I was desperate. All but one property was mortgaged, I had narrowly escaped prison and was now facing Park Place, or worse, Boardwalk, with two houses. Past Boardwalk was the promise of money that I so desperately needed. If I could just make it to Go and collect my two hundred dollars, I had a chance to survive. If I could just make it to Go, I'd still be in the game.
I rolled the dice. Picking up my game piece of choice, the trusty dog, I moved across the board and landed on . . . Luxury Tax. Close call, right? Wrong! I promptly went bankrupt because I couldn't come up with seventy-five dollars to pay my taxes, even with mortgaging my last property. So much for Baltic or Mediterranean being helpful. They can't even pay off Luxury Tax!
If you haven't guessed by now, I have been occupying a snowy week by playing Monopoly with my Mother and Brother.
I know, I know, I should be writing, but since my brother has had the past few days off due to the weather, I haven't been keeping up with my novel or blog. I realize I've been extremely naughty.
I haven't squandered all my week, since I've gone through my file cabinet and also organized my workspace by installing an old pantry/wardrobe by my desk. It's worked out better than I thought. It almost makes struggling with that insufferable contact paper I was plastering the shelves with worth it.
Last Sunday I had to help my brother bleed the brakes on his stupid. . . I mean . . . lovely, truck. We all know how much I love bleeding brakes/toning thighs!
We bled the brakes, and when we got done my brother climbed into the truck and found out that the pedal could sink all the way to the floor with the slightest amount of pressure.
Turns out, the Master Cylinder had to be replaced and, guess what, the brakes had to be bled all over again. Can we say, "Hooray!"
Believe me, I gave my brother so much trouble over that one. Probably a little too much, since he admitted that he let me pump the brakes a little longer than necessary.
At least now he can stop the truck without locking the brakes.
Well, that's pretty much it for the week. My office is now organized, and my brother can now stop his vehicle. I have also developed a personal vendetta against Luxury Tax, so I don't believe the week has been entirely wasted. I'm planning on doing catchup work on my novel tomorrow, and hopefully will have drafts of the first few chapters complete.
Until next week!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
A Week into the New Year
Well, it's been a week since the New Year began and so far, I've only ignored one of my New Year's Resolutions. I think that's pretty good, considering it's me.
My writing has been pretty productive this week. Could I have been more prolific? Absolutely, but overall I'm fairly happy with my results. I've blogged twice this week, as you can plainly see, and I'm plugging away at the start of my novel, 'Rescuing A Towered Prince.'
I've hit a bit of a snag with my book though, not a major one by any means, but a snag nonetheless. To prologue, or not to prologue? That is the question. I've heard that prologues are passe, and that people don't want to waste time on one when they could be reading the first chapter. So, should I change my prologue into chapter one? Hmmm, I can see already that I have difficult decisions ahead of me. I would greatly appreciate any opinions on the subject. Yay or nay to prologues?
My reading is going well. I'm still trying to finish The Plums of P.G. Wodehouse, which I am still thoroughly enjoying. I have to stop dilly-dallying around though, because my list of books to read is beginning to grow at an alarmingly rapid pace. I have borrowed a book from my Grandmother that I'll start as soon as P.G's done, and I also have A Writer's Guide to 2011 to read. Preferably this time I'll finish reading it before 2011 ends. Plus all the countless books lying around that I've started but haven't finished. Yes, regretfully, I am one of those readers who starts a book, gets bored, starts another book, gets halfway through, and starts yet another.
As for my mandolin practices . . . uh, what mandolin?
Okay, this is the resolution that's taken a back burner to other things. So don't look for my CD very soon. I'm going to make time to practice though . . . someday . . . eventually.
Well, that's been my week. How are your New Year's Resolutions going? If you'd like to share, or would like to express your opinion on prologues, leave a comment. I'd love to hear from you!
Oh, and for those of you who love a good crime story, my Grandmother is now writing a blog called Mystery & Me. She's going to start critiquing mystery books. If you would like to check it out: mysteryandme.blogspot.com
My writing has been pretty productive this week. Could I have been more prolific? Absolutely, but overall I'm fairly happy with my results. I've blogged twice this week, as you can plainly see, and I'm plugging away at the start of my novel, 'Rescuing A Towered Prince.'
I've hit a bit of a snag with my book though, not a major one by any means, but a snag nonetheless. To prologue, or not to prologue? That is the question. I've heard that prologues are passe, and that people don't want to waste time on one when they could be reading the first chapter. So, should I change my prologue into chapter one? Hmmm, I can see already that I have difficult decisions ahead of me. I would greatly appreciate any opinions on the subject. Yay or nay to prologues?
My reading is going well. I'm still trying to finish The Plums of P.G. Wodehouse, which I am still thoroughly enjoying. I have to stop dilly-dallying around though, because my list of books to read is beginning to grow at an alarmingly rapid pace. I have borrowed a book from my Grandmother that I'll start as soon as P.G's done, and I also have A Writer's Guide to 2011 to read. Preferably this time I'll finish reading it before 2011 ends. Plus all the countless books lying around that I've started but haven't finished. Yes, regretfully, I am one of those readers who starts a book, gets bored, starts another book, gets halfway through, and starts yet another.
