not quite lost, not quite found

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 01:06:17 GMT

Hey, demiraks_world, how does a week from Tuesday look for dinner?

new haircut

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 01:53:00 GMT

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 03:08:37 GMT

Rock Band, you guys. It's like I can be the obnoxious karaoke singer I truly am, except in private.

Speaking of, did you know that at karaoke room, they change the discs by hand? At least at the one on California. I was flabbergasted.

a poem i wrote for mr hay

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 02:55:40 GMT

this is just to say

I have eaten

the yan yan

that was in

the cupboard

and which

you were probably

saving

for dessert

Forgive me

it was kind of tasty

so free

of pig fat

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 23:43:46 GMT

So if I get a letter saying that Columbia accepted 88 transfer credits, that means that I'm accepted, right?

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 03:11:54 GMT

I finally uploaded the pictures from when the lightning hit the car:

This is right above the back door on the passenger side. The paint has been burned off.

This is where we think it might have actually hit. It bounced from there to the trunk and left a wee mark there, too, but I didn't get a good picture of that.

We're taking it in to get checked this week, since the airbag light is still on.

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 02:19:05 GMT

Happy birthday, tinyprayers!

Sat, 31 May 2008 16:23:34 GMT

So what do you make beyond, like, chili, that freezes well? I'd like to stock my freezer with tasty stuff, but a lot of the recipes on the once a month cooking sites are horrifying.

Thu, 29 May 2008 13:05:04 GMT

As stargazzy pointed out, the blog that's fed to lj on whatelizawrote has been hacked, so if on the off chance you still have that feed on your friendslist go ahead and remove it. Sorry about that!

Thu, 29 May 2008 04:59:20 GMT

Reasons I like this video:

1. The cabbie (Harold Lloyd?) reminds me of Ray the Singing Cabdriver.
2. The song about horses, that goes HORSES HORSES HORSES.

Wed, 28 May 2008 22:27:13 GMT

Does anyone want a free month of netflix? I have an email forward that I can send to you. Just leave your email address -- I'm screening comment.

weird night

Mon, 26 May 2008 05:40:06 GMT

But the weirdest part was when we were driving home, through a thunderstorm, and lightning struck the motherfucking car.

hey kari

Fri, 23 May 2008 13:01:15 GMT

Is Savage way out in the sticks or is it fairly close to the city?

Wed, 21 May 2008 01:16:20 GMT

Large room in Manhattan (one catch)

Tue, 20 May 2008 02:59:12 GMT

Did I link this before? If you want to know the kind of thing that will make me laugh, just read Dave Secretary's stories. Seriously, I laughed till I cried.

Read the stuff in all caps.

Sat, 17 May 2008 04:17:10 GMT

The lovely Marilyn Brant tagged me for this meme. Oh, and by the way? I'm psychic. Last year, after she won the Golden Heart, I said that they were usually followed by publishing contracts. AND I WAS RIGHT. Her book According to Jane will be out in fall 2009. Because she is awesome and she writes awesome books.

Here are the rules:
1. Pick up the nearest book.
2. Open to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag five people and post a comment to the person who tagged you once you’ve posted your three sentences.

Bath is a beautiful city, full of architectural gems in a lovely landscape. In Jane Austen's time it was a fashionable spa -- with parties, balls, concerts, plays, and the constant toing and froing round the Pump Room where people met to gossip and take the waters. For us the attractiveness of the place is enhanced by what Austen imagined taking place there in Northanger Abbey and Persuasion.

Yes, that's right. The nearest book is Becoming Jane Austen, by Jon Spence. Apropos, no?

I tag whoever has a book nearby.

Fri, 16 May 2008 02:42:22 GMT

Wonderful news out of California today -- the ban on same gender marriage was overturned.

Here are some beautiful photos from the month in 2004 when gay marriage was legal in San Francisco.

Thai food?

Fri, 09 May 2008 02:28:48 GMT

So where should I start with Thai food? Keep in mind I'm a picky-ass eater.

(Is it bad to say that I've thought of like a dozen other things to add to that list since I posted it? Avocado! Baby Corn! Mushrooms! I better stop while I'm ahead!)

ANYWAY. Thai. When it comes to Chinese, my favorite is kung pao chicken, but I also like broccoli beef, teriyaki anything, cashew chicken -- those are pretty much my standards. I think I had Thai or Vietnamese once when I lived in Albuquerque -- I wasn't a lemongrass fan.

