Looking up policies from other organizations and then writing policies for mine based on the research has got to be the most boring work ever! I spent most of my day working on these policies, and I hope I'll be finished soon.
Tomorrow should be pretty good, though. I'm going to a preview party for Mobile's music festival (Bayfest) because they are raising money for my organization. So I get to spend a few hours talking to people and collecting the money they want to donate to us. I love events like this. It's so much fun to be out there, doing the PR stuff you see on TV.
Also tomorrow I need to start looking at the 2007 farm bill. I've been told I might be working on some policy stuff related to this bill, so I need to understand it! If I'm going to be lobbying next year, I need to know what I'm talking about, lol.
Still flipping back and forth on the NaNoWriMo novel. I think I might just forget the projects I'm trying to decide between and start completely from scratch. Or maybe not...
I was told recently that I should look at The Snowflake Method, so I found this very detailed site about it. I didn't have time to read it tonight, but I plan to get through it within the next couple of days and see if it might be helpful. I really have no set method when I write. Last year for NaNo, which is the first time I've actually finished a novel, I actually did a detailed outline with a summary of each chapter and a very nice timeline of events before, during and after the story. That worked nicely and really kept me in line when I started to stray too far. Of course, I allowed myself to stray a little. Allowing the story to come alive and take over is a large part of my creative process. So anyway, I'm going to see if this method would be good for me or if it would only stifle my creativity.
My friend Marcus might do NaNoWriMo this year. I really hope he decides to do it. I keep telling him it's a great experience. So Marcus, if you're reading this, DO NANOWRIMO!!!!! You won't regret it!
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
More NaNoWriMo and some travel news
First, I'll do the travel news, since part of it is happy and part of it is sad. Due to work and money-related issues, I will not be going to Paris in December. It makes me sad, but I know I will keep trying until I can go.
But here's the bright side. I've been looking for something really special to do for my parents next June. They will be celebrating their 40th anniversary. I know that's not a traditionally big anniversary, but they're both pushing 60, so at their 50th, they may not be physically able to have big adventures. I hope they are, but you never know. So we talked about it, and they want me to take them on a road trip. They've never been further North than South Carolina, so we're going up to Niagara Falls, then to New York, then to Philadelphia, then to Washington, DC. (my boss has already said they would count it as a work day if I pop in and see a couple of our representatives about the 2007 farm bill while I'm up there!) After all that, we're going to drive along the East Coast all the way home. My mom wants to see some lighthouses and my dad wants to take pictures of boats. Now, I've already been to all these places, but it will be so great to show them to my parents, who are terrified to travel by themselves, and will only do something like this if I go with them. So if anyone has any ideas about some neat things we can do in any of these areas (besides the touristy stuff, which we will be doing already, let me know!)
We had thought about going West, but by the time we actually made it to something interesting out there, we would have to turn around and go back! (they are also terrified of flying, so we will be doing all this by car)
So anyway, I'm having fun planning this crazy trip. We're probably taking Noah, who will be 11 by then and who loves taking pictures and seeing new places. So it should be a lot of fun, and a chance to really put some miles on Gonzo (who saw quite a few miles last weekend, actually!) So anyway, I think it will be fun.
And then, of course, in 2008 we will be taking all the kids and my sister and her husband to Disney World for our traditional trip. We always go when one of the kids graduates from Kindergarten, and Hannah will be graduating in 2008, so the plan is to go then. I'm so looking forward to dressing her up in a Cinderella costume for that first day at the Magic Kingdom! I will, of course, have a change of clothes in my backpack, but she has to meet Cinderella dressed like her. Think of how cute the pictures will be! :)
So there's a lot to look forward to in the next couple of years...
Now on to the NaNoWriMo stuff. I only have a few days before I have to decide which story to write this year. There is a self-imposed deadline of October 1. If I haven't decided by then, I will force myself to decide!