As for my mandolin practices . . . uh, what mandolin?
Okay, this is the resolution that's taken a back burner to other things. So don't look for my CD very soon. I'm going to make time to practice though . . . someday . . . eventually.
Well, that's been my week. How are your New Year's Resolutions going? If you'd like to share, or would like to express your opinion on prologues, leave a comment. I'd love to hear from you!
Oh, and for those of you who love a good crime story, my Grandmother is now writing a blog called Mystery & Me. She's going to start critiquing mystery books. If you would like to check it out: mysteryandme.blogspot.com
Resolutions
With the New Year's come the annual resolutions that seem really good at first, but quickly die mid-January. Well, if you're me they die mid-January, but perhaps other people can keep their resolutions alive a bit longer.
Despite the fact that I have as much trouble with resolutions living as I do with plants, I still make them every year. Don't ask me why. Perhaps I'm an incurable optimist . . . or I'm crazy, whichever one.
This year, I am resolving to write more, which really shouldn't be hard considering I didn't write very much last year. I am also hoping to read more often than I have been of late, and also learn to play the mandolin that has been sitting around for almost four years now. Hey, I need a backup plan if my writing career doesn't take off. So, if you don't see any books or articles by me just look for my CD.
I've been getting a head start on my reading resolution. I just finished a Middle-Grade book called The Night Tourist by Katherine Marsh. I'm also in the midst of reading the Plums of P.G. Wodehouse, which I am thoroughly enjoying. I might blog about these a little later.
As for my blog I hope to touch base with My Padded Cell at least once every week. That's another resolution. Hopefully, since I'm posting it where everyone can see, I'll keep up with my resolutions this year. . . Hopefully.
Despite the fact that I have as much trouble with resolutions living as I do with plants, I still make them every year. Don't ask me why. Perhaps I'm an incurable optimist . . . or I'm crazy, whichever one.
This year, I am resolving to write more, which really shouldn't be hard considering I didn't write very much last year. I am also hoping to read more often than I have been of late, and also learn to play the mandolin that has been sitting around for almost four years now. Hey, I need a backup plan if my writing career doesn't take off. So, if you don't see any books or articles by me just look for my CD.
I've been getting a head start on my reading resolution. I just finished a Middle-Grade book called The Night Tourist by Katherine Marsh. I'm also in the midst of reading the Plums of P.G. Wodehouse, which I am thoroughly enjoying. I might blog about these a little later.
As for my blog I hope to touch base with My Padded Cell at least once every week. That's another resolution. Hopefully, since I'm posting it where everyone can see, I'll keep up with my resolutions this year. . . Hopefully.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Happy Black Friday!
It's that time again, when families gather around the table and give thanks for the fortunes they have received by a giant feast that takes forever to prepare, and almost as long to clean up. But really, what does Thanksgiving really mean? Yes, that's right, tomorrow is Black Friday.
It's sad but true, Black Friday has taken the place of Thanksgiving as a national holiday, even though it's the most dangerous day of the year.
I wonder if the first Black Friday was as dangerous as it is today? It wouldn't be pretty seeing all those pilgrims fighting like that. Especially after that picturesque scene where they're all sitting at the table together. Imagine what the Native Americans thought, with everyone fighting over turtle necks and running around as though they had been bit by a rabid squirrel. It would have been a very awkward day indeed.
Anyway, I hope everyone enjoys their Thanksgiving, and survives Black Friday.
Oh, and Happy Early Birthday, Grandma!
It's sad but true, Black Friday has taken the place of Thanksgiving as a national holiday, even though it's the most dangerous day of the year.
I wonder if the first Black Friday was as dangerous as it is today? It wouldn't be pretty seeing all those pilgrims fighting like that. Especially after that picturesque scene where they're all sitting at the table together. Imagine what the Native Americans thought, with everyone fighting over turtle necks and running around as though they had been bit by a rabid squirrel. It would have been a very awkward day indeed.
Anyway, I hope everyone enjoys their Thanksgiving, and survives Black Friday.
Oh, and Happy Early Birthday, Grandma!
The Padded Library - Rochester vs. Heathcliff
Anyone who has a love of classic literature knows about the Bronte Sisters, especially Charlotte and Emily. Charlotte wrote Jane Eyre, while Emily . . . was clinically insane!
I came to that conclusion after reading Wuthering Heights, a book that I could hardly get through. The only reason I did was because I had to write a report on the Bronte sisters for school. I hated the book, didn't like Cathrine and. . . well, let's just face it, I wanted Heathcliff to die a slow and painful death.
So, imagine my surprise when I came across someone who said that Rochester was insane and that Heathcliff just needed medication. What?
True, Rochester was a little off at times, but he had every reason to be. I mean his father and brother tricked him into marrying a crazy woman, for crying out loud! (Oh, yeah. Spoiler Alert!)
What was Heathcliff's excuse, he was a poor boy, and then he was adopted by a rich guy? Yeah, I can hear the violins already. Let's just face it, Heathcliff was mean from the start.
