If you don't have a dream, how are you going to make a dream come true? |
2013 Goals
Write 52 Reviews / current = 27 Read 40 books / current = 9 Enter 12 Contests/Activities / current = 4 Host/Judge 2 Contest/Activity / current = 2 Other goals: Be patient Let go of anger/negativity Monthly blogging Some other places you can find me: http://www.twitter.com/spidergirl502 http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1792019-tonia http://365project.org/spidergirl/365
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Sunday is a day for me to potentially get a lot of work done. My husband is sleeping since he has to work tonight. Instead of working on WOM stuff, I decided to start a port raid of Brooklyn . I wanted to write something here now because Ivy and I might be on our way to Wilkes-Barre or somewhere else shopping soon. A friend is having a baby shower soon, so we get to look through baby stuff! Only one pick today: Activities Hey Black Cases!!
In case you haven't seen this yet, there's a friendly reviewing war going on between Black cases, Yellows and Blues. (You sneaky black cases are kicking our butts!) There's still time to join in! You know what the best thing about Wilkes-Barre is? Starbucks! *drools* |
I've never received a port raid before (not beyond like 5 items, I think), but yesterday and last night, Brooklyn , my Reviewing buddy, decided to raid my port. Holy cow!! I think I might get into port raiding... It feels awesome to be a recipient of a raid. Picks of the day: Activity
Why not take a moment to thank someone who's been kind to you recently? Item of the Day Today I'm not going to highlight one item, but a whole portfolio. Please visit the port of my friend, Brooklyn . Help me repay her kindness by reviewing something of hers! I'll be paying her back with a review raid of my own after this weekend, but you can help me get a headstart by sending her a few reviews! If you do send her a public review, let me know here and I'll give you a reward. |
Anyone else happy it's Friday? We have to wait around for the dishwasher repair guy, but other than that, we have absolutely no plans for the day. Aaaaaaah, that feels good! Picks: Activity:
How could I not have plugged this one yet? If you're interested at all in Reviewing, please consider joining this group! It's not a reviewing group or anything that requires you to actively participate - It's a Reviewing Newsletter! Items of the Day:
With a title like this, I just had to read it!
Newbie item - An excellent piece of writing! An epilogue that stands on its own, but makes you desperately want to know what happened during the story! Lyric of the Day Not An Angel by City Sleeps (listen to this song at www.myspace.com/citysleeps) Leave me alone, I'm not an angel yet. They also have this incredibly romantic song called "Sleep with Me." It's not what you think. You have to hear it. Happy Friday! |
Hey, everyone! I've almost finished August's shows, and I spent some time reviewing today. Why is it people feel the need to praise works that obviously need to be polished a bit more? I gave a 2.5 today to a piece that's average was 4.5. I felt really bad doing it, but the item in question needed a ton of work (in my opinion, and judging by the average rating, maybe I'm wrong...). I just think that giving out 5s like they're nothing, doesn't help a writer. Updates in other areas of my life: I've been watching that Mind Control with (whats-his-name) show, and it's creeping me out! My husband thinks he's being abducted by aliens. I told him I still love him. Picks of the day: Activity:
Warning: You have to have a morbid sense of humor to appreciate this one! Newbie Writing:
Great free verse! Most modern published poetry I've seen (and studied) looks more like this, although it seems like the majority of poets on this site write in a more traditional style. Why is that, I wonder? Hopefully we'll be printing the magazine early next week! |
My strategy today has been alternating WOM work with WDC work. I add two pages of shows to my website, then review one item here. It's working well so far. Mr. J and I saw a skateboarding magazine at the store the other day, called "The Skateboarding Mag." You just know a skateboarder didn't come up with that title. I'd be surprised if anyone with any real interest in the sport is connected with that magazine. It just sounds like they're trying to sound hip or something. If the average skateboarder sees "The Skateboarding Mag" and "Thrasher," which do you think s/he will buy? I pray that I never get like that! I don't want to be so out of everything that's in my field, that I have to try to sound cool so kids will buy my magazine. Picks: Activity:
Newbie Writing
I've only read about the first paragraph so far, but it seems good. Very descriptive.
Not a newbie, but awesome! Writer manages a really good description of Love.
