All the blogs I've read lately by people i know and admire are stories. These stories are from yesterday or a 1,000 yesterdays ago, but they all have one thing in common--they are compelling. I want to read their story to its very end and I wonder; is it because they are good writers or because they have an interesting story to tell that makes me want to read it so much?

I envy these people for the sheer fact that I want to read their stories. What I wouldn't give to write a compelling story. Alas, all the stories I have to tell are not out of the ordinary, and my writing is not unusual either.

I wrote a story once in 8th grade. It was called, "The Snow Prince and the Seven Stupid Maidens." Don't ask me why I decided to write a story based on the fairytale. Maybe it was because I secretly hated the real Snow White, with all of her shrill singing and her constant efforts to please men; however, I dearly wanted to write in a character with more backbone. Anyway--my teacher told me that she could hear my "voice" in that story. I'm not sure if she was just pumping up the ego of a little 8th grader, but maybe she heard me in my story.

I've thought about finishing that story, but yet another teacher--college this time--said that my story must be worth something to everyone else. "What makes your story unique and worth reading," he said. Well, what makes that story different? Between Gregory Maguire and Robin McKinley, there's no room for another re-fairytale. Right?

For now, they're right--I have no unique stories to share. I'm just one of millions of people who do the same thing every day, only slightly different. In the mean time, I must subject my unknown audience to the woefully ordinary life of me.

A wee bit off the beaten track

Well, what can I say--I haven't posted in....quite a while. No excuse really, but lots of things have happened...I just forgot to tell the internet about it.

Let's see, I became a vegetarian in the summer--I get crap for it every day. At least 3 more college friends have gotten married and several more are in "serious" relationships (*sigh*). I am a DJ at the local radio station and I'm now on the Relay for Life committee for Highland. Also thiiiiis close to joining the Highland Arts Council Board...

I know what you're thinking...small town girl swore she'd never come back to her hometown after college and here she is...planting root after root in her garden of life right where she promised she'd never end up. Don't get me wrong, I still don't plan on staying here forever....but for now I guess I'm content to be where I am (though maybe not content in this specific house). But you know what they say about making plans....

Exactly.

I promise more exciting thing will be posted...later...I'm a procrastinator...what can I say?

The ride is always bumpy at first

Hey all,
Just thought I'd update everyone on the meanderings, panderings, and wanderings of this bored small town gal (yes, I just called myself a "gal").

I went to the Neptune Festival in Virginia Beach last weekend and booooy what it HOT! I think I've now ruled out deserts or tropical climate areas as future homes....
It was a neat festival though--gave me lots of ideas I want to try this year.
This lady and her (husband?) were selling resin pendants that were pretty awesome. If you'd like to see more of her stuff check out her website: butterflybones.com. She said that she wasn't selling on Etsy at the moment, but they hoped to get more stuff up this winter.

Also, if you are not familiar with Etsy...you better get that way, because it is the one-stop shop for unique gifts (ok, so you'll want to buy for yourself too).

Let's see, what I'm working on now (when I'm not at work or being worked by home chores) is Bookbinding! Who knew that this was such a large hobby trend amongst creative farts like me. I had an idea for a Christmas gift for (someone) but I couldn't find anything premade, so I just decided I would make one. So I researched....and googled (yes, I like to google, leave me be) and found several methods. First, I am going to try Coptic stitch binding, because it seems to require the fewest materials. There are several youtube videos I've found, and hopefully I'll have made a book by the end of this week.

Oh and I should mention that my boyfriend and I are already gearing up for Halloween! He takes his holidays very seriously and I think he hopes to out-do himself this year.

Check out his B&B turned Pirate Ship house video from last year!
Halloween Pirate Ship House

ttyl folks!

First ever Blog

Well....sort of.  Once upon a time I used a site called Xanga and an even shorter time ago, I used Myspace to write my thoughts about how I was a tortured soul. Now, I've graduated from college and I'm back in my hometown: home less than 2,500 people. Yep, that's the whole county. And I bet you thought YOU were from a small town.

Anyway, this blog is more of a way to escape my boredom of the small town life. My goal is to be constructive this year. To think of things to do and then actually do them. And you are my accountability. So when I stop posting for a while, you are in charge of bombarding me with emails until I post another blog.

A word of caution as far as my grammar is concerned. I was dubbed an official "grammar nazi" in 2009, but I am probably writing off the cuff (where did that phrase come from again?) most of the time and I will probably have a run on sentence or two (like right now) and most definitely will not put commas and semicolons where they are supposed to be. However, I will do my best not to put my English professors to shame that often.

Ok, final words on the intentions of this blog. It's purpose is to alleviate boredom by keeping me accountable for opening up my creative talents--whether its through projects, photos, music, or writing--maybe even all four (or just two or three or none at all).

Thank you for listening Cyberspace. I'm done talking now.