I could be getting this look all the time. Admonishing Meg. It's the look that keeps on giving.
30 July 2013
On the Other Side of Gratitude
Less than twenty-four hours after making that list, I've had the kind of eventful day that makes me feel a little less of that notion that I wrote about last night. Outside of the usual suspects (Brodie, Mary, Mom, Lost in Translation, Moonrise Kingdom, etc.), I'm having a little trouble finding gratitude for new and wonderful things. I'm reminded of a story my fourth grade French teacher told me (or maybe it was the climax of a fable or a parable or an allegory or some other literary bullshit) where someone was wished to live in interesting times. Today was interesting times. Maybe I'll feel more centered and secure and pleased with things tomorrow. For now, I just am.
I wish Brodie were here tonight.
I wish Brodie were here tonight.
29 July 2013
Because I'm Generally Displeased with Many People in My Life, I Think It's Time for A New Gratitude List
1. Brodie Vines
2. Mom
3. Mary Louise
4. Bruce Parker II & Baylor Boyd (Baylor was listed first in line last time)
5. Moonrise Kingdom
6. Orange is the New Black (the book)
7. Energy Drinks
8. the new caramel drink at Starbucks
9. the title: Administrative Operations Manager
10. Mom's sweet tea
11. having everything I need
12. being able to pay bills
13. AA
14. the LASCYPAA 2015 bid committee
15. Christina Cowart
16. The Killing season 3
17. Whodunit?
18. my current to-read list
19. weekends
20. The Shreveport Catalyst
21. writing
22. Joey Liam Silver
23. Lost in Translation
24. OUT magazine
25. The Advocate
26. learning Spanish
27. grant writing
28. accountability
29. the steps
30. the traditions
31. "when we retire at night"
32. Marlboro Lights in a box
33. my Walgreens card
34. my Humana insurance cards
35. turkey and swiss on wheat
36. Netflix
37. the end of Mercury retrograde
38. Friday afternoon at 4:30
39. meditation
40. Jamie Craton
41. coffee with Tabi
42. Lambda
43. Wes Anderson
44. air conditioning
45. ibuprofen
2. Mom
3. Mary Louise
4. Bruce Parker II & Baylor Boyd (Baylor was listed first in line last time)
5. Moonrise Kingdom
6. Orange is the New Black (the book)
7. Energy Drinks
8. the new caramel drink at Starbucks
9. the title: Administrative Operations Manager
10. Mom's sweet tea
11. having everything I need
12. being able to pay bills
13. AA
14. the LASCYPAA 2015 bid committee
15. Christina Cowart
16. The Killing season 3
17. Whodunit?
18. my current to-read list
19. weekends
20. The Shreveport Catalyst
21. writing
22. Joey Liam Silver
23. Lost in Translation
24. OUT magazine
25. The Advocate
26. learning Spanish
27. grant writing
28. accountability
29. the steps
30. the traditions
31. "when we retire at night"
32. Marlboro Lights in a box
33. my Walgreens card
34. my Humana insurance cards
35. turkey and swiss on wheat
36. Netflix
37. the end of Mercury retrograde
38. Friday afternoon at 4:30
39. meditation
40. Jamie Craton
41. coffee with Tabi
42. Lambda
43. Wes Anderson
44. air conditioning
45. ibuprofen
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Going Off of Things: Inspirational Things and Writing Things and Painting Things
For whatever reason, I've not been able to focus my attention on anything that I usually consider important during any of the free time that I've been afforded in the previous two weeks. When Brodie's not here, I'm thinking about him and failing to utilize the time away to finish a book (I've switched from Night Shift to Orange is the New Black for a few reasons, which I'll get to soon) or to paint (I just slathered gesso all over a canvas that I hope to hold some art for Ryan's coming sobriety birthday) or to get organized with the ninth step work that's so important for me to move forward with the tons of financial amends I have waiting for resolution. When Brodie is here, I can't seem to pull myself away from talking to (or looking at or kissing or snuggling) him. This isn't a bad thing, and I'm definitely not complaining. Just an observation. My perception at the moment. I guess I'm in love, or getting there.
