Are You Questioning Me?

Christopher: This was a nice surprise. I'd totally forgotten I even wrote this post. Your answers were a lot of fun. Thanks, I'll be by to check out your site shortly.

1) Where were you ten years ago?

1998: I was moving to Chicago; I had just given up a sweet back page column to move here. My son was one year old. My daughter was 4.5. It was windy and snowing and driving the moving truck was learning how to sail in a hurricane.

2) What’s on your to do list today?
~ Laundry
~ Kitchen
~ Xmas brouhaha
~ Snow shoveling at about 6:45
~ Cursing
~more shoveling
~ more cursing
~ hot chocolate and/or scotch
~ feed them
~ homework them
~ watch office/30 rock
~ send them to bed
~ Pinotage w/ [My Attorney]
~ Write

3) What if you were a Billionaire?

What do you mean what if?

4) Five places you have lived?

I have lived in a shotgun apartment over an electric shaver repair shop with an insane performance artist who once set himself on fire; I took an apartment in a building that was condemned shortly thereafter where the garage apartments housed loud winos who sat on their porches drinking Thunderbird under palm trees and often fell over the rail to lie laughing on the asphalt behind my back door; I have lived over a garage in a two roomed apartment with pink walls and faux jewelry embedded int he floorboard cracks with quadruple French doors that opened into the upper branches of live oak and palms where I found, slid behind a kitchen cabinet door, a love note on brown paper from the former tenant to his lover, stranded in Mexico after an illegal operation, a note I carefully replaced in the hopes it would find its way; I have lived, for a week, in rock star splendor, on the 9th floor of La Pavillon in New Orleans in July where I stood amid chipped plaster statues and oblivious, chain smoking Brits, watching the afternoon thunderstorm gather black and crash through the business district to embrace us in a hot rain; I have lived now ten years in a bungalow on a street corner in Chicago amid cops and firemen, all of them manic Christmasophiles, their houses ablaze from November 29th through Jan 4, drinking coffee and singing to myself in the kitchen each day.

5) Three bad habits?

I write long letters to friends after three am because I have insomnia and it's a lot like being sloppy drunk, and I get what I call emotionally intellectually curious and ask detailed philosophical questions. Then after I finally fall asleep and wake up, have to plow through long, complicated answers to a question I don't remember and no longer understand.

I truly, truly love collecting and using bizarre, gigantic, hideously obscure words in everyday speech which, though it is fun for me, is not much more than carefully controlled logorrhea and does no one any real good, especially when I use words like copraphagilaliac in the Taco Bell drive-through.

I lie to children about bigfoot and convince them he knows how to read and loved superman comics but is pretty depressed all the time because he can't get a job and come into town and buy them so they should sometimes take their old superman comics and leave them in the woods.

6) Snacks you like?

Dirty martinis; fois gras; cheese grits.

7) Who will you tag?

Sgt. David Haynes

<abbr>Christopher Garlingtons last blog post..Proper Potty Training for People with Penises</abbr>

Luis: Sorry I just got to this. Didn't notice I had a stray comment.

No, not really. If I do, I'm furiously typing. The Wee-Books are just polished versions of material that was written before the blog. I'll be able to produce fresh material when I move into writing full time.

Writer Dad,

That title is awesome!

Made me smile too --- that's a rarity, just so you know.

But wow!

Do you ever have any time to yourself?

I couldn't help but notice your last three in your to-do list.

How do you ever manage to post 5 times a week and write your wee-books?

Gees!

Luis Grosss last blog post..StumbleUpon Do’s and Dont’s

Sara: JERK.

Robin: The writing isn't a bad habit, it's the fact that I'm doing it until midnight, then getting up at five. Every night. Something's gotta give, but the writing's great.

J.D. Meier: Thanks. J.D. That's a really nice thing to say.

Apathy Lounge: Isn't it funny how we never quite know where life is going to lead us? If your pen is doing good work, that's coming from inside; that's a lot more important than the outside. You're better off than a decade ago.

Ten years ago I was training for my first marathon. I completed it. I had one child in pre-school, and two in elementary. I was freelance writing for two newspapers and loving it. I didn 't think I would ever go back into the classroom to teach, which is where I am right now. I looked better than I do now, a fact that bothers me every day. That said, I think I write better now than I ever have.

apathy lounges last blog post..Best Laid Plans

You pull the world forward a post at a time. Slow and steady wins the race.

J.D. Meiers last blog post..SIGN - The 4 Signs of a Strength

Why is it a bad habit to stay up too late writing?! Isn't that a passion? - guess the operative words were "too late" :-)

Robins last blog post..Insects Versus Mother Theresa

I actually love reading these. Sometimes the mundane details (if chocolate can be considered mundane) reveal more about a person than the big words.

Things have definitely changed in the last decade. Ten years ago, a typical conversation with my husband went something like this:

Random Friend 1 (the future hub and I rarely spoke directly): Sara, with your hair like that, you look like [nondescript celebrity]."

Husband: (Snort.) If you looked liked her, I'd be all over you."

Me: Thanks, Asshole.

God bless the passage of time...

Sara at On Simplicitys last blog post..Keep the Clutter from Returning: Five (Mostly) Easy Ways

Matthew: I don't want to obligate anyone. Each man's blog is his own.

Friar: That sucks. My sister lived in a slummy tenement in Berkley. She was in a class action law suit against the guy, and they found him guilty, but he never paid a dime.

Beth: I think about that all the time. The moment after you first become a published author; when everything is changed, although nothing really has, and all because of something which is insignificant, yet couldn't be more monumental. Sorry if that was a run on sentence.

Kyddryn: I'll be over later.

Malathionman: Just hot water. I really like wine, but it makes me really sleepy. There's no way I'd get through my posts. Besides, right now, I couldn't really justify a wine habit.

Dereck: It's good hot, cold; as a popsicle. Yummy.

SpaceAgeSage: You could be the most generous person that ever lived. It would be awesome.

Glad Doggett: Thank you for the info.

Writer Dad - I've been reading your blog for a while now. Thanks for putting something good out there. I am passing this along for a friend. I thought some of your readership might be interested.
*****************

New Southerner Literary Contest

$200 prizes for poetry, fiction and nonfiction

Three prizes of $200 each and publication in New Southerner will be awarded for works of poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction.

* 5,000 word limit for prose

* 50 line limit for poetry

* Entry Fee: $10 per entry; checks should be made payable to Swallowtail Press

* Multiple entries accepted

* Postmark deadline: October 1, 2008

Final judges:

Nonfiction — Kathryn Eastburn (author of A Sacred Feast and Simon Says)

Poetry — Erin Keane (author of The Gravity Soundtrack and The One-Hit Wonders) and Cecilia Woloch (author of Tsigan and Late)

Fiction — Silas House (author of The Coal Tattoo and Clay’s Quilt)

All work must be typed on standard-sized paper. No manuscript will be returned; for acknowledgement of receipt, include self-addressed, stamped postcard with submission.

Send two copies—one with the author’s name, address, phone number and optional e-mail address in the upper right-hand corrner, the other with no author information. Include separate title page for each entry indicating title of work, category, author’s name, address and phone number.

Entries must be the author’s original, unpublished work and should be appropriate for publication in New Southerner, an independent journal dedicated to promoting self-sufficient living, environmental stewardship and support for local economies. For more information, see our submission guidelines online at newsoutherner.com/aboutus.htm.



Winners will be contacted by telephone and/or e-mail by the end of November. Winning entries will be published in the winter issue of New Southerner, scheduled for release Dec. 10. Judges may choose to award honorable mentions in each category.


Entries and entry fees made payable to SWALLOWTAIL PRESS should be mailed to:
New Southerner Literary Contest

375 Wood Valley Lane

Louisville, KY 40299

Questions regarding entries should be directed to bobbibuchanan@newsoutherner.com.

Glad Doggetts last blog post..‘Courage in women is often mistaken for insanity.’

What a busy guy! Loved your Billionaire #1. If I found myself with that much money, I would make sure every birthday of mine was about giving presents instead of the other way around, as a way of thanking family and friends.

SpaceAgeSages last blog post..An interesting query for my readers …

I'd like to argue against excessive coffee intake as a vice. :)

"Soak brain from too much pre-school."
What do you soak your brain in?

Bad Habits
1. Too much diet coke.
2. I am a terrible creature of habbit.
3. Too many fantasy sports teams.

And here I was wondering how I could best ignore the Evil Genius this evening. This should do nicely!

OK, really, he's in for his daily dose of "Mommy needs a few minutes for herself, so go play in your room for a bit", so I'm going to copy and answer over at my place, because I do tend to go a bit long with these things!

Shade and Sweetwater,
K

Kyddryns last blog post..Yesterday...

I'll answer a couple.

Ten years ago, I was living in the house I live in now, with an awesome view of the Rocky Mountains, and was trying to get over the fact that I'd finally published a short novel and yet my life hadn't totally changed. It was still the same life. Funny how that works.

To Do List Today:
Find someone to sand the deck,
Go to a "Local Flavor" celebration.
Do more copyediting this afternoon.

Favorite snacks:
Chocolate, crackers with sour cream, more chocolate.

@Writer Dad

Yes, nine people (Thanks to our Student Slumlord). I was lucky enough to have a room to myself. But he crammed were 4-5 poor asian students together in the basement. In clear violation of building/zoning regs. He probably realized he could get away with it.

Sometimes, I'm GLAD I'm not 20 years old anymore!

Friars last blog post..Beatle Songs that Suck

Writer Dad! How dare you! You can't play tag by tagging everyone! I think you should choose your favorites who haven't been tagged already!

Matthew Drydens last blog post..An Effort

Dave: Rarely.

