Archive for previous entries this month
June 1
Little tiny frog
Hello. Here we are in June. It doesn't look much different from May to me. I'm still behind on many things, and I feel lousy tonight, so I'm heading for bed anyway. I got the major work done. The rest can wait until tomorrow. Or maybe even the next day.
I am still working on the story, but it really is almost to the end. Maybe I'm dragging it out because I don't know what I'll do afterwards. (grin) Oh, I have things on my list. I don't need to worry about either running out of work or having to come up with something new. In fact, I really need to stop messing around and get some real work done.
But not tonight.
Oh, and very nearly done with the Daz stuff. I think I'm going to dedicate most of this weekend to it and see if I can get it finished.
That's it. Nothing much new. Time to move on to bed!
June 2, 2007
Moth on window
It's late! But at least I remembered to do this before I went to bed. I'd have had to get back up otherwise, and I hate doing that!
I'll get the archive stuff straightened out tomorrow. This is just a quick last minute note. First I have finished the not so short story, and I even like it still! Yay! It's going to sit for a while and then I'll start going back over it and decide on what I'm going to do with it. It's a bit over 23,000 words... which is a difficult length to sell.
I am on the last selection of things for the Daz update, too. I should have it done tomorrow. Yay for that one, too!
I've started getting things lined up for Vision, so that's good. I have a few articles to read, and then I'll be doing contracts and payments Via PayPal. I'm about to go strictly to PayPal since it's the only way I can guarantee payments at all these days. I don't even want to go into the trouble I've had with checks going out.
But I'm not going to get into that kind of depressing stuff. Instead, I'll just think about having one story done, and how I'm looking forward to having the Daz stuff completed as well.
Right now, though, it's time to go to bed!
June 3, 2007
Wolf (Daz/Painter)
I am done with the Daz remake! Yay! The only thing I have left to do is try replacing one runtime with another, and that's not really necessary just now. Especially not just now at 1:15 am. Best to try stuff like that when I'm a little bit more awake.
I worked on A Plague of Rats today, too. And got some Vision stuff done. Not bad for a Sunday. I just have to keep telling myself that I'm not going to work on weekends... or at least not as hard as I do the rest of the week.
I've pulled out research books for A Plague of Rats again. They've been here on the desk the whole time, but I put them up front again. They're mostly nature guides to Eastern US forests, which his the kind of landscape I want for this book. I generally go for pine forests, but some nice hardwood forests appeal to me. Nice sets of animals to go with it, too.
I need to reread the first 25k of this story, though, to get back into the characters.
I am going to write more about Del and Toli, though. In fact, the current dare at FM kind of sets itself up for a Toli story. I didn't even intend it, but once I had written everything else and thought about joining in, I realized I had already been thinking of a story along these lines. I could do it for Delora as well, but I don't have as clear a vision of what I want for her.
Okay, I lied. I just moved file folders all around, got stuck in the middle trying to figure out what was wrong... let's just hope it works now. The stuff is moving into place. It shouldn't be a problem.
But it was, of course. Took me a bit to realize I had moved the folder into the wrong location. I knew there was a reason I shouldn't do this at one in the morning.
I got it straightened out, and got the second part to read the files... so it all looks...Oh. Just realized I moved some things that I'll now have to move back in, but it's not a big deal. Maybe.
I think I'll just upload this now before I mess it up, too....
June 4, 2007
Yellow Rose Painting
It's odd, not having the Daz stuff to do today. I didn't get anything more done for not having it, though. I worked on some writing, but not enough. I did work on a Daz picture that took me longer than it should have, but that's about it. Worked on some stuff for FM and dealt with a lot of emails.
And I'm tired. That's part of the problem tonight. I can't seem to focus on stuff for very long.
I think I'm going to start another project like the Daz one, though this time to get my Zoo pictures all caught up. I'm about a year behind -- that's at least 10 trips that I haven't done and uploaded yet. I don't know why. I think I just got too busy.
Nothing else really going on, though. Time for me to get back to work and see what else I can get done tonight!
June 5, 2007
Zoo picture
I had forgotten how much fun doing the zoo pictures can be. I'd also forgotten how many of them I have piled up here. I'm working on the August 16, 2006 set right now. I went every single month since then except for April. I always took around 200 or more pictures. So, yes, we're talking about 2000 pictures to sort through and pick the ones for the site.
