WIPpet Wednesday and Cucumber Soda

Actually spent time with the hubs tonight. I took a little bit of time and made a picnic for David and I. We headed up to Spencercrest Nature Center for a dinner/picnic and some us time. It felt good! We both needed a moment or two to chill. Both of our weeks have been rather hectic and it was much needed. Armed with roast beef sandwiches, sweet pickles (David loved those), birthday cake Oreos, and cucumber soda. Yes, I said cucumber soda. It was surprisingly good.

 And then on the drive home saw some deer having their dinner.

What's coming up, well, improv show this Friday! And my birthday is on Sunday. Not quite sure what I am doing for it, but I'm sure it'll be a good weekend. This coming week is the Weird Al concert in Williamsport and then there's the Sterling Renaissance Faire on Saturday. My friend Sara is making Faerie costumes. Will post picture. August is turning into a busy month. I am almost at the end of my three month hiatus from theatre. In the fall I start stage managing a production of The Music Man. So, I will be a busy bee again. After this summer I have found a balance with many of my goals and it is only gets better.

This Week:

     *Reading: started Murder Comes Ashore (Julie Anne Lindsey), continuing through The Amber Spyglass (Phillip Pullman), and almost done with Smoke and Mirrors (Neil Gaiman). Neil's stories are always interesting and enchanting, even when they are a bit strange.

     *Editing: pretty proud of myself this week. I edited about 8 pages of The Real Road Trip, my NaNoWriMo from last year and a story about two friends on a Road Trip. I had been fighting with trying to get through a  first full edit/revision. I kept putting it aside and putting it aside. I finally decided that I needed to edit it. I thus picked the draft up and begin to read. I changed how I made my edits. My practice is not perfect, but I am making more progress.  I would read a section and jotted notes on the side, sometimes correcting some of the minor spelling and grammatical, or slashing whole sections. Also decided I am going to wait until I finish going through the script before typing the edits in. I feel this is making the revision reading move faster. Also, I revised and edited a flash fiction piece for #writestuff monthly challenge. You can read it Maybe its Time.

     *Writing: wrote on Sunday a ROW80 post, did a 15 minute writing blitz (about 414 words) on Tuesday, and writing today's ROW80 post. Been busy with other goals, but feeling better about my balance all the goals.

     *Blogging: see above. Posted the story Maybe its Time.

     *Social Media: visited 4 blogs daily and my sponsor duties since Sunday. One track!

This (upcoming) Week:

     *Reading: finish Smoke and Mirrors and Murder Comes Ashore.

     *Writing: write daily. At least 300 words.

     *Editing: at least 2 pages of The Real Road Trip.

     *Blogging: 1 new non-ROW80 post.

     *Submissions: 2 new submissions.

     *Social Media: visit 4 blogs daily and sponsor duties.

A Round of Words in 80 Days is a blog challenge that knows you have a life. Come see what fellow blogger and writers are up to at the Blog Hop.

It's also WIPpet Wednesday. Created by K.L. Schwengel, where the WIPpeteers share a bit from their current WIP. You take Today Date (7/29/2015) and use some math to relate back to the snippet. Today I give you 7 paragraphs for the 7th month from my new story Once Upon a Cloud.... With a little more banter between Cumi and Strat sitting down to lunch in Chicken Bliss.

Chicken Bliss was not very large of a business. An occupancy sign read Maximum of 25 persons within. It looked so much bigger on the outside. 

Stratus crossed back to the table with two tall plastic glasses of something, “Here. Drink up, Kid.” Cumi eyed him, he was still calling her a kid and she wasn’t a kid. Her face twisting into a frown as she took the glass.

“The name is Cumulus, Strat. Cumi for short, you should know that.” She took the glass, “What you get me anyway?” The moment had passed as she looked into the glass. Knowing she should ask before she drank anything down here. 

That was how Stratus often got into trouble, drinking before he knew what he was drinking, especially amongst the Terrans. Cumi eyed the kitchen staff suddenly feeling unsure, and then Stratus. There was no one else here and who else would know she was here, except Stratus and who of the Terrans would know to give her something bad. She was over re-acting. No one. Still she took the glass and sniffed the contents.

“It’s pop, Kid. Soda, cola, carbonated beverage. Relax! I got you a Coke.” Stratus said, smiling his goofy grin. Lifting his glass in the air, “A toast, to the …to the…:” shaking his head, “I don’t remember the words…ah ha, yes I do. To Life. Litcheim!”

“You are weird.”

“Thank you.” And he guzzled down his glass of Coke. “Another Marty!” he called over his shoulder.

After all the Parties and the Putt Putt Marathon

It is possible to putt putt in the rain, although the scorecard when damp is hard to write on. This is fact!

 Before the rain started!

Putt Putt selfie.

