M is for Murder (on the Orient Express)

I will not give spoilers for Murder of the Orient  Express. I will not! (fights to insert Tommy Wiseau joke here) "Oh.Hai Mark!" Dammit, I lose...

Sorry, if you don't get the joke (but not really sorry, cause it was funny).

Anyway...today is murder day. M is for Murder on the Orient Express written by the Grand Dame of Murder. Agatha Christie is pretty much considered the queen of the murder mystery and has written a few in her days (33 novels and 54 short stories with Poirot alone). Two of them have even been turned into successful plays; one is STILL running at St. Martin's Theatre in London. Yeah, I know a bit about The Mousetrap, having directed it. I wrote a bit about during the late winter of 2015. Maybe I should do a ful post about it sometime. But, I did a blog post for And There Were None, the other famous novel turned play by Ms. Christie for the A to Z Challenge in 2015.

Now is the time to talk about her other famous murder mystery, on a train, in the snow, in the mountains, and all alone. Murder on the Orient Express that has been made into a number of number movie featuring the likes of Albert Finney (1974), Alfred Molina (2001) - that was a surprise find, David Suchet (2010), and now Kenneth Branagh (2017) as the quirky Belgian detective with zee leetle grey cells and a knack for solving the unsolvable crimes. This time he may have meant he match.

As for other actors who have played Poirot, and there are a lot, check out Book Riot's Kathleen Keenan, A Guide to Onscreen Versions of Poirot. I stumbled upon this one by accident. :-)

Murder on the Orient Express is an ensemble cast, where it is not just a singular person that stands out, but the whole cast. Okay, that is as far as I get with spoilers, but the real reason I enjoy the Orient Express is because it doesn't give you everything right away.  It lets you savor the story and the characters, quite a bit different than other Christie mysteries where the focus is on a few characters, and the rest of supplemental characters to forward the plot. That isn't bad thing, but it makes things interesting on the Orient Express.

Do you have a favourite Agatha Christie mystery, Dear Readers? Not counting Orient Express, I am partial to The Mousetrap, Death in the Clouds (which feels like Orient Express at times), or The Murder of Roger Ackroyd.

Now for some poetry...Enjoy!

How about some murder?

Once there was a train,

famous in name more than anything.

Drawing everyone to ride the length

of two continents and many mountains.

Famous in name more than anything;

when strangers board for the Orient,

of two continents and many mountains

and a little man with a wild moustashe.

When strangers board for the Orient

and gather together to break bread;

and a little man with a wild moustashe

asks for just the right egg, indeed.

And gather together to break bread,

before the night's respite begins

asks for just the right egg, indeed 

and meets his fellow travelers.

Before the night's respite begins

and the murder most foul appears

and meets his fellow travelers

with violent stab wounds.

And the murder most foul appears

and collects its suspects like carousel rings

with violent stab wounds; 

to begin to suspect every and all passengers.

And collects its suspect like carousel rings

in a deadly ring around the rosie;

to begin to suspect every and all passengers

includes Poirot's little grey cells.

In a deadly ring around the rosie

and a little man with a wild moustashe

includes Poirot's little grey cells.

Once there was a train.

Round 2 at a Close

Round 2 is done! I finished on a high note and feeling really good. I will post a final thoughts tomorrow but today, a short check-in on progress.

This week:
     *Reading: Over half way through Wicked (Gregory Maguire). I found my reason for reading it. The story Murder of the Orient Express (Agatha Christie). It's not a long book, but I haven't given it proper time to soak in to my little grey cells.
is unique and brilliant in part, but at least a third of the time I find Maguire's writing either dry or over my head. Writing novels should not always be about writing so people can't understand, but writing so people can understand. I am determined to finish it, but not enjoying his writing style. Another chapter down in
     *Writing: wrote 1200+ words Monday on the Top Secret Project (using writing blitzes). Nothing Tuesday. ROW80 check-in today.
      *Social Media: 4+ blogs daily. I finished visiting all of Sundays posters. This won't always happen, so I am enjoying the fact I  manages to visit everyone this time around.

I feel that I slacked with the editing goals for Sunday and my submissions. Not that it is bad, but I feel I could have used some time more effectively. Last night was the first night in months that I had an improv practice. In a way my brain understood this and can expect that I missed a chance to get some editing done. That's the goal I feel bad about missing the most.

Onto next week...

