Through The Looking Glass

And we’re back to The Black Rider.

NaBloPoMo is over and Holidailies is about to begin. (Why yes, I am crazy. Why do you ask?)

NaBloPoMo has ended and I was successful (and have many more topics to cover in the coming weeks). Writing every day is not difficult for me, though I do think my last few posts would have been significantly less boring if my camera hadn’t broken. I posted 38 times (39 counting this post) and each post title was the title of a Tom Waits song. I believe I covered every album except for the one released during November, which we do not yet own. I would love to give away a copy of the playlist of songs from NaNovember — any suggestions for a contest or drawing I might do?

By the very nature of everyone on the internet participating, I am a wee bit behind on blog reading. I look forward to catching up and discovering new and wonderful blogs. I’ve bookmarked a few but simply haven’t had time to read very far yet.

Because of the camera, I was not able to complete NaBloShoeMo, though I suppose there are only so many pictures of my Simples that those lovely ladies can stand. I still consider that one a success because I discovered Susan who is totally my new BFF whether she likes it or not.

I failed miserably at posting regularly to blogging.la — it is a miracle they haven’t given me the boot yet. I just haven’t done any LA-related stuff lately. I managed to post seven times, which I guess isn’t too shabby, but I am disappointed in myself.

Overall, though? November was a success. Bring on December.

Today’s song title is from Blood Money.

My b-log is so BORING.

Will suggested that I make a cheese sandwich post, because I had a cheese sandwich for dinner last night. (I really did. It was grilled. It was delicious. I am going on a diet very soon.) As he is very wise, I shall do so. Run away now while you can, as there will be no cute Sammy picture payoff at the end because my camera has not made a miraculous recovery. (However, I did just receive the shipping instructions via email, so I’ll be sending it out tomorrow-ish.)

Sam was totally awesome yesterday. He took two very good naps, helped me do diaper laundry, charmed the maintenance men and a very nice Korean neighbor (none of whom speak a lot of English but all of whom speak the language of adorable baby), and rocked out to Guitar Hero II* with his father, who made it to Freebird.

Will was also totally awesome. IF YOU ARE WITH MAJOR TALENT AGENCY** THAT STILL HAS OUR SCRIPT AND HAS NOT YET OFFERED REPRESENTATION (IT’S BEEN TWO MONTHS, YOU BASTARDS), STOP READING. He slipped a copy of our script to a friend of ours who works at a production company which is looking for writers who can do action/adventure. We do action/adventure! It is totally radass.

At 11:50 in the morning I realized the problem with being virtuous and not opening a second bottle of wine the prior evening: I had the choice of opening a bottle before noon or not drinking with lunch. I chose the latter under protest. I have no idea when I became such a lush. Last night we made sure to open a second bottle.

Today is not as awesome as yesterday. Sam and Will both seem to be coming down with some Unknown Illness. Sam is so cute with his flushed cheeks. He also nursed all freakin’ night and I am so tired I don’t even want wine. I have had plenty of coffee which unfortunately has put me in that irritating place where the caffeine actually makes you more tired because you’ve had far too much for it to be affective.

On the plus side, I’ve been knitting. I am still working on Sarah’s baby blanket and still doubting that it will be ready by the time the baby arrives. Sam’s stocking is on hold until the blanket is done; I don’t even know where I put Branching Out.

Also, I seem to be an entire rung up from the bottom of the blogebrity ladder:

Yay?

It is the last day of November and today is the first day that I have thought, “I don’t want to post today.” Not bad.

*An early Christmas gift from Shelby and Briana, who also rock.
**I had a really great pun on the name of the agency, but Will pointed out that I shouldn’t divulge that information. Killjoy.

Today’s song title is from Closing Time.

I am feeling much less depressed today. How could I not feel better when I know such lovely people?

Camera situation: Gwen is loaning us her extra camera. Canon kept me on hold for less than ten minutes before connecting me with a friendly Virginian named Chris who chatted with me about the weather and is sending me a UPS shipping label so that I may send our camera in for repair. Or, I should say, for diagnosis — if it is the CCD sensor they will fix it free of charge; if it is something else they will send me a repair estimate and I will cry. They probably will not have it back to me before Christmas, but thanks to Gwen I do not have to cry about that.

And in other news: I’ve got nothing. Nothing. Check back later.

Today’s song title is from Franks Wild Years.

Our camera is broken. I think it is a known problem which Canon will fix for free, but we will be without a camera indefinitely. Most likely including Christmas. Christmas.

This is what I wrote last night, before I found the information on the Canon website:

Oh, fuck.

I’m sorry, Tom Waits is too good for this post’s title.

FUCK.

Our camera is broken.

Fuck fuck FUCK.

I think it’s the lens (or whatever the digital equivalent is). You know the jumpy picture that means you need to adjust the tracking on your VCR? (I mean, a hundred years ago before they were obsolete?) It’s worse than that — the image that’s jumping isn’t even what’s in front of the camera, just some pretty colors. I can still view the pictures on the memory card, and I tried swapping out the card and the battery for good measure. Nope. When I have the camera in picture-taking mode, I just see a mess. (I tried taking a picture, hoping it was just the display, but it isn’t.)

