Lady_Songbird's Xanga

LAST CHANCE

Sat, 17 May 2008 20:34:16 GMT

If you're going to enter, you have to do it now! No more submissions will be accepted after 9:00pm. It will take me a little bit to get the ballots ready, and all subs have to be in before I can finalize them.

HURRY HURRY

The Entries

Sat, 17 May 2008 16:00:52 GMT

Still a lot of time before the 17th, so come and read everyone!

More have come in! Check out all the stories and start getting those votes in. It's going to be a really close contest as all of these are really great. We have an amazing bunch of writers here in Xangaland!

More New entries!

Time is Getting Short

Fri, 16 May 2008 23:22:37 GMT

Ok Folks! You have until 9:00 PM tomorrow night to get your entries to me for the Inspiration Writing Contest.

Then I will put up a voting poll for each image, with the entries listed for each image. You may vote in each category, but only once in each. The ballots will stay live until 9:00 PM on Thursday, May 22, when the winner will be announced.

The Winner will be determined by the most votes. In the event of a tie, a run off vote will take place.

The prize will be a month of Premium!

nIf the winner does not need or want it for his or her own, they are free to donate it to the Xangan of their choice. That way, all you Lifers can still play. :)

So, one more day to write!

Don't forget to get that vote out.

Good luck.

**One quick note: I will be away from the computer all day tomorrow, so if your entry doesn't go up immediately, don't panic. Just send me the link in a message and I will make sure it goes on the ballot. **

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Thu, 15 May 2008 16:00:19 GMT

Today's the Day!

See that big obnoxious banner at the top of my page? See that date on it! Yup it's TODAY.

Now, not being in charge of things, and not being Stephan King or J.K. Rowling, I realize my little release is going to go largely unhearlded by the greater majority of. . .well everyone. The entire event will include two gala celebrations: the first, the publisher will flip the switch on my book at the website, and second: pre-ordered books will start to be shipped. That's it.

I'm nervous. It's a small publisher, and sometimes the organization is a bit. . . not there. I know in my heart that eventually, people will be holding hard copy books in their hands, but I have this nagging doubt that that the website will actually be updated today. I'm hoping, so that I don't look like a complete idiot to the people I told to rush over there to buy the book.

It also doesn't help that the PR person hasn't found it in her heart to return any of my emails.

I'm having a severe panic attack at the moment (completely unrelated to the book). I gotta go to work while I'm still gainfully employed. (Panic related to events revealed yesterday. . .more potentially life altering events that are completely out of my control.)

OK, breathing. . . . I really want biscuits and gravy for breakfast, but I'm on Weight Watchers. Boy did I pick the wrong week to give up chocolate.

