Woke up, put on clothes, went to work.
Lori sent along this link to a story about a truck full of nine million bees overturning. I smell a summer blockbuster in this. (No "buzz" jokes, please.)
6/16/2004
6/15/2004
6/14/2004
6/13/2004
Woke up, put clothes on, didn't go to work.
Sarah did a great write-up on last night's excursion, during which she and Valerie were kind enough to humor my appreciation of kitsch. They left out the part where I yelled, "Hi, Mr. Carter!" to Aaron's dad and he responded with a wave.
I'm trying desperately to get the first half of novel 3 into better shape. It's been a long journey, and it could still use a lot of revisions. I think I have to start shaping part 2 for a while instead. This thing will never get done.
Sarah did a great write-up on last night's excursion, during which she and Valerie were kind enough to humor my appreciation of kitsch. They left out the part where I yelled, "Hi, Mr. Carter!" to Aaron's dad and he responded with a wave.
I'm trying desperately to get the first half of novel 3 into better shape. It's been a long journey, and it could still use a lot of revisions. I think I have to start shaping part 2 for a while instead. This thing will never get done.
6/12/2004
Woke up, put on clothes, didn't go to work. I have an article in the New Jersey section of the New York Times tomorrow (Sunday), but you can only get it if you live in Joisey.
I found out that at Tuesday's reading (which begins at 7 p.m.), each of us will read a question at the end related to our story, and the winner will get a prize.
I found out that at Tuesday's reading (which begins at 7 p.m.), each of us will read a question at the end related to our story, and the winner will get a prize.
6/11/2004
Woke up, put on clothes, went to work.
Read The Illuminated Donkey one day because he's nice enough to link to me. (It's not about politics.)
Read The Illuminated Donkey one day because he's nice enough to link to me. (It's not about politics.)
6/10/2004
6/09/2004
6/08/2004
Woke up, put on clothes, went to work.
Walking back from trivia with hosts Jon and Valerie, a guy passed us who looked famous. "He looks like Eliot Gould" I said. Three seconds later, Valerie said, "There's Jude Law." She said it very calmly and I thought she was joking. Then I looked and Jude Law was standing on the corner of Sixth Avenue and Ninth Street, having a conversation with a short blonde woman. No one was bothering them or even noticing them. He looked really good. His hair was dyed blonde. I was excited because I never notice celebrities in NY...unless I'm with other people.
Ned Vizzini has posted more info about the June 15 reading (next Tuesday). He will also be appearing on the Today Show next month...wow!
Walking back from trivia with hosts Jon and Valerie, a guy passed us who looked famous. "He looks like Eliot Gould" I said. Three seconds later, Valerie said, "There's Jude Law." She said it very calmly and I thought she was joking. Then I looked and Jude Law was standing on the corner of Sixth Avenue and Ninth Street, having a conversation with a short blonde woman. No one was bothering them or even noticing them. He looked really good. His hair was dyed blonde. I was excited because I never notice celebrities in NY...unless I'm with other people.
Ned Vizzini has posted more info about the June 15 reading (next Tuesday). He will also be appearing on the Today Show next month...wow!
6/07/2004
Two people e-mailed me to say they were horrified that our teacher asked who our parents voted for. She didn't mean anything by it...she just wanted to point out that our class mirrored the rest of the U.S.
Do you say "soda" or "pop"? Doog passed along this great link. (I say soda.)
Do you say "soda" or "pop"? Doog passed along this great link. (I say soda.)
6/06/2004
A Reagan memory.
I'm in fourth grade. First week in November, 1980. I come into homeroom that morning, Mrs. Fierro's class, and head to the alcove where we hang our coats. A bunch of kids surround me and say, "Who did your parents vote for?"
My mom voted for John Anderson the previous day, and my Dad voted for Jimmy Carter. Both lost to Reagan. "Anderson," I tell the kids. They run away.
When class settles in, Mrs. Fierro asks for a show of hands. "How many people's parents voted for Reagan?" she asks. A lot of hands go up.
"How many people's parents voted for Carter?" she asks. A few hands go up.
"How many people's parents voted for Anderson?"
Only little Paul W.'s hand goes up. I keep mine down. I've done enough things to get me picked on already.
The girl next to me looks at me, her eyes narrow. "You said your parents voted for Anderson," she hisses.
"No, my dad voted for Carter," I whisper back.
Okay, so I was a wimp. But what do you expect? It was fourth grade. I had to eat lunch with those kids and get picked last by them in gym, so the less I was in the public eye, the better!
I'm in fourth grade. First week in November, 1980. I come into homeroom that morning, Mrs. Fierro's class, and head to the alcove where we hang our coats. A bunch of kids surround me and say, "Who did your parents vote for?"
My mom voted for John Anderson the previous day, and my Dad voted for Jimmy Carter. Both lost to Reagan. "Anderson," I tell the kids. They run away.
When class settles in, Mrs. Fierro asks for a show of hands. "How many people's parents voted for Reagan?" she asks. A lot of hands go up.
"How many people's parents voted for Carter?" she asks. A few hands go up.
"How many people's parents voted for Anderson?"
Only little Paul W.'s hand goes up. I keep mine down. I've done enough things to get me picked on already.
The girl next to me looks at me, her eyes narrow. "You said your parents voted for Anderson," she hisses.
"No, my dad voted for Carter," I whisper back.
Okay, so I was a wimp. But what do you expect? It was fourth grade. I had to eat lunch with those kids and get picked last by them in gym, so the less I was in the public eye, the better!
6/05/2004
Woke up, put on clothes, didn't go to work. Did some revising.
My psychic powers were correct on Ronald Reagan; if you didn't know what the end of my May 16 entry meant, now you know:
>>Oh, on another note, my psychic powers predict a final run for The Gipper very very soon. Enough on that.
May 16 is also the entry that has info on my June 15 reading with Jeff Somers, Jackie Corley and Ned Vizzini.
My psychic powers were correct on Ronald Reagan; if you didn't know what the end of my May 16 entry meant, now you know:
>>Oh, on another note, my psychic powers predict a final run for The Gipper very very soon. Enough on that.
May 16 is also the entry that has info on my June 15 reading with Jeff Somers, Jackie Corley and Ned Vizzini.
6/04/2004
6/03/2004
6/02/2004
Woke pu, tup on clothes, went to krow.
I am looking for an inexpensive laptop, maybe reconditioned, for my brother. If you have a line on where to get them, or know anyone getting rid of used ones that work well and have built-in modems, please e-mail me at lizzner@aol.com. I already know about powermax.
I am looking for an inexpensive laptop, maybe reconditioned, for my brother. If you have a line on where to get them, or know anyone getting rid of used ones that work well and have built-in modems, please e-mail me at lizzner@aol.com. I already know about powermax.
6/01/2004
NJWT writes:
You said, "The point was that a typical right-wing argument is that if you help people, there's no 'incentive for them to work hard.'"
And Dawn said, "I don't think it's right to write off a whole group of people as heartless because they have conservative beliefs. Most conservatives..... just believe it should be as part of programs that give them an incentive to work, and not mere handouts"
So in other words, you were right, but hypothetically it's wrong to generalize.
You said, "The point was that a typical right-wing argument is that if you help people, there's no 'incentive for them to work hard.'"
And Dawn said, "I don't think it's right to write off a whole group of people as heartless because they have conservative beliefs. Most conservatives..... just believe it should be as part of programs that give them an incentive to work, and not mere handouts"
So in other words, you were right, but hypothetically it's wrong to generalize.
5/31/2004
Woke up, put clothes on, didn't go to work.
Dawn responded to my anti-right-wing comment. Since I don't like when other people generalize about liberal beliefs, I figured it was only fair to print her responses to my generalizations, and a follow up. (Note: Her blog is worth reading today just for the Eternal Sunshine story - that's pretty amazing!)
DAWN: "I just read your blog. Coincidentally, I volunteered yesterday morning too, partly because I thought volunteers would be more needed on a holiday weekend. I know what you mean in that many right-wingers seem to err on the side of harshness with regard to the poor. However, I don't think it's right to write off a whole group of people as heartless because they have conservative beliefs.
Only a tiny percentage of people volunteer, period. Lefties may claim to care about the poor, but all that apparent concern doesn't add up to much if they don't act on it and give of themselves when they can.
Rather than distinguishing between conservatives and liberals, saying conservatives are heartless and liberals care, I think it's better to simply point out the importance of actually doing something for those less fortunate, regardless of what philosophy one proclaims."
MY RESPONSE: "I agree. The point wasn't that I volunteered, though. The point was that a typical right-wing argument is that if you help people, there's no 'incentive for them to work hard.' This is such a ridiculous argument because obviously the incentive to work hard is that you can afford good things and not have to eat in a soup kitchen or live according to other people's will."
DAWN: "I know the volunteer thing wasn't your point, but I think that's a gross oversimplification of right-wing arguments. Sure, there are ultraconservatives, or libertarians like [names bleeped], who don't believe the government should give any humanitarian aid. But most conservatives would agree that the poor, or at least the very poor, should receive some sort of help. They just believe it should be as part of programs that give them an incentive to work, and not mere handouts--save for things like disaster and emergency aid. It's better for charities to be in the business of handouts and government to be in the business of getting people on their feet."
Well, that was some donated food for thought.
I also meant a few days ago to print Jon K. the Writer's responses to one of my entries, but I didn't get around to it. So until I do, check out his writing at www.rumored.com.
Dawn responded to my anti-right-wing comment. Since I don't like when other people generalize about liberal beliefs, I figured it was only fair to print her responses to my generalizations, and a follow up. (Note: Her blog is worth reading today just for the Eternal Sunshine story - that's pretty amazing!)
DAWN: "I just read your blog. Coincidentally, I volunteered yesterday morning too, partly because I thought volunteers would be more needed on a holiday weekend. I know what you mean in that many right-wingers seem to err on the side of harshness with regard to the poor. However, I don't think it's right to write off a whole group of people as heartless because they have conservative beliefs.
Only a tiny percentage of people volunteer, period. Lefties may claim to care about the poor, but all that apparent concern doesn't add up to much if they don't act on it and give of themselves when they can.
Rather than distinguishing between conservatives and liberals, saying conservatives are heartless and liberals care, I think it's better to simply point out the importance of actually doing something for those less fortunate, regardless of what philosophy one proclaims."
MY RESPONSE: "I agree. The point wasn't that I volunteered, though. The point was that a typical right-wing argument is that if you help people, there's no 'incentive for them to work hard.' This is such a ridiculous argument because obviously the incentive to work hard is that you can afford good things and not have to eat in a soup kitchen or live according to other people's will."
DAWN: "I know the volunteer thing wasn't your point, but I think that's a gross oversimplification of right-wing arguments. Sure, there are ultraconservatives, or libertarians like [names bleeped], who don't believe the government should give any humanitarian aid. But most conservatives would agree that the poor, or at least the very poor, should receive some sort of help. They just believe it should be as part of programs that give them an incentive to work, and not mere handouts--save for things like disaster and emergency aid. It's better for charities to be in the business of handouts and government to be in the business of getting people on their feet."
