Pam Webb

a writer's journey as a reader

Archive for the category “celebrations”

03 Apr 2013
4 Comments

Take Your Next Poem to Lunch


poetry

Silently mulling over the words, she reflected in her repose as she drank deeply of the healing verse before her….

Stop–cut–

Really, poetry doesn’t have to be all artsy, angsty to be enjoyed. The reflective part is okay, but honestly, poetry can be much more rewarding as an outward expression through sharing. During Poetry Month try some of these verse interactivities:

1.  Randomly leave a poem around the office or break room.

2.  Pack poems in your lunch for at least a week–you know, a read ’em and eat kind of thing

3. Sign off your signature with a line from a favorite poem

4. Use a poem for a bookmark

5. Memorize a poem–one you don’t know (Robert Frost won’t mind this time)

6. Read up about a poet–most have led amazing lives

7.Watch a movie with poems–I suggest Dead Poets Society

8. Chalk poems on the sidewalk

9. Attach a poem to a balloon and release it

10. Revisit a poem–has it changed in meaning for you?

Posted in celebrations, creativity, Poetry, Reading, Uncategorized, writers and tagged , , ,
13 Feb 2013
16 Comments

Time Waits for True Love


Children's Valentine, 1940–1950

Children’s Valentine, 1940–1950 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I have already admitted I am not a Valentine’s Day fan, and those who know me well have accused me of being *prickly*–ouch….

Yet, when by myself, so no one can see me mush over and admit that I really  am a romantic at heart, these are three of the movies, make that four movies, that guarantee I will be sniffling and clutching Kleenex  by the movie’s end because time cannot keep true love apart.  P.S. Happy Valentine’s Day–but you didn’t hear me say that…

Persuasion with Amanda Root and Cirian Hinds

                                                                     The Lake House with Sandra Bullock and Kenau Reeves

Cover of "The Lake House"

Cover of The Lake House

The Time Traveler’s Wife with Rachel McAdams and Eric Bana

Cover of "The Time Traveler's Wife"

Cover of The Time Traveler’s Wife

Somewhere in Time with Christopher Reeves and Jane Seymour

Cover of "Somewhere in Time (Collector's ...

Cover of Somewhere in Time (Collector’s Edition)

What about you?  What is your favorite movie for that inner mush release?

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Posted in celebrations, holidays, Movies, Reflections, time management, travel and tagged , , ,
31 Dec 2012
9 Comments

SO–Howdja do in your review?


The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.

With the semester ending or about to, grades come to mind.  The old “Whatdja get?” question comes up, which is either exhilerating or embarrassing.  Having just posted some stats from my one year anniversary, I thought it appropriate to add as a post script the more official WP version.  We are all going to be getting our Blog Report Cards, and they are so graphically pleasing to boot.   Doesn’t WordPress make you feel special?  I wish all their stat monkeys happiness and hope they get some time off for their excellent work.

So howdja do in 2012? Here’s an excerpt form mine (I have no shame, I know):

600 people reached the top of Mt. Everest in 2012. This blog got about 7,000 views in 2012. If every person who reached the top of Mt. Everest viewed this blog, it would have taken 12 years to get that many views.

Mount Everest from Kalapatthar.

Mount Everest from Kalapatthar. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

*What a nice way of saying, “Umm, not too impressive in view numbers, but nice try.”  Thanks, WP.  What can I say?  I don’t Facebook, Tweet, Pin, Link, or other social mediatize.  I’m happy with those who find me on WP.  But you’ll raise your blog traffic! I know, I know. Here’s the deal–I’d rather spend those minutes writing another blog post instead of promoting the one I just wrote. 

 

 

Gene Kelly said it best in Singing in the Rain: Gotta dance.  Okay, he would have said, “Gotta Write!” except he loved dancing more.

Cover of "Singin' in the Rain (Two-Disc S...

Cover via Amazon

 

Speaking of anniversaries–I celebrate another one on January 1–yup, the MEPA and I will be celebrating one plus thirty.  One of these days we’ll get that Hawaiian cruise going; for now it’s staycation with a side of a splendorific weekend ala Marriott.

Again:

Happy New Year Blogger Buds

CricketMuse

Click here to see the complete report.