Ok, Xangans, please remember to get your contest entries to me by Saturday, and I will put up the voting thing. I'm looking for a little applet for surveys to put under each entry. If you know of one, please point me in that direction.

~~~~~~~ Noon time Edit ~~~~~~~~~~

As I feared, the book is not released on the LBF booksite just yet. However, the REALLY GOOD NEWS is that Amazon has it up for pre-order. Now, Amazon is saying it is shipping May 28. I can only assume they are correct and I am wrong, but the fact that the book is listed and ready for order makes me VERY happy.

Oh and the really cool part, is that it's less expensive on Amazon. (Wow, not even released and I'm already in the bargain bin. . .).

The link is up on my "currently reading".

Artwork forth coming.

Ok Everyone, Back to work

Mon, 12 May 2008 07:36:33 GMT

I know it was a nice weekend and the sun was pretty yesterday, but it's back to work today on those entries! Don't forget to get them in by Saturday. It's going to be a hard choice. I think they're all terrific and that is why it is going to be decided by vote. So make sure you let people know to come over here and vote for your entry.

Ok, onward. . .

Mother's day survey question: Do mothers of daughters tend to be more honored by their kids than mothers of sons? That is . . . do daughters tend to be more likely to make sure mom is taken care of than boys? (Or husbands with boys). Ladies do you have to leave endless reminders, nudge, notes and threats, or does the father of your children acknowledge your roll without extra cajoling. Just curious. I have three sons, and a terrific husband, however mother's day seems to be a real confusing day for them. The hubby always remember his mom, (aunts, grandmothers, sister). . . and has to be reminded that his sons also have a mother. Don't get me wrong, he's a great guy, just sometimes he's a little air-headed. Many a mother's day has come and gone, and the budget was spent on his mom's flowers, and I got toast. The excuse always: "You're not my mother, I'm supposed honor MY mother". . .

"It's not MY MOther's day," I argue. "It's MOTHERS (PLURAL) DAY! You know, a day to honor ALL mothers. And besides, when was the last time I forgot you on fathers day, hmmm?"

Well finally after years it sank in. I got something really nice this year: A porch swing, where I can sit and swing and drink mudslides in the afternoon. I'm happy. My middle son was very thoughtful, and felt badly that I wasn't eating as well as he thought I should (I'm doing weight watchers you see), and he brought home a 1/4 sheet cake for me. Ah well, I'll start counting points next week. My youngest son and his girlfriend came over and cooked dinner for me, and we had great fun and laughter, and it was very nice. My oldest son seems to have fallen off the planet. No call, no card, nothing. Which is actually an improvement over years past, for example last year all I got from him was a dirty joke text message on my cell phone. Years before, he would always pick that day for some terrible caper that would land with us either racing to the emergency room, principals office or police station. I'm glad those days are done!

I had lunch with my mom. I did my duty, and was glad to do it. She sat in the back seat, dad sat in the front, both telling me how to drive, both giving me different directions, and both swearing at the other cars. Good thing I knew the way on my own. I ignored them both, and just pretended to be the indifferent chauffeur, driving Miss Crazy. . . I took her to the restaurant of her choice which turned out to be a little fish market that serves on paper plates. I was surprised she chose that and not a fancier place, until I bit into the best lobster roll I have ever eaten in my life (and I've had a LOT of lobster rolls). So sometimes mom really does know best. (When it comes to fish markets).

All in all, I can't complain. It was a nice day. Now, excuse me for a bit, it's morning, and the sun is up. I think I'll take my coffee on the deck, and sit in my new swing and enjoy the air and the birds. I have a few minutes before I need to get ready for work, just enough to allow for coffee, swinging, and cleaning the coffee off my blouse that I am sure to spill while swinging.

Keep those entries coming folks!

Later

Finally Friday

Fri, 09 May 2008 13:49:05 GMT

This has been a long, and curvy week. Highs at the top and lows at the bottom and I'm not entirely certain I've managed to keep my head above the flood line, but I did make it to Friday. It's weigh-in day. Isn't that nice.

I woke up this morning with the TV on. Some infomercial about making a gazillion dollars using Ebay. For some reason I couldn't wake up fully and it was seeping into my dream. I ended up dreaming that Steve Martin (no clue why him) was at my house begging for me to buy his ebay strategy plan because it was going to be his salvation. I kept trying to get him out the door, saying "No Steve, I told you I don't want it, go away!" . . . and he walked away like Nevin Johnson from the Jerk "Fine, I don't need you, all I need is this software, and five minutes . . .that's all I neeeed. . ." . . . I thought I woke up after that, then a new commercial started and he was back like the wild and crazy guy. "Hey der, sleeping lady, you want to try my Abb Coaster and get . . .harrrrrd and sexy abbs like a-me?"

I think I screamed. But it woke me up and broke the cycle so it's all good. Wow... Steve Martin. Why?

I've ranted here a couple of times about that stimulus thing. I think the IRS must have read it. Instead of sending me money, they're sending me underpants. The transparent kind that you can't hardly see, because I sure can't see my check.

Ok, so the whole thing was to stimulate right? Well great, but when the check does not arrive when you tell people it is coming, and they have gone into hawk in anticipation of that check that was PROMISED arriving on the day they TOLD us it would arrive . . .   GRRRRRRRR. . . Mine is a week past the day it was supposed to come. The website still says they don't have any information about me. I filed in March. They sure didn't have any trouble TAKING my money on April 15. All the fluff and fanfare told us that if our social numbers were yada that the checks would arrive on yada. Well yada was last week and I still have nada.

**** EDIT *****
I learned something a little bit ago (from someone else who was frustrated with the lack of rebate check). It seems that if you filed electronically through Turbo Tax, and were charged a fee for the service, than Turbo Tax is the 'bank on record' for the IRS and you are automatically bumped to paper check status. Funny - as mentioned above, the IRS had no trouble finding my bank account when they took the money . . .

****** END OF EDIT ******

That's not what colored my whole week though. The good: well see the banner and the post below. I'm still dancing about that. So that's my high. The rock bottom? Weeell... I'll pass on that one right now, but suffice to say that it was probably not the best week to start weight watchers.

Hey Mother's Day is on Sunday, so that should be a pretty good day. I am a mother. I have the relief map of Bolivia on my stomach to prove it! I just hope my sons remember that. Hmmm I wonder if I could convert back to Catholic just for the weekend so I can put that extra twist of guilt in them, when they don't call. Hmmmm

Well I'm off to work. And I have to stop at the local extortionist . . er . . gas station to put a down payment on a tank of gas. Hey, maybe Steve Martin was right about that ebay thing. I sure could use a gazillion dollars.

Don't forget your entries dear ones. Get the word out, the contest is still on. There is a month of premium in it for you!

Peace

And Now A Word From Our Sponsor

Thu, 08 May 2008 12:12:55 GMT

This morning I got the final flat for my book cover. It is so exciting for me to see small things like A PRICE TAG and that bar code and such. And David Roth's review line. It is real.

Click on the image for the full version so you can actually read the text.

Along with the cover, the publisher provided me a locked-secure e-book PDF. It is for reviews. I will be sending it to news papers and such, however if there is anyone who is willing to do a full blown review, send me a message. Reviews will be sent to the publisher to be used in the marketing.

Sometime next week, (I hope) the book will be available on Amazon.

I now return you to your previously scheduled contest.

Don't forget to send me a link to your stories! I will put them here for everyone to read. Voting will be done by the readers! Just like in the real world, so get out there and start promoting and gaining votes.

Peace, Lorrieann

A Picture Worth A Thousand Words

Mon, 05 May 2008 19:29:24 GMT

Calling all the writers of Xanga who are craving a creative challenge! You are hereby invited to participate in Lady Songbird's first

WRITERS' PICTORIAL INSPIRATION EXTRAVAGANZA!

The Challenge:   Choose one of the following images, and write some fiction about it (up to 1000 words).

The Rules:    Keep it legal. (That is, if it is against the law or the Xanga TOS, then it's disqualified) Otherwise anything goes.

How to Play:    Choose one of the following images, write your story and post it on your blog (you may post my image there as well with a link back to here). Then come here and leave me a message, and I will put up a link to your story on this site. When all entries are linked come back and vote for your favorites by leaving me and/or the judges (judges TBA) via private message.

The Prize:    One month of Premium

Deadlines:    All entries must be posted by Saturday, May 17.   I will put the links up on Sunday. You will have until Wednesday, May 21 to vote, and winner will be announced on Thursday the 22nd.

Spread the word! Lets show the the world there are real live writers here on Xanga!

THE PICTURES:

The Hermit

The Tree

The Corridor

Have fun and show me your stuff!

The Hermit

Mon, 05 May 2008 09:18:54 GMT

I'm still playing around with my new toy, Vue Pro-6. I love this software. It lets me bring my inner visions to life just as I imagine them. When I use only Poser, I usually spent a lot of time after rendering in PhotoShop, to get all the effects I wanted. I really enjoy that part of the work, but sometimes I wish I could make the entire scene in the modeler and see what I come out with. Well that is exactly what I did here. Right down to the fog around the lantern, this is right off the renderer with absolutely no post work (well except for my signature). I love what this program does with reflections and light, and I really love how this image turned out.

He is the first in what I hope becomes a series based on the upper arcana of the Tarot.

The Hermit

Peace

What is something you feel you can do better than anyone else?

Sun, 04 May 2008 09:50:33 GMT

I am better at making decisions about my own choice of faith and /or belief systems than anyone else on the planet. No body knows me like I do, and no body has the right to decide for me how to think or feel or who to love.

I also make the best chilli.

I just answered this Featured Question, you can answer it too!