So, I've made it through another week at work. I'm so glad it is Friday, I cannot even begin to express how glad I am that it is Friday.
Today's entry will be short and sweet. I'm going in to work early so I can get off early. I've much to do to prepare for this Sunday's market.
I did find out yesterday that there are some citizens in Pine Lake who would like for me to have a couple more markets for the fall months. This is a nice thing, but I was kind of looking forward to being done with them for this year. However, if I can get a little help, I'd be willing to put together a couple more.
But I am getting a little excited about the upcoming one this weekend. With the music we're having, there are bound to be some people show up. I'm hoping to sell some things myself. Got some bills to pay.
I do have to run. I actually have some things to do before I even get to the MARTA station this morning. At least I'll get a good parking space (I hope).
www.cafepress.com/penspen
Later
Pen
Friday, September 14, 2007
Thursday, September 13, 2007
MEanderings
Not feeling my usual self today. Although I went to be somewhat earlier last night than I usually do, cutting my reading of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix shorter than usual, I still feel like I didn't get enough sleep. Maybe I can sleep in on Saturday as I will be up at the butt-crack of dawn on Sunday to get down to the lake for the artists' market.
We have musicians starting about 1:00 Sunday afternoon. Victor, a student from Georgia State's School of Music will open. Followed by Ronnda Cadle, the Emerson Guitar Group and Jazzmatic. These are all local people, of course. Hopefully, the music will draw some people in for the market.
But, Oy!, I'm tired. And still have so much to do before Sunday morning. I've got some painting left to do. Business cards to print. Catalogues to print, cut, staple and fold.
I am hoping my t-shirt and teddy bear get here tomorrow, but I'm not about to hold my breath for it. They were just ordered on Monday. It'd be an absolute miracle if they get here in time.
Has anyone, other than myself, noticed that you don't get nearly as much for your money these days? For instance, look at a bag of potato chips. No, seriously. I saw at Wal-mart the other day (forgive me, but I can only find the right hair color at Wally world) that large bags of potato chips were "on sale" 2 bags for $7. But here's the thing: HALF and sometimes OVER HALF the bag is nothing but air!
My PenTwin and I have gotten into lengthy discussions about this. Corporations are making PORTIONS smaller, but charging the same amount and sometimes more in order to increase their profits.
Greed doth raise its ugly head.
Sometimes, I think I would like to move way out into the country where I could have acres and acres of garden and grow all my own vegetables and fruits. Sometimes I would like to be a lot less dependent upon the "establishment" to sustain me.
The world has gone mad and is fast going to hell in a handbasket without the handles.
It's scary to be living in this time. Every morning as I leave to go to work all the way downtown Atlanta, I pray that nothing happens to me today. Granted, I also watch too many crime shows like NCIS, Criminal Minds and CSI. Those storylines are sometimes too eerily like the headlines. It is frightening what human beings can do to each other.
Of course, I won't stop watching CSI and I'm awaiting the new fall season. I try to keep my fears at bay by not thinking about such things most of the time.
Although with each passing day, hope wanes a little more, I still hope they find Steve Fossett alive today.
www.cafepress.com/penspen
Later
Pen
We have musicians starting about 1:00 Sunday afternoon. Victor, a student from Georgia State's School of Music will open. Followed by Ronnda Cadle, the Emerson Guitar Group and Jazzmatic. These are all local people, of course. Hopefully, the music will draw some people in for the market.
But, Oy!, I'm tired. And still have so much to do before Sunday morning. I've got some painting left to do. Business cards to print. Catalogues to print, cut, staple and fold.
I am hoping my t-shirt and teddy bear get here tomorrow, but I'm not about to hold my breath for it. They were just ordered on Monday. It'd be an absolute miracle if they get here in time.
Has anyone, other than myself, noticed that you don't get nearly as much for your money these days? For instance, look at a bag of potato chips. No, seriously. I saw at Wal-mart the other day (forgive me, but I can only find the right hair color at Wally world) that large bags of potato chips were "on sale" 2 bags for $7. But here's the thing: HALF and sometimes OVER HALF the bag is nothing but air!
My PenTwin and I have gotten into lengthy discussions about this. Corporations are making PORTIONS smaller, but charging the same amount and sometimes more in order to increase their profits.
Greed doth raise its ugly head.
Sometimes, I think I would like to move way out into the country where I could have acres and acres of garden and grow all my own vegetables and fruits. Sometimes I would like to be a lot less dependent upon the "establishment" to sustain me.
The world has gone mad and is fast going to hell in a handbasket without the handles.
It's scary to be living in this time. Every morning as I leave to go to work all the way downtown Atlanta, I pray that nothing happens to me today. Granted, I also watch too many crime shows like NCIS, Criminal Minds and CSI. Those storylines are sometimes too eerily like the headlines. It is frightening what human beings can do to each other.
Of course, I won't stop watching CSI and I'm awaiting the new fall season. I try to keep my fears at bay by not thinking about such things most of the time.
Although with each passing day, hope wanes a little more, I still hope they find Steve Fossett alive today.
www.cafepress.com/penspen
Later
Pen
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
MEanderings
I don't always think about the date when I'm writing this blog. So I totally forgot what yesterday's date was.
The anniversary of 9/11.
I was working yet another dead end data entry job (I lost that job because I had the nerve to tell my supervisor that data entry wasn't "rocket science"). I had stepped into the breakroom to grab some coffee and everyone was in there watching the television. Once I heard about what was going on, I joined them.
It was like it wasn't real. Couldn't be real. It was horrible to watch the tower as it crumbled in on itself. It was like a bad dream.
I remember as I drove home thinking that anyone could start dropping bombs at any moment. They could even drop one on the road I was travelling.
What is so ironic to me is that, since that time, people have become so much more apathetic. There's a lot less heart in the world than there used to be. You would think it would be the other way around.
I can testify to the compassion people had 40 years ago. People grieved for months after John F. Kennedy was shot. It was as though they took the loss personally.
