This is my ROW80 update today. Check out my fellow writers over at the Blog Hop!
The Clock Struck Four
Once upon a time when the clock struck four, there was a knock at the door. It had been quiet for so long that she was startled. There were footsteps, something sounded familiar and the sudden sound of a key turning made her leap to her feet. She wasn’t expecting anyone, certainly not anyone on a Sunday afternoon. The autumnal evenings were waning fast. Looking around for something, she saw the poster if the ancient pyramids, slowly peeling off the wall and her cell phone lying on the table and thy key continued to unlock the door. Standing up, she grabbed the nearest item on the counter behind her, a flashlight. Thinking maybe it was an intruder, because there wasn’t anyone supposed to be stopping by, and certainly not with a key. There was a low thump and a crash, she turning back away from the door to see that her cat knock over an abacus and was crawling over the large magnifying glass holding her papers down. The orange tabby jumped down from the table, casting large eyes up and her softly mrrowing. “Oh you,” she said as she turned to watch the door slowly creak open. Her flashlight raised high, ready to lay a surprise on her visitor. Then there popped inside a bouquet of flowers waving slowly in the crack of the door and she dropped her flashlight, “you scared me,” she said, “I wasn’t expecting you.”
This Week:
*Reading: been spending time earlier in the week on The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (Agatha Christie)Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency (Douglas Adams).
and
*Editing: I finished my read through and edit of The Real Road Trip. Wahoo!!!
*Blogging: I managed a new blog post, posted earlier today. Working on getting on a regular blog schedule set up. I feel this will get easier.
*Social Media: I have at least managed to keep up with my sponsor duties. Not much else this weekend.
It's been a long weekend of auditions and discussions. We had a really nice turn out with so much local talent, and now we have a cast. It feels so good! I have missed this, doing theatre and being part of a show. There something organic about theatre. You start with a story and add actors and a good director and BAM, you have a living breathing show. Of course there is much more that encompasses a show, like costumes, music, sets, and such. After all the rehearsing you have a living essence, something alive.
Theatre makes me feel alive!
Is there something that makes you feel alive, Dear Readers?
This (upcoming) Week:
*Reading: continue with The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, Murder Comes Ashore (Julie Anne Lindsey), Invisible Moon (James A. Owen), Fragile Things (Neil Gaiman), and Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency.
*Writing: write daily, at 300 words.
*Editing: begin inputting edits and re-write of The Real Road Trip.
*Blogging: 1 new non-ROW80 blog. Making my days I blog Tuesdays.
*Social Media: 4 blogs daily and sponsor duties. Spend more time on twitter.
*Submissions: 2 new submissions this week.
After this week I can return to a normal schedule. I will have to adjust to the the rehearsal schedule, but I am convinced that is workable and it's what I do.
A Round of Words in 80 Days is a blog challenge that knows you have a life. Come and see what the other ROW80-ers at the Blog Hop.
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 Daysis 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?
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!
My brain has been focused on the evil day job and so I have had to really focus on the writing projects this week. After work has become my writing and editing time. And with the evil day job having had it's own problem, this time is most important. Well except coffee dates, those are important in their own right. Now t's time for the check-in. Hey Ho, and Away we Go....
This Week: *Reading: On the last part of The Golden Compass (Phillip Pullman). In the home stretch and I am sneaking time to read in every available moment. I finally got past the first part of Wicked (Gregory Maguire). The Munchkinlander part is REALLY EFFIN" SLOW. It has picked up in part 2 and I feel more vested in it. Have not started Murder on the Orient Express (Agatha Christie) yet.
*Writing: wrote on Sunday (ROW80), write a little on Monday (just a paragraph, but I started developing some character for a new story. It's slightly Top Secret. Might post some on WIPpet Wednesday later this month. Wrote poem yesterday.
*Editing: finally a pen to the currently WIP and a backstory to the WIP, called Love in Ferns. Also edited a short flash fiction piece that I am not sure what to do with, yet.
*Social Media: finished reading all of Sunday's ROW80 entries, that is 4 a day and 5 or 6 Monday and Tuesday. Keeping up with Twitter most day, except Tuesday. Had a coffee date with a friend I hadn't seen for any length of time and got to schedule a photo shoot later this month. Get to show off the new red hair with NICE pictures.
*Housetending: keeping up with the basics at this point. Nothing new on the carpets, yet.
This Week (Upcoming):
*Reading: finish Golden Compass this week. Start Subtle Knife and the next Julie Anne Lindsey cozy mystery and Murder on the Orient Express.
*Writing: write daily on Love in Ferns and Top Secret Story.
*Submissions: THIS IS THE GOAL TO WORK ON THIS WEEK!!!
*Editing: pull out the Real Road Trip and attempt to pick up where I left off.
*Social Media: visit 4 blogs daily. Start to follow some of the regular ones. Learn to up keep my email and social media sites. This might take some planning. Any ideas would be welcome.
Today is Wednesday. It's WIPpet Wednesday. The brain child of K.L. Schwengel, is a Blog Hop for WIPpeteers. You take the date and do some funky math and share a piece of the WIP you are working on. Date is 6/16/2015, so taking 6/17 you get 1 + 7 = 8. 8 lines from Love in Ferns. This is the beginning of the story, before the previous two snippets (if you are keeping track).
There was a thud. It was a decidedly Callie-like thud. “Come on! You can’t keep me in suspense,” she called. I couldn’t turn towards her. The air was heavy with humidity and clung to everything. I was sweating, but I couldn’t stop. After all I had gotten this far, right? I thought to myself. Stamping down the foliage, “It’s not much farther,” I called back, feeling nervous that if I turned to look at her I would lose my nerve.
On a lazy Sunday you write on the porch while is it raining... This Week: *Reading: well over halfway through The Golden Compass (Phillip Pullman) and remembering why I love this book and series. It is well written and the characters are all unique (well the main ones). Only about 40 pages into Wicked though (Gregory Maguire). Not really what I was thinking it was going to be about. Question, Dear Readers, have you read Wicked, and what are your thoughts? I guess I was excepting something like the Oz books, but aimed for adults about the Wicke Witch of the West. It feels weird and....I don't know. I think I'm still early in the book. Gonna keep reading it. We'll see...Also, hopefully I'll start another Agatha Christie mystery, Murder of the Orient Express.
*Writing: I wrote Monday (ROW80), Tuesday (side story for Love in Ferns, my current WIP), Wednesday (ROW80), and Thursday (3 poems), nothing Friday (although I got a brilliant idea for a concept piece and wrote maybe 20 words. I wasn't trying to write, but got distracted) or Saturday.
*Social Media: 4 blogs each day since Monday from ROW80 and WIPpet Wednesday. I managed to read all the entry on the Linky List for ROW80. That doesn't happen often. Kinda proud of myself on that one! :-) Sending more time on twitter, although that get overwhelming and need to figure out a better system. So many tweets get missed.
*Housework: working on laundry for this week and dishes. Hang with friends and had a hair cut and dying party, watching Coraline, and eating white chocolate raspberry cake (from Wegmans). Yum!
White Chocolate Raspberry Cake
Red Hair
*Theatre Stuffs: rehearsals for improv scheduled for latter half of June. Show in Corning tentatively scheduled for July 24th at the Corning Elks.
This week (upcoming): There are a couple goals that need the whip to be cracked this week.
*Reading: want to finish The Golden Compass and re-watch the movie. Continue with Wicked and Murder on the Orient Express.
*Writing: write daily.
~THESE ARE GOALS I HAVE MISSED AND WILL BE FOCUSING ON THIS WEEK~
*Editing: work on edits for the rough draft of Love in Ferns
*Submissions: I want to have more than 1 this week, and since I haven't submitted in a few weeks the goal is going up to at least 3, maybe 4.
Housework: VACUUMING!
New news, Dear Readers! I have decided to attend Connecticon in July. Still figuring out which day I am going, Saturday or Sunday, but will be purchasing my pass this week. So, therefore I need to work on my planning for this little side trip. Someone I know is planning on being there, and I promised myself if he came closer to me that I would make the trip. Only problem, there will be a 24 Hour Theatre that weekend and I will have to miss it. But, good side, will be writing a script. So, still will be a part of it. Actually kinda excited. Probably more so as July gets closer.
It's now raining and there's a robin running in the rain in the neighbour's driveway. It's a good day to be lazy, yet still get some chores and writing done.
A Round of Words in 80 Days is a Blog Challenge that knows you have a life. It's a Blog Hop! Stop in for some ice tea and yogurt parfaits!
This is day late. I know, I know. I don't really have a good excuse for writing this today versus yesterday. So, I will just present my check-in...
