Ranting

A lot of stuff has been getting to me recently, so I'm taking this opportunity to bitch. There won't be anything of substance (at least in terms of the actual purpose of this blog).

#1. Just read on VP about Opposite Marriage banned in Texas and I clicked on the CBS link there. And then I read the comments. Us "liburals" better watch out... conservatism is making its way back! Homos better be glad we don't do to them what the do in "muslum" countries. Only they didn't say it as well as I did (at least that first sentence). And when a "libural" calls them out on their grammar and spelling, they lash back... Us "elitist liburals" (I'm looking for that comment now but can't seem to find it anymore) need to talk like regular Americans (or something like that... damn wish I could find that comment!). I'm sorry but all I can think is speaking (and writing) well makes a much more effective argument. It is difficult to listen to such nonsense when you can't even read it.

#2. Watching Rachel Maddow the other night and the recent thing with the Stupak Amendment, my girlfriend and I got into a discussion. I've gotten into this discussion with many people over the years. Most people I know believe (and I used to think the same way) that if you are responsible enough to have sex then you are responsible enough to have a child. Plain and simple (with the health and rape exceptions of course). I was naive back then. But I think that was due to my subconscious knowing that I wasn't interested in having sex with men, so I would never have the problem. But in coming to understand myself, feminism, and especially the rights we have (or don't sometimes) as Americans I changed my mind. I am seriously Pro-Choice. There should not be anything in the law books that takes away the option for women. Why? It isn't because I believe everyone should just be going out and getting abortions willy-nilly. It is because only the woman making that choice is the one who has to deal with it. I'm not saying that churches can't continue their effort to get people to not have abortions. They should, I'm all about education. But I just wish that they would also educate people about safe sex and protection. Doesn't that make sense? If you don't want people having abortions, then let people prevent getting pregnant in the first place. We all know abstinence before marriage doesn't work. It is about options... and therefore Choice.

#3. Choice is really what it is all about in America. Some people still believe that people choose to be gay. That isn't the choice... The choice is whether to be themselves or not. I wish I had the choice to be myself in public and give my girlfriend a quick kiss before we depart. My girlfriend wishes we didn't have to have gay bars and pride parades (she borders on assimilationist which irks me sometimes), but we do because we don't have the choice to go into regular bars and worry that if we hit on the wrong person they won't take it as a compliment, instead they'll hog tie us behind their pickup trucks and drag us down the street.

#4. Republicans in general. Last time I took government, which I know was a while ago, but I understood it as Republicans believe in less government (and therefore state controlled) and Democrats believe in federal government (and states being more or less even in laws and rules). So why is it always Republicans who want a *federal* ban on abortion and gay marriage? Why was Obama (when running for pres) talking about gay marriage being a state decision? I just don't understand.

Well I think I'm running out of steam right now. But I feel a little better getting some stuff off my chest, and finally posting something, even if it isn't really relevant.

So feel free to post comments, thoughts. Am I crazy? Is there something wrong with me? I wouldn't mind more audience participation, so please share....

NaNo Expectations

I believe my posted word count at the moment is around 3300. Keeping in mind that Sunday is the halfway point and therefor I should be closer to 25000. That is a large gap for me to cover over the weekend. But considering it is snowing out and I get paid this weekend, my girlfriend will probably want to go somewhere to play in it. I tend to drive as it is my vehicle. I cannot write and drive.

There are a few things to account for such a low number that I feel the need to make clear. I write in a notebook. I even bought a new one just for the occasion. We actually got a Week Two Pep Talk encouraging NaNo-ers to break away from the keyboard and really experience their writing. There are perks as well, computers make it too easy (and hard to resist the urge) of looking it back over and trying to "fix" stuff. Partly why I write in a notebook is because when I transfer it from print to type it is just my first step of editing. I find it works wonders. But as I type up what I've written so far, I've been very good at not subtracting anything.

Where was I going with this?