This (upcoming) Week:
      *Reading: continue with Wicked and Murder on the Orient Express. Try to start The Subtle Knife (Phillip Pullman), maybe a chapter here and chapter there.
       *Writing: write daily. Finish Golden Compass Review and post it. Spend time on the Top Secret Project. Finish and post my #writestuff challenge.
         *Editing: Look at The Real Road Trip. Work on edits of  a 2 page minimum by Saturday. With the end of the Round I am not set specific goals throughout the break, but enough to keep me busy during that time.
         *Social Media: 4 blogs daily and keep up with blogs that I am following.

A Round of Words in 80 Days is a blog challenge that knows you have a life. Check out the Blog Hop and see what everyone else is up to.

I am thinking of trying some new challenge, so that I have picked up from here. More on this in my reflections tomorrow.  How are your goals coming along, Dear Readers? Have a splendid day!

Raining on the Porch and Writing

It's been a long week and a full weekend. The beginning of the graduation parties and holiday plans. Mi padre is coming up for July 4th!! Huzzah!  Goals are really starting to find purchase, Round 2 is almost at a close, and the Summer has only just started to summer. Lots in the works, so onto the check-in.....

This Week:
     *Reading: finished Golden Compass (Phillip Pullman), continuing with Wicked (Gregory Maguire), and Murder on the Orient Express (Agatha Christie). I think Poirot is my favourite, but I have been going through my Poirot mysteries first before hitting up the Miss Marple. Wicked is growing on me some. Still feels a bit preachy at times about politics, but I am going to finish it.
started the first chapter of
     *Social Media: managed to visit 4 blogs daily for my #ROW80 list and got to everyone who posted on Wednesday. Also visited my WIPpeteers, 2 a day when about. I still have at least 4 more to visit before Wednesday.
     *Writing: wrote Wednesday, Thursday, and a little on Friday. I wrote a poem and a short story for a fellow blogger's site, a writing challenge prompt. Been brainstorming for the secret project and planning to do a writing blitz later today (prolly before I actually post this) and working on my review of The Golden Compass from my Book to Movie reviews that I usually do in October. I miss last October because of my busy schedule and just now catching up.
     *Editing: finished the first round of edits on Love in Ferns. The short story version is going to be submitted to #writestuff's monthly challenge. I feel I need another pass before I post it wholly. Been thinking of writing an large story of it, thinking I need to do a bit of plotting on it before I attempt more. I can see more of the story on the horizon, just not sure where to go next.
      *Housetending: the usual on Sunday laundry, garbage, and dishes.
      *Submissions: I got two in this early afternoon. Also got another rejection letter. I finally figured out why for the current one. They are not looking for poetry that uses repetitious forms, like pantoums. Funny, because I am really good at pantoums. Also, the flowery language doesn't entice them. I guess I can understand. But and the other hand the poems were good, just not a right fit. Time to try elsewhere.

Side note: colouring is truly therapeutic...

From my friend James' new colouring book of his artwork from his series The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica. See his stuff books and artwork at Coppervale International or at James A. Owen. Done in marker, which was difficult until I found my fine tipped markers, these were quite fun to colour.


This Week (upcoming):
     *Reading: continue with Wicked and start The Subtle Knife (Phillip Pullman). I love His Dark Materials!!
     *Writing: write daily. Works to work on Golden Compass Review and Secret Project.
     *Editing: look at where I am in The Real Road Trip revision, attempt to revise 2 page (starting small).
     *Submissions: 1 new.
     *Social Media: 4 blogs daily for ROW80 and 2 WIPpeteers blogs.
     *Blogging: 1 new post and review a review for 1 of the books I recently finished.

A Round of Words in 80 Days is a blog challenge that knows you have a life. It's a Blog Hop. So stop in for some biscuits and tea.

I bought my day pass for Saturday at Connecticon which means I have to go now. I have directions, only a scant 4 hours and 50 minutes. I get to see my friend and mentor James and see what a larger Con looks like. Thinking of cos playing as someone, not sure if I am that brave, but how often do I do this, right?

There are plans for a Renaissance Faire trip, another trip to Eldridge Park, putt putt marathon, and flea marketing. Oh and the Weird Al concert ion August! It's shaping up to be a full and fun summer.

How are your goals coming, Dear Readers? What are you planning for the summer?

Today has been nice, sunshiny and warm, with just a touch of rain. Birds are singing and neighbourhood chitlins were playing. They have since disappeared. A jogging is passing by now. It's the staple around here. Life is good!

WIPpet Wednesday: Love in Ferns

I made it!!!

WIPpet Wednesday:
      *17 lines from 6/3. Hmmm.... 6 + 3 = 9 + 2 + 0 + 1 + 5 = 17

Read my fellow WIPpeteers here.

It had been three or four years ago when we first met, in a dance class of all places. I wasn’t the dancer type; I just wanted a fun elective to take. The class was folk dancing and most of the class was girls who were majoring in dance or theatre, there were some were guys needing an elective to graduate, and a few random people, like me, who wanted to learn to dance. I met Callie on the first day of class, but didn’t talk until three weeks later. We had learned several group dances and were moving onto partnered dances. I was still quite shy, so the teacher paired the people without partners. Thus we were paired together for the Polka. 

Callie often wore billowy skirts and dresses. The kind that plume out when you twirl around. This she did often, and especially during class. I just wore shorts and a tee shirt and usually felt clunky next to her. The teacher Ms. Grestanoski began the explanation of the dance. Trying to follow I soon began lost, Callie leaned over and whispered in my ear, “don’t worry. I already know this one. I help you.” She smiled and I felt more at ease, or maybe it was the warmth in the pit of my stomach that quelled the sudden butterflies. This was how my friendship with Callie began.

Fun Fact: I took a Folk Dance class in college and learn the Mayim Mayim dance and the Tarantella. The tarantella is a fast and footwork heavy dance (at least what I remember of learning it). Also, while I am polish, I do  not know how to polka.

It's been a good week so far. The evil day job is gearing up, making the days long. I am loathing the phone again, but that's normal. I am almost home in the evenings and getting stuff done. It hasn't been this productive in months. Well, productive in theatre, yes. Productivity in writing was at an all time low the last two months. I am so pleased that I did manage Blogging A to Z and NaPoWriMo, that kept me afloat. Now I am writing stories and poems and beginning to get back to where I was earlier in  the year.

The weather has broken. The rampant humidity has abated and we received a few days of rain, with today baring the skies with a bright blue and balmy temperatures. Nothing quite like other parts of the country and world though, such as India, California, and Texas. Glad to hear that the rains had ceased and the drying out has begun, as I know quite a number of folks in that state.

Today check-in is much more to mu liking. I have more to report and that makes me happy. So without further ado, the check-in!

This Week:
     *Reading: finished Crispin: The Cross of Lead (Avi), which I think I mentioned for Sunday's (Monday) post. I began reading Murder in Three Acts (Agatha Christie), another Poirot mystery. I seem to be fond of the little Belgian detective. Also, I pulled out Wicked (Gregory McGuire). I think it's time to tackle that beast. I plan to also re-read The Golden Compass (Phillip Pullman) and write a review of the book versus movie, but that in the coming months.
     *Writing: I wrote yesterday about 1877 words. I nice little piece of flash fiction. It's needs to be edited and revised. But I plan to post in on #writestuff's monthly challenge and maybe even submit it to a contest or two. Depends on how the editing process goes.
     *Social Media: visited 4 blogs from Sunday's check-in. Going to visit at least 2 to 4 for today to get me caught up. Also, visited about three blogs over Monday and Tuesday. Getting back in the saddle!
     *Housework: Dishes...DONE! Laundry....DONE! Lawn...DONE! Vacuuming...downstairs done!
     *Submissions: submitted 2 poems to The Lincoln Underground. Alas, due to time constraints, graduating editors, and funding the summer issue is going to be the last issue (for now?). This journal was the one that while they rejected all of my work up to this point, they still give me constructive criticism and pushed me to keep submitting.

This (upcoming) Week:
     *Reading: continue with Murder in Three Acts.
     *Writing: write something daily.
     *Blogging: post to #writestuff's monthly challenge.
     *Editing: edit the working title Fern Love for possible submission.
     *Submissions: 1 new submission by Sunday.
   
A Round of Words in 80 Days is the blog challenge that knows you have a life. Come and visit the Blog Hop here.

This weekend is hanging out with the Whovian peeps and either hanging at the Love Shack, or going to Eldridge Park with Sara's daughters to ride the carousel and the dragon boats (with the fellow Whovians in tow). What are you, Dear Readers, up to now that it is June?

Pastoral Stardust

This one was easy. I just needed a few hours to find my reason for writing it. As I love pantoum, it on seemed appropriate to write a pastoral pantoum in the vein of a Neil Gaiman inspired dreamscape. I think this is my favourite optional prompt this month (NaPoWriMo) and the poem that I am most proud of, Dear Readers. Enjoy...

And now for (as always, optional) prompt! Today is Earth Day, so I would like to challenge you to write a “pastoral” poem. Traditionally, pastoral poems involved various shepherdesses and shepherds talking about love and fields, but yours can really just be a poem that engages with nature. One great way of going about this is simply to take a look outside your window, or take a walk around a local park. What’s happening in the yard and the trees? What’s blooming and what’s taking flight?

