Tuesday, May 31, 2011

IN LOVING MEMORY

I found some old letters recently…
From my father to my mother…
When he was in the army during WWII
And she was back home in Brooklyn.
The papers were yellowed…
The ink from a fountain pen…
And the stationary had the logo from the USO.
I sat down with the letters on my lap to read them
Whatever I needed to get done could wait.
An hour or so later…
I got up, filled with a deeper understanding of them…
And of a life far different than mine.
My father was in the 12th Armored division (Hellcats)
Stationed in England, France then Germany.
Although he wrote telling my mom to not worry
The undertone was obvious—he might not come home.
Lucky for me and my family he did.
As I gathered and folded their memories
I got to wondering…
What memories will my daughters find of mine to look through?
What physical evidence will remain of my sentiments?
Hey sis, look at this flash drive of mom’s.”
OMG, flash drives. Ha! So outdated.”
“Know what’s on it?”
“Nope.”
“Wonder how we can see what’s on it.”
“Can’t. No one has a physical computer anymore.”
“Is her stuff in the clouds?”
“Dunno.”
“ Yeah, and even if we could find where she stored them…
We don’t know any of her passwords.”
“Sorry mom, may your memories rest in peace somewhere in the clouds.”
Well, that got me thinking about writing and telling stories that endure…
Obviously telling stories in the physical world endures…
Hence cave drawings and hieroglyphics…
And parchment, papyrus and paper.
So if writing and telling stories go the way of electronics…
And the whole world eventually goes paperless...
What format will your loved ones…
Find your memories?

Always, Em-Musing

Thursday, May 12, 2011

FASTER!

Lately there’s been so much going on…
With barely time to do it all…
That I’m rushing to get things done…
Just so I can have a few moments to relax.
Help!
I’m living as fast as I can.
I get up at the crack of dawn…
To steal more time of the day…
And I push myself at night…
Just to squeeze a few more hours in…
Help!
I’m living as fast as I can.
There’s so much I want to do…
But my “to do” list take priority…
And I always feel like a loser slacker…
Because I never seem to get everything done.
Help!
I’m living as fast as I can.
Is it just me? But I thought electronics…
Were supposed to make life easier…
But as I use up precious time keeping them plugged in…
I still feel that I am unplugged.
Help!
I’m living as fast as I can.
And I know I should go paperless…
Being buried under mountains of paperwork…
But finding the time to make the switch…
Just seems like too daunting a process.
Help!
I’m living as fast as I can.
Well, this is all I can blog for today…
I’m leaving for a working vacation next week…
And as I schlep my notebook and 5-spot device with me…
I pray all my files up in Dropbox follow me.
And I’m hoping that the pace down in Akumal…
Will slow down even just a bit…
So I can write which is my true desire…
And I won't be crying for help
Because I'll be living my life as joyful as can be.

Always, Em-Musing
P.S. Going on a working vacation. I'll be blogging down there when I can.
Be back to daily blogs in two weeks. Adios.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

NETHER ENDING STORY

It’s why paying attention to details is so important…
And not only details when writing…
But also details when reading…
And even the smallest detail is so important…
Because it was the smallest of details that got me this morning.
Earlier, while showering…
I was washing my nether regions when–
HUH?
Something very different was happening
Different than the day before happening.
And then I realized it was the liquid soap that was happening…
The body wash to be exact.
It wasn’t my usual brand…
And I only bought it because it offered 50% More…
Unfortunately, that was the only detail I had paid attention to…
Not the exfoliating detail.
Trust me…
When you use an exfoliating body wash
Some parts of the body…
Are not meant to be
Exfoliated.
'Nuff said.
Any detail ever rub you the wrong way?

Always, Em-Musing

Monday, May 9, 2011

McBLUNDER

Because I used to write radio spots…
I’m probably one of only a few weirdos…
Who love listening to them.
(if they’re well crafted, that is).
So while driving the other day…
I heard a new spot for McDonald's.
Specifically, McCafe's new Mango Pineapple smoothie.
Of course the voice over talent went on to say…
"Mango, delectably sweet...
Pineapple, delectably citrusy"SCREECH!
Ow…my brain just got a new wrinkle!
Pineapple citrusy?
Pineapple is not and never will be…
A citrus fruit.
And actually …
Citrusy isn’t even a word!
OK, I do get creative play on words (wordisms)...
In fact, the spot continued with the line "Holy Fruitamony" and that's cute…
But, I never bastardized a definition.
So? How did the “pineapple, delectably citrusy” slip past…
The copywriter?
The account exec?
The client?
(I have to assume they're all college educated)
The bigger question though is…
Does anyone care...
If there’s misinformation about pineapple in a radio spot?
And how much more misinformation is being written...
That slips right into the ears of listeners...
And no one catches?
And if you can't trust a radio spot...
Well then...?
So?
Does “citrusy pineapple” offend your sensibilities?
 Or what other blunders have you heard that does?

