I'm just wondering . . .
by OchaniLele (Admin) - published: April 5, 2009
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Hi Everyone:

I thought I'd start a new thread in "the thread" to see what everyone is up to. Things have been slow around litdotorg.

Me? I've been very busy with work. My unit at the hospital is dangerously short on staff. We have one tech out on maternity leave, and word is she might not come back. Another tech had surgery two months ago, and three more since then. I've been pulling 60 hours a week to keep things covered, and since another tech flat-out quit, I've been doing shifts on top of that. (Like, how much more can any one man work beyond 60 hours a week? I have only 2 days off on that schedule!)

I have 1 1/2 chapters to finish on my book, which is due in June 1st. After an all-nighter tonight, it might be one chapter left!

All my moderators are busy with their own projects. Kate has a book coming out, and now produces a monthly print-magazine that is doing VERY well. Mandy has a new blog, and a monthly column in a magazine. Everyone else is doing crazy things . . . and they're so busy in the real world they don't have a lot of time to pop in here.

What's everyone up to? Any awesome writing projects going on?

Just trying to break the silence and bring everyone back together to touch base a bit.

Ochani

Comments

The following comments are for "I'm just wondering . . . "
by OchaniLele

What I've been up to, since you asked:
Hi, Stuart! Happy to oblige your request to check in!

As for my day job as Executive Assistant to the CEO of a four-branch local credit union, I've been swamped since December and have only just begun to come up for air in the last week. It didn't help that in late January we found out that retail-level credit unions like ours all over the country - some much smaller, some much larger than we are - are essentially going to have to bail out a couple of the "wholesale" credit unions one step up in the system - the ones that are SUPPOSED to provide services to us - because they invested too heavily in (guess what??) mortgage-backed securities! We laid off three of our forty-some employees, and, of course, those of us who are left have to pick up the slack. I can't complain: I'm happy to have a reasonably secure job.

My REAL life (outside work!) has been delightful! Playing occasional gigs with my Tweety, Tom Terrific, going to see and hear friends and other performers play, the start of baseball season with a special exhibition game featuring the Cincinnati Reds and our beloved Dayton Dragons! (The Dragons' real opening day is Thursday, and we'll be there!) Best of all, the coming of warm weather so we can be outside taking walks or doing yardwork!

Also looking forward to the "Lyricist as Poet" column for Majestic, though I couldn't swear as to how "deep" it's likely to be! :) Hope to send you a couple of drafts soon!

So how about everybody else, huh?

( Posted by: LinnieRed [Member] On: April 5, 2009 )

Update.
Just sittin around in my ole rocking chair, knitting and watching the world go by....NOT!!!!!

I've been running around trying to keep up with rehearsals for my spring concert with the LAKESIDE CHORALIERS (2 nights a week) plus this is a very busy time for my church choir celebrating the Easter tridium. I'm singing thursday night (Holy Thursday), Friday afternoon for Good Friday services, Saturday evening for the Easter Vigil and of course...Easter Sunday morning (2 masses!) After that...I collapse!!!!

Poetry wise...nada...my muse as absconded again...she's a jealous wench...doesn't like my attention to be spread elsewhere...so she pouts!

Can't sit too long at a stretch, because of my back problem, so I'm here and elsewhere on the net sporadically.

It's tough to get old...but when you think of the alternative!!!!

Go get 'em Stuart!!

Now..c'mon...whose next???

Bea

( Posted by: Beatrice Boyle [Member] On: April 5, 2009 )

@ Bea
My gosh I love you and your candor! I wish we were neighbors sometimes. I'd be knocking on your door every morning for coffee!

Ochani

( Posted by: OchaniLele [Admin] On: April 5, 2009 )

Just stuff!
Curious that I have no problem commenting on just about anything, that I would resist the idea of writing what's going on with me. I don't even post personal things on my own site. So Stuart, true to the nature of the site...

