A record-breaking blizzard is hitting my state now. I may lose power and thus my Net access. Don't worry if I miss a day or two here. I got food, a generator, lots of batteries, full tank of gas in my car, water, etc. I'm as ready as I will ever be -- to move somewhere warmer! This is ridiculous!
I hate winter.
Hope you're safe and warm. Talk to you tomorrow. I hope.
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Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Sunday happenings
Had a fairly good day today. Feeling much better healthwise. Got a few things done, including 75 percent of the monthly family newsletter. Yes, it's January's issue, but I might even be able to mail it tomorrow, which is still in January!
Still wrestling with the Floozy revision, but have promised myself to finish it this week. I need it done so that I can concentrate on Murder by the Mile.
Had a minor emotional setback this afternoon. Don't think I should talk about it or even want to. Life is painful sometimes. Comes with being alive, I guess.
Anyway, it's late so I'm out of here. Have a great night.
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Still wrestling with the Floozy revision, but have promised myself to finish it this week. I need it done so that I can concentrate on Murder by the Mile.
Had a minor emotional setback this afternoon. Don't think I should talk about it or even want to. Life is painful sometimes. Comes with being alive, I guess.
Anyway, it's late so I'm out of here. Have a great night.
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Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com
Saturday, January 29, 2011
You can prevent AADS
By Stephen B. Bagley
I’ve been accused of not paying attention more than once in my life. By teachers, parents, siblings, girlfriends, friends who are girls, just plain friends, etc., who say I’m the poster child for Adult Attention Deficit Syndrome. I think it’s time to explain this once and for all: If I’m not paying attention, it’s because you’re not being interesting. If you’d step up your game, I’d be with you more.
Oh, all right, possibly a tiny part of the blame rests with me as it is well-known that I have the boredom threshold of a gnat on triple espresso. This started back in elementary school. We’d get our new textbooks, and while the teacher droned and droned on about something uninteresting like fire safety or the cafeteria meal plans or what to do in the event of nuclear attack, I’d be reading the entire book. I did this with every textbook (except math because it’s evil) and so when the teacher would cover the book during the school year –- taking a whole week per chapter –- I was bored out of my ever loving mind.
One of the worse things to happen in those classes was when she’d make one of my classmates stand and read aloud. Many were excellent readers, but there were always those poor souls who stumbled over every word and would take the whole hour to read a page. At first, you rooted for them, mentally urging them on, and agonizing over their every misstep. But eventually you found yourself groaning when the teacher called on them. Then it became obvious that the teacher – under the guise of helping a slow student – was actually tormenting said student and the fact she was also tormenting the rest of the class was just a happy bonus.
Today I can’t hear someone read aloud without flashing back to Mrs. Butcher’s third grade class where I actually made myself throw up by sticking a pencil down my throat to escape a particularly boring reading session. (By the way, this worked, although I don’t recommend it except in emergencies such as staff meetings and weddings. Sorry, Mrs. Butcher, but now you know the truth. Well, since you don’t read my blog, and it’s unlikely anyone will tell you about it, never mind.)
School was filled with moments like that. I endured boring classes that gave me a real perception of eternity. Of course, school also gave me moments of bone-chilling terror as the school bullies attempted to insert my soft body into a hard locker, a rather painful geometry problem they never solved to my satisfaction. (And people wonder why I don’t attend class reunions without being armed. And legged, too. No, I don’t know what “legged” means, either, but it amuses me, and I think we’re all agreed that keeping me amused is safer for everyone. At least my neighbors believe this.)
At least my need to escape boredom led me to many interesting things: books, girls, chemistry, girls, rockets, girls, explosives you can make in your bathtub, girls, cleaners that will remove black and green rings from your tub, girls, plumbing problems caused by cleaners and explosives mixing in uncontrolled conditions, and, of course, theoretical dark matter physics. Oh, girls, too.
Anyway, I think you will find it’s easy to keep my attention if you’ll discuss something interesting (like, for instance, my greatness) or give me things (like cash or negotiable stocks and/or bonds; I’m not picky). Once you do this, you will have my undivided attention unless I see something shiny or heard an unexpected noise or ... Look, it’s a squirrel!
Copyright 2011 by Stephen B. Bagley. No copying without express written permission from the author and publisher. Excerpted from Return of the Floozy.
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Buy Floozy, MBTA & MBDD items and more at Oakleaf Harbor
I’ve been accused of not paying attention more than once in my life. By teachers, parents, siblings, girlfriends, friends who are girls, just plain friends, etc., who say I’m the poster child for Adult Attention Deficit Syndrome. I think it’s time to explain this once and for all: If I’m not paying attention, it’s because you’re not being interesting. If you’d step up your game, I’d be with you more.
