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Saturday, March 28th, 2009
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3:41 pm - Recommended Reading.
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Best short story I have ever read: "When Sysadmins Ruled the Earth" by Cory Doctorow. (Available in many, many places and anthologies.) If you like scifi or apocalyptic stories, read it. Good stuff. Also, a pretty cool guy.
current mood:  inspired
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| Saturday, March 14th, 2009
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2:02 pm - New Game Shop in Memphis and Other Geekery.
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Anu and I went to find the new game store this morning. Now, keep in mind that Memphis has no other game shops. None. Which boggles my mind. So after getting some lunch we went to Mid-South Game Center. It was small, but the owner was very nice and helpful. I found out about some D&D 4th ed. groups that play there, so I might be checking them out. Anu also found a box of Battletech miniatures that were on sale, so he was happy.
Their stock in mostly CCGs, D&D, and some board games. They have a fairly good sized area for games to be played and a private game room in the back. No White Wolf or LARP products (which I can't blame them for not carrying). Like I said, small but nice and hopefully it'll grow. I know I'll be ordering all my gaming books through them from now on to help support them. They had several 4th ed. books I wanted, but being short on money, I only bought the Martial Power book.
Anyway, after we left there, we stopped by Borders. I snagged a copy of The Walking Dead volume 9. Suppose I should finally read volume 8, heh. All-in-all, we spent too much money, but we're both very happy with what we got.
In other news, my first week of classes went well. I think I will enjoy them. I got some help from the Director of Career Services on rewriting my resume. She also gave me several job leads that look hopeful. I think with the new resume and recommendations from her, I might be able to land a decent job soon. She also offered to help coach me on doing interviews. Honestly, I have to say that so far, ITT rocks.
Now if I could just get rid of the horrible cramps, I'd being having a great day.
current mood:  happy
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| Saturday, March 7th, 2009
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1:51 pm - My muse has been replaced by my demons.
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I have been giving a lot of thought lately to writing about my life, particularly my childhood. I admit, this is probably largely for therapeutic reasons. I don't know if this is something I would ever want to publish. Maybe one day when my mother has passed on. I know that if I write the truth - my truth - it would hurt her greatly and I need to write an honest account. I and my relatives have lived in lies for so long, that some of them have accepted them as truth.
I've tried to write about this in the past, but I've never been able to get much out. I think I was still too close to it. But I have gained a good deal of distance from my past in the last year. While at the same time, I've been examining the past in more detail than ever. It still hurts, but I can look back and not break down. Usually.
Honestly I'm not sure why this urge has come up write about this now or why it is so strong. But every time I sit down to write, instead of getting story ideas, or character ideas, or settings, scenes from my childhood keep surfacing. At first I tried to ignore it and shake it off, but it isn't going away. Persistent bugger.
current mood:  bothered
current music: The Writing Show podcast
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| Wednesday, March 4th, 2009
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11:36 am - Reason # 34759393746 Wal-Mart can suck it.
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So I went to the interview this morning. The interview itself went alright, but I am not hopeful of getting the job. Or even if I want to take it if it's offered. Seven other people are being considered for the same position (there's only one opening). It's for a cashier position, even though it was supposed to be for a floor (domestics) position. It's full time and I only wanted part time, they will give me time off for my classes, but are otherwise inflexible on scheduling, and it only pays $7.00 an hour. Also, the store manager is out of town for a meeting and won't be back for a week and they can't hire anyone without his final approval. So, by the time I hear back from them, I will have started school and may very well find something through their career center.
So...yeah. Not to thrilled about this.
current mood:  discouraged
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12:15 am - A Startling Good Article on WoW Insider
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If you play WoW, if you tank, if you are a druid, if you are any combination of these, you should read this: Shifting Perspectives: Tanks, "Wrath," and crushing blows. This is a wonderful article on the mechanics of tanking, how it has changed in the Wrath expansion and how it may be changed with the upcoming patch. While this column is a druid column, and it does focus on druid tanks, the additional information the author gives will be valuable to anyone that wants to understand and play the game better. It's long, but well worth the read.
current mood:  contemplative
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| Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009
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11:11 am - I can has job?
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I have an interview tomorrow! It's at a Wal-Mart Supercenter. Not my ideal job, but I'll take anything at this point. This is the first call back I've had. Period.
