LitPark
LitPark
By About LitPark
I started LitPark (a literary playground) in 2006 in order to build a supportive community of writers and artists who are in this game for the long haul. Together, through blog posts, interviews, and moving stories told in the comments’ section, we’ve shared our struggles and doubts, our best advice, and helped to remind each other how to enjoy this work we do.
lance reynald
July 10, 2007I know I’m gonna catch hell for this, but in the discussion of “music to jerk of by”…
you ladies give us way too much credit…
James Brown, Isaac Hayes and Barry White are all nice for a coupled evening but for those special moments we don’t really need depth and meaning. We’re just trying to kick out the jams and get a job done without you catching us using all the hot water in the shower.
we also know everything about clearing the browser cache before signing off, it’s hardwired next to just knowing air pressure in tires. It takes up the same amount of space we could use for other stuff like remembering anniversaries and birthdays… ya win some ya lose some?
Susan Henderson
July 11, 2007At the risk of catching hell myself, I was kind of thinking the same thing. I can do with or without a soundtrack. (Though, if I were Aurelio’s character, I’d maybe be listening to DMX’s Walk These Dogs.)
Nathalie, you dropped your comment off in the other thread so I’m just going to move it over. And yay for the bellydancer’s club. You, me and Zett Aguado so far. (Zett, I owe you mail. It came into my old account – will write today. xx) By the way, Nathalie, what part of Italy are you in? My brother used to live in Firenze.
Nathalie:
Montana !
Thanks for the pictures, Susan.
And it’s nice to know you are a fellow belly dancer too. 🙂
Susan Henderson
July 11, 2007I’m in the middle of reading a book of essays by one of my brother’s fly fishing buddies and laughed so hard with the line, “Who would Jesus bomb?” It’s about a bumper sticker he’s tempted to put on his car but feels like maybe he’s called to love enemies and idiots and not just those who think like him.
Aurelio
July 11, 2007When I said my character was “jerkin'” to the music, I meant jerkin’ his head (the big one, not the little one.)
Oh, never mind…
Anyway, thanks for all the great suggestions.
Speaking of bumper stickers, I always wanted to print up little stickers with pictures of screws and clubs on them that would fit over the hearts on other people’s bumper stickers – you know “I (screw) my Lhasa Apso” or “I (club) my children.”
The sticker that makes me laugh just as is though is the Christian chrome fish symbol with the cross for it’s eye – in cartoon language that’s a dead fish, folks – kind of a mixed message.
Susan Henderson
July 11, 2007Well, leave it to Lance to drag us all into the gutter with him. Because, you know, before he made that misconnection for us all, I was thinking “jerking” meant some cool Axl Rose type dance moves.
Michael D. Williams
July 11, 2007I can always get into good fishing stories. Most of my stories involve fly fishing in some way or another. A theme or sometimes just a longing. I love rivers, the sound and the feel of the current. I love the way the rod feels when the line breaks the surface tension and swishes past my ear and loads itself for the cast. I love to see the fish sip my fly from the surface and the electric feeling it sends through the line. I love the way Robert Redford sounds reading the last four paragraphs Of A River Runs Through It at the end of the movie, they are some of the most beautiful and heartfelt words ever written.
Susan Henderson
July 11, 2007Hi Michael, it’s great to hear you talk about fishing. My brother tried to explain to me why fly fishing is better than reel fishing, and it got so romantic it was like he was talking about his true love. Maybe he was.
~
My mother-in-law’s horse died of old age. Not a good week for horses in our family. This is her last horse. This is the one she sometimes flew across the country with her. It’s the horse she rode when she just missed the cut-off for the Atlanta Olympic trials. I think she would have been the oldest to compete in dressage. Maybe I don’t attach well to humans but nothing has ever hurt like losing an animal I’ve loved.
I’m thinking I might have the coach of the US equestrian team over to LitPark if I can find some kind of literary tie-in. When we first moved to NY, he and his family visited, and one of my boys got a real kick out of trying to put a bologna lunchable in Mark‘s ear. Makes me wonder if he’s come to town since then and not called?
Happy birthday, t. And a belated to Jeff Yamaguchi. And thanks, n.
I miss my dog, Brian, today.
(Brian with little Bach-Boy, Brian with little Green-Hand)
Michael D. Williams
July 11, 2007If he got romantic I would say maybe is not the word. I once left a girlfriend for fly fishing. I felt guilty for living my passion and that was unexceptable.
lance reynald
July 11, 2007sheeesh….
the vernacular changes everything…
and I know I can’t be the only one that thought it that way… explain the iggy pop!
hmmmmph….