Creepy and suspenseful (especially if you don't like snakes!) Lyric of the Day: "All Work and No Play" by Losing Caufield (listen to and download the song based on Stephen King's The Shining at www.myspace.com/losingcaufield) So your hero couldn't pull through That boy sure can bleed. (It's a sweet song. No, really!) We're going to see this band next weekend, I think, and I hope they play this song. I've never heard it live, and it's my favorite of theirs. |
Okay, now this is more like it! I got lots of work done today! Ah, how I love these productive days! I even managed to get outside and walk for about 10 minutes. (Hey, every minute counts, right? And there's a heat warning today, so I shouldn't be out too much anyway) I challenged myself as part of "Invalid Item" to get out and walk every day this week, and to not drink any soda for one week. It's been a little tough, actually. Do any of you have trouble explaining WDC to your friends and family? My husband wanted to know why I decided not to drink soda for a week. He said, "If you really want a soda, just have one? Are you trying to lose weight or something?" It's hard to say, "Well, I promised on a message forum that I wouldn't drink soda for a week." I ended up explaining what I challenged myself to do, and explaining that there isn't any reward for it - it's just important to me to do it because I challenged myself to do it. I do have some items that I've read that I really loved... but I'm not going to mention them here. The reason - They're going to be my Editor's Picks in next week's Comedy Newsletter! I'm the guest editor! So instead, how about Lyric of the Day: "November" by The Drama Club (listen to this song at www.myspace.com/thedramaclub) We're the lonely, broken-hearted We're still standing, it's not over. Back to work! |
When my husband can't sleep, I get no work done. He works night shift, but he was up for most of today, so I got very little done. I didn't even get much reviewing done today. Well, there's always tomorrow, right? Picks of the day: Activity:
really cool campfire! Readers get involved by voting on the death of one character! Newbie writing:
cool example of concrete poetry I hope everyone had a good Monday! |
Ivy went out last night, but I didn't. I'm a little jealous. I have a lot to do on the site today, and I've already begun setting up that contest I wrote about two entries ago. Well, I made a logo for it. I really need to work on interview questions! I was supposed to do that while we were out Friday night, but we ended up talking to people so much that we didn't have time. (Not that I'm complaining!) Picks of the day (No newbie ones, though, as I haven't started Reviewing yet today): Activities/Contests
I've found a reviewing buddy! Brooklyn and I share many of the same views on reviewing, and we've had awesome chats this week. Check out her item on reviewing:
I'm off to (hopefully) get some work done! |
Sometimes when I get home from shows and try to go to bed, I can hear music. It's really faint, and I can tell it's just in my head. Last night, though, I could have sworn there was music playing in our room. It sounded like that faint, tinny sound of someone else listening to headphones really loud. All I could hear was drums and vocals. I turned the fan off, though, and got silence. It wasn't real. I got so mad last night at the show! We were talking to a guy in a local band, and he asked Traci, "Do you do CD reviews?" She said yes, and he asked, "So, how does this work? I pay you, and you write about it?" It seems that's what all the other publications do (in our area at least). I've heard of one making bands pay to be on their cover, and now this?? That appalls me!! It's disgusting, to make bands pay to be in their magazines!! A magazine chooses its cover based on who will sell the most copies. The band is working for the magazine by selling issues based on their image and their mention in the magazine! To quote what Traci said last night, "That's not journalism; that's prostitution!" Other than that, the night was great. We had some great talks with Panacea and other friends. We gave out a lot of magazines, and everyone seemed to appreciate what we do. We were thrilled! I'm not sure what I'm doing today yet. I probably won't be here too much, as is normal for weekends, really. I can't let go of that idea I have for a contest... I talked to Traci about it last night, and she liked the idea. I just might create it, and maybe ask for opinions on it. I may also ask for co-judges/coordinators, since I might need help with it. It's not a writing contest exactly... but almost. I think it's kind of different... My picks for the day: Activities
Very cool! I've been meaning to make mine...
It isn't finished, but it's a LOT of fun! Newbie items
Very cool poem! (not your average poem, in my opinion) Good use of alliteration and assonance in the first two lines. |
I'm unofficially trying for a blue month... Shhh! Don't tell anyone. Work today will consist of coming up with interview questions and researching/updating shows. So since all that isn't exciting to blog about, I'm going to talk about site stuff. I'm trying to get a bit of reviewing done today. I've decided that gps I've earned through reviewing will go into the gp fund for "Invalid Item" Contests/Activities of the Day:
I've been keeping my eye on this contest for a bit now. I really want to enter, and this round's prompt seems challenging and fun! Take a look, won't you?
Hey Yellows! Think you can beat the Mods at reviewing? Newbie Items of the Day:
Rated GC for violence & graphic violence. A good read! Gruesome!
This one's cute! I had another idea for a contest recently. I really don't think I'd have time to run it, though, with everything else I'm already doing. Oh well. Maybe someday. Happy Friday (and Watermelon Day - Check this out - "Invalid Item" !) |