the pieces of my life

Wow, I was so sure my nanowrimo protagonist was going to sleep with her boss, and then would you look at THAT? He turned her down! Unbelievable! I so did not see that coming. Of course, that changes the entire plot. I hate it when my characters don’t behave. I’m going to sleep before any of the others rebel on me as well.

Adam and I had Dunkin Donuts. Those of you who have been playing for awhile know that Adam thinks Dunkin Donuts are the greatest doughnuts ever, bar none. But the doughnut I had was stale. I said, “Wasn’t it time to make the doughnuts?” At which point he broke the news to me. It’s almost like being told there’s no Santa Claus. It is devastating news: “Dunkin Donuts don’t make their own doughnuts anymore. They’re made at a central bakery and delivered to the stores.” ??!? Am I the only one who didn’t know that? Am I the only one who remembers the poor sleepy man rolling out of bed in his nightcap, saying, “Time to make the doughnuts.” Wasn’t that the ENTIRE point of Dunkin Donuts? Their fresh all-day made-in-house doughnuts?? I may never be able to eat another doughnut again.

I’m transcribing an interview for work. The person I’m interviewing asks, “How old are you?”

Me: Um, older than you. (I know this, as I have his bio).

Him: Oh, okay. You sound young. I thought you were like a student.

I feel like I need a sign I can wear that says, “Yes, I am a grown-up.” Of course, my actions probably belie that.

Word count: 25,075. I’m still taking suggestions, if anyone wants me to put anything into the novel.

All those people who claim to have already finished their Nanowrimo novels are just liars. Liars, I tell you!

If you live in the Miami area, go on an art trek! (Hey, look, one of the artists has the same last name as me! Do you think that’s a coincidence?)

ART TRENDS: MIAMI’S TREK III, THE 1980’S

November 14 2002 – January 17 2003

This is the third part in a series of exhibitions surveying Miami’s Art. This show will showcase some of the prominent artists working in the Miami area during the 1980’s.

Among them are Carlos Alfonzo, Julio Antonio, Shareyar Ataie, Maria Brito, Carol Brown, Humberto Calzada, Pablo Cano, Victor Gomez, Peter Kuentzel, Sheldon Lurie, Carol Levy and Jean Waldberg.

The public is invited to attend the opening reception on Thursday, November 14th from 7 to 9 pm.

The Kendall Campus Art Gallery is located in the first floor of Building M, at 11011 SW 104th Street. Access from 107th Avenue or from 104th Street (Killian Parkway).

Well, too bad. My comments have gone MIA, and I’m too tired to look for them. Save that thought for another day (or better yet, just e-mail it to me at jbrown68 at yahoo.com).

Now, we all know that I’m a reality TV junkie. But this has got to be the best one yet: The Will. Anyone got a rich relative who wants to adopt me?

I’m not sure how I’m going to make it through a winter in Boston, when I can barely make it through November. With constantly fogged up windows, my driving has gone from bad to worse (but not as bad as my neighbor across the street who hit my car while parked. Nice. Now I have to deal with getting it fixed, which is no biggie since obviously her insurance has to pay, but is a royal pain in the neck). I start every other sentence with, “Well, back in Seattle we…” I think my house sucks the energy from me. Leaving work, I think of all the things I’m going to do and all the pages I’m going to write, but the minute I walk in the door, it’s as if all spirit has drained from me and I just want to sleep. I feel disconnected from things here and life feels foggy right now. I keep waiting for things to clear up.

Many thanks to the Claire Bear for sending me the article from The New York Times that totally validates my becoming nonplussed over the incorrect usage of, well, nonplussed. This is from an article about the latest edition of the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary:

“One of my favorites is ‘nonplussed,’ ” he said. “It has always meant puzzled and confused, but we have evidence that in America some people use it to mean the opposite, as in ‘sort of shaken but not stirred,’ like ‘He was doing his best to appear nonplussed.’ ” Mr. Stevenson flashed a conspiratorial look. “It’s really a mistaken use,” he said.