Monday, September 17, 2007

The Anti-Color

There are a lot of wonderful colors out there. A lovely Prussian blue is one of my favorites also, alizarin crimson, Payne’s gray, Naples yellow, and hookers green. But Orange! I used to like the color orange; I think out of pity, but it really isn’t a good color. It’s the color that hunters wear like a big sign that says “hey idiot, I’m not a deer”.

It does have nice uses; pumpkins, Buddhist robes (that’s technically Saffron), oranges, Ichigo’s hair (but it really could have been any color) and I’m sure a lot of other nice things, but NOT on web pages.

Have you ever tried to read text printed on orange? It’s pure evil.
I’ve been working on a story and was doing research about Nimrod/Gilgamesh and found a rather helpful sight, but the background was this orange color that gave me a head ache, which I still have! Orange = eye strain!

The story is coming along nicely. I have a villain and a reason for him to go after the man character. Now all I need is a plot. *laugh * I’ve got until Saturday to get a few more pages written. And I want to get another 2 pages done on Dewin’s story. I’ve got to find more energy and Zen-ness to get through the days.

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

I Don't Care Enough to Give it a Title

So once again I have to contact a library to find out that I didn't even get considered for the job. I'm not sure if I'm angry or hurt or what. I'm mostly numb and mostly in the mood to just give up on everything. My soul is basically dead at this point. The body just hasn't figured it out yet. I get up, go to work, go home, and go to sleep. lather rinse repeat. Hell I hardly see my husband anymore and when I do he's half asleep.

The truth is that you have to know someone or kill someone in order to get anywhere in life. It never matters if you are skilled or smart or would do anything for the patrons. It's all about stabbing people in the back or kissing their bleeding butts. I don't think they got it right in the bible when they claim Christ said to go out and use your talents and you'll be blessed. No! If you cast your pearls before the swine they're are just going to destroy you. My advise is to forget about sharing anything... you'll only get yourself squished.

Course the jury's still out on if God is even out there...and if he is if he cares, cuz there sure is hell no proof that he/she/it gives a shit.

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

Hugo is a 12 year old who is good creating mechanical things. He lives in the walls of a Paris train station where he keeps the clocks running. Isabelle is a bright girl who loves to read and who's Godfather runs the toy shop Hugo is so fond of watching. Can a broken Automaton make them friends and can the man in the moon make them happy? With the flicker of old movie magic nothing is impossible

I’ve just finished this most wonderful book: “The Invention of Hugo Cabret” by Brian Selznick. Part picture book part novel this story is about dreaming, magic and movies, but it's also about secrets. I would love to see Mr. Selznick get a Newbery for it. I haven’t come away from a book like this since Tale of Desperoux! I felt like a kid being read to. The sketches that make op part of the story add to the feeling of magic and imagery. This book goes on the favorites shelf and will likely be read many times.

It has a mechanical man in it – an automaton and here’s a link the author shares about one in Philadelphia.

http://www.fi.edu/pieces/knox/automaton/

Thursday, August 23, 2007

A Mourning of Free Time

The Social Life of Richard and Robin has passed away. It went quickly on Tuesday August 22, 2007 when, after a few questions, the principle of Timpview Highschool offered Rick a teaching contract. Mr. Carson now has his own office, a couple of desks, a classroom, and several hundred students divided into 6 classes. His wife will miss him dearly, but feels that despite the elevated levels of stress he is happy. Rick is survived by his cat Tama, his wife, friends, and countless D&D characters.

Green Fish, Blue fish . . .

The guppy saga continues! I have now paid more for the upkeep of the lone surviving guppy than I did for all three. He’s got a fungus… I hope it’s a fungus as he is all limp and has grey/white spots on his tail. I put in a fizzy thing that turned the water green and is supposed to kill t he offending ick and make the guppy happy again. I also found out the Ph level in the water is high, the ammonia is 0 and that he loves bloodworms. He continues to have no name, as I’m sure the minute I name him he will die.

