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August 31, 2007
Fascinating Article on the "Spotlight Effect"
I came across this article recently and found it very interesting:
" The Cure for Self-Consciousness"
I particularly like this part:
" Our distorted perceptions mean we not only exaggerate the impact of our errors but also undersell our inspirations and contributions."
And the bit under it about mumbling.
Hmm. My husband often accuses me of mumbling. I had thought maybe he was a little hearing-impaired, but now I wonder if the "spotlight effect" might have something to do with it.
Posted by Selena at 05:04 PM | Comments (0)
August 30, 2007
Quote of the Day: I learned...
"Some dreams weren't meant to come true. I learned that from you."
- from the song "I Learned That From You," by Sara Evans
(Well, I don't know if she wrote it. I just know she sang it.)
That song gets me every time.
Posted by Selena at 08:31 PM | Comments (0)
New Fav Lily Pic
Here my new favorite photo of granddaughter Lily:
Ain't she cute?
Posted by Selena at 11:55 AM | Comments (0)
August 29, 2007
Caught Up!
Can it be? Yes, it seems that I really am caught up on reading submissions. Woo-Hoo!
Of course, I know that as soon as I post this, another sub will appear in my inbox. And that's okay. I just like to be able to read them as they come in.
Until then I guess I should deal with some of those writing projects I've been avoiding. ;)
Posted by Selena at 11:33 AM | Comments (0)
August 28, 2007
Quote of the Day: Failure
Here they are, from Ten Poems to Change Your Life by Roger Housden:
"Last night as I was sleeping,
I dreamt - marvelous error! -
that I had a beehive
here inside my heart.
And the golden bees
were making white combs
and sweet honey
From my old failures."
- Antonio Machado
Part of his poem “Last Night As I Was Sleeping”
(version by Robert Bly)
"Imagine the possibility that every single turn of events, however dark or disappointing the outcome, can in some circuitous way be the raw material for something that eventually surfaces with the sweetness of honey."
-Roger Housden
So, this is me, waiting for God to make sweet honeycombs out of all my failures.
Posted by Selena at 12:01 PM | Comments (0)
Must Do Better
I must do better.
Or give up, which is a strangely tempting option just now. Not a sane option, mind you, just a tempting one.
Despite medication, my blood pressure is still too high. Of course it doesn't help that lately I have not been watching my diet, or exercising like I know I should. Plus, my stress meter has been in the red for so long that I think the needle might be stuck. That can't be good for my blood pressure either.
So, Doc put me on stronger meds. Yippee. Just what I always wanted: Stronger meds. (That's sarcasm if you can't hear it on your monitor. ;) )
Why is it that having my meds increased feels like such a personal failure?
I don't know. I just know that I must do better.
In the meantime, I think today's quote is going to have to be about coping with failure. I've got to find that quote about honeycombs. Stay tuned.
Posted by Selena at 11:51 AM | Comments (0)
August 27, 2007
Noted on Today's Walk
Pretty, ain't it? Smelled good too.
Posted by Selena at 08:33 PM | Comments (0)
Quote of the Day: A Double Dose from Firefly
"This must be what going mad feels like."
- Simon, from "Firefly"
One of these days, I'm going to get that T-shirt from Café Press.
Here's another:
"May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one."
- Mal, from "Firefly"
I miss "Firefly."
Why isn't there any good scifi on my TV right now?!
Posted by Selena at 08:29 PM | Comments (0)
August 25, 2007
Quote of the Day: Photonic
"All life is photonic."
- from the Star Trek Voyager episode called "Bride of Chaotica."
In this episode, photonic aliens from another dimensional mistake a holodeck game for real life. It's especially fun because the game is old school scifi: ray guns, death rays, evil geniuses, robots. (Actually it reminds me of "Flash Gordon." The original, not the recent remake, which I've only seen one episode of.)
This STV episode is laugh out loud campy fun. The best part is Kate Mulgrew as Captain Janeway playing Arachnia, Queen of the Spider People. She is FABULOUS!