How am I supposed to take pictures of Sam when he does the amazing new wonderful things he does every day? It’s almost Christmas and I have a really cute baby and all of our relatives live far away. And for that matter, how am I to take pictures of my shoes?

I am so fucking depressed right now. We can’t afford to take the camera to the shop. We’ll be able to use Christmas money for it, but that’s a month from now. I can’t miss an entire month of my son’s life being recorded.

I don’t know what to do. I’ve nearly burst into tears a dozen times. I can’t even afford film for my real (er, 35 mm) camera.

It’s only Monday (fucking Mondays) and my week already sucks. The camera isn’t even the worst part.

I need to call Canon and arrange to send the camera in. I am really depressed.

I don’t have the energy to write anything else today.

Today’s song title is from The Black Rider.

I am a writer. Some days I forget. It’s easier than you’d think — I am easily distracted and have a six month old who likes to put things in his mouth and is on the verge of taking off at high speeds. Possibly headed for Mexico. And you know, when you drink as much wine and coffee as I do, you barely have time to nap, let alone chase the baby or create things with your brain.

Our action script is languishing at a major agency. We can’t submit it elsewhere until we hear back from them. I’d tell you what I think of that, but I don’t have enough money to put in the swear jar even if I give myself a bulk discount.

We’re about halfway through an outline for a second spec which will be really great if we ever get back to it. Not only have the holidays put a damper on our progress, but we’ve also been sidetracked by a really excellent opportunity for a side project (which will probably have to become our primary project for a while).

And me? I’m writing here every day, but the content is of questionable quality most days. I have a book review scheduled for the next issue of Noneuclidean Cafe which I need to get off my ass and write.

Also, I wrote another 55 word story.

Mrs. Huxley woke, panicked, searching the bed. She came awake; the baby was between her and Paul. All was well.

One day she’d wake up no longer a mother. She’d find that the moment between sleep and awake was real, and motherhood the dream.

She hugged her baby tightly, praying she wouldn’t wake up soon.

In other news, we took the sliding doors off the closet and it is already ten thousand times more functional. I am looking forward to putting my clothes away. (Really.)

Today’s song title is from Blue Valentine.

Well, I asked for it, posting photographs of my knitted spiderwebs like that. I asked for it, I know, and yet I was just not prepared for it.

(Arachnophobes, RUN AWAY.)

Clicking will take you to flickr where there are notes and a larger version.

Today’s song title is from Big Time.

Alternate title: Mommy Needs A Break.

I am not enjoying motherhood today. I can’t get a handle on my frustration and I kind of hate myself for it.

Sam is exhausted and refusing to go to sleep. He keeps screaming for the boob, screaming till I take him into the bedroom and lay down with him, and then pulling abruptly off the boob — so I get soaked with milk — and playing instead of going to sleep.

I am taking it personally, which is ridiculous.

He’s been up on hands and knees, rocking back and forth vigorously and flopping onto his belly to crawl; I know this means he is really, really close to properly crawling, which almost certainly explains his sleeplessness. He’s also been puking up a lot of the milk he’s eaten, which probably explains something, though I’m not certain what.

But I just can’t be rational and patient today.

Right now I’m sitting on the bed, typing, while he makes noise and rocks and explores next to me. Will has offered to take him, but I don’t feel justified in making Will stop working to do my job (not parenting, just putting Sam down to sleep).

I am feeling resentful of all the things I could be getting done if he’d just cooperate. Because, you know, my six month old is doing this to spite me. Yay! The Bad Mommy Award is in the bag!

…And he’s asleep. THANK GOD. Of course, it would be nice if he wasn’t sprawled across me, but I’ll take what I can get. I’ve got one free arm, anyway. (OK, I’m still a little irritable.)

Today’s song title is from Mule Variations.

In preparation for Christmas decorating, I had to take down the last holdouts of the Halloween decorations. These are the ones I handmade (the crocheted spiderweb did not go up this year because I was not able to finish it).

The first one is essentially a miter square, done in stockinette. Decreases are done on right side rows, making a slightly oblong square (isn’t there a word for that?); yarn overs paired with k2togs are sprinkled generously and randomly throughout the pattern. The second, also stockinette, started with two (or was it three?) stitches cast on and has YO increases at the center and on both sides every RS row; as above, YO/k2togs are placed randomly.

I’m moving on now to Christmas crafting. I’m onto the leg of Sam’s Christmas stocking, which happens to be my first-ever sock. I [heart] Wendy Johnson’s generic toe-up sock pattern! Now to find a good snowflake chart, and maybe an S.

Other project ideas: knitted and crocheted snowflakes (remind me to take photos of the crocheted ones from last year); Christmas cards (should I just use photos of Sam?); ornaments and garlands; tree skirt; party favors (I’m thinking ornaments, wine charms, Christmas crackers); and, while not exactly Christmas-exclusive, some damned homemade clothing for Sam — poor kid hasn’t worn a single thing I’ve made, because the only thing I actually finished is still too big (not counting the hats I made him, which he’s outgrown and wore maybe once).

