Lynilu's words to prompt this fictional post (OK, it is a real post, just fictitious subject matter):
ocean, mystery, thoughtful, China.
The old man gave the timepiece in his hand one last thoughtful gaze before throwing it out into the ocean waves. He imagined he could see it sinking, the light glimmering off it's golden surface, but in reality, the water was far too dark and his throw far too forceful for that. He turned and walked back down the old wooden pier, knowing this would be the last time he walked the familiar weathered planks.
He glanced at the watch on his wrist. It was not of the same quality as the one he'd just tossed. This one was made in China and only cost him $30, but it kept good time. It was nearly 7:00pm. His daughter would be arriving with her husband and their daughter soon. Not that many month ago, he was sure he didn't feel old enough to be a grandpa to a 10-year-old, despite the birth date on his driver's license. Tonight, he felt like he could be her great-grandpa. It had been a rough few weeks and the next couple of days were not going to be any easier.
The mystery of his wife's death had haunted the small coastal down of Dalton for most of the past 5 years. The local police officially considered it an unsolved, but active, case, but unofficially believed the person responsible was just a passerby and the case never would be solved. They were wrong, and the horrible, ugly truth was about to be uncovered.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
Writing Challenge #1
Thanks to Nikk - I had to find a way to use the following words in a post:
marshmallow fluff, platypus, quantum physics.
You tell me - fiction or non-fiction?
When I was in college, our mascot was the platypus. We were the Prancing Platypus. Yeah, we didn't so much take our sports seriously. It was a small liberal arts school where harvesting 'shrooms was a perfectly acceptable reason for bailing on class. What can I say?
Anyway, it was in my third-year, I was still unenlightened about my sexuality. In other words, I was dating men....or rather, boys, really. (When is it that they turn into men - 30? 40? 50?) I was in an off-period with my on-again/off-again relationship with my high school sweetheart when I got involved with Mark. We were in the same program - which is what my school had rather than classes. 40-80 people, a few faculty, all coming together for interdisciplinary studies - math, science, politial science, anthropology - all around a central them. This semester it was The Paradox of Progress, and Mark and I were in the same seminar group, which was a sub-group of the larger class that came together to discuss the assigned reading.
Mark was really smart, but in a laid back kind of way. He'd talk some in seminar; just enough so you knew he had a lot going on in his head, but not enough that he came across as arrogant. His humor was dry, and so subtle many people didn't catch it. He totally cracked me up. The way to a woman's heart is to make her laugh, at least, this woman's heart. Mark had the cute, scruffy guy thing going on for him. It was a hippy school and there just weren't many clean-cut preppy boys to be found. They were all at UW, best I could tell. Mark rarely disagreed with anyone, but when he did, it always made the discussion way more interesting.
The day he and I started becoming close, the topic was quantum physics, as I recall, and some other guy was expressing an opinion about our book and proclaiming that Mark had just said the same thing, only Mark had not. The two had quite a heated discussion, and after class, Mark and I started talking about what had happened. Well, the discussion led to beer back at the dorm, followed by Dominoes Pizza, and one thing led to another, as it often does. Ah, young lust! Two-and-a-half weeks later, we're packing our duffel bags with books, clothes and marshmallow fluff for a romantic weekend escape to the relatively near-by San Juan Islands where his folks owned a cabin.
The weekend was perfect and one of the best memories of my life. The weather was unseasonably warm with blue skies and sunshine. The cabin had an amazing view of the water. Mark and I were in that "life is beautiful and we are the most lucky people in the world" phase of our relationship. We enjoyed the kind of carefree, fun-filled escape that maybe only people without any true responsibilities can have. We'd have intellectual discussions until dawn, share our youthful dreams of what our lives would become, and well, do the things 20-year-olds do when they can get away from their roommates. I'll keep this G-rated, but say it was a very memorable experience, and the jar of marshmallow fluff? It came back empty.
marshmallow fluff, platypus, quantum physics.
You tell me - fiction or non-fiction?
