When asked to write a novel where does one begin?

Characters? Setting? Plot perhaps?



"You have an amazing talent in writing, would you consider writing a novel?"

"A novel on what?"

"Anything that happens on your imagination."

"My imagination is poor to say the least. It will take me quite some time to even think of some kind of plot, and then to make that plot into a riveting story that people will read. That is a huge amount of pressure."

"None indeed my friend, you will do famously. Just sit down and write what comes to you. Start an idea book. Any idea that pops into your head write it down, then develop one or two of your favorites until you find something worthwhile to spend much more time on."

"I fear the judgment of others. It will be a terrible story."

"If it is terrible it just won't be published. Then you will not have to worry about the judgment of anyone. But if my editors like it, you'll be published and become famous even."

"From one novel? No one can even pronounce my name let alone spell it properly to even find it in a catalogue, how will they even know who I am?"

"Marketing my friend, marketing. We just teach people how to pronounce your name. Stop worrying so much, you haven't even written the book yet."

"Right, we are back on the book and my imagination and the horrible story that is pending. Brilliant! Can't wait."

"I knew you'd do it!"



Now what?

Plot…

1) People

2) Tragic event?

3) Pleasant outcome… or more tragedy?

Truly this could be a wholly tragic novel but then who would read it. Isn't the purpose of a novel to escape the tragedy of the everyday world? Then again Shakespeare's tragedies are brilliant. (Plot twist) AGONY!

Dark and twisty indeed…



Oh for heavens sake!



Setting…

1) Location

2) Time

Modern? Medieval? Classical?

Costume! Character! Language!



Torrents of fire, this is ridiculous!



Characters…

1)…

2) I suppose there should be a main character…

Male? Female? Handsome? Wretchedly disfigured?



Genre…

Most important of all the decisions and the last to pop into my head.



There is far too much to think of! Idea book indeed! Novel indeed… I've no imagination whatsoever. What were they thinking!!!

There is a new love of my life. It's called New York City. This is one of the most amazing cities I have ever traveled to.



I took the long weekend and a very good friend of mine, from back home, to NYC. We had a blast. The city is amazing. We were stationed on the 51 st floor of a 52 floor hotel in Time Square, the very hotel where Good Morning America hosts their guests. Our view was straight down into Time Square, GORGEOUS! Saturday was spent playing tourist and information officer. I was mistaken as a local multiple times… which made me extremely happy. We walked forever and saw as much as we could. I love whirl wind adventures. I don't think I could be a lazy tourist and just do nothing all day. I'm sure I completely exhausted J but she didn't complain once.



I have to say Central Park is probably my new favorite park to be in. It was absolutely amazing… aside from the forever smell of animals wafting from the zoo and the hundreds of horse drawn carriages.



We set out exploring towards the piers and Liberty Island. By 9am there was a line 4 hours long to get to the Island. We vetoed this and took pictures from Manhattan. Walking our way north we stopped at Wall Street to admire the Trump Building, impressive building, and unimpressive surroundings. We also stopped to see Trinity Church, an already famous church for being part of the original New Amsterdam, further made famous by the film National Treasure. Hopping the subway we ventured north to Central Park where we wandered casually through the majesty of this grand promenade. Finding our way to the Metropolitan Museum I was all too prepared to be disappointed but was pleasantly surprised to find it was everything I had ever dreamed it should be and spent much of my time comparing it to the grandeur of the British Museum . My traveling companion found out quickly that although I may not watch a lot of television I am addicted to movies and could point out several film locations throughout the city. My favorite movie location was of course in the Met where Sesame Street had been lost and was on an adventure to save a young Egyptian. The location can also be viewed in the film Maid in Manhattan. I am of course speaking of the Temple of Dendur, absolutely amazing. Truly if you have the time for an adventure the Met is the place to have it. I also began to sing a bit from Bedknobs and Broomsticks when we entered the Armory Hall. You would have to see it for your self to understand where this crazy came from. Continuing on we walked down 5th Avenue to encounter Tiffany's, Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, St. Patrick's Cathedral and then traversed our way to Broadway and back to our hotel.



