Life, the Trishverse, and Everything

Resolution 2012

2012-01-01T22:37:00.005-06:00

Imagine that blog title, for a moment, in a deep movie announcer voice. *laughs* Sorry, couldn't help myself.

All right, so here it is. I've thought for the past week on this little list of resolutions for this year. Yes, I said, "list." I always give myself more than one resolution. I just love lists. More than one person probably should. Without further ado, the switch--ah, I mean, list (lame Darkwing Duck joke, sorry. For this one, see episode "Just Us Justice Ducks):

Writing Resolutions

Because these are the most plentiful of my resolutions, I thought I'd start off with them. We'll start with original fiction.

I hereby resolve myself to finish one novel this year. That means written, and in a state where I feel okay with sending it off to a publisher (because nobody ever feels great when they send it off, I think).

I also resolve to finish one novella. Same conditions as the novel.

Borrowing a leaf, once again, from AD Spencer's book, I also resolve to write at least 12 new short stories. More is better, but 12 is minimum.

Now, for the fanfiction:

I resolve to have the follow chaptered fanfictions finish within this year: Trials, All for Naught, Force of a Slayer, The Funny Thing About Keys, and Youth and Innocence. Lost list? You have no idea....

I also resolve to begin the following chaptered fanfictions this year: How to Save a Dhampire, Family, Devil You Don't Know, and Tribulations.

I also resolve to finish the Wishlist 2011 Challenge well before the Oct. 15, 2012 deadline--I'm hoping for a Late Feb.-Early March finish at the very latest.

I resolve to finish all challenges entered this year.

Personal

These were way harder for me to pin down, and much more vague. I really struggled with these. After all, if you're going to put as much thought as all of this *points to blog post* into a New Year's resolution(s), then it is obviously something you take very seriously. Whether you spend most the year thinking, "Huh, I just completed my resolution!" or not, these are still things that will be there in your mind. You just might not call them "resolutions" by December. Anyway, here's my personal resolutions:

I want to get married. I have been trying and try for the past three years to get married to my fiance. I'm skipping the ceremony--until I can afford it--and going with the courthouse. This will get done this year.

Watch what I eat. Not a full on diet, but I'm aware that this will be my 26th year on this planet and that means the beginning of a lot of things. I'm older. I need to start taking care of myself a little bit more. I need to cut back on *gulp* a lot of my favorite foods... cheese comes to mind. I need as much time as possible if I'm going to write all those novels I have planned.

Secure myself. I was uprooted and stayed that way throughout 2011. I'm sick of it. I want to hunker down somewhere and just stay there until I'm good and ready to move.

And actually... that's it. Yeah, I say that like that's not a substantial list or something. Yeah. But those are my plans for 2012. Think I can do it? Look, I'll be honest... I'm not sure myself. But that's not going to stop me from trying! Have a happy 2012!

Book Pimpage

2011-12-29T20:49:00.007-06:00

Taking a page from AD Spencer's book, I've decided to do some pimpage of some books before I do the inevitable New Years' Resolution post. I've had some works published in some new books, so here's the low-down.

~*~

Daily Flash 2012

366 Days of short fiction pieces of all different genres. One for every calender day of the year. How can you pass this up? My stories "Dragon Fruit" and "Gowns I Have Worn" appear here. It can be purchased from either Amazon.com (link on the right) or the Pill Hill Press website.

Daily Frights 2012

Like it's Daily Flash counterpart, it's 366 flash pieces of fiction. Only this time, it's all horror, all the time! My two pieces in this one are "And All Through the House" and "Sunday Dinner." Again, this can be purchased on Amazon.com (Link on the right) and the Pill Hill Press website.

WTF?!

Newly published, and featuring my story, "Tooth Jacked," is the lovely WTF?! Antho. But don't let the cover scare you, there's some fun times ahead in this one! Purchasable on Amazon.com (link on the right) as well as off the Pink Narcissus Press site.

~*~

My New Year's Resolution post is to follow. Feel free to check out these books and the others containing my stories. Feel free to comment and share your thoughts!

2011: Early Round-Up

2011-12-27T17:01:00.003-06:00

Okay, so it's been nearly two months since I last blogged. I apologize for that. So, what have you missed in the way of the Trishverse? Well...

Work

I've been working at Godiva for this entire time, and I gotta say. I really like it. I mean, it's not a career--that's still writing or librarian work at the very least--but as a job to support myself with while I work on those other two, I really like it. I mean, it's fun. It's a great group of co-workers and supervisors. It's not really stressful. I mean, there are moments, but nothing too horrible. Definitely have done more stressful work (those of you who know my workforce history know exactly what I'm talking about here). And I've found out that I'm being kept on after seasonal, so I don't have to worry about finding another job after Feb. 14th (which is when Godiva seasonal ends). All in all, this has been what has taken up most of my time, but I'm okay with that. I just need to re-discover my writing groove.

Personal

Car's broken down. Like, since before Thanksgiving. Busted valve, I think. But today it got hauled to a mechanic to see what it'll cost us to fix it. Thankfull, he's not charging us anything to look at it and give us an estimate. It would be absolutely frickin' wonderful if it wasn't all that much. So, fingers crossed on that.

My Christmas was kind of low-key. Not bad, but not as big as I usually do it. But, I'll tell you, I'm okay with that too. After years of aiming for big, decorative Xmases, it was kind of like a vacation. I'll do it big next year, and it'll be cool. Preston and I are both doing our personal Xmases a little later (actually, he just bought me something small as an Xmas gift, and ordered the big gift--the new Abarat book *yay!*). I need to figure out what to get him, lol. I have an idea, but I'm trying to do the money math and see if I can work it out.

Writing

Wow. I can't even properly express how far behind I am. I mean, I have two different fanfiction challenges to finish. That I'm behind on. I have several original fiction stories that I need to spruce up and send out. I need to do my 2012 Submission chart. I need to finish so many longer works that it's insane. I also am signing up for a longer fanfic challenge in the new year. And, oh, believe it or not, blogging has been on my list to do for these past two months. That's right... the blog I am just now typing. That's how behind I am.

But, I did get an acceptance for a story, "Ties," that I'd been trying to get published for the better part of a year now. Also, I have stories that have come out in PillHillPress's Daily Frights and Daily Flash collections. Also, my story, "Tooth Jacked," is/will be available from Pink Narcissus Press. And on Jan. 15th, my story, "So, These Monsters Walk into a Con..." will be available within UnCONventional, from Spencer Hill Press. Appropriate links for ordering/pre-ordering will be added over in the sidebar ---->

I haven't updated my writing site in a little bit. I'll have to catch up on that as well.

To Sum Up...

Screw it. 2012 is a new year, and I'm ready to face it head-on. My 2011 sucked so hard. I lost my house. I lost most of my material possessions. I lost good relationships that I never thought I would lose. I've been a burden to some and burdened upon. But right now, in this moment, things are okay. I have a place to stay. I have a job. I'm an aunt to a beautiful baby girl. Preston's doing great in school. He graduates in June. Things are getting better, slowly but surely. 2012 will be a better year. I know it will be. And I can't wait to greet it.

Oh, about the photo manip at the top of the blog. Much thanks to sunnydale-crossing.deviantart.com for restarting their challenges. I'd fallen behind on my photomaniping as well. It's nice to be getting back on track. (That was a winning manip, too).

It Has Begun

2011-11-01T20:16:00.002-05:00

I mean a lot of different things with that title. Namely, however, I speak of NaNoWriMo. I did the midnight start up--as I've done every year but the very first year I did NaNo. I'm now sitting--as you can see at the side--at 2,070. I intend to add more to it tonight before I go asleep, trying to stay ahead.

I also start work tomorrow. I mean, I went to a Sunday night clean/stock thing, but this is work-work I'm starting tomorrow (Wednesday). During store hours. I really hope I don't accidently blow the place up or something.

Oh, and I also began one of my Wishlist 2011 fics last night. I don't plan for it to be longer than 300 or 400 words, so I got some good headway on it (like 50 words, lol). And I haven't started the next Trials chapter yet--I mean, NaNo--but it shall be done soon enough. In fact, if I feel good enough about it tonight, I might start it. I need to keep the relatively steady pace I have been so I can finish it and put up Tribulation.

Back to workforce gabber, I'm still looking for a second part-time job, as well as looking at libraries (well, going to be looking at libraries). And my fiance has an interview tomorrow, so good luck to him! Oh, I also got all my ID troubles and most of the car troubles fixed today. Things are looking up. Let's hope they stay that way.

Keep an eye on the sidebar to see my word count for NaNo rise! Or add me as a buddy! My name on NaNo is PatriciaLouise.

Plate=Full

2011-10-25T16:47:00.005-05:00

Or rather, overflowing. I'm not sure where to start. How about the non-writing stuff for a change?

Non-Writing Stuff

Okay, so I'm still trying to get an apartment. To do that, I need my birth certificate. Hopefully I'll get a text from my sister at any moment, announcing that she's found it. At least, that way, I don't have to pay to get it and go through that whole mess. I think I'll also get a State Issued ID until I get an opportunity to get my license. It seems a bit easier that way. Also, although I do plan to have a ceremony when I can afford it--dress, flowers, the whole shebang--my fiance and I will be getting married as soon as we can afford it in a civil ceremony at the courthouse. That way, we can qualify for a bit more of the help that we need.

Oh, also, I totally have a job! I start this Sunday--if I understood that right--at Godiva Chocolatier. Godiva! Of all the 9-5s I could have gotten, I'm so happy that it was that one! I can't wait to be making a steady paycheck again. I miss it, seriously. As much as I love writing, that steady paycheck is just so nice.

Writing-Related Stuff

(The Twisted Library)

A sad bit of news here. I had three stories accepted and waiting for print (+2 I was waiting to hear from), and the Library has recently had to drop just about all of their anthologies. It was just costing the owner too much in this crappy economy. While understandable, that leaves me with 5 stories to search for new homes for. However, the Library will continue publish novels (+3, if I remember, of their anthos that were planned for print). If you want to support them, check out the forum here to see how to go about buying one of their ridiculously awesome novels!

(Trials)

I recently posted chapter 19 (titled "Between the Devil and the Deep Crimson Sea) up on fanfiction.net! After that, the count of chapters left to write and post, including the epilogue, is 7. Just 7! The end is near, folks! And I've got 122 reviews on it, and it'll end up being way longer (word count) than Untested was. Now if I could translate this power I have for this story into some of my novels or other fanfics. Anyhoo, the sequel to Trials will be call Tribulation, so there's something to chew on while you wait for chapter 20!

(NaNoWriMo)

Have I outlined? Nope. I actually negative outlined. Do I need to? Like you wouldn't believe! I need to get to 50 next month--while writing and working and doing holiday stuff and moving--and I have no plan past chapter one. Actually, I need this novel to end up being about 80k when it's finish. So, yeah. Oh, and speaking of that...

(Novellas)

So I added about 1500 or so words to Aftershock the other day. Yay moment, right? Yeah, I should have added it to Winds of Change. That's the one that's got an honest to God deadline. Something else I need to be working on. And another one that I only have a vague outline for. Not to mention the slew of other novellas I have planned that I haven't even started!

(50 States of SPN)

I've got a vague outline--no title--for my fic set in Alaska. I have a really good idea of what I want to happen in it and how I want it to happen. But for the one in Alabama? I've got a vague outline of the beginning. Have no idea how I'm ending this. I need to do more research for both, really, but mostly for the Alabama one. Of which I have no title for. Yeah. Posting for this begins Dec. 1st. Yikes, right?

(Wishlist 2011)

I have all 12 of my prompts! I'll be doing a post on my LiveJournal account of the complete list. They'll be in order I got them (not necessarily the order I'll do them in). Posting starts for that on Dec. 1st as well. I have a couple of those I have to research for, but only a couple. I'm sort of working on one of them now, since it's a character I've never written for before (did this to myself).

(SPN Crossover Big Bang)

What's a big bang? Well, as it was explained to me, it's where a fanartist and a fanficcer meet up. The fanficcer writes a story (in this case, a crossover and a long one), and the artist does fanart for that story. There is a sign up period (Jan 11th-Feb 25th) and several checkpoints. Posting of the fanfic--which is beta-read beforehand--doesn't begin until June. By then, the writer has written the complete fic, and the artist has done the art for it. Now, the big question is, am I doing this? Well, to be honest, I'm considering it. What Supernatural Crossover will I be doing? That's part of the consideration. I either have to come up with one, or stretch the one I have in my mind into a chapter-length fic. Of course, with the stretching idea comes the fact that I need to complete a particular sequel fic first. And I could do that. I could. I could work on both and post only the sequel fic. Then, ideally, it'll be done by June, in which I could post the Big Bang fic. But that's crazy, right? I just don't know. I'd really like some imput on that one.

And I think that's everything. I mean, I have a few other things going on that I need to do (flyers and craigslist related, oddly enough). Well, until then, here's my NaNo calender.

Wishlist Announcement!

2011-10-15T15:39:00.003-05:00

I'm now accepting prompts for the Wishlist Fanfic Challenge! You can find the post on my LJ here! If you don't have an LJ account, just leave me an anon message! I've still got at least 10 spots open!

Another update, a better one, on the ways soon!

Lookin' Up AKA Writing Update AKA Schedule

2011-10-13T19:15:00.004-05:00

NaNoWriMo.org is still working on its updates, so--for now--this blog, photobucket, and my deviantart page is the only place to see this cover. I'm not sure if I love the cover--I don't hate it, and I definitely like it better and better the more I look at it--but I just like my banner--soon to be added to the bottom of this blog page--better. So, catching up, let's get this blog post on the road.

Writing Related

I totally finished a novellette length work that will appear--unless something happens, nothing is ever set in stone--in an anthology (I really shouldn't say which one until the TOC is final). It ran a little over 13k, thought will probably be a couple of hundred under 13k after proper edits--which is totally cool. If you'd like, the title is over there ---> in my sidebar, and I'll leave its progress bar up until the work sees print. Then I'll replace it with a link to where the antho can be purchased.

So, let's see... what else? Oh, well, I have two other deadlines I wish to do for this month, one due in a couple of days and one due on the 31st. Also, I signed up to partcipate in several challenges/writing group things. First, there's the Pill Hill Press's Fall Shootout. It's currently closed for people to sign up to participate--sorry for the late advertisement, I'll do better for the Spring one, promise. But my good friend, AD Spencer, is also partcipating, as well as a couple of those that were also in the very first Shootout I'd ever partcipated in--2011's Summer one.

Next, of course, is NaNoWriMo. They finally put up the partcipation badges on the site--which is still being booted up from their updates--and I have mine added at the top of the sidebar ---> My synopisis is up for the novel I plan to attempt, and as soon as writing buddies are back up, I'd love to be added and/or to add you. Just send me an invite on the site (again, when it's up) and I'll return the favor. You can find me here.

Hmm... what else? Oh yeah, I joined in a fanfic challenge called The 50 States of SPN. See my LJ for more on that, but basically you sign up for states (two, in mine and Ariyana's case) and choose a ghost/monster/whatever story that actually exist for that state and write a fanfic where the Winchester Boys hunt said ghost/whatever. My two states are Alabama and Alaska. (AD's are Alabama and Mississippi). I have a good idea for both Alabama and Alaska, I just need to work on it. Posting of the finished fics begins on Dec. 1st.

Following that same train of thought, AD and I also signed up for The Wishlist Challenge which was advertised on Twisting the Hellmouth. Basically, you sign up for a full round (24) half round (12) or a quarter round (6). Then, on October 15th you make a post on your LJ, announcing the fandoms you will write for and what you will absolutely under no circumstances write for. Then, on a first come first serve basis, you accept prompts and write fanfics. Starting (again) on Dec. 1, you post one fic a day as a Christmas gift of sorts to readers. AD and I signed up for a half round. When I do my post on LJ, I'll do a blog with a link so you can prompt too, if you'd like.

I also have another novella due soon (Winds), but I'm not worried about it (yet... see me about this in November). Not to mention any other short story deadlines I want to meet, and Aftershock, another novella, I want to finish and try to find a home for.

And finally, in an attempt to make some pocket change--at the very least--I signed up for Hubpages to write articles. I currently have none written, but that will all change soon. I'll link to them here, but keep an eye on my profile for more info. I'll put a link to it at the side as well. And please, feel free to click an advertisements and links... I think that's how Hubpages pay me. I know all the Amazon advertisements are legit.

And back to fanfiction for a final moment, I've made a slight change to my plan. I've dropped trying to finish The Funny Thing About Keys so soon. I mean, it's definitely still one of the fics that I'll be finishing soon, but not as soon as Trials. I'm on a roll with Trials, and I need to outline on Keys, so for any Keys readers who actually keep up with this blog, please be patient. I don't want that fic to suffer just because I'd rather be writing on Trials. It's not fair.

Lookin' Up

Just a quickie here. Things are definitely looking up. Savannah and Tyler were kind enough, one day, to take me around the Galleria to apply for jobs. Because of that, I have already interviewed at Bath and Body Works--fingers crossed--and I have an interview at Michael's Arts & Crafts tomorrow. Now, all I need is to hear back from Godiva and Hobby Lobby and I'd be estatic. Any wishings of Good Luck are very much appreciated!

