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Thanks so much to everyone who offered congratulations on the sale! |
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Paul Tremblay ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) pgtremblayand I collaberated on a story that just sold to Weird Tales.
It's my first collaberation, and I loved it. After the story is published, maybe I'll talk about the story behind the story, which is interesting too, and the end result which, I think, is very sweet for many reasons.
The story is called "Figure 5." Look for it. |
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I think I've managed to get pics up on flickr, for those interested. Try this:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/anaparenna/
or this:
http://www.flickr.com/people/anaparenna/
Let me know if they don't work.
It was a dismal day for picture taking. Has been for a while. Soon, I will add pics of some of the more impressive houses in the area. Once I get this all figured out. Bleh. :D |
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Luckily, it's been raining for three days here, so I don't have to worry about the people setting off fireworks in the parking lot. There were some yelps of slight pain earlier when, I suspect, someone didn't step away from a lit fuse quick enough - nunna my business.
My New Year's Resolutions. I resolve to:
Teach more vocabulary, so students can complain more eloquently to their parents about what an unreasonable hag I am.
Stop baiting the weird science teacher with the wild-eyed, panicked expression every time I see him in the halls. (I grin, and say something as if we've had a previous conversation he should remember. "It's all about the entropy!" "It ain't sublimation until someone's wearing a lampshade!")
Spend more time at my new house. It's difficult...can't take anything there right now, really, because we'll be doing dry-wall soon, and that'll be dusty. So, mostly all I can do is go there and look at it. I can also sit on the floors. Can't wait to get the bathroom done, and I can move in. I filled 2 large garbage bags with leaves last time I was there, and didn't make a dent in the front porch, much less the yard. It's been neglected for 2 years. The neighbors, I think, were snickering at me as they barreled throught just-this-year's-leaves on their riding mowers.
I do resolve to get some pics of this neighborhood up soon as I figure out how to work my father's camera. There are some houses you just HAVE to see. And the ONLY movie theater in town. It's called the "Howard."
I dunno. It was a pretty good year. I did many of the things I wanted to do, or had resolved to do previously. I did something I hadn't planned on doing for another 6 months (buy the house), and it turned out all right. Kind of a no-brainer as far as resolutions go. Maybe I'll write something. Get my new website online, though the content at this point is pretty static. Little stuff. This year did right by me. I'll try to do right by the one coming up. It doesn't always have to end with a bang, I figure. |
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Gort!
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Dec. 27th, 2006 @ 09:55 pm
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I had to go look up "Klute" on the ol' imdb.com. A commentor said "Jane Fonda definitely deserved the Oscar she got for this role. Her portrayal of Bree Daniels, a tragic heroine wracked by inner contradictions is one of cinema's most haunting characters not only in the context of the story but as the embodiment of the immediate post sexual revolution as well."
Huh.
I could play with this one all night. |
| » A Little Christmas Eve Gossip |
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Remember Haven Gillespie? If not, you can check out these pages:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haven_Gillespie
http://songwritershalloffame.org/exhibit_bio.asp?exhibitId=260
Basically, he's the fella that wrote "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town."
Family legend has it that Haven Gillespie was a friend of my father's step-father. Probably not a best friend, but more than a passing acquaintance. This is all family gossip, mind you. At some time past, I received some old music sheets of Haven's - copied piano scores, and what not - through odd sources that deserve their own story one day, with more explanation than I'm interested in giving here. My father has them in storage for me - they were willed to me by his step-father, back in my piano-playing days, when Grandpa Ted was alive and visited us. Some funny little "copyright cards" to go with some of them. And a wedding song he composed for "Ted and June" - my father's step-father and mother. It's a copy of an autographed copy with his signature and dedication on it: To Ted and June...(happiness and etc. blah, blah)...Haven. But it doesn't appear on any of his song lists, so I don't know the story behind that.
Well. As you can see by the second link, Haven was depressed by the death of his brother when he wrote "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town." The link says he was asked to write a children's Christmas song, and came up with it fifteen minutes later on the subway.
Now to the family gossip.
Family gossip says Haven later told my father's step-father that he was so depressed by his brother's death that he went out and got royally drunk. Absolutely plowed. And as he stumbled back to his hotel, he fell down in the snow. Across the street there was a Salvation Army Santa. And the Santa was ringing his bell up, and down, and up, and down. And saying:
You better watch out. Don't you cry. Santa Claus is coming. Santa Claus is coming to town.