The band is going into production for our new album. (Songs are writen and arranged) We put out two previous works but had no interest on making them a viable commercial project. Since we are all oldsters we doubted our relevance, more truthfully, I doubted my relevancy as a current songwriter. The wide response in the last couple of years, both to personal performances and web interest, has made me re-think my position and the new project we will be a legitimate release as an Indie.

I wrote book and music for a western musical 'Siver Creek (Words Unspoken is a song from that work.) that is being looked at for production in a few cities. - it will be nice to see it on stage. Fingers crossed. Any theater folks interested please contact me.

I just finished a novel and a dear friend, a novelist (Romance) and former editor kindly took the work and edited it for me. I felt that if I could pass her muster then maybe I would have faith that it would fly. So now with a thumbs up from her and a final cleanup by me it will be ready for publishing. Anyone know a good agent I could use a little help in that area, given that my world is mostly music related these days.

My wife and I just had a nice weekend getaway, at a B&B, in a cool and sunny mountain town, Idyllwild. My family is wonderful, I'm still sucking air. God is good.
Ken

( Posted by: jonpenny [Member] On: April 6, 2009 )

@ Linniered
Don't worry about the "depth" of your column. Steven and Sandra will tell you that I have a way of bringing out the best in our writers! Just give me your best, and let me work my magic with you. You will find your voice, trust me.

I almost feel bad stealing someone else's fire, but one litdotorg writer that I gave an "assignment" to had some really wonderful results. While the actual assignment didn't pan out, it turned into an amazing contact and opportunity that might result in the publication of that writer's first book! But, things aren't final or contracted yet. So suffice it to say that behind the scenes at litdotorg, the most amazing things are happening.

There is power in the written word, and so many writers here weild it well. I'm hoping that in some small way, I can inspire everyone to reach their full potential with their craft.

And this is fun for me, too, because I'm doing things as a writer now that I never thought I would. Litdotorg is good for me as well!

Best, Linnie:
Ochani

( Posted by: OchaniLele [Admin] On: April 6, 2009 )

@ jonpenny
I'm very excited to hear about your novel. I want to be a novelist so bad it hurts. I know . . . I know . . . just as the only difference between and writer and a wannabe writer is that the writer writes while the wannabe wants . . . so the only difference between a novelist and a wannabe novelist is that the novelist . . . novels . . . while the wannabe doesn't novel at all.

Ugh. That was horrible!

I wish I could help you with finding an agent. That is uncharted territory for me. I use a lawyer to review/negotiate my contracts. At my current level of development, that is more than enough representation for me. But my acquisitions editor thinks that for the work I will be doing soon (after the book after the one I am rushing to complete is done), I will need an agent.

For you see, that's when I'm attacking my first novel, and the idea is hot. I wish I could share more, but I can't.

Maybe once you find an agent, you can teach me about the process?

I'm also excited about your music. Please let us know how that goes! It is very appropriate for this site, especially since you are a songwriter. For as LinnieRed will soon show us, the lyricist IS a poet, indeed.

Who said poetry doesn't pay?

Ochani

( Posted by: OchaniLele [Admin] On: April 6, 2009 )

Thread check in...L'Chaim;-)
I have a puppy. My life is filled with training the new puppy. Like LinnieRed said to me once in a comment here; yeah, it's like having a baby, a new baby. I am tired all the time, have to get up to take puppy "outside" (basement) to potty on his flat puppy pampers on a regular schedule because he is not yet old enough to make it through the night. He is being crate trained, and is learning all kinds of new things thanks to my round the clock attendance and interaction. But, like a new baby, he has separation anxiety, so I have to make sure someone is always here when I have to leave the house for errands or to do my things...oi! But the rewards of the love and intelligence I see in puppy Thor's eyes are well worth it.

His breed, half Border Collie and German Shepard mix make him at the top of the chart of the dog intelligence scale of 1- 79...he is number one and number three, so I suppose the mix makes him a 2? Got a super smart one but with that comes the need for constant stimulation of the puppy's mind and body, talk about ENERGY! oi!

