New Layout

Well, I changed up the layout. Not sure that I like it, but I'm going to marinate in it for a bit. Fall is my favorite season and I love fall colors, so I wanted to try it. The picture in the title is one of my favorites I've taken, so I wanted to showcase that, too. If you hate it, let me know and I'll try to change it up, but I wanted to try something new.

NaNoWriMo

November is National Novel Writer's Month. I have attempted to participate in this for several years with little to no success. I really want to be successful this year, but I have to get out of this funk first. The gist of NaNoWriMo is to write 50,000 words in the month of November (hopefully in the form of a novel). Writing is such a dream of mine and I so would love to do this as a way to really catapult myself into being a true writer, but I think I constantly hold myself back because this is one dream that I'm truly afraid of finding out I may never be successful at. I guess if I make myself unsuccessful by never trying, at least I don't have to put myself out there, naked and raw, unexposed for criticism. Do I really want to live that way, though? Do I honestly want to live life never even reaching for my dreams? I don't think I do. I want to live without regret. I want to live freely and proudly and know that in my life I TRIED. So I am going to work hard to try to realize this dream and use my time wisely, get organized and JUST DO IT. JFDI as my brothers say. I know I am more than I currently present myself as and I want to show that to the world. I encourage everyone to check out the NaNoWriMo site if you are interested in writing, but even more I want to encourage everyone to suck it up and pursue your deepest dreams. Don't wait until New Year's, don't wait until you win the lottery, DO IT NOW. And now I'm off to take my own advice. :)

Alarm

Sleep thief,
Waving your arms in violent protest of rest,
Miserable Metronome murdering minutes,
Screaming your loathing of tardiness,
You slay my slumber in its prime.

Vanishing Act

Sorry I have disappeared for so long. I need to get back on track. When I get down, I often quit writing, which is bad because it is such a positive outlet for me. So, here I go, trying to start up again, although I doubt that anyone is even following me at this point. If you are still checking me out, thanks for believing in me!

Old School

I just wanted to share one of my favorite poems I've written. Now, mind you, I wrote this in high school, but I still feel it's rather profound and especially relevant as I'm wrapping up a year of working with several people who are completely incompetent. :)

swimming through the shallow side of dumbness
i choke on a thought
emerging from my imagination

no one could understand my superior intelligence
so i drowned

Printer's Row Book Fair

In case anyone is going to be in town and is interested, the Printer's Row Book Fair is this weekend downtown. We have gone in the past and have really enjoyed it. Here's a link with all the info:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/events/printersrow/

A deeper shade of gray

I would like to apologize for my absence from blogging. I have been rather depressed the past few months and I am hoping that now I have quit my summer job I will have more time to become inspired, relax, spend time with family (quality time) and, of course, get back to my love, writing.

Depression kills my creativity and makes me numb. Nothing is exciting or inspiring, everything is just a dull gray. I am choosing right now to actively seek motivation, drive, determination and inspiration. I hope that you will follow me on my journey. Comments, suggestions and advice are all welcome and appreciated as usual. I look forward to getting back to myself. Thanks for your patience, understanding and for coming along for the ride.