Another new development is that I bought a GPS unit online today so that I can start geocaching. I'm going to take Noah with me on caching trips, and my mom wants to do some too. It'll be a great way to enjoy the fall weather that we are having right now. I also have a few friends who want to cache with me, so I should never have to do it alone. But even if I have to do it alone, I think it'll be fun. I'm looking forward to discovering new places in my own region, and even when I travel I can find caches in different places. Perhaps I can hunt a few on our road trip, and when I go to Chicago and Pasadena for conferences next year. Wow, talking about all these trips makes me sound like quite the traveler. I love to travel and only wish I could do it more often! But back to what I hope will become my new hobby, I'm looking forward to getting my GPS in and testing it out on my first cache! Maybe I can do it on Saturday morning. That afternoon/evening, I'm taking the kids to a county fair (complete with the cheesy carnival rides, candy apples, and rodeo) Noah loves the rides and likes to try winning stuffed animals for his younger brother and sister at the various games. He's pretty good at ring tosses and throwing darts at balloons. It's fun to watch him play the games. So I guess what I'm saying is, it'll be another busy, but fun-filled weekend. I'm looking forward to it.
But here's the bright side. I've been looking for something really special to do for my parents next June. They will be celebrating their 40th anniversary. I know that's not a traditionally big anniversary, but they're both pushing 60, so at their 50th, they may not be physically able to have big adventures. I hope they are, but you never know. So we talked about it, and they want me to take them on a road trip. They've never been further North than South Carolina, so we're going up to Niagara Falls, then to New York, then to Philadelphia, then to Washington, DC. (my boss has already said they would count it as a work day if I pop in and see a couple of our representatives about the 2007 farm bill while I'm up there!) After all that, we're going to drive along the East Coast all the way home. My mom wants to see some lighthouses and my dad wants to take pictures of boats. Now, I've already been to all these places, but it will be so great to show them to my parents, who are terrified to travel by themselves, and will only do something like this if I go with them. So if anyone has any ideas about some neat things we can do in any of these areas (besides the touristy stuff, which we will be doing already, let me know!)
We had thought about going West, but by the time we actually made it to something interesting out there, we would have to turn around and go back! (they are also terrified of flying, so we will be doing all this by car)
So anyway, I'm having fun planning this crazy trip. We're probably taking Noah, who will be 11 by then and who loves taking pictures and seeing new places. So it should be a lot of fun, and a chance to really put some miles on Gonzo (who saw quite a few miles last weekend, actually!) So anyway, I think it will be fun.
And then, of course, in 2008 we will be taking all the kids and my sister and her husband to Disney World for our traditional trip. We always go when one of the kids graduates from Kindergarten, and Hannah will be graduating in 2008, so the plan is to go then. I'm so looking forward to dressing her up in a Cinderella costume for that first day at the Magic Kingdom! I will, of course, have a change of clothes in my backpack, but she has to meet Cinderella dressed like her. Think of how cute the pictures will be! :)
So there's a lot to look forward to in the next couple of years...
Now on to the NaNoWriMo stuff. I only have a few days before I have to decide which story to write this year. There is a self-imposed deadline of October 1. If I haven't decided by then, I will force myself to decide!
Another new development is that I bought a GPS unit online today so that I can start geocaching. I'm going to take Noah with me on caching trips, and my mom wants to do some too. It'll be a great way to enjoy the fall weather that we are having right now. I also have a few friends who want to cache with me, so I should never have to do it alone. But even if I have to do it alone, I think it'll be fun. I'm looking forward to discovering new places in my own region, and even when I travel I can find caches in different places. Perhaps I can hunt a few on our road trip, and when I go to Chicago and Pasadena for conferences next year. Wow, talking about all these trips makes me sound like quite the traveler. I love to travel and only wish I could do it more often! But back to what I hope will become my new hobby, I'm looking forward to getting my GPS in and testing it out on my first cache! Maybe I can do it on Saturday morning. That afternoon/evening, I'm taking the kids to a county fair (complete with the cheesy carnival rides, candy apples, and rodeo) Noah loves the rides and likes to try winning stuffed animals for his younger brother and sister at the various games. He's pretty good at ring tosses and throwing darts at balloons. It's fun to watch him play the games. So I guess what I'm saying is, it'll be another busy, but fun-filled weekend. I'm looking forward to it.
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Film festivals are so cool
Just got back from my weekend trip and I have to say, I wish I could just go to these things all the time! It was so great. We saw some wonderful short films and features, and my favorite film of the day was a documentary called 10 mph. When they release this for sale, I'm buying it! Go to the site and see what it's all about.
We also saw We Go Way Back, which was a very beautiful film that I am still thinking about, an entire day later. I love movies that make me think. I love books that do the same thing, actually.
We saw some other films, several shorts by Alabama filmmakers, and a couple of other features and shorts. I can honestly say I didn't like only a couple of the films we saw this weekend. Most of them were great.