I've gone off of the Stephen King in 2013 reading list for now. Although I'm certain I'll return to it in time to catch up with the book club once they've caught up with me, I feel like I need to move away from the horror/sci-fi/fantasy realm for the moment and get into a little more realism than I've acquainted myself since January. Orange is the New Black is Angie's pick for the other book club, and we're set to meet to eat and discuss it this weekend. I'm determined to finish it in time.
For now, the gesso is probably dry and ready for another coat. I have stack of paperwork and correspondence and other mess that I need to organize. There are two interviews that I conducted this weekend, waiting patiently on the tape (yes, they still exist) for me to transcribe. And I need to get out my pen and paper to get a little more spiritually organized before I pull out the pencil and notebook to work on my fiction. I've downed about half of a mixed berry flavored AMP and I'm ready to stay up a little later than usual to see what all I can accomplish. I hope I don't let so much time pass between blog posts again. I'd hate to get back into that habit again.
I've gone off of the Stephen King in 2013 reading list for now. Although I'm certain I'll return to it in time to catch up with the book club once they've caught up with me, I feel like I need to move away from the horror/sci-fi/fantasy realm for the moment and get into a little more realism than I've acquainted myself since January. Orange is the New Black is Angie's pick for the other book club, and we're set to meet to eat and discuss it this weekend. I'm determined to finish it in time.
For now, the gesso is probably dry and ready for another coat. I have stack of paperwork and correspondence and other mess that I need to organize. There are two interviews that I conducted this weekend, waiting patiently on the tape (yes, they still exist) for me to transcribe. And I need to get out my pen and paper to get a little more spiritually organized before I pull out the pencil and notebook to work on my fiction. I've downed about half of a mixed berry flavored AMP and I'm ready to stay up a little later than usual to see what all I can accomplish. I hope I don't let so much time pass between blog posts again. I'd hate to get back into that habit again.
28 July 2013
25 July 2013
24 July 2013
Post LASCYPAA 2013...
To write that I feel disappointed in people is putting it mildly; however, the truth is that I went down south to Metaire, Louisiana for what I thought would be a fun-filled, action-packed, all-star weekend of everything that is healthy, wealthy, wise, and fun in recovery. My expectations were incredibly high, and I was let down with an absolutely resounding thud.
There's a story in the Big Book, Doctor Alcoholic Addict (the title in my edition - I thin it's since been changed to Acceptance Was the Key, or something lame and wet-down like that), whose creator uses imagery of his relationship with his wife, Maxine, as comparable and analogous description for his general outlook on life. In the story, it's all about perception. Everything. The doctor writes that his level of serenity is directly proportional to his level of acceptance and inversely proportional to his expectations in any given situation. If only I can remember this truth at the most important times in my day to remember it. Kinda like remembering to pause when agitated or doubtful, as suggested in the pages from 86-88. It's all really great and hopeful in the wee small hours of morning when the coffee's kicking in and I've not yet had any type of interaction to pollute my train of thought. In reality, life shows up in the form of people, the majority of them assholes and not working a program, and there I am: pissed off and believing everybody owes me. If people would just do things my way, everything would be just grand.
I write all this to also state that LASCYPAA 2013 was an overwhelmingly underwhelming event, and it had nothing to do with the great town of Metairie or the people that were there. My reaction to the conference and the sense of foreboding and negativity with which we made the drive back on Sunday is all directly related to the fact that I had the convention built up in my head to be this great thing, and it was anything but great. That's not to suggest that I learned nothing. Nor is it to suggest that I didn't cultivate a number of friendships that I'd not anticipated having the opportunity to enjoy. In truth, I probably got exactly what I was meant to from the interactions that I had. I learned what I was supposed to learn. And I saw what I was supposed to see. Some of this has positive ramifications. Most of it doesn't, but then again - even writing that - negative consequences are all in a matter of perspective.
A lot of people I admired and respected fell from their pedestals and proved themselves human. I saw where adults can still act like adolescents and adolescents can be a lot of fun to hang around. I realized that Louisiana is home to some of the most beautiful creatures - both male and female - on the planet, and I wanted to make out with well over a handful of really well-tended and manicured guys who probably wouldn't know what hit 'em if I went for it. I didn't get much sleep, and I got to the point of feeling a little spun out. I was intermittently disappointed and overjoyed that we didn't get the LASCYPAA 2014 bid. Eventually, I realized it was best that we didn't. I missed Brodie a great deal, and I kept wishing he'd been there with me. I missed Mary Louise as well, but I was happy to have left her in the safe hands of her grandmother. I kept wanting to be home to lay on the couch and watch Moonrise Kingdom or to sit on the chairs on the back patio and read.