I have this fear the project is going to take me longer than it took me to get through the Daz stuff. But it is long over due, and I'm having fun with it.
The novel is going better today, too. My main character has met the man in charge of the bad guys... and figured out that he's really not as much in charge as he thinks he is. And Koya's next step is going to be to figure out how to get out of the mess he's in before they kill him, because he's not going to help them the way they hope.
Ah, it's so much fun to get characters into trouble.
The novel is over 30k now. That's a really good start!
June 6, 2007
The Zette Appreciation Day Bear
Margaret Fisk did something very nice for me today. She started a 'Zette Appreciation Day' campaign. The number of people who posted at the Forward Motion site and in their blogs and journals has really been wonderful. I was out tonight and stopped by a store to buy this little $1 guy to commemorate the day. (As Russ pointed out, I'll use any excuse to buy a teddy bear, but he did agree that this was a good reason!)
Here's the link to her page (Mostly here so that I don't lose track of it)
http://marfisk.blogspot.com/2007/06/zette-appreciation-day.html
So yes, I've had a very good day. And besides this, a charity that I had heard about in the past asked to use one of my zoo pictures for their catalogue:
http://www.goodgifts.org/goodgifts/default.php
They're going to use the picture of the vulturine guinea fowl
http://zettezoo.blogspot.com/2006/07/volturine-guinea-fowl.html
So really, good day all around.
Thanks everyone.
June 7, 2007
Lovely face!
Just a quick entry tonight. We had to make a quick trip to Omaha tonight, had dinner with a friend, and got home late. I'm bushed! I need to get a couple more things done, but then it's off to bed for me!
Getting stuff caught up, at least. There's hope still!
June 8, 2007
Elephant
I am ill. So ill that I can't even bring myself to do the archive tonight. I hope to be better tomorrow. Going back to bed now.
June 9, 2007
He's my friend... Ya' wanna' make something of it?
Still not feeling well, but I'm managing a little better. Went for a check up and found out my blood pressure was ungodly high, but I've gotten it back down somewhat tonight. I have to go to another place on Monday, but with luck that will just be to get the blood pressure pills renewed and I'll be back to pretty much normal.
But right now... Not so great. Not as bad as yesterday, but my head still feels like it's going to pop off at any moment.
But, all in all, I'm doing better.
June 10, 2007
Nice picture
Still not feeling great, but I'm managing. I hope by tomorrow night much of this will be better.
Russ leaves for New York next Friday, so it's good that this hit when it did, and not later. That would have been awful, since he's going to be gone for an entire week. I guess this is better timing than usual.
But I am so out of it that I'm falling behind on everything. I'm barely getting 500 words a day.
Tomorrow I go to the doctor. Not looking forward to it at all.
Oh yes, that's really helping the blood pressure, I'm sure.
June 11, 2007
Nice shot
Better today, but still not all the way there. I'm mostly sleeping and I feel a lot better after that. Not doing a lot of writing. Need to get things done around the house, but it's difficult to drag myself from the bedroom to my office, let alone to do some work.
But I'll get there.
(Forgot to upload last night. Doing it now.)
June 12, 2007
Pretty scene
I did that one in Bryce. I thought it was kind of nice, simple and pretty.
Blood pressure is down today, but I'm still having ear problems that are driving me nuts. I hope that clears up soon.
Russ leaves on Thursday and doesn't come home until the following Thursday. I need to get myself pulled together.
Well, at least I'm feeling better.
June 13, 2007
Storm Warning
Here's a problem when you start having blood pressure trouble. You forget things. Like uploading the journal. Yesterday's short entry is below. I hope, as it keeps coming down, that I get some of my mind back.
(Pounds head on keyboard for a while.)
I'm still having ear problems. However, my eyesight is much better -- another sign of lower blood pressure.
And, of course, I'm far far behind on all work. The problem is I'm just not up to doing most of it yet. Better, but not quite there.
I need a vacation. I think I'm going to take it in Bryce or Daz or maybe even Cararra (all graphic programs to play with) and see if I can't just relax there for a while. (grin)
June 14, 2007
The alien and the human child
That's the kind of fun stuff you can do when you're not feeling well enough to do anything else. I'm actually better tonight, by the way. I hope within the next couple days that the horrid ear problems will clear up as well.
I am barely getting 500 words a day written. That has got to change soon.
But right now... kind of tired. I think I might call it a night here and get some rest.
