Spooky Girl and Writing

Arizona has a pretty easy road system. The areas I travel between are either broken into Streets or Avenues. A person shouldn't get lost around here, but I do. I passed an Asian market a few weeks back and promised myself that I'd remember where that was. As Emory takes me up one street and the next, I realize, I really didn't remember much beyond, "It's a block or two up from Cholla." Emory, patient as can be, followed my needle in the haystack directions. About thirty minutes later, we found the market and spent some time looking at all the different rows of food. Some of the food was American enough that I didn't have to wonder what the picture was about.

There were so many candies to chose  and sadly, I'm making my way through it like mad. There aren't a lot I haven't sampled yet. My choice of poison this week was Milkita Strawberry Milk Candy.

I finally bought silicone cupcake holders. They're shaped like little flowerpots.  I'm feeling a little Martha Stewart every weekend. The directions say that the silicone will bake cupcakes, brownies and rice crispy treats. I'm aware that not everyone who visits this blog is America, and ten years ago, I didn't realize that rice crispy treats weren't universal. So here is a rice crispy recipe: Click Here.

Spooky:

Me: "I think I should've worn close toed shoes. It would've been more professional."
Emory: "What is on your toe nails?"
Me: "Boo! and a ghost."
Emory: "You wore your Halloween nail stickers in May?"
Me: "I'm a spooky little girl." Spooky Little Girl song.

Flatmate "A" went to Las Vegas for the week and Flatmate "B" just got back today from her trip. I was outside watering her plants, because that's something the rest of us forgot about. This week was spent doing yard work, which is out of my character. I never knew gardening made for such sore muscles the next couple of days. Ouch!

Writing Update

HBA: still in the works. My goal was to finish in June. The 1st revision will be finished in July. I have notes with scenes that need to be written in. There is so much to do to keep on schedule. I have a little work to do on my assassin. The ideas were cool, but now they need work.

 

Cosplay, Safe House and Writing

Nadine is going to teach me how to sew. I will learn to make my own cosplay costumes and maybe something special to wear to events if I don't want to cosplay. I now have a BBC Watson cosplay outfit. It was so perfect. I think the wig is real hair. Ann and I washed it with shampoo, though Crazy Cousin Nik said there are better ways to clean it. Nik is the cosplay expert and even he said my pull over is perfect. I guess he now has a BBC Sherlock coat in the works.

Ann in the fabric store:

Me: "I can't remember how much fabric Nadine told me to get. 36 feet or 36 inches."
Ann: "..." *looks at me and bursts out laughing* "I highly doubt we need 36 feet of fabric to make you a skirt."

I just heard about this super cool restaurant called the Safe House. It's a blast. My friend said that you have to know the password to get in and if you don't, they make you go through a few funny tricks before you're allowed to enter. There is also a secret passage out.

Writing Update:

HBA: RWA goal, 3 chapters written before next meeting. My personal goal: Finish before mid-June.

S&L: Editing finish at the end of August. Formatted September.

 

Comic Books and Derby

I usually call all instant messages, YIM because that's what I grew up with. Yahoo Instant Message is where I'm still at. My girl friend will say, "YIM?" and I know where she wants me to be in an hour. Now, I have this universal communicator, which is really annoying to say, so I've adapted to calling it ping. I found out yesterday that a lot of people call it ping, because that's the sound it makes when you get a message. I also found out that a few people think the word ping is really annoying.

I have a handful of people I like to ping. It makes the day go by, though my knitting circle does too.

I got a ping saying, "Are you wearing a Kentucky Derby hat tomorrow?" Hmm... I wasn't planning on wearing a hat tomorrow, but I could look. I tell my flatmate what I need and within minutes, Ann is pulling out all sorts of hats. I pick one and reply, "Do you think I can wear my 1800 dress?" In which Ann replies, "It's an ongoing event. Wear something more modern." In which, she finds me a red dress to go with my red hat. It was pretty funny. No one thought I'd just walk around all day like this, but yep, I did. P.S. I ended up getting a lot of photo opportunities.

Derby Conversation:

Me: "I'm going to dress up on Friday like I'm going to the Derby." (had places to be on Friday, so logically, dressing up would be more fun on this day)
Emory: "Is anyone else dressing up?"
Me: "I don't think so. I couldn't get anyone to agree to it."
Emory: "Have fun with that."

Conversation with Friends:

Me: "I'm just saying, your conversation was hard to follow. Melisa said 'You need anti-depressants to level out your moods.' In which you replied, "Bla, bla bla. Like you?"
Melisa: "I'm not on anti-depressants. The conversation switched."
Chris: "Wait! Why does Melisa get words and I get 'bla bla bla.'"
Melisa: *chuckles* "I get words."
Me: "Sorry Chris, with all your egotism mixed into your anti-feminism, bla bla bla is all I hear when you talk."

Today was National Comic Book Day. Emory couldn't go out with me, Nadine had an appointment with the dresser, so Ann and John were the only two that were willing to hit it up. The first place we stopped at, you get three free books and then across from the store, you can get seven more free books. The second place we went to had cupcakes. Ann didn't want one, so I grabbed a red velvet and a vanilla anyway. She still didn't want them, so I did her a favor and vastly enjoyed both of them for her. It was a really fun day.

