writing skills/profession

I am a bit Funked Up


The last few days have found me in funky sort of mood. Not wanting to delve, I ignored it but yesterday at lunch Rob noticed it in my eyes and tone. I absolutely can’t hide from him.

Found out, I was forced to examine and came to the following conclusions:

  • I miss working, but I miss the idea of it and not the reality*.
  • All the reno work and child rearing of the past weeks has kept me from my manuscript and I can feel the loss of muse time in my marrow.
  • I am like a canine when it comes to sorrow. I pick up on the vibrations of others like dogs hear those seemingly noiseless whistles, and it exhausts me.
  • I really am happier when BabyD is in school all day long.
  • While I love having a grown kid around, I will be glad when MidKid moves out again.
  • Rob and I need a date night. Two at least.**
  • I want to go shopping. For myself. By myself.***

That is such a whiny list. I hate being whiny. It adds to the funked – up’d- ness.

Today was an errand day after morning swim lessons and in addition to food – which we always seem to be out of – I needed a new desk calendar. So into Staples I happily skipped with BabyD in tow, but every meditative Nirvana like moment of its wonders was interrupted with a question or a request. Normally a restorative, it became a place to get in and get out of as quickly as possible.

Same with the grocery.

And the library later that afternoon.

Home is no better and even less so when MidKid has the day off. Not that she is underfoot with questions and requests as she keeps to her room in a way that reminds me of the kid in the Steve Martin movie, Parenthood, but just knowing that I am not alone is enough to knock the Zen out of me.

Today it is back to staining wood after a morning of more swim lessons and a tiny bit of gym, but I will sneak away in the evening for a bit to meet with one of my writing groups. Despite having nothing ready to read because I have gotten badly off track with my manuscript between deck and washing dishes and cooking and a child who needs to be back in school (oh, I mentioned that already, didn’t I?).

Rob reminds me that in two weeks, normalcy will return.

But between now and then:

  • a deck needs finishing
  • decorative rock applied to the house
  • sidewalks to pour
  • swim lessons
  • school shopping
  • alien zucchini to transform into loaves of bread
  • two children and all their stuff to move
  • and a possible gallbladder extraction to attend to

Sigh, I just want a little me time.

* Teaching used to be an art. It was creative. I had autonomy. Those days are gone. And so am I.

** When showering is the only alone time a couple is getting, aside from going to bed at night, steps need to be taken.

*** FYI. Shopping is seldom about me. This is the time of year that I used to begin my Christmas shopping in the days of yore. I am thinking I need to return to that. There is nothing like finding the perfect gift for someone. Truly.

Memoirs are the Monday Meme


The plan is to write the memoir as my NanoWriMo project this November. In anticipation, I have been researching memoirs and writing prompts/tools to help me come up with an outline.

This site was established to provide people a place to write and store online.

I am also using the August edition of Oprah as a guide.

So with a tentative outline idea, I am wondering something, what do you want to know about a person when reading their memoir? Do you look for the whole life’s journey? Just the highlights? The trauma? The accomplishments? A mishmash?

And what are some of the stand-out’s in the genre, in your opinion? Comment or link back, please.

The Brave New World Belongs to Google


Skynet is the fictional computer that gains self-awareness and consciousness and results in the horrific slaughter and subjugation of man in the Terminator movies. The idea that computers can be taught to think as we do is the basis for AI or artificial intelligence. It’s a holy grail thing despite its implications.

Recently I read a short story by George Dyson that poses the question – what if the great search engine Google was a potential Skynet? The story is here. And it is a slogging read at times because it is heavy on tech and backstory but it is worth skimming for the parts that are easy for a lay person to understand. 

The last couple of paragraphs especially make it worth the while.

Interesting theory though about dreaming before thinking.

And if you still aren’t sure that Google (or Apple for that matter) are steadily liberating more data from us than our own governments. Read this.