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On pins and needles...
Today I followed up on a plan that's been dancing through my mind for the last year or so. I called up and made a last minute appointment with an acupuncturist. They had been recommended for helping my carpal tunnel symptoms, and you know me. If it means I'll be able to write more, use my hands more, not be in pain? I'm all for it. So in I go, ready for who knows what. After the usual round of questions, and the not so usual, "Open your mouth, say ah, but don't stick your tongue all the way out," followed by some pulse taking it was confirmed.I think too much. Well, duh! I'm a writer. It's kind of what we do. Of course, I occasionally take that to a whole new level. Always have really. But back to the appointment. After more questions, feeling my hands and feet for tempurature (hint: they're cold), we moved on to the treatment. Christina warned me ahead of time that it wasn't really painful, except for a few spots where it might burn a bit. He found each of those spots, right quick. The needles in my feet and in my shins didn't bother me at all. As a matter of fact, I barely even felt them go in. But the one's into my wrists? Where I have the most problems? Yowza! There's something about sticking a needle (no matter how small), into the main nerve leading into your hand. It's a unique sensation. Let's just say it hurts. Quite a bit.Thankfully, the pain dulls pretty quickly, and eventually settles into numbness. Which would be disconcerting at best if I hadn't expected it. But he did warn me, so I can't really complain about that. The only problem is that the numbness (and fear of moving a muscle in my wrist for fear of dislodging or further jabbing something in), means I also have a difficult time ringing the emergency bell (from here on known as 911) should the lamp get too hot. Somehow, I don't think he expected that little bit.My favorite part, though, had to come after he'd set up all the needles in my wrists and legs. There he stands, amiable as can be, and says, "And this one's a bonus. To help calm you." Then he sticks one between my eyes. Hmph. That one didn't hurt a bit. But I may have started to go a bit cross-eyed trying to see it, if he hadn't turned off the lights to help me relax. So there I lay, not moving a muscle (except for the rare, involuntary twitch), wondering exactly how long he planned to leave me there, when I notice the sound of waves crashing. At first I thought it was the heat lamps, but no. It was a cd of nature sounds. Specifically, the beach. Which would have been fine if I'd had time to use the bathroom before leaving work. Let's just say it left me a little uncomfortable, and not quite as relaxed as he intended. And still, I'm going back for more next week. Here's hoping that this all works. Labels: random musings
Stay tuned!
Because, let's face it, I like to tease you. Stayed tuned for an exciting special guest next week. She's fun, she's funny, and a darn good writer. Plus, she's giving away prizes, and who doesn't love those?So come on back!Labels: writers aren't crazy, writing
Snow Day!!
I have to admit, I'm very excited to have the snow day today. Of course, talk to me in June and I'll be wimpering about it, since we'll have to make the day up at the end of the year. But for now? I'll enjoy it. I have writing, reading, and yes, even some work planned for today. On a sad note, we've had to reschedule Tiaras, and that's no fun. Labels: snow again?
How to Salsa in a Sari
 Okay. Yes, technically Dona's signing was last week, but I didn't want to do a post until I'd finished reading the book. That way I could give you a real endorsement.How to Salsa in a Sari is Dona Sarkar's first book...and a fabulous one at that. The more I read, the more I lost myself in the story of a girl whose life has turned upside down. Issa doesn't know how to accept the changes her life is faced with, and will do anything to keep her life the same. I admit to having to put the book down once or twice, but purely because I couldn't sit there and watch Issa make such horrible decisions. But those same decisions are what I love about Dona's book. She has managed to really get into the head of her characters, and bring out their flaws and fabulousness. Even more so, she managed to make me forget who the writer is...and that's hard to do! So congrats Dona, on a fabulous debut! The rest of you? Go buy this book! Labels: books, geeky fun, happy times
It's back...yiddish word of the week!
So the other night while killing time at B&N, I found a fabulous new book. Wait for it..."If You Can't Say Anything Nice, Say It In Yiddish: The Book of Yiddish Insults and Curses." So for the forseeable future (or until I get bored, whichever comes first), I'll be bringing you all sorts of inventive curses. And if you think we don't know how to curse, you're in for a surprise.
But first off, a word in honor of our chapter president...
Maven (n.) - an expert, an authority on a subject, a connoisseur. Yup, folks, Yiddish perks its head up again.Labels: happy times, Yiddish words
New readers welcome!
I wanted to say a brief, "Hello!!" to all the new blog readers who have joined us. I know we have Patty and booklady...and someone from Vermont. There are several of you out there. I'd love to find out where you're all coming from, and how you found me. C'mon, share with the people!Labels: happy times
Another Karaoke Friday Night...
While the rest of the Tiaras were off at a workshop, I was at Mom's birthday party. Her friends wanted to throw a suprise party, nevermind that the real surprise is that Mom hates those kinds of parties. So we told her, effectively ruining the surprise, but making her happy in the long run.
I have to say, Mom's got some talented friends. They had beautiful voices that made everyone smile. Which was infinitely better than the not so great voices who couldn't stay on beat to one of the slowest songs ever written. Seriously, she was like a stanza behind it the whole time. Much wincing occured.
And yes, before you even ask...I sang. Well, we sang. For Mom. Because she asked, and not because we particularly wanted to get up there. We sang lead, we sang backup, we danced backup. We basically made fools of ourselves, but it doesn't really matter because Mom had a fantastic night.
Even if I am short. Which she reminded me. Several times.Labels: happy times
New favorite shows...