*crosses fingers*
current mood: hopeful
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| Monday, March 2nd, 2009
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10:32 pm - I'm now on Twitter
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| Sunday, March 1st, 2009
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8:20 am - A March Surprise
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As I sit here, there is at least 6 inches of snow on the ground. It snowed all afternoon yesterday and all night. From what I have learned from locals, this much snow is very unusual. I have been told that Memphis will sometimes get a couple of inches of snow at most at one time. Even though it's Sunday, it is oddly quiet. No car motors or even airplanes. I suppose they must have grounded them, because we live in a main flightpath and I haven't heard even one since late yesterday afternoon.
I'm sure some people think this is awful. (I know Anu does, but he hates the cold, so it's not surprising.) And I'm sure it is an inconvenience (to greater and lesser extents) to many. But I love it! Absolutely LOVE it! I've been snapping pictures since the sun came up. It is so peaceful and so beautiful. The rising sun is making the snow sparkle and twinkle like it's laced with minuscule diamonds. There is a small group of robins flitting around the "backyard" area and there was one in particular that paused on the snow and he looked so stunning offset against a pure white background. I wish I could have gotten a picture of that, but I wasn't fast enough. I was too busy taking in the beauty, which is more important really.
I like the cold and I like snow. It makes me feel alive and free and peaceful. Winter is my time.
current mood:  peaceful
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| Wednesday, February 25th, 2009
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3:48 pm - Meditation, etc.
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I have kept up with The Big Sit so far. Monday, I only managed to meditate for about 18 minutes because the pain in my back and knee and hip joints got to be too much to bear. Tuesday, I used a throw pillow as a substitute for meditation cushion and I managed to last the entire 20 minutes with very little pain. If I do keep up this practice, I should invest in appropriate meditation cushions. They really do make a difference. I'm experimenting with the best time of day to meditate and so far, at night shortly before bed seems to be best. It settles my mind and body, which makes it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep once I go to bed. I'll see how tonight goes.
I got up early today and did my requisite job hunting. Now I'm at the coffee shop. I talked to D for a while, which was a nice break. I've been trying to write the past few days, but nothing is coming. But I'm going to keep at it. I try to write something, even if it's just a journal post (like this).
current mood:  blank
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| Saturday, February 21st, 2009
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11:02 pm - Ommmmm
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There is one other thing I forgot to mention, but that's alright since it's probably deserves its own post. I am going to participate in Tricycle Magazine's - The Big Sit. The Big Sit is Tricycle’s 90-day Zen Meditation Challenge, which officially starts Monday, but really you can start any time you want. I signed up for the community for it here: Tricycle Community.
I've been wanting to get back to a regular meditation practice and especially Buddhist meditation. There are several Buddhist groups in the area, but I never seem to be able to make the times they sit. So this is a wonderful way for me to feel the push and support of a community and yet not leave my home. And once I get back into practice, I'll feel more confident going to one of the local groups since they sit for an hour or more. (And I definitely need to work back up to that. Heck, 20 minutes is going to be pushing it with my joints for a while.)
current mood: excited
current music: space heater still humming by my feet - it's COLD
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10:42 pm - The friendliest kick to the arse ever!
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I went to the writers' group meeting this afternoon. I want to squeee now!
The group, called Word Catchers, seems to be exactly what I need. It's not a critique group, which is good because that's not what I want or need right now. It's more of a information sharing/support/encouragement/community building/inspiration group. Members of the group will critique your work if asked, but it isn't the main focus. Everyone was very friendly and encouraging and made me feel welcome right away.
Even though they only meet in person once a month, they have a lively message board which is where a good deal of topics are discussed. The monthly meetings center around a presentation given by a member who volunteers to present information on a certain topic. It's very egalitarian. And there are all level of writers there, from never finished so much as a short story to writers with multiple publications under their belts and everything in between. Also a wide range in age from teen to 60ish (guessing there). Such a wonderful array of experience and exuberance to gather from!
Sadly, next month's meeting is preempted by MidSouthCon 27. However ... that is because the con will be including a writers' conference for the very first time. There will be an "unofficial" Word Catchers meeting at the con (since it seems like everyone will be there anyway, lol). Anu and I were considering going to the con before this, but this just sealed the deal for me. The tickets are only $35 for the whole weekend and we only live 20-30 minutes from the venue. Double squeee!
Everything that doesn't have to do with money is going so great for me right now. I think that if my financial problems were gone, I really wouldn't have a single thing to complain about. At least on a personal level. Politics and social issues are always open for complaints. ;-)
current mood:  bouncy
current music: space heater humming by my feet
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| Monday, February 16th, 2009
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7:31 pm - I am the socializer!