Speaking of reading, I finished one story (big whoop - when I am gonna get my ass back into the literature - to let 'em have it and show 'em who's boss? : soon, I promise!) in Night Shift, I Am the Doorway, which is definitely one of his older works, but much better than some of the more recently written stuff that I've read.
Oh, and I decided to quit smoking.
I don't know why. I was sitting in a meeting last night, and I got this nasty taste in my mouth that has been there on-and-off for a few days. I suddenly realized that I just didn't want to smoke anymore.
Maybe it will take.
We'll see.
I'm actually thinking of leaving my desk before my lunch is over to head up to Walgreen's for a pack. Yeah, we'll see.
There's a story in the Big Book, Doctor Alcoholic Addict (the title in my edition - I thin it's since been changed to Acceptance Was the Key, or something lame and wet-down like that), whose creator uses imagery of his relationship with his wife, Maxine, as comparable and analogous description for his general outlook on life. In the story, it's all about perception. Everything. The doctor writes that his level of serenity is directly proportional to his level of acceptance and inversely proportional to his expectations in any given situation. If only I can remember this truth at the most important times in my day to remember it. Kinda like remembering to pause when agitated or doubtful, as suggested in the pages from 86-88. It's all really great and hopeful in the wee small hours of morning when the coffee's kicking in and I've not yet had any type of interaction to pollute my train of thought. In reality, life shows up in the form of people, the majority of them assholes and not working a program, and there I am: pissed off and believing everybody owes me. If people would just do things my way, everything would be just grand.
I write all this to also state that LASCYPAA 2013 was an overwhelmingly underwhelming event, and it had nothing to do with the great town of Metairie or the people that were there. My reaction to the conference and the sense of foreboding and negativity with which we made the drive back on Sunday is all directly related to the fact that I had the convention built up in my head to be this great thing, and it was anything but great. That's not to suggest that I learned nothing. Nor is it to suggest that I didn't cultivate a number of friendships that I'd not anticipated having the opportunity to enjoy. In truth, I probably got exactly what I was meant to from the interactions that I had. I learned what I was supposed to learn. And I saw what I was supposed to see. Some of this has positive ramifications. Most of it doesn't, but then again - even writing that - negative consequences are all in a matter of perspective.
A lot of people I admired and respected fell from their pedestals and proved themselves human. I saw where adults can still act like adolescents and adolescents can be a lot of fun to hang around. I realized that Louisiana is home to some of the most beautiful creatures - both male and female - on the planet, and I wanted to make out with well over a handful of really well-tended and manicured guys who probably wouldn't know what hit 'em if I went for it. I didn't get much sleep, and I got to the point of feeling a little spun out. I was intermittently disappointed and overjoyed that we didn't get the LASCYPAA 2014 bid. Eventually, I realized it was best that we didn't. I missed Brodie a great deal, and I kept wishing he'd been there with me. I missed Mary Louise as well, but I was happy to have left her in the safe hands of her grandmother. I kept wanting to be home to lay on the couch and watch Moonrise Kingdom or to sit on the chairs on the back patio and read.
Speaking of reading, I finished one story (big whoop - when I am gonna get my ass back into the literature - to let 'em have it and show 'em who's boss? : soon, I promise!) in Night Shift, I Am the Doorway, which is definitely one of his older works, but much better than some of the more recently written stuff that I've read.
Oh, and I decided to quit smoking.
I don't know why. I was sitting in a meeting last night, and I got this nasty taste in my mouth that has been there on-and-off for a few days. I suddenly realized that I just didn't want to smoke anymore.
Maybe it will take.
We'll see.
I'm actually thinking of leaving my desk before my lunch is over to head up to Walgreen's for a pack. Yeah, we'll see.
23 July 2013
What Kind of Book Lover Are You?
Please include attribution to Laura E. Kelly with this graphic. (Click to view at original large size.)
Visit Laura-e-Kelly.com for more about books, reading, and authors.
Visit Laura-e-Kelly.com for more about books, reading, and authors.
17 July 2013
Christmas Eve... Well... Sort of...
What really gets me in the mood to write?