Oh, also, Preston is doing very well in his classes, and he has an interview as well tomorrow. Good Luck wishings for him as well, please!

Schedule (From 10/13 to 10/15)

Oct. 13:

--Edit Galley from SW (code, of course, lol)

--Finish NaNo Calender

--Work on Hub Article

--Update Craft Blog

--Work on Winds

Oct. 14:

--Edit for SHP

--Work on Shootout Story

--Work on Deadline for the 15th

--More applications to fill out

--Work on Hub Article

--Work on Winds

Oct. 15:

--Post for Wishlist Challenge

--Shootout Due

--Deadline Due

--Start Outlining for HoR I: FA

--Work on Winds

--Outline more on The Funny Thing About Keys

Schedule to be updated next on Oct. 15 (late) or Oct. 16 (early).

That Ol' Knot Is Back

2011-10-08T02:41:00.003-05:00

By that, I mean the knot in my stomach. Yes, this isn't an update on my writing so much as a personal rant/seeking advice. I have a lot of things on my plate that are worrying my at present. I mean, really. I'm still searching for a job--although I totally just applied for a Tech Writing job that I am oh-so qualified for. And I need money. Now.

Enter the desperation. Now, I'm not "selling illegal stuff" desperate or "selling an organ I'm still using" desperate, but I'm pretty bad off. I've applied and applied, and barely got a nibble. I'm tired of not bringing in any cash. I mean, don't get me wrong, most of the stories I've submitted and got accepted have a payment attached, but these are short stories. They don't pay much, and they only pay when they're in print/online. And I know what some might think: "Well, just finish the any number of longer works you're working on." Yeah, well, I kind of need money to do that. Can't write if I don't have a place to write in.

But let me get to the seeking advice part of this blog. I stumbled across Hubpages.com and I've done a little research. They're legit. However, I don't know if doing this would be a waste of my time. Do I sign up and go for it, or what? I think I might just.

Anyhow, my point is thus: I'm a college graduate with a BS in English (haha, I know). I've been working in the independent publishing (fiction) game practically since I left UNA's doors. I have library experience, as well as experience dealing with massive amounts of teens at once. I can write like nobody's business. Wanna know what I'm not good at? Job hunting. I could use some help there. I don't want to work in fast food--or food at all, if I can help it. Not because I think I'm "above it," but because I think I'd be the worker that everyone would mutter, "Are you freakin' serious? She messed up that?" in those situations. I'm not a terribly confident person sometimes, so I'm not sure I can handle that. But there are 9 to 5 jobs I'm pretty sure I could do. Retail, for example. Why the hell can't someone just hire me? I feel like I've gone in the same circles, round and round for nothing.

So, if anyone out there reading this knows of someone who might be interested in an English major with a history minor who has a crapton o' library experience, give me chat. Meanwhile, screw it. I'm signing up with hubpages.

Happy (Belated) Birthday, Maddie!

2011-10-01T20:17:00.003-05:00

Isn't she just a ball of adorable? This, folks, is my beautiful little niece, Madeline Rose! Congrats to her parents, Laura and Lee!

So, what's going on with me? Nothing much. Preston starts school Monday, we're here watching Savvy and Tyler's pets--and Leigh Anne's, lol. I have a lot of applications to fill out. And as for writing? Well, I've been bad recently. I really need to get back on track. I promise, my next blog update will be with some better news on that front. But, for now, here's a picture of the cute little baby with a toothpaste bow in her hair... um, on her head. LOL.

Planning Ahead

2011-09-24T02:42:00.008-05:00

I'm a planner. I mean, seriously, if I knew exactly what it took, I would be a Wedding Planner, I love to plan so much. But, oddly, one of the things that often requires a lot of planning for, I rarely plan ahead for, leaving it to be done as I'm supposed to be working. What am I speaking of? Yup, nearly a month early, but I speak of NaNoWriMo! I had the great pleasure of winning last year with this little (fanfic) baby (click here for link):

Usually, I don't plan for NaNo until a couple of weeks before Nov. 1st--the kickoff. And last year, I only had three chapters of Building Blocks outlined until a few days into November. In fact, I had not even planned on participating last year--long story, folks--so I didn't even have a story until Oct. twenty-something. But I participated and won.

But this year... this year, it's different. AD Spencer had made a banner and sent it my way, cementing what her choice for NaNo was this year. Because, let's say, we both had a lot of choices. I literally had a list that had both original fiction works that were both novellas and novels to three fanfic sequels. But after talking to AD it hit me. I want a novel done. One I can sell. So I went with this:

I've had the House of Roanoke series planned for forever! It started out as a series of Short Stories in my head. However, my number one fan for this series (yeah, it's AD) led me to believe that it could be a novel. After some thinking, I realized that, yeah, I love this story enough to make it a novel. And then I thought some more and came to the conclusion that it could be four novels. And then I talked to AD again and realized that an old story idea of my could be linked to this world. So, although it's not apart of the quartet, it's a companion to this world. And then I talked to her about a problem I had concerning one of the characters in the House of Roanoke... how I didn't know what to do with them at the end. I told her what I didn't want to do. And then she made a wonderful suggestion. And, once again, although it isn't to be apart of the quartet, it is definitely a sequel/companion novel to follow. Keeping count? No? Well let me tell you. That's six. Six novels in the planning for this world that so far has only been one unpublished short story--which is a very bad version of chapter one of Family Affairs, btw.

So what's the story to this thing? Well, I'm not willing to say at this moment, other than the fact that I draw upon the story of Roanoke, America's first attempt at a colony. It's a supernatural genre, and it's geared toward adults, though maybe not for the reasons that one might automatically think of when someone thinks "adult fiction," if you get my drift.

So outlining here I come. NaNo '11, your ass is grass, and I'm the lawnmower! (Yikes, I haven't heard that since I was five.) Now... to actually do some work.

Where I Stand

2011-09-21T23:26:00.004-05:00

Okay, that image is just a little pretty I did in anticipation of the upcoming premiere of Supernatural Season 7. They've already given us the first minute or so of it online as a promo... all I can say is exactly what AD Spencer said... Mean Cas is Mean :(

(Oh, and the crackle texture I used can be found in the gallery of AshenSorrow.)

So, what am I up to, you ask? As you can see over to the right, I've finally added that other novella. Yeah, I know that 10k isn't technically a novella in some cases, but it can go up to 15k. I just put the minimum to be safe. I've put up that chapter of Trials at fanfiction.net, so now I'm due for Chapter 16 of The Funny Thing About Keys. I've set a good pace for those two, so even if I don't finish them on the exact date I have shared with AD Spencer, I'll at least finish really close to it. My other fanfics, you ask? Yeah, they're still around. The next fanfic past these two that I want to finish is... and this is the first place I've announced this, mind you... Youth and Innocence. It's fully outlined--I'm ashamed to say considering the last time I updated on it--so it shouldn't be that difficult. Also on the fanfiction front, AD and I have entered into a livejournal community's challenge called the 50 States of SPN--livejournal community shares the same name. The challenge? Have a LJ account and sign up for an open state. Then, between now and sometime in Dec, write a fanfic at a minimum of 1k about a myth or legend that takes place your state. They've recently opened back up in efforts to fill all 50 states with only a handful being considered closed. AD and I both have Alabama, but there's still spots open in that. There's also spots open in the other states we asked for--her: Mississippi; me: Alaska.

I also recently posted on my craft blog, Craft Wars. If it so strikes your fancy to do so, be sure to check that out! Also, see my previous blog post for a link to that writing competition I entered. I'd be very thankful for any and all votes on my story, entitled "Piece of."

And that's my writing update. Now, it's back to the ol' grindstone (re:keyboard).

55,799

2011-09-05T19:49:00.002-05:00

See that number? Yeah, the one up there in the title? Know what that is? No? Well, I'll tell you. 55, 799 is the number of words--words--that I wrote total last month. And that's both in fanfiction and in original fiction. The banner up there? That's my nifty prize for doing 31 fanfics in 31 days.

Now, did I finish those two huge deadlines due at the beginning of this month? Um... no. However, if I can direct you attention over there ----> Those names and wordcounts are the novellas I'm still working on and where I stand on them. I'm still working on them with the full intention to finish them and sent them off. I have one other that I've signed on to finish, so when I come up w/ a title it'll be added over there.

In other news? Yeah, I'm still applying for 9 to 5s, working on finishing Trials and The Funny Thing about Keys (which is the one that's due to have a chapter uploaded... as soon as I write it, lol). I also need to be thinking about--not too heavily until October--about what I'm doing for NaNoWriMo. I have several novel projects--not to mention two other novellas I wish to work on. And I have a fanfiction sequel I've been promising for oh, about forever. At least a year, lol. So, yeah.

Now, before I go, there's just one other thing. I've entered a fiction contest that is totally reliant on public votes to win. I'd really appreciate it if anyone who reads this who might not have already voted for my story would vote. Or pass the word to others to vote. Click my story title for the link: "Piece of"

Thanks. Oh, and also, I finally did that blog about the pros and cons of having a writing buddy. You can find it both on my personal writing blog here or at the Guild of the Fantastic Quill's blog. I'd love to hear any thoughts on the subject. So, until next time!

Spin Me Right Round, Baby, Right Round Like a Record

2011-08-12T13:08:00.004-05:00

Okay, so just a little update on me. Currently, I'm sitting in Birmingham because Preston had to finish up his college stuff--and I get to hang out with my BFFs Savvy and Slink!(Squee!) But, that doesn't mean the writing has stopped.

Fanfiction? Yeah, it's still going on. I've got to do my ficlet for today's entry into the Fic-A-Day challenge over at Twisting the Hellmouth's Live Journal, TwistedShorts. Oh, and that link on the words "Live Journal" leads to my personal LJ. I'm using it as a backup for my fanfics and it's still very much under construction. And, of course, I have to do that ever looming chapter of Trials, which isn't so bad except that I have to clear the time to do it.

Original fiction? Yeah, that's still going too. I've switched gears, leaving TWoC to sit for a bit while I work on AS and ChristianSciFi. Plus, I have all those pesky little deadlines still swirling around. I have about 1.3k written for one of the deadlines... oh, and I've gotten an acceptance for one of my stories, "Go See the Fall-Apart Man." That poor thing had been bounced around and around, so I'm glad that Pink Narcissus took it for their WTF!? Antho. And I've recently noticed that one of the other anthos I'm in is at the printer, so I'll be posting a cover over in my slideshow as soon as the publisher puts one back up. But I put about 1.3k on AS last night. I'm hoping to add even more today. It's got to be between 25k-35k... so, yeah. Miles to go...

Blogs? Well, I plan to do a blog about the pros of having a writing buddy over at my website. Look for that one soon. I'll post it up on the Guild of the Fantastic Quill's Blog sometime after. I also plan to review the earrings I won from Enchanted Conversaton's Island Music Contest over at my Craft Wars blog. So lots to do, lots to do. Not to mention that I need to read and review the last round of stories from something I'm participating in. Those are due in Sunday night, so I need to get started on those today.

So there's my progress in a nutshell. And, your reward for reading this far is this, another lovely fanart!

Yeah, I know it's nowhere near Halloween, but one of the upcoming chapters of Trials has a scene at a Halloween dance. Now, Isaac doesn't go as Batman, but Ria does go as Ivy. You can find that pattern on Icey Tina's profile at deviantart. Totally don't own the pictures, and yes, Aly is my model for Ria--not in personality and not entirely in looks... but she comes closest.

Zuul, Motherf**ker, Zuul

2011-08-08T22:36:00.004-05:00

The above line is a quote from The Nostalgia Critic, coming from several of his very hilarious reviews. Definitely give them a watch. I specifically recommend watching The Top 11 Dumbest Spiderman Moments, but most everything I've seen so far has me cracking up over something.

So, what else have I been up to? Well, a lot and a little, to be honest. I'm still going strong in the Twisting the Hellmouth August Fic-A-Day. I put up that chapter of The Funny Thing About Keys mentioned in a previous post, so now I'm due for a chapter of Trials. I just had one, possibly two, chapter fanfic ideas handed to me not thirty seconds ago. And I've still got three other chapter fanfics to start.

And that's not my Original Fiction...

I made a switch on one of my novella projects,which puts me 5k ahead on it--roughly--which lets me breathe a little easier. I've got a good, solid skeleton on which to add the muscle. And it's only got to go to 15k min. (20k, max). It's code named ChristianSciFi (Bam! I know, right? LOL). As for the other two novellas with solid deadlines--TWoC and AS--I'm about 3.5k into TWoC and 300-500 into AS. That first scene on TWoC is killing me. It just won't frickin' end. I'm convinced that if I could just get to that first little scene change mark, it would all just come flying out onto the page. Bam! 25k, there it is! *sigh* I just need to type a crap end to that scene and come back later. I have a bitch of a time turning off my inner editor. Where is that NaNoWriMo magic the rest of the year that isn't November? And those other projects? There all still there, looming over me.

But I'm wriing every day. Which is good, no matter what I'm producing. It keeps my brain working, coming up with fresh ideas. So, I'm going to leave off here with this: I'm writing, but it's not always one type or the other. And, also, here's some more of my fanart! The link to my deviantart profile is over there ------> in my links, so check it out.

Made for one of my August Fic-A-Day fics. I was really proud of what I did to get it this way.

Just a Little Update

2011-08-04T01:12:00.004-05:00

Well, like the title suggests, just a quick update on the Trishverse. I've gotten a couple more publication credits under my belt, and I have several big projects coming. Their codenames are as follows: TWoC, AS, LE, UntitledWBR, TOoLS, HoR:E, and DMatLoL. Four of these (and yes, I've double checked the spelling, despite how funny a couple of those look, lol) have solid deadlines in this year. While three of them are strictly an "all me" type of thing. Plus the list (literally) of smaller deadlines to meet this year. These, by the way, are my original, publishable goals. I still have my fanfiction ones.

And those fanfiction goals are to finish two of my currently running fics by mid-October to mid-November, Trials and The Funny Thing About Keys. And, along with that, start three--four when Trials is done-new fanfics. Yes, they do just keep coming. Oh, and then there's the current fanfiction thing I'm doing. See, Twisting the Hellmouth, a Buffy the Vampire Slayer xover site has a thing going called the August Fic-A-Day Challenge. One fanfiction between 300-3k each day. And chapters to a single fic don't count. So far, I'm 3/4--as it is now past midnight. Don't worry, though, that fourth one is still there. Oh, and I still need 10 fics to fill up the end of this month. So if anyone has got any Buffy xovers with shows/movies/books they'd like to see, let me hear them.

Outside of writing, Preston has nearly gotten everything set up for his school. All that's left is to get the people at the college to give him a date to come down and finish up. I think he even knows what he's getting back. As for me? Well, I'm still trying to find a small job to work until the move.

Well, now that you're all caught up, I'll leave you with this:

Songs that Make Me Think of Severus Snape:
"It's Not Me" by 3 Doors Down
"My Sweet Prince" by Placebo
"Poison Prince" by Amy MacDonald
"Dance with the Devil" by Breaking Benjamin (To be fair, this one reminds me of a lot of my favorite characters... and now that I think of it, this applies to the first one on this list too.)
"All Around Me" by Flyleaf

Give these a listen for youself! Oh, and Savvy, although the banner at the top of this post was made for one of my very, very embarassingly older fanfics, I thought of you when I made it.

Book Giveaway!

2011-07-27T17:21:00.001-05:00

Just read a great synopsis for a book, and it's being given away! Check it out here:

http://courtney-allison.blogspot.com/2011/07/anna-dressed-in-blood-giveaway-and.html

Deviantart Question

2011-07-25T17:51:00.003-05:00

Okay, so this one is actally two questions. The first one is, does anyone want me to upload the background that I'm currently using for this blog on deviantart? Or the one for my craft blog? Or how about this one at my fictional blog?

Or, if you want me to make you a background, let me know!

Spoiler Alert!

2011-07-22T11:49:00.003-05:00

Okay, so I made this banner for the an upcoming chapter of my fanfiction The Funny Thing About Keys, a Batman: The Animated Series/Buffy the Vampire Slayer fic. I made this banner as I was uploading the most recent chapter... and then realized that it would be a spoiler for the next chapter. So, yeah... this is the second place--including photobucket--that this banner has appeared on. Unfortantely for the readers of Twisting the Hellmouth--where is the only place I can put banners inside chapters... fanfiction.net I can only link to deviantart--I have plans to do the next chapter of another fic first. Not to mention three others... so yeah, it might be a bit before my readers see it. Well, here it is for you first!

A Huge Relief

2011-07-18T15:44:00.002-05:00

So, I had the conversation I was dreading. I think some points were missed, but overall, it went well. I'm not going into detail because, honestly, it's a lot to catch up on. But, things are appearing to finally go my way.

Well, just a small update on the Trishverse. Meanwhile, it's back to writing!

I've Been Pimped, So...

2011-07-17T14:01:00.005-05:00

...in turn, I'm going to do some pimping of my own. You see, my best friend, non-blooded sister, and several other endearing terms that totally apply, has made the switch from using her website for her writings to her blog for her works. And she's decorated it all prettyful. Her name is AD Spencer--or Ariyana, unless she's switched that here on blogger.

Anyhow, she should definitely be checked out at her blog The Busy Procrastinator.

So what are you waiting for? Go now!

