Claude’s voice punctured the early morning stillness of the camp some three miles out of town where the hippies lived idealistic, communal lives, at least on weekends. “Meeting!” he shouted with an exuberance unbecoming seven in the morning, even among people who hadn’t inhaled any quantity of mind-altering substances the night before.

As such, the reaction was less than he might have hoped.

Mary, who had been sleeping near what had been a bonfire the night before, managed to haul her frame into a sitting position and, squinting because the overcast filtered through the forest canopy was still too bright for her, grumpily demand an explanation for this intrusion.

Declan, who had dropped unconscious on the other side of the bonfire, made a sound that combined coughing fit with the first line of “Danny Boy.” He didn’t appear to regain consciousness, but in his sleepy haze he did manage to reach behind his back and grab a sizable rock that he must have been sleeping on, and chuck it in Claude’s general direction.

His aim wasn’t good; the projectile actually hit Louise’s tent, which was a good thirty feet away. More accurately, it hit the entrance to Louise’s tent, as it was unzipping and Louise was poking her head out. So, to improve the precision of the description a third and final time, the rock actually conked Louise on the forehead. This unfortunate miss would be enough to disqualify Declan from the Unconsciousness Olympics.

Louise took the early morning bump as well as possible and ignored the rock. She even managed to ask, “What is it, Claude?” in an even and nearly kind voice.

Wayne was not so polite, even though he was normally the early riser of the group. He poked his head out of the window of his cabin on the edge of the camp and cried, “You can’t call a meeting, it has to form organically!” Wayne slammed the window for dramatic effect, although he reopened it automatically. One of the drawbacks to the camp’s cabins is how quickly they trap heat. They also artificially separate their inhabitants from Mother Earth, although many of the hippies considered that a satisfactory sacrifice for the comfort of a mattress.

“I have something that I would like to tell you all,” Claude said, although it was to himself because after the flurry of initial reaction the camp had collectively lost consciousness again.

But Claude knew better than to give up. He had been a corporate morale officer for seven years, so he’d amassed a vast collection of motivational posters that told him that. He began traveling from person to cabin to tent to Winnebago, waking each of the camp’s denizens in turn.

The process took more than an hour, and the twenty or so people who gathered around the fire pit shared a decidedly surly disposition. Wayne still insisted that the meeting was inherently illegitimate, and a fair number of the rest of the camp agreed. “I am here under protest,” he announced. “If I had my parking permit, I would burn it.”

Claude spoke with a reasonable facsimile of contrition. “Begging your understanding, brother, but I feel that what I have to say is important.” Wayne gestured him on, not supportively but willing to get it over with.

“I just received word that my company has accepted a proposal to purchase naming rights for our camp.” He punctuated this with a giddy squeak that had been trying to escape for the last hour.

Camp reaction was less than Claude might have hoped. “Why would we want to sell out like that,” Mary demanded.

“Because, next week we’ll be taking delivery of a—“ Claude paused between each word for effect, “—twelve person hot tub.”

The camp’s eyes turned as one toward the bare spot near the entry gate that was just crying out to be filled.

“About damn time,” Wayne declared.

*****

This was a hoot to write. I’ve had the idea of an unusual naming rights deal for a while (I keep a file of brainstormed story/pastiche topics) but haven’t been sure exactly how to make it happen. I think this one turned out quite well, at least for a first draft.

It will be part of Clean Hippie Murders, obviously early on as the murder victim is still alive here. Also obviously: The hippies in this story aren’t really hippies in any real sense of the world; they’re people who have decided to pick and choose elements of the lifestyle to accept when convenient. Is that why they’re getting murdered? Read on to find out…

…this post: This morning, at 6:57 AM, Kathy’s sister called to see if she was pregnant.

The joke is now officially on me.

Please remember that California is two hours behind Illinois,

-Shady

THIS morning, when I came back from the supermarket, I bumped into Rodney Hide.

Maybe it’s just me… – but I kind of had the impression he looked angry.

I don’t know why he would have been angry, though – it was such a nice day today, sunshine, Christmas time and the holidays are coming up.

