So, I was doing some promo work tonight, writing a serious email to Darcy (okay, only semi-serious), trying to figure out all the contest stuff for Geek Girl (win books! win books!), when I hear this from the other room:
“Sister, I’m being absorbed. Use the blue monkey! He’ll help you.”
“Brother, I’ll miss you!”
“I’ll miss you too. You must carry on!”
There was much more, in the same vein, but I was laughing too hard to transcribe it.
Yesterday, the marvelous Miss B played the following April Fool’s Day jokes on me:
Then she went and short-sheeted Andrew’s bed.
In other news, Darcy and I may end up the biggest April Fools. Over on the Geek Girl site, we’ve taken on Twilight, in the epic battle of Mr. Darcy versus Edward Cullen. In haiku. I know. We’re living on the edge.
This was Andrew’s conclusion last night. More precisely, it was: Writing a short story is hard. But he did it.
To cap off the mythology unit in English, his teacher had everyone write their own original myth (emphasis on original–apparently, she’s read many a variation on Harry Potter, Star Wars, and so on).
Andrew came up with: The Adventures of Gulix.
It has prophecy, an orphan hero, a wise old mentor/sage, fiery death, sword battles, skeleton armies, river journey, wolves with diamond teeth (now that’s original), and romance.
All in 1,250 words.
He was proud, but realistic, said to me, “You can tell a kid wrote it, can’t you?”
And I told him it was a really good story for a kid. And he knows to do things I’ve seen many an adult writer not know or understand. His writing has really improved this year (and yes, I’ll be sending his English teacher a thank you note).
Plus, his story contained lots of terrific action verbs. Andrew is all about the verbs. Of course, with all that fiery death, sword battles, how could he not be?
But you want to know about the romance, right? After the epic battle with Hades, Gulix comes to and sees the most beautiful girl he’s ever seen before. He asks her name (it’s Persephone). Apparently satisfied with this answer, he goes back to sleep.
I’m going to have to figure out how to work that scenario into one of my stories (minus all the fiery death and skeleton armies, of course).
Yes, that’s an electric guitar.
Yes, my life may never be the same.
But, yes, Andrew paid for half with his own money.
Now, if he can only learn something beyond Iron Man, Sunshine of Your Love, and (of course) Smoke on the Water.
Yes, we’ve been busy with projects here at Chez Tahmaseb. We’ve been bagging and baking, and now walking.
Well, actually, Andrew has been doing most of these things.
For thirty five years, our local Animal Humane Society has sponsored the Walk for Animals. Since we adopted Oreo from there last September, Andrew thought this would be a neat way to give back.
Behold! Gratuitous cat photos!
Ahem. Anyway, Andrew’s goal is to raise $500.00. If you’d like to help, click the link below.
Andrew’s donation page at Walk for Animals. (Click the Support Andrew button on the page.)
And thanks!
Today, Andrew and I volunteered as part of the “Baker of the Day” program at Great Harvest Bread Company. A great, if exhausting, time was had by all. We worked the ten to one shift, which gave us a lot to do. Next time, I think we’ll pick an earlier shift so we can help more with the mixing and baking (I’m not really into counter work).
The rest of the pictures after the cut.
The other evening, I was booting down the computer when Kyra said, “Goodnight, Darcy!”
I said, “You know Darcy doesn’t really live in my computer, right?”
Kyra didn’t answer.
The kids, at long last, have invented a game they both enjoy. For a while, every time they played stuff animals together, epic battles ensued. Andrew wanted conflict, villains, pummeling! And it’s not that Kyra’s scenarios lacked conflict, it’s just more on an interpersonal (or inter-stuffed animal, I guess) level.
The girl-drama bored Andrew; the pummeling frustrated Kyra.
So now they play spies. How they hit upon this, I’m not sure, but every night (right around bedtime, of course) the spy missions start.
I’m generally their object of spying. Their mission is to get by me, around me, hide from me. How good are they at this?
Not very.
Andrew gets frustrated with Kyra’s lack of subtlety, but this is the boy who thinks if he situates his slippers so they stick out from beneath a lumpy blanket, I’ll think he’s under the blanket.
So, in other words, Pot, Kettle, I’d like you two to meet. You have something in common.
In Geek Girl News, we have a new feature up on the Geek Girl website called You Don’t Have to Wait, where we feature teens who are going after their dreams. And if you know a teen who is pursuing a goal or going after a dream, let us know. We’d love to feature them.
Let’s eavesdrop on their conversation, shall we?
Mom: How was your day? Can you do a recycle and garbage chore?
Son: my head aches, i have to pee, and i’m still on the bus
Mom: You can still do your chore.
Son: ok *sigh*
This one is going around the net and Facebook. Here’s Andrew’s (12) and Kyra’s (6) take on it. I interviewed them separately because I knew Kyra would be influenced by Andrew’s answers.
1. What is something mom always says to you?
Andrew: Doh-bai and Where’s my .jar file (I realize these make no sense; see question four.)
Kyra: Don’t watch TV.
2. What makes mom happy?
Andrew: Chocolate
Kyra: Me cleaning the house.
3. What makes mom sad?
Andrew: Me tearing up the bed.
Kyra: Andrew not taking showers.
4. How does your mom make you laugh?
Andrew: Saying something completely random and weird.
Kyra: Watching shows that are funny.
5. What was your mom like as a child?
Andrew: A geek.
Kyra: Mama had long hair.
6. How old is your mom?
Andrew: 43
Kyra: 43
7. How tall is your mom?
Andrew: about five feet and a half.
Kyra: 2 inches.
8. What is her favorite thing to do?
Andrew: type
Kyra: write books and read books
9. What does your mom do when you’re not around?
Andrew: type
Kyra: Exercise
10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
Andrew: publishing a book (and typing)
Kyra: a book
11. What is your mom really good at?
Andrew: typing
Kyra: typing
12. What is your mom not very good at?
Andrew: Video games
Kyra: coloring
13. What does your mom do for her job?
Andrew: work with computers, do files
Kyra: write books and do bills and try making her book better
14. What is your mom’s favorite food?
Andrew: dirty spaghetti (pesto) and a salad
Kyra: pears
15. What makes you proud of your mom?
Andrew: you’re an author
Kyra: she helps me with things that I can’t do.
16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Andrew: Bugs Bunny
Kyra: Blossom from the Power Puff Girls
17. What do you and your mom do together?
Andrew: go places
Kyra: read together, cook together, clean together, and stay together
18. How are you and your mom the same?
Andrew: The same hair color
Kyra: we have brown hair
19. How are you and your mom different?
Andrew: You’re my mom and you’re a girl.
Kyra: you’re the mom and I’m the baby.
20. How do you know your mom loves you?
Andrew: you get me stuff for my birthday
Kyra: because she cares for me.
21. Where is your mom’s favorite place to go?
Andrew: Fancy hotels
Kyra: Cancun
Writing Wrongs 