Thirty Days and Nights of Literary Abandon

It's that time of year again. The time when I turn into a frenzied, high-strung, over-caffeinated hermit for 30 days, in hopes that I can write fifty thousand words of something that resembles a story.

I want to be held accountable this year, though. If I actually write 1667 words a day (which really only amounts to two hours of writing and shouldn't be unreasonable), I can actually win this year.

What I propose is this: Starting day 2, I will post the previous day's writing here on the blog, and you all cheer or boo as necessary. You don't mind reading total dreck, do you?

Thank you, Everyone!

Gigantic fluffy thanks to all you who sponsored me in the Extra Life 24-hour gaming marathon to raise money for pediatric cancer research. Texas Childrens Hospital is one of the premier centers for the research and treatment of children with cancer, and with your help, I was able to raise $471. The event has brought in over $100,000 so far, and was a huge success!

Hours 18-21 and the last 10 minutes were the hardest. Enormous thanks go to my wonderful husband for staying up with me as long as he could and feeding me caffeine at regular intervals until my second wind arrived.

I'm floored. Blown away.

I just got out of a staff meeting at the library and things look bleak. No one knows what the future will hold for us, or who will have a job and who won't in the next two years. It's a harsh reality that many others are facing, too. And yet, when I sat back down at my desk to check up on various online goings-on, I found that the original goal I'd set for the Extra Life fundraiser had well been exceeded! As of this writing, my sponsorship total has reached $336!

My heart jumped from the bottom of my stomach to the top of my throat. It was humbling and exhilarating at the same time. No matter what happens with our jobs and paychecks, there is something out there bigger than all of us. And when we can help out in any way, no matter how big or small our contribution, we are all better off for the effort.

I've seen what cancer can do. I've seen it break and destroy one of the strongest fighters I knew. To think of what it does to the most vulnerable among us... I can't just stand here, knowing it's happening, and not do anything to help. You can help, too. Even if you only have $2 to spare, that still pushes the research and treatment further than it otherwise would have been.

I've updated my goal. Let's see if we can break $400 before the game-athon. If you would rather mail a paper check, you can click here for a printable donation form.

There's still time.

On the Needles

I've started a new cardigan for myself. It's a Drops pattern I got from Ravelry, but I chose a different color. The colors aren't what I expected, but I like it anyway, and it gives me an excuse to knit another later on ;).



I'd like to be able to make some for my shop, but I don't know if people would pay what I would have to charge. The yarn itself cost $50, and it's a lot of work, being sock yarn on size 4 needles. What do you think? Is it worth a try? Are there people out there who understand what goes into hand-knit clothes and are willing to pay what they are worth?

Extra Life: Play Games, Heal Kids

On October 18, 2008, I will be joining gamers from all around the world in an effort to raise money for Pediatric Cancer research and treatment. It is a 24-hour gaming marathon set up by the fellows at Sarcasticgamer.com.

Cancer is horrible, and cancer in children is unthinkable. My goal is to get 8 people to sponsor me at $1 per hour, but any contribution will help boost me to my goal of $192. If you would like to help, please visit my fundraising page. You can sponsor per hour, or just give a flat amount of whatever you can afford. Donations are collected safely and securely through PayPal.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post, and thank you even more for any help you can give to help these kids.

Side Effects and Inflicted Obsessions

Did I ever mention that all my prescriptions went on strike at the same time a few months ago? Anyway, I started new script #3 yesterday. My ADD is pretty bad, and my performance at work has been suffering. Anyway, I've taken the last two days off work because taking all these pills has me feeling pretty wonky. My energy levels are totally unpredictable.

Anyway, after taking the Straterra™ for the first time yesterday (in addition to the Cymbalta™ and Concerta™), I did something out of character for me. I sent email.

DAHN! DAHN! DAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!

Oh, hush. Let me explain.

At the best of times, it takes forever to email my own family. I can write, but writing for correspondence is my weakest point. But yesterday, I not only wrote an email, but one to someone I don't know. Someone well known it what they do, at that. That's right, I wrote a fan email. A fan email asking permission to promote them via geocaching. What the heck is wrong with me!? I live in a shell! Under a rock!

Today, there's a reply sitting in my inbox, but I'm too embarrassed to open it. I haven't taken today's dose of meds yet, and I'm hesitant. I don't want to embarrass myself again. We'll see how I feel when the water is done filtering and getting cold, I guess.

Tendonitis is getting the better of me now, so I must sign off. In the meantime, I hereby subject you all to my new obsession.

Decoder Ring Theatre

Great pulp in the style of golden age radio, this podcast is. Superheros, hard-boiled detectives, space adventures, and hyper-enthusiastic announcers. It's got it all.