This Week: *Reading: finished reading Murder in Three Acts (Agatha Christie) yesterday. Now that I have read a number of her books in succession I like to style. Yet, she has a tendency to re-use character tropes. Not a bad thing, but you can see where stories and characters blur together. Began The Golden Compass (Philip Pullman), one chapter in as of this post, and probably start Wicked (Gregory Maguire). I am kinda itching to begin a Book to Movie review for The Golden Compass.
*Writing: wrote daily between blog posts and poems. I did not write Saturday or Sunday.
*Editing: I edited the two paragraphs that I posted for WIPpet Wednesday.
*Social Media: visited 4 blogs daily. Visited all of the WIPpeteers sites. Kept up with twitter throughout the week, not so much on the weekend. Saturday tends to be my unplugged day.
*Submission: submitted 2 poems to the last issue of the Lincoln Underground.
This week (upcoming):
*Reading: Continue with The Golden Compass and Wicked.
*Writing: write daily.
*Editing: edit my flash fiction piece, Love in Ferns (working title).
*Submissions: 1 new submission.
*Social Media: 4 blogs daily.
*Housework: finish this weeks laundry and dishes. Find a carpet shampoo-er I can borrow, and then finish vacuuming the house.
Last week was a very productive week. Being able to come home and work on writing and housework. Been catching up on my sleep and feeling good all the way around. Hoping for another good week of productivity. Saturday was my day to goof off. Took my friend Sara and her daughters to Eldridge Park to ride the carousel and the dragon boats (thanks you Sara, I borrowed the pictures).
A Round of Words in 80 Days is a blog challenge that knows you have a life. Come and visit the Blog Hop. We have cookies!!
What do you do to reward yourself for being productive or completing a goal, Dear Readers?
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?
Tyburn: a six line poem consisting of 2, 2, 2, 2, 9, 9 syllables. The first four lines rhyme and are all descriptive words. The last two lines rhyme and incorporate the first, second, third, and fourth lines as the 5th through 8th syllables.
This is NOT an easy form. Granted it is my first time trying this form. So, I will write a second poem in a form that I am more comfortable also.
Theatrical Flow
Mic Checks
Places
Spotlights
Are Now
To the stage for Mic Checks, Places called--
When the moment spotlights are now trawled.
Tetractys: 5 lines of 1, 2, 3, 4, 10 syllables. A Double Tetractys is 1, 2, 3, 4, 10, 10, 4, 3, 2, 1. And triple Tetractys is 1, 2, 3, 4, 10, 10, 4, 3, 2, 1, 1, 2, 3, 4, 10.
Therical Flow V.2
Stage
the show
begins now
curtains open
hear the music play, as the story is
given life by the actors, in movement--
Just another day...
another show
we do
this.
Which do you prefer, Dear Readers? I am partial to the second, as it feels more like me. The Tyburn was an interesting time, but I am not thrilled with the end. The concept is what I what, but I cannot seem to find the right word combo that rhymes. Maybe it still works. Any suggestions on word choice, Dear Readers? Leave me some love and let me know...I'm curious what you have to say. I consider all suggestions.
Okay, ROW80 check-in time. It's been a quite weekend on thew writing front. But today is June 1st and the beginning of my 3 month hiatus from theatre (except of VP duties with The Lake Country Players). I am looking forward to coming home after work and working on the house, writing, reading, spending time with friends and family. I have been so busy the last couple of years that I am surprised I remember any of it.
Zombie Prom has just finished. It was a grand time! I got to reconnect with my KLP family, bond with new and old friends. We made magic! We sung! We danced! We lived! My time at Enrico Fermi High is done, but the memories will live forever. There's the Andrews sisters secretaries in That's the Beat for Me, or playing a Motorwise Guy in Come and Join Us/How Do I Say Goodbye to Love?
As much as the post-show crash hasn't quite hit me yet, I do feel that the world is a little more empty. The skies are grey (after a much needed day of rain), and the temperature is much cooler, which is leading to the empty feelings, I think. I am spending some time reflecting on the last couple of months. These people of Enrico Fermi High are my family and now that I am not seeing them everyday, I feel lonely. But, I also feel happy. When magic happens you can't feel bad.
So, my check-in this week is starting light, but in truth I need to build up. Thus, I hope that as the week goes on I will; have more to report on.
This Week:
*Reading: started reading Crispin: The Cross of Lead (Avi). Continue reading and add, Murder in Three Acts (Agatha Christie)
*Housework: laundry is done and put away dishes on docket to finish tonight.
