Tag Archives: happiness project

What’s Up Wenzday 02/27/13 — Handcuffed Moxy Edition!

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What’s Up Wenzday Point #1:

whats up wenzdayA Note of Clarification —

Found my Moxy. What a whore. You just wouldn’t even believe what that gurl has been up to. Thank goodness, we found her in the nick-of-time, and she is safe and sound, locked back into place. I won’t say the handcuffs will hold indefinitely, because she is a wily beast and manages to escape just when I start to get comfortable. And also, Lethargy keeps slipping her the key, because that asshole likes to sit on the throne and play dress-up as royalty. Lethargy is stupid, though, because we all know that as soon as no one is looking, that Lying Bitch Depression will move right in and take over the entire kingdom.

 

I should totally write a book around my moods as characterized herein. I find it interesting that Moxy and Depression are both females, while Lethargy is male. Just goes to show you that men are lazy a-holes even in my fucked up imagination.

 

Not you, my darling hubz! Of all the a-holes I know (which are many and sundry), you are the least lazy of the bunch. That may not have sounded like a compliment, but I assure you it was. TRUST.

 

What’s Up Wenzday Point #2:

homework award

Homework Champ Award Ribbon 2″ x 8″

My Happiness Project —

There is actually homework by Julien Smith this week. Let us rejoice!

 

But before I get into this week’s assignment, I feel like I should recap. I’ve been pretty shitty the last couple months, and the point of these exercises isn’t merely to check a box so I can feel good about marking something off a list (although that is a very nice byproduct). The point is to expand my mind beyond its current slump; to make conscious decisions; to take actionable steps; to intentionally push myself into forward motion; to choose to be happy. Going through the motions in a half-assed fashion isn’t doing me any favors. Forgive me while I do a quick recap to make sure I’m still on track.

 

Homework I: “explicitly make eye contact with people you don’t know.” I got this. Not a problem.

 

Homework II: “negotiate for something you are not allowed to negotiate for.”

 

Thought this wasn’t something I was good at until a recent phone call. I wanted to purchase some items over the phone from the Book Fair at my daughter’s school, since we were unable to attend in person.

 

The first lady I spoke with was very nice, but answered that she was unsure as to whether or not this was something they could do. Under normal circumstances I would have backed down and just let it go, then bitched about it later. Instead, I took a deep breath and explained that I was really hoping I could make the purchase, and that I hoped she would be able to find someone who would be able to assist me, since I was absolutely certain the PTO would not like to miss a sale. While I was extremely polite, I was also firm. And bless her heart, instead of reacting in a bitchy fashion, she transferred me to another, more seasoned, PTO assistant who was more than happy to take my money over the phone. The school got the sale, my daughter got her books, and I got some much needed practice in respectful negotiation. I’d call that a WIN.

 

Homework III: “plant a seed of doubt in someone who needs it.”

 

I have to confess. I don’t really know anyone I would be comfortable enough to speak to in such a manner. And YEAH, I know in Julien’s example he planted this seed in the mind of someone he hardly knew – a waitress, if I recall correctly – but I don’t really go out anywhere except for the local bakery, which is a family owned establishment employing teens and stay-at-home-moms who live in the area. Not exactly a classy move for me to suggest, “Aren’t you tired of your small town existence?”

 

I recognize that this is kind of a “pay it forward” move, but I just can’t do it. I’m sorry. Call it a fail, if you must, but I’m okay with that. I’m barely getting my own shit together. I would not feel right suggesting that my local waitress might want to get HER shit together because this life isn’t “good enough” for her. I’m just not understanding the underlying principle expected of me on this one. I’m missing the point. So I am skipping it and shall say no more of it henceforth.

 

Homework IV: “connect with at least one person who should still be in your life, but isn’t.”

 

I recently sent handwritten cards to a couple of long term pals whom I have not seen much in recent years. This is a great reminder that I need to follow up and email invitations to get together soon. Pardon me a moment while I jot this on the “contact” portion of my to-do list. {DONE}

 

Homework V: “emulate someone who is more confident than you are.”

 

Not necessary, because my confidence isn’t really lacking. I know I’m good at the shit I’m good at. I’m well aware of my faults. I know what I need to work on, and where I want to concentrate my efforts. I’m content with who I am. And I have zero problem working a room or speaking in front of a crowd. Impromptu, even. Crowds aren’t my favorite things, but I can party with the best of them.

 

Okay, so now we’re all caught up. *whew* I feel ever so much better!

 

“Homework VI”: “face the wrong way inside a crowded elevator.”

 

OMG! I am laughing so hard over this one. Not because it’s silly – it’s not (well, okay, it kind of is) – but because I had to do this way back in my college Intro to Sociology class. And it was hilarious.

 

People are so effed up when it comes to elevator etiquette anyway. A-holes waiting to get ON the ride stand right in the doorway, so that people getting OFF the ride crash into them. Then the a-holes have to back up to let everyone disembark. It’s a total goat-screw. Finally, all the a-holes get on the ride, and everyone has to squish together because — HOLY SHIT THE ELEVATOR WILL NEVER COME BACK DOWN EVER AGAIN AND THIS IS YOUR OWN CHANCE TO RIDE IT SO YOU CAN’T POSSIBLY WAIT FOR THE NEXT ONE. It’s like a complete emergency or something. I get claustrophobic, plus I need exercise anyway, so normally I skip that mess just take the stairs. When walking to class with other people, they get SUPER weirded-out when I announce, “Oh, I don’t take elevators. I’ll meet you upstairs.”

 

But okay. So I rode the elevator, which was strange enough for me anyway, and faced backwards. You’d have thought I brought my pet rhino on board and ordered tequila shots for it. Eyeballs were huge with fear. Brows were wrinkled in confusion. Mouths were puckered in distaste. And OH, how I laughed. Because Jesus, you guys. Trained motherfucking monkeys, the whole lot.

 

Now this was back in 2005. A lot has changed since then. Call me quacky (you wouldn’t be the first), but there is no fucking way I’m going to ON PURPOSE tick off a bunch of cranky elevator clowns. You never know who is a Christian NRA member packing heat, ready to shoot me for the sin of riding the elevator incorrectly (Check out my post “Gun Control — Can You Hear Me Now?” for more on my views about guns).  Nuh-uh. Nah, man. Funk dat. Peace out.

 

What’s Up Wenzday Point #3:

Goal / Dream / Target / Plan Assessment —

 

1. Attend a writing critique group every month: Next meeting is Thu. 03/07.

And I shall attend. Since I missed last month, I am very keen on being there this month. My grasp on my Moxy is tentative at best, but I’m getting punchy from being homebound all of Fucking February. I will own this gathering.

 

2. *Attend a book club meeting every month: Next meeting is Sun. 03/10.*

We will discuss THE VIRGINIAN by Owen Wister. Whether I’ve read it or not. Which I haven’t. And do not plan to. Ever. But I do have a copy of it in my living room, which I shall take with me, so that I seem prepared and whatnot. Mostly I just want to say grownup words to other grownups. Even if those grownups are yucky. This month, these days, I’m just not picky. Next month might be a different matter, but we’ll jump off that bridge when we try to cross it.

 

There is also a Science book club meeting being held Sun. 03/17. They will be discussing THE SWERVE: HOW THE WORLD BECAME MODERN by Stephen Greenblatt. I attended a few meeting with this group a couple years ago but never went back because many of the attendees are what I like to call Angry Atheists. Now, I am not a religious person, and I will make fun of Baptists like MAD because those bitches be cray-cray. But Angry Atheists are just like evangelical Baptists in their obnoxious enthusiasm. The only thing the Angry Atheists lack is a strong Mary Kay presence. Also, the women do not have big hair, which I find a plus. I’m ready to give them another try.

 

3. *Add another online job.*

Well, I finally did it. I applied for a couple online writing jobs. I know, you’re about to faint. My apologies. Please don’t die.

 

4. Lose 50 pounds in 2013 /// Lose 3-5 pounds each month /// Walk 2+ miles daily.

The good news: I’m back on a daily walking kick, and feel great about it.

The bad news: Right before I went on the aforementioned kick, I ate boxes (yes, plural) of Girl Scout cookies. Fuck off, okay? There were missing-moxy issues, REMEMBER?

 

5. *Minimize, organize, and clean the crap in my office.*

Nowhere near done, but it still looks better than it did. And also? My fabulous hubz brought me some office things that will help me get my “Mission Control Center” set up. You know what I mean — that place where you hang a giant calendar on the wall because it’s the only way everyone in the family can keep up with each other, and then you put a big bulletin board next to it so you can pin announcements and shit to it, and finally you throw a white board into the mix so you can jot down notes, like for example, “Son, if you don’t clean out the microwave I am going to throw you through a window!” Or, for example, “Hubz, if you don’t scoop out the litter box, I am going to punch you in the wiener!” Or, for example, “Little Girl, if you don’t put away your Skylanders, I am going to kick you in the nose!” That kind of thing. Perfectly normal.

 

plot and structure

Plot & Structure: (Techniques And Exercises For Crafting A Plot That Grips Readers From Start To Finish) (Write Great Fiction) [Paperback]

6. Complete PLOT & STRUCTURE.

Still plodding along. Because I was doing all the other stuff. I can’t do ALL the things, okay?

 

7. Complete WIP by Sep. 30 /// add 6K new words by Thursday, Feb. 28.

I’m pretty sure I am WAY short of my monthly goal, but my word count has still risen to new heights, so I’m not complaining. SOMETHING is 100% times better than NOTHING. That is more of the good maths for you right there.

 

8. Ride an elephant. For realz.

If this is my stretch goal… well… I don’t even know what to say about it. Because I’m scratching my noggin and asking myself, “Andi-Roo, WTF were you thinking when you added this ludicrous fantasy to your list of goals? MORON.” But, you know. Whatever.

 

What’s Up Wenzday Point #4:

Bonus Material — What I’ve been reading!