Posted in Blogging, celebrations, Writing and tagged ,
29 Dec 2012
8 Comments

Oops, on my anniversary


WordPress recently reminded me of my one year anniversary.  Oops. Time swiftly flies when having so much fun?  I didn’t acknowledge the anniversary with a card or make dinner reservations or even buy flowers.  And yet, my life has been enhanced by this relationship. I know my writing has improved, I’ve met an amazing array of people, I’ve been enlightened, amused, astounded, and decidedly enriched through my WordPress endeavour.  Here are some highlights so far:

  • first post on January 5th (I guess I took a bit between registering and actually posting)
  • Ordinary Days was my first blog offering (EagleEyed Editor commented and we have been happily exchanging commentaries since then.  Shout out to 3E!)
  • 128 posts so far
  • 4 pages
  • 44 categories
  • 430 tags (I have never really gotten the whole category/tag designation thing–open to clarification)
  • 698 comments
  • best day ever consisted of 86 views on March 17th and the post concerned itself with bookcases

But stats are rather dry.  It’d be like saying: “During our marriage I’ve cooked over 15,000 meals, washed the windows over 250 times, made the bed at least 565 times, and rearranged the living room at least 17 times.”  Of course these stats are bogus because who keeps track of that kind of stuff?  I do find it fascinating that WordPress keeps stats and sometimes I wander around them finding out what countries have visited, what posts have earned the most looks, and who is making the most comments.  Wouldn’t it be cool to have someone keep stats on our everyday doings like that?  Or not–

That reminds me of the opening  scene fromStranger Than Fiction.  I don’t think Harold enjoyed having his life tracked in such a manner. Actually, I don’t think I would like it either.

After a year, especially moving into a new year, I should become reflective and resolutionated.  Nah.  That’s smacks of banal and boring.  I will offer the following on the evolution of this blog:

  • I felt I needed to create a blog since so many writing articles pounded the importance of establishing a platform.  I saw it as a “Build it and the agents will discover you.”  Didn’t that work for Julie of Julie and Julia?
    Cover of "Julie & Julia"

    Cover of Julie & Julia

    If you are an agent I am open to talking about that multi-media package of book, movie, and video game.

  • The original intent of my blog was to read books, review them, and address how the book helped me as a writer.  I still do that; however, after a few of these entries I decided to spice things up with different book related entries.  I’m still promoting my journey as a writer as a reader through my posts–I’m a bit more eclectic in my approach now.  After all, I don’t eat the same breakfast every morning.
  • I’m still learning how to blog.  I just discovered the kitchen sink widget.  Thank goodness I’ve located the undo button.  Colors are fun to write in as well.
  • Not content with one blog, I have developed another blog, Veranano, which was a vehicle for my 2012 NaNoWriMo entry.  I didn’t have the heart to disengage Vera once the novel project was completed so I am continuing her entries.  Thinking like a creative fifteen year old who has a singular outlook and variant lifestyle (did I mention her parents are professional writers?) is a stretch for me.  It’s been a while since I’ve been fifteen and she no way represents much of the way I lived life as a teen.  Two blogs with two different directions is a stretch and when I’m writing like Vera I feel a tad schizzy around the edges.
  • My Book Boosters page doesn’t rage up into the hundreds of committed bibliomaniacs as I had initially thought.  On the other hand, I’ve not aggressively promoted it either.  Serendipity signer-uppers has been a pleasant way of gaining growth.  Oh, here’s my chance:  Are you a Book Booster yet?  No? I will gladly sign you up and you will enjoy the benefits of finding yourself on the page with other BBers.  No dues, no annual meetings or conferences.  I’m still working on the secret handshake.

So–thanks to all those 153 followers who’ve made this year memorable.

Oh, and WordPress?  Freshly Pressed?  I wouldn’t mind.

WordPress

WordPress (Photo credit: Adriano Gasparri)

Happy New Year and keep on Pressing,

Blue Skies,

CricketMuse

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Posted in Blogging, celebrations, Uncategorized, Writing and tagged , , , , ,
03 Dec 2012
9 Comments

The Rush of Falling Down Happy


I ran track in high school and always complained when coach made us take a long run.  “I’m a sprinter! Why do I have to practice for distance?” I would question.  In her wisdom she explained it built up my endurance.

And so it is with NaNoWriMo.  I usually don’t write every day, and I especially don’t write nearly 1,700 words when I do.  My usual writing regime is to toss down an idea, thought-drop a page or two, or a chapter, or pick apart a passage.  I tend to sprint write, in other words.  I’m not much for sitting down hours at end, pushing my muse to exhaustion.

This is why NaNo has been good for me.

Of course I didn’t think that as I realized (often) at 8:30 pm I needed to enter my daily dose of words.  I especially did not embrace the goodness of attempting to write 50,000 words in 30 days.  And I especially wondered why I would think it a good idea to marathon write when my life was pretty full already.