Yeah, so not much was accomplished this weekend, except fun. I also have no regrets, as I made people happy and got soaked playing putt putt. High point included chatting with my awesome friend Jeff about  life and the pursuit of happiness for 2 plus hours. As I don't get to see him a lot, it was nice to randomly converse until  2 in the morning, attend two birthday parties and eat gobs of sugary caky goodness, and spend an afternoon whacking balls into holes. I was told that I should watch Happy Gilmore now.

Also, Don't Blink!

After a really long week that started with being sick and continued with long days and much other stuff after the evil day job was over, I am feeling good, but tired. Also, it feels weird that the summer is basically half over, not that I am a student or teacher whom get the summers off. i haven't had that in years. Sometime, Dear Readers I miss that.

Anyway, I am clearly rambling now. Time for a check in. Between having an improv practice on Wednesday, a business meeting Thursday, and parties Friday and Saturday, I serious got less done. Thus this will be short check-in.

This Week:
    *Reading: over half done with Smoke and Mirrors (Gaiman) and into the first few chapters of The Amber  Spyglass (Pullman). Reading short story anthologies are great because you always feel like you've made progress because it's not just a chapter you are reading but a whole story. Am still fascinated by Gaiman's writing, even if I don't always get it. Still the morning is my favourite time to read.
    *Social Media: managed to visit 4 blogs daily and my sponsor duties this week.
    *Exercise: walked to improv rehearsal on Wednesday and today was all about walking through the putt putt marathon. We did 3 courses in 1 day.

So, light yes, but still managed to keep it flowing. And we have an improv show coming up next Friday.

This (upcoming) Week:
    *Reading: finish Smoke and Mirrors, continue with The Amber Spyglass and start A Festival of Bones (James A. Owen).
    *Writing: write daily, at least 300 words.
    *Editing: 2 pages of The Real Road Trip.
    *Blogging: 1 new non-ROW80 post before Wednesday
    *Submissions: 2 new submissions before Wednesday.
    *Social Media: visit 4 blogs daily and sponsor duties.

That's if for now. As I have several longstanding goals I will keep it simple as I build back up after this weekend. I feel like I backslide on the weekends, Dear Readers. Even though Saturdays are my unplugged days. Do you feel that weekends are times when your goals maybe get pushed to the back burner? What days or times are you most productive? Least productive?

A Round of Words in 80 Days is the blog challenge that knows you have a life. Come and join us for the fun and the writing at the Blog Hop.

It was a Hot Summer Day...

I got my wish, I did indeed. This weekend has turned into a scorcher we temperatures in the 90s and quite humid. And I'll tell you what, when its this hot, it's easy to take afternoon nap. Yesterday I was up early to get my picture taken by my resident photo guru, Ken.  It was a full endeavour with different locations and a few outfit changes, pretty much a photo  shoot in riverfront park. Will share will I get the picture disc. But with the more extreme temperature it was a long three hours, but fun too.

What Summer Looks like to Me - From MorgueFile

I feel like I need to jump in a lake now. Too bad I don't live near a lake. The closest one in a good half on hour away. Maybe I need to fill my little kiddie pool and sit in it. That would be a funny sight, and Dear Readers don't expect a picture, although If I do it I will probably post it. :-)

Anyway, it is summer, finally in the twin tiers. But Holy Hannah did it take a while to get her.

This past week I did really well on the goals, overall. I took most of the weekend off, but then I was out and about for a good chunk of it. This weekend was seeing the first of The Old Havana Courthouse Theatre' summer melodramas. They do their summer shows rotating throughout the summer. Melodramas are show performed in the turn of the 19th century to the early 20th century. As it is the 21st century now I have to be specific. These short shows told heroic stories of virtue triumphing over villainy, and always involving songs and signing. They are fun, silly stories with schtic, chase sequences, and judgement of the villains.

If you are in the area of Montour Falls, NY you should really check them out, Dear Reader. They perform Fridays and Saturdays at  7:00 pm and Sundays at 2:00 pm up to Labour day. Check out their website and Facebook page here ------> Old Havana Courthouse Theatre.

Time for an update~

This Week: (I did very well during the week)
     *Reading: finished The Subtle Knife (Phillip Pullman), am over half way done with The Night Circus (Erin Morgenstern), and making my way through the stories of Smoke and Mirrors (Neil Gaiman). Neil is very addicting to read.
     *Writing: wrote daily. Everyday up to Friday, that's Weds and Thursday (plus earlier in the week). Writing this post today. Been working on the Top Secret Project and started another project.
     *Social Media: visited 4 blogs daily, sometimes more. I am really good at posting to twitter during the week, not so much on the weekends.
     *Exercise: I am excited, because I have something to report. I took two walks on Thursday and today.
 