And that's how he wrote the song.
Happy Holidays to everyone!
Dec. 24th, 2006 @ 07:54 pm
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| » In The Clear |
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Thanks so much to everyone for the well wishes! I got the word about an hour ago that the final son brought in his paperwork, so I'm in the clear with the house. Since I won't be moving in for a while, tomorrow I'm going to go play in the yard. :)
Dec. 22nd, 2006 @ 04:38 pm
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| » House Blather |
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( Read more... )
Dec. 21st, 2006 @ 08:29 pm
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| » Move That Bus! |
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They did a segment of "Extreme Home Makeover" just down the street from my mother's house. (I've seen portions of the show about 3-4 times.) Struggling family, 4 or 5 autistic children, Dad working 2 jobs, about to be foreclosed on, etc. A very sad situation. Today, while we had a family Sunday with grandparents and kids, we could hear them doing the "Move That Bus!" shout.
Later, my mother, my littlest cousin Samantha, and I went to see.
I'll say this: the new house is beautiful. But beautiful in a monstrous way.
This is a middle-class neighborhood of small, well-kept houses, built in the 80s I believe. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, averaging about 1500-1700 square feet. They're mostly constructed of local stone, which is very pale and cut square*, and gingerbread fronts. Yards are neat, but not fancy, very individualized.
Somehow, they managed to put a 4,000 square foot house on one of these tiny plots. Mostly, I think, because they built it UP. It looms. The backyard, which we glimpsed, was cut down to about 7 square feet to fit it. No attempt was made, whatsoever, to fit this house into the neighborhood. It's some kind of dark, orangey-brown stucco with enormous, round, gray and black stones for accents - stone the likes of which don't come from anywhere in Texas. The garage doors are massive, medieval-looking wood with arched tops. There are medieval-looking lanterns hung over them, and another huge lantern hung over the front doorway. Another funny thing - they didn't landscape it well. They chose plants and flowers, trees and grasses which aren't native to Texas. They're going to take a LOT of watering come summer, but I figure most of them will probably die anyway just from exposure to the sun. They're all shade plants, but there's no shade.
I'm sure the family is thrilled. I hope this will be a good thing for them. (I don't want to know what the new utility bills will cost on a house that size, especially the water for the delicate plants and ornamental shrubs.)
But it just looks so ridiculous. My mother and I stood staring at it for a while, then looked up and down the street, then burst into giggles. My mom said, "It's so obvious this is about the show," and she was right. Honestly, with a little effort, they could easily have built a large house like this that at least would look complimentary to the neighborhood. This thing sticks out like a sore thumb, and it's a little surreal.
Also, the front yards of every house in front, to the sides, and for about a block leading to the site were completely destroyed. You could see where gardens had been trampled, lawns were worn down to dirt, and there was evidence here and there of Christmas decorations destroyed - light strings yanked out of trees, displays knocked over, and on one front porch a sad little row of broken things (light-up Santa, mangled wire deer) waiting to be hauled off to the trash. I would assume the show will make reparations somehow, but if their choice for landscaping is any indication, I think a few folks are going to be upset.
Strange world, isn't it?
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*Bit of Trivia:
One of the quarries where they get most of the stone for local housing developments is just behind my school. When they blast, the entire building shudders and, for a moment, feels like it's sinking. It's a weird, vertiginous sensation.
Dec. 17th, 2006 @ 09:36 pm
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| » Overheard |
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The Wag-A-Bag store clerk to the woman in front of me: "Well, I do have a degree in neo-classic literature, so I can pretty much tell you how the whole Stargate saga will eventually end."
I do not make this stuff up, folks. It just happens to me.
Dec. 15th, 2006 @ 07:46 pm
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| » Merry Christmas from the Barclay Poodles! |
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There are too few truly exquisite Christmas websites out there, but I found one.
Merry Christmas from the Barclay Poodles!
And if you do not have your speakers on for this, you are missing out. Click on the links to explore the site. EVERY PAGE IS DELIRIOUSLY DIFFERENT! They have their own music! Check out the nursery. Clever to keep the puppies in a shopping cart for easy foisting off on holiday-dazed shoppers at the corner PetCo. (Yes, I know it's not actually a shopping cart.)
I sign on the house on Monday. Things are going suspiciously well.
Dec. 14th, 2006 @ 04:37 pm
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| » Happy Thanksgiving |
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Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.
This year I'm thankful for...my new house. ( Read more... )
Nov. 23rd, 2006 @ 10:00 am
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| » Been To A Con |
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The con was interesting. I must not have looked like a writer, because the woman selling memberships hesitated and said, "You do realize it's $150? This is actually a professional writing convention." I assured her I understood the price, dragged my big-ass bag of books back out to my car, then went back in and met up with slithytove for panels.
Ummm, I wasn't blown away by the panels, but it was certainly interesting to see what they were like. All three I went to were very different. The dealer's room was interesting. Small Beer Press continues to impress me with their book covers. Lunch at a restaurant across the street, one more panel on the year's recommendations, then home. I plan to spend more time there tomorrow for certain. Today I was a little overwhelmed. I looked for folks I knew, but didn't see any one. I'll be more attentive tomorrow, I think. And possibly not as tired. :)
Nov. 3rd, 2006 @ 05:38 pm
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| » Er...what? |
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I'm researching the idea of using Harry Potter to help teach elementary school children history, specifically the American Revolution, for an education conference early next year. In my arguement [sic], I've linked Harry Potter to the founders, Dumbledore to the French, Hermione and Ron to lesser known historical figures, along with other analogies.
Of course. It all makes sense now. Thank god for the flying car and the fat lady in the portrait.
This is a great idea. Why limit it to the American Revolution? It could be used for the Civil War - house against house. It could be used for the Cola wars - brew against brew. The possibilities are endless.
Personally, I can't wait for some elementary kid to come home and announce, "John Hancock had a lightning-shaped scar on his forehead, and signed the Declaration of Independence with a magic wand, when it was brought to him by his Owl, Thomas Jefferson."
Because it will be something like that, I promise you.
Oct. 30th, 2006 @ 05:43 pm
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| » 10 Reasons Why I Hate You |
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Or, reasons why Angry Student X-who-is-important-student-council-member thinks I hate her, according to today's conversation, and internalized teacher responses to same.
"It's because I'm a lesbian."
(Had no idea. Don't care.)
"It's because I didn't do that assignment."
(LOTS of kids didn't do that assignment. You hardly make a blip on the map.)
"It's because I think your class is boring."
(You're in my class because you wouldn't do the work for the Advanced Placement class and were kicked out. Teachers talk. In on-level, I teach EVERY level, and you're failing this class. You want to be above that, go back to AP.)
"It's because I try to help you by asking questions when no one's participating."
(You're helping by asking questions about the instructions written on the page? And you're upset I tell you to READ THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE PAGE? Also, I don't need your help. The other kids are participating just fine. They don't blurt out a question about the instructions on the page 30 seconds after receiving them. They read them first.)
"You're just trying to make yourself look perfect."
(You're just trying to make yourself look victimized.)
"Just so you know, I'm requesting a new English teacher."
(Just so you know, I'm requesting a new English student.)
Oct. 26th, 2006 @ 11:01 pm
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| » In Time For Halloween |
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Chocolate Ears
Not a YouTube clip.
Oct. 26th, 2006 @ 05:37 pm
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| » Just In Time For Halloween |
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Cthulhu coffee mug
Pretty Poppets
Disclaimer: Neither of these links lead to a YouTube clip. This blog author cannot be held responsible for any forays you may make from the websites which eventually lead to a YouTube clip.
Oct. 21st, 2006 @ 06:21 pm
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| » Random Personal Discoveries |
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I realized today, after some reflection, that I am not a fan of mystery novels, but am a fan of mystery movies and TV shows.
Fast on the heels of that, I realized I am not a fan of ensemble-pov movies and TV shows, but am a fan of ensemble-pov novels. Not a shattering realization, I know.
It wasn't anything in particular. A woman at the bookstore saw something I bought for the classroom, and recommended a mystery novel with a similar theme/plot/I dunno what. Probably just making conversation, after she'd dutifully hassled me about using my teacher's discount card.* After checking out, I went back to look at the book she recommended, and as I neared the mystery section felt as if someone had said, "Hey, we're going to wax your eyelashes. Y'up for it?" I don't think I've ever had a BAD experience with mystery novels, so I don't know where that comes from. Then I started thinking about all the mystery TV shows I watch (PBS usually), and how much I like them, and then how I don't like "Lost," but I've liked quite a few books with several pov characters, and then my brain switched over to Radio Stream-of-consciousness and discoveries were made, wa-la!
Anyway, I diverted to Gardening, which is a soothing section where I can be delighted just looking at covers, while never feeling unduly motivated to buy anything, having only a porch. I exited by way of Philosophy, with a slight detour through the discount trivia books, and felt better.
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*Teacher Discount Card Hassling (it's always the similar):
Her: Aren't you lucky! Today is Teacher's Day! You get to use your card on everything, even things for yourself! (Holds up novel.)
Me: (rolling eyes, been through it before) These are all for my classroom. (And they are, actually.)
Her: (hesitating) Sooooo...you let your kids read horror novels?
Me: I let my students read anything they will actually choose to read. If I don't put books in the classroom, they will not choose to read them on their own.
Her: And you teach...?
Me: (heavy sigh) High school English.
Her: Oh! So you do teach reading and stuff!
Me: Yes. Reading and stuff.
Oct. 14th, 2006 @ 07:04 pm
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| » By Special Request |
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School story.
"I don't understand my grade. It says 27."
"I might have made a mistake. Do you have those missing assignments with a grade on them from me?"
"No, I didn't do them."
"Then what is it you don't understand?"
"I wasn't here the day you did that major grade assignment I got a zero for. And the day you had that quiz I got a zero for, I didn't have the notes because I was absent the day you gave the notes. You told me not to take the quiz."
"You're right. I told you not to take the quiz but...?"
"To come in and get the notes and take it later."
"And..."
"I never did."
"Right. And as for the major grade, I have the worksheet here for you, in the absentee folder, waiting for you to complete it. I put in in there the day you were absent."
"So I can turn it in tomorrow?"
"After 3 weeks? No, sorry."
"But I've been in class."
"Except for those days you were absent, yes. But you're late every day to class and back from lunch by 10-15 minutes."
"But I'm always good in class."
"Except for today, when you wanted to do homework from another class while we were doing work for this class, and fought me on it in the middle of my teaching."
"But that work is due next period!"
"And yet it was assigned two days ago."
"I had to work one of those nights."
"I understand how difficult it is. I worked while in high school as well."
"This class is beginning to suck."
"And yet it didn't begin to suck until you saw your grade and realized you weren't taking responsibility for yourself."
"..."
"Was there anything else?"
"I'm not going to be as nice any more."
"Ah, well. My loss, I'm sure. Please pick up that pencil you threw at my desk."
Oct. 12th, 2006 @ 11:06 pm
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| » At The Grocery Store |
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There was a popular local beer dressed up in a special label - I thought it was made to look like snakeskin. I thought hmmm, dead snake on my beer, that's...kinda neat, kinda gross. There's good eatin' on a rattler, after all, if circumstances require it.
But no. Upon further inspection (of three of them now), the label is made to look like a football skin. Because Texas IS football.
And on the display table right inside the door, cupcakes whose red frosting looked a bit aged.
But no. It's not rotten, it's burnt orange frosting. With little football helmets stuck in them. And on the way home, the car in front of me has a bumper sticker which says, "I bleed burnt orange."
Golly. I can't WAIT until "Friday Night Lights" premieres on TV. Because I don't get enough FOOTBALL in my everyday life here, nor enough football-related drama from my kids, nor enough football-related joke email from teachers who spam the entire school.
And have I mentioned how, in my school, it is a tradition for football players to ask female teachers to wear their jerseys the day they are playing? Can I tell you how ewww this is to me? I tell them the shirts are too hot, but I'll hang it from the wall-mounted TV. (Most of them reek of Febreeze in an attempt to cover up the smell of smoke.) That deters a lot of them. And the football players come to class with buckets - actual decorated buckets - full of toys and sweets and weird crap their girlfriends make for them every week. I'm not kidding - some of these things cost upwards of fifty dollars. EVERY WEEK. And not one of them ever shares. Maybe it's because I won't wear their jerseys. :)
Ah, Texas.
Sep. 30th, 2006 @ 07:16 pm
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