Right, so this whole NaNo experience... I'll be truthful. I am not expecting to make it to 50K. If I do, great, but I'm trying to be realistic. I'm in it more for the experience (at least this first time around) than I am "in it to win it". But I thought I would provide you all with very important lessons I've learned so far.

It is called a rough draft for a reason
Seriously don't worry about every little green or red squiggle (actually I type mine up in Google Docs so I don't get squiggles). Don't get stuck if you don't even like what you've written so far. Get over it. Release that anxiety. Just write, you can fix it later, write it better or whatever. Just save it for later...

You don't have to write the story in order
I bought that stupid notebook and now I find myself scribbling on other pieces of paper because it is a later scene that was more prominent in my head and I wanted to get it down. At least I realized that I could do this instead of being stuck on a scene that I don't much care for but wouldn't have gotten anywhere else until I finished it (I speak from experience). Also next time I'll get a 3-ring notebook and some old fashioned college ruled. That way I can move pages around...

But most importantly... I should have tried NaNo earlier when I was single
Girlfriends and Puppy Dogs require a lot of attention. As I sit down to write, I'm needed for something. I get up and do it. I often don't get back to my notebook. This is partly why I'm having realistic expectations. I don't have a whole lot of time to myself and sometimes when I do, I don't want to do anything.

So it isn't that I'm not trying. I'm greatful for this experience and it will help me to become a better writer. Isn't that the point? 'Nuff said.

Good Vibes and Karma (and maybe a Kindle)

In another effort to procrast my NaNo, and to spread the love I'm writing up something you should all know about. See I've been trying to be a better writer by being a better reader (slash listener) and reaching out. Not only is it good to reach out because there are those (who like me) love to see comments and responses, but it is also good PR. And if I wish to have more followers and comments I need to participate in the community more. It's a full circle kind of thing, just go with it...

I've seen this happen on a few blogs. They are contests. Followers get an entry, writing a comment gets another, and blogging about it on your own blog gets the third. I like this idea. I may try it someday when I have something totally awesome to give away.

But for now you should go check out Lisa and Laura Write: Spread the Love, Win a Kindle. And those two lucky sisters (who can also be referred to as LiLa) are going to be published in 2011 by Sourcebooks for their novel - The Haunting of Pemberly Brown. It's a YA mystery, which works because this supposed kindle that is up for offering is a mysterious kindle. I followed some of the other links and read about the book. I might not be a young adult anymore but I certainly will be on the lookout in Spring '11 for this...

Also the blog is fairly entertaining totally awesomeness...

Saving Books

I'm a bit behind in my NaNoWriMo, I should be around 5K words but only 1500. I've only written one day, is why. Yesterday I found myself at the library. I felt I needed more research. But while searching for some research, I found another book. I had recently read about it on afterellen.com in an older post under the "Across the Page." I was there trying to remember some authors I should check out for general lesbian fiction (as the fantasy/sci-fi genre for lesbian and gay fiction, while it does exsist, is a bit harder to find, at least for me). Plus I'm always a fan of the classics.

So while searching through the fiction section, I happened to see the book title "Patience and Sarah." It rang a bell so I pulled it out. Sure enough I had seen a similiar cover recently on "Across the Page." I brought it to the counter. The librarian opened it, turned it around on all its sides and goes, "You just saved a book." Apparently, if her boss had found it, would have tossed it as it wasn't barcoded and tagged in the new system. I feel good about saving it, though I doubt anyone will find it and read it willingly. And if so by mistakingly, perhaps a younger person, if found by their parents will have it taken away and brought back to the library and demand it be burned. So I'll admit, I am currently living in Hicksville (Similar to Sally's, but not where I live exactly), which I'm trying like hell to get away from, but so far no one has even nibbled on my resume.

That reminds me, I need to check on one I submitted, it would allow me a maximum of 4 months off each year which I would love to devote to writing. Send your positive thoughts and good luck. I'll finish Patience and Sarah (almost did last night) and get back to my NaNoWriMo, as I have another library book coming in on loan, but this one is actually useful and research... I swear!