Lance: I forgot about chocolate chips! A handful of those is awesome.

Tara: That made me smile. Large. Working with flowers was wonderful. The scents were good for the soul.

Friar: A bungalow with nine other people? Ouch. I think that would sour my omnipresent good humor.

Scott: Pringles.... yum.

Rosie: How many are you up to now?

Sal: If you're going to go fetal, make sure you have a bowl of peanut butter M&M;'s right in the middle of your comma.

Evelyn: My brains stop working after midnight too.

Vered: We need to stop.

Reading about your day makes me tired! No wonder you drink too much coffee. :)

I'll share a bad habit: much like you - multitasking! I KNOW it's bad, I know it's not efficient, but I can't seem to stop.

Vered - MomGrinds last blog post..Almost-Wordless Wednesday: Correct Your Nose Without Operation!

It is past midnight here. My brains are not working. I doubt I will be able to write a coherent answer.

I'll just answer one: Ten years ago, at this time, I'd have just return from a six month stay in the U.S. I was looking for a job. It was back to banking and the finance industry for me, after taking such a long break.

Evelyn Lims last blog post..Hire A Dream Team For Creative Visualization

Well, my to do list today is pretty simple; try not to end the day in a fetal position under my desk, rocking back and forth with my thumb in my mouth crying from the 300 quotes I have to send out and get back before the day is over at 8PM.

Sounds like it is going to be a pretty interesting day!

P.S. I am with you in the M&M, but I must disagree, the peanut butter ones are they best!

Sals last blog post..A Man's Gotta Do....

Great list. :)

Ten years ago, I was in University full-time, married for 10 months and holding our first newborn baby, dreaming of the six other kids we wanted. :)

I'll have a go at a couple of your tagged questions, Writer Dad.

What was I doing 10 years ago?

Let me think... I was working as a Training Officer with a local government organization. I used to deliver training and development courses on subjects such as presentation skills, health and safety issues, and performance management.

Snacks you like?

Pringles; jelly candies; cashew nuts.

Any order, any time.

1) Ten years ago, I was living in Montreal, working a Research Engineer for a pulp and paper company. Dating this girl (who I've since lost contact with). Just started to learn to watercolor properly, and during my free time, cycled and hiked.

2) To-do list today: Freaking work at the Widget Factory. Come home, eat an unhealthy meal. Clean up a bit (and/or) some minor home renovations. Beer with Brett (to discuss a book project). Then read and/or watch TV till bed.

3) If I was a billionaire:

PLAY. Heli Ski the Rockies. Have one (or several) ski lodges on a mountain out west and spend the winter there, skiing and writing.

Visit every fly-in fishing lodge in northern Canada.

Paint, and hang my work in my own gallery, and pay someone else to manage it.

Learn moutaineering skills, and then visit all the National Parks and hike the back-country.

Learn to fly a jet or some kind of aircraft.

Write, and then self-publish my books (who cares if they make money or not?)

Volunteer my time (just enough so that I still feel useful and fulfilled). But still allow myself to play.

Give SOME of my money away (not ALL of it...just enough that I can make a difference and not feel guilty for being a billionaire).

Invest a big chunk (to make even more money, maybe I can set up a foundation or trust fund like Bill Gates).

4) I've lived in:

- A rented room in a townhouse with an insane woman (as a student)
- A garage converted into a bachelor apartment (sharing with another classmate)
- A bungalow shared with 9 other people (again, student days)
- A drafty, tiny Post-War era house (that cost $400 a month to heat!)
- Since March 2007, where I am right now (my first house ever!)

5) Three bad habits:
Too much TV. Too much junk food. Bad temper.

6) Snacks: Chips. Crispix cereal with milk. Sometimes baby carrots.

7) Who will I tag? No one...I'll participate here.

Friars last blog post..Beatle Songs that Suck

,strong>You lived in a one-hundred year old Victorian? Did he mind?

Hahahahahaha hahahahaha

Dave Fowlers last blog post..Women’s Work: The Hardest Work I’ve Ever Done

You lived in a one-hundred year old Victorian? Did he mind?
Sorry! Couldn't resist.
Loved that you managed a flower shop. So not what I was expecting. Come to think of it don't know what I was expecting really.

Tara@From Dawn Till Rusks last blog post..Check your sanity in at the front door and join the party

Hey Writer Dad, I feel like I know you a little better now!! That you teach pre-school is pretty awesome!

I'll answer a couple: Ten years ago, we had just moved into the house we are currently in. My wife was pregnant with our third child. We were preparing a room at the new house for the new baby on the way.

Snacks: Dark chocolate, chocolate chips, and peanuts. (looks like chocolate is my weakness!).

Writer Dad,

Do you have any time for you?

Can't wait to see everyone else's answers.

Happy Monday yourself! 8-)

Dave Fowlers last blog post..Women’s Work: The Hardest Work I’ve Ever Done