I just need to finish my sister-in-law’s baby blanket first. She’s due in, like, a week.

So: How are you decorating for the holidays? If you’re the crafty sort, what holiday projects are you working on? What are your favorite boy-appropriate baby knits? Is it just me, or is everything (except the argyle sweater vests) for girls?

Today’s song title is from The Black Rider.

Thanksgiving was wonderful. Sam fell asleep moments before the food got to the table. Will said a prayer of thanks that made me cry. And everything was SO DAMN DELICIOUS.

Cornbread Dressing (Stuffing)

For the cornbread

• 3/4 C flour
• 1/3 C cornmeal
• 1 1/2 t baking powder
• 1/2 t salt

Stir dry ingredients together. Sifting is not necessary.

• 1/2 C + 2 T milk
• 1 lg egg, beaten
• 5 T melted butter or margarine

Mix wet ingredients, stir into dry until just combined. Pour into greased cake pan and bake at 350 for 22 minutes or until slightly overdone. Let cool.

For the dressing

• 1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 1-2 T fresh sage, chopped
• 1/2 t rubbed thyme
• 1/2 t dry marjoram
• salt & pepper

Cube cornbread. Combine all ingredients. When ready to bake, stir in:

• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1-1 1/2 C chicken broth (use vegetable stock or water for vegetarian)

Spoon into a buttered baking dish. Bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes, until top is crispy.

Serves 4-6. If in doubt, make extra! This is really, really good.

Today’s song title is from Rain Dogs.

In the month of October, we watched an assortment of horror movies, none of which had I seen previously. I’d like to share my thoughts on several of them.

Fright Night
Holy shit, this movie is great. Except for Stephen Geoffreys, who played the best friend. He was so bad that I feel a little bit sorry for the other movies he went on to star in. (Gay porn, if it matters.) Amanda Bearse was really terrific, and she and Chris Sarandon have the most graphic sex scene of all time, masquerading as a vampire bite.

Eeegah!
I don’t know if I should count this, because it was an episode of MST3K. So let me just say that it’s as good as Mitchell.

Rosemary’s Baby
This is perhaps the second-best horror movie I know of, the first being The Haunting. Man, the 60s were good for something, I guess. Chilling, genuinely frightening, funny, sweet, heartbreaking. I love Mia Farrow. I loathe John Cassavettes (which I’d have previously believed impossible). I wish Ruth Gordon was my friend, and hope to be half as wonderful as her when I am old. But less of a Satanist. (Spoiler!)

The Omen
Not as great as I anticipated and hoped. Incredibly slow and very little sympathy for Gregory Peck’s character. I mean — I’m supposed to worry about this asshole who adopted the Antichrist so he wouldn’t have to tell his wife the truth? Please. David Warner (practically an infant at the time) was wonderful and Billie Whitelaw would have scared the bajesus out of me if this was a scary movie. One genuine chill came when the first nanny killed herself. Otherwise fairly unremarkable.

An American Werewolf In London
Blows The Howling out of the water. Really terrific dark comedy with some genuine scares. I spent a great deal of time worried about the characters. Also, awesome werewolf transformation. Special effects really hold up (unlike The Howling).

Jaws
It is hard, if not impossible, to watch a classic without preconceived notions. For instance, all I ever hear about Jaws is how the mechanical shark malfunctioned during shooting so they used it for only a couple of scenes, effectively making the movie more scary because we don’t see the monster. Well, I expected to not see the monster, and it was in a lot more of the movie than I thought it would be. But I totally loved Robert Shaw.

The Hitcher
Maybe it is because the first movie I ever saw him in was Ladyhawk, but I just can’t be too frightened of Rutger Hauer. Oh, his eyes are pretty scary. But he’s no Powers Booth. A good movie, but I’ll watch anything starring Ponyboy. Yes, I even saw Soul Man. I am not proud.

Halloween
This was another interesting one. Another classic, but surprisingly I knew less about this one. Not much in the way of frights, because I’ve seen all the movies it influenced. It did have the scariest single shot of any movie I can think of (when Laurie is in the hallway and Michael Myers leans forward into the light behind her). Peed my pants on that one.

The Beast of Yucca Flats
OH MY GOD. There are no words. Well, Will had a few.

Bloodlust!
This movie was totally awesome in the really bad drive-in sort of way.

House of Usher
Corman’s first Poe movie. Starring Vincent Price, of course. Really incredibly slow, as were most of those movies. Totally worth renting.

Spider Baby
This movie is really excellent and I should give it a real review. Since I doubt I’ll get around to it, though, here’s a few thoughts. I love Lon Chaney Jr. He is so sweet and wonderful in this movie. Jill Banner blew me away as Virginia. Her death in 1982 is a terrible disappointment. Who will I write creepy, lovely female roles for? Sid Haig was 22 when this movie was made and looks almost nothing like Captain Spaulding (out of the clown makeup), the role I know him best for. Obviously this one has my thoughts scattered. It was SO VERY GOOD. Please watch it.

The Vanishing Riders of Tombstone Canyon
Hee! This movie is adorable. It’s from Creepy Cowboys, which you should buy.

Happy Thanksgiving, everybody.