I wanted to get a blog post up today, but have had no time tow rite it. Now I have to start getting ready for tonight's big costume party.
I'll post pictures of my politically incorrect get-up later this week.
The flag football team lost another tough one 12-6 today and I got a killer case of heartburn, but that's about all I have to report.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Joe Knows
Humor me, as a spin a little tale for y'all.
Joe (no not the plumber) enjoyed music. That joy turned into a love for dancing. For years he watched and admired others dancing until eventually Joe decided he too would like to dance one day.
Joe practiced in the solitude of his home. He studied his favorite dancers. Taking some of what they did blending it together and adding a few new moves of his very own. He put a lot of swat tears and blood into his dancing and finally, Joe began to think he was pretty good, but a bit of doubt remained. Was he delusional or were his moves ready for public consumption?
He asked a few other people to check out his dancing. They liked it but they were friends and wannabe dancers too and he worried they were just telling him he was good because they knew him or understood how scary and hard it was to even contemplate dancing in public.
But Joe fought off those doubts, dressed up in his shiniest duds and headed out on the town. He researched the dancing spots and found that not all dance floors are equal. Some even wanted to charge him to dance, but he picked one out and hoped he wouldn't embarrass himself.
As the music played Joe studied the lovely ladies. Eager to sow off his skills, he looked around trying to select a dance partner. While he looked a line dance came on and Joe was tempted to hit the floor and dance by himself, but he feared that would reek of desperation so he resisted the urge. But dang he wanted to jump into the action.
was Then from across the dimly lit room he spotted the one. He liked the way she swayed to the tunes, but he waited and studied the other guys she danced with. Joe decided that their style similar to his. But Joe also believed he had a few new dips and twirls that she'd never seen before. So he crossed to her. Joe smiled. She smiled back.
He asked her to dance.
And ...
She said no.
At the dejected look on his face, she said, "Don't take it bad. I'm sure you are a fine dancer and other girls might be willing to dance with you, but unfortunately I simply didn't fall in love with you when you walked up?"
"Fall in love?" Joe stammered. "But I just asked you to dance. Don't you need to spend some time with me to fall in love. I have some great moves."
"Maybe," she said. "But the way you asked simply didn't get me excited to dance with you."
"But I'm a much better dancer than asker."
Sorry," she said. "But I got so many people asking me to dance I can't give everyone of them a chance to prove their merit to an actual song. If I don't look in their eye as they ask and feel something I can't take the time to find out if there is something there or not." Then she smiled and said , "But best of luck asking the next girl."
Sadly, the next three girls simply ignored him when he asked, then the next one said yes, but ditched him after a few chords and left him standing alone on the floor wondering what he did wrong. Finally a girl let him twist and twirl the entire song through. She even thanked him for the dance, but she nicely refused to become his regular dance partner so Joe keeps on looking and asking.
Days, weeks, and years have gone by and Joe keeps honing his dance skills. Less girls ignore him and more actually let him lead them to the floor, but that's as far as things go. Some say Joe I really like you but no one is doing the jitterbug right now, or you tango very nicely but I need man who can salsa. Joe takes heart that no one says "Give it up Joe, you have no rhythm," but dang it Joe wants to take it to the next level and he just can't seem to get there.
If you've ever wondered what it is like to decide to write a novel and then to pitch that novel to agents you now know. Just substitute music for words and dancing for writing and girls for agents and you'll have a pretty good idea.
Joe (no not the plumber) enjoyed music. That joy turned into a love for dancing. For years he watched and admired others dancing until eventually Joe decided he too would like to dance one day.
Joe practiced in the solitude of his home. He studied his favorite dancers. Taking some of what they did blending it together and adding a few new moves of his very own. He put a lot of swat tears and blood into his dancing and finally, Joe began to think he was pretty good, but a bit of doubt remained. Was he delusional or were his moves ready for public consumption?
He asked a few other people to check out his dancing. They liked it but they were friends and wannabe dancers too and he worried they were just telling him he was good because they knew him or understood how scary and hard it was to even contemplate dancing in public.
But Joe fought off those doubts, dressed up in his shiniest duds and headed out on the town. He researched the dancing spots and found that not all dance floors are equal. Some even wanted to charge him to dance, but he picked one out and hoped he wouldn't embarrass himself.
As the music played Joe studied the lovely ladies. Eager to sow off his skills, he looked around trying to select a dance partner. While he looked a line dance came on and Joe was tempted to hit the floor and dance by himself, but he feared that would reek of desperation so he resisted the urge. But dang he wanted to jump into the action.
was Then from across the dimly lit room he spotted the one. He liked the way she swayed to the tunes, but he waited and studied the other guys she danced with. Joe decided that their style similar to his. But Joe also believed he had a few new dips and twirls that she'd never seen before. So he crossed to her. Joe smiled. She smiled back.
