You are the music in me


Your Taste in Music:


Eighties: Highest Influence

Adult Alternative: Highest Influence

Alternative Rock: High Influence

Nineties: High Influence

Punk: High Influence

Hat Tip to Marianne for the quiz.

I’ve always suspected that whenever someone refers to “adult alternative” they mean “lame alternative.” I mean, is there a difference? Maybe it’s just me. I also realize the 80s were a long time ago, and I should do something about that.

Like learn to play Guitar Hero and put that knowledge to good use. Actually, Andrew’s guitar teacher likes Guitar Hero. He says it has renewed interest not only in guitar playing in general, but in music written for the guitar. He’s spent the past couple of years explaining to his students that this or that pop song doesn’t have a guitar part–it’s all synthesizer.

He seemed quite happy that Andrew wanted to learn how to play Iron Man and the opening to Green Day’s Holiday. Yes, this would be the 21st century version of a classical music education. What? You don’t know Bohemian Rhapsody? You heathen.

As an aside, Andrew’s guitar teacher also has a soul patch–omigod, could-you-just-die?

So, in the spirit of all that, I give you The Ramones, another band Andrew knows (I’m so proud *sniff*). Those of you who don’t want to listen to that last entry on my list (that would be punk), don’t click play, k?

Wow. The music video. She has changed over the years. No cgi for us. No, in my day, we didn’t have special effects. We made everyone wear their crappy Halloween costumes and we filmed up hill, both ways. Kids these days …

Questions with easy answers, part three

I know I’ve been scarce around here. (Ha. Look up scarce in the dictionary, and there I am.) I’m working on copy edits for The Geek Girl’s Guide to Cheerleading this weekend. Once I got over the massive amount of red on the manuscript (mostly instructions for the keyboarder), it hasn’t been all that bad.

No. Really. I mean that. Most of it is adhering to the publishing house style (I must learn to curb my comma addiction). But we do have to respond to some things, and we have been. Take this answer, for instance:

Yes to football players. The basketball players are still in the locker room.

Kind of makes you wonder what the question was.

Color my world

Got this quiz from Anno. It’s fun (although you have to go through a few “would you like this special offer” type pages).

You’re a CREATOR

Key Words: Nonconforming, Impulsive, Expressive, Romantic, Intuitive, Sensitive, and Emotional

These original types place a high value on aesthetic qualities and have a great need for self-expression. They enjoy working independently, being creative, using their imagination, and constantly learning something new. Fields of interest are art, drama, music, and writing or places where they can express, assemble, or implement creative ideas.

CREATOR OCCUPATIONS

Suggested careers are Advertising Executive, Architect, Web Designer, Creative Director, Public Relations, Fine or Commercial Artist, Interior Decorator, Lawyer, Librarian, Musician, Reporter, Art Teacher, Broadcaster, Technical Writer, English Teacher, Architect, Photographer, Medical Illustrator, Corporate Trainer, Author, Editor, Landscape Architect, Exhibit Builder, and Package Designer.

* * *

Wow. Lucky that.

* * *

2nd BEST OCCUPATIONAL CATEGORY

You’re a PERSUADER

Key Words: Witty, Competitive, Sociable, Talkative, Ambitious, Argumentative, and Aggressive

These enterprising types sell, persuade, and lead others. Positions of leadership, power, and status are usually their ultimate goal. Persuasive people like to take financial and interpersonal risks and to participate in competitive activities. They enjoy working with others inside organizations to accomplish goals and achieve economic success.

* * *

Okay, I’m not actually seeing that second category so much. Then again … I have had my “I’m in charge here” moments.

Take the test and let me know who/what you are:

Color Career Test

Got the election blues?

I got your cure, right here:

Meet Oreo, the newest member of our household. For those of you who know that we already own a dog and seven fish, I can hear you say: Are they crazy?

The short answer is probably yes. But today is Miss B’s golden birthday (six on the sixth) and what she wanted most was a kitten.

Here she’s tracking the cat teaser, or as Kyra calls it, the “pet joker.”

But even kittens need to sleep. I know it looks like she’s about to slip off, but not to worry. I just checked on them. She was sitting on Andrew’s rear end for a while, then moved to snuggle between them.

Our day at the Renaissance Festival

In pictures!

Ready to have a good knight er, day at the fair. Kyra’s shirt says Recycle My Brother.  The people working the fair found it very amusing.

It’s mandatory that at least one family member eat the giant, smoked turkey leg.

I was going to make some “make no bones about it” joke, but I’ll refrain.

This woman was beautiful. She was playing a flute and giving out “fairy stones” to little girls.

Kyra gets ready for her llama ride. I have no llama jokes.

Andrew makes a new friend.

Then he rides the elephant, who was very friendly.