Well, that was some donated food for thought.
I also meant a few days ago to print Jon K. the Writer's responses to one of my entries, but I didn't get around to it. So until I do, check out his writing at www.rumored.com.
5/30/2004
5/29/2004
I just realized something funny about one of the Amazon reviews of my 2nd book. Read this sentence carefully:
There's a lot to like in this appealing novel about a young window getting back into the social swing.
I guess I wanted to write about pane.
"Fascination" by the Human League just came on the radio. It reminds me of a summer in the '80s when the song was on the bus radio as I was being taken to a new day camp for the first time, looking around at all the kids. I think I could hear any song from the early '80s and have some sort of short (and probably mundane) memory of where I was when I was listening to it. I imagine I'm not alone.
There's a lot to like in this appealing novel about a young window getting back into the social swing.
I guess I wanted to write about pane.
"Fascination" by the Human League just came on the radio. It reminds me of a summer in the '80s when the song was on the bus radio as I was being taken to a new day camp for the first time, looking around at all the kids. I think I could hear any song from the early '80s and have some sort of short (and probably mundane) memory of where I was when I was listening to it. I imagine I'm not alone.
Woke up, put on clothes, didn't go to work.
Conversation I heard at a New York City street fair:
MAN: What language are you speaking?
BEARDED VENDOR: Hebrew. I'm Jewish.
MAN: You look like Allah.
BEARDED VENDOR: I'm not fucking Allah.
This morning I volunteered at a pretty well-run soup kitchen in NY for a few hours. They need more people on a holiday weekend, esp. at the end of the month when gov't checks run out and people are hungrier. My job was to stand by the door and help give away some extra food that had been donated. Doing this, I clearly saw the right-wing side of things -- I mean, what's the incentive for anyone to work when they can take home three cans of sardines, a bottle of no-frills apple juice, and powdered milk without even lifting a finger?! What are we trying to do, make everything equal? (Note: Heavy sarcasm at work.)
Conversation I heard at a New York City street fair:
MAN: What language are you speaking?
BEARDED VENDOR: Hebrew. I'm Jewish.
MAN: You look like Allah.
BEARDED VENDOR: I'm not fucking Allah.
This morning I volunteered at a pretty well-run soup kitchen in NY for a few hours. They need more people on a holiday weekend, esp. at the end of the month when gov't checks run out and people are hungrier. My job was to stand by the door and help give away some extra food that had been donated. Doing this, I clearly saw the right-wing side of things -- I mean, what's the incentive for anyone to work when they can take home three cans of sardines, a bottle of no-frills apple juice, and powdered milk without even lifting a finger?! What are we trying to do, make everything equal? (Note: Heavy sarcasm at work.)
5/27/2004
We are having quite the thunderstorm outside now. Looks like flash flooding should be expected.
I listed below the location of the June 15 reading.
I originally thought the streaking-at-the-carhop scene was in American Graffiti, because that's what someone told me a few days ago, but I watched the movie and didn't see it. That's why I'm trying to figure out which movie it was in. (It's for something I'm writing, that I'll tell you about when it comes out.)
Crack-crack-crack. Mother Nature is angry tonight. Laws, yes.
I listed below the location of the June 15 reading.
I originally thought the streaking-at-the-carhop scene was in American Graffiti, because that's what someone told me a few days ago, but I watched the movie and didn't see it. That's why I'm trying to figure out which movie it was in. (It's for something I'm writing, that I'll tell you about when it comes out.)
Crack-crack-crack. Mother Nature is angry tonight. Laws, yes.
5/25/2004
Today I got the best subject head I ever got from someone who liked Carrie Pilby:
SUBJ: just your run of the mill ego enlarging fan letter
In other news, as predicted, Anonymous responded to my post about women being called 'crazy.' Then he took it down after women didn't find it funny.
SUBJ: just your run of the mill ego enlarging fan letter
In other news, as predicted, Anonymous responded to my post about women being called 'crazy.' Then he took it down after women didn't find it funny.
I tend to be the least intellectual person in the room. The other day, I took a walking tour of Dorothy Parker's old haunts, and afterwards there was a small lunch at the Algonquin. Some people were talking about Dorothy's friends hanging out in speakeasies, and several people said that Prohibition was the dumbest thing ever.
"That's how the mob made their money," one woman said.
"And the Kennedys," said another.
"And Bo and Luke Duke," I added.
Eleven of the twelve people just stared at me. The twelfth laughed.
You know what? The other 11 were just damn culturally illiterate.
"That's how the mob made their money," one woman said.
"And the Kennedys," said another.
"And Bo and Luke Duke," I added.
Eleven of the twelve people just stared at me. The twelfth laughed.
You know what? The other 11 were just damn culturally illiterate.
5/24/2004
5/23/2004
Woke up, got dressed, didn't go to work.
A few random thoughts or experiences I had today...
1. How come, with all the advances in computing, no one has come up with a way to unsend an e-mail? AOL lets you do it with mail to other AOL accounts (and thank God, considering the ones I've had second thoughts about...). A friend of mine who was a programmer explained why to me a few years ago, but it still seems to me that they could create kind of a rubberband that allows you to yank your e-mail back if you decide to unsend it.
2. Whenever I think I see someone famous in NY, I always doubt myself because it seems to me that if someone were really famous, they would not be in the same geographic square as me.