Conversation with Ann:

Ann: *chuckling* "You have the cutest laugh. You laugh like Fran from The Nanny."
Me: "Uh... not too many people find her laugh cute. In fact, I think she was voted the most annoying character voice ever."
Ann: "Oh..." *laughs harder*
Me: "Well, at least you think it's cute. I was told I cackle like a witch by one person, and that I twinkle like a faerie by another."
Ann: "Well, lets put it this way. A person can hear you laugh from across a crowded room."
Me: "That's what they said when I worked at the Halloween store. That they always knew when I was tickled because no matter the distance, they could hear me laughing. Yikes! I better stop laughing so loud."

I'm alone again tonight. One couple went out with another couple to play card games. The other couple are going out with a mutual friend, dancing. I shall write and watch Under the Tuscan Sun. I love watching movies about writers doing what I should be doing, writing! Afterwards, I'll probably watch Love at First Bite for the second time this week and Last Holiday for the first time this year. I'm predictable, but that's okay.

Writing Update

HBA: I'm already at chapter 14! Woot! It's been a long one. I have so many fillers that I didn't realize I needed. When I create, it's a Frankenstein monster. I just bit and piece things and go back to fix the details.

Novella: I started editing yesterday. I'm stuck on the first paragraph. A lot of writers probably know how that is. Nothing about that first paragraph is really working for me. I need some time to think what I want to do with it, but I'll be back on it by later today or tomorrow.

Pepper Hot and Writing Goals

I was at the zoo, checking things out, working the trails. My water bottle was nearly empty, but I thought a breeze must have come through, because I wasn't sweating like I had been earlier... Then I realized, desert + no sweat = dehydration. I went down the checklist and realized, "Yep, that must be the issue." Strange thing is, I thought I was drinking a lot. This is why there is such an issue out here with heat stroke.

I need a new water bottle. After working in conservation for the last two years, I've been using a tin container, but the sun makes the water hot very quickly. Maybe I'll start looking for a see through water bottle. I wanted one with a hook so I could wear it on my hip, which really frees the hands.

Fish and Wildlife are looking for volunteers, but I don't want to be busy every weekend in May. It's hard enough finding a few hours just for myself. I might have to step back on this one. I'm debating if I want to do the scorpion event. We walk around the zoo at night with black lights looking for scorpions. I heard that it's pretty interesting.

I went to visit with Jeffery and stayed for dinner. Bill now has 4 of the 5 hottest peppers in his garden. I shouldn't be surprised, because Bill's garden is pretty extensive, but where in the world did he get these plants? Jack and Bill are constantly in competition to see who can make the hottest food. Jeffery warned me not to try it, but everything usually comes from Bill's garden and he's such a great cook so I couldn't pass it up. His exact words: "You think that's hot, wait until the peppers turn red." He assured me that I can get accustomed to the heat, if I constantly introduce it to my diet. I started today with the hot sauce on my tacos. I give myself five stars!

There is a system used to measure the heat in peppers.

What's For Dinner?

Me: "I'm cooking dinner tomorrow."
*silence falls over household*
J: "Tomorrow is Friday."
Me: "Yeah, I know. I'm going to make dinner."
Nadine: "It's going to be a Friday. You know that right?"
Me: "Geeze, what is up with you and Friday? We're going to need to eat tomorrow too."
Ann: "Emory works on Fridays..."
Me: *catches on...* "Sooooo... none of you are ready for me to cook alone, gotcha."
Emory: "It's just that you don't follow instructions."
Me: "Is this about yesterday?"
Emory: "I told you to leave it in the bag and stick it in the microwave."
Me: "All I heard was put it in the bowl and clean the bowl afterwards."
Emory: "Yes, put it in the bowl, AFTER you cooked it in the bag..."

Melisa: *conversation in the knitting circle* "You must really hate directions because you refuse to follow them."

It's way too hot out here! Just felt like complaining.

It looks like the household and their dates have returned from the Elvis show. Last weekend it was the Beatles.

Writing Update:

HBA: Goal was to finish 2 chapters this weekend. 1 chapter finished. 1 chapter needs a complete reconstruction. Didn't meet goal.

The Not Nerd and Me

My friend and I were talking about the 5 Love Languages. She said she never heard of it, so I told her I'd grab the book. I meant to read it all the way through, more than just flipping through, which is roughly what I usually have time for lately. It's an interesting book and according to John, one should strive to reach all five love languages. I do some of those every day. I'm one that believes in heavy flirting with my assistant (affirmations). I won't go into our love language, but we have a date Saturday, something simple, because we're simple people. I found a cozy little spot that I'm thrilled about and I can't wait to spend a few hours there with him.

