Look Me in the Eye by John Elder Robison: B-
A funny and interesting memoir of a man who struggled to find his place in the world while suffering from Asperger's Syndrome. Needless to say, with a son who has AS, the book hits home with me. I found myself questioning some of the stories of Robison's youth. The seem a little bit too far fetched and "out there", particularly knowing what I know of my son. It is comforting to see someone with this type of high functioning autism come through it all and find himself. Gives me hope for Nate.
I am a little concerned that all the attention given to Asperger's focuses on the savant-like qualities of people like Robison and Temple Grandin. Nate, while very intelligent anda gifted musically, does not show aspects of this specific-genius. Not to knock him at all, but call a spade a spade. Though I do wonder what he can accomplish in music when he gets a chance to really branch out.
the two most revealing things form the bokk, for me, where the discussion of Robison's and Aspergian's-in-General voice patterns, and the ability of Robison to do complex designs in engeneering without being able to do math. Nate catches a lot of flack about his very unique voice pattern, and I think it will be good for him to read that he is not alone in this situation. Nate recently won his school region in boy's solo, but missed out on All State Chorus. He struggles with the technical aspects of music while being able to assimilate them into his vocal performances much easier. The parralel with Robison was interesting.
Anyway, it is a fun read for those affected by Asperger's and those who are not. Robison is a decent writer and an odd dude, so it works to create some interesting insight into a person living along the Autistic spectrum.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Weekend Stuff
Pulled on Friday.
Went to work on Saturday morning. Then to get the van tires put on. Off to lowes for siding and various and sundry project stuff. To Walmart for more of the same. Tried to eat lunch with Nate and Chris, but called to work.
Put battery in old smoke detector, hung the new one. Replaced old shower head. The new one is the balls. Attached weather stripping to bottom of caviary door to help keep out flies. WAs getting late so I decided to change the oil in the Focus (FrankenFocus). What a nightmare. Took like two hours. Between fits of rage I put a coat of waterproofing on the new screen door.
Sunday. Got up early anticipating Logan's early arrival. Hung screen door. While waiting for the boy, ran the sweeper. Pain in the ass. Pine needles kept rat-nesting around the axle. Decided to cut up the pine needles. Hit a root with mower. Looks as if a blade is bent. The one blade is shot out, the other looks fine.
Logan arrives at 11:00. Byt twelve we have eaten and I am under the car. A rear brake job: big day in a man's life. Keep in mind I am off and on the phone with my Dad (Terry, not Dave) the whole time. Looks as if the brakes are not that bad, but the wheel cylinder is shot. Off to the AutoZone for two cylinders (just in case) a brake line wrench and a floor jack. I am very excited to have a 2.5 ton floor jack. Another big moment in a man's life. Takes roughly three hours to do the passenger side cylinder, shoes and prep the drum. On to the driver side.
We are rolling phat... until the e-clip flies from the emergency brake cord as I try to remove it. Off to Advanced Auto where I have to buy a $9 kit to get a .10 cent piece of metal. I steal to Mcd's for an ill advised soda and burger cheat. Back to the house where we opt to replace the other wheel cylinder for the shits and giggles. Really goes quickly once you know how it is done. Brake shoes fall to our will. Takes a while to adjust brakes, but there she is. My first complete rear drum/shoe brake job. Awesome.
Should have gone to the gym, but I was give out. Would have gone anyway if I had know about the emergency room debacle of the following evening, night and early morning. 7 hours, a false diagnosis, a bad reading, and finally absolutely nothing at all. Thanks Satilla Regional, your incompetence has no limits. Utter and complete bullshit.
Went to work on Saturday morning. Then to get the van tires put on. Off to lowes for siding and various and sundry project stuff. To Walmart for more of the same. Tried to eat lunch with Nate and Chris, but called to work.
Put battery in old smoke detector, hung the new one. Replaced old shower head. The new one is the balls. Attached weather stripping to bottom of caviary door to help keep out flies. WAs getting late so I decided to change the oil in the Focus (FrankenFocus). What a nightmare. Took like two hours. Between fits of rage I put a coat of waterproofing on the new screen door.
Sunday. Got up early anticipating Logan's early arrival. Hung screen door. While waiting for the boy, ran the sweeper. Pain in the ass. Pine needles kept rat-nesting around the axle. Decided to cut up the pine needles. Hit a root with mower. Looks as if a blade is bent. The one blade is shot out, the other looks fine.
Logan arrives at 11:00. Byt twelve we have eaten and I am under the car. A rear brake job: big day in a man's life. Keep in mind I am off and on the phone with my Dad (Terry, not Dave) the whole time. Looks as if the brakes are not that bad, but the wheel cylinder is shot. Off to the AutoZone for two cylinders (just in case) a brake line wrench and a floor jack. I am very excited to have a 2.5 ton floor jack. Another big moment in a man's life. Takes roughly three hours to do the passenger side cylinder, shoes and prep the drum. On to the driver side.
We are rolling phat... until the e-clip flies from the emergency brake cord as I try to remove it. Off to Advanced Auto where I have to buy a $9 kit to get a .10 cent piece of metal. I steal to Mcd's for an ill advised soda and burger cheat. Back to the house where we opt to replace the other wheel cylinder for the shits and giggles. Really goes quickly once you know how it is done. Brake shoes fall to our will. Takes a while to adjust brakes, but there she is. My first complete rear drum/shoe brake job. Awesome.
Should have gone to the gym, but I was give out. Would have gone anyway if I had know about the emergency room debacle of the following evening, night and early morning. 7 hours, a false diagnosis, a bad reading, and finally absolutely nothing at all. Thanks Satilla Regional, your incompetence has no limits. Utter and complete bullshit.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Sore and a book review
I am exceptionally sore this morning, bu a good exceptionally sore. Lower back is talking to me. May take the better part of valor and not squat if this keeps up. Will replace with ABGM if necessary.
I am surprised at how well I have been able to stick to the change in diet. It has always been so hard to not just eat whatever the hell I want to teat. So far so good. Honestly will not know what to do if I get under 250. Last time I remember weighing under 250 was when I weighed 236 for a meet in 1995. I would imagine it hasbeen since 1997 or so. If I can get down to 250 in two more weeks that will be down from 270 for my meet in Augusta 06 and 268 from Miami in the same year.
Odd Hours
The fourth in Dean Koontz's Odd Thomas stories is, well, odd. It took forever to get the story going. Koontz spent five plus chapters on a chase scene. Once it gets going, the story is one you want to unravel, but once it is unraveled there are so many questions left and so many threads left hanging that it is a bit dissapointing. Seems we have the beginnings of a long series ahead of us.
All the characters are very strange which does not lend itself to believability. Heroes and villains alike are a bit over the top. The flighty and mysterious pregnent woman, the burn victim with the incredible sense of self, the dangerous and charismatic chief of police, the killer priest, the mysterious girl on the boat. Some odd stuff. Odd himself, while a great character, falls out of that character by somehow becoming a cold blooded killer... repeatedly. The deus ex machina of his seemingly ever increasing psychic repetoire is beginning to wear as thin as Koontz's propensity for reusing words that only need to be dropped once or twice in a book. Bougainvillea, for example.
Not a bad read, but left too much unresolved to be fully satisfying. C+/84
I am surprised at how well I have been able to stick to the change in diet. It has always been so hard to not just eat whatever the hell I want to teat. So far so good. Honestly will not know what to do if I get under 250. Last time I remember weighing under 250 was when I weighed 236 for a meet in 1995. I would imagine it hasbeen since 1997 or so. If I can get down to 250 in two more weeks that will be down from 270 for my meet in Augusta 06 and 268 from Miami in the same year.
Odd Hours
The fourth in Dean Koontz's Odd Thomas stories is, well, odd. It took forever to get the story going. Koontz spent five plus chapters on a chase scene. Once it gets going, the story is one you want to unravel, but once it is unraveled there are so many questions left and so many threads left hanging that it is a bit dissapointing. Seems we have the beginnings of a long series ahead of us.
All the characters are very strange which does not lend itself to believability. Heroes and villains alike are a bit over the top. The flighty and mysterious pregnent woman, the burn victim with the incredible sense of self, the dangerous and charismatic chief of police, the killer priest, the mysterious girl on the boat. Some odd stuff. Odd himself, while a great character, falls out of that character by somehow becoming a cold blooded killer... repeatedly. The deus ex machina of his seemingly ever increasing psychic repetoire is beginning to wear as thin as Koontz's propensity for reusing words that only need to be dropped once or twice in a book. Bougainvillea, for example.
Not a bad read, but left too much unresolved to be fully satisfying. C+/84
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Back from the Abyss
Training Log
Saturday the 16th: Back and shoulders: BW: 262
Seated DB Press
10/ 15
20/10
35/ 8
55/6
75/6
85/6
Rear Delt Flye
35/12
45/12
55/12
Rope Cable Rows
140/12
160/10
180/8
Bike Handle Pulldowns
100/12
120/12
140/8
Shrugs
225/12
275/12
315/12
365/12
Reverse crunch into Ceiling Stompers
Ratio Reps
1:1 12 each
3:3 9 each
10:10 10 each
Bent Press
35 x 8 x each arm
40 x 8 x ditto
45 x 8 x ditto
Got my flyer in the mail for the USPF meet in Macon on March 27th. Very excited about the prospect.
Am changing my diet in order to try to get back into the 242 class. Doing a lil' bit o' cardio as well. If I don't get it, fine, but I need to drop a little weight.
Was off for about three months before starting back training in December. Used first four weeks back as a rehab cycle.
As of right now training looks like this:
Monday: Squats or Heavy Good Mornings (ABGM or GM Squat)
Seated GM/RBGm or Sumo/Conventional Partial deadlifts
Core Work: 2 exercises
Tuesday: push Press or Millitary Press
Bench
Boards (shirt if applicable)
Close Grip
Curls
Core Work: 2e
Thursday: Front Squats of Box Squats
Speed Bench
Deadlifts
GH Raises or Pull thru's
Saturday: Seated DB press
Reverse Flyes
Cable or one Arm or T-bar or BO rows
Pull Down Varient
Shrugs
Core Work: 2e
So far, up until this point, I am at:
Squat: 455 x 10: 4 weeks rehab: 315 week 1, 365 wk2, 405 wk3, 455 wk4
ABGM: 425 x 3: first week of cycle
Overhead press: 175 x 8: these are tough to get used to...
Bench: 275 x 8: bench is coming along slowly.
Front Squat: 295 x 5
Box Squat: 365 x 3 x 3
Deadlift: Conv and Sumo: 475 x 2 ( I limit reps on pulls becuse of the volume of fatigue work before) Sumo feel better than conventional right now. nothing feels great.
@262
Best lifts in competition:
Squat: 645 raw (no knee wraps)@ 270 July 2006
Bench: 405 raw @270 July 2006
475 Titan F6 @265 November 2006
Deadlift: 605 raw @265 conventional November 2006
Best Gym Lifts:
Squat: 650 Raw
700 x 3 wraps
740 straps down
Bench: 415 raw
500 Titan Fury
Deadlift: 615 conv
545 sumo
ABGM: 525 x 1
GM Squat: 515 x 2
Saturday the 16th: Back and shoulders: BW: 262
Seated DB Press
10/ 15
20/10
35/ 8
55/6
75/6
85/6
Rear Delt Flye
35/12
45/12
55/12
Rope Cable Rows
140/12
160/10
180/8
Bike Handle Pulldowns
100/12
120/12
140/8
Shrugs
225/12
275/12
315/12
365/12
Reverse crunch into Ceiling Stompers
Ratio Reps
1:1 12 each
3:3 9 each
10:10 10 each
Bent Press
35 x 8 x each arm
40 x 8 x ditto
45 x 8 x ditto
Got my flyer in the mail for the USPF meet in Macon on March 27th. Very excited about the prospect.