Tonight, it's incense (the Super Hit boxed stuff Gena sells at The Peace of Mind Center is pretty much right as rain for setting the ambiance and atmosphere to just the right decibel), fruit punch flavored water (the cheap, Brookshire's off-brand of Mio - I am, after all, poor), and a little noise in the background. Tonight, it's the 1993 television miniseries Tales of the City (for obvious reasons), but that's only while I compose and post this blog entry. Once I pull out the pencil and the notebook, after I've finished knocking out a few of the things that I have to do to get to a happy place where my brain is a little more clutter free and ready to create, it'll be some sort of zen sounds or meditative music that gets my brain whispering sweet nothing's onto the page. I do wish I'd made meditation tonight, but I never would have been able to accomplish everything else that I had to do after work today (basically Thursday since I'm jumping in the car with Meg and Ann first thing Friday morning to drive down to Metairie for the sober event of the season).
In no short order, I managed to squeeze in coming home from a dirty shift at the shop, get Mary Louise outside to pee and run around, grab a shower, throw a load of clothes in the washer, drive to the downtown library to interview the subject of my next article (a smaller one than the extended profile that I wrote on the mythical, legendary Shreveport artist, Kathryn Usher): the founder of Lumpy Grits, head from there to the Broadmoor branch of the same library system (because that's my home unit) to pick up the stuff I had on hold (the audio version of Orange is the New Black [for the trip down on Friday - it's Angie's pick for book club] and another book to aid my research in my upcoming super secret series on something(s) in Shreveport), drive to (Crac)kshire's to get some supper fixings, and then make it home to meet with my new neighbor who wanted to talk to me about hitting my roommate's scooter last week. All done in the span of less than three hours. I'm impressed.
Now that I've got the blog entry composed and ready to roll out, I'm ready to move on to the next steps in my creative process and almost ready to start creating. It's all I'm able to think about (the writing I'm about to do), and I'm excited to see the beginnings of the fruits of my labors in tomorrow's issue of The Shreveport Catalyst. Incredibly excited, nervous, thrilled... an event 34 years in the making.
It's all I've ever really wanted to do.
I'm not sure that I'll be able to concentrate on actually reading the next story in my copy of Night Shift, but I know that I need to get my ass moving on some more Stephen King. Once I get off-track of things like this, it can be difficult to get back on; however, this is an amazing time in my life. As stated somewhere before, it's all happening.
Tonight, it's incense (the Super Hit boxed stuff Gena sells at The Peace of Mind Center is pretty much right as rain for setting the ambiance and atmosphere to just the right decibel), fruit punch flavored water (the cheap, Brookshire's off-brand of Mio - I am, after all, poor), and a little noise in the background. Tonight, it's the 1993 television miniseries Tales of the City (for obvious reasons), but that's only while I compose and post this blog entry. Once I pull out the pencil and the notebook, after I've finished knocking out a few of the things that I have to do to get to a happy place where my brain is a little more clutter free and ready to create, it'll be some sort of zen sounds or meditative music that gets my brain whispering sweet nothing's onto the page. I do wish I'd made meditation tonight, but I never would have been able to accomplish everything else that I had to do after work today (basically Thursday since I'm jumping in the car with Meg and Ann first thing Friday morning to drive down to Metairie for the sober event of the season).
In no short order, I managed to squeeze in coming home from a dirty shift at the shop, get Mary Louise outside to pee and run around, grab a shower, throw a load of clothes in the washer, drive to the downtown library to interview the subject of my next article (a smaller one than the extended profile that I wrote on the mythical, legendary Shreveport artist, Kathryn Usher): the founder of Lumpy Grits, head from there to the Broadmoor branch of the same library system (because that's my home unit) to pick up the stuff I had on hold (the audio version of Orange is the New Black [for the trip down on Friday - it's Angie's pick for book club] and another book to aid my research in my upcoming super secret series on something(s) in Shreveport), drive to (Crac)kshire's to get some supper fixings, and then make it home to meet with my new neighbor who wanted to talk to me about hitting my roommate's scooter last week. All done in the span of less than three hours. I'm impressed.
Now that I've got the blog entry composed and ready to roll out, I'm ready to move on to the next steps in my creative process and almost ready to start creating. It's all I'm able to think about (the writing I'm about to do), and I'm excited to see the beginnings of the fruits of my labors in tomorrow's issue of The Shreveport Catalyst. Incredibly excited, nervous, thrilled... an event 34 years in the making.