People were shocked at 9/11. They were frightened afterwards. But they did not take it personally, save for those who actually lost someone in the tragedy.
What truly aggrieves me is that people seem to have forgotten that our current administration was forewarned about the attacks and did nothing. An America 40 years ago would have protested vehemently about this.
Yet people continue about their daily lives. No protests. No cries of outrage. No taking things to heart any more.
Do we still have a heart as a nation? Do people still have hearts individually?
Where is the soul America once had? It's not in that SUV or ipod. You won't find it in a brand of tennis shoe or at Mickey D's.
It is supposed to be within us, each and every American citizen. We are supposed to be the heart and soul of this nation.
In the movie, "National Treasure" Nicholas Cage quotes from the Declaration of Independence. The gist of it is that, if there is something wrong with our government, those who have the ability to take action have the responsibility to take action.
So where are those in positions of power who have the ability to take action? Because they certainly aren't taking the responsibility.
I love that I am an American. But there's a lot wrong with our government and nation that need to be fixed.
And these things should be fixed in memory of those who have died in America's name. In the name of freedom, justice and liberty for all.
Like those who died in 9/11. Involuntarily drafted by outside forces to be soliders and examples of what corruption and terrorism can accomplish.
I pray for peace.
Pen
www.cafepress.com/penspen
The anniversary of 9/11.
I was working yet another dead end data entry job (I lost that job because I had the nerve to tell my supervisor that data entry wasn't "rocket science"). I had stepped into the breakroom to grab some coffee and everyone was in there watching the television. Once I heard about what was going on, I joined them.
It was like it wasn't real. Couldn't be real. It was horrible to watch the tower as it crumbled in on itself. It was like a bad dream.
I remember as I drove home thinking that anyone could start dropping bombs at any moment. They could even drop one on the road I was travelling.
What is so ironic to me is that, since that time, people have become so much more apathetic. There's a lot less heart in the world than there used to be. You would think it would be the other way around.
I can testify to the compassion people had 40 years ago. People grieved for months after John F. Kennedy was shot. It was as though they took the loss personally.
People were shocked at 9/11. They were frightened afterwards. But they did not take it personally, save for those who actually lost someone in the tragedy.
What truly aggrieves me is that people seem to have forgotten that our current administration was forewarned about the attacks and did nothing. An America 40 years ago would have protested vehemently about this.
Yet people continue about their daily lives. No protests. No cries of outrage. No taking things to heart any more.
Do we still have a heart as a nation? Do people still have hearts individually?
Where is the soul America once had? It's not in that SUV or ipod. You won't find it in a brand of tennis shoe or at Mickey D's.
It is supposed to be within us, each and every American citizen. We are supposed to be the heart and soul of this nation.
In the movie, "National Treasure" Nicholas Cage quotes from the Declaration of Independence. The gist of it is that, if there is something wrong with our government, those who have the ability to take action have the responsibility to take action.
So where are those in positions of power who have the ability to take action? Because they certainly aren't taking the responsibility.
I love that I am an American. But there's a lot wrong with our government and nation that need to be fixed.
And these things should be fixed in memory of those who have died in America's name. In the name of freedom, justice and liberty for all.
Like those who died in 9/11. Involuntarily drafted by outside forces to be soliders and examples of what corruption and terrorism can accomplish.
I pray for peace.
Pen
www.cafepress.com/penspen
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
More MEanderings
I sit here at this ungodly hour, contemplating how I can get the word out about my merchandise. Actually, this is something I think about quite a bit these days. No money for advertising, so it has to be via word of mouth.
I've managed to order a t-shirt and a teddy bear. They should arrive by the end of the week. Actually wearing the products is great advertising in and of itself. The teddy bear will be raffled off at the artists' market this weekend.
I've also created a catalogue and business cards to leave in places like hair salons, coffee shops and doctor's offices. It's a start.
There is some low-cost advertising to be had, but I can only operate on no-cost at the moment.
I have faith and confidence that my stuff will catch on. The writing is very empowering for women. Especially "I AM" which is the writing I chose to start with. Just convincing women they need what I have, that's the trick.
In the meantime, I continue to read Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. I believe this may be the heftiest tome JK Rowling wrote. After that, it's the Half-Blood Prince. That one I'll have to check out of the library for now.
It's amazing how quickly money goes. I got paid yesterday, paid my bills and now I've little money to spare. It's frustrating to never have enough money to go around, isn't it?
I suppose at some point I'll have enough to go around and then some. But that's going to take some time. After all, when you're out of work for almost a year, it's tough to bounce back.
Truth be told, I don't recall how on earth I made it through. I fell down the stairs at my apartment building and couldn't work for a couple of days. The temp service I worked for at that time decided to "end my assignment." The days after are a blur.
Temp services have become a scam these days. They'll end your assignment if you wear the wrong kinds of shoes. I had a job that I really really liked back in the spring. It was also through a temp service. The company bragged to the service about how glad they were I was working there, how pleased they were with my work. Two weeks after they did that, they decided to "end my assignment" because they wanted someone with "more experience." This was so the company wouldn't have to pay employee benefits or a hiring bonus to the temp service. Three months later, the position I had worked was advertised again with a different temp service.
Working a job has become ten times harder in the last several years. Since Georgia's employment laws are all on the side of the employer, employers can pretty much treat employees however they want.
You can't pull an Erin Brockovich (my hero) in the state of Georgia and tell employers what you think (even if you don't use the "f" word). They consider this a sign of "aggression" particularly if it comes from a woman. It's as though freedom of speech isn't a constitutional right here in Georgia and free thinking isn't allowed.
I hate that feeling.
But, speaking of the job, I must get ready for mine. Have to go in early today. It's a good thing I have CDs to listen to all day: Sister Hazel, Cher, Michelle Malone, Indigo Girls, Melissa Etheridge and Dave Grusin to name just a few. It's background noise but it helps keep me sane.
I hope they find Steve Fossett alive today. I know hope is waning since it has been a week since he disappeared, but I keep hope alive until there is none left.
www.cafepress.com/penspen
Later.