When I was in college, our mascot was the platypus. We were the Prancing Platypus. Yeah, we didn't so much take our sports seriously. It was a small liberal arts school where harvesting 'shrooms was a perfectly acceptable reason for bailing on class. What can I say?
Anyway, it was in my third-year, I was still unenlightened about my sexuality. In other words, I was dating men....or rather, boys, really. (When is it that they turn into men - 30? 40? 50?) I was in an off-period with my on-again/off-again relationship with my high school sweetheart when I got involved with Mark. We were in the same program - which is what my school had rather than classes. 40-80 people, a few faculty, all coming together for interdisciplinary studies - math, science, politial science, anthropology - all around a central them. This semester it was The Paradox of Progress, and Mark and I were in the same seminar group, which was a sub-group of the larger class that came together to discuss the assigned reading.
Mark was really smart, but in a laid back kind of way. He'd talk some in seminar; just enough so you knew he had a lot going on in his head, but not enough that he came across as arrogant. His humor was dry, and so subtle many people didn't catch it. He totally cracked me up. The way to a woman's heart is to make her laugh, at least, this woman's heart. Mark had the cute, scruffy guy thing going on for him. It was a hippy school and there just weren't many clean-cut preppy boys to be found. They were all at UW, best I could tell. Mark rarely disagreed with anyone, but when he did, it always made the discussion way more interesting.
The day he and I started becoming close, the topic was quantum physics, as I recall, and some other guy was expressing an opinion about our book and proclaiming that Mark had just said the same thing, only Mark had not. The two had quite a heated discussion, and after class, Mark and I started talking about what had happened. Well, the discussion led to beer back at the dorm, followed by Dominoes Pizza, and one thing led to another, as it often does. Ah, young lust! Two-and-a-half weeks later, we're packing our duffel bags with books, clothes and marshmallow fluff for a romantic weekend escape to the relatively near-by San Juan Islands where his folks owned a cabin.
The weekend was perfect and one of the best memories of my life. The weather was unseasonably warm with blue skies and sunshine. The cabin had an amazing view of the water. Mark and I were in that "life is beautiful and we are the most lucky people in the world" phase of our relationship. We enjoyed the kind of carefree, fun-filled escape that maybe only people without any true responsibilities can have. We'd have intellectual discussions until dawn, share our youthful dreams of what our lives would become, and well, do the things 20-year-olds do when they can get away from their roommates. I'll keep this G-rated, but say it was a very memorable experience, and the jar of marshmallow fluff? It came back empty.
Post For Irritating, Insecure Men
I'm going to post a slightly off-color, inappropriate comment here.
(Got your attention?)
There are a few men who I have irritated in the past few months, or more, basically because I am smarter, funnier and sexier than they are.
Guess most smart women, straight or lesbian, can say that right?
Sad.
Well, to you men. Yes - I can out think you. Yes - I am funnier than you. Yes - I can outperform you - in and out of bed. Get over yourself and get out of my way.
OK, I am done now.
I will now resume my regularly scheduled, and mostly appropriate blogging.
(Got your attention?)
There are a few men who I have irritated in the past few months, or more, basically because I am smarter, funnier and sexier than they are.
Guess most smart women, straight or lesbian, can say that right?
Sad.
Well, to you men. Yes - I can out think you. Yes - I am funnier than you. Yes - I can outperform you - in and out of bed. Get over yourself and get out of my way.
OK, I am done now.
I will now resume my regularly scheduled, and mostly appropriate blogging.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Challenge for myself and my readers
So, I love to write, fiction, non-fiction, to-do lists, whatever. I know that to be mentally healthy I need to be writing. I've learned this about myself in the past, a lesson I should not ignore, but often do. Sometimes I fulfill the need through school or work projects, or through email. If you've been on the receiving end of my more lengthy emails - my apologies, and my thanks. You know who you are. I have started doing a bit of writing in the evenings, some of it that may someday be worthy of sharing. We'll see.
