Action When it comes to aspirations, it’s not about ideas. It’s about making ideas happen. What’s your next step?
I know, but I don't know. In terms of my career, my next step is to polish my rough draft of my novel and start finding an agent. So that much I know. For the rest of my life, I'm at loose ends. Don't know where to look next. I've interviewed a life coach, and I'm considering working with her, but somehow I can't push myself to take the next step with that. Is that the right next step? I don't know.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Thursday, December 9, 2010
reverb 10, 12/9
Party. What social gathering rocked your socks off in 2010? Describe the people, music, food, drink, clothes, shenanigans.
Well, it has to be Beth N's Halloween party. First of all, we don't get to go to a lot of parties. And while we did attend two lovely weddings, we got to dress up as characters from my favorite show, Fringe, for the Halloween party. I love a good costume party!
The people were dressed up to all different degrees: we had a sports family (complete with pregnant cheerleader), pumpkin, monk, white trash, and lots of wigs. I myself wore a wig, to be Fauxlivia, while lucky Dale just had to wear normal clothes to be Peter. The food was good - hot dogs, and the drinks were fatal. Seriously, whoever mixed my first Rum & Coke really just handed me a drink filled with Rum and garnished with Coke. I stayed on the porch, which was a good thing for people's eardrums as I consumed my Rum & Coke. There were lots of kids there, and roasting of marshmallows, and people played games inside. It was a good party.
I have some thoughts as to what parties will rock my socks off in 2011. My mom is hosting a family reunion, which I suspect will include some great moments!
Well, it has to be Beth N's Halloween party. First of all, we don't get to go to a lot of parties. And while we did attend two lovely weddings, we got to dress up as characters from my favorite show, Fringe, for the Halloween party. I love a good costume party!
The people were dressed up to all different degrees: we had a sports family (complete with pregnant cheerleader), pumpkin, monk, white trash, and lots of wigs. I myself wore a wig, to be Fauxlivia, while lucky Dale just had to wear normal clothes to be Peter. The food was good - hot dogs, and the drinks were fatal. Seriously, whoever mixed my first Rum & Coke really just handed me a drink filled with Rum and garnished with Coke. I stayed on the porch, which was a good thing for people's eardrums as I consumed my Rum & Coke. There were lots of kids there, and roasting of marshmallows, and people played games inside. It was a good party.
I have some thoughts as to what parties will rock my socks off in 2011. My mom is hosting a family reunion, which I suspect will include some great moments!
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Reverb 10, 12/8
Think about what makes you different and what you do that lights people up. Reflect on all the things that make you different – you’ll find they’re what make you beautiful.
Oh, this is a difficult one. I feel like I'll be bragging if I answer this. But I'll give it a go!
What makes me different? Is this what makes me different or what makes me unique? Because most of the differences I can think of aren't unique-maybe it would be easier to focus on unique. So what makes me unique? My DNA? Yes, plus my life experiences. But what else is there? Is there such a thing as "soul DNA"? Because my soul is also unique.
What lights people up around me? I know some people like the fact that I use my full name: Elaine Frances Bayless. That's a difference - I chose to keep my middle name rather than my maiden name. People enjoy laughing at my mispronunciations. Occasionally I can tell a good joke.
OK, my discomfort level continues to rise, I'm bailing on this one!
Oh, this is a difficult one. I feel like I'll be bragging if I answer this. But I'll give it a go!
What makes me different? Is this what makes me different or what makes me unique? Because most of the differences I can think of aren't unique-maybe it would be easier to focus on unique. So what makes me unique? My DNA? Yes, plus my life experiences. But what else is there? Is there such a thing as "soul DNA"? Because my soul is also unique.
What lights people up around me? I know some people like the fact that I use my full name: Elaine Frances Bayless. That's a difference - I chose to keep my middle name rather than my maiden name. People enjoy laughing at my mispronunciations. Occasionally I can tell a good joke.
OK, my discomfort level continues to rise, I'm bailing on this one!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Reverb 10, 12/7
December 7 – Community Prompt: Community. Where have you discovered community, online or otherwise, in 2010? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2011?