Finished JOHN DIES AT THE END by David Wong (aka Jason Pargin). Sequel is called THIS BOOK IS FULL OF SPIDERS: SERIOUSLY DUDE, DON’T TOUCH IT, and you can bet your ass I already have it on request from my local library and it cannot possibly arrive quickly enough to suit my need for it. This is some good shit.

 

Now I’m reading a YA novel called SHADOW AND BONE by Leigh Bardugo. This was suggested to me by a bloggy friend, and I am really enjoying it thus far. Kind of a gothic / fantasy / Russian-ish feel to it, without being all epic and meaty. As in, it doesn’t take me two weeks to finish one freaking page, unlike SOME books (I’m looking at you, LOTR and GOT).

 

On my iPod I just finished SHADOWS IN FLIGHT by Orson Scott Card. This is the newest addition to the series which started with ENDER’S GAME, and if you haven’t read that one then you are doing yourself a grave disservice, my friend. My hubz and adult son both loved it as much as I do. So you should just trust me. Also? I love-love-love the people (yes, multiple) who read Card’s books; they are a great team, and good readers can make all the difference.

 

I just started listening to a murder-mystery called GONE GIRL by Gillian Flynn. The story is pretty great thus far, but I’m not thoroughly enjoying one of the readers; his voice is too… weird, or high-pitched-ish, or just *off* somehow, and I don’t like it. I’m getting used to overlooking it, but it was sure a distraction when the story started playing. See what I mean about readers making all the difference?

And that’s what’s up Wenzday.

Hope your Hump-Day is full of hump-ish good times.

I’d love to hear what’s up with *YOUR* Wenzday.

Please tell me about your Happiness Project, how your Homework is coming along, and what books you have loved lately!

What’s Up Wenzday 02/13/13 — Valentine Edition!

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What’s Up Wenzday Point #1:

sweethearts candy

Classic Large Necco Sweethearts, 1lb Bulk Bag

A Note of Clarification —

February is great for, like, love and shit like that. But it sucks major donkey balls with regard to energy and motivation and personal growth and related types of activities. February is, like, “I am grey, I thrive on your personal joy, and I eat your brain cells. I live on your spirit and will suck you dry of any will to live.”

 

I mean, WTF do you say to someone who is so mean at you in this manner? And then, February bats its fake eyelashes at you and hides behind Valentine’s Day. WHATEVER, fucking February. I see you over there. As soon as I can muster up my moxy, which I seem to have misplaced, I’ma come over there and bust that ass.

 

You know how February responds? Yeah, you know. February replies, “What, THIS moxy?”

 

Bitch stole my fucking moxy.

 

What’s Up Wenzday Point #2:

believe in yourself

(18×24) Believe In Yourself Black Wall Decal

My Happiness Project —

“Homework V” by Julien Smith

This week’s assignment is “to emulate someone who is more confident than you are.”

 

Oddly enough, I will not have to perform this exercise. I have a lot of confidence in myself at this point. Some people gain confidence by imagining everyone in their underwear, thereby putting oneself in the overhead position of being the only one dressed in a crowd of near-nudes. I kind of one-up that feeling. I don’t have to imagine a damn thing. All I have to do is remember the plumbing that makes up each man and woman, and I know that there is absolutely not one single person who is better than I. Seriously. Penis or vagina? That junk is all hilarious. And it’s all messy and disgusting and hot and bothered and wet or dry or whatever. It’s all fucked up.

 

And EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. of you has one of these parts.

 

If that’s too crass, just keep in mind that we all have buttholes, out of which duke is excreted. That is enough to remind me that we are, indeed, all the fucking same.

 

hello kitty pics

Sanrio Hello Kitty Large Backpack 16″

My problems with esteem arise not from a lack thereof, but from the amount some people seem to carry about like a god damn mountain stuffed into a Hello Kitty backpack. I’m like, “Bitch, just because you are wearing five-krillion-dollar shoes, don’t go thinking you’re better than me! If anything, I’m better than *YOU* because who’s the dumb-dumb that spent so much on material bullshit?” I don’t get upset with people being “BEING” better than me (because I know they aren’t); I get upset with people THINKING they’re better than me. Which is why I avoid playdates and Starbucks like the fucking plague.

 

If my methodology doesn’t work for you, but you still want to figure out how be more confident, I highly recommend trying things out Julian’s way. The end result is what counts, not how you get there.

 

What’s Up Wenzday Point #3:

Goal / Dream / Target / Plan Assessment —

 

1. Attend a writing critique group every month: Next meeting is Thursday, Feb. 7.

Skipped because fucking February zombied my ass. Fresh start this weekend, new dates posted next Wednesday. Personal Commandment: Don’t stop starting.

 

2. *Attend a book club meeting every month: Next meeting is Sunday, Feb. 10.*

Skipped because fucking February zombied my ass. Fresh start this weekend, new dates posted next Wednesday. Personal Commandment: Don’t stop starting.

 

3. *Add another online job by Jan. 31. /// FAIL! /// New Date: Feb. 9.*

Skipped because fucking February zombied my ass. Fresh start this weekend, new dates posted next Wednesday. Personal Commandment: Don’t stop starting.

 

 

body fat test

Taylor 5758f Body Fat and Body Water, Large Profile Scale, 440-Pounds

4. Lose 50 pounds in 2013 /// Lose 3-5 pounds each month /// Walk 2+ miles daily.

I haven’t been checking my weight, because at the beginning of this month I had gained back the two pounds I lost. Fucking scale. On the bright side. I actually walked my two-mile route three times over the last seven days, and am enjoying the steady march across around as my leg muscles burn uphill and down. I’m looking forward to going tomorrow, too!

 

Personal Commandments: “Just show up,” and “Do the work.”

 

5. *Minimize, organize, and clean the crap in my office by Feb. 15.*

I have been busting my ass, on and off, over the last couple weeks to finish up in time to start my decorating projects. But I know I’m not going to make this deadline. However, I’m not terribly upset because the point is improvement and forward motion, not “all or nothing” winner takes all. It certainly looks a hell of a lot better than it did a month ago!

 

Personal Commandment: Perfection is the enemy of Progress and Production.

 

6. Complete PLOT & STRUCTURE by Friday, Feb. 15.

Skipped because fucking February zombied my ass. Fresh start this weekend, new dates posted next Wednesday. Personal Commandment: Don’t stop starting.

 

7. Complete WIP by Sep. 30 /// add 6K new words by Thursday, Feb. 28.

I wanted to lie to you on this one, but NO. I will just be honest. Skipped because fucking February zombied my ass. Fresh start this weekend, new dates posted next Wednesday. Personal Commandment: Don’t stop starting.

8. Ride an elephant. For realz.

Um. Whot?

 

What’s Up Wenzday Point #4:

Bonus Material — What I’ve been reading!

Still reading THY NEIGHBOR by Norah Vincent, whom I love and adore whether fiction or non. Over half-way through the book and loving the mystery. Can’t wait to see how it unfolds.

 

On my iPod, I’m about to finish up DEAD BEAT by Jim Butcher, and *WOW* is it fun. An unexpected turn of events cropped up about half-way through and I am looking forward to seeing how it gets wrapped up. I’m guessing all loose ends won’t be tied at the conclusion of this novel, so I already have the next installment of the series on request from the library.

 

I think the next book to which I listen will be EXPLOSIVE EIGHTEEN by Janet Evanovich. It’s the same type of fun “reluctant detective gets dragged into beating crime and solving mystery” story that I need to relax to from time-to-time while putting away laundry and going on my walks.

And that’s what’s up Wenzday.

Hope your Hump-Day is full of hump-ish good times.

I’d love to hear what’s up with *YOUR* Wenzday.

Please tell me about your Happiness Project, how your Homework is coming along, and what books you have loved lately!

What’s Up Wenzday 02/06/13 — Sleepy Edition!

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What’s Up Wenzday Point #1:

whats up wenzdayA Note of Clarification —

Last week was all kinds of fucked. First, there was sleeping, which had a lot to do with all this damn snow. I’m so sick of snow I want to punch the next snowman I see in the wiener, and I’m not even joking. There were snow days, so my girl got to stay home with me and snuggle, except that she has revealed that at the ripe old age of EIGHT she might have outgrown snuggling. But only with Mommy. She still likes Daddy-snuggles. This, straight from her own lips. I’m all, “Come gimme a kiss!” … and she’s curled up in Daddy’s lap giggling, “No, I don’t want to, heehee-haha!” … because, you know, that shit’s funny. Except that it’s not.

 

So while all that was happening, or not happening, or whatever, my hubz broke my bloggy-blog. He told me it had something to do with plug-ins not working together properly, or something like that. I don’t really know, because honestly I don’t listen when he talks computer-ish shit at me. I’m like, “Dude, I don’t care. I write shit and forward it to you. Post it, don’t post, whatever. I’ve already moved on.” Which explains why I’m so shitty at responding to comments. He is definitely the professional in this household. Poor guy.

 

So there we were all snowed in and sleepy and blog-sploded. And that’s what happened to last week’s What’s Up Wenzday. I’m sorry, you guys. Still friends?

 

What’s Up Wenzday Point #2:

 

doing homework

Young Teenage Girl Sits on Steps Inside a Building Doing Homework Photographic Poster Print

My Happiness Project —

“Homework IV” by Julien Smith

This week’s assignment is “to connect with at least one person who should still be in your life, but isn’t.”

 

Oh, SNAP. I’ve been talking about this with my hubz on-n-off over the last couple months. And it’s also part of why I’m “forcing” myself to join writing and reading clubs (establishing myself in society and creating connections with other human beings, that is). This assignment is pretty timely for me, and hits me right where I need it most.

 

So, this week I’m going to call two of my local friends, Sandy and Krysta, and plan a get-together with each of them. Neither will make me feel awkward for not getting in touch for months on end; it’s not like they’ve called me, either. Lucky for me, they don’t keep score, either. Both are super sweet ladies and I have missed them.

 

Why did it take an eight-month-old blog post from some guy with whom I’ve never even talked to kick my ass into gear? That’s just sad and pathetic. I’m a terrible person. Blah.

