Tag Archives: writing

Pre-Reindeer Lame

Oh, is this ever Lame Post Friday!  I got nuthin’ in spades!  I’ve been hurrying around trying to get ready for the Reindeer Run 5K tomorrow.  I have to worry about my running outfit AND my outfit for after the race, when we are enjoying Christmas in Little Falls.  I should have made a list. Do other people suffer this anguish for a simple 5K?  It doesn’t matter if they do or not.  I do, and, as the saying goes, I gotta be me.

Right now, me is somebody who is not capable of making a decent blog post.  This is terrible!  This is the worst it’s ever been!  What shall I do?  Quick, post a picture and say something about that.

A jolly and silly elf.

This is me dressed for last year’s Reindeer Run.  I plan on wearing the same shirt, leggings, and shoes, but different accessories.  I hope to post a picture tomorrow.

Looking very happy pre-race.

And this is me, another runner, and the fabulous Moose on the Loose.  The Moose ran with me for the last bit of the race, when I began to whine that I started my sprint too soon and I wasn’t going to make it.  She assured me I would too make it, and I did.

I expect I will make it this year too.  I probably won’t be very fast, and I don’t promise not to whine. Ooh, there was a Freudian typo:  I first put “wine” instead of “whine.”  In fact, I have not had any wine all week, in preparation for the race.  I promised myself a nice glass of dry red later.  Aaaahhhh.  Suddenly I am feeling better about the whole thing.  Happy Friday, everyone.

 

Warming Up for the Reindeer Run

Could I be getting old?  SAY IT AIN’T SO!!!!  In fact, I can now rub two nickels together (meaning I am 55, if that was too obscure), but that is hardly the point.  The point is, it seems that when I go running after work with the intention of making a Running Commentary post, I become too tired to actually write said post.  Then again, yesterday I was too tired to make a decent post without benefit of running.  Now I am getting bogged down when my intention was merely to write an introductory paragraph.  I did mention I am tired, did I not?

My plan is to run the Reindeer Run 5K in Little Falls, NY, this Saturday (Dec. 8).  I have been working up to running a greater distance than 5K’s, with some measure of success.  Sunday I ran for 50 minutes, and the longest I’ve taken to run a 5K has been, I think, 38 and change.  Mind you, I believe I can pretty much run a 5K at any time, regardless of what I have been doing, through sheer stubbornness, with which I am well supplied.  It’s a question of how slow I go, how stupid I look, and how terrible I feel afterwards.  OK, I will probably go slow and look stupid in any case, but one can only do so much with what nature has provided.  The point is, I want to enjoy Christmas in Little Falls after the run.  I think I will be good to do that on Saturday.

Sunday, when I ran so long, was an unseasonably warm day.  This Saturday is supposed to be cold: mid-20’s, I believe.  Today was about that, so I thought it would be a good idea to run.  For another reason, I wanted to do some laundry and it is just so handy to throw a load in before I start the run.  During even a 20-minute run, after my cool-down walk, the wash is usually done.  This is pretty much the extent of my ability to multi-task.

I had on leggings and a winter running top.  I added a hat and my reflective vest.  I wanted the reflective vest mostly because it is another layer and has  a handy pocket for a couple of tissues.  However, I knew it would also be a good idea if I decided to run in the road at all.  As it turned out I mostly stayed on the sidewalks, but it is best to be prepared.

Ooh, it felt cold.  I wondered if I should have added a sweatshirt to the ensemble.  No matter.  I would no doubt warm up as I went.  I did, to a point.  The other advantage of my age is that I can pretty much count on getting a hot flash sooner or later.  Usually the hot flash makes me too hot, but at least it is a change in my discomfort.  Additionally, I can laugh at myself for always having something to complain about.

I ran for 25 minutes, which I considered OK.  I felt the important thing was to run at all.  Of course, the other important thing (to me, anyways) is to make a good blog post.  I’m afraid I have not said a whole lot about this run.  I like making the kind of Running Commentary post where I give almost a blow by blow of where I ran and what I saw.  Unfortunately, today’s run was quite uneventful.  Or perhaps I was too cold to notice anything.

As a matter of fact, I still have not warmed up, after a hot shower and a warm dinner.  No matter.  I ran.  I blogged.  I made it through Tuesday.  On with the rest of the week!

 

A Brainless Blog Post on Monstrous Monday

Oh crap, it’s type it in, backspace it out syndrome!  Must… keep… words… on… screen… (you know, like a beleaguered superhero in a comic book) (which I have not read in years; do they still do that?  Crap!  Dating myself!)

OK, so in one paragraph I have established that I am not having a good writing day, and I am feeling old and out of touch.  Is this a good time for a Monstrous Monday or what?

Is it a fight to the death? Or just a pissy hair-pulling match?

We recently watched The Ape Man (1943) but I don’t remember much about it.  It is on our DVD collection of 50 Horror Classics, so I can always watch it again.  Boris Karloff is in it too.

It looks a little cramped, but perhaps he is comfortable.

