march madness

This month has been full of hope and new beginnings..and as it comes to a close I find myself looking forward to April and beyond.

I plan to take two classes in the Fall at UNLV as a non-degree seeking student (NDSS), but registration doesn't commence until mid April. And NDSSs must wait until accepted students register before we can choose classes. So we'll see what I'm left with. As I mentioned in the last post, I'll be doing my best to work around my current work schedule, meaning cross your fingers that there will be some evening or late afternoon classes offered and still available. In addition, the classes available may have little or no relevance to my concentration of study, but hey, I'm just trying to prove to them I can do it. We'll have to wait and see. I haven't hit my parents up yet for the money because I want the exact amount right in front of me to show them. I'm not forseeing problems with that, but you know what happens when you don't expect the worst. Bingo! Disappointment.

To help combat a little of the above stress as well as get my health and body in shape, Mark and I started P90X (see last post for a little more info). We did a one week run through where we did the workouts and followed the diet program, getting our minds and bodies into the swing of things. We both saw results after just one week. Check out my fitness blog Lean & Mean: A Goth Girl's Guide to Getting Fit to see some "before" photos and how the first week went. I'm currently blogging about the second week, or moreover, the first "official" week. All I can say is that its amazing what changes you can make with proper diet and exercise.

In other news, Mark had new plants and trees put in on Friday. His yard was fairly desolate, but finally its beginning to look more alive. And you all should know how much I miss "green" living in Las Vegas. Desert landscaping is tough if you want something besides rocks, cactus, or dry brown bushes. The soil is basically hard clay, actually caliche, pronounched ka-lee-chee. The weather is hot and dry and the choices are limited when it comes to plans and trees that will withstand such conditions. Mark enlisted the help of a local nursery to help him choose appropriately and get the new greenery transported and planted. He's been hard at work installing a drip system and I think the whole yard will come together nicely. As a bonus, Mark dedicated a section along a side wall for me to grow a couple vegetables and herbs. With a raised bed, I think I can do it. You'd think the idea of a vegetable garden in the desert might sound ridiculous, but many varieties of plants enjoy this type of climate and do rather well. I'm not going overboard...initially...and plan to start with tomatoes, red and green lettuce, spinach, and red and green chili peppers. For herbs, I'm going with basil, dill, and shallots. I chose these plants because I know I'll use them and since this is my first foray into gardening I wanted to keep it simple. The official planting date is mid April so you'll get to see how it goes. I know Shae and Maura garden so I hope you'll give me some helpful tips, guys!

In my inbox a few days ago I received an email to join a local Meetup called the Las Vegas Creative Fiction Writing Critique group. A long name for something fairly simple. Writers helping other writers with positive criticism. I took it as a sign to get my writing back in gear. Even though the group is not necessarily Romance specific, a few of the members write Romance, and most importantly the group leader, so I don't think I'd feel out of place. The group is dedicated to critiquing any members work that wants it. I think I'm ready for this, and I'd actually like to hear some non-Romance readers' and writers' opinions as well. The first meeting is April 3rd @ 10am at a local Barnes and Noble. Check out the link Shae and anyone else if you're interested in joining, or if you'd like to see what Meetup.com is all about. I had to let my RWA and local Chapter memberships lapse due to lack of funds and since this is free, I hope it turns out to be something productive. I'll be letting you know how our first meeting goes.

Off to work out.

Quote of the Day: The process of writing has something infinite about it. Even though it is interrupted each night, it is one single notation. ~Elias Canetti

spring cleaning

It's already March and it seems, once again, I've neglected to just keep writing...or at least, keep the people interested in my wayward life up to date on what the hell is going on with it.

No more procrastination. I'm jumping right in. Bombs away!

It's been a wild couple of months. After blogging about my 2010 resolutions I thought I might have a little downtime for once. You know, to reflect, organize and push forward. Umm. No.

One of my main resolutions was to go back to school. I want to further my education and finally nurture my interests into a rewarding, meaningful career. I contacted a former professor (also a former boyfriend) and asked him how I should go about the whole process. He advised that instead of applying for my Masters, that I apply for my PhD, considering I planned to go that direction anyway and in his experience more funding and benefits were given to the PhD students. I understood the logic and decided to follow his advice. However, it meant I'd have to get all my application materials submitted by the deadline of February 1st.