 

What’s Up Wenzday Point #3:

 

achieve goals

Set Your Goals Achieve Them Gallery Wrap Framed Art

Goal / Dream / Target / Plan Assessment —

 

1. Attend a writing critique group every month: Next meeting is Thursday, Feb. 7.

 

a. Must: Prepare next 3 pages; print and staple 11 copies; confirm time, address, and reservation.

—DONE! — Well, partly, anyhow. The pages are prepared, but still need to be printed. And I haven’t double-checked the new address, either. Because I like to panic at the last minute and as I’m sitting in my car about to pull out onto the road, scream, “SHIT! Where the fuck am I driving to, again!?”

 

b. Enjoy: Add page numbers and footers; see who else is attending.

—DONE! — Well, I added all those headers and footers and whatnot. That shit thrills me. I love fonting it up. Best part of the process, IMO. Still gotta check for other attendees.

 

c. Inspired: Spruce up dialogue!

—DONE! — *and there was much throwing of glitter!*

 

2. *Attend a book club meeting every month: Next meeting is Sunday, Feb. 10.*

 

 

slaughter house five by kurt vonnegut

Slaughterhouse-Five: A Novel [Paperback]

a. Must: Call to inquire as to book title; reserve copy; read or at least skim material.

—DONE! SLAUGHTER-HOUSE FIVE by Kurt Vonnegut, which I’ve only read a krillion times. My son has a copy somewhere around here, but maybe I’m better off just picking up a copy from the library. He just laughed maniacally when I asked him to find it for me.

 

b. Enjoy: Look up alternate summaries, reviews, author bio, and official website.

 

c. Inspired: Look for potential book club questions.

 

3. *Add another online job by Jan. 31. /// FAIL! /// New Date: Feb. 9.*

 

a. Must: Examine list of possibilities; pick 5; apply and pursue.

b. Enjoy: Delete losers from bookmarks.

c. Inspired: Contact a certain person and ask certain questions (sorry so cryptic!).

 

4. Lose 50 pounds in 2013 /// Lose 3-5 pounds each month /// Walk 2+ miles daily.

 

 

body fat test

Taylor 5758f Body Fat and Body Water, Large Profile Scale, 440-Pounds

a. Must: Set alarm; disregard weather; set out first thing each morning by 9am.

—DONE! — insofar as I went out on Sunday. But Monday it was snowing too hard again, and I’m sorry, but fuck that. Then on Tuesday I thought with all that snow on the ground it would be too dangerous to run, by which of course I mean jog, by which of course I mean walk.

 

Still, ONCE trumps ZERO every.damn.time. You can tweet that, motherfucker.

 

b. Enjoy: Add new book to iPod.

—DONE! — Currently listening to DEAD BEAT by Jim Butcher, and it is lots of fun. I just love this series, particularly via audio because it’s read by James Marsters — the guy who played Spike on Buffy and its spin-off, Angel. His voice and tone are perfect to convey the trials of Harry Dresden.

 

c. Inspired: Get new sneaks as this pair is seriously killing my left heal. Probably because it’s the only pair of sneaks I’ve worn, almost daily, for over two years now.

 

5. *Minimize, organize, and clean the crap in my office by Feb. 15.*

 

a. Must: Empty shelves, boxes, and drawers; donate last of the books; dust and vacuum.

— DONE! — in a vague, only sorta-kinda way, in which many boxes are gone, some light vacuuming took place, and the desk drawers are sorted. Still much work to be done, but I’m getting antsy to move on to the decorating stage. Have some nifty ideas picked up off DIY organizing and beautifying sites.

 

b. Enjoy: Choose which books stay in office and arrange them on desk and shelves.

 

c. Inspired: Consolidate bulletin board over desk (prep for decorating project!).

 

6. Complete PLOT & STRUCTURE by Friday, Feb. 15.

 

a. Must: Read it and do the exercises.

b. Enjoy: Take notes.

c. Inspired: Read more of Bell’s blog posts.

 

7. Complete WIP by Sep. 30 /// add 6K new words by Thursday, Feb. 28.

 

a. Must: Write 300 words daily, or thereabouts.

— DONE! — in a vague, I didn’t do a word count because I rewrote several pages, way. Also, I’m considering changing the title from GREENE MARKET to just simply THE GREENE. Just an idea I’m tossing around as the characters continue going four-wheeling off their pre-plotted course.

 

I’m all, “Fine, you assholes. Go your own way. But I still get to pick your name. mwa-ha-ha!”

 

… and then the youngest character is like, “Whatever, bitch. BTW, you got my name wrong. It isn’t Tipton, it’s Emahl. Boo-yah!”

 

What a snot-faced jerk-hole. I kind of hate him, because he is the one throwing my outline to the winds more than any of them. Turns out, he is kind of important. Good for him, because otherwise I would have his ass thrown over a god damn cliff. He isn’t even a main character so I don’t know who the hellz he thinks he is.

 

b. Enjoy: Outline timeline and fill in the blanks with story.

 

c. Inspired: Warm up by adding to Sekret Project (BITES OF THE APPLE).

— FAIL! — but not my fault. For realz! Just hear me out: My log-in for the app I normally use hasn’t been working. I spent like a krillion hours trying to figure out just WTF was going on there. Finally it occurred to me that I have all my work saved elsewhere for just such an eventuality, so ((( BIG DUH! ))) I could actually skip the broken app and just go write the damn pages. I’ll be catching up this week.

 

8. Ride an elephant. For realz.

ride an elephant

Elephant Ride – Peel and Stick Wall Decal

 

a. Must: Use Google to find out what’s near me; make some phone calls.

 

b. Enjoy: My 8-year-old daughter says I should just make a wish in a wishing well. This, from the same child whose dream is “to swim with the dolphins!”

 

c. Inspired: Ask around on Facebook and Twitter; find a wishing well.

 

What’s Up Wenzday Point #4:

Bonus Material — What I’ve been reading!

Just finished reading the first book in a new YA series — PLANESRUNNER by Ian McDonald, and it was a doozy of a good time. I can’t wait to read the next book. It’s like a cross of Dr. Who with Fringe and Sliders — lots of moving around in different dimensions and trying to keep the technology out of the hands of the bad guys. Very cool stuffs.

 

 

thy neighbor by norah vincent

Thy Neighbor: A Novel [Hardcover]

Am currently reading THY NEIGHBOR by the extremely talented Norah Vincent, whom I will always adore because, in addition to the fact that she is simply one of the most marvelous writers of our time, she responded personally to an email I sent, and in doing so provided one of my Personal Commandments: “Speak as gently to yourself as you would to a child.” Anyway, I’m only a couple chapters in and am already hooked. Her writing style is so lush, but not overly pretentious. It just feels nice going down, ya know what I mean? *LOVE*

 

Finished up listening to Stephen King’s THE WIND THROUGH THE KEYHOLE, newest addition to the Dark Tower series, which fans are delighted to learn is not in actuality complete. Cannot say enough how awesome it was to read (hear) more about Roland’s world!

 

Finally, I completed the very enjoyable FUZZY NATION by John Scalzi, whom I love-love-love. Mr Scalzi writes great sci-fi and never fails to put me in a good mood. He also writes a great blog. FUZZY NATION is funny, endearing, and overall quite enjoyable. You should def. read it.

 

And that’s what’s up Wenzday.

Hope your Hump-Day is full of hump-ish good times.

I’d love to hear what’s up with *YOUR* Wenzday.

Please tell me about Happiness Project, how your Homework is coming along, and what books you have loved lately!

What’s Up Wenzday 01/16/13 — Passive-Aggressive Edition!

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What’s Up Wenzday Point #1:

triberrA Note of Clarification —

I found out this week that someone on Triberr is apparently less than pleased with me as a tribemate. Which is funny since she and I aren’t actually tribemates. And since I only found out second-hand that there’s an issue, I’m not sure exactly what kind of beef she has with me. I’m interested in finding out, though. I have a post planned to ponder this mystery, as well as to discuss the various merits and rewards of shadowing tribes.

 

I also have a post planned for passive-aggressive apologies. In short, if you offer someone an apology, don’t follow it up by holding your hands up in pretend-surrender while uttering,

“Simmer down! Jeezy! What are you all bent out of shape about? OKAY, I’ll be all magnanimous and offer you an apology. Harumph-harumph-harumph.”

 

THAT? Is not an apology. It’s a way (a) to make yourself look innocent and (b) to come across as the bigger person, while at the same time victim-shaming the person who originally got shit upon. And since I’m a bitch, not only DON’T I buy that shit, I plan to call it out. Be warned, ass clowns of the world.

 

What’s Up Wenzday Point #2:

happiness project by gretchen rubin

The Happiness Project: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun [Paperback]

My Happiness Project —

Homework II by Julien Smith

This week’s assignment is “to negotiate for something you are not allowed to negotiate for.”

 

Why? Because it’s something we Americans are NOT good at, in any way whatsoever. I know I am completely uncomfortable negotiating. I always feel as though, by asking for whatever it I truly want, I’m somehow “getting one over” on the other party. I don’t want to be all demand-y. I am horrible at Monopoly because I always make trades in the opposing party’s favor. Winning at life is apparently not my forte.

 

Set prices upon which everyone agrees are comfortable and lazy; they allow for stagnation of certain self-protective muscles. Namely, being able to ask for your fair share, and sometimes even being able to request MORE than what’s owed to you. Recognizing this logically, however, is not the same as being able to act on it emotionally.

 

It’s funny — in a regular conversation, I have zero problem saying things straight up and letting people know how it is (whatever “it” might be in that particular circumstance). But when it comes to talking about a product, I suddenly turn into a shy little child. It’s humiliating. And if I DO get the nerve to speak up on my own behalf, it’s usually in a loud voice for everyone to hear, and I refuse to make eye contact, so that the message is directed to everyone at large. This is meant, I think, as a way of gathering witnesses and gaining agreement from my fellow wounded… but instead I’m sure I come off as a crazy person throwing a fit in public. It’s awful.

 

So yeah. I need big time practice in this exercise. I need to just focus on the person who is potentially fucking with me, or who is able to cut me a deal, or who is able to fix the problem. I need to be able to look that person squarely in the eye (per last week’s Homework) and say in a firm tone, “THIS isn’t working for me. What if we try THAT instead?”

 

Doing this means I’m not being mean or rude, I’m not being accusatory, I’m not picking a fight, I’m not throwing a tantrum.

 

Doing this means I’m being strong-willed, respectful, and helpful, since I’m making a suggestion toward resolution. I’d probably get much better results from people if I didn’t lose my shit and resort to hollering. It’s just that… most of the time, people suck, and I wish they’d stop proving me right. I always enjoy being pleasantly surprised.

 

But… I can FORCE a pleasant surprise to happen. Eye contact and negotiation. Got it. I’ll report back next week on how that works out.

 

What’s Up Wenzday Point #3:

 

weekly planner templates

Post-it Notes Weekly Planner, 18 x 12-Inches, 52 Weeks with 6-Pads of 2 x 2-Inch Notes

Goal / Dream / Target / Plan Assessment —

 

1. Add at least 300 words to my WIP per day (300 words x 7 days = 2,100 words per week).

I only added 450 total words this past week. But really, I’m okay with that. I set the bar pretty low, but it’s still higher than I have likelihood of achieving. Still, if I had only aimed for 500 words total, do you know how many I’m likely to have written? ZERO. So yeah, I’ll take my measly 450 quite happily, thank you very much! Win!

 

2. Read half a chapter of PLOT & STRUCTURE per day. I’m behind, but still further ahead than where I was before. I’ve completed reading and exercises through Chapter 5. WIN!

 

3. Complete exercises upon reaching the end of each chapter. (See above note.)

 

4. Walk two-three miles daily per the course I outlined (2 miles x 7 days = 14 miles per week).

I completed 4 miles this past week. Very good, per my above statements. WIN!

 

5. Identify and submit one online application per day, Monday through Friday.

I submitted 1 application. Which is more than zero. WIN!

 

6. Contact and pester those who have already offered projects. FAIL. Better luck next week.

 

7. Spend 15-30 minutes daily minimalizing the crap in my office during January 1-15.

Organized my desk drawers. One belongs to my 8yo daughter, so I left that one alone as it’s her crayon/marker/pen collection and doesn’t really need much work. Another is my supply drawer and looks much better now. A third drawer is now dedicated to stuff that needs to be filed. The fourth drawer is for bills and finances. WIN!

 

8. Spend 15-30 minutes daily organizing whatever crap is left in my office during January 16-31.

 

9. Take a “Before” picture of my office on January 1, 2013. — DONE!

 

10. Attend the following gatherings in January 2013:

Thursday, January 3: Critique Group @ 7pm. — DONE!

Monday, January 14: Book Club @ 7pm. — Skipped it because my hubz had to work that night so I didn’t have the car at my disposal. Better luck next month. *sigh*

Saturday, January 26: Author event @ 2pm.

 

What’s Up Wenzday Point #4:

My Wippy-Doodle!

coyote habitat

HOWLING COYOTE GLOSSY POSTER PICTURE PHOTO

As indicated above, I added 450 words to my current Work In Progress, *Greene Market*. That’s no big whoop. I know. Shaddup. But I also sent off the first part of Chapter 1 to a critique partner. I’m still waiting for her own piece so I can return the favor. On the one hand, I’m very excited to hear her feedback; on the other hand, I want to throw up because what if she hates it and tells me I should feed it to wild coyotes? I think I can handle individual fix-its, because no piece is ever going to be perfect. But to learn she can’t stand the entire thing? That might make me cry the BIG cry.

 

I also managed to add another 800 words to my “sekret projekt”, *Bites of the Apple*. No new news on that front. Just wanted to let you know it hasn’t disappeared.

 

What’s Up Wenzday Point #5:

Bonus Material —

being human full episodes

Being Human: The Complete Second Season (2011)

We haven’t watched any new movies in the last week, and I’m still working on the same daggone books I’ve been slogging through. I know. I’m so boring, right?

 

I do have a confession to make. One of my guilty pleasures is watching teen-oriented shows when I’m on my own, usually as I’m folding laundry, eating lunch, or killing the treadmill-beast. I recently finished the first season of *Being Human* (the US version) and was quite excited when Netflix emailed me an announcement that Season Two is now available! I’m so embarrassed to admit I even watch this show, much less that I like it as much as I do. But it’s cute, you guys. This werewolf is best friends with a vampire, and they rent a house that is haunted by a ghost. The three of them each have issues (DUH) and pull together to figure shit out. The story is fun and the dialogue is quite enjoyable.

 

pretty little liars first episode

Pretty Little Liars: The Complete First Season (2010)

Another show I like is *Pretty Little Liars*. I’m such a geek, I read the series of books upon which the show is based. The mystery is interesting, and I have enjoyed watching the friendships developed as the bad guys close in. I’m eagerly awaiting the third season to become available on Netflix, because even though part of the team of antagonists has been revealed, a cliffhanger suggests there is still much more to the story.

 

While waiting, I have buzzed through the first season of *The United States of Tara*, which is about a woman who has Dissociative Identity Disorder (or what used to be called Multiple Personality Disorder). There is speculation surrounding a mysterious “incident” which caused her mind to fragment, and her family rallies around her when she decides to go off her medication to figure out WT-flying-F happened to her.

watch united states of tara

United States of Tara: The First Season (2009)

Tara’s husband is a dream, as he deftly handles her various “alters” (personalities / identities) with finesse. Her sister Charmaine is a fuck-tard cunt who thinks Tara is faking the whole thing for attention. Either that, or Charmaine has blocked out the incident herself, and that’s why she is so hostile about it. My money’s on the second option; I’d prefer to find out she’s a victim than to assume she’s simply a bitch. Look at me with my glass-half-full, positive outlook! There is hope for me, yet!

 

And that’s what’s up Wenzday.

Hope your Hump-Day is full of hump-ish good times.

I’d love to hear what’s up with *YOUR* Wenzday.

Please tell me about Happiness Project,

how your Homework is coming along,

and what movies or books you have loved lately!

What’s Up Wenzday — Smash Edition

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What’s Up Wenzday Point #1:

A Note Of Clarification —

Because January 7 is the first Monday of 2013, I have declared this week is the actual beginning of the New Year. Thus, all plans and resolutions and whatnot were pushed back a week. BECAUSE I CAN. I highly recommend this course of action for all goal-oriented peoples of the planet.

 

What’s Up Wenzday Point #2:

My Happiness Project —

Homework I by Julien Smith:

This week’s assignment is “to explicitly make eye contact with people you don’t know.”

 

study of sociology

Sociology Is Rectangle Magnet

I had to do this for an intro course in sociology several years ago. I hated it. I don’t want to engage with others. This may come as a shock to you (HAHAHA) but I tend toward shunning society and living a hermit’s life. Unnecessary interaction just isn’t my bag. So I found this assignment extremely distasteful.

 

Which means I probably need it more than most people do. *sigh*

 

Here are Julien’s various thoughts on the matter:

“Eye contact is also a sign of power, and it’s this aspect in particular that we’re concerned with today.”

 

“You’ll notice that, when you look at someone and they look back, it gives you almost a feeling of defiance if you keep looking. If you look down, you are showing embarrassment. You’re almost apologetic with your eyes. Interesting, right?”

 

I’ve already been putting this into practice by adding my own personal flare. Instead of just locking gazes with random strangers, I smile, nod, and say, “Howdy!” Most times people laugh amiably which eases the tension. Also? I totally win, because they are usually the first to look away.

 

Inadvertent consequence: This puts me in a really jolly mood, so that my faux greetings actually become sincere. Also? Instead of being known as that crazy lady who keeps to herself, I’m building up a reputation as being that crazy lady who always says, “Howdy!”

 

What’s Up Wenzday Point #3:

Goal / Dream / Target / Plan Assessment

 

1. Add at least 300 words to my WIP per day.

Monday (first day of the New Year for me!) I rewrote some pages based on a critique. While I only added about 160 new words, I am still calling this a “WIN”.

 

Tuesday my hubz was off work and I don’t tend to write when he is home. I’m not calling this a “LOSS” so much as a “DRAW”. Whatevs.

 

plot and structure

Plot & Structure: (Techniques And Exercises For Crafting A Plot That Grips Readers From Start To Finish) (Write Great Fiction) [Paperback]

2. Read half a chapter of PLOT & STRUCTURE per day.

I have read through Chapter 4, but need to pick it back up if I wish to finish the book by my target date of January 13.

 

3. Identify activities to complete upon reaching the end of each chapter.

I have taken notes on the first 4 chapters, and completed the activities for Chapter 1. Obviously need to pick up the pace if I wish to finish the activities by my target date of January 31.

 

4. Walk two-three miles daily per the course I outlined.

Monday I walked a little over one mile. Here are my excuses for not going the full two miles: It’s fucking cold outside. Snow and ice are all over the ground and most of the time I couldn’t find the damn sidewalk. I hate walking outside, so just be glad I made the attempt.

 

Tuesday my hubz was off work and I don’t tend to write, walk, or apparently do much of anything when he is home.

 

5. Identify and submit one online application per day, Monday through Friday.

FAIL. But only because I forgot. I guess it might be handy to keep my list of plan-type-things in front of me. Here’s hoping Wednesday is more successful on this particular action.

 

6. Contact and pester those who have already offered projects.

FAIL. Again, I forgot. OOPS.

 

7. Spend 15-30 minutes daily minimalizing the crap in my office during January 1-15.

Well here’s a nice surprise! My hubz did a bunch of work in my office without me even asking him too. It already looks better! We have three boxes of books to donate along with two other boxes we plan to sell. He has a “pile” of crap next to his desk designated as items to post on Craig’s List, and now all I have to do is minimalize what’s left. I didn’t jump on that this week thus far, but Wednesday is looking much better for that sort of thing.

 

8. Spend 15-30 minutes daily organizing whatever crap is left in my office during January 16-31.

 

9. Take a “Before” picture of my office on January 1, 2013. — DONE!

But I’m not posting the “Before” pic until I have a really decent “After” pic.