He asked her to dance.
And ...
She said no.
At the dejected look on his face, she said, "Don't take it bad. I'm sure you are a fine dancer and other girls might be willing to dance with you, but unfortunately I simply didn't fall in love with you when you walked up?"
"Fall in love?" Joe stammered. "But I just asked you to dance. Don't you need to spend some time with me to fall in love. I have some great moves."
"Maybe," she said. "But the way you asked simply didn't get me excited to dance with you."
"But I'm a much better dancer than asker."
Sorry," she said. "But I got so many people asking me to dance I can't give everyone of them a chance to prove their merit to an actual song. If I don't look in their eye as they ask and feel something I can't take the time to find out if there is something there or not." Then she smiled and said , "But best of luck asking the next girl."
Sadly, the next three girls simply ignored him when he asked, then the next one said yes, but ditched him after a few chords and left him standing alone on the floor wondering what he did wrong. Finally a girl let him twist and twirl the entire song through. She even thanked him for the dance, but she nicely refused to become his regular dance partner so Joe keeps on looking and asking.
Days, weeks, and years have gone by and Joe keeps honing his dance skills. Less girls ignore him and more actually let him lead them to the floor, but that's as far as things go. Some say Joe I really like you but no one is doing the jitterbug right now, or you tango very nicely but I need man who can salsa. Joe takes heart that no one says "Give it up Joe, you have no rhythm," but dang it Joe wants to take it to the next level and he just can't seem to get there.
If you've ever wondered what it is like to decide to write a novel and then to pitch that novel to agents you now know. Just substitute music for words and dancing for writing and girls for agents and you'll have a pretty good idea.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Hear Them Roar
Barrie Summy has declared today as October Ovation. She has urged bloggers to talk about a person or people they admire.
I'm going to bend the rules a might and talk about an entire gender. The female gender.
As a writer the question I most often am asked is ... "What do you write?"
Even though my last project was a humorous mainstream novel, my usual answer is women's fiction, and that reply generally brings on raised eyebrows and a dubious, "Really?"
I've had other writers ask me why I write women's fiction given that I'm bucking the norm and the odds.
To them I answer "I can only tell the stories that come to me."
But I have given the subject a lot of thought and now realize that the reason I write stories with strong female characters is because the females in my life have always been stronger and more reliable than the men.
I was raised by a single mom. Now that I have became a parent myself I am stunned by the sacrifices and hard work she put in to raise me and my brother. I also owe my love of reading to her as she insisted my entire life that I read something at all times. She didn't care what but if I dared say I was bored she'd drive me to the library and say the world is yours. Find something you like to entertain yourself. Back then I wasn't even smart enough to realize I was learning something in the process.
As a young boy I also had my maternal grandmother and great-grandmother to learn from. They both taught me more than they'll ever know. I miss the old days of Sunday dinners and they way the two of them were the center of my family's universe. I learned what grief really felt like when my great-grandmother passed away and to this day I can't think of her without smiling as she spoiled me in ways no one else ever has.
My grandmother is still alive and as feisty as ever though in declining health and relegated to a nursing home. I am thankful for the treasure chest of memories I have from the days when she was stronger. I visit her often and wish that I could do more.
I am fortunate to have a good many female friends over the years. I can truthfully say they have never let me down the way many of my guy buddies have though I have a few rock steady pals of the male gender as well. And writing wise all of my mentors are women. Thanks ladies, you know who you are.
That brings me to my lovely wife Jennifer. First off it takes a saint to put up with me. Sure I'm a likable and lovable guy here on the blog, but trust me it ain't all T-bones and smiles living with me. She gives me time to pursue my crazy dreams of becoming an author, she takes great care of me and our boys, and she doesn't make me eat lettuce.
Why do I write women's fiction.
Because most of the time women are a hell of a lot more interesting than us hairy knuckled men. Heck all of us have the exact same motivation for everything we do.
So to all the females of the world ... I salute you!
And visit these other bloggers who are taking part on October Ovation.
Through the Tollbooth
Ellen Booraem
Stacy Nyikos
Maureen McGowan
Elizabeth--About New York
Jason--Scribblings of a Madman
Becky Levine
The Adventures (and Misadventures) of Amy
Sandy--Peaceful Heart Stained Glass
Gabe--Gabe's Meanderings
Shari Green
Debra--From Skilled Hands
Welcome to the Patti-O
Patti Abbott--pattinase
Beth Yarnell
Barrie Summy
Larramie--Seize A Daisy
I'm going to bend the rules a might and talk about an entire gender. The female gender.
As a writer the question I most often am asked is ... "What do you write?"
Even though my last project was a humorous mainstream novel, my usual answer is women's fiction, and that reply generally brings on raised eyebrows and a dubious, "Really?"