Well, maybe that’s why: holidays. Maybe, he hasn’t figured out how to spend the summer, yet.

~ JUST LIKE HOLIDAY ~ (pic: own)

However, once again I am confident to say that I can help out in this matter and it is my pleasure to refer to Lyndon Hood’s excellent column.

The piece Travel Ideas for MPs on Scoop offers suggestions and advice and yet keeps it simple:

“Or try anywhere else Obama goes”

If you don’t want to go as far as Aleajos (Spain) the “global antipode of Wellington[...]: the place you go when sent as far from the Beehive as possible, and also where you end up if you find yourself in a hole and keep digging.”

No matter which piece of advice Rodney Hide choses to take or not to take in the end, he should keep in mind that Copenhagen Airport is one of the things Kiwis love when it comes to travelling.

As the NZ Herald reported earlier this week, a list, previously released by House of Travel, shows what New Zealanders rated as their “love and loath”-top-ten of travel.

Top Ten Travel cheer and loathing

Kiwis are cheering for

• having an own entertainment system with movies starting as soon as you board
• counting down the number of sleeps until you leave
• realising that you have made it (when you stand in front of the Pyramids or the Taj Mahal)
• getting entrenched in the local customs and culture
• feeling the blast of heat when arriving at a tropical destination
• Copenhagen Airport
• super cheap Thai foot massages at Bangkok Airport
• having someone else to make your bed in the mornings
• authentic fresh local cuisine (“real pizza”)
• planning your next trip when getting home

and loathing for

• passport photos
• virtually every airport in the country “making some changes”
• early morning international flights
• having to take your laptop out when going through security
• “fighting” for the arm rest
• realising that you have only one sleep left before you go home
• hotels and beaches that look different from their website pics
• humid holiday spots causing “bad hair days”
• leaking toothpaste, shampoo or moisturiser
• tipping

(pic: simpsonscrazy.com)

I agree with most of the bulletpoints.

Passport photos, for instance. I got told I look like Sideshow Bob (RIGHT) - and that is only the most recent one. The prior picture showed someone (well, let’s face it: me), who looked like a member of the band Europe.

EUROPE (pic: getback.com)

I also agree with most of the other points. Finding that your moisutriser was leaking all the time, when you are just about to unpack your bag, sucks.

Authentic fresh cuisine sounds good. And to realise that you have made it, is a pretty damn good feeling.

But what does Copenhagen Airport have to do with all that? I mean, why – all of a sudden – Copenhagen?

Have all Kiwis ever been to Copenhagen Airport (as well as to other airports which they can compare Copenhagen with), so that they can say for sure that this is a great airport?

Well, I haven’t been to Copenhagen – neither to the city itself nor to the airport. (But – mind you – I am not a New Zealander, either). So I can’t really tell if Copenhagen Airport is special or not.

Must be special, because it’s on the list. Or is it special because Copenhagen is big news because of the climate summit?

Then we might as well just take Lyndon Hood’s advice – and go wherever Obama’s going. And he knows Copenhagen Airport for sure.

Im sitting here, drinking my morning coffee listening to this. Im soon off to work, but Im darn tired. All because yesterday night/early morning I got the genius idea that I was gonna create a Tilt-Shift-like short film of the night traffic outside my kitchen window, like a small experiment. But little did I know. This experiment consists of 77 photos, processed in photoshop and with added textures etc. and to put it together into some kind of Stop Motion clip took me more than 15 hours! I will display the result on Flickr later today!

On the topic of Stop Motion and mornings, here is a beautiful piece!

Sniff, Sniff.

Hmmm?  What’s that?  Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Just like the Folgers commercials many of us know so well (“The best, part, of waking up, is …. )” nothing warms the heart, pleases the brain, and stretches a furrowed face into a smile like a steaming, delicious, cup of coffee.  We love it, and don’t know too many people that don’t.

So what’s all the ruckus about?  Coffee is good, coffee is bad.  The caffeine will kill you – no, wait, it’s actually good for you.  Blah, Blah, Blah.  Let’s get down to the facts, since this is a Cave Chow food list approved item and can sometimes make or break that breakfast healthy food you dive into in the AM.