So anyway, we had a great time, and are already planning to go for the whole weekend next year. It'll be so great!
We also saw We Go Way Back, which was a very beautiful film that I am still thinking about, an entire day later. I love movies that make me think. I love books that do the same thing, actually.
We saw some other films, several shorts by Alabama filmmakers, and a couple of other features and shorts. I can honestly say I didn't like only a couple of the films we saw this weekend. Most of them were great.
So anyway, we had a great time, and are already planning to go for the whole weekend next year. It'll be so great!
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Day 2 of the Fall Cleaning project
Yesterday I bought some plastic bins to help organize things, and got started on the cleaning project. It went well, I think. Tonight I'm working on the closet, and after that I will reorganize the books. I actually think the books will be the most difficult task, considering that I have hundreds of them, and not nearly enough room!
On another subject, I decided a couple of weeks ago that I would not wait around for another day to do things I want to do. If I want to do something, and I have the means to do it, I'm not coming up with excuses for not doing it. I'm going to live my life while I can.
So this weekend I'm driving to Montgomery to see Chris, and we're going to the Sidewalk Film Festival in Birmingham. We went to this film festival a few years ago and had a great time, so I'm sure this weekend will be just as much fun as it was before. And... today I decided that I want to go with him to Paris in December. I've never been anywhere except the US and Canada, and I've always wanted to go to Paris. In fact, it's on my list of things to do before I die. So.... if there is room on his flight and a room in the hotel he booked, I'm off to Paris! Well, if I can get the time off too. I don't see that being a problem, though. I was going to take the last week of November off to help with NaNoWriMo, and that wasn't a problem, so I'm sure the week in December will be fine. Of course, I can't take both, but that's okay. Paris is so much better than some extra time to finish NaNoWriMo. After all, I did it without a week off last year.
Still trying to decide which novel to do for this year's NaNo. I have a couple of weeks to decide, then I have to start the outline.
Well, I'd better get back to the fall cleaning project!
On another subject, I decided a couple of weeks ago that I would not wait around for another day to do things I want to do. If I want to do something, and I have the means to do it, I'm not coming up with excuses for not doing it. I'm going to live my life while I can.
So this weekend I'm driving to Montgomery to see Chris, and we're going to the Sidewalk Film Festival in Birmingham. We went to this film festival a few years ago and had a great time, so I'm sure this weekend will be just as much fun as it was before. And... today I decided that I want to go with him to Paris in December. I've never been anywhere except the US and Canada, and I've always wanted to go to Paris. In fact, it's on my list of things to do before I die. So.... if there is room on his flight and a room in the hotel he booked, I'm off to Paris! Well, if I can get the time off too. I don't see that being a problem, though. I was going to take the last week of November off to help with NaNoWriMo, and that wasn't a problem, so I'm sure the week in December will be fine. Of course, I can't take both, but that's okay. Paris is so much better than some extra time to finish NaNoWriMo. After all, I did it without a week off last year.
Still trying to decide which novel to do for this year's NaNo. I have a couple of weeks to decide, then I have to start the outline.
Well, I'd better get back to the fall cleaning project!
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
lunchtime post: fall cleaning
So I didn't do much of anything last night on the writing or anything else, because I sort of got struck with a cleaning bug and have decided to rearrange things and really clean things, especially in my bedroom. It has gotten out of control, so when I get off work today I'm going to go buy some plastic storage bins and tonight I'm going to clean out my closet, rearrange the room, organize my books (huge job) and work on getting rid of the clutter. Honestly, I don't know why I'm holding on to some of the junk I'm keeping. Some of the cute little figurines and other little girl decor from when I was a child could go to Hannah. I'm sure she would love them. I have computer games that don't even work on my computer because it's too new. Those could go to Noah. Some of the young adult books could go to him too. He's a big reader and is always looking for new books. There are lots of things I could do to help de-clutter my world, and I'm ready to do them! After all, what is the point of keeping something around when you don't even use it? If it's been sitting in a closet for 2 years, you probably will never need it again. I honestly think one reason I'm so unfocused in all aspects of my life right now is because there is too much clutter. Not just in my room, although it doesn't help matters that my room is filled with stuff I don't need, but my mind is cluttered too. Everything is jumbled up in little compartments, nooks and crannies. So I'm taking action. And the first step is to get rid of the physical clutter. The mental clutter will take a little longer and will be more complicated, but I'm determined to get rid of it too.