It's all I've ever really wanted to do.
I'm not sure that I'll be able to concentrate on actually reading the next story in my copy of Night Shift, but I know that I need to get my ass moving on some more Stephen King. Once I get off-track of things like this, it can be difficult to get back on; however, this is an amazing time in my life. As stated somewhere before, it's all happening.
16 July 2013
Night Shift: I Am the Doorway
I should be able to have something more to write than this, but I haven't read the story yet. I need to stop slipping into ready-to-pass-out-dom before I get my laptop opened and my blog post ready to create. Unfortunately, this is just gonna be another short one. Pretty incoherent at that.
15 July 2013
Night Shift: Night Surf
It's the last story that I read in the book, the only thing I've really read in the past several days (yes, it is the 15th, and I haven't come close to the daily dose of posts that I've kept up since really letting this sucker take off) -
And my post for the night is interrupted by the text message that our LASCYPAA group has totally fallen apart. I'm putting the laptop down.
Gonna pick up my Shreveport history books to review for my upcoming stories in The Shreveport Catalyst.
And my post for the night is interrupted by the text message that our LASCYPAA group has totally fallen apart. I'm putting the laptop down.
Gonna pick up my Shreveport history books to review for my upcoming stories in The Shreveport Catalyst.
09 July 2013
Night Shift: Graveyard Shift
I wish I hadn't waited until after already climbing into bed before trying to formulate and articulate a post, but Tuesdays are my busy days. And by the time I climb into bed and feel the cool sheets wrap around my legs, I realize that it's the first time I've actually relaxed all day. I have to let the tension of work and running around after slowly ebb away before I pick up my laptop and begin to write. Even if I don't have anything interesting to type, and I have even less interesting ways of typing it, I have to write. If I don't, I feel like I'm missing the opportunity for something. Maybe that's the reason that for every seven bullshit posts I create, there may be one or two where I actually manage to get something out that really needs development.
Busy day ahead tomorrow, but I'm loving the current projects I'm completing as I continue to settle into the groove. I'd like to get up and out the door early in the morning. There's a new caramel treat at Starbucks that I've got a yen to guzzle another venti size of as soon as possible.
I finished "Graveyard Shift," and I'm moving onto "Night Surf" before I drift off to wonderland for the night. More on the former story, a tale of rats like no other I've ever read, when I come next to also hopefully write about the latter.
My bed is empty tonight sans myself and Mary Louise.
It feels strange.
What does that mean?
Busy day ahead tomorrow, but I'm loving the current projects I'm completing as I continue to settle into the groove. I'd like to get up and out the door early in the morning. There's a new caramel treat at Starbucks that I've got a yen to guzzle another venti size of as soon as possible.
I finished "Graveyard Shift," and I'm moving onto "Night Surf" before I drift off to wonderland for the night. More on the former story, a tale of rats like no other I've ever read, when I come next to also hopefully write about the latter.
My bed is empty tonight sans myself and Mary Louise.
It feels strange.
What does that mean?
07 July 2013
Jerusalem's Lot
I really can't think of a good reason that would justify the inordinate amount of time that completing the opening story in Stephen King's Night Shift has taken. The truth is that I've had another two weeks in which I've allowed myself to be far too easily distracted. In spite of the many things that I've accomplished this weekend, the primary thing that I wanted to do (stay in bed and read) was not one. I recognize the fact that I, as usual, have spread myself a bit too thin, but I seem to be managing very well. If only I could force myself to complete a bit more at night than I do. I need to turn off Netflix and Facebook and YouTube and just allow myself to melt away into these short diversions that should take me no more than a few days to complete. I'd like to write that that is exactly what I'll be doing this week, but all my efforts to make such promises to myself and my blog rarely pan out.
At present, I'm awaiting the arrival of Kristi, Ryan, and Christina for our regular Sunday night viewing of new episodes of The Killing (on the record, I think it's the dark-haired prison guard). Brodie should also be here at some point, but I can't count him as part of the watching brigade since he has the many previous episodes to watch before he's on tap to watch the new ones as they air in real time.