Link:
http://busyprocrastinator.blogspot.com

PS: If any of you are interested in a Castlevania fanfic of mine, click the image at the bottom of the blogger page to puruse my fanfics! (scroll all the way down past the posts)

Belated Happy Fourth!

2011-07-05T13:35:00.003-05:00

Well, first off, direct your eyes to this post's title. I mean that, LOL. Secondly, I have to add that I was rather surprised. I actually had a lot of fun up at my family's for the fourth. Only two problems with two separate people, but otherwise, I was always talking with someone. Which is strange, considering that I was the one they used to tease at Christmas for just sitting in a corner, not saying a word.

On writing news--yes, I know, but it doesn't mean that it won't get mentioned--I just added a post to my writing blog, on my website... and I'm not sure it posted. It wasn't anything special. But I really hope it posted. I'm trying to get back in the habit--on both of them--of blogging regularly.

So, here's to getting back into the swing of things.

Okay, You Know What...

2011-07-02T21:07:00.004-05:00

I think I'm going to scrap the "this is my writing blog" idea and just attach that to my website. This blog will remain personal. And right now, I am in the desperate need of a rant.

There's this girl. She's the significant other of a friend of my significant other. Okay... this may seem harsh but... I really fucking hate this annoying bitch. Sorry. That wouldn't have been so vulgar if it had not been for the second real impression I just got from this person. Let me flash back to to my first real impression.

I had already met her once or twice for a moment apiece, but I hadn't really gotten to speak with her. She happened to be in the same car as me as my sister told me she was pregnant. Then, at a later date, when they were in the car with my mother and I, she was evasdropping on a rather private conversation between the two of us. Okay, so yeah, we all tend to do that in confined spaces. But then this idiot interrupts us with, "Uh, I just wanna ask. What are ya'll gonna do with the baby?"

WTF? Who the hell is she to ask this? I mean, really, how freakin' rude. And then, there was two minutes ago.

She and the friend show up where I'm staying. She's here, literally, a minute and she looks over to Preston and me and says, "Um, what are you guys doing here?" Like it's her fuckin' house? And then Preston explains the situation, she's like, "Oooh, hoppin' around."

Bitch. I totally think it's destiny for me to go off on her in the future. I don't know why, but I feel it. I mean, she obviously has issues with business, namely her own. And I just stopped typing for a minute to discuss with our host and Preston about how annoying that was. Preston saw the anger in my eyes. And I said to him, "One day... I'm gonna be in a bad mood." Preston nodded knowing.

God, and I honestly am addressing this God, thank you so much for my patience.

How will round 2--now unknown--with his girl go? Acidic sarcasm will be the inital strike, I think... unless it's been one of those days.

Off subject, before I end this, the link to my website--writing blog to come--is patriciapuckett.yolasite.com

Tonight, Brought to You by Outlining

2011-04-11T21:45:00.005-05:00

Okay, so the novel work has been a slow go. I've had a lot to contend with that's non-writing related. And that's to say nothing of the writing related ones.

So, that's what tonight's for. I'm dealing with some of my writing related problems, since I've made some good progress on the real life ones.

After talking with Slink about what I should be doing tonight, I've finally talked it out and figured ou a gameplan for tonight. First, I'll be doing a little outline for one of my upcoming short story deadlines. Following that I'll be trying to do an overall, series mini-outline. And, finally, I'll be going to my old prologue in my YA novel and make some in-depth notes.

So there it all is, folks! Here's hoping I'll have something to report tomorrow!

The Pre-Pre-Game Show

2011-04-05T18:56:00.003-05:00

Well, I was actually going to keep this to myself, but I've found that maybe, if I keep a running "diary" of sorts, that this might actually help.

I am going to finish, edit, and send off a novel this year, so help me God. I currently have three that I'm trying to work between, two would be aimed toward an Adult audience with one being aimed at a Young Adult audience.

I'm still actively working on my short story deadlines as well as my fan fiction, but here it is. As for where I stand on these three novels, I'm currently reading over what I have of my YA one, as well as dabbling with the first words of my adult one that I'll refer to as FA.

Here goes! Wish me luck! Updates on my progress as we go!

Facebook Etiquette

2010-08-14T20:15:00.002-05:00

Just a quick rant here. So, I'm sure that all of you now have several family members in your Facebook friend's list. Okay, that's awesome. But I'm having a really sucky night, and I feel like I can't properly use my Facebook anymore to vent that like I used to. I'd really like to post a status that truly expresses how I feel, but not only to I have family on there, I have former employers on there as well. And what I wanted to post could be taken the wrong way. Not to mention that I posted a quote from Michael C. Hall that talks about how he feels playing Dexter, and one of my relatives kinda got a little freaked out, I think. I hate this!

Well, since I can't post it on Facebook, here was the status that I WAS going to post just a few seconds ago:

Patricia Louise Puckett is having one of those days when, to quote Foamy, "The world sucks, and everybody sucks, and you just want to kill everybody, but you can't because of the legal ramifications."

You Know You're a Geek When... Part III

2010-08-10T15:13:00.003-05:00

Yeah, it's been forever, but I just feel like typing another one of these. Rereading them gives me a laugh--yes, my vanity is showing.

28. You and someone else exchange play strategies for facebook games.
29. You can ill in these Blanks: "Hello, My name is ______________. You killed my _________. Prepare to _____."
30. You know where the above quote came from.
31. You know what order the following goes in: Epic fail, fail, fail at life.
32. You laugh hysterically at LOLCat pictures.
33. You have to stop yourself from abbreviating "pictures" as "pics."
34. You would be afraid of your mental well-being if certain characters were real.
35. Crossovers are just a way of life.
36. A part of you dies when a teenager can't name two of Shakespeare's plays.
37. You have moral dilemma when it comes to the type of fictional characters you find attractive. You discuss these dilemmas with your geek friend, who understands completely.
38.When a family member is sick, you find yourself thinking, "What would Dr. House do?"
39. You root for Dexter to get his murderer... fully aware that he's a murderer himself.
40. You have a favorite TV commercial.
41. You often dance to music, in public, that you are fully aware that only you can hear.
42. You've ever argued the validity of a TV show... that deals w/ the supernatural or the fantastical.

Maybe I'll get a part IV out before next year, LOL.

I Think Negaduck Owns Me...

2010-08-10T14:40:00.003-05:00

Yeah, so, for those who have not checked my facebook in the last few months--and I can't imagine who that would be who reads this--I've been obsessed with the fact that there is a brand-spanking new Darkwing Duck comic that is an ongoing series! (Issue #3 released tomorrow--8/11... it has Negaduck in it *squees*).

So, yeah, I'm gonna skip all the bad news, because, to be honest, it's not bad enough to relive and it'll all work out eventually. Probably not before I get an ulcer, but c'est la vie. But, needless to say, we didn't get the PC house--was sold out from under us. But we got approved for a loan from the bank to get a house--any house, under a certain price. How bass-ackwards is that? (btw, I'm in the library as I type this and I am actually shivering I'm so cold...) We've got a couple of houses that we've lined up to go look at, starting tomorrow.

Oh, I did have a rather fun--feel the sarcasm--week a little while back. I had known that my Aunt Keri had been sick and needed her gallbladder removed. Okay, that was the extent of my knowledge. So, one Sunday morning, we get a text from Laura saying that she was taking Mom into the emergency room at Helen Keller. I freak out, Preston and I head out there, and it turns out that she has another kidney stone. A big one too. But she's lucid, so she's not too bad off... not like last time. But they have to admit her, so Laura chooses to stay w/ us, which is not a problem. So, the next day, comes to find out, they are giving Mom a minor surgery/procedure to break up this apparently humongous kidney stone. After surgery, the doctor also informs us that she had had to have a stint put in to clear a blockage. Scary, but apparently not too serious.

Meanwhile, I come to find out that Aunt Keri had almost died from that gallstone. She did end up with an infection in her pancreas. She was in ICU in Helen Keller, and had been in the hospital for a month. She had gone to R'ville hospital at first to get treated, and they turned her away saying, "She just wanted the drugs." I hope that hosital gets it stuck to them bad.

So, later that evening, Preston, Laura, and I are returning from running a few errands and entery through the emergency entrance of the hospital to see my stepmother standing there on the phone. She motions vaguely and says, "You're father is in there." Well, I just think that she means that he's here visiting Aunt Keri. Nope, he'd been in a car wreck. Thankfully, I don't think it was anything worse than bumps, bruises, and an arm in a sling.

But, yeah, fun week. Then poor Asma got sick the other day. I'm glad she's all right.

And in between all this reality, I keep dreaming about possible outcomes for the Darkwing Duck comics... sheesh. This all led to a plotbunny for a fanfic that 3 separate people have told me they would love to read (the surprising two are my mother and sister).

Well, that's it for me. I'll be back when more excite rears its head.

Perfect End to a Perfect F**king Week

2010-07-02T22:09:00.002-05:00

So, I get home from seeing The Last Airbender, which was great... and my Dad is on messenger. He's asking me about the wording on my invitations because I "wasn't real clear in my email."

You see, the question he asked me was if he could order them w/ his and Mom's names on them as hosting the wedding. Well, for various reasons, I don't want it that way.

So, giving him all the reasons but the main one, I tell him "No." Rather politely, too, might I add. He replies, and I can feel the snark through the messenger, "okay, but I was hoping me and your Mom could get on it, but if that's what you want, that's what you'll get." I, with all my frustration pent up through the week--see previous post--just burst out in angry tears. I sign out of chat, ranting about how stupid this all is. Finally, I just sign back in and end the conversation. I intend to talk with Mom about it his Sunday when I go up for the 4th.

But, right now, I'm going to bed. Hopefully, the internet will still be up in the morning.

I'm Not Dead, Stupid Girls, and Other Pink Songs

2010-07-02T13:50:00.002-05:00

So, yeah... I know it's been like a month since I've blogged... or done anything other than post on facebook and submit stories to publishers... but let's play some catch-up, shall we?

Just finished a month of UB... I'll get to this in a moment. First, it has been confirmed that my cousin Amanda is doing my wedding cake. Hurrah! We're discussing it Sunday at the fireworks up at my grandparents' house. Oh, and it apparently peeves my Dad off that I have MY wedding invitations reading that the couple is hosting rather than the parents. Uh... the rule on this is whoever is paying for the wedding is hosting... true that he is buying the invites and the cake, but Preston and I are having to do everything else. This, however, is not what I told him. I told him--with Slink's help in wording this in what I thought was a very tactful way--that since Preston and I are having a non-traditional type of wedding, that we're going with non-traditional type of wording on the invites. Apparenly, Dad had a fit about this to Mom... why he didn't quite express this "fit"--my sister's wording--to me, I'll never know. And apparently Debbie was like, "They're wedding isn't all that non-traditional. If you want non-traditional, that would have been me and Bob's wedding." God bless Laura, because she told me that her thought immediately after hearing this was, "Trish's isn't non-traditional? Have you HEARD some of her plans?"

It's a scary world when LAURA is the one in the family paying attention.

But, whatever. So long as I get my invites, I don't care. But... I don't relish the moment when I have to tell him that he and Mom aren't giving me away...

So, anyway, writing... my fanfiction writing has been nill thanks to the 9 or 10 deadlines I lined up to meet--and DID meet, go me--in June. So far, I've been rejected by all the ones I've heard back from. But I haven't heard back from all, so fingers crossed. I have a deadline due in the 13th of this month, so I want to slip in some fanfic chapters while I work on this. Plus, I've decided that if it's a fanfic I want to write, I'll write it. I mean, I'm not going to worry about just putting up a single chapter and taking forever to get back to it. If it takes me a while, it takes me a while. I 'll get back to it in my own time. (Re: how Trish ends up with 200 fanfics, LOL).

Still on the search for a regular job, but there's a couple of new stores opening, plus several other random little places that are hiring. So, there's hope.

Just paid my first loan payment today... that feeling sucks.

And, now on to UB. This year was... different. Overall, every kid in the program was a good kid... but there were a few that always liked to give us trouble. Like this one girl, for example. All was going well--except for the constant repetition of the rules by not only Slink and I but also by Mrs. Freeman, because apparently all these kids needed hearing aids or listening comprehension classes--until the final night. On the final night, we had a swarm of kids asking to stay outside the dorms until midnight... we said no. They complained and questioned us--which is also what we got everytime we would ask them to obey the rules... some being more rude than others. Well, to the group that was complaining at the time, Slink and I calmly explained our reasoning. They understood, eventually. We then told them that they can stay up until 11:30 inside the dorms, letting those who wanted to study to do so. All was fine, or so we thought.

I discover soapy type wet spot on Slink's pillow. She is not happy. She goes around, questioning everyone who so much as giggles--because we had no clue who had done it, and this is after we had put them to bed. With no answers, Slink leaves and I turn on the lights. Moments later, she returns, telling me she's not done with the kids. Turns out they had filled--filled--the inside of her pillowcase w/ shaving cream. She yells. Both of us, again after no one comes forward--and we're giving the culprit an opportunity to step forward so this can go smoother--turn out the lights. Then, as we are in our room, a horrible thought hits me... why do this to only one RA? I look up and my pillowsham has the same shaving cream all over it, and because it was a sham and not a case, they had used my comforter to cover it. This was my only pillow, and for all they knew, my only cover. This, after a whole month of rudeness, was the straw that broke the camel's back.

Oh, before I forget, in between us leaving and the discovery of my pillow, a couple of students and come to us and said they had witnessed who did this.

Back to the story, I lose it. I have a bad temper, as all reading this know. So I try not to be the one to repremand them unless I've really thought about what I'm going to say. But, I just grab my pillow--getting shaving cream all over my hands and one leg of my pajama bottoms--and march in, throwing back on the lights.

Now, I didn't swear and I didn't throw anything--two things I'm prone to do when I'm angry--but they all knew I was mad. They all knew Slink was mad. Well, we're back at the back-left corner, because that's where our suspect--the one that had been pointed out--slept. The corner gets mad because we seem to be accusing only them--not true, as Slink had questioned Morgan earlier. We're still giving them an opportunity to step forward, until finally we have to say that we know who it was. Then, Ariyana, politely, asks the culprit to get out of bed so that we can go into the other room and talk. She won't do it. 3 or 4 times Slink asks, until she finally says, "We'll have to call Mrs. Freeman down. I'll start dialing." Then, this girl makes perhaps the stupidest move of all... she shouts across the room, "You're only picking on us because we're black."

This pissed us off more than anything because Ariyana had gone out of her way to help the same girl who shouts this this very same day. So, after she denies that she's done this, we send her back to bed and decide that we'll call Mrs. Freeman and explain to her what's happen but not ask her to come down.

The next morning, Mrs. Freeman threatens the end-of-the-year trip unless someone comes forward. Well, she got multiple texts... all w/ the same name. Mrs. Freeman talks to us, saying our only mistake was letting them stay up pass curfew and not setting the alarm, but assures us that something would be done about all of it. Because not only had the shaving cream and the shouting of "because we're black" happened, they had also gotten into someone else's stuff and used their brand new shaving cream--a girl who had been asleep all night... we'd seen her.

Needless to say, the culprit, though pleading innocence the whole time, I believe was kicked out of UB. Some might think that she might be innocent due to the coolness to her claim... but Slink and I had witness a lie from her earlier that same week about eating a taco that wasn't hers (don't ask...).

Then, as Katelyn, Ariyana, and I are cleaning out the girls' room after everyone has left... we find, hidden in the bottom of a variety chip bag, an unopened cigar. *Rolls eyes* The bag had no name on it, so I'm not sure if there was anything to be done about this. We still have the trip ahead, so who knows.

Crazy month. And that's all that I've been up to. I haven't even had time to reply to Savvy's blog... which I've been meaning to. *will go do this now* Until next time!

Lots of Little Bits of Good News

2010-05-25T13:30:00.002-05:00

Been a while, but I decided to blog once more to catch everyone up on the latest events of the Trishverse.

Like the title suggests, nothing big has happened, but a lot of little good things have. Where to start?

Well, as those who have kept up w/ me via Facebook know, I have two works that are being published. A poem entitled "Midsummer's Magic" and a short story entitled "The In Crowd." Once paid, I will have made a total of $30 writing. Not much, but a good start.

My submissions continue, however, as I have several more deadlines I've got lined up to meet and a good handful of stories still out there that I'm waiting to hear on. Of course, as I've said in previous blogs, I'm not delusional. I need a day job. But, you know what, all things in their time. Waiting on hearing back from publishers has taught me two things thus far: patience and how to handle rejection. I think I'm doing both pretty freakin' well.

And, unbeknownst to the kids at Upward Bound, Slink and I are making a return as their lovable (yeah, right), wacky RAs. We weren't intending to do this, but I need the extra cash for a certain wedding coming up (my own, lol).

Speaking of weddings, my father generously offered to pay for my invitations and my wedding cake. So excited by this! He's already got the amount of invites I need and all other info to order, so as soon as he comes back from his hunting trip (all the way in Africa) I think he's going to place the order. I'll be sending them out ASAP after I get them. As for the cake, my grandmother assured my mother (who passed this news on to me) that my cousin Amanda could do my cake. Really must contact her about this.

Fan fiction is of course ongoing as well. Too many stories, as the usual tale goes. And I keep focusing on just two of them lately... totally unfair to the others and I'm starting to develop a guilt complex about it. Not to mention the several more that I have planned to start and have recently come up with.

Moving on, due to a wonderfully fun lunch with a friend/ex-high school teacher of mine and Slinky, I've all but solidified my decision to go back for my MFA in Creative Writing in either the spring or fall of 2011... Mrs. T made us both see that you don't have to be limited to just one thing. I'm excited about this decision. I really am. So, here's to the future!

On other notes, I really miss the friends I don't get to see that often. I mean, really. I miss being able to see you all practically all the time. We should all find a way to recitify this.

Much love to all!

No Official Job

2010-03-31T03:38:00.002-05:00

... but I don't feel like I'm doing "nothing" anymore. Thanks to duotrope.com. If you didn't read the GFQ post, duotrope is a lovely website that lists publishers, deadlines, and if those deadlines are themed. And I have lined up a list of deadlines I intend to meet. And I've already submitted two stories (the odds of these getting published are very low... but you never know).

I'm not delusional. I mean, I know I'm going to need a day job, seeing as I'm not topping the New York Times bestseller list (I would like to add the word "yet" to the end of this sentence)... but I'm doing something towards the direction of the career I want. And frankly, folks, it feels downright awesome.

So, here's to meeting deadlines and hoping to hear back from publishers!

Mythical Experience and Other Job-Related Rants

2010-03-20T08:38:00.003-05:00

Okay, so I had promised myself that I wasn't going to blog until I got a job. Well, I'm breaking that promise to myself to have a nice and healthy rant that, in the present company at the moment, I don't feel I can have.

So, I've been out of college for months now. Months. Preston's starting an awesomely awesome job tomorrow that pays GOOD. Which means that worries such as bill money and wedding funds are really a thing of the past. The wedding can proceed as planned (and, folks, it was rocky there for a while) and although there is about a two-week limbo between tomorrow and his first paycheck, there's really not a lot to worry about.

Which leads into two feelings: 1. First and foremost, I am very, very, very happy for him. This job will bring so many opportunities for him that will help in future career-type plans. 2. I'm so freakin' pissed at the Universe. I have a DEGREE!!! I have spent nearly 20 years of my life in an education facility. Where's my job? Where's my opportunities? Where's my random email from a company who just happened to find my resume (and it's out there, trust me)? (Seriously, for those new to this story, that's how he got this job). No, I, so far, have none. Or the few that I do have are either in cities that I can't live in right now (more on this later) or months and months away.

No, nothing. So then there's the family. I mean, on all sides. Asking the horrible question, "So what's Trish doing?" or my favorite, blunt variation of this, "When's Trish gonna get a job?" This coming from people who either have not worked a day in their life, are pleasantly retired, or have job security of some type. One of my relatives--and the one I'm referring to might surprise some--suggested that I go out and work at fast food or something to get "experience." Hello? I mean, uh, I've only held 3 jobs, but that's given me experience. And I'm going to play my degree card one more time (seriously, does that thing mean anything? I'm moments away from folding it into a paper airplane and playing with it). But yeah, mythical experience... I have experience in clerical situations. Also in dealing with about 100 kids, at one time. I think I can pretty much handle anything a job might throw at me. But no, I need "experience." Jobs that I think are really cool require at least "2-3 experience in this or a related field." Every single one! If that's the case, how am I supposed to get this mythical experience?!

Do they think I like sitting at home all day, doing nothing? Like having no money to call my own? No! I'm used to being relatively independent. I love Preston to death, but I hate to depend on anybody like that.

So, then I've noticed all the really cool jobs that are the highest earning for my degree (and again, really cool)... are all in Huntsville, Montgomery, or Birmingham. Okay, yeah, that would be great. Let me sign right up... oh, wait... I can't do that. I don't have my license (neither Mom nor Preston's car is ready right now for me to take the test that I'm so willingly to take now) and then, I don't have a car. Not to mention no way to save up to live in those cities, considering that I MUST get married this year if I want everything to work out at least a little close to what I want in my life.

Which leads to the car rant. I want a car. How do I get one? Well, get a job, of course. How can I get to said job without a car? Hmmm... quite a paradox that a lot of people don't seem to get. Preston's job is going to take him all over the Southeast. Even if I had my license, I have no way to get a car anytime in the near future, and Preston must have his car o do his job.

And then there is this sincere lack of jobs. I mean, there's this one job... but it's not until May that I can even start it. It's awesome, pays well... but again, may and lack of transportation. I'm so limited I can scream!!!!!

I think I've covered my whole job rant. I have other, little, tiny annoyances, but that's for another time. Except that, right now, I feel like crap. I scalded the roof of my mouth--at the very back, almost my throat--with pizza sauce so now it hurts to swallow or even talk. My stomach hurts, my head hurts, and my back hurts. I'm tired, but, because I sleep with my mouth open, it dries out where I got scalded, causing it to hurt.

Worse of all of this, if I try to tell the people who keep ramming these problems down my throat about all of this, I get either "automatic comfort" or "you're just making excuses" types of reactions.

So, if you excuse me, I'm gonna go throw up now.

The Will to Move

2010-01-05T11:49:00.002-06:00

And no, I'm not talking about changing addresses. I'm simply talking about the will to get up and do something. For example, right now, I have a lot of different things I could be doing--excluding blogging. However, I simply feel too lazy to do them. Which is bad.

I need to find the will to do something, anything, productive. Write, clean the house, or something.

Well, that's about all that there is from me. Here's to hoping I find the will to move soon enough!

2010...the Year of the Tiger

2010-01-01T09:25:00.003-06:00

I did a mini-flip when I realized that this new year was the year of the tiger...my birth year, 1986, is a Tiger year. Whoo-hoo for Tigers! When I was reading the description, it said that if the Tiger was your year that that did not mean that it would be necessarily better or worse...just comfortable. I wonder what that means? I mean, does it mean "business as usual" but I just won't be as stressed about it? That cracks me up, seeing as I'm getting married this year.

Which is awesome, btw. I'm born in the year of the Tiger, my fiance was born in the year of the Tiger, and now...we're getting married in the year of the Tiger. Friggin' sweet!

Well, Happy New Years, everyone!

The Count..and No, Not the Fangy One

2009-12-15T17:57:00.002-06:00

Number of Papers Done= 1 of 1 left
Number of Finals Done= 4 of 5
Number of Chapters Done= 2 of a total of 10 (rules applying, of course)
Number of Days Left in the LRC= 2
Number of Days Until Graduation= 3
Amount of Xmas Decorating Done= None :( *intense saddness*)
Amount of Xmas Shopping Still to be Done= A fair amount...
Number of Hours of Sleep Today= 2 1/2
Number of Hours Left in the LRC Tonight= 4
Number of Tassels Bought for Graduation to Please Everyone= 2, plus the one that came with the set (sad, no?)

Well, just a small update.

Loving a Much Improved Mood

2009-12-08T15:42:00.003-06:00

So, I am loving life right about now! I finished watching Alice last night on Syfy (which was awesome, by the way...not as epic seeming as Tin Man, but the fangirl in me loved the ending better). After which, I wrote the first half of the next chapter of All Fall Down...I'm hoping to finish that and get it out tonight. I keep getting random reviews for Untested and its sequel, which brings me new readers, which brings me more reviews, with equal please the review whore inside of me.

All but one major project/paper is done...and I find myself not giving a rat's ass about the last paper I have to do. I'm positive all of my groups members rated me well on my group project, which is a big load off my shoulders. I was terrified, absolutely horrified, that I might have flunked my History of England to 1688 paper...it was one of those situations where, after I turned it in, I was like, "What did I write? What was my point? Did it make sense? Did I even remember to put my name on it?" Also, I was one source short of the required number of sources. I was positive that a C was the closest I could get to passing this one....frickin' A minus, all the way!! I nearly did a dance right there in class (the Peanut Butter Jelly Time dance, as this is now my official celebratory dance...Thriller's too complicated and Time Warp requires too much space). I was all smiles when I went into my next class, and I'm still smiling. I have only one more day of regular class left...which means I'm 10 days away from graduating....10!!! And here I thought I wasn't going to make it...

Oh, the pic included in this blog is some recent fanart I've done with the program GIMP...it's for Untested (which, of my fanfics, seems to be ruling my world right now...and my email). I did use Aly as a model (in fanart only, not in the story) for my main OC, Adriana (Ria) Smith. The reason I included the pic is just because I'm so damn proud of it. It's easily my favorite of the several I've done so far.

I just zoned, realizing I haven't uploaded my Forever Knight/Buffy the Vampire Slayer art to my fanart on Twisting the Hellmouth...hmm, this shall have to be rectified.

In other notes, today...the one day I don't bring an umbrella with me...it's pouring.

Also, I miss my Slinky and Savvy and Hill-Hill! I felt like I haven't heard from them in forever! I missed Savvy's call and was unable to return it (see above assignments), Slink's been under the weather last I heard, and I'm sure Hill's been busy with end of term stuff. I see Kimmi all the time at work and school, which is a plus. I also miss the RPGs...but we've all been so busy! Damn you, life! Haha.

I also haven't decorated for Xmas yet...still have to get a tree. This better happen soon, otherwise I'm not going to be as happy as I am now.

But, that's it from me. Merry Xmas, happy end of semester, and bye-bye!!

I Hate Today

2009-12-05T19:05:00.004-06:00

Okay, so today has sucked ass. Let me tell you why.

I was so freakin' stupid. I knew, knew, that I had to get up early and go to Collier Library this morning to finish off my movie project. I knew it. So what did I do? No, I didn't stay up late...I just didn't sleep. I was up, literally, all night. I got a second wind about 4am, and just didn't sleep. And the only thing I got accomplished during this time was the next chapter of Trials (which was uber chapter, so I'm okay with this).

Well, because of my lack of sleep and all the stress of trying to get last minute assignments done, I was totally emotional today. I mean, I would cry at the drop of a hat. I had like seven different fights with Preston, all stupid and pointless, and...well, I've already said it, I cried like all day. I just felt like everything kept going wrong. I was too stupid to sleep. I showed up, freezing cold, on campus and hour before anything opened, I spilled a milkshake all over me, and my stupid computer can't reach my school's email because my version of Internet Explorer is too new. How retarded is that? Oh, and anyone remember the story from last year's Xmas where I pulled a muscle decorating? Yeah, somehow, I've pulled that same muscle again and it has been hurting all day.

However, things are better. Preston, in efforts to keep me at home and make me feel better, downloaded an older version of Firefox, whice allows me to actually access the stuff that I need. I was so happy to not have to go back to Collier. I finally went to sleep (in fact, at this moment, I've only been up for a little over fifteen minutes). And I had a bunch of reviews and a blog update from Savvy in my email that really cheered me up! So, things are looking up.

No, I'm not done with the movie project. But, you know what, it's the weekend! I'll get it done, and I'll get it done soon. My group (a whole different set of grievances here) can bite me.

So, feeling better after some sleep,
Trish

Readjusting to the Sun AKA Post Nano

2009-12-03T17:13:00.004-06:00

Okay, so I didn't make it, again, this year in NaNo. But I'm not bummed out by this like I usually am. Instead, I made it the furthest I had ever made it before...if I exclude the fanfic chapters I added towards the end (knowing that there was no way I could squeeze out the amount of words needed for me to win with one day to go) I made it to a little over 23k. Usually, I'm lucky if I top 10k or 12k. Much improved! I might have even finished this year, if it had not been for Thanksgiving and stuff being due all in the same bloody week. It was like I woke up that Monday and was like, "Oh...everything, huh?" But, I'm going to try again next year. I know, I know...I'm getting married next year. Well, I'm still doing NaNo. It's very important to me that I actually finish it at least once...especially since I know I'm capable of writing over 50k (my fanfic, Untested, topped out at a little over 72k...so, yeah).

Anyhow, moving on. There's only four more total days of regular class left. I could do the Peanut Butter Jelly Time dance right here in the middle of the LRC. I'm so ready to leave and be done. Of course, there's this crippling fear of unemployment plaguing me...

I'm also trying to get my writing on schedule, whilst also handling what I've got left to do for Xmas. I'm so sacrificing sleep tonight to get out a chapter or two of something. (Wow...I just zoned right here in the middle of this thing to play with the scanner thing to check out books...). Back on track, I'm looking to finish All Fall Down soon...within next week, actually. I have a paper and a project to complete this weekend...Lord knows about another paper that was assigned and yet not. I'm sure I flunked the paper I turned in before Thanksgiving...but I should be fine if I do well on the final.

As for Xmas, I've got to finish shopping for Mom, Preston, Laura, and Savvy...I know what I'm getting each one of these people, just gotta get paid to get it. I'm looking to get Mom like three other things...(I only know what two of them will be)...I've already gotten her one thing. I've also gotta figure out what Preston is getting her. Laura's gift is easy. So is Savvy's.

Well, that's it for me. Gonna go eat the last cupcake here at work. Bye!

Bogged Down and Ready for Something to Happen

2009-10-28T17:06:00.003-05:00

Well, all is going well for the Trishverse. I have my other half of my loan, which means my money worries are over...I'm still trying to be judicious with my money, mind you, but at least now I can get started on my Xmas shopping. Which, I've already bought my Father's gift and part of dear Slinky's gift...and I already had part of Kimmi's gift...so I'm doing fine.

Above you see a new obsessive pastime of mine...thank you, Slinky...Thanks to her introducing me to the Gimp Program, I am now free to do my own fanart...and so it began. This is one of my two favorites (I've done three...working on a fourth with several more planned.). Also, I finally got my nanovid out...I was really happy with it!

School's going fine...I had a change of work schedules, which is tiring me out even more trying to adjust...My writing has been nil...that part is really what's bothering me...I wanted to finish All Fall Down before Nano...I'm still going to try, despite that I've got a crapload of plans this weekend...

As for Nano, I realized something the other day...I think, for me, I've been going about it all wrong these past few years...I've been too concerned about keeping up with the word count...which is important, but it bogs me down. However, I've found that if I just take it a chapter at a time, not concerned with word count, I actually get more words (see Untested and Years After for examples of this, haha). So, that's how I'm looking at it this year. 50, 000 words, yes...but one chapter at a time.

So, that's it for me. Until next time!

Could Someone Explain to Me...??

2009-10-21T16:14:00.002-05:00

Okay, so UNA's handing out additional funds to certain, qualifying students. Now, could someone explain to me why the hell they can't hand me over the other half of my damn refund? I've only waited half the freakin' semester. I'm going to be left high and dry with no money to spend this weekend if that check isn't in the mail tomorrow. And you know what? In good ol' UNA fashion, it probably won't be.

This place bugs me sometimes.

Moments From This Weekend

2009-10-19T10:17:00.002-05:00

All in all, not a bad weekend. I became entirely too addicted to a flash web RPG called DragonFable...yeah...I'm still addicted. Preston and I woke up and went on a walk through downtown Florence on Saturday which was very nice despite it being very windy and cold. We'll be doing that again...well, not until after Xmas village...

Ren. Faire is this week!!! I'm so excited! I can't wait to walk through, smelling the carnaval food...watching the belly dancers...listening to the funny announcer...seeing what color the Troll is this year...

It's also a four day week for me...Fall break is Fri.! *sigh* I love having one less day of AL History and Philosophy...I have a test tomorrow that I almost forgot about...I'll have to do some reading tonight, but that's about it...not too hard. It's in Romantic and Victorian Poetry.

By the way, speaking of poetry, is anyone else pissed that Levi is using Walt Whitman's poetry to hock jeans? This bothers me for some reason...

Anyway, next week should begin my Xmas shopping...I'm so happy! I can't wait to get started on everything!! I've gotten the greatest ideas for decorating and gifts! I can also work on Thanksgiving...gotta work a little more on my nano...my challenge is almost done, by the way...just lacking a few more things. Oh God, I also have to finish Fun, Sun, and Spells....talk about approaching a novella....

Anyone else pissed that people on fictionpress apparently don't know what poetry is?

Let's see...I think that's all from me. I need to do some cleaning around my house and carve a pumpkin sometime this weekend...but that's about it...oh, and do the book review (I'm assuming...not definite yet) for my Medieval Europe class...

Now, for the thing I have to remind myself happened....this one's more of reminding myself that something is...not happened:

That a Pumpkin is a Squash: Okay, random, I know. But I was looking at the pumpkin Preston and I bought. I just suddenly remembered that it was a squash...I don't know...I guess I just think of them as their own thing...

PS

2009-10-16T10:25:00.003-05:00

I think I'm going to start adding an example of things I have to keep reminding myself happened at the end of all my blogs...since I forgot it on the last one, here's an example for that:

That Lisa "Left Eye" Lopez (TLC) is dead--okay, I swear they aren't all sad things. But for this one, I was watching top 100 songs of the 90s last night (the home stretch episode) and they noted, kind of off-handledly that she had died in a car wreck. I was kind of like, "Oh yeah...that's right." It was just another one of those weird, "I didn't dream that" moments.

Meh

2009-10-16T10:13:00.002-05:00

Well, I'm passing my classes with higher grades than I thought I was going to after some of those tests. The test I had truly thought I had flunked (one that was nothing but two in-class essays) I made a 95 on, so I was estatic! I made another 95 on my Medieval Europe I test and an 81 on my History of AL test (better than I thought I was going to do). Have no idea what my grade is on my paper for philosophy...

I started my Nano Backstory challenge last night and I really like where it's going. I also have planned to get a couple more things out this weekend.

So, I'm feeling kind of down today. Why? Reasons I won't explain here. A small part is me hating my next class...God, I just really don't want to go again. But I have to because I've lost track of how many days I've missed. I was kind of upset this morning, again can't state why. (Btw, as I look over to the next row of computers here at Collier, I see a student using Wikipedia as a source...epic fail at life.)

I just can't wait until this damn school gives me the other half of my loan check. I want to get started on my holiday shopping, which always cheers me up. They're supposed to release it the 22nd...next week. So, I really can't wait.

Well, that's all from me. Heading off to a class I hate in about 20mins...

Bored and Hungry

2009-10-13T11:09:00.003-05:00

Well, that about sums me up right now. I'm bored, I'm tired, and I'm hungry. I don't wanna go to class (but I will) and I don't wanna go to work (but I will...because they pay me).

So, an update on my schedule...

Oct. 17- Costume sale at the Shoals Theater in downtown Florence (across from Legends!)
Oct. 20- First Romantic and Victorian Poetry test!
Oct. 22- (tentative) Questions on the Viking book is due in
Oct. 23- Fall Break and going to Graystone Manor!! (We're bringing Laura along...just because she's so funny when she freaks out...and she's going to Ren. Faire with us...)
Oct. 24 & 25- Ren. Faire! The Shoals Theater is also selling costumes on the morning of the 24th as well.
Nov. 7- Xmas Village! I'm going to buy up so many dip mixes, it's not even funny!

Now, I think there's another test or paper somewhere in all of that...but not to worry! It's when the big stuff comes along that I'll make this face: O.o...

Feeling Rather Wasteful of my Weekend...

2009-10-11T14:24:00.003-05:00

I've got so much I want/need to do...and I just don't feel like doing it right now...I want to outline my nano story, decorate for Halloween, make so many lists it's not even funny, do a chapter or two for various stories, catch up on my reading for ff.net and fp.com...and I just don't feel like doing anything right now...

Well, I could grocery shop...but I don't think Preston wants to go right now...

I feel tired, but I got plenty of sleep...I don't know...just a lazy Sunday I guess...at least my week won't produce anything I'll need to do...

PS--added my nano banner way down at the bottom of this blog, check it out!

Trishverse...on a schedule...

2009-10-07T13:14:00.002-05:00

Okay, a couple of little things...I've added my Nano-badge here on the right, as well as a quote, a poll, and a picture. Check 'em out! Ahem, that being said...

I have such a schedule ahead of me!!! Okay, check out this list:

Oct. 10-- Visiting Mom and Laura
Oct. 11-- Cleaning house & decorating door for Halloween & general outlining/planning
Oct. 17-- Visiting Graystone Manor
Oct. 24 & 25-- Renaissance Faire (Yay!!)
Entire Month of Nov.-- Nano!!
Nov. 7-- Christmas Village
Nov. 24-- Term paper and Movie project

This list is not including tests and Philosophy papers...yeesh. Oh, and Xmas shopping, craft making, holiday cooking, cooking and grocery shopping in general, and various other tiny things that must be done in order for me to survive. So, yeah. If people hear from me in general, it's going to be a miracle.

Oh, I have to make my nano-playlist!! Sorry, random thought...really, I need to make like four different lists for four different things...

So It Begins...

2009-10-06T23:09:00.002-05:00

Note-taking and a crazy race to 50,000 words...right on!

Things That I Still Have to Tell Myself Really Happened

2009-10-06T15:01:00.004-05:00

This post isn't meant to be depressing or anything, lol. It was just that I was looking back over my blog at some things I talked about...and I had the thought, "Oh, yeah, that wasn't just a figment of my imagination." Here are some examples:

The Last Harry Potter Book-- There are times when I look up and think, despite myself, "When's the next HP book coming out?" Then I have to remind myself that that's done, over, fin. I miss HP, dearly, but I'm not one of those who's like "There should be a prequel!!" or something. I totally get why she stopped there. It's a perfect end that feels like an end...I just have to remember that it happened.

The Fact that I'm 23-- ...I don't like it...but it's real. But I wouldn't want to be a kid again either...like, maybe just 21, okay?

College Graduation-- I know that two of my friends have already experienced this...so, this is more of a question. Did you guys ever have to convince yourself that it's really happening? That you DON'T have a semester or something left?

Michael Jackson's Death-- Yeah, yeah. I'm sure everyone is sick of hearing me mention this, but one more time, huh? I just can't believe I didn't dream it all...it feels...faraway, you know?

I'm Living with my Fiance-- I just feel all mature with this one.

That Buffy the Vampire Slayer has been off the air for six years-- *sniffle* Why? It was so good? At least we have the comics...

That Darkwing Duck is an 18-year-old cartoon-- Okay, really gonna cry here...makes me feel so old...and makes me lose even more faith in the cartoons of today...

That I'm getting married a little over a year from now-- This one just inspires a bit of panic...not at the prospect of being married, but at the prospect of paying to be married...

So, that's it for me...I'm sure there's more, but I think that's enough to go on. So, any of you guys got things that make you feel this way?

Busy, Busy

2009-10-06T11:42:00.003-05:00

Wow, got so much to do this week. I've got a test today (in about 2 hours, actually), I've got a test Thursday in a different class, and I've got a 5-page paper due Friday. On top of that, I've still got to go grocery shopping. *sigh* Oh! And I've still got to get a topic approved for my History of England paper. I'm currently torn between doing Joan of Arc or Eleanor of Aquitaine.

Next week will prove a bit more relaxing. One of my classes are canceled Fri (which provides for more paper time), and next Thursday morning, my English class is cancelled. I intended to write in the weekend and week that is coming up, due to the fact that Nano is coming up and, on top of that, papers and projects are due in Nov. as well. In fact, my Kingdom of Heaven project AND my History of Enland term paper are due on the same, bloody day! So, I've got to trick myself into believing that one is due before the other...what fun...and my next Philosophy paper is due somewhere in Nov...I think early Nov.

On the writing front, the new challenges on the Guild sound great, and I can't wait to get started on them! And I've still got to do notes for Nano. Crazy...not to mention, I've got to keep up my semi-regular postings on my fanfic chapters or I'll drift off to lala land again and never get those fics done! Not to mention the fics that I want to start (and finish, including old ones here) that need more outlining. And my original fiction? I've got the beginning of the journal for the next chapter of Dilemma in my head, but haven't had the time to write it down.

And then there's the holidays! I'm hosting Thanksgiving at my new apartment, which means that I've got to get it ready for such an occasion. I will go to Graystone Manor this year, I swear it. Gots to buy the candys for the children for actual Halloween. And then Xmas shopping...I love it all, but I need a separate list for what I've got to do to prepare for the Holidays alone!

Am I the only one out there wondering what dishes I'm making for our girls' Xmas get together? Any requests? Do you guys want me to bring old faves or new ones? Or a mix of both? And what do people feel like for dessert? And does Savvy remember that it's her turn to host (lol)?

*sigh* I feel like Ria in chapter one of Trials (and no, that wasn't a shameless plug...of course, is it sad when you feel like a character that YOU created???). Anyhow, I feel like Ria...all questions, no answers.

Waiting for responses ;),
Trish

PS A belated Happy B-day to my sister, who is now 17!!! (God, I feel old....T_T)

Writing Goals and Random Funnies

2009-10-03T13:30:00.003-05:00

Kay, I'm gonna start out with the random funnies. Best quotes ever:

Kevin Conroy (as Batman in the new Superman/Batman: Public Enemies):

Batman: Clark, what the hell is a "good villian"?

And later in the show...

Batman: (looking up at a particular something that I won't reveal for spoiler purposes): Wow.

Okay, now to writing goals...

I plan, this weekend, to get out at least one chapter of each of the following:

--All Fall Down

--Trials

--How to be a Dhampire (b/c they have to know I'm still writing this)

--Pardoning the Prince (to get more voters on my poll)

--Dilemma of House Wraithwood

Now, that's only five chapters. I should be able to do this. Let's see.

Feeling a Little Upset...

2009-09-14T18:22:00.002-05:00

Okay, so my cousin Gina sends me a message on Myspace. No biggie, we randomly contact one another since we have some of the same interests. However, this message deeply upsets me. It's an invite...to a surprise get-together on Sept. 25th for my sister's birthday (who doesn't read this blog, so no worries) that's being held by Gina, Sonya, Christy, and Amanda. Okay, so I'm happy Laura is turning 17, but...I just feel like I'll be odd person out if I go. I was invited...which means, obviously, that I had NOTHING to do with the organizing. I'm a party guest at my own sisters party...that sounds like there's nothing wrong with that, but there is. I always feel like this at family functions...Like I'm only being invited because I have to be.

That all sounds a little selfish, but I'm sorry. I do want to celebrate my sister's birth, but I don't want to be treated like I'm a horrible person for not being the one to think of it first. Now, I know what you're thinking, "Oh, they're you're family and they're just trying to do what's nice for Laura." That would be utterly fantastic if that were true. But I know my bloodline. They like to play big. They can't help it, it's genetic. But...well, right now I'm just flailing for words. Just reading that email gave me an awful feeling and made me want to cry.

Am I a horrible person? Should I go or not? I just don't know.

Anyone Watch the VMAs?

2009-09-14T10:22:00.002-05:00

Okay, so this is a random topic for me, and everyone's talking about it...but yeah, Kanye West sucks. Poor Taylor looked like she was going to cry. I looked over at Preston right then and said, "I hope Beyonce does win something...she'll take that time to apologize." But she did one better. Ladies, I think if anyone needs a modern woman to look up to, Beyonce's not a bad start. She's not uber-skinny, she's a powerful force for female independence while not being a FemaNazi, and she's just an all-around gracious person. Anyhow, that's my personal opinion.

Oh, and yeah, I teared up at the MJ tribute. I'm just a glutton for punishment. I felt so stupid. I'm over it, I swear!

Oh, and I'm almost done with Untested (finally)! Only the epilogue and the prologue of the sequel to go! Then, I'm moving on to finish Baby Makes Three (of which I recently put up chapter 8...which turned out to be longer than what I imagined it would be) and All Fall Down, switching alternately between each one. So, as I work on the epilogue for Untested, I'll probably be working on the next chapter for All Fall Down as well.

So, random from me. Bye!

Burnt and Lovin' It AKA Back from the Beach

2009-09-11T10:03:00.002-05:00

Okay, so Best Weekend Ever! I so didn't want to come home from the beach...not because of my fiance...I missed him quite a bit...but I just didn't want to go back to class! Blah, classes...Anyway, loved the condo we stayed it. I'll post the pictures I took on my facebook as soon as I get them developed. I also came home with a kitty-kitty. I meant to post a picture of me and Squeak at the top of this blog...but I have an hour to kill here at UNA and my picture is at home. Oh well. On a funny note concerning Squeak...that cat has the worse gas of any cat I've ever met! Man, she is constantly passing gas, it seems. And even I can smell it...and my nose doesn't work right!

Classes, meanwhile on the homefront, are going all right. I have papers coming out the wazoo this semester, but that's okay. I'll just take 'em on one at a time (God, I hope none of them are due on the same day...must look into this...). In one class alone I have like three papers due in...none of them are terribly long though...10 pages at the most.

On the writing front, I'm moving much slower than I would like to. I've been dead tired in the afternoons all this week. I need to catch up on my class reading this weekend, as well as my chapter updates reading...but most of all, I must write. I must produce chapters--plural--this weekend. My sanity depends upon it! I managed to squeeze out a chapter of All Fall Down last night...I should go reread that now to make sure it's okay. I was so dead tired when I was writing it, but I would not go to sleep until I finished it. Well, it's out there now. I must work on/finish the next chapter of Untested this weekend...I only have two updates left on that damn story. Why must I always slow down right at the end? I think I might have a tiny problem with closure...well, I didn't with To Be History...but I was so tired of that story it was ridiculous. Funny that the last few chapters of it, though, had been my favorite. Anyhow, back to the present...Untested is almost finished...I'll follow it up with the Prologue of Trials, its sequel, then move on to finish Baby Makes Three...probably slowly finish All Fall Down as well. After that, I'm tackling How to be a Dhampire...on that note, I should really title/semi-outline its sequel...yes, that one will have a sequel too.

Anyway, I've rambled. I'll blog more later about some more random writing stuff.

About to reply to a review for All Fall Down,

Trish

Welcome to Monday...

2009-08-31T10:03:00.003-05:00

My 9am class was cancelled, but I came early anyhow to work on the internet. I actually managed to sleep through the night until a decent hour!

Blah, I have an hour until my class...and then work. I've nothing really to blog about...I'm going to the beach this weekend!! I can't wait!

um...so, that's all...nothing eventful, like, at all.

I Miss a Button...Sue Me...

2009-08-27T16:53:00.002-05:00

Okay, so my payment issues, concerning my refund, were starting up again this semester...then I went to the appropriate office to check it out. I had missed the Accept Terms and Conditions button...now, it's all pay save for $212 of it...which, I don't know what that's about. I'll check on that tomorrow afternoon...

Other than that, my classes mostly require reading this semester and writing (when don't they, huh?), but nothing more than usual. I've got a group project in one that I'm just dreading...I hate group projects with a passion!

On to more pleasant things, I've been writing quite a bit...oh, nothing publishable, but I'm working towards that goal. Still trying to finish Untested...oh, so much to do!

Oh, and as of 3pm today I've been awake 12 hours...now 14...I'm...so...tired!!

Back to School with a Skip and a Jump

2009-08-26T08:15:00.002-05:00

Well, it’s that time of year again. And for the last time. Well, until I try for graduate school. Anyhow, that time is the beginning of school. Ah, for all the same old routines. Of course, I was short the routine of moving into the dorm, and I must say, I do miss it. It was just easier, living right on campus…and having a roommate who knew you so well. Not that I don’t have that in my fiancé, but it’s just different, you know?

But I am happy to have my own apartment with him. Makes me feel like a grown-up, haha. Well…has anything happened between the last time you heard from me and now?
Well, school started…and between Drusilla and Moo Moo there are nine kittens back at my mother’s house. Which had been misplaced, because Dru and Moo Moo moved them from where they had been when Mom and Laura were out. Go figure. Oh, and yes, Moo Moo is a mommy! Laura says her kittens are itty bitty and bright orange! They sound so cute! Only two of the nine are hers.

Oh, we’ve acquired a loveseat at the apartment, with much thanks to Preston’s Aunt Virginia. She gave it to us, and offer us a matching chair. We declined it, saying we have no room for it (which we don’t). The love seat is white and green striped. I didn’t like the pillows (which were the exact same design and color…a bit too much) that came with it, so I took my two smaller purple pillows and put them on the loveseat. Ta da! Joker colors!

I’m still not unpacked fully in the apartment, but I’m a hell of a lot closer.

My writing is going well. Not the best, but it’s going, which is all that matters. I feel somewhat product with it…until I realize all the things I turn out are fanfiction. I am working on original stories, but the progress there is much slower.

Oh, and I just found out that my tuition hasn't been paid yet. It's showing my financial aid, but it's also showing that the bill has not been paid yet. I'll be checking up on that later.

Well, gotta go. Class and all that. See you later!

Wishing she had internet at her apartment already,

Trish

The Trishverse, Since the Last Time I've Blogged...

2009-07-10T23:32:00.004-05:00

Okay, so this is what has happened since the last time I've been here:

1) The Apartment Situation

Okay, so we found out that the owner/manager of that apartment was a shyster. So, we continued out search. We found a better deal. It's a bit smaller, but the perfect size for us. But, we haven't heard yes or no on whether we have it or not. It's been about two weeks since we applied. So, Preston's going up to the office Monday and no leaving without an answer.

2) My Fanfiction List

Okay, since I'm on my own computer, here's my list of fanfics that I plan to complete in order:

--Untested (only four more updates to go!)
--Baby Makes Three
--How to be a Dhampire
--All Fall Down
--Tip of the Theological
--Of Old Gods and Archaeologists
--Pardoning the Prince
--Youth and Innocence

I'm still pushing along, but since I'm at home...yeah, my writing tends to slow down...(well, right now I'm at Preston's...). Well, I found what I have of my re-write of Dark Mistress and the Lady of Light...I intend to continue to work on that. I also feel a desire to begin my notes for NaNoWriMo (be proud, Slink.). And I'm still working on the original fics I mentioned last post. So, working on it...still not publishable....

3) Work

I've completed one month with Upward Bound...and we didn't ever have to call Mrs. Freeman down after dark-thirty! Go us! All I've got left is the trip! Six Flags and the Georgia Aquarium! I'm so excited!! I didn't get to work with the LRC this month...no big loss. Since I'm not living over there yet, that just would have been too difficult. I'm not taking a class this summer, so they couldn't hire me on federal, and they ran out of the University Fund. Like I say, no big loss.

4) The Death of Michael Jackson

Okay, so this affected me more that even I thought it did. I tried to hide it when I first heard. Finally, while staying at Savvy's, Slink asked me how bad it affected me, on a scale from 1 to 10. I said 5...which, as it turns out, wasn't entirely true. It was really like an 8. I'd been fighting tears for days, and would tear up if I thought about it too hard...but I'd always been able to control it. Then, I'm reading an article to Mom--she couldn't read the small print--about the memorial...and I bust out balling. I mean, I was sobbing. I put the newspaper down and said, through tears, "I'm sorry. I just can't read anymore." I've been listening to nonstop Jackson music--mostly Smooth Criminal, it was my favorite. We have two newspapers and two magazines about it...So, Michael...I hope you're at peace now.

Well, that's all about that's happened. The fireworks at the Fourth were fantastic! We had over 2000 dollars worth! I loved it! Well, until the next time I have internet access...

See you!

Writing Goals...Still Not Publishable...

2009-06-16T19:21:00.002-05:00

Okay, so I've made fanfiction goals. No, I haven't abandoned my original writing, I'm working on it as well. I just take more time on it than I do my fanfics because I care about it more. Anyway...

I have a list of fics to finish in the near future. At the top of the list, my CV fic, Untested, followed by my Batman: TAS fic, Baby Makes Three...the list goes on to cover I think ten or a little less of my currently on going fics.

I'm working on a short story sequel/follow-up to Babelmouth called Fun, Sun, and Spells. Expect that on Fictionpress soon! I'm also going to be putting out the next chapter of Dilemma sooner than I did the last one, promise!

On a personal note, I has an apartment! It's 2 bed, 2 bath, $385 a month and allows pets after the pet deposit is paid! Or at least, I'll have it after our co-signer is approved. Which he should be. I'm so excited!!! My move-in date is expected to be the end of this month, so...yay!

Well, gotta go. I'm at work!

An OC Does Not a Mary-Sue Make...

2009-05-10T11:54:00.003-05:00

Okay, so this is an age-old rant for me. I can't count the reviews I've gotten where all that is written is "Mary-Sue." Now, because they are often anonymous and only say that, I can only infer that they mean to say "She's a Mary-Sue because she's an OC (original character)." How wrong is this? Seriously?

Let me define Mary-Sue, roughly. A Mary-Sue (male counterpart: Gary-Stu) is someone who is so incredibly perfect and everyone loves her or she's so deliberately anti-whatever that she stands out in a crowd. Now, I'll admit, I've got a couple of characters I'm still writing for that are, admittedly, Sues. I accept that. Really, I do. The stories they're in were started fairly early into my fanfiction career when I was still too much of a fangirl. However, the one review that I got (I've removed it because of its stupidity...again, all it said was "Mary-Sue" and was anonymous) that spawned this rant was on a story that the character couldn't be further from a Sue. She's inexperienced, so you actually get to see her acquire any strength that she has through training. She doesn't win every fight. She's fifteen, so I've kept her at that exact emotional level (and I'm 23, so I've got a good prospective on this, having been there and done that). I'm 16, not including the Prologue which featured the character's mother, chapters into this story when I received this review. Do you want to know how far this idiot read? Three chapters...including the prologue. Do you want to know what has happened by chapter 2 (which is where he stopped)? She found a book. That's...it. In the prologue, I reveal the mother's past which led to the situation that the main character finds herself in (that is, with no experience). In chapter one, the main character finds a book in a place where her mother told her not to go (kids do this, you know!). And in chapter three, I'm with canon characters!!! How the hell do you get Mary-Sue from this? You don't even know anything yet!

Sigh. Anyway, this is my rant on Suedom...thanks for reading! Gotta go finish packing and eating!

Game, Set, Match!

2009-05-08T22:58:00.002-05:00

I FRICKIN' DID IT!!!!! I made it to 100 fanfics before Ariyana graduated! Yes! Granted, it wasn't all the chapter fics I meant to start...which is good. I have enough chapter fics going to be adding, like, five or six more. However, I did add two more to my list. Ah, the hefty price of this goal...but I did it! I have 100 fics even! Woot!

In related news, you know what I hate? Reviewers who have not thought out their criticism on my works. I got this one who was like, "You've put Tara in a story with no positive course. Why should I continue to read it or you, as an author, write it?" He said other things (and might I note, he hasn't got a single story posted), but after I got done having my say with him...I told him not to come back. Bastard. I hate stupid people. In fact, I should do a rant on that alone later.

And in unrelated news, here's a funny story. I thought I was going to fail--epic-ly--Literary Criticism. In fact, if I passed, I thought I would only make a C. Folks, C was at best. I wrote this Virginia Woolf paper...and I thought I had epic-ly failed, seriously. So, I'm waiting for our grades to be posted. Still, not yet. I started making alternate plans if I failed this class, which, by the way, is required for my degree. Then, Hillary mentions that if you look on your unoffical transcript online, they post your grades as you get them. After searching for it (they had taken it off of the page it was supposed to be on) I scroll down...and see a B by Literary Criticism. I was so happy...I broke into tears. And not just any tears...I mean, hysterically happy tears. And this was after I was on the phone with Preston telling him I had passed. I must have sounded like a crazy person. According to Slink, I sounded like a mother whose child had not been breathing had suddenly taken a breath again. Or like I had just escaped a terrible plane accident. I'm sure Preston was like, "Oh my God, what's wrong with her?" I felt so stupid. But it was very funny.

College will be the death of me. I've had two fits of hysteria this semester...once when I thought I was going to fail my history paper...and now this. Seriously, I hope I have a healthy heart...cause it can't take much more of this.

So, that's all from me!

Going to spend some quality time with D and Alucard,
Trish

Update on my Fanfiction Goal

2009-05-08T21:23:00.000-05:00

98 and counting...see you again at 100!

Purpose to Blog

2009-04-30T18:18:00.002-05:00

Paticia's Work Status:
Lit. Crit Paper and Presentation: Done
Finals: Working on them.
Summer Jobs: 2

Now, before I continue with my blog, let me stop and do something for the Pub 2009 Challenge I am currently participating in. I've read my first Pub Book, Hideyuki Kikuchi's Vampire Hunter D: Volume 12 Pale Fallen Angels Parts 3 and 4. So, in honor of this book, here's my review for it.

Picking up where Parts 1 and 2 left off, D and his troupe finally make it to the city they've been seeking. Although D's contract is now fulfilled (and we all know D's all about the contract), his job is far from over. The Baron, the vampire noble that D was hired by, goes to face his father, while D sticks around to see how things turn out (not to mention, he's taken up on a contract by May, one of the girls that has been travelling with him). The Baron's vampire, the vampire lord Vlad who rules over the town, sends after D and the Baron with a whole new troupe of bad guys. Also, new allies are made as D and his group race to destroy Vlad once and for all. That is, unless the Destroy that is possessing the vampire Miska kills them all first.

So, I finished this book in like, two days. Loved it and I can't wait for volume 13, out this October!

Continuing on, I've been thinking about this blog, wondering what it is that I should blog about. Most people have a sort of theme for their blog...their personal lives, crafts, cooking...I've run across several. Now, although my life will continued to be blogged about in this place--since it is The Trishverse (i.e. Trish's 'Verse)--I think the purpose of this blog may come to serve something that I do often in real life and have done rarely here. I'll rant about my writing and my love of fandom! After all, those are two of the most important things in my life, following after my loved ones, that is.

So, my purpose to blog? Finally found it...and I'm surprised it's taken me this long. I'll be back later, possibly tonight, tomorrow, or Monday, with my first fandom blog!

Kidnapped by Alucard, D, and the Winchester Brothers in Order to Defeat True Evil,
Trish

Racing to 100

2009-04-22T21:38:00.002-05:00

I have this goal. I think I've mentioned it before. 100 fanfictions by the time Ariyana graduates (i.e. the end of the semester). Where do I stand on this goal? 88 fanfics and counting. I intend to do another one-shot crossover tonight...I may call it "Alone." It's Tara (from Buffy:TVS) and Lacroix (from Forever Knight). I also intend to work on the next one-shot in the Youth and Innocence story. Yup, still in vamp mode.

And no, still no paper for Lit. Crit. He moved the due date of the paper until Wednesday (not today, next Wednesday!), and I got off lucky because I don't have to do my presentation for that class until Monday. Which means, yeah, definitely gotta do that paper this weekend...and tell Mom and Laura that I still can't make it home.

On another note, my wedding dress is in! It's currently under Ariyana's mom's protection (when she gets it from the post office). I'll have it either this weekend or next! I'm so excited! I can't wait to try it on!

Back to school here, I did my reading for Oral Traditon. I haven't had a chance to read over the comments from my peers or my teacher, but, out loud, Garner said that I did an excellent job acting out my dialogue. By the way, I read from All Together Dead, the 7th in the Sookie Stackhouse series. I had so much fun reading it!

And tomorrow, in between classes, I intend to edit my history paper...that's only about 30 minutes (if even that) of work. Then, I turn it in Fri. and all I have to do is attend that class and take its final. Funny, I was worried sick about taking that class (it was required for my minor), but it turned out to be, like, one of the easiest ones I had this semester. The only class easier (and probably a little bit more fun) was Oral Tradition.

So, that's it for me. I'm off (got to go finish closing the LRC). See you next time!

So, I Went to Castlevania for a Meeting with Dracula...

2009-04-18T22:12:00.003-05:00

Yeah, I'm in full vampire mode. Dunno why...just am. I'm having to practically sit on my hands to keep from writing the next chapter of Untested...I should do another chapter of Dilemma while my brain's on vampires...but I don't know quite what happens next...well, I do, but I don't, you know?

And, if anyone's still wondering...no, paper not done...But! I did get some fantastic news for my History paper! He loved it! Called it excellent! I'm estatic!

Also, if you're still wondering, I still hate Simon Belmont. With a fiery red passion. I feel the need to write an Alucard fic...maybe for the xover challenge...I'm still deciding...

I think I would be good friends with Left Hand...random, sorry.

So, that's about it for me...going to go off and try to produce a chapter of something.

And eat...

Blogging...More Important Than Food!

2009-04-16T12:06:00.002-05:00

Yeah, so I have class in like an hour and fourty minutes and I havent' eaten lunch yet. So, I have to make this quick.

One paper down, another paper, a presentation, a prose reading, and finals to go. Sound like a lot? Well, the only ones I'm worried about is that other paper and the presentation (which goes along with it). Presentations start next Friday, with papers due in by email by noon that monday. So, in essence, I have to have my paper done (with a powerpoint for my presentation) done by Friday. The powerpoint will be easy once I have my paper...the paper on the other hand...could someone just put me in a coma until Tuesday the 28th?

On other notes, I've really been working on my writing, more fan fiction than original, but writing's writing. It's still practice in honing my skills. Sound like a waste of time? Thinking I should be working on my paper? Probably, but since being a professional writier is the career I want--scratch that, need--...bite me. I'm gonna write! On that note, I've been pretty regular on my chapters of fanfiction with How to be a Dhampire and Untested being the two I've probably updated on the most. I have a poll up on my fanfiction profile that asks which older story people would like me to complete first. So far, Of Old Gods and Archaeologists is in the lead with three votes. So, drop by and vote if you've got a minute.

On original fiction, well I'd really like to work on some Dark Mistress...but guess what? What I have of my re-write is on the harddrive of my failed computer...which Preston has and can't get it off without some such cord. I think he just keeps forgetting to do it. Which is fine...you know, it's not like life or death or anything, and there are more important things that I need him to do. Oh! And I put up a chapter of The Dilemma of House Wraithwood...so, if you haven't read it yet--and you know who you are--go do it! I'd really like some feedback on the small developments of the story so far. And, you know, I'm a review whore, so...

Oh, and on my goal of reaching 100 fanfics up before the end of this semester...I'm at 86...may not make it, but I've gonna get damn close. Well, wish me luck on papers and writing everyone! And good luck to all those going through the same end of semester hell!

Gone to eat,
Trish

Fanfiction.net Just Needs to Hire Me

2009-04-07T09:29:00.002-05:00

Okay, so I've sent in two character lists to that site and gotten them both added. In both cases, however, they've refused to add OC (original character) to the lists. However, in times passed, I asked for OC to be added to all the subsections in the book category with a pull-down menu. And they did.

So I'm going to use Slink for my plans and have her start emailing these people. Sigh.

As for real life...blah. Had a great weekend with Preston this past weekend. However, I have two papers fast approaching...both of which I really have no subject for. Blah. Well, I'm off!

Post-Spring Break...Blah

2009-03-30T19:50:00.002-05:00

Okay, so I'm a tinesy, tiny bit behind in a couple of my classes. However, at least now I have a subject for my Lit. Crit. paper. One down, one to go. I still haven't finished my grammar test--but I'm a decent ways through it...sort of. I don't have a subject for my History and Historical Research Paper...but I have figured out what my prose reading selection will be for Oral Tradition. I'm going to read Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes short story, "The Adventure of the Speckled Band." My favorite Holmes story--not to mention the first piece of Holmesian lit. I was introduced to.

So, Spring Break was nothing but sleep, play with the cats, watch TV, do one fanfic chapter, get my taxes filled, and pretend to get some work done. Not much unless you list it like I just did. A Guild challenge is due tonight that I meant to finish over SB...didn't happen...I started it, just didn't finish it. Then tomorrow, I must work on my April Fool's challenge for the Guild...yikes.

By the way, anyone out there want a kitten? Free to a good home!

So, that's it for me...I'll be back to blog about something more interesting maybe tomorrow. Bye!

Baby Envy and Other Ranty Goodness

2009-03-12T19:02:00.002-05:00

Okay, to start off with what's first on my title...Baby envy. I found myself consumed with it last weekend on the way to my house the Friday before my birthday. My mother was listing off all my relatives that are having babies. Then, I began to think of all the relatives that have had babies. All of a sudden, this animalistic growl escaped me and I muttered, "God, I can't stand it!" Preston gave me this bewildered look, and, to be honest, I felt a little bewildered myself. When he asked what the problem with the baby thing was (and he sounded a little panicked) I gave him some half-assed answer that I can't even remember now.

Now, here's the truth. I know I'm no where near ready enough to have a kid. I don't have the funds, my own house, a job that isn't Student Workstudy, or anything. But lately, I've found myself fantasizing about when it's my time to have a kid. About whether it'll be a girl or a boy first. What they'll look like. What they'll be like. How I'll decorate their nursery. The works! I want 4 kids total. To have them, and still be young enough to do the things that I want to with them (AKA be a DIY mom), I put myself at getting pregnant at 25. I'm currently 23. I thought that that would panic me, that I wouldn't feel ready at my set date, yadda, yadda, yadda. But to tell the truth...yeah, some days it still panics me...but now more often than not...it doesn't. Not really. And when it panics me now...it's for a whole other reason. So, I have baby envy. I want one for myself, once I have the means to care for it. I've come to really realize that now.

Now, onto another rant: my writing. God, can't someone just publish me? Can't I just finish something? The answers: No and Apparently not. I've been focusing a lot on my writing lately, accepting deep within myself that this is what I was meant to do for the rest of my life. This will be my career, come Hell or high water. I just need to keep working and get more serious about it.

Next rant. I've got so much to do and not enough time!

Well, I'll stop the ranting here. Thanks for reading!

I Think I Just Ate Styrofoam...

2009-03-11T16:06:00.003-05:00

Okay, I know I blogged like, just two minutes ago, but this was too funny! I'm sittig here, eating a pizza off a styrofoam plate. I'm sliding the pizza up to my mouth using the plate, because it's too hot to hold. Then, I heard my teeth crunch down on styrofoam. Now, I didn't actually ingest it, but...yeah...I bit the plate.

On another note, that's just passing through my head, I am aware now that several people--through the guild--can access my blog now. I don't know if any of them are reading it, but I just want to say that, regarding a certain past post of anger ranty goodness...that was only directed at one person. I'm not anti-gay (I don't really think I have a solid position on that to be honest)...I'm anti-that guy.

Well, hope the styrofoam gave people a laugh. Haha, until next time (which I promise won't be two minutes from now).

I'm Mad at Myself

2009-03-11T15:56:00.003-05:00

Why am I mad? Because I'm being a brat, that's way. I'm mad at other people and things that I have no business being mad at. Worse, I feel bad for being mad for no reason. I snapped at my mom constantly through our telephone conversation when I had no reason to. In my head, I was mad at Preston for reasons that were stupid and...well, stupid covers it. I actually had NO reason to be mad at him or anyone.

I'm menstrual and it's showing. I really hate that because it produces this anger. It also produces a self-loathing because I'm aware that I have no reason to be angry at half the things I get angry about.

On a lighter note, Laura is trying out to be mascot for Belgreen. They sprang a surprise try out prelimanary on both her and the other girl trying out. The people didn't like the other girl because she didn't move enough in her freestyle. However, they oohed and awed over Laura, saying she looked like a puppy (our mascot is the bulldog, in case anyone forgot). Well, proud of you, Laura!

23 and Guess What's on My Brain...?

2009-03-11T00:53:00.002-05:00

I turned 23 on Sunday (and had a fantastic b-day). And I blame a combination of myself and Slink (with a dash of Preston) for my current train of thought.

Weddings. I plan on my wedding to take place on the first on second weekend in November in 2010. That means, I've got to get on the ball! Slink started by reminding me that I must start my wedding book. I agreed. I now have a journal (the lovely gray one given to me by Savvy) dedicated to this task. Then, along with my b-day gift, she had found for a quarter the pocket edition of Weddings for Dummies. Now, I just ordered the bigger, full edition along with its companion that helps you further plan things out.

