Yeah, yeah, you've heard it before and so have I. But sometimes, when it's Groundhog Day or the stars are in alignment, things just happen.

Yesterday when a co-worker offered to take me out for a beer after committing a project-related faux pas (I'm working on site this week), I told him no. I said I couldn't be won over by a beer -- I wanted a chocolate fountain. One for my desk.

You might say I was a tad cranky about the incident. ;)

So this morning, what do I find on my desk? A mock-up of a desk-sized chocolate fountain!

Seriously. I'll have to take a picture of it to show you how cool it looks. And it's so much better than having a real one on my desk. Things might get messy, especially the proof reading. ;)

Labels: adventures, fun

Okay, I realize that I love contests a bit too much. But I'm okay with it, and so is DH and the kitten.

Kidlit Writing Contest
And in order to qualify for one I need to post about it.

Mary at Kidlit.com is holding another contest for writers of Young Adult and Middle Grade novels. Enter the first 500 words by January 31 to be in the running for one of the critique prizes.

http://kidlit.com/kidlit-contest


Win Bacon for a Year
Seriously, you can win a weekly prize of bacon or the grand prize of bacon for a year. Open to Canadians only (sorry folks).

http://www.republicofbacon.com/en/casino/


Good luck!

Labels: contests, writing

It's amazing how many times those two little words get spoken, one right after the other.

Sometimes it's simply because there wasn't enough time:

DH: I thought you were going to mow the lawn.

Bonnie: Yes, but the ice cream truck came by.


Other times it's because of things out of our control:

DH: I thought you were going to mow the lawn.

Bonnie: Yes, but then a car ran off the road, knocked over the ice cream truck and then the ice cream truck landed on the lawn mower. And now it's broken.


Other times we forget why we wanted to do something:

DH: I thought you were going to write 100 words a day.

Bonnie: Yes, but I had to mow the lawn.


Is there anything you're "yes, butting"? I'm sure there is.

In Second City improv classes, they take the time to discuss the problems with yes, but. When an actor uses that particular combination of words in a scene, it prevents the action from moving forward. You essentially are telling your fellow actor that his or her idea sucks like a Hoover. In fact, it's so bad that you need to stop it immediately and provide a new idea.

The but that comes after the yes trumps any agreement you think you've provided. And in improv, the hilarity ensues when the actors trust each other to go wherever the scene takes them. It's a beautiful thing when it works. And even if it doesn't, it's still fun to watch.

But on stage isn't where most of the yes, buts happen. Most of them take place when we look at the calendar, realize 29 days have passed since we made our New Years resolutions and see that our progress hasn't been as progressive as we'd like it to be.

Yes, but you've been busy.

Yes, but you've had to take care of a lot of things that popped up out of nowhere.

Yes, but your family needed you.

Yes, but the kitten needed attention.

But still, I have been able to work out on a fairly regular (three times a week) basis, take some time for me AND get a bit of writing in every day. With the exception of the evening I saw Rent (sniff!), I've gotten at least 100 words on the page.

They say it takes 21 days to form a habit. Fingers crossed that these ones stick. ;)

At least it's too cold to mow the lawn for now...

Labels: adventures, goals, ideas

Poor Zaphod.

He enjoys going outside when it's not too cold, especially when there's no snow on the ground.

But it's been raining. A lot.

So he's been kind of grumpy. And, like any loving cat, he's been taking it out on the people he allows to live with him.

The wishbone DH and I were letting dry out on the counter? Snapped in two pieces. We assume Zaphod got his wish. ;)

The black pants hanging to dry in the laundry room? In a fur-covered lump.

The blue snuggie in front of the TV? Still his favourite spot.


Thank goodness the upcoming forecast is clear...

Labels: kitten

Yes, it's true.

After writing 53 articles for Examiner.com, I've decided to pack it in.

Here's the link to my last article.

And yes, I could have worked harder at building a readership (and increasing my revenue), but I have other things on my must-do list that take priority. You know, like getting the novels done, spending quality time with friends, family and the kitten of mass destruction, and working on those goals for 2010.

While Examiner provides an excellent opportunity for those who want to build a platform, I couldn't rationalize spending time creating five articles a week for pennies. As one friend gently reminded me, I do enough articles for free already. ;)

Sure, eventually I would have had a gazillion followers and then I'd be rolling in the dough -- but then I'd have to keep coming up with articles on a topic that left me feeling drained after only two months.

So cal me a quitter if you wanna, I don't mind at all. ;)

Labels: adventures, goals, writing