Am changing my diet in order to try to get back into the 242 class. Doing a lil' bit o' cardio as well. If I don't get it, fine, but I need to drop a little weight.
Was off for about three months before starting back training in December. Used first four weeks back as a rehab cycle.
As of right now training looks like this:
Monday: Squats or Heavy Good Mornings (ABGM or GM Squat)
Seated GM/RBGm or Sumo/Conventional Partial deadlifts
Core Work: 2 exercises
Tuesday: push Press or Millitary Press
Bench
Boards (shirt if applicable)
Close Grip
Curls
Core Work: 2e
Thursday: Front Squats of Box Squats
Speed Bench
Deadlifts
GH Raises or Pull thru's
Saturday: Seated DB press
Reverse Flyes
Cable or one Arm or T-bar or BO rows
Pull Down Varient
Shrugs
Core Work: 2e
So far, up until this point, I am at:
Squat: 455 x 10: 4 weeks rehab: 315 week 1, 365 wk2, 405 wk3, 455 wk4
ABGM: 425 x 3: first week of cycle
Overhead press: 175 x 8: these are tough to get used to...
Bench: 275 x 8: bench is coming along slowly.
Front Squat: 295 x 5
Box Squat: 365 x 3 x 3
Deadlift: Conv and Sumo: 475 x 2 ( I limit reps on pulls becuse of the volume of fatigue work before) Sumo feel better than conventional right now. nothing feels great.
@262
Best lifts in competition:
Squat: 645 raw (no knee wraps)@ 270 July 2006
Bench: 405 raw @270 July 2006
475 Titan F6 @265 November 2006
Deadlift: 605 raw @265 conventional November 2006
Best Gym Lifts:
Squat: 650 Raw
700 x 3 wraps
740 straps down
Bench: 415 raw
500 Titan Fury
Deadlift: 615 conv
545 sumo
ABGM: 525 x 1
GM Squat: 515 x 2
Monday, September 14, 2009
Long Time No Bloggy... Not that anyone is reading.
Little Shop is taking up all of my time. Throw in Gage's football and Monday through Thursday is a wash. The show is coming along pretty well, but I cannot believe we go up next week. My characters are coming together, now I just need some costumes.
The Gym
Nothing is going right. Went for the first time in two weeks last Friday. Two weeks from last pull, three from last squat or bench. Did a triple workout:
Squat:
The Good: No knee or hip pain, hit a solid 545 for 2 and got a Pr for a Squat with no spotter (585). Learning to trust the rack and the pin settings.
The bad: felt heavy on the 585
The Ugly: nothing
Bench:
The Good: hit 335 for 2 with handing off to myself, learned to trust the rack implicitly.
The Bad: to trust the rack, I had to miss 365
The Ugly: WAY off my target for 405+
Deadlift:
The Good: I did it.
The bad: Everything else.
The Ugly: I no longer seem to be able to drive with my legs AND my back. Its one or the other.
Now, I need to try to work in an assistance day.
The Yard
Have spent the last few weekends doing maintence on the front and back yards. Got to make an inroad into the Back 40 this weekend. Far enough that I am in "gotta finish" mode.
Had an epiphany about the garbage behind the garage. I am going to tin-up the back shelter and put all the big trash under it, then clean out the back garage by doin the same thing. Then I can use the back garage for a base of operations for yard/house work. Could not sleep for my desire to get out there and get it started. Would like to turn the front garage into a home gym, since I am lifting alone anyway.
