Flatline. October 18, 2009

Wow. The New York Giants are getting absolutely embarrassed right now by the New Orleans Saints. I really don’t have anything to say about this situation…hahaha.

Every now and then – and not so much this year because they’ve been undefeated until today – the Giants just show up to a football game without the gumption and drive that they typically have. I’m sure it’s the same with all teams, but I just notice it so much more with the Giants because of my football allegiances.

Now they just need to score a touchdown in order to save face. Ugh. They’re fucking flat lining out there.

Oh, well. What else…

Same old, same old. I can’t help but feel annoyed at people who like to flap their lips about situations they know nothing about. Unfortunately, that’s not a new feeling. I’m very much a fan of being aware of what I’m talking about before I proceed to talk – I like to call it “being informed.” But that’s just me. Take from that perspective what you will.

Someone get me out of Linden soon. Plzkthx?

NaNoWriMo is coming. . . October 17, 2009

Yes, the excitement builds and the day of reckoning draws ever closer – NANOWRIMO BEGINS SO SOON. AHHHH!!

OK, OK. Perhaps ya’ll aren’t nearly as excited as I am about this. The month of November is going to be crazy-filled with nights of literary abandon… Or at least I’m going to try and make it so. It kinda sucks to be the only budding novelist [that I know of, anyway] in Linden, New Jersey. The tangible support system is somewhat lacking. :-[

Oh, well! That's what this blog is for! Until November, I think that I'm going to bestow upon this blog the very important task of compiling all my writing prompts, and maybe some more concrete plot points as far as my novel is concerned.

With that in mind - here is the first one! In 200 words, I attempted to touch upon a brief scene which would describe an interaction or relationship between two of my main characters. :-] Of course, taken out of context it probably won’t make much sense to you, but that’s all right.

…

Lyla let the whiskey trickle down her throat, ignoring the familiar comfort of its burn as she peered out the window. A young man loitered near the flimsy fence, looking unwelcome and right at home all at the same time. How one person managed to do such a thing was beyond her comprehension and she debated going outside, if only to shoo him away with an evil glare.

Evil. Sure. How evil could Lyla Beresford possibly be, even while trying really, really hard? Not only that, but the young man in question looked about as harmless as a kitten.

Kittens have the potential to be little bastards, though…

She tucked a rogue strand of blonde hair behind her ear and narrowed her eyes. There was a strange sort of apprehension taking root in her belly, and suddenly the air felt heavy. “This is silly,” Lyla muttered to no one in particular. “I’ve never even seen this guy before…”

Just at that moment, as if the young man heard her through the closed window, he turned and fixated his eyes directly on her. He flashed a brilliant, plucky smile.

Heavy? At this point, the air was simply too much to withstand.

…

thank you for being a friend. October 15, 2009

Ah, yes. Yet another sort of sleepless night spent with my favorite oldsters – Blanche, Rose, Dorothy, and Sophia. I’m not afraid to admit that I probably enjoy “The Golden Girls” more than any normal person should [although I never claimed to be normal]. There’s no doubt in my mind that I’ll have the Hallmark Channel on from now until 2 AM, as if I haven’t had my fix of geriatric comedy in decades. I mean…I might have already seen these very same episodes twelve hours ago. You know what? Totally irrelevant. Watching “The Golden Girls” is like going to your favorite bar and ordering the usual: obviously you know how it tastes, how much it costs, even what glass it comes in. But it doesn’t matter. Although it’s exciting to try something new, you know that your old standby will always go down smooth.

And I have to say, the graying bachelorettes of Dade County invented smooth.

…

Well, in other news – I know that I’m going to have to make a conscientious effort to update this thing every now and then, even if I may be the only person reading it. As of late, however, I don’t feel as if my life is consistently interesting enough to warrant posting more than once or twice a week. But who knows? Maybe when I start working on my NaNoWriMo project and the holiday season approaches, things’ll pick up a bit. I’m sure Pier 1 will get much more interesting once all the Christmas stuff starts to fill the shelves.

There’s only three weeks left of marching band season, which is bittersweet at best. It’s a part of my life that’s easy to get frustrated with, but I think it’s only because I care about it too much. I loved it in high school and devoted a lot of my energy to being as capable as possible as far as colorguard was concerned, so it’s been really nice to return to something that I took so much pride in. At the same time, it kinda sucks to be on the other side of things – I’d love to perform again. Alas, I’ve since graduated from high school and am too old to be in a competing junior corps. LAME.

Also, I’m going with Johanna to the midnight premiere of “Where the Wild Things Are.” SO EXCITED. We just sat at my dining room table and made crowns – you know, just like the one Max wore with his wolf suit in the book? Judge me if you must, but I have to say that I’m glad I enjoy the little things at 22 that most people my age would just dismiss as stupid or childish. I’d rather papier mache a crown than go out, waste my money, and drink myself silly. :-] I’d argue that that type of behavior [while fun at times] is exponentially more childish, but to each their own. Been there, done it all.

