Books Read: 5
Words Written: not even 2k
On the upside, I managed 2 beginnings, one of which is a series of blogposts I will be more than happy to share once I, one, grow a pair, and two, finish it.
Also, I haven't gained any weight, even if I haven't lost any.
I am a Team Lead at work, so I'm making those 40 hours a week. I'm going to learn how to manage work, the animals, and books, and writing.
I. Will. Learn.
Saturday, May 4, 2019
Monday, April 1, 2019
March in Review:
Books Read: 12 (so far)
Words Written: ~9k
I finished something like a draft. It's only about 40k--not novel length, but it's got a beginning, middle, and end. It's my first completed story in years. I finished it on the 17th and pretty much quit writing since then. Mostly, I've been trying to up my reading count.
Words Written: ~9k
I finished something like a draft. It's only about 40k--not novel length, but it's got a beginning, middle, and end. It's my first completed story in years. I finished it on the 17th and pretty much quit writing since then. Mostly, I've been trying to up my reading count.
Saturday, March 16, 2019
Third Time's The Charm
Or, my parents are The Best
November 30, 2018
I was on my way to work and somewhere around 5:30 I wrecked my Ford Focus wagon. After a few months of waiting, the wonderful tax refund was in. Mom allowed me to use her car to go to and from work.
February 22, 2019
So...I went back to the Buy Here, Pay Here I got the wagon from. I put $1500 down on a 2003 Toyota Highlander. I put the insurance on it, paid it six months in advance, and went to the tax accessor's office to get a personalized tag, because it was so wonderful, I bought a car on my own and everything, and personalized!
February 28-29, 2019
I got an oil change and 4 new tires, thinking I was going to have it for a long time.
March 2, 2019
I'm on my way home from work and it's acting up.
March 4-12, 2019
I'm stuck on side of the road on my way to work. It gets towed. The place I bought it from does some work on it, and another mechanic does work on it. I leave the lot...only for it to do THE SAME THING IT WAS DOING BEFORE ALL THE WORK, and I bring it right back. The next day, they tell me it's not worth it to fix it, and I can pick out something else. I bring home a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. Because there were new tires on the Highlander, the fact that the Malibu was a little more expensive could be overlooked. The amount owed and the payments would be the same. Okay, fine. I had to cancel the insurance I had on the Highlander and put it on the Malibu. I had to go to the tax accessor's office to get the tag, that came in the day the Highlander had to get towed, transferred to the 'Bu. There was a trap on the title. Back to the Buy Here, Pay Here, where they gave me a temporary tag.
March 14, 2019
When I rode around in it, the engine missed, it jerked going into gears... My sister's boyfriend looked at it. It's the transmission causing the jerking. Don't quite know what, but a car is not supposed to jerk when you shift into gears. It's not supposed to jerk on the highway.
I turned in the keys. I can't get my money back, or my tires, so whatever, screw all of them. They've pocketed $1500 of my money, and then a set of brand new tires. They're not getting anything else from me.
I've learned something about myself here. If I have nothing to say to someone, I won't say anything to them. I handed over the keys, said I'm out $2000, and left.
I wrote a bad review on the Better Business Bureau for the Buy Here, Pay Here. They have no reviews on there, and we'll see if it gets posted or if they do anything.
March 15, 2019--Today! (Yesterday? I started this on the 15th, anyway)
While my parents are off to see about getting me a car from a dealership, under their names because I'm broke, I'm home and I get a call from the Buy Here, Pay Here. It was loose hoses, it's running fine, there's nothing wrong with the transmission. It's going back on the lot, yada yada.
Well, had you run the first car a little longer and tested it, you would have known it was Shit. Why were the hoses loose on the second? I don't trust the mechanic anymore. Someone else can have the headache. I only possess a shred of decency, and a modicum of trust. It's been abused.
And, bugger y'all too. "I'm already looking elsewhere." The fact I was home and my parents were handling it notwithstanding.
Anyhoo, my parents got me a car. They were able to walk away with no money down. It's under their name, but I have to pay for it. They transferred the insurance on it, again (we're all on the same policy). I'd paid in advance for the Highlander, which had to have been transferred again. Mom and I went to the tax accessor's office with my tag and we got it on the new car and finally it's been settled.
It's a 2017 Nissan Altima, with an extended warranty and low mileage. They love it. I love it. I've moved into it, meaning my dragon folding knife (it has a seat belt cutter and window breaker, also, I've grown used to having a box blade at work, and it just seems I always need a knife for something), my CDs, and my phone charger. I've hooked my phone up to the Bluetooth...
I have to get a better job.
TL; DR: I wasted $2000, and Daddy had to Fix It.
November 30, 2018
I was on my way to work and somewhere around 5:30 I wrecked my Ford Focus wagon. After a few months of waiting, the wonderful tax refund was in. Mom allowed me to use her car to go to and from work.
February 22, 2019
So...I went back to the Buy Here, Pay Here I got the wagon from. I put $1500 down on a 2003 Toyota Highlander. I put the insurance on it, paid it six months in advance, and went to the tax accessor's office to get a personalized tag, because it was so wonderful, I bought a car on my own and everything, and personalized!
February 28-29, 2019
I got an oil change and 4 new tires, thinking I was going to have it for a long time.
March 2, 2019
I'm on my way home from work and it's acting up.
March 4-12, 2019
I'm stuck on side of the road on my way to work. It gets towed. The place I bought it from does some work on it, and another mechanic does work on it. I leave the lot...only for it to do THE SAME THING IT WAS DOING BEFORE ALL THE WORK, and I bring it right back. The next day, they tell me it's not worth it to fix it, and I can pick out something else. I bring home a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. Because there were new tires on the Highlander, the fact that the Malibu was a little more expensive could be overlooked. The amount owed and the payments would be the same. Okay, fine. I had to cancel the insurance I had on the Highlander and put it on the Malibu. I had to go to the tax accessor's office to get the tag, that came in the day the Highlander had to get towed, transferred to the 'Bu. There was a trap on the title. Back to the Buy Here, Pay Here, where they gave me a temporary tag.
March 14, 2019
When I rode around in it, the engine missed, it jerked going into gears... My sister's boyfriend looked at it. It's the transmission causing the jerking. Don't quite know what, but a car is not supposed to jerk when you shift into gears. It's not supposed to jerk on the highway.
I turned in the keys. I can't get my money back, or my tires, so whatever, screw all of them. They've pocketed $1500 of my money, and then a set of brand new tires. They're not getting anything else from me.
I've learned something about myself here. If I have nothing to say to someone, I won't say anything to them. I handed over the keys, said I'm out $2000, and left.
I wrote a bad review on the Better Business Bureau for the Buy Here, Pay Here. They have no reviews on there, and we'll see if it gets posted or if they do anything.
March 15, 2019--Today! (Yesterday? I started this on the 15th, anyway)
While my parents are off to see about getting me a car from a dealership, under their names because I'm broke, I'm home and I get a call from the Buy Here, Pay Here. It was loose hoses, it's running fine, there's nothing wrong with the transmission. It's going back on the lot, yada yada.
Well, had you run the first car a little longer and tested it, you would have known it was Shit. Why were the hoses loose on the second? I don't trust the mechanic anymore. Someone else can have the headache. I only possess a shred of decency, and a modicum of trust. It's been abused.
And, bugger y'all too. "I'm already looking elsewhere." The fact I was home and my parents were handling it notwithstanding.
Anyhoo, my parents got me a car. They were able to walk away with no money down. It's under their name, but I have to pay for it. They transferred the insurance on it, again (we're all on the same policy). I'd paid in advance for the Highlander, which had to have been transferred again. Mom and I went to the tax accessor's office with my tag and we got it on the new car and finally it's been settled.
It's a 2017 Nissan Altima, with an extended warranty and low mileage. They love it. I love it. I've moved into it, meaning my dragon folding knife (it has a seat belt cutter and window breaker, also, I've grown used to having a box blade at work, and it just seems I always need a knife for something), my CDs, and my phone charger. I've hooked my phone up to the Bluetooth...
I have to get a better job.
TL; DR: I wasted $2000, and Daddy had to Fix It.
Tuesday, March 5, 2019
Traveling by the Book (Series)
Eirlandia, the most recent
In the Land of the Everliving by Stephen Lawhead came out last Tuesday. Because the local Barnes and Noble didn't get it in stock, I ordered it and it came in yesterday. My new-to-me car put me on side the road yesterday, so I didn't go to work. When it came in, I hurried and finished Trickster's Queen, and read all but something like 70 pages last night. I finished it a few hours ago.
Lawhead is probably the single biggest butterly effect in my life. Or at least the one I can track the easiest. Mom brought home In the Hall of the Dragon King back in August of 2005. I loved it. I got all of his other books, most of which are Celtic based.
I would've never gotten into Celtic mythology. I would've never gotten into Robin Hood or enjoyed a King Arthur epic. I would've never tried other Celtic-based fantasy. Or I might have, in another way, but this is the way of it.
I want to visit all of the former Celtic nations. I've made it to Scotland. Half the reason I chose Inverness was because of the Groame House Museum in Rosemarkie, which is nearby. It's a collection of carved Pictish stones. It's a two room, small place, but it's Special. They have a harp replica, with sheet music and how to play it. The other reason was Leakey's Book Shop.
At the back of the King Raven books, there's mention of music based from the story. They have a soundtrack. Unfortunately, I was a broke kid who couldn't order stuff online myself and
I looked up Jeff Johnson and Brian Dunning on Pandora, then. I loved everything Pandora played for me of theirs. I have all of their Lawhead based work now, plus some other stuff they've done.
