Sickness Update
Man, I hate being sick. I miss out on such good times. Was supposed to go to the Trail or Horror last Friday but didn’t because I was sick (again, missed it … seems I always get sick when I am supposed to go!). On Sunday I was supposed to go pumpkin picking too, and then pumpkin carving AND having some warm apple cider and apple fritters… missed out on THAT too! Ugh.

Came to work on Monday, felt horrible and left at 3pm – then stayed home yesterday (and slept the ENTIRE day, no joke) – and today? I still have the stuffiness, but I am FINALLY feeling better…. Ugh. Thank GOD! It’s been a horrible the last 5 days

But yeah, I still sound super stuffed, which makes me sound funny P.S. THANK YOU For all the well wishes everyone!! <3

Writing/Chilldhood
So NanoWriMo starts in a week and I have no clue whether I am up for it or not. I really WANT to do it, but who knows what will come out when it starts. In my ‘sicky state of mind’ I have gone back and forth with a number of ideas, and will probably not even do any of them… ha-ha. Plus, if I miss even 1 day of writing (during the week), I get so far behind and then end up giving up.

That’s what happened last year. I got about 10,000 words done, and then I got sick or distracted (something happened), and I totally fell off the writing train and didn’t bother getting back on it.

This is why I could never be a professional writer (well, this and the fact I can’t write). I get easily distracted, I give up on projects … if I do see something through, I never go back and work on it to make it better … I just FAIL. I only do the writing for ‘fun’ now, but there was a point in my life where I did dream of doing it professionally (when I actually wrote creatively EVERY single day…).

I just have way too many distractions now as an adult.
I have cable tv (didn’t grow up with cable tv, we only had 4 channels!);
I have a computer and internet (I didn’t get both until I was almost a freshman I college!);
I have a car so I can pick up and go anywhere I want, whenever I want (growing up, I was forbidden from going ANYWHERE—didn’t get my license until I was 18—and even then had a strict curfew).

Sometimes I wish I could get rid of all my ‘distractions’ so I could be that child again—that child that couldn’t wait to read the next page in a book or write the next one in her novel (I wrote like 3 books as a kid… wow). That child who didn’t have to grasp at straws to come up with a story, it all just flowed so easily for her … that child who really lived in her imagination and loved every minute of it. I miss that child sometimes … hell, all the time.

The sad thing is, I am still a child in so many ways … but not in the ways that matter, rofl. I really should make a list of things I would like to accomplish before I die … Hmmm. These are hard though because it has to be both a mixture of ‘knowing your limits’ and also ‘knowing your strengths’ and knowing what you can accomplish even though you may think you can’t. I don’t know if I know myself THAT well yet.

Questions
Oh well … I guess it’s all one day at a time, right? :D Anyone else have such a list? Of things they’d like to do before they die? I’ve been meaning to do one for ages now … but … we’ll see. If you don’t mind sharing … How did you go about putting it together? (Thought process)

AND, to my ‘writer friends’ out there … Have you ever written in first person? Did you find it easier or more difficult? OR do you always write in first person? I’m thinking of doing my novel directly from my character’s point of view, in first person (as if she were writing it). Usually I always write in third person …

Also, if you do ‘research’ for your books—do you do the research in advanced …. Or do you write, then when you need to, you look things up while writing (in essence taking away from the ‘time’ in writing at that moment).

Thanks!

LOL Moments Yesterday
First one was just too cute, that those I have on FB probably saw the status. Around 12:15pm my mom calls me on her lunch break and is all upset. What is she upset about? The movie Titanic! This woman never watches TV.

When she was laid off last year for almost a year, she’d watch a bit here and there but it was always her Spanish novellas. Apparently though, she was hanging out with my dad for a bit when Titanic came on, and when he left to go to bed, she stayed up to watch it.

So, she calls me all upset that Leo did so much “to save her life and he still died.” Her words: “now that’s true love.” And how “Cal” was such a “jerk” and he didn’t deserve her, that he only cared about the diamond, and he was a jerk for pretending the child was his to save his own butt….”Hahaha. She was so damn cute. Ten years later, she realizes that Titanic is one sad and eff’d up movie (: BUT, it’s realistic (as realistic as a movie can be :D). Anyway, yeah … I so giggled after I hung up with her for a good twenty minutes.

