Tag Archives: NaBloPoMo

NaBloPoMo Friday, November 8, 2013
Tell us what you’ve learned so far about daily blogging.

Daily blogging is a challenge. Personal circumstances don’t matter–two jobs, twelve kids, an invalid parent, or zero responsibilities–some days it just is not easy to publish something meaningful.

Today is day 312 of my own personal blogging challenge. I decided at the end of last year that I wanted to practice both my writing and photography this year, so I committed to a post a day in 2013. I could have just written in a journal, and uploaded photos to my digital photo frame, but I’m not sure I would have stuck with the project for a full month. When it comes to self-improvement goals, I’m much more likely to stick to the program if LOTS and LOTS of people know about the plan. If I make a promise to another person, or to an internet full of strangers, I’ll do whatever it takes to fulfill it. I’m not so good at keeping promises to myself. Hence a public blog.

It took a while to get rolling at first, to find my groove, both with the writing and the photography. Once I set up a schedule for myself, and planned out the kinds of posts I wanted to publish on which days during the week, the going got a bit easier. I broke from the schedule a few times…I took a writing hiatus and did a month-long photo challenge in June then put photography on hold for an all-about-me writing challenge in August. Of course, I’ve deviated from the schedule again this month to do both a gratitude photo challenge and to follow along with NaBloPoMo’s writing prompts, but the change of pace is good. My brain needed a break.

I hate gaps.

There’s been a lot of stuff in my head recently, and it has given me a severe case of writer’s block. I’ve really been struggling with fiction the past two months, and as a result, missed posting on four of my scheduled fiction days. I’d like to go back and fill in those gaps, even though I know I’ve technically broken my promise to blog every day. (Although I steadfastly refuse to say that I have failed in my goal.)

I think an important, unexpected, benefit of this daily blogging challenge has been that it’s forced me to acknowledge that SOME DAYS I JUST CAN’T DO EVERYTHING. It kills me to admit this, being the perfectionist that I am (anyone notice a theme this week?). But if anyone else were struggling to balance an overflowing to-do list, opportunities to spend time with long-neglected friends and family, and a serious case of writer’s block, you can be sure I’d cut them some slack. So why not myself? The world won’t end if I only post a photo today, or share a book review instead of the 100-word flash fiction piece I intended to write. IT’S OKAY. It’s only a blog.

So with only 53 more days to go in my personal challenge, I’m beginning to think about 2014. I definitely think my blog will go on, but I’m not sure what it will look like in its second year. A lot will depend on the type of job I have by then, and whether I’ll have the time to maintain a daily posting routine. Maybe I’ll have a phenomenally interesting job that will provide all the blog fodder I could ever wish for. Maybe I’ll really focus on creative writing and set a measurable goal of x fiction pieces of y words each month. Maybe I’ll just troll the internet and post my favorite cat pictures three days a week. Maybe I should just get through 2013 first, and let the future take care of itself.

NaBloPoMo Thursday, November 7, 2013
If you had to switch your first name, what name would you choose and why?

Technically, I’ve already done it. Since birth, I’ve been called by my middle name, Michelle, so when I got married and was changing my last name anyway, I decided to go ahead and drop my first name and use Michelle in its place (my maiden name is now my middle name). I like Michelle. It’s who I am. I can’t think of any other name I’d rather use. Besides, it’s kinda trendy. In the list of the 100 most popular names in the past 100 years, mine ranks #22.

So, since I sort of danced around answering the actual question, I thought I could maybe go off on a related tangent. What does my name mean? I found the customary definition: Michelle is a feminine form of Michael, which in Hebrew means “who is like God.” (I know some Michaels, and if there is any truth at all to that meaning, I am scared.)

That information didn’t wow me, so I continued down the rabbit hole of the internet to see what else I could dig up. Good ol’ Google led me to the Kabalarian Society’s website, where I could enter a few details to get a “free” analysis of my name. Okay–they didn’t ask for any money, and I’ve got a junk email account they can spam all they like, so I’ll bite.

Here’s what they turned up after careful analysis (which lasted approximately 1.3 seconds, if that gives any hint to its credibility):

Your first name of Michelle has formed an independent, positive, and determined personality.
Yeah, I will go along with that.

You are not easily influenced by the opinions of others, who may accuse you of being stubborn.
Umm, maybe. The hubby is nodding emphatically.

Once you have made a decision, you put forth great effort to accomplish your goals regardless of obstacles.
Oh yeah, they hit that one on the head.

Your progress is built upon your meticulous awareness of detail, your patience, and your consistent hardworking qualities.
Hmm, is this that perfectionist thing cropping up again?

