Which is worse:
A. Having a mouse in your home
or
B. Having a dead mouse in your home
I vote B.
Yes folks, we have a mouse. And yes, it is as gross as it sounds.
One of the Room Mates saw the thing scurry through our kitchen the night before Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving Day, our guests saw it scurrying into one of the bedrooms. My animal lover friend named the mouse Petey.
Giving it a name didn't help the ick factor at all--it just made it so much harder to think about having to exterminate (yes, kill) it.
The landlord was over a couple of days ago with mouse traps for the kitchen. They look just like the ones in the cartoons, sans the big piece of cartoon cheese. These aren't the humane, trap-the-mouse-so-it-can't-move-and-you-can-release-it-to-the-wild kind of traps. These are the don't-come-here-because-it'll-snap-your-furry-little-head-off kind of traps.
Last night, we caught one. Or rather, the trap caught one. According to the Room Mate, the mouse, Petey, had a furry white underbelly and a grey coat. I didn't go look at all. I was really, really grossed out. In fact, this morning, when I glanced at the trap (that had been tastefully turned over by the Room Mate) out of the corner of my eye, I squealed like a girl. Alright, I am a girl, so I pretty much squealed--like me.
We have mice! According to the landlord, once you catch one, it's a sign that you could have MANY. MANY, as in MORE THAN ONE! There could be Peteys Two, Three and Four running around.
The Room Mate e-mailed over a link today about house mice. I won't gross you all out with the morbid details, but let's just say the article said that mice have a very healthy reproductive cycle. You know the phrase 'breed like rabbits"? Yeah, it's a bit like that. So Petey could have had a Junior. Or worse--Juniors.
You know what's ironic? This is the cleanest living space I've been in. We clean regularly, don't leave food lying around, and yet, rodents. Which goes to show, a little sloth never hurt anyone.
I don't want to think about furry little four-legged creatures hanging around my kitchen, plotting. We got one of its comrades--will the Peteys, like ants, figure out one of their own is missing and come looking for the body? Or will they take it as a sign that the kitchen is a dangerous place, count their losses, and go elsewhere?
In the meantime, I'm making sure all my mousetraps are perpendicular to the walls--as per mouse-trapping regulation. I'm hoping that at the end of the day, the humans will win the battle against the furry four-legged foes, and get their kitchen back.
November 28, 2006
November 18, 2006
I Think I Found Where All The Christian Singles Are
Labels:
Love
From ChristianSinglesToday.com...
This Friday, let's all us Christian Singletons who are planning on "having a me night" or "going to bed early" (what are you, 60?), gather at the biggest Starbucks in the city where we live.
(For you Chicagoans, it would be the Starbucks on 200-230 West North Ave., right next to the Piper's Alley theater. It's a 24 hour Starbucks... )
Apparently between the 42% of us that are having "me" time, and the other 12% that are going to bed early, over half of Christian Singles are spending Friday nights alone.
This poll actually answers the common questions many Christian Singles have such as:
Where are all the single, Christian, men/women? Apparently having quality time--by themselves.
Is everyone having fun without me? Well... no.
Is everyone dating but me? Definitely not. Notice that not one of those 283 poll takers went on a date on a Friday night. It could be that Saturday night may be more of a date night for them, but I highly doubt that.
Here's a thought, a "call-to-action" if you will.This Friday, let's all us Christian Singletons who are planning on "having a me night" or "going to bed early" (what are you, 60?), gather at the biggest Starbucks in the city where we live.
(For you Chicagoans, it would be the Starbucks on 200-230 West North Ave., right next to the Piper's Alley theater. It's a 24 hour Starbucks... )
We'll come together, chat for a bit, and bump up the "Hang out with friends" category. Hey, who knows, if we chat long enough, we might even help add to the "Go on a date" category...
