Tag: random

Definitely worth noting

From the International Day Against Homophobia web site:

“Homophobia is an insidious process that channels its effects through subtle, usually transparent ways. No one is safe from hostile manifestations to homosexuality. Quite surprisingly, many homosexual individuals themselves adopt homophobic behaviour, hoping it will protect them against prejudice from their entourage. The International Day Against Homophobia aims to reach all groups of society, regardless of their sexual orientation.

An International Day Against Homophobia belongs to no one individual. It’s about all people hoping for a prejudice-free world that can provide a place at the table for everyone regardless of their sexual orientation. Inspired by all world theme-days, the day set aside to fight homophobia needs to be appropriated by all of those actively involved in civil society: gay and lesbian community organisations, those organisations focusing on other types of sexual diversity, unions, employers, private businesses, governments, public administration, professional associations, and all individuals seeking equality.”

For more information, background, and positive steps toward eliminating homophobia, check out the web site linked above.

Homophobia hurts everyone.

I now have proof…

…that my keyboard is my brain.

Someone I knew seventeen years ago called me because he was trying to determine the last name of someone else we knew–VERY BRIEFLY–also seventeen years ago. He wondered if the last name started with a “T.” I keep lots of records, but I had little hope that the full name was written anywhere. Still, I have a certain journal that I thought might help. Eventually I did find the initials of the person, but the last initial was “H.” I tried and tried to remember the last name, without success.

So I put my hands on my keyboard, closed my eyes, and said, “Just type it.” I came up with an “H” name that is completely uncommon and unfamiliar. I google-imaged the name, and–DAMN!–there he was!

I returned the call and provided the last name.

I find that completely bizarre, since I can’t remember what I ate yesterday.

The Internet rocks.

If humility is a virtue…

I have a lot of writing to do, and I sense that soon I’ll be like Gregalicious with nubs for fingers and little time to post. A writer must always negotiate for time because, sad to say, VERY FEW people understand how time-consuming writing can be. It’s amazing some of the things people expect you to do because they just don’t get that you HAVE A JOB, even if you’re your own boss and you’re not making boatloads of money. (It’s even more amazing how money is the single most important standard a lot of people have for defining what is work. Whatever.) There are always hurt feelings from unanswered phone calls and e-mails, postponed and missed meetings–enh, it’s a hazard of the profession. I do my best, and that’s all I can do.

There are a lot of things I don’t do when I go into full-on writing mode. I watch even less TV (though that hardly seems possible). I see no clients. I stop reading as much news, because it agitates me and keeps me in this world when I need to be getting lost in whatever world I’m creating. I confine my book-reading time to little fragments, mostly in bed before I fall asleep.

When I do take breaks, I feel like I should be doing something constructive. Like this.

Yeah. That’d be Christmas presents I’ve been buying for the past five months and started wrapping on Friday. I’m determined that I’ll do this a little at a time while I’m writing these novels. That way, by the time Thanksgiving comes, I’ll not only have turned in two manuscripts, but I’ll be FINISHED with my Christmas stuff. I dare to dream that I could have a relatively stress-free December. We’ll see.

Another thing I cut out is reading most of the blogs that I enjoy. It’s for the best. Friday, one of those blogs linked me to someone who linked me to someone who’s an aspiring writer. We’ll call him A.W. Oh, the things A.W. had to say about the evil of people who’ve been published. Did you know that published authors have HUGE egos and must “know someone” because nearly everything being published is CRAP, unlike his own original, brilliant, and imaginative manuscripts? The ones he’s never finished? Never submitted? Never let anyone rip to shreds?

Maybe A.W. is a great writer. If so, I hope he has what it takes to persist until he gets published, because then maybe he will learn humility. It’s a virtue the world will gladly help an author achieve. Here are a few examples off the top of my head.

how we keep it real

Some more random Friday stuff


First lizard of the season sees shadow

Did you know these little lizards can bite? Me, either. I’ve never been bitten by one, but then again, I never touch them. I love looking at them though, and every year a few new photos of them end up in my vast photo archives.

Today I have learned that wherever my LJ friends hail from, they cherish the “F” word. This could be the one thing we all have in common.

I have been reminded that I absolutely love reading Mark Doty.

And if I don’t stop reading, I’ll never finish writing.

But whatever I’m doing today, thanks to FARB, it’ll be to the haunting tune of “The Lonely Goatherd.”

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RIO! If I could, I’d arrange for Condi to jump out of your birthday cake. =)

And now, Timothy, I’ll shut the fuck hell up before I go after John McCain and his really, really bad attempt at a joke. Because, you know, I think what William Tecumseh Sherman meant to say was, “War is hilarious.”

Messages from a busy writer

Todd, thanks for the Earth Day card. =) You are always so thoughtful. Someday I will have to tell you and Chaos the white ferret story.

Greg–that cover is smokin’!

And Mark. Oh, Mark. Do you have a copy of Comfort & Joy lying around the house? Yes? I think you should find it and check out pages 38-39.

Linda, if you are reading this, thanks for your willingness to help. As I get to that part of what I’m writing, I just may take you up on your offer of information. And you will be added to the acknowledgments that a certain reader in the northeast fears will one day be longer than our novels.

Finally, whoever was the jokester that hooked up one of my e-mail addresses with an anti-gay marriage site, I have unsubscribed and have a bonus button for you: