just call me...

Mary... because that's the name of the character I'll be playing in the movie, which will be filming in February and March. I am so looking forward to this, as I've never done anything like it before and I think it could be a great opportunity to learn and grow and do something new. If that makes any sense at all.

The story is so great, so interesting, and so layered. I love the writing and I'm looking forward to seeing what it's going to look like on screen. Movies are so different from theatre, so it's going to be fun to see how it works.

knit slacker

Yeah, I've been slacking on the knitting front lately. I did do a little work on my Green Dragon Shawl last night and I've got three squares on my log cabin blanket completely finished, but really I should be further along on both. My ribbed scarf project is moving along, but I'm finding the ribbing to be quite boring. I think my problem right now is that three major projects I'm working on are either simple or very complex, so I either have to give it all my concentration or none at all. And here's something strange... my fingers get tired on the ribbed scarf but not the other projects. I can't figure out why, other than the fact that there's a lot of switching the yarn back and forth, but you would think the shawl would be worse because there are a ton of yarn overs and other things that are different from the norm. The log cabin squares are easy-peasy, but I have to carry a lot of yarn with me when I work on those because of the frequent color changes.

Oh, the Christmas blanket was not completed by Christmas this year, so I'll be shooting for next year. Here's hoping I can get it done by then! I'll do some pictures of the works in progress sometime soon. For now, just look at my Ravelry sidebar.

writing happiness

I spent a good chunk of my day working on the Draha outline. I'm so excited about the way the story is progressing. The kids are really starting to have their own personalities and quirks, and it's just the outline! I'm happy about that. The outline for the first book should be finished soon - hopefully by the end of this month.

I can't wait to really start the writing on this story. It's been in my head for so long... it's time for it to get out of there!

writing frustrations

Remember when I said I lost a manuscript? Well, it's totally gone. I couldn't find it anywhere and I've given up. The worst thing about that is I was really in the mood to take it out and start revising and shaping it up to send out to publishers. I was telling a friend about the plot the other day and she said she would totally read it, which was even worse, you know?! From now on, I'm emailing every manuscript to a special email address, keeping a disk for every manuscript, and saving them to my external hard drive as well as my computer. AND, I'm printing a copy for my files.

I guess I'd better start over with that story - it was such a good idea and now it's just... gone.

screen test

I had a screen test today for a movie that a friend is making. It was a very cool experience and I'm really glad I did it. I hope I get a part because it would be so cool to be in on the ground floor of something like this. The way they are doing everything is so grassroots - I absolutely love it! Viral marketing, promoting at conventions, possibly doing an event to raise money for charity while raising awareness for the film... all kinds of cool things! The script is really good - I've read the whole thing already and really like it. I love the two characters I read today and either one would be great. I have a feeling I did a lot better on one than the other, but I'll be totally happy with either.

Disney is officially booked!

I booked the trip to Disney World today. Yay! Check out the new countdown clock further down the page. I'm so much like a child it's not funny - I love having something to count down to, and thanks to technology, I can do it with style!

The kids are really excited, of course, but I think the adults are even more excited about the trip - which is probably pretty normal, lol!

Happy New Year!

2008 is officially over. 2009 is here and I'm thrilled to say goodbye to a year that was filled with crisis in our nation and in the world. I think we are heading in the right direction and I hope that 2009 is a year of recovery, a year of healing, and a year of change. It will set the stage for what I hope will be an amazing 2010.

I usually do resolutions, but this year, I'm just going to point to my 101 in 1001 list and say that's my resolution. I will work on that list. I will do as many things on it as possible.

The one resolution I will make is one I've made (and kept!) since 2000. I will try something new every month. Whether that something new is playing a game I've never tried to writing a genre I've never attempted, to trying a new knitting skills, to eating a dish I've never eaten, these little challenges to myself to try something new really enhance my life in so many ways! It's my one real resolution this year and one I intend to keep.

So happy new year to everyone out there. May 2009 bring you health and happiness.