Which leads me to the fact that I’m now waiting for someone to hit my car, as I own it… Yes I have the title * Cackle *. His Lordship Lucius Von Saturn

Read a couple of interesting things in American Libraries (the magazine of the ALA). One was about interviews and the delicate nature of leaving/trying to get a job. The author wrote, “I have spoken to frustrated candidates across the country who have waited up to three months without a word from potential employers”. So that’s where I am. I’m in the silence. The dead calm. The maddening nothingness of a career void.
The other article was about why being a librarian is great. It was written in response to a Museum Studies student – in reference to library studies – saying, “OH, I’d never do that”. The writer was a little taken aback, but you know what I can completely understand. I’m beginning to think I’ve made a career mistake. I’m on auto pilot living. It’s like all the colors have gone out in the world and I’m just some speck that moves things around, but does nothing of significance.

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

Meow? MEEEEow? meow.



Well I just did something very stupid, but … who cares. I feel better. Life is still in that sucking stage and it will for sometime. I did however find a great new Manga – My Cat Loki. It’s about an artist and his cat. My fish tank is up and running. Some day I’ll get fish even! There is a big Eclipse party on Monday night that I’m going to. They are having contests and stuff. I need to send the info to Becky and Stacy. I’m seeing Bourn Ultimatum on Friday. That’ll be nice.

I wish I could quit and just write/paint and get paid. Don’t we all.

Cuz I have to post it somewhere

To whom it may concern:

I’m sorry that I was wasted your time in applying for what I felt would be a dream job. I and the other applicant are apparently unqualified to fill the position at your library, which leads me to wonder what ten years experience and a master degree are good for. It would have been nice to receive word concerning my status prier to receiving an e-mail from the Utah Library Association saying that there was a position open. We would not have been a good fit obviously, as I believe in trust, honesty, and above all respect in the work place.

Good luck finding someone.

Mrs. R DeSpain

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

It’s a Level 3 Spell.


My hat is off to Lord Voldemort. Never have I seen a basic level spell (shatter) used in such fine form. The Dark Lord may be evil, but when it comes to a wizard battle he’s top of the class. The latest installment of the Harry Potter Movie franchise is the best so far. I out right hated the book, but the movie redeems the plot line nicely. Finally the wizard world becomes real for me.

My poor husband was dragged to it on Friday night, which I think is where my terribly off week started. The depression hit bottom this week when I found that Springville Library has reposted the position I applied for without letting me know that I “didn’t get the job”. HOW TACKLESS IS THAT? This event, along with my husband not being there when I needed him and tongue lashing from another when all I really wanted was to clear the gloom from my head, sent me strait to the bottom.

The universe ripped me open and left me flayed on the salt flats. It’s amazing how being thrown to the wolves brings clarity. I’ve decided there is a God, but he’s not the loving, kind, “comforting” guy that many Christian groups want you to believe. Have you read the Old Testament? How about the New Testament? There’s proof enough for me without having to turn to the Book of Mormon for yet another witness that God doesn’t play nice with the humans. In fact I think he’s akin to the teacher that may know his stuff, but nobody wants to take a class from him. I’ve decided to drop his class. I’m not becoming an atheist by any means, but I’m just not going to expect much from Him and His anymore.

God does not play dice with the universe; He plays an ineffable game of his own devising, which might be compared, from the perspective of any of the other players, to being involved in an obscure and complex version of poker in a pitch dark room, with blank cards, for infinite stakes, with a dealer who won't tell you the rules, and who smiles all the time.

--Gaiman and Pratchett's "Good Omens"

My Fish is happy as all get out. He’s in a new clean bowl, with plants. He can swim about and hide all he wants. He’s next to the TV on his own little shelf. The cat is intrigued. We call it Tama TV. She just sits and watches him from the couch. Maybe I’ll post a picture.