We strategically planned our adventure to encompass that of Fleet Week, when all the naval ships not called on tour dock in New York and the sailors get shore leave. It turns out that the vast majority of the sailors that take advantage of shore leave are 18-21. We were, however; happily met by a group of LCDRs, CDRs and a RADML to share a beer with at the pub we decided to call home.



Truly an amazing adventure and one I am most ready to take again. Next time I will take in a show or two on Broadway, see the Village, wake up earlier to get to the Island and maybe even make it into Jersey.



Who knows I may move there next.

It's getting closer to beach season so before the tourist hit we made rounds at the beach. Heading north for a few hours we (me and the roomies) went to the beach. The weather wasn't your optimal beach sitter's paradise but we weren't there to soak up the rays. This trip was all about shopping. We hit the outlets with full force. Saturday night was bar night and we went to season opening for a local place. Two pretty decent bands took stage, Scott's New Band and Fuzzy Bunny Slippers. You heard me right, FUZZY BUNNY SLIPPERS. Two cover bands that really knew how to rock out. No cover but a suggested donation along with several free beers the night was a hit. I, like my regular rock star self, was all over the floor soaking up the music. Out of the 5 band members 3 had girlfriends, one disappeared and two got hit on… What? You do the math. Somebody exchanged digits who wasn't supposed to. Whoops! No names…. Actually I couldn't tell you his name because I wasn't involved for once. I was far too entertained playing the wing man.



I haven't decided where my level of drink is anymore because I can sit with the girls and have one beer and feel it or rock out at a club and have 6 and not even notice. Seriously SOBER! Entertaining though, I didn't have to play the mom for once and the night was a success.

Last night I attended an event at the DAR (I should note here that I've become "DC" with my over use of acronyms, DAR is Daughters of the American Revolution.) It was so much fun! Entitled "Girls Night Out" a $12.50 ticket got you unlimited Martini's by Finlandia and entrance to an exclusive shopping party. Everything was designer and at least 50% off. This was the kind of event I wish B was here for, she would have loved it! I ended up not buying anything but admiring how everyone else found such fabulous things. The Martinis were strong but absolutely delicious so I stuck to my two and perused the sites.



I'm really starting to love this city and get to know it. It's amazing how intimidating it can be when you first get here but after you figure out where you are you realize that everything isn't as far away as you thought and your only worry is getting on the Metro before it closes.



I've found another piece of this city that makes me happy and I just love to smile about it. I've been fearful of speaking about so as to not jinx the situation but I think it's quite clear that I can't screw this one up… just yet anyways.



It is amazing how the words are just flowing today and for the past few months I'm been too inarticulate of my life here. There was so much to talk about but I just couldn't put it into words so I didn't even try. Or I'd already told someone and didn't feeling like retelling the story.



Having moved so far away it's been hard being so separated from my family but at the same time we talk about the same things like there isn't any distance at all. I'll be going home in July and if you're there and want to see me let me know because I would probably like to see you too.



What else?

I am now a member of the Colorado State Society and an honorary member of the Wyoming State Society. Needless to say my social life has taken a huge boost for that. Next up a volunteer position and my life here will be complete. Job, house, income, social life…. Perfect right? I LOVE IT!!!



This weekend is a trip to the beach with the roommates and hopefully a relaxing time away from the city.

Contrary to popular belief I'm not dead. Just busy.

Have you ever had an addiction you just can not quit? It does not have to be a bad addiction, like drugs, just something that tends to consume a lot of your time and energy.

