I used to own a car. I used to drive everywhere from work, to the store, to the gym, for vacation, etc. I’ve been carless for almost four years now. That is a long time. People ask me how I can get along without a car. It is possible, and we humans have lived most of our history without automobiles.
Everywhere I need to be, I don’t need a car for. I have a bicycle that gets me to where I need to go. The grocery store, the gym, and the places I work are bike-able distances aka less than 3 miles. If I want to make special trips I can either bike or take the bus.
I must admit, however, that I tend toward the lazy. I want things done and I want them done ten minutes ago. Slowly, my patience in this regard has risen. But I’m not wrong in assuming that things should really be closer. The car has made it possible for our civilization stretch, but it also creates artificial distances in the places we live.
This is the reason we should all ride bicycles: everything would be much closer together. You wouldn’t have to drive all over town to get done what you needed done. Businesses would be close to homes (to reduce commute time and leg strain) and a variety of businesses would have to arise to complete and compliment what is needed in a particular area.
In turn, there would be a larger sense of community as people would be able to recognize those the bike past, wave, talk, etc. Roads would be vastly smaller, safer, and much less costly as they would only need to support bikes. If someone needed to travel long distance they could take a train/public transit to get to where they needed to go and these would have special roads.
Suddenly that house on a hill would not look as attractive, and more people would move to flatter areas. In turn, the general health would improve, because, hey, we’re all getting a lot more exercise!
Of course this is not viable right now, but I think, in the future, bikes will become a lot more popular. Doesn’t the world sound a little more enjoyable if you aren’t in bumper to bumper traffic and instead commute a shorter distance while getting exercise?
07 June 2011
18 May 2011
Why I Hate/Love Hot Guys
<rant>
I could perhaps be the only person on the planet to feel this way, but if there is one thing I’ve learned, it’s that we’re not alone.
I hate hot guys. I do. I know it may sound very strange, but I do. I hate them because of the way they look, and that I don’t look that way. I hate that get tons of attention, and I don’t. I hate them because I know I can’t have them (just let me rant for a moment, thanks). I hate how everything seems effortless to them.
I also love hot guys. Contradiction? Well, we are all contradictions walking around. I love them because they are so beautiful. I love looking even though I know I can’t have them. I suppose this is where the term ‘achingly beautiful’ comes from. I want them, all of them.
Every time I look through incredibly hot mens’ profiles, I silently curse myself for looking and ever hoping that I could possible ever talk to one. I try. I send the stupid message: “Hi, how are you doing?” that only people like me ever answer. Someone who’s not hot, who’s not in the upper echelon.
Why on earth do I do this to myself? I have no idea. I find various men attractive, and base most of my ‘decisions’ on facial features, but when a man with a rocking hot bod and a beautiful face are combined, I die a little on the inside. It’s not fair. I know they worked hard to get the body they have, but there is no replacing good genetics for an attractive face.
Perhaps worst of all is the gay hot men. At least with the straight guys, I know I have no chance, at all. With gay ones I could. I could have a tiny smidgeon of hope, as close to 0 as one can get, but still there is something. Somehow it never fails...
Now, I know a few of you will comment saying that 1) I can get any one, so don’t give up hope, 2) Who are you kidding, you are one of those people, 3) Lower your standards, and 4) Don’t worry about what you don’t have, let go. And you are all probably right, but I have to say something about it because it’s been bothering me for a long time, and yes, I’ve become upset enough over it. One of the reasons I work out a lot is because I want a better body so people like this will like me too, and of course so I will like me too.
Ugh.
</rant>
I could perhaps be the only person on the planet to feel this way, but if there is one thing I’ve learned, it’s that we’re not alone.
I hate hot guys. I do. I know it may sound very strange, but I do. I hate them because of the way they look, and that I don’t look that way. I hate that get tons of attention, and I don’t. I hate them because I know I can’t have them (just let me rant for a moment, thanks). I hate how everything seems effortless to them.
