EMILY IS AWESOME

You know it's true.

tips on dealing with a cranky or otherwise emotional fifteen-year-old girl

(I try not to go into this subject much, but it seems some people would benefit instruction. Statistically, I'm probably not looking at you, whoever you are.)

1. If something you said seems to have struck a nerve, do not comment on this fact.
2. If she's upset, probably just leave her alone. She's sulking. Attention will make it worse.
3. If she's angry, don't be condescending. It will not help.

I'll probably think of some more later when I'm less calm.

applications

Now is the time to apply for your prize(s)! Remember, within reason, people. Some of them will need details cleared with me. Anan, Rachel D, Squishy, could you each tell me again exactly what prize(s) you want? I just want to be sure I get them right. Emily, I know yours.

NaNoWriMo

"You climb a long ladder until you can see over the roof, or over the clouds. You are writing a book. You watch your shod feet step on each round rung, one at a time; you do not hurry and do not rest. Your feet feel the step ladder’s balance; the long muscles in your thigh check its sway. You climb steadily, doing your job in the dark. When you reach the end, there is nothing more to climb. The sun hits you. The bright wideness surprises you; you had forgotten, there was an end. You look back at the ladder’s two feet on the distant grass, astonished." –Annie Dillard

This is exactly what it sounds like.

Third Contest!

First of all, the winners to last week's contest:

GRAND WINNER

• "I can kill you a thousand different ways. How does that make you feel?" (Robin)

HONORABLE MENTIONS

• “Hand me your purse, or I’ll drink this cappuccino right in front of you, and you won’t get a drop!” (Squishy)
• "Soon the whole world will fall to my power and the pants factories will all be closed down and no more will their evil spread through the land" (Nick)
• "You're not dead yet? Wait." (Robin)
• “Tell me where the money is, or I’ll make you go to your orthodontist appointment, and I won’t let you brush first.” (Squishy)
• “The worms will eat your body very slowly, yes.” (Me)

Except I kept my personal best out because I plan to use it.

This week's contest: Bad Hallmark cards.

Example: Sorry for the loss of your loved one. Are you free on Saturday?

evidence

Not adequate, of course, but small evidence that my nieces are amazingly cute. This is Sita, who is now a little over two years old. Sorry if it's a bit grainy; my sister took it with her camera.

I am clearly masochistic

The obvious reasons:

1. I signed up for NaNoWriMo. Again.
   
2. I read Twilight and its sequels in their entirety. You can have at me later, but I must say I found them contrived, unappealing on several levels, and somewhat trite.
3. I ate a Mary Jane.