(no subject)

[falcongrrl]

I haven't been able to think of much to write about here lately. One of the reasons is that I finally pushed through and finished the first complete draft of the short story that I was working on, and it didn't leave me much energy for other sorts of writing. (robotmonster, will you send an email to the address on my userinfo page, and I'll send the story back to you? I still don't know your email address, unbelievably enough.) Although, my friend P is starting up this spiritual devotional thing on myspace, and I have been writing one devotion per week for her (two so far). I don't know how I feel about this. She's getting back in touch with her Christian faith, and so I'm writing Christian-based devotions. I'm not writing anything that goes against what I believe, but I still worry that I'm edging dangerously close to hypocrisy by quoting from a holy book of a faith I've largely abandoned.

As far as writing goes, it's a pretty interesting exercise. I'm tempted to post some here and see what you all think. :-P My friend thinks that they're good, that I should be a UU minister (an idea I flirted with in the past). That's...not likely...but high praise of a sort, I guess.

jakebe turned me on to pandora.com yesterday, and I'm listening to it now. Wow. Cool stuff. I've created a more mellow, wistful sort of 'station' and so far the experiment is working. Apparently lately I've been in the mood for "folk influences, a subtle use of vocal harmony, mixed acoustic and electric instrumentation, and minor key tonality." I'll need to make other stations for other moods, but right now I'm still tweaking this one. I've just about got it the way that I want it, and I'm finding out about vocalists and songs I wouldn't know otherwise. It's very fun and addictive.

The increased dosage of Zoloft seems to be helping. It's not that I don't get fretful and anxious. It's more that when I do, I don't feel paralyzed and hopeless. I actually perceive options. It makes me wonder how long I've been in a slump. I'm also, as a side benefit, feeling a bit less socially anxious.

Inspired by chipotle here and robotmonster here, in a friendlocked entry where the monkey asks for a bit of a writing jumpstart... I'm thinking that I would really like to write an essay, but I can't decide upon a topic. If you've read this far, please post with your best essay idea and I'll choose at least one to write (if all goes well). I make no promises, but it sounds like fun--and I want to take a break from fiction for a while, let the story sit while I contemplate changes for the next draft.

Edit: shaterri, it actually just played the same Sixpence None the Richer cover of "Don't Dream It's Over" that you gave me, without being prompted. :-)

Edit #2: "Revelation Sunshine" by Cree Summer is definitely a new favorite. Pandora is scarily accurate. More info about the artist can be found here

Comments

[virtualcourtney.livejournal.com]

Here's an essay idea: American perceptions of the ecosystem, from tree-huggers to oil tycoons. I don't know if that's the kind of scope you're looking for, but it'd be interesting to see what you come up with. :)

I'm glad the zoloft is helping you see the choices and not the chains. ;)

[gleefulfreak.livejournal.com]

Write an essay on this statement:

I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

and whether or not it (and its context) is infallible truth.