I also love hot guys. Contradiction? Well, we are all contradictions walking around. I love them because they are so beautiful. I love looking even though I know I can’t have them. I suppose this is where the term ‘achingly beautiful’ comes from. I want them, all of them.
Every time I look through incredibly hot mens’ profiles, I silently curse myself for looking and ever hoping that I could possible ever talk to one. I try. I send the stupid message: “Hi, how are you doing?” that only people like me ever answer. Someone who’s not hot, who’s not in the upper echelon.
Why on earth do I do this to myself? I have no idea. I find various men attractive, and base most of my ‘decisions’ on facial features, but when a man with a rocking hot bod and a beautiful face are combined, I die a little on the inside. It’s not fair. I know they worked hard to get the body they have, but there is no replacing good genetics for an attractive face.
Perhaps worst of all is the gay hot men. At least with the straight guys, I know I have no chance, at all. With gay ones I could. I could have a tiny smidgeon of hope, as close to 0 as one can get, but still there is something. Somehow it never fails...
Now, I know a few of you will comment saying that 1) I can get any one, so don’t give up hope, 2) Who are you kidding, you are one of those people, 3) Lower your standards, and 4) Don’t worry about what you don’t have, let go. And you are all probably right, but I have to say something about it because it’s been bothering me for a long time, and yes, I’ve become upset enough over it. One of the reasons I work out a lot is because I want a better body so people like this will like me too, and of course so I will like me too.
Ugh.
</rant>
18 April 2011
Living Dreams
I received a letter last Friday informing me that my final school, U of Florida, had decided that I was not a match for them this year.
I suppose I should be upset, and I am to an extent, but this latest turn of events only seems to follow the general pattern of the year a psychic told me would be a disappointing year. She was very right, and continues to be right. I have a lot of nasty stuff coming down the drain, and it is for the best.
I’m looking at this as an opportunity to live at home and still try to live my dreams as a writer. In year that I lived here back at home I’ve barely done the writing that I should have. I’ve realized in the past few weeks, that I’ve been neglecting my craft as I shouldn’t be. I don’t work a day job and so I have all the time to write. I don’t.
This last weekend I went to a writer’s retreat where I got more writing and editing done in three days than I did all this year and some so far. I was very productive and it felt good to be moving along in my writing. I don’t need to go to school to live the writing dream, but if I want to live it, I have to start now.
I’ve submitted a story for publication last week, and I have yet to hear back, but I’m thinking this one will be accepted. I’ve got another couple stories that I’ll be submitting this week. It’s time to move and let my babies roam the world.
I haven’t given up on graduate school, but I think to get there I need to go live the writing lifestyle right now. I can’t become a better writer by not writing.
I suppose I should be upset, and I am to an extent, but this latest turn of events only seems to follow the general pattern of the year a psychic told me would be a disappointing year. She was very right, and continues to be right. I have a lot of nasty stuff coming down the drain, and it is for the best.
I’m looking at this as an opportunity to live at home and still try to live my dreams as a writer. In year that I lived here back at home I’ve barely done the writing that I should have. I’ve realized in the past few weeks, that I’ve been neglecting my craft as I shouldn’t be. I don’t work a day job and so I have all the time to write. I don’t.
This last weekend I went to a writer’s retreat where I got more writing and editing done in three days than I did all this year and some so far. I was very productive and it felt good to be moving along in my writing. I don’t need to go to school to live the writing dream, but if I want to live it, I have to start now.
I’ve submitted a story for publication last week, and I have yet to hear back, but I’m thinking this one will be accepted. I’ve got another couple stories that I’ll be submitting this week. It’s time to move and let my babies roam the world.
I haven’t given up on graduate school, but I think to get there I need to go live the writing lifestyle right now. I can’t become a better writer by not writing.