Pen
I've managed to order a t-shirt and a teddy bear. They should arrive by the end of the week. Actually wearing the products is great advertising in and of itself. The teddy bear will be raffled off at the artists' market this weekend.
I've also created a catalogue and business cards to leave in places like hair salons, coffee shops and doctor's offices. It's a start.
There is some low-cost advertising to be had, but I can only operate on no-cost at the moment.
I have faith and confidence that my stuff will catch on. The writing is very empowering for women. Especially "I AM" which is the writing I chose to start with. Just convincing women they need what I have, that's the trick.
In the meantime, I continue to read Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. I believe this may be the heftiest tome JK Rowling wrote. After that, it's the Half-Blood Prince. That one I'll have to check out of the library for now.
It's amazing how quickly money goes. I got paid yesterday, paid my bills and now I've little money to spare. It's frustrating to never have enough money to go around, isn't it?
I suppose at some point I'll have enough to go around and then some. But that's going to take some time. After all, when you're out of work for almost a year, it's tough to bounce back.
Truth be told, I don't recall how on earth I made it through. I fell down the stairs at my apartment building and couldn't work for a couple of days. The temp service I worked for at that time decided to "end my assignment." The days after are a blur.
Temp services have become a scam these days. They'll end your assignment if you wear the wrong kinds of shoes. I had a job that I really really liked back in the spring. It was also through a temp service. The company bragged to the service about how glad they were I was working there, how pleased they were with my work. Two weeks after they did that, they decided to "end my assignment" because they wanted someone with "more experience." This was so the company wouldn't have to pay employee benefits or a hiring bonus to the temp service. Three months later, the position I had worked was advertised again with a different temp service.
Working a job has become ten times harder in the last several years. Since Georgia's employment laws are all on the side of the employer, employers can pretty much treat employees however they want.
You can't pull an Erin Brockovich (my hero) in the state of Georgia and tell employers what you think (even if you don't use the "f" word). They consider this a sign of "aggression" particularly if it comes from a woman. It's as though freedom of speech isn't a constitutional right here in Georgia and free thinking isn't allowed.
I hate that feeling.
But, speaking of the job, I must get ready for mine. Have to go in early today. It's a good thing I have CDs to listen to all day: Sister Hazel, Cher, Michelle Malone, Indigo Girls, Melissa Etheridge and Dave Grusin to name just a few. It's background noise but it helps keep me sane.
I hope they find Steve Fossett alive today. I know hope is waning since it has been a week since he disappeared, but I keep hope alive until there is none left.
www.cafepress.com/penspen
Later.
Pen
Monday, September 10, 2007
Monday morning ughs
Oy! It's Monday morning already??
Ah, but I must be grateful for having a job. That's what everyone tells me. While I try desperately not to be ungrateful, I would so much rather be doing something I enjoy for a living. It seems to me if you're going to spend the majority of your time doing something, it ought to be at least something you enjoy.
But, life isn't fair.
I couldn't go to sleep last night, so I stayed up a little too late reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Harry's just been cleared by the Wizengamot and he's ready to go back to Hogwarts.
I wouldn't mind going back to school. I'd love to be in flight school right about now.
But that comes later. At the moment, I look forward to the artists' market this upcoming weekend.
But for right now, I have to get ready for the JOB.
I hope they find Steve Fossett alive today.
www.cafepress.com/penspen
Later
Pen
Ah, but I must be grateful for having a job. That's what everyone tells me. While I try desperately not to be ungrateful, I would so much rather be doing something I enjoy for a living. It seems to me if you're going to spend the majority of your time doing something, it ought to be at least something you enjoy.
But, life isn't fair.
I couldn't go to sleep last night, so I stayed up a little too late reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Harry's just been cleared by the Wizengamot and he's ready to go back to Hogwarts.
I wouldn't mind going back to school. I'd love to be in flight school right about now.
But that comes later. At the moment, I look forward to the artists' market this upcoming weekend.
But for right now, I have to get ready for the JOB.
I hope they find Steve Fossett alive today.
www.cafepress.com/penspen
Later
Pen
Sunday, September 9, 2007
MEanderings on a Sunday morning
Have you ever wondered about the miracle that is you? How easily movement comes to you, how well you can see, hear, taste, breathe or smell? Do you ever park far away from the door of the store just because you have the ability to walk? Putting one foot in front of another, have you ever actually contemplated the movements of the muscles in your legs? Try it sometime, because the miracle of life is amazing.
One week from today at about this time, I will be down at the lake, setting up all my artwork and stuff for our artists' market here in Pine Lake.
We've had two already, but, I have learned the hard way, I'm afraid, that summer simply isn't the best time to have an outdoor market. It was much too hot this summer in Georgia. No one wanted to get out and about. I can't say I blame them. Sitting there in the hot sun for hours was horrible. Next year, we're only having two artists' markets - one in May and one in September and they're going to be on Saturdays instead of Sunday. May 3 and September 6 are the prospective dates for next year and I'm booking them on Monday.
But the weather has cooled down somewhat and we have live music and beer and wine sales. That should help bring people in, I hope. We have only a handful of vendors - about 8 thus far, but I'm not ruling out having an even dozen before the week is out. Of course, there may even be some people who show up Sunday morning, which is fine by me so long as they have their vendor fees in hand.
The money pretty much goes into the coffers of the City of Pine Lake. I just want the opportunity to sell my wares.
My art is folk art, although I would love to take some art classes. I did this one painting under the tutelage of a local artist, Rita King. It actually turned out well. So well, that I won't be selling it. Unless I do another just like it and sell that one.
I enjoy painting. I even enjoy making my own canvasses (which Rita taught me how to do). The only drawback about making your own canvasses, though, is that you have to either make stretchers for them or find someone who can. I haven't tried my hand at making stretchers and haven't been successful at finding someone who can make them for me, so my finished canvasses lay waiting to be stretched.
However, I also like painting on wood and have several pieces done. Not just any wood, they have to be a nice size and shape. There is one folk artist here in Pine Lake who will paint on anything that sits still long enough - wood, tile, glass, you name it. And it works for her. I'm just a little pickier, I guess.
I just finished this one large piece yesterday that will be down at the lake next Sunday. I have a lot of ideas for "mixed media" one of which involves a derelict refrigerator.
I've discovered that, when it comes to creating art, the sky really is the limit. You can do just about anything and someone, somewhere is going to appreciate it.
I like to incorporate a lot of my writing into my art. It's fun and it gets my writing noticed as well.
I read some Harry Potter before retiring last night. Of all the Harry Potter books, it seems the Order of the Phoenix is the most difficult to get through for some reason. It could be because I want to get to the Half-Blood Prince and Deathly Hallows again. But I exercise a little willpower here. I like reading them one after the other. Heft reads though they may be, I drink in every word.
Today I will be doing more painting in order to have some items at the market next Sunday. I'll be kind of relieved when it is over - it's been difficult getting the three of them together. But I've learned a lot and I'll start working on next year's as soon as I get the dates booked with the city.
I have some flyers I must get out there this morning to the residents of Pine Lake. I've already delivered about 300 of them, only about 100 more to go. That shouldn't take any more than a couple of hours.
Then I can pick up my paintbrush.
I hope Steve Fossett is found alive today.
www.cafepress.com/penspen
Later
Pen
One week from today at about this time, I will be down at the lake, setting up all my artwork and stuff for our artists' market here in Pine Lake.
We've had two already, but, I have learned the hard way, I'm afraid, that summer simply isn't the best time to have an outdoor market. It was much too hot this summer in Georgia. No one wanted to get out and about. I can't say I blame them. Sitting there in the hot sun for hours was horrible. Next year, we're only having two artists' markets - one in May and one in September and they're going to be on Saturdays instead of Sunday. May 3 and September 6 are the prospective dates for next year and I'm booking them on Monday.
But the weather has cooled down somewhat and we have live music and beer and wine sales. That should help bring people in, I hope. We have only a handful of vendors - about 8 thus far, but I'm not ruling out having an even dozen before the week is out. Of course, there may even be some people who show up Sunday morning, which is fine by me so long as they have their vendor fees in hand.
The money pretty much goes into the coffers of the City of Pine Lake. I just want the opportunity to sell my wares.
My art is folk art, although I would love to take some art classes. I did this one painting under the tutelage of a local artist, Rita King. It actually turned out well. So well, that I won't be selling it. Unless I do another just like it and sell that one.
I enjoy painting. I even enjoy making my own canvasses (which Rita taught me how to do). The only drawback about making your own canvasses, though, is that you have to either make stretchers for them or find someone who can. I haven't tried my hand at making stretchers and haven't been successful at finding someone who can make them for me, so my finished canvasses lay waiting to be stretched.
However, I also like painting on wood and have several pieces done. Not just any wood, they have to be a nice size and shape. There is one folk artist here in Pine Lake who will paint on anything that sits still long enough - wood, tile, glass, you name it. And it works for her. I'm just a little pickier, I guess.
I just finished this one large piece yesterday that will be down at the lake next Sunday. I have a lot of ideas for "mixed media" one of which involves a derelict refrigerator.
I've discovered that, when it comes to creating art, the sky really is the limit. You can do just about anything and someone, somewhere is going to appreciate it.
I like to incorporate a lot of my writing into my art. It's fun and it gets my writing noticed as well.
I read some Harry Potter before retiring last night. Of all the Harry Potter books, it seems the Order of the Phoenix is the most difficult to get through for some reason. It could be because I want to get to the Half-Blood Prince and Deathly Hallows again. But I exercise a little willpower here. I like reading them one after the other. Heft reads though they may be, I drink in every word.
Today I will be doing more painting in order to have some items at the market next Sunday. I'll be kind of relieved when it is over - it's been difficult getting the three of them together. But I've learned a lot and I'll start working on next year's as soon as I get the dates booked with the city.
I have some flyers I must get out there this morning to the residents of Pine Lake. I've already delivered about 300 of them, only about 100 more to go. That shouldn't take any more than a couple of hours.
Then I can pick up my paintbrush.
I hope Steve Fossett is found alive today.
www.cafepress.com/penspen
Later
Pen
Saturday, September 8, 2007
MEanderings
Thought for the day: each step of defeat merely touches another stone on the path to success. ©2007 Penny White
Finished reading Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Satisfying, as always. Didn't waste any time getting started on Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. I cannot help but marvel at the brilliance of J.K. Rowling. How imaginative and creative the idea is of having a school for witches and wizards and the whole Harry Potter story.
Of course, I also find the works of Judy Mercer and Pat Conroy equally engaging and marvel at their mastery of writing as well.
Stephen King, too, is a master, though it is master of the macabre. King, though, tends to get tiring after awhile. He writes to formula and he uses the same metaphors for fear over and over again. If you read a number of his books one after the other, you'll begin to spot patterns in his descriptions. The ideas are all different, but the way he writes those ideas is similar from one book to the next. His formula obviously works as he is laughing all the way to the bank.
The true master of the macabre, Edgar Allan Poe, could teach many contemporary writers, King included, a thing or two.
Still no word on Steve Fossett. You would think that with today's technology it wouldn't be that difficult to find someone. What with all the satellites up there looking down on this planet among other things. But it's a great big world out there. Some things are never found.
For instance, Gertrude Tompkins-Silver has yet to be found and she's been missing since 1944.
Tompkins-Silver was part of the Women Airforce Service Pilots of World War II (http://www.wasp-wwii.org/). These were women who flew planes on domestic missions so men pilots could go and fly in the war. Their history isn't taught in school, though it should be. But, just like the Women's Professional Baseball League, their story probably won't be widely known until a movie is made about it.
Tompkins-Silver took off from Los Angeles headed for the East Coast. She and her plane disappeared along the way and, although search efforts continue today, no trace of her has ever been found.