I have one. A big one and I can not seem to kick it. No matter what I do to get above it, hide from it, ignore it, it is still always there. For years I have been riding some pretty crazy roller coasters. Knowing I do not need it but wishing frantically that I had it. I tell myself daily that I am better off without it. I justify it by saying it is “to time consuming and frustrating.” But every where I go, there it is. My friends tell me to forget about it and I do… for a few seconds. Then something happens and I am right back where I started, thinking about it again. Wishing I could do something about it. I see that someone else has it and I scorn them for it but deep down I hate myself for being so haggard about it, because I so desperately want it for myself. Damn all those people who have it. Damn them for flaunting it. Damn them for breathing, for living… but it is my fault. I made it an addiction; I made it a necessity in my life.

I got the job! The most amazing job!! Not exactly the job I moved out here to get but it’s a step in a very very very good direction!!! Can you tell I’m Excited?!?! It’s just so fabulous. I’ve been up and down for the past few months thinking I wasn’t going to get anywhere but a restaurant job and now look at me. I’m working for one the most prestigious government contractors in the area! I would basically be working with warfare analysis, not susre what that all means yet but it should dbe cool. How awesome is that?!?!?! YEAH FOR ME!!! Finally a break through and something to do with such a long day! Paychecks! I am this much closer to a car… which by the way can’t come soon enough. OMG hiking everywhere and it is so fing cold out here. Soon enough my pretties I’ll have a car and then I can start my driving adventures!

For a single female what is the most depressing thing one could hear?

Well it actually could be a number of things. An ex boyfriend has a new girlfriend and wants so badly to introduce you. An old crush is married and sends you all the pictures of the wedding. Your best friend is having a baby or a second in this case. To me, the absolute epitome of a hopeless romantic, all of these things are equally wretched. Never having deep feelings for the ex it just burns that he is so terribly happy with the new girl. The crush getting married, well why is it that he has to rub it in your face that he is so entirely content and makes sure you know that you just were not the right one for him. Mostly because you told him no but that was only because you were afraid of getting hurt. Now you are on the sidelines watching him move on. And finally your best friend is pregnant with child number two and you, you poor soul, are still single with no prospects and more then likely will end up an old spinster because you said no to the one that might have made you happy and you let the opportunity for the wedding and the children pass you up.

“But you have the adventurous life.” They try to tell you. “You can do what ever you want, move where ever you want and be happy.” Happy? Ha! How can one be happy when they are so entirely miserable in the state of their lives? Yes I live where I please, I do what I please and I make friends with whom I please. But what is that to the steady life style of actually having a relationship with anybody?! The last call of the day, falling asleep in the arms of a person you love… strike that. I am not sure I could share my sleeping space. I spread and move about too much. Maybe I reject the relationships because that means someday I will have to share my sleeping space. It could be fully possible. It would, in fact, make much more sense.

However it is still a damned depressing day!
I am blaming it completely on the weather of courses and entirely missing the sun too much. 358 days of sun a year to if your lucky 100. Brilliant move!

I think I may delete the blog. Read "The Washingtonienne" and let me know your thoughts.

Officially the National Western Stock Show has begun. Opening day was January 6. This will be the first year in 5 years I won’t be working and the first in something like 23 that I won’t be attending. I’m sure there was a year or two in there that I didn’t make it.

It really does suck. Shock Show was the high light to my life every year I looked forward to being the country girl and watching the cattle being shown. I tried for months, after the last show, to get a job with an association. I, however, never had the proper educational background to continue on this career path. Being so far away from the show makes it almost surreal that it’s happening without me. I’d almost forgotten it was going on this year. I was reminded on the plane ride back to my current life that I would be missing this year.

I’ve already scanned through the results of the past 3 days and everything seems to be in order. I just wonder what tensions are like in the office. I talked to my boss not too long ago and she was worried that this would be her first year in five of having to be concerned on the happenings in the arena. It’s nice to know you’ll be missed and you were trusted that much that no one had to worry if things were getting done. I know the team this year will do a great job because they have a great boss. I’m just sad I won’t get to be apart of it this time around.

If you’re going to the show have a red beer for me. They just don’t make them the same out here. Say hello to Mr. Hereford for me too. I know he’s there, he’s always there.
The show must go on whether I’m there to organize it or not. Good luck everybody.