13 March 2011
Writing About Writing, and other notes
If you missed #storycraft on twitter today, you missed me and the several bombardments against my ideas. Not to worry. If you follow my other blog snowppl.wordpress.com, you will find the essay response to what happened. I spent about 3 hours crafting this reply, and while it may not be perfect, I think it sums up, generally, my ideas on the matter.
In other news, I’ve heard back from 9 of the schools I applied to, and each denied my application. I am still waiting to hear from Florida, but I’m guessing the reply will be similar. I’m not as heart-broken as I thought I would be. It just means I need to put together a stronger application next year, and that means hard work. I’m ready to jump in head first and work on my writing. My GRE scores should not have prevented entry, though who knows? I’ve been meaning to contact two of the schools about my application, as they have stated they allow, and see what part of my application I need to improve.
Last, I will be starting my Craft of Fiction class this Thursday, and that offers me a wonderful opportunity to work with ‘young’ writers on their writing. So far all of my students have been excellent, and they love what I have to offer them. Nothing is better than helping others learn what one is passionate about.
In other news, I’ve heard back from 9 of the schools I applied to, and each denied my application. I am still waiting to hear from Florida, but I’m guessing the reply will be similar. I’m not as heart-broken as I thought I would be. It just means I need to put together a stronger application next year, and that means hard work. I’m ready to jump in head first and work on my writing. My GRE scores should not have prevented entry, though who knows? I’ve been meaning to contact two of the schools about my application, as they have stated they allow, and see what part of my application I need to improve.
Last, I will be starting my Craft of Fiction class this Thursday, and that offers me a wonderful opportunity to work with ‘young’ writers on their writing. So far all of my students have been excellent, and they love what I have to offer them. Nothing is better than helping others learn what one is passionate about.
23 January 2011
The Golden Rule
Many religions talk about the golden rule or golden maxim: the principle to live by. The one statement that sums everything up. This quote is probably not as famous as the King James version, but it is easier to understand. I’ll start from here.
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.” Matthew 7:12 NIV
Most of you have encountered the crazy religious person, and often they spew violent vitriol about eternal damnation or some such thing. I totally do not agree with the idea of damnation. I’m not a Christian in the sense most people use. And some people who call themselves Christian are not. I’m not really of any particular religion or thought pattern. That is because there is no one correct religion out there.
But we have this ‘rule’ to live by (in many forms, but I’ll stick with this one).
What does it mean, exactly? Do what to whom, and they’ll do what? No, it doesn’t mean that if you are nice to Steven, that Jill will be nice to you. It doesn’t work like that. It also doesn’t mean that if you punch John, that Adam will kick your butt. What it means is very simple. Live and interact with people as you would to yourself. Why, you might ask? Because everyone and everything is us. If you punch John, you are really punching yourself. If you are nice to Steven, you are being nice to yourself. There really isn’t much but belief that separates us from one another.
In sum the Golden Rule just means treat others as you would yourself, because everyone is you.
It may sound odd or strange, but we are all connected. I will share this story The Egg because it’s almost what I’m talking about. http://www.galactanet.com/oneoff/theegg_mod.html (I’ll wait for you to finish).
While I don’t quite agree with everything he said, it sums up the connection we all have. I like to think of everyone as one entity, the Universe that encompasses everything. Inherently, then, we are not separate, but rather we are all of the same thing. This is everything: humans, plants, animals, the planets and stars. Everything is of the same thing. So when we as humans destroy the earth, really what we are doing is destroying ourselves.
So what does it have to do with living here and now? Everything of course! Do you smile and say hello? Are you rude, or swear while driving? Do you accumulate worthless material objects only to throw them away? Do you care for others? One person has a tremendous impact on the world around them. How you live affects those thousands of miles away, though indirectly in most cases. If you smile at people, they will smile at someone else, starting a chain. If you glare, or curse, that goes around too. What really happens is a change in yourself. When you smile at someone, you smile at yourself, affirming your right to care for yourself. In doing so then, you can care for others better, and in doing that, others begin to change. Love is the answer here, for if you love yourself, you love others, and if you love others you love yourself.