Here's something I am going to toss out there, both to give me a challenge and to involve my loyal readers. In the comments section, provide me with three or four words - random, related, unrelated, doesn't matter, and let me know if you want fiction or non-fiction. I will then create a post using all your words. If this turns out fun, I have another couple idea generators in mind.
Are you game?
Here's something I am going to toss out there, both to give me a challenge and to involve my loyal readers. In the comments section, provide me with three or four words - random, related, unrelated, doesn't matter, and let me know if you want fiction or non-fiction. I will then create a post using all your words. If this turns out fun, I have another couple idea generators in mind.
Are you game?
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
More
Sad when a blogger slacks, isn't it? Readers drop off, stats go down, people get bored. By golly, almost makes me want to post about some drama just to watch what happens. Casey and I know...oh my gosh, you should have seen how high our stats went when we first broke up! (Just wanted to see if I could use "golly" and "gosh" in the same paragraph.)
People love a good drama - look at all the reality TV shows. Hey - do you think that is part of why blogs are so popular? They are like mini reality shows, a peak into the life of another person, and maybe, just maybe that person's life is more tragic/romantic/luxurious/violent/decadent...etc. than our own. More...more anything is somehow intriguing.
I'll work on the MORE and see what I can stir up!
People love a good drama - look at all the reality TV shows. Hey - do you think that is part of why blogs are so popular? They are like mini reality shows, a peak into the life of another person, and maybe, just maybe that person's life is more tragic/romantic/luxurious/violent/decadent...etc. than our own. More...more anything is somehow intriguing.
I'll work on the MORE and see what I can stir up!
Friday, February 19, 2010
Tick Tock Tick Tock
As some of you know, I have been living the life of a nomad since the beginning of the year - staying with various family and friends depending on the night of the week and if I am with the kids. Eventually, finances will work out such that I can have my own place, but for now, this is working. The kids have their own bedrooms and their lives have been changed as little as possible, physically, anyway. They see me as much as when I was in law school, maybe more. I have a routine, comfy beds, and mostly sleep quite well. Last night, however, I think I could have used some natural sleeping pills. I woke up at 1:30 and was wide awake for over an hour. Now I know in the grand scheme of sleeping problems, that was no big deal, but at the time, it was frustrating. Now that I am sitting at my desk in need of coffee and a sinus pain reliever, it is also frustrating.
Oh, heck....if that is my biggest complaint for the day - it is going to be a great day!
Happy weekend to all!
Oh, heck....if that is my biggest complaint for the day - it is going to be a great day!
Happy weekend to all!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Signs of Spring
I know the absolutely gorgeous weather we have been having is just a reprieve from what will probably be the wet, dark, cold months of March and April, but WOW have they ever been nice! Today the sky is pure blue and temp should reach 60 degrees.
The kids and I went into the yard yesterday in search of early emerging flowers - some crocuses and vinca are blooming, daffodils nearly ready, and tulips have forced their leaves out of the cold ground.
Just look at this:
Spring is coming! There is hope!
The kids and I went into the yard yesterday in search of early emerging flowers - some crocuses and vinca are blooming, daffodils nearly ready, and tulips have forced their leaves out of the cold ground.
Just look at this:
Spring is coming! There is hope!
Growing up too fast!
Ah, my little princess. I have mentioned being informed by my five-year-old daughter that various movie and television characters are either "hot" or "dreamy." Last night, after she explained to me two different meanings for the word "growing," (growing up, like she is, or growing a plant - yes, similar, but I believe she was picking up on the distinction between passive and active) she said, "Aren't I a whiz?" A whiz? Yes, honey, you are a whiz.
Pretty soon we will probably be discussing at what age she may begin dating, the tragedy of her current wardrobe and blackheads removal. I guess I better cherish every moment that she still wants to play dolls and Build-a-Bear with me!
Pretty soon we will probably be discussing at what age she may begin dating, the tragedy of her current wardrobe and blackheads removal. I guess I better cherish every moment that she still wants to play dolls and Build-a-Bear with me!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Valentine's Day 2010
This Valentine's Day was hardly one to put in the record books under the heading "Most Romantic," but was not a complete disaster either. In fact, I spent it with my two favorite little people in the whole world - my kids. After giving them the gifts and candy provided by both moms, they both made me lovely heart-felt, well...hearts! Kelton's is pictured above. Didn't he do a great job!? He also wrote me a wonderful, loving note. Sweet!