Oh, all right, possibly a tiny part of the blame rests with me as it is well-known that I have the boredom threshold of a gnat on triple espresso. This started back in elementary school. We’d get our new textbooks, and while the teacher droned and droned on about something uninteresting like fire safety or the cafeteria meal plans or what to do in the event of nuclear attack, I’d be reading the entire book. I did this with every textbook (except math because it’s evil) and so when the teacher would cover the book during the school year –- taking a whole week per chapter –- I was bored out of my ever loving mind.
One of the worse things to happen in those classes was when she’d make one of my classmates stand and read aloud. Many were excellent readers, but there were always those poor souls who stumbled over every word and would take the whole hour to read a page. At first, you rooted for them, mentally urging them on, and agonizing over their every misstep. But eventually you found yourself groaning when the teacher called on them. Then it became obvious that the teacher – under the guise of helping a slow student – was actually tormenting said student and the fact she was also tormenting the rest of the class was just a happy bonus.
Today I can’t hear someone read aloud without flashing back to Mrs. Butcher’s third grade class where I actually made myself throw up by sticking a pencil down my throat to escape a particularly boring reading session. (By the way, this worked, although I don’t recommend it except in emergencies such as staff meetings and weddings. Sorry, Mrs. Butcher, but now you know the truth. Well, since you don’t read my blog, and it’s unlikely anyone will tell you about it, never mind.)
School was filled with moments like that. I endured boring classes that gave me a real perception of eternity. Of course, school also gave me moments of bone-chilling terror as the school bullies attempted to insert my soft body into a hard locker, a rather painful geometry problem they never solved to my satisfaction. (And people wonder why I don’t attend class reunions without being armed. And legged, too. No, I don’t know what “legged” means, either, but it amuses me, and I think we’re all agreed that keeping me amused is safer for everyone. At least my neighbors believe this.)
At least my need to escape boredom led me to many interesting things: books, girls, chemistry, girls, rockets, girls, explosives you can make in your bathtub, girls, cleaners that will remove black and green rings from your tub, girls, plumbing problems caused by cleaners and explosives mixing in uncontrolled conditions, and, of course, theoretical dark matter physics. Oh, girls, too.
Anyway, I think you will find it’s easy to keep my attention if you’ll discuss something interesting (like, for instance, my greatness) or give me things (like cash or negotiable stocks and/or bonds; I’m not picky). Once you do this, you will have my undivided attention unless I see something shiny or heard an unexpected noise or ... Look, it’s a squirrel!
Copyright 2011 by Stephen B. Bagley. No copying without express written permission from the author and publisher. Excerpted from Return of the Floozy.
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in paperback at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Amazon.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Barnes&Noble.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at BooksAMillion.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Lulu.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at Amazon.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at Barnes & Noble.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at BooksAMillion.com
Buy Murder by the Acre in soft cover at Lulu.com
Buy Murder by the Acre in hardcover at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy, MBTA & MBDD items and more at Oakleaf Harbor
Friday, January 28, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
The Winter of Our Discontent
I've always loved the title of John Steinbeck's last novel published while he was alive. The Winter of Our Discontent. The tile comes from a line from Richard III by William Shakespeare: "Now is the winter of our discontent discontent made glorious summer by this son of York."
I read the novel years ago. Came away from it depressed. Not a book that I ever want to read again, but I do love the title.
Particularly these days.
I started 2011 with such high goals and hopes. Instead I got sick right off and lost nearly three weeks to the flu. Since then I've floundered. Still not over the effects of my illness, I'm tired all the time. The days are gray and long. I watch too much TV and read as many books as I can. Escapism in its purest form. I meander from one project to another, not making true progress on any of them. Too much of this could bring me down to the point that I couldn't make my way back up.
However, this week has been better. I was able to walk at the gym Monday and today and hope to walk tomorrow. I've slowly cleared my desk of my bills and sorted out my budget. I'm in the muddle of Murder by the Acre, but have faith my subconscious is working furiously to write our way out. The job situation is unchanged, but I know -- I KNOW -- that each rejection is one step closer to a job. Or self employment. (Or starvation. Except I won't starve. I'll move with one of my friends and leech off them. Don't tell them.)
And today the sun gave us a wonderful taste of spring. Not that winter is done with us yet -- there's an Arctic blast heading our way and should hit Monday -- but I appreciate the sunshine now.
I guess the weather is as good a metaphor for the creative life as any. Sometimes the skies are bright and the words flow and the projects sing, and other times you have to stumble away through the fog and survive the storms. It's not easy, and we lose our way occasionally. I do know, however, that if we keep on working at it, if we continue to pursue our artistic vision, eventually we will step out into the sunshine again. Or is that too hokey?
I don't think so. I like it. It works for me. What works for you?