 

10. Attend the following gatherings in January 2013:

Thursday, January 3: Critique Group @ 7pm. — DONE! Got some great feedback and, as I mentioned above, rewrote that section. I also picked up a critique partner and will be exchanging pieces with her this weekend. Will report on that process next week.

Monday, January 14: Book Club @ 7pm.

Saturday, January 26: Author event @ 2pm.

 

What’s Up Wenzday Point #4:

My Wippy-Doodle!

This feels a bit anti-climactic, having already disclosed that (1) I attended a critique group, (2) I rewrote a section, and (3) I picked up a critique partner. But I’ll go ahead and yack about it a bit more, because HEY! That’s what I do.

 

My Work in Progress is tentatively entitled *Greene Market*, and is intended to be a 90K-word novel, of which I have completed a mere 10K words thus far. I’m supposed to be adding 300-500 words daily, and this has been a struggle. Not because I lack enthusiasm for the project so much as that the characters refuse to behave and go the directions I send them. They first strayed from my original outline during November’s mad attempt to poop 50K words, and I’ve had difficulty re-outlining ever since. I have notes scattered hither and yon, I have character analyses and plots strewn about computer land, and I dream about the story most nights. I refuse to beat myself up over my trickling output. It’ll come as it comes, and considering how pleased I am with my efforts thus far, I’m sure by the time I reach those magical words — THE END — the story will be a really good one.

 

I have a secret project up my sleeve about which I am quite excited! I won’t say more about it beyond this brief teaser. The title is *Bites of the Apple* and it is quite different from anything I’ve ever done before. Also? Think ebook — by next Christmas, if all goes well.

 

What’s Up Wenzday Point #5:

Bonus Material —

 

We recently watched two very enjoyable movies.

 

avengers movie order

Marvel’s The Avengers (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo in Blu-ray Packaging) (2012)

THE AVENGERS was a lot of fun, particularly if you are a fan of Marvel comics and even more so if you liked the earlier films leading up to this fine collaboration. The dialogue between Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor is snappy and fun.

 

We particularly liked two scenes involving my least favorite character: Hulk.

 

At one point, Hulk punches Thor for no reason other than that he is standing next to him, which is a very similar feeling to the series I’m currently watching with my 8yo daughter — AVENGERS: EARTH’S MIGHTIEST HEROES (animated series).

 

At another point, instructions are issued to each of the Avengers, who are finally joined as a team and ready to do what needs to be done to fight for Earth’s protection. When the leader gets to Hulk, the instructions are simple and typical: “Hulk, smash!”

We had to rewind and watch Hulk smashing Loki about ten times (see below), because it just kept being funnier and funnier. Seriously. Just the thought is making me laugh as I write this. It’s a good scene.

 

 

In an aside which has nothing to do with the film, our favorite line from the animated series is when Hulk exclaims, “Thor’s not gonna smash more robots than me! Stupid Hammer Man!” The ongoing competition in strength between Hulk and Thor just cracks us up.

 

hugo movie summary

Hugo (Two-disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy) (2011)

The other movie we enjoyed was HUGO. I knew this was going to be a good one if it was anything like the book, and boy-howdy was it! Gorgeous cinematography, beautiful coloring in each scene, emotionally evocative music, exquisite detail, and an overall great book-to-screen effort — I was shocked to find afterward that it actually LOST money at the Box Office and that critically it was only about a B+. That breaks my heart. I can totally see why it went up for Best Picture, among ten other Oscar nominations, as it is truly a work of art.

 

If you haven’t read the book, I can’t recommend it highly enough. Simply beautiful story which will grab your heart and hold it gently the whole way through. And yes — the movie was also nominated for best novel adaptation, although sadly it didn’t win in this category, either. I can’t believe I own neither the book nor the film. Both are now on my “Must Have” list.

 

whats up wenzdayAnd that’s what’s up Wenzday.

Hope your Hump-Day is full of hump-ish good times.

I’d love to hear what’s up with *YOUR* Wenzday.

Please tell me about Happiness Project, how your Homework is coming along, and what movies or books you have loved lately!

What’s Up Wenzday 01/02/13 Happy New Year Edition!

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What’s Up Wenzday Point #1:

A Note of Clarification —

green check mark

Vector Green Checkmark – Peel and Stick Wall Decal

For those new to my weekly check-in, WELCOME! “What’s Up Wenzday” is where I assess my progress, or lack thereof, toward achieving self-improvement. Since one can never achieve Perfection, this is a never-ending project which sometimes feels hopeless, but more often than not provides a safe place to laugh at myself. There is something to be said for perpetually falling on my ass in public. I’m not sure what that “something” is, but I’m sure it’s profound. Or profane. Whatevs.

 

“What’s Up Wenzday” occurs every… stay with me here… Wednesday.

 

I always begin my Wenzdays with “A Note of Clarification” — a wordy summary of whatever. Might be on topic, but is equally likely to have nothing to do with anything pertinent. Did I mention I like to break rules? Oh yeah, THAT.

 

What’s Up Wenzday Point #2:

MY HAPPINESS PROJECT —

“Homework” by Julien Smith

happy is a choice

I’m a cynical jaded bitch who tends toward Depression with a capital “D”, but my #1 Personal Commandment is “Happy is a Choice.” So here I attempt on a weekly basis to practice activities which will hopefully add more joy to my life, or alternatively pinpoint WTF is my major malfunction. Win-Win either way.

 

I am actually no longer sticking with the original “Happiness Project” as outlined by Gretchen Rubin, but the title still stands, BECAUSE I FUCK YOU, THAT’S WHY.

 

Here’s what Julien says about the assignments we’re going to tackle:

“All homework is designed to be easy to do, and the purpose of homework, over time, is to help you live a better life. Homework will provoke you to do things you should probably be better at, but that you don’t normally do.”

 

the flinch by julien smith

The Flinch [Kindle Edition]

And about beginning the project, Julien says:

“This week there is no homework. We’re only setting it up. But if you want an idea of what HOMEWORK may be like, check out FLINCH, which I wrote last year alongside Seth Godin. It’s free.”

 

I downloaded the book on my Kindle (since, as Julien points out, it’s free), and I have read the first bit. It’s pretty decent, so I might even finish it. If I (a) finish it in time, and (b) like the activities, I might continue his “Homework” assignments from there. We’ll see.

 

Let me know if you have already read FLINCH, or plan on doing so, or intend to do the Homework with me. It would be more fun to know I’m not alone.

 

If you leave me to do this alone, you’re an ass hat. Just thought you should know.

 

What’s Up Wenzday Point #3:

GOAL / DREAM / TARGET / PLAN ASSESSMENT

I was supposed to start this week, but forgot it’s technically still vacation time, so I kind of said “Fuck it!” Round 1 of the #ROW80 Challenge (A Round of Words in 80 Days) doesn’t officially kick off till next week, so I’m taking it easy till then. I have all year to stress out. Why start early? I mean, my Christmas shit is still strewn across the living room, my new scales aren’t even out of the box yet, and there are a few candies and cookies I need to “get rid of”. Whatevs.

 

Next week I will begin recording my progress toward my reaching my Dreams / Goals / Targets / Plans:

1. Lose 3-5 pounds this month.

2. Apply and obtain another online job this month.

3. Minimalize and Organize my office this month.

4. Attend the writing critique meet-up and the book club meeting this month.

5. Figure out how to ride a damn elephant!

 

What’s Up Wenzday Point #4:

My Wippy-Doodle!

Here I update progress on my WIP (Work in Progress), which is tentatively titled GREEN MARKET. I began outlining this story for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) this past November, but as soon as I hit 10K of what is anticipated to be a 90K-word manuscript, my characters deviated from the plan and headed out in a new direction. Those assholes left me high and dry, Zeus love their imaginary little hearts.

 

I re-worked my outline, but it still needs some tweaks. Ideas occur to me in the middle of the day, usually when I’m not at a place where I can get them organized. Then I dream about the ideas at night and they take on a life of their own. So, yeah. I have some more outlining to do, which I’ve vowed to complete by this Sunday (January 6).

 

I have also vowed to complete my reading and the related exercises of James Scott Bell’s PLOT & STRUCTURE, which has been instrumental in helping me re-plot my course, by the end of January. I am about to begin Chapter 5.

 

What’s Up Wenzday Point #5:

amazing spiderman review

The Amazing Spider-Man

Bonus Material —

This is the most fun, yet tedious, part of my “What’s Up Wenzday” check-in. My hubz hates it because, as my content manager, he is responsible for all the links and images, and of course this section is loaded. Sometimes I skip the breakdown because I love him JUST.THAT.MUCH. But not today! Sorry, hubz!

 

MOVIES:

My hubz and I finally saw that new Spiderman flick, which my son said was “pretty sweet”… and we agreed. Glad Santa brought it for Christmas!

BOOKS:

Bedside Table: I’m still working through CLOUD ATLAS by David Mitchell which I intend to complete before seeing the movie.

 

Living Room: I recently finished BROKEN PIECES by Rachel Thompson on Kindle, and it was one of the most heartbreaking and yet heartwarming personal narratives I have ever read. It was new ground for Rachel, as she typically writes humor, but definitely worth the road trip as it lent new depth to the places she has already been. Two thumbs up, and you should read it, too.

 

iPod (audio book): Still (STILL) listening to #4 in Christopher Paolini’s The Inheritance Cycle: INHERITANCE (FYI, #1 was ERAGON). This book is really great, and epic and whatnot… but goodness is it L.O.N.G.!

 

With Abbie: My daughter and I need to decide if we want to finish #2 of C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia: PRINCE CASPIAN: THE RETURN TO NARNIA before moving on to something else. She received a number of books for Christmas we are aching to jump into.

 

***

 

For those returning to my weekly check-in, HOWDY-DOODLE! And — ZOWIE! — I can’t believe you seriously came back for more! Um… Thank you? Is that the appropriate thing to say to someone who obviously enjoys witnessing my FAILS?