Because I looked them up on Pandora though, I was also introduced to the Olllam, Michael McGoldrick, David Arkenstone, etc. My music library is amazing because of this.
Anyway, but to Eirlandia specifically, In the Region of the Summer Stars was his first book in four years. The series before that, Bright Empires, wasn't Celtic-based. Every time I read one of his books, I'm reminded why he's my favorite author.
In the Region of the Summer Stars basically ends with everything getting blown to east hell, which is different from west hell, apparently. But it still ends right.
Lawhead is not for everyone, and I pity those he doesn't fit, but he's poetic and his books end, if not always happily, well. They end the way they have to, you know?
I don't think I'd read anything that took place in Iron Age Ireland before this point, or if I have, it's been a while. Or it was a romance book. O.o
You never know what a book will be until you read it yourself, but reading a Celtic fantasy from Lawhead is still familiar. It's still poetic prose. It's still likable characters you want to see succeed. It's not a world I've been to, but I trust that particular world-maker.
And I really really really want to go to Ireland next. Unlike the next two, this is somewhere I can actually go, even if it's not the Iron Age.
Tortall, the most books
A couple of months ago, I was in Barnes and Noble where I saw a display for a new Tamora Pierce book. It was about Numair Salmalin. I'd never read the Wildmage books, but I knew who Numair Salmalin was from his cameos in the following series.
"Well, I guess I'm going back to Tortall then!" is just about an exact thought I had.
I'd never read Mastiff, and it was time. I started with Terrier and after I finished Mastiff, I wanted to read or re-read all of the Tortall books. I had to find copies of the Song of the Lioness (Alanna) books, which wasn't difficult. I had bought the Immortals (Daine) series some years ago and they'd been sitting on my shelf since. I'd never read them, and they took me a little while, but I loved them. Protector of the Small (Keladry) was my first Tortall series. Reading it in order with the rest of the series made me squee throughout, because then I understood the importance of some of the characters. I knew King Jonathan when he was Prince Jonathan, and Alanna the Lioness when she was Page Alan masquerading as a boy, and Daine the Wildmage before she knew she was a demigoddess in her own right, how Tkaa and Bonedancer came to live in the palace. It was all part of a larger picture. And then I don't remember if I read the Trickster books (Alianne) before or after Lioness the first times around. This time, I was able to appreciate all of Aly's legendary family, both blood and adoptive.
The Tortall books are the sort of thing a young girl should read when finding her place in the world. When she's told she can't do something because she's a girl. When she's growing up and seeing all of the ugliness in the world and wants to fix it. When she worries she might compromise who she is if she falls in love. When she's afraid.
Or for a woman in her mid-to-late twenties who's forgotten the Important Things. O.o
Tortall is a place for a person to shine, if they have the guts to do it.
I haven't read Tempests and Slaughter (Numair) yet. The second book is supposed to be out soon, and I'm waiting for it to come out so I can read them back to back. Har har.
Sitia and Ixia, what started me down this path
The latest 3 books of the Study series had been sitting on my shelf. I'd forgotten how much I loved the characters. I am also very glad that I waited until they were all out because waiting a year in between those books would've done nothing but piss me off.
I made a mistake in not reading the Glass books in between the first Study series and the second series. I should've, because it takes place after, and there was some I'd forgotten and could've used the recap. I could never get rid of them, but I never saw myself re-reading them either. Now I think I could. I will, eventually. I've re-read way more than I've read this year, already, and I don't like that. I have something like 800-odd books I need to read. Although, my excuse is, I needed to re-read what I had read, years ago, to fully enjoy the new ones to read. O.o
And the Rest...
Last year, I re-read Spindle Cove by Tessa Dare. Spindle Cove is a place for young ladies to be themselves. How I wished for a place like that then. I still do. I'd probably never leave. This year, I re-visited some of my favorite fictional places, and it was a nice vacation. We need places like this.
I also re-read Dragon Kin. I needed crazy heroines and the men who can love them anyway. I needed a good laugh. I needed to be reminded that it's okay if I don't do what everyone thinks I should, and do what makes me shine.
I'm trying not to read so much romance books. It's not as depressing to be forever alone when you're not constantly trying to shove that kind of stuff down your own throat. I say, as I have bookmarks in like 3 of them, and since I have no idea what I'm going to do next, will probably go for those next. O.o
In the Land of the Everliving by Stephen Lawhead came out last Tuesday. Because the local Barnes and Noble didn't get it in stock, I ordered it and it came in yesterday. My new-to-me car put me on side the road yesterday, so I didn't go to work. When it came in, I hurried and finished Trickster's Queen, and read all but something like 70 pages last night. I finished it a few hours ago.
Lawhead is probably the single biggest butterly effect in my life. Or at least the one I can track the easiest. Mom brought home In the Hall of the Dragon King back in August of 2005. I loved it. I got all of his other books, most of which are Celtic based.