3. Whenever a man tells me that his ex-girlfriend, or any woman, is crazy, it generally just means she liked him more than he liked her. I never hear women saying their boyfriends or ex-boyfriends are crazy unless the men out-and-out stalked them or threatened them with violence. But I hear from guys about "crazy" women all the time. If a woman is "crazy" doesn't that just mean she got very emotional about something (like a breakup?) Even if it's Alanis Morisette-grade emotional, does that mean you're "crazy"?
(I'm sure I'll hear it from both the Anonymous Blogger AND the Blogette on this one.)
4. If you take the Monorail from Newark Airport out to the new Amtrak/NJ Transit train stop to Penn Station, and you look out the window, you can see the men in the state prison playing basketball outside.
5. Today I saw a fat girl wearing a t-shirt that said, across her breasts, "Hey, I'm up HERE!" with an arrow pointing to her head. An hour later, I saw a boy in a gray shirt that said, "Stop reading my shirt." I liked that one better.
6. I think that's all the clutter in my mind right now. Thank you.
A few random thoughts or experiences I had today...
1. How come, with all the advances in computing, no one has come up with a way to unsend an e-mail? AOL lets you do it with mail to other AOL accounts (and thank God, considering the ones I've had second thoughts about...). A friend of mine who was a programmer explained why to me a few years ago, but it still seems to me that they could create kind of a rubberband that allows you to yank your e-mail back if you decide to unsend it.
2. Whenever I think I see someone famous in NY, I always doubt myself because it seems to me that if someone were really famous, they would not be in the same geographic square as me.
3. Whenever a man tells me that his ex-girlfriend, or any woman, is crazy, it generally just means she liked him more than he liked her. I never hear women saying their boyfriends or ex-boyfriends are crazy unless the men out-and-out stalked them or threatened them with violence. But I hear from guys about "crazy" women all the time. If a woman is "crazy" doesn't that just mean she got very emotional about something (like a breakup?) Even if it's Alanis Morisette-grade emotional, does that mean you're "crazy"?
(I'm sure I'll hear it from both the Anonymous Blogger AND the Blogette on this one.)
4. If you take the Monorail from Newark Airport out to the new Amtrak/NJ Transit train stop to Penn Station, and you look out the window, you can see the men in the state prison playing basketball outside.
5. Today I saw a fat girl wearing a t-shirt that said, across her breasts, "Hey, I'm up HERE!" with an arrow pointing to her head. An hour later, I saw a boy in a gray shirt that said, "Stop reading my shirt." I liked that one better.
6. I think that's all the clutter in my mind right now. Thank you.
5/22/2004
5/20/2004
Woke up, put clothes on, went to work.
Ditto for yesterday.
A lot of people misuse the word "enormity." It means extreme evil. It doesn't just mean enormousness (although my dictionary says that's an informal usage). So try not to say, "I can't even begin to describe the enormity of my feelings for you, Buck." Unless you really mean it.
I have a feeling that even the people who've used it to describe 9/11 don't know what it means, but luckily it works in context anyway.
Ditto for yesterday.
A lot of people misuse the word "enormity." It means extreme evil. It doesn't just mean enormousness (although my dictionary says that's an informal usage). So try not to say, "I can't even begin to describe the enormity of my feelings for you, Buck." Unless you really mean it.
I have a feeling that even the people who've used it to describe 9/11 don't know what it means, but luckily it works in context anyway.
5/18/2004
I got this junk e-mail today. I wish there weren't so many of these...it's going to give guys a complex.
>>Subject: Small Small Little Dicky?? LoL orders exodus
Date: Tue, 18 May 2004 05:30:04 -0400
Increase the length of your DICCKY by 2-5 full inches
Thicken ur DICCKY and make it much fuller & harder
Here is what you can expect from taking [PILL]:
WEEK 1-3: Your DICCKY will experience greater and longer lasting erec--tion and a noticeable increase in thickness
WEEK 4-8: Your DICCKY will have grown in lenngth
WEEK 9+: Your DICCKY will have taken on a new body, not just longer and thicker, but much harder & healthier
Booost ur confidennce level & selff-esteem
Screw ur lover like never before
>>Subject: Small Small Little Dicky?? LoL orders exodus
Date: Tue, 18 May 2004 05:30:04 -0400
Increase the length of your DICCKY by 2-5 full inches
Thicken ur DICCKY and make it much fuller & harder
Here is what you can expect from taking [PILL]:
WEEK 1-3: Your DICCKY will experience greater and longer lasting erec--tion and a noticeable increase in thickness
WEEK 4-8: Your DICCKY will have grown in lenngth
WEEK 9+: Your DICCKY will have taken on a new body, not just longer and thicker, but much harder & healthier
Booost ur confidennce level & selff-esteem
Screw ur lover like never before
5/16/2004
Woke up, put on clothes, didn't go to work, did some novel writing. (Well, really revising. Do I actually write anymore?)
The reading I'm participating in on Tuesday, June 15 involves summer camp stories. It should be fun. Other writers participating are Jeff Somers, who writes short stories, wrote a novel called Lifers, and has a really funny and self-referential zine; Jackie Corley, whose on-line lit mag and publishing efforts are doing wonders for up-and-coming writers, and it's hosted by young writer Ned Vizzini, who happens to have garnered a positive "Books In Brief" review of his novel Be More Chill in the NY Times today.
I was lucky enough to hear a panel of non-fiction writers from my alma mater yesterday as part of alumni activities, people who I really admire whose journalistic efforts have made lives better, so it was a good writerly weekend.
Oh, on another note, my psychic powers predict a final run for The Gipper very very soon. Enough on that.
The reading I'm participating in on Tuesday, June 15 involves summer camp stories. It should be fun. Other writers participating are Jeff Somers, who writes short stories, wrote a novel called Lifers, and has a really funny and self-referential zine; Jackie Corley, whose on-line lit mag and publishing efforts are doing wonders for up-and-coming writers, and it's hosted by young writer Ned Vizzini, who happens to have garnered a positive "Books In Brief" review of his novel Be More Chill in the NY Times today.
I was lucky enough to hear a panel of non-fiction writers from my alma mater yesterday as part of alumni activities, people who I really admire whose journalistic efforts have made lives better, so it was a good writerly weekend.
Oh, on another note, my psychic powers predict a final run for The Gipper very very soon. Enough on that.
5/14/2004
Woke up, put clothes on, went to work.
Howard Stern was funny today (I'm one of the people who started listening again now that he's pissed off at Bush). He was setting up a "family feud" this morning with a gay-hating family vs. as he put it, "actual gay people." The gay-hating family is protesting a play about Matthew Shepard. A girl in the family said, "He was trolling in bars for sex." Artie Lange responded, "Everyone who's heterosexual does that."
Howard Stern was funny today (I'm one of the people who started listening again now that he's pissed off at Bush). He was setting up a "family feud" this morning with a gay-hating family vs. as he put it, "actual gay people." The gay-hating family is protesting a play about Matthew Shepard. A girl in the family said, "He was trolling in bars for sex." Artie Lange responded, "Everyone who's heterosexual does that."
5/13/2004
This country's politics are becoming increasingly hostile, which is good because it means people care. It's also frustrating that people can be so far apart on such visceral issues. I can undestand why, though -- lives are at stake. Those who really believe abortion is murder can't just sit by and allow it. Those who believe people aren't getting proper health care can't sit by and allow it, either. Those who think stem cell research saves lives can't just allow it to be blocked. Those who don't want to see their sons sent to war... Marriage is a centuries old tradition that some feel must be modified and others feel is threatened. Howard Stern is being bleeped. Out here in the Northeast, most people I meet tacitly assume that there are no Bush supporters in the room. Often, it's true. We almost forget how the rest of the country feels about issues like gay marriage until we leave our comfortable confines.
I have a simple solution. Let's just break the country in two. Bush can have his half and Kerry can have his half. The Bush half can listen to Bill O'Reilly in the morning. I could go on with this, but I have work to do.
I have a simple solution. Let's just break the country in two. Bush can have his half and Kerry can have his half. The Bush half can listen to Bill O'Reilly in the morning. I could go on with this, but I have work to do.
5/12/2004
5/11/2004
Woke up, put on clothes, went to work.
Hi.
Here's a pretty extensive article on chick-lit in Newsday. Thanks to DZ for passing it along.
Hi.
Here's a pretty extensive article on chick-lit in Newsday. Thanks to DZ for passing it along.
5/10/2004
I have elicited a larger than normal response with my comment about the term 'geographically undesirable.' Apparently, more than a few people feel that they have been rejected based on this qualification, especially via internet dating. So there are actually people who haven't met someone in the course of their normal personal lives, so they get on the internet to look, but they are still going to set severe geographical restraints on the potential love of his/her life? Stupid, stupid, stupid! What's next, rejecting people on 646 vs. 212?
5/09/2004
Woke up, put on clothes, didn't go to work.
Lori sent out an e-mail with this great website address, which is actually NOT pornographic and not what you think: www.nice-t*ts.org. Put an "i" in between the two t's; I can't write the word out because then people Googling for porn will keep finding my blog, and that's really annoying. (To them, or to me? Both.)
I got the third reader e-mail in a row from a reader who just read and really liked Pilby. She read it on vacation. Lots of people must be on vacations now or something, or just graduated from college. Before this weekend, I hadn't gotten an e-mail about Pilby in a few weeks.
I mentioned on this blog in October that many people don't get the time to do write thank-you letters. I've tried to make time to do that in a few cases, but not always. Last month, I finally had the time to sit down and write to a screenwriter whose films I've long admired, telling him my favorite lines. Those lines have meant a lot to me. The guy has been honored for decades for his work, but I still felt like chiming in anyway. He actually wrote back, something I wasn't expecting:
"Dear C.M. Lissner, Of all the beautiful words that have been written about [movie], your letter is one of the most rewarding to me. I thank you over and over again for your flattering comments." I don't know if mine was really one of the most rewarding, but I'm glad to have expressed my admiration. His movies have made ME happy.
(I felt so weird about writing a fan letter to someone famous that I actually just used my initials. I never said I was normal.)
Lori sent out an e-mail with this great website address, which is actually NOT pornographic and not what you think: www.nice-t*ts.org. Put an "i" in between the two t's; I can't write the word out because then people Googling for porn will keep finding my blog, and that's really annoying. (To them, or to me? Both.)
I got the third reader e-mail in a row from a reader who just read and really liked Pilby. She read it on vacation. Lots of people must be on vacations now or something, or just graduated from college. Before this weekend, I hadn't gotten an e-mail about Pilby in a few weeks.
I mentioned on this blog in October that many people don't get the time to do write thank-you letters. I've tried to make time to do that in a few cases, but not always. Last month, I finally had the time to sit down and write to a screenwriter whose films I've long admired, telling him my favorite lines. Those lines have meant a lot to me. The guy has been honored for decades for his work, but I still felt like chiming in anyway. He actually wrote back, something I wasn't expecting:
"Dear C.M. Lissner, Of all the beautiful words that have been written about [movie], your letter is one of the most rewarding to me. I thank you over and over again for your flattering comments." I don't know if mine was really one of the most rewarding, but I'm glad to have expressed my admiration. His movies have made ME happy.
(I felt so weird about writing a fan letter to someone famous that I actually just used my initials. I never said I was normal.)
5/08/2004
5/07/2004
Woke up, put on clothes, went to work.
I missed the Friends finale. I have trouble stomaching shows where the characters are all cute. It's like Night Court. Everyone started trying to be too cute. Spin City got a little like that with a City Hall full of people who looked like models. Bleah.
Which show had the worst-looking cast? I'd have to say Roseanne. No one was good-looking on that show. And it was fine.
Then there are shows where all the kids are good-looking, like Home Improvement and The Hogan Family. I can handle that, for some reason. I just can't take a gaggle of cute adults.
I missed the Friends finale. I have trouble stomaching shows where the characters are all cute. It's like Night Court. Everyone started trying to be too cute. Spin City got a little like that with a City Hall full of people who looked like models. Bleah.
Which show had the worst-looking cast? I'd have to say Roseanne. No one was good-looking on that show. And it was fine.
Then there are shows where all the kids are good-looking, like Home Improvement and The Hogan Family. I can handle that, for some reason. I just can't take a gaggle of cute adults.
5/06/2004
Woke up, put on clothes, went to work.
I'm participating in a reading on June 15 in NY with some really great writers! I'm honored. More details to come.
I don't always agree with Dawn, but her entry today points out something that seems a little weird. "Planned Parenthood is hellbent on teaching underage schoolkids that sex is as natural as breathing and should take even less thought," she writes. Take a look at the polychromatic innuendo-laden school supplies!
I'm participating in a reading on June 15 in NY with some really great writers! I'm honored. More details to come.
I don't always agree with Dawn, but her entry today points out something that seems a little weird. "Planned Parenthood is hellbent on teaching underage schoolkids that sex is as natural as breathing and should take even less thought," she writes. Take a look at the polychromatic innuendo-laden school supplies!
5/05/2004
Woke up, put on clothes, went to work.
Last night was fun team trivia (which takes place every Tuesday night at the Baggott Inn in the Village). People seemed to enjoy one of my general knowledge questions: "What element makes up 83 percent of the atmosphere around Uranus?"
On another note...In the 1990s, I used to read New York Press a lot, especially for columnists like Jonathan Ames and Amy Sohn. There started being occasional dispatches by a nerdy, self-deprecating bright kid who was a teenager at Stuyvesant H.S. They were pretty funny and amazingly perceptive for a teenager, so I always looked forward to them. Then when authors started getting websites, I put in different names of authors I liked, including his. A book of his essays had been published, and he had a pretty good website about it (since his first love had actually been computers more than writing). I sent an e-mail saying congrats and that I'd liked his New York Press stuff for a long time, and he was kind enough to write back. Then he sold a novel about a nerdy kid who takes a pill that tells him the right things to say to be popular in high school. I read an advance copy and it was really good - funny, perceptive, not too full of itself. The amazing thing is that while he's only 23, he manages to keep himself grounded. He's fairly savvy about pubishing and the perks and drawbacks. The novel, Be More Chill by Ned Vizzini, is coming out in June, and here's a really good interview with him on Wordriot.org, a literary mag/website edited by another amazingly perceptive young writer. I'm glad there'll be good things to read this summer.
Last night was fun team trivia (which takes place every Tuesday night at the Baggott Inn in the Village). People seemed to enjoy one of my general knowledge questions: "What element makes up 83 percent of the atmosphere around Uranus?"
On another note...In the 1990s, I used to read New York Press a lot, especially for columnists like Jonathan Ames and Amy Sohn. There started being occasional dispatches by a nerdy, self-deprecating bright kid who was a teenager at Stuyvesant H.S. They were pretty funny and amazingly perceptive for a teenager, so I always looked forward to them. Then when authors started getting websites, I put in different names of authors I liked, including his. A book of his essays had been published, and he had a pretty good website about it (since his first love had actually been computers more than writing). I sent an e-mail saying congrats and that I'd liked his New York Press stuff for a long time, and he was kind enough to write back. Then he sold a novel about a nerdy kid who takes a pill that tells him the right things to say to be popular in high school. I read an advance copy and it was really good - funny, perceptive, not too full of itself. The amazing thing is that while he's only 23, he manages to keep himself grounded. He's fairly savvy about pubishing and the perks and drawbacks. The novel, Be More Chill by Ned Vizzini, is coming out in June, and here's a really good interview with him on Wordriot.org, a literary mag/website edited by another amazingly perceptive young writer. I'm glad there'll be good things to read this summer.
5/04/2004
Furthering my New-York-snobism comments, some people have heard this phrase "geographically undesirable," which means someone who you won't date because you'd have to actually take a subway or train ride to see them. That's a good condition to put on finding the love of your life -- if you can't walk to their house, they're out of the game. Are these people stupid? Well, I haven't ever heard anyone I'm friends with use that term, but it's sad it even exists.
Woke up, put on clothes, went to work.
Sarah's blog has a great list of "How To Tell You've Been In New York City Too Long." Numbers 2, 3, 7, and 13 are true of many people. Sadly, New Yorkers pride themselves on how cultured they are, yet can't seem to leave their part of Manhattan. Grow up and stop being a provincial snob.
Thanks for the Pilby plug, by the way, Sarah. My pub co is going to be sending it out to bookstores again for the summer.
Sarah's blog has a great list of "How To Tell You've Been In New York City Too Long." Numbers 2, 3, 7, and 13 are true of many people. Sadly, New Yorkers pride themselves on how cultured they are, yet can't seem to leave their part of Manhattan. Grow up and stop being a provincial snob.
