Six Things
Happy Monday! Does that saying make any sense? I guess it does in the fact that Monday can be thought of as a day of new beginnings and all that. See I’m still working on that optimism thing for the New Year. Go me.
That said, I’ve spent a lot of time not sleeping this weekend. My Gemini mind was racing, racing, racing with all the things I want to do, need to do, have to do. Not to mention the worrying, which goes against what I wanted for the New Year, but that’s going to take a bit more than just wishing to make it so. Grrr… teens!
One of the thoughts that came flipping through my head at about 4 AM is the fact that I hadn’t responded to a meme I was ever to sweetly tagged on by Great Dame back in December. So sorry, Great Dame. I hope to lick this procrastination thing one day. Sigh.
Now this type of Meme I had done before, but being the New Year I decided I can give it a go again. I hope I don’t repeat myself. Sorry if I’m a bore.Here are the rules:
1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random things about yourself. (See below)
4. Tag six people at the end of your post and link to them. (See further below…)
5. Let each person know they’ve been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.Here I go…
1. I was taught Irish literature in high School by Pulitzer Prize winning author Frank McCourt. (1b. I’m a name dropper. I just learned that about myself. Go figure.)He was an amazing teacher and gave me a deeper love of literature and writers that I didn’t have before his class. Thanks Mr. McCourt! (not that he reads this blog) And yes, our desks did look like that in the old school.
2. The same Frank McCourt was responsible for directing me to my job where I then met my DH. Thanks again Mr. McCourt.
3. As a teenager I had a lavender room which was really a converted dining alcove. On one wall was a life sized poster of Prince. On the opposite wall was Debbie Harry.
4. This was my phone. I had it in white and adored it.
5. I’m crazy about sexy historical romances even though I write contemporary (I just can’t imagine doing all that research and getting it right). I just picked up this one: Vanquished by Hope Tarr after she gave a wonderful talk on her writing process at our RWA NYC chapter meeting on Saturday. I can’t wait to dive in.
6. I’m really not a dog person. The whole Jack thing boggles my mind. So please don’t let your dog just jump all over me and I won’t let mine. I know he’s absolutely crazy.
I’m not going to tag anyone because I think this tag has gone around a few times over and I don’t want you all to throw tomatoes at me. Instead I’m going to put out a challenge to any brave souls out there willing to pick it up or any of you just looking for a subject to post on, feel free to tag yourself. Just put a comment here and let me know you’re doing it. I’d love to read a few random facts about you.Have fun!
Best,
KwanaThis Time They Got Me Right
Now this time (as opposed to the last time) blogthings got me just right with their quiz on what type of writer you should be. Of course there is one hitch. I don’t know a thing about film writing. Hmmm…
You Should Be a Film Writer
You don’t just create compelling stories, you see them as clearly as a movie in your mind.You have a knack for details and dialogue. You can really make a character come to life.
Chances are, you enjoy creating all types of stories. The joy is in the storytelling.
And nothing would please you more than millions of people seeing your story on the big screen!
Best,
KwanaIs a Year Too Long To Wait?
Like some tortured romance heroine I’ve been waiting a year for this man to come back into my life.Sad isn’t it? But very true. I’ve been pining away for him to make my Sunday nights exciting again. No offence, DH, but he’s Jack.Jack Bauer.Ever since the very first episode of 24 I’ve been hooked on Jack. My husband and the twins swear that I named our dear little dog Jack after him.
I tell them, no. I’ve always loved the name Jack. It’s was my grandfather’s nickname and I think the name, Jack Jackson sounds like an action hero. Very fitting for my wild dog. But if I’m honest, then sure, part of the appeal of the name came from Jack Bauer.He’s just like I like my heroes, tortured and completely alpha.Besides the man can save the world in 24 hours. Be still my heart. And he does it without asking a thing of me. Making all the decisions rather right or wrong, thankfully usually right. Totally take charge, never wavering and never asking me to do anything. Not, what’s for dinner, where’s the checkbook, what time is practice, any clean socks, can I go out Saturday, Can She go out Saturday, Should
we switch insurance, Did we pay the insurance, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah…Sure the whole take total charge thing could get old about a minute after 24 hours but sometimes a woman needs that escape. Loves it!24 is back baby. You’ll know where I’ll be on Sunday night.Best,KwanaWhy Is She Still Talking?