Today's poem and shout out goes to my Friend, Jesi. A beautiful soul and amazing poet. It is she who is like a star shining down on us all, bathing us is an ethereal light. Go check out her blog and writings! Toyou, Jesi, my Muse!! :-)

Pastoral Stardust 

When the sunshine breaks across the sea

and the last vestiges of the night steal away

is the moment when the stars yawn, sleepily

and the day is birthed anew.

And the last vestiges of the night steal away,

I am wrapped within the warmth of your arms

and the day is birthed anew, 

with a chance for joy and love to rejoice.

I am wrapped within the warmth of your arms,

watching the sunshine begin to dance across 

with the chance for joy and love to rejoice

in pastoral gales of pale green grass and sheep.

Watching the sunshine begin to dance across,

much like faeries flitting from flower to flower

in pastoral gales of pale green grass and sheep

and its like something out of a storybook.

Much like the faeries flitting from flower to flower--

my heart beats in rhythm with yours 

and it's like something out of a storybook,

when the hero is crowned king and his lady by his side.

My heart beats in rhythm with yours

is the moment when the stars yawn, sleepily

and when the hero is crowned king and his lady by his side--

when the sunshine breaks across the sea.

Now for my ON TIME check-in, the first one since Round 2 started. I knew this month was going to be tight, so I am glad that I still have enough focus to make ROW80 worth it. Oh, Dear Readers, it is always worth it, but I mean I definitely needed to refocus in April and May, to make this work, I am finally getting back on some sort track.

A Round of Words ion 80 Days, the blog challenge that know you have a life. Welcome to the Blog Hop!

This week:
   *Writing: on track with my challenges. I am finding a rhythm in the last third of the month, finally. I am pretty proud of my poems. I only opted out of two of the 22 daily prompts this month. Thinking, Dear Readers, that I will still try a fourteener and a sapphic poem. Well, the sapphic will wait until Summer. Oh the maths!!!
   *Reading: made a big dent in Murder in the Mews (Agatha Christie), it's an book of four short stories, so it is an easier read. I am not sure I will make the monthly goal of 4 books at this rate, but we shall see. There is still time.

This week (upcoming):
   *Reading: finish Murder in the Mews by Friday. Start Alysa of the Fields (might even listen to the audio version), I was part of the recording of the books, in the chorus with some oohs and aahs, and even a line. It was written by a local author, my Hubs is the lead hero.
   *Writing: work on writing the #writestuff monthly challenge piece
   *Submitting: look for a piece to submit to Toasted Cheese's summer contest, A Midsummer Tale. Entries are due by June 21, 20145.

Post Mousetrap Progress

Okay, so I missed Wednesday and couldn't bring myself to write anything, even a day late. Bad writer!
~slaps my own hand~ Anyway, I feel much more refreshed and I even am more on track. Yesterday was mine and the hubs' 8th wedding anniversary. So, I took him out to dinner at Ruby Tuesday's (a rare treat) and then we went to see Kingsman: The Secret Service. I have decided I need more Colin Firth in my life and Samuel L. Jackson was pretty awesome too.

So today I present my renewed progress in Round 1 before the end of the Round actually happens.

This week:
     *Reading: finished Anansi Boys (Neil Gaiman). Really good. Didn't know where it was going, but quite the engaging story. Have been consistently please with Neil's works thus far. I will be beginning Good Omens (T. Pratchett and N. Gaiman). Also, will be working on And Then There Were None (Agatha Christie).
     *Writing: wrote a piece of flash fiction for #writestuff monthly challenge. It's about making a choice of two equally bad choices. Read it To Choose. TOTAL WORD COUNT: 1946.
     *Editing: edited the above mentioned story.
     *Other Stuffs: cleaning the house this afternoon, laundry, garbage, and maybe vacuuming later.

from MorgueFile

This (upcoming) week:
     *Reading: read Good Omens and And Then There Were None.
     *Blogging: begin truly blogging 1 a week. Including my ROW80 check-in to make a thrice weekly blogging.
     Writing: write daily. Pen (or type) 250 words daily.
     *Editing: resume The Real Road Trip revision #1.
     *Submission: 1 new a week.

Mousetrap is done and put to bed. I was sad this week because of that, but now I have 24 Hour Theatre going up April 11th. April is full of trips and new projects. I have two new theatre projects, Stage Managing Aesop's Foibles for LCP and acting/singing in KLP's Zombie Prom. I also am doing the Blogging from A to Z challenge. Am a bit excited and am thinking of doing some pre-planning/writing this year, as last year I struggled with the some of the letters. Note: I think I am also going to start writing a list of blog ideas that will be constantly updated as the ideas are used.