At first, panic set in. I had less than 3 weeks to get 3 letters of recommendation, transcripts from the colleges I'd attended, a lengthy writing sample, a statement of purpose, and take the GRE, which I had yet to study for, to the history department of UNLV. Normal people would say that I was certifiably insane.

By some strange miracle I managed to get everything on a forward moving track by the last week and a half. I even had meetings set up with the Graduate School Director and the Graduate Program Director of the History Department for Friday and was scheduled to take the GRE the following Wednesday.

Then the first of my three disasters struck...

A quick trip to Target with Mark on a rainy Wednesday evening resulted in my purse being stolen and my car window being punched out.

I've never had my car broken into and I've never had my purse stolen. I've lost my purse once, but it was found and returned. I guess I'd been lucky all this time. Yet, it wasn't all for naught. I did have my wallet on me at the time, so the thieves got my brand new purse that was a Christmas gift, my cell phone, my checkbook, my camera, some extra keys, my address book/planner, a fleece hat and gloves, my make-up bag, some grad school application materials, and (sniff sniff) the notebook I write EVERYTHING in...from grocery lists to pieces for my novels. Other writers, I'm sure you feel my pain on that one. Yes, it could have been a lot worse though. I was worried about the criminals having access to my address and all my friends and family's addresses, but the people I know convinced me the perps were probably only looking for cash, credit cards, and expensive phones or gadgets they could sell. They most likely ditched the rest when they didn't see anything useful. I had to file a police report, another first for me, and open a new checking account. I did get an iPhone to replace my stolen cell (and OMG its awesome!). I set about getting the other things replaced and my car window fixed, but I couldn't fall apart. I mean, I had meetings that Friday AND a big test to study for!

The meetings resulted in rethinking applying for the PhD. Both the directors advised to go for the MA first. I had to agree with them since they knew the best course of action at UNLV. Now, the MA deadline isn't until June 1st, but in order to get a Graduate Assistantship (a large portion of my tuition taken care of if I taught a class) I'd have to still get my application in by February 1st. Also, the MA didn't require GRE scores. Although, since I already signed up and couldn't get my money back I decided to continue my crash course studying and take it, submitting everything by the February 1st deadline.

And so the second disaster struck....

The GRE went horribly. And no, I'm not exaggerating here. I knew one of my essays was altogether wrong (I misread the directions) and the math portion was downright evil. The questions are supposed to get more difficult as you get them right, but mine kept getting easier and for God's sake I still couldn't get them correct. It was brutal and discouraging. I didn't feel too bad knowing I didn't have to record my scores (which I chose not to) and that it was a learning experience for the if and when I have to take it again for the PhD. I so hope I never have to set eyes on it again though.

The following weekend I spruced up an old undergraduate essay for my writing sample and wrote a kick-ass statement of purpose (I really did like my work on that ;-)). It was tight, but I got everything in by February 1st. A few things came up, giving me a chance to get to know various directors, administrative assistants and program counselors, but my application was officially complete and so I waited. I was relieved, anxious, excited, and pretty darn nervous.

Moving on to disaster number three....

Not only did I not receive a graduate assistantship, but I was denied admission. Okay, I wasn't exactly told flat out not to waste their time, I was told that they enjoyed reading my application, but were unsure I was prepared for graduate work. In conclusion, they want me to defer my application to a later date and take a couple of classes as a non-degree seeking student. My grades as an undergrad fell just below 3.0, so I'm assuming they want me to prove I can hang with the other more GPA savvy students. Sigh. This news was pretty disheartening in the beginning since my friends had pumped me up, leading me to believe there was no way I'd be refused. I mean, I'm smart, passionate, driven and it's UNLV, not Yale! Who applies for graduate school in history in Las Vegas anyway. I really did think I was a shoe-in. Ha! See what getting overly excited does?! Where the hell did I leave my low expectations?! I'm so ashamed. I know the rules. Low expectations = low disappointment!

Anyway, the two biggest problems with taking classes as a non-degree seeking student is....no funding or loans for the tuition, so I'd have to come up with the money myself. And not being a full time student with expenses paid, I'd have to keep my job and take classes around my work schedule. Joy. I'd have to find late afternoon or evening classes, which are few and far between, and I'd have to discuss it all with my boss in order to rearrange my schedule. As for the money, I'll have to ask my parents for help. I hate doing that, but this is incredibly important to me and I don't want my pride to get in the way of living a dream.

