Wednesday, November 23, 2011

The Top Ten Things I'm Thankful For

I try to keep a thankful spirit every day--when I don't it's easy to become discouraged and even a little bitter about some things--but regardless of historical accuracy or religious background, I see value in having a specific day set aside to really consider what it means, and what I'm thankful for. Some of these things may seem silly and I could probably come up with a much more impressive list, but this is pretty true for me personally:

10. My cat. Yes, I could live without him, but he's a lot of fun, very cuddly and talkative, and sometimes my only companion.

9. My car. I bought it used and now it's paid off. It's a plain, little economy car, but I love it. I've had it for seven years and it's never failed me!

8. My (formal post-secondary) education. It was hard-won, but I'm glad I got it! It has certainly opened doors for me that wouldn't have otherwise, and also validated and intensified my existing curiosity. I'll be actively learning the rest of my life!

7. This goes along with number 5 but is not necessarily related:
Enough money to pay the rent. There's not always a lot left over, but I have a roof over my head!

6. My health. It's true that you don't really appreciate your health until something starts to go wrong. In spite of "minor" annoyances like aches and pains and seemingly ever-increasing food allergies, I stay pretty healthy. I'm very thankful for that.

5. My job. Just the fact that I have one. I also really enjoy it. A lot of people don't (on both counts)and I know what that's like.

4. Music. Can you imagine life without music? Like life without food or oxygen!

3. Friends, old and new. You know who you are!

2. My family. For always being there, keeping me company, making me laugh, and loving me as I am.

1. God's grace. What a basket case I'd be without it. Then again, perhaps I am a basket case and just don't know it. In which case, I'm thankful for that!

I don't have a "Thanksgiving" song, but here's
one off Switchfoot's latest CD:



Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

More Glister info and chapters at the book's website here: theglisterjournals.com

The chapters can also be read here at the top of my Wordpress blog.

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Gee thanks, Bethesda

Just when I think I've cut away the dross of superficial time-wasting (watching TV, video gaming, and rabbit-trailing on Facebook and Twitter - okay, I'm still working on that one) and think I'm going to have all this time to write, read (for fun), work on music, and maybe do the drawings that are stuck in my head, you have to go and release Skyrim. Couldn't you have waited another six months or more? Not that I'm going to get many opportunities to play, the copy residing in my home technically belonging to someone else, but you know I'm going to sneak some play time in every chance I get. There are so many other things I'm supposed to be doing!

Is anyone else playing?

The Making of Skyrim

More Glister info and chapters at the book's website here: theglisterjournals.com

The chapters can also be read here at the top of my Wordpress blog.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Fall . . . finally!

After weeks of continuing summer weather, fall was most definitely in the air today. The wind was gusty, causing leaves to fall en masse and blowing them all over and it's at least a little cooler. It's a good thing too. I know I'm in the minority here, but I'm ready for winter!

And it's NaNoWriMo time! If you've ever thought about trying to write but not been sure how to start, or you've got a great idea but need motivation to put pen to paper and follow through, National Novel Writing Month is a great opportunity to begin. There are local "write-ins" all across the nation where all kinds of writers meet together to write, encourage each other, and share what they're up to. It's a great place to get advice too. There are tons of resources at the website: NaNoWriMo.org

This will be my first year participating (or at least trying to . . . November is a very busy month for me) but I have friends who have been involved for years who love it. No, I'm not working on The Glister Journals through it, I'm working on a completely different project, and yes, I am also working on TGJ Book Two (and Three and Four)!

I'd love to know if you're participating. Drop me a line and let me know!

As an extra added bonus (just so you're getting your money's worth) one of my all-time favorite bands, MUTEMATH, released a new album in October: Odd Soul

Here's the "Blood Pressure" video from Odd Soul. Enjoy!



More Glister info and chapters at the book's website here: theglisterjournals.com

The first chapters can also be read on B's Blog at Wordpress