I would've never gotten into Celtic mythology. I would've never gotten into Robin Hood or enjoyed a King Arthur epic. I would've never tried other Celtic-based fantasy. Or I might have, in another way, but this is the way of it.
I want to visit all of the former Celtic nations. I've made it to Scotland. Half the reason I chose Inverness was because of the Groame House Museum in Rosemarkie, which is nearby. It's a collection of carved Pictish stones. It's a two room, small place, but it's Special. They have a harp replica, with sheet music and how to play it. The other reason was Leakey's Book Shop.
At the back of the King Raven books, there's mention of music based from the story. They have a soundtrack. Unfortunately, I was a broke kid who couldn't order stuff online myself and
I looked up Jeff Johnson and Brian Dunning on Pandora, then. I loved everything Pandora played for me of theirs. I have all of their Lawhead based work now, plus some other stuff they've done.
Because I looked them up on Pandora though, I was also introduced to the Olllam, Michael McGoldrick, David Arkenstone, etc. My music library is amazing because of this.
Anyway, but to Eirlandia specifically, In the Region of the Summer Stars was his first book in four years. The series before that, Bright Empires, wasn't Celtic-based. Every time I read one of his books, I'm reminded why he's my favorite author.
In the Region of the Summer Stars basically ends with everything getting blown to east hell, which is different from west hell, apparently. But it still ends right.
Lawhead is not for everyone, and I pity those he doesn't fit, but he's poetic and his books end, if not always happily, well. They end the way they have to, you know?
I don't think I'd read anything that took place in Iron Age Ireland before this point, or if I have, it's been a while. Or it was a romance book. O.o
You never know what a book will be until you read it yourself, but reading a Celtic fantasy from Lawhead is still familiar. It's still poetic prose. It's still likable characters you want to see succeed. It's not a world I've been to, but I trust that particular world-maker.
And I really really really want to go to Ireland next. Unlike the next two, this is somewhere I can actually go, even if it's not the Iron Age.
Tortall, the most books
A couple of months ago, I was in Barnes and Noble where I saw a display for a new Tamora Pierce book. It was about Numair Salmalin. I'd never read the Wildmage books, but I knew who Numair Salmalin was from his cameos in the following series.
"Well, I guess I'm going back to Tortall then!" is just about an exact thought I had.
I'd never read Mastiff, and it was time. I started with Terrier and after I finished Mastiff, I wanted to read or re-read all of the Tortall books. I had to find copies of the Song of the Lioness (Alanna) books, which wasn't difficult. I had bought the Immortals (Daine) series some years ago and they'd been sitting on my shelf since. I'd never read them, and they took me a little while, but I loved them. Protector of the Small (Keladry) was my first Tortall series. Reading it in order with the rest of the series made me squee throughout, because then I understood the importance of some of the characters. I knew King Jonathan when he was Prince Jonathan, and Alanna the Lioness when she was Page Alan masquerading as a boy, and Daine the Wildmage before she knew she was a demigoddess in her own right, how Tkaa and Bonedancer came to live in the palace. It was all part of a larger picture. And then I don't remember if I read the Trickster books (Alianne) before or after Lioness the first times around. This time, I was able to appreciate all of Aly's legendary family, both blood and adoptive.
The Tortall books are the sort of thing a young girl should read when finding her place in the world. When she's told she can't do something because she's a girl. When she's growing up and seeing all of the ugliness in the world and wants to fix it. When she worries she might compromise who she is if she falls in love. When she's afraid.
Or for a woman in her mid-to-late twenties who's forgotten the Important Things. O.o
Tortall is a place for a person to shine, if they have the guts to do it.
I haven't read Tempests and Slaughter (Numair) yet. The second book is supposed to be out soon, and I'm waiting for it to come out so I can read them back to back. Har har.
Sitia and Ixia, what started me down this path
The latest 3 books of the Study series had been sitting on my shelf. I'd forgotten how much I loved the characters. I am also very glad that I waited until they were all out because waiting a year in between those books would've done nothing but piss me off.
I made a mistake in not reading the Glass books in between the first Study series and the second series. I should've, because it takes place after, and there was some I'd forgotten and could've used the recap. I could never get rid of them, but I never saw myself re-reading them either. Now I think I could. I will, eventually. I've re-read way more than I've read this year, already, and I don't like that. I have something like 800-odd books I need to read. Although, my excuse is, I needed to re-read what I had read, years ago, to fully enjoy the new ones to read. O.o
And the Rest...
Last year, I re-read Spindle Cove by Tessa Dare. Spindle Cove is a place for young ladies to be themselves. How I wished for a place like that then. I still do. I'd probably never leave. This year, I re-visited some of my favorite fictional places, and it was a nice vacation. We need places like this.