*Writing: today's post is the most words written this week, but I have written a number of poems last week, more than one a day some days.
This Week (upcoming): stripping down my goals even further to the bare essentials!
*Reading: Crispin and Mirder in Three Acts.
*Writing: going to try something a little different this week. Write for 30 minutes Tuesday through Friday.
*Social Media: 4 blogs daily.
*Submission: 1 this week.
A Round of Words in 80 Days, the blog challenge that knows you have a life. Come over to the Blog Hop for a visit.
What have you been up to this week, Dear Readers? How do you bounce back after being busy with other projects, hobbies, life?
A little promo from the show featuring Eddie Flagrante's Harem, I mean secretaries....
If you are in the area, you should come and see the show!
Yesterday's poems I dedicate to Ramona and Peaches. The Sedoka is an unrhymed poem made up of two three-line katauta with the following syllable counts: 5/7/7, 5/7/7. A Sedoka, pair of katauta as a single poem, may address the same subject from differing perspectives. A katauta is an unrhymed three-line poem the following syllable counts: 5/7/7.
For Him Alone
When she sings her song
it's for him alone, the heart
aches without knowing quite why.
Determined to beat
the one other soul who quests
for Jonny's own desire.
The Mini Me
When told of the plan
to study and lengthen minds
she finds a solid purpose.
As an underling
she sees much more of the school
making way to the future.
And then for today I wrote poems for some of the fellow students of Enrico Fermi High, Hunny, Cookie, and Jamie. A Tanka is a classic form of Japanese poetry related to the haiku with five unrhymed lines of five, seven, five, seven, and seven syllables (5, 7, 5, 7, 7).
Not Just Scenery
we two, rule the school
though in the back most often
together we are
foundations of Enrico Fermi
pushing along the wheeled walls.
Not Just a Nerd
A student am I
with bowties so cool to wear
please don't tell that it's
a clip on, or busted by the
one Strictly fair principal.
Quick update. Zombie Prom starts Friday and I am tired, sore, and filled with joy. So, what I have is hard earned during tech week rehearsals. Definitely more intense tech week than I have ever had. Had rehearsals everyday since last Thursday. Yeah, lots of rehearsing and shows Friday and Saturday. This is my Wednesday check-in....
This Week:
*Reading: almost finished with Meet the Austins (Madeleine L'Engle).
*Social Media: visited 4 blogs today and 4 for Tuesday. That's really it.
*Writing: wrote daily poems for Zombie Prom characters. Not posting everyday, but at least writing daily, or every other day. Good promotion for the show and practice writing: Cinquains, Quinzaine, Sedokas, and what not.
*Theatre Stuffs: ZOMBIE PROM!
*Housework Stuffs: Laundry!
Next Week (upcoming):
*Reading: Crispin (Avi).
*Writing: MOAR poetry, blog posts, and flash fiction.
*Housework: dishes and vacuuming. Maybe stem cleaning the carpets. Maybe.
*Editing: Maybe. More later.
*Submissions: Maybe. More later.
*Social Media: keep it up, 4 blogs daily.
A Round of Words in 80 Days is a blog challenge that knows you have a life. It is also a Blog Hop. Come in and set a spell!
A few days behind on my Zombie Prom inspired poems, but the rehearsals have made the days full and long. Mind you, this has been some of the best days of the month, but I have come home after 6.5 and 4.5 hour rehearsals to have only enough energy to eat and shower before passing out. I am not complaining. Spending time with one of my other families is just as important, even when the 6.5 hour rehearsal ends and then some of us go and spend 3 hours at a BK talking, eating, and forming the family tree that connects all the characters in the show. Good times!
What are you doing this fine month of May, Dear Readers? I am doing a show called Zombie Prom and if you are in the area of Bath, NY come and check us out (see the sexy poster created by Anna-Beth Wheaton).
But, I did promise that I would writes some poems for this show. Zombie Prom is a really good show. We have an amazing cast. Oh, and a fellow theatre friend got the chance to perform this show in NYC for Samuel French a couple of years ago (I think that's right. Manley, if you read this, please correct me if I am wrong. BTW, Manley a pretty talented and awesome kid performing in a junior players production of RENT. Check out Dream Barn Productions for more information.)