Now, I'm looking for some questions to be answered regarding what classes to take and then changing my application. After I know exactly how much this will cost, I'll be hitting up the parents. I'll keep you posted on that as it unfolds.

In other news, Valentine's Day came and went. It's been almost 7 months for Mark and I and we're still going strong. I'm happier than I've been in a long time. I had an orchid send to his work a few days before the Day of Love as a surprise. He likes surprises and he knows my feelings on V-Day. I don't need to be totally fawned over, I just like to be acknowledged with a few words or a simple card or something original. Mark was a little discouraged that he couldn't get me exactly what he wanted, but it really is the thought that counts and after we talked about it, he ended up buying me a Wii. I'll deal ;-) He also gave me a sweet card. The card would have been enough, but he was adamant about doing something above and beyond. He's the best. And he's adorable.

Together we're embarking on a new adventure as of this Monday. All this graduate school prep is a chance for me (and him) to make a change for the better. Since I'm on the road to improving myself intellectually, I didn't want to fall behind with improvement physically. I've talked about diet and exercise before in my blog and they are in my resolution list. Well, Monday, we're starting P90X, a fitness program that you've probably seen on TV. It's an intense combination of diet and exercise that Mark and I have been researching for a while. We finally decided to BRING IT! as Tony Horton, the creator of the program exclaims in each DVD you do every day. Also, as inspired by my fabulous writing buddies, Maura and Shae, I decided to keep a separate blog to journal my fitness journey. Check out lean and mean, the goth girl's guide to getting fit (and ripped!) in the next day or so to see my first post!

On the writing front, with all the deadlines and disasters of the last couple months my revisions have fallen by the wayside. And now I've set myself up with a rigorous reading schedule before I begin my classes in the fall as well as an intense exercise regimene for the next 90 days. Baby steps for the revisions though, right? I haven't forgotten my novel and school can only add to it. I'm counting on things falling into place as the workouts commence, classes begin, and my life straightens out.

Last, I wanted to congratulate Maura on finishing her novel and synopsis and getting it sent off! Props to Shae for her debut on the big screen here in Vegas, too! You both rock and I hope we continue to encourage each other for years to come.

Quote of the Day: Writing is a struggle against silence. ~Carlos Fuentes

2009 resolutions revisited for 2010

Happy New Year everyone! After a couple months of blog neglect, I'm back with a vengeance. It's a new year and I'm filled with a fresh sense of excitement and renewal. Just writing new numbers when typing the date makes me feel like I'm starting over. In a way it inspires me to change and grow...for the better of course; and ultimately record the goals and dreams that will help me with that growth. The organizer in me also jumps for joy because I get the chance to clean out closets, my room and my head - getting rid of the old and the useless and the clutter. Then I look at a clean daily planner and fantasize....ahh, to begin again.

I decided to go back to last years' resolution post and edit/revise. Since that IS where I am with my novel -revisions- I figured it would be appropriate.
2010 - New Year Resolutions

1) Publish my novel.

Last year I wanted to publish the trilogy, but I got ahead of myself. Especially with some new things I'm adding to my plate this year. One at a time...One at a time. I plan to continue with my revisions and write every day. I need to keep the momentum going.

2) Exercise.

Waiting for the weight bench Mark keeps mentioning he'll get for me. (wink wink) I joke. Its up to ME and only me. The plan with the bench is already there. I have the exercises and the schedule. Now to just do it! My body screams at me at times to move and though I hate to run, I find myself aching to do just that. Odd, huh? But other than that I want to start Yoga. I think it would benefit me in so many ways...with my stress, my flexibility, the knots and kinks in my back and neck, and with my writing of course (thanks for that spark of an idea, Matt!). I have videos galore and with YouTube and the internet, I'm sure I can get a program going for 3 to 4 times a week.

3) Eat better and drink more water.