I've had other writers ask me why I write women's fiction given that I'm bucking the norm and the odds.
To them I answer "I can only tell the stories that come to me."
But I have given the subject a lot of thought and now realize that the reason I write stories with strong female characters is because the females in my life have always been stronger and more reliable than the men.
I was raised by a single mom. Now that I have became a parent myself I am stunned by the sacrifices and hard work she put in to raise me and my brother. I also owe my love of reading to her as she insisted my entire life that I read something at all times. She didn't care what but if I dared say I was bored she'd drive me to the library and say the world is yours. Find something you like to entertain yourself. Back then I wasn't even smart enough to realize I was learning something in the process.
As a young boy I also had my maternal grandmother and great-grandmother to learn from. They both taught me more than they'll ever know. I miss the old days of Sunday dinners and they way the two of them were the center of my family's universe. I learned what grief really felt like when my great-grandmother passed away and to this day I can't think of her without smiling as she spoiled me in ways no one else ever has.
My grandmother is still alive and as feisty as ever though in declining health and relegated to a nursing home. I am thankful for the treasure chest of memories I have from the days when she was stronger. I visit her often and wish that I could do more.
I am fortunate to have a good many female friends over the years. I can truthfully say they have never let me down the way many of my guy buddies have though I have a few rock steady pals of the male gender as well. And writing wise all of my mentors are women. Thanks ladies, you know who you are.
That brings me to my lovely wife Jennifer. First off it takes a saint to put up with me. Sure I'm a likable and lovable guy here on the blog, but trust me it ain't all T-bones and smiles living with me. She gives me time to pursue my crazy dreams of becoming an author, she takes great care of me and our boys, and she doesn't make me eat lettuce.
Why do I write women's fiction.
Because most of the time women are a hell of a lot more interesting than us hairy knuckled men. Heck all of us have the exact same motivation for everything we do.
So to all the females of the world ... I salute you!
And visit these other bloggers who are taking part on October Ovation.
Through the Tollbooth
Ellen Booraem
Stacy Nyikos
Maureen McGowan
Elizabeth--About New York
Jason--Scribblings of a Madman
Becky Levine
The Adventures (and Misadventures) of Amy
Sandy--Peaceful Heart Stained Glass
Gabe--Gabe's Meanderings
Shari Green
Debra--From Skilled Hands
Welcome to the Patti-O
Patti Abbott--pattinase
Beth Yarnell
Barrie Summy
Larramie--Seize A Daisy
Monday, October 13, 2008
My Town Map
It's been a while since I started My Town Monday and I have a lot of new readers so it seems like a good time to rehash my original thoughts on the weekly project. My goal was to eventually have at least one participant from all fifty states and as many other countries as possible. This map gives you a good idea of where I stand on that goal.
The gist of My Town Mondays is for bloggers to talk about any town they know something interesting about. It could be their current home, the place they grew up, or simply a location you've visited and learned a cool bit of knowledge of. At the bottom you of this post you can click on the My Town Monday tag and see my older posts as well as each week's links to the other participants. Or here is a link to my original post describing My Town Monday.
The only so-called rule is that if you decide to participate please leave a comment and let me know so that I can link to you.
While I am catching up I thought I'd post some pictures I promised a while back when I blogged about Amarillo's title of Helium Capitol of the world. To read that post click here.
Anyway here are the pictures of the National Helium monument. Hold your breath, they are exciting.
You might have to click on that middle picture to read the words but the monument also serves as a time capsule. And it's a sun dial as well. It's sits outside the Don Harrington Discovery Center which is place my entire family love.
Here is the Discovery Centers Mission statement which I lifted straight from their website.
LINKS TO OTHER MY TOWN MONDAYERS
Mary Nix -- Olmsted Falls, Ohio
Patti Abbott -- Detroit, Michigan
Lyzzydee -- Welwyn Garden City, England
Shauna Roberts -- Riverside, California
David Cranmer -- Cameroon, Africa
Barbara Martin -- Toronto, Canada
Clair Dickson -- Brighton, Michigan
Barrie Summy -- San Diego, California
Reb -- (Old Strathcona) Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Debra -- Village of Peninsula, Ohio
Jenny Jill -- Muskoka, Ontario, Canada
Lana Gramlich -- Mandeville, Louisiana
Texlahoma -- Elmore City, Oklahoma
Gina Black -- L.A., California
The only so-called rule is that if you decide to participate please leave a comment and let me know so that I can link to you.
While I am catching up I thought I'd post some pictures I promised a while back when I blogged about Amarillo's title of Helium Capitol of the world. To read that post click here.
Anyway here are the pictures of the National Helium monument. Hold your breath, they are exciting.
