And then it got worse.
_margot_:
and this is where I PM you
This has not been a good couple weeks.
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labelleariel:
i'm sorry. it's been a bad month for me. 
sauda:
Awww. Cheer up! 
Hungover. God, why do I keep doing this?
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wsoxfan:
I know the Cubs have been horrid, but I'm surprised you're giving up already. My Sox haven't exactly been tearing up the league. I'm still optimistic that they'll be okay.
wsoxfan:
I understand perfectly. It's probably best to not get one's hopes up too much when you're a Cubs fan. The same was true if one was a Sox fan before 2005.
Perhaps the Cubs have put the worst behind them and will contend for the rest of the season. I don't see why not.
Perhaps the Cubs have put the worst behind them and will contend for the rest of the season. I don't see why not.
I'm really feeling the financial burn, and there isn't a fire extinguisher in sight.
wsoxfan:
I hear you loud and clear.
Did you decide to change anything with that last story you posted?
Did you decide to change anything with that last story you posted?
wsoxfan:
What happened with the story you posted recently? You're a fine writer. Something good will happen soon.
I'm feeling a little better. I may be starting a part-time job in a week or two. It won't pay much, but that's okay. I need to find out if I can deal with working again after not doing so for a couple of years. A part-time job is the best way to ease back into the work force, I think.
I used to like writing. It mostly consisted of having many "letters to the editor" published. I had a political article published in The Nation many years ago.
I'm in awe of people who are able to write a novel. I can't imagine being able to write anything longer than a short story.
Keep at it.
I'm feeling a little better. I may be starting a part-time job in a week or two. It won't pay much, but that's okay. I need to find out if I can deal with working again after not doing so for a couple of years. A part-time job is the best way to ease back into the work force, I think.
I used to like writing. It mostly consisted of having many "letters to the editor" published. I had a political article published in The Nation many years ago.
I'm in awe of people who are able to write a novel. I can't imagine being able to write anything longer than a short story.
Keep at it.
All right, another story. It's a bit longer than the one I posted in my last entry (10 pages instead of 6). This one I just submitted to a contest with a 3,000 word limit (it's exactly 3,000 words, too). There's another contest I want to submit it that has a 7,000 word limit, so, with that in mind, I have a couple questions at...
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wsoxfan:
Mae-Ann claims she still cares about me. She has a funny way of showing it.
You're right. Having a job is a precious thing these days. I'm sure many people don't like what they're doing but don't dare leave for fear of not being able to find another one.
I don't know what to make of mattacme's absence. I hope he's okay.
You're right. Having a job is a precious thing these days. I'm sure many people don't like what they're doing but don't dare leave for fear of not being able to find another one.
I don't know what to make of mattacme's absence. I hope he's okay.
All right everyone, here's the full version of the story that I began in my last post. And just in case anyone I don't know happens across this and gets any ideas about stealing it, I've already submitted this to multiple contests and magazines, so you're too late.
This one is called "The Baltimore Touch." Enjoy.
Pratt Street penthouse, day gray and hot without warmth,...
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This one is called "The Baltimore Touch." Enjoy.
Pratt Street penthouse, day gray and hot without warmth,...
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_margot_:
You are amazing.
I wish we could work on something together. I feel like so many of your strengths are things I lack.
I wish we could work on something together. I feel like so many of your strengths are things I lack.
wsoxfan:
Is it too soon to expect any response from the places that you submitted this story to?
Instead of one unified entry this time, I'm doing several little mini-episodes, so to speak.
**Last night I was waiting outside the wine store for my girlfiend, who took my car to the mall across the street, to pick me up, I noticed a guy and a girl who looked more or less my age sitting on a bench outside. They were bundled up and...
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**Last night I was waiting outside the wine store for my girlfiend, who took my car to the mall across the street, to pick me up, I noticed a guy and a girl who looked more or less my age sitting on a bench outside. They were bundled up and...
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hezza:
yes....
yes....
wsoxfan:
I appreciate your words of encouragement, as I always do.
You've mentioned that your financial situation hasn't been all that great. The money that you gave those two young people was likely hard to part with for practical reasons. Your empathy and common decency have been obvious to me for quite a while. I can relate to what you did. Your reward, while intangible, is priceless.