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So Anu and I met up with H and his wife T to have lunch yesterday afternoon. We had a blast. We went to a Chinese buffet and ended up sitting there for over three hours talking and laughing. I think the staff were beginning to plan how to kick us out by the time we left. All four of us got along really well. I definitely think there is the potential for some friendships there. All of us are geeky gamers. And H and T are in the SCA, which I've been thinking about getting back into. H invited me to come to their fighter practice one Sunday, which I probably will. I'll definitely need to get into better shape if I want to start fighting again, though. Anyway, it was great fun!
I also found out today that the writers' group I'm thinking about joining also plays D&D. How cool is that?!?! After their monthly meeting, a group of them get together and play D&D for a few hours. I'm going to their February meeting this Saturday, which is on science fiction (yay). I don't know if I'll check out the game or not, at least until I know a little more about the group. I'm not sure what edition they play. I hope it's 4th, but I don't think it is. Oh well, it's still a gaming group and I've been jonesin' for some gaming since we moved here.
I also finally emailed my friend L in St. Louis, which was WAY past due. I promised to email her last month to catch her up on everything that was going on and I procrastinated as usual. But I finally did it and hopefully we can work out something soon where she can visit us or I can visit her. It would so awesome to see her again.
So, at least my social life is looking up if nothing else.
current mood:  sleepy
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| Friday, February 13th, 2009
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11:52 pm - Every day should be Friday the 13th.
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I love Friday the 13ths. I don't care what stigmas or superstitions are attached to them by most people. I have always had the best luck on Friday the 13ths. Today was no exception.
I started today with a trip to Burke's Books in midtown. I took in a bag full of books to sell, but I ended up using the credit to get three books I found while browsing. I know that sort of defeats the purpose of selling books to make some extra money, but I think this was worth it. For $20 I picked up Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America by Barbara Ehrenreich, which I've wanted for years, How Good People Make Tough Choices: Resolving the Dilemmas of Ethical Living by Rushworth M. Kidder, which just seemed very interesting especially since I spend a lot of time thinking about ethical dilemmas, and finally the gem of the bunch - Bike Lust: Harleys, Women, and American Society by Barbara Joans. That one should be self-explanatory.
So I take my haul with me to High Point Coffee on the corner of Poplar and Perkins (which has become a regular hang out for me). But I don't get to read. No. I get to geek out about World of Warcraft with Coffee Guy #2. (Since I am horrible with names, I have given all the coffee shop employees numbers. I know, I'm awful.) So during this geekfest, a friend of CG#2, whose also a regular at the shop, comes in. I'll call him D. He's also a WoW geek. Thus starts the geek-a-trois. Well, eventually CG#2 gets busy with customers, so D and I start chatting and move on from WoW to... nuclear reactors. D was apparently a nuclear engineer in the Navy. Well, it just so happens that I am working on writing some post-apocalyptic sci-fi stories. Some of these require knowledge of nukes. Knowledge I didn't have. Well, now I have some AND I know where to go to in order to find out more. Funny, interesting, smart guy and information source. Who could ask for more? Maybe a budding friendship, too?
So, I get home and find an online message from someone I've been talking to for a while on OKCupid. (It's not just for dating anymore.) He and his wife are roughly the same age as my husband and I, we have similar interests, and they generally seem pretty cool. Well, we're going to meet face-to-face tomorrow for lunch or maybe coffee. I talked to him (I'll call him H) on the phone tonight and it confirmed the coolness factor. H and I talked for over an hour and a half. I was hoarse by the time I got off the phone! I really hope this will lead to forming some friendships around here. It'd be really nice to have some people to go out with and do things with (lunch, movies, gaming, etc.). I hope all goes well tomorrow.
So all in all, a really good day, this Friday the 13th.
current mood: content
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| Monday, February 2nd, 2009
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3:41 pm - Welcome!
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Hello to my new (and old but new on IJ) friends! *waves*
Welcome to the insanity. *big evil grin*
current mood: happy
current music: New Flesh by Fr/Action
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| Saturday, January 31st, 2009
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10:07 pm - Books, books, wonderful books!
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I sold a few more books today. I also bought a couple books with what I made, so the left over amount wasn't much. I got a new copy of Strunk and White's The Elements of Style and a used copy of The Mote in God's Eye by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle. Both have long been recommended to me (for different reasons, of course), so I finally picked them up. I have already started The Mote in God's Eye and it sucked me in within the first page. It should satiate my fiction craving for a little while. I've read almost all the other fiction books I own at least once. I know once we get some money coming in there's going to be a book buying spree; probably for both me and my husband. My wish list on Amazon has grown to obscene proportions. I suppose an addiction to books is better than most addictions.
current mood: content
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| Wednesday, January 28th, 2009
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6:12 pm - Oh yay, more good news....
