That's a Wrap...

The last day of the year is the first day of the rest of my life.
I'm ending a 25 year career with local government. I've been letting go for awhile. I credit Buddhist Mindfulness training and t'ai chi for that. I know I have far to go in being centered and calm, but I'm not nearly as angry and reactive as I was a couple of years ago. Friends threw a big party for me a week ago at a downtown hotel. It was fabulous having everyone I care for around me. We ate and drank and laughed. Now, I'm done with frustrating government work. Turn the page.

Everyone asks what I'll do next. Creative, fun stuff! In fact, the cathartic release from all that tension already resulted in a burst (ok, explosion) of art, journaling and even something I didn't think there was time to do. By pulling a couple of all-nighters, I was able to whip the novel (AKS) into shape and ship it off to the federal copyright office. eCO staff confirmed today my paperwork was filed correctly, so I think I'm safe to say "A Kindred Spirit" is now protected and can be spoken of aloud!! I've tried to be very careful about using the name and context of the story. I'll be editing and prepping for publication in early 2009 -- very exciting, indeed!

I created an entire word art of possibilities for 2009 and beyond. I'll have no trouble filling my days. I'm getting paid now to relax and have fun! How exciting is that? This year flew by. I hope the future ones go a little slower. I want to savor every free moment. After working 35 years (ten years in broadcasting before government), I am a Free Woman. I can do as I please -- travel or stay put. Write or go to t'ai chi. Read or watch a movie. Learn new things or just walk the dog. Visit friends or meditate. I could go on and on, but enough of that. The only thing I'm concerned about is the economy. Billion dollar ponsi schemes and trillion dollar bailouts are threatening my retirement fund and peaceful plans. I may have to spend my time learning more self-sufficiency skills.

So, good-bye my dear 2008. I captured a piece of you for my novel, and now must let you go. Who knows what 2009 will bring -- only time will tell. Happy New Year !!

What the Bleep?!#&^@!!

I hardly know where to start on this crazy bleepin' Chicago politics story -- but I can tell you it's probably not where you think. Unless some of this surveillance is video and actually shows money changing hands, I'm not sure what these "shocking and appalling" crimes are. If the US Attorney or special investigators weren't able to take out any of the oil thugs that have been in power in Washington for the past eight years -- the REAL "pay for play" -- then what in the world is all this fuss over a few idle threats in Illinois?

Why should Blagojevich resign? Because the media wants him to? Because he's "unfit to serve?" Good grief, George Bush was unfit to serve, killed thousands of innocent soldiers, and plunged the entire world into this Trillion Dollar financial crisis. All the Illinois Governor has done is allegedly make some off-handed comments that he can always claim were simply angry rants and poor judgement. "Taint? Scandal?" or the amazing "incompetent to hold office" -- I find that shocking and appalling. What might we have heard if our own Governor had been bugged? I hope Governor Rod and his "foul mouthed" First Lady hang tough. Cussing is not a crime. Make the investigators haul out their evidence in the light of day in court. So far all we have are a bunch of allegations. I love that he isn't talking on camera, other than, "I'll have a lot to say in the proper forum." Love it! Make the bleepin' media squirm!

Meanwhile, gals, we have our own Governor to ogle! Let the bald or creepy comb-overs or shaved headed dudes make fun of his "bad hair day" -- they're just jealous! We've brought back big bell bottoms and platform shoes, why not big hair?
(Envision the "Hair" musical soundtrack -
Give me a head with hair, long beautiful hair -- Shining, gleaming,Streaming, flaxen, waxen...)
And, there is one thing the media can do -- give us more shots of this sexy Governor in his jogging suit! (I get the last wink on that one!!)

A Game of Make-Believe

Before I move off the writing topic (actually, I may never move off -- it's my future), I've been thinking about what makes the "Best Fiction." A book that Mo and I looked at this weekend is called Novel 100. It ranks the "greatest Novels of all time." The fact they are novels rules out shorter works and other types of fiction. And, by the author's so-called rules, fantasy was not included. ha! So, I made my own list of what I consider the Best Fiction. My criteria is memorableness, impact (aka, transcendental power) and immersive quality. What's that? Not so much the famed "willing suspension of disbelief" as how "drawn in" I am. Total Immersion would be a 5-star for me. Here's what quickly came to mind, without exhaustive analysis or thought, for my Top Ten;

1. Don Quixote - Cervantes
2. A Christmas Carol - Dickens
3. Foucault's Pendulum - Umberto Eco
4. "the Raven" - Edgar Allan Poe *
5. Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll (aka Charles Dodgson)
6. the "Divine Comedy" - Dante
7. the Hobbit - J.R.R. Tolkien
8. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep (aka Blade Runner) - Philip k Dick
9. the Teachings of Don Juan - Carlos Castaneda
10. Frankestein - Mary Shelley
    * example of Poe's own Principle of Composition

Honorable mentions go to Anne Rice for "Interview with a Vampire"; Isaac Asimov's "Foundation" series; HG Well's "Time Machine"; CyberPunk daddy William Gibson's "Neuromancer" and punkish protege Neal Stephenson's "Snow Crash" and last but definitely not least, Oscar Wilde's "Picture of Dorian Gray" (long time personal fav on immortality and I hear a movie is coming in 2009!) Kafka and Kerouac must be mentioned! And, I only "suggested" that make-believe was essential.

I'm shocked that my list is so heavily male dominated. Therefore, I pledge to spend time with the 100 Best Works by Women Writers in retirement! Please add your own list or favs below (by comment.) After all, what's a blog for if not to share thoughts!)