The other LOL moment I had was with myself (and also posted it to FB). I was reading back over the blurb I posted yesterday, and came across this line: “Looking back out over the forest, she played with the hem of her shit a bit.” I actually laughed at loud when I came across that line; then edited it before anyone else could see it hahaha.

I am sure all of my writings have wonderful mistakes like that.

LinkedIn
Anyone have this? I get a lot of invites from students who come through the school, and then they go off to live their lives, but a lot of them send me an invitation to this. I never really thought about getting on a ‘professional’ social site—it doesn’t really appeal to me.

What are the benefits of it, other than connecting with people like these students (not all I want to connect with :D) and maybe connecting with others in my “field” (which isn’t all that glamorous). Just curious.

I received an invite today from a student I actually really liked; she was totally awesome. My FB is way too personal for me to ever add anyone from my ‘professional’ life to it (unless they were well aware of my quirkiness ‘outside’ the office—and that I swear occasionally online hahaha). So… thoughts? (:

Answer
I forgot to give you guys the answer to the Two Truths, One Lie. You guys are freakin’ AWESOME! Most of you got it right, and it is number #3—I am not left handed.

#1 is true—I can’t even watch people on TV in really tight spots, I start to hyperventilate. Sometimes I’ll be watching the history channel and they will be going into these very tight tunnels/crevices and I have to change the channel because I start to freak out and imagine all kinds of things (like it’s me in that tunnel).

I also hate crowded elevators and would rather wait until one comes that only has a person or two. I hate huge crowds (like when we went to NYC around Christmas last year and we had to plow through a “body roadblock” for 10 minutes—I was dying with each step). If I am in really tight spots, I refuse to go or do whatever is involved with said tight spot (like in Portugal everyone wanted to go on this ‘walk through’ a tunnel, and I refused to go because the entrance was way too small and I was already freaking out before even entering it).

#2 is true—I think that may have been the easiest one to guess because I’ve mentioned the languages a few times. I speak English, Spanish and my native tongue, Portuguese. I also took 3 years of Latin, and can write it when I put my mind to it (and read most of it and ‘understand’). It’s been 10 years though … so it’s getting rustier because I rarely use it.

Anyway – I’ve been rambling a lot lately, don’t know what is wrong with me. I mean, my entries are usually long, but I feel like they’re even longer these days – maybe? I dunno. (: Going to go read up. Have a great Tuesday!

P.S.

Anyone on my list (or off) using Google+? How do you like/dislike it?

So one thing that I am thinking of doing once the weather gets a little nicer, is ride my bike to work. There are two catches with this ...

1) I go by a slightly rough neighborhood, which is fine and dandy in a locked car ...but on a bike? Must think about a different route. 2) I have to dress 'professionally' for work. Not fancy or anything but I can't go in jeans and a t-shirt. So, I have to perhaps get some nice clothes that works with a bike ride (skirts are out, which is what I usually wear).


I have no clue how long it would take by bike to get to work. Help?!

My drive to work, catching most lights, takes me 20 minutes (usually I don't catch many lights so it takes me 10-15ish minutes).

So ... on my bike, how long do you think it would take? I suck at calculating this type of stuff (: I figure at LEAST double the time... so at least 40minutes....but more like ... 1 hour? Also, there are no 'hills'/Mountain Ranges to and from work.

Who has an iPad? What are your thoughts on it?

This whole “e-reader” thought has brought me over to the iPad. Yesterday, when I mentioned that I used to carry around a notebook and a pen/pencil with me at all times, got me thinking… I don’t do that anymore. I sometimes find ideas popping up for a story or a book idea, and I don’t have anything on me to ‘write’.

I figured the iPad would be neat to have around at all times, AND it has an option for an e-reader app … I just don’t know how the screen would work for reading books. I know the kindle is especially made so that it doesn’t cause too much eye strain.

Thing is, I don’t want to pay that much money for a piece of technology just for the above two reasons. What I am really looking for, are things that folks who have one, use it for.

I know that there are a LOT of apps I could put on it, which would entertain me endlessly, so I suppose that is another reason.

Thoughts? I should actually look into it and see what the bugger can actually do.

I have been on hold with them for 40 minutes! This isn't surprising. Im mad because something that was supposed to take 5 minutes via the automated system, now has me on hold waiting to speak to a customer service rep. All because they are not accepting my mother's alien card number...I am so pissed off...