On a Personal Note
I am trying to de-stress my life. As such, I am trying to simplify everything. Until the show is finished, I have shelved writing. No time and no reason. I truly believe that ability means little. Timing and luck are the major forces at play. It s like winning the lottery and I am not the type to be that fortuitous.
Trying to start saving. Christmas, paying the well off, fixing the car... all take money.
Until the show is over, there is no reason to force the gym three nights a week. Try to hit it when I can. Novemebr is in doubt, but it as it is.
I believe, with everything in me, that we have the ability, power and responsibility to create our own meaning from the circumstances around us. Now, to put it into practice.
The Gym
Nothing is going right. Went for the first time in two weeks last Friday. Two weeks from last pull, three from last squat or bench. Did a triple workout:
Squat:
The Good: No knee or hip pain, hit a solid 545 for 2 and got a Pr for a Squat with no spotter (585). Learning to trust the rack and the pin settings.
The bad: felt heavy on the 585
The Ugly: nothing
Bench:
The Good: hit 335 for 2 with handing off to myself, learned to trust the rack implicitly.
The Bad: to trust the rack, I had to miss 365
The Ugly: WAY off my target for 405+
Deadlift:
The Good: I did it.
The bad: Everything else.
The Ugly: I no longer seem to be able to drive with my legs AND my back. Its one or the other.
Now, I need to try to work in an assistance day.
The Yard
Have spent the last few weekends doing maintence on the front and back yards. Got to make an inroad into the Back 40 this weekend. Far enough that I am in "gotta finish" mode.
Had an epiphany about the garbage behind the garage. I am going to tin-up the back shelter and put all the big trash under it, then clean out the back garage by doin the same thing. Then I can use the back garage for a base of operations for yard/house work. Could not sleep for my desire to get out there and get it started. Would like to turn the front garage into a home gym, since I am lifting alone anyway.
On a Personal Note
I am trying to de-stress my life. As such, I am trying to simplify everything. Until the show is finished, I have shelved writing. No time and no reason. I truly believe that ability means little. Timing and luck are the major forces at play. It s like winning the lottery and I am not the type to be that fortuitous.
Trying to start saving. Christmas, paying the well off, fixing the car... all take money.
Until the show is over, there is no reason to force the gym three nights a week. Try to hit it when I can. Novemebr is in doubt, but it as it is.
I believe, with everything in me, that we have the ability, power and responsibility to create our own meaning from the circumstances around us. Now, to put it into practice.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Movie Weekend
The Play is really compressing my time.
So, went to work day/rehearsal with Nate on Saturday. 10:30-2:00. Got a lot done. Ate and took a nap when we got home. Watched movies this weekend.
"The Last House on the Left": eh, not terrible. Rape scene was horrific. Pacing was slow... C-
"The Fisher King": Brilliantly acted, forgotten gem. Jeff Bridges, Amanda Plummer, Michael Jeter, and Robin williams shine in this Terry Gilliam classic... A-
"Underworld: Rise of the Lycans": I was shocked. It was the best of the series. Bill Nighy and Mcheal Sheen are fantastic and their acting gives their characters credibility. So much more focused and sustained than the others in the series... B--
"I love You, Man": Funny and simple, but does nopt descend into the depths of potty humor that many do. Not as funny as I was hoping, but solid... B-
"Major League": Improbable and silly, but still fun after all these years. Particulalry Wesley Snipes and Dennis Haysbert... B-
Sunday
Actually got some stuff down around the house. Got a start on the kids room move.
Hit the gym:
Squat: up to 475/505 for 5.... felt like a ton. I can only squat every four weeks. Sad but true.
Rounded back GM: up to 315 for 5, feeling them today
Did core and cardio, so there is that.
Novenber is in jeopardy.
Nate: hit a PR 225 x 2, 245 x 1 on floor press; then a PR 345 x 5 on deadlift. I thought he would pull more, but he was whipped. Calf raises, curls, tricep pd's and abs to finish.
Chris worked out, did Cardio and tanned.