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Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com
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Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Barnes&Noble.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at BooksAMillion.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Lulu.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at Amazon.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at Barnes & Noble.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at BooksAMillion.com
Buy Murder by the Acre in soft cover at Lulu.com
Buy Murder by the Acre in hardcover at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy, MBTA & MBDD items and more at Oakleaf Harbor
I read the novel years ago. Came away from it depressed. Not a book that I ever want to read again, but I do love the title.
Particularly these days.
I started 2011 with such high goals and hopes. Instead I got sick right off and lost nearly three weeks to the flu. Since then I've floundered. Still not over the effects of my illness, I'm tired all the time. The days are gray and long. I watch too much TV and read as many books as I can. Escapism in its purest form. I meander from one project to another, not making true progress on any of them. Too much of this could bring me down to the point that I couldn't make my way back up.
However, this week has been better. I was able to walk at the gym Monday and today and hope to walk tomorrow. I've slowly cleared my desk of my bills and sorted out my budget. I'm in the muddle of Murder by the Acre, but have faith my subconscious is working furiously to write our way out. The job situation is unchanged, but I know -- I KNOW -- that each rejection is one step closer to a job. Or self employment. (Or starvation. Except I won't starve. I'll move with one of my friends and leech off them. Don't tell them.)
And today the sun gave us a wonderful taste of spring. Not that winter is done with us yet -- there's an Arctic blast heading our way and should hit Monday -- but I appreciate the sunshine now.
I guess the weather is as good a metaphor for the creative life as any. Sometimes the skies are bright and the words flow and the projects sing, and other times you have to stumble away through the fog and survive the storms. It's not easy, and we lose our way occasionally. I do know, however, that if we keep on working at it, if we continue to pursue our artistic vision, eventually we will step out into the sunshine again. Or is that too hokey?
I don't think so. I like it. It works for me. What works for you?
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in paperback at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Amazon.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Barnes&Noble.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at BooksAMillion.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Lulu.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at Amazon.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at Barnes & Noble.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at BooksAMillion.com
Buy Murder by the Acre in soft cover at Lulu.com
Buy Murder by the Acre in hardcover at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy, MBTA & MBDD items and more at Oakleaf Harbor
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Weary Wednesday
Slept very poorly last night. That made me tired all day. Had bad dreams. I have horrific dreams at times. Have my entire life, even when I was a child. Had one at 4 a.m. that was so bad that it made me wake completely up and turn the lights on. I read my Bible for a while. That always calms me. Finally got back to sleep a little after 5:30.
Had to go to WalMart today to pick up my diabetes meds. Stood in line at the pharmacy for 47 minutes! Ordinarily you have to wait 20 or so, but that seemed excessive. Several people in line with me started complaining loudly. I don't see that the complaining did much other than ruin the desk clerk's day.
Also got up some cup hooks in my kitchen so I could hang my Floozy coffee cups. They are beautiful cups, and they brightened up the area around my sink. I'll try to post a pic of them tomorrow.
Watched several episodes of NCIS today from previous seasons. I really like the show. They do a good job with it. Love the lab girl Abby. She's awesome! And cute.
Time to hit the bed. Well, will more likely just lie down on it. Anyway, good night.
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in paperback at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com
Had to go to WalMart today to pick up my diabetes meds. Stood in line at the pharmacy for 47 minutes! Ordinarily you have to wait 20 or so, but that seemed excessive. Several people in line with me started complaining loudly. I don't see that the complaining did much other than ruin the desk clerk's day.
Also got up some cup hooks in my kitchen so I could hang my Floozy coffee cups. They are beautiful cups, and they brightened up the area around my sink. I'll try to post a pic of them tomorrow.
Watched several episodes of NCIS today from previous seasons. I really like the show. They do a good job with it. Love the lab girl Abby. She's awesome! And cute.
Time to hit the bed. Well, will more likely just lie down on it. Anyway, good night.
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in paperback at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Health update
Roomie isn't much better today. Not that I really expected him to bounce back that quickly from the flu, but it would have been nice. He sure doesn't feel well.
I spent the day cleaning house, working on Murder by the Mile, and taking care of my roomie when I could do something for him. Mostly he's sleeping. It's weird that he's ill. Ordinarily I'm the one struck down. I'm hopeful I will avoid it this time. Taking lots of Vitamin C and drinking lots of water and trying to stay healthy.
I meant to go walk today, but my stomach has been bothering me for the past couple of days so I couldn't. I'm hoping it's something I ate and not an IBD flare.
Apparently the weather is going to improve and give us a taste of spring -- right before it hits us with the season's coldest temps so far. The weather is mean. Well, I will enjoy the warmer weather what it lasts, that's for sure.
And now it's time for bed. I'm tired. Been a long day, it feels like.