 

whats up wenzdayAnd that’s what’s up Wenzday.

Hope your Hump-Day is full of hump-ish good times.

I’d love to hear what’s up with *YOUR* Wenzday.

And please tell me if you plan to read FLINCH &/or do the Homework with me!

What’s Up Wenzday 12/26/12

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WHAT’S UP WENZDAY POINT #1:

keurig B60

A NOTE OF CLARIFICATION —

I need more Sharpies. That is all.

 

Wait, that’s not all. Today is the day after Christmas, so I should probably say something about that. It was merry and whatnot. There were gifts, one of which was a new Keurig!

 

*hoorayz! and there was much throwing of glitter!*

 

Also, my kids got spoiled by the extended fam, which is always a plus for parents. We still have another round of gift-opening ceremonies next weekend, since we are a split family, and Santa was super cool about agreeing to an extra visit. Very excited about that!

 

WHAT’S UP WENZDAY POINT #2:

the happiness project gretchen rubin

The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
 

MY HAPPINESS PROJECT

—Recapping My Failures

 

Last week I took a look at what worked and what I enjoyed with my four-month-long Happiness Project. There was some fun stuff and that is swell. There were also some massive FAILS. That’s what I’m looking at this week. Color me less-than-eager. Who likes to talk in depth about all the ways they suck? NOT IT!

 

Happiness Project Assignment #10: Join or Form a Group.

FAIL. I meant to do this, but I just didn’t ever get around to it. It is telling that the place I began to fall apart during this whole experiment was in social integration. I had several groups listed which I intended to join: writing critique group, book club, scrapbooking sessions. Why didn’t I follow through? Something to think about in the coming year.

 

Happiness Project Assignment #11: Just Show Up.

FAIL. I did not go to a single event listed on my calendar. Not one. I attended a grand total of zero write-ins during NaNoWriMo. I didn’t have any of my work critiqued with my writing group. I accomplished no scrapbooking. FAIL is not even big enough to encompass the amount of DIDN’T WIN going on here. Like I said, though — something to think about in the coming year.

 

Assignment #14: Track a project’s Before & After.

FAIL. I never did follow through on my 30-day Cut-the-Crap challenge to clean up my office. Something I intend to change in 2013 — every month I will find 30 small, 15-minute tasks to complete in one room, and every day throughout that month I will complete one of those tasks. Then I will report my Before & After on 5 Minutes for Mom’s Tackle It Tuesday section.

 

So here are the items I need to add to the *GOALS* portion of the Life Plan I’m putting together in my Saturday series:

1. Join and show up to groups.

2. Complete a project and track its Before-and-After.

 

I also want to decide what 2013 will mean for my personal self-improvement journey. I need a break from Gretchen Rubin and her Happiness Project, but I obviously need SOME kind of challenge to keep me trying, even if only once a week, to maintain some movement toward obtaining personal joy. “Happy is a Choice!”

 

After examining several different challenges, I finally settled on one called “Homework” put together by Julien Smith. I have followed his blog — “In Over Your Head” — on and off for a while now, and I really enjoy his writing style. Mostly because he doesn’t hesitate to drop a well-deserved F-bomb. I pretty much admire ANYONE who isn’t afraid to say what needs to be said without tiptoeing around the PC assholes of the planet. It’s all euphemisms anyway, so why say “darn” when we all know you actually mean “damn”!? Yeah, all that.

 

So, this is the last Wenzday of the month. I’ve done my recap, identified my flaws, made a plan to be better, and chosen a program to help me stay on track. I think we can say goodbye to 2012 with zero regrets. Let’s do this thing!

 

What's Up Wenzday?And that’s what’s up Wenzday.

Hope your Hump-Day is full of hump-ish good times.

I’d love to hear what’s up with *YOUR* Wenzday!

And please tell me all about *YOUR* holiday shenanigans!

What’s Up Wenzday Exmess Edition

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WHAT’S UP WENZDAY POINT #1:

What's Up Wenzday?— A NOTE OF CLARIFICATION —

 

Depression sucks, as does self-sabotage. You know this as well as I do, but I felt it was time to restate these facts given that they have such great bearing on my life. Fuck those things, ya know? I hate them.

 

My hubz made a sad, yet hilarious, discovery when examining my blog chart ups-n-downs. There is a better phrase for what that represents, but I can’t think of it right now. You get me, though. Anyway, he noticed a pattern. A cycle. Yes… a CYCLE. As in, the THAT cycle. My stupid bloggy-blog’s highs-n-lows mirrors my menstrual cycle. You can tell when I’m bogged down with PMS, because my stats reflect that quite clearly. And now, on top of knowing WHEN I’m at my worst, the whole world gets to know WHY I’m at my worst.

 

Oh, that God of yours… He’s a right funny fellow. I’m chortling with amusement right about now.

 

WHAT’S UP WENZDAY POINT #2:

The Happiness Project: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun By Gretchen Rubin

MY HAPPINESS PROJECT

— Assignment Conclusion: A Review —

 

I have completed (or attempted, or at least considered) exactly (approximately) sixteen Happiness Project Assignments now. That is FOUR months of active (or at least half-assed) attention toward increasing my personal joy. With only two Wednesdays left in the year, I felt it was time for (a) an assessment of my progress (if any); (b) a new plan henceforth; and (c) a break from Gretchen.

 

Without further ado, here is the entire four-month project laid out for inspection. I’ll see if I can get the hubz to set this up as a sort of Landing Page for my Happiness Project so that anyone interested in jumping aboard after-the-fact has all the links in one organized location. That’d be nifty of me, eh? You see what I did there, right? If it doesn’t come to pass, it’s not my fault, because I totally thought of it and the hubz failed to implement it. Likewise, if it DOES come to pass, I get the credit for a great idea, even though he will have done the work.

 

HA! Andi-Roo FTW!

 

Assessment = Done / FAIL.

Done = Discuss completion.

FAIL = Discuss next week.

 

Happiness Project Assignment # 1: Create your own Commandments. Done!

 

And in re-reading them, I find they all still apply. Which is gravy, because I printed them on a lovely piece of scrapbook paper and decorated that stuff right-good. Then I framed it and put it up on the wall. Just kidding, it’s not framed, because I am ass at that sort of thing. So it’s not framed. But it *IS* in a document protector, and it *IS* on my wall. So there’s that.

 

  1. Happy is a choice, so pick it and get there.
  2. The key to doing anything is doing something.
  3. Make it better, or make it worse.
  4. Identify flaws & act accordingly.
  5. Just show up.
  6. Don’t stop starting.
  7. Always be yourself, even at great cost.
  8. Just do it — by which I mean, NOW.
  9. Speak as gently to yourself as you would to a child.
  10. Do the Work.
  11. Sing; don’t worry if it’s not good enough for anyone else to hear.
  12. “It ain’t gotta be perfect!”
  13. Perfection is the enemy of progress and productivity.
  14. “The journey of a thousand miles starts with one step.”
  15. Tomorrow is another day — this too shall pass.
  16. Everything will be okay.
  17. Catastrophe now makes a great story later.
  18. Hope for the best and prepare for the worst.
  19. Smile.
  20. Take care of you.

 

Happiness Project Assignment #2: Adopt a symbol for yourself and your Happiness Project. Done!

 

I’m my mama’s sunshine. Have some!

 

Happiness Project Assignment #3: Have More Fun! Done!

 

I sing when I want, even if it’s front of people. I go bowling with my family and fail to faint from embarrassment. I throw darts at my parents’ house and rather than cringe from mortification, I crack up if I fail to even hit the board. It’s okay to look stupid, because when you’re having fun, you don’t look stupid. You look fun. DUH. Also? I continue having fun by avoiding things that AREN’T fun (like boats, horses, matching up socks, and diet anything).

 

Happiness Project #4: Identify Triggers. Done!

 

I get angry when people are assholes. I feel guilty when neglecting my kids for my computer-ish job, or when neglecting my computer-ish job for my kids. I also feel guilty that I can’t do more financially for my kids, and that some of my relatives are Republican. I am envious of other women who seem to make friends so easily since it is just about impossible for me. And here’s one I forgot to mention: I get salty when someone with WAY more resources than I gets all boo-hoo-ish about their lack of such. I’m all, “STFU, Asshole!”

 

Happiness Project Assignment #4 (YEP, I HAD TWO #4s. I AM OFFICIALLY AN IDIOT): Find a place of refuge. Done!

 

“Find your happy place.”

“Calm down and count to ten.”

“Take a breather.”

In my email account, my favorite folder is one called “Happyz”. Taking a moment to remember all the kind messages saved in my Happyz file serves as my (mental) place of refuge.

 

Happiness Project Assignment #5: Go Outside. Done!

 

I made much more of an effort to get some sunshine while it was warm, and I just told my hubz last night that I need to remember to do that during the winter even though it is supposed to get super-dee-duper cold at some point which has not yet occurred. Matter of fact, I’ma head out right now. Be back in fifteen…

 

Happiness Project Assignment #6: Find Your Own Koan. Done!

 

My personal Koan to ponder: “The destination is in the journey.”

 

Happiness Project Assignment #7:  Choose a Theme Song. Done!

 

Simon & Garfunkle’s “The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy)” is a ditty that cheers me up like no other. It’s my go-to song which cheers me up in times of caca-explosion.

 

The How of Happiness

Happiness Project Assignment #8: Read THE HOW OF HAPPINESS: A SCIENTIFIC APPROACH TO GETTING THE LIFE YOU WANT, by Sonja Lyubomirsky. Done!

 

And it’s a great book, so if you’re interested in increasing your own level of happiness, I urge you to read it, too.

 

Happiness Project Assignment #9: Make a list. Done!

 

I already mentioned my Personal Commandments. Other lists I maintain: my daily to-do agenda; books within series (what I own versus what I still “need” in order to complete the set); ideas for my bloggy-blog; bday / Christmas gifts to purchase for the fam; CDs and audio books I want to check out from the library at some point; and the groceries we buy most often so I can just circle what’s needed any time we head to the store — which isn’t very often anymore as we mostly order from Amazon Prime because shopping sucks major donkey ballz.

