Friday, February 10, 2017

I've Still Got a Lot of Fight Left In Me

Began a sunny, windy morning with Scooby Doo, Where are You? during breakfast.
"A Tiki Scare Is No Fair" takes us to the second half of the second season. On a trip to Hawaii, Shaggy and Scooby's most recent luau was interrupted by a witch doctor, shortly after a reporter warned them away from an ancient village. The village, however, may be the only way to find the reporter and figure out what the witch doctor is really after.

"Don't Fool With a Phantom" takes the kids backstage at a local TV station. After a wax figure disrupts a dance show and steals the station's cash, the kid go next-door to a wax museum to learn more about the spook. Seems the creepy owner insists he conjured the spirit in revenge...but there may be more to this than an act of vengeance.

Headed out around quarter of 12 for this week's session at the Oaklyn Library. It was chilly and very breezy, though not quite as bad as yesterday. The library was fairly busy, mainly with older people using the computers and looking for books and DVDs. I looked over the DVDs, then reorganized the graphic novels. (Which, at the Oaklyn Library, means "comic books, graphic novels, and anything with a superhero, cartoon character, or Star Wars in it.") Since most of them are paperback and quite a few are actually picture books, they tend to get put in the wrong place or lot in the shuffle easily.

Headed for WaWa after I finished. I wanted to use the ATM machine and get some lunch. Thought I'd do something a little different. Ordered a Roast Beef, Onion, Spinach, and Horseradish Panini. Considered getting candy, but decided I had enough junk at home and held off. Had it really quick for lunch. Whew, does WaWa use some strong horseradish! It cleared my sinuses.

Headed right back out again after I finished eating. I desperately needed to get the laundry done. I kept putting it off and putting it off, either due to the weather or work. Maybe waiting wasn't such a bad idea. It wasn't too busy when I got in, and was completely quiet by the time I left. This was a good thing. It goes without saying that I had a huge load to do, complete with towels. I worked on story notes and half-listened to Steve Harvey and Ellen.

When I got home, I put away my clothes, then once again went right back out. It was too late to hit the Haddon Township Library, but I thought I might lend a hand at Studio LuLoo. Turns out they were having a party later, but otherwise, there wasn't much going on. It was too cold for most people to send their kids to creativity sessions. I watched two little girls play puzzle games on their iPad and drew pictures with a few of the kids.

I went online to look over Pinterest and my e-mail and do some writing. I should have done the writing before the e-mail. I got a comment on my blog that, while not nasty, pretty much said I should give up on becoming a professional writer, my therapist is right and I should seek professional help, and why am I watching cartoons when the world is falling apart? I should grow up.

First, I got upset...but then, I got mad. I'm sick of this. I'm sick and tired of everyone telling me how to live my damn life. You know what? I am going to be a writer. Maybe not a journalist or a novelist, but a business writer or a technical writer or an editor or a copywriter. Or I'll be an archivist or a professional organizer, or a retail merchandiser, or I'll work in a library or doing data entry. I'm tired of everyone in the world telling me what I can and can't do and what I can and can't be. The only person who can decide that is me.

I will see the doctor, but only because it makes Jodie and Dad happy. Besides, they may have some suggestions on how to deal with my anxiety and where to look for other financial options.

And oh yeah, I'm going to keep working on my fanfiction. Maybe it's not perfect. Maybe it's not even good. But you know what? It makes me happy, and that's what matters. I'm writing for me, because I need to write. Maybe I can't sell it. Maybe I'll never be a professional. But at least I'm doing something I love.

I poured my anger into Leia's thoughts after Harry (Han) teases her yet again from the cockpit. She wants to find the Swords of Alderaan to prove that she, a woman, can be an archaeologist and make amazing finds. She wants to prove that her godfather was right...and she can go up against a big facist corporation and win.

Broke for leftovers from last night for dinner around 7:30. Ran Romancing the Stone while I ate. Joan Wilder (Kathleen Turner) is a shy romance novelist who is called to Columbia to rescue her sister, who has been kidnapped by smugglers. They want a map that leads to a fabulous emerald. She gets help along the way from a mercenary (Michael Douglas) with the sea in his heart and his own reasons for going after the treasure. This has long been one of my favorite films, a cracking good adventure with an unusually strong heroine.

Finished the night with another jungle tale. The Road to El Dorado. This time, it's two con men from Spain who have a map to fabulous riches, the golden city of the title. Turns out the city is very much a living, thriving community of natives who think they're gods. One falls for a female thief who wants out. The other grows to love El Dorado and its people and wants to stay. They finally have to decide what's right for them, their relationship, and the citizens when a jealous magician who resents their presence lures Coranado to the city in the hopes of destroying them all. One of Dreamworks' best 2-D animated films, a rousing adventure with a surprisingly touching friendship at its core and one of Elton John's best scores.

2 comments:

Jackie S. said...

Sigh. Don't let anonymous jerks online get you down. I've really sporadically posted a comment here and there on your blog. (Not THAT comment!) But I regularly read it. I have made money writing and used to write for AOL Television before Ariana Huffington came along and fired all of us freelancers. Yeah, I had to keep my day job and it's not a field where many can actually make a living. But I keep on writing, as should you. Watch for opportunities online. It might not get you out of the Acme, but you might be able to make some money here and there. Don't give up your dreams.

Now, I'm not telling you what you should or should not do (other than not give up!), but as a long-time reader of your blog ... I notice you like cooking and different eats as well as writing. Have you ever considered some sort of cookbook mixed with your entertaining writing skills? I'm not talking a straight-laced recipe book. I think you could probably write something which includes the recipes (perhaps ones from other sources tweaked to your liking) along with a light touch of prose. Have you ever thought of something like that? Cookbooks are a big industry and that would be a novel approach. What do you think? If it's none of my business, just let me know. As a frustrated writer, I do feel your pain.

Emma said...

I have thought of writing cookbooks! I need to figure out where to begin. Plus, I rarely write down most of my concoctions - they're really variations on things I find here, there, and everywhere. Maybe I should start a recipe blog. I'll consider it. :)

And thank you so much for your note of encouragement! What hurts is...the person who send the message wasn't anonymous. They were someone who used to respond here.