Weddings, weddings, weddings. That's all I can think about! Laura, Mom, Preston, and myself ended up looking at prom gowns and somehow, that led to wedding dress conversations. So much to think about...

I need to pick so many things out. And I've got a little over a year and no money (well, Preston says that his uncle and an aunt is giving us money...but...yeah...). I've got to get on the ball.

Any thoughts? Anyone?

Fingers to the Bone...Sort of...

2009-03-04T19:19:00.004-06:00

Well, Fanfiction.net is working again. I've been keeping my promise to myself to keep my updates semi-regular (i.e. not two years apart!!).

Life is going pretty good. My grades are holding out at As or Bs (although I definitely see Cs in my future). And I've been pretty actively partcipating in the Guild of the Fantastic Quill Challenges.

I've got two completed original short stories that I'm going to post on fictionpress soon (tonight at best, tomorrow night at worst) that I look forward to hearing from everybody on! One of them was for my creative writing class last semester and the other was an essay assignment for my midterm in my Oral Tradition class.

I'm slowly working on my goal of having 100 fanfictions started by the end of this semester. I'm at 77. I have ideas for two one-shots (one chapter stories), and I've got at least one chapter length one I intend to start soon enough. And with the challenges being of both fanfiction and original fiction origin, I'll meet this goal, no prob!

Well, that's all for me. Feel a little tired right now (but I'm at work, that's normal!), so I'm going to go! See ya!

P.S. Sunday is my birthday! I turn a dreaded 23! I expect love and sweets (lol) to make me forget this!!

Fanfiction.net, You'll Be the Death of Me

2009-02-23T16:28:00.002-06:00

Okay, so let's start out with the good news. Dru had her babies!!! She's just fine, and she had six, adorable kittens! They're so precious!!!!

Bad news...wouldn't you know it? Wouldn't you just f**king know it that when I finally get inspired enough to kick out the next chapter of Pardoning the Prince...the login feature at fanfiction.net is messed up. I discovered this last night. It continues to this very moment. It says to "check back in a few minutes." Uh...fanfiction.net admins, it's been hours. What EXACTLY is your definition of a few damn minutes?

This same problem is also going on at fictionpress.com, by the way. They're run by the same people, in case you didn't know.

So, when do I get to post my chapter? Lord only knows!

Oh well, maybe I can write a couple more tonight and shock the fanfiction world with a bunch of updates!

Well, it's off to work for me. See you later! Oh, and fanfiction.net, if you're not working by the time I get off...I'm emailing your asses!!

A Reason to Blog...Return of the Ex

2009-02-13T00:15:00.004-06:00

You know, I've been looking for one. Things have been going pretty good for me. I'm really back into a writing swing. And I'm loving it! I'm working hard on some Guild challenges...trying to keep my quill inked, as it were. So, there really hasn't been much to blog about. Work's fine, school is going okay...

And then he called. Savvy's ex...the bane of all our existances. He calls tonight, all weepy and sad. He says that it really "hurt him" that we won't answer. That he still wants to be friends. That he's sorry if it's "Savannah that's coming between us." I almost answered. Ariyana almost had to grip my arm. We ranted for an hour.

That selfish bastard. He hurts? How about us? What he's said behind my back, Slink's back? Kimmi's back? Behind Savvy's...not to mention what he said to her face! This little butt-sexed weasel thinks that he can whine and it's all going to be okay. Thinks he's the victim! Lord help him the next time he decides to pull that shit! I'll rip him a new one! I'll call him things that'll make a sailor blush!

I wish he would just fade away. Why can't he take a hint? Slink and I are trying to be nice and just let him fade out of our lives. However, he just keeps crawling back. We're about to have to take a knife and cut the cord. The bastard...he hurts? Really? He doesn't know hurt. He insults me. He insults, more importantly, my friends...and he's sorry? He can go fuck himself with a stick for all I care. The heartless bastard doesn't deserve friends, and I don't think he'll ever have a true friend. And in that, I pity him.

Go to hell, you bastard. Don't call our dorm again...if you know what's good for you.

Worried About my Kitty...

2009-02-11T13:55:00.002-06:00

My Dru is pregnant. I'm worried that this will be the death of her. She's a very weak-willed cat.

Well, everyone please send out good thoughts about my poor kitty. I'll be back for a real blog later.

Losing Respect for the Belmont Clan...

2009-01-26T19:36:00.004-06:00

Yeah, Castlevania: Judgment will cause you to do that. I've lost some respect for the whole Belmont Clan. The two present in the game are such arrogant pricks. I mean, Trevor's all right...I mean, he's worlds better than Simon--see last post. But he's still egotistical. He's all "Ooo, look at me. Look at my powerful whip. I'm a Belmont. See? See? Look. Look. Know what that means? Means I'm powerful, yeah. People come to me for help in defeating Dracula. I rock." Pleh. I'm watching these two's storylines, and I find myself hoping a little bit to see their asses get kicked. I wonder if they're all like that? This is where fanfiction comes in handy.

Oh, and there's this scene in Trevor's storyline where he wants to fight Alucard at his full power to see if he can take him. Of course, the guy who posted these videos did so by what character he played through the game with, so Trevor's gonna win. But I couldn't help but say (aloud, sadly, to my computer) "No frickin' way you could take Alucard. He would SO kick your ass if this wasn't your storyline!"

Okay, sorry about another Judgment rant from me.

I Hate Simon Belmont

2009-01-25T21:28:00.002-06:00

Okay, so the title says it all. I really, frickin' hate the Castlevania character of Simon Belmont. I found this guy on youtube that has all the storys for the Castlevania fighting game, Castlevania: Judgment. So far, I've watched Simon's story, Maria Renard's story, Shanoa's story, and Alucard's story. Maria's isn't as bad as I was led to believe. Shanoa's is boring if you're also playing Order of Eccelsia--which I am. Alucard's story is awesome...but his voice actor sucks. And then there was Simon...Simon, Simon, Simon. He is such an egotisical man-whore. I hate him so much.

Anyhow, so I thought that my wireless card for my laptop had died. I nearly had a heart attack, and thought I had to wipe my computer. But then, I did a system restore...and ta da! I was so frickin' happy!!!

Well, that's all from me!

Ecstasy in the Form of a Laptop

2009-01-13T23:36:00.002-06:00

My pretty new computer came in today!! Whee! I'm so happy! It's got a DVD-RW multi-drive and a webcam...which is weird. The cam works when I'm online, but not if I'm not. It doesn't have a driver for it on the computer. Strange, huh? Slink says I'll just have to find some software I like. I agree. I might go do that here in a second and see if I can find some for free.

I also have Word 07!! Fun!

Feeling Somewhat Productive

2009-01-10T14:50:00.003-06:00

Well, my money problems are over. My check was in the mail Friday. I even felt extra independent, because I walked to the bank by myself. I even felt more independent today because I walked to Fred's and Subway (the one off campus. Ours is closed on the weekend. Apparently, no one eats on Saturday and Sunday) today.

Good news, I killed the ants. Lol, let me explain for those who might not know. For some God-only-knows reason, Slink and I have an ant invasion on her side of the dorm. We have no food out that would attract ants--we've checked! So, using 99% of her Mark's body spray, Slink managed to stop them. That was, until this morning.

I woke up way earlier than I usually do on a Sat., probably why my eyes feel heavy right now. I get up, go the bathroom, climb back into bed, try to sleep, can't, get back up, and turn on the lights. There, en masse, are ants making there merry little ways all over the side of the wall, in a nice, neat little line. There were so many! Well, I can't live like that. I hate bugs. If I can't run from them, I have to kill them. Thus, my walk to Fred's, where I purchased garbage bags, bandages--cut my finger, have no idea how--and most importantly, bug spray. Those little suckers are dead! Mwah hahahaha!

So, I took out the trash, took a shower, ate my subway lunch, and posted this blog. I've still got a ton of stuff to read, but at least I'm getting some of it done. But now I'm paranoid that ants are going to come and get me.

Different Semester...Same Problems...Sort Of

2009-01-08T23:45:00.003-06:00

So, I haven't got my loan check. Surprised? I'm not. Now, it's not going to be as long as it was last semester (I'm going to have it no later than Wednesday, I think), but this is ridiculous! I need my books! I had to use, like, half my paycheck to get like, three of them. Of like, 10 or more! All costing out the ass! This is ridiculous! If I was that loose with my money on books--and trust me, I love me some books--I would have bought the Special Editions of Harry Potter with the extra art in them instead of the regular old hardbacks. Jeez! Well, that's all from me!

Addition to '09 Pub Challenge

2009-01-06T20:50:00.003-06:00

In addition, to Vampire Hunter D Volume 12: Pale Fallen Angels (not pictured), I'll be reading Charlaine Harris's next Sookie Stackhouse novel, Dead and Gone. I'm looking foward to it! Out in May!

Return from the Holidays + Near Death Experience

2009-01-05T17:30:00.003-06:00

Okay, so, except for a very few things...my holidays sucked. You've got to know me. Christmas is my thing. I decorate for it, I cook for it, I use the phrase "Christmas Spirit" like it's air; I even sing Christmas songs around the house, for crying out loud!

So, this Christmas holiday started out okay. Got a little bit of snow...which made the night beautiful (It was a full moon. I regret not taking a picture). I haven't seen snow even close to that in years. I loved it. Got my shopping finished. That's where it all went wrong. I ran out of money. Seriously, I had $0 in my account. I nearly had a panic attack (because I should not have run out) in the car. If it hadn't been for Mom and Preston, I would have had fees to pay for. And I might still. I have to check. If I do...I'm just screwed. More on that later.

So then, Christmas Eve shows up. The plans that Mom has made, she breaks. Our water pipes are busted and we aren't able to fix them until after Christmas, and one of our electrical breakers are busted. We open our gifts (my sister tactlessly counting that she has less than me). On Christmas Day, the day of our big meal, my mother has a stomach virus or food poisoning or something. This lasts until, like, the 27th or 28th. Oh, and did I forget to mention that I pulled a muscle in my back while decorating the house? Yeah, well, I did.

Preston fixes the water, Mom gets to feeling better, Dad gets the dirt on Laura, and everything is looking up. I go to New Years with my friends. My muscle injury (probably worse than a pull) starts to act up. Then, the muscles along my spine start seizing up and unseizing so suddenly and painfully that each time, it knocks the breath out of me.

So, finally, I get to return to my Fortress of Semi-Solitude. The dorm. Things are bloody fantastic! I love the dorm! And then...my computer won't turn on. Won't even try to turn on. I have no f@$king computer. So, instead of waiting for Mom and Dad's income tax so they can help me buy I laptop...I have to fork out the funds all on my lonesome. I'm still asking for the money from them. I need it. Oh, and my battery charger died. So, no more AAA batteries for you, Mr. MP3 Player.

My back is still hurting like a bitch. And as for my near death experience? Kind of funny actually. Slinky asked me if I wanted to try a hazel nut. Since I had never really tried one before, I said yeah. Within seconds, my tongue started to itch and my throat felt weird. I could still breath but it felt like...I don't know...like I had strep or something. She gave me an allergy pill and I'm feeling better. I've never had an allergic reaction like that before. Ah, to new experiences.

On plus sides, I got some fanfiction done. I've got to type it and post it. And I discovered that I love the show House! It's frickin' awesome!! Okay, that's all from me.

Grateful that the damn nut didn't kill me,

Trish

Holiday Follow-Up

2008-12-01T18:55:00.002-06:00

Okay, so nothing got done over Thanksgiving Day holiday. I caught up on none of my homework. I didn't get to decorate the house--save for the tree...more on that later. I was driven crazy by my relatives. Typical house stuff.

Tues. went off without a hitch. Mom didn't get to apply for the tax advance, so any real Black Friday shopping was nixed--safe for Russellville Wal-Mart...ooo, fun. She's doing that this upcoming Tues. Long story there...I'm gonna skip right over it.

I'm finally coming up with Christmas list...

I saw Twilight on Saturday instead of Wednesday, which was fun. I didn't get to sleep in, like, at all over the holiday. Man, am I pissed about that.

Oh, and shopping with the those that I was shopping with...enough to make you go on a shooting spree.

As for the decorating of the house, half our ornaments are missing and Mom doesn't know where they are at. And these are precious ornaments that we've had since before I've been born. I got really depressed Sunday, half-assed the tree, and absolutely refused to decorate any more until they've been found. I was so completely depressed I didn't talk at all to Preston on the way to Florence.

So, that's my holiday in a nutshell. Oh, boy, I can't wait till Christmas!!

You Know You're a Geek When...Part II

2008-11-24T20:14:00.002-06:00

13. You proudly post a list of Geek traits (thanks, Slink!)
14. You say LOL, ROFLMAO, etc. in general conversation (thanks, Savvy!)
15. You use fanfiction terms and expect everyone to know what you're talking about (i.e. slash, ship, fanon, flamer, etc.)
16. You wish your favorite fictional characters "Happy Birthday!" on specified date, if that knowledge exists (i.e. Snape's B-Day= Jan. 9!)
17. You are currently participating in two forum RPGs and particpate in tag-team posting.
18. You chat with someone, via online messenger, with someone who is in the very same room.
19. You know what 42 means.
20. You can sing the Darkwing Duck theme song word for word, including doing your own back-up vocals.
21. You know Negaduck lines by heart.
22. You know Joker lines by heart.
23. You know Chandler Bing lines by heart.
24. You know where "Mahna Mahna" originally came from.
26. While reading Harry Potter books 1-6, the words "Snape is evil" often started a heated debate.
27. You can dance the Time Warp.

Yet more still to come!

Tis the Season for...Eating Turkey!

2008-11-24T19:55:00.002-06:00

Okay, so I'm still behind in two (technically) of my classes, but I'm not worried. It's not really as much as I thought. And I've got time, just not that much.

I check out of my dorm at noon and I'm gone home until Sunday sometime at 1pm. And I've got a busy schedule for the holidays. It is as follows:

Tues, Nov. 25-- Check out, pick up Mom from work, prepare shopping lists, check Christmas lights, make admendments to shopping list.

Wed, Nov. 26-- Go with Mom to pick up her check, shop for rest of Thanksgiving stuff, fill out for advance on Income Tax, possibly go see Twilight

Thurs, Nov. 27-- Turkey Day! Cooking, eating, cleaning up, sleeping

Fri, Nov. 28-- Black Friday! This is the first time I'll have ever shopped on Black Friday! I'm so excited! I really get to be the aggressive shopper I am because it's actually expected on this day!

Sat, Nov. 29-- Decorate my house for Xmas. One of my favorite things to do! This means listening to Xmas music and swearing at my decorations...and planning as I go...I love it!

Sun, Nov. 30-- Pack for dorm, get back to dorm, do any remaing homework that absolutely needs to be done.

What's great about this is my exams start Dec. 5 and I can check out of my dorm on Dec. 11. I only have two actual exams--and I've got a week to work on one of them. I have a book report, of sorts, due in American History I on the day of the exam--which is comprehensive. I've got a paper (8-10 pages) due in Chaucer by the 10th. And my Creative Writing Portfolio is due on Dec. 5. I also work in between these days.

So, gotta go now. I'm at work once again. Must go check email and harrass my fellow RPGers.

Searching for People's Blogs...

2008-11-05T18:11:00.002-06:00

So, I found this one blog because it was featured on "Blogs of Note." It was really great, cuz the woman posts all these book challenges. So, then, I start to think: "Hey, maybe there's a movie challenge blog or some other challenge blog that I might like."

Have you ever tried to find blogs on this site? If you have, I need a little help. How do you do it?How do you search blogger? Hmmm...well, I'm not giving up just yet. I'm off!

Oh Yeah...I'm in College...I Guess I Forgot

2008-11-04T20:04:00.003-06:00

I"m so F**king behind in my schoolwork. Let me lay it out for you: I've got a Chaucer paper that needs a subject, TWO Linguistics tests that need finishing, and Creative Writing...stuff that needs to be done. I've done zip. Well, I've Nano-ed. That's about it. Actually, I should be doing something of that list--including NaNo--right now.

Okay, just a little mini-rant here. God, I've got so much to do...

The 2009 Pub Challenge

2008-11-04T10:02:00.002-06:00

So, I heard of it from another blog I was reading, and I thought it might be interesting. So, here's my official sign-up for it.

Thanks to those 2008 Pub challenge participants who made it a great success! I hope you’ll consider joining the 2009 Pub as well. For those who didn’t participate last year but want to read more 2009 releases, join us. New members are always welcome! The challenge lasts for all of 2009.

Here are the 2009 rules:

1) Read a minimum of 9 books first published in 2009. You don’t have to buy these. Library books, unabridged audios, or ARCs are all acceptable. To qualify as being first published in 2009, it must be the first time that the book is published in your own country. For example, if a book was published in Australia, England, or Canada in 2008, and then published in the USA in 2009, it counts (if you live in the USA). Newly published trade paperbacks and mass market paperbacks do not count if there has been a hardcover/trade published before 2009. Any questions on what qualifies? Just leave a comment here, and I’ll respond with the answer.

2) No children’s/YA titles allowed, since we’re at the ‘pub.’