How are you shaping up for this Round, Dear Reader (if you are doing ROW80)? What are you up to now that Spring has sprung (well mostly sprung)?

A Round of Words in 80 Days is a challenge that lets you set goals and help you to hold yourself accountable by reporting your progress with fellow bloggers/writers. Come in and visit the Blog Hop!!

Music for Today: I love these two and the video is just neat. Not sure how they did it. Probably green screened somethings out

Last Performance and Bittersweet!!

Okay, so today is the last performance of The Mousetrap. Today is going to be bittersweet. As does happen, this show has been amazing to put together and the cast phenomenal to work with. Tomorrow, I will face my post show crash, but today I go in with my head held  high and watch my cast give it all for their last performance.

ROW 80 goals are still on the short side this week, as I am still in between my two worlds. It's okay. I am going to have much more time. Feeling good today, Dear Readers. My current state of health is the illness wasn't bronchitis, just a several chest cold/cough. Yay ZPAC!! Cough is receding and feeling much better.

This Week (really short):
     *Reading: finished Five Little Pigs (Murder in Retrospect) by Agatha Christie and started Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman. I can see the similar characters the Miss Christie has used in a few other of her novels that I have read, but the end always seems to surprise me.
     *Social Media/Visiting: most of the week was on track, 4 blogs daily. I slipped up about Friday and Saturday nothing.

This Week (upcoming and return to form):
      *Reading: continued with Anansi Boys.
      *Writing: work on flash fiction piece for #writestuff challenge.
      *Blogging: 1 new blog entry (non-ROW80). I promise this week, I swear. :-)
      *Submitting: 1 new submission.
      *Editing: edit another 10 pages of The Real Road Trip.

A Round of Words in 80 Days is a Blog Hop challenge that allows you to set goals and report on the progress of those goals. Come on in! We have Oreos!!

That's it, I write this before I have to head to the Elks for the show. It's going to be a long day. Since I have been out and about, what have you been up to, Dear Readers? Any good trouble?

Not so bad as I thought...

This Week:
     *Reading: close to finishing Five Little Pigs (Murder in Retrospect) by Agatha Christie. Less than 40 pages left.
     *Blogging: no new non-ROW80 posts, but I am current with my ROW80 updates.
     *Social Media/Visiting: 4 blogs for the last 3 days, I cheated a bit and did it all on Tuesday. But this gets me caught up on my daily tallies and keeps me informed of my fellow ROW-ers.
     *Theatre Stuffs: brush up rehearsal tonight!

It's been a weird week, what with 2 days off. While the rest was much needed I feel at a loss when I am not doing something theatre related. This is especially true of the week between performance weekends. Here are a few more (non-spoiler) shots from last weekend.

 This (coming) Week:
     *Reading: finally finish Five Little Pigs, and start Anansi Boys (Neil Gaiman). This is the plan. I was not feeling that great yesterday and missed a chance to read.
   

*Writing/Blogging: work on a story for #writestuff, post 1 new blog post (non-ROW80) to the blog, maybe write some poetry. We will see how much I can get done tomorrow (Thursday).
*Social Media/Visiting: continue to be on track.

I am still keeping it simple for this week. Expect that I will have more to report on and more writing to share with you all, Dear Readers. Yesterday was rainy, but the warmer weather has arrived this week and the piles of snow are starting to recede. Wahooo!!

A Round of Words in 80 Days is a Blog Hop, writing challenge, created to allow writers to set goals and report on their progress.

Also, it being Wednesday, it is WIPpet Wednesday. I have not really worked on my WIP The Real Road Trip, but it's time to introduce Selynee's dad. Using the WIPpet math (today's date is the 11th), I present 11 short paragraphs (I don't have access to my edited script, so here's the pre-edited version).

“Not tonight,” Selynee shook herself free of the memories. She looked up at her father, “I will tell you, but it’s almost midnight and I still have two days of school to get through before Spring Break.”

“Right. Well, if you need to talk, I can break out the cheesecake and coffee.” Her laughed and lightly shoved Selynee.

She smiled and looked up at him. He was trying. “Thanks, Dad. I’ll keep that in mind if I can’t sleep.”

“I know I’m not your mother…”

Selynee interrupted, “And for that I am glad…”

“But I want you to know that I want to be involved. I might not know how to sew, but you and me have to stick together.”

Selynee nodded, “I know, Dad. I just don’t know everything myself.”

“Neither do I. Maybe we can try finding it out together?”

“Maybe,” said Selynee.

“Goodnight, Pumpkin.” He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek.