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I spent the day cleaning house, working on Murder by the Mile, and taking care of my roomie when I could do something for him. Mostly he's sleeping. It's weird that he's ill. Ordinarily I'm the one struck down. I'm hopeful I will avoid it this time. Taking lots of Vitamin C and drinking lots of water and trying to stay healthy.
I meant to go walk today, but my stomach has been bothering me for the past couple of days so I couldn't. I'm hoping it's something I ate and not an IBD flare.
Apparently the weather is going to improve and give us a taste of spring -- right before it hits us with the season's coldest temps so far. The weather is mean. Well, I will enjoy the warmer weather what it lasts, that's for sure.
And now it's time for bed. I'm tired. Been a long day, it feels like.
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Monday, January 24, 2011
Quarantine!
My roomie went to the doctor today. Turns out he has the flu. Yikes! He's sleeping in his room. I've been disinfecting the entire house. I so don't want to catch it.
I went to the gym to walk today. First time since I got sick on New Year's Eve. Man, I have lost a lot. Could barely do a mile, but I recovered fairly quickly the next day. Hoping tomorrow will be easier. Also, hoping I don't get the flu.
Today for dinner, I made a quick minestrone soup and jazzed it up with some canned veggies, garlic, and other seasonings. It was very good.
And that's my day. Talk to you tomorrow.
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I went to the gym to walk today. First time since I got sick on New Year's Eve. Man, I have lost a lot. Could barely do a mile, but I recovered fairly quickly the next day. Hoping tomorrow will be easier. Also, hoping I don't get the flu.
Today for dinner, I made a quick minestrone soup and jazzed it up with some canned veggies, garlic, and other seasonings. It was very good.
And that's my day. Talk to you tomorrow.
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Sunday, January 23, 2011
Sunday sunshine
The sun shone today! Yes, we had sun. Beautiful sun. It didn't last as long as I would have liked, but it was there. It still exists. It will return again.
Not much to tell you about today. Church, worked on Murder by the Mile -- Did I say it was coming out in April? Silly me -- and generally puttered around the house. My roomie is not feeling ill, and he slept all evening. I hope he gets better, and I hope I don't get what he has.
For lunch, I baked some chicken breasts with garlic and chives and steamed broccoli and corn. It was very good. I have two breast left over. I'm going to have them for lunch tomorrow.
Watched a little TV and then worked some more on MBTM. That was my day. How was yours?
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Not much to tell you about today. Church, worked on Murder by the Mile -- Did I say it was coming out in April? Silly me -- and generally puttered around the house. My roomie is not feeling ill, and he slept all evening. I hope he gets better, and I hope I don't get what he has.
For lunch, I baked some chicken breasts with garlic and chives and steamed broccoli and corn. It was very good. I have two breast left over. I'm going to have them for lunch tomorrow.
Watched a little TV and then worked some more on MBTM. That was my day. How was yours?
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Saturday, January 22, 2011
Saturday in the park
Except I'm not in the park because it's cold. I hate winter. Other than Christmas, it has nothing. NOTHING!
I miss sunlight. I miss the long days of summer. The glorious heat that warms my bones. The green of the trees and grasses. Flowers. Veggies in season and not from a hothouse.
Well, it will come again. Eventually.
The days are getting longer now since we passed the midpoint. So ... someday ... I'll be complaining about the heat.
How are you doing? Like the cold? You do? Well, I'm sure you have other good qualities. I guess.
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I miss sunlight. I miss the long days of summer. The glorious heat that warms my bones. The green of the trees and grasses. Flowers. Veggies in season and not from a hothouse.
Well, it will come again. Eventually.
The days are getting longer now since we passed the midpoint. So ... someday ... I'll be complaining about the heat.
How are you doing? Like the cold? You do? Well, I'm sure you have other good qualities. I guess.
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in paperback at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com
Friday, January 21, 2011
Headache
Woke up with a headache. Thought it might be my blood sugar, but that's okay. Not great, but not bad enough to trigger a blood sugar headache. The headache has lingered all day. I'm going to lie down in a darkened room and hope it goes away.
Hope your day is headache free.
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Hope your day is headache free.
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in paperback at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Success?
I've been thinking about success the past few days. Or more correctly, what constitutes success. How would I define it?
In terms of money, that's easy. I'd define it as being out of debt, having money to pay my monthly bills, having the ability to put money away for retirement and emergencies, and having health insurance.
In terms of life, not so easy. Being able to help other people in a significant fashion, perhaps. Certainly to be a loving and kind person. To be remembered as an example of what we should be. To give other people joy.
How do you define success? Let me know. However you do, hope your days are being successful.
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Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com
In terms of money, that's easy. I'd define it as being out of debt, having money to pay my monthly bills, having the ability to put money away for retirement and emergencies, and having health insurance.
In terms of life, not so easy. Being able to help other people in a significant fashion, perhaps. Certainly to be a loving and kind person. To be remembered as an example of what we should be. To give other people joy.