I went back to pescatarianism (vegetarian who eats fish and/or shellfish) about 8 months ago and am still going strong. My previous foray into not eating meat lasted about a year and then I began having strange dreams about meat that stressed me out so much I finally caved and went back to my carnivore ways. Unfortunately, I gained 25 pounds eating meat and especially fast food. Add unhappiness to the equation and you have the potential for disaster. I started exercising right before the move out of my ex's house. That helped, but after the move I began researching vegetarianism and veganism again. I read more books (check out Skinny Bitch, it will kick you in the butt and open your eyes to some horrors going on in the world of food) and became more aware and knowledgeable about what really goes on in the meat industry. I realized I wanted to stop eating meat for health reasons, to make a stand about commericialized slaughtering and processing of animals, and to help the environment. I'm hoping to eat less fish and shellfish as well and adopt a near-vegan lifestyle, limiting the animal products I use and consume. I lost the weight I gained 8 months ago and feel better in general, but I find I still get stuck in ruts when it comes to meatless food. I miss variety and when it comes down to it, it's unnecessary because there are a TON of meatless dishes to partake in. So part of the eating better goal is to cook more vegetarian meals and experiment with spices and flavors. Also, I have to give Mark props for being incredibly supportive of my vegetarianism even though he eats meat. He's always concerned about what I can eat and takes an active interest in vegetarianism and the meals I make. I sometimes get emotional over certain things and make snide or sarcastic comments but he takes them in stride and it makes me respect him even more! Oh and I should be drinking 8 glasses of water a day, minimum.

4) Drink more wine.

Still stands.

5) Get finances in order.

I'm not doing badly. But Im not doing well either. I exist. Barely. This is in part because I don't make much at my job. Dont get me wrong. I love that I even HAVE a job, one that I don't mind going to everyday, and one that gives me benefits and vacation days, and a stable work history. But I could be doing so much better. I have a degree and I'm damn smart. One of my later resolutions will show you one of the ways I plan to fix this *could be doing better* issue, but for now I need to get back to getting the debt gone and gone for good. A while ago I thought about buying a home but was told to get the debt down or else I'd have a home with no money to do anything else. Then I was thinking of moving back East, but still wanted to get myself in a good financial position. I still want to get myself up to speed and I'm still working on it. A friend gave me Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover last year and I keep coming back to it because it's an awesome no-nonsense system. I'm taking it one step at a time and hope to be debt free one day. It takes time, but I'm confident. Even with all my student loans! :-)

6) Travel.

Mark and I are planning a small trip this month either to San Simeon to see Hearst Castle or over to Colorado Springs. Both would be fun considering I love to travel and want to do more of it. Eventually (and hopefully in conjunction with my last resolution) I'll be able to go to Europe or overseas this or next year. I will be getting my passport in the next two months, too. I would also like to journal my travels, in the written word AND photographically. And maybe one day I'll get the scrapbooks done for my Rhode Island trips.

7) Learn to knit.

I'd like to have a tangible, practical skill. When the end of the world comes and I'm left in the countryside to rebuild the human species and society, what the heck could I provide for my fellow survivors? How about a sweater? It gets damn cold in the aftermath.
Actually, I think it would just be nice to knit a scarf, some socks, or a hat.

8) Go to Grad School.

Ok, so this is the BIG one. I'm hungry for intellectual stimulation. I'm sure Vegas has something to do with it because it's severely lacking in this department. Not that there isn't any here. You can find it...in the small corners of the city, at the college, or in certain people....but it's not the city's main focus. And it isn't prevalent at my job. Luckily I have Mark, my family and my friends, who consider it vastly important. But I'd always hoped to do something more with myself and my career. Writing helps that, but I'd like to get involved in something that could become steady work and a chance to give back, teach, inspire... I mentioned that I was interested in history and the Regency period more specifically, but I'm also interested in what it takes to become involved in curation at museums, art galleries, etc. I found that Public History is the way toward that and at UNLV you can tack that on to your area of study. Perfect! I plan on setting up a meeting with the graduate coordinator for this month to go over how it all works and what I need to do financially, mentally, and professionally to prepare and get in for the Fall. Its all very exciting.

So that's it. Those are my resolutions for 2010. And what of the others from 2009.