Today's fare is for Saturday, Sunday, and good ol' Memorial Day. Without spoilers I present six cinquains for the teenagers: Ginger, Coco, Candy, Joey, Jake, and Josh. Cinquains, for those of you who don't know, are five lines poems that do not rhyme, but have a syllabic meter of 2-4-6-8-2. Shadow Poetry is a great poet's resource.
Leader
most dramatic
as wholly serious
yet she has a sweet side deep down,
Ginger
Baton
it's a Big Deal
and it's what she spends time
it's her thing that makes her special,
Coco
Nervous
she talks about
biting her nails to stubs
prom is always on her radar,
Candy
Excited
one thing is on
his mind, the joys of large
fruit, it's a teenager thing,
Joey
Loyal
willing to stand
to defend his friendship
he who idolizes Jonny,
Jake-y
Big Break
has a nose for
the news, daily beat, time
to break open the big story,
Josh-y
Sunday's poem is for Sheila. she gets a Quinzaine, a three line poem made up of 15 syllable with the syllabic meter of 7-5-3, that asks question of the original statement.
For Sheila... (Math Nerds)
Math nerds can be journalists--
A nerdy writer?
Can I be?
And for today, I wrote a pantoum. Yeah, Dear Readers, if you didn't already know I LOVE pantoums. My favourite of the poetic forms for it's repetition of lines and song-like quality to the lines. While not an easy form to write as to have to remember that the end of the poem, the last stanza uses the third and first lines of the first stanza to complete the poem's picture. Today, I salute my fellow chorus members.
Sing Chorus, Sing
We of the chorus--
singing out loud and proud
across the stage we dance
in grapevines and twirls.
Singing out loud and proud
it's what we do
in grapevines and twirls
to complete the tableau.
It's what we do
memorize whole songs
to complete the tableau
in the story upon the stage.
Memorize whole songs
that we only sing for a minute
in the story upon the stage
otherwise we are moving the scenery.
That we only sing for a minute
doesn't bother us at all
Otherwise we are moving the scenery
building stronger muscles all the while.
Doesn't bother us at all
because it's what we love
building stronger muscles all the while
and being a part of something greater.
Because it's what we love
singing out loud and proud
and being a part of something greater
--we are the chorus.
Also, Dear Readers, my ROW80 check-in from Sunday. A Round of Words in 80 Days is a blog challenge that knows you have a life. It's a Blog Hop. So, come on over and visit for a spell!
This Week (this past):
*Reading: I finished The Trailmen of Xunar-Kun: Book 2 in the Tellings of Xunar-Kun (Tina Field Howe). The books ended on a higher note, maybe a little slow to start, with more exposition-y stuff to start off with. But, it more than made up for it with characters and decent plot for the second half of the book.
*Theatre Stuff: rehearsals for Zombie Prom. That is really all this weekend has been, but it's been some very good. The technical stuff: lights, scene changes and songs are really coming along. I personally feel very strong about many of my scenes. There is one scene that I need to bash out my choreography out. It will get there though. Show is Friday and Saturday.
*Writing: I wasn't very determined the last two days, but even then I was making progress. See, before Saturday I was writing a poem a day since Wednesday. I still have written, it was just over the last three days of write actually happened today. I also tried really hard to write real poems, not just writing a poem in two minutes. I took thought and time Dear Readers, especially with the cinquains of the teenagers. Goal still set at writing daily (when possible).
*Social Media: I managed to visit fellow bloggers during the week except Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Still keeping the goal at 4 blogs daily.
This week (upcoming and going keep it simple for Tech Week):
*Reading: start Meet the Austins (Madeleine L'Engle) and Crispin (Avi). Time for some lighter reading.
*Writing: Write a poem a day for Zombie Poem, also see above.
*Editing/Submissions: this week will be a test to see if I can get to this goals finally.
It is that time again...I am a day late, but after a week and weekend filled with Chitlins (Kids). They did really well and I am proud of them, but Saturday was a LOOOOOOONG day. Two show in one day!! Aesop's Foibles is put to bed. And I needed a day to re-coup from all that. so, Sunday was my day of rest. I re-discovered the fine art of colouring in colouring books. I finally finished the unicorn colouring book I have had for 5+ plus years. My primary medium is coloured pencils, but I will use anything to make pretty pictures.
It is a Dover colouring book, one that not only has pictures, but a historical look at the subject matter. In this case, unicorns.
