You are currently browsing the monthly archive for May, 2008.
… is happening for me over at my DeviantART page.
I’ve been awarded a “Daily Deviation” for the “Not a Typical Morning” piece, which I posted both here and there yesterday. One of my dA friends recommended it for a DD, and it was awarded, and now things are really, really jumping over there for me.
I’ve had something like 75 comments on the piece, all but one positive and expressing a deep connection with the emotionalism of the piece. That is, it’s evoked emotions in the readers. The one negative piece might have been positive if it were more helpful and accompanied by less ‘tude, but that’s neither here nor there.
It’s a great honor, and I’m overwhelmed by the response. More than 1200 views on it, and pretty much everyone that’s read it has marked it as a favorite.
Needless to say, I’ve been very, very busy answering all the comments and going to each visitor’s page to say thank you for the “fave add”. It’s a labor of love, though, and for a shining moment, I know what it’s like to be a celebrity author with a big following. (I have, incidentally, added a few people to the list of those who watch me — meaning, they know when I post new work and will probably read it.)
I’m all choked up over it. What an emotional weekend it’s been so far.
Hope all of you are doing really well, and God bless you.
-JDT-
There was a terrible train accident today on the route I use to get to and from The Big City.
I’m all over the map today.
I can’t seem to concentrate. I had something sort of cool happen to me on a personal level yesterday, but today I’m back to realizing it makes no difference whatsoever in the grand scheme of things. Personal revelations are terrific for having “Ah Ha” moments in your life, and that’s great. I, however, need something a little more … um … practical, I guess? None of my “Ah Ha” moments ever involve money, for some reason, either. And that’s one thing I could certainly use more of at this point. (Who couldn’t, I suppose, right?)
Really, the whole thing’s like this, so click here at your own risk to keep reading
A special thanks to all of the encouraging friends and family who’ve shown me some love during this dry and miserable spell. I really appreciate it.
I don’t know how else to say thank you, except with those meager words, but the support you’ve all offered has meant more to me than I’ll ever be able to say. And while I’m pathetic at expressing the gratitude I feel, I’ll never forget how you all rallied around me when I couldn’t have needed it more. (Well … maybe I could’ve needed it more, but thank God I didn’t need it more. I needed it enough, or maybe a little more than enough, but in any case, you delivered.) I will never forget. And I’ll be there for you if the time ever comes for me to do so.
Well, I was all set. I was ready to sit down and pound away at my keyboard for no less than 30 of the 72 hours available to me over the weekend. I prepped my mind, I prepped my body, and I centered, focused, prayed, breathed and put myself into the Lotus Position. (Okay, okay — no I didn’t, but that’s because it would’ve meant a trip to the hospital.)
I was ready to write.
This may be the most frightening thing I’ve seen in my search terms in quite some time. I’ve seen one similar, but … my God, the horror, the very disgusting thought of this one … I’m aghast, blogosphere. I’m simply aghast.
I caution you now: read on at your own risk. I’d have a bucket or barf bag ready.
So, I come back home from getting my hair cut. My daughter, the nocturnal imp, after her usual 3 a.m. stint, was still asleep when I got in, but within a few minutes, she woke up. I’ve tried to make it a habit to get the babies when they wake up and spend that cuddly, sleepy time with them. I may not get any other hugs or affection the rest of the day, so I try to be opportunistic about it.
Anyway, I went to get her. She greeted me with her usual “DADDY!” in that tiny, sleep-slowed and softened voice. My heart melted. As I bent to pick her up, she pulled back with a quizzical look on her face.
“Daddy … what’s wrong with your hair?”
That just about says it all.
I sure miss my normal life, including good haircuts from professionals who don’t work at the cosmetic industry equivalent of McDonald’s.
*Sigh*
Be safe and have a great holiday weekend, everyone.
God bless.
-JDT-
I haven’t done a software review in a while, why don’t we do one of those today?
One of the most difficult things for me to face, as a writer, is that while my fiction is the most popular topic on my blog, that’s probably only true for one of two reasons: Click here to soldier on, trooper!
I tried to think about what sort of post I could write today. Normally, I try to have them prepared in advance, so I can give them thought, depth, character and flavor.
Last night I had other things on my mind, and didn’t do that. Then I spent too much time watching TV and didn’t do it. Then I went to bed and couldn’t sleep, and didn’t do it. And today, I got nuthin’.
In recent weeks, I’ve been struggling through one of the worst bouts of writer’s block I’ve ever had. I’ve done writing, sure, but I can’t seem to put my current WIP back on its tracks after something derailed it.
Okay, I’ve had some weird search terms come my way over the course of the months I’ve been tracking them, and I have to say, this one’s about the second weirdest ever.
The first weirdest, ever, no kidding? Someone did a search for “Sexy”. That’s right, just “Sexy”. No modifier, no qualifier, just … “Sexy”. And the weird part? They found MY blog doing so! Hunh! Go figger!
Anyway, this one’s weird too. Very weird.
Raga, I need you to step up and let this person know what the deal is with outhouses and toilet paper string lights. What the hell is a toilet paper string light? Sounds either dangerous or painful. So … being my resident expert on burning outhouses down, and the need for flame-retardant siding on them — I’m counting on you to tell me what the heck this person is looking for so I can fill ‘em in.
Just kidding, Rags. I probably spew more sh!t in a day than you have your entire life. We love you, sweetie.
But, if anyone out there does know what the Red Devil this is all about — keep it to yourself. I don’t want to know.
Happy light stringing on your outhouse, whoever you are. It certainly sounds like a great time.
New fiction tomorrow, but not Witch Hunt. I’m not … I just have a really bad case of block with that right now. I’m workin’ on it.
God bless, y’all.
-JDT-
I don’t have a lot to say, except the hits just keep on comin’.
Just when we think we’ve gotten some space, a breath of air, the water rises back into our nostrils and makes us choke, hack and spew all over again. Treading water is no f*cking fun.
I wanted to have something fun for you today, but no. It’s not in me right now. I’m sorry.
On the bright side, I’ve learned how much I value all of you. How much you’re all so different than most everyone else I’ve ever had in my life, how much more valuable you are. How much more stable, loving, kind, caring. How much more I love you all than I thought I could.
The hits just keep on comin’, and I will keep turning to you. And keep holding onto my loving, wonderful, beautiful wife, who somehow bears it all and manages to stay. She looks me in the eye and tells me she loves me somehow, and that’s a miracle more mysterious than any other I’ve seen or read about.
God bless you all. Please know we love you, each and every one.
-JDT-
Hello, blogosphere.
Come in. Thank you for coming by. It means so much to me, and I … well, I have something I need to tell you. It’s important, and I didn’t want to do it over the open crowded connection of the public library. No, only the privacy of my own broadband would work for this, I’m afraid. Yes … yes, it is serious. Please, sit down, won’t you? I think you should.
The train rocked on its rails, a sleepy sway like a weary drunken sailor, lolling its way down the tracks in no particular hurry to reach its destination. Which suited me just fine; I longed for the blissful Maw of Morpheus, having been deprived of all but a scant four hours of slumber the night before, and the gentle cradle-swing motion helped me drift between the living and the spectral world of dreams.
Oh, dear friends and readers! I had so much to tell you, so much to show you, so much to spill over you!
In my absence, all I could think about was you. I wept hot stinging tears about how you’d all forget me, move on to more interesting, more oft updated blogs. Click here to read on
All our love and many, many happy returns to all the mothers among those who read our ramblings. May God richly bless and keep you near His heart, shower you with adoration and unhindered laughter and joy, today and always.
Be well, be happy, and be loved. And just in case you didn’t receive flowers today, here’s some from us:
… LIFT OFF.
Mission control, mission control, we have a successful launch. Pop the champagne.
We’re back. God knows for how long, but we’re back.
Thanks to those who didn’t give up on me.
God bless.
JDT
… until our return. Approximately. We hope. Please pray for us, and keep your fingers crossed.
WHUH??