This blog is supposed to be about writing, and my writing, so here it is:

Just found out I lost the flash fiction contest I entered at the beginning of the year. Well, I wasn't a loser as much as I didn't win. Blech.

Haven't had any time to write or submit recently. Must get back to that. I also must get back to posting on here, which should spur me to engage in a more active writing life. Maybe.

I know I'm focusing on the wrong things, being pulled down by what bothers me and not working on moving forward. I'm also irritated because I can't think of an ending to my latest flash fiction piece that doesn't make me say "So f'n what?"

Whew.

I know I am probably the last person to watch this, but I just found the link on another blog.

(Yes, I often troll other blogs, and I've found some pretty cool ones out there. Must admit that I am impressed with the creativity and intelligence of most bloggers).

Anyway, this is really funny and right up my alley, but if you are offended by the suggestion of cursing, you are so warned: The Lonely Astronaut.

Very happy to say that my new nephew is here. Eli is a real cutie and doing very well. (And yes, born without any drugs. She's a tough one, my sis.) My dad reports that all he does is poop and eat, which sounds right to me. I'll be back and forth helping out, doing my aunty duties. My niece has told me that I must bring her a "big sister present" the next time I come, and of course I will because how can I possible say no??? I told her that I am also a big sister, which made her blink for a few moments and seemed to confuse the heck out of her, but at her wee age that is understandable.

Been trying to come up with the second half of a flash fiction piece that I was hoping to finish for a march 31 contest deadline, but with all going on this month I don't think I will get to it. There is another contest I wanted to enter, which ends april 14, so maybe I could make that one. If not, the next ones end in may. It's nice to have all these pages up on my wall reminding me to enter the contests, but without the stories to send it's rather useless. And not even pretty wallpaper.

Keeping very busy with work and cleaning. This place is a real mess. I think of all the things I don't like, cleaning is up there. Not like cleaning dishes or the bathroom, because those things are musts of course, but I mean keeping my clothes put away and not piling the coffee table with useless crap. I am terrible at that. Usually my routine is to watch Extreme Home on Sunday nights while I pick up. That keeps me motivated to work until the end, when I cry like a baby for the people and their new house, and then I can't see what I should be putting away.

Sis is having contractions this evening ... could be Braxton Hicks. I'll keep the phone by the bed just in case. It's all really exciting! We spoke a few days ago on whether she'd decided on natural childbirth again. She'd like to do it, but she'll see how it goes. I think she was more concerned about deciding on a middle name.

:)

SHIM (So Happy It's March) :) I can already tell that this month will be much better than the last. Ahhh.

AND of course, the Academy Awards are on Sun night. This means I sit on the couch and curl under my fuzzy green blanket for the pre-show, the red carpet show, the awards show, and the post-show. I am VERY happy to have our Jersey boy Jon Stewart as host. The Daily Show rocks. I am embarrassed to say that I only saw two of the five best pictures (and I did see Wallace & Gromit), so I can't really comment on what should happen. All I know is that I have popcorn and I'm ready to veg. Who will wear what? Who gropes who? So exciting.

I've been wonderful at printing out flash fiction contest postings and great at reading my new purchase (Sudden Fiction International) but crappy at writing and submitting. *sigh* I am sick with a terrible cold so I might not get anything done this weekend either. boo. By hanging up the contest deadlines right in front of my face at my computer desk I am hoping to push myself into creative waters. We'll see.

The novel is not going anywhere, which is so terrible. I must get back to that. I am very disappointed in myself, but that's not helping either. I remember that "write a page a day" crap I wanted to stick to. Ha.

I'm a bit cranky. Maybe it is the cold burning up my patience. I feel hardly any creativity at all these days. And I'm going to miss my niece's bday party this weekend, which makes me cranky too. I just don't feel well enough to go.

Maybe the next post will be "up." At least I can try.