Always, Em-Musing

Friday, May 6, 2011

This morning...
I'm guest blogging at:
http://www.mvrwa.net/
Take a look...
Leave a comment if you like...
And check out all the other great writers...
Of MVRWA.
(Maumee Valley Romance Writers of American)
This is the writer group I belong to...
And is the greatest support/critique group ever!


Always, Em-Musing

Thursday, May 5, 2011

COME PLAY WITH ME

While researching “something” not long ago…
I came upon this quote from Eugene O’Neil:
"Obsessed by a fairy tale, we spend our time
searching for a magic door and a lost kingdom of peace."  
It struck me as the epitome of man’s eternal inner struggle.
I thought about it for a long time…
And I’m still thinking about it.
And of course, since then I’ve researched Mr. O’Neil…
Who, as I'm sure you're aware...
Was both a Pulitzer and Nobel a Prize winning dramatist…
And who, like the Greeks…
Incorporated the most tragic  aspects of life Into his plays.
Me, on the other hand (or mask)…
I like to think of myself as a humorist…
My take is that life gives you enough of the tragedy…
I’d rather not dwell upon it or write about it…
But even being a humourist I still have to agree with Mr. O’Neil…
I am obsessed by a fairy tale…
I am searching for a magic door…
And a lost kingdom of peace.
I do feel though that I am close, very close.
(dear God! I hope I’m sensing death!)
And of course, all this thinking about tragedy & comedy & plays...
Got me thinking about Mr. Shakespeare...
(yes, my mind does wander)
And his famous line from As You Like It
“All the worlds a stage and all the men and women merely players.”
And so I’m wondering…
Are you obsessed with a fairy tale?
And what kind of player are you?
And does your writing reflect that?

Always, Em-Musing

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

DELETE, DELIMIT, DEPART

You’ll be sorry!
You’ll miss me!
I’ve been good to you!
There’s nothing better out there!”
HA! Yes, I think there is!
So?
Can you guess who was shouting at me?
Some words I deleted from my W.I.P.yesterday?
Some old clothes I weeded out recently?
Or…
Some choice words someone once said to me…
When the relationship was over?
What can I say folks?
Clutter is clutter…
Whether physical or emotional…
It ain’t never good (my best English)...
To hang on to it.

Always, Em-Musing

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

WHITE SHIRT SYNDROME

While reading a new chapter I wrote the other day…
I realized…
BLEH!
I have “white shirt syndrome” – AGAIN!
Which Is not to be confused with “white coat syndrome”…
That has to do with rising blood pressure and doctors.
No, “white shirt syndrome” (and please follow along)…
Is a constant and elusive vision in my head…
That occurs every time I shop and see a crisp white button down blouse.
Immediately I envision me wearing it…
With a pair of creased jeans (yes I iron my jeans)…
Strappy sandals in the summer…
Or some kicky boots in winter…
A fashionable belt…
And silver and turquoise earrings and rings.
Unfortunately…
I’ve bought too many of these button down white shirts…
Only to put them on with all of the above mentioned accessories…
Look in the mirror and go…
BLEH!
BORING!
WHAT WAS I THINKING?
And that’s how most of my initial writing is…
While the idea is still in my head...
I think it's the best thing written since...
(well, I always think it's going to be the best thing ever written)
Until I write it, then read it, and then...
BLEH!
BORING!
WHAT WAS I THINING?
I can’t be the only one, can I?
What are your first drafts like?
How would you describe them?

Always, Em-Musing

Monday, May 2, 2011

STINKEN CLEAN

Ah, spring!
Time to clean…
To make things fresh…
To clean out the clutter…
Like some junk that was in my closet…
Specifically, some purses I hadn’t used in years.
Before pitching them I checked inside…
(maybe I'd find some money stashed)
I picked up one that used to be my favorite and opened it.
Hmm? What this?
(it was an 8 ½ x 11 folded paper)
Curious, I opened the folded paper and–
Oh, dear God!
Lord have mercy!
Nooooooo!
Yuck!
Yeesch!
Bleh!
How utterly, totally, and unequivocally embarrassing!
It was a query letter…
Obviously one of the first ones I’d ever written…
Why? I mean what was it doing–
Oh, yeah, I remember now…
I’d taken this purse to a writer’s conference many years ago…
Lord! To think I ever thought this was good!
Or that I ever sent this monstrosity out!
Or that an agent read it!
Or that I was capable of writing such garbage!
Oh, the shame, the shame!
I’ve since come to the conclusion…
That when it comes to age…
Some things do get better…
Like my writing skills…
And query letters.
What about you?
Ever find any old stinker query letters?

Always , Em Musing