Powerlifting
The Westside Barbell hosted Pro/am was this weekend. Sean Frankle hit a huge 2630 at 198. 1055, 825, 750. People are going nuts that he is the best of all time. From the videos, the squats were hight, the benches questionable, though the pulls looked great.
The sport had evolved into a mess. The monolift squat is an abomination and the proliferation of gear masters have shot the totals through the roof. Was only ten years ago that an 800 bench was a monumental feet. The new shirts have made it pedestrian.
I have no problem with any of it as long as apples and oranges are kept seperate. From experience I know it takes a strong and dedicated lifter to master gear, but it has gotten ridiculous. The debate over gear and equipment riles powerlifters up like politics and religion in the real world. People get incensed and out of their minds. Same with Steroids.
"Little Shop..."
Feel the cast is merging well. The set is nearly finished. Nate id sounding pretty great. Assata, Ladonna and Mamie are really getting it down. I am a bit put out about the whole "Alice" Rule. People in "alice" were not supposed to be allowed in "LSoH". It has caused more harm than good. Nice to see everything is pretty much the same at WACT eight years later. Too many chiefs and WAY too many egos. C-O-M-M-U-N-I-T-Y Theatre, kids.
Writing
Debating full retirement.
So, went to work day/rehearsal with Nate on Saturday. 10:30-2:00. Got a lot done. Ate and took a nap when we got home. Watched movies this weekend.
"The Last House on the Left": eh, not terrible. Rape scene was horrific. Pacing was slow... C-
"The Fisher King": Brilliantly acted, forgotten gem. Jeff Bridges, Amanda Plummer, Michael Jeter, and Robin williams shine in this Terry Gilliam classic... A-
"Underworld: Rise of the Lycans": I was shocked. It was the best of the series. Bill Nighy and Mcheal Sheen are fantastic and their acting gives their characters credibility. So much more focused and sustained than the others in the series... B--
"I love You, Man": Funny and simple, but does nopt descend into the depths of potty humor that many do. Not as funny as I was hoping, but solid... B-
"Major League": Improbable and silly, but still fun after all these years. Particulalry Wesley Snipes and Dennis Haysbert... B-
Sunday
Actually got some stuff down around the house. Got a start on the kids room move.
Hit the gym:
Squat: up to 475/505 for 5.... felt like a ton. I can only squat every four weeks. Sad but true.
Rounded back GM: up to 315 for 5, feeling them today
Did core and cardio, so there is that.
Novenber is in jeopardy.
Nate: hit a PR 225 x 2, 245 x 1 on floor press; then a PR 345 x 5 on deadlift. I thought he would pull more, but he was whipped. Calf raises, curls, tricep pd's and abs to finish.
Chris worked out, did Cardio and tanned.
Powerlifting
The Westside Barbell hosted Pro/am was this weekend. Sean Frankle hit a huge 2630 at 198. 1055, 825, 750. People are going nuts that he is the best of all time. From the videos, the squats were hight, the benches questionable, though the pulls looked great.
The sport had evolved into a mess. The monolift squat is an abomination and the proliferation of gear masters have shot the totals through the roof. Was only ten years ago that an 800 bench was a monumental feet. The new shirts have made it pedestrian.
I have no problem with any of it as long as apples and oranges are kept seperate. From experience I know it takes a strong and dedicated lifter to master gear, but it has gotten ridiculous. The debate over gear and equipment riles powerlifters up like politics and religion in the real world. People get incensed and out of their minds. Same with Steroids.
"Little Shop..."
Feel the cast is merging well. The set is nearly finished. Nate id sounding pretty great. Assata, Ladonna and Mamie are really getting it down. I am a bit put out about the whole "Alice" Rule. People in "alice" were not supposed to be allowed in "LSoH". It has caused more harm than good. Nice to see everything is pretty much the same at WACT eight years later. Too many chiefs and WAY too many egos. C-O-M-M-U-N-I-T-Y Theatre, kids.