I have a primary doctor now. She is Mark's doctor and she was on my insurance plan. I had a

couple heart issues and after a bunch of tests, she found out I had a mitrovalve prolapse. In layman's terms that's a floppy valve. I means my heart has funky beats evert so often, but its still strong and there isn't any problem beginning a rigorous exercise regimene. My blood tests came back great except for a high amount of iron. I had a test done for Hemochromotosis, a rare blood disease, but I am just a carrier and don't have the matching gene that allows the disease to express itself. Phew...

I also have a gynocologist now. I'm clean of all disease and am on birth control again.

I still have to find another dentist.

Of learning one language a year - I plan to refresh my French since I'll need it in grad school for my area of study and work on Welsh when I can.

Of getting rid of things I don't need - I'm doing it!

I'm working on taking care of my skin, I'm looking into laser hair removal, and Mark has helped me experiment with make-up like I never have before! Can you believe I wore false eyelashes to my company Christmas party?

I got the tattoo and am looking into what I'd like next and where :-)

I've taken more photos and will try to take even more!

I'll be refraining from moving back East. I've got too much here to stay for now. Sorry Ariana. But with school and better finances I'll be able to visit more often.

And don't think I've forgotten my best writing buddies in the world. Maura and Shae, I'm heading over to both of your blogs right now to comment.

Watch out world! Here I come.

The pursuits of happiness

I know it’s the middle of November and not only did I miss out on NaNoWriMo, but I’ve had a hard time focusing on anything in the writing realm. I’m trying to bust out of that funk with my blogging and then slowly moving back into my novel. Thus, the current goal is to just write. Something. Everyday. Whether it be journaling, longer emails, blogs, exercises, or novel revisions, something will be done everyday.

I have been reading. I’m racing to finish New Moon before the movie comes out on the 20th. I’m not enjoying the second book as much as the first one, but it’s still entertaining and I do plan to finish the series. In addition to my other books in progress listed on the right, I also picked up Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow. I’ve been trying to keep up with the Las Vegas Weekly because its fairly liberal compared to the local community newspaper and it reports on not just the most popular stories but the more obscure ones as well. And the writing is great - witty, sarcastic, honest and thorough. So, E.L. Doctorow, an award winning novelist, spoke at the Clark County library last Sunday and though I didn’t make it to the lecture, I loved what the LVW wrote about him and thought I would check out his work. Ragtime seemed unique and it won an amazing award (award here). I’m not big on mainstream fiction, but this piece borders on historical fiction with a bit of fantasy thrown in. Doctorow’s imagery is beautiful…and sometimes painfully frank. Every once in a while it’s nice to branch out into the literary world.

I’ve also been doing some major soul searching. In particular, I’ve been looking into what I’d like to do with my life career-wise. Now, I’m not one to base my worth or define myself by what society terms a “career”…BUT, I would like a steady paycheck and my writing isn’t bringing in any sound income. Honestly, I don’t want my writing to be about *income* per se. I mean, I wouldn’t mind if writing made me vast amounts of money, but I would be just as pleased if it only brought in a few dollars. The writing makes ME happy and that’s what’s most important. Work wise there are a ton of other things that I’d like to learn/do before I move on from this life. The key here is learn. I love school. And I’ve been to many, just to see what I like and what I can gain from the experience. I’m thinking its time to go back..for good. I have my degree in history and I’d like to get my Masters in history as well. And who knows, maybe even my Doctorate. I thrive on research and I don’t think I’d be a horrible teacher either. It would also help me greatly with my writing. Especially since I have thousands of ideas for historical romances. And how horrible would it be to have to study abroad for a few weeks? As for what I’d like to study specifically, definitely European history. My undergraduate degree was in a concentration in Medieval studies, but I’m ready for something different. I’m really interested in British history during the Regency period. All of that era fascinates me and I’d love to become an expert on such a rich and complex time in our history. Fall registration at UNLV is already closed, but I’m gearing up for next fall if everything goes as planned. I’d need letters of recommendation (it’s so nice to have a former instructor as an ex :-P), writing samples, statement of intent, and an application and fee. Luckily, no GRE is needed for a Masters. It will take some work, but I’m excited about getting back into improving my mind.

Next on the list, improving the body.