Yeah, I had fun with the colours! :-)
Now that I am down to 1 show, I feel I have some wiggle room.Time to get stuff done even! Tonight is a night off from Zombie Prom, so I am really utilizing the time. I finally sat down and forced myself to write something. It definitely needs to be edited, but I now have something I can work on for the writing group #writestuff monthly writing challenge. check it out here! Lead by the amazing and stalwart PenPadPaper (Tamara Woods). I was introduced to her monthly challenges. I give me something to shoot for and I can practice my flash fiction writing too! Tamara also runs a weekly TweetChat for #WriteStuff on Tuesday nights at 9 pm (EST).
Okay, enough rambling. I am feeling like my new character Alan Gretz, who gets all rubber mouthed at all the wrong times.
~ROW80 check-in~
This Week: *Reading: Finished Alysa of the Fields (Tina Field Howe) and started The Trailmen of Xunar-Kun: Book 2 in the Tellings of Xunar-Kun. I love this series, written by a friend and local author. The only downside is book 3 is not done (not sure when it is going to be done). I may need to bug Tina to work on it. I am through about a third of The Trailmen... Still plan to start Meet the Austin (Madeleine L'Engle) this week.
*Writing: wrote 1885 words today. See above for details if you missed it the first time reading, or skipped to the check in.
*Social Media: have at least visited 4 blog today. Will plan to visit 4 blog tomorrow. This is a return to form. Visiting 4 blogs daily, those I normally visit and at least one new blog, when I can.
*Housework: dishes are done. Laundry is done. Garbage done and picked up this mornin. Lawn is mowed.So, house is returning to normal also.
To Week (upcoming):
*Reading: continuing to read The Trailmen... and start Meet the Austins (finally).
*Writing: write something anything. I think a review of Alysa of the Fields would be a good idea.
*Social Media: 4 blogs to visit. Check in on Twitter.
*Submissions: 1 submission by Wednesday.
Zombie Prom is gearing up. We have two weeks left of rehearsals after Thursday, I will have seven days of rehearsals. Sound intense. It is! Not what I am fully used to, but this is a different show and there are a lot of little part that go into the big parts, so the rehearsals are necessary. It's a good show and really fun. See?
Another shameless plug!
If you are in the vicinity of Bath, NY on or around May 29th and 30th you should come out to see it!
Done with shameless plug!
Anyway, what have you, Dear Reader been up to this May? Enjoying the spring weather. Is it warm in your area? Cold? How are those writing, editing, reading, crocheting goals coming?
A Round of Words in 80 Days is a blog challenge that knows you have a life. It is a Blog Hop! Come on in and visit. Set a spell. Have a cold glass of lemonade and a cookie or too!
This Week: *Reading: about halfway through Alysa of the Fields (Tina Field Howe). Having become absorbed into this story, I have not started Meet the Austins (Madeleine L'Engle). This is my second read and getting a good parallel past historical events such as when Spanish, French, and English came to America and viewed the Native Peoples. Or even now when we interact with people from the Middle East, or those who are Muslim. It a way a good lesson to remember that people are people. Sometimes we just need to be open minded and listen.
*Social Media: I did get to visit 4 blogs on Sunday, which was the only day that I had time. It happens.
*Theatre Stuffs: Aesop's Foibles goes up Friday. It's been a long week, but the kids have buckled down and we have a show. If you on around you should come and see the show. Some of these kids are new to theatre, others have done a few shows already, but they all have fun, cute little parts.
It's been a quiet week, Dear Readers. The overly hot days have been replaced with a blast of crisp chill. If the weather gods are fair the will return the weather to the 70's for the rest of the week, as promised. I have Zombie Prom rehearsal tonight, meaning I get to rest from Aesop. It's not really a rest when you think about it.
Somewhere I will have some more time, Dear Readers to get to my To Do List. Right now I am having my morning coffee and reading (and writing this post). After such a whirlwind month in April, May is feeling quiet (well, not counting the theatre stuff happening). I wonder if it will ever end. I doubt it, I love being busy. Yet, I am looking forward to the time of June through August, when I do not have commitments and more time to write without passing out (like I did last night).
I am not trying to justify anything. I know what I choose to do and not do, but as my Dear Readers, and my peers with ROW80, NaPoWriMo, #WriteStuff, The Musketeers, etc. I want Alls Y'all to know that I am committed to writing. Growing older does mean growing wiser. And becoming wiser means that you have to take a look and see how you can actually make your goals that you set. Also, it is one day at a time.