Since our plans to get a new wii fell through (see previous post), I offered to take Kaylen to see the Princess and the Frog. Kelton felt it would be too girly and opted to have a play date with a friend. So, here is my Valentine's Day date, happy as can be with her popcorn and princess dress. She insisted on dressing up for the princess movie. Adorable!
The movie was wonderful! Great music, wonderful storyline, positive message, fun animation...way better than I had expected. I will happily watch it again someday.
My Valentine's Weekend ended Monday, after three days with the kids. We'd been to multiple parks, played, laughed, eaten, gotten through some cranky moments, some sad moments, and all in all, had a good time. Kaylen was sad to see me go, as always, and I tried to soften the blow by officially handing over into her care the two dozen gorgeous red roses that had been sent to me by an old friend. It worked for a little while....and then hitting me with her Valentine's Bear, at the suggestion of her brother, made her laugh. Hey - whatever works!
(Beautiful, right? I am a lucky woman to have great kids and wonderful friends in my life!)
Wii Miss Our Wii
I am sad to report that my family is now wii-less. We have been wii-less for a few weeks (wiiks?) now. Our previously much beloved game unit stopped accepting games into the game slot. Was something else jammed in there by mischievous little hands, or did it simply break? We will never know.
Fortunately, I did not need to know. The place where we bought the wii said the unit was still under warranty, no need to even pull out the extended warranty which had been purchased, and happily refunded my money. Sadly, there were no replacement units available...uh....anywhere...possibly in any of their stores in all of the world. OK, the sales clerk did not say that, but did imply it.
We took the gift card, said we'd check back in a couple weeks, and went along our merry way. Sadly, the unit still has not been replaced. This weekend we had a close call, but apparently we'd been misinformed about the 27 units waiting to be released at 10:00 Sunday morning.
Anyway, when we do get the until we will be money ahead since the price has since dropped by $50. That would just cover the new game that Kelton would dearly love to have: Super Mario Brothers, Wii. He has the game on DS and enjoys it very much. We played it together while pet/house-sitting a few weeks ago. Big fun for all...and fun hearing Kelton try to teach Kaylen so he would have someone to play with him. He can be very patient when he puts his mind to it.
This is standard Mario fare - Mario and friends jump over obstacles, defeat bad guys, collect coins, and generally work their way through several screens of play with varying difficulty levels. I'm not a huge gamer. I enjoy Mario Kart and a few other games, but will never be addicted (I know, never say never!) the way my son is. I can tell by his enthusiasm though, and rumor on the street (Yes, I do spend a lot of time on the street talking video games.), that this game totally rocks. What distinguishes it from similar games is the multi-player function, plus, of course, the general coolness of the wii interactivity.
Fun for all. I don't think I will rush right out and buy it, but probably wait for a good sale and pick it up in time for Kelton's birthday.
Fortunately, I did not need to know. The place where we bought the wii said the unit was still under warranty, no need to even pull out the extended warranty which had been purchased, and happily refunded my money. Sadly, there were no replacement units available...uh....anywhere...possibly in any of their stores in all of the world. OK, the sales clerk did not say that, but did imply it.
We took the gift card, said we'd check back in a couple weeks, and went along our merry way. Sadly, the unit still has not been replaced. This weekend we had a close call, but apparently we'd been misinformed about the 27 units waiting to be released at 10:00 Sunday morning.
Anyway, when we do get the until we will be money ahead since the price has since dropped by $50. That would just cover the new game that Kelton would dearly love to have: Super Mario Brothers, Wii. He has the game on DS and enjoys it very much. We played it together while pet/house-sitting a few weeks ago. Big fun for all...and fun hearing Kelton try to teach Kaylen so he would have someone to play with him. He can be very patient when he puts his mind to it.