I also re-read Dragon Kin. I needed crazy heroines and the men who can love them anyway. I needed a good laugh. I needed to be reminded that it's okay if I don't do what everyone thinks I should, and do what makes me shine.
I'm trying not to read so much romance books. It's not as depressing to be forever alone when you're not constantly trying to shove that kind of stuff down your own throat. I say, as I have bookmarks in like 3 of them, and since I have no idea what I'm going to do next, will probably go for those next. O.o
February in Review: All About that Balance
Productive Writing Days (1k+ words written): 22
Books Read: 12
I didn't do as well in February. Obviously. Some days I just got out and nothing happened at home for me to read or write that day. I mainlined a series of books and it took its toll. While I was glad to be back in Tortall, and this has nothing to do with those books, I know better than to mainline anything. But I did for the Study Series, and I started re-reading Beka Cooper, and after I finished Mastiff, which was the only one I hadn't read, I wanted to read or re-read all of the Tortall books again and...well, you know what happened. If I mainline a series, I go slower towards the end, because, lag. If I don't mainline, I'm going to flop around, leave the series, and not come back to it for months. Well, I finished Trickster's Queen last night and promptly started another book, and finished it today, but I'll write about that later. This is February in Review, after all, not March.
I keep telling myself the world won't end if I don't do this. It doesn't matter, don't be so hard on yourself.
But, if I'm not hard on myself, who's going to be? Some of my biggest mistakes are not being hard enough on myself. I have to push me. If I don't push myself, how am I going to become better?
I'm between being kind to myself, it's okay if I don't read/write every day. But at the same time, I am generally happier on the days I do those things. But despite that, I've been having bad days. That comes from Like Sucking.
I won't go into that either though. I'm not quite where I need to be, but I'm farther than I could be.
And that's that.
Books Read: 12
I didn't do as well in February. Obviously. Some days I just got out and nothing happened at home for me to read or write that day. I mainlined a series of books and it took its toll. While I was glad to be back in Tortall, and this has nothing to do with those books, I know better than to mainline anything. But I did for the Study Series, and I started re-reading Beka Cooper, and after I finished Mastiff, which was the only one I hadn't read, I wanted to read or re-read all of the Tortall books again and...well, you know what happened. If I mainline a series, I go slower towards the end, because, lag. If I don't mainline, I'm going to flop around, leave the series, and not come back to it for months. Well, I finished Trickster's Queen last night and promptly started another book, and finished it today, but I'll write about that later. This is February in Review, after all, not March.
I keep telling myself the world won't end if I don't do this. It doesn't matter, don't be so hard on yourself.
But, if I'm not hard on myself, who's going to be? Some of my biggest mistakes are not being hard enough on myself. I have to push me. If I don't push myself, how am I going to become better?
I'm between being kind to myself, it's okay if I don't read/write every day. But at the same time, I am generally happier on the days I do those things. But despite that, I've been having bad days. That comes from Like Sucking.
I won't go into that either though. I'm not quite where I need to be, but I'm farther than I could be.
And that's that.
Friday, February 1, 2019
January in Review--Yes, I'm Back!
Words Written: ~30k. I missed one day. ONE DAY.
Books Read: 18.
I'm on my way back. It started because I began making myself write everyday since New Year's. I'm not one for New Year's Resolutions. The only ones I really make are to read and write more. That's it. This is the sum of who I am. I'm just going to have to accept this.
It took a lot of going back. What went wrong? What set me down this path?
So, I looked at my writing files, the old ones, the finished ones. I looked back at the blog. I looked back at my Goodreads.
Apparently, my last good year was 2014. That was when I still read a lot, I wrote a lot. When I still had dreams? Before I graduated from university.
I've said it before, and I'll say it here, I regret going past an associate's degree. It wasn't worth debt. Nothing is worth going into debt over, and my student loans aren't even that bad compared to most (or literally everyone because mine are just at $10k.
But I can't go back in time and fix it. I can't even go back in time to slap my younger self. C'est la vie.
I'm doing a lot of re-reading. I spent most of last year re-reading stuff, and it seems like that will very much be the case this year.
One of them was the Study Series by Maria V. Snyder. Now, I had bought the newer books as they came out, but I didn't read them. They'd just been sitting on the shelf.
Stephen Lawhead's last book was in 2014. I think the last Dresden book that's not a comic was put out in 2014. How am I supposed to be okay when my favorite authors aren't putting out books? Granted, Lawhead's put out another one, just last year, and the next in the series comes out AT THE END OF THIS MONTH, but I digress. But I don't think it's coincidence.
Life still sucks. I wrecked my car at the end of November and still can't get a new one. I have very, very little going for me.
But I don't want to hang myself in the backyard anymore. The things that would set me off, that would have me wondering if we had rope anywhere don't do that anymore.
It's a terrible thing, to forget who you are. It's also pretty wonderful to remember and find yourself and follow your bliss again.