The Accusations:

• Caffeine is bad for you.
• Caffeine causes birthing problems with pregnant women.
• First time coffee drinkers may experience increased blood pressure and even heart attacks (OK)
• Unfiltered coffee increases the LDL (bad) cholesterol
• Coffee can increase the increased blood sugar affect you get from your normal eating habits
• Drinking too much coffee can lead to sleeplessness, anxiety, etc. (wow, really?  Amazing!)

The Accolades:

• Coffee helps ward off type 2 diabetes
• Coffee consumption has been shown to prevent strokes
• Drinking coffee can help prevent skin cancer and liver cancer
• Coffee may protect against Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease
• Coffee is a fantastic source of anti-oxidants

And what is the Cave Chow opinion?  Well, given that we haven’t gone to school for 12 years so that we can spout insightful philosophies such as the above, we’ll refrain from a technical analysis but offer the following:  It seems that the positives outweigh the negatives, if you’re a normal functioning, non-birthing human, and capable of an appropriate consumption level (meaning you are a mature adult).  Also, if you’re body doesn’t like coffee, you’ll know it, if you’re listening to it.  Coffee just doesn’t work for some people, and they are smart enough to switch to tea or proceed without it – excellent!

Listen to your body whenever possible, as it will tell you, that food or drink you are having – it’s good or it’s not so good.

Cheers,
Cave Cook

One of several things I have been working on this week is making a series of  products with my photo, Forest Sun Rays in the Snow #53:
Looking up a steep snow covered hill in Rainier, Oregon the crystal clear early morning sky is seen through a break in the trees.

Forest Sun Rays in the Snow #53 by dlmtleArt
Create a refrigerator magnet with zazzle

Forest Sun Rays in the Snow #53 by dlmtleArt
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Forest Sun Rays in the Snow #53 by dlmtleArt
Browse more Snow Mugs

Forest Sun Rays in the Snow #53 by dlmtleArt
See more Snow Ties

Forest Sun Rays in the Snow #53 by dlmtleArt
See all other stickers on zazzle.com

Forest Sun Rays in the Snow #53 by dlmtleArt
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Forest Sun Rays in the Snow #53 by dlmtleArt
View more Snow T-Shirts

Forest Sun Rays in the Snow #53 by dlmtleArt
View other Snow Postcards

Forest Sun Rays in the Snow #53 by dlmtleArt
Browse more custom mousepads available from zazzle

Forest Sun Rays in the Snow #53 by dlmtleArt
Design a kitchen apron with zazzle

Forest Sun Rays in the Snow #53 by dlmtleArt
Create your own canvas tote bags from zazzle

Forest Sun Rays in the Snow #53 by dlmtleArt
Browse other custom stamps at zazzle

Images and content on this blog are the intellectual property of Dawna Morton.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Do not copy.

Dawna’s Gallery of Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, and T shirts at RedBubble

Dawna’s Fine Art Prints at

Dawna’s Zazzle Gallery of items featuring her Art and Photography

Or what they left in the snow this morning when they ran out the door.

I really don’t remember what I was going to write about today. I hate when I get writers block…it’s so frustrating. I was sitting downstairs with my laptop this morning while eating breakfast and watching tv…and I had a great idea for a post this morning…and now it is just gone.

This week I created a series of products on zazzle Using my painting, Oakridge Reservoir #3

Watercolor painting on Fabriano Uno 300 lb Soft Press 100% cotton paper, 7 1/2″x 11″, 2001. Sunrise over Oakridge Reservoir, on a tranquil Oregon morning. Smooth as glass, the water mirrors calm reflections of driftwood and a fishing boat. Peace and solitude as the day breaks over the cool blue mountains. This is one of a series of 4 watercolor paintings I did of Oakridge Reservoir quite a number of years ago. We went camping in Oakridge during august one year for vacation, and while we were there I took some lovely reference photos of the reservoir early in the morning. It’s a really lovely place, not far from Springfield and Eugene, Oregon–it’s very family friendly with lots of outdoor recreational activities. Painted on a very smooth sample of Fabriano Uno 300 lb Soft Press 100% cotton paper, this early morning scene inspires reflection and peacefulness as well as a sense of the majesty and grandeur of nature and God’s creations. The waters of the reservoir are smooth as glass as they reflect the logs and driftwood within the reflections of the shadowy mountains. An evergreen branch seems to point past the small fishing boat moored alone at the dock towards the pale yellow dawn light filling the sky and creeping across the mountains while three pale gray clouds hover in the distance.

