Here They Come

On the first day of January I unexpectedly made a little money on some jewelry. As I'm planning to set up an Etsy shop, I take this as a very good sign for the next year! (Additionally, I got some impromptu expert job-search coaching and professional contacts, which I take as an astronomically good sign* for the next year!)

I have a hunch that some of the best surprises are going to (continue to) be delivered by terrific friends.

Any lovely/exciting/intriguing 'signs' and indications for your next year so far?






* See what I did there?

Words to Live By

"The only way to become a writer is to write. Don't talk about it; glue your behind to the chair and write, at least four pages every day, even if you end up throwing them out. If you can't make the time, you aren't a writer. You have to motivate yourself; no one else can do that for you. If you can't do that, you are never going to be a writer. Write until you've finished a book, then send it out and write another one. And keep doing it until someone buys one. It's just that simple."

- Mercedes Lackey

Author of the Heralds of Valdemar books (plus many terrific others)

The Valdemar Companion: An Interview with Mercedes Lackey (p. 70)

*Bonus* On solving previously unforseen challenges: "Problems generally create books as long as you set your mind to asking questions instead of seeing blockages in the road." (p. 80)

So, What Do YOU Do, Again?

Today at work I built a second leg for a one-legged dummy and then mummified it (the whole dummy, not just the leg). Also, the three body bags are finally finished.

Bet you've never said that in regards to YOUR job.

Photo Post

The bed.

Sometimes I get a little TOO into my work.

The designer at the theatre declared these pillows to be "works of art". YES, I made them. Be quiet. (They're awesome.)

And, in keeping with the season...

Classic white elephant gift: a framed picture of yourself, right? However, I was attending a high school drama club Christmas party (NO, I was not looking for a date) and I knew this party gift had to have a little something extra... SO here we have a framed picture of me with a "dash" of Christmas in Meheeco! Sing along to the tune of "Feliz Navidad!" Naturally, the girl who ended up with the present was one of the 5 or so students in the group that didn't know me and wouldn't think it was funny. Gratifyingly, after she opened it, glared at it, and then showed it to the rest of the group several of the boys immediately started a bidding war for it. Wow - even with a moustache... (Just because I wasn't looking for a date doesn't mean I couldn't have gotten one, were it not illegal. So, yeah.)

Conversation at Work

"So, how's it going?"
"I'm a little frustrated - I'm making a body bag and that sewing machine is giving me grief."
". . . Wow."
"I know, right?"
"Well, cheer up - 'tis the season!"
"Oh, not to worry - recalcitrant sewing machines come and go. Tomorrow, another one will have an attitude and mine will be fine! (Pause) Also, I'm working on my vocabulary."
"Been hitting the dictionary again?"
"I'm trying to quit!"
(Shaking head) "It's an addiction."
"No, it's a-diction-ary!"
". . ."
"Sorry."



This was (very close to) a real conversation. It's not quite a real job, but I'm enjoying it anyway. (I'll let you know how the body bag turns out.)

Day 14 - Sainthood Pending

I made it to work 5 MINUTES EARLY. Without excessive speeding. Two more days of this (maybe just one if I make it 10) and it could count as an actual miracle.

* * * * *

My old friend Pinched Nerve is back. He is joined by his close neighbors, Aleve and Advil. Should be an interesting day.