This (upcoming) week:
     *Reading: finish The Night Circus, continue with Smoke and Mirrors, start The Amber Spyglass (Pullman), Murder Comes Ashore (Julie Anne Lindsey), and a Mythworld book (James A. Owen).
     *Writing: write daily, at least 300 words. Work on the Top Secret, which isn't so top secret as I am posting it to WIPpet Wednesdays and the new project involving the muses.
     *Editing: finally set time each day for The Real Road Trip (My NaNoWriMo 2014) to finish first round of edits.
     *Submissions: 2 this week.
     *Blogging: 1 new non-ROW 80 this week. I have new ideas for posts.
     *Social Media: 4 blogs daily and sponsor duties. Keep up with twitter and the Facebook page.

The goals are feeling more consistent and thus I am more confident. Still lots to be. Funny how a summer off of theatre and I am still busy. Much goodness is coming up, including the Weird Al concert 8/5, STerling Renaissance Faire 8/7 and 8/8 (probably Saturday). A trip to Rochester to visit friend before they go on vacation. A trip to Fredonia before summer is over. And some other stuff wedged in there too, like birthdays and shows that friends are in.

A Round of Words in 80 Days is a blog challenge that knows you have a life. Set some goals, get a blog (if you don't have one already), post bi-weekly updates on progress on the linky page, visit others and cheer them on. It's a Blog Hop. Come on in and have some ice tea and biscuits!

Much Progress in Two Days!!

Funny how Wednesdays creeps up on you when you miss a Sunday check-in. Not surprised really, just left to rush through the the check-in. I guess it's not rushing because it's only about 6:30 (EST). Yesterday we had pretty big thunderstorm pass through that really cooled down the temperatures. It been quite the damp and cool summer this year. I guess it doesn't bother me, but I am partial to the hot weather that comes with summer, and right now we get about two days of traditional summer weather to one to two days of cool and/or wet weather.

How goes the weather in your neck of the woods, Dear Readers? What type of weather is your favourite?

I like a good thunderstorm, especially after it's been really hot. Feel so good. A good dance in the rain is often nice. I really love the sunny days with a subtle breeze. Just enough to keep it cool, but still warm/hot to be enjoyable. Give me a balmy 75 to 80 degree day and I am in bliss.

Anywhooooo.....

On to the check-in. It's been a good if quiet build up post Connecticon. I don't mind, give me a chance to see where I am and what to do next. The mornings are my reading times. I get up early and will read for an hour or two, depends on what book I am reading and where I am in the book. If I am towards the end, any of the three books I am currently reading become a single book to the finish line. It's those last two or three chapters (sometimes more if the book is that good) that makes the book.

This Week:
    *Reading: just finished The Subtle Knife (Phillip Pullman). ZOMG!!! Second books in trilogies are tough reads as they usually leave you hanging by the end. This is the second read through of The Subtle Knife and I am picking up more detail and falling in love with the characters all over again. Lyra was a personal favourite, but I am really enjoying Will Parry this go around. Still creeping through The Night Circus (Erin Morgenstern) and Smoke and Mirrors (Neil Gaiman) is a fun read.
    *Writing: wrote Monday and today (Tuesday). Writing blitz of about 900 words and a new story and possible novella? I think it'll work for #writestuff's monthly challenge. Go and check it out! Did a little creative brainstorming with Ofthewilds and amyunchained on Twitter last night, also when I looked up the names of the muse. I got another idea. Now I am swimming with ideas. Nothing new on the Top Secret project, but tonight's writing blitz is dedicated to that one.
    *Submissions: Oddly enough last night a contest fell into my Twitter lap, so I submitted a couple of flash pieces (able to submit up to 3 pieces) and today I submit a poem to an online journal. The Reverie Journal, it's new to me and gonna wander the halls of it's buildings.
     *Social Media: visited 4 blog daily each day (Monday and Tuesday), including my sponsor duties. Been active on Twitter. Yesterday was the tweet chat #writestuff.

Not for two days of work....

This (upcoming) week:
     *Reading: start The Amber Spyglass (Phillip Pullman), and continue with The Night Circus, Smoke and Mirrors, and start Murder Comes Ashore (Julie Anne Lindsey). I have 10 books to finish in this Round.
     *Writing: write daily, at least 300 words. Work on Top Secret Project and maybe start one of these other new ideas. Review my Doctor Who story I started last year.
     *Editing: 2 pages (at least) The Real Road Trip (my 2014 NaNoWriMo). Work on some smaller pieces through the coming weeks.
     *Submissions: 1 new submission.
     *Blogging: 1 new non-ROW80 post.
     *Social Media: Sponsor duties and 4 blogs daily (from list of blogs I follow and ROW80 new blogs).
     *Exercise: take a walk at least 1 day between now and Sunday.

What is ROW80? It's a blog challenge where you set some goal. Post them and your progress on your blog (required), and then post the blog link on the linky page. A Round of Words in 80 Days knows you have a life and you can adjust your goals as necessary. Come visit the Blog Hop!