How do you define success? Let me know. However you do, hope your days are being successful.
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in paperback at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Floozy almost done
Woohoo! I finished inputting the corrections into Floozy & Other Stories today. Just one more read through (in which I hope to find no more corrections) and a minor change on the cover, and I can submit to Lulu to submit to online retailers. I'm excited about finally getting this off my TO DO list. If everything goes well, I should have it sent off tomorrow.
Next up will be Murder by the Mile. Philip Larkin once said that books have "a beginning, a muddle, and an end." Well, I'm in the muddle of MBTM. I'm looking forward to writing my way out.
Otherwise, I did laundry, washed dishes, worked on filing, cleaned my work area, etc. Still not feeling great, but so much better that I know I'm on the way to 100 percent. I'm hoping to go walking tomorrow. Wish me luck!
How was your day? Hope it was good. See you tomorrow.
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Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com
Next up will be Murder by the Mile. Philip Larkin once said that books have "a beginning, a muddle, and an end." Well, I'm in the muddle of MBTM. I'm looking forward to writing my way out.
Otherwise, I did laundry, washed dishes, worked on filing, cleaned my work area, etc. Still not feeling great, but so much better that I know I'm on the way to 100 percent. I'm hoping to go walking tomorrow. Wish me luck!
How was your day? Hope it was good. See you tomorrow.
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in paperback at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com
Monday, January 17, 2011
Working on the Floozy
Did nothing but work on Floozy & Other Stories. I'm hoping to finish my Wednesday. Maybe it will be more interesting here then. Check back!
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Buy Floozy and Other Stories in paperback at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Serene Sunday
Another good day, although I was tired and didn't get much done beyond working on Floozy and getting most of the indoor Christmas decorations put away. Only my Christmas village remains, and I'll take it down tomorrow. Kinda hate to box it up. I always enjoy how it looks.
Speaking of Floozy, I finally solved a formatting problem that had baffled the folks at Lulu and Amazon. Between pages 60 and 61, I had four or five BLANK spaces that were coded for a different font. Yeah, that's what the problem was. I was amazed that little bit of coding caused all those problems. Of course, it caused those problems because the coded font wasn't embedded -- and it wasn't embedded because I wasn't intending on using it. Anyway, things should go faster on Floozy now.
Otherwise, I vegged today. What did you do?
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in paperback at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com
Speaking of Floozy, I finally solved a formatting problem that had baffled the folks at Lulu and Amazon. Between pages 60 and 61, I had four or five BLANK spaces that were coded for a different font. Yeah, that's what the problem was. I was amazed that little bit of coding caused all those problems. Of course, it caused those problems because the coded font wasn't embedded -- and it wasn't embedded because I wasn't intending on using it. Anyway, things should go faster on Floozy now.
Otherwise, I vegged today. What did you do?
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in paperback at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Great day!
Had a wonderful visit with my roomie's daughter and her family. Little Michael is in the tub, and after he gets out, we're going to watch a movie together: Superman/Batman: Apocalypse. He's such a good little boy and definitely attached to his Papa Eric and me. His three-year-old brother Jordan is cute and charming. And headstrong! And I got to hold baby Gage for a while. Such a sweet, sweet baby.
It was a great day, and I enjoyed every minute of it. They're going to stay overnight at a local hotel and go to church with my roomie tomorrow. Oh, Michael is going to stay overnight with us. He's very excited about doing it.
Got no work or writing done today. Okay with that. Family will always come first.
And now I want to clean a bit before we watch that movie. Hope you had a good day. Talk to you tomorrow.
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It was a great day, and I enjoyed every minute of it. They're going to stay overnight at a local hotel and go to church with my roomie tomorrow. Oh, Michael is going to stay overnight with us. He's very excited about doing it.
Got no work or writing done today. Okay with that. Family will always come first.
And now I want to clean a bit before we watch that movie. Hope you had a good day. Talk to you tomorrow.
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in paperback at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com
Friday, January 14, 2011
Friday Floozy
Working on Floozy still. Harder than I expected, but formatting is going well and I appreciate another chance to clean up the copy.
Not healthy yet, but doing better day by day. Hope to resume walking at Fitness Center on Monday.
Roomie has been helping me clean house as his daughter and her family -- including the marvelous Michael will be visiting us Saturday for our long-delayed Christmas with them. Looking forward to it. Hope you have things you're looking forward to.
Talk to you tomorrow.
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Not healthy yet, but doing better day by day. Hope to resume walking at Fitness Center on Monday.
Roomie has been helping me clean house as his daughter and her family -- including the marvelous Michael will be visiting us Saturday for our long-delayed Christmas with them. Looking forward to it. Hope you have things you're looking forward to.
Talk to you tomorrow.