Seeing as how the Writer's Strike in LA continues, I've had to search for my fun in other places. Some would say this was a perfect opportunity to get more work done on my book, or read more, or heck sleep more! But no. Instead, I've gone and found other shows I can watch, and entertain my brain regardless of how tired I am.
First up: Orangutan Island. Yes, you really can make an entire t.v. show about orangutans and what they do. And believe it or not, what they do is a lot like what we do. The show comes complete with narrator, in case you were wondering if that was really a mating ritual or perhaps just a personal hygiene issue. The narrator has a very dry delivery, which to me only adds to the humor.
Second in line: The Big Bang Theory. Okay, okay. I know half of you have already told me about this one. I also know that I tried my hardest to avoid being sucked in. Sadly, I gave up the ghost once I realized my favorite band sings the opening credits. Really, how can I not love a show endorsed by the Barenaked Ladies? Hm? I swear, I almost fell off the couch laughing last night when all the characters went to bed, leaving the guy who can't talk in front of a pretty girl standing in the kitchen eating, all because the pretty girl is asleep on the couch. Priceless!
And lest you be concerned, yes I did start work on TGTBT last night. I finally have a handle on these characters, or at least I think I do. At the very least I know enough to start the darn thing, and that's better than nothing, right? Labels: random musings
Pride is a funny thing...
I rarely think of my writing as this extra special thing. It's who I am. I take it for granted that it's a part of my life, one that will never go away. It's also a handy party trick. Pull that little tidbit out at a dinner party or other gathering, and you'll have plenty of conversation for at least 10 minutes. Maybe even an hour if you're lucky. It dawned on me the other day, though, that maybe it's not such an ordinary thing. I mean, I realize that I'm part of  a small group simply by virtue of having finished a manuscript. An even smaller group because I've sent those manuscripts out to attempt publication. But it still didn't strike me as special until a friend of mine told me how proud she was of me. Now granted, this was after listening to me go on about other events of the weekend. Maybe she was trying to cheer me up, but I don't think so. There was genuine pride in her voice. Pride that I'd followed my dreams, regardless of how bumpy the road might be. Another friend also commented on how proud I should be of my current manuscript and all the time, effort and love I poured into it. And again I was struck at her perspective. I am proud of my work, of myself. I know I've done a lot of things that others only dream of, and yet it's not something I spend a lot of time on. I cheer for myself each time I finish a manuscript. I cheer each time I start a manuscript. I cheer when I make such a mess out of my characters that it seems they'll never dig themselves out. But I don't often stop to think about how special those actions are. And I never realized how much I needed to hear those words from them. It's not that I needed the accolades, or the awe, but rather I needed that reminder that I do what few people can do...and I do it well. I may not be published yet, but I'm close. So very, very close. I just needed a reminder of it. Maybe we all need that reminder.
Labels: friends, random musings, writing
I promised you wedding expo...
 And gosh darnit, I'm going to give you wedding expo!
First off, let me make one thing clear...this is not my wedding. I'm a bridesmaid which means I get to participate in all sorts of new activities...like cake tasting, dress shopping and flower picking. Well, not literally...though almost all of these activities were available to me Saturday morning. So up and down the aisles we trolled, talking to vendors and generally feeling lost and overwhelmed. I do have a business idea, for anyone who would like to take it. Pins. One says, "I'm the bride, and this is my wedding date." The other says, "I'm a bridesmaid, I have no answers." Most of the other visitors were fairly nice. No screaming over the crowd, "That's my cake you, b**ch!" or anything like that. Instead, we were all very civil. We flipped through wedding photos and listened to DJs try to explain their rates. We contemplated the difficulty of bringing in a dueling piano pair, and if they would blow R's budget. Amidst it all my friend from back home called, which definitely changed the mood. Though just for you, I'll share the humor from this situation. First off, where else could you be sitting in the middle of hundreds of bridal decorations, dresses and cakes, and have a stranger shove tissue into your hand? Second, where else will you have a family member on demand, while you are out shopping for another person's wedding? About the time my friend left her message, Lil' Sis left another one yelling at me for not letting her know I'd be there. Yes, she was around the corner, trying to sell her little heart out. Okay, maybe that part is a little less funny, but it struck me as amusing...so you'll just have to deal. As far as my experience? I'm tempted to elope when my turn comes, though I'm pretty sure Mom would cut off my arm if I try. I also did quite a bit of "research" for my next book, which involves weddings, Hawaii, and a whole slew of other things as yet undiscovered. I found a company who could do a book release party, when the time comes. I found interesting reminders for all those little details. And I found out that spending the morning at a wedding show when you are single and your last date was *mmph* months ago is not nearly as painful as one would think. No, really! It's not. Labels: random musings, weddings
The best laid plans...
I had a great post all ready to write about the Seattle Wedding Show. I spent my morning trolling the aisles with my friend (the bride) and her mother. It was a wonderful post, full of witty observations. This, unfortunately, is not that post. Instead, this is my moment to honor a wonderful woman who passed away this morning. Growing up if I wasn't in my own home, I was over at hers, playing with her kids. She was funny and wacky and maybe just a little crazy. She was sick for a long time, and still she died too young. She'll be missed by everyone who had the good fortune to knew her.
We all need to feel good about ourselves...
And sometimes we need a little reminder of just how wonderful we are. If you're having that kind of day, and need a pick me up go here. All you have to do is type in your name, and hit Okay. Then let the flattery begin. Labels: geeky fun, random musings
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