Writing
Debating full retirement.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Wow. Still in a funk.
The Gym
Has been sucking something fierce.
Tough squats: hit a solid 545/5 all by myself but could not make myself got 585 with no spotters.
Bench was even worse: 275/10, 295/7, 315 x 2
Deadlift was a whipper: 405 x 10 beat me up pretty bad
I redid my entire schedule to try to still do the Adel meet in Noivember, but am putting implementation on hold until Sunday. Start with squats. Just not having fun anymore.
Perhaps I need to just stop going heavy. It never seems to workout.
Yard Work
with everything going on I have not done any. Need to pull down a broken limb on the giant pine tree in the front yard.
Boots
Has decided she will not go to the bathroom when we want her to. So, she has been banished to her room (our bathroom) until she can behave.
Writing
For the 375th time in my life I decided to simply stop trying to write. That lasted about a week. Pulled out the Bones for "Union 429" and "Otherwise Hopeless". "OH" is some good stuff, but just don't see it going anywhere, so, "Union 429" it is. A super hero mystery. After trying my hand with literary and Tonic Immobility, I need to get back to what has worked for me.
Liza Ezell bought a book and had this to say:
"WOW!! I read about 1/3 third of the book, and then began again (while we were on a vacation, and I could lounge in the sun and be focused) because I enjoyed it so much! I laughed out loud when I met Will Hayes~~it was like I was in the room with Kip. Then I had to read that chapter over a few times, because I laughed so much that I wasn't able to follow the story. (How is he, btw? I hope he is doing well. Let him know that I sent along my greetings :)
It was quite a tale, and I'm now in the 'post reading but still perusing' putting everything together in my mind stage, which means I'll probably have to read most of it again to satisfy my story detail fixation.
Pete, you have a God-given 'self-honed' incredible gift. That was probably one of the best stories I've ever experienced~~okay, I'm going on and on because I know the author, I suppose. But I really mean it!! It was absolutely fabulous. Put me on the waiting list for your next book..."
Thanks, Lisa.
This is the best part about writing, having someone enjoy what you wrote. I do not care if it is the best thing they ever read, I just want them to enjoy the read. The Read is the thing. It was what I accomplished with TBT and failed with Tonic.
It is also the worst part about the process to me. This is the typical feedback I get. Some from family, some from friends. But I have not seen Lisa in nearly seventten years. Even strangers. Josh has given the book to some friends and they all enjoyed it. AND STILL no angent or publisher wants to touch it. I am perplexed. I had an agent tell me it was too long. It is shorter than Twilight and The Historian.
Stephanie Meyer once said it was a difficult process. that she got turned down, like, ten times before it was picked up. I think I have been turned down close to 100 times on the the Thread. Granted, I am not the best at researching and have double dipped with different query letters, but damn.
General Malaise
This one car deal is horrible. Embarassing. I have to come into work at 7 as well. At least I get stuff done.
Feeling low. Can't get focused or driven to do anything.
Skipped the gym last night, makes me feel like a fat ass.
Little Shop
A little unhappy. christan dropped out. A long, horrible story that just keeps getting more annoying as the time goes on. Theater people can be such pains in the ass.
NAte is doing well. I should be off book by tonight's rehersal. Don't wanna go. Feel kinda like an outsider. Talk a little to the girls (LaDonna, Assata, cindy, Mamie) and Benji, but that is about it.
Work
Been slow. Gets a guy worried. Thank god we have Phil to keep the ship righted.
Top Chef Masters
Finally, a show where America does not get to chose the winner. And the winner was my guy... or at least one of them. TCM has ruined me for the regular show. Top Chef contestents are usually a bunch of bitches (m and fm) who like to screw one another over. TCM was refreshing: respect for one another, fair play, constant give and take.
Kids
Congrats to Logan for starting college, getting a call back and an interview for a job.
Gage looks to see significant playing time on the line this year.
Nate is, as always, true to himself and is going to be great in "LSoH".
Has been sucking something fierce.
Tough squats: hit a solid 545/5 all by myself but could not make myself got 585 with no spotters.
Bench was even worse: 275/10, 295/7, 315 x 2
Deadlift was a whipper: 405 x 10 beat me up pretty bad
I redid my entire schedule to try to still do the Adel meet in Noivember, but am putting implementation on hold until Sunday. Start with squats. Just not having fun anymore.
Perhaps I need to just stop going heavy. It never seems to workout.
Yard Work
with everything going on I have not done any. Need to pull down a broken limb on the giant pine tree in the front yard.
Boots
Has decided she will not go to the bathroom when we want her to. So, she has been banished to her room (our bathroom) until she can behave.
Writing
For the 375th time in my life I decided to simply stop trying to write. That lasted about a week. Pulled out the Bones for "Union 429" and "Otherwise Hopeless". "OH" is some good stuff, but just don't see it going anywhere, so, "Union 429" it is. A super hero mystery. After trying my hand with literary and Tonic Immobility, I need to get back to what has worked for me.
Liza Ezell bought a book and had this to say:
"WOW!! I read about 1/3 third of the book, and then began again (while we were on a vacation, and I could lounge in the sun and be focused) because I enjoyed it so much! I laughed out loud when I met Will Hayes~~it was like I was in the room with Kip. Then I had to read that chapter over a few times, because I laughed so much that I wasn't able to follow the story. (How is he, btw? I hope he is doing well. Let him know that I sent along my greetings :)
It was quite a tale, and I'm now in the 'post reading but still perusing' putting everything together in my mind stage, which means I'll probably have to read most of it again to satisfy my story detail fixation.
Pete, you have a God-given 'self-honed' incredible gift. That was probably one of the best stories I've ever experienced~~okay, I'm going on and on because I know the author, I suppose. But I really mean it!! It was absolutely fabulous. Put me on the waiting list for your next book..."
Thanks, Lisa.
This is the best part about writing, having someone enjoy what you wrote. I do not care if it is the best thing they ever read, I just want them to enjoy the read. The Read is the thing. It was what I accomplished with TBT and failed with Tonic.
It is also the worst part about the process to me. This is the typical feedback I get. Some from family, some from friends. But I have not seen Lisa in nearly seventten years. Even strangers. Josh has given the book to some friends and they all enjoyed it. AND STILL no angent or publisher wants to touch it. I am perplexed. I had an agent tell me it was too long. It is shorter than Twilight and The Historian.
Stephanie Meyer once said it was a difficult process. that she got turned down, like, ten times before it was picked up. I think I have been turned down close to 100 times on the the Thread. Granted, I am not the best at researching and have double dipped with different query letters, but damn.
General Malaise
This one car deal is horrible. Embarassing. I have to come into work at 7 as well. At least I get stuff done.
Feeling low. Can't get focused or driven to do anything.
Skipped the gym last night, makes me feel like a fat ass.
Little Shop
A little unhappy. christan dropped out. A long, horrible story that just keeps getting more annoying as the time goes on. Theater people can be such pains in the ass.
NAte is doing well. I should be off book by tonight's rehersal. Don't wanna go. Feel kinda like an outsider. Talk a little to the girls (LaDonna, Assata, cindy, Mamie) and Benji, but that is about it.
Work
Been slow. Gets a guy worried. Thank god we have Phil to keep the ship righted.
Top Chef Masters
Finally, a show where America does not get to chose the winner. And the winner was my guy... or at least one of them. TCM has ruined me for the regular show. Top Chef contestents are usually a bunch of bitches (m and fm) who like to screw one another over. TCM was refreshing: respect for one another, fair play, constant give and take.
Kids
Congrats to Logan for starting college, getting a call back and an interview for a job.
Gage looks to see significant playing time on the line this year.
Nate is, as always, true to himself and is going to be great in "LSoH".
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