Oakridge Reservoir #3 by dlmtleArt
Browse Art Stationery

Oakridge Reservoir #3 by dlmtleArt
Get magnets at zazzle

Oakridge Reservoir #3 by dlmtleArt
View other Art Mugs

Oakridge Reservoir #3 by dlmtleArt
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Oakridge Reservoir #3 by dlmtleArt
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Oakridge Reservoir #3 by dlmtleArt
View more Art T-Shirts

Oakridge Reservoir #3 by dlmtleArt
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Oakridge Reservoir #3 by dlmtleArt
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Oakridge Reservoir #3 by dlmtleArt
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Oakridge Reservoir #3 by dlmtleArt
More Art Hats

Oakridge Reservoir #3 by dlmtleArt
View other Art Bags

Images and content on this blog are the intellectual property of Dawna Morton.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Do not copy.

Dawna’s Gallery of Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, and T shirts at RedBubble

Dawna’s Fine Art Prints at

Dawna’s Zazzle Gallery of items featuring her Art and Photography

“Early morning, what has happened?
Don’t know why I feel like im walking in air
New morning, new place
I feel like I am taking new directions in a different way.
Have I started to view things differently?
Or has the scenery before my eyes changed?
Or am i really walking the dreams I dreamt?
Early morning, what has happened?
Don’t know why I feel like im walking in air
New morning, new place
Looking at things with a fresh new approach
These humming clouds, the smiling breeze
Im walking with the world indeed
Whatever is in now, simply live it
Whatever you had has been lived, the intoxication has been consumed
And tommorrow’s intoxication is eagerly waiting for you, don’t waste it
So drink in every moment and fulfill your heart
Early morning, what has happened?
Don’t know why I feel like im walking in air
New morning, new air
Taking new directions in a different way
Early morning, what has happened?
Don’t know why I feel like im walking in air
New morning, new place
Taking new directions in a different way
These humming clouds, the smiling breeze
I am indeed walking with the world now…”

It’s an all time favourite  song in my language. A kind of loose translation but it speaks for itself.

So its winters and I am in my happy mode. I am more cheerful than needed. I am more hopeful than ever. I love winters and the fact of getting up early and enjoying sometime for myself.
It feels good, this phase. It feels you are untouchable by anything below happiness. I feel very impulsive at this phase that I am ready to do anything that I usually would hesitate to do so.

My very good best friend has left and she’ll be missed but for the first im not miserable cuz its all cloudy and cool out here.

Funny thing I don’t need hot coffee or hot tea to open up my eyes during winters. The fact that its gonna be cloudy the moment I set my eyes on my bedroom window is enough to boost me up! Two hours on the highway with my iPod while i stare at the clouds and its cool shade on the road…sigh…wow!

 And finally from tommorrow my uni has started so I just can’t wait to get back and live a normal life! Cheers! And Oh its snowing in houston! HA! The world is going crazy aint it? But I still prefer middle east winters, they always take you by surprise after long hot summers!

M flew to ATL this morning for his office’s Christmas party.  I was really happy for him that he was able to get a direct flight from ATX to ATL.  And happy that he got an early flight so that he was able to spend most of the work day in the office.  I wasn’t so happy that I had to get up at 4:40 to take him to the airport.  I’m not sure when I’ve felt that tired.  I planned on going to straight from the airport to the gym, and it was literally only because I didn’t have anywhere else to go at 6am that I actually walked through the doors of the gym.  Today’s scheduled workout was key running workout #2 – a tempo run.  I successfully completed it!  I ran 5 miles at a tempo pace of 8:32 and warmed up for a 1/2-mile before and cooled down with a 1/2 mile as well.  Felt nice to have accomplished a goal by 7:15am.  And I rewarded myself with my favorite muffin treat – a blueberry bran muffin made at Quack’s Bakery, but bought & enjoyed at Lola Savannah Coffee Lounge with a cup of house  coffee.