That is enough ranting, Dear Readers. I have the M'Rauda Threat in Alysa, work to accomplish, Zombie Prom songs to finish learning, and too much other stuff. Also, I would rather not worry if possible.
And, here's an image for you, I sing Zombie Prom songs in my car driving to and from rehearsals in Odessa, and to and from Watkins, Corning, and Horseheads. Imagine me singing That's the Beat for Me or Enrico Fermi High, or Come and Join Us, driving down the highway? Pretty funny, right?
Remember, A Round of Words in 80 Days is a challenge that knows you have a life. Here is the Blog Hop, stop on in and see what we are all up to. We'd love to see you!
For being in the upper eighties the last couple of day I did get quite a bit done around the house and enjoyed
the hard theatrical work of some friends and associates (which in this case are the same thing. Now it is 4 in the afternoon and the laundry is done, 95% of the dishes, and the trash is taken out.
Planted some flowers for David's and my mum, passed away April 2009 and October 2008, receptively. Not a day passes that I don't think about the things that my mum has missed, but I am sure as shit she would be proud of me. So, I planted a little memory garden in the flowers boxes attached to the mail box.
Memory Garden Mail Box This Week:
*Reading: started reading Alysa of the Fields (Tina Field Howe)
*Theatre Stuffs: rehearsed Friday night for Zombie Prom. I have the 2 big numbers that I am in memorized. Have gotten the opening song now memorized (except when I move set pieces), but need to work on making it seamless when I sing it. There are at least 5 more songs that I need to completely learn (I seem to have chunks of these songs memorized, just not the whole song yet. Also, there's the choreography to learn. This week is Aesop's Foibles tech week/show weekend. Oh, and I forgot I saw Dream Barn's production of Little Mermaid Junior and March Hare Production's inaugural production of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged). Very much a theatre weekend.
*Housework: See above which included getting the flowers planted and finished the said 5% of the dishes still to be washed.
This Week: (I am going to be focusing most of my energies on Aesop, but more of ROW80 goals will be tackled as well. I'm still in small goals month.)
*Reading: Make progress on Alysa of the Fields and start Meet the Austins (Madeleine L'Engle)
*Writing: write something. Maybe in a bit I will write something.
*Social Media: visit 4 blog daily this week.
*Submissions: submit to at least two this week.
Been listening to a bunch of new music that I have recently discovered: Richard Shindell and The Kennedys. Enjoying walking on my mowed lawn in bare feet, birdsong and breezes, and somewhere in between skirts feeling good to wear. Hope you are having a wonder May 10th (or whatever day you read this), Dear Readers.
A Round of Words in 80 Daysis a blog challenge that knows you have a life. It is Blog Hop, so come a visit with a few or all of us. We are a patient lot! :-) Happy Sunday, Folks!!
Some days are just as simple as this. And today’s prompt – optional, as always — comes to us from Vince Gotera. It’s the hay(na)ku). Created by the poet Eileen Tabios and named by Vince, the hay(na)ku is a variant on the haiku. A hay(na)ku consists of a three-line stanza, where the first line has one word, the second line has two words, and the third line has three words. You can write just one, or chain several together into a longer poem.
Today letter makes today's NaPoWriMo prompt easy. It just rolled off my fingers as I was typing it. That doesn't always happen. After having read some fellow poet friends hay(na)ku, I feel pretty good about today's poem. Although it is a rather strange name for a poetic form, Hay(na)ku, sounds like some sort of a mixed drink, or an exotic bird.
W is for Writing
Ink
to paper
I will write.
Mind
is reaching
for something else.
Hands
upon keyboard
what to write.
Muse
I wait
come to me.
Time
is now
pen to paper.
A bit of update on my A Round of Words in 80 Days.
This Week: *Reading: about halfway through Murder in the Mews (Agatha Christie) and started Let's Pretend This Never Happened : (Jenny Lawson, also known as, The Bloggess). You should check out her website.
*Writing: I have been keeping up with the blog challenges, NaPoWriMo and Blogging A to Z.
*Theatre Stuffs: rehearsals for Zombie Prom and Aesop's Foibles are coming along and that's keeping me pretty busy between the days.
Final goals for the month of April:
*Writing: write the flash fiction for #writestuff's monthly challenge which ends tomorrow. Not that I can't do. In fact, I will! Stay tuned. And after all ROW80 is flexible.