Because folks, it just ain't right that 0% of Christian Singletons are dating on a Friday night. It just ain't right.November 12, 2006
An Absurd Lesson: How To Have A Conversation
Labels:
Life
You wouldn't think people need to be taught this. But I'm sad to say that young people in their 20s and 30s no longer know how to make conversation, face to face, in a social context, with people they don't really know.
I blame it on the internet. And yes, I recognize that is ironic.
Since it's Sunday, which is the Lord's Day and all, I'm making a secret confession. I walked out on a conversation today because I was bored. But before you gasp in horror, let me qualify that it wasn't a one-on-one conversation I left in mid-sentence. There were a bunch of people there, I politely said my good-byes before I left. I'm not a horrible person.
That being said, I did make a very conscious decision to leave the group because, yes, I was bored out of my skull. Were the people in the group boring? Not at all, they were bright, funny, good people. Were the topics discussed boring? Not particularly. What then, you may ask, was the problem? The problem was that no one in that group knew how conversation is supposed to work, both in structure and in content.
I'm not an expert on conversation by any means. Goodness knows I've had multitudes of awkward conversational moments. And it is precisely because of my great desire to avoid these awkward moments at all costs that I have learnt the art of social conversation.
Let's start with structure, shall we?
For a conversation between two people, here's how conversation should work. You say something, I say something, you ask a question, I give you a descriptive answer, I ask you a question back. It's pretty simple. Remember tennis? Or ping pong? Or badminton? Yeah, it's like that.
If you are flirting, or trying to flirt, you can also consider using the fencing or chess structure. With both these structures, there is an element of strategy and flair, trying to foresee what the other person is going to say next, and coming up with a move. Just try not to shout, "En garde" or "checkmate." That will pretty much kill all conversation in any situation.
For group conversation, you have a number of options. We have the relay structure. One person starts a topic, hands it off to someone else, who hands it off to someone else.
We also have the group game structure. This usually works well when there are couples involved who have a lot of shared stories. In this scenario, couples may form a single unit that start a conversation topic, and then each couple takes a turn at telling a story or giving an opinion around that topic.
And finally, there's also the team sport structure. Such a structure is beneficial when there are differing opinions going on. It could be like a volleyball game, where one person starts a conversation topic, throws it to someone else, who elaborates, then "volleys" it to someone else. Or, it could be more like a soccer or a football game, where one person makes a play for a little while, then another person picks up, and then it moves on to someone else.
Conversations should never be structured like a pool game--whereby the one person who is "winning" continues to talk. Nor should it ever be structured like an ice-skating competition, where a person (or persons) performs and everyone watches. My conversation with you should never be about you showing your brilliance. There are other avenues for that. Avenues, hopefully, that I am not a part of.
And bear in mind, that if you find your group conversation starting to feel like a tennis match between you and someone else, change courses quickly because your tennis match is likely just an exhibition game for everyone else.
Now that we have structure covered, let's move on to content.
The age old rule, don't talk about politics or religion is still a pretty good one. Unless, of course, you are in a political or religious group, then by all means, feel free. I would also like to add to that list, philosophy. I don't know if you've noticed, but philosophy tends to be about thinking, rather than about talking. If you have a philosophical diatribe to share, journal, write an article, or get a blog. If you need feedback, join a discussion group.
In a one-on-one conversation, you can pretty much talk about whatever that isn't fundamentally offensive to the person you are speaking with. Hopefully, you will know enough to start in the pretty neutral topics, such as, "How was your day?" or "Where are you from?" before you go onto meatier topics such as, "What are your thoughts on the secularization of Christmas?" or "How did your grandma die again?" Once more, remember the structure--back and forth, back and forth, and you should be fine.
Group conversation topics are a little more difficult. If you only stick to topics that everyone can relate to, you're pretty much left with talking about the weather or this morning's (or evening's) rush hour traffic. As such, I'm not going to stipulate what is "appropriate" in group conversation.