Tomorrow: Rest day!!

So what do I think. Other than having the bad case of senioritis, I can’t believe that graduation is finally here. I really don’t care at this point. Yes, I know it’s sad that I don’t care, I just want to get out of here and graduation. On a funny note, they gave us our cap and gown and I for some reason I knew instantly that my gown was not going to fit. So I tried it on just in case, lets put it this way, have you ever tried to put on jeans, you suck in your stomach and squeeze tight enough to make it fit, well that’s not exactly how it happened but it could have. I was inches of closing the zipper. Other than everyone here is pretty much done, well the seniors. We have a three finals left and that’s it. Mass next Friday and Graduation Saturday. Oh man, just thinking about it I just want to run around the room! It’s AMAZING! Now if I can get a job, that would be great. So I’m gonna keep this short, I’m stoked, ready to go, living out of a suitcase for the next two weeks. Peace Out!

Mixed media on Board
Early morning Sunrise
A golden glow
A fireball glow
the exploding sun
early morning glory

One of the things I got done last week was to create a series of product using my photo, Forest Sun Rays in the Snow #32. A snow covered branch creates an arch, with ferns hanging from its moss covered bark, across a tree lined path toward the summit of this hill in the woods of Rainier Oregon. Beyond the forest the sky shines crystal blue in the early morning light.

Forest Sun Rays in the Snow #32 by dlmtleArt
View more Forest Postage

Forest Sun Rays in the Snow #32 by dlmtleArt
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Forest Sun Rays in the Snow #32 by dlmtleArt
Browse Forest Stationery

Forest Sun Rays in the Snow #32 by dlmtleArt
Design a custom printed magnet on zazzle

Forest Sun Rays in the Snow #32 by dlmtleArt
Create customizable steins at zazzle.com

Forest Sun Rays in the Snow #32 by dlmtleArt
Browse other Forest Ties

Forest Sun Rays in the Snow #32 by dlmtleArt
See other Forest Keychains

Forest Sun Rays in the Snow #32 by dlmtleArt
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Forest Sun Rays in the Snow #32 by dlmtleArt
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Forest Sun Rays in the Snow #32 by dlmtleArt
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Forest Sun Rays in the Snow #32 by dlmtleArt
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Forest Sun Rays in the Snow #32 by dlmtleArt
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Forest Sun Rays in the Snow #32 by dlmtleArt
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Forest Sun Rays in the Snow #32 by dlmtleArt
Browse more Forest Cards

Forest Sun Rays in the Snow #32 by dlmtleArt
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Forest Sun Rays in the Snow #32 by dlmtleArt
View all other custom mousepads at zazzle

Forest Sun Rays in the Snow #32 by dlmtleArt
Browse Forest Aprons

Forest Sun Rays in the Snow #32 by dlmtleArt
Browse more Forest Bags

Dawna’s Gallery of Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, and T shirts at RedBubble

Dawna’s Fine Art Prints at

Dawna’s Zazzle Gallery of items featuring her Art and Photography

last Thursday with an early morning visit to the little slice of heaven that lives in Chelsea.

Why can’t the whole city be made of the flower district?

Photos : RWM

It is almost the weekend… yay! Yesterday was extreamly busy yet again, but I was able to get a little bit over 2,000 words written. Again, I wanted more, but I’ll get it. I’m going to visit family for Thanksgiving so that’ll be several hours to write on the way there, and on the way back. Just what I need! I’m so sluggish this morning though! I’m not functioning correctly. I think I’m going to go back to bed and get another hour of sleep. We’re going to try to get my permit again today. You see, it didn’t happen yesterday

And… guess what!! The loose wire in my brain that wasn’t connecting so I could get that plot twist? I got it! Finally!  I’m so excited too. It’s going to be an awesome one! Another awesome thing I got yesterday for my story, my cousin (a really really awesome artist) is going to make a cover for my book! I’m so thrilled about that! A cover… I’ve never had one of those for one of my books before!