An eventful week lays ahead. I have a ton to accomplish at work in the coming five days (and I'll have extra time on Saturday morning since this is my week to work an eight to noon while the shop's open for a half day). I need to revise the LASCYPAA bid script; I finished and posted the minutes for the past two meetings yesterday. I also have a pamphlet to read on Buddhism, which is a place where my interests currently reside since attending the Refuge Meditation Group this past Wednesday evening (something I plan to make a part of my regular weekly schedule). I have two thank-you notes to write and mail, and this is the week that I'll be starting over (again) on my reading of the Big Book. This time, though, I plan to stick with only the first 164 pages since the stories that took me so long to complete aren't the true meat of the program.
Since paying off one of my bills (part of my ninth step amends), I've got my paperwork ready to organize and begin making payments and arrangements to finish the many other (I dare not write how many thousands - more than I wish it were, but these are debts that I've made, for which I'm responsible, and I'm grateful to have the opportunity to make things right) individuals and institutions to which I am accountable.
I got my copy of Angie's book club pick for August, Orange is the New Black, and I need to crack it open and get moving on it. Our first meeting of the newly revised group is less than a month away, and I have the big event which is LASYPAA 2013 in between now and then.
Now that I've formulated more than enough of a journalistic entry here, I need to write a bit about the first of the short stories in Night Shift. "Jerusalem's Lot" is meant to be something of a precursor to King's second novel, 'salem's Lot, but there's little in the story that speaks to the reader about the coming metropolis that succumbs to the evil vampires in that work. The story reminds me more of something that may have been written by H.P. Lovecraft, someone I know to be an inspiration to King in his youth. The epistolary style of the story's presentation, the overall language (being that of the men and women who walked the roads of New England 250 years ago), and the many supernatural developments (including the moment when King's hero basically writes that the description of the beast that overtakes Cal and Boone in the desecrated church is far too horrible to describe, let alone look upon - something that Lovecraft did quite frequently in his stories of Cthulu and his many other minions) all combine to give just over thirty pages of writing that merely perpetuate the mythology created by Lovecraft and continued by many horror writers today.
I enjoyed it, and I wonder if Stephen King might ever write some sort of follow-up to bridge the gap between what happened after the suicide of Boone in "Jerusalem's Lot" and the arrival of the Marstens in 'salem's Lot.
Next up: "Graveyard Shift."
At present, I'm awaiting the arrival of Kristi, Ryan, and Christina for our regular Sunday night viewing of new episodes of The Killing (on the record, I think it's the dark-haired prison guard). Brodie should also be here at some point, but I can't count him as part of the watching brigade since he has the many previous episodes to watch before he's on tap to watch the new ones as they air in real time.
An eventful week lays ahead. I have a ton to accomplish at work in the coming five days (and I'll have extra time on Saturday morning since this is my week to work an eight to noon while the shop's open for a half day). I need to revise the LASCYPAA bid script; I finished and posted the minutes for the past two meetings yesterday. I also have a pamphlet to read on Buddhism, which is a place where my interests currently reside since attending the Refuge Meditation Group this past Wednesday evening (something I plan to make a part of my regular weekly schedule). I have two thank-you notes to write and mail, and this is the week that I'll be starting over (again) on my reading of the Big Book. This time, though, I plan to stick with only the first 164 pages since the stories that took me so long to complete aren't the true meat of the program.
Since paying off one of my bills (part of my ninth step amends), I've got my paperwork ready to organize and begin making payments and arrangements to finish the many other (I dare not write how many thousands - more than I wish it were, but these are debts that I've made, for which I'm responsible, and I'm grateful to have the opportunity to make things right) individuals and institutions to which I am accountable.
I got my copy of Angie's book club pick for August, Orange is the New Black, and I need to crack it open and get moving on it. Our first meeting of the newly revised group is less than a month away, and I have the big event which is LASYPAA 2013 in between now and then.
Now that I've formulated more than enough of a journalistic entry here, I need to write a bit about the first of the short stories in Night Shift. "Jerusalem's Lot" is meant to be something of a precursor to King's second novel, 'salem's Lot, but there's little in the story that speaks to the reader about the coming metropolis that succumbs to the evil vampires in that work. The story reminds me more of something that may have been written by H.P. Lovecraft, someone I know to be an inspiration to King in his youth. The epistolary style of the story's presentation, the overall language (being that of the men and women who walked the roads of New England 250 years ago), and the many supernatural developments (including the moment when King's hero basically writes that the description of the beast that overtakes Cal and Boone in the desecrated church is far too horrible to describe, let alone look upon - something that Lovecraft did quite frequently in his stories of Cthulu and his many other minions) all combine to give just over thirty pages of writing that merely perpetuate the mythology created by Lovecraft and continued by many horror writers today.