So, what kind of world do you want to live in?
As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world - that is the myth of the atomic age - as in being able to remake ourselves. -Gandhi
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.” Matthew 7:12 NIV
Most of you have encountered the crazy religious person, and often they spew violent vitriol about eternal damnation or some such thing. I totally do not agree with the idea of damnation. I’m not a Christian in the sense most people use. And some people who call themselves Christian are not. I’m not really of any particular religion or thought pattern. That is because there is no one correct religion out there.
But we have this ‘rule’ to live by (in many forms, but I’ll stick with this one).
What does it mean, exactly? Do what to whom, and they’ll do what? No, it doesn’t mean that if you are nice to Steven, that Jill will be nice to you. It doesn’t work like that. It also doesn’t mean that if you punch John, that Adam will kick your butt. What it means is very simple. Live and interact with people as you would to yourself. Why, you might ask? Because everyone and everything is us. If you punch John, you are really punching yourself. If you are nice to Steven, you are being nice to yourself. There really isn’t much but belief that separates us from one another.
In sum the Golden Rule just means treat others as you would yourself, because everyone is you.
It may sound odd or strange, but we are all connected. I will share this story The Egg because it’s almost what I’m talking about. http://www.galactanet.com/oneoff/theegg_mod.html (I’ll wait for you to finish).
While I don’t quite agree with everything he said, it sums up the connection we all have. I like to think of everyone as one entity, the Universe that encompasses everything. Inherently, then, we are not separate, but rather we are all of the same thing. This is everything: humans, plants, animals, the planets and stars. Everything is of the same thing. So when we as humans destroy the earth, really what we are doing is destroying ourselves.
So what does it have to do with living here and now? Everything of course! Do you smile and say hello? Are you rude, or swear while driving? Do you accumulate worthless material objects only to throw them away? Do you care for others? One person has a tremendous impact on the world around them. How you live affects those thousands of miles away, though indirectly in most cases. If you smile at people, they will smile at someone else, starting a chain. If you glare, or curse, that goes around too. What really happens is a change in yourself. When you smile at someone, you smile at yourself, affirming your right to care for yourself. In doing so then, you can care for others better, and in doing that, others begin to change. Love is the answer here, for if you love yourself, you love others, and if you love others you love yourself.
So, what kind of world do you want to live in?
As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world - that is the myth of the atomic age - as in being able to remake ourselves. -Gandhi
01 November 2010
National Novel Writing Month
I usually dedicate all my writing towards Writerly Words, but I think that NaNoWriMo is also a very personal journey. Of course, all writing is a personal journey, but I feel that sometimes writers don’t want to hear or talk about this. It can make us uncomfortable.
This year instead of writing an actual novel, I’m writing a collection of short stories, or more precisely, short stories that may or may not be related to one another. I just need a good reason and a deadline to pump out these stories. The first one I’ve titled ‘The Brilliance’ which is a story shaping up to be about the process of discovering the passion for writing. I might share these stories, and I might now, but I feel that I should at least talk about them.
In other news of my life, I’m a lot closer to graduate school than I was when I first wanted to apply two years ago. I’ve actually got everything in order to apply. Once I receive my GRE scores, I will be very close to finishing the application, just a few minor things here and there to clear up. I’ve got my letters written (but not edited) and my LoR lined up. I think I can do this, and I think I’ll get in to three schools.
Everything at home is going well, I still need a few sign ups for my Craft of Fiction class to hold it, but I’m doing well. I’ll be turning 26 later this month, and I don’t know if I’m ready for that. I’ve got a lot on my plate, but I will pull through, and do well. I know this.
I hope you all have a wonderful week.
This year instead of writing an actual novel, I’m writing a collection of short stories, or more precisely, short stories that may or may not be related to one another. I just need a good reason and a deadline to pump out these stories. The first one I’ve titled ‘The Brilliance’ which is a story shaping up to be about the process of discovering the passion for writing. I might share these stories, and I might now, but I feel that I should at least talk about them.