“Night, Daddy.” She smile and shoved him back.

Because for some reason this was playing in my head yesterday:

1 Weekend Down and Straight Onto Morning

So, first three performances of The Mousetrap are over. It's been a long week and weekend. Really worth it though to see my cast entertain three sets of audiences (Friday through Sunday). They made them laugh, surprised, and sympathize with them. They made me laugh, cry, and surprised me too! It was AWESOME!! I couldn't have asked for a better cast!

A quick shout out to Choice Photography for these great shots of Sunday's show, and don't worry these are not spoilers. SPoliers, Darling!

This Week: 
    *Reading: I'm a little further along in Five Little Pigs (or Murder in retrospect) (Agatha Christie). I think I can finish it.
    *Theatre Stuffs: Opening weekend! Full of awesome!

Again, if you are anywhere near
Corning, NY, come and check us out! We perform at the Corning Elks
on the corner of 1st and Walnut, March 13th - 15th at 7:30 and 2:00.

Centre Stage Community Theatre

Monkswell Manor

Yes, shameless plug!!

This Week (upcoming):
   *Reading: start Anansi Boys (Neil Gaiman), begin another Agatha Christie mystery, maybe And Then There Were None (or Ten Little Indians).
   *Writing: flash fiction piece for #writestuff. Write more flash fiction/short stories using the 30 song title writing challenge. I am not sure how much I am going to write, but this week is a return to normalcy (well as normal as a writer's life is).
   *Blogging: 1 new non-ROW80 post.

Okay, I am going to take it easy on my. I know what goals I can also work on, but I want to get back into thje swing of thing, Dear Readers. Directing a show is rather overwhelming and awesome, but also tiring. So, I am going to build up slow. See where I am at Wednesday and then go on from there.

A Round of Words in 80 Days, a blog challenges that know you have a life. Set some goals and as you work on them, log in and report on your progress. It's a Blog Hop, so stop in to meet  and see what we are up to with writing, reading, theatre, crocheting, blogging, or any of our other hobbies, jobs, past times. We have cookies, cheesecake, tea, coffee, you name. Welcome!

Music of the Day:

It's (almost) Showtime!

Quite short and sweet!

This week:
    *Theatre Stuffs: got the set going, began tech rehearsals (had a snowstorm that cancelled yesterday's rehearsal), cast looks and sounds good, getting final touches on the set, painting trimming and fireplaces, hanging pictures, interviewed this morning on WENY-TV (see here). I have two more rehearsals. not going to look at the script. My stage crew and light/sound tech are in control (which is harder for me as I do like having a degree of control). But, my confidence in this show and the pride in my cast supersedes that need to have my hand everywhere.
    *Reading: I did manage to read more of Five Little Pigs (Agatha Christie). TOTAL PAGES: 20.

The Rest of the Week:
    *Theatre Stuffs: shows Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
    *Reading: continue with Five Little Pigs.
    *Writing: have a new #writestuff challenge A Choice. I am excited, even with the busy days and nights, to have a specific goal to work on. Keeps me thinking.

A Round of Words in  80 Days, a blog challenge that allows you to set goals and report on the progress of said goals. It knows you have a life. And right now I have never been so aware. It's a Blog Hop, come in and visit with us. :-)

Not really much else, Dear Readers. Been so busy with Monkswell Manor that I have developed a British accent when I talk to everyone. It's been a grand time. I will be you on the other side. Lots of stuff and writing projects post Mousetrap.

Music for the Week:

...Only 30 Miles from London!

It's Sunday and no I haven't done a thing with my goals. I spoke earlier about this potentiality. It is true.

Today begins Mousetrap tech week (known to the theatre community as Hell Week). Simply put, when hell week happens nothing else gets done. My house has becomes a tornado alley (more than normal), with stuff and things everywhere. Chores like dishes are forgotten, laundry doesn't get put away, forget any sense of order. Anyway, all this babbling means that I have been 'living' in Monkswell Manor, 30 miles from London for the last week and will be for this week. I will try to accomplish something, but today and Wednesday are looking a bit packed for time.

This week:
     *Reading: I got a little farther in Five Little Pigs (Agatha Christie). TOTAL PAGES: 20.
     *Theatre Stuffs: got the first coat of paint on the set. Will need a 2nd coat on some of the panels as the previous show used this dark red and touch ups. Got most of the props, just missing a few last minute props. The interior designer is still at work getting wall stuff for Monkswell Manor, just so far it's looking good. Sound effects are done. Publicity is ongoing with press release having seen in the Corning paper already.