 

Happiness Project Assignment #10: Join or Form a Group. FAIL.

 

Happiness Project Assignment #11: Just Show Up. FAIL.

 

Happiness Project Assignment #12: Quarterly Recap. Done!

 

Not actually an assignment so much as a check-in which I decided I need to do every three months or so, to ensure I stay on target.

 

Assignment #13: Identify the Problem. Done!

 

One of my Personal Commandments is to “Identify flaws & act accordingly.” So this is something I already try to do. It really helps.

 

Assignment #14: Track a project’s Before & After. FAIL.

 

Assignment #15: Shield Your Joyous Ones. FAIL.

 

Assignment #16: Set a Target. Done!

 

On Saturdays I have been working through making a Life Plan, part of which is going to entail the settings of “targets” and whatnot.

 

So there they are, all sixteen (seventeen) of the Happiness Project Assignments I attempted. Next week I will take a closer look at my FAILs, what I intend to do about them, and what challenge I plan to take on in 2013 to keep me motivated toward finding more joy in my life.

 

WHAT’S UP WENZDAY POINT #3:

— MY WIPPY-DOODLE! —

 

ROW80I wouldn’t say I’m ending Round 4 of #ROW80 with a bang, but nor am I finishing with a sad little fizzle. Maybe somewhere in between. I’m not where I’d like to be, but further than I’ve ever been. I’ll take that.

 

I didn’t get to spend my two hours on my work-in-progress this past week, much to my chagrin. However, I have been working through some plots in my mind — to the point that last night I seriously dreamed about one of my main characters and realized what he is looking for isn’t what I thought it was. I’ve never been quite so attached to my creations, to the point of distraction. This particular guy is so often on my mind, I can practically picture him, and I have definitely nailed his voice.

 

My antagonist, too, has become quite clear, though I have yet to write his part out since I’m not “there” yet. I understand his motives, which I hope will garner some sympathy from readers, and I see what mistakes he has made.

 

The only thing I have worked out completely is whether or not there will be a romance. Part of me thinks, “Yes, OF COURSE there will be a romance! What story is complete without ROMANCE?” But then I start plotting it out in my mind and nothing works.

 

So I come back to NO. I don’t think there will be a romance. I’m looking more at a potential bro-mance, and a coming of age, and a male-female platonic friendship sort of thing. Physical and emotional journey, search for the Golden Fleece, escape from danger… lots of action and dialogue.

 

See? Told you it’s been on my mind. Now I have to JUST SHOW UP and DO THE WORK.

 

WHAT’S UP WENZDAY POINT #4:

BONUS MATERIAL —

 

We have been reading Christmas books:

THE LEGEND OF OLD BEFANA by Tomie De Paola

THE CURIOUS LITTLE KITTEN’S FIRST CHRISTMAS by Linda Hayward

THE NUTCRACKER BALLET retold by Deborah Hautzig

THE WILD CHRISTMAS REINDEER by Jan Brett

 

My final note for today’s check-in: I am participating in the 13-Day 2013 Countdown Challenge hosted by Celes as we count down to the year 2013. Click the link if you would like to play along, too!

 

First Question: Dec. 19, 2012

#13: How has your year of 2012 been?

 

My hubz and I decided every year to adopt a motto since we kind of suck at keeping resolutions. This year, 2012, was supposed to be “The Year of Everything New!” I won’t say we’ve been off the mark, but it certainly didn’t go the way we expected or planned!

 

In January I stopped working outside the home, which barely impacted our income since I spent most of what I earned on gas to get back-n-forth, along with other work-related expenses. So staying home, after several years of working at a job I truly enjoyed, was a treat that required a huge mental adaptation. One thing we didn’t foresee was our second car ka-sploding, so not only am I home all day, but now I’m being held captive. As a self-professed hermit, I’m not complaining overly much. I only miss being able to drive places during the day because I specifically know I CAN’T — kind of like when you are devoid of itches until you stick your hands in the sink to do dishes, and suddenly, now that your hands are wet, your noses itches all over, and of course it’s impossible to scratch without getting water everywhere, so you try to rub your nose against your sleeve but that never works. So I only want a second vehicle because my nose itches. Or something.

 

Something else new this year involved the building of our bloggy-blog and my decision to dedicate time toward writing my novel. Both endeavors have proven to be both rich in benefits as well as fraught with frustration. On the one hand, the blog has provided an outlet for my anger and depression issues, and has brought my hubz and me closer as we work on this project together. And adding to my painfully slow-going novel has lent me wings I didn’t even know I was missing. But they take up time, and they make it difficult to prioritize when it comes to household chores.

 

Ah, the house. That’s a whole separate can of worms. We thought we were moving, and then we weren’t, and then we were again, but now we’re not. Hopefully. Kind of hopefully. Not totally hopefully. We were looking forward to starting over afresh and getting rid of a lot of our collective crap. Now it’ll be that much more difficult. And our house will no longer be in our name, whether we stay or not, because someone else is taking over the mortgage. It’s all a bit hazy from here.

 

With regards to nuclear family, our year has been most excellent. Watching our son grow into an adult has been an amazing experience, and our small daughter adds daily to our joy. Our marriage has sealed itself into an ultra-tight bond. As for extended family, bridges have been built and crossed, amends have been made, and that which was torn asunder has been woven back together. That definitely qualifies as “Everything New”. Usually it feels as though things are falling apart. This past year, through financial hardship and all that comes with it, it feels as though everything came together. I would say then, overall, 2012 hasn’t been half-bad. If 2013 comes anywhere close to the highs I experienced this past year, I will think myself quite lucky.

 

And that’s what’s up Wenzday.

Hope your Hump-Day is full of hump-ish good times.

I’d love to hear what’s up with YOUR Wenzday!

And if you are also participating in the 13-Day 2013 Countdown Challenge, please be sure to share your response in the comments section below.

 

What’s Up Wenzday 12/12/12

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#ROW80 peeps are welcome to scroll down to Point #3.

 

WHAT’S UP WENZDAY POINT #1:

What's Up Wenzday?A NOTE OF CLARIFICATION —

 

My son pointed out to me that this is the last day we’ll see the repetition of the date like we are seeing it today: 12/12/12.

 

*sigh*

 

I’m so boring*. I responded, “There will be another one in 13/13/13.” (Content Manager Edit… I’m not sure how this would transpire since there is no thirteenth month?? – Do you all see what I have to deal with here? ~ Andi-Roo’s Hubz)

 

He looked at me like I’m stupid, (see above) so I clarified, “Okay, so you and I won’t see it. But *WE* the human population will see it. Assuming humans survive the apocalypse. Which is, you know, iffy. So then maybe you’re right.”

 

It’s no wonder my son isn’t impressed with me lately. That’s okay. The feeling’s mutual, kid!

 

I didn’t point out how silly the whole thing is, which I think is really nice of me. I mean, the date isn’t 12/12/12.

 

It’s 12/12/2012. That is much more boring, I know. But I already accused myself of that*, so get off me.

 

WHAT’S UP WENZDAY POINT #2:

MY HAPPINESS PROJECT — Assignment #16: Set a Target

The Happiness Project: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun By Gretchen Rubin

 

“If you’re vowing to make a change in your life,

figure out a way to set a target for yourself

– a concrete, measurable, and manageable target.

It’s surprisingly effective.”

~Gretchen Rubin

 

Target. Goal. Resolution. You see where I’m going with this. Yeah, it’s that time of year. This particular assignment fell at an appropriate period of my life.

 

On Saturdays I have been working through making a Life Plan, part of which is going to entail the settings of “targets” and whatnot. Probably lots of follow-through tactics as well, I imagine. I’m hoping there is ice cream. Off topic? Maybe. Important? Abso-fucking-lutely.

 

So anyway, one of the “targets” I plan to aim for is to lose maybe like, I don’t know, 50 pounds or something? Maybe 30. We’ll see how I feel at that point. I’m being vague here because I don’t have to settle on an actual number till next weekend, and I’d like to put off the inevitable for as long as possible. Another “target” I aim to hit is completion of my novel. That one involves breakdown of several points like word counts, and hours per week, and chapters per whatever, and drafts and edits and blah-blah-blah boringness. I’m not going to get into all that HERE when I will have to do again THERE. That would be repetitious. Repetitious. Repetitious. Repetitious.

 

& etc.

 

So those are two of the “targets” I’ll be talking about at some point when I absolutely have to. Which isn’t today. So the end.

 

If you missed the first few weeks of my Happiness Project, or want to catch up on the Assignments so you can create your OWN Happiness Project, click here for a list of the first several lessons.

 

WHAT’S UP WENZDAY POINT #3:

MY WIPPY-DOODLE!

 

I am completing the first portion of my re-worked outline AS. WE. SPEAK. Okay, not really. I mean, I will have spent my promised two hours for the week on my outline by the time you read this. So hoorayz!

 

Still no running. And no home organization either. Small victories, people. Besides, my birthday was this week. Doesn’t that count for ANYTHING around here???

 

WHAT’S UP WENZDAY POINT #4:

BONUS MATERIAL —

 

MOVIES:

game of thrones first season dvd

Totally not a movie, but exciting nonetheless — My hubz purchased the first season of the HBO show GAME OF THRONES for my birthday. It wasn’t an entirely selfless purchase, as he had been wanting to watch it as badly as I did. But it was a complete surprise because it’s been eons since we purchased DVDs for each other. As I have stated in the past, our primary source of entertainment is via Netflix or Amazon Prime, both of which have a lot of movies and programs available that we have never seen. GAME OF THRONES was not one of them, however, so we were psyched to finally watch the first episode!

 

Keep in mind, my hubz and I are absolute fantasy / sci-fi geeks and are reading the series upon which the show is based. He is about to begin the third book, whereas I have yet to finish the second. With two hours per day spent commuting back-n-forth to work, he has a distinct advantage over me!

 

BOOKS:

  • Bedside Table (same as last week): Am currently reading CLOUD ATLAS by David Mitchell.