I don’t remember what mummy movie this shot is from, but he appears to be sleeping peacefully.  I will be sleeping peacefully soon, I hope.  I am TIRED, which could explain the semi-coherent state of today’s post.

He looks like he can’t believe his eyes. I can’t believe his eyes either.

I was going to use the picture of the head from The Brain That Wouldn’t Die  (1962) giving the side eye to her boyfriend, but I wanted a real monster, so I found this fellow from the movie.  Sometime I may write a blog post about just which is the most monstrous: the monster, the head, or the boyfriend.

I should have a brain this big.

I close with the picture I always find appropriate at times like this: The Brain from Planet Arous (1957).  Right now my movie is The Lack of Brain on Planet Cindy.  No matter.  It is Monday, and I have posted.

 

Even Foolish Blog Posts Count

I still have the tiara. I may wear it next Thursday.

I thought I would start with a Throw-back Thursday picture then segue into the non-sequitur portion on Non-Sequitur Thursday.  I feel this is a double throw-back, since I am impersonating a speakeasy habitue from the 1920’s, Ruby Van Renssalaer by name.  No, I was not around in the 1920’s, do some math for heavens’ sake! (You know who you are.)  Ruby Van Rensssalaer was a character in Rubbed Out at Ruby’s, which LiFT presented at The Overlook Mansion in Little Falls, NY.  Some of the characters also appeared at the Ritz and Ragtime fundraiser for the Landmarks Society of Greater Utica, which is when this picture was taken.

As you may have guessed, once again I got nuthin’.  I have tried to do more writing, specifically by writing a couple of letters.  Regular readers may recall my rule of Any Writing Counts.  It would be a good idea if I actually finished said letters and got them in the mail.  Then some people might be happy to get a letter.  I received a letter the other day and I can attest, it’s awesome.

This guy is a walking non-sequitur.

I shake things up by throwing in another picture.  This is my friend, Tucker, in LiFT’s recent murder mystery, Donation to Murder.  I do love my murder mysteries.

I find this picture rather profound.

This is an even more recent photo, from Shattered Angel by Stephen Wagner, presented by the Herkimer County Historical Society at Ilion Little Theatre.  Lots of us love a good historical murder!

Who could blame me for using the ax on him?

Shattered Angel makes me think of Roxy by Jack Sherman, which the Historical Society did in 2015, with yours truly in the title role.

My throwback non-sequitur posts often end up being a stroll down theatrical memory lane.  I do love my community theatre.  And I will work on writing better blog posts.  Happy Thursday, everyone!

 

Still Not Writing on Witless Wednesday

I should have zoomed in.

I had it in my head to use this picture for a Wordless Wednesday post.  It is a building that caught my eye across the street from Highwheeler Coffee, where Steven and I stopped for a snack on our Scattered Saturday.  Now I wish I had gone a little closer.  No matter. I can always take another picture on another visit to Highwheeler.

In the meantime, I need to make my blog post.  I guess Wordless Wednesday is a non-starter for me, because, well, I like words.  I like to talk, I like to write, and I don’t let the fact that I don’t have anything to say deter me.  So perhaps this is more of a Witless Wednesday.  I definitely qualify for that (you didn’t have to tell me, as I feel sure some of you were gearing up to do) (you know who you are).

I went running earlier, so I could do a Running Commentary post, but I’m really not feeling it.  I’ll be honest: I wasn’t feeling like running.  I felt like sitting and doing nothing, and saying, “Oh, to hell with it,” regarding the Reindeer Run 5K.  I went running anyways, because (1) it may help me reach my weight-loss goals and (2)  I will probably change my mind about the Reindeer Run.

I guess this is kind of a Wuss-out Wednesday, because this is not much of a blog post.  I must confess, I like the word “witless” better.  I think it is time for a new feature Mohawk Valley Girl:  Witless Wednesday.  Thank you for participating.

 

Trying to Write on Tired Tuesday

If you tuned in today hoping to read an inspirational post about how miraculously I upped my game today, as I said I was going to do yesterday, I am afraid you will be disappointed.  However, if you were hoping for a foolish Tired Tuesday post, you came to the right place!  In point of fact, I feel I did up my writing game somewhat.  I wrote two articles for Mohawk Valley Living magazine.  I’m letting them set before I re-read them and email them out.  However, I did not up my running game, my house cleaning game, or any other game in which I participate.  Well, one thing at a time, one thing at a time.

I do not know why I am so damn tired.  Yes, I worked all day.  I work five days a week, as do many people.  I worked eight hours, again, as do many people.  I am actually hoping to get a little overtime in the near future, so I guess I don’t know what the hell I’m thinking.

You know, looking over what I have written for this blog post so far, I think I had definitely better re-read those articles before I email them out.  They might be TERRIBLE!

Brain, oh brain, where are you now?

 

I thought I’d throw in a picture quick, to distract my readers from the lameness of this post.

A timely reminder for me.