This coming week (going to make this simple):
      *Reading: attempt to read at work, during lunch. I usually do, but this past week has been distracting. Make my way through more of  Five Little Pigs.
      *Writing: try to write something between Sunday (today) and Wednesday, even if it's one thing.
      *Theatre Stuffs: do TV interview with Dale 3/4 (butt-crack of dawn), finish set (painting, fixes, and last minute touches) on Tuesday, rehearse, rehearse, rehearsal, oh and I forgot rehearse! :-)

A Round of Words on 80 Days is a blog challenge that knows you have a life and is a Blog Hop. Stop on in and get warm.

I have been quoting this show about continuously, "Little Bo Policeman has lost his skis and doesn't know where to find them..."

"The north wind doth blow; and it will bring snow; and what will the Robin do, poor thing."

"But such a gay little tune? Don't you think? She cuts of their tails with a craving knife- snick, snick, snick- delicious. Just what a child would adore. Cruel little things children..."

So, if you are in the Corning area March 6 - 8th and 13 - 15th come and see The Mousetrap!

So late...thus begins my Tech Week...and Writing...and Goals...

So pressed for time and it's almost midnight. I am still trying to finish this check-in. I know, not necessarily the priority, but it's the principle. I have made these goals and I will stick by them. Mousetrap rehearsal are beginning to take over. They are running long and the set is mostly erected (still need to be finished and then paint). But it's looking so good, my cast is looking so good, and my life is falling into place. Yes, I am gushing about my show. Well, by Monday, it becomes my cast's show. I leave it in their hands. I trust them. I have guided them to this point, time to take the training wheels off and get the technical stuff ironed out.

Okay, I am gushing now! But, there is something about waking across your set, when it is all still pieces and odd colours and knowing it's going to be amazing. I get goosebumps. Even if I have to write my ROW80 check-ions after midnight or read my fellow bloggers in the few minutes before leaving for work. I shall forego sleep this week and next, but it will be worth it.

Okay, this check-in is going to be short. I don't have full word counts or all the details at the moments so what I can report on, I will report on now.

This Week:

     *Reading: read more of Five Little Pigs (Agatha Christie). PAGES READ: about 50 pages.

     *Writing: wrote a story, using the 30 Song Title Challenge. Not sure it's the actual title. But, borrowed from Fallon Brown (click the link to read more). Wrote a poem after coining the title Don't Anger the Goddess. inspired by Jessica Scott and Rod E. Kok. WORD TOTAL: 1271 and 149 words.

      *Social Media: mostly on track. I did miss Wednesday's daily goal. Plan to visit 8 blogs tomorrow to make up for it.

     *Theatre Stuffs: submitted press release to The Leader, posters, promotions, and getting last minutes props/costumes.

The Rest of the Week:

     *Blogging: 1 new post.

     *Submitting: 1 new submission.

     *Editing/Novels: 10 more pages edited.

     *Reading: finish Five Little Pigs.

     *Writing: write new story in 30 Song Title Challenge and/or new poem. 

     *Theatre Stuff: prepare of Hell Week (Tech Week).

It's Wednesday too, and I am scrambling to find a WIPpet to share. So, let's look at the math first 2/25 is today's date, let's do 25; 2 + 5 = 7 paragraphs. A bit of back stork. This is the other co-protagonist, Marcie. She just woke from a nightmare. Must of it is unclear to her Mother, but like most dreams, there is truth there. Some of this is echoes from Selynee's snippets from previous weeks, if you've been following along.

Elsewhere there was sounds of screaming. It woke up this house and the tuxedo cat darted through the house.

 

Marcie was screaming and her mother rushed into her room. It happened to be one of those rare nights that her mother wasn’t working. Marcie’s was screaming, not aware of her Mother’s arms holding her. She was crying, and then suddenly hiccupped, thus stopping the screaming. Marcie’s mother sat on her bed, , “Oh, Sweetie, what happened? Honey? Hey, you okay?” She kissed the top of Marcie’s bed head hair.

 

No words came from Marcie, just some tears and hiccups. “Breath, Honey. Please.” She rocked Marcie against her body, softly shushing her whimpers and calming her hiccups.

 

Marcie tried to speak, but her vocal chords wouldn’t work. All she could do were soft grunts and sometimes a sigh, as she breathed against her Mother’s chest. “Let it out, Honey,” she said and she at the clock sitting on the night stand. Two o’clock in the morning. “It must have been a nightmare.” Marcie’s mother said, the only conversation occurring in the room. She was used to her daughter being tight lipped about many things and wasn’t expecting Marcie to answer her.

 

“I dreamt of Daddy, Mom.” She looked at her Mother.