Oh yeah, and I had a blast in Scotland. It seems when all my other dreams were dead, I still held on to that one. And I want to go back. I want to go back So Bad.
Books Read: 18.
I'm on my way back. It started because I began making myself write everyday since New Year's. I'm not one for New Year's Resolutions. The only ones I really make are to read and write more. That's it. This is the sum of who I am. I'm just going to have to accept this.
It took a lot of going back. What went wrong? What set me down this path?
So, I looked at my writing files, the old ones, the finished ones. I looked back at the blog. I looked back at my Goodreads.
Apparently, my last good year was 2014. That was when I still read a lot, I wrote a lot. When I still had dreams? Before I graduated from university.
I've said it before, and I'll say it here, I regret going past an associate's degree. It wasn't worth debt. Nothing is worth going into debt over, and my student loans aren't even that bad compared to most (or literally everyone because mine are just at $10k.
But I can't go back in time and fix it. I can't even go back in time to slap my younger self. C'est la vie.
I'm doing a lot of re-reading. I spent most of last year re-reading stuff, and it seems like that will very much be the case this year.
One of them was the Study Series by Maria V. Snyder. Now, I had bought the newer books as they came out, but I didn't read them. They'd just been sitting on the shelf.
Stephen Lawhead's last book was in 2014. I think the last Dresden book that's not a comic was put out in 2014. How am I supposed to be okay when my favorite authors aren't putting out books? Granted, Lawhead's put out another one, just last year, and the next in the series comes out AT THE END OF THIS MONTH, but I digress. But I don't think it's coincidence.
Life still sucks. I wrecked my car at the end of November and still can't get a new one. I have very, very little going for me.
But I don't want to hang myself in the backyard anymore. The things that would set me off, that would have me wondering if we had rope anywhere don't do that anymore.
It's a terrible thing, to forget who you are. It's also pretty wonderful to remember and find yourself and follow your bliss again.
Oh yeah, and I had a blast in Scotland. It seems when all my other dreams were dead, I still held on to that one. And I want to go back. I want to go back So Bad.
Thursday, March 22, 2018
Journey of 2,000 Miles: Step 2
(Actually, I think it's closer to 4,000 miles, but for continuity's sake.)
My passport book came in two weeks ago. I've been searching for flights and figuring how I can get there as cheap as possible and all that good stuff.
I bought my plane tickets yesterday. I made 2 separate bookings: The first is from Gulfport to Miami. The second is from Miami to Inverness. It's 40 days out.
I've been researching baggage restriction, tours, et cetera. Do I want to buy luggage or just use what I have? I bought some hiking boots online, and they came in and they fit!!!
Here's hoping and praying nothing goes awry from here to then.
My passport book came in two weeks ago. I've been searching for flights and figuring how I can get there as cheap as possible and all that good stuff.
I bought my plane tickets yesterday. I made 2 separate bookings: The first is from Gulfport to Miami. The second is from Miami to Inverness. It's 40 days out.
I've been researching baggage restriction, tours, et cetera. Do I want to buy luggage or just use what I have? I bought some hiking boots online, and they came in and they fit!!!
Here's hoping and praying nothing goes awry from here to then.
Tuesday, February 20, 2018
Journey of 2,000 Miles, Step 1
I APPLIED FOR MY PASSPORT TODAY!
I’M SHOPPING FOR PASSPORT COVERS!
A VACATION ABROAD IS SO CLOSE I CAN TASTE IT.
I’ve tried to act as nonchalant about it as possible. But, but, but, I DID IT.
Of all the things I’ve screwed up, of all the broken dreams, of all the disappointments, heartaches, et cetera, I am one step closer to fulfilling a dream I’ve had since my first Stephen Lawhead Celtic-based fantasy (whichever one that might have been).
Ever since I saw a picture of Leakey's.
Ever since I learned Hatchard's was a real bookshop.
Since I saw artwork in the Louvre when I was in Excel (back when my future was going to be brighter).
Back when I learned that there’s Hobbiton in New Zealand.
Nothing’s written in stone. Nothing’s officially planned.
But I’m closer.
I did all my homework for my passport. I had my photocopies and all that. I did have to go off-site for my photo, but that was a minor (and I do mean so very minor) inconvenience. The agent looked over my stuff, had my sign my Internet-pre-filled Form DS11, and I paid and I was ready to go!
This is so exciting!
A journey of 2000 miles, began with a trip to the post office.
Thursday, October 26, 2017
So Far
I've been home a week. I did wind up packing up my car when I got back from Chicago. I got home last Thursday around 10:30pm broke, tired, and just ready to be home.
But, CHICAGO.
So, I didn't realize how long it would take me to get to the offsite parking spot, and how long it would take to get a ride to the airport. I did make it there, and then got a Lyft to the airport. I got through security okay...
And missed my flight. Luckily, I was able to get on the next one no problem. It was my first time flying. It was a bit like a roller coaster, except when you leave the ground, holy shit you're not attached to anything.
