An Unplugged Moment

The cable company struck again on Friday. From noon until noon the next day there was no cable, no internet. It's not like this doesn't happen around this time every year, it's just usually shorter outages, maybe four hours or so.

I took it in stride. After all, I was already prepared because my schedule had been varied. I was all set for a potential disaster. So, all of the work for one of my freelance jobs was in my email, totally accessible from my phone. No problem there. I put a record on the turntable and relaxed. But one who is used to digital streaming quickly realizes that records are not easily paused. So I moved on. I had a number of previously downloaded podcasts on my Kindle that I could access (and had to get rid of anyway--memory shortage).

After a few entertaining podcasts, I moved on to reading. Without online access I had at least 100 different books at my fingertips. I read for awhile, skipping from book to book. I then looked at the clock. Surely hours had past? Nope. Just two.

By the evening, I was itching for some news. No, seriously. I get a little edgy when I'm out of the loop for more than a few hours. I decided to use my phone and stream my local news station's broadcast through their app. No problem for the first hour, but my cell service provider must have realized I had it too good and slowed my speeds so the streaming stopped working. Just as well, because the streaming used a quarter of my monthly data in just an hour. Hmph.

The rest of the night? Switching between season two of Get Smart and season four of Emergency! Thank heavens for my unruly DVD collection.

The next morning wasn't too bad because I try to limit my online access on Saturdays anyway. I went and got a coffee. I read some more. Played a little Mario on the Wii. But what angered me the most out of this whole matter? I didn't write. The absolute perfect time to write, and I didn't do it. Okay, maybe I snuck in a few sentences, but once I realized I needed to Google a question, I gave up. This experience made me realize how, even sitting watching TV, I'm addicted to Googling things I don't know. How did I survive before that search engine existed? Did I just walk around like a dummy, not knowing the answers to weird, random facts?

All is right with the world again, so it's time to get to work on August's projects. They are big ones, so get ready. It's going to be a wild ride and I'm taking you with me.

Marching On

The internet is full of advice--and let's be honest, most of it is useless. But if you were only going to take one piece of advice from this vast digital wasteland, I hope it will be this: if you ever find yourself in a situation where you are saying, "I don't want to jinx it, but..." I beg of you, do NOT finish that sentence. Because this is the sentence I started last Thursday, and it ended with "I haven't been sick in the past four years." So of course the next day I developed a raging cold. Just goes to show you that the universe really is listening--and has a sick sense of humor.

This put a dent in all of my writing progress for sure, but I'm not out yet. I'm still juggling the delicate balance of writing, editing and revising all of the projects I have in motion. The immediate goal is to update In Another Life with a few more chapters this week, and then keep chugging away another manuscript behind the scenes. It seems boring (and sometimes it can be), but it's what all this could lead to that still makes it all worth it. Fingers crossed.

Skewed Results

So, I had two minutes to kill and I just took a simple Beatles quiz. I mean, this thing was so simple that I'm sure anyone could take it an get 100%. They told me I got an 80%. I DON'T THINK SO! I even check my answers... they were all correct.

This is just one more example of why I love to hate the internet.

Some More New Work

I think I am finally done adding all the high school sap poetry to the wide depths of the internet. If you are interested, you can check out these poems. If not... I don't blame you. Seriously. I mean... the poetry means a lot to me, but to others... probably way too sappy. Haven't convinced you to read them yet? Shocking.

Mystery Man

No

Night Among the Stars

Reprise to a Letter to God

Comedy Heals the Pain

I'm a bit blue. And I think this is why I have been indulging in all things comedic lately. Not only am I keep up with the daily regimen of The Daily Show and the Colbert Report, but I am also listening to the comedic stylings of some of the best in old time radio. And maybe the reason my blues are catching up with me is because I Love Lucy has once again changed times on TVLand. No more will I get my daily dose of Lucy and Ricky in zany marital bliss. Unless I unpack all of my boxes to find my box set. But I won't do that. I hate repacking.

But I think I'm doing all right anyway. I have my jobs... though they are really mind numbing at the moment, but at least its money. I have my precious internet, and I have all the time in the world, and don't use a single moment of it for my fiction. Nice going, Kid.