It's funny what you get from Twitter. I've gotten a new TV and connected with some folks I probably never would've met otherwise. I also found out about Thomas Tryon, an actor who took up writing later in his career. Harvest Home takes place in a small, quaint New England town. You may have guessed that there's probably some horrible secret that the town holds; it's such a cliche but it still works. The book moves a little slowly but it builds nicely. There are a few weird plot strands that are opened up that didn't really get explained until too far into the story and didn't really resolve to my satisfaction. Still, it is enjoyable if you're looking for something chilling and not too heavy.

Labels: books

Well, about a year ago I posted this and misspelled "quandary." I've learned how to spell but I haven't really gotten better skate wise.

tonight was our B team game against Demo City and it really was fun. We very narrowly lost (85-82) but the DCRD girls were so, so, super nice (one DCRD girl turns to me while the pack is on the line and said "we're having fun, aren't we?" I was so speechless! i had to keep my game face on, you know! but yes.) and I had fun.

but here's the problem. I know I didn't do well. I tried, but I'm just not good. I only wish there was a way to play more often, but with lower stakes, you know? Like, recreation league roller derby. i don't know if this will happen, but if it does I'm on it.

i have fun, and that's important, but I do feel a little bad when the loss is that narrow a margin. If I had tried just a small bit harder, if I had been smarter about that hit, that stall, would we have won? it is a team sport but one can't help to internalize these things to an extent.

I'm going to try and keep playing as long as they'll let me, but the end is a little closer than I had hoped. I have a kneecap issue that can only get better with strength exercises done several days a week. Even if it gets better, it will always hurt on some level. My Sports Med MD even says that it's unfair that I can't do the falling drills that the rest of the girls do, but that's life, and I have to let pain be my guide. Truth be told I hate falling drills, but I recognize that they're helpful and i wish I could do them with the rest of the girls. Don't worry, it's not an injury caused by derby, it's only been aggravated by derby.

This is rambling. I'm very tired right now. it's 1:30 am, and while I have had nothing to drink I am just super sleepy. I'm not really sure where I want to go with this blog either, which adds to my frustration.

Meanwhile, Flash is here AGAIN.

Labels: roller derby

I'm a particular person sometimes, this should be no surprise to many of you. One thing I'm particular about is my pens. I tend to keep one good one and one spare to lend out. I keep good track on my pens, right?

In class the other night I'm taking notes, which is what one does in such situations. We have to move places for facilitated discussion so I reluctantly join my group. I don't care for my classmates, but I'm willing to do whatever I need to do in the pursuit of LEARNING. So I attempt to join in the discussion, all the while feeling excluded since discussion turns to a previous class I was not in. The discussion was interesting, but there were a lot of cliches being tossed around and if there's one thing I can't abide, it is a bad cliche.

We finish and I head to my seat. now, all the while, the girl who took my seat is sitting there playing with MY PEN which I left on my notebook. As she leaves I ask for my pen back.

"Uh, this is actually MY pen."

"Oh, then mine must've rolled off the desk because I was using that same pen."

"I use the same kind of pen, I get it from my office."

"Well then, I'll look around. I don't think I brought another pen though."

"You can just keep it."

"No, no, I don't want want to steal YOUR PEN."

"No, keep it. I'm known to be a pen thief."

What a pain in the ass. You might think that I was too harsh, but listen, the pen had my toothmarks on it. I also knew about how much ink was left because I'll need to replace it soon.

I mean, really, it's a pen.

Labels: drama, school

For as long as I have been alive, we have been friends with an amazing family. They have spent many years in Africa helping those in need by working with The Outreach Foundation. I have never met more caring people. When they tell stories, it really makes you want to go out and do something. It's a rough world, but at least there are people out there looking out for those who need help!

Labels: charity of the month

• This weekend was the annual Sacred Harp Singing in Henagar, AL. It was beautiful as always, the food was great, and the weather was lovely. I ate, no kidding, four kinds of macaroni and cheese. There may've been more on the other table (there were two long tables just full of food). One thing I noticed was that there were no handbags with big designer labels. It is a rural area, but these are not unstylish people. In fact, I saw a few outfits I coveted. Except that's a sin. Ha! But I did record it thanks to Kelly Jo's digital recorder. Audio to come later, it's loading right now.