November is coming, and you know what that means. National Novel Writing Month! Once again, I will embark on the crazy journey, attempting to write 50,000 words in one month. Last year went so well that I'm kind of afraid of what will happen this year! I have two solid ideas, and one not so solid one. I'm probably going to start over on After the Storm in January, because I don't like where it's going and it has just been impossible to stay focused on the story. I think it may still be too soon for me. One year after Katrina and things are still a little too raw for me to really work on a story that takes place in the aftermath of a storm. The breaking point for me was when I read an article about the suicide rate in Mississippi going up since Katrina. That's when I stopped writing. I just couldn't continue. Emotionally, it was just too hard. So I have another story in the Faithgirls series that I could do, continuing the tradition of doing Faithgirls books for NaNoWriMo. I also have a YA story I've been planning. It's sort of a coming of age, but in reverse, if that makes any sense. It's kind of nonlinear, which might be fun. I've never done a story like that before, and I'm not sure if there is any real market for it, but I think it might be fun to write. It doesn't have a title right now, and I really want to have a title before I start, so we'll see what happens.
I have LOTS of great plans for my group this year. Being ML is going to be great this year, because I'm already working on recruiting and have already made some really fun plans for the parties and write-ins. I love NaNoWriMo!!
Well, I guess that's about it. Lunchtime goes so quickly...
November is coming, and you know what that means. National Novel Writing Month! Once again, I will embark on the crazy journey, attempting to write 50,000 words in one month. Last year went so well that I'm kind of afraid of what will happen this year! I have two solid ideas, and one not so solid one. I'm probably going to start over on After the Storm in January, because I don't like where it's going and it has just been impossible to stay focused on the story. I think it may still be too soon for me. One year after Katrina and things are still a little too raw for me to really work on a story that takes place in the aftermath of a storm. The breaking point for me was when I read an article about the suicide rate in Mississippi going up since Katrina. That's when I stopped writing. I just couldn't continue. Emotionally, it was just too hard. So I have another story in the Faithgirls series that I could do, continuing the tradition of doing Faithgirls books for NaNoWriMo. I also have a YA story I've been planning. It's sort of a coming of age, but in reverse, if that makes any sense. It's kind of nonlinear, which might be fun. I've never done a story like that before, and I'm not sure if there is any real market for it, but I think it might be fun to write. It doesn't have a title right now, and I really want to have a title before I start, so we'll see what happens.
I have LOTS of great plans for my group this year. Being ML is going to be great this year, because I'm already working on recruiting and have already made some really fun plans for the parties and write-ins. I love NaNoWriMo!!
Well, I guess that's about it. Lunchtime goes so quickly...
Monday, September 18, 2006
Lazy weekend
Well, the completely lazy weekend was indeed completely lazy. But I was sick half the time, so it wasn't much fun. I've been watching Veronica Mars on DVD, and managed to get through Season 1 on Saturday and Sunday and started on Season 2. It's always interesting to me when I watch a TV show like that, because I can see the overall story arc. You can tell if the writers did a good job or not when you see the episodes back to back. I have to say, these guys did a great job with that. Anyway, I'll write more a little later. I have a few updates on writing and other stuff that I want to share. My lunch is over, so this post has to be over too...
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Yay!
I'm so happy! The friend I emailed was the right person and she sent me an email back! What's more, she's going to be in town in a few months, so we might get a chance to catch up a little. It's interesting how things work sometimes, isn't it?
I'm still sick. These sinus problems tend to just hang on forever. Now my throat hurts even more, and I'm sure by tomorrow I won't be able to talk at all. Yuck. I hate being sick. I've decided to spend the weekend resting. I even bought some TV shows on DVD today so I'd have something to watch while I am completely lazy. It's going to be great. (I know it's a little sad to be excited about a lazy weekend, but I don't care. I've been way to busy lately and need a break. Even when I say I'm going to rest, I don't... so this time I'm really going to do it!)
I'm still sick. These sinus problems tend to just hang on forever. Now my throat hurts even more, and I'm sure by tomorrow I won't be able to talk at all. Yuck. I hate being sick. I've decided to spend the weekend resting. I even bought some TV shows on DVD today so I'd have something to watch while I am completely lazy. It's going to be great. (I know it's a little sad to be excited about a lazy weekend, but I don't care. I've been way to busy lately and need a break. Even when I say I'm going to rest, I don't... so this time I'm really going to do it!)
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