« December 2008 | Main | February 2009 »
January 30, 2009
Personality Test
I found this over at the Ray Gun Revival forums. The deal is to put your iTunes on shuffle then use the first song to answer the first question, the second to answer the second, and so on. It's amazing how well that works.
Thanks, RGR, for a fun and enlightening way to start my day.
IF SOMEONE SAYS, “IS THIS OKAY” YOU SAY?
Senorita, Los Lonely Boys
WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
More Than Love, Los Lonely Boy
(weird that shuffle grouped two LLB songs back to back. Hmmm)
WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Apple Tree, Erykah Badu
(What does that mean?! I'm just leaving that one alone.)
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE?
The Long Day is Over, Norah Jones
WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
Higher Love, Steve Winwood
WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Whenever You're Away From Me, Olivia Newton-John
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT OFTEN?
The Light of Love, Rick Springfield
WHAT IS 2+2?
All By Myself, Celine Dion
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Speak to the Sky, Rick Springfield
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Free, Rick Springfield
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
I Wanna Be Your Lover, Prince
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Livin' La Vida Loca, Ricky Martin
WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Sailing, Christopher Cross
WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Legend in My Living Room, Annie Lennox
(LOL)
WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Poetry, Pat Green
WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Language or the Kiss, Indigo Girls
(oh, wow, that is SO right on!)
WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Wildwood Flower, Reese Witherspoon (from the movie Walk the Line)
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Strange Fire, Indigo Girls
WHAT’S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
Silent Legacy, Melissa Etheridge
(And isn't that the worst thing imaginable for most writers?)
HOW WILL YOU DIE?
Winter Wonderland, Harry Connick, Jr.
(I always knew I would freeze to death in the end.)
WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
You Have Been Loved, George Michael
WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Make You Happy, Celine Dion
WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
If the World Crashes Down, Enrique Iglesias
WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
The Long Way Around, Dixie Chicks
WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
Turn Back, O Man, by Stephen Schwartz, from Godspell
DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
Out Here on My Own (Instrumental), by Michael Gore, from the movie Fame
IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
Abide With Me, Amy Grant
WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
It is No Secret (What God Can Do), Elvis Presley
WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
Beautiful Music, Amy Grant
Posted by Selena at 08:21 AM | Comments (0)
January 29, 2009
My Life as a Contrarian
If I ever write an autobiography, that will likely be its title: My Life as a Contrarian
I don't mind my contrary personality most of the time. Most of the time, I consider the ability to see a contrary point of view to be an asset. And I don't even mind that mine is nearly always a minority opinion. I've been in one minority or another most of my life: white chick in a predominately black school; drama major in a whole string of comp sci classes; native Washingtonian city-girl in suburban Florida. But even a contrarian like me longs to fit in sometimes.
While I appreciate the value of being around people who are different from me, it's hard when everyone I come into contact with is so different from me. It's like going through the day faced with one "You're wrong" sign after another. At some point I want someone to either agree with me or, at least, accept me for who I am—differences and all.
At times like these I really miss being around like-minded people. I miss home.
Posted by Selena at 07:13 PM | Comments (0)
Rules, Rules, Rules
Yesterday, I told someone that "I am not a rule-oriented person."
But as I continued to think about it, I realized that it's not all rules I object to. For instance, I always follow medication instructions to the letter. Even with over-the-counter stuff, I read and follow the rules.
And I don't have any problem with safety rules like "no kids around the pool unattended" or "no swimming during a lightning storm." Those rules seem sensible to me; I don't mind following them or demanding that other people follow them in my presence.
I don't even mind "come to a full stop before turning right on red." Although, I notice a good number of people who don't believe in following that particular rule.
It's the unnecessary, unhelpful rules that make me crazy. Like when organizations censor people's speech before they even know what folks are going to say. Or limit the topics of discussion for fear that someone will say something that someone else doesn't like or agree with. I can see where they're coming from—a desire to focus on unity by banishing any hint of disagreement—but I do a lot better in an environment of openness, compassion, and trust. I'm pretty accepting of people who disagree with me. I just wish the reverse were true.
Posted by Selena at 07:07 PM | Comments (0)
January 28, 2009
"When wilt thou save the people?"
