A Public Apology

Okay, I admit it, I am a terrible human being. I am neglectful and need to gain some consistency. I say this because I have abandoned you, my lovely readers (if you're even still there.) I can promise that I will blog more, but in all reality, I'm a little busy and my blog falls by the wayside pretty easily. So instead of empty promises, I will simply tell you that I will make an attempt (to which I will possibly fail) to pay more attention to you. And also, as the title indicates, I am sorry, dear readers. I will do my best to make it up to you. But similarly to my father, I will probably disappoint you. (Was that mean? Oh, well.) Stay tuned for updated from the lovely Oxford campus.

Until next time, loves...

Public Service Announcement: Happily Ever After...

Once upon a time, in a far off kingdom, a princess was in terrible distress. After overcoming tretcherous obstacles, the handsome prince finally came to the princess's rescue. And they lived happily ever after.

Okay, let's get real here. These stories we've heard out entire lives are absolute crap. They instill a since of black-and-white hope that leads to nothing but trouble. *que Ray LaMontange* (if you don't get that reference than visit your local music store) Hearing these stories growing up not only gave us (in this case I am not being gender specific) an unrealistic sense of love, but also of life. 

Fairy Tales, while entertaining and distracting, teach us that  life can fit into the metaphorical black and white pages of a children's book. Life is messy, kitties. Boys are dumb, good education isn't free, people are judgmental and life. is. messy. Things are almost never going to go the way you want them to. And even if they do, the end result is never as good as you thought it would be. Take it from a seasoned party planner. Something always happens, you never start decorating on time and things just don't look as good as you want them to. Life, growing up in particular, is about being able to deal with the party that you manage to throw together. Because if you ask me, you're grown up when you realize that while it contributes to the atmosphere, the greatness of the party depends on the people who are there. (Party is a metaphor. Keep up people.) 

Life is about learning to focus on what is important and realize that when the little things are good, they contribute. But when the little things are crap, it really doesn't matter. Put your big girl/boy pants on and suck it up. Because people, life can be pretty great. And never when you expect it to be. Live for those moments. Realize that life happens when you least expect it. So quit waiting for the paint to dry, and enjoy what you're given. Because otherwise, you'll be looking back and feel like crap because you didn't take advantage of every thing you should have. 

My Attempt At A Novel: Part 1

WOW! Hello, my lovelies! I've been gone for quite some time, yeah? (in my head, that was said in a Fargo accent.) I hereby apologize for how long I have been gone. And if I actually had any loyal readers, I'm sure you're all gone by now. However, I am going to make some sort of effort to blog regularly. (and if it makes you feel any better, I just discovered that my right thumb nail has a cut in it a little too far down.)

This post will be the beginning of a series in which I share my experiences in writing what will probably never end up being a novel. I started writing when I was a freshman in high school, and looking back now that isn't even something I would consider actual pieces of writing. Since then, I have filled somewhere between 4 and 10 word documents with stories that my best friend, M, has dutifully read through. Each time, my writing got a little better and a little better. In about the past year, I have become good enough at writing that I enjoy it. About two years ago, one of my other best friends was asked to read one of my stories. Since then, not a single other person has seen my stories. And perhaps, one day many, many of you will be reading my stories. But until then, the population of the island of readers of my stories will stay at 2.

Technically, I am currently working on a story that is currently a little over 90 pages thick. I say technically because I haven't touched the story in a few months. And this post is the beginning of a series of me describing the process of starting a new novel.

So here is how I start. Generally an idea will hit me and the first thing I do is come up with names. (Now, in the interest of mostly full disclosure, I generally write the classic y.a.-novel. boy + girl = romance = blah blah blah. Probably the biggest reason I don't let people read my stories is because I am convinced that there is nothing that sets my stories apart from the next y.a. romance novel.) After I come up with names (which very often get changed many times during the course of the writing process), I sit down at my computer, open up a word document and start typing.

*reporter voice* ladies and gentleman, that is all I have for tonight. But stay tuned for more information on this story.    *normal voice* Well, I will be back later. Especially since it is summer and I have very little to do. Until next time, my lovelies...

Weirdest Thing To Ever Happen To Me

Why hello there, my little sugar plum faries! I haven't seen you in a while! (Sorry about that) I may have been gone for a while, but I am back now!

First, let's talk about the little changes to my blog. I removed the "daily quote feature" (again, sorry!) I started to neglect it and I didn't want my "daily quote" to become the "every-few-days quote". So, say goodbye to that. I also added a handy dandy (okay not really "handy") new little permanent quote. You will find this to your right and maybe up a little bit. Seriously guys, I know its long but take the time to read it. Its pretty awesome.

Secondly, I am going to say this and I promise that I am not exaggerating or using hyperbole or a colloquialism or anything like that. I. Am. Dead. Serious. And with that in mind:

Okay, so the weirdest thing happened to me the other day. And I mean the weirdest thing that has ever happened to me in my entire life. So my best friend (M) and her boyfriend (N) were sitting behind me on the bus on the way back from post prom (kings island) and they were talking about how M was going to meet N's mo when we got back into town (we had to drive 2 hours to KI.) N made a joke that M should call N's mom "Mrs. Insert Last Name Here" since she was recently divorced and N would find it funny. Since he suggested M call her by her married name, I (me--don't want you to get confused with all these initials) asked if she went back to her maiden name. And then for some reason which I don't remember (maybe because I barely had 5 hours of sleep the night before) I asked what her maiden name was. Turns out her maiden name is the same as my mom's maiden name. All three of us immediately freak out that N and I are somehow related. But after further inspection, we brushed it off because my mom grew up in Michigan, and his didn't. 

Yesterday, M texts me and says that N and I are distant cousins. One of N's cousin's(A) (whom my mom grew up with) is one of my cousins. A's grandpa and my mom's grandpa were brothers. Now, I have no idea how that translates. 2nd cousin, 3 times removed? 1st cousin, 5 times removed? 3rd cousin? I have no clue. I just know that N and I are related. Now, may I remind you that before a month ago, I have never met N in my life (that I know of.) And N and M CERTAINLY did not meet through me. 

So there you have it, the weirdest thing that has ever happened to me. Think you can top it? Until next time, my lovelies...