It's Four O'Clock

And I'm ready to go home for the day. I know our work load is supposed to be down, but I sure don't have a whole lot of leisure time happening right now. About the time I think I'm getting caught up, I don't.

I'm also editing a short story (on my time), trying to get it ready to submit it for a contest. Every time I think I'm done, I see something else that needs fixing. This could turn into a thankless task.

By the way, I had submitted my story "There's A T-Rex in My Closet" for publishing. While it didn't make it to ink and paper, it can be read at the following. If I remember correctly, I did post it, but if you haven't read it, go here. http://www.hobbesendpublishing.com/index.html Hey, at least it's recognition.

New Toy

I can't remember whether I've mentioned that I bought myself a new toy for Christmas. It's a Sony DSLR-A350 with 14.2 mp and it takes wonderful pictures even if the operator is less than proficient. And I've been playing around with it a lot. The one thing it lacked was a telephoto lens so last week I ordered one that goes up to 300mm. I'm in hog heaven now. Of course I've been playing around with the new camera with the even newer lens, so I thought I'd post some of my results.

This is one of my favorites. I was trying to get Herald to turn toward me, but I think this shot is even better.

Author, Author

I’ve been doing a lot of reading recently to make up for all the years I didn’t have time for when my kids were at home. Being an aspiring novelist has turned into a curse rather than a blessing. I read for writing skills as well as content and often get bogged down rewriting their story in my head.

One thing I’ve discovered is that even though writer may have be “an award winning journalist”, it doesn’t mean that they can write a good novel. It just means that they were a good journalist.

I just finished reading a book by one of these people and I swear he/she has never heard of POV or showing instead of telling. There was also way too much author intrusion. And this is an acclaimed writer.

I can only conclude that “established” authors are not subject to the same stringent guidelines that we novices get our feet held to the fire for. Of course, if you know someone or have made a name for yourself in another area, it doesn’t matter whether you can write or not. I’ve seen this firsthand recently and wonder who he/she had to blow to break into print.

Am I being a little sour grapes? Maybe. But then I remember that I want to get published for my writing merits, not because I have contacts in the right places. A little altruistic, too.

Cloud Array

Jimbob and I went to see a movie yesterday (the first in 3-4 years) and on the way home, we saw these wonderful cloud formations. Since I always have my camera in my purse, we pulled off in the parking lot at the local park and I took pictures. Funny thing was, once I pulled over, several more motorist decided to do the same thing. But they were using their phones, so I know my pictures are better. So,

there.

Personal Quirks

I’m one of those people who hates to fold clothes. I don’t mind gathering them up, sorting and then washing them, but it may take a week or so, before I decide to fold them and put them away. Jimbob often thinks that he has no clean underwear but it just hasn’t been folded. Of course he never remembers me telling him that the basket of clothes on top of the washing machine has clean clothes in it.

I feel the same way about buying groceries. Again it’s the putting away that I don’t like. In fact I’d rather pump gas than have to drag the groceries into the house and then find a place to store them. Jimbob must suffer the same aliment on this issue. When he goes to the market during the day, I come home that evening and find all the groceries stacked on the counter for me to put away. This includes meat, ice cream and fresh veggies.

Buying new clothes is much more fun than groceries. I have absolutely no problem unloading the bags and finding hangers for the new items. Although, I do have to admit that I bought a sweater a couple of months ago and hung it in the closet when I got home. Normally I like to wear my new stuff as soon as possible, but this sweater somehow became hidden behind other things. I discovered it in my closet the other day and didn’t even remember buying it. What a nice surprise. I just a regularfashion maven.

Chocolate Party

Last Saturday evening, Jimbob and I went to a dinner party. The theme for the evening was chocolate. (Not that you could guess that from my title.) Anyway, when I say everything had chocolate in it, I mean everything. The chef was one of Jimbob's piano students who is also an anesthesiologist and very, very organized. He had a schedule for the evening with every minute exploited to the fullest extent.

The evening started with a chocolate cocktail that had 4 kinds of liquor, vanilla and chocolate in it. I took one sip and my eyes watered at the 400 proof concoction. I think we could have flown a rocket to the moon and back with that puppy. After three sips, my toes curled and I had steam coming out of my ears. It's a wonder any of us walked away with eyebrows. Talk about dragon breath.

After cocktails, we moved to the dining table (it seated 12 and was all one piece). The appetizers consisted of chocolate risotto and cheese balls with chocolate nibs. I liked the cheese a lot. This was followed by chocolate hazelnut soup. Very different and extremely rich.

We were then given about ten minutes to visit while our host finished the salad of greens, dried cherries and chocolate nibs. I think this was my favorite of the night. The main course was barbecued ribs with chocolate sauce (one platter with jalapenos and one without). In addition he'd prepared chicken with chocolate mole sauce. The side dish consisted of grilled eggplant and onions with chocolate nibs.

Are you getting the gist that this was a chocolate overload. We weren't done yet. Dessert was chocolate layered cake with hazelnut cream served with a wedge of blood orange and port.

What with the copious amounts of red wine, additional chocolate cocktails and the port, no one was feeling any pain. I didn't drink the wine because red wine does nasty things to my head. Besides I was the designated driver.

Yesterday morning (Sunday) Jimbob was wishing he hadn't imbibed along with the others. Sunday is his big day at church and he was singing a solo. The solo almost didn't happen. All that rich food and alcohol was threatening to come back up.

I gave him something to settle his stomach, but I couldn't help snickering a little.