So what should I try?

weekend wrap-up, or Moby is a sad-sack

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 14:57:13 GMT

Thursday: After work I hopped on the Metra and headed into the city. I met Mr Hay at the Chase Auditorium for a taping of Wait Wait, Don't Tell Me. We had so much fun. I got there at about 6.30 and by the time we got inside we were halfway through the line. The show itself finally started at 7.30. I'd been really excited because Mo Rocca was scheduled to appear but Drew Carey was there instead, which was awesome. The show itself was absolutely hilarious. Moby was the not my job guest. That guy is a total downer. He spent the whole time talking smack about himself. The recording itself went about twenty minutes longer than usual because of hilarious tangent-following. All in all, I definitely recommend attending a taping if you're a fan of the show. I need to load up the podcast today, to hear how much got edited out.

Friday: My plans to get to the hotel by noon were scuttled by the early delivery of our water softener. The installation went fairly quickly and we made it to Deerfield around one. I checked into the hotel, sent Mr Hay on his way, and jumped into Spring Fling activities. I moderated Blythe Gifford's really good workshop called Get Your Acts Together. The rest of the day was a blur of workshops. Dinner at 5:30 (which was great, since I skipped lunch) and then I ordered from room service by the time I finally got back to my room.

Saturday: Up early for the breakfast speech by Christie Ridgway, though I missed part of it. More workshops. Eloisa James spoke at lunch, which had most of my table in tears. Timed agent appointments for about an hour then went back to my room for a nap. Mr Hay came over to spend the night -- one night by myself in a hotel was enough, thank you. Went to the gala that topped off the conference. Fire and Ice contest winners were FINALLY announced. There were three finalists attending, including one winner, which was really nice. Debbie Macomber gave a really moving keynote address about her struggles with dyslexia and the other obstacles on her route to writing success. Ended the evening in the bar and finally back to the room to collapse.

Sunday: Checked out around eleven, grabbed lunch on the way home, and then went to check out our friends' Paul's and Jeani's new house. They just moved to town. I encourage all of my other Chicagoans to consider moving out here. Seriously. Bring it.

I had a great time at the conference and I'm so glad I went. Now I'm REALLY looking forward to nationals in San Francisco.

Things I won't eat

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 03:27:09 GMT

condiments
salad dressing
butter (I'll bake with it but not ever on bread etc)
water chestnuts
fish
actually, all seafood
curry
pretty much any cheese except cheddar or parmesan
canned meat
any type of jerky
fennel
anything else licorice
tapioca
sweet pickles
eggs!
yogurt
sour cream

I feel like there should be more. A lot of these are due to my aversion to weird textures.

nearest manuscript meme

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 03:15:15 GMT

Lisa tagged me, which is awesome because I secretly always love to be picked.

Meme rules:

1. Choose any one of YOUR OWN manuscripts. It can be a picture book, MG novel, an adult novel... It makes no difference.
2. Turn to page 30 of your novel or page 3 if it is a PB.
3. Find the 5th sentence.
4. Post the next 5 sentences of text.
5. Then tag 5 writer friends to do the same.
6. Visit Your Tagged Friends and the Person who Tagged You to read their short excepts.

Page 30, fifth sentence:
“I’m giving you another chance.”

Next five sentences:
I scoff. “Very kind of you, Gina. Thanks anyway. I’ll stick with trying to be unnoticed at a new school, rather than hang out with a crazy girl who thinks she can see the future.”

“Slutting it up with Ben Jackson does not make a girl invisible, just so you know.”

It is so hard not to tweak!

Anyone want to play? palygirl? Marilyn? cookie_chef?

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 14:36:42 GMT

Be my facebook friend?

I think Dr. Nick is my dentist

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 05:15:42 GMT

I went to a new dentist to get my teeth cleaned a couple of weeks ago. I also needed a new nightguard and had a sharp edge on one tooth -- apparently a filling fell out.

When I came back to get fitted for the nightguard and get the tooth filled she took a look at my teeth and then kind of sighed.

"I think I am going to just polish down the sharp edge back there."
"Instead of a filling?"
"Yes. I don't like to go overboard."

Fair enough. I didn't ask if she went to Hollywood Upstairs Dental College but I wanted to.

