psychic friend
*weaver of fine rugs
*barista

just for fun: ars poetica

Few things are more challenging than writing about writing. So fraught with pitfalls, solipsism, outright silliness (although the silliness can be charming). Admittedly, my attempts at ars poetica tend to be rather dismal, at best. Maybe because I'm not very good at humor writing...

These folks, on the other hand, have got it goin' on:

ars poetica: poems about poetry, updated daily

yeah, proabably.

The Movie Of Your Life Is A Cult Classic

Quirky, offbeat, and even a little campy - your life appeals to a select few. But if someone's obsessed with you, look out! Your fans are downright freaky. Your best movie matches: Office Space, Showgirls, The Big Lebowski

If Your Life Was a Movie, What Genre Would It Be?

Fortunately, I don't think I have any fans...

And I love Office Space (fab!) but hate Showgirls (yuk).

Just got back from seeing the Simpsons Movie...

Funny, but pretty much what you'd expect.

mild improvements :)

In general, I am bouncing back from feeling kind of blech...

Email problems resolved, for one!

Tentative good news about some long-standing health issues.

A pretty good weekend ahead, too:
a.) workshopping with Melissa on Friday, which is always fun+helpful
b.) date night with hubby on Saturday, which will not involve sweating my a$$ off in 90 degree heat at the race track
c.) Sunday, I plan to do absolutely nothing! maybe chill and watch some movies...or do some more writing if I am feeling especially productive...

Due to certain pressing family stuff, I am considering taking a slightly longer leave from the academic world than previously planned for...but I am hoping to use the time productively before pursuing my MA! This may not necessarily be such a bummer after all. (Perhaps. Maybe. I could sure use the rest, anyway.)

and now, for a little enlightenment...

I think Joy Nash is brilliant...and gorgeous.

Check out this video: A Fat Rant.



Add to My Profile | More Videos

serenity now!

Crummy day today...

Anxiety through the roof, no energy, no creative fire.

And a couple of pieces of bad news, as well.

But that's neither here nor there, I suppose.

Can't quite figure out which route to take in terms of grad program vs. picking up some extra web design training/certification.

Or perhaps finding some nice, quiet cubicle somewhere doing something vague and pointless for very little $$.

*sniff*

I just hate that sense of everything being in limbo...it's all so very Dantesque--

random late-night ramblings

I am currently pondering the following bits of miscellany:

a. Why is it that no matter how many times I proofread something, I am still finding typos? (Seriously, I can read something like thirty times, declare it perfect, send it out, and later discover some disgustingly obvious error....) I think my brain just fills in the blanks and glosses over mistakes or something. It only happens with reading my own stuff, though. I can proof the work of others something fierce.....

b. Why is it that I'm always drowsy when I need to stay awake, and wired when I need sleep?

c. Will I ever be able to balance on one foot?

d. What should I read next? Why does nothing on the shelf appeal to me?

e. Why, oh why, am I now having some serious problems with the new email server? Irritating, to say the least. I will probably spend tomorrow afternoon on the phone with tech support, and I'm sooooo not looking forward to that!

I'm sure there's even more weirdness floating around in my brain right now--

I probably shouldn't have had three iced teas at dinner tonight. If I didn't have to drive, I could have had some wine. I'd probably be sleeping right now....But I can't complain about a fun night out with fab women, chinese food, etc...Even though I am paying the price with current state of wakefulness.

Why does this suprise me?

Really, I'd say I was more like 70-80% weird...

You Are 40% Weird

Normal enough to know that you're weird... But too damn weird to do anything about it!

How Weird Are You?

what I'm lovin' right now.....

1. Simone Muench's new chapbook, Orange Girl
(I got a copy of this yesterday--Thanks Melissa! And thanks to Simone for signing it, too!--and just love it...what a beautiful collection of poems. Available from dancing girl press.)

2. Steaz organic green tea soda
(Yeah, it's probably still really bad for you, what with all the carbonation and sugar, but I figure it's marginally better than a Diet Coke, health-wise. Tasty, too.)

