I confess, I logged back into this account with the intention of deleting this blog. However, upon arriving at the page, and looking at my posts, I was flooded with nostalgia and suddenly couldn't bear to part with this digital record of a part of my life.
What have I been doing since failing NaNoWriMo? Well, I've NOT failed at lots of other things. Like music. I played a few shows locally, made some cash and started working more at the cafe. So I'm making more money, doing what I love and improving life. I began reading again for fun. I finished reading The Happiness Project just days after I got it for Christmas and have since picked up where I left off on Tom Wolfe's bestseller, The Bonfire of the Vanities.
Speaking of Christmas, this year was one of the best in terms of actually spending time with family. Granted, I had to go days without seeing my husband and didn't visit any of his family, but it allowed me to really relax and enjoy my own family.
In closing, I think I might just stick around and resume to regular posting!
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Monday, November 7, 2011
Epic Fail
For those who are unaware, this month is National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo. There are a number of copy-cat versions involving blogging, poetry and comic books but I am not concerned with those right now. The idea is that you write 50,000 words of fiction in one month. It's supposed to help get you writing and working past writer's block.
I fully intended on completing this challenge. However, when day one rolled around and I had no plot and only a few vague character outlines, I realized I was not likely to reach the word count. So I decided to modify the challenge for myself by making it about time. I decided that I would spend 1 hour each day writing. Alas, I haven't even been able to keep up with this demand. Not because I lack the time, but because I lack the will.
Four years of writing papers that you hate and researching things that mean very little to you really drains you of your drive and ambition. I used to be full of that stuff. Now I'm only full of that stuff when it comes to non-mental activities. I can go for walks, mindlessly web-surf or make cappuccinos for hours on end, but once I have to write something, my mind shuts off and decides that it hates me. The whole process just feels like a punishment.
I used to love writing, and to a certain extent, I still do. I think where I catch a snag is coming up with ideas. I've become conditioned to think that none of my ideas are good enough or planned out enough to go with. So I just sit there shooting down ideas until nothing is left.
Perhaps this is why I enjoy blogging. There's no fabrication of content because you're writing about your thoughts and experiences. It's all about describing what you know and feel. None of this tedious researching time periods and proper slang, no developing plot points or characters.You just say it like it is....and maybe fancy it up a bit.
Anyway...I suppose the point of all this is that I am publicly (sort of) confessing that I challenged myself and lost. I don't care to step up for this one. Which makes me a little sad, but I'm coming to terms with that.
I fully intended on completing this challenge. However, when day one rolled around and I had no plot and only a few vague character outlines, I realized I was not likely to reach the word count. So I decided to modify the challenge for myself by making it about time. I decided that I would spend 1 hour each day writing. Alas, I haven't even been able to keep up with this demand. Not because I lack the time, but because I lack the will.
Four years of writing papers that you hate and researching things that mean very little to you really drains you of your drive and ambition. I used to be full of that stuff. Now I'm only full of that stuff when it comes to non-mental activities. I can go for walks, mindlessly web-surf or make cappuccinos for hours on end, but once I have to write something, my mind shuts off and decides that it hates me. The whole process just feels like a punishment.
I used to love writing, and to a certain extent, I still do. I think where I catch a snag is coming up with ideas. I've become conditioned to think that none of my ideas are good enough or planned out enough to go with. So I just sit there shooting down ideas until nothing is left.
Perhaps this is why I enjoy blogging. There's no fabrication of content because you're writing about your thoughts and experiences. It's all about describing what you know and feel. None of this tedious researching time periods and proper slang, no developing plot points or characters.You just say it like it is....and maybe fancy it up a bit.
Anyway...I suppose the point of all this is that I am publicly (sort of) confessing that I challenged myself and lost. I don't care to step up for this one. Which makes me a little sad, but I'm coming to terms with that.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Abandoned Houses
I came across this beautiful photography project online, 100 Abandoned Houses, looked outside and felt nostalgic. It was days exactly like this one when my friend and I would walk over to the abandoned house near our high school and spend our spares there. We'd invented identities, explored the decaying interior and imagined it was ours. Those were the days of adventure.
I hope you can sense the adventure in these pictures.