I get to O'Hare, and had to get an Uber to the Motel 6 (yes, I used both in the same day!) because I couldn't figure out where the shuttle was, and then I had problems with finding the Uber driver. By the time I got to my room, I decided I wasn't leaving it again. I chilled in the room grateful I'd brought snacks.
The next day, I got up early and used the shuttle to get back to the airport to take the El into the city. My first stop was The Field Museum. When you walk in, Sue the T-Rex is the first thing you see. I was so happy, because that's the only real reason Chicago is even on the list of places I want to visit. Because, Dresden Files. Anyway, I spent 4, nearly 5 hours in this museum. I loved it! I want to go back.
I got out well after lunch time and decided to try the bus lines. Eventually, I made it to the Irish pub I wanted to visit. I hadn't eaten all day, I was starving and damn that shepherd's pie was delicious. And then I went back to my motel room. It wasn't much, but I spent a day in Chicago. Not much of one, and I hated that I couldn't do more, but there's only so many hours in a day and all that.
The next morning, Thursday, I got up at 4, to be ready to take the shuttle for 5, to board the plane a little after 6, take off was a little after 7, and we arrived back in Dallas a little before 9:30. I managed the shuttle back to the offsite parking, gassed up my car, and headed back to Corsicana. Upon arriving, I ate something and just decided I really really really wanted to be home. I packed up my car and headed out.
You know the rest.
But the museum! Sue! The other animals! The fossils! They have a dimetrodon! And all these other fossils! And diaromas!
Also, Jurassic World: The Exhibition is there until January. I don't know where it's going after that. But it's amazing! So lifelike!
Yes, I like exclamation points for this. It was my first time in that sort of museum, first time out of the Bible Belt, first flight, first time in a Motel 6...
What I learned:
PARK AT THE DAMNED AIRPORT.
STAY WHERE THE ATTRACTIONS ARE.
While I know I've had the idea that I'm going to travel solo, because if I wait for anybody to do anything with me, I'll never get to do anything, I don't know if I want to make a habit out of solo travel. I can and will if I have to, but I won't make it a point to go solo.
That was my thing. My last fling before going home to resume my life of mediocrity. I tried in Texas. The one thing I needed was time, and that was the one thing I didn't have. And I'm already not a patient person to begin with.
My life isn't that great. I'm 25, living at home, feel ugly most of the time, with hard to manage hair, going to be an old maid with a slightly caustic (heh, just slightly) personality....
but DAMN IT I MADE IT TO CHICAGO TO SEE SUE!
But, CHICAGO.
So, I didn't realize how long it would take me to get to the offsite parking spot, and how long it would take to get a ride to the airport. I did make it there, and then got a Lyft to the airport. I got through security okay...
And missed my flight. Luckily, I was able to get on the next one no problem. It was my first time flying. It was a bit like a roller coaster, except when you leave the ground, holy shit you're not attached to anything.
I get to O'Hare, and had to get an Uber to the Motel 6 (yes, I used both in the same day!) because I couldn't figure out where the shuttle was, and then I had problems with finding the Uber driver. By the time I got to my room, I decided I wasn't leaving it again. I chilled in the room grateful I'd brought snacks.
The next day, I got up early and used the shuttle to get back to the airport to take the El into the city. My first stop was The Field Museum. When you walk in, Sue the T-Rex is the first thing you see. I was so happy, because that's the only real reason Chicago is even on the list of places I want to visit. Because, Dresden Files. Anyway, I spent 4, nearly 5 hours in this museum. I loved it! I want to go back.
I got out well after lunch time and decided to try the bus lines. Eventually, I made it to the Irish pub I wanted to visit. I hadn't eaten all day, I was starving and damn that shepherd's pie was delicious. And then I went back to my motel room. It wasn't much, but I spent a day in Chicago. Not much of one, and I hated that I couldn't do more, but there's only so many hours in a day and all that.
The next morning, Thursday, I got up at 4, to be ready to take the shuttle for 5, to board the plane a little after 6, take off was a little after 7, and we arrived back in Dallas a little before 9:30. I managed the shuttle back to the offsite parking, gassed up my car, and headed back to Corsicana. Upon arriving, I ate something and just decided I really really really wanted to be home. I packed up my car and headed out.
You know the rest.
But the museum! Sue! The other animals! The fossils! They have a dimetrodon! And all these other fossils! And diaromas!
Also, Jurassic World: The Exhibition is there until January. I don't know where it's going after that. But it's amazing! So lifelike!
Yes, I like exclamation points for this. It was my first time in that sort of museum, first time out of the Bible Belt, first flight, first time in a Motel 6...
What I learned:
PARK AT THE DAMNED AIRPORT.
STAY WHERE THE ATTRACTIONS ARE.
