Selena Thomason's Blog

Wednesday, May 25th

“The Stackhouse Filibuster”

I am watching “The Stackhouse Filibuster” episode of The West Wing for something like the tenth time. It’s one of my favorite episodes of one of my favorite shows.

I find myself drawn to any story about accomplishing the impossible. CJ says at one point “Stackhouse wasn’t supposed to last fifteen minutes…but someone forgot to tell Stackhouse.” Over and over in the episode, people say variations of “He can’t possibly” and “There is no way.” Can’t, won’t, no way, impossible. Still a man accomplishes the so-called impossible.

Most of my goals are impossible or close to. So, naturally I love any story where someone accomplishes something everyone else says is impossible.

Perhaps the episode is especially appropriate today because Stackhouse accomplishes the impossible while suffering a head cold. I’m so sick right now that just getting through the day seems impossible.

But in a few days, when I’ve beaten off this not-flu flu, I will get back to attacking my other “impossible” goals, inspired by a certain fictional senator named Stackhouse.

Selena on 05.25.05 @ 07:34 PM EST [link] [No Comments]

Wednesday, May 18th

Rejections, Rejections

Two rejections in two days – such is the life of a writer.

Ah well, maybe next time.

Selena on 05.18.05 @ 07:39 PM EST [link] [No Comments]

Sunday, May 15th

Daily Dose of Cute

For your daily dose of cute, check out the furry babies at http://aolsvc.digitalcity.com/washington/zoo_babies/?page=main&photo=1, courtesy of Aol’s City Guide.

Aawh, cheetah cubs are so cute.

Selena on 05.15.05 @ 12:57 PM EST [link] [No Comments]

Thursday, May 12th

Bottled Peace

The house is quiet. I can hear the fan upstairs in the bedroom, birds chirping in the tree out front, and a truck idling on the nearest cross street. The tree obstructs my view of what is going on out there on the street. I can just see the flashing lights and occasionally someone directing traffic, if I sit up enough, which I don’t want to do.

I am cozy. I feel at peace and don’t want to break the magic. I am curled up on the love seat under the window. It’s overcast but still this is the spot with the most natural light coming in.

I feel like sleeping, or actually not quite sleeping, snoozing maybe, maybe just being quiet and still. I hope no one comes to the door. I hope the phone doesn’t ring. I wish I could bottle this peaceful quiet and carry it around in my pocket, taking it out at stressful times and sniffing it like reverse smelling salts.

I want to make it last - this moment where I don’t need anything and nothing is needed from me. No one needs my attention or my money or my help. Everyone is happy and calm. I am happy and calm.

Just the birds, the fan, the idling truck, and the quiet.

Heaven.

Selena on 05.12.05 @ 04:06 PM EST [link] [No Comments]

Peripheral Neuropathy

Sounds bad, doesn’t it?

I don’t know much about peripheral neuropathy but it seems to be exactly what it sounds like – nerve damage in the extremities (arms, legs, hands, feet).

I’ve learned that it’s a complication of diabetes. People sometimes get it if their diabetes goes untreated for too long. All that sugar in the bloodstream damages the nervous system.

Cats aren’t supposed to get it. Even the vet said he’d never heard of a cat developing peripheral neuropathy. Of course cats aren’t commonly known to get diabetes either, let alone this particular diabetic complication. Still that seems to be what Charlie has.

The good news is that controlling his blood sugar with twice-daily insulin seems to have significantly improved the motor control in his hind legs. He’s no longer trying to pull himself up the stairs with just his front paws. Still, you always know when it’s Charlie on the stairs. His tap-kerplunk footfall gives him away.

Selena on 05.12.05 @ 03:37 PM EST [link] [No Comments]

Wednesday, May 11th

Hate the Wait

I hate the waiting part of having submissions pending!

I’m tempted to submit another story to Verbsap just so I’ll get a reply soon. Except that I’m not sure I can top Cheryl Diane Kidder’s story there, “Sugar,” check it out at http://www.verbsap.com/.

I guess no response is better than no.

Oh how I hate the wait.

Selena on 05.11.05 @ 07:58 PM EST [link] [No Comments]

Monday, May 9th

Oryx and Crake

I finished Oryx and Crake. What a great book!

There’s a website too. Check it out at oryxandcrake.com

Selena on 05.09.05 @ 08:03 PM EST [link] [No Comments]

Sunday, May 8th

Mother’s Day

In honor of Mother’s Day, here’s a link to the “Top 8 Troubled Mothers in Literature”
http://classiclit.about.com/od/mother/tp/aatp_troubmoth.htm
courtesy of my new daily read, Verbsap at http://www.verbsap.com/.

I’m very grateful that I ended up with such a good mother – kind, smart, patient, tolerant. It’s of the many advantages I’ve been lucky enough to have in my life – wonderful parents, supportive friends, a good education, and some really good teachers. Sometimes you realize that God has been so good to you that you really don’t have any right to complain about anything.

I’ve tried to be a good mom like mine is, but I’m just not as good at it as she is. But I guess if your kids make it to 21 without getting killed or wrecking their life for good, then you’ve succeeded. And at least my daughter, who turns 22 today, seems to have survived having me as a parent. Despite my lack of maternal skills, she’s turned out great – caring, loyal, independent, thoughtful.

Happy Mother’s Day everyone.

Call your mom. Seriously, do it now.

Selena on 05.08.05 @ 08:05 AM EST [link] [No Comments]

Friday, May 6th

New Market

I found a new market I’m interested in writing for. It’s an online magazine called Verbsap. Here’s a link: http://www.verbsap.com/

I just like the looks of it, even their writer’s guidelines are well-written and fun. I don’t even really care that they don’t pay.

Sadly, they already rejected the story I sent them yesterday. But you gotta love that response time. Plus the rejection was nice, calling my story “amusing and smoothly-written,” as well as helpful, specifically stating what about the story didn’t suit the market and what sort of stories they like.

So a story for them is on my to-do list. And I’ll be reading their site closely to get a better feel for their preferences.

Selena on 05.06.05 @ 09:48 PM EST [link]

Thursday, May 5th

National Treasure

Watched “National Treasure” last night. What a great movie! Who knew history was so exciting?

Favorite part:

Chick from Archives says to our hero:

“There is not a treasure map on the back of the Declaration of Independence.”

Our hero replies:

“And there is no chance anyone can steal this” (hero shakes container carrying stolen Declaration of Independence) either.” Then he shakes it again as if to say “hello, got the stolen Declaration right here.”

Sometimes what we think is impossible is really just difficult or unlikely.

I also loved the line about how Thomas Edison tried almost two thousand times to create a light bulb and how he refused to see those failed attempts as failures, instead saying that he had discovered two thousand things that didn’t work and only needed to find one way that did work.

There’s a lesson in there for me somewhere.

Selena on 05.05.05 @ 10:27 AM EST [link]

More on Charlie the Cat

Turns out Charlie’s neurological problems are due to diabetes.

So it’s insulin injections twice a day for the little kitty.

Hopefully once his blood sugar normalizes, his impaired motor function will improve.

Selena on 05.05.05 @ 10:26 AM EST [link]

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