Fair warning. This post won’t be for everyone, but it’s my blog and hey, well, that’s that. Smooches.
So, why is she still talking and at 7:15 in the morning? I’ll tell you why. To let me know that all is right with the world and there is plenty out there for me to still get pissed off about every day. Yahoo! Life is good.
You see life would not be right with a world full of like minded rational thinkers willing to look at different viewpoints and ideas and still keep a cool head. Not be quick to add labels and place false blame. Come on, “The Exaltation of single-motherhood by the liberal media” What is she talking about? And the constant obnoxious use of our new president’s middle name. So cute huh? You betcha.
But without people like her we’d be woefully out of balance. So I don’t really get too bent out of shape by our prickly, narcissistic, stick figure, Ann here. Oh crap, now I need to smack myself. There I go doing that labeling thing I just looked down on. Sorrrrry. Not. Back to the point. I don’t mind Ann all that much, talking loud, stupid and often. After a while it all has to shine through. You see it’s when folks like her are quiet that I get really nervous.
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Best,
KwanaP.S. Scroll down for the the lighter fare of Top Chef.
Top Thursday
What’s Jack up to? Jack is being silly tonight. Hiding under the bed and not wanting to come out. He’s just looking at me like I’m the nutty one. I’m not into begging you, Jack. I’m way to tired for games, Dude you’ve got to go.Top Chef is back. Another warning. Spoiler ahead….. Are you ready? Okay? Go….It nice to get into routine again. Some Cheftestants are nervous, some in a bad mood, some feeling awesome. To each his own.Padma is with French Chef Jean Christophe Novelli and the Diet Dr. Pepper Quick fire Challenge (say that three times fast) is a sugar-free dessert challenge. After the mad cooking scramble the plates look beautiful. But Christophe is. Everything is “interesting” meaning “it sucks” in his book and can’t compete with his too sexy for his search look.
There are lots he doesn’t like but in the end the winner is Radhika. And she gets immunity.Now Padma announces Toby Young is the new judge taking over for Gail for the rest of the season. Bye Gail you will be missed. Is this what happens when one gets married?
Commercial over and Tom is in the house to give a talk about Toby and the next challenge it will be a blind tasting and there will be 2 chefs eliminated. Wow. Way to deliver good news Tom.There are two groups A and B.
Group A is up First and at Whole Foods. There is the usual mad shopping and second guessing. Then back in the kitchen a bit of chaos ensues. Fabio has serious lamb trouble and can’t believe Jamie is doing scallops again. He announces the show I not called Top Scallop. So funny.Time for service and the other chefs will judge their competitors food. Ouch. Nice twist TS.
Radhika’s crab soup is a downer.
Hosea’s vegetables upstaged the fish
Jamie’s scallops were finally good.
Fabio’s lamb was undercooked but his pasta is good.
Eugene dish is called the bland leading the bland
Melissa’s tacos are called fishy and Toby says it tastes like Cat food. Eek! That’s never good.Group B is now in the kitchen and they know who they are cooking for and what to expect. They are cooking hard.
Araine’s Pan seared skate wing- a hit
Carla’s risotto with scallops- not good
Stefan-Duck Tom likie and Stefan has an orgasm
Jeff-Tom doesn’t time and Toby Loved
Leah-a toss up. Funny I forgot she was here this show.So its team B that wins hands down.
Tops are Ariane, Stefan and Jamie.
Stefan modest as always comes out not with thanks, but with “it was a great dish.”
Jamie is thrilled to have cooked a good scallop.
Ariane was pleased. She is clearly more modest than Stefan.The winner is…Jamie. No longer a bridesmaid. Da-Da-Da-Dum…
From the Not So Glad Room she calls back: Melissa, Eugene and Carla.
Carla admits she was not happy with her dish and is not surprised she is there. She talks about how she could have fixed it. Smart lady. Don’t be fooled.
Melissa talks about enjoying the critique. She gets smacked around a bit more.
Eugene talks about how he likes taking risks, but Toby says it lacks punch. Eugene tries to talks his way back in.
All three chefs try and plead their case a bit more.But going home is…Melissa and Eugene. Carla lives to cook another day.
Best,
KwanaKnit Wednesday
Sorry for the delay with the pictures and don’t say I didn’t warn you about being underwhelmed, but here they are, the pics of my two finished knitting projects from over Christmas. The first is of one the fingerless gloves that I did for my DD. They came out a little too big for her and I have to take them in. I love the hombre yarn though. Each side of the glove is different. The pattern was from Hollywood Knits by Suss Cousins . A book I just love.