So, to distract me, I am wondering if anyone has a website with some good customized DW Layouts? I have found some communities, but they're either dead or only post once a month. In partiular, I'd like a nice "winter" layout.

Anyway, if folks know some good sites, I would really appreciate it! I am pretty decent at figuring out code; I completely customized my component layout over at LJ many times over.. so I am not a total dudtz, but I dont want to figure things out right now... mind is mush!

Thanks in advance!

45 minutes and counting ...

In more positive news! I’ve been writing, yay! I am almost on target with where I am supposed to be, word count wise. I think by the end of today, I’ll be ahead of schedule. I like to try to get ahead when I can, so that days I don’t have time or can’t think clearly enough to write, I can take a break. Hopefully I’ll get ahead by at least one day, tonight.

I had a word counter last year, that I posted on my journal … but I can’t remember where I found it. Anyone know of a good place that will give you html coding for a ‘counter’ that I can update daily? Greatly appreciated!

I had to send the Nano folks a note. I know it’s stupid, but I worked hard to write that novel last year and submit it on time. The fact that it’s not showing up that I won last year really irks me. It’s not like we win cash or gifts for doing this, so that’s my little prize for my hard work. Also, another friend who didn’t have his showing up, is now showing up, so I’m sitting here going “WTF!” ha. Hopefully they’ll respond and fix it.

I am going to bore you all to death with my Nano babble over the next month; I apologize in advance!

Tonight my show is on, I am giddy! I love my NCIS. It has gotten better the last two episodes … I was beginning to get a little worried with the first few. I noticed that I do not have a ‘lot’ of shows that I am into. There are 3 right now. I know folks who have shows every day they MUST watch.

I was really into True Blood the first two seasons, then I started watching the 3rd season and something was just ‘off’ about it. I only watched two or three episodes and stopped. I figure I can watch it all in one shot when it comes out on DVD. I really wanted to see that Spartacus show, but I watched an episode and it was too bloody for me (yeah, I’m a wuss). I wish HBO still had ROME playing… that show rocked. If Spartacus wasn’t so bloody, I’d totally be into that… I’m a huge history geek and that is one of my favorite time periods.

What are you favorite shows right now?

I actually can’t wait to head home so I can read some more of Infidel. I have never read an autobiography, and now I am slapping myself for neglecting them. I know not ALL of them are inspiring, but I have heard some really good things about a few, and never bothered picking them up. So glad I joined this book club ;D


(Half an hour later) w00t, just passed today’s goal by a little bit. *does a jig*

I'm ready, let's do this! I'm still wondering why it's not showing up that I won Nano last year ... that has me a bit peeved because I worked my ass off to complete a novel... so hopefully they fix whatever glitch that is. Another friend on here said that his was doing the same thing, so I am guessing it's everyone? Oii!

( More Nano talk )

I've been somewhat MIA. Between dealing with things on both the mom and dad front, health wise. Mom has to finish taking some medications her doctor gave her, and then she will have a follow up in early December. If she's not better, they'll be performing a 'small' surgery. It's not anything serious, according to the specialist, and it should help alleviate some of her symptoms/problems. That's always good.

( More on Dad & Family )

In other quick news ... been exchanging some e-mails with my old HS friend Vera, on Facebook. She saw the photos I posted up from Halloween and wants me to take some photos of her and her kids. I thought it was a cute idea. Not that I am any good at photography, but I love a photo project.

I got the idea of us going to the park, and she can bring the pumpkins she has and we can have a "Fall" theme. The kids can play in the leaves or on the playground while I snap some photos, and then we can do a 'family' shot of the three of them with the pumpkins, etc. Hopefully they turn out nice! It's set for this Friday at a park near her home... haha.

Well, I hope everyone's been doing well. I think I caught up on entries last night, but I'll be doing another quick pass in a few.

Ahhh! Six days until NanoWriMo. I have a feeling November is going to be a very busy month for me. Added to my ‘normal’ (somewhat lazy) life …I will be writing for NanoWriMO and participating in my first ever online book club … Oh yes, going to be busy! The book they have chosen for the autobiography is Infidel, which looks great and I do want to read it…but the one they are choosing for the Fantasy may also be really great. I don’t think I can do both, buuuuut … I don’t know. It’s going to be hard to choose—oii!