A Round of Words in 80 Days, the blog challenge that knows you you have a life. Come and visit the Blog Hop!
It's funny how Wednesday sneaks up on you. So, here I am at the end of Round 1. It feels a little anti-climatic. Let's just dive in then?
This Week: *Reading: almost a hundred pages into Good Omens (Neil Gaiman). It's a bit ADD, what with the TOTAL PAGES: about 25.
multiple plots switching back and forth, but seeing as I have written like that before, I am not too confused with the plot currently.
*Writing: I am surprised that I managed to write something today. I have had trouble writing daily during this Round, unless it's NaNoWriMo or one of five other monthly blog challenges. I really want to break this bad habit of NOT writing daily. To be honestly I did missed Monday, but I wrote a lengthy welcome email for my 24 Hour Theatre event participates yesterday (that goes up on April 11th) and today I wrote a poem. Not the best of poems I have written, but I had thoughts in my head and they needed to come out. Partly my own thoughts and partly inspired by some friends going through some rough stuff lately. TOTAL WORDS: 184 today and 568.
*Social Media/Visiting: on track. 4 blogs daily.
*Theatre Stuffs: prep work for 24 Hour Theatre, first rehearsal for Zombie Prom, got my schedules and will begin working on Aesop's Foibles next week (stage managing).
*Miscellaneous Stuffs: plotting out my Blogging from A to Z list. Signed up for NaPoWriMo (almost forgot that was next month).
This (coming) week:
Coming April 11th
*Reading: continue reading Good Omens. Try to start to reading in the morning before work.
*Writing: write daily, about 200 - 250 words.
*Blogging: 1 new blog post this week.
*Submitting: 1 new submission.
*Editing: work on 10 more pages of The Real Road Trip.
A Round of of Words in 80 Days is a blog challenge that lets you set goals and report on your progress. It's a Blog Hop! Stop on in to see how we all did for our final Round 1 check-ins!!
Today is also WIPpet Wednesday. I missed last week because.... well, LIFE... so I am going to post something from my recent flash fiction, while I settle into my renown vigor of editing my novel. Today is 3/25/15. Using the weird WIPpet math: 3 + 2 + 5 + 1 + 5 = 16 lines. It's called To Choose. Actually I posted it about a week ago, if you wanted to read the whole thing here. I just do not have a Road Trip snippet prepared today.
The fingers of the figure were on the counter and he realized that the figure was tapping out a rhythm, “Are you quite finished?” the figure said in response to his stares. Its voice was rich and raspy, belying nothing of the nature of its sex. He walked casually up to the counter, eyeing the frame of the figure, slowing making eye contact, “You like?” it said and gave him a smile, wide and full of teeth. “I do…” I words slipped out and suddenly realized that the figure must have been a man, “That’s not what I meant. Let me rephrase that…” The figure still smiled, keeping eye contact, “Well you were giving me a thoroughly extended judgment. I was wondering what you thought.” Another smile and the figure laid its hand on his hand that was now resting on the bar. He didn’t remember doing that. “I wasn’t judging…” the words spilled out. The hand felt soft. He looked down at the hands intertwined, but still felt that the figure was watching him. “You weren’t?” it said surprised and pulled the hand away. He looked up at the figure, but now there was a woman behind the counter. A woman with red lips, blonde hair, blue eyes, and the largest tits he had said on any woman. “Now what do you think?” the voice was still rich and raspy, and this time seductive. Not quite ending the Round on a high note, but then again I am hard on myself. I directed a freakin' production of The Mousetrap. So, Cindy, get a grip! :-) I am pleased to note that I am still going though. I am still cranking out words and projects and such. I am halfway through my 2015 Goodreads reading goal of 30 books, and it's only March. Also, I am plotting for my April challenges, which is a first. I have my A to Z list of topics. I am thinking that maybe I will pre-write of stuff. I have ideas for a few of the entries, so, maybe over the weekend I can get a jump on the entries. Also, I am excited to re-tool my goals to get further along.
Stats:
*Edited about 30 pages in The Real Road Trip (of 115 pages).
*Read at least 3 books to completion, maybe 4 this month.
*Finished a flash fiction piece.
*Keeping up with Social Media and Visiting my writer/bloggers friends. Took much advise thanks guys. You really have kept my going.
How did March turn out for you? What goals did you stick with? What goals feel by the wayside? What are you most excited for April, Dear Reader?