• Seems as though someone with whom I spent some time a few years ago is importing his email box into every social media system. It's pretty annoying. I wish him no ill will, but I do wish he would leave me alone. Unfortunately, I no longer seem to have his phone number or email address. I can only hit ignore so many times, you know?


• My godchildren (and accompanying parents) are back in town to live, hopefully for good. I'm very excited by this!


• School has started. Assignments have started! Difficult puzzles, some math.


• Looking to sell condo at the end of summer. Needs work, looking at a few different contractors.

Labels: news, roundup, school, travel

The Storycorps project collects, well, stories. They have mobile recording booths set up around the country to record folks sharing stories with one another. There's a podcast out there so you can listen to some of the stories.

This story is particularly memorable.

Labels: charity of the month

Is it even summer yet? No, not according to the calendar, but graduation was Friday and to me the end of school is the beginning of summer. Let's not split hairs, let's get on with the story.

Last night was pretty much amazing. On Judgment Day, if it is determined that I lived a good life, then tonight's party was a small sample of what I have to look forward to.

My dad told us about a party given by a church member. I originally wasn't sure since crawfish were involved and that ain't my style. What is my style is watching short films, and that's what the night was really about. Interestingly enough, several years ago a friend told me about a party he attended in the Vanderbilt area where someone showed short films on an outdoor screen. Well, apparently he and my dad run in similar circles.



We did not eat, we had dinner before. Instead, we just enjoyed the film for the evening. It included WB shorts, commercials for toys, Schoolhouse Rock, film trailers, and other fun short films. I really enjoyed seeing the trailers for the Muppet Movie and commercials for toys that my parents never bought me!



Also neat was seeing the host's film library. It was in a temperature controlled shed in the backyard and included just so many films. Most interesting was Song of the South; you may know that Disney has never released this on video in the US and has no plans to do so. Never mind the fact that one of their most popular rides is based on it!

I hope to go again next year. It was a total blast.

Some tweets, starting backwards:

Well. Checking in on Mandy's dogs and then home. Hope I get an invite to that party again next year.
about 16 hours ago from txt
Back in business.
about 16 hours ago from txt
Getting chilly. Maybe time to go home now.
about 17 hours ago from txt
Projector broke again
about 17 hours ago from txt
This party is the most delightful time I've had in a while. Wish you were here! #fb
about 17 hours ago from txt
A reel of Alfred Hitchcock introductions?
about 17 hours ago from txt
WB cartoons!!
about 17 hours ago from txt
Muppet Movie trailer.
about 17 hours ago from txt
I bet i lose followers over all these tweets.
about 17 hours ago from txt
Country Time USA with Faron Youg.
about 17 hours ago from txt
Old toy commercials. This guy has quite a collection.
about 18 hours ago from txt
Schoolhouse rock now.
about 18 hours ago from txt
Ok it seems to be a series of trailers for rock movies. Janis, Jimi, the Who.
about 18 hours ago from txt
Magical mystery tour trailer on the outdoor screen.

Labels: good times, movies, summer

I just can't do it anymore! I tried, I got about 70 pgs in, and then I just took it back. I couldn't deal with it. The first few books were endearing and fun (and the recipes weren't bad either!) but this one just hopped from place to place. I can't get into something that choppy.

There's this trend now, and it's not specific to Browne, where instead of WRITING a book, an author just compiles anecdotes from other people. And who gets the check in the end? I actually saw on a web site, one not connected to this book or movement, a link where you could submit your own picture to be used in the book. does this person get paid? My guess is no, although if you know then tell me.

Another thing I'm getting tired of is women and fat jokes/comments (again, not specifically tied to Browne). Can we move beyond this? Few of us are happy with our bodies, but when I hear a woman like Browne talk disparagingly about having a less than perfect figure it really bugs me. I've met Browne, and I would cut a bitch for her figure at MY age.

I know in posting this I might get some hateful comments. That's fine. Go for it.

Labels: books