The WASP served under government auspices for four or five years, yet were not recognized as part of military service until the 70s. 38 women pilots died in the line of duty, but were not given military burials. Cornelia Fort, now with an airport in Tennessee named after her, was at Pearl Harbor giving flying lessons the very day it was attacked. She and her student bore witness from the sky to the carnage. She was the first woman pilot killed in the line of duty when a hotshot male pilot clipped their plane while showing off. Cornelia had the wherewithall to turn off the plane's engine before it crashed so as to avoid the plane bursting into flames.
Women are truly amazing. Aren't we?
I hope they find Steve Fossett alive today.
www.cafepress.com/penspen
Later
Pen
Finished reading Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Satisfying, as always. Didn't waste any time getting started on Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. I cannot help but marvel at the brilliance of J.K. Rowling. How imaginative and creative the idea is of having a school for witches and wizards and the whole Harry Potter story.
Of course, I also find the works of Judy Mercer and Pat Conroy equally engaging and marvel at their mastery of writing as well.
Stephen King, too, is a master, though it is master of the macabre. King, though, tends to get tiring after awhile. He writes to formula and he uses the same metaphors for fear over and over again. If you read a number of his books one after the other, you'll begin to spot patterns in his descriptions. The ideas are all different, but the way he writes those ideas is similar from one book to the next. His formula obviously works as he is laughing all the way to the bank.
The true master of the macabre, Edgar Allan Poe, could teach many contemporary writers, King included, a thing or two.
Still no word on Steve Fossett. You would think that with today's technology it wouldn't be that difficult to find someone. What with all the satellites up there looking down on this planet among other things. But it's a great big world out there. Some things are never found.
For instance, Gertrude Tompkins-Silver has yet to be found and she's been missing since 1944.
Tompkins-Silver was part of the Women Airforce Service Pilots of World War II (http://www.wasp-wwii.org/). These were women who flew planes on domestic missions so men pilots could go and fly in the war. Their history isn't taught in school, though it should be. But, just like the Women's Professional Baseball League, their story probably won't be widely known until a movie is made about it.
Tompkins-Silver took off from Los Angeles headed for the East Coast. She and her plane disappeared along the way and, although search efforts continue today, no trace of her has ever been found.
The WASP served under government auspices for four or five years, yet were not recognized as part of military service until the 70s. 38 women pilots died in the line of duty, but were not given military burials. Cornelia Fort, now with an airport in Tennessee named after her, was at Pearl Harbor giving flying lessons the very day it was attacked. She and her student bore witness from the sky to the carnage. She was the first woman pilot killed in the line of duty when a hotshot male pilot clipped their plane while showing off. Cornelia had the wherewithall to turn off the plane's engine before it crashed so as to avoid the plane bursting into flames.
Women are truly amazing. Aren't we?
I hope they find Steve Fossett alive today.
www.cafepress.com/penspen
Later
Pen
Friday, September 7, 2007
Life is short
Where is it written that dessert has to be consumed at the end of the meal? Is it a law?
Advice for the day: Life is short. Eat dessert first.
Face it: we never know when our number is up. It is the one thing everyone, regardless of circumstances, cannot escape. Death makes every single, solitary person on the face of this planet equals. It doesn't matter a person's status while they live. Once we've passed on to the next plane, we are all equal.
I'm not trying to be morbid this morning. Just trying to make a point. And that point is: why do we worry so much about trivial things? I mean trivial things like "what would society think?" "what would that person think?" "I really shouldn't eat that slice of pie for dessert."
It comes back to the job thing, too. Why should I work a job that I dread going to every day? One answer is to pay the bills, of course. But isn't life much too short to spend it slaving away 8 (or more) hours a day doing something you can barely tolerate doing?
Sometimes there isn't much choice. Especially considering the employment market today. It is sad, though, that one must do what one has to do in order to survive.
I think about Steve Fossett and hope and pray he is alive out there. There wasn't anything in the news about the search yesterday. The media is a funny thing. They give a few days' coverage to the disappearance of a man who holds numerous world records and then they move on. Just move right on. But the search continues.
I'm still reading Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. I remember the first time I read the book, I did it in one weekend, I was so excited to read it. Since I'll be reading Order of the Phoenix and The Deathly Hallows right after, I have plenty of reading material for awhile. It really helps to escape the world's insanity for a minute.
After Harry Potter, I am going to read all four of Judy Mercer's books. Does anyone know anything about Judy Mercer? Like is she still alive and well and why did she stop writing? The books are all excellent: "Fast Forward" "Double Take" "Split Image" and "Blind Spot" are the only four books she has written (as far as I know). They are well-written with a unique story line. Something hard to find in today's contemporary literature.
If you look for the books at your local bookstore, they are out of print. However, you can find them online, some used copies going for a penny or a few cents. They are well worth reading.
Of course, there is really only one plot most writers can write about: good vs. evil. It's HOW a writer writes about good vs. evil that makes them good writers. That and creating memorable characters.
I'm a little bummed this morning. Gotta work today, of course. Don't get paid until Monday which means one more weekend of being broke (I hate being broke). But I don't have Ghost Whisperer to look forward to this evening. I really like that show. I love the supernatural aspect of it and can hardly wait for the new shows to begin on the 28th. Jericho is on in place of Ghost Whisperer tonight, which means I'll be watching Lara Coft: Tomb Raider instead. I don't like Jericho. It's depressing. It's also a little frightening. Too realistic. It's a lot like the way people act today, without a holocaust.
Or maybe there has already been a holocaust and we just didn't realize it. A holocaust doesn't have to be nuclear. It almost feels as though there has been some sort of spiritual holocaust that has changed this world, damaged it somehow. Not the earth itself, but the people on it. Apathy seems to reign supreme on this planet these days. It isn't the world that is changing; it is the people in it changing the world.
Maybe it's just me getting older. I just remember when I was a child, people seemed to care more. Maybe there is too much to care about and people can extend their empathy only so far before it reaches a breaking point.