You might have to click on that middle picture to read the words but the monument also serves as a time capsule. And it's a sun dial as well. It's sits outside the Don Harrington Discovery Center which is place my entire family love.
Here is the Discovery Centers Mission statement which I lifted straight from their website.The mission of the Don Harrington Discovery Center (DHDC) is:
"To build knowledge and understanding of science and its impact on our lives, our community, and our world. We are dedicated to fostering curiosity, wonder, and the skills of minds and will that fuel the human imagination to probe mysteries beyond the limits of the known."
DHDC has been a provider of science and health educational programming and hands-on science experimentation since 1985. Because DHDC is the only science center serving a vast geographic area cover three states (Texas Panhandle, Oklahoma Panhandle, and Eastern New Mexico), we offer the unique ability to make a positive impact on a large constituency composed of persons from widely different ethnic and racial backgrounds.
I recommend you check out the monument and the Discovery center if you ever visit Amarillo or live near by.LINKS TO OTHER MY TOWN MONDAYERS
Mary Nix -- Olmsted Falls, Ohio
Patti Abbott -- Detroit, Michigan
Lyzzydee -- Welwyn Garden City, England
Shauna Roberts -- Riverside, California
David Cranmer -- Cameroon, Africa
Barbara Martin -- Toronto, Canada
Clair Dickson -- Brighton, Michigan
Barrie Summy -- San Diego, California
Reb -- (Old Strathcona) Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Debra -- Village of Peninsula, Ohio
Jenny Jill -- Muskoka, Ontario, Canada
Lana Gramlich -- Mandeville, Louisiana
Texlahoma -- Elmore City, Oklahoma
Gina Black -- L.A., California
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Fun Run Pics
I appreciate all the well wishes and pats on the back yesterday, but I got one question. Where the hell were all of you this morning when I was attempting to drag my sore and decrepit butt out of bed. I could have used a shoulder to lean on while limping down the hall to the shower. Everything I got hurts this morning, but as promised here is the photographic evidence of my wife's torture.
ME AND THE BOYS AT O' DARK THIRTY BEFORE THE RACE
And here is a video of the race start. You'll see me lumber by a few seconds in.
And right at the finish. Note the bemused look on the onlookers faces.
Back later with a MTM post.
ME AND THE BOYS AT O' DARK THIRTY BEFORE THE RACE
And here is a video of the race start. You'll see me lumber by a few seconds in.
And right at the finish. Note the bemused look on the onlookers faces.
Back later with a MTM post.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Not Dead Yet
I survived!
I'll post pics later.
My 5 year old kindergartner ran the mile in 10:06, I did it in 10:25, and my 7 year old posted a time of 11:34.
I've decided they should break running up like they do boxing. I think I could have won the over 280 pound division, but then again I think I would have been the only contestant in that category.
Off to flag football and then a day at the school carnival. Followed up by a night of rum.
I'll post pics later.
My 5 year old kindergartner ran the mile in 10:06, I did it in 10:25, and my 7 year old posted a time of 11:34.
I've decided they should break running up like they do boxing. I think I could have won the over 280 pound division, but then again I think I would have been the only contestant in that category.
Off to flag football and then a day at the school carnival. Followed up by a night of rum.
I Don't Wanna, But My Wife Says I Gotta
If I don't put up any new posts after this just assume I succumbed to a heart attack during the so-called fun run. I haven't ran a mile since sometime around the ninth grade.
Yep, today is the day. But I trained hard yesterday. For breakfast I only had one sausage and cheese croissant instead of two. Add in the four chicken and queso soft tacos I consumed for lunch. the two mid-afternoon donuts, the cheese whopper for supper and the ham and cheese sandwich for a bedtime snack and I should have sufficient energy for the race.
My only goal is to avoid an ambulance ride. Once upon a time I was in decent shape, back when I worked at the feedstore, and refereed high school football, and played hockey. These days I'm still in shape but sadly that shape is now round.
For those of you who live in Amarillo don't worry if you feel the ground shaking shortly after 8 AM. It's not an earthquake, it's just me running.
What the hell was my wife thinking? She better have a cold beer waiting at the finish line.
Yep, today is the day. But I trained hard yesterday. For breakfast I only had one sausage and cheese croissant instead of two. Add in the four chicken and queso soft tacos I consumed for lunch. the two mid-afternoon donuts, the cheese whopper for supper and the ham and cheese sandwich for a bedtime snack and I should have sufficient energy for the race.
My only goal is to avoid an ambulance ride. Once upon a time I was in decent shape, back when I worked at the feedstore, and refereed high school football, and played hockey. These days I'm still in shape but sadly that shape is now round.
For those of you who live in Amarillo don't worry if you feel the ground shaking shortly after 8 AM. It's not an earthquake, it's just me running.
What the hell was my wife thinking? She better have a cold beer waiting at the finish line.
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