Ugh. I don’t know. I’m just so frustrated with Linden and practically everything about it. If New York City wasn’t so damn close by, I’d really be more forceful with my parents about finding a new place to live. I’m done with this city – it’s so dull, and I feel more and more dull by the day for just living here. It lacks the sort of challenges that I experienced whilst living in Syracuse, and those challenges ended up making every day at least marginally interesting.

Maybe I’ll just write my book…and it’ll be a big hit…and I can make enough money to just live far away from everyone. That’d be nice. For awhile, anyway.

the world has changed because you are made of ivory and gold. . . October 8, 2009

Well, talk about a headline that has absolutely nothing to do with its corresponding post!

I’m watching YouTube clips and making an attempt to mentally arrange my Halloween costume, and I believe that I’m finally making great progress! My inspiration has been all over the place – from random, Google-Imaged glam metal bands to Velvet Goldmine [Maxwell Demon in particular] – I think I’m actually on the right track. It’s going to be zany and ridiculous, but I’m hoping I’ll be able to pull off a fun, glam rock-esque costume. Thus far, I have…a wig. :] It’s blonde and purple and looks abso-fucking-lutely INSANE! Luckily, as we all know, the most important aspect of portraying any type of 80s rock and roller is the hair. I think I’ve got that down pat, no problem.

No less than ten minutes ago I placed an order online for a blouse that I think will go perfectly with the look I’m trying to attain – I shall update when I receive said blouse and evaluate it for myself, but I don’t foresee an issue!

My friends and I are planning to attend the Halloween parade in NYC this year, and I must figure out how exactly things are going to work. I’m almost positive that I have a marching band practice from 10-4 at which I’ll have to be present, meaning that I can’t work the Pier that day… Hmm. Note to self: talk to Jen tomorrow at work and make her aware of marching band. I’d hate to be on the schedule for Pier 1 and have to scramble for coverage when the issue could potentially be avoided.

What else…

OH OH OH. JUST SAW ZOMBIELAND TODAY. Easily the most fun I’ve had watching a movie in a long time! It’s just one of those films that you watch and you can absolutely imagine how much fun the actors and crew had during production. Woody Harrelson is a fucking RIOT. Plus, the soundtrack was awesome. Overall, while it had brief moments of gore, I’d recommend it to anyone – not only for the humor, but because I also feel everyone needs a dose of zombie education. :]

This movie + The Zombie Survival Guide = Essentials.

Hey, when the zombocalypse actually goes down, you’ll thank me a million times over.

Now…back to late night television, Internet putzing, and an effervescently delicious can of Diet Lime Pepsi. <3

and so, the confusion sets in. . . October 7, 2009

I have been asked on numerous occasions why it is that I haven’t begun and maintained a blog. It seems that most people who are interested in writing have at least one, especially in today’s technologically advanced world.

Eh, I suppose it makes sense. But, I must confess, a pen and a notebook are far less complicated than the format that a blog gives you. Perhaps it’s because I feel like a shuffling geriatric stuck in a 22 year old body, but I’m just overwhelmed by all the buttons and such on this page! Eesh! Are they all really that necessary? I doubt it.

Anyhow, it might be in my best interest to use this first post as an introduction of sorts, because I don’t particularly think that anyone would be curious to read the ramblings of some nutter-butter that they didn’t know. My name is Ashley. I had the unfortunate pleasure of graduating from Syracuse University in May 2009 into the tumultuous clusterfuck that is [less] affectionately known as our current economy. A combination of the terrible job market and my innate laid-back attitude [some might confuse the term  'laid-back' with 'lazy,' but I agree to disagree] led me to my current position as a sales associate for Pier 1 Imports. Not only that, but I also just so happen to be a colorguard instructor for the Linden High School Marching Band – arguably the flashiest of career choices, I know.

On the side – by side, I mean between the hours of 12-6 in the morning – I moonlight as a writer. If all goes well within the next several months, I plan on having a complete manuscript that is finished [including editing], or at least near completion. Sometime back in the beginning of the summer I signed my soul over to the nonprofit event, National Novel Writing Month. It takes place from November 1-30, and I’ve been nothing but excited to begin.  The rules of the event dictate that you’re not allowed to begin writing before November 1st, so in the meantime I have compiled pages of notes, outlines…you name it, I’ve got it tucked away in a notebook or word file somewhere.

I’d let you know what it’s about, but then I’d have to kill you. :] Perhaps as the month of November wears on, I’ll let slip bits and pieces of what I’m working on if anyone cares to read about it. The title of my project is “Metedeconk,” named so aptly after the river that flows near my family’s old shore house in Brick, New Jersey. Of course, there’s more to this plot than meets the eye and I’m really suspending my imagination for this one, but I think it’ll be plenty of fun to write. Hey, as long as I don’t fall into the stupid vampire trend that’s been plaguing literature as of late!

So, yeah. I’m not quite sure where I’m going with this newfangled blog…thing… But if you check in periodically, I’m sure you’ll read something that’ll make you giggle. My life, albeit lame at times, serves up enough humor to go around several times over – there ain’t nothin’ like a good laugh at my expense!