3. Ginger Snaps
(Had my Friday night DVD mini-marathon of terror yesterday, and have a new favorite horror movie. Quirky. Brilliant. Loved it!)

4. Having the time to write.
(Yeah, I'm missing school, a little--it'll be more profound once Fall arrives, I'm sure. But I'm grateful to have made some more room in my life for creativity.)

5. deviantART
(What an amazing site! I love seeing how artists/creative people are utilizing online spaces. Highly recommended for all art lovers. )

damn planet.

Admittedly, I feel as if many of my creative projects are moving at a drunken snail's pace...and the lack of progress has been frustrating, to say the least.

So I was looking over my horoscope (for my rising sign, Pisces) on Susan Miller's AstrologyZone site, and read the following:

"You may have noticed that your progress has slowed down a bit lately, and you may have been challenged to figure out why. Blame Jupiter, the giver of gifts and luck, now in retrograde since April 5."

Spooky.

Anyway, I'm glad it's not my fault...

Damn Jupiter.

:(

minutia

Last week was hectic, with very little time for actual work. Way too much running, not enough me time...

Had a nice, but busy weekend. I saw Mirror of the Invisible World at the Goodman on Saturday--see my comments/review on blossombones blog. Hit the bookstore downtown, bought more stuff I don't need.

Sunday: did bridesmaid duty for Jen, tying tiny little bows on tiny little silver bells--only for you, girlfriend!

Of course, Jen made the whole thing much more palatable with a couple of pitchers of margaritas. Smart lady.

At any rate, I am back up in my office working on various writing/editing tasks. I plan on working much more diligently on my little manuscript, as well as putting some cool stuff together for blossombones.

Preliminary editorial meeting with Melissa later this week. We've gotten some really great submissions.

Keep sending us your stuff, folks.

duty v. delight

What I should be doing today:

1. Making the zillion boring phone calls on my to-do list, which includes such exciting things as making an appointment with the optometrist and sitting on hold with my insurance company.

2. Writing and editing. (Some of my stuff needs serious revision!)

3. Peppering the surrounding area with my resume.

4. Washing that ever-growing stack of dishes; I think it may tip over soon.

5. Yanking out those obnoxious weeds that invade the patio every couple of days.

6. Tackling the mess in the extra room--aka "the room of shame."

7. Bringing a sample of dog poop to the vet. (I keep putting this one off, for some unfathomable reason.....)

8. Studying for the GRE.


What I'd like to be doing today:

1. Taking a nap.

2. Curling up in a chaise lounge with a stack of unread novels.

3. Making chocolate cupcakes.

4. Buying some cool new books of poetry online. (Local bookstores have the sparsest poetry section. Why is that???)

5. Opening my own independent bookstore/tea house/new age shop.

6. Sitting on the porch sipping sangria.

7. Blogging instead of working.


What I'll probably do today:

1. Update the blossombones website and blog. (See. Blogging is working, in my own private little world.)

2. Write and edit some stuff that's sitting in a pile on my desk.

3. Avoid making phone calls.

4. Avoid collecting a sample of dog poop.

5. Go to yoga class. Try not to fall on my a$$.

random musings on yoga and other things

Busy, busy today.

Went to yoga early this morning...and I'm still struggling with with strength/balance/stamina issues. Why is it I feel like calling an ambulance about 45 minutes into my practice??

I should open my own studio. I'd call it klutz yoga. We could all wobble and tip over together. I think it would be fabulous!

Seriously, it's got to get easier sometime.....

Ran numerous errands, but still found time to write a bit of poetry today--which is an improvement, because creativity has been elusive this week. Ack.

Dinner out with my fave cousins tonight, too. Ended the day with a nice pitcher of white sangria. Much needed.

Tomorrow, I will have to buckle down and do some blossombones stuff! I'll be updating the web page and the blog this week. Also much needed.