The next is of the roll brim hat that I did for my DH that took way too long. I’m so happy that he has worn it everyday since Christmas so it was worth the time.
I’m almost done with the hat for my DS. Poor thing, his Christmas gift is turning into a birthday gift.Today was supposed to be my day to meet with my knitting group. After a couple of weeks off I was looking forward to whooping it up with my friends, catch up on town stuff and get back on the knitting track, but due to icy weather schools are closed today. Sigh. To me the weather is not bad enough for a school closing, but whatever. I’ll try hard to keep my kids halfway focused on a bit of studying today. Not easy with teens.Best,
KwanaWhat Road Are You On?
What’s Jack up to? He’s so funny, playing a crazy game of monkey in the middle that he’s made up where I’m the monkey! See he takes his toy and acts like he wants to bring it to me to play with but then turns at the last moment and runs to my hubby and takes it to him. Then back to me for a reaction. Too cute, Jack.Other than books, dare I say maybe even sometimes more than books, I am often inspired by movies. I’m such a cheap and easy date. Give me a simple dinner and a movie (please don’t ask me to dress up) and I’m happy. Now, I’m not one to over analyze and pick a movie apart, no, I go to lose myself in another world for a while.
That said, I’ve seen a move that I can’t get out of my mind: Revolutionary Road. The whole couple confirming to suburban life thing hit me like a ton of bricks. I don’t know why, maybe it’s my age or the fact that I’ve been living in suburbia for a while now or the fact that I hate to think of myself as a conformist, although probably a good part of me is, if I’m honest enough. Whatever. I don’t know, but, I was hit hard.The fact that it was set in the 1950’s didn’t effect it’s relevance to today’s life to me one bit. It questioned confirming to what’s expected, the traditional roles of a marriage, labeling, fidelity, opposites attracting, living your dreams, so many things.Revolutionary Road had me stepping out on my own porch taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. It will have lots of people thinking hard about the road they are living on? Check it out if you haven’t yet and let me know your thoughts.Best,KwanaFirst Monday
What’s Jack up to? He’s back to looking out the window with an unobstructed view now that the Christmas tree is down. I’m thinking he’s wondering where everyone’s gotten off to since the kids are back to school and we once again can get back to a bit of a routine and have the house back for a few hours of the day. Yay! Oops, I’m sorry was that un-p.c. of me?So
how are you on this first Monday of the New Year?Are you excited about it or does it feel like any other Monday?I feel a certain amount of wide eyed optimism that I guess any hopeless dreamer always has. A full 360 days to tackle my goals of writing, diet, exercise, my home, my family the list goes on and on. But you know what? I’m not going to think about those 360 days left in the year. Way too daunting.
I’m going to take it one day at a time and remember to dream a little each day so I can stay optimistic and not get too bogged down.
How are you going to tackle this First Monday?
Best,Kwanaimage: Pablo Picasso ‘The Dream’
Who Me?
Mel snagged this from someone and now I just swiped it from her.Thanks Mel Francis.I’m not sure if they got me right at all. What writer is all that confidant? And sure I care who reads this blog. The more the merrier. As a matter of fact go and tell three friends about how insightful I am right now so I can be more confident. Thanks.
Your Blogging Type is Confident and Insightful
You’ve got a ton of brain power, and you leverage it into brilliant blog.Both creative and logical, you come up with amazing ideas and insights.
A total perfectionist, you find yourself revising and rewriting posts a lot of the time.
You blog for yourself – and you don’t care how popular (or unpopular) your blog is!
Best,
KwanaGood Bye Holidays
What’s Jack up to? Poor Jack is so not feeling this cold weather. I’m with him. This bitter cold is just makes me want to hibernate.A while back a wrote about how my Nana and her neighbors went all out and decorated their apartment hallways for the holidays, proving you don’t need a house to get into the holiday spirit in New York City.With this weekend being the official end to the holiday season I thought I’d share these pics that I snapped with my cell camera the other day when I was visiting. Check out the totally wild hallway decorated by my aunt and her neighbor directly across the hall.
The funny thing is if you are a centimeter over 5 feet 8 inches you have to duck to walk through the tinsel. All the kids love it.
It’s back to the real world come Monday. Are we ready? I think I might be.Best,Kwana