I enjoyed it, and I wonder if Stephen King might ever write some sort of follow-up to bridge the gap between what happened after the suicide of Boone in "Jerusalem's Lot" and the arrival of the Marstens in 'salem's Lot.
Next up: "Graveyard Shift."
04 July 2013
Keeping the Fires Burning
Mary Louise HATES today (I think she hates tonight even more). She can't handle feeling as if she's living in Baghdad for the twenty-four to thirty-six hours in which fire works are at their fullest peak. I couldn't even to get her off the porch to go outside to pee when I got home from the very full day that I've enjoyed this 4th of July, 2013. An eventful day, it's been, and I'm not totally sure who I feel tonight. I don't feel bad, but I cannot honestly write that I feel great. I spent the morning after leaving Brodie getting ready at my place having breakfast with my family then swimming with two of my nephews. The afternoon was filled with more food and more swimming (not nearly as much reading as I would have liked, but enough to know that I'll be continuing as soon as I finish composing this post).
I left Mom's with the sole intention of picking Grant up for the Lambda meeting, not knowing EXACTLY what the rest of my night would entail. After Lambda, I drove Grant to the Highland Club and decided to stick around to hear my buddy James tell his story (a sobriety birthday on the same date of his ten year wedding anniversary... amazing). I had invitations to go with the sponsor family to watch the fireworks on the riverfront, to head over to Charlotte's with Sarah and Mike to set off fireworks there, and to return to my mom's to see more of my family. Brodie was with his friends, and he's been asking me to meet them, and I've been wanting to meet them, so I went there to meet them.
I was only there a few minutes, but long enough to know that I like them and I see why he likes them and why he calls them friends. Realizing that I'm exhausted, bloodshot from swimming with my eyes open in two chlorinated pools today (is there any other way), and ready to hit the hay to sleep before going in for what I'm hoping will be a short day at work tomorrow, I headed home to find Mary cowering behind the pillows on my bed and waiting to lay with me tonight.
In Night Shift, I'm still only in the first story, "Jerusalem's Lot," but I'm thinking that I'll hit my stride this weekend (along with the writing I'm planning, the interview I have to conduct tomorrow night, the meetings I plan to attend, the minutes I plan to type, and the thank you cards I plan to complete). I still have such a great difficulty in just staying in the moment, enjoying time as it happens instead of hurrying through actions to reach the next task. Funny thing, if not for the need to sleep, I always think I'd get so much more done, but missing sleep is not an option.
Speaking of which, if I don't stop writing pretty soon, I'll not get any more reading in before it comes.
I wish Brodie were here to keep me warm tonight, but I'm glad he's with his buddies.
I left Mom's with the sole intention of picking Grant up for the Lambda meeting, not knowing EXACTLY what the rest of my night would entail. After Lambda, I drove Grant to the Highland Club and decided to stick around to hear my buddy James tell his story (a sobriety birthday on the same date of his ten year wedding anniversary... amazing). I had invitations to go with the sponsor family to watch the fireworks on the riverfront, to head over to Charlotte's with Sarah and Mike to set off fireworks there, and to return to my mom's to see more of my family. Brodie was with his friends, and he's been asking me to meet them, and I've been wanting to meet them, so I went there to meet them.
I was only there a few minutes, but long enough to know that I like them and I see why he likes them and why he calls them friends. Realizing that I'm exhausted, bloodshot from swimming with my eyes open in two chlorinated pools today (is there any other way), and ready to hit the hay to sleep before going in for what I'm hoping will be a short day at work tomorrow, I headed home to find Mary cowering behind the pillows on my bed and waiting to lay with me tonight.
In Night Shift, I'm still only in the first story, "Jerusalem's Lot," but I'm thinking that I'll hit my stride this weekend (along with the writing I'm planning, the interview I have to conduct tomorrow night, the meetings I plan to attend, the minutes I plan to type, and the thank you cards I plan to complete). I still have such a great difficulty in just staying in the moment, enjoying time as it happens instead of hurrying through actions to reach the next task. Funny thing, if not for the need to sleep, I always think I'd get so much more done, but missing sleep is not an option.
Speaking of which, if I don't stop writing pretty soon, I'll not get any more reading in before it comes.
I wish Brodie were here to keep me warm tonight, but I'm glad he's with his buddies.
03 July 2013
4th of July Eve/Just Before a Holiday (Sort Of)
My phone note still houses the complete list of things-to-do that I made last night. Aside from reading "when we retire at night," I think I'm going to let that list sit right where it is. I'd much prefer to spend a little time in the land of Stephen King for a couple days. I'll have all weekend to get work done.
02 July 2013
What's Better Than Having a Column in a Local Publication?
Being considered as a possibility to write the next cover story. More on that later. There's a ton I want to write about, especially some of what many of my fellow creative-types consider to be the general apathy and dis-united opposition to support among local artists.
My goal(s)l for the week is (are) to finish my list of numerous to-do's (from my phone notes):
1. the K.W. interview
2. find a source w/the C.o.S.
3. LASCYPAA Minutes 06/21
4. LASCYPAA Minutes 06/28
5. Iron out my folklore
6. Thank you notes
7. Pay PCP and the Vet
8. Work on 9th Step financials
9. Enjoy the 4th
10. Write,
find new and innovative ways to support the Shreveport arts scene, spend some time with Brodie, eat a bunch of hamburgers and hot dogs, spend more time with Brodie, blog, read some Stephen King, pray, meditate, sleep late on Thursday, and so on.
I'll try to have a better blog post tomorrow.
My goal(s)l for the week is (are) to finish my list of numerous to-do's (from my phone notes):
1. the K.W. interview
2. find a source w/the C.o.S.
3. LASCYPAA Minutes 06/21
4. LASCYPAA Minutes 06/28
5. Iron out my folklore
6. Thank you notes
7. Pay PCP and the Vet
8. Work on 9th Step financials
9. Enjoy the 4th
10. Write,
find new and innovative ways to support the Shreveport arts scene, spend some time with Brodie, eat a bunch of hamburgers and hot dogs, spend more time with Brodie, blog, read some Stephen King, pray, meditate, sleep late on Thursday, and so on.
I'll try to have a better blog post tomorrow.
01 July 2013
Chicken Caesar Salads and Suspiria with Brodie Vines
I tend to go off of things.
Just last night, I posted that I was going to complete Imperial Bedrooms in an effort to give my brain a break from the Stephen King in 2013 challenge, but the truth is that I'm not feeling getting a fill on anything non-Stephen King these days (also, there's something I read in the Bret Easton Ellis novel, the only one from his oeuvre that I've not yet read, that forced me to put it down for a while).
I've got to get back to the purpose for my blog for the year. Back to Night Shift and Under the Dome.
I've got a belly full of Brodie's grilled chicken salad and the feeling of sleep rushing my way. I ought to have more to post, but this is all I've really got to write for now.
Excitement that tomorrow is basically Thursday with the holiday shortening the week out and a few days free swiftly approaching. I'm exposing the unicorn to Dario Argento via Suspiria tonight. His affinity (or lack thereof) for the film will prove his fealty - either make him, or break him. I wonder if I might have warned him of this before popping the DVD in to watch.
Just last night, I posted that I was going to complete Imperial Bedrooms in an effort to give my brain a break from the Stephen King in 2013 challenge, but the truth is that I'm not feeling getting a fill on anything non-Stephen King these days (also, there's something I read in the Bret Easton Ellis novel, the only one from his oeuvre that I've not yet read, that forced me to put it down for a while).
I've got to get back to the purpose for my blog for the year. Back to Night Shift and Under the Dome.
I've got a belly full of Brodie's grilled chicken salad and the feeling of sleep rushing my way. I ought to have more to post, but this is all I've really got to write for now.
Excitement that tomorrow is basically Thursday with the holiday shortening the week out and a few days free swiftly approaching. I'm exposing the unicorn to Dario Argento via Suspiria tonight. His affinity (or lack thereof) for the film will prove his fealty - either make him, or break him. I wonder if I might have warned him of this before popping the DVD in to watch.
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