about the girl

Moving Day

I've changed blogs. Here's the new address -- about the girl

Snowed in and writer's block

Well, not really. But we did get a lot. I awoke this morning to a power outage. And this...

My car under snow

I think I'll use this time to work more on my story. I'm having trouble with it because I'm used to writing short stories. So, I keep trying to speed up the story, thinking about how to write a beginning, middle, and end in under, say fifteen pages. Then I remember, that with a novel, I have more time to tell the story. Yet, knowing this only enhances the feelings of writer's block that I have.

I'm having my own personal power outage.

Big Bag Theory

Currently, these two bags have been receiving the most of my attention.

I'm actually quite glad that large bags and totes are in. I'm the type of person who needs to carry a lot around with me. Staple items in my bags, no matter the size, have always been my wallet; my checkbook and checkbook register; a small, 7x5 spiral notebook for when I make a trip to the bookstore and need to write down book titles; my make-up bag; copious amounts of ink pens; my glasses case; and my sunglasses.

I remember a few years back when I would try to cram as many things into my smaller purses all in the name of fashion. It was ridiculous. I had to think ahead about whether I would be writing a check or using my card. The answer to that question resulted in either leaving the checkbook at home or bringing it with me. So, now that designers are creating larger fashionable bags I'm ridiculously excited. I can take everything that I need with me.

Also, when people compliment me on my turquoise bag, it makes me smile.

What I'm doing vs. what I should be doing

I have an assignment for one of my classes -- an online class -- that is due on Friday. I should be reading the chapter that was posted. I should be paying close attention to the words. I should be answering the questions that correspond to the reading. Instead, I'm watching a marathon of Project Runway. It's the episode where the designers are supposed to design a skate outfit for Sasha Cohen.

Can I just say that Santino's creation for Sasha Cohen was just...over the top? I understand that Santino is over the top (I actually like some of his designs), but the outfit that he made for Sasha was just butt-ass fugly. I'm of the opinion that when Santino doesn't have a clear vision of how he wants his creation to turn out, he starts adding shit just because. In my opinion, he was unsure of the design for Sasha Cohen, and look what happened. He also seemed unsure of what he wanted to do during the lingerie challenge -- despite the fact that he was able to sell the idea to Heidi -- and looked what happened. Freakin' lederhosen lingerie!

Of all of his designs, the two aforementioned designs and the Barbie design were not my favorite. I loved his muslin dress; his "Clothes of Your Back" design; his dress for Nicky Hilton; and the dress and kimono jacket that he (and Nick) made for the Banana Republic challenge. Plus, Santino does a mean Tim impersonation.

As for Nick: I love me some Nick. I wanna be his hag.

Rain rain go away

I've never understood why during the work week the weather is passably good -- sunshine, dry streets, with a bit of cold -- then on the weekend it all turns to shit. It's been raining all day today. Of course, it could be a lot worse; we could be snowed in. Although, I fear that snow (and a lot of it) is on its way.

I've lived here for over ten years now, and since I've been here not one January has gone by without snowfall. With the exception of the wimpy liitle flurries we had several weeks back that lasted all of twenty minutes, we did not get any snow this January. I wonder what's in store for us. On the bright side, I didn't stay out of the house too long today because it was so wet outside. I did what I needed to do and came back to work on my various assignments for class. So, I actually got school work done. I'm happy.

A New Start?

The Chinese New Year began a few days ago. It's the year of the dog. I was born in the year of the ram. According to the Chinese zodiac, those born in the year of the ram are compassionate, gentle, artistic, and creative. I would have to say that I agree; I possess those qualities. (Of course, they didn't list modesty as one of the characteristics of those born in the year of the ram.) As for creativity, this semester I'll have to put those creative juices to good use.

I'm taking three classes this semester. One of those classes is novel writing. Thankfully, the professor isn't sadistic; he doesn't expect that we will have a novel completed and ready for publication in 16 weeks. But, we will need to have 70 pages by the end of the semester. I have many ideas formulating in my mind. I wrote a short story last year. I'm thinking that I am going to take elements from that short story -- namely, the main character and another character who had actually been mentioned once in the short story -- and start my outline from there. I'm actually very excited about this class. I've been doing a ton of research for the setting, and I've enjoyed that. Now, all I have to do is sit and start thinking about how I want to begin the story, and I need to flesh out the character from the short story that was only a peripheral character.