This is standard Mario fare - Mario and friends jump over obstacles, defeat bad guys, collect coins, and generally work their way through several screens of play with varying difficulty levels. I'm not a huge gamer. I enjoy Mario Kart and a few other games, but will never be addicted (I know, never say never!) the way my son is. I can tell by his enthusiasm though, and rumor on the street (Yes, I do spend a lot of time on the street talking video games.), that this game totally rocks. What distinguishes it from similar games is the multi-player function, plus, of course, the general coolness of the wii interactivity.
Fun for all. I don't think I will rush right out and buy it, but probably wait for a good sale and pick it up in time for Kelton's birthday.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Happy Birthday To My Big Girl!
My youngest turned 5 this week. Where did the time fly? I am not feeling particulary nostalgic, so am not going to take this time to reflect. Instead, I am happy to report that she is an amazing, wicked smart, funny, beautiful, healthy girl who is 5 going on 15!
She informed Casey and I this week that Max, from Wizards of Waverly Place, is "dreamy."
Dreamy. Great. It starts at 5.
Here I am with the kid's at her Birthday dinner at Red Robin.
They are sure getting big!
She informed Casey and I this week that Max, from Wizards of Waverly Place, is "dreamy."
Dreamy. Great. It starts at 5.
Here I am with the kid's at her Birthday dinner at Red Robin.
They are sure getting big!
Conjugation
A person can find a lot of strange things on the internet. Understatement, right?
Yesterday, I was amusing myself with pictures of slugs. (Better not to ask, but if you are a Facebook friend of mine, you will have seen them.) The day before it was music on YouTube. Somehow I came across the term: conjugated linoleic acid. What? I always thought conjugation had to do with verbs. Apparently there is grammatical conjugation, mathematical conjugation, and conjugation associated with bioscience, physics and chemistry. There is also that associated with a conjugal visit...but wait....conjugation also refers to marriage, which is defined in the Wiki article I was reading as a "relationship between two or more individuals." WHAT? Did polygamy pass while I was busy concentrating on same-sex marriage?
Yesterday, I was amusing myself with pictures of slugs. (Better not to ask, but if you are a Facebook friend of mine, you will have seen them.) The day before it was music on YouTube. Somehow I came across the term: conjugated linoleic acid. What? I always thought conjugation had to do with verbs. Apparently there is grammatical conjugation, mathematical conjugation, and conjugation associated with bioscience, physics and chemistry. There is also that associated with a conjugal visit...but wait....conjugation also refers to marriage, which is defined in the Wiki article I was reading as a "relationship between two or more individuals." WHAT? Did polygamy pass while I was busy concentrating on same-sex marriage?
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Words of Wisdom
Sometimes when what is most easy to see is darkness, a change of glasses is required.
A friend sent me this:
"People grow through experience if they meet life honestly and courageously. This is how character is built."
- Eleanor Roosevelt, My Day
I like it a lot. Hard not to like many of Eleanor's words. Today, I went searching for more quotes. I looked under "living life deliberately" because sometimes in the midst of much change and chaos, such as my life appears to be, there is too much randomness and not enough deliberateness. I found some great wisdom.
Never mind searching for who you are. Search for the person you aspire to be.
-Robert Brault, www.robertbrault.com
Man cannot remake himself without suffering, for he is both the marble and the sculptor.
-Dr. Alexis Carrel
The greatest explorer on this earth never takes voyages as long as those of the man who descends to the depth of his heart.
-Julien Green
There came a time when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.
-Anaïs Nin
I think I will remain silent with these rather than trying to say what perhaps can only be felt: truth.
A friend sent me this:
"People grow through experience if they meet life honestly and courageously. This is how character is built."
- Eleanor Roosevelt, My Day
I like it a lot. Hard not to like many of Eleanor's words. Today, I went searching for more quotes. I looked under "living life deliberately" because sometimes in the midst of much change and chaos, such as my life appears to be, there is too much randomness and not enough deliberateness. I found some great wisdom.