There are, however, some sure-fire tools that will make any topic easily accessible to all members of the group. First of all, when you start a topic that someone may not be familiar with, explain. Don't assume everyone knows about life in the sub-Sahara, or has an opinion about your fantastic vacation. All most of us need is some context and we'll be right there with you.
If you find yourself talking for a while, and not one else has jumped in, or everyone just goes, "Huh. That's interesting" STOP SPEAKING IMMEDIATELY. You have wandered into the realm of exhibition sport. Instead of continuing with your story, say, "What does everyone think?" or "Does this happen to anyone else here?" Most of the time, someone will jump right in. If you have, indeed, gone over everyone's head, and an awkward silence ensues, just smile graciously and say, "Guess not." Yes, it is awkward, and yes, it is embarrassing, but for the most part, someone will start another conversation topic and move on. No one will resent you or think any less of you. We will, however, think less of you if you keep babbling.
Pause every 30 seconds or so. It gives others a chance in the group to jump in. Besides, breathing every now and then will be good for you.
You get about one initial story per topic. I'm sorry if you have more to say, but let everyone else have a go before you launch into story number two.
Please remember that inside jokes are not funny. If I "just had to be there" please don't bring it up in a group. Because odds are most of the group wasn't there when it happened, and so, we're just watching some moron tell a story badly.
If you are relating a story that involved most of the group, and there is a newcomer, turn to the newcomer and give them the background before you launch into the story. And, if you are part of the group that was part of the story, don't hesitate to stop the person telling the story so that you may give the newcomer the story's background.
When there are new people in the group you are in, take an interest in them. Ask them where they are from, what they do for a living, who else they know in a group. Introduce them to other people in the group. Ask them about their lives. Most people want to talk about themselves. In fact, they crave it.
Here's the biggest key to having a meaningful conversation--talk about things that mean something to the heart. We don't have to be all serious, deep, or intense. We don't have to talk about our wounds and our pain. But we do have to be real. We do have to say how something makes us think, act, or feel. This will ensure hours of conversation that is fundamentally satisfying.
Because ultimately, this is all communication is about--the desire to know and be known.
I blame it on the internet. And yes, I recognize that is ironic.
Since it's Sunday, which is the Lord's Day and all, I'm making a secret confession. I walked out on a conversation today because I was bored. But before you gasp in horror, let me qualify that it wasn't a one-on-one conversation I left in mid-sentence. There were a bunch of people there, I politely said my good-byes before I left. I'm not a horrible person.
That being said, I did make a very conscious decision to leave the group because, yes, I was bored out of my skull. Were the people in the group boring? Not at all, they were bright, funny, good people. Were the topics discussed boring? Not particularly. What then, you may ask, was the problem? The problem was that no one in that group knew how conversation is supposed to work, both in structure and in content.
I'm not an expert on conversation by any means. Goodness knows I've had multitudes of awkward conversational moments. And it is precisely because of my great desire to avoid these awkward moments at all costs that I have learnt the art of social conversation.
Let's start with structure, shall we?
For a conversation between two people, here's how conversation should work. You say something, I say something, you ask a question, I give you a descriptive answer, I ask you a question back. It's pretty simple. Remember tennis? Or ping pong? Or badminton? Yeah, it's like that.
If you are flirting, or trying to flirt, you can also consider using the fencing or chess structure. With both these structures, there is an element of strategy and flair, trying to foresee what the other person is going to say next, and coming up with a move. Just try not to shout, "En garde" or "checkmate." That will pretty much kill all conversation in any situation.
For group conversation, you have a number of options. We have the relay structure. One person starts a topic, hands it off to someone else, who hands it off to someone else.
We also have the group game structure. This usually works well when there are couples involved who have a lot of shared stories. In this scenario, couples may form a single unit that start a conversation topic, and then each couple takes a turn at telling a story or giving an opinion around that topic.
And finally, there's also the team sport structure. Such a structure is beneficial when there are differing opinions going on. It could be like a volleyball game, where one person starts a conversation topic, throws it to someone else, who elaborates, then "volleys" it to someone else. Or, it could be more like a soccer or a football game, where one person makes a play for a little while, then another person picks up, and then it moves on to someone else.