:)
Posted by Selena at 12:43 PM | Comments (0)
August 24, 2007
Quote of the Day: Rev Bem
"I have always believed the divine loves us best at the broken times."
- Rev Bem, in "Andromeda"
I think this was in one of the early seasons, because I don't think Rev Bem was around in the later seasons. He was one of my favorite characters though. A holy man struggling with his "beast" nature.
Posted by Selena at 07:30 PM | Comments (0)
Taking the Day Off + RS on GH
I am too tired and stressed to work. So I am taking the day off.
Well, not totally off since I did a little work this morning and I am baby watching from morning to night.
Still, I am in no condition to read anyone's submission right now. Trust me.
I did enjoy seeing Rick Springfield perform on "General Hospital" today though. That was cool! It would have been the highlight of my day, but instead that honor goes to receiving belated birthday presents from my best friend.
Not a bad day, but –MAN- I need some sleep! Until that can happen, I'll be listening to "Written in Rock: The Rick Springfield Anthology." :)
Posted by Selena at 05:39 PM | Comments (0)
August 23, 2007
Column Reprinted: "Wrestling with Envy"
One of my "Everyday Faith" columns has been reprinted at Haruah.
Please stop by and check it out. Thanks.
Posted by Selena at 05:11 PM | Comments (0)
August 21, 2007
Houseguests, Disney, etc.
I've been too busy to blog. Here's what's been going on.
I had houseguests in town for about a week. It was Mom plus a niece and nephew. We went to Disney World a couple days and that was very cool. My favs at DW: Space Mountain, Test Track, Soarin', Mickey's PhilharMagic. Also, love the Fast Pass option. If I had been smart, I would have begun each day by running around and getting fast passes for all the things I wanted to see/do. Ah well, maybe next time.
I also had two family events going on: my 40th birthday and my granddaughter's "baptism." (As a Baptist, I consider the ritual more of a dedication ceremony, but whatever. I think it's one of those things that good people of faith don't always agree on.) Both events went swimmingly. :)
Now all my houseguests are gone, and the house is much quieter. But at least now maybe I can get some work done. We'll see.
I'll try to post more pictures later, but here are a few of my favorites:
Mickey ears in the power lines as you approach the park:
The crocodile topiary:
How cool is that?
And one not from Disney. This is a lizard the kids found in the backyard. We have tons of lizards around the house. I just don't usually let them inside the patio where the cat can get to them.
Hope everyone is having a good mid-to-late August. :)
Posted by Selena at 05:31 PM | Comments (0)
DKA: "Aliens in the Church" by S. A. Miller and Al Speegle
To close out August's issue, we have...
"Aliens in the Church"
by S. A. Miller and Al Speegle
Tease:
An alien with a sandy rear end requests to use a church building for his people.
Get the print edition that includes this story!
Posted by Selena at 07:44 AM | Comments (0)
August 19, 2007
"The Colors Story" Reprinted
One of my Flashshots, "The Colors Story," has been reprinted at Residential Aliens as a sample for their current micro-fiction contest.
Stop by and check it out.
Thanks.
Maybe you'll even want to enter a micro-fic of your own.
Posted by Selena at 05:26 PM | Comments (0)
August 18, 2007
DKA: "The Tree" by Sheldon G. Carter
For your weekend reading, we have...
"The Tree"
by Sheldon G. Carter
Tease:
What if Adam and Eve hadn't committed the original sin? How would it change our world? Would sin be inevitable sooner or later?
Get the print edition that includes this story!
Posted by Selena at 07:31 AM | Comments (0)
August 14, 2007
DKA: "Roses" by Kathryn Yelinek
Today's update is a story about two sisters.
"Roses"
by Kathryn Yelinek
Tease:
Caryn loves being a twin. But sometimes growing up means finding your own path in life.
Get the print edition that includes this story!
Posted by Selena at 08:32 AM | Comments (0)
August 13, 2007
DKA's August Print Edition Now Available!