 

The words spilled out of Marcie’s mouth before she could stop. Her mother could barely keeping up with the stream of thought. “I dreamt of Daddy, when he was in the hospital, right before he died. After that, Selynee was there, and that old nurse McLean; and then Selynee and I were at the semi-formal, dancing. Garrett Mulvaney he was there too, for some reason and she stole him. I was mad.” The sentences flowed out of Marcie is a mad rush. “Daddy wanted to die,” Marcie fought back some tears. Marcie was onto the next thought, “She asked him to dance. And I saw, Daddy. He wanted to die, Mom. And she promised to let me dance with Garrett.” The words spilled out of Marcie like a confession that her Mother was unaware of. Marcie was crying again.

 

“Oh, Honey. I’m sorry.” She could do nothing but let Marcie cry, would figure the rest out later.

ROW80, A Round of Words in 80 Days is a blog challenge that knows you have a life. Visit the Blog Hop to see what we are up to.

WIPpet Wednesday, created by author, K.L. Schwengel. A Linky List where writers can share their WIPs. Also, stop by, read a bit, and make some new friends! :-)

That's it for now. It is quick and I need to sleep. I have prom dresses to pick up and I think I will go into the day job and take Friday off. Always something. I am pleased with my goals, I am doing pretty well. How are you doing, Dear Reader? Tell me about your favourite goal this round? Mine is the writing daily goal (which I am doing more consistently) and my 2015 Goodreads Challenge to read 30 books this year. I'm at 14. Leave me some love! Thanks!!

Been in a Mediaeval Baebes Mood:

Sunny on a Sunday and Lookee Here...

So, yeah, winter blows and blows...but, here I am doing this...

This Week:
   *Reading: finished Stardust by Neil Gaiman. I really good read. Very fairy tale. Started Five Little Pigs (Murder in Retrospect) by Agatha Christie and will be starting Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman. Trying to shift my reading into other author as I am getting low on Gaiman books to read. I am looking at either the Inkheart or His Dark Material series (both I have read, but am looking to revisit them).
    *Writing: wrote a flash fiction piece called Happy F***in' Valentine's Day: A Story for the #writestuff group (topic Anti-Valentine's Day) and co-wrote a poem with the Hubs on Friday about Quetzalcoatl. WORD TOTAL:  877 and 114.
    *Editing/Novel: made a dent this week in The Real Road Trip. Not the full 20 pages I planned, but really got to the heart of one of my characters. I am going to accept that this revision is going to be a full revision and not just small fixes. It's what is right for this story right now. Need to clear the crap out and flesh out the rest of the bits left after the cut. TOTAL 11+ pages. 
     *Blogging: was busy on the blog, what with the Coraline review happening. I finally watched the movie and the review of the book versus the movie needed to happen. Then I posted Happy F***in' Valentine's Day: A Story. Finally, I was tagged in Ink Dipped Moon's blog for the Liebster Award. The getting to know you blog conversation starter. I had done it before, so I decided to do it again and tag new people.
     *Submitting: 1 new submission: Please Hold
     *Social Media/Visiting: on track. 4+ daily blogs visited. Missed Saturday due to it being an unplugged day.
     *Theatre Stuffs (The Mousetrap): got the armchair, most of the costume pieces from the costumer, move the furniture to the dance floor because of an event that needs the space Monday and set building commences on Wednesday, and chatted with my producer. You know, the getting in line with his stuff and my stuff, so we are both on the same page.

For This Coming Week:
    *Reading: Five Little Pigs (Murder in Retrospect).
    *Writing: write or work on a new flash fiction story and interview my friend about her new Kickstarter: Positive Randomosity podcasts. More on that later (but check it out now)!
    *Blogging: 1 new post, about friend's Kickstarter project (see above).
    *Submitting: 1 new submission.
    *Theatre Stuffs: preparation for costumes parade Wednesday, submit press release to one more newspaper, and not freak out about there being less than 2 week until we open.

This is the second time I type this check-in, as my internet went stupid just prior to hitting publish. Gah! So anyway, it has been a busy week here. The cold isn't helping. Today is at least in the upper 20's (heat wave?) Tomorrow the bitter cold returns. I still have a nasty cough. But, I have the theatre and the writing. It keeps me going. What about you, Dear Readers? How are you surviving you winter of hell 2015? How are the goals coming? Anything exciting, joyous, and beautiful happening in your worlds? Leave me some love below, I do love to hear from you all!!

A Round of Words in 80 Days is a blog challenge that knows you have a life. It challenges you to make goals and report on those goal bi-weekly. It is a Blog Hop. Come on in!