Oh! Russ is in New York. He'll be back next Wednesday or Thursday. I hope I really start feeling better soon or it's going to be a very long week.
June 15, 2007
Pretty building
I've felt mostly better today. I hope that's a good sign. But right now I'm tired and really don't have much to say. There is absolutely nothing going on here. Move along.
June 16, 2007
Willow
So, it's Saturday. I've actually gotten more work done today than I did the rest of the week, I think. County work is done. Contracts for Vision are done and about to go out. Did a few other things that I can't think of right now.
Have not gotten to writing.
Tired.
I am going to upload this, get the contracts out and do some nice little writing stuff. I'm looking forward to it. If I can stay awake.
June 17, 2007
Rain covered tree
Made it through another day!
And that's really how I feel tonight. This sinus stuff is attacking back, and I'm just losing all energy and ability to do things. It's miserable sometimes, but mostly I seem to be doing better.
Writing is going all right. Nothing spectacular, and this month is looking pretty sparse right now, but I hope to be able to pick up and work a bit more soon.
That's it.
I have a boring life.
But I do nice pictures. (grin)
June 18, 2007
Pretty flowers
Only a couple more days and Russ will be home. Amazing how fast these weeks can go sometimes. Especially when you sleep a lot like I did today. I guess I was a bit tired!
I also wrote 2000 words in one hour, so that was nice. I hope to get another thousand yet tonight. I'm also working on some ideas for submitting material. Need to get on that.
But over all, I think I'm feeling better today. Even talked to Russ for a few minutes while he waited for a ride. I'm glad he'll be home soon!
And now, back to work!
June 19, 2007
Lady Jane
I had another good writing day, which brings the novel up to 10k. I'm happy with that. I've hit a spot that has to be completely redone, which is fun. hhhhhhhhh
Ah, that was a little typing from Lady Jane herself, who is sitting on my desk and trying to get me to brush her some more. I've never seen a cat shed as much as she is this year. But she's happy, at least. I'll brush her some more later or tomorrow. I really can't spend all day at this, despite what she thinks. She's a funny little cat.
What else? I'm working on a Painter project that will take me days to get done. I like it so far.
Russ will either be home tomorrow night or the next night. Yay!
And that's it. I think I'm about done for the day!
June 20, 2007
Sleepy Z
Russ is home!
At least for a few hours. He has to get right back up and go to Omaha to teach tomorrow morning, but at least he's back in the right state for the day!
I wrote another 3K today. And now I'm going to go watch the first episode of Buffy, just because I really don't remember it that well.
All is fine. Glad Russ made it back tonight and everything looks good.
Jun 21, 2007
Curassow
The 22nd is our anniversary. Yay! 28 years married, and 29 together. It really, honestly has gone very quickly. I can't believe that long has passed.
Tomorrow we'll run down to De Soto and I'll get to take all kinds of pictures. I have batteries charging even now. Maybe we'll eat in Omaha and maybe not. I look forward to the day and the chance to get away from the house for a few hours.
Anyway, that's the news for today! Things look pretty good here. With luck, I'll have some nice pictures to post tomorrow!
Must remember to take the OFF with me. (grin)
June22, 2007
Eastern Kingbird
Russ surprised me by taking me all the way to Squaw Creek Wildlife Refuge today for our anniversary. It was a wonderful day! I have pictures. I'm tired, so I'll just drop them in here and let you enjoy them without a lot of other comments!
The first thing we saw
Tree Cathedral
Pond
Day Lilies
Painted Turtle
The next stop was where I got some wonderful frog pictures last year. I wasn't disappointed. These are all American bullfrogs:
After shooting far too many frog pictures, we went on
Painted Turtles
Heron
Heron
Finally we left, but we didn't drive straight back up the Interstate to home. We took the back roads through Nebraska.
Lovely Weather
We also took a quick trip through Peru, Nebraska -- the town that inspired much of my novel, Muse. (Link for the novel is at the bottom of the page.)
(Yes, that really is a street in Peru)
We headed for Omaha and dinner, with the weather looking odd
But we didn't get more than a couple sprinkles.
And we had a lovely sunset as we headed for home at last.
June 23, 2007
Flamingo and duck
Oh it's late and I almost forgot to do this! I've been working on some picture stuff, mostly trying to figure out one program. It's amazing how long that can take.
But now it's very late and I'm tired. So, off to bed I go. Tomorrow I'm going to spend more time on the writing and less on the art.