I'm not certain - what it is or what I'm talking about. But it troubles me. Something isn't quite right but I can't put my finger on what it is or what to do about it.
So, I do what I must and do what I can. It's all a person can do, really.
I hope Steve Fossett is found alive and well today.
www.cafepress.com/penspen
Later.
Pen
Advice for the day: Life is short. Eat dessert first.
Face it: we never know when our number is up. It is the one thing everyone, regardless of circumstances, cannot escape. Death makes every single, solitary person on the face of this planet equals. It doesn't matter a person's status while they live. Once we've passed on to the next plane, we are all equal.
I'm not trying to be morbid this morning. Just trying to make a point. And that point is: why do we worry so much about trivial things? I mean trivial things like "what would society think?" "what would that person think?" "I really shouldn't eat that slice of pie for dessert."
It comes back to the job thing, too. Why should I work a job that I dread going to every day? One answer is to pay the bills, of course. But isn't life much too short to spend it slaving away 8 (or more) hours a day doing something you can barely tolerate doing?
Sometimes there isn't much choice. Especially considering the employment market today. It is sad, though, that one must do what one has to do in order to survive.
I think about Steve Fossett and hope and pray he is alive out there. There wasn't anything in the news about the search yesterday. The media is a funny thing. They give a few days' coverage to the disappearance of a man who holds numerous world records and then they move on. Just move right on. But the search continues.
I'm still reading Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. I remember the first time I read the book, I did it in one weekend, I was so excited to read it. Since I'll be reading Order of the Phoenix and The Deathly Hallows right after, I have plenty of reading material for awhile. It really helps to escape the world's insanity for a minute.
After Harry Potter, I am going to read all four of Judy Mercer's books. Does anyone know anything about Judy Mercer? Like is she still alive and well and why did she stop writing? The books are all excellent: "Fast Forward" "Double Take" "Split Image" and "Blind Spot" are the only four books she has written (as far as I know). They are well-written with a unique story line. Something hard to find in today's contemporary literature.
If you look for the books at your local bookstore, they are out of print. However, you can find them online, some used copies going for a penny or a few cents. They are well worth reading.
Of course, there is really only one plot most writers can write about: good vs. evil. It's HOW a writer writes about good vs. evil that makes them good writers. That and creating memorable characters.
I'm a little bummed this morning. Gotta work today, of course. Don't get paid until Monday which means one more weekend of being broke (I hate being broke). But I don't have Ghost Whisperer to look forward to this evening. I really like that show. I love the supernatural aspect of it and can hardly wait for the new shows to begin on the 28th. Jericho is on in place of Ghost Whisperer tonight, which means I'll be watching Lara Coft: Tomb Raider instead. I don't like Jericho. It's depressing. It's also a little frightening. Too realistic. It's a lot like the way people act today, without a holocaust.
Or maybe there has already been a holocaust and we just didn't realize it. A holocaust doesn't have to be nuclear. It almost feels as though there has been some sort of spiritual holocaust that has changed this world, damaged it somehow. Not the earth itself, but the people on it. Apathy seems to reign supreme on this planet these days. It isn't the world that is changing; it is the people in it changing the world.
Maybe it's just me getting older. I just remember when I was a child, people seemed to care more. Maybe there is too much to care about and people can extend their empathy only so far before it reaches a breaking point.
I'm not certain - what it is or what I'm talking about. But it troubles me. Something isn't quite right but I can't put my finger on what it is or what to do about it.
So, I do what I must and do what I can. It's all a person can do, really.
I hope Steve Fossett is found alive and well today.
www.cafepress.com/penspen
Later.
Pen
Thursday, September 6, 2007
A little Introspection
There hasn't been any news on the search for Steve Fossett today. I suppose no news is good news, but it's a little unsettling to not know anything at all.
If you visit his website, www.stevefossett.com, you'll find he truly is heroic and adventurous, setting records left and right, making history.
Visiting his webiste has helped me keep my dream of flying my own balloon around the world alive.
And I hope Steve Fossett is found alive and well. After all the things he's done, surely he is a survivor.
An then Luciano Pavarati died. I don't care much for opera, but I have seen Luciano do some interviews. He had a terrific sense of humor. I saw him once on the Johnny Carson show (remember Johnny Carson?) I can't remember the content, but the man had Johnny in stitches.
There is a quiet here in Pine Lake today. A strange sort of quiet. Sort of an anticipation of something, I'm just not quite sure what it is.
I'm about halfway through the Goblet of Fire. It keeps my mind off things. I get lost in a book when I'm reading. My imagination takes off and I can actually see the characters as they speak and move. The rest of the world just disappears.
I did some painting last night. I have painted some plates that I didn't like that someone gave me. Just have to get some plate stands for them.
And I painted a light bulb. See, light bulbs are the perfect balloon shape, at least as close as I can come to a balloon shape. I've put one coat of purple on one light bulb and several coats of blue on another. I am painting another bulb red and another green. Then I'll put designs or uplifting sayings on them (no pun intended). All I have to do after that is create gondolas and attach them at the bottoms. Of course, I have to figure out how to hang them.
I'm organizing an artists' market here in Pine Lake for next weekend and I want to sell these and other items there.
Every little bit I do goes toward the dream. Every little bit helps.
I hope Steve Fossett is alive.
www.cafepress.com/penspen
Later
Pen
If you visit his website, www.stevefossett.com, you'll find he truly is heroic and adventurous, setting records left and right, making history.
Visiting his webiste has helped me keep my dream of flying my own balloon around the world alive.
And I hope Steve Fossett is found alive and well. After all the things he's done, surely he is a survivor.
An then Luciano Pavarati died. I don't care much for opera, but I have seen Luciano do some interviews. He had a terrific sense of humor. I saw him once on the Johnny Carson show (remember Johnny Carson?) I can't remember the content, but the man had Johnny in stitches.
There is a quiet here in Pine Lake today. A strange sort of quiet. Sort of an anticipation of something, I'm just not quite sure what it is.