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Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com
Thursday, January 13, 2011
What I'm doing
Between bouts of sickness these past few days, I've been working on finally getting Floozy & Other Stories ready for Amazon and Barnes & Noble and other online dealers. Back when Floozy was first published, I submitted it for Expanded Distribution (which is what Lulu.com, my publisher, calls being available for online retailers). Unfortunately there was a formatting problem that no one could ever figure out.
Finally it was apparent to me that I'd have to reformat the book from the very first page. Since I already couldn't make the deadline to have it available this Christmas, I put it aside. Now I'm working on it. And although it's taking a lot of time, it's finally coming together.
To fix the formatting problem, I changed the book into a text only file. Now I'm reformatting it a page at a time. I'm also putting in corrections (thank you, Jean!) and making a few minor changes to punch up a few jokes. I'm also making a minor change to the cover. I should have it finished by Tuesday or Wednesday next week if things continue to go as it's going now.
So no new words on Murder by the Mile. That's okay. Floozy needs my attention, and I'm certainly learning a lot about formatting that I didn't know before. Knowledge that will be useful for my future projects. And I do have several projects planned. Are you as excited about that as I am?
Anyway, that's what I'm doing. What are you doing?
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in paperback at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com
Finally it was apparent to me that I'd have to reformat the book from the very first page. Since I already couldn't make the deadline to have it available this Christmas, I put it aside. Now I'm working on it. And although it's taking a lot of time, it's finally coming together.
To fix the formatting problem, I changed the book into a text only file. Now I'm reformatting it a page at a time. I'm also putting in corrections (thank you, Jean!) and making a few minor changes to punch up a few jokes. I'm also making a minor change to the cover. I should have it finished by Tuesday or Wednesday next week if things continue to go as it's going now.
So no new words on Murder by the Mile. That's okay. Floozy needs my attention, and I'm certainly learning a lot about formatting that I didn't know before. Knowledge that will be useful for my future projects. And I do have several projects planned. Are you as excited about that as I am?
Anyway, that's what I'm doing. What are you doing?
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in paperback at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Better today
My stomach was better today. Definitely not right, but not attempting to tear itself out of my body, either. Got a few things done, but no words. Hoping Thursday will be better. Talk to you then.
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in paperback at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in paperback at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Relapse
For some rotten reason, I started throwing up today and having terrible stomach problems. I won't gross you out with the details. Instead I will just go to bed. Night.
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in paperback at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in paperback at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com
Monday, January 10, 2011
Catching up
I started the day at 5000 words behind for the year. I am now 3745 words behind. Tomorrow I will start at 4245 words behind and nibble, nibble, nibble away. (My total gains 500 a day if you're wondering why it's increasing.) I'm hoping to be all caught up by the end of January.
I feel like I've finally started 2011. Now if I could finally get completely over this cold and get back to exercising, we'd be running full steam!
Talk to you tomorrow. And Happy New Year!
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in paperback at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com
I feel like I've finally started 2011. Now if I could finally get completely over this cold and get back to exercising, we'd be running full steam!
Talk to you tomorrow. And Happy New Year!
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in paperback at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com
Sunday, January 09, 2011
Better Sunday
I actually spent more time awake today than asleep. That's an improvement. In fact, I was even able to do some paperwork and a few chores. Admittedly, I seem to lack much energy, but I'm thinking that will come back as I do more. I'm very hopeful about tomorrow being better.
The calendar by my desk this year is The Power of Positive Thinking. The Norman Vincent Peale quote for January is: "Every day remind yourself of your own ability, of your good mind, and affirm that you can make something really good out of your life." I've been trying to do that every day. I beat myself up a lot. I intend to stop doing that.
Tomorrow I will start on my words. Currently, I'm 4500 words behind where I want to be. Tomorrow, it will be 5000 words behind. Except tomorrow I'll start catching up and earning back my days off. Will take a month or two, but I will get caught up.
And now I'm very tired. Going to call it a night. I hope things are going well for you. Talk to you tomorrow.
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in paperback at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com
The calendar by my desk this year is The Power of Positive Thinking. The Norman Vincent Peale quote for January is: "Every day remind yourself of your own ability, of your good mind, and affirm that you can make something really good out of your life." I've been trying to do that every day. I beat myself up a lot. I intend to stop doing that.
Tomorrow I will start on my words. Currently, I'm 4500 words behind where I want to be. Tomorrow, it will be 5000 words behind. Except tomorrow I'll start catching up and earning back my days off. Will take a month or two, but I will get caught up.
And now I'm very tired. Going to call it a night. I hope things are going well for you. Talk to you tomorrow.
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in paperback at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com
Saturday, January 08, 2011
Getting back up
What a way to start the new year. There are some writers apparently who are capable of dragging their fevered bodies to the keyboard and pounding out masterpieces even during delirium. Delirium to me is simply delirium.
