Movies 2009

1. Doubt--January 4
2. Gran Torino--January 17
3. Taken--February 13
4. The International--February 20
5. Madea Goes to Jail--March 21
6. Knowing--March 27
7. Duplicity--April 5
8. Fireproof--April 18 (special showing at my church)
9. State of Play--May 2
10. The Soloist--May 15
11. The Taking of Pelham 123--June 20
12. The Proposal--June 26
13. Public Enemies--July 4
14. Star Trek--July 11
15. The Hurt Locker - July 24
16. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince-August 8
17. Post Grad--August 28
18. Extract-September 5
19. Inglourious Basterds--September 26
20. Love Happens--October 2
21. Bright Star--October 9
22. The Informant--October 16
23. The Men Who Stare at Goats--November 6
24. The Blind Side--November 20
25. Brothers--December 4
26. Did You Hear About the Morgans?--December 19

Ready to Write?

Sort of. National Novel Writing Month starts in a week. I have a tentative . . . okay a solid plot idea, something I can run with. I haven't mapped it out or developed it in any way except in my mind, but I think I can make it work. I have so many other things going on, so we'll see what happens to my daily word count starting November 1. I like to write my yearly 50,000-word novel at night, which is also when I like to sleep. I'm barking mad I tell you!

I'm sort of, kind of, mildly excited about nanowrimo this year, and I'm open to creative and kooky ways to boost that excitement before next Sunday when the writing begins. I must warn you that I HAVE been a little off this past week or two. Not that being off actually relates to writing 50,000 words in a month, alone, in the dark, with that oh-so-fabulous laptop-glow illuminating my madness . . . er . . . excitement for passers-by or an indifferent husband to shake a solemn head at and to wonder if I'm brilliant or barking mad. By off I mean I've been making careless mistakes . . . in front of people no less, and I've basically made a fool of myself . . . in public! Ack! I really hate the inadequate feeling that goes along with such a public display of ineptitude. I've started taking a daily multivitamin, so that should help.

Prayers, Progress, and Papers

The fall semester is in full swing!

I'm still not sure how taking three grad classes will go as far as workload is concerned, but we'll see as the weeks advance. I've been doing quite a bit of reading (and even getting ahead), but I haven't done much writing yet. That will soon change. The good news is that I'm really looking forward to getting knee-deep into some papers and presentations. I know that last spring I struggled to find enthusiasm to write papers and to generally enjoy myself during this part of my academic journey. I have been doing a lot of praying, and I feel things are better. I can feel God guiding and directing me as I continually pray for my heart and mind to be open to His Word and to His Love. While I have had a few doubts about spending the time and money on my MA in English, I do believe I'm doing the right thing.

I rejoice in God's loving hand on my heart as I seek His Way.

As I slowly, but surely, make my way towards employment, I want to continue to seek His guidance so that I stay on the right path. Straying off the path is so easy, and getting back on the path is so incredibly hard . . . I know! I also know I can't do it alone. Having friends and family who pray for and with me and who Worship the Lord with me is a blessing!

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. ~ Philippians 4:4-5

A Little Ray of Hope

I took this picture last night when we were on a short break from our Renaissance class. This unassuming rainbow is something we haven't seen in quite some time. I see it as a sign of hope! We have been in severe drought conditions for the past two years. This is not a matter to be taken lightly because the situation is serious. Seeing this bit of rainbow last night made me smile as I lifted my eyes towards heaven to offer God a prayer of Thanksgiving.

Today, 09-09-09, we are experiencing thunder and a lasting and drenching rain...with more of the same in the forecast. I am happy that God is looking with favor on the people, animals, and land of south central Texas. Our hot and thirsty community has been granted cooler temperatures and life-giving rain.

Thank You!

The Reader's Habitat

I have decided to start a book club! Yeah, you read correctly! I'm starting another project that I really don't have time for. I was part of a book club when I was working, but this one will be totally online. I like that idea because I know how hard it is to get people together to discuss books. Who has time to actually meet? No one I know, that's who! And I want this book club to be global. I also want this to be more than just picking one book, reading that book, and then meeting to talk about everything BUT that book. That's what usually happens in those meetings . . . I know. This book club will be different.