Thanks for the Pilby plug, by the way, Sarah. My pub co is going to be sending it out to bookstores again for the summer.
5/03/2004
5/02/2004
Now for a word from our sponsor. Carrie Pilby
makes a great graduation gift. Especially a college graduation gift, since it's about a recent college grad. So buy Carrie Pilby today.
makes a great graduation gift. Especially a college graduation gift, since it's about a recent college grad. So buy Carrie Pilby today.
4/30/2004
There are apparently even more things you're not supposed to give your dog. Scroll down. How did my dog even live 14 years?
Woke up, put on clothes, went to work.
Imagine if the internet had been slower to get invented. How would our lives be different right now? It's only been about seven years since most of us had e-mail (that's the year when AOL went from hourly to monthly pricing and a whole bunch more people started getting accounts.) Would you have a different job, different friends, be in a different place today? Scary, eh?
Imagine if the internet had been slower to get invented. How would our lives be different right now? It's only been about seven years since most of us had e-mail (that's the year when AOL went from hourly to monthly pricing and a whole bunch more people started getting accounts.) Would you have a different job, different friends, be in a different place today? Scary, eh?
4/29/2004
4/28/2004
Woke up, put on clothes, went to work.
Last night's winning trivia team name: "People who live in glass houses...should not live near Billy Joel."
Some fans of romance novels are discussing Starting from Square Two and chick lit in general.
Last night's winning trivia team name: "People who live in glass houses...should not live near Billy Joel."
Some fans of romance novels are discussing Starting from Square Two and chick lit in general.
4/27/2004
4/26/2004
4/24/2004
Woke up, put on clothes, didn't go to work.
The screenplays have gone to someone else in the biz. I realized that one of these scripts is something I've been working on for SEVEN years. Of all my projects, there are three stories that have been so deeply ingrained that from time to time, something would remind me of them and it would bug me that I hadn't finished and gotten them out. This script is one of the unsinkable three (its first incarnation was a failed novel). Now it's nearly out there. This is a real relief.
The screenplays have gone to someone else in the biz. I realized that one of these scripts is something I've been working on for SEVEN years. Of all my projects, there are three stories that have been so deeply ingrained that from time to time, something would remind me of them and it would bug me that I hadn't finished and gotten them out. This script is one of the unsinkable three (its first incarnation was a failed novel). Now it's nearly out there. This is a real relief.
4/23/2004
4/22/2004
Woke up, put on clothes, went to work.
A few people have asked me lately how to write a good query letter to catch an editor's or agent's attention. Here's a sample I concocted.
Dear Ms. Editor,
I'm enclosing the first three chapters of my recently completed comedic novel, UGLY IN PINK. I'm a big fan of Page Books, and I think my book would be perfect for your line.
UGLY IN PINK is a dark comedy about a not-so-great-looking 26-year-old female who goes to a Halloween party disguised as a mermaid and meets the man of her dreams - except, she has to keep dressing like a mermaid every time she dates him to satisfy his fetish. She also has an angry parrot who talks back to her and a father who runs a religious cult.
I was a journalism major at Catatonic State University and have written short stories for some time, although I work full-time as a hair dresser. My novel is approximately 310 pages.
If you would like to see the rest of UGLY IN PINK, please e-mail me at publishmeplease@desperate.com or call me at (212) 555-5555, or feel free to send a note in the enclosed stamped envelope.
A few people have asked me lately how to write a good query letter to catch an editor's or agent's attention. Here's a sample I concocted.
Dear Ms. Editor,
I'm enclosing the first three chapters of my recently completed comedic novel, UGLY IN PINK. I'm a big fan of Page Books, and I think my book would be perfect for your line.
UGLY IN PINK is a dark comedy about a not-so-great-looking 26-year-old female who goes to a Halloween party disguised as a mermaid and meets the man of her dreams - except, she has to keep dressing like a mermaid every time she dates him to satisfy his fetish. She also has an angry parrot who talks back to her and a father who runs a religious cult.
I was a journalism major at Catatonic State University and have written short stories for some time, although I work full-time as a hair dresser. My novel is approximately 310 pages.
If you would like to see the rest of UGLY IN PINK, please e-mail me at publishmeplease@desperate.com or call me at (212) 555-5555, or feel free to send a note in the enclosed stamped envelope.
4/21/2004
4/20/2004
Dan writes: I believe your predilection for Ms. Pac-man over Pac-man is rooted not in its aesthetic offerings, but in a deeply-entrenched feminist mindset that is found in bourgeois strata. It is my contention that, if you really had your way, you would spearhead a campaign to rename Ms. Pac-man “Ms. Pac-myn”. I’m sure you believe that the heavy use of symbols such as fruit in Ms. Pac-man only perpetuates the anti-feminist (i.e., Neanderthal) stereotype that the “fairer sex” prefers girly-things like fruit, while Mr. Pac-man fights off scarier monsters. It’s a game, for God’s sake. Just let it go.
Mmm....fruit....
Mmm....fruit....
Woke up, put on clothes, went to work.
I was pondering why it is that I like playing Ms. Pac-Man better than Pac-Man. I concluded that it's largely because the colors are prettier, less harsh, and brighter. So basically, the marketing geniuses who came up with altering it for girls were absolutely right. So what, though? Also, the fruit bounces around rather than staying in one place. Whatever. I can't help being a girl.
I was pondering why it is that I like playing Ms. Pac-Man better than Pac-Man. I concluded that it's largely because the colors are prettier, less harsh, and brighter. So basically, the marketing geniuses who came up with altering it for girls were absolutely right. So what, though? Also, the fruit bounces around rather than staying in one place. Whatever. I can't help being a girl.
