Happy Weekend!

Sorry, no post today.  I came back from my work conference with a miserable cold.

For those of you who commented on my post Monday with mentions of your entries, I will be getting there today or tomorrow!

Hope you all have a great weekend!

The Imago of Wolfman Jack (a.k.a The 2nd Platform Builder's Challenge)

The second challenge of the Platform Building Challenge is upon us.  Rachael has tasked us with the following:

Write a blog post in 200 words or less, excluding the title. It can be in any format, whether flash fiction, non-fiction, humorous blog musings, poem, etc. The blog post should:


include the word "imago" in the title

include the following 4 random words: "miasma," "lacuna," "oscitate," "synchronicity,"

If you want to give yourself an added challenge (optional and included in the word count), make reference to a mirror in your post.

For those who want an even greater challenge (optional), make your post 200 words EXACTLY!



[DISCLAIMER-- I have 200 words WITH the title-- I read excluding as including :-)]

The Imago of Wolfman Jack


“That was Tonight, Tonight by Hot Chelle Rae. Our Truth, by Lacuna Coil, takes us to the top of the hour and your requests.”

Janis flipped the switches, sending the new tune rocking out across the airwaves and leaned back. She stared at the glass wall, the dark room beyond making the surface reflect like a mirror, picturing her mentor, Wolfman Jack, doing the same.

The night seemed to oscitate before her, begging her to fill the void as the hero of her youth had. Looking down at the request list, she cringed. It seemed each song Nick had scrawled on the page was a miasma. With all the other stations polluting the airwaves, she hesitated to add to it with this so-called music. What would the idol of her youth, her idol of today, have done?

“Nick,” she said into her headset, conscious of the time remaining on the song.

“We need to find a new playlist,” the two said in perfect synchronicity.


Janis laughed. “You know what they say about great minds.”

“Yeah,” Nick winked, handing her a new list. “They make great friends, and better boyfriends.”

Have a great Monday!

Soundtrack of My Life

A few years ago, this fun exercise appeared in a chat room I frequented.  I had so much fun, and found how many different artists people listen to, that I wanted to share it here and see what you all have on your playlists (maybe I'll find someone knew to listen to!)

Here's what you need to do.  Put your MP3 player (or Media Player) on Shuffle.  Then, as the songs play (or if you can cheat like I do and see the playlist before they play) write in the song (and artist) that corresponds with the following list.  Finally, post it in the comments for all of us to see.  Most of all, have fun with it!  As you can see with mine, sometimes the song fits really well, other times, not so much, but that's where the fun lies.

Hope you all have a great weekend.  See you back here on Monday!


Opening Credits: Tuareg Attack (The Mummy)- Various Orchestras

Waking Up: Like a Dog Chasing Cars (The Dark Knight)- Hans Zimmer

First Day of School: Return to Alamut (Prince of Persia)- Harry Gregson-Williams

Falling in Love: Mary Can You Come Outside- Christian Kane [I did not manipulate this!  Honest!!!]

Fight Song: Happy Man- Christian Kane [If the above song and this were switched, it would be more accurate!]

Prom: The Pharaoh Sails to Orion- Nightwish

Life: Finger Dip (Highlander 2)- Seattle Symphony Orchestra

Mental Breakdown: Thought I'd Died and Gone to Heaven- Bryan Adams

Driving: A Coronal of Silver and Gold (Lord of the Rings)- Howard Shore

Flashback: Embers- Trans Siberian Orchestra

Getting Back Together: Discombobulate (Sherlock Holmes)- Hans Zimmer

Wedding: Ever Dream- Nightwish

Birth of Child: Stand Up (Kick Love into Motion)- Def Leppard

Final Battle: L.A. Song (Pretty as a Picture)- Christian Kane [I did cheat hear as the song listed for this was "Extract from Number 16, Unknown Artist"-- I have no idea what that is, so I jumped to the next song]

Death Scene:  She's Not There- Steve Carlson

End Credits:  Believe- Trans Siberian Orchestra

Following

Matthew MacNish asked Why Follow? on his blog post last Friday.   It's a great post,  If you haven't seen it, I recommend reading it.  This post made me think about a related topic I have been considering posting on.  How I follow.  As part of the Platform Building Campaign, I have started following new blogs (and have picked up new followers here-- welcome all!,).  But what does it mean when I follow your blog?

I follow several blogs (posted on the left side here) without expecting to be followed back (although I am grateful to all of you who do!).  When I visit a blog (either following a link from another post or stumbling upon it another way) I read a few posts and look around.  If I think it is something I will be interested in following, I look for the follow button or RSS feed button on your blog (if you don't have one, you should so I can follow you more easily.), then add you to my Google reader.  And here is where the magic happens for me.  Every time you update your blog, it appears in my reader.  I will click on the link and read your blog in the bubble that opens (sometimes I have to go to the original item as the entire post doesn't show.)

For everyone I follow -- I do read your posts.  I just don't always comment on them.  I can't.  With working, being a wife and mother, and writing, I don't have enough time to.  But, I do read them, and will comment on ones that peak my interest, or when I have something to add to the conversation going on in the comments.

How about you?  How do you follow?

Award and Guest Post

Thanks to Kate Couresy of Weaving Colors for the lovely Liebster Award. This award is given to a blogger with less than 200 followers who then passes it on to five of their followers with less than 200 followers.  According to Babelfish, Liebster means Dearest.  So, here are some of my dearest bloggers with under 200 followers:

Michelle Pickett at Michelle Pickett, Author

Graeme Smith at Graeme's Blog

Fiona Claire at The Ageless Druid

Kathryn Sheridan Kupanoff at Everything Boho

For the fifth, I would like you to name a blogger in the comments section you believe deserves this award.

Now, for the Guest post.  My son has been writing on and off over the last year, and he has asked me to share the following poem with all of you.  Enjoy!

When did helping your neighbor become so difficult?

Last week our area experienced record rainfall (over 9 inches of rain in a 24 hour period) followed by record flooding.  Many families were evacuated, and still have not returned to their homes.  Having received word that one of the shelters was in need of clothing, books, games, and things to help people pass the time while the waters recede and they are allowed back to their homes, we packed up some supplies and headed out.  Upon arriving at the shelter, we were told by a Red Cross volunteer that "they couldn't take any books or games, and clothing must have tags from the store still on them."

I stood there dumbstruck.  Here we were trying to offer needed supplies and were being turned away.  Returning home, the news ran an update, stating that the Red Cross was looking for donations, specifically money.  Given what I had just found out, I can see why they are asking for money.  To me it appears they aren't willing to accept the donations that could aid someone instantly, they would rather fill their coffers and have the aid come when they are ready for it.

To say I am disappointed with the Red Cross is an understatement.  Instead of helping those people at the shelter, I will find another place who will take my donation and distribute it to those in need.

Have any of you had experience with the Red Cross like this?  Or is this just a local issue?

TGIF!!!

Talk about a crazy week! Sorry I didn't post yesterday, but I was busy keeping up with the news.

Dear son went back to school on Wednesday, but rather than the normal week of school we expected, he had an early dismissal followed by tow days off due to record flooding in our area.

We are fine--had some ground water flooding in the basement--but others in our area lost everything.  We are still not sure how bad it got, but we know it was worse than the flooding we went through in 2006.  Both hubby and I are home from work until further notice (most likely Monday for me-- not sure for him).

I was hoping to participate in the Judge and Jury blogfest, but have nothing ready for it, and will be taking out wet carpet today.

Hope you all have a great weekend.  Will be back to normal on Monday (I hope!)

Platform Building Challenge-- Short Story

Our first challenge for the Platform Building Crusade is to write a short story/flash fiction piece of 200 words or less beginning with the words "The door swung open."  For added difficulty, you can end with "The door swung shut"  and be exactly 200 words. 

I decided to go for all of it.  Here is what I hope will find its way toward the end of one of my WIP's based on a reverse Sleeping Beauty idea.  If you like it, you can "like" it here! (I am number 199)

The door swung open, and Kaylee peered inside, breath hitching as she found Devlin, perfectly still and white as the sheets tucking him into the four-poster bed. A tear slid down her cheek, and she dashed it away. Arabella thought she could keep them apart, but although her spell had been strong enough put Devlin and much of the kingdom to sleep, it wasn't enough to conquer true love.

Slippered feet silent on the wood floor, Kaylee hurried to the bedside, pulling out a strange vial. Blood from the Golden Dragon mixed with the purple elixir from the wise woman formed an antidote for the spell. At least in theory it did.

Hand shaking, Kaylee wiggled out the stopper, hesitating as she held the vial to Devlin's lips. There was no guarantee what she was about to do would work. If it didn't, she would live out the remainder of her days in the dungeon.

With a quick prayer, Kaylee tipped the strange liquid into Devlin's mouth. Nothing happened. Kaylee leaned her cheek against his, wishing his eyes open as a single tear trickled onto his lips. The chime of a crystal bell filled the room and the door swung shut.

Busy Weekend

Happy Labor Day, everyone!

Sorry for the late post today, but it was a crazy weekend.  I spent Saturday with my mom at my niece's.  She was flooded out from Hurricane Irene last week.  Then Sunday, we had to outfit dear son for hockey, as we found out he has evaluations this week.

I will be posting more later this week for the Platform Building Campaign Challenge and the Judge and Jury blogfest.

Have a great day!

Goal Updates, New Goals, and News

In July I posted a list of goals I wanted to accomplish before the end of August, and with yesterday being the last day of August, I thought I'd share my update with you.

1) Finish current WIP by the end of August.  I did finish my round of revisions on my WIP, and am now incorporating feedback from my CP's. I have the first 2 chapters of another WIP (another revision which is most likely going to be an almost complete rewrite) set, and will be working on this while waiting for feedback.

2) Reach 50 followers on my blog and on Twitter. Thanks to all my followers (old and new) I have over 50 followers here, but did not meet my Twitter goal.

My goals for September are:

1) Finish incorporating feedback from my CP's.  This may take longer than the month as we only exchange 3 chapters a week, but I am hopeful to get through it all.

2) Get a good start on my next WIP.  I have a basic outline (and now my characters very well as this is probably the 10th (or more) version of this story.  Just couldn't get it quite right before) and a better idea of how to fix what was wrong.


NEWS:

One of my CP's has a new blog.  You can check it out here.  Isn't the tree just gorgeous?  Don't you want to open the door and go inside? 

For those of you who are fans of Rob Thurman, and haven't heard.  She is recovering from a serious car accident.  Updates can be found on her blog here.

 Next week I hope to post a fun game for all of you to play along with, so stay tuned.  Have a great weekend!!!