Inspiration. Do you wait for it? Do you court it? Do you flirt with it a little? Does it come in flashes or in trickles or in spurts? Does it never come? Are you inspired to begin something here? Do you love the word? Hate it? Can you write without it? Is it a small one-eyed creature who lives on your shoulder and whispers in your ear at strange times? Or has inspiration struck just reading the word and you now have something delicious to write for our reading pleasure?

I am inspired by water. Give me a rainy day, a steaming shower, a tub of bubbles, and I will give you back a poem, a multi-page letter, a short story, or a poignant essay. I may be a fire sign, but I’m a fire-sign who embraces the salt water in her blood, and revels in the feel of the sand between her toes. The first sound I remember is the foghorn at Sandy Hook, the first taste that of the sea-spray on my childish lips, and the scent I’m most drawn to is the sweaty ozone-tinged odor of post-beach sun-bronzed skin.

I am inspired by air. The same soft breeze that lifts my bangs or cools the back of my neck also breathes life into characters and stories. The sound of prairie wind is mournful, and speaks to me of loss and fear. The chattering of birds brings forth happy burbling phrases. The tortured twisting of trees introduces darker themes: vampires, moonlight, mystery, intrigue.

I am inspired by fire. A flickering candle leads to thoughts of those departed, and heartfelt words of memory and love. A glittering star gives me hope. A dancing flame burns red and orange: passion, vibrancy, humor, exhilaration. An hour in the sun makes my mind burn with new ideas.

I am inspired by earth. The scent of soil is the scent of life, and offers nourishment for creativity. Flowers and trees are the characters and settings, manmade features are the structure of worlds built only in my head. Roads become paths to imaginary places as well as real ones, and journeys are more than metaphors and less than just trips.

I am inspired by music – I think in songs – and laughter. I groove on the energy in others, and try to give back, though often the gifts are lost in translation. I find inspiration in the mundane – doing dishes is cheap psychotherapy, and washing away crumbs often washes away writer’s block as well. I find inspiration in nature: the shark is elegant, the dog is loyal, the bee persistent, the butterfly magical.

I find inspiration in your words, your thoughts. A blog entry from a person half a world away will first spark a “Me too,” which will then ignite into a whole post, an essay, a story…a dream.

Inspiration is breathing.
I breathe.
And I am inspired.

[WarriorPoet(2)] at OpenDiary tagged me for this.

Four Jobs I’ve Had: (aside from the one I currently hold)

1. Barista, but not at a $tarbucks.
2. Bookseller
3. Mortgage Loan Processor
4. Doggy Day-care Provider

Four Movies I Can Watch Over & Over:

1. Galaxy Quest
2. Finding Neverland
3. Jaws (but only the first one)
4. White Christmas (but only in December)

Four Places I’ve Lived:

1. Atlantic Highlands, NJ
2. Georgetown, CO
3. San Francisco, CA
4. Sioux Falls, SD

Four T.V. Shows I Love: (not necessarily still on the air)

1. Project Runway
2. Gilmore Girls
3. The West Wing
4. Heroes

Four Highly Regarded Television Shows I’ve Never Watched A Single Minute Of:

1. Deadwood
2. Rome
3. Grey’s Anatomy
4. Numb3rs

Four Places I’ve Vacationed:

1. Cape May, NJ
2. Pt. Reyes, CA
3. St. Thibery, France
4. Victoria, BC, Canada

Four Of My Favorite Dishes:

1. Unagi donburi
2. Aglia e olia
3. Cassoulet
4. Pad Thai

Four Sites I Visit Daily:

1. Weather.com
2. The ComedySportz players forum
3. BPAL.org
4. MissMeliss.com

Four Places I’d Rather Be Right Now:

1. Santa Cruz, CA
2. Nice, France
3. Mystic, CT
4. Portland, OR

Four People I’m Tagging To Do This Next:

I’m not tagging anyone, actually, because I hate tagging people (though I’ve no aversion to being tagged) but I invite anyone and everyone to play along.

Appetizer
Name two things that made you smile this week.
– I won a shiny pink iPod shuffle.
– Fuzzy didn’t grumble (much) about having to move furniture the other night.

Soup
Fill in the blank: Don’t you hate it when ________?
– The toilet paper is hung in a direction contrary to the one which you prefer? It’s such a little thing, but it drives me nuts. Fuzzy actually claimed that the reason he never puts new rolls ON the roller is that he thinks I’ll yell at him if it’s the wrong direction. (After 12 years of marriage, he should KNOW the right direction. Also, he should know how I like the towels folded by now.)

Salad
When you can’t go to sleep, what is your personal remedy to help yourself drift into Lullabyland?
– Sex helps, sometimes, but then other times it just wires me. Most nights, I get up and write, or read. James Joyce’s stream-of-consciousness writing style is great for sending me into the sleepies. And if all else fails, Sleepytime tea works wonders.

Main Course
What is something about which you’ve always wondered but have not yet found a good answer?
– Well, I’m kind of curious about why organic milk has a longer expiration date than chemically enhanced milk, or, for that matter, how Horizon can make milk that does just fine at room temp (until opened). I used to wonder about how they make teflon stick to pans but Cecil cleared that up for me.

Dessert
What is your favorite pasta dish?
– Pasta e fagioli, made the way my grandmother did, and not the way Olive Garden butchers the recipe. It’s the ultimate comfort food. Really. All cheesy and garlicky and soupy and…I’m suddenly wondering if I have the ingredients.

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Originally uploaded by Ms.Snarky.

So, I now own a MacBook, which I needed for work, so I could run some froufrou software that doesn’t have a Windows equivalent. With the exception of the lack of a right-click function (yes, I know you can hold a key and it does the same thing, however it’s NOT THE SAME) I quite like the mac, especially now that it’s been wrapped in a translucent pink techshell. All that white was hurting my eyes.

My VAIO has better video, mind you, but this is nice. Fast. And cute. And hey, with the plastic cover it matches my phone, and that’s a good thing.

This picture was taken with said pink phone, and it’s a reflection of my desktop monitor and the window, in the pink case. As photos go, it’s technically bad, yet somehow I like it.

It took five hours to drive the 253 miles from our house in Grand Prairie to the Hotel Indigo in Houston, largely because of several car wrecks we saw on the way. I don’t know if Texas drivers are worse than other areas or if it’s just that everyone has to take the same route from point A to point B, but it was frustrating. For the record, coming home last night took just over three hours, including a pit stop at McDonald’s in Fairfield for elimination and fries.

The hotel, however was lovely, and I’d totally go back. Actually, I’ve seen apartments in Greenwich Village that are smaller and not as well appointed.

The wedding was – well, I hesitate to review a wedding – suffice to say it was seriously cool – the ceremony was funny, warm, genuine, irreverent, and heartfelt, the food was delicious, the flowers were gorgeous, and the bride was radiant. Not sure if you’re reading this, but I hope you and your new husband continue as you began, with laughter, love, and light hearts.

On the way home we stopped in Spring, which is an historic town north of Houston on I45. We browsed shops full of kitschy souvenirs, and then I fell into a hat store, which turned out to be owned by the woman who runs Stall 18 at Scarborough Faire. I bought two hats from her last year (one for my mother), and yesterday I added to my collection with a 1920’s-ish straw hat, adorned with silk flowers in mauve and antique rose. I love it.

Went to workshop and met all the new players – yay, we’re not the newest group any more! Developed a migraine half way through – my own fault, as I hadn’t eaten all day – so didn’t participate in the Five Things practice, but watched it intently. Did better than usual with What Are You Doing, offering “Shielding my thoughts from aliens” as a response to the suggestion “tin foil.”

Came home, had a cheeseburger and a cherry coke and some Excedrin migraine tablets, and curled up with laptops and dogs. And now?

BED!

Appetizer
What is your usual bedtime? Do you like that, or would you rather it be different?
It varies – we’re very nocturnal, so we tend to be up at least til one, and two or three on weekends, but I wish I was one of those people who could easily fall asleep around eleven, at least in summer, so I could take advantage of cool mornings.

Soup
When it comes to advice, do you give more or receive more?
I tend to give more, but it depends on the subject.

Salad
Describe a memorable meal you’ve had.
We’re currently staying at the Hotel Indigo in Houston, and we just came upstairs from a light supper at their bistro. We had appetizers of red and blue corn chips with melted bleu cheese and salsa, and then Fuzzy had a bbq chicken pizzetta, and I had a delightful salad of spring greens and sliced zucchini, carrot, and tomato with sundried cranberries and balsamic vinaigrette, with grilled salmon crumbled on top. Filling but still light and healthy. Not the most divine food ever, but a very relaxing end to a day of driving. (Also this hotel rocks – they have the same cherry laminate flooring we do.)

Main Course
Name a work of fiction that affected the way you think about something.
I read so much, but for the most part, fiction is mind candy to me, and doesn’t linger. There are, however, elements of many novels that stick with me – anything that involves having the courage to write, or taking time to plant flowers. But if I had to name one, probably The Mists of Avalon is probably it – I read it in high school, and it was the first time I’d ever considered there was a different POV – and a feminine one, at that – to Arthurian Legend.

Dessert
What is your favorite type of fruit juice?
Odwalla’s Tangerine juice is my favorite single-flavor juice. It’s different than actual orange.
At home, I blend orange and cranberry a lot, or mix cranberry juice with sparkling water and lime.