In other news of my life, I’m a lot closer to graduate school than I was when I first wanted to apply two years ago. I’ve actually got everything in order to apply. Once I receive my GRE scores, I will be very close to finishing the application, just a few minor things here and there to clear up. I’ve got my letters written (but not edited) and my LoR lined up. I think I can do this, and I think I’ll get in to three schools.
Everything at home is going well, I still need a few sign ups for my Craft of Fiction class to hold it, but I’m doing well. I’ll be turning 26 later this month, and I don’t know if I’m ready for that. I’ve got a lot on my plate, but I will pull through, and do well. I know this.
I hope you all have a wonderful week.
13 October 2010
Age Does Make A Difference
I have to confess to seeing “Surprise Party,” by Craigery Morgan (view here). And this is sort of where my mind has gone over the last couple of days.
I’ll be the first to admit, this guy is hot. And most of you will agree with me, I think. In a very ‘Drew’ way, I immediately followed him on twitter (and if you are on twitter, I know you are too). Without thought, I posted: “I would like to introduce my new husband to you and himself.” This is very typical of me. If you know me at all you’ll know I have a lot of ‘husbands.’
Craigery is 5-6 years younger than me. So I got to thinking, ‘how has my own life changed in that time?’ I’ve graduated from both Citrus College and The University of New Mexico both in that time frame. I’ve grown tremendously as a person in those years. I’m no longer as shy, no longer as pessimistic, a lot more friendly. Of course I’m currently working on my body (and it’s so unfair that he’s so young with such a great body) and lost weight, managing my diet and eating healthy. Upon looking back upon those years, I realize I’m such a different person, but then again I’m the same. As much as I have change, I haven’t. I’m still a prude, probably more so than I used to be (if that is believable).
I realized that I don’t think I’d marry this young man, though I definitely would ‘sleep’ with him. When I meditated on my chakras I discovered that the only chakra truly thrown off balance by his sudden appearance was my sacral chakra—emotions and sexual desires. I’m not totally throwing the idea out there that I’d never marry him, but I would have to date him for a while first. Or just sleep with him and count myself lucky.
This is probably not exactly the post you were looking for, but I need to express my views to myself, for the most part and admit that I have sexual feelings and desires as much as I try to repress them. This is one of my new goals: admit and embrace myself as a sexual creature.
I’ll be the first to admit, this guy is hot. And most of you will agree with me, I think. In a very ‘Drew’ way, I immediately followed him on twitter (and if you are on twitter, I know you are too). Without thought, I posted: “I would like to introduce my new husband to you and himself.” This is very typical of me. If you know me at all you’ll know I have a lot of ‘husbands.’
Craigery is 5-6 years younger than me. So I got to thinking, ‘how has my own life changed in that time?’ I’ve graduated from both Citrus College and The University of New Mexico both in that time frame. I’ve grown tremendously as a person in those years. I’m no longer as shy, no longer as pessimistic, a lot more friendly. Of course I’m currently working on my body (and it’s so unfair that he’s so young with such a great body) and lost weight, managing my diet and eating healthy. Upon looking back upon those years, I realize I’m such a different person, but then again I’m the same. As much as I have change, I haven’t. I’m still a prude, probably more so than I used to be (if that is believable).
I realized that I don’t think I’d marry this young man, though I definitely would ‘sleep’ with him. When I meditated on my chakras I discovered that the only chakra truly thrown off balance by his sudden appearance was my sacral chakra—emotions and sexual desires. I’m not totally throwing the idea out there that I’d never marry him, but I would have to date him for a while first. Or just sleep with him and count myself lucky.
This is probably not exactly the post you were looking for, but I need to express my views to myself, for the most part and admit that I have sexual feelings and desires as much as I try to repress them. This is one of my new goals: admit and embrace myself as a sexual creature.
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