Conversations should never be structured like a pool game--whereby the one person who is "winning" continues to talk. Nor should it ever be structured like an ice-skating competition, where a person (or persons) performs and everyone watches. My conversation with you should never be about you showing your brilliance. There are other avenues for that. Avenues, hopefully, that I am not a part of.
And bear in mind, that if you find your group conversation starting to feel like a tennis match between you and someone else, change courses quickly because your tennis match is likely just an exhibition game for everyone else.
Now that we have structure covered, let's move on to content.
The age old rule, don't talk about politics or religion is still a pretty good one. Unless, of course, you are in a political or religious group, then by all means, feel free. I would also like to add to that list, philosophy. I don't know if you've noticed, but philosophy tends to be about thinking, rather than about talking. If you have a philosophical diatribe to share, journal, write an article, or get a blog. If you need feedback, join a discussion group.
In a one-on-one conversation, you can pretty much talk about whatever that isn't fundamentally offensive to the person you are speaking with. Hopefully, you will know enough to start in the pretty neutral topics, such as, "How was your day?" or "Where are you from?" before you go onto meatier topics such as, "What are your thoughts on the secularization of Christmas?" or "How did your grandma die again?" Once more, remember the structure--back and forth, back and forth, and you should be fine.
Group conversation topics are a little more difficult. If you only stick to topics that everyone can relate to, you're pretty much left with talking about the weather or this morning's (or evening's) rush hour traffic. As such, I'm not going to stipulate what is "appropriate" in group conversation.
There are, however, some sure-fire tools that will make any topic easily accessible to all members of the group. First of all, when you start a topic that someone may not be familiar with, explain. Don't assume everyone knows about life in the sub-Sahara, or has an opinion about your fantastic vacation. All most of us need is some context and we'll be right there with you.
If you find yourself talking for a while, and not one else has jumped in, or everyone just goes, "Huh. That's interesting" STOP SPEAKING IMMEDIATELY. You have wandered into the realm of exhibition sport. Instead of continuing with your story, say, "What does everyone think?" or "Does this happen to anyone else here?" Most of the time, someone will jump right in. If you have, indeed, gone over everyone's head, and an awkward silence ensues, just smile graciously and say, "Guess not." Yes, it is awkward, and yes, it is embarrassing, but for the most part, someone will start another conversation topic and move on. No one will resent you or think any less of you. We will, however, think less of you if you keep babbling.
Pause every 30 seconds or so. It gives others a chance in the group to jump in. Besides, breathing every now and then will be good for you.
You get about one initial story per topic. I'm sorry if you have more to say, but let everyone else have a go before you launch into story number two.
Please remember that inside jokes are not funny. If I "just had to be there" please don't bring it up in a group. Because odds are most of the group wasn't there when it happened, and so, we're just watching some moron tell a story badly.
If you are relating a story that involved most of the group, and there is a newcomer, turn to the newcomer and give them the background before you launch into the story. And, if you are part of the group that was part of the story, don't hesitate to stop the person telling the story so that you may give the newcomer the story's background.
When there are new people in the group you are in, take an interest in them. Ask them where they are from, what they do for a living, who else they know in a group. Introduce them to other people in the group. Ask them about their lives. Most people want to talk about themselves. In fact, they crave it.
Here's the biggest key to having a meaningful conversation--talk about things that mean something to the heart. We don't have to be all serious, deep, or intense. We don't have to talk about our wounds and our pain. But we do have to be real. We do have to say how something makes us think, act, or feel. This will ensure hours of conversation that is fundamentally satisfying.
Because ultimately, this is all communication is about--the desire to know and be known.