Today is also WIPpet Wednesday. The brain child of author K.L. Schwengel. Here authors post snippets of their WIP using the WIPpet math. Take today's date: 7/15 use some math like 7 - 1 + 5 = 11 lines. Post 11 lines from your current WIP on the Linky Page. Giving a little set up to the readers and see what happens.

UPDATED: I feel I need to clarify. I do hate when I am unclear. This is the opening bit when you meet Stratus and Cumi for the first time. We get a little bit of her relationship with Strat. This is going back a little from the previous snippet. We are seeing a little banter bewteen the two of them.

“Sup, Slacker?” a voice called over Stratus' head. He smiled at the voice and knowing full well that is wasn’t the Queen high and mighty spying on him. He relaxed a little and took a drag on his cigarette. He tilted his head up and gazing out across the sky saw a friendly face shuffling along the low clouds.

“Not slacking. On break, Loser,” he said pointing to his cigarette and then to the cloud that the young lady was currently walking on. “What about you, Butt-head?” and Stratus giggled, his voice sounding awfully like the cartoon that he spent watching on his day off.

“Well I can’t very well do ANYTHING since you currently on deck.” The young lady was wearing a tee-shirt with a blue police box on the front and her brownish hair in a ponytail and jean shorts and pointing skyward. “I am on the waiting list, so I figured that I would come down and bother you while you were working." 

Post Connecticon Status

A day late, but not really feeling like a dollar short. Although I did need to buy a second new tire before my adventure began this weekend. Somehow I ran over something that blew my barely a week old tire. Was livid for a few hours, but then I started my travels, and most was forgotten.

24 Hour Theatre went over well from what my peeps tell me. This is the first  (and only I hope) time I couldn't be there. The writing aspect of it was really fun. I got my cast list and wrote, granted I was worried that the concept wouldn't work. Not that the actors weren't capable, in fact they were MORE than capable. But I usually freak out about my shows until after it's performed and then I am happily awed by the awesome that happened. I think most of you writers out there would probably agree to some level of this. My show was called "Another Day at the (Super) Office". Think of it as am improv skit mating with a kid's show, and throw it a dash of the office space kinda goofy humour. You have two superheros monitoring the town they were sent to protect. One is a little disappointed that the job is not so exciting and the other is dedicated but overly excitable. The boss is always coming to check on them and give them new assignments. They have to solve the problem about the migrating dinosaurs eating all the jelly beans by the boss and there's a lost Sprite to find her Mommy. It's like a superheroes games from Whose Line? And since the theme of the event was all about superheroes, it got positively goofy, with superheroes called Captain Blueberry Muffin, Pets Everything Girl, and Princess T-Rex. Can't wait to see the video footage!

So I didn't do much this weekend. But I did drive myself to Hartford, CT for Connecticon. It was my first majorly huge Con. I went to go see my friend and mentor, James A. Owen. It's always a treat to hear him speak and get a chance to visit with him. I saw so many sights, the cosplayers were pretty awesome with plenty of Doctors, Harley Quinns, and Disney princesses. I went to the writing panels, kinda a given as I am a writer. Got some good incite into to getting published and some humour about the writing world for seasoned and new authors. Got some swag. Met Maurice LeMarche (voice of Egon from Real Ghostbusters, Brian from Animaniacs, and Futurama). Really nice guy and autographed a picture for the Hubs. And while I couldn't actually photograph George Takei, I was within 5 feet from him at least three times. I'm okay with that. I am still tired, but incredibly happy.

So, Dear Readers, here are a few of my favourite shots from Connecticon...

Update is really short this week, but here it is!

This Week:
    *Reading: caught an hour to read The Night Circus on Saturday.
    *Social Media: visited blogs and sponsor charges on Friday. Not much else to say. It's okay am diving feet first into the goals this week! I suspect

This (upcoming) week:
    *Reading: finish The Sublte Knife (Phillip Pullman) and continue with The Night Circus (Erin Morgenstern). I have to read 10 this round, to get cracking. Also started Smoke and Mirrors (Neil Gaiman).
    *Writing: write daily. I want to focus on my Top Secret project this week.
    *Editing: get cracking on my edits for The Real Road Trip, my NaNo from last year.
    *Submissions: 2 this week.
    *Blogging: 1 non-Row 80 post this week.
    *Social Media: my sponsor duties. Visit 4 blog daily, Row 80 and those I follow. Keep up with Twitter and my Facebook page.

A Round of Words in 80 Days is a blog challenge that knows you have a life. Set some goal, post them to your post, share the link on the linky page, and watch the magic begin. It is a Blog Hop, so come in and spin a tale or two, maybe even learn something new.

How are your goals coming along, Dear Reader? Have you had to change any of them? Complete anything in the past week? Had an adventures you'd like to share?