It's been a bad day.
So the song that keeps running through my head is "Save the People" from the musical Godspell. Here is a sample lyric:
"When wilt thou save the people?
Oh God of mercy when?
The people, Lord, the people,
Not thrones and crowns, but men!
God save the people, for thine they are,
Thy children as thy angels fair.
God save the people from despair."
Posted by Selena at 02:17 PM | Comments (0)
January 27, 2009
MindFlights Print Edition #4 is Now Available
The print edition for MindFlights' fourth quarter is now available for sale through Lulu.com. It contains select works from our online issues from October through December plus one print-only story.
Just $7.50 (+ shipping)
This issue includes:
"Gaming Real Life" by K.C. Shaw
"The Minstrel Addresses Her Audience" by Megan Arkenberg
"Dragonsaint" by D. G. D. Davidson
"Over the Edge" by Stephanie Green
"Unplugged" by Kristal M. Johnson
"The Void Test" by Therese L. Arkenberg
"The Book Signing" by Valerie L. Smith
Cover: “Winter Fantasy” by Anne Stokes
Enjoy!
Posted by Selena at 10:19 AM | Comments (0)
January 23, 2009
"Marionettes" by mike simon
"Marionettes"
by mike simon
A small group of people try to survive the end of the world. Struggling against the inevitable, each survivor must come to grip with his or her mortality, faith and fear of the unknown as they are plunged into a final crisis that can have but one ending.
Posted by Selena at 08:53 AM | Comments (0)
January 22, 2009
Today's Tally
Well, at least it's more than the last couple days. That's progress, right?
 | 717 |
 | |
17  | |
 | |
| lab.drwicked.com | |
Posted by Selena at 05:15 PM | Comments (0)
January 21, 2009
Today's Tally
| 637 |
| |
| 18 | |
| |
| lab.drwicked.com | |
Posted by Selena at 08:05 PM | Comments (0)
Lost in Austen + Pride and Prejudice
I've been enjoying the British miniseries "Lost in Austen" that's been running on the Ovation channel.
Here's the basic premise:
A modern-day Jane Austen fan finds herself transported to then trapped in the world of Austen's novel "Pride and Prejudice."
(Sounds like fun, right?)
She, of course, falls in love with the romantic hero of the book, Mr. Darcy, and causes all manner of disruptions to the storyline.
I am also a big fan of the movie "Pride and Prejudice," the one starring Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Bennet and Matthew Macfadyen as Mr. Darcy.
This is one of my favorite scenes:
http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi2994798873/
Posted by Selena at 07:40 PM | Comments (0)
January 20, 2009
Getting Back to Writing
I am trying to get back in the habit of writing every day. I figure it's the only way to make progress—i.e., improve my writing, sell more stories, etc.
Today I used Dr. Wicked's Write or Die. It helps me stay motivated.
Here's today's tally:
| 581 |
| |
| 17 | |
| |
| lab.drwicked.com | |
The stats are lame, I know. But it's better than nothing. And lately my writing life has been a whole lot of nothing.
Posted by Selena at 09:45 PM | Comments (0)
January 19, 2009
Column Reprinted: "Choosing a Softer Answer"
One of my columns has been reprinted in Haruah. Please stop by and check it out. Thanks.
Posted by Selena at 02:40 PM | Comments (0)
"The sky is the floor of an ocean" by J. C. Runolfson
Here is some new poetry to kick off a new week.
"The sky is the floor of an ocean"
by J. C. Runolfson
Fishers of men.
Posted by Selena at 08:28 AM | Comments (0)
January 16, 2009
BG returns + Quote of the Day
Battlestar Galatica returns tonight and I can't wait!
This morning I was reading EW's TV Watch like I always do. (Hey, it's on my Google homepage, after all.) BG is, of course, listed as one of tonight's best to watch. But my favorite part was this quote from the blurb:
"If a show this riveting can't stay on the air, Earth deserves whatever it gets." —Jeff Giles
Amen, brother! I couldn't have said it better myself.
Posted by Selena at 08:16 AM | Comments (0)
"Soulsong" by Rabia Gale
"Soulsong"
by Rabia Gale
The war bard Elinor gets more than she bargained for when she has to sing for her supper.