You are a realist and could be interested in mathematics or technical sciences.
Guilty.

If developed, you have an ability to be inventive in practical fields of endeavor.
Hey now, I think I am quite inventive. And it came through my genes, it did not have to be “developed.”

You are interested in facts and figures and do well in positions that require great attention to detail, such as accounting, computer technology, or in research.
Never tried one of these career fields. Wonder if I could get hired just by adding this statement to my resume?

It is difficult for you to visualize or theorize unless the ideas being presented are developed in a logical step-by-step manner.
Sometimes…not always.

It is what you can see, experience, and prove through compilation of facts, experiment, and logic that has greatest value to you. You are rather skeptical of new ideas that are more visionary, idealistic, or philosophical.
I do like solid evidence, but I like to think I give more abstract ideas due consideration.

This name inhibits the inspirational quality of musical or artistic expression. Your interests would lean toward the practical, technical aspects of the arts.
Not going to argue with the music part. Not for a minute. Can’t carry a tune in a bucket, and have zero rhythm for dance. And I guess I can see where I am inhibited in my expression through visual arts…I do like the technical stuff. Hey, can I borrow that ruler for a minute?

You do not have great ambitions and your requirements in life are moderate.
I haven’t decided if I should take offense at the first part of this statement. Are they calling me lazy? Or are they trying to say that I’m not high maintenance? The latter is true, so I’ll go with that.

Your loyalty to, and appreciation for, your family and friends are shown by what you do for them rather than what you say. This name limits your ability to be expressive, imaginative, and versatile. As a result, this limitation causes repression and frustration at times. The more deeply you feel about someone, the harder it is for you to express the little attentions and compliments that mean so much to some people.
I gotta disagree here. I think I express myself through words and deed.

Since lavish affection embarrasses you, you do not appreciate being the target for endearing words.
I enjoy a sincere compliment, even if it makes me blush, but I don’t enjoy over-the-top public gushing. A simple good job and/or pat on the back are enough to give me warm fuzzies for days.

You are not overly conversational; in fact, at times, you consider time wasted when spent in idle chatter. You are more interested in being active and accomplishing the tasks you set for yourself.
So not true!! I enjoy a good chinwag, even if I don’t have a lot to contribute–sometimes the joy is in the listening. I enjoy the camaraderie of a nice chat AND the distraction from my to-do list.

Your lack of expression can lead to misunderstandings and unhappiness with those close to you who do not understand your practical, candid, somewhat self-centered approach. Humor and spontaneity are not natural expressions of this name. You are serious and methodical.
It kinda hurts to look at this one too closely. I am serious and methodical. But I do have a good sense of humor, and can be quite witty–it’s just that only those closest to me ever see that. To casual acquaintances and passers-by, I am afraid I might appear closed-off and unapproachable.

Practical creativity in such activities as cooking, baking, or fine needle work is of interest to you, since these activities combine mental ingenuity and physical skills.
Yep. I can read a cookbook and follow a crochet pattern with the best of them.

Health weaknesses of this name center in the head, resulting in such conditions as headaches, sinus problems, weak eyes, or in extreme instances, loss of hearing.
Really? My sinus problems are a direct result of my name???

Also, your fondness for heavier foods can affect the intestinal organs causing constipation, hemorrhoids, and even in severe cases, ulcers or growths.
Okay, TMI for one thing. Second, how can a name possibly determine one’s fondness for “heavier foods”? I’m not even going to dignify this one with a response.

______

If you’d like to see what your name says about you, you can get your own full profile “for free” on the Kabalarian website (they analyze your first and last names, along with your birthdate, so they can tell you just how out of alignment you are). More generic first name meanings are also available without entering any personal information. If you are unhappy with your life, it’s probably because you have the wrong name. So if you really like the taste of the Kabalarian Kool-Aid, you can request their suggestions for a more suitable name, then head to the local courthouse and change your destiny. I think I’ll play the hand I’ve been dealt. Michelle I shall stay.

NaBloPoMo Wednesday, November 6, 2013
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Okay, just for a moment, we’ll totally set aside indecisiveness as a trait I want need would like to change, and I’ll tell you that I’m torn between two other things: perfectionism and procrastination. In my opinion, these are two of my worst qualities, and I’ve owned up to them before. According to any decent 12-step program, this is a crucial first step toward recovery. But it doesn’t seem to help in the least that I am fully aware of and freely admit to both weaknesses. Despite numerous attempts and various tactics, I’ve been unable to noticeably alter either characteristic. Occasionally I experience a small victory in one arena or the other, but some days I honestly think the perfectionism is getting worse. I wish I could wave a magic wand and get a handle on this pair of problems once and for all. Maybe it’s time to locate a sponsor who can help me examine past actions and move forward with a new code of personal conduct. Or is it too late to teach an old dog new tricks?