I’m going back to my world of ambiguity, and young dismorphic love…
and now that we cleared the “jerking” issue up….I’d say that NIN- Closer is out of the question. Though it does come in handy whilst near the gutter.
Susan Henderson
July 12, 2007Michael, you just gave me a great idea for a Question of the Week, but you’ll have to wait till fall to see.
Lance, I challenge you to finish a chapter today. No internet for either of us until we can say something is done. Game? I’ve got my Kate Bush anthology playing today. Writing heavy drama scenes.
Michael D. Williams
July 12, 2007Just call me Muse…….
Robin Slick
July 16, 2007Hey, have fun in Paris!
Susan Henderson
July 16, 2007Thanks, Robin! We leave tomorrow. I just finished my packing.
We passed this duck truck the other day. Hope they weren’t off to a Peking restaurant.
Have fun stuff to blog about (involves Pete Townsend, among other things) but I don’t think I’ll have time before I go.
Nathalie
July 17, 2007Actually all these ducks are going to France too. Maybe, with all this “canard à l’orange” and “amgret de canard” that we eat, we don’t have any live ducks around anymore.
Which reminds me that, when I was living in Holland, a colleague of mine (French) had found a harmed duck in his garden. The duck had been hit by a passing car and had a broken wing. My clleague was going to take care of it but his Dutch neighbour immediately called the animal ambulance because he was scared that the duck would end up in the oven…
Nathalie
July 17, 2007I can see that my spelling is getting more and more wobbly (that was a “magret de canard” and a colleague). I need a holiday too…
Susan Henderson
July 17, 2007Nathalie – Nous allons essayer vos recommandations à Paris. Nous partons aujourd’hui.
Sauvez les canards! (Bien qu’ils soient délicieux!)
Nathalie
July 17, 2007Bonnes vacances !
Michael D. Williams
July 17, 2007My wife and I honeymooned in France. We spent aweek in a rented farmhouse in a small village near Congac. There were five other houses and a Church. A van would drive through town every day like an ice cream truck with bread, meats and cheese for sale. We stayed for a week and then drove back to Paris for three more days of sightseeing and drinking in all of Earnests hangouts. It was a wonderful time. To be in Paris and be in love what more could you wish for…….. Have fun……..
Susan Henderson
July 21, 2007I’m on the computer in Paris for 2 minutes to upload the edits I’ve done on my novel so I have a backup. The keyboard is different in France – you have to hit the shift key to do a period and all the letters are in different places.
We’re having an awesome time – staying half a block from Place Vendome. This is not a great picture but we took this last night and you can see where we’re staying:
Also, not great pictures, but just to show you the Harry Potter hooha is over here, too. This is an English bookstore we found, and right now both boys are reading their books.
Did the teensiest corner of the Louvre. Spent a day at Versailles, Montmartre (we’re going back again tonight because it was that fantastic), Notre Dame, here and there. I’ll remember once I look at the pictures. We’re off on our weeklong boat thingie tomorrow. I never thought a trip would even come close to being as much fun as China, but this one may top it. See you all when I get back.
xo
P.S. Kenny, Kathy, Ritchie and Candy, We got your Christmas and Hannukah presents. You’ll have to wait to see, though! x
Pia
July 21, 2007You lucky people walking around Paris. Don’t forget Berthillon for icecream!
I officially miss you.
xoxo
Jody Reale
July 26, 2007Good heavens, it’s been a hornyromantic summer here at Lit Park. From talk of a jerking off soundtrack, to a bachelor doctor-brother with what appears to be six-pack abs, to winged penises, to gay Paris. Is it hot in here, or is it just me? I think I need to lie down.
Susan Henderson
July 28, 2007Hey, Jody! We just got back to Paris (we’ve been down south for the past week). I laughed so hard when I read this. My brother will kill me, but I’m going to do a zoom in and see if there’s a six-pack or not.
Hmm. A very teeny, blurry little photo, but I vote OUI on the six-pack. And NON on a tan.
Okay, I’m back to JFK tomorrow. It’s been a great trip but it’s a weird thing not to have dogs and cats on my bed at night, and I’m looking forward to getting home. A bientot!
P.S. Nick, that was way-sweet what you posted on my LinkedIn thingie.
Susan Henderson
July 29, 2007I’m back in NY. JFK airport to home took 5 hours because – did you know you’re not allowed to deboard a plane in lightning? And did you know, after you deboard, if there’s more lightning, the bags aren’t allowed to come off the plane? Two and a half hours right there. And then we got to the parking lot and our little blue VW golf/gulf? had a totally flat tire. Luckily these things don’t phase me much. But now there’s laundry and grocery shopping and going through mail and phone messages, so it’ll be a couple of days before I’m up for air. Great trip, but always even greater to be home. xo
Michael D. Williams
July 29, 2007It’s not that the bags aren’t allowed to come off the plane it’s that the people who park and unload the plane are in danger of being struck. Fourteen years in the airlines I’ve seen about fifty planes struck and know of twenty people who have been struck. The last was about three months ago lightning struck a plane and hit the seven people working around it, one guy lost the tip of his finger. Wide open spaces and a lot of metal make for a lightning playground.
Susan Henderson
July 30, 2007Thanks for the info, Michael.
And hey, friends, I’m way way way backed up on mail, so be patient with me. I should be caught up in a week or so.
Carolyn Burns Bass
July 31, 2007Welcome back, Susan. Sounds like the Hendersons had a fabu time and you’ll have many wonderful things to share.
I would have missed you more, but I was on my own three-week trek up the East Coast from Orlando to Chesapeake Bay. Yes, it’s great to sleep in one’s own bed again.
Susan Henderson
July 31, 2007We had a great time. I’d be telling stories and posting photos if I didn’t need to devote so much time to my book edits. Alas…
Great article in Time called “Geek God.” Stole this from Neil’s blog.
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1647474,00.html
Susan Henderson
August 2, 2007Hey, all of you positive thinkers, Green-Hand is getting a CAT scan right now (follow up on last fall’s concussion) and the wait is tough. If you want to send prayers or good thoughts his way, I appreciate it.
Carolyn Burns Bass
August 2, 2007I’m lifting prayers and sending you warm thoughts right now, dear Susan. I will continue doing so until we get the all-clear from you. Be loved and blessed.
Nathalie
August 3, 2007Sending them in…
Susan Henderson
August 3, 2007Thanks, you two. Green-Hand got back from the ER around midnight (Mr. H took him in and I stayed home with Bach-Boy). Basically, he’d been showing signs that were similar to his concussion – headaches every day, weird mood swings – and we thought it could be jetlag, but he had hit his head on an amusement park ride in Paris and all of a sudden we were wondering if he’d taken a bigger hit than we thought. So, anyway, yes, it was a secondary concussion. Like Rothlesberger, it now only takes a tap.
The CAT scans all came back good. Same with the other tests. He has to see his regular doctor today and then a neurologist for good measure. Thanks for all the prayers and good thoughts. And if you sent me mail recently, I’ll catch up today.
P.S. Speaking of Rothlesberger, if Tom Jackson is around, you can stop in and give a little report on training camp. Tomlin has an interesting technique for inducing the pressure of a real game atmosphere for Jeff Reed. Have you heard of it?
Tom Jackson
August 4, 2007I’d have responded more quickly, but I’ve been away from home for the past week, just getting back to my laptop tonight! Hey, sorry to hear about Green-Hand’s head — had a few concussions of my own, so I know what he’s going through.
Took a bit of searching to find out, but I understand that on Tuesday, Coach Tomlin challenged kicker Jeff Reed to nail a long field goal – and if he succeeded, practice for everyone would be end a half hour early. And nail it Reed did. Sweet. Is that what you were talking about?
Here’s what I’ve seen about Mike Tomlin’s first training camp: it’s been hell. He’s putting the Steelers through 15 two-a-days, including weekends, making them ride in school buses – in full uniform – to the Latrobe (Pa.) High School football field for an intra-squad scrimmage. And it’s been reported in various media that the Steelers haven’t quite bought into his ways yet. Further, they also report that Tomlin doesn’t care what the players think, as he’s the boss.
But established stars like Hines Ward say that the open competition for the defensive back spots takes its toll on the receivers because the DBs are hitting them hard – even during supposed non-contact drills – in an attempt to impress the coaching staff. And Ward’s hit back, giving Anthony Smith, a 2nd-year player who’s competing with veteran Ryan Clark for the starting free safety slot, some hell for hitting 2nd receiver Willie Reid too hard.
Speaking of receivers, they can expect to catch a few more downfield tosses this season from Ben Roethlisberger, as new offensive coordinator Bruce Ariens is tweaking the playbook to take greater advantage of Big Ben’s abilities. Number 7 will have more chances to change plays at the line than under former OC (and new Arizona head coach) Ken Whisenhunt’s scheme. “But don’t kid yourself,” Ben’s quoted as saying. “We’re still a smashmouth team.”
And while the jury on Tomlin may still be out as far as many Steeler veterans are concerned, don’t forget: He’s a Tony Dungy protégé (as Sue knows, I’m a big Dungy fan), and his approach doesn’t contradict – in fact, it seems to reinforce – what we’ve all come to recognize as Steeler football.
Susan Henderson
August 4, 2007Yeah, that was the incident I was talking about – not sure what I think about it. I’ve had a chip on my shoulder about Tomlin ever since he let my Joey Porter go. We cancelled our NFL Sunday ticket if that’s any indication of what a big deal it was to me, so now we have to listen to all the games over internet radio (which will bring my TV watching down to a full zero). I still listen to the Tunch Ilkin broadcast, but there’s no more Myron Cope.
Anyway, your notes reinforce my instinct that Tomlin is about his own power and control, which will suck for Hines Ward and people who don’t need that kind of coaching style. Cowher’s overriding message was “selflessness,” so this is a real different approach.
I’m excited, though, just to see some changes. Still going to be a 3-4?
Great to hear from you, as always. xo
(I wonder if I have a picture of me, pregnant as anything, and sitting on the hill at a LaTrobe scrimmage?)
Tom Jackson
August 4, 2007Yeah, I remember you saying you cancelled the Sunday Ticket. I think the Steelers will miss Porter’s on-field presence more than his on-field performance. He only had, what? Sixty-six tackles last year?
As for the 3-4: As a Dungy guy, Tomlin’s a 4-3 man. And he and Dick LeBeau don’t exactly see eye-to-eye. But Tomlin admits they have “the best 3-4 guys in the league,” so that’s what their base defense will remain for the time being. As you know, defensive schemes have become so sophisticated anymore that 3-4 and 4-3 can change for any team based on the personnel on the field at any given time, in any particular, specialized situation.
And I think I remember you and Mr. H showing me that picture of you, all pregnant, on one of my last visits. Adorable. We were watching the Steelers and the Browns that day, and Green-Hands was hogging the bean dip.
Susan Henderson
August 5, 2007Sigh. I know. That bullet he took in the ass was kind of a turning point. I like wild and cocky DE’s (as you know) so I’m always bummed when we don’t hold on to them.
I think the Tomlin-LeBeau drama will play out all season as they try to find a new identity. We’ll see.
Hey, you should have seen Green-Hand hogging the escargot. Except he calls it ex-cargo.
Tom Jackson
August 5, 2007Porter’s an LB, but anyhoo, I know you like ’em on the edge. Double-edged swords, they are.
And nobody holds onto their studs forever anymore. They always leave, either released for cap purposes or gone via free agency. It’s the way the game has evolved.
Susan Henderson
August 6, 2007Good grief. Shows you just how full my head is with book edits lately. You could ask me my name and I’d have to stop and think.
Okay, TJ, I’m going to stick my head back in my book.
Oh, and P.S. I’m a total Tomlin convert after last night, when he was asked if it’s a lot of pressure to follow in Cowher’s footsteps, and he said, Pressure is trying to feed your family. Or something like that. I thought, Okay, the guy’s pretty cool with me.
Tom Jackson
August 6, 2007Regarding Tomlin: I see that comment as the Dungy influence.
As for your book: Go to it, and I looking forward to seeing it!
lance reynald
August 6, 2007is it just me or do all those old Bon Jovi tracks on Slippery When Wet just sound like Summer Break??
Susan Henderson
August 6, 2007Now that’s funny because, just today, I was thinking, Is it just me or is Def Leppard’s Pour Some Sugar on Me the ultimate summer song?
xo
lance reynald
August 6, 2007lol.
good to see those Wondertwin powers are still working.
(activate- form of a late 80’s stadium rockin HairBand!)
I play a mean set of air drums, way better than that Def Leppard dude!
Susan Henderson
August 6, 2007Yeah, no kidding about the wondertwin powers. And as much as I’d like to say, Hee, just joking, I wasn’t really thinking about Def Leppard in that way today, I was.
Robin Slick
August 7, 2007Oh wow, I had no idea about Green Hand. Thank god he’s okay and I’m just glad he’s a musician – they get very few concussions. Cysts on their wrists, yeah, and STDs (ha ha), but that’s about it.
I have a Def Leppard story. I came downstairs one day when Eric was six years old…I guess the accident had happened pretty recently…or Eric had just learned of it, but anyway, he was sitting behind his drum kit with one arm tucked inside his t-shirt and playing with just the one stick. “Guess who I am, Mom?”
And you know me, Ms. Superstitious…I totally freaked out.
My significant other, of course, thought it was hilarious and brilliant.
(Slippery When Wet…at one time my most disgusting secret pleasure, but now I’ve switched over to old ELO records for that)
Michael D. Williams
August 7, 2007I have a Pour some sugar on me story. I was a senior in high school there was this girl, a farm pond, a back seat and a rewind button. The song would end she would rewind. The song would end she would rewind, this went on and on and on. I was willing to suffer through to perserver for I thought my evening would improve. I did get a respite but being young it was short lived and we returned to the cycle of play song rewind, play song rewind. I must say it is a fond memory, I think of it everytime I hear anything by Def Leppard, but I’ve not heard Pour some sugar on me in it’s entirety since that night and hope I never do.
Susan Henderson
August 7, 2007Well now. Why have I never thought to have a Def Leppard Question of the Week? These are great stories!
I’m with you on the ELO, Robin.
I had the piano tuner over today. Ever met a normal piano tuner? I haven’t. And then when he finished (thank God because it was getting hard not to kill him), I asked him how much. He says, $98.77. Who charges $98.77?
Took my kids and their friend out to dinner tonight and they debated who was greater–Criss Angel or David Blaine. And then they discussed the historical origins of zombies, the glory and tragedy of Stephen Hawkings, the change from traditional voting booths to computerized voting. And I’m thinking, How did they grow up so fast?
I’ve been buried in edits, and typical of me, I waver between feeling hopeful and confident, and then more often, hopeless and overwhelmed. So I thought I’d share with you just about the only thing that’s ever cracked through my fear of failure. And it’s this: a little podcast with the remarkable Tommy Kane who has no idea how he keeps reviving the most broken parts of me. I’ve listened to this thing three times in the last year, and I’m always different and better for it. No reason for me to hog him all to myself so give it a listen if you can. And check out his blog, too.
Okay, the kids are tucked in and I’m going to write a little more and then call it a night. Thanks to those of you who dropped in today. xo
lance reynald
August 7, 2007see now, I can’t argue the merits of ELO… but today’s song dancing in my head with nostalgia and a goofy vision of young Robin, Susan and Lance cruising the shore in a beat up Trans-Am (taking liberties with the vision….I place us all the same age,teens-maybe barely having a permit…Robin’s old enough to drive… Susan and Lance splitting a pack of smokes Susan stole from her mom’s purse… late seventies, that trans is wearing a thick and even coat of primer; and an 8 track deck) But, the tunes we keep rocking out to with Robin checking the rear view for cops:
a few stick in my head…
but more than anything I’ve got a lock on “only the good die young” and “moving out” … I especially like the engine revs on moving out.
feel free to insert any other tunes you see fit…
some neil diamond might fit in there…
ain’t summer grand?
Susan Henderson
August 8, 2007Lance!
When LitPark re-opens, I am so blogging about what I got in the mail today. You are too cool!
My new office isn’t air conditioned, and it’s even too hot for me today. So I’m editing my book on the laptop with my writing buddies:
I’m adding Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers and Culture Club to our cruising tape…
Susan Henderson
August 8, 2007Oh, and p.s., Richard Lewis, I’d love to get the word that you’re okay. Or if anyone has heard from Richard, stop by. I don’t know how far Bali is from Jakarta, but I know you’re getting hit hard out there. I’m thinking about you.
Robin Slick
August 9, 2007Lance, I wish you and Susan were with me the first time I ever got behind a wheel and were watching in the rear view mirror…maybe then I’d have a real driver’s license and actually be able to get from Point A to Point B without walking or taking a cab. But alas you were not there, and a policeman was…and it was back in the day when I was doing something very bad while driving…and when I had to turn in my driver’s license when it was suspended, I did not, and then I rearended another policeman…and well, it gets even uglier after that…
So, needless to say, the State of Pennsylvania never wants me driving again.
But if we were driving back then, here’s something sad – we might have been listening to Gerry Rafferty’s Baker Street because that was the song on the radio when I got busted.
Now that’s another guilty pleasure song of mine, lame as it may be…though you’d think I’d forever hate that tune, huh.
Susan Henderson
August 9, 2007I have the house to myself after capping out with 12 kids in my yard — two of mine, three who were drop-offs because there was a death in the family and they weren’t allowed to hear the news yet, and then neighbor kids from every direction.
Robin, I voted for you yesterday. Am I allowed to vote more than once? Post all the links over here so others can join in, okay?
That is so sad your driving career ended so early. Next time you’re in NY (or next time I’m in Philly), I’ll tell you the story of how I managed to park underneath another car. It’s hard to tell the story without using my hands. Someone should probably suspend my license but NY is a little easier on drivers than PA. Oh wait, the parking incident happened in Pittsburgh. Hmm. Guess I got lucky.
Carolyn Burns Bass
August 9, 2007Robin said: But if we were driving back then, here’s something sad – we might have been listening to Gerry Rafferty’s Baker Street because that was the song on the radio when I got busted.
Now that’s another guilty pleasure song of mine, lame as it may be – though you’d think I’d forever hate that tune, huh.
I love that song and I don’t feel guilty about it at all.
Susan Henderson
August 9, 2007Carolyn, I had to go in and edit the html here. Where you used brackets, you should have those little arrow thingies. Example: [b] should be < b>. I don’t know why the quotes went all funky. Maybe you pasted in with curly quotes rather than typing in directly into the comment box? Anyway, it’s great to have you here.
Pia
August 10, 2007Y’all aren’t talking about football anymore, but I’m worried about the Saints. Sean Payton kicked their asses on Monday after the loss to Pittsburgh, made ’em wear pads in the killer heat, made ’em do a two-a-day, so the next day he let them go to a water park in Jackson, and two of them got hurt goofing around. Can you believe? Starting LB, Scott Fujita, bruised his heel, and TE, Billy Miller, got 12 stitches over his eye. This doesn’t happen to other football teams! Wah!
And it looks like our first rounder, Robert Meachem, is going to be red-shirted. He limped away from practice yesterday.
They play tonight in the dome.
Sighing, but not giving up.
Susan Henderson
August 10, 2007All right, Pia’s ready for football season! I worry when they work them too hard at training camp, especially where it’s so humid you can’t catch your breath.
I always root a little bit for the Saints, just for you – though the Raiders are my number 2 team.
So after sex last night, I said to Mr. H, you know we should find a radio recording of the Steelers-Broncos playoff game, the one that got us into the Super Bowl. And we did that. That’s my post-sex cigarette. And hopefully his students aren’t reading the comments section over summer break.
Michael D. Williams
August 10, 2007I believe I have a story for everything. When I was twelve my parents asked me what kind of car I would want when I was sixteen. “Trans-Am” I replied. Cable TV had just came to town and Smokey and the Bandit was on heavy rotation on HBO, so you can understand the desire for the black Trans-AM. A few days later when I come home from school there was a shiney ne black and gold Trans-Am in the driveway. I was like holy shit my friends were green with envy.
Fast forward four years later; The black Trans-Am speeds out of the water park parking lot second gear scratches and stops quick at a stop light. I am in the back seat with a cheerleader from our rival school. One of my friends is driving and my best friend is in the passenger seat with another girl. My friend turns to me and says “Your dad!”
“shut up” I say and look out the window and there he is next to us at a stop light. I again was like Holy shit. Then I here “Who’s driving your f@#$ing car?” The light changes my friend speeds away we duck into an alley and ditch all the beer. We go back to the water park and pretended like nothing happened. Then I saw him and he saw me, he pointed at me and pointed to the exit and without a word I got out of the pool and walked to my dad. It cost me two weeks and it wasn’t worth it. About a year later the same two girls helped wreak the Trans-AM, we were listening to Joe Walsh when we hit the pole, the car, and then the tree. No one hurt except the guy that got hit by the car that we hit and he was just knocked down. I will not go into the reason for the wreak but I was cited for reckless driving and obstruction of view. I shall let minds wonder and just says that it elevated me to legand. The Trans-AM is dead. Long live the memory……
Kimberly
August 10, 2007Mr H’s students may be taking the summer off, but there are others who are laughing their A$$E$ off right now…
lance reynald
August 10, 2007yup.
but that is mixed with envy…
a, “what the hell is she doing having sex in the middle of edits?”
and remembering an entry a while back that involved…..ah nevermind… smoke ’em if ya got ’em!
Susan Henderson
August 12, 2007No soccer today. Sucks. By the end of the week, I usually need to kick something.
Nathalie
August 13, 2007I was going to offer you the alternative of making bread instead and then I realized it took punching and not kicking.
Still.
It can be a great way to let some steam out.
Susan Henderson
August 13, 2007I took it out in my writing and the book is better for it.
And here’s a sneak peek for Beowulf (Neil – and Roger Avary, who wrote Pulp Fiction – did the screenplay), and this puts me in a good mood, too:
http://www.beowulfmovie.com/
lance reynald
August 13, 2007ok.
Saw the trailer for Beowulf while watching Stardust (sweet, might just be one of the better fantasy movies…though I do wish it had more of the quirkier edge like Neverwhere or Mirrormask…but for the Hollywooders, not bad)
but, back to Beowulf… I got an elbow in the ribs when I recognized to voice of Grendel’s mother…letting out that maniacal laugh of mine in a darkened theatre is a bit of a no-no in mixed company.
good writing weekend all around!! have moved from the bad 80’s mix playing constant background into some really great Marianne Faithfull- Kissing Time to be exact. I’m on Fire being great background and what may end up being the swan song for the last chapters….
I’m babbling….
in a nutshell- Stardust=Sweet, Beowulf= interesting (Angelina makes just about anything interesting)…
and Hey-
anyone else out there going to the Wordstock festival this year? I’m feeling rowdy!!
xoxo-L
Susan Henderson
August 13, 2007Aw, well now I’m in the mood for some Marianne Faithfull. I’ve got Sister Morphine in my head already.
And what can you say about Angelina Jolie playing Grendel’s Mother except, “That’s Hollywood.”
I just worked through a big chunk of edits and feel pretty good about them. Borrowed your fire, so thanks for that. xo
lance reynald
August 13, 2007yeah, Marianne just does some good things for me. I totally appreciate the whole career and sound, but something just seems to evolve in her voice after Broken English… Why d’Ya Do It?, being so progressive and like 20 years out of place… and then what her voice has become; haunting timber in recent years… such a bittersweet sound… and well earned!
as a side note on the whole discussion; add “there is a ghost” to your collection if you don’t already have it…
just about perfect in lyrics, voice and delivery.
Susan Henderson
August 13, 2007I agree. The heart evolves so much over time and you can hear it in her music. I’ve been in talks with [SINGER WITH A VERY LONG CAREER] about appearing on LitPark. He is the same, just getting better and more layered since [VERY OLD CLASSIC SONG]. I’ll take heart over beauty any day – one lasts; the other doesn’t.
But speaking of beautiful youth…! We’re off to the School of Rock, and my kids adore their vocal teacher to death. You can click on him here:
http://www.myspace.com/danconklin
Carolyn Burns Bass
August 13, 2007Wow, Susan. I would love a [SINGER WITH LONG CAREER – SUE’S EDIT] interview here at LitPark. I wrote my short story, SKETCHES, with [SINGER]’s suede-lashed voice singing [CLASSIC SONG COVERED BY SEVERAL GREAT ARTISTS] in my head. SKETCHES won first place in the Backspace contest in which I entered it, but I haven’t submitted it but once (ZZYZX passed). Like all great troubadors, [SINGER] speaks across generations and genres. I heart him a lot.
Susan Henderson
August 13, 2007Sorry, guys, I broke my own rule about discussing upcoming guests/potential guests by name. Sorry, sorry, sorry because I hate to go back and edit posts. Alas, that’s what I did.
Okay, carry on…!
Also, Carolyn, congratulations on the Backspace win! (Oh, and I heart [SINGER], too!)
Carolyn Burns Bass
August 13, 2007You might want to go back to my previous comment and edit the name of that [CLASSIC SONG COVERED BY SEVERAL GREAT ARTISTS]. Peace.
Susan Henderson
August 15, 2007Oh, this is fun. Here I am answering emails and I find it necessary to go to the imdb data base dealie to pass someone a link. And then I’m looking up friends and the TV crew from my show which will probably never air and then I think, why not check out exes and see how they’ve aged?
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2278497/ (He still has such a cute mouth. It always reminded me of the cowardly lion. You have to click on the picture and make it bigger if you want to see.)
And why not look up the boy I had such a big crush on, I accidentally walked into a tree? (Sadly, no photo.)
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0505494/
Procrastinating is so much fun!
Susan Henderson
August 16, 2007Couple links today:
Great essay by Bob Thurber over at 3 AM.
And Jennifer Prado’s running an interview I did with her on her blog, EMERGE.
Robin Slick
August 16, 2007Bob actually emailed me that essay – it’s fantastic. I’m thrilled he’s still actively subbing.
Will check out your interview with Jennifer – I’m sure it’s awesome. Now as for you, Mrs. Henderson, you need to line up Dr. Dot as a guest for Lit Park this coming season. I will set it up – just tell me when. Don’t know if you know this — though I know you saw her on my blog — she has a column in the NY Press and also writes for Edge.
Veddy talented woman in more ways than one. I’m not plugging my blog here, but for those of you not familiar with Dr. Dot, she’s prominently featured on said blog this week and I think I broke the record for emails in one day asking for her phone number.
Robin Slick
August 16, 2007P.S. I figured out your mystery guest without even a google search. Interesting choice.