November 8, 2006
The Boys
Labels:
Love
I remarked the other day that while I knew it was politically incorrect to have a crush on bad boy Russell Crowe, it was precisely because he was a bad boy that made him so irresistible. The remark led to the inevitable question... What is a bad boy, and why is it so bad to like them?
Well, this is as good a time as any to talk about The Boys. The Boys is a system of thought that came from considering the kind of boy I wanted to spend my life with. I was meeting many boys on a daily basis, and I started to notice that these boys tended to fall into categories, each with shared characteristics. I came to the conclusion that if I wanted a certain category of guy, I needed to be clear about what characteristics that category of guy contained. Hence, The Boys. Within this system, there are basically seven categories of boys--Cute Boys, Bad Boys, Sad Boys, Nice Boys, Cow Boys, Mamma's Boys and Good Boys. Each category of boys has its good and bad characteristics. And there's ample reason that women love boys in each of those categories.
The Boys is not a system that is meant to stereotype, but rather to clarify my own thinking. Because there's nothing wrong with a Cute Boy, or a Bad Boy, if that's what you want. But if you don't know what makes a Cute Boy, or a Bad Boy, how do you know when you meet one?
And so, ladies and gentlemen, Cafe Girl proudly presents.... The Boys--Part One
Cute Boys
These boys are not necessarily drop dead gorgeous, although many of them are. What makes them attractive is their wit, their charm, and their playfulness. They have an excellent sense of humor and are incredibly self-aware. As a result, they may also be incredibly self-effacing. They are fun, fun, fun, fun, fun.
Why do we love them? Because they make us feel both girlish and motherly all at once. We want to be part of their fun, but we also want to make a big meal and feed them.
Why should we be careful? Because they are so fun that they may never become serious about anything--including you.
Bad Boys
Who hasn't met a bad boy and known better? Bad boys are hot and cool all at once. They have a blatant disregard for authority and love danger. Whether it's driving too fast, being just on the edge of breaking the law, or being in danger of getting caught, bad boys love to do it and won't care about the consequences. When not aloof, they are funny, in a sharp, slightly dark sort of way.
Why do we love them? Because they make us feel like we can do anything, forget about what the world thinks, and we know that feeling such freedom is incredibly sexy.
Why should we be careful? Do we even need to go there? Because blatant disregard for anyone and anything is sexy--until it turns into a blatant disregard for you.
Sad BoysOften musicians, poets, writers, painters, sculptors, basically any kind of artist. Sad Boys have at least one major heartbreak in their pasts, usually more. Each story of heartbreak is oddly similar to the last. Sad Boys constantly feel misunderstood by the world, yet are ever so willing to pour out their hearts to it.
Why do we love them? Because they are sensitive and kind, particularly towards the disenfranchised. Hearts that are broken that many times are often soft. And also because they seem to be so open, so willing to talk about how they feel.
Why should we be careful? Because a Sad Boy will inevitably tell you, "I'm willing to give you more, really I am, if only I weren't so afraid of being hurt again." And while that sounds logical in theory, in practice it means that you have a boy that lives behind a veil of fear and can't really share the deepest parts of his heart.
Next time: Part Two--Mamma's Boys, Nice Boys, Cow Boys, and Good Boys...
Well, this is as good a time as any to talk about The Boys. The Boys is a system of thought that came from considering the kind of boy I wanted to spend my life with. I was meeting many boys on a daily basis, and I started to notice that these boys tended to fall into categories, each with shared characteristics. I came to the conclusion that if I wanted a certain category of guy, I needed to be clear about what characteristics that category of guy contained. Hence, The Boys. Within this system, there are basically seven categories of boys--Cute Boys, Bad Boys, Sad Boys, Nice Boys, Cow Boys, Mamma's Boys and Good Boys. Each category of boys has its good and bad characteristics. And there's ample reason that women love boys in each of those categories.
The Boys is not a system that is meant to stereotype, but rather to clarify my own thinking. Because there's nothing wrong with a Cute Boy, or a Bad Boy, if that's what you want. But if you don't know what makes a Cute Boy, or a Bad Boy, how do you know when you meet one?