The fall Into winter

One of my favorite months is already over and I feel incredibly behind with…everything! October was such a whirlwind that my heart just couldn’t take it and I decided to go to the doctor and get it checked out. Nothing major, or so I hope, just strange heart palpitations. They’re taking it seriously, nonetheless, and are doing a full range of tests. They took blood and urine and who knows what else when I wasn’t paying attention. My EKG came up normal so they fit me with a 24 hour monitor on Monday and I took an Echo and Stress and dye test on Wednesday. I’ll keep you all posted of what becomes of that.

Thus begins a new chapter in my life. Aging. Getting old. Heading down the perverbial hill towards death. Morbid, I know. As the bumper sticker says…I’m not Goth, I’m just prepared. Sigh. And I finally got myself to two other doctors that I had been needing to see as well. The eye doctor was first. On my insurance plan we get a free annual exam and since I’ve never been to the eye doctor..ever..I figured I would use my health benefits while I can. I hadn’t noticed much of a decline, if any, in my eyesight except for some blurriness at night around the bright neon lights of Vegas. The doctor said my eyes are perfectly healthy but I have a slight astigmatism in the right eye and nearsightedness in the left. Together my eyes naturally correct themselves, but she gave me a light prescription for the times I’d like to see in HD, rather than normal J It’s a milestone in my life considering all of my family have worn glasses for most of their lives. My body parts are beginning to wear out. Ugh. The bright side of the situation is that I now have an excuse to get some naughty librarian spectacles.

The other doctor I finally bit the bullet on was the gynecologist. It’s amazing I found a female doctor AND one that was taking new patients on my insurance plan. Long ago when I called around it seemed no one was taking anyone new, but then I’m guessing the recession is affecting everyone..even doctors! The exam went quickly and they did blood work for all STDs. I’m proud to say I’m healthy and STD-free AND now on birth control pills again after almost 10 years!

Ah yes, birth control. I was actually rather excited about going back on the pill seeing that when I first started it back when I was 16 it helped regulate my periods and got rid of my debilitating cramps. I had since pretty much grown out of those kinds of problems, but I was looking forward to being more consistent and have basically non-existent cramps. I didn’t expect what ended up happening… The first seven days (or the first phase of the tri-phase pills) I was an emotional wreck. I was moody to a fault, going from happy to sad to angry in a matter of minutes. The sadness was the worst. Most of the time I felt depressed and ready to burst into tears (which I’m ashamed to say…I did) and for no major reason! Mornings and evenings were the most turbulent, when my mind would just start spinning and coming up with a wild array of things to get upset about. And now as I think back, I feel silly. Luckily, I had some inkling as to WHY I was feeling so miserable, even when I was feeling it, so I would just let it go, ride it out and know it would pass eventually. I felt for Mark, who had to deal with it that intimately, and so soon into our relationship, but as usual for him, he was incredibly supportive. He mentioned how out of it I was and how I didn’t seem myself at all. I would get really quiet and zone out. As soon as the second phase pills came into play I seemed to even out. I’m hoping my body gets used to the hormones for the next round coming up here soon. If not, I’ll have to look into a different type of pills. I would hate to feel like that every month.

The beginning of the month was rather exciting because it was Mark’s birthday. The big FOUR OH! and it just so happened that my parents were going to be in Vegas for the Senior Games that weekend. Mark’s birthday was the 2nd and it fell on a Friday. Weeks before I knew I wanted to make it special, considering I like him…a lot J I had a bouquet of the most gothic flowers I could find (a combination of blood red roses with a black sheen on the petals and faint creamy pink roses, burgundy foliage and other dark greenery) sent to his work because he mentioned he liked flowers AND I wanted to embarrass him in front of his colleagues, like a good girlfriend should. He was harassed by the best of ‘em, and for the evening, I planned to give him his gifts and then take him to dinner at my favorite sushi restaurant. It was a wonderful night and a great weekend. He told me it was one of the best birthday weekends he’s had in a long time. That made me all warm and fuzzy inside. What can I say? I love to see him smile.

Dinner with the parents happened on that Sunday. I had no worries about Mark not impressing them, considering they’re fairly easy to please (ha ha) and are mostly concerned with my happiness. And I know that he can hold his own in most situations, being an intelligent, confident and worldly man. We all chatted effortlessly and the Cheesecake Factory provided some amazing food. My Dad commented as we parted ways that he and my Mom liked Mark, so I figured it was a successful evening.