This book club will be more about getting to know other readers and what they have read, what they are reading, and what they want to read. I'm not sure if the members, once the site actually has members besides myself, will want to read a particular book together, but we can work that out if it comes up. I like the idea of listing books on a profile and having people comment on them. I also like the idea of people introducing and responding to various topics/discussions. Unlike several book clubs out there, this one is not specific to any type of book or author. This club is open to all kinds of reading! I know some people who only read romance or sci-fi or mystery, etc., and I wouldn't want to exclude anyone. I want everyone to feel comfortable sharing their favorites as well as discovering what others like to read!

Even though I don't have time to actually moderate a book club . . . or even participate in one, I have decided it's a good idea. I like knowing what other people are reading, and I don't want to limit myself to the types of books I tend to gravitate towards such as Victorian and earlier.

One nice thing about this book club is that it will allow members to participate as little or as much and as often as they like or can. Schedules are tight, but books are fun! Need I say more?

Okay, I'll say more.

I'm not sure where this idea came from because I haven't heard anyone mention book clubs in a long time, but the idea hit me out of the blue yesterday while I was reading (of course I was reading). I jumped out of my chair and ran to the computer (okay, maybe I didn't run, but I walked fast and didn't detour through the kitchen) to investigate possible book club sites.

I decided on Goodreads.com (I was already a member, but I haven't participated in anything since I signed up). I think this site will work well for what I have in mind.

A few people have expressed an interest to participate, so that's encouraging! I have called this new book club The Reader's Habitat because I think that name encompasses all kinds of readers and everything that can be read and shared, and the name appeals to the anthropological side of me for whatever reason you care to imagine. The name sounds earthy and full of the human condition! The name also sounds like the little houses hobbits have in the side of a hill, which I would totally love to inhabit because they sound so darn cute and cozy.

It's time for me to hole up in my reader's habitat and get some reading done.

Just in case you want to join me . . .
http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/23893.The_Reader_s_Habitat

The Gulf of Mexico, Blue Skies, and a Little Bit of Sand

I spent a very short amount of time on the beach in Galveston this week, but I enjoyed it anyway. Ken and I are planning to go to Corpus Christi some weekend this fall to enjoy the coast without the throng of summer tourists and the outlandish heat of the summer of '09.

I love the salty aroma of the coastal air, the soothing crash of waves, the warm gulf waters, and the overwhelming feeling of a mysterious and watery world.

August 15, 1995

Today is my baby kitty's 14th birthday. O! Artemis . . . after almost 3 years, I still miss you tremendously. You will always be special to me!

Is it Time to Chat Over Coffee?

I just spent the day with a very good friend, Doreen. This is her last week to drive the "camera" truck that takes pictures of license plates to find possible repossessions. I know she hates this job, and the job has been something to pay the bills--but I'll miss our "ride arounds." She's returning to school this fall also--and we have indicated that a weekly visit over coffee is a must! We talk about anything and everything. Nothing is off limits so far, and I like that. We share a lot of the same interests, that's true, but the best part is that we laugh at ourselves, our husbands, and pretty much everything else. We talk about life, our pasts, our futures, books, family, and the list goes on and on. We talk about everything! We even talk about going to Italy together. I can't imagine anyone else I would like to travel to Italy with--besides Ken, of course. I think traveling around Italy with Doreen would be a blast. We both speak just enough Italian to be dangerous and hilarious.

It's also great to have a friend who doesn't judge no matter what I say and who understands what I'm trying to say, even though I sometimes make no sense at all. We just know what the other is thinking.

I have always been reserved even with the closest of friends. As I get older, I am discovering how important it is to talk about feelings (good & bad) and hopes and dreams with a friend. The conversations Doreen and I have would probably drive most people crazy. We jump from topic to topic at lightning speed, and we pick up topics that were dropped but not forgotten. I love that we can talk and listen at the same time, and we both know when it's time to stop for coffee. That's friendship!