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 03:53:05 GMT

long meme from msretro

Does the last person you shared a bed with mean anything to you?
Yep.

Are you dating the last person you kissed?
I guess we go on dates.

Do you think you will be in a relationship 3 months from now?
Yep.

Are you too forgiving?
I hold a grudge like whoa.

Olive Garden?
Nay :(

Would you live with someone before marrying them?
I did, yes.

Have your friends ever seen you cry?
I don't think so.

Who was the last person you cried in front of?
Mr Hay.

If you're having a bad day, who are you most likely to go to?
Mr Hay.

What's irritating you right now?
My house is a damned mess.

What did you do yesterday and with who?
I worked, mostly by myself.

Who's the last person that you felt stalked by?
Um, no one? (That is not an invitation.)

What are you stressed out about?
Finding money for college.

Last text message you received?
Some spam crap from US Cellular.

What were you doing at midnight last night?
Sleeping.

Last place you went?
Grocery store.

Do you talk in your sleep?
Not that I know of. (Ha! I asked Mr Hay right after I typed that and he said the exact same thing. We are turning into my parents!)

When was the last time you told someone you loved them?
A little while ago.

What are you looking forward to?
Spring Fling conference!

Ever been a bridesmaid or groomsmen?
No, actually.

Do you sleep on a certain side of the bed?
I have to sleep on the left side. HAVE TO.

How often do you talk on the phone?
Many times a day at work.

Do you believe in love?
What, as a concept? This is a weird question.

How much cash do you have on you?
Some change. I rarely carry cash.

What is your favorite ringtone on your phone?
I just have some random one.

Can you handle the truth?
Depends.

Best breakup song?
You Oughta Know. (I don't care if it's a cliche.)

Have you ever, in any way, been betrayed by someone you trusted?
Hasn't everyone?

When was the last time you were given roses?
Umm... I don't remember ever getting roses. I don't like them much, actually.

What do you want this year?
A full ride scholarship?

Do you prefer to call or text?
Depends on the person.

What month is your birthday in?
January

How many cities/towns have you lived in?
Five.

What are you doing for your next birthday?
No idea.

Do you know how to drive a stick shift?
I don't.

What jewelry are you wearing?
Nothing.

Who gave you the jewelry you are wearing now?
...

How often do you remember your dreams?
Not as often as I would like. Many of them are set in this enormous mall that exists nowhere except in my head.

What is the first thing you do in the morning?
Take Mr Hay to the train station.

How long is your hair?
A little past my shoulders.

What were you doing at 8:00 this morning?
Sleeping in!

What were you doing 30 minutes ago?
Internerding.

How do you feel about the person who texted you last?
I wish I didn't have a contract with them.

Do you like your life as of now?
I do.

Last thing you purchased?
Groceries. And a new quilt from Ikea.

Three words to explain why you last threw up?
Food poisoning -- chicken.

How's your heart lately?
My heart is absolutely fine.

Where did your last non-family hug take place?
After my RWA meeting.

Who was the last person to hold your hand?
Mr Hay

Are you a jealous person?
A leetle. I try.

Did you have a good birthday this year?
I did.

Are you tired right now?
Yeah, a little.

Do you chew on your straws?
I try not to use straws but I never chew on them.

Three days from now will you be in a relationship?
Yeah.

Have you ever told someone of the opposite sex you loved them?
Yes.

Is there anyone who doesn't like you because of something you didn't even do?
Probably.

As of today, do you fancy anyone?
What is with this survey?

Have you kissed anyone on the lips today?
Yep.

Have you ever been awake for 48 hours straight?
One semester in college I had really, really bad insomnia and I'd stay up for a couple of days at a time.

Last person you cried over?
I have no idea.

Do you cry easily?
Yes, I am a crybaby.

What should you be doing right now?
Getting ready for bed.

Are you a heavy sleeper?
I guess if I can sleep through an earthquake, twice, I am.

Not Waving But Drowning, Stevie Smith - National Poetry Month

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 05:34:09 GMT

Nobody heard him, the dead man,
But still he lay moaning:
I was much further out than you thought
And not waving but drowning.

Poor chap, he always loved larking
And now he's dead
It must have been too cold for him his heart gave way,
They said.

Oh, no no no, it was too cold always
(Still the dead one lay moaning)
I was much too far out all my life
And not waving but drowning.