Susan Henderson
August 16, 2007Ha! Robin, when I read your blog the other day and then the new post this morning, I was thinking, Hell, Robin’s page is going to freeze up from all the traffic she’s probably getting. So, as a public service announcement for any of you who need a little wet t-shirt pick me up today, head on over to Robin Slick’s. You won’t be leaving anytime soon, I’ll bet.
And write me about the other. I’ve got a full full full blog schedule, so we’ll have to get creative.
How’s my favorite drummer?
Nathalie
August 16, 2007Have any of you tried to play with the gender genie yet?
I just wrote an entry about it in my LiveJournal
and would be interested to see some other results.
The analysis of the keywords per gender type is quite interesting.
Nathalie
August 16, 2007Having difficulties posting. You might end up with the same question three times or none at all (which it looks like right now, althogu worldpress is tellign me off for duplicating messages).
Apologies for the mess.
Nathalie
August 16, 2007Ah. This one went through. With all the typos.
Great. Fine.
*grumbles*
What about the OTHER post ?
Has it been eaten by gremlins on account of too much HTML coding ?
Susan Henderson
August 17, 2007Hi Nathalie!
Terry has certain filters running on LitPark, so sometimes a certain word will get a post tossed into the spam pile. Sorry about that! The link was broken to your gender genie post, so let me re-link it:
http://spacedlaw.livejournal.com/141795.html
And now everyone can head over to your place and see the discussion….
Susan Henderson
August 17, 2007Oh, hey, a big happy birthday to Robin! And a coming-up-before-you-know-it happy birthday to Alex!
Nathalie
August 18, 2007Thanks, Susan, I am really intrigued by the analysis which is made of the gender of words used.
Susan Henderson
August 18, 2007It’s fascinating, Nathalie. If my head weren’t so full of book edits, I’d be running some stories through it myself.
Quick announcment for you funny people – my pal, Simon, asked that I spread the word about a comedy contest with some very huge prizes to win:
http://www.othernetwork.com/contest.html
Please click. It’s a great opportunity to break in to the business in a big way.
Susan Henderson
August 20, 2007It’s fun when your friends are trying to make up with you and they create a little video starring you with a bad haircut and Don Knotts. Thanks, Aurelio.
If the video doesn’t show, you can click here: http://www.jibjab.com/starring_you/receipt/255628
Aurelio
August 21, 2007Everyone should dance with Don Knotts at least once. So, am I forgiven for having more fun than you? 😉
Susan Henderson
August 21, 2007It’s very hard not to forgive you once you involve Don Knotts. (Didn’t you work with him??)
Aurelio
August 21, 2007He did a voice on one of the films I worked on (“Cats Don’t Dance” – he played a nervous turtle), so I got to sit in on some of his recording sessions.
He was such a pro, and as nice as could be. He was surprisingly dignified – not Barney Fife-ish at all until he started performing, then he transformed.
I didn’t get to dance with him though, darn it all…
Susan Henderson
August 21, 2007Is he still alive? (Boy, I hope no one asks that of me while I’m still here feeling all important about myself.)
Nice to see you blogging again!
Aurelio
August 21, 2007He died in February, 2006, according to Wiki.
Hey, thanks for the blog plug, Susan!
lance reynald
August 22, 2007did I see a flare?
xo.
Susan Henderson
August 22, 2007Thanks for the rescue. xo
Nathalie
August 22, 2007That was a fun story, Aurelio. I found myself asking myself the same type of questions today (there was a trailer for Hairspray on the TV screens of the Central Station).
Susan Henderson
August 22, 2007I thought it was a fun story, too!
P.S. I’m getting lotso notes asking when LitPark will re-open. I’ll answer that soon. First, my amazing O. Henry Award-winning webmaster has to fix a glitch in the software. He’s working so hard, so be very nice to him, okay?
Oh, P.P.S. What on earth is Terry Pratchett up to? You can pre-order something calling MAKING MONEY LP and there is no description whatsoever.
As someone who has purchased or rated books by Terry Pratchett, you might like to know that Making Money LP will be released on September 1, 2007. You can pre-order yours at a savings of $8.82 by following the link below.
Making Money LP
Terry Pratchett
List Price: $25.95
Price: $17.13
You Save: $8.82 (34%)
Release Date: September 1, 2007
Pre-order now!
Nathalie
August 23, 2007Just his at-least-once-a-year installment of the Discworld…
http://www.harpercollins.com/features/pratchettbooks/description.aspx?isbn=9780061161643
Susan Henderson
August 24, 2007Oh, okay. I thought he was doing something truly crazy. My house is full of such geeky, Terry Pratchett fans, that they’re even learning some DiscWorld version of D&D that’s called Gerps, I think. I was afraid something like this might happen to my children.