Welcome to the jungle …

Last night we went to Andrew’s Jr. High (yes, our district has Jr. High, not middle school) orientation and open house. Guess how long we were there. No. Go on. Guess.

Three hours. Ach, Mein Gott, as Andrew would say (he’s practicing for German class).

Actually, though, it went really well. I was impressed with all his teachers and some seem simply stellar. I think teaching Jr. High (or middle school, if you insist) must be a special calling. Andrew mentioned after the school visit last spring that all the teachers were funny.

And they are! I think they must channel their inner stand-up comedian.

Andrew also noted that the ninth graders were “practically huge!”

And they are! They’re channeling their inner Hulks.

We visited each classroom, in order, for A days and B days (they have four classes a day, 88 minutes each, and switch between two schedules). As we sat in the Reading classroom, I told Andrew that this was a class I wanted to take.

The teacher had posters on the wall with things that said, Setting, and Point of View, and so on. They get to do a multimedia presentation on the genre of their choice. On our way out, Andrew asked if we should tell the teacher about my book. I said it was up to him. His school, he could decide whether he wanted people to know.

Andrew to teacher: My mom’s a published author.

(Yes, he said it just like that. Can you believe it?)

It was crowded and we had to get to the next classroom, but I gave the teacher a quick rundown of Geek Girl’s Guide status.

Teacher: I must have you in. Will you come in? The kids love this sort of thing. Let me write down your name. I’ll email you.

I said great. Three seconds later, I was all GAK!

Still, it’s a pretty neat opportunity.

Now, if I can just locate my inner stand-up comedian.

Writing practice ~ Write on Wednesday

From Becca’s Write on Wednesday:

How about you? Do you have a writing practice? What’s it like? How has it helped you become a better writer? If you’re thinking about starting a writing practice, how do you envision it? What would work for you?

Over on the Write on Wednesday site, Becca has a great summary of what writing practice is, along with author Natalie Goldberg’s take on it.

I do writing practice or morning pages or whatever you want to call it every morning. Like Becca I really need that first cup of coffee to get going. It goes pretty much like this:

  • Start the coffee
  • Open up my notebook
  • Write down the date and a few words
  • Zone out for a bit
  • Get coffee
  • Write

After that, I work out (after three cups of coffee, I’m beyond ready to work out). Over the years, I’ve experimented with the best time for writing practice/coffee/exercise. Starting back in November 2007, I finally hit upon the combination that works (at least for now).

Back in the day, as a young lieutenant, I used to laugh at the “old” warrant officers and sergeants who’d show up at first formation with a large cup of coffee. They’d say, “Just you wait, ma’am. Just you wait.”

These days, I so need that cup (or three) in the morning–both to write and exercise. And I hereby extend an apology to Chief Warrant Officers F. and M. along with Master Sergeant D. You guys were right.

A friend of mine called morning pages/practice “the best therapy money can’t buy.” Julia Cameron recommends them for all artists, not just writers. I think, initially, it’s hard to get past not writing something of significance.

These days, I happily litter my morning pages with Internet shorthand (I seem to LOL to myself a lot) and litanies about how tired I am (generally written before that second cup).

So, writing practice. Like the swearing (see yesterday’s post), it’s something I highly recommend.

Getting here

Some people take the roundabout way of getting here. I don’t get search terms as much as search phrases. For instance:

we are losing the art of fine cooking

Oh, no, I’d say it’s already been lost, at least here, and for a very long time.

what can moms wear to jonas brothers concert

Anything that doesn’t embarrass your child.

my little pony and the jonas brothers

Seriously, people, if you’re looking for this, I don’t think I can help you.

swearing when writing for children

Yes. I find swearing helps when writing anything. Highly recommended.

All We Know of Love

On Tuesday, August 26, Nora Raleigh Baskin’s YA novel All We Know of Love comes out.

I was fortunate enough to have Nora as a teacher for two children’s book writing classes last summer. Nora teaches at Gotham Writers’ Workshop and if you’re inclined to write children’s fiction (from picture book to YA), look into taking a class with her. She is absolutely terrific.

For those of you who have never attended a writing class or workshop, it can sometimes be very difficult to find the heart of someone’s story if they’re just starting out (either with writing or that particular story). Nora has this talent. I marveled at her feedback to the other students. It was spot-on every time. So, of course, I listened when she gave me feedback on MacKenna’s story.

Anyway, she’s published several middle grade books, but All We Know of Loveis her first YA. It sounds terrific and I’ve already pre-ordered it. And look at the quote she got:

“A poignant, daring tale about love. . . . I hesitate to use the word ‘healing,’ because it has so often been misused, but this adventurous tale truly deserves that description.” ~ Anita Shreve, best-selling author of THE PILOT’S WIFE

Dude! Anita Shreve. Sweet.

And, for your viewing enjoyment, the book trailer: