Sore Calf

Woke up at 4:15 a.m. this morning, even though I'd gone to bed a little before midnight. I was excited to play racquetball this morning. I warmed up from 5-5:15 and practiced a few backhands and ceiling balls. Steve arrived around 5:20 and we played a quick game at 5:30. At 5-7, he ran into me, his knee hitting my left calf as followed through on a forehand passing shot, and let me tell you my calf muscle is still really sore. Damn, I hate getting injured! I hope it's better by tomorrow because I have a challenge match with Rod G. at 10 a.m. I was planning to call Angela G. and schedule a lesson, but I'll wait until I know the extent of my injury. I hope it heals soon because I'm so ready to terrorize my opponents on the racquetball court this month. I am so tired of losing games that should be won. Today, Steve and I were up 14-6 against Mark and another Steve, and we ended up losing 14-16. What the f&#K? It makes me want to destroy things.

I'm reading through Pub Rants, a blog by lit agent Kristin N., and it's a fabulous excuse to keep from revising the book. Yesterday, she posted a request for queries from guys, so I guess I'm sending her mine today. I've been holding off because once I send the query to one agent, I'll start the entire query process, and that means the inevitable string of no thank you's. It only takes one yes, and I've done what I needed to do to deal with this stage of the process, but still, I'm concerned no one will see the potential in Julia Milan. I guess there's only one way to find out.

Man, my calf is sore.

Last night, Chris and I talked about his Grand Gold UBC handbook. It's a marketing marvel, and pure Chris P. I have to remind myself that the ultimate goal is getting one of our scripts sold. I look forward to that day.

I'm firing up the poker skills once again, ready for all the pain and suffering that comes with the endless bad beats I seem to suffer. Will my new, improved attitude withstand the two-, three-, and four-outers just waiting to unravel me, or will I break a whole new set of computer mice this month? Inquiring minds want to know.

I've been reading several blogs this month, which is why I'm writing more on mine. I like blogs.

Here's a picture of my Super Bowl party. It was great! Biff won 1st place. Congrats, Biff!

Mondays

Yesterday, I wrote for five hours, studied poker for the first time in a month (four hours), and cleaned. Today I'm doing more of the same. I've revised chapter 3 so that it's now a bit more gripping than it was. I'll send out my first batch of queries this week. I've been at home now for over 15 months. I've grown accustomed to this wonderful lifestyle. There's nothing out that that can replace what I used to have, so I'm determined to create something new, something better.

Super Saints

So the Saints finally won a Super Bowl. It was a great game up until the 4th quarter interception. I was hoping for something a little closer toward the end, but all-in-all I was entertained. The Doritos ads were strong. The rest, so-so. The Megan Fox commercial was funny. I had the ususal suspects over and we had a great time. Biff won the Super Bowl contest and an Urban Indigo Oakland desk calendar for his efforts. The next party is a month from now...the Oscars.

I only got one hour of writing done today. Not good. Tomorrow will be better.

Revisions & Pinball

I have 80+ sequences in Chapel book 1, each around 3-4 pages each. I'm going through the book one last time before sending out queries to agents. The first few chapters are in good shape. The story's in good shape, too, though I need to develop Julia's healing powers a bit more, setting things up more thoroughly so that the beginning of chapter 13 makes sense. The connection from Max to Julia is a bit vague and may stay that way in book 1. No need explaining everything right away. Anyway, I'm in the middle of chapter 3. I probably have another 60-70 hours left before I can move onto something else.

I'm almost done with Damages, season 2. I'm enjoying this season a lot. They're adding more plot-twist layers into the mix, but doing it effectively. I'm on episode 10. I can't wait to get into season 3, which is dvr'ed.

Last night I took Trey, Miles and Sophie to the Pacific Pinball Museum. What a wonderful time. We were there from 5:30 until 9:45. Trey was the adult in the group who said it was time for bed. I could have stayed until midnight. Neil joined us, too. Richard was out of town for the weekend so he couldn't make it. I played about five or six games of King of Diamonds, but didn't get the special for hitting all the cards. Next time. I like that place. Alameda is a fun place to hang out.

Aside from revising, I spent the day cleaning, making beef stew and shopping for the Super Bowl party tomorrow. People come over at 3. I'm trying out my new seltzer bottle tonight, making my first Italian soda in years.

Somewhere between 3 and 4

When I was a kid, two weeks felt like an eternity. Now, an hour feels like five minutes. Two weeks feels like a day. What the hell is up with that?

I made the grave mistake of watching Lady Gaga videos on YouTube. I can't get "Bad Romance" out of my head. Time for a Bartok string quartet to clear the tracks – No. 4, 5th mov't, that usually does the trick.

Ten nominees for Best Picture? Why not 100. I mean, come on.

I read somewhere that the best $70 investment ever made went toward a heated mattress pad. I concur. It's 5:53 p.m. and I'm seriously considering slipping into bed with a few chapters to revise, the heat dials set somewhere between 3 and 4.

I'm still pissed that Favre threw that int with 9 seconds left. I know, let it go.

I'm rewriting Jonas's concluding speech to Julia and it's interesting what's coming up. Goodbye Mr. Burns, hello embittered Citizen Kane.

This morning I had the privilege of playing older brother/therapist to my youngest sister, a role I enjoy almost as much as offering friendly advice to strangers about things I know nothing about. It's the co-dependent in me. I just can't help offering my take on things when asked. Friends kid me that I never answer "yes" or "no" to yes-and-no questions.

Okay, time to revise...

What's Out There

I'm reading through my posts and and reminding myself of all the nonsense I've written these past three years. I used to play poker once upon a time. Lately, I've been preparing my young adult novel for its coming out party into the literary world. That means crafting a query letter, tweaking the latest draft so that all the scenes make sense, and establishing some kind of internet presence. I've been reading the blogs of a few agents and have been impressed with the level of information they're willing to share with strangers. I can learn from that kind of generosity.

No Time

Up: 4:00 a.m.
Bed: 10:30 p.m.
Racquetball: Played my match with Tyrone today and couldn't make a shot to save my life. Lost 15-9, 15-8. Really sad. He didn't play all that well, either. I wasn't focused and lacked energy. I'll be ready for him next time.

Blogs: I read two agent blogs today and really enjoyed them. I'm amazed how much information folks provide in their blogs. It's like reading a 600-word essay in a magazine. I was impressed. I'm learning a lot about the publishing world from these blogs. They're great.

Joined SCBWI. Joined LaLa. Played with Google Books. It's truly unreal what we're able to do online these days.

No poker! Ahh! I'm going through withdrawls. Must play Wednesday or Thursday. This is ridiculous.

Took Sandy to the vet today to deal with her limping. Poor thing. More back issues. She's been out of it all day.

24 is dvr'ed and I'm on it now. More tomorrow.