I intended on writing today, but instead, slept, slept, slept. Now, of course, I'm wide awake when I should be sleeping. Humana nocturnal as it were. At night the writer rises from his crypt and seeks out an unsuspecting plot ...
Yes, I'm a bit discouraged about losing so many days at the beginning of the year, but I did build in those extra days for sickness, emergencies, etc., so my plan is still intact, although perhaps under the weather a bit. Just because I got off to a slow start doesn't mean the whole year will be slow start. We're never defeated as long as we get back up after we're knocked down.
So, starting tomorrow, I will be getting back up as long as my health permits. And if not tomorrow, then Monday. But I will be getting back up, one way or another.
I intended on writing today, but instead, slept, slept, slept. Now, of course, I'm wide awake when I should be sleeping. Humana nocturnal as it were. At night the writer rises from his crypt and seeks out an unsuspecting plot ...
Yes, I'm a bit discouraged about losing so many days at the beginning of the year, but I did build in those extra days for sickness, emergencies, etc., so my plan is still intact, although perhaps under the weather a bit. Just because I got off to a slow start doesn't mean the whole year will be slow start. We're never defeated as long as we get back up after we're knocked down.
So, starting tomorrow, I will be getting back up as long as my health permits. And if not tomorrow, then Monday. But I will be getting back up, one way or another.
Friday, January 07, 2011
Friday, Friday
I had decided I would be healthy today. Very annoying to me that I'm not. All I'm asking is to be able to breathe without coughing, sneezing, snotting, etc. Is that so much to ask?
Apparently so.
Truly I'd like to tell you some wonderful things I did or thought or wrote down or said during this prolonged illness. Regretfully my attention seems to be focused on the softness of facial tissue and the timing of my meds. I'm sure Marcel Proust could have written several books on just that subject, but I cannot, for which I think we all can be glad.
Anyway, that's the news or rather the no news from the world of the ill. Talk to you tomorrow.
Apparently so.
Truly I'd like to tell you some wonderful things I did or thought or wrote down or said during this prolonged illness. Regretfully my attention seems to be focused on the softness of facial tissue and the timing of my meds. I'm sure Marcel Proust could have written several books on just that subject, but I cannot, for which I think we all can be glad.
Anyway, that's the news or rather the no news from the world of the ill. Talk to you tomorrow.
Thursday, January 06, 2011
Better
I'm better today. Not 100 percent, but I can stand without the room spinning. I've kept down all my food. Coughing is much less. Still producing snot by the gallon -- how much can you actually produce, I wonder -- but I think I'm on the downside of this. Sure hope so. I want to get started on 2011. I've lost too many days to this.
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
A little better
Okay, I think I'm a little better today. Less coughing. I got some sleep last night. Not enough, apparently, as I will fall asleep if I sit still even for a moment. So maybe tomorrow I will be much better. I hope so. I'm as tired of being sick as you are hearing about it!
Tuesday, January 04, 2011
No change
I'd like to tell you that I'm better. But unfortunately, it's about the same. I'm curious about a couple of things: how many gallons of snot can a human actually produce and what do sinuses do anyway?
Monday, January 03, 2011
Still sick
Sigh. Still sick. Mostly cough, sneeze, a bit of fever, read, sleep, and repeat. Have read several chapters of Genesis. And that's it for today.
Sunday, January 02, 2011
Sicker
Should not have done that housework yesterday. Sicker today. Blah. What a rotten way to start the new year. It's like 2011 hasn't begun for me yet. Hope I get better soon. I got plans, ya know.
Saturday, January 01, 2011
Goals
I haven't got my words yet, but I will. Things have been going slowly today. I got sick yesterday afternoon and got sicker as the night went on. Nasty cold kept me awake with coughing and sinus headache. Finally started feeling better around noon. Got up and started to straighten my house up and do some chores that had been neglected. Kept thinking about my words and my goals and finally decided to write about them.
My 2011 Goals
I'm intending to write 500-1000 words a day in 2010, only taking 14 days off for vacation/illness. (You can watch my progress at Createslate.)
For January, most of my words will be on Murder by the Mile, the third entry in my Measurements of Murder(tm) series. I need another 20,000 or so to finish the story.
Then in February, I will be editing MBTM and working on a few more stories for Tales from Bethlehem, which I hope to sell to a publisher of Christian books.
In March, more editing and rewriting on MBTM, TFB, and a new project. Don't know what the new project will be yet. Maybe finish Ghosts, a horror adventure story that I started a year or so back.
In April, I hope to publish MBTM and send TFB off to agents/publishers. Of course, I'll be busy with the publicity and promotion for MBTM for several months after its publication date.
There's a possibility I might participate in Script Frenzy in April, where the participants write 100 pages on a play, movie, TV show, etc. It's the companion to National Novel Writing Month, which is in November.