While I know I've had the idea that I'm going to travel solo, because if I wait for anybody to do anything with me, I'll never get to do anything, I don't know if I want to make a habit out of solo travel. I can and will if I have to, but I won't make it a point to go solo.
That was my thing. My last fling before going home to resume my life of mediocrity. I tried in Texas. The one thing I needed was time, and that was the one thing I didn't have. And I'm already not a patient person to begin with.
My life isn't that great. I'm 25, living at home, feel ugly most of the time, with hard to manage hair, going to be an old maid with a slightly caustic (heh, just slightly) personality....
but DAMN IT I MADE IT TO CHICAGO TO SEE SUE!
Saturday, October 14, 2017
The Beginning of the End....of my quarter life crisis
I bought a plane ticket to Chicago. I have a motel booked. I reserved a parking spot for off-site parking.
It will not work out in Texas. The short version is, I miss my family.
The truth?
-I can't afford it with roommates. *Also, roomies smoke pot and I don't want to go to jail in a drug bust. Parse that how you will.
-I sure as hell can't afford it on my own.
-I miss my stuff. My computer, my bed, etc. I loaded up my car with whatever it could carry, and took off. The rest of my stuff was supposed to follow me, but hurricanes.
-I miss going to Chick-fil-A on a regular basis.
But first, I am going to Chicago. Today was my last day at the Ennis Tractor Supply, and I have two days to pack the rest of my stuff before I leave for Chicago. When I return on Thursday, I may pack up my car and leave, or I may wait. I'm coming back early enough to leave on Thursday though. We shall see.
It will not work out in Texas. The short version is, I miss my family.
The truth?
-I can't afford it with roommates. *Also, roomies smoke pot and I don't want to go to jail in a drug bust. Parse that how you will.
-I sure as hell can't afford it on my own.
-I miss my stuff. My computer, my bed, etc. I loaded up my car with whatever it could carry, and took off. The rest of my stuff was supposed to follow me, but hurricanes.
-I miss going to Chick-fil-A on a regular basis.
But first, I am going to Chicago. Today was my last day at the Ennis Tractor Supply, and I have two days to pack the rest of my stuff before I leave for Chicago. When I return on Thursday, I may pack up my car and leave, or I may wait. I'm coming back early enough to leave on Thursday though. We shall see.
Saturday, August 26, 2017
Female Seeking...
So, the cousin and I had a deal that if I didn't meet someone by my next birthday in real life, I'd sign up on a dating site. My birthday is Thursday.
Internet dudes....oh no, serial killers! Skin-stealers!
Never mind that most of the couples I know aren't anything to be envious of.
I'm pretty sure I've done this before, but I'll have to look. But let's see, if I were really honest about what I wanted:
Victor Barinov from Bite Me by Shelly Laurenston. I mean, seriously, every time I read that book, I swoon. He's just so perfect! Actually, he has an anti-perfection agenda, but still.
-Must be sweet.
-Accepts the fact I'm an asshole, but makes me wish I were less of one.
-Must like Elton John, and MASH, and all sorts of things. You know, we need to have some stuff in common.
-OR, if we don't have much in common, must be useful, like a mechanic or carpenter. If he can't talk books with me, he can at least build me bookshelves or be able to change the oil in my car and keep it running because I know shit about cars.
-Must kill the bugs without being a jerk about it.
-Monogamous, because I feel like nowadays I have to say that.
-Scottish maybe? Complete with accent and kilt! ;-) Wishful thinking I know. ::sigh::
My cousin's been asking what sort of person I want. The truth is, I don't know. Some people I take to right away, and others take forever for me to get used to. It just depends.
Honestly, I still don't want to get my hopes up.
You ever see those forever alone memes?
Internet dudes....oh no, serial killers! Skin-stealers!
Never mind that most of the couples I know aren't anything to be envious of.
I'm pretty sure I've done this before, but I'll have to look. But let's see, if I were really honest about what I wanted:
Victor Barinov from Bite Me by Shelly Laurenston. I mean, seriously, every time I read that book, I swoon. He's just so perfect! Actually, he has an anti-perfection agenda, but still.
-Must be sweet.
-Accepts the fact I'm an asshole, but makes me wish I were less of one.
-Must like Elton John, and MASH, and all sorts of things. You know, we need to have some stuff in common.
-OR, if we don't have much in common, must be useful, like a mechanic or carpenter. If he can't talk books with me, he can at least build me bookshelves or be able to change the oil in my car and keep it running because I know shit about cars.
-Must kill the bugs without being a jerk about it.
-Monogamous, because I feel like nowadays I have to say that.
-Scottish maybe? Complete with accent and kilt! ;-) Wishful thinking I know. ::sigh::
My cousin's been asking what sort of person I want. The truth is, I don't know. Some people I take to right away, and others take forever for me to get used to. It just depends.
Honestly, I still don't want to get my hopes up.
You ever see those forever alone memes?
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