4/19/2004
4/18/2004
4/16/2004
4/15/2004
4/14/2004
4/13/2004
4/12/2004
Anyone who thinks the "chick lit" trend in publishing must be nearing the end should take a look at the books that are still selling each week. This is from the weekly roundup of Publisher's Lunch, meaning it just sold:
"Random House editorial assistants Anne Dayton and May Vanderbilt's first novel EMILY EVER AFTER, about a young woman who works as an editorial assistant for the largest publishing company in the world, and her efforts to find career satisfaction and a fulfilling relationship, even as her faith and values are tested by the temptations of life in NYC, to Trace Murphy at Doubleday to be published in conjunction with WaterBrook Press, by Claudia Cross at Sterling Lord Literistic."
"Random House editorial assistants Anne Dayton and May Vanderbilt's first novel EMILY EVER AFTER, about a young woman who works as an editorial assistant for the largest publishing company in the world, and her efforts to find career satisfaction and a fulfilling relationship, even as her faith and values are tested by the temptations of life in NYC, to Trace Murphy at Doubleday to be published in conjunction with WaterBrook Press, by Claudia Cross at Sterling Lord Literistic."
This morning's e-mail:
Dear Friend,
I am Anthony Adams, a project manager with the FEDERAL MINISTRY OF WORKS AND HOUSING (FMWH). I obtained your email from the internet, while searching for a reliable person, who could assist us in receiving kick-backs funds from contractors awarded contracts executed under the current budgetary allocation for NDDC. These bills had been approved for payment by the concerned ministry.
I wrote back and told him that kick backs are illegal. Maybe he should have used the word "Commissions"...
Dear Friend,
I am Anthony Adams, a project manager with the FEDERAL MINISTRY OF WORKS AND HOUSING (FMWH). I obtained your email from the internet, while searching for a reliable person, who could assist us in receiving kick-backs funds from contractors awarded contracts executed under the current budgetary allocation for NDDC. These bills had been approved for payment by the concerned ministry.
I wrote back and told him that kick backs are illegal. Maybe he should have used the word "Commissions"...
4/09/2004
Since the people who normally do the Friday Five questions haven't done them today, Valerie has posted some of her own that are pretty interesting. Take a look.
ClearChannel Communications has dropped Howard Stern after being fined $495,000 by the FCC. This is a pretty big deal...I guess since this happened less than 24 hours ago, no one is reporting as of this moment what it actually means -- is he off all the radio stations he was on? Are they all owned by ClearChannel? Will he be on K-Rock Monday morning? It'll be interesting to see.
4/08/2004
4/07/2004
4/06/2004
4/05/2004
4/04/2004
4/03/2004
4/02/2004
4/01/2004
Two men in the last two weeks have guiltily confessed to me that they like the new Britney Spears song ("Toxic"). Hey, it's a neat song.
Yesterday I went to the Happy Ending reading series to hear Kyle Smith ("Love Monkey") and two other readers. Smith's book excerpt was very funny. The big surprise was a great band that kicked it off, The M Word, which has a drummer who plays a garbage can and cymbals with energy that no mere mortal should possess. I was very impressed. And they did all early-'80s songs, which was great.
Yesterday I went to the Happy Ending reading series to hear Kyle Smith ("Love Monkey") and two other readers. Smith's book excerpt was very funny. The big surprise was a great band that kicked it off, The M Word, which has a drummer who plays a garbage can and cymbals with energy that no mere mortal should possess. I was very impressed. And they did all early-'80s songs, which was great.
Thanks for all the "mazel tov" e-mails. And someone suggested "She's having my baby" as the wedding song.
In all seriousness, I did get this e-mail with the subject head "From Paris.":
"Hi,
I just find your blog... I like this recurring thing
Woke up, put clothes on, went to work
+ are your book already translated into french ?
Thierry"
In all seriousness, I did get this e-mail with the subject head "From Paris.":
"Hi,
I just find your blog... I like this recurring thing
Woke up, put clothes on, went to work
+ are your book already translated into french ?
Thierry"
Woke up, went to work, put on clothes.
Just got back from an all-night toga party so hard to blog today.
Can you believe it's supposed to snow 10 inches later?
I have to go set my radio for Bush's speech at noon...sources say it might be a resignation. If Cheney goes, too, who becomes president? I can't remember from history class.
I'm working on a novel about a bunch of codes hidden in the works of Eminem. His initials are supposed to conjure Mary Magdalene, and if you look at the tattoos on his arm, you see three of the Apostles. Also, every fourth letter in his lyrics spells out "Is there no hope for the cokehead's son."
Please do me a favor and add yourself to my enemies list at www.EnemySter.com.
The Anonymous Blogger and I are getting married tonight.
Happy April Phule's Day to one and all.
Just got back from an all-night toga party so hard to blog today.
Can you believe it's supposed to snow 10 inches later?
I have to go set my radio for Bush's speech at noon...sources say it might be a resignation. If Cheney goes, too, who becomes president? I can't remember from history class.
I'm working on a novel about a bunch of codes hidden in the works of Eminem. His initials are supposed to conjure Mary Magdalene, and if you look at the tattoos on his arm, you see three of the Apostles. Also, every fourth letter in his lyrics spells out "Is there no hope for the cokehead's son."
Please do me a favor and add yourself to my enemies list at www.EnemySter.com.
The Anonymous Blogger and I are getting married tonight.
Happy April Phule's Day to one and all.
