persephone33

☂ It's the anniversary of the Allies invasion of Normandy, but more to the point of this post, it's my wedding anniversary. Thirteen years ago, nolankyle and I were married and then proceeded to re-enact storming the beaches of France and a World War II-like battle for the next four years. Fortunately, we achieved peace just shy of nuclear detonation. Good Times.

☂ Summer rocks. I have lain by the pool with a book for the last week, while my kids exhausted themselves playing soccer, basketball, swimming and diving. Life does not get better than that.

☂ There were two wildfires last week; they burned hundreds of acres of land to the north and south of my house, and I can see all of the charred earth when I step outside my front door. We need rain. In a BIG, big way.

☂ The Opening titles of Game of Thrones are mesmerizing. It's like the Sesame Street mini-documentary on making crayons - I can't look away.

☂ I'm still slogging through the Outlander series. Seriously, the woman is wordy to the point of distraction. She uses a hundred words when four would really do - but I still stayed up until 1 am this morning finishing the fourth. So I guess I like them. Really, I like the characters, not the book.

☂ The first six minutes of the new season of True Blood looks... interesting. Here's the link, if you're curious.

☂ My twenty year high school reunion is in October. Twenty. Years. That makes me a little nauseated, frankly, for two reasons. One: Twenty years, and two, twenty damn years. Ugh. I hope I'm at least thin by then.

As a writer, an actress, an artist and a fellow human being, I receive at least a rudimentary form of criticism for everything I do. Whether it's a review for one of my stories, someone who doesn't buy one of my bags, a raised eyebrow at one of my watercolors, or not getting cast when I audition, being criticized is tough.

I'm going to tell you a secret. I don't handle criticism well.

At all. Even a little.

What I do normally is call my mom and bitch about it, or throw a hissy fit, or vent for a while, and then I feel better, but there may be healthier ways to deal. (Not that those don't have their place, because they do. Certainly.

As an adult, a grown woman, and a recovering bitch, I've learned a few things about accepting criticism graciously. Or at least with a minimum of bloodshed.

( 6 ways to deal... )

Now I just have to practice what I preach. Harder said than done. :)

tracyj23 , in her last post, suggested a more positive and thankful tone for posting. She wasn't speaking to me personally I don't think, but it was a good suggestion nonetheless.  When I'm not thinking about it, I tend toward the negative.  The sardonic... the sarcastic.

Not that that doesn't have its place. Because you know, I wouldn't be me without all that.  :D

Anyway, today was a good day. Gooood day. Nothing important happened, but I crossed a lot of different things off the to to list, and crossing things off lists is kind of a kink for me. I lurve it. Luuuurve. One of my friends is going to help me with the interfacing for the mountain o' bags (WOO!) and she dropped off an early birthday present for me with a fancy wine glass, herb shears, a microplaner, a new bag and a table scarf. I feel very pampered and loved!

We leave Wednesday evening to spend time with my side of the family for the extended weekend, and seriously? Couldn't be happier about it. Nolan's taking me to see Laughter on the 23rd Floor at the Water Tower Theatre on Thursday, and I finally get to give everyone their Christmas presents.

*happy sigh*

The only thing that would make things better is if I could get my writing groove back. But it'll happen. Everything happens, eventually, right?

"Sometimes it's difficult to be alive, you know? Just to try to function.  There are all these people to deal with.  I used to find it difficult to leave the house because of them.  People, I mean."   - Laughing Wild, by Christopher Durang

That line's been running through my head on a loop for the last week. It was from a monologue cutting I did for a scholarship audition, years ago.  It's funny how these thing com back at weird times.

Random thoughts:

*My attention to detail is not good.  This used to bother me, but it simply does not anymore.  If you have to fix my mistakes, try to do so without making me feel stupid.  Or talking to me about it at all.  And I'll do the same for you.

*Conflict cripples me.  I cannot function in the midst of a fight.  My instinct is to withdraw.  The fact that I say nothing does not mean that I agree or disagree, for that matter.

*Because I choose to be silent does not, in fact, make me weak.  I think to refrain from speaking is one of the hardest things in the world to do.

*I love Lego Star Wars with every fiber of my being.  That game has united my children, forcing them to WORK TOGETHER.  The planets must've aligned just right.  I don't understand why Indiana Jones shows up, but I love it all the same.

*blueberry muffins soothe a lot of pain.

*I'm grateful for friends.

*one of my favorite things is going for a walk with my dog.  She's so excited.  And joyful while we're out.  And grateful.  Of course, she's grateful to get back on the couch when we get back, as well.

*I love writing.  I'd become disillusioned with it in the past three years or so, but my love for it is back.  I'm inspired.  So YAY.

* And because I can, and really enjoyed this the last time I did it::

For the first five people that reply to me and re-post this challenge, I will send you something. It might be something I've made, or something cool from my hidden stash, it might be a mix CD, or a rubber duck, a book I think you will enjoy, or something else that is awesome. Whatever it is, I promise that I will get it to you in 30 days or fewer. (Or as long as it takes.:)) The only thing you need to do in order to participate is to be one of the first five to reply to this, AND post this very same thing on YOUR LiveJournal - cause it's fun to give people stuff. (Please read all the comments because I'll be replying to people, and this will make my comment numbers jump up.)  

If I don't already have your address, (and why not?  I'm not a stalker!) you can send it to persephone3333@gmail.com.  :)