The print edition for DKA's August issue is now available for sale through Lulu.com.
Just $6.49 (+ shipping)
This issue includes:
"The Ways of Monsters and Men" by Josh Vogt
"The Ransom of Planet X" by Karen A. Romanko
"One Afternoon, Missing" by David Misialowski
"Roses" by Kathryn Yelinek
"The Tree" by Sheldon G. Carter
"Aliens in the Church" by S. A. Miller and Al Speegle
Enjoy!
Posted by Selena at 06:46 PM | Comments (0)
August 11, 2007
New Column: "Tithing My Time"
My latest column is now available at TeenAge magazine.
You can check it out here.
Please let me know what you think.
Thanks.
Posted by Selena at 08:32 PM | Comments (0)
DKA: "One Afternoon, Missing" by David Misialowski
Today's update is a thought-provoking story that you won't want to miss.
"One Afternoon, Missing"
by David Misialowski
Tease:
A finder of rarities for those who are rich and unhappy finds a rare commission: a man who wants a new life, to heal a hole in his heart. But whose hole is it, and whose heart, and whose new life?
If you missed David's previous story in DKA, check it out here:
"Dust"
Posted by Selena at 05:11 AM | Comments (0)
August 09, 2007
Getting Closer
Well, I am not caught up but I am getting closer.
Here is today's tally so far:
6 subs read (only 9 to go, yikes)
7 subs processed & responded to
It reminds me of that Billy Joel song "Getting Closer":
"And if I don't have this all worked out
Still I'm getting closer, getting closer
I still have far to go no doubt
But I'm getting closer, getting closer"
Actually, I like that album so much I think I'll listen to it now. ;)
Posted by Selena at 07:58 PM | Comments (0)
So Far Behind :(
I am so far behind that it seems impossible I will ever catch up with my to-do list. I don’t even know where to start. And the desire to just throw up my hands and give up is very, very strong.
Three days of baby-watching from morning to night (while baby’s momma worked double shifts) has really put a crimp in my productivity. Thankfully momma doesn’t have to work until tonight, so maybe grandma can get a little something done before taking over the baby-watching duties again. Maybe I can at least assess exactly how far behind on my editor duties I am. (I’m not even thinking about my writing to-do’s at this point.) Right now I only know that there are many submissions at both DKA and MindFlights that I haven’t even looked at. A clear picture would help. Then maybe I can figure out what to do first, and do that. Then what to do second, and do that. And so on.
But it won’t be easy because -- I’m so tired. And stressed. And all-around impaired.
I just have to take a deep breath, get a cup of tea, and do what I can do moment to moment. Eventually that will get me somewhere closer to caught up.
Posted by Selena at 11:02 AM | Comments (0)
August 07, 2007
DKA: "The Ransom of Planet X" by Karen A. Romanko
It's New Poetry Tuesday. To celebrate, we have a treat from one of our favorite poets:
"The Ransom of Planet X"
by Karen A. Romanko
Tease: An undiscovered planet in our solar system? Here's what might have happened...
If you missed Karen's other poems in DKA, check these out:
Bibliotheca Temporis
Rooms
Crossroads
Posted by Selena at 07:46 AM | Comments (0)
August 04, 2007
Today's Tally = Life is Good
Well, it's my birthday month so things can't be all bad. In fact, things are actually pretty good. I had a long talk with an old friend, which was easily the highlight of my day. Plus, I think I actually have a handle now on how to fix my novel query. That's good, because clearly that query needed work.
Hope everyone is having a good weekend.
Posted by Selena at 03:40 PM | Comments (0)
DKA: "The Ways of Monsters and Men" by Josh Vogt
Here is a delightful piece of flash fiction to kick off our August issue:
"The Ways of Monsters and Men"
by Josh Vogt
Tease:
It's not every day a rather civilized monster interrupts your evening walk. And since when do they ask permission before chasing you screaming into the forest?
Enjoy!
Posted by Selena at 08:31 AM | Comments (0)