I'm about halfway through the Goblet of Fire. It keeps my mind off things. I get lost in a book when I'm reading. My imagination takes off and I can actually see the characters as they speak and move. The rest of the world just disappears.
I did some painting last night. I have painted some plates that I didn't like that someone gave me. Just have to get some plate stands for them.
And I painted a light bulb. See, light bulbs are the perfect balloon shape, at least as close as I can come to a balloon shape. I've put one coat of purple on one light bulb and several coats of blue on another. I am painting another bulb red and another green. Then I'll put designs or uplifting sayings on them (no pun intended). All I have to do after that is create gondolas and attach them at the bottoms. Of course, I have to figure out how to hang them.
I'm organizing an artists' market here in Pine Lake for next weekend and I want to sell these and other items there.
Every little bit I do goes toward the dream. Every little bit helps.
I hope Steve Fossett is alive.
www.cafepress.com/penspen
Later
Pen
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Off We Go
What do you want to accomplish before you leave this world?
If you left it tomorrow, what would you leave behind?
I have to stop staying up so late to read Harry Potter. I love reading the books, especially Goblet of Fire which I haven't read in awhile, but once I start reading, I can't seem to stop. But, oy!, I need my sleep.
When I heard that aviator Steve Fossett went missing, I really began thinking about my dream of flying a hot air balloon around the world. Mr. Fossett was the first person to fly a balloon solo around the world. He made 5 attempts before being successful. I do hope Mr. Fossett is found alive and well. www.stevefossett.com
My dream is to be the first woman to fly a hot air balloon around the world. I just hope it doesn't take five attempts for me to do it.
But it isn't that I want to do it for kicks. I would like for the flight to have a purpose. And the purpose would be to raise awareness and funds for women's and children's issues.
Breast cancer, for one. Children's hospitals and child abuse prevention another.
As the event would get a lot of attention (as did Mr. Fossett's flight), it could and would draw a good deal of sponsorships (I would hope).
I'll be the first to admit it is a crazy dream, especially at my age. But I've always been a big believer that age is only a number. I've never "felt" my age so why should I act it? Besides, there is a woman balloonist who is still flying at the age of 61. So age doesn't really matter.
My efforts towards this goal, however, are baby steps. First, get the license. Then the balloon. Then plan the trip. Sounds simple, right?
The only thing standing in the way is a lack of capital. Money, in other words.
Money and I don't have the greatest relationship. It's always been hard for me to earn and harder to keep. But I'm working on it. Every day, I see myself in my balloon - sapphire blue with a large white Pegasus on each side. That's my balloon. If I visualize it enough, it will be real. I have to believe that. Otherwise, I'd lose my mind.
www.cafepress.com/penspen
It's all for the dream.
Gotta get to work.
Later.
Pen
If you left it tomorrow, what would you leave behind?
I have to stop staying up so late to read Harry Potter. I love reading the books, especially Goblet of Fire which I haven't read in awhile, but once I start reading, I can't seem to stop. But, oy!, I need my sleep.
When I heard that aviator Steve Fossett went missing, I really began thinking about my dream of flying a hot air balloon around the world. Mr. Fossett was the first person to fly a balloon solo around the world. He made 5 attempts before being successful. I do hope Mr. Fossett is found alive and well. www.stevefossett.com
My dream is to be the first woman to fly a hot air balloon around the world. I just hope it doesn't take five attempts for me to do it.
But it isn't that I want to do it for kicks. I would like for the flight to have a purpose. And the purpose would be to raise awareness and funds for women's and children's issues.
Breast cancer, for one. Children's hospitals and child abuse prevention another.
As the event would get a lot of attention (as did Mr. Fossett's flight), it could and would draw a good deal of sponsorships (I would hope).
I'll be the first to admit it is a crazy dream, especially at my age. But I've always been a big believer that age is only a number. I've never "felt" my age so why should I act it? Besides, there is a woman balloonist who is still flying at the age of 61. So age doesn't really matter.
My efforts towards this goal, however, are baby steps. First, get the license. Then the balloon. Then plan the trip. Sounds simple, right?
The only thing standing in the way is a lack of capital. Money, in other words.
Money and I don't have the greatest relationship. It's always been hard for me to earn and harder to keep. But I'm working on it. Every day, I see myself in my balloon - sapphire blue with a large white Pegasus on each side. That's my balloon. If I visualize it enough, it will be real. I have to believe that. Otherwise, I'd lose my mind.
www.cafepress.com/penspen
It's all for the dream.
Gotta get to work.
Later.
Pen
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Off We Go
Who among your family and friends knows you best?
Who among that cast do you trust implicitly?
Ah, yes, the day after a holiday, one must return to the JOB. I have one of those. I should be happy about it. But I'm not.
It's a data entry job. The most boring work in the world a person can possibly do. I know the information I type in is important to someone but it means diddly to me. It is unfulfilling, unsatisfying and a dead end. You type the same information in over and over and over....you get the idea. But I do the job because I have bills to pay. That and all my family and friends are happy that I have a job. It doesn't matter if I'm happy with it or not, so long as they are happy.
No, my dreams and ambitions are bigger than that. Everyone has to have a dream. I have many.
I am into self-publishing my work, working on my art and, in a word, creating unique and individual things.
And, of course, there is that dream of flying a hot air balloon around the world.
The more positive of my friends tell me this will happen someday, as long as I keep working towards that goal. So I must take baby steps at the moment. No running or jumping or leaping into anything.
Now, the recent hot air balloon accident in British Columbia, Canada, may have some people thinking ballooning isn't a very safe sport. Not true. There are fewer balloon accidents than any other type of sport or transportation. That particular accident was a direct result of sheer stupidity. I haven't had any flying lessons yet and even I know that if you stuff 16 people into a gondola, you have to burnt he propane longer to get off the ground. When you do that, the risk of something going wrong increases.
I'm sure they'll find something wrong with the equipment rather than admit it was stupidity and greed.