Never mind searching for who you are. Search for the person you aspire to be.
-Robert Brault, www.robertbrault.com
Man cannot remake himself without suffering, for he is both the marble and the sculptor.
-Dr. Alexis Carrel
The greatest explorer on this earth never takes voyages as long as those of the man who descends to the depth of his heart.
-Julien Green
There came a time when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.
-Anaïs Nin
I think I will remain silent with these rather than trying to say what perhaps can only be felt: truth.
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Hooked on Buffy
I have a confession to make:
I never watched any episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Yes, I had heard it was quality programming. I had heard it was all about powerful women. I had heard I should watch. I never did. That is, not until this weekend!
I have been converted! Thanks to my dear friend Bonnie who was searching for something to get me out of my head, I am now a Buffy fan. I suspect there is a term for Buffy fans that I do not know. Seems like the cult following would deserve a name. Anyway, I really only watched the first 3, or was it 4?, episodes, but they totally captivated me.
The show is filled with sharp writing, humor, great scenery, appealing characters, and of course, unappealing characters. This show does NOT buy into the vampirs-as-romantic-figures at all, but really, one could guess that by the name of the show, right?
A person can now find the entire 7 seasons on sale at a variety of locations, or, my personal favorite, on-line! Since I have barely begun Season 1, I think it would be totally fun to go through the entire series from beginning to end. It is always interesting to follow the character development and see how the show grows along with the writers and actors. I have heard it just gets better and better. Hey - who doesn't want to watch an attractive woman kick some serious vampire/evil being *ss every now and then? Buffy has some serious attitude, great strength, and a wonderful sense of humor. Her friends are brave, loyal, and not nearly as dog-like as I am making them sound. Loads of fun!
I never watched any episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Yes, I had heard it was quality programming. I had heard it was all about powerful women. I had heard I should watch. I never did. That is, not until this weekend!
I have been converted! Thanks to my dear friend Bonnie who was searching for something to get me out of my head, I am now a Buffy fan. I suspect there is a term for Buffy fans that I do not know. Seems like the cult following would deserve a name. Anyway, I really only watched the first 3, or was it 4?, episodes, but they totally captivated me.
The show is filled with sharp writing, humor, great scenery, appealing characters, and of course, unappealing characters. This show does NOT buy into the vampirs-as-romantic-figures at all, but really, one could guess that by the name of the show, right?
A person can now find the entire 7 seasons on sale at a variety of locations, or, my personal favorite, on-line! Since I have barely begun Season 1, I think it would be totally fun to go through the entire series from beginning to end. It is always interesting to follow the character development and see how the show grows along with the writers and actors. I have heard it just gets better and better. Hey - who doesn't want to watch an attractive woman kick some serious vampire/evil being *ss every now and then? Buffy has some serious attitude, great strength, and a wonderful sense of humor. Her friends are brave, loyal, and not nearly as dog-like as I am making them sound. Loads of fun!
I Got Nothing
Sometimes when a blogger has nothing to say, maybe it is better to leave it at that. On the other hand, readers come by expecting something. Clearly I have no more school advice to give, the "how to keep your marriage together during law school" advice seems moot (Although, I knew and posted all the right things. Do as I say, not as I do.), and I am not the one to provdie parenting insight. I have no silly kid anecdotes to share.
OK, I will resort to the quote on my daily motivations tip. It is a good one:
"If we are growing, we are always going to be out of our comfort zone."
Good to be growing!
OK, I will resort to the quote on my daily motivations tip. It is a good one:
"If we are growing, we are always going to be out of our comfort zone."
Good to be growing!
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Grateful
Yesterday was an absolutely gorgeous day - warm, blue, sunny....amazing! A better camera would reveal a snow-capped mountain on the horizon. I had an informational interview with a local energy attorney and a lunch meeting with my new mentor that I was connected with via the local bar association. Between the two appointment, I strolled along our downtown streets just enjoying the day.
Evening brought a relaxing, low stress evening with the kids, and then a good night's sleep.
Today, I am determined to make it another good day!
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