Posted by Selena at 07:55 AM | Comments (0)
January 12, 2009
"Bottled Dreams" by Victoria Sonata
"Bottled Dreams"
by Victoria Sonata (A Student Contributor)
Three men lost at sea find a letter promising everyone’s greatest dreams...and they wish for WHAT?
Posted by Selena at 08:25 AM | Comments (0)
January 11, 2009
Mimi's Onion Soup Rocks!
I went to Mimi's yesterday, courtesy of a gift certificate I received for Christmas. (Yeah! Let's hear it for the people who know me well enough to get me what I really want!) The service and atmosphere were great, as always. The food was—well, mixed maybe, but none of it was actually bad. It just wasn't as good as I had hoped.
Let me explain...
The French Onion Soup was FANTASTIC! Which I guess one should expect from a place that bills itself as "French." I was so relieved to see that they took the time to melt the cheese over the cup of soup. That's the way it's supposed to be done! I've been in places recently that try to skate by with just throwing croutons and shredded cheese on the top. NOT okay! It's gotta be a round slice of bread placed on top of the soup then a slice of cheese melted over the bowl. Seriously, people. Otherwise it's not French Onion Soup.
The sandwich, however, did not live up to my expectations. Turkey Pesto Ciabatta sounded so good when I read it on the menu. But once I got it, I didn't like it. I admit, I tinkered with the recipe by asking for it sans avocado and tomato. I think I would have liked it better if the turkey was thinly sliced and it had more pesto mayo. There did seem to be some kind of condiment on the sandwich, but I didn't actually taste any pesto. So the sandwich was too bland for me. It should be said though that hubby thought the sandwich was great.
Even though my meal wasn't perfect, I still enjoyed my visit immensely and plan to go back soon. After all, I've still got some money on my gift card. ;)
(P.S. The Mimi's website actually has their onion soup recipe listed. So you can try it at home. Just be sure to make it "au gratin.")
Posted by Selena at 04:19 PM | Comments (0)
January 09, 2009
"Birds of a Feather" by W. K. Tucker
"Birds of a Feather"
by W. K. Tucker
Looking after his strange sister is no easy task for thirteen-year-old Henry. And it doesn't help matters any that his ma is crazy in the head.
Posted by Selena at 08:12 AM | Comments (0)
January 08, 2009
So Much Good TV in January!
Whoa, there is so much good TV to look forward to in January!
I can hardly wait to see...
1) The return of "Battlestar Galatica"
It is by far my "most anticipated." New episodes begin on January 16th.
You can get caught up with this short video recap or by watching the BG "chain reaction" on SciFi on January 16th beginning at 8:30 a.m. (Yes, a.m. It's a day long string of episodes leading up to the season 4.5 premiere at 10 p.m.)
2) the return of "Lost" on January 21st
And
3) the return of "Flight of the Conchords" on January 18th
Posted by Selena at 05:20 PM | Comments (0)
January 07, 2009
"Quanruzaman's Gateway" by Peter Simon
"Quanruzaman's Gateway"
by Peter Simon
A long overdue, unexpected but happy appointment.
Posted by Selena at 12:36 PM | Comments (0)
January 05, 2009
"Encounter" by Elyn W. Marsh
Here is a new poem to start off a new year and a new issue. Enjoy!
"Encounter"
by Elyn W. Marsh (A Student Contributor)
I never would have expected him, but there he was...
Posted by Selena at 08:30 AM | Comments (0)
January 04, 2009
New Music
To celebrate the New Year, I bought some of the music that's been loitering in my iTunes shopping cart. As I've listened to my new music over and over, it struck me as funny that a nearly-nondrinker like myself would count these two songs as her favorites of the bunch: "Beer for My Horses" and "Rehab."
That doesn't seem right, does it? But I love the "let's go round up bad guys" vibe of Willy Nelson and Toby Keith's "Beer for My Horses" and the stubborn "I'm gonna be me no matter what anyone says" feel of "Rehab." Nobody has EVER told me I need to go to rehab, but there is still something very compelling about that freeing declaration at the beginning of the song:
They tried to make me go to rehab, I said, "No, no, no"
Posted by Selena at 12:39 PM | Comments (0)