The rest of my time is dealing with all the needs and obligations to my son and his schedule of school, and helping him keep his honor student average grades, his obligations and service in CAP (civil air patrol cadet program- he is a tech sergeant now) and his Tae Kwon Do schooling, he just got another belt promotion, and also taking him to see Lama Norlha, since my son is pretty set on wanting to become a Tibetan monk once he does some time in non combat duty in the Air Force after high school.

After that, comes my Joseph, we have so little time together due to his job and his obligations, that we make the best of it when we do get to see each other. Life is good, happiness abounds.

My cats are doing well too. LinnieRed is absolutely right, they, the cats, are the true masters and rulers of the house, we all live WITH THEM;-)

I no longer have the severe health problems I had with gerd and other stomach related problems, such as very severe anemia since I have had my operation, and in the process I have lost a lot of weight, probably more than I should, but I am just not that hungry anymore, food seems like a chore, so I have to take a huge variety of prescription vitamin combinations to prevent pernicious anemia, and keep my thyroid medication in check since I have a real thyroid problem that will be with me the rest of my life.

I stay as active as I can, the arthritis is the challenge, but I grin and take it...tough it out. Swim, dance, and getting back into martial arts too.

Finally, there is the issue of my grandson, and the great loss we, his uncles, his aunts, and the rest of the family feels over this whole issue with Molly's (aka Lily/Lilith) personality disorder and that of her new (low self-esteem) transgender spouse and the backwoods ("Deliverance" style) folks (her spouse's folks) that they are now living with...but we have the DCPS on the watch, and we deal with our grief daily each in our own ways, and prayer is constant in our own many varied ways withing this big family of ours. We know that one day, may be years, but one day Gabriel will be with us all again and he will have to the sense to sort things out particularly in the dysfunctional atmosphere that he is being exposed to now...he'll figure it out and one day he will walk away from it and we pray that he is not hurt in the meanwhile, nor grows up with too much resentment towards those (his mother and her spouse)that will make his life confusing, hurtful, and difficult to say the least...

Our prayers are constant.

Now, soon, I have another appointment with my Lama as does my son and we will rejuvenated at the Wappingers Falls retreat, we are looking forward to it. Poor Joseph has to stay behind and deal with puppy and renovations on the house on his time off from work...woohoo;-)

Also, I am thrilled that Stuart is now the new owner of Lit.Org and that this site will be run professionally without favouritism or ridiculous squabbles of those who put their personal issues above what this site was meant for; WRITING.

Good to have an actual PUBLISHED writer and his friends, also published such as KateHarlander, a real go getter bunch that are not just screwing around but are doing real things in the real world and are respected in the real life world of publishers.

Also, glad the site will be pleasant again and a good place for writers of all abilities to come and WRITE...I feel relieved. I bought this site with that in mind, but it never got there that is BEFORE Stuart came along and added professionalism to it. I am happy as a lark, now all we have to do is work out the paper work to have it finalized legally, no biggie.

I am so excited to see many new writers, good writers, and people who just WANT TO WRITE! I am very happy to see LinnieRed more involved.

I want to become more involved an write again, work on getting serious with my writing and improving it and experimenting as I always have, but for now that will be some time in the future after I get other things done first. But I will be stopping in here to comment occasionally, since it is hard to not come here and read all the great old and new writers works. I am really pleased with how well Lit.Org is doing.

By the way, I have a wedding coming in June, and it is my second daughter, Natasha finally getting married to her fiance, David, I just love David and I am very happy for her, but preparing for this wedding is a handful for all...

In my quiet moments, I chant and do pray and do my devotions and ceremonies whenever I can and as much on schedule as I can...in my quiet moments I realize just how grateful I am for all that I have and how lucky I am to have such a wonderful family, good real life friends, and also great new friends I have met on the internet and have gotten to know better.