While I spent much of this year deepening my relationships within existing communities, I did find two new communities this fall. One was in Nanowrimo, the National Novel Writing Month. Although I only went to one write-in, it was definitely a community of people participating. Online, on Twitter, in person, a diverse community focused on a single goal. It's something I plan to continue. I also was invited to join a small writing group. We've only met a few times, but that is a community I do plan to continue and connect with more deeply in 2011. It took me over a year, maybe two, to really find people to give me feedback on my writing, but now I do feel like I've been able to find those people to give me those invaluable critiques.
While I spent much of this year deepening my relationships within existing communities, I did find two new communities this fall. One was in Nanowrimo, the National Novel Writing Month. Although I only went to one write-in, it was definitely a community of people participating. Online, on Twitter, in person, a diverse community focused on a single goal. It's something I plan to continue. I also was invited to join a small writing group. We've only met a few times, but that is a community I do plan to continue and connect with more deeply in 2011. It took me over a year, maybe two, to really find people to give me feedback on my writing, but now I do feel like I've been able to find those people to give me those invaluable critiques.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Reverb 10
December 6 – Make. What was the last thing you made? What materials did you use? Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it?
The last thing I made. This requires some thought. I make quite a lot of things: I cook, I cross-stitch, I write. So what is the very last thing? Christmas cookies. I baked Christmas cookies, intending to decorate them. I didn't get around to it, and now my husband is gobbling them as fast as he can! Before that? I guess I would say the cat cross-stitch is the last thing I completed. I have two cross-stitch projects currently going, but neither complete. And of course, I have two books I'm working on, a novel and a memoir.
Materials: For my primary creation, writing, the materials I use are the computer and my mind. I find it interesting that many people, when writing, don't necessarily create so much as recount. They are recounting experiences and events in new settings, rather than creating completely new characters. Of course writers, especially myself, draw from our lives. But I think most fiction writers would argue that we are still creating new situations and lives. For example, in my novel, I am dealing with the future. It's set in Raleigh, NC, so some things I can't change (Southern Weather). Other things I can create wholesale (college fashions for women).
Time: I am pretty good about clearing time in my schedule to create. Next year will bring some new challenges in that area, but I am preparing as best as I can for them. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out.
Thanks to Reverb 10 for getting me thinking!
The last thing I made. This requires some thought. I make quite a lot of things: I cook, I cross-stitch, I write. So what is the very last thing? Christmas cookies. I baked Christmas cookies, intending to decorate them. I didn't get around to it, and now my husband is gobbling them as fast as he can! Before that? I guess I would say the cat cross-stitch is the last thing I completed. I have two cross-stitch projects currently going, but neither complete. And of course, I have two books I'm working on, a novel and a memoir.
Materials: For my primary creation, writing, the materials I use are the computer and my mind. I find it interesting that many people, when writing, don't necessarily create so much as recount. They are recounting experiences and events in new settings, rather than creating completely new characters. Of course writers, especially myself, draw from our lives. But I think most fiction writers would argue that we are still creating new situations and lives. For example, in my novel, I am dealing with the future. It's set in Raleigh, NC, so some things I can't change (Southern Weather). Other things I can create wholesale (college fashions for women).
Time: I am pretty good about clearing time in my schedule to create. Next year will bring some new challenges in that area, but I am preparing as best as I can for them. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out.
Thanks to Reverb 10 for getting me thinking!
Friday, December 3, 2010
Response to Entrada!
How did I do in my predictions?
1. Alt-Broyles did way more than assist Olivia - he gave himself fully to her cause.
2. Fauxlivia did disappear at an opportune moment - I gave it a 20% chance.
3. Peter got in almost TWO hours of stomach-churning anguish, hurrah! And a little more at the hospital scene at the end.
Other thoughts about the episode. What will Fauxlivia and the Fringe division think of Alt-Broyles' disappearance? Surely Fauxlivia knows the truth, but what about the others? Will Fauxlivia change her mind about the other universe and try for peace? How will Walternate deal with Broyles' betrayal?
Does Fauxlivia really care for Peter? Nope. She may have sentimental feelings, given the keeping of the photos, but if she truly cared about him we would've seen it when she had the gun on him in her apartment.
Peter had yet another stupid moment, in Olivia's apartment, when Fauxlivia had the gun drawn on him. If he'd stopped to think just a bit, wouldn't he have realized that Fauxlivia was never going to kill him? He didn't have to just shoot himself up with the poison. That's my only criticism. Otherwise, I give this episode a standing ovation!