You've mentioned that your financial situation hasn't been all that great. The money that you gave those two young people was likely hard to part with for practical reasons. Your empathy and common decency have been obvious to me for quite a while. I can relate to what you did. Your reward, while intangible, is priceless.
My girlfriend Joanna and I went down to the Inner Harbor for New Year's Eve (holy fuck, it was cold!) As we were walking back to the car, and then driving back, we saw four different cop cars breaking something up at a bar or searching cars (one was searching a taxi). I just grinned and said, "Yep, not twenty minutes into 2009 and already...
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wsoxfan:
I just re-read your blog. The things you said resonate even more than the last time I read it. Besides being prouder to be an American than I've been in a long time, I'm feeling better about my personal situation. For the first time in what seems like an eternity, I was able to post a totally positive, even upbeat, blog.
I know not to get too high about things, because not much has changed from a material point of view. At least my attitude is a welcome change. Not just for me, but for those who care about me as well.
I know not to get too high about things, because not much has changed from a material point of view. At least my attitude is a welcome change. Not just for me, but for those who care about me as well.
uvita:
ooooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhh
i love you pc`s!!!!!!!
i love you pc`s!!!!!!!
I had a strange experience last night. First, some context: this is my ninth holiday season working retail, and I know for a fact that I don't have a tenth one in me. Every day seems to be worst than the last, and last night I actually gritted my teeth to keep from screaming in frustration. It's not just that the customers at this store...
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wsoxfan:
How was your Christmas? I was finally able to post a positive blog about how I spent my day. It sure beats the usual depressing stuff I have been posting lately.
I wish you nothing but happiness.
I wish you nothing but happiness.
wsoxfan:
Happy new year. You are a decent, caring person. Definitely someone I'm proud to call a friend.
Long post ahead, fair warning....
I've been in Austin for the holiday, and I delayed my flight home from tomorrow morning to Monday. As soon as I saw the skyline from the plane (and especially after I stepped out into the low 70s temperature) I immediately wondered why I left. Yeah, I got into an MFA program, but that's been pissing me off lately. They...
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I've been in Austin for the holiday, and I delayed my flight home from tomorrow morning to Monday. As soon as I saw the skyline from the plane (and especially after I stepped out into the low 70s temperature) I immediately wondered why I left. Yeah, I got into an MFA program, but that's been pissing me off lately. They...
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wsoxfan:
By the way, I can relate to your comment about this being a shitty year. I don't remember a time in my life when I've had to deal with so many different crises. Nothing can ever compare to the period after my wife's passing. It's just that there have been so many things I've had to deal with, one after another with no relief in sight.
I hope the upcoming holiday season brings you some joy. There has to be a way for all your, and my drama to disappear, at least for a while. As I say often in my journal entries, I value peace of mind above all else. I wish that for both of us.
I hope the upcoming holiday season brings you some joy. There has to be a way for all your, and my drama to disappear, at least for a while. As I say often in my journal entries, I value peace of mind above all else. I wish that for both of us.
ash:
OMG, u sound so much like me, its not even funny! Hearing ppl tell me I cantt do something only makes me want to do it *more*, which can be both a good AND a bad thing because it can motivate u to do amazing things, OR it can urge u to make stupid decisions. It's pretty difficult to figure out which result it will get u in the end .. just make sure nothing BAD can result from trying really hard to do something that seems impossible for someone else.
Damn, u sure are in a fuct up field of work, I cant think of many jobs that are as complicated as being a writer. Its like being an artist and trying to make money soley on your art, it's damn near impossible unless you're in that small fraction of a percentage of ppl who are phenominal. No amount of schooling can FORCE an artist (synonymous with musician, writer, etc) to "make it" in the real world, and that's what sucks. I really admire what you're doing, following your dream like that. It's filled with a shit ton of sacrifices, as u already can see. If there really is such thing as karma then it will all be worth it in the end, right?
Damn, u sure are in a fuct up field of work, I cant think of many jobs that are as complicated as being a writer. Its like being an artist and trying to make money soley on your art, it's damn near impossible unless you're in that small fraction of a percentage of ppl who are phenominal. No amount of schooling can FORCE an artist (synonymous with musician, writer, etc) to "make it" in the real world, and that's what sucks. I really admire what you're doing, following your dream like that. It's filled with a shit ton of sacrifices, as u already can see. If there really is such thing as karma then it will all be worth it in the end, right?