November, of course, will be NaNoWriMo. Wrote 50,000 words in one month. That's an awesome time. I plan on participating again.
I'm also going to be reading the Bible all the way through. Even if you're not religious, I suggest doing so because its sheer literary power. You'll be amazed at the number of similes, metaphors, and other writing tools that the writers of the Bible used to convey their message.
I'm also going to continue to walk and work out at the gym. I hesitate to say this, but ... I'd like to lose 50 pounds in 2011. Is it possible? Don't know, but want to find out.
Anyway, that's all I can see forward on my goals. What do you see in the coming year? Good things? Bad things? Happy? Sad? I don't know if we will succeed with our goals, but I do know we won't if we don't try.
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in paperback at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Amazon.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Barnes&Noble.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at BooksAMillion.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Lulu.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at Amazon.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at Barnes & Noble.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at BooksAMillion.com
Buy Murder by the Acre in soft cover at Lulu.com
Buy Murder by the Acre in hardcover at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy, MBTA & MBDD items and more at Oakleaf Harbor
My 2011 Goals
I'm intending to write 500-1000 words a day in 2010, only taking 14 days off for vacation/illness. (You can watch my progress at Createslate.)
For January, most of my words will be on Murder by the Mile, the third entry in my Measurements of Murder(tm) series. I need another 20,000 or so to finish the story.
Then in February, I will be editing MBTM and working on a few more stories for Tales from Bethlehem, which I hope to sell to a publisher of Christian books.
In March, more editing and rewriting on MBTM, TFB, and a new project. Don't know what the new project will be yet. Maybe finish Ghosts, a horror adventure story that I started a year or so back.
In April, I hope to publish MBTM and send TFB off to agents/publishers. Of course, I'll be busy with the publicity and promotion for MBTM for several months after its publication date.
There's a possibility I might participate in Script Frenzy in April, where the participants write 100 pages on a play, movie, TV show, etc. It's the companion to National Novel Writing Month, which is in November.
November, of course, will be NaNoWriMo. Wrote 50,000 words in one month. That's an awesome time. I plan on participating again.
I'm also going to be reading the Bible all the way through. Even if you're not religious, I suggest doing so because its sheer literary power. You'll be amazed at the number of similes, metaphors, and other writing tools that the writers of the Bible used to convey their message.
I'm also going to continue to walk and work out at the gym. I hesitate to say this, but ... I'd like to lose 50 pounds in 2011. Is it possible? Don't know, but want to find out.
Anyway, that's all I can see forward on my goals. What do you see in the coming year? Good things? Bad things? Happy? Sad? I don't know if we will succeed with our goals, but I do know we won't if we don't try.
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in paperback at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Amazon.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Barnes&Noble.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at BooksAMillion.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Lulu.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at Amazon.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at Barnes & Noble.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at BooksAMillion.com
Buy Murder by the Acre in soft cover at Lulu.com
Buy Murder by the Acre in hardcover at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy, MBTA & MBDD items and more at Oakleaf Harbor
HNY!
˜˜”*°•.¸☆ ★ ☆¸.•°*”˜˜”*°•.¸☆
╔╗╔╦══╦═╦═╦╗╔╗ ★ ★ ★
║╚╝║══║═║═║╚╝║ ☆¸.•°*”˜˜”*°•.¸☆
║╔╗║╔╗║╔╣╔╩╗╔╝ ★ NEW YEAR ☆ 2011!!
╚╝╚╩╝╚╩╝╚╝═╚╝ ￥☆★☆★☆￥ ★
May the Lord bless you all with His mercy, healing, and love!
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in paperback at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Amazon.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Barnes&Noble.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at BooksAMillion.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Lulu.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at Amazon.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at Barnes & Noble.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at BooksAMillion.com
Buy Murder by the Acre in soft cover at Lulu.com
Buy Murder by the Acre in hardcover at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy, MBTA & MBDD items and more at Oakleaf Harbor
╔╗╔╦══╦═╦═╦╗╔╗ ★ ★ ★
║╚╝║══║═║═║╚╝║ ☆¸.•°*”˜˜”*°•.¸☆
║╔╗║╔╗║╔╣╔╩╗╔╝ ★ NEW YEAR ☆ 2011!!
╚╝╚╩╝╚╩╝╚╝═╚╝ ￥☆★☆★☆￥ ★
May the Lord bless you all with His mercy, healing, and love!
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in paperback at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Amazon.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Barnes&Noble.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at BooksAMillion.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Lulu.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at Amazon.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at Barnes & Noble.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at BooksAMillion.com
Buy Murder by the Acre in soft cover at Lulu.com
Buy Murder by the Acre in hardcover at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy, MBTA & MBDD items and more at Oakleaf Harbor
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