Since then we’ve spent a lot of time together and have settled into a nice, electrifyingly sweet groove. You’ve already heard about Naked Fridays, but we’ve created a few other special days. I’ll refrain from going into those out of respect for imagination. What’s really awesome is when Mark decides to change it up and throw something different into the mix. Just because. That kind of romantic quirk could most definitely define him as a “keeper”…

But our relationship isn’t just comprised of the erotic. I mean, we also go out to the movies, eat fast food, watch reality television (like Tool Academy and Say Yes to the Dress to name a few) and even go to fabulous Vegas events like the quarterly Gun Show. Yes, Mark got me tickets to the Gun Show. And yes, he kissed his biceps when he said it. :-D As a fairly staunch liberal, this isn’t normally my event of choice, but my curiosity frequently gets the better of me, especially when I think of the photo ops and story ideas that could come of it. Mark grew up with guns in Oklahoma and still enjoys shooting a round at the range for sport. Men seem to be drawn to blowing shit up and destroying things in the name of sport and science. Me, I can safely say: not a fan. I understand the need for guns but have a hard time getting past the devastating power a gun has. I’ve shot one before and instead of giving me the adrenaline rush many say they get from it, I only got more afraid. With each squeeze of the trigger I braced myself with eyes nearly closed for the massive kickback and the knowledge that what I just did could obliterate a human being in one flesh-ripping second. Yeah, I’ll pass. But the show was…interesting. Various booths were set up with guns and gun paraphernalia for sale, but what shocked me were the booths for a random array of items: antiques, other weapons, glass-blown figurines, used books, jewelry and novelty clothing. I’m guessing gun enthusiasts bring along their wives and such, so why not cater to them, too. I could have done without the rebel flags, lack of deodorant, and Obama bashing literature, but the guy with the parrot on his shoulder made it worth it. And the characters there - from the young wannabe gangster to the diehard survivalist were entertainment enough. I did feel like a badass in my Harley boots and rockabilly t-shirt when I picked up a gun and did my best Dirty Harry impression. Mark threatens to take me out on the range one of these days. We’ll see.

For Halloween, Mark and I hoped to make it to the Fetish and Fantasy Ball, held at the Hard Rock Hotel, but the Day of the Dead crept up on us so fast we were left unprepared. We plan to order some exotic/Goth outfits from an online store that specializes in the more macabre. It takes a few weeks because it is done in China and per individual measurement. Next year for sure. This year we spent some time at the Town Center Mall and accidentally ended up in the center of a huge trick or treating event…for kids. Adults were dressed up as well, but most were with their children and or dogs. We sat on a bench and just took in all the costumes. Some unique, some cheesy, some cute, some beyond inappropriate. Would you go as a hooker if you had two young children with you? Well this IS Vegas, maybe she wasn’t in costume. We ended up staying for quite a while and brainstormed what cool costumes we might try next year or in the future.

So now it’s almost Friday and I’m at work. I’m blogging at work. That should tell you how slow it is. Matter of fact they laid off my co-worker, Michele, but by the grace of some spastic time-continuum, someone up in accounting happened to be leaving for greener pastures in California. Michele was able to snap up that job before anything catastrophic happened. I’m gonna miss Michele down with Kim and I in our hole off of the warehouse, but like we had much choice. The economy is killing the casino industry and Stations is taking a serious hit all over the board. I’m just glad Michele will only be a couple flights of stairs away. It’ll get me in shape. I just hope the work environment has improved since she last came down as a refugee. But then everyone wants to work with Kim and I. We’re a blast and we don’t buy into that gossipy bullcrap…most of the time.

Anyway, I think it’s time to end this entry. Next time I’ll go into my reading and writing pursuits, along with what else I have in store for myself.

naked friday

Enter Mark: Las Vegas City Planner extraordinaire, intelligence laden, hot as a rock star in leather pants, wit up the wazoo, wild hair on the long-ish side, a heart of gold, puppy dog eyes, and 6 foot 2 inches of bonafide, sinew-packed man with a penchant for using *product* in his hair and Monty Python references... Can we all say yum?

Any more gushing and I might make myself sick..and we can't have that after his inaugural appearance on my blog.... ;-)

With a new man in my life comes the emergence of new traditions. Our first being Naked Friday.