Am I Crazy and Different? Yes, Thank Goodness!

Call me crazy, but I am actually looking forward to the fall semester. I know the three classes I have signed up for will be very hectic, but I am ready for the challenge. Don't get me wrong! I have enjoyed this time off immensely! I have accomplished several things on my list . . . not everything, but hey, I'm not Wonder Woman--although I do have a purple cape.

I have also engaged in a lot of rest and relaxation, and I don't feel guilty about that at all! When I am busy beyond belief in the coming months, I can look back on July and most of August and say, "ahhh, that was fun."

On a different note: I am trying to decide if I want to do National Novel Writing Month this November. I can't even imagine having the time because of all the reading/writing I will be doing for school. Grad school is overloaded with work, and the instructors are relentless with their high expectations. I mean really. I can only do so much in a day, even with my purple superhero cape. Will I have time to write 50,000 words in 30 days just for fun? I don't know. I do know that I get more done when I have no time to do it, so it just might be achievable. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?

I may or may not go to Cairo, Egypt in a week or so. I am waiting for my friend to get expenses in order and time off arranged. I think this would be an awesome trip, and I will definitely have something to blog about then. Not a whole lot of blog-worthy activities going on right now. The most exciting thing going on is my virtual life on Farm Town (facebook). It has become more fun now that Doreen and Jessica are hooked and building their farms and we can harvest each other's crops. This game is so crazy addicting, and I'm not ashamed to admit that I love it! My farm is awesome!

You never know when opportunities to unleash creativity are going to tap you on the shoulder and tell you to paint, plant, write, sing! Okay, maybe not sing. That would be a creative disaster in my case. But what I'm saying is that I'll take a creative moment anywhere I can find it, and Farm Town just happens to be my creative outlet of the moment. It's all good.

When school starts, I guess I will have to cut back on my Farm Town fun. It will be difficult and so sad, but...hold on a minute! Uh, hellooo? It's a fake farm. What am I thinking? I guess I shouldn't be admitting that I play this game, but there it is - and I don't spend all my time playing fake farmer...really I don't! *big sigh* I also admitted to Doreen yesterday (when she texted me to find out if I was going to be on Farm Town any time soon) that I was knitting and watching Spongebob Squarepants. Yeah, I said it. I watch Spongebob! Doreen texted back and said that was why she liked me so much. She's crazy and different as well.

Okay, so now you see why I'm ready for school to start. I need to become a RWP (real world person) again--but not a complete RWP because no way am I that annoying in public! I hope. Am I?

SO . . . if I go to Egypt then it's Vegas after that and then school. Next week will be my last week of "I can do as little or as much as I want to." Better make it count.

Life is an adventure, and I'm going to enjoy every minute of it!

Ask no Questions, Get no Lies Told

I was going to steal a blogger's blog idea today and post 20 questions and answers about myself--and I wouldn't really make up fake answers like the title of this post suggests. I was halfway through the questions on the list and I lost interest. That doesn't bode well for my personality. Who really wants to know these things about me? I mean, who cares what I had for breakfast or who is on my "list"--whatever the heck that means. Besides, all the really juicy stuff is in the vault, and I threw that key away a long time ago, which means nothing that interesting happens me to anymore since I wouldn't be able to put it in the vault without a blowtorch. *sigh*

I do, however, enjoy reading questions and answers that other people put out there. People are so interesting. That's why I like to people watch--people are not only interesting they are hilarious. It's especially fun in airports and other places that attract a huge variety of the human race. When it comes to questions and answers though, I like to read all that mundane stuff about a person with the occasional "I didn't know that" thrown in. Of course, if the questions and answers are for someone I don't know then it's all new, and that's okay. I guess I could make up my own list of questions, but I can't think of any that would keep people riveted to their computer and occasionally saying, "I didn't know that."