Because it builds up my endurance.

I know now I can do it–oh, have I shown you my certificate of completion yet?

Day Two

Having completed the grueling word run, even in the midst of parent/teacher conferences, posting quarterly grades, preparing for Thanksgiving, and living life as usual, I now know I can go the extra mile at a pace that is uncomfortable at times, but still doable.

I don’t know if I will make NaNoWriMo an annual event; however, I do know I like the feeling, that rush, of falling down happy once done.

To those who persevered NaNo, I raise my bottled water to you in salute.  Even if you didn’t participate I know you were cheering us along the way.  Thanks, I, and we, needed that.

 

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Posted in Awards, celebrations, time management, Writing and tagged , ,
29 Nov 2012
5 Comments

TaDah and NaNa!


International edition

International edition (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Bette Midler had a great hit with her rendition of “Friends.”  Friends are right up with there with dark chocolate, a good book (okay, a couple of those), and a sky of blue to make it through tough times.

It’s friends like you that saw me through NaNoWriMo this year.  Yup, I just printed out my certificate. Tonight I punched in 50, 316 words and received my prize.  I think I used up all our color ink cartridge printing it out.  It’s a real pretty one this year.

Since my house is small, the hour late, and I’m all out of ginger ale, I will toss out a virtual “Happy NaNo Over Party.” You supply the hats and confetti on your end and I will supply the thank yous on this end.

If there were a NaNo Happy It’s Over and I Finished Party, and we all had the opportunity to step right up to the microphone, here’s what I would say:

“First of all, thanks for stopping by and taking the time to like my posts.  That helped encourage me to keep going and it definitely brightened my day. Secondly, I enjoyed getting to know new bloggers and visiting new sites. Thirdly, what?  My time’s up already? Phooey.  Okay, really fast.  I don’t know what I’ll do with my NaNo novel, but seeing how you hung with it, you’ll be the first to know if anything does happen with it i.e. published, sold the movie rights, t-shirts, bumper sticker quotes–the usual fame route.”

The last post Vera made was about the value of friends, and so here is a tribute about that very subject.  Bettte surely knew what she was singing about: you got to have friends.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in Awards, celebrations, creativity, Writing and tagged , ,
22 Nov 2012
2 Comments

(Guinea) Pigging Out on Turkey Day


English: Saying grace before carving the turke...

English: Saying grace before carving the turkey at Thanksgiving dinner in the home of Earle Landis in Neffsville, Pennsylvania (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I’m alone with my pie baking and other preparations for T-day.  I’ve cleaned the house, rearranged furniture, and managed to plunk down another NaNoWriMo post.  My MEPA has proven his value once again by doing the honors of entertaining the tribe so I can cook, bake, and relax a tad before celebrating our favorite holiday with our loved ones.  I really need to see about giving him a bonus.  For now he works for Bit-a-Honey and an ocassional dinner out.  I’ve got a good thing going for sure.

My NaNo protag is babysitting the neighbor’s guinea pig over the long weekend.  Vera is not sure what her family is doing for Thanksgiving.  It’s usually at her Grandmother’s, but she’s sure something is up.  I really don’t know what’s going on either.  Somehow I type and the story begins spilling out.  I don’t always know what direction it’s going to go in.  NaNo-ing is a very different way to write: don’t plot, don’t plan, just write.  We’ll all find out tomorrow what Vera ended up doing for T-day.

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving–my favorite holiday, all in all.  I think I like it better than my birthday, and that’s saying something.

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Posted in America, Animals, celebrations, Family, Writing and tagged , , ,
06 Aug 2012
2 Comments

The Secret is Out: Happiness Happens


As I browsed through the newest Costco Connection I found on the Member Connection page an article about Happiness Happens.  The Secret Society of Happy People proclaims August as “Happiness Happens Month” with August 8th as “Happiness Happens Day.”

Pamela Johnson kicked off this organization as a response to how people tend to talk about misery more than the happiness in their life.  So far there are more than 21,000 members in over 30 countries.  Johnson is quoted in the article as saying, “Happiness happens and when it does, embrace it.”

Big hugs for happiness!  Get ready to embrace the day and some happiness throughout August (but I say why stop with August–make it a year round celebration) and gear up big time on Wednesday the 8th.   For ideas on how to celebrate check out the website.

The Secret Society of Happy People says there are 31 types of happiness. Really?  I would think there are more.  Can we come up with other happiness types? I nominate Serendipity.

31 new1 31 Types of Happiness

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