Before writing this foolishness, I enjoyed a post by a blogger I follow, Granny K.  She philosophized about Tuesday, saying it was a sad day.  I feel a little sad myself.  Let’s all try for a better day on Wednesday.

 

Ready for the Sweats and the Wine

I can’t have Sunday Cinema; I’ve only watched two movies so far and I’m on to Snapped.  I suppose I could watch a third movie and then post, but I want to get this done.  As  I mentioned yesterday, I have knitting to do.  I also want to get back into my sweats.  Well, that is silly of me; I could put the sweats on and then make the post.  No, make the post now before I talk myself out of it.

Some might advise me to stop being a daily blogger if it is such a chore.  I would argue (if I was any good at argument, which I am not) that some things are worth doing even if they are a chore.  They would no doubt reply (I told you I was no good at argument) that most of my posts are probably not worth the effort.  I advise them to seek out more worthy blogs and to leave me alone.  Yes, I have numerous arguments with imaginary critics.

As you may have guessed, it is Wrist to Forehead Sunday.

Sometimes I feel like this when I try to sleep.

Earlier, before I was ready to swoon on the chaise and was actually having a pretty good day, we watched The Tingler (1959), produced and directed by William Castle and starring Vincent Price.  I LOOOOVE William Castle movies!  I do not have enough of them on DVD.

She has got his number!

After The Tingler, Steven suggested His Girl Friday (1941).  Rosalind Russell and Cary Grant, snappy dialogue, a fast moving script, it was an excellent suggestion.  I missed parts of it while I fixed us something to eat then made my salad for the week’s lunches, but I have seen it many times before and will no doubt watch it again.

After the movie, I wrote some post cards and walked to the post office with them.  I felt quite virtuous doing this, since I had gone for a long (for me) run this morning.  Come December, I will OWN that Reindeer Run 5K.  And by “own” of course I mean shuffle along toward the back of the pack and enjoy myself.

So I am feeling moderately less wrist-to-foreheady since I see I am over 350 words and I don’t feel this is too heinous of a post.  I think I deserve to put on my sweats and maybe have a glass of wine.  Happy Sunday, everyone.

 

Why am I Smiling on Monstrous Monday?

Can I have a Monstrous Monday after having a Many Monsters Sunday?  I think so, and not just because it is almost Halloween.  I like monsters ALL YEAR LONG!!! And, blogworthy activities-wise, I ain’t got much.  I will just mention that after last Saturday’s Haunted Historic Four Corners and the cancellation this Saturday’s murder mystery, I find myself in the rare and unfamiliar state of Nothing I HAVE To Do.  No commitments.  Nothing I need to work on and get done by a certain date.  (Oh well, my article(s) for Mohawk Valley Living magazine.  Let’s not talk about that; just let me savor this!)

My teeth are not this good, but I have a similar smile right now.

I have not idea who this wolfman is.  I went to the Facebook page The Golden Age of Monster Movies and looked through the photos for a happy monster.

This is what I looked like a few weeks ago, when I was still trying to cast the murder mystery.

This, in case you didn’t know, is Elisha Cook, Jr., in House on Haunted Hill (1959).  Full disclosure:  I didn’t remember his name and had to look it up.

Since I do not have to begin writing another murder mystery till 2019 (for Morning Star Methodist Church in Ilion, NY in probably April), I can turn once again to writing novels.  I tried it this morning, but things did not go very well.  I have been jotting notes and inventing characters.  I have a few ideas, so I will persevere.  I will let you know how it goes.

I must bear this thought in mind.

 

I’ll remember this dictum as well.

OK, that was my pep talk to myself.  I will close with another monster, just because.

“Don’t forget about me!”

It was a choice between Michael Myers and Nosferatu.  Jaime Lee Curtis, I love you, but for me, Nosferatu always wins.

 

The Brain That Wouldn’t Blog

It has not been a particularly Monstrous Monday, so I’ve got that going for me.  What I do not have going for me is much brain power.  What’s that all about, head?  Now is where I usually share the picture of The Brain from Planet Arous, but how predictable of me.  Perhaps I could come up with something different.

Nice side eye.

How about The Brain That Wouldn’t Die?  You can’t see her brain, but she does have one.  It is also known as The Head That Wouldn’t Die, although I think either title is something of a misnomer.  However, I suppose both are catchier than The Brain Whose Maniac Boyfriend Wouldn’t Let Die.  This is why I don’t have a job writing titles for Hollywood movies.

“We want to eat your meager brain!”

Zombies can help demonstrate my current state of mindless.  I am not really up on zombie lore; do they feed on brains or flesh?  If it is brain, they would starve to death on me.  Perhaps I could find a book at the library and find out before I actually meet any zombies.

“This is a good boy!”

And here’s a fellow that got gypped in the brain department.  Igor got the brain for Frederick Frankenstein’s monster from somebody called Abby Normal.  If you’ve never seen Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein, I highly recommend it.

So now I have rattled on for some 200 words. Not bad for a chick with no brain.