I've been trying to do this for, like, 15 years. HA HA.
Here's hoping I actually make some strides (or strokes? teehee) this November!
I will post my progress for you all.....promise =)
Showing posts with label Writer's Workshop. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Writer's Workshop. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Writer's Workshop: Halloween Memories
What is your most memorable Halloween memory/story/costume? Tell us about it.
For as long as I can remember, Halloween has been my favorite holiday. Since childhood I have been fascinated, obsessed and enthralled by everything supernatural or horror-related. My earliest memories are of watching "Poltergeist", writing stories about my great-grandpa's "haunted house" or reading those "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark" books for pre-teens. I naturally, have an affinity for vampires and witches. And, I also have naturally (almost) black hair. When I was 16, working as a cashier at MacFrugals, a little girl said loudly, to her Mother "That lady looks like a witch, Mommy!". Gee, you think so?
I could go on for literally, hours on this subject. But, I'll spare you.
Which brings me to my assignment:
What was my most memorable Halloween?
Well, mine was about 2 years ago. I had just had my daughter and needed to, not only, get out of the house but also felt the need to get back into all the goth-y and freaky things I once was such a fan of. I talked my sister-in-law, Cari into going to the local "HAUNTED WORLD" out in the fields of Idaho. It's one of those creepy mazes in a cornfield with tons of special effects, creatures in costumes that follow you (with chainless chainsaws) and all that kind of stuff. It's great; I love it. Cari...not so much. We were out in the middle of a cornfield, following the dark, muddy path along with a group of other thrill-seekers. I couldn't see a damn thing. And then, we heard the chainsaw off in the distance. Cari FREAKED. We had been linked by our arms but she threw hers up in the air, while sending me and my purse flying into the cornfield. She took off like a rocket. I was left scrambling, trying to find my purse..with my car keys, ID and phone in the muddy blackness. People kept passing me as I walked deeper into the cornfield trying despretely to find my little black purse.
![]()
Finally, my hands found it and I was over-joyed. And relieved. We were out in the middle of about 40 acres of corn & dirt. But, "we" wasn't correct. Cari was gone. Now I had the task of trying to find her. I jogged up the path, all while dodging psychopaths and werewolves trying to find my sister-in-law. Seeing her nowhere nearby, I started calling her name "Cari, Cari!". This caused a bigger problem. People started curling away from me and screaming, like I was part of the attraction. What the....? Oh, I get it. "Carrie"..like the Stephen King book/movie. I was, after all, in a scene directly out of "Children of the Corn". Duh.
I did find her. And, we laughed our butts off at what had happened. I went the following year with some friends and, trust me, I hung onto my friend as tightly as I could and...I did not bring my purse.
This year? It's all about Berlyn. As it should be.
My last Halloween was a little hedonistic, even for me. What happened you ask? Let's just put it this way: I danced and drank the night away, all whilst making out with a 50 year old guy who's costume was "Junkie Spice" *shudder* and then, losing my glued on fangs (I was a vampire) while dancing with a really cute guy. He left me on the dance floor.
It was quite an evening.
For as long as I can remember, Halloween has been my favorite holiday. Since childhood I have been fascinated, obsessed and enthralled by everything supernatural or horror-related. My earliest memories are of watching "Poltergeist", writing stories about my great-grandpa's "haunted house" or reading those "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark" books for pre-teens. I naturally, have an affinity for vampires and witches. And, I also have naturally (almost) black hair. When I was 16, working as a cashier at MacFrugals, a little girl said loudly, to her Mother "That lady looks like a witch, Mommy!". Gee, you think so?
I could go on for literally, hours on this subject. But, I'll spare you.
Which brings me to my assignment:
What was my most memorable Halloween?
Well, mine was about 2 years ago. I had just had my daughter and needed to, not only, get out of the house but also felt the need to get back into all the goth-y and freaky things I once was such a fan of. I talked my sister-in-law, Cari into going to the local "HAUNTED WORLD" out in the fields of Idaho. It's one of those creepy mazes in a cornfield with tons of special effects, creatures in costumes that follow you (with chainless chainsaws) and all that kind of stuff. It's great; I love it. Cari...not so much. We were out in the middle of a cornfield, following the dark, muddy path along with a group of other thrill-seekers. I couldn't see a damn thing. And then, we heard the chainsaw off in the distance. Cari FREAKED. We had been linked by our arms but she threw hers up in the air, while sending me and my purse flying into the cornfield. She took off like a rocket. I was left scrambling, trying to find my purse..with my car keys, ID and phone in the muddy blackness. People kept passing me as I walked deeper into the cornfield trying despretely to find my little black purse.