But, for now, I have to go to the JOB. I will ride the MARTA rail to get there and count the hours until I can leave. Then I will come home, do some painting and watch NCIS this evening and read Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire before retiring. I am re-reading the last three Harry Potter books to try and get my mind off things. Works every time.
Visit www.cafepress.com/penspen. It's all for the dream.
Later
Pen
Who among that cast do you trust implicitly?
Ah, yes, the day after a holiday, one must return to the JOB. I have one of those. I should be happy about it. But I'm not.
It's a data entry job. The most boring work in the world a person can possibly do. I know the information I type in is important to someone but it means diddly to me. It is unfulfilling, unsatisfying and a dead end. You type the same information in over and over and over....you get the idea. But I do the job because I have bills to pay. That and all my family and friends are happy that I have a job. It doesn't matter if I'm happy with it or not, so long as they are happy.
No, my dreams and ambitions are bigger than that. Everyone has to have a dream. I have many.
I am into self-publishing my work, working on my art and, in a word, creating unique and individual things.
And, of course, there is that dream of flying a hot air balloon around the world.
The more positive of my friends tell me this will happen someday, as long as I keep working towards that goal. So I must take baby steps at the moment. No running or jumping or leaping into anything.
Now, the recent hot air balloon accident in British Columbia, Canada, may have some people thinking ballooning isn't a very safe sport. Not true. There are fewer balloon accidents than any other type of sport or transportation. That particular accident was a direct result of sheer stupidity. I haven't had any flying lessons yet and even I know that if you stuff 16 people into a gondola, you have to burnt he propane longer to get off the ground. When you do that, the risk of something going wrong increases.
I'm sure they'll find something wrong with the equipment rather than admit it was stupidity and greed.
But, for now, I have to go to the JOB. I will ride the MARTA rail to get there and count the hours until I can leave. Then I will come home, do some painting and watch NCIS this evening and read Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire before retiring. I am re-reading the last three Harry Potter books to try and get my mind off things. Works every time.
Visit www.cafepress.com/penspen. It's all for the dream.
Later
Pen
Monday, September 3, 2007
Introduction
Who in their right minds wants to live in a cubbyhole? Especially one that society dictates one should live in?
Who in their right minds wants to be defined by their JOB?
Now that I've given you a thing or two to think about, allow me to introduce myself. I'm 45 years old, I am a writer and an artist and I live in Pine Lake, Georgia. I am actually a native Georgian with Cherokee Indian heritage that I am rather proud of. I am a smoker, I like to drink, but can't afford to (ain't I lucky!), I am a Spiritual being, believing that religion is nothing more than big business, but me 'n' God/dess have our own understanding. I am servant to three felines, all of whom refuse to get jobs.
I began writing at the age of 10 and discovered an artistic flair the summer of 2006.
I love to read and have just begun reading Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire for the umpteenth time. I don't care what all these religious right people say, Harry Potter is some of the most creative and imaginative writing I have seen in years.
I used to read any and every book about the subject of witchcraft I could lay my hands on in school. I was fascinated with the subject. It's funny how none of THOSE books came under fire of censorship.
I've already read Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows. Magnificent! What a way to end a saga!
I also love to watch movies and TV. My favorite shows are CSI, NCIS and Ghost Whisperer (Jennifer Love Hewitt is the bomb!) but I also really like the characters on CSI. I love how stoic and unemotional Gil Grissom (William Petersen) is. I saw him in a movie a long time ago called "To Live and Die in L.A." Interesting movie, it also starred Willem Dafoe and Amy Madison. Hardly a word was spoken in the entire film. But it was good.
I am at a juncture in my life where I really want to get my writing out there and known. That's why I also have a shop on cafepress.com. www.cafepress.com/penspen. At the moment, there is only one image on all the merchandise, but I will be uploading more in the upcoming months. All the writing there will be inspirational and most of it is woman-centered. Some of it will be spiritual in nature as well.
It's all for my lifelong, ultimate dream. To fly a hot air balloon around the world. Crazy? Sure. But why not? Others have done it. Why can't I?
Time to sign off.
Later.
Pen
Who in their right minds wants to be defined by their JOB?
Now that I've given you a thing or two to think about, allow me to introduce myself. I'm 45 years old, I am a writer and an artist and I live in Pine Lake, Georgia. I am actually a native Georgian with Cherokee Indian heritage that I am rather proud of. I am a smoker, I like to drink, but can't afford to (ain't I lucky!), I am a Spiritual being, believing that religion is nothing more than big business, but me 'n' God/dess have our own understanding. I am servant to three felines, all of whom refuse to get jobs.
I began writing at the age of 10 and discovered an artistic flair the summer of 2006.
I love to read and have just begun reading Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire for the umpteenth time. I don't care what all these religious right people say, Harry Potter is some of the most creative and imaginative writing I have seen in years.
I used to read any and every book about the subject of witchcraft I could lay my hands on in school. I was fascinated with the subject. It's funny how none of THOSE books came under fire of censorship.
I've already read Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows. Magnificent! What a way to end a saga!
I also love to watch movies and TV. My favorite shows are CSI, NCIS and Ghost Whisperer (Jennifer Love Hewitt is the bomb!) but I also really like the characters on CSI. I love how stoic and unemotional Gil Grissom (William Petersen) is. I saw him in a movie a long time ago called "To Live and Die in L.A." Interesting movie, it also starred Willem Dafoe and Amy Madison. Hardly a word was spoken in the entire film. But it was good.
I am at a juncture in my life where I really want to get my writing out there and known. That's why I also have a shop on cafepress.com. www.cafepress.com/penspen. At the moment, there is only one image on all the merchandise, but I will be uploading more in the upcoming months. All the writing there will be inspirational and most of it is woman-centered. Some of it will be spiritual in nature as well.
It's all for my lifelong, ultimate dream. To fly a hot air balloon around the world. Crazy? Sure. But why not? Others have done it. Why can't I?
Time to sign off.
Later.
Pen
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