3) At least 5 titles must be fiction.

4) Crossovers with other challenges are allowed.

5) You can add your titles as you go, and they may be changed at any time.

6) Sign up here: http://1morechapter.com/pub/?p=1

Have fun reading your 2009 books!

I'll post more of my books as they come, but one of which I'll be reading is Vampire Hunter D Volume 12: Pale Fallen Angels Part II, which is released sometime in March!

Writing and Such...

2008-11-03T21:25:00.002-06:00

So, it's Day 3 of Nano, and I'm at 4, 022 words. I'm planning on writing at least 2,000 more tonight. And I'm excited. I'm not showing it as much as some, but I really am. I don't feel the excitement when I step back, but when I'm in the middle of working on my baby--my beloved Dark Mistress and the Lady of Light--I can feel that old excitement and sheer delirium coursing through me. I was so happy to discover that all of the most important songs that I listened to while writing the original draft were all still on my computer.

And on top of that, I have the sudden urge to produce, like, 5 different chapters of fanfiction. A chapter of each of the following: Untested, How to Be a Dhampire, All Fall Down, Currently Untitled First Chapter of the Sequel to the "Proclaiming Love" series, and Tip of the Theological. Hmm...maybe I will. Plus still get the desired and needed word count. We'll see...

Challenges, and Schoolwork, and Life...Oh my!

2008-10-27T20:53:00.003-05:00

Okay, so NaNoWriMo is just around the corner. I need just a few more notes and a clean desk to start going...at the appropriate time, of course. Also, I heard about this reading challenge that I think I'm going to participate in. More on that later.

Schoolwork wise...I've got to get a move on with my creative writing homework. Also, I have a US History I quiz on Thurs. (not worried about that), a Chaucer paper that needs a subject, and two linguists tests that need finishing.

And life...well...I'm worried about Xmas money. I'm worried about my grades this semester. I'm planning (might as well say) my wedding to take place probably on the first weekend of November in 2010. I've figured out that to have my 4 kids and have a year to just be married to Preston, I'd have to have my first kid by the time I'm 25. People, I'm 22. I turn 23 on March 8th. I could vomit a little. I also have to make sure Preston has an apartment before my fall semester next year so I can have a place to live. I also have to get my license this summer. Not to mention a car ASAP I can after I have my license. Let's see...what else is weighing on my mind...

I might have covered it all. On a lighter note, Ren Faire this year was a blast! Ran into a lot of friends. Slink, Savvy, Preston, and myself are thinking about putting up a booth next year. I think that sounds like a great idea. Getting the space shouldn't be a problem...I'm going to do masks, oils, and whatever else I can think of. I wonder if there is a place I can get a discount if I buy a bulk of masks? Hmmm...

I'm playing Order of Eccelsia, by the way, and it's freakin' awesome! And I'm reading my newest D book! Vampires, vampires, all around me! I could squee! Speaking of which, I need to watch some True Blood tonight (Eric!!!!!). As well as some Stargate (Rodney!!!!!!). Well, gotta go. I'm about to have to start closing the LRC. Yes, I'm at work again. I'm a bad bad girl. See you!

You Know You're an English Major When...Part I

2008-10-27T20:42:00.003-05:00

Yes! Another list! So, this one's self-explanitory...

You Know You're an English Major When...

1) You can compare one of your friend's poems to Chaucer's Troilus and Creseyde (haha, Savvy)
2) You know what play--and who authored said play--that "Swear not by the moon, the inconstant moon" comes from.
3) You probably know what character spoke that line.
4) You critique almost everything you read by looking at the elements of the time that it was written in (i.e. when reading the original "The Little Mermaid" you find yourself saying, "Oh, this is so influenced by the religious beliefs of the time!"
5) You've become accustomed to picking out references to mythology in the works you read...without really even thinking about it.
6) You are floored when you hear that someone has never even read the Canterbury Tales
7) You are still floored when you meet someone who doesn't know anything about Ray Bradbury
8) If you are watching a movie based on a Shakespearean play, you often find yourself quoting lines along with the film.
9) You can act out the "thumb-biting" scene in Romeo and Juliet.
10) You find "Tartuff" hilarious.
11) You're favorite poet is long since dead.
12) You actually have a favorite poem you can quote lines from.
13) You know what the Romantics--in literary terms--focused their works around.

Just like the other list, I'm open to suggestions. Part II coming soon! For both lists!

Testing...

2008-10-24T14:29:00.002-05:00

I changed my time format...I'm testing it out...ignore this...

It's the Blogging that Never Ends...

2008-10-24T14:11:00.001-05:00

Okay, that last blog was me playing around. I thought a list of that sort might be fun. So, for a serious update on me. I'm both at peace and freaking out. How can you be both of those, you might ask...Well, I'll tell you.

My friends are all getting ready to finish up college. I've got to stay one semester longer than them. Now, because of this, they've got me thinking about the future. Which has me scared shitless. I want to go for a MFA in Creative Writing...but what if I don't get in? I need to get married before that. Which means I need to have a decent job, and my husband-to-be would need a decent job as well. I would need to apply to UAB and move to Birmingham. And that's assuming I get in. And then, what if I have to enter as an undeclared to finish up some extra courses I needed but didn't take? AND I want to have 4 kids. That means I'd have to have them pretty soon. But then, I'd need money to take care of said kids. And then, in the immediate future, I have to submit 3 to 5 poems to Lights and Shadows (our student writing magazine) by Noon this Sunday. I feel like I'm taking part in an old western dual. Me vs. the poems. Noon Sunday, right in front of the computer screen. Be there or be yella-bellied.

On the "at peace" side, my Halloween party was a success. All my friends had fun. Which is what was important to me. Slinky asked me if I had fun at my own party. In truth, yes, I did. But that was because that, for all the anxiety it caused me, I loved setting it up. And all my friends had fun. That sealed the fun deal for me. And everyone loved my potato casserole. Couldn't be happier. Really. And now Ren Faire (haha) is this weekend. Followed by Halloween and NaNoWriMo. I can't wait!! Then, with my next paycheck, I can start Xmas shopping. All my friends know how I love that. Well, I'm gone. I'm at work. And I've already played on this internet too much. I'll post later. Bye!

You Know You're a Geek When...Part I

2008-10-24T14:01:00.001-05:00

Everyone's got these lists, but I've decided to do one of my own. Now, these are in no particular order. Just as they come to me. And, it's "Part I" cause I'm sure I'll come back and add some later.

You Know You're a Geek When...

1. Someone calls you a geek and you thank them.
2. In turn, someone calls you a nerd and you correct them.
3. You refer to the local Renaissance Festival as "Ren Faire" cause it's shorter and sounds cool.
4. You attend said festival every year, without fail.
5. You dress up every year, without fail.
6. You have a particular video game whose music you can hear and know exactly where it was played in the game.
7. You can quote "Friends" and know exactly what episode the line came from.
8. You can name more than 1 vampire you absolutely love.
9. You can probably give all those vampires personal stats, if you wanted to: i.e. when they were born, when they were sired, how many slayers they've killed, etc.
10. You used the term "sire" when talking about characters becoming vampires.
11. You consider yourself "the" source on a certain fictional character(s).
12. You laugh at historical jokes because you honestly find them funny.

And there's more. We all know there are. I'm open for suggestions. See ya!

Anxiety Moments

2008-10-11T21:43:00.000-05:00

So, it's a little less than a week until my Halloween Party. (It would have been exactly a week from 7pm tonight.) I'm in panic mode. I don't feel like I have enough done. I'm shopping for like, everything tomorrow. Food, the rest of the decorations, EVERYTHING! *sigh*

In good news, I have everything for my costume together. I just need to spray paint my hairclip (black, of course). I didn't order that dress. They didn't have it in my size. However, I'm using my black V-neck (a deep V) with a red petticoat (that I got from Amazon in great time; should really go leave some good feedback for those guys) underneath. I'm wearing long black gloves (which is a story I'm SO not getting into right now) with red bracelets on each wrist. I'll have a red feather in my hear, and I'm wearing my black leather boots. Savvy and Slinky are going to pin my dress up a bit in the back to show a little more of the petticoat. I've got my red fangs. I'm going as Saloon Girl/Owner vampire, by the way. As for girl, let's just say that I'm thanking God that I love Gothic looking stuff.

On top of this, I'm decorating my sister's mask. It's almost done. All I've got to do is add the little clear jewels under the eyes. She better appreciate the work. Savvy's doing her hair. She doesn't know this yet.

I'll be cooking/baking from the 16th onto the day of the party. I'll be decorating from the butt-crack of dawn on the 18th. Well, I've got to go. Lots to do. I haven't even mentioned my school work. *sigh* Bye-bye.

Invitations Go Out on Monday!!

2008-09-27T18:11:00.001-05:00

FINALLY I got everything sized and cut properly for my Halloween Party invitations! I printed off 20 and have used all but 3. I bought a book of stamps about 2 weeks ago, and I'm buying printable address labels tomorrow when I grocery shopping. I'm on a roll! Not to mention I finally got done the list of all the ingredients I'll need for the party. I'm getting there.

I still haven't ordered my dress. I need to know my size...and I'm not sure. I could go ahead and order the rest of it (it's one size fits all), but that'll cost me more in shipping when it all comes down to it. I'm going to try and stop by the mall tomorrow to see if I can skip shipping altogether on some of the stuff. I know what my outfit will look like...now I need to figure out what my mask will look like. I should try to look up some masks on Google or something. And I need shoes. I own, like, 7 or 8 different boots, but I'm know sure if I want to wear any of them. Hmmm....decisions.

Well, I'm off. See you!

Still Not Enough Time, But Doin' Better

2008-09-26T16:59:00.000-05:00

Well, I dropped my History of the Balkans class. I decided that, of all my classes--which all, at different points, require alot of work--that was the one I could spare. It was an elective in my History minor. So, I dropped it. I was so nervous! You have to go to the instructor of the class directly and first to get their signature before you can drop it. I had to get up at 8am Thursday, walk across campus, and wait outside his door until he showed up. My mouth and throat were dry and that + nervousness = nearly throwing up. I gagged three times on my way over. I think I may have anxiety issues. Which would be my luck. However, the professor was really cool about it. He totally understood. I relaxed a great deal after that. The W period doesn't end here until Oct. 20, so I got no hassle from the Registar's Office either. Big load off my shoulders. Plus, more free time to do other things (i.e. other classwork, Halloween Party work, sleeping, and various other fun things).

My classes have sort of given me a break this weekend. The only thing due in Monday is some critiques on poems (btw, this monday is the first time my poems are going to be critiqued. Wish me luck! I'm so scared that no one is going to like them!) and my take home test (nope, still not done. However, the teacher is really lax on deadlines, so that's a plus.) Tuesday I have a US History I test, but I couldn't be less worried about that thing. It's mostly multiple choice and it's a sophomore/freshman level class. Plus he gave us a "terms to study" sheet. Sheesh. There's a huge part of me that loves that class as well as hates it. Well, dislike. Can't hate a class that easy.

So, what am I doing this weekend? Well, tonight I making myself some BBQ chicken pizza (let's hope that turns out well), FINALLY finishing up those invites, making so many lists it's not even funny, writing (for me!), printing out those poems for CW (which I may or may not critique tonight), cleaning the room, and watching SGA at 9pm. And then I'm going to bed early (earlier than I usually do) to get up at 6:30 to go with Preston to get my hair cut. Then I'm going to do my normal Sunday routine. Which I'll spare you.

Well, I'm off. This blog is actually on my list of things to do tonight, so check that off! Go me! I feel so accomplished (not really)! Love to all!

So Much to Do And Never Enough Time

2008-09-23T21:34:00.001-05:00

Isn't that the truth? I've got to put up at least three poems (well, two, at least, but I'm aiming for three) for my Creative Writing class. I think I'm putting up a revised version of my very first poem. I've got a 5-7 page paper due for History of Balkans and the exam the following week in that class is three identifies (a paragraph each) and an essay. I've got a quiz tomorrow in Chaucer. I've got to have poems critiqued for CW class by tomorrow. I've got a Linguists test I haven't finished yet (it's a take-home test). About the only class I'm not really worried about is American History I. So, how much of this have I got finished? Zlich. Nada. Nothing. The Big Zip.

Also, I've still got to print and send the invatiations to my Halloween Party, order my costume, finish shopping for the decorations, make a list of all the need ingrediants for the foodstuffs, shop for the foodstuffs, make the foodstuffs, make sure I get all the RSVPs in time, finish setting up the games, and I'm sure many more things. How much of this have I got finished? See answer above.

And I don't even want to get into my Xmas shopping. Nope. Not going there.

So, what am I going to do right this moment in time? I'll tell you. I'm going to take my happy ass over and post on Girls' Night Out, an RPG I'm playing on.

Speaking of that, there is this noob that has been posting....HORRIBLY INCORRECTLY on that RPG. He hasn't read the rules, he hasn't done what's been asked of him, hasn't even responded to my OOC comments directed towards him. People, I'm the Adminstrator of the forum that Girls Night is in. Yeah. He deliberate ingorned the admin. So I banned him. My fellow RPGers were so happy, they were making plans to back me up if he intended to start flaming me. They hated this kid just as much as I do. One RPGer actually printed out the OOC that I wrote that told him of his current banned status and duct taped it to my dorm door. It's still there. I'm proud of it. Now, I'm justing waiting for his response. Well, actually, I'm gonna go post. See you!

Follow-Up and Accidents

2008-08-30T13:16:00.001-05:00

Following up on my last post, Edamerica has again bumped the disbursment date to Sept. 4. This is getting so ridiculous that even the director of our fianacial aid department emailed us, telling us this date. Even he sounded skeptical! Now, generally, I'm a kind person. Sept. 4 is the last straw. If I don't have money by Sept. 4, I'm changing lenders. Up yours, Edamerica!

Do you know that this is making local news? I didn't. Not until last night, anway.

Anyhow, on a much more positive note: my friends and family are so helpful right now. My mother deposited $50 into my account (money she's owes me, but I know she could really use) just because she thought it could help. I mentioned my fiance helping me with groceries, well, he's also getting me the ink I need now. And then, last night, I got a telephone call from my Dad telling me that I didn't have to worry about paying him back and that, if he could help, he would. I also mentioned my timesharing two books with two of my friends. Well, one of them had previously offered to loan me the cash for my books. I don't want to accept not knowing when I could pay her back. But, guys, all of you, I LOVE YOU SO MUCH! All of you, even a few I haven't mentioned, because I know they would help if they could.

Now on a less positive note, but slightly funny one: My dad had an accident at work. My mom called and tell me about it. He lost two of his fingertips and they've got him at home for 4-6 weeks and drugged up. Now, nothing about that is funny, don't misunderstand me. I cried when I first heard about it. What the funny part is is that right before my mom told me exactly what his accident entailed (i.e. the lost fingertips), she said, and I quote, "He's all right. He's fine." Fine? Fine in my book does not constitute the lost of two fingertips, Mom! But I guess it could have been worse, so I'm just glad he's alive.

Well, that's it for now. I'm off to write. Channel my fury and relief into much needed prose and poetry! Tootles!

Of Chaucer and Student Loans...

2008-08-28T00:23:00.000-05:00

Little introductory note I missed: I'm engaged....I know, it's bad I forgot to mention it. But I think the reason is that I've been engaged for years now, dating him for longer, and he is just so much a part of my daily life that I assume most people who know me know that. And most who will actually read this blog do.

Anyway, on to what I'm actually blogging about. Today was a bad day. Not horrible. Could have been worse. But definitely not good. Of course, school has been, generally, a mixture of good and bad. My classes and teachers this semester--thankfully--have fallen into the good category. However, I do have to translate Middle English to read my Chaucer homework. Makes my head want to explode, but is also kinda fun. Linguists turned my brain to mush, but when I step back, I really get what's going on. Teachers for both those classes are great! Creative writing is so much fun and so challenging (in a great way)! I started working on my history minor, and it's great. I feel a little old in my US History I class. Sometimes, I get a little lost in some of my classes. Now let me move onto the bad and tell you why...

Edamerica, the lender I get my student loan through, keeps bumping further away the disbursment of money to my school. They say that they are having trouble getting it to the school. First it was the 7th of August. Then the 15th. Then the 28th (tomorrow). But when I emailed Edamerica, they said mid to late September. This won't do. All in all I have to have like 9-10 books. I have 2. I'm time-sharing--thanks to my two glorious friends--2 more of them. Difficulty? Yes. Am I pissed? Like you wouldn't believe.

Thanks to the delay of the loan, I have to use my fiance's help to get groceries. I can't afford a $10 black ink refill that I desperately need for Creative writing. It all just sucks. Well, that was my bitch fit. I'm gone.

Life, the Trishverse, and Everything

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2011: Early Round-Up

It Has Begun

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Wishlist Announcement!

Lookin' Up AKA Writing Update AKA Schedule

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Spin Me Right Round, Baby, Right Round Like a Record

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Book Giveaway!

Deviantart Question

Spoiler Alert!

A Huge Relief

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Tonight, Brought to You by Outlining

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Back to School with a Skip and a Jump

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Update on my Fanfiction Goal

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23 and Guess What's on My Brain...?

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I Hate Simon Belmont

Ecstasy in the Form of a Laptop

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No Official Job