Cute Goofy Kittieness

Jingle Cats First Meowel

Cute and goofy is a good way to start the day. Heck, my kitty had me laughing last night when he yet again slid across the tile by the front door. Managed not to hit the door but he slid pretty good nonetheless. And as big and furry as he is, he slides pretty well.

Chilly mornings here. Have the heat set to toast which is the way I like it as I am paying the bill for it. I kind of like the chilly/toasty weather at first but by February I'll be whining and complaining for it to end. We could use some rain though as all the grass is now a nice toasty brown here, which is kind of pretty in a way but I do prefer green.

I am in good-standing at work. I made the Social Committee, which is a fun activity and yes, and excuse to get off the phones. I guess after the year I had I was kind of surprised I'd be considered for any extra projects.

And am still hammering away on da NaNo (every time I think that I hear Robin Williams in my head doing Mork from Ork- 'Mork and Mindy' was one of the first tv shows I ever remember watching).

Speaking of Mork: Nanoo, nanoo.

Fuzzy Slippers and Twilight

Fuzzy, animal-print slippers: perfect footwear in cold weather. Warm and cuddly, and goofy enough for me.

Started 'Twilight' and so far I'm in. It's taken me a while to want to read this book with all the hype and discussion surrounding it. Now I'm able to look at the hype with sweet and slight bemusement. The voice of the book is strong and not too overwrought though it is in first-person. I can see the appeal for teenagers and I imagine I might have been the same way if this book had come out when I was that age.

Over 30K on my NaNo book. 3/5 of the way through and barring any unforeseen circumstances, I should win though whether I'll finish the book itself by the end of the month remains to be seen (my target word count for this book is around 80K).

Seen and Heard

Seen and heard in a Half-Price bookstore today:

- A family wandering around like they had no idea where they were, and no books/movies/cd's in hand. Sad.

- Old album covers decorating the women's restroom - My parents had some of those albums.

- A bunch of high school kids standing over the cd's talking about how good the movie 'The Butterfly Effect' was and one of them talking about opening her own used bookstore. Hate to say it, she didn't sound smart enough to think much more than that.

- Duran Duran music- it seems like every time I go in there they put on some DD. Good taste.

Yeah, I've been MIA for the last couple of days. Just general ickiness and a need to stay off my feet and re-charge my batteries. To tell you the truth, I still don't think I've come back completely since that fateful day in April. I still feel like I'm playing catch-up to some extent and I just go so far before I shut down. Hopefully 2010 will be better.

Have caught up a little on my reading and am actually going to start 'Twilight' by Stephanie Meyer. I know, a day late and a $100 short there. But right now I seem to be in the mood for vampires so I might as well indulge. Though I have to say Robert Patison does nothing for me (I'd say Taylor Lauter does but that would be cradle-robbing).

Now off to get my NaNO count up.

Music

I have the music on when I write at night to block out the neighbor noise and tonight is only the second time during NaNo that I've gone with a vocal.

Tonight, it's 'Revelations' by Audioslave. All three albums by these guys are absolutely brilliant and I hope they get back together someday.

Earlier in the week the music was Acoustic Alchemy, a jazz/new age group. This is strictly instrumental all the way. Then there was Ottmar Leibert. He's a flamenco guitarist and again, strictly insturmental.

Last week in between the instrumental stuff was 'Walking Wounded' by Everything But the Girl. This was the first electronica album and a real cornerstone of the electronica movement in the 90's.

I heard a track off Norah Jones' new album today- will have to buy. Very interesting, and smoking sound from her on this new one.

And as I seem to have no energy, or rapidly depleting stores of it, I'm off to bed. Needless to say, my last two NaNo word counts have sucked pond-water.

Veterans Day

On the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month, in 1918 the Armistice was signed that ended World War I, the war to end all wars. The date of November 11 was set aside to honor all veterans of all wars and to remember those who died in battle. In England and other Commonwealth countries it's called Remembrance Day.

Please remember all those who have fought and died, and thank those serving today.

Phones

Yep, I finally bit the bullet last night and ordered a new phone. My current one is a piece of doo-doo (dropped a couple of weeks ago and it hasn't been quite right since). It was a freebie (as is the one I ordered because I'm doing an upgrade) so I guess I got my money's worth. My new phone will have Internet access and a full keyboard. Another thing since I'm such a cheap-ass is that I don't have to upgrade my plan (and this isn't some fancy-schmancy smartphone but kind of a smartphone-lite).

I'm not fond of phones to begin with- I've worked on the telephones for close to ten years and no, I still don't like it all the time. It's a challenge and a headache though when it works it's awesome. My phone is just something I have so people can get a hold of me. I actually like texting and IM'ing and email and whatnot if I have to go electronic in my communication. If I talk with someone I do actually prefer face-to-face. But I also just like bitching about phones and cellphones in particular (and I do believe there ought to be an out-and-out ban on using a cellphone while driving- I can almost always spot someone talking and driving on one because their cellphone usage does not improve their driving).

Anyway, so I will have a new toy soon. Off to write now.

Sprinklers

That is the word that popped into my head. There's an automatic sprinkler system here in my apartment complex and it goes off at 5 in the AM. It's pretty much all I hear outside till people start going to work and the kids go off to school.

My NaNo totals for the weekend kind of sucked. Saturday I felt really trashed (though we got rain most of Sunday so I was feeling the ache before the storm). Sunday of course is chore-and-errand day so there was a lot of time-suck there. Hexcuses I know but still, we writers are human. And prone to procrastination.

If there's a worry that's nagging me right now about the book is that I'm in a bit of a slow part though this is all a part of the story. My last book had a lot of action and I think this one will too once I work through a little bit here. The most important thing right now is to just keep writing and not worry too much.

Not only do I need to keep my idea muse locked up tight and silent, I need to do that with my internal bitch-critic.

I >HEART< Jon Stewart

This is probably one of the funniest paradoies ever: Jon Stewart doing Glenn Beck.

http://tinyurl.com/ycy6ff2

NaNo LOL

Don't You Just Hate It...

... when you run out of energy and every line you write is a struggle? I guess I can't do almost 4K words a day like I'd like to.

... when your cat wakes up at 3:30 in the AM scratching and biting at the soda box? Mine did this morning and where in the heck this cat gets his energy- I'd wish he'd share.

... when your phone keeps cutting out every time you talk to someone? I don't have the time/money/inclination to go out and look for a new one.

... when you know you need a haircut but have to do it on your day off and take time away from NaNo? I know, that's kind of dumb but I love this NaNo gig.