Really.
Night!
June 24, 2007
Zaphod
Zaphod is a wonderful cat. Huge, sweet, loveable.
But he seems to hate the idea that I sleep. At some ungodly hour of the morning (which is anything before noon for me -- I stay up very late!), he will start leaping up and grabbing hold of the door knob to the bedroom door. Again, and again, and again, until either he gets it open, or I open it for him.
Then he leaps up on the bed and gives me kitty kissies, whether I want them or not.
After that, he finds my glasses on the shelf and plays with those.
Yes, I'm awake by then.
Edmond is a little more sedate. He'll come in, climb up on top of me, make sure he's good and comfortable (it doesn't matter if I am, of course) and sleep for hours.
Yes, the two of them are spoiled. There's no doubt about it. Sweet and adorable.
And if they wake me up tomorrow, they'll be hanging by their tails somewhere.
June 25, 2007
Pip
We are finally, truly into summer, and I can't say that I like it all that much. It kept inching up toward 100f today. I didn't look at the heat index. It as hot enough -- I didn't need to know it was really worse.
The novel is going well. The work for Vision is going fine. I hope to get a few more things done but I'm already running out of energy, and it's barely 10:30 pm. That can't be right. I might write a little more and then go watch something.
Okay, now it's about 11:30 and at least I got some writing done!
And now an hour later again, and I didn't get anything done. I'd say that's it for me for the night!
June 26, 2007
River Fun
Odd day. Just odd. Not much really over the top, but enough strange things not working quite right to keep me from getting much of anything done. Like writing. I got my 1k, but I don't think I'm going to get much more than that done.
I'm setting up a Cafe Press shop for FM stuff and things based on my pictures. It will likely be a couple more days before I have it really ready to go. My computer is giving me trouble when I try to get some pictures resized, so I had to give that up tonight. But over all, it looks good.
Unfortunately, they don't take PayPal, which I think is just stupid. As long as they get their amount, they should allow merchants to take Paypal and have the fees taken from their amount. It's no worse than fees for credit cards, after all.
FM is hitting bandwidth problems, which we haven't had in quite a long time. I hope we just make it through the rest of this month without problems.
And that's it for me today.
June 27, 2007
Gooslings
Got work done. Writing went fine, work on Vision went okay, various other things weren't a problem.
And I'm dead tired tonight. Which is good, actually. I could stand to get a good, full night's sleep and not feel dead tired when I get up. Will it work? I don't know.
The only problem I've had all day is that Daz Studio just froze on a major picture. Lucky for me I had saved all but the very last tweaking. I think I'm going to have to break it down into pieces, though, and try again.
And that's it! Time for me to get some sleep. Or watch a show. Or maybe play with Bryce for a little bit.
June 28, 2007
Trying to get things done, and I'm not getting very far today. I think the problem is that I have too many projects, and I keep bouncing between them. I need to settled down and just apply myself to one.
That's not likely to happen until July. If then.
Nothing much to complain about really, except for my lack of focus.
And now I'm off to try and finish something. Anything at this point.
June 29, 2007
Starring Jerry Mathers as...
We go past this place pretty often because it's around the corner from the restaurant where we had our first date, and where we go to celebrate whenever there's the slightest excuse. Our 28th anniversary seemed reason enough to go a couple times, in fact.
What I didn't know, until about the last time we were there, was that Jerry Mathers of Leave it to Beaver had lived in these apartments as a kid. Hold on, wasn't he a kid in the show? Anyway, I didn't know he came from Sioux City at all. Just seems odd to me. It was never one of my favorite shows, but there you have it.
The apartments look like they won't be around much longer. The ones just behind this set got boarded up about half a year ago. I suspect this set will be next.
There. That's my whole news for the day, because I have done nothing at all. Russ's brother and sister-in-law were in town and we visited for quite a while. That's it. Nothing more.
And now I suppose I need to go do some writing.
June 30, 2007
Farewell to June
I didn't get to the zoo again this month. I hope that starts changing again. I miss going there. On the other hand, I haven't had much in energy, so it's just as well.
We're now really into July. I can stop holding my breath on the bandwidth problem and get back to work on things that need updated. I do not have Vision done, but it's close. I'm just waiting on a couple things.
June was not my best writing month, but it wasn't my worse, either.
And that's it. I have to do a couple other things, and it's already 2:33 am!