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Today I read in this week's The Memphis News that the current unemployment rate in the city is 7.7% and by the end of 2009, it could reach 9.2%. Fuuuccckkk!!!
No word on any job prospects. No call-backs. No interviews. *facepalm*
current mood: gloomy
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| Tuesday, January 27th, 2009
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5:51 pm - Doubleplusungood and plusgood.
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Title courtesy of reading 1984 by George Orwell. Yeah, I know... I'm 31 and am just now reading it. Better late than never, right?
Doubleplusungood = allergic reaction that left me with very itchy hives and headache for three days. I have no idea what triggered this one. At least I didn't have to go to the ER this time. Apparently I am getting more allergies the older I get. At this rate, by the time I'm 40 I'll have to live in a bubble.
Plusgood = job possibility. My representative at ITT called yesterday to tell me she knows someone who runs a call center and is hiring. She mentioned me to them and they asked to see my resume. I took my resume to my rep today so she could fax it to this person. This is the most positive thing that has happened so far in my job hunt. Also, my rep said if any other opportunities pop up she'll let me know and forward my resume. My rep is my new favorite person.
current mood: hopeful
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| Thursday, January 22nd, 2009
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2:00 pm - Not on the bandwagon, apparently.
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Some may find it strange that I have not posted anything about the inauguration. It is not that I have nothing to say. I have lots to say. It's just that most of it has already been said; by the reporters, by bloggers, by ordinary people all over the world. Why repeat the same tired thing over and over and over? Historic day...proud of my country...change...hope...patriotism...yeah, yeah, yeah. We get it. Yay! Change has come! Woohoo! There, is that better?
The truth of the matter is that, while I am giddy that Obama was elected and is now president, there are so many enormous things that need immediate attention I am not going to be overwhelmed with joy until some actual work gets done. I was happy with news of his first day's accomplishments, but there is SO MUCH MORE. He has a mountain of shit to climb, as do we all. Tuesday was a beginning, not an end.
Here's hoping Obama likes mountain climbing.
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| Monday, January 19th, 2009
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1:07 pm - On Writing
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I finished reading On Writing by Stephen King yesterday. I had been hesitant to read it because I've never cared much for King's work. I have to say I was very pleasantly surprised. It is one of the best books on writing I have ever read and it was just a plain enjoyable read as well. It has inspired me to get to work again.
I've always had the pull to write. It waxes and wanes, but it is always there. There have been times I have heeded it and times I've ignored it. I've always been happier heeding it. It may seem like a strange thing to do when we're flat broke and I'm jobless, but to me it seems like the perfect time. Not only does it fill the hours of the day when I am not out pounding the pavement, it prevents me from obsessing on our situation during those hours and making myself more depressed than I already am. It is an outlet, a salvation; it always has been for me. But maybe - just maybe - something marketable will come from it. I'm not going to hold my breath, but wouldn't that be something?
So for all the writers or want-to-be writers out there, I can't recommend this book strongly enough.
current mood: creative
current music: espresso machines and background music
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| Saturday, January 17th, 2009
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8:17 pm - A drop in the bucket.
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Today I made $110.00 from selling books to a used bookstore. While in the grand scheme of things, that is a pittance, it is an unbelievable amount for used books. I was quite happy. That will pay for ... half the electric bill. Meh, better than nothing I suppose.
I also applied at Target today. There's a new store being built nearby and I'm hoping I can get hired on for the opening. It's about as far from ideal as can be, but at this point, I'll take just about any job I can get. (There's still some things I won't do. At least, for now.)
I've been making attempts at being more social, but it has been difficult. I'm incredibly stressed out from not having a job or money. I'm hesitant to go "out" because I have no money and the stress has made me less than a joy to be around. My apologies to anyone that may think I'm ignoring them. It's certainly not you - it's me.
I wish March would hurry up and get here. At least then I could use ITT's career center. That and I'd at least feel like I was accomplishing something. Learning new things always makes me feel better; happier.
I'm trying my damnedest to stay positive and hopeful, but it's getting more and more difficult to fight off the building anxiety and depression. This is such a difficult time. And not just for me personally. I know most everyone is having a hard time. I just can't help but think every time I see a homeless person if that will soon be me and my husband.
current mood:  worried
current music: This Corrosion by The Sisters of Mercy
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cold