On top of that, I will have to finish up my Holiday shopping BEFORE the insanity of “Black Friday”. That’s my cut off date. I am not a fan of crowds, and already hate the mall during normal times … so I try to stay away from all stores after that insane weekend. I did get a little shopping done yesterday, which was good. It’s just so difficult to buy for people who have EVERYTHING!

Here are some types of ideas I am tossing around in my head for my parent’s who are the most difficult to shop for:

My mother is quite religious, so I was thinking of finding her some religious texts in Portuguese that she could read. This is harder than I thought, considering I have no idea where to look!

My dad is into history like I am, and Science, so I am thinking of having my brother’s GF get her cousin in Portugal to send me some of her old textbooks that she doesn’t use anymore for school. They’ll be in Portuguese too, and would be a great gift for my dad… plus, she’ll get a little money for them, ha-ha.

My brother’s I figure I’ll just get console games, as we get closer (have to wait and see what they buy or don’t buy and that stuff I can order online without nearing a store).

Everyone else, I am pretty good on ideas for what to get them, so I am not too worried. I just need to get the stuff before my deadline, ha! I am probably going to go this weekend, and finish everything off so I am DONE! Yes, I am aware of how weird I am! :D

Speaking of NanoWriMo, I think I have an idea for my book, so I am excited about that. I’ve been trying to write down little notes, but then I realize that I write best just by the ‘fly’, so there’s no point in writing notes that I will not follow. I let my fingers take me where they will.

Anyone else who is doing this, have their book idea? What type of ‘genre’ do you write, if you’ve participated in the past or is it different each year? I seem to be sticking to the same type.

This weekend I have two things coming up to look forward to. First, we’re doing the Haunted Corn Maze. I’ve never done it, but I hear it’s worth the money and the scares. That’s on Friday. Then on Saturday, my friend’s Halloween party—costume a must. I still have no clue what to be. I do have last year’s costume, that I wore to NYC …but meh. I don’t want to dress up too much. I want something comfortable and simple—I might just wear my wig and do some crazy make-up with an all black outfit. We’ll see I guess.

Is anyone dressing up for Halloween? If so, what are you going as?

Someone lied to me!

At home I have Open Office. I got it mostly because it’s free and not a Microsoft owned program. I also got it because the person who told me about it, said that Microsoft Word would open the Open Office documents—apparently that is a lie (or my job’s Microsoft word FAILS)!

I sent the novel that I wrote last year for NanoWriMo to work, so that I could print it and read it over, and decide if I want to do a sequel or start a whole new book. I kind of also want to work on editing it, and I edit documents better when it’s printed out.

It’s a large file, another reason to print it at work, and then just have them bill me for the paper I use. The past two days I’ve attempted to send it a number of ways, but nothing is working. So, I sent my brother an e-mail asking if he could open it or transfer it onto word and send it back to me. So annoying! Ha-ha. The things I do for Nano!

Brandon keeps telling me that I need to hurry up and edit it and get it to an editor, rofl! It’s a piece of crap. It is my first novel ever, and they say you should write a few before even showing anything to an editor. Plus, I love to write, but it doesn’t mean I am a good writer.

I am really leaning toward writing a sequel to this book. I purposely left it open enough last year so that I could. I just need to come up with a kick ass crime to solve, that doesn’t involve loss of sleep or brain cells on my part, to write. It’s harder than one thinks!

I should really invest some time into researching crime investigation—I think that would help me out with the ‘creating’ the crime I want to solve. Maybe tonight I’ll do some poking around, since I don’t think watching loads and loads of NCIS or CSI count! :D

I also need to keep better notes of the things and places I describe in my novels. Another reason I want to reread it, is because I described in detail some places that the characters use (home, office, etc) … and now I can’t remember a damn thing (hey it’s been a whole year!).

Those of you who are writers, how do you keep things organized and details straight? I’d be curious to know.

(12pm) Yay! I finally printed my book. It’s 60 pages, back to front …. Rofl! I started to write a prologue, but then decided against using it. I kept it in though (might use it for something else). The prologue is about ¾ of a page, so technically my ‘book’ is 59 pages … ha!

This is going to be a joy to reread /sarcasm. I briefly edited the first two chapters, but the rest ... nada. Ha! I actually posted up the first two chapters earlier in the year to LJ (which I imported here). If anyone is interested, I could scrounge them up.

Man, I am getting excited about this year's writing project ... can't you tell?! HA!