I am grateful to be able to help the Tibetan refugees as well...one person, one good deed at a time makes all the difference in the world.

Life is beautiful, living in a state of gratefulness and happiness is the way...

As an old Jewish song goes from FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, L'Chaim; "G-d wants us to be happy even when our hearts are lying on the floor, how much more can we be happy when there is really something to be happy for! To life to life, L'chaim!"

L'chaim! Shalom! Salaam! Peace! Namaste! Tashi Delek!

With ALL love,
'Karma Tsering Lhamo'

( Posted by: TheRealKarmaTseringLhamo [Admin] On: April 6, 2009 )

writer's block
So I had a bad case of writer's block. Instead I spent time reediting old work. Then I saw the movie Adaptation and was inspired to write a novel about romance and betrayal.

So the more I hear what others are doing, the more I want to work on my own stuff. To the point, I could get past my barriers and just write.

Sandra

( Posted by: sandra [Member] On: April 6, 2009 )

@ Lena
You're so busy. How do you make it through the day?

So you want to get back to your writing now that you're free of administrative duties? How would you like to take over EXPOSED! on a monthly basis. One member . . . one provocative interview . . . published here and promoted through the newsletter. You have a way of making people talk about themselves. I'm confident you would come up with some wild and crazy interviews for members old and new!

And if not Lena, any takers?

Ochani

( Posted by: OchaniLele [Admin] On: April 6, 2009 )

EXPOSED? uhh?...well...hmm?
Well, like you and your crew, I am up to my neck in responsibility, including the wedding of my daughter Tasha in June of this year...so, I will definitely consider it after June ONLY IF no one else wants to do it?

I think there are others much more qualified to do EXPOSED than I am, so I hope they speak up now and volunteer.

With ALL love,
Karma;-)

( Posted by: TheRealKarmaTseringLhamo [Admin] On: April 6, 2009 )

EXPOSED!
Me, too. I've thought about getting it started myself, but I have my hands full with the newsletter. I'm not sure I could do it justice.

But . . . looks like I MIGHT have to take it on.

Surely, someone wants to try?

Ochani

( Posted by: OchaniLele [Admin] On: April 6, 2009 )

Re: Stuarts morning coffee!
Stuart...If you make that afternoon tea or cocktails...the door is always open...as for morning coffee...people have been shot for less when you call or knock before noon...or better yet...1:00 pm!!

On the other hand...since you work nights...3:oo or 4:00 am will find the porch light on for you.
I'll have the coffee perking...you bring the danish!

Bea

( Posted by: Beatrice Boyle [Member] On: April 7, 2009 )

Less than thrilling
Mostly just working on The Outsiders, and doing the thing that pays the rent (I deliver medication to nursing homes). Waiting for it to warm up, so I can go for walks at night again.

( Posted by: Beckett Grey [Member] On: April 8, 2009 )

@ Beckett Grey
Have I ever thanked you for writing that wonderful series? If I haven't, thank you.

We have tons of skilled writers here. I think anyone who has the drive to write has potential; however, there are a few shining stars on these pages, and you're one of them.

Truly, I hope your aspirations are professional. A gift such as yours needs to be shared with a broad audience.

I'm so jealous of your talent! You make me feel like a hack!

Ochani

( Posted by: OchaniLele [Admin] On: April 8, 2009 )

re: Ochani
Wow...

Thank you, Ochani. That means a lot to me.

I'd love to do this for a living some day, but even if I can't, I'll keep doing it. I can't imagine not doing it.

If it makes you feel any less like a hack, I don't feel like I know what I'm doing either ;)

Cheers,

-JP

( Posted by: Beckett Grey [Member] On: April 8, 2009 )

doing?
I'm just doing what I always do when I finish work, Facebook and Lit.org....I love writing and catching up with people it relaxes me after the crap I put up with at work haha

( Posted by: BadgerElmo [Member] On: May 8, 2009 )

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