NaBloPoMo, Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Tell us about your writing space. Where do you write your blog posts?

If I’m home during the day and there aren’t a thousand other things vying for my attention, I take time to actually sit down at my desk in the upstairs office to write. When I’m here, I am usually surrounded by silence–which, depending on the day, may or may not have a beneficial effect upon my concentration. My desk is rarely this uncluttered, so writing up here often gets interrupted by filing, shredding, phone calls, emails, balancing the checkbook, organizing the pen jar…

When I’ve been too busy or too lazy to write during the day, I usually end up downstairs on the couch in the evening, banging away on my laptop while the hubby watches TV and reads the paper. More distractions here, but since some days it takes me a couple hours to spit out a hundred words, I hate to lose that time with him. (Although maybe he’d rather I just go upstairs and write what I’ve got to write than snipe at him when he asks a question in the middle of me nearly…almost…just about…damn, lost it…stringing together a coherent sentence.)

NaBloPoMo Monday, November 4, 2013
Who is your favourite character of all time?

Okay, I’m not really sure what this answer says about my worldliness, but my favorite character has always been Winnie the Pooh. In an attempt not to appear overly childish, I struggled to think of a protagonist from classic literature or a hero from stage or screen whom I love more, but just couldn’t do it.

Pooh is a character that can be loved at any age. As a small child, I loved him mainly for his cuteness. He made me giggle whenever his love of ‘hunny’ led to trouble.

As I moved into middle school, I began to appreciate more of the clever truths disguised in his off-hand remarks.

“To the uneducated an A is just three sticks.”

Throughout college and beyond, when I was tackling the world on my own and battling occasional bouts of homesickness, Pooh understood.

“I wonder what Piglet is doing,” thought Pooh.
“I wish I were there to be doing it, too.”

Now, even as an adult, Pooh’s words, uttered in his gentle sing-song voice, can encourage me to do the right thing, even when I’d much prefer to hibernate bear-like under the covers…

“A bear, however hard he tries, grows tubby without exercise.”

…or jump willy-nilly into a project.

“Organization is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it’s not all mixed up.”

Winnie the Pooh embodies many admirable qualities that, if everybody adopted, would make the world so much nicer. Pooh is fairly unflappable, even with a ‘hunny’ jar stuck on his nose–there is no screaming or unnecessary drama in the Hundred Acre Wood. Pooh does not easily take offense, or look for reasons to start a fight, even when insulted by Rabbit. Pooh treasures his friends, and stands by them through thick and thin. He accepts them just as they are, stoically ignoring Eeyore’s gloom, patiently waiting through Owl’s lengthy explanations, and gamely trying to keep pace with Tigger’s hyperactive romps. Above all, Pooh knows that

“A little Consideration, a little Thought for Others, makes all the difference.”

Maybe Winnie the Pooh doesn’t seem like such an immature choice for favorite all-time character after all.

(Blogger’s note: Winnie the Pooh quotes from GoodReads.)

Photo by Joe Belanger

NaBloPoMo Friday, November 1, 2013
If you found one million dollars in the morning and had to spend it by nightfall, what would you do with the money?

If I had a million dollars
Well, I’d buy you a monkey
Haven’t you always wanted a monkey?

Oh, no, wait. That’s what the Barenaked Ladies would do if they had a million dollars. If I had a million dollars, I’d start out predictably, paying off the mortgage and my student loan, then writing checks to help family and friends realize some of their dreams. I’d rip up the carpet upstairs and put down hardwood floors, then go on a whirlwind curtain shopping expedition. I’d pay someone to design and build a deck and landscape the yard. I’d book the hubby and me on the Queen Mary 2 for our dreamed-of round-the-world cruise. I’d find a pair of jeans, a pair of boots, and a swimsuit that truly fit and wouldn’t bat an eye at the price tags. I’d buy the most expensive steak from Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Gordon Ramsay Steak, and Food Lion and do a side-by-side taste test to determine once and for all if the price really does affect flavor (I’m guessing not as much as they’d like me to believe). I’d show up at my local Habitat for Humanity build with my hammer and a big fat check to fund their next project. I’d buy boatloads of books and oodles of school supplies to donate to kids in the local shelters. I’d make the day (year) of the guy panhandling on the corner. Lastly, I’d head to the neighborhood gas station and spend the rest of my million to fill up the tanks of anyone who could get there before nightfall.

I’m not sure I have a really good concept of just how far a million dollars will (or won’t) go these days, but it sure would be fun to find out!