I did find her. And, we laughed our butts off at what had happened. I went the following year with some friends and, trust me, I hung onto my friend as tightly as I could and...I did not bring my purse.
This year? It's all about Berlyn. As it should be.
My last Halloween was a little hedonistic, even for me. What happened you ask? Let's just put it this way: I danced and drank the night away, all whilst making out with a 50 year old guy who's costume was "Junkie Spice" *shudder* and then, losing my glued on fangs (I was a vampire) while dancing with a really cute guy. He left me on the dance floor.
It was quite an evening.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
50 Things
Just for kicks & giggles, here are 50 random facts about myself and my life:
1. I have been getting GRAY HAIR since I was about 20. I usually just pluck them out with tweezers but you try having JET BLACK hair & little silver/white hairs pop up right on your hairline like a neon sign...it'll be a lifelong battle. Siiiiigh. Thank you Lord for Clairol.
2. I am deathly afraid of birds. Most people know this little tidbit about me already. Any bird, small or large....will make me whimper, cry or scream if it gets too close to me. And no, I am not a freak of nature.
3. I am incredibly OCD. I alphabetize all my cds/movies....I color code my closet so that it looks like a rainbow. I even line things up...pieces of paper, magazines on a table and situate items so that they are all facing the same way. Hey. I like things a certain way, ok?
4. I am notorious for saying "Eeeeeeew" when I am scared. For example, when I am watching a horror film and the monster/psycho killer appears on the screen, or makes a noise I don't like - I say "Eeeeew." It makes no sense, I know this.
5. Although I am now a mother myself...I still find it *hil-a-rious* when little kids say bad words or do things they shouldn't. Yes, this includes Berlyn. I laugh harder at her than any other kid.
6. I think I was a burlesque dancer in another life.
7. I have never once in my ENTIRE ADULT LIFE (since the age of 15 to be more precise..).....left my house without a full face of makeup. EVER. And I own more make-up than Rupaul and Tammy Faye Baker combined.
8. I have an *explosive* temper and very short fuse. It (usually) serves its purpose. For the most part though, it's dwindling.
9. Refer to #8 - I once kicked a hole in my bedroom wall (while wearing flipflops) because I was ticked (at my parents). To cover what I had done...I used a Sex Pistols poster I had....yes, VERY inconspicious.
10. I am loyal to a fault. No matter what someone has said or done; I will forgive them. *Update: This has finally changed. I no longer am okay with being a doormat to a boyfriend or "friend". I've learned my lessons.
11. I've been in therapy since I was 5 years old.
12. One year (2002) I moved 8 times. E-I-G-H-T. I am shocked that my family members (who helped me move) still speak to me.
13. I have had the same (amazing) best friend for 23 YEARS. She is the reason I believe in the word/concept SOULMATE.
14. I didn't learn to ride a 2 wheel bicycle til I was nearly 10. It was such an event, my entire neighborhood came out to watch, LOL!
15. Girls should not have more than 3 or 4 close girlfriends. Ever. It just isn't natural. Unless you want your life to resemble the script for "Mean Girls"...heed my advice.
16. The worst thing I have ever done, and will probably pay dearly for it one day - my neighbor & I, at age 9, went around our cul-de-sac (because we were bored) and "collected" donations for a ficticious can food drive for our "church". Really, the motive was to get FREE TOYS..but of course, all we got were canned green beans, water chestnuts & fruit cocktail. To rid ourselves of our newly acquired goods...we threw the bag of canned food over a neighbors fence, which hit his dog (ooops!) and then ran back into our side-by-side houses. Why we didn't just throw the stuff in the, oh I don't know...garbage, is way beyond me. He saw us running, and realized we had just tossed a bag of stuff into his backyard and came to MY house to tell our parents. Our punishment? We had to go door-to-door, return the cans and apologize for our fake church donation ring. If I never believed in karma, I do now.