I hope you can sense the adventure in these pictures.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Technical question
If you wanted to write an autobiography, would you have to get permission from everyone you mention to put them in the book? I know you can alter names to get around that, but....sometimes people's names complete the person such that a different name would make them less interesting.
Thoughts? Comment?
Thoughts? Comment?
Friday, September 23, 2011
Deep Thought of the Day
No one cares what you do. No one cares what you don't do. So, do what makes you happy because it's inconsequential to everyone but yourself.
Happy Atumnal Equinox!
Today at 9:04am was the autumnal equinox, but don't worry, you can celebrate it all day if you like. This day is all about balance, reflection and thankfulness. Apparently it is also traditional to eat or drink things that have been spiced with ginger.
I am thankful for a great many things. I've been fortunate enough to find my soul mate and to have the support of great friends and family. I was able to go to and graduate from university. And though it's not my ideal job, I do have a job which is a difficult thing to possess in this economy. I have my health, as do those around me. All in all, I'm doing pretty well.
But, for things to work toward, I would like to have a job that actually allows me to save money and thus pay off my loans. I also would like to push myself to take advantage of all that I can while I am young enough to enjoy it. Yes, I'm only 23, but I'm aware that it feels like I was 19 not long ago and thus I'll be in my late twenties in the blink of an eye. For some reason I feel a tremendous amount of pressure right now to make all the right moves and do all that I can before it's too late. I want to spend time with friends and have great adventures with them. I want to build fond memories. I want to be able to say with all honesty that I really lived my life.
What about you? What things are you thankful for and looking forward to?
I am thankful for a great many things. I've been fortunate enough to find my soul mate and to have the support of great friends and family. I was able to go to and graduate from university. And though it's not my ideal job, I do have a job which is a difficult thing to possess in this economy. I have my health, as do those around me. All in all, I'm doing pretty well.
But, for things to work toward, I would like to have a job that actually allows me to save money and thus pay off my loans. I also would like to push myself to take advantage of all that I can while I am young enough to enjoy it. Yes, I'm only 23, but I'm aware that it feels like I was 19 not long ago and thus I'll be in my late twenties in the blink of an eye. For some reason I feel a tremendous amount of pressure right now to make all the right moves and do all that I can before it's too late. I want to spend time with friends and have great adventures with them. I want to build fond memories. I want to be able to say with all honesty that I really lived my life.
What about you? What things are you thankful for and looking forward to?
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Breaking News
I have just read something both incredibly mind-blowing and incredibly intuitive (as many mind-blowing things are) : Having strong relationships and friends that you can confide in can increase your life span more than quitting smoking!
So, just imagine the emphasis everyone puts of quitting smoking these days. These days, smoking is treated like a contagious disease. No one wants it near them and so many people judge smokers as harshly as any criminal. The primary complaint that people have is that it is wildly unhealthy, which it is, but so is having meaningless relationships, or no relationships.
It's easy to publicly acknowledge that someone smokes because you can't hide it very well and really, it's largely just affecting you (unless you're not a very considerate smoker who blows smoke right in people's faces). But even though you can identify (usually) when someone has no friends, we know instinctively that it is an awful fate that no one would wish upon another. It's so awful, we can't bear to acknowledge it publicly.
So, if you've been thinking that you'd like to see some positive change in your life, go make some friends. Say hi to a stranger, help someone out or call up an old acquaintance. It will serve you far better than just about anything else you could do for yourself.
So, just imagine the emphasis everyone puts of quitting smoking these days. These days, smoking is treated like a contagious disease. No one wants it near them and so many people judge smokers as harshly as any criminal. The primary complaint that people have is that it is wildly unhealthy, which it is, but so is having meaningless relationships, or no relationships.
It's easy to publicly acknowledge that someone smokes because you can't hide it very well and really, it's largely just affecting you (unless you're not a very considerate smoker who blows smoke right in people's faces). But even though you can identify (usually) when someone has no friends, we know instinctively that it is an awful fate that no one would wish upon another. It's so awful, we can't bear to acknowledge it publicly.
So, if you've been thinking that you'd like to see some positive change in your life, go make some friends. Say hi to a stranger, help someone out or call up an old acquaintance. It will serve you far better than just about anything else you could do for yourself.
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