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Thirteen Things about MissMeliss 13 Movies I really Dig Apollo 13 (Widescreen 2-Disc Anniversary Edition) A friend of Fuzzy’s dragged us to see this when we lived in SoDak, and at the time, I had no idea what the movie was. Later, of course, I read Jim Lovell’s book, Lost Moon, which the movie was based upon. Even after seeing it multiple times, this is one of my “comfort films” – the kind I can put on for background noise when I’m working on something else. Better Than Chocolate I caught part of this on HBO or Showtime one night when Fuzzy was working late, and later rented it because I liked what I’d seen. It’s a quirky little love story, and admittedly the plot’s a little week, but the acting’s worth it. Bring It On Feel good fun – it’s just so bubbly and vapid. Clue I grew up playing the game, and I realize this film was panned by critics, but really, it’s hilarious. Tim Curry makes the movie. The Cutting Edge – Gold Medal Edition Moira Kelly plays bitchy with the best diction ever. And yay, skating. Empire Records Another film I saw on cable, then had to rent. It’s short on plot, long on 90’s alt rock, but it’s fun to see the cast in their early work. Little Women (Collector’s Edition) Traditionalists may prefer older versions of this film, but I liked the 1995 treatment, even if it was a little preachy at times. It’s one of my favorite things to watch when I need writing inspiration, or just to feel cozy. Love Actually (Widescreen Edition) How could anything with this cast not be great? I mean, Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson, Colin Firth, Bill Nighy, Alan Rickman, Keira Knightley and Hugh Grant all in one movie? Try topping that! The Lover This is based on a semi-autographical novel by Marguerite Duras, and it’s essentially soft porn about a French schoolgirl and an Asian businessman having an affair in 1920’s Vietnam. The plot is weak, the visuals – even the non-sexual ones – are beautiful. (The American version was edited so that the lead character’s age was raised to 18 – I understand an aversion to kiddie-porn, but this was a consensual relationship.) This is one of those movies that stays on my list as much because it was a special night when I saw it, as for the film itself. The Princess Bride (Special Edition) Funny, romantic, and packed with action and great acting. A modern classic. Strictly Ballroom Quirky, sweet, cheesy, and fun. Truly Madly Deeply Alan Rickman in a romantic role, and Juliet Stevenson learning what it really means to have an affair with a ghost. Plus, lots of cello. Lots and lots of cello. You’ve Got Mail As someone who both worked in an independent bookstore, once upon a time, and met her husband online, this movie has a special place in my heart. Even if they did use AOL.

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It’s been a horrid day. While mulled wine, made in the microwave, eased the cough I can’t shake enough for me to sleep last night, it knocked me out to the point where I overslept today, and never did manage to shower or dress, beyond the addition of underwear and old comfy (ripped in a thousand places) cotton leggings. I also managed to spill said wine on my soft, blue, cotton NaNoWriMo shirt, thus making it look as though I was shot. My grandmother, if she had been buried instead of cremated, would be rolling in her grave. If she were still alive, she’d be calling me words like “ragamuffin” and “you look like a miserable wretch,” and she’d be write.

So the day started badly.

It then got worse. I broke my blog, lost the piece I was writing for work – twice – spilled water on electronic equipment, jammed my printer, and knocked my already-damaged keyboard tray off it’s rollers thus breaking it MORE, and I fought with Fuzzy, and the cord on my keyboard isn’t long enough to put on the top of my desk because of the way the cords are strung, and Fuzzy brought me DayQuil instead of a dedicated cough suppressant, but it just doesn’t work, and I don’t have enough of my work stuff loaded onto the MacBook to use it exclusively.

I just want to scream.

AAAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Actually, that felt kind of good.

My skin is dry, and itchy, and lotion isn’t helping, and I’m drinking tons of water, but it’s not helping either. I’m tired and crabby didn’t get as much done today as I’d hoped.

Also, Macs seriously need to look into the concept of right-click. And the Vaio has way better video.

A friend in Houston is getting married this weekend, and after being sick on and off all year (so far), I’m really excited about getting away, even though it’s only overnight. We wanted to stay longer, but this is a bad weekend for that, so Fuzzy’s agreed I can book a weekend at a B&B in Galveston for later this spring.

In any case, Friday night we’re staying at the Hotel Indigo, recommended by the bride, and it looks fantastic. Their design theme is all very nautical, and their philosophy involves Fibonacci sequences and Phi, as well as the nautilus. The rooms all have cushy high beds with tons of pillows, hardwood floors, and frou-frou showers, and there’s a Starbucks in the lobby. The decor in the pictures is very similar to my own tastes, and has me wanting to paint the house. (We’re starting with the kitchen.)

I’m thinking about painting our bedroom blue. A cheery blue. With sneaker white trim. I like nautical colors – our bedding now runs toward nautical themes. Blue and that sunny-but-not-overwhelming Italian yellow. Happy colors.

Stayed up too late cleaning because I was wired. Off to work now.