Naked Friday's really are quite simple. Once done with all forays into the public domain for the day...disrobe. Completely and preferably with total abandon. Rinse and repeat. Then go about your business as described for the rest of said Friday and maybe even into Saturday. You can do this alone, if need be, but it is much better with another and hopefully someone you'd enjoy seeing nude. Touching in this state is encouraged yet up to each individual and not necessary. Just remember not to perform certain tasks that emphasize the reasons we aren't naked most of the time. These include...sanding floors, opening pickle jars, coughing, and bicycle maintenance...

All joking aside, Naked Friday's are first and foremost...intimate. And well, we all crave intimacy in a variety of forms. Because while it can be incredibly sexy and sensual, nudity is also awkward, unusual, and sobering. We're forced to surrender to our hang-ups or dwell in them. All of our so-called *flaws* are on display for the other to see and we must figure out how to handle them. Since everyone is different when it comes to dealing with such raw and pure feelings, it's inevitably a learning experience for all parties involved. Being so open has eased many fears that I've had in the past and I'm honored to be able to share such an experience with Mark.

Go ahead people....try it!

TGINF, Baby!!

a new day

September already? Where has the time gone... Just yesterday I was whining about this and that, then moving on toward new ideas and new endeavors. Life never ceases to amaze me with its twists and turns and ups and downs, like that of a novel you can't put down and you never want to end. And so it continues....

I did end up picking my friends' brains about my business idea and everyone has been helpful and supportive in all aspects. I'm not going to give up on it yet. It may need tweaking and a little time (and money) to get into the works, but its still a viable thought that grows and morphs with each day. I'll let you all know as it progresses..

In the beginning of August I went to visit my bestest friend in the whole wide world, Ariana, in Newport, Rhode Island. I stayed with her and her boyfriend Alan at their home off the Point District. I went last year and it was a whirlwind trip, but this year it was much more laid back and relaxing. Nothing like a vacation to help rejuvenate the soul, right? And that's exactly what it did. I fell right into step once I got there. I initially thought I'd have trouble adjusting to the non-working schedule, but...um....no. I was able to sleep in, watch cable, enjoy the moisture in the air and the lovely color green that I miss so much living here in the desert. And along with the foliage came the history and the architecture of old. It all makes me want to breath deeply again. I was able to take a couple more tours of the mansions, photograph cemeteries, and hang out in bars where everybody new my name. Okay, so everyone didn't know my name, but when the bouncers and the wait staff remember you, it gives you a warm and fuzzy feeling. We also caught a concert and a couple comedy shows at the Yachting Center, which is a great, intimate venue right on the wharf. Newport is surreal and I was beyond glad to get to spend almost two weeks there enjoying it and the company of Ariana and Alan and all the other good people that made my visit special. Upon returning I expected more of a let down, but the trip seemed to rev me up and give me somewhat of a new lease on life. I took stock of things and regrouped...

Recently, I've been reminded by a certain special someone and, of course, nudged by the incessant clock that ticks away in my head, about my goals posted earlier this year. I like goals. I make a lot of them. It seems to give an idea more immediacy, more focus and more permanence. And well, if I have say....18 goals and roughly only half get accomplished I feel successful in that accomplishment. Because if I had only one and didn't accomplish it, I'd feel like a failure. I went back and read through them again. Some I had completely forgotten, others had fallen by the wayside for various reasons, a couple need to be re-evaluated and the rest are done!

As for the writing, I may not have kept up with the incredibly demanding schedule I imposed upon myself, but I'm still moving forward and trudging along. My main book is still fresh and alive, in revisions. It's taking much more time and effort than I imagined. It hasn't made me love writing any less or dampened my spirit though. If anything it has strengthened my respect for the craft and for the authors out there that are creating and getting their stories out there. It's a fascinating and wildly difficult process, but I learn more and more with each step and I'm confident in my ability. We'll see how long that lasts! ;-)

I'm wondering if I should do NaNoWriMo this year. I'd love to get back into the groove of writing every day in that manic form, but I fear it may detract from my revisions. I'll have to think about it.

I'll leave it at that for now....the muse will be back soon, I'm sure.

Quote of the Day: An incurable itch for scribbling takes possession of many, and grows inveterate in their insane breasts. ~Juvenal, Satires