 

Next up: GHOSTWRITTEN, also by David Mitchell.

 

  • Living Room (same as last week): #1 in the Newsflesh Trilogy by Mira Grant, FEED.

 

Next up: #2 in the Newsflesh Trilogy, DEADLINE, followed by #3, BLACKOUT.

 

 

Next up: Another in the “Write Great Fiction” series, CHARACTERS, EMOTION & VIEWPOINT by Nancy Kress.

 

  • iPod (audio book) (same as last week): #4 in the Inheritance cycle by Christopher Paolini, INHERITANCE.

 

Next up: #2 in the series A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin, A CLASH OF KINGS.

 

  • With Abbie (same as last week): #2 in The Chronicles of Narnia, by C.S. Lewis — PRINCE CASPIAN.

 

Next up: Lots of Christmas books from the library! It’s that time of year, right? Thus far we have read the following:

 

SHREK THE HALLS adapted by Catherine Hapka

PADDINGTON BEAR AND THE CHRISTMAS SURPRISE by Michael Bond

BAH! HUMBUG? by Lorna Balian

 

And that’s what’s up Wenzday.

Hope your Hump-Day is full of hump-ish good times.

I’d love to hear what’s up with YOUR Wenzday!

And please tell me how *YOUR* Happiness Project is coming along!

 

What’s Up Wenzday 12/05/12

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What's Up Wenzday?#ROW80 peeps are welcome to scroll down to Point #3.

 

WHAT’S UP WENZDAY POINT #1:

A NOTE OF CLARIFICATION —

 

“What the—?!?”

 

The holidays are upon us. That was a sneaky thing to do, Calendar. Well played. I am caught completely unprepared. You win, I lose. You’re pretty, I’m ugly. You’re smart, I’m dumb. There. Are you happy now?

 

Asshole.

 

mars curiousity rover poster

You know who else, besides Calendar, is an asshole? Curiosity Rover. That “bad robot” got everyone all psyched up with its “We know something you don’t know” announcement. That was a douche move.

 

I understand the science journal rules, and the “cover our collective asses in case we’re wrong” stuff. Really, I get that. So then don’t be a smug jerk and hang potential news over our heads. That’s kind of bully-ish. And we don’t suffer bullies in this country. We let our emo freak children shoot them.

 

Also, after letting us think it was the discovery of alien life, you got all snarky and even MORE smug about how wrong we were. And then? You finally spit it out and were all like, “Oh, yeah, well, about that. There MIGHT be organic stuffs here. We found some water and shit, so… you know. It could really go either way.”

 

Asshole.

 

WHAT’S UP WENZDAY POINT #2:

 

The Happiness Project: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun By Gretchen Rubin

MY HAPPINESS PROJECT —

Assignment #15: Shield Your Joyous Ones

 

What an excellent time of year to come across this assignment. And yeah, I know I should be nice year ‘round. The whole point of this exercise is that I’M NOT NICE. Or “Happy is a Choice”. One of those things. Regardless, I sincerely suck at being joyful, so I was pleased to read this one right now!

 

As happiness guru Gretchen Rubin says:

 

“I want to show enthusiasm, delight, and a readiness to be pleased –

to lay aside my desire to criticize

and to indulge in puncturing humor, sarcasm, ironic asides, cynical comments,

or cutting remarks.

It’s harder than it sounds.”

 

Gretchen speaks true. It is difficult to stop being a bitch when it’s become such an ingrained habit that you’re actually GOOD at it. I have the horribly innate gift of seeing the worst in people, and what’s worse is, I’m typically right.

 

I can sum up a crap-tastic situation or a shitty person faster than you can pull up directions on your GPS. For realz.

 

Also? I’m no good at biting my tongue. So not only am I granted the vision of caca, I’m also propelled to point it out to everyone around me. And there’s that whole “I need validation” issue. I want everyone around me to agree that wrongness is triumphant. Otherwise I just feel like a nutcase. Which may or may not be the case.

 

carebear grumpy bear stuffed animal

I tend to look down smugly on happy-happy people, the ones I refer to as Care Bear huggers because they seem to fart rainbows and whatnot. The seekers of that silver lining and possessors of half-full glasses. Those people are obviously ignorant, right?

 

Wrong.

 

They’re just more easy-going than I am. And they keep their fucking traps SHUT. They follow Golden Rule #2 — If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all. I’m not too much of an asshole to admit that those people are much nicer than I am. Fuckers.

 

Which makes me a Negative Nancy, or Debbie Downer, or a Bitch.

 

Gretchen observes:

 

“We non-joyous types

suck energy and cheer from the joyous ones.

We rely on them to buoy us

with their good spirit

and to cushion our agitation and anxiety.”

 

Great. Turns out I’m a joy-sucking vampire. I eat unicorns and poop glitter. I rip Care Bears and toss their stuffing to wolves.

 

Lucky for me, my sister and mother-in-law are both extremely upbeat individuals. They carry stakes and stab me through my ice-covered heart when I get too cranky.

 

“We depend on the joyous ones,

and we need to remember that

their joy isn’t inexhaustible or unconquerable.

Now I’m making a real effort

to use my own good cheer

to support and protect the enthusiasts I know.

Shield your joyous ones.”

 

Indeed, Gretchen. I shall endeavor to keep that in mind.

 

If you missed the first few weeks of my Happiness Project, or want to catch up on the Assignments so you can create your OWN Happiness Project, click here for a list of the first several lessons.

 

WHAT’S UP WENZDAY POINT #3:

MY WIPPY-DOODLE!

 

Okay, so here’s the deal. I went really strong during the month of November for National Novel Writing Month… right till I hit about 10K words. And then I stalled out. Not from lack of enthusiasm. Well, maybe a BIT from lack of enthusiasm.

 

But it’s not all my fault. It’s my characters’ faults. They were being adventurous assholes and didn’t stick to the script. Which is to say, I deviated from my outline quite a bit. I know, only 10K words into the project and I already fucked it up.

 

Not really. It isn’t fucked up. I just know how much work I need to put into the outline before I jump back into the fray.

 

So new plan. I’m going to devote at least two hours per week to structuring my index cards and shuffling them into the correct order. And once that is complete, I’m going to continue devoting at least two hours per week to writing the damn story. I will track my time and report it here as part of my weekly #ROW80 check-in.

 

I figure I promised myself a small enough time period that surely I can squeeze that in. We’re talking like a half-hour per day, four days per week. If I can’t make myself do that, then the outline is the least of my problems and I obviously have no business calling myself a writer. More like a lazy-ass potato-head.

 

treadmill

You might have noticed I haven’t reported any running updates here for several months now. That’s because I haven’t been running. And now that I’m motivated to hop back onto the treadmill, I must sadly report that the timer thingy is broken, and the belt thingy is slipping, so it is no longer either safe or convenient for me to kill that beast. Therefore, I shall remain fat because that’s obviously the way it’s meant to be.

 

My Cut the Crap Challenge didn’t fall exactly flat, but I haven’t been like zealously active on it, either. I rearranged the furniture, by which I mean I moved my desk and that is all. But I also vacuumed.

I’m celebrating the little victories. Gretchen said I could.

 

WHAT’S UP WENZDAY POINT #4:

BONUS MATERIAL —

 

MOVIES:

 

Doctor Who - First Season, Vol. 1

My hubz and I recently watched the first EXPENDABLES and hated it. Our adult son loved it. We no longer trust his taste in movies. Besides, he still hasn’t watched any Doctor Who episodes, which we find highly suspicious. We are beginning to think he is a changeling.

 

Our daughter just had her 8th birthday, for which she received the movie BRAVE. Although she has now seen it several times, my hubz and I have not. We are looking forward to watching it soon as the reviews are all positive.

 

trapped in paradise starring nicolas cage

Other films I want to watch this month include both versions of the Grinch story, as well as SCROOGED starring Bill Murray, which is my absolute favorite. Another good one is TRAPPED IN PARADISE starring Nicholas Cage. Add these to your list. Do it.

 

BOOKS:

 

  • Bedside Table: Am currently reading CLOUD ATLAS by David Mitchell. It’s really good thus far, although I have no idea how it all ties together. I’ve seen the movie trailer and it looks excellent, as well.

 

Next up: GHOSTWRITTEN, also by David Mitchell. This one actually came before CA, but I wanted to finish that one first since it’s already in theaters.

 

  • feed by mira grant

    Living Room: #1: in the Newsflesh Trilogy by Mira Grant, FEED. I’m about half-way through and LOVE it thus far. I see there is a sequel, so I already put it on request.

 

Next up: #2 in the Newsflesh Trilogy, DEADLINE, followed by #3, BLACKOUT.

 

  • Desk: PLOT & STRUCTURE by James Scott Bell. Have I ordered my own copy yet? No. But my birthday is this month… so maybe? I’ve taken so many notes it’s definitely worth the purchase!

 

characters emotion and viewpoint by nancy kress

Next up: Another in the “Write Great Fiction” series, CHARACTERS, EMOTION & VIEWPOINT by Nancy Kress.

 

  • iPod (audio book): #4 in the Inheritance cycle by Christopher Paolini, INHERITANCE.

 

Next up: #2 in the series A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin, A CLASH OF KINGS. Loved #1 (A GAME OF THRONES) and my hubz says this one is excellent as well. We have #3 (A STORM OF SWORDS) on request from the library already.

 

  • prince caspian by c s lewis

    With Abbie: #2 in The Chronicles of Narnia, by C.S. Lewis — PRINCE CASPIAN.

 

Next up:  Lots of Christmas books from the library! It’s that time of year, right? Thus far we have read the following:

CHRISTMAS TIME by Gail Gibbons

HO, HO, HO, TUCKER! by Leslie McGuirk

BOB AND 6 MORE CHRISTMAS STORIES by Sandra Boynton

 

And that’s what’s up Wenzday.

Hope your Hump-Day is full of hump-ish good times.

I’d love to hear what’s up with YOUR Wenzday!

And please tell me how *YOUR* Happiness Project is coming along!