And so, ladies and gentlemen, Cafe Girl proudly presents.... The Boys--Part One
Cute Boys
These boys are not necessarily drop dead gorgeous, although many of them are. What makes them attractive is their wit, their charm, and their playfulness. They have an excellent sense of humor and are incredibly self-aware. As a result, they may also be incredibly self-effacing. They are fun, fun, fun, fun, fun.
Why do we love them? Because they make us feel both girlish and motherly all at once. We want to be part of their fun, but we also want to make a big meal and feed them.
Why should we be careful? Because they are so fun that they may never become serious about anything--including you.
Bad Boys
Who hasn't met a bad boy and known better? Bad boys are hot and cool all at once. They have a blatant disregard for authority and love danger. Whether it's driving too fast, being just on the edge of breaking the law, or being in danger of getting caught, bad boys love to do it and won't care about the consequences. When not aloof, they are funny, in a sharp, slightly dark sort of way.
Why do we love them? Because they make us feel like we can do anything, forget about what the world thinks, and we know that feeling such freedom is incredibly sexy.
Why should we be careful? Do we even need to go there? Because blatant disregard for anyone and anything is sexy--until it turns into a blatant disregard for you.
Sad BoysOften musicians, poets, writers, painters, sculptors, basically any kind of artist. Sad Boys have at least one major heartbreak in their pasts, usually more. Each story of heartbreak is oddly similar to the last. Sad Boys constantly feel misunderstood by the world, yet are ever so willing to pour out their hearts to it.
Why do we love them? Because they are sensitive and kind, particularly towards the disenfranchised. Hearts that are broken that many times are often soft. And also because they seem to be so open, so willing to talk about how they feel.
Why should we be careful? Because a Sad Boy will inevitably tell you, "I'm willing to give you more, really I am, if only I weren't so afraid of being hurt again." And while that sounds logical in theory, in practice it means that you have a boy that lives behind a veil of fear and can't really share the deepest parts of his heart.
Next time: Part Two--Mamma's Boys, Nice Boys, Cow Boys, and Good Boys...
November 5, 2006
Absurd Adventures With Hair
Labels:
Love
Two weeks ago, I dyed my hair back to it's natural black. It caused quite a little stir everywhere I went. Most of my friends haven't seen me with natural hair color in almost two years. Many of my colleagues had a hard time picking me out of a crowd or at a distance.
This was all very amusing until Really Hot Guy saw me. Yes, Really Hot Guy is exactly just that, incredibly hot, and a guy. I know him slightly and, as far as I can tell, he's a nice guy. But because he's so good-looking, I can't really look him in the eye much. And that's really my problem, not his.
Anyway, Really Hot Guy saw me coming, stopped in his tracks and said, with slight amazement, "You changed the color of your hair."
"Yeah," I replied casually, with a smile, "It was time."
"It's all dark now," he said. Then, out of nowhere, he stepped in close, reached out his hand and stroked my hair.
I froze, smile and everything. And here's what went through my head:
"Really Hot Guy is stroking my hair. REALLY HOT GUY IS STROKING MY HAIR! Wait a minute, why is Really Hot Guy stroking my hair?"
And then Really Hot Guy turned and left me standing there, holding a cup of coffee, my metaphorical chin on the metaphorical floor.
Now, I am no prude. I have no objection to a little fun and a little flirting. In fact, this scene could have been straight out of one of those chick-in-the-city novels. And honestly, when Really Hot Guy touched my hair I felt, ever so slightly, a tingle.
None of this is really any problem except for the following: Really Hot Guy has a girlfriend. Really Hot Guy lives with said girlfriend. I think Really Hot Guy is about to propose to his girlfriend.
And that does present a logic disconnect. Since Really Hot Guy is attached, I have to assume that he really did not mean to make an advance. On the other hand, did I miss the memo that hair stroking has now become the acceptable form of greeting between acquaintances? Is this like the next stage of the kiss on the cheek hello?