If I don’t do another one of these tonight, I probably will in the morning. Weekend. Busy day tomorrow as well! Gotta help with my friend’s school’s Fall Festival! Photographer! Woot! Off topic now… lol Now, you may have  a good day.

P.S. If anyone is reading Adeline, please note that it is currently on hold. Most likely until December. I will put the next part up when I have time.

I started my Tuesday with another early morning jog. It was preceeded by a great run with the group Monday night. Five miles (avg 8:05 min/mile), one group dinner, 6 hours of sleep and less than 12 hours later…..my legs & I got ready to go again.

I literally had to Pull myself out of bed for this one; I felt heavy and tired. For some reason, reminding myself that it’s “Biggest Loser” day always provides a little added motivation. It’s not fun to watch the contestants pump it out like crazy with those trainers and think “Huh,  I haven’t done anything today…”. So. Get moving!!

I cut off my usual 7-mile loop at the 3 mile marker. This meant taking on a hill that I haven’t tackled yet. It’s intimidating, but the crossroad goes straight over to where I need to be. Now I know that by doing this I actually create a 5.5 mile loop. Perfect!

8:49 – 8:26 – 8:15 – 9:03 (0.2 – uphill) – 8:15 (ah, flat again!) – 7:45
total = 5.25 miles, 43:45@ 8:19 avg

Definitely not my *best* run, but I absolutely love that morning-run feeling. It’s done for the day, you’re happy you did it. Mission accomplished!

******

Biggest Loser Recap! It’s makeover week, HELLO Tim Gunn! Ah, one of my favorite hosts. In my opinion, Allen and Amanda came out of this looking the Best. While all the contestants looked so different, and so much happier, these two were really standing out. Danny’s speech about his little girl’s comment broke my heart; as did the fact that she said she’s excited to start her “journey”.  It’s amazing that at a young age she’s 1) so inspired by her parents, but 2) already aware that she has weight to lose.

Since I never aim to reveal too much on here, we’ll skip to the other stuff. Break it down!

Likes: The challenge was actually challenging this week; I would’ve taken some convincing to get strapped onto that seat thing! Ehhh. The weight loss numbers (for most) were huge, and the contestants look Great! I feel as though most, if not all, of them have reached that point of no-turning-back. They’ve come a Long way with their weight-loss, and it’s now a lifestyle.

Dislikes: The plugs continue on their shameless path; isn’t that why we have commercials?! I don’t see this aspect of the show improving at any point, but it’s still worth noting.

WTH moment: Rudy gave us a brief insight into what motivated his initial desire to change his behaviors. While I’m still not crazy about his elimination-table-commentaries and game-playing strategies, this was a brief glimpse into what’s been running through his mind for the last few months…..

Was it necessary to throw that at him DURING a workout, Jillian?!! Tough love, to say the least.

Wow – moment: Rebecca crossing the half-marathon finish line in 2:22 (Clock time). She has lost a Lot since leaving the ranch, I am beyond impressed with her.  Her running looked strong, in stark contrast to that Day 1 Mile challenge.

*******

What did You think about the happenings this week?? Let’s hear it…

Yes, I know it’s extremely early in the morning. My short explanation of that is that I am extremely stubborn and refuse to have my writing time taken away. I got caught writing really late the other night, and now Mom is making me be in bed by 9:30 PM… so, I am going to bed on time, and getting up early so I can still have my writing. I typically use the nighttime to write because no one else is awake, and I don’t have to worry about constant interruptions. It’s when I typically write the most and best. One good thing about this is, I get to talk to my best friend Felicia a whole lot more than normal. Felicia is my best friend who moved to the Philipines about six months ago.

Now, about nanowrimo. I wrote about 1,000 words yesterday, mainly from the stupid bedtime, but that 1,000 words was just from one hour, WHILE roleplaying, so I’m kinda proud of myself. I’m now up to almost 10,000 words. Yes, I realize I’m behind, but life came along last week and messed my perfect word count thing up. But, I write as much as I can, so I think I will be able to make it anyway. Now, off to write! I will probably give you an update later!