Rochester was willing to let Jane go in the end, just as long as it made her happy. Heathcliff . . . we won't even go there. Marrying Cathrine's sister-in-law just to get back at her was extreme, but making his son and Cathrine's daughter marry? That's diving as far as you can go in the depths of insanity.
Overall, my view on the subject: Rochester may not be playing with a full deck, but Heathcliff is only holding one card.
Really, I'm just happy I'm not a heroine in a Gothic Romances, because I believe most of the Goth heroes are drinking out of lead goblets.
I came to that conclusion after reading Wuthering Heights, a book that I could hardly get through. The only reason I did was because I had to write a report on the Bronte sisters for school. I hated the book, didn't like Cathrine and. . . well, let's just face it, I wanted Heathcliff to die a slow and painful death.
So, imagine my surprise when I came across someone who said that Rochester was insane and that Heathcliff just needed medication. What?
True, Rochester was a little off at times, but he had every reason to be. I mean his father and brother tricked him into marrying a crazy woman, for crying out loud! (Oh, yeah. Spoiler Alert!)
What was Heathcliff's excuse, he was a poor boy, and then he was adopted by a rich guy? Yeah, I can hear the violins already. Let's just face it, Heathcliff was mean from the start.
Rochester was willing to let Jane go in the end, just as long as it made her happy. Heathcliff . . . we won't even go there. Marrying Cathrine's sister-in-law just to get back at her was extreme, but making his son and Cathrine's daughter marry? That's diving as far as you can go in the depths of insanity.
Overall, my view on the subject: Rochester may not be playing with a full deck, but Heathcliff is only holding one card.
Really, I'm just happy I'm not a heroine in a Gothic Romances, because I believe most of the Goth heroes are drinking out of lead goblets.
The Padded Library - Miss Marple: Kindly Old Lady or Master Serial Killer?
All right, a disturbing thought occurred to me as I was watching this season's Masterpiece Mystery. Why is it that every party Miss Marple is invited to, there's always a corpse that turns up for dinner? The same is true for the towns she visits. As soon as she steps foot off the bus there seems to be a blood curdling scream.
I know she's supposed to be a brilliant little old lady who can figure out who knocked off Uncle Freddie for his fortune, but seriously, what are the odds that people are always murdered when she is around?
Now I don't go to many parties, but in all the events I have ever gone to, nobody has been murdered. And I don't recall tripping over a corpse every time I visit a new town. Maybe I'm just lucky, or maybe . . . just maybe, there is an entirely different reason why Miss Marple leaves behind a trail of dead people.
I believe that Miss Marple is actually a serial killer, and a brilliant one at that, because she has Scotland Yard in her pocket. Now, what Inspector would assume that an eighty year old woman can take down a man in his prime? What's more, she 'helps' them discover who the 'murderer' is, so she is above suspicion.
I'm sure you're probably thinking, 'Well, what about Hercule Poirot?' But Poirot is actually a detective, it's his job to find corpses. But for Miss Marple to 'just happen to be there' at the time of someone's demise is a bit odd, don't you think?
I don't know, maybe it's just me. But just to be on the safe side, if you're planning on taking a little trip to St. Mary's Mead any time soon, make sure Miss Marple is out of town.
I know she's supposed to be a brilliant little old lady who can figure out who knocked off Uncle Freddie for his fortune, but seriously, what are the odds that people are always murdered when she is around?
Now I don't go to many parties, but in all the events I have ever gone to, nobody has been murdered. And I don't recall tripping over a corpse every time I visit a new town. Maybe I'm just lucky, or maybe . . . just maybe, there is an entirely different reason why Miss Marple leaves behind a trail of dead people.
I believe that Miss Marple is actually a serial killer, and a brilliant one at that, because she has Scotland Yard in her pocket. Now, what Inspector would assume that an eighty year old woman can take down a man in his prime? What's more, she 'helps' them discover who the 'murderer' is, so she is above suspicion.
I'm sure you're probably thinking, 'Well, what about Hercule Poirot?' But Poirot is actually a detective, it's his job to find corpses. But for Miss Marple to 'just happen to be there' at the time of someone's demise is a bit odd, don't you think?
I don't know, maybe it's just me. But just to be on the safe side, if you're planning on taking a little trip to St. Mary's Mead any time soon, make sure Miss Marple is out of town.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Bleeding Brakes/Toning Thighs
"All right, pump the pedal . . . keep pumping . . . Now hold . . . keep holding. . ." For anyone who has ever had the good fortune to be the pedal pumper while bleeding brakes, I'm sure this sounds somewhat familiar. A few days ago, I, being the only lucky person who wasn't busy at the time, helped my Grandfather bleed brakes. It was the my first brake bleeding experience, and let's just say by the time I crawled out of the car, I was wondering if it would be less painful to simply saw my legs off with a butter knife. Talk about a leg exercise and a half! That's when a brilliant idea came to me; I could open a business. A brake bleeding, leg toning business. I think it would be very successful, bring in your old car, bleed the brakes, tone your thighs. What do you think?
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