17. If I could decorate my home in Halloween decor YEAR ROUND, I would.
18. I am obsessed with Marilyn Monroe almost to a point that it's scary. But 15 years ago? I said to my best friend "She is sooooo cliche and dull. I don't know WHAT the big deal about her is!" I've been eating my words ever since.
19. I am a die-hard White Zinfandel fan.
20. I've more or less grown out of my "goth phase" but my closet is still 99.9% black. And, so is my hair.
21. I have a weakness for men that wear make-up.
22. I used to choreograph dance routines with my best friend to Paula Abdul songs.
23. I really do talk way too much like a Valley Girl....like, totally!
24. I sympathize with the bad guys in films or books. I used to get upset when vampires got killed. "Sympathy for the Devil"? Hmm....maybe.
25. I am a HUGE LIST PERSON. I make lists for everything under the sun. Including this one.
26. I experienced a loss of a loved one due to AIDS when I was 12 years old. It was a very traumatic event for me & I still have a hard time even having people mention AIDS around me....but, I am working on it.
27. I've wanted to be an actress, a writer, a drummer and a Psychologist. I still want to be 2 of those.
28. I was a teenage runaway. In Hollywood. Tell me again, why don't I have my own reality show? I don't know.
29. I get my feelings hurt WAY TOO EASILY. But, I don't apologize for being a softie.
30. I actually enjoy cigarette smoke.
31. I just don't "get" the whole fraternity/sorority thing. Sorry.
32. It is always bads news when I walk into Ross.
33. I have always, secretly, wanted to be a Playboy Playmate.
34. I still miss California every. single. day.
35. I adore weirdness. Weird people, weird art, weird concepts. I like to know there is a "balance" in life; that not everything is always one way. And acceptance is always a good thing!
36. I despise the snow so much so that I literally cry when it is in the forecast or I see a flake.
37. I've had THREE root canals.
38. BUT I've never broken a bone! *(knock on wood)*
39. I am incredibly superstitious: I say "knock on wood", I make a wish when I go over train tracks....and I believe in Friday the 13th - I got in an accident that totaled my car on a Friday the 13th. It's REAL!
40. I have yet to have ONE good relationship (man) in my entire life. Not one. That's sad. I've got the rest of my life though, right? I know he's out there.
41. Hands down, the hardest "job" in the world is being a Mother. Really.
42. (Hope this won't offend anyone) - I believe in God completely. And I talk to him all the time. But, I am anti-organized religion.
43. I get road rage.....baaaaaaad.
44. I am a total klutz. I trip over my own feet. And heels? I walk like a man in them because I'm afraid I will fall.
45. I am 100% a CAT lover......but there are a few dogs that I will warm up to. Very few. I got bit my a pit bull at age 6 - you try liking dogs after that!
46. I hated the color PINK up until after Berlyn was born. I was adament at my baby shower that I wanted NO pink, just purple...or even green. Now, I like it.
47. I plan on having my Honeymoon in New Orleans French Quarter....so, if I can find a man that agrees to that, he's the One!
48. Besides birds, COWS scare me to death! Ask my parents about THAT story.
49. My brother & I have never had ANY sibling rivalry. He's the best. And the woman he married? I would have hand picked her to be my sister in law out of a million people.
50. I love my daughter with all my heart. But, sometimes I believe I wasn't truly "ready" to be a Mom. I don't think anyone ever is.
1. I have been getting GRAY HAIR since I was about 20. I usually just pluck them out with tweezers but you try having JET BLACK hair & little silver/white hairs pop up right on your hairline like a neon sign...it'll be a lifelong battle. Siiiiigh. Thank you Lord for Clairol.
2. I am deathly afraid of birds. Most people know this little tidbit about me already. Any bird, small or large....will make me whimper, cry or scream if it gets too close to me. And no, I am not a freak of nature.
3. I am incredibly OCD. I alphabetize all my cds/movies....I color code my closet so that it looks like a rainbow. I even line things up...pieces of paper, magazines on a table and situate items so that they are all facing the same way. Hey. I like things a certain way, ok?
4. I am notorious for saying "Eeeeeeew" when I am scared. For example, when I am watching a horror film and the monster/psycho killer appears on the screen, or makes a noise I don't like - I say "Eeeeew." It makes no sense, I know this.
5. Although I am now a mother myself...I still find it *hil-a-rious* when little kids say bad words or do things they shouldn't. Yes, this includes Berlyn. I laugh harder at her than any other kid.
6. I think I was a burlesque dancer in another life.
7. I have never once in my ENTIRE ADULT LIFE (since the age of 15 to be more precise..).....left my house without a full face of makeup. EVER. And I own more make-up than Rupaul and Tammy Faye Baker combined.
8. I have an *explosive* temper and very short fuse. It (usually) serves its purpose. For the most part though, it's dwindling.
9. Refer to #8 - I once kicked a hole in my bedroom wall (while wearing flipflops) because I was ticked (at my parents). To cover what I had done...I used a Sex Pistols poster I had....yes, VERY inconspicious.
10. I am loyal to a fault. No matter what someone has said or done; I will forgive them. *Update: This has finally changed. I no longer am okay with being a doormat to a boyfriend or "friend". I've learned my lessons.
11. I've been in therapy since I was 5 years old.
12. One year (2002) I moved 8 times. E-I-G-H-T. I am shocked that my family members (who helped me move) still speak to me.
13. I have had the same (amazing) best friend for 23 YEARS. She is the reason I believe in the word/concept SOULMATE.
14. I didn't learn to ride a 2 wheel bicycle til I was nearly 10. It was such an event, my entire neighborhood came out to watch, LOL!
15. Girls should not have more than 3 or 4 close girlfriends. Ever. It just isn't natural. Unless you want your life to resemble the script for "Mean Girls"...heed my advice.
16. The worst thing I have ever done, and will probably pay dearly for it one day - my neighbor & I, at age 9, went around our cul-de-sac (because we were bored) and "collected" donations for a ficticious can food drive for our "church". Really, the motive was to get FREE TOYS..but of course, all we got were canned green beans, water chestnuts & fruit cocktail. To rid ourselves of our newly acquired goods...we threw the bag of canned food over a neighbors fence, which hit his dog (ooops!) and then ran back into our side-by-side houses. Why we didn't just throw the stuff in the, oh I don't know...garbage, is way beyond me. He saw us running, and realized we had just tossed a bag of stuff into his backyard and came to MY house to tell our parents. Our punishment? We had to go door-to-door, return the cans and apologize for our fake church donation ring. If I never believed in karma, I do now.
17. If I could decorate my home in Halloween decor YEAR ROUND, I would.
18. I am obsessed with Marilyn Monroe almost to a point that it's scary. But 15 years ago? I said to my best friend "She is sooooo cliche and dull. I don't know WHAT the big deal about her is!" I've been eating my words ever since.
19. I am a die-hard White Zinfandel fan.
20. I've more or less grown out of my "goth phase" but my closet is still 99.9% black. And, so is my hair.
21. I have a weakness for men that wear make-up.
22. I used to choreograph dance routines with my best friend to Paula Abdul songs.
23. I really do talk way too much like a Valley Girl....like, totally!
24. I sympathize with the bad guys in films or books. I used to get upset when vampires got killed. "Sympathy for the Devil"? Hmm....maybe.
25. I am a HUGE LIST PERSON. I make lists for everything under the sun. Including this one.
26. I experienced a loss of a loved one due to AIDS when I was 12 years old. It was a very traumatic event for me & I still have a hard time even having people mention AIDS around me....but, I am working on it.
27. I've wanted to be an actress, a writer, a drummer and a Psychologist. I still want to be 2 of those.
28. I was a teenage runaway. In Hollywood. Tell me again, why don't I have my own reality show? I don't know.
29. I get my feelings hurt WAY TOO EASILY. But, I don't apologize for being a softie.
30. I actually enjoy cigarette smoke.
31. I just don't "get" the whole fraternity/sorority thing. Sorry.
32. It is always bads news when I walk into Ross.
33. I have always, secretly, wanted to be a Playboy Playmate.
34. I still miss California every. single. day.
35. I adore weirdness. Weird people, weird art, weird concepts. I like to know there is a "balance" in life; that not everything is always one way. And acceptance is always a good thing!
36. I despise the snow so much so that I literally cry when it is in the forecast or I see a flake.
37. I've had THREE root canals.
38. BUT I've never broken a bone! *(knock on wood)*
39. I am incredibly superstitious: I say "knock on wood", I make a wish when I go over train tracks....and I believe in Friday the 13th - I got in an accident that totaled my car on a Friday the 13th. It's REAL!
40. I have yet to have ONE good relationship (man) in my entire life. Not one. That's sad. I've got the rest of my life though, right? I know he's out there.
41. Hands down, the hardest "job" in the world is being a Mother. Really.
42. (Hope this won't offend anyone) - I believe in God completely. And I talk to him all the time. But, I am anti-organized religion.
43. I get road rage.....baaaaaaad.
44. I am a total klutz. I trip over my own feet. And heels? I walk like a man in them because I'm afraid I will fall.
45. I am 100% a CAT lover......but there are a few dogs that I will warm up to. Very few. I got bit my a pit bull at age 6 - you try liking dogs after that!
46. I hated the color PINK up until after Berlyn was born. I was adament at my baby shower that I wanted NO pink, just purple...or even green. Now, I like it.
47. I plan on having my Honeymoon in New Orleans French Quarter....so, if I can find a man that agrees to that, he's the One!
48. Besides birds, COWS scare me to death! Ask my parents about THAT story.
49. My brother & I have never had ANY sibling rivalry. He's the best. And the woman he married? I would have hand picked her to be my sister in law out of a million people.
50. I love my daughter with all my heart. But, sometimes I believe I wasn't truly "ready" to be a Mom. I don't think anyone ever is.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Writer's Workshop: Three Things
If you could only focus on three things in life and pursue them fully, leaving everything else, what would they be and why?
1. Being the best Mom (and role model) to my daughter.
Sounds so simple but let me fill you all in on something I've discovered. Being a parent is fricking hard! I mean, I knew it would be. But, wow. Every thing you say, do, etc is a walking advertisement for your little one. Even if you think they are too little or not going to notice something. They do. Always. It's like they know exactly what words they are not supposed to say. Berlyn is so funny; when I curse or say a not nice word, she will whisper it right after I do. Haha! I think she is testing me. And they always get into the worst things they possibly could. They find that jar of expensive body lotion or that bottle of hydrogen peroxide left out. Every. Single. Time.
All in all, I just want my baby to be happy. It's that simple. And, I want to know that I made my best effort in raising her, loving her and influencing her in all the right ways.
![]()
2. Helping others.
![]()
3. Traveling the World.
![]()
1. Being the best Mom (and role model) to my daughter.
Sounds so simple but let me fill you all in on something I've discovered. Being a parent is fricking hard! I mean, I knew it would be. But, wow. Every thing you say, do, etc is a walking advertisement for your little one. Even if you think they are too little or not going to notice something. They do. Always. It's like they know exactly what words they are not supposed to say. Berlyn is so funny; when I curse or say a not nice word, she will whisper it right after I do. Haha! I think she is testing me. And they always get into the worst things they possibly could. They find that jar of expensive body lotion or that bottle of hydrogen peroxide left out. Every. Single. Time.
All in all, I just want my baby to be happy. It's that simple. And, I want to know that I made my best effort in raising her, loving her and influencing her in all the right ways.
2. Helping others.
Now I finally know what my "true calling" is. Being a psychologist is my dream. And, the main motivation behind it for me (besides it being fascinating) is the prospect of helping others. Nothing gives me more joy & contentment than that. I've even begun looking into volunteering opportunities while I work on my degree. I am really excited about it! It's time to get some real fulfillment in my life...instead of focusing on my own selfish wants and being shallow. It's time to feed my soul.
3. Traveling the World.
Having been born and raised in Los Angeles, and being exposed to so many different cultures, ways of life, and ethnicities from an early age (lucky me!); I cannot, for the life of me, understand people that want to stay in ONE spot their entire lives. I cannot grasp that concept. The World is such a big, awesome place. How can you be content to sit on your keester and not get out there and do/see/experience things?!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)