I just found out that Emory is NOT as big a nerd as me. He told me to drop it, so I'm sticking it here, and maybe filing it away. Now that I think about it, I don't think he goes as crazy for these fan events like I do. Emory does get a notch in the nerd belt for playing Dungeons and Dragons when he was younger and having sci-fi books on his shelf. I really want to go to Dragon Con, again and this time, I'll be more prepared. Maybe I'll even try staying up all night in the movie rooms. That will probably hurt. I'm not as young as I use to be. Negative sleep makes for one grumpy red head.

Phx Comicon is coming in May. I might ride the Metro down there, since I'm not one for driving. It's not that I don't know how to drive, which always surprises me when people think that. I'm just impatient with downtown stuff and I don't want to drive five levels up to find a parking spot in the garage or wait for costumed people to walk by so I can get out of the garage... See, I said negative sleep makes a grumpy red head... though yesterday Ann was picking at my head and said, "I'm looking for blond roots." For the life of me, I can't remember what I said that prompted her to do that.

Writing

RWA Goal Book: My goal for the month was to finish two chapters of this first revision on HBA. I am now on my fourth chapter. I'm also stuck.

My lead is about to walk into a fight and it's going to be violent. I stopped writing, because my heart and stomach couldn't wrap around that notion. I think, "how traumatic that would be" and I suddenly visualize it with a vengeance. Most people will say, "this is good" but I don't just visualize it, I think about people who dealt with physical violence and wonder what are the scars they walk away with. What do they have to carry with them, knowing what they had to do to protect themselves? It starts to get heavy. It might take a few rewrites to make this strong.

On the Menu:

* Finish HBA book 1 revision 1

* Edit Shadow Puppeteer book 3

* Start Untitled Novella revision 1

Liquid Bananas

I was digging into my backpack for snacks that I bought two weeks ago and forgot about. As I pulled things out, I realized one of the bags had liquid in it. I didn't think anything of it until I realized the liquid was brown and I didn't put anything besides fruit in that bag. Before I know it, I'm dripping liquid over the floor and into the bathroom. It was a sizable mess that Emory helped me clean. It didn't smell all that great either. Lesson: Bananas liquefy within 2 weeks. Chances of me remembering this lesson: *** Stars.

Only one club met this week. I usually have two club meetings, though today was our club party and Emory and I spent it at home, watching movies.

I went to the zoo the weekend prior and rode the zipline. Emory wasn't present, so I showed him the video and he said, "I can't believe it. You said you were never getting on another zipline again." I knew he was going to say that. It was hard to see the video, because of the distance, but I even took my hands off the rope... for a few seconds.

I'd like to go to the book store when I get a spare second, but I also realize I need more sleep and more time to write. I need to work on the things I don't get a chance to work on during the week.


Forgetful:

Me: "Uh, Ann, we're going to need to drop by Taco Bell."
Ann: "Why? Are you hungry?"
Me: "Um, no... I forgot my purse."
Ann: "Are you serious? This is the second time you've done it! You're going to be lucky if it's there."
Me: "It will be there."
Ann: "Why are you so sure?"
Me: "Because every time I do it, it's always there."
Ann: "..." *sinks in* "How often do you do this?"
Me: "You don't want to know."

This week, Carol gave me a cupcake cup, super cute. My flat mate Nadine bought me a pink cowgirl hat. I really rock pink.


Writing:

HBA: Book 1: 10/20 chapters edited. I'm enjoying the characters, wishing there was a little more time to write.

Shadow Puppeteer Series: Book 2: currently being formatted so I can post it up on Amazon, Barnes & Noble

Novella: Started, but won't work on revisions until next month.

Pack Dynamics

Now that the weather is nice, I've been eating outside and taking mini walks. I probably won't be able to do that in another month. Arizona is hot. The cement burns through your shoes and the sun burns through your head. Speaking of which, I might need to change positions at the zoo for much earlier hours. I can try my hand at horticulture and spend the morning watering the green house plants.

My club danced at the county fair. It was my first time on stage and the team gave me kudos. They are so supportive, even when I took a wrong step. Our leader kept winking. I think I understand pack dynamics through this. I can make the steps by myself, but the feeling of energy radiating around me was amazing. The floor vibrated with their footsteps. The energy of the group is something I can hardly describe. This must be what it feels like to be part of a unit, a nice size family.

Mystery Weight

Me: "I gained four pounds this month and I haven't eaten chocolate like I usually do."
Jodi: "What did you eat?"
Me: "Jelly beans."
Jodi: *eyes narrow* "Uh, how many did you eat? A bag?"
Me: "Three bags, but it's okay, they say fat free."
Jodi: "Christina, sugar becomes fat. You can't binge on jelly beans because they say fat free."
Me: "Nuts, there goes my reasoning on gummy bears."

Writing

Notebook Update: In the last month, I jotted ideas for two stories. I'm not sure where they're heading. One of the ideas I could use in my series, but I'm not real sure how to play that card. The third idea I jotted down is for a FanFic. I've managed to keep myself from spending time writing FF, though maybe not 100% abstinent from reading it.

HBA: Added 4,000 words since I started editing. I leave a lot of room for editing, so it looks like a Frankie and I have a lot of sewing to do.