After that, I'll be back at the yoga studio, trying very hard not to collapse into a heap on the floor before savasana! (They don't call it the corpse pose for nothing.)

a little math for dummies:

pilates + me =I feel like I've been hit by a truck.

a really BIG truck.

it's here.....

I received my contributor's copies of Fourteen Hills ( Vol. 13 No. 2 ) this week, and I think the journal looks fabulous!

My poem, "Sister Mary Margaret v. Rachel Lee, Age 17 St. Mary Magdalene House for Unwed Mothers, 1974" is on page 11...

I couldn't be more excited!

Ten reasons to be happy today. . .

Admittedly, I have been feeling a tad under the weather, because various health issues are rearing ugly, hydra-like heads lately. (Ack. Among other things.)

Therefore, I thought it might be helpful to make a list of all the good stuff going on right now.

Reasons to be happy today:

1. I am having so much fun working on the blossombones site! (I think it's coming along nicely, too.)

2. dark chocolate m&ms (!)

3. I have a wonderful stack of unread books sitting on my desk right now. . .and I still have an unused gift card for Barnes and Noble, so there's more to come!

4. According to my mother--who knows pretty much everything--the cicadas will be gone by the 4th of July. We'll see. (They keep flying into the windshield of my car. Clumsy suckers!)

5. I finally figured out how to put a photo up on my blogger profile. I am ashamed to admit it took me a week to figure it out. Ah technology!

6. I am getting my hair cut this week. Much needed, especially in this heat.

7. I am writing again, after a two-week-long case of serious writer's block.

8. My wonderful yoga class. . .which I am really looking forward to this week.

9. I finally got my diploma in the mail!

10. Movies. I love movies. And--I have several unwatched DVDs sitting in the TV cabinet, so maybe I'll watch one tonight.

a mini-rant from an insomniac and Mac user. . .

Okay, I'm just wondering why blogger is not fully compatible with Safari?

I seriously had to sign out, open Firefox, and sign in again just to post a link.

Pardon my French text-speak, but WTF?


Perhaps my lack of sleep is just making me cranky!

shameless plug

Having just mentioned the blossombones blog in my previous post, I think a shameless plug for the e-zine is in order.

First, a little information about the online literary journal blossombones--written up by the charming and delightful Melissa Culbertson. (with a little input from moi. . .) Thanks Melissa!

ABOUT blossombones:

blossombones is a literary e-zine that prides itself in featuring work that in some way deals with the feminine experience. We are interested in publishing innovative, fresh writing that uses concrete language and experimental as well as traditional forms. We are dedicated to publishing only the best work. Please do not send us didactic prose, weepy emo rants, or anything that could belong in a Hallmark card. Though blossombones is especially interested in woman-centered writing, writers of both sexes are encouraged to submit. You have an equal opportunity with us whether you are a poet laureate with ten books under your belt or you are a newcomer to the literary scene.

While the main site for blossombones is currently under construction, I expect to have it up and running within the next week or two. In the meantime, be sure to visit our blog for information about the journal, and other fun stuff. You can find the blog at:

http://blossombonesblog.blogspot.com

Top 5 reasons why I'd still like to be Wonder Woman when I grow up. . .

While I've already posted this on the blossombones blog, I feel strangely compelled to add this post to Mythology and Milk, as well.

Top 5 reasons why I'd still like to be Wonder Woman when I grow up:

1. Who else can pull off looking like a bada$$ in a tiara?

2. Those short-shorts double as a cheat sheet for my astronomy exam.

3. Foil bracelets useful for wrapping leftovers if they happen to go out of style. (the bracelets, not the leftovers!)

4. I am convinced that I would deliver a far more effective roundhouse kick to the face to any would-be enemies if only I had red boots instead of knee socks and hush puppies.

5. I am almost as nerdy as Diana Prince. (Even at an early age, as this picture clearly demonstrates.) Ask anyone who knows me.

Welcome to Mythology and Milk. . .

. . .because one can never have too much of a good thing!

Is blogging an addictive behavior?