Archive for November, 2008

50,000 words or somewhere thereabout

My first NaNoWriMo comes to a close today. I feel like I should have some kind of an article to commemorate the experience – the long hours of staring at the same sentence, the sleepless nights, the writer’s block. Come to think of it – I do. I have a great start to an exciting novel. Notice I said start. Continue reading →

walking in the rain

The optimistic side of me wanted to sing the words “walking in the rain” to the tune of “Singing in the Rain” as I walked home this evening. All I could utter (in the spirit of Charlie Brown) was, “Rats!”

A long, seeming unproductive and frustrating workday coupled with rain and Atlanta traffic in the rain should have been enough. Actually it was enough. Enough for me to consider the haven that home would be once I got there to exhale and shower and enjoy a warm meal. It should have been enough. My pissed off car didn’t think so.

This evening as I waited in a long line of cars at a light for 30+ minutes because some fool (or fools) didn’t want to heed driving more careful in the rain, my beloved car decided to garner for attention.

Steam in the front.

“Maybe that’s from the rain?”

More steam in the front.

“Maybe the exhaust from the car in front of me?”

Loud POP! Temperature gauge goes red. Smoke or steam or…

“Rats!”

Several more miles to go before home but I safely park my car in a lot and walk the rest of the way home. In the rain.

Now I’m home and I’m going to exhale, shower, enjoy that meal, and then ride my bike back to my car in a couple of hours to see if all can be restored… or at least hauled home. Rats!

seven eight nine

Seven eight nine, this that and the third
The dog ate my homework, eight subjects and no verb
The cart is pulling the horse and other musings so absurd
Am I being too abstract or just layering the fact that I’m perturbed?

Why do today what you can put off tomorrow?
Why feel better now, when in sorrow you can wallow?
If Jesus walks on water again then maybe you will follow
If Nietzsche lives next door to you, my faith I’ll let you borrow

I can’t count on my fingers, I’ve got more sense than that
I can’t count on my money, it all goes to buy more fat
What was that I said about being too abstract?
Seven eight nine and other punchlines, does this verse make me look fat?

a moment of silence

My flag is at half mast
I ripped my garment for thee
My ashen face is downcast
And several doves have been released

Sixty seconds to respect
Much less seconds to be born
And a lifetime to reflect
On life for which to mourn

The bells, they toll for thee
And the rain allays the ground
The earth invites you back
From whence you first were found

My flag is still at half mast
It’s due my time to grieve
While not preventing living.
A moment of silence for thee.

thank you for freedom

Today is Veteran’s Day and I want to thank all of those who have bravely served our country through military service. You are true heroes. Thank you for the sacrifice.

some people have real problems

A week has come and gone since I began my humble participation in NaNoWriMo. I’ve confirmed what I already knew. Writing a novel is hard work. I love writing… but 30 days might as well be one weekend. It didn’t help matters when one of my writing buddies revealed her word count to be four times mine after a few days.

Quandra is a great writer and all – Actually she’s awesome. I’ve read her first bit and I’m sold – but I invited her to participate. She just comes in and takes over with her fancy 11,000+ start. And then there is Sylvia. Ms. Super-Writer-Director-Renaissance-Woman quietly doubled her word count in a matter of days making the above-11k mark where the real cool people hang out. James is MIA as he’s been on vacation for a week. A whole week. He’s the genius who told me about NaNoWriMo in the first place. He hasn’t shared his word count so he’s probably halfway done by now. (sigh) My friends have unknowingly taken it from friends-supporting-one-another to some kind of writing-smackdown-competition. Quandra, James, and Sylvia, I love you, think you’re great writers, and support you to the end. And now I will destroy you.

Friendly like. Of course I’m kidding. Kind of.

many many more November 5 newspapers

November 5, 2008. Dozens upon dozens of newspapers from all over the world headlining the historic day of Barack Obama winning the office of President of the United States. Simply AMAZING.

a few November 5 newspapers

A lot of you rushed out and bought newspapers on November 5, 2008 to commemorate the historic day of Barack Obama winning the office of President of the United States. Here are a few scans of those newspapers. You’ll need something like Adobe Reader to be able to view them. Enjoy…

Austin American Statesman

Boston Globe

Chicago Sun Times

Chicago Tribune

Hartford Courant

Los Angeles Times

Times Picayune

USA Today

WallStreet Journal

Washington Post

OMG!

297 wins it. ’nuff said.

the art of Obama

I just had to share this blog that aims to document the outpouring of artwork inspired by Obama’s message of hope, change, and his image itself. Enjoy!

And if you haven’t voted… pitch a tent tonight at your polling location and help make history tomorrow.