Next week promises to be just as good - I love how Olivia, freshly returned, will be working on a case about reanimation. What a great way to work multiple levels of the theme!
1. Alt-Broyles did way more than assist Olivia - he gave himself fully to her cause.
2. Fauxlivia did disappear at an opportune moment - I gave it a 20% chance.
3. Peter got in almost TWO hours of stomach-churning anguish, hurrah! And a little more at the hospital scene at the end.
Other thoughts about the episode. What will Fauxlivia and the Fringe division think of Alt-Broyles' disappearance? Surely Fauxlivia knows the truth, but what about the others? Will Fauxlivia change her mind about the other universe and try for peace? How will Walternate deal with Broyles' betrayal?
Does Fauxlivia really care for Peter? Nope. She may have sentimental feelings, given the keeping of the photos, but if she truly cared about him we would've seen it when she had the gun on him in her apartment.
Peter had yet another stupid moment, in Olivia's apartment, when Fauxlivia had the gun drawn on him. If he'd stopped to think just a bit, wouldn't he have realized that Fauxlivia was never going to kill him? He didn't have to just shoot himself up with the poison. That's my only criticism. Otherwise, I give this episode a standing ovation!
Next week promises to be just as good - I love how Olivia, freshly returned, will be working on a case about reanimation. What a great way to work multiple levels of the theme!
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Olivia is coming!
This is the season of Advent. A time of waiting for the celebration of Jesus' birth. And, this week, a time of waiting for Agent Dunham to come home from the parallel universe!
I'm very excited about tomorrow night's episode. It looks thrilling! How will Olivia get back? My money's on alt-Broyles assisting her. Will Fauxlivia return, die, or go into hiding? I suspect she'll go into hiding, because of course, that's the most thrilling option. I can't imagine how she would return, but maybe they've already planned for that - so I call a 20% chance that she'll vanish at the most climatic moment. Will Olivia discover what a dorkhead Peter's been with respect to Fauxlivia? Probably not in this episode. However, Peter will discover his mistake and I bet that's going to make for a lot of stomach churning anguish. (hooray! Who doesn't love seeing Peter go through stomach-churning anguish?) Once Olivia does discover, I suspect that will lead to big romantic complications. My vote? That the 2 of them move immediately into a post-relationship friendship, sort of Jerry-Elaine style. My prediction? The writers will have the 2 of them back together within 2011, this season or next. In other thoughts: I'm betting that Nina and Walter will not be shocked at Fauxlivia's exposure - there's a chance that Nina has already taken precautionary measure (I can only hope).
And of course, there's other concerns. Once they realize that Fauxlivia was setting them up, will our Fringe team continue to research and assemble the Machine? Will Sam help Olivia re-assimilate? Are there more Cortexiphan children for continued trips to the other side? Is Sam Weiss also the old man at the typewriter shop?
I'm very excited about tomorrow night's episode. It looks thrilling! How will Olivia get back? My money's on alt-Broyles assisting her. Will Fauxlivia return, die, or go into hiding? I suspect she'll go into hiding, because of course, that's the most thrilling option. I can't imagine how she would return, but maybe they've already planned for that - so I call a 20% chance that she'll vanish at the most climatic moment. Will Olivia discover what a dorkhead Peter's been with respect to Fauxlivia? Probably not in this episode. However, Peter will discover his mistake and I bet that's going to make for a lot of stomach churning anguish. (hooray! Who doesn't love seeing Peter go through stomach-churning anguish?) Once Olivia does discover, I suspect that will lead to big romantic complications. My vote? That the 2 of them move immediately into a post-relationship friendship, sort of Jerry-Elaine style. My prediction? The writers will have the 2 of them back together within 2011, this season or next. In other thoughts: I'm betting that Nina and Walter will not be shocked at Fauxlivia's exposure - there's a chance that Nina has already taken precautionary measure (I can only hope).
And of course, there's other concerns. Once they realize that Fauxlivia was setting them up, will our Fringe team continue to research and assemble the Machine? Will Sam help Olivia re-assimilate? Are there more Cortexiphan children for continued trips to the other side? Is Sam Weiss also the old man at the typewriter shop?
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