I am also suspicious: Does The Girlfriend know that Really Hot Guy is going around stroking strange women's hair?
Unless, of course, I've stumbled into some twilight zone where really cute guys find me infinitely touchable. If such a zone indeed exists, I have no objections to a one-way ticket and a piece of real estate there.
This was all very amusing until Really Hot Guy saw me. Yes, Really Hot Guy is exactly just that, incredibly hot, and a guy. I know him slightly and, as far as I can tell, he's a nice guy. But because he's so good-looking, I can't really look him in the eye much. And that's really my problem, not his.
Anyway, Really Hot Guy saw me coming, stopped in his tracks and said, with slight amazement, "You changed the color of your hair."
"Yeah," I replied casually, with a smile, "It was time."
"It's all dark now," he said. Then, out of nowhere, he stepped in close, reached out his hand and stroked my hair.
I froze, smile and everything. And here's what went through my head:
"Really Hot Guy is stroking my hair. REALLY HOT GUY IS STROKING MY HAIR! Wait a minute, why is Really Hot Guy stroking my hair?"
And then Really Hot Guy turned and left me standing there, holding a cup of coffee, my metaphorical chin on the metaphorical floor.
Now, I am no prude. I have no objection to a little fun and a little flirting. In fact, this scene could have been straight out of one of those chick-in-the-city novels. And honestly, when Really Hot Guy touched my hair I felt, ever so slightly, a tingle.
None of this is really any problem except for the following: Really Hot Guy has a girlfriend. Really Hot Guy lives with said girlfriend. I think Really Hot Guy is about to propose to his girlfriend.
And that does present a logic disconnect. Since Really Hot Guy is attached, I have to assume that he really did not mean to make an advance. On the other hand, did I miss the memo that hair stroking has now become the acceptable form of greeting between acquaintances? Is this like the next stage of the kiss on the cheek hello?
I am also suspicious: Does The Girlfriend know that Really Hot Guy is going around stroking strange women's hair?
Unless, of course, I've stumbled into some twilight zone where really cute guys find me infinitely touchable. If such a zone indeed exists, I have no objections to a one-way ticket and a piece of real estate there.
November 2, 2006
November Is National Novel Writing Month
Labels:
Life
Alright! I'm officially doing it. I am a registered participant of National Novel Writing Month. From the website www.nanowrimo.org
"National Novel Writing Month is a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to novel writing. Participants begin writing November 1. The goal is to write a 175-page (50,000-word) novel by midnight, November 30.
I wavered but last night, November 1, I signed up. And I have a handy dandy icon posted here to prove it.
I'm at 850+ words and counting.
If I can make the 50,000-word count by midnight November 30, I'm supposed to get a web icon and a certificate for completion.
The site even says that in June 2007, the group is launching a similar writing program for screenplays. Oh what fun.
"National Novel Writing Month is a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to novel writing. Participants begin writing November 1. The goal is to write a 175-page (50,000-word) novel by midnight, November 30.
Because of the limited writing window, the ONLY thing that matters in NaNoWriMo is output. It's all about quantity, not quality. The kamikaze approach forces you to lower your expectations, take risks, and write on the fly.
Make no mistake: You will be writing a lot of crap. And that's a good thing. By forcing yourself to write so intensely, you are giving yourself permission to make mistakes. To forgo the endless tweaking and editing and just create. To build without tearing down."I wavered but last night, November 1, I signed up. And I have a handy dandy icon posted here to prove it.
I'm at 850+ words and counting.
If I can make the 50,000-word count by midnight November 30, I'm supposed to get a web icon and a certificate for completion.
The site even says that in June 2007, the group is launching a similar writing program for screenplays. Oh what fun.
November 1, 2006
If I Have To Explain...
Labels:
Life
...why a skeptical cheerleader is inherently funny, we should just call it a day and all go home.
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