Protected: This article caption just made me burst into tears

Newbery Winner’s Quote–I love this!

“You always have this Platonic beautiful ideal of a book in your head, and then you write something which isn’t as good as that,” he said. “The Graveyard Book’ is the first time I’ve had a Platonic ideal of a book and written the thing and looked at the book and said, ‘You know, I think you’re better than the thing I set out to write.’ ”

Something to strive for…

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/27/books/27newb.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

The link to the whole article on Neil Gaiman.

Kreativ Blog Award! Me Haz One!

I thought I’d try and steal attention away from the Newbery and Printz winners. Are you just as impressed?

*hee*

Anyway, thanks so much to susanwritesfor giving this to me yesterday! One of my friends asked today what I do to make my blog interesting, if there’s any word count planning or such, my answer is?–really, nothing.

I just write about what I’m thinking about or what’s going on in my life. Sometimes I’ll get a pinch of inspiration based on something crazy that happened (like with the Post Office Holiday writing saga) but otherwise, I just wing it, which may or may not be the best plan, but iz at least creative with a K!

And I’m tickled rosy and wearing a floor length deep purple gown and borrowed jewels to celebrate!*

Since she asked, here’s 7 things I love and then my…(music) NOMINEES

Things I love:

1. Awards and award shows. I’ve watched the Golden Globes and the SAGS and am looking forward to the Oscars. I love the fashion, the speeches and…well, just about everything (except Brad Pitt’s stash. What’s up with that?)

2. Health. Because when I don’t have it (like last week) I really appreciate being well.

3. My baby. Even with an ear infection, her first, she is such a dolly bun.

4. Blue sky. Same reason as health. When it is drippy-drip-soggy like all last week, it reminds me to appreciate.

5. My friends. They are awesome and I’m talking to YOU!

6. My snoring dog.

7. Employment. So many lay-offs, so many hard times. I’m so appreciative that we have paychecks coming in to pay for this crazy life.

And now…KREATIVE BLOGGERS….

1. kellyrfineman because she writes letters to authors (like today) and interviews authors and talks about poetry and uses fanciful icons and talks about gnomes. Me like Kelly.

2. newport2newportblogs about lots of different things and speaks in such an emotionally honest voice that she really grabs me, plus she goes places not everyone goes poetically and with heart.

3. bracken she’s in school still and posts about young hip things like whacky clinging boy suitors and her new layout rocks cruise ships (*giggles at my phrase* because yes, young and hip often goes hand in hand with cruise ships)

4. jonnyskovbecause he blogs about useful computer-geek info and is soon going to post punk rock pics of himself (hint hint)

5. angie_frazier because I like her blog–it’s a perfect mix of lit stuff/family stuff/plus I like her casual, smirky honest tone (like in today’s post)

6. anywherebeyond because her icons are the coolest around and she posts about hauntings

7. jessica_shea because she is so sweet and I love her Question Friday quiz and her Chuck/Blair icon and her general pinkness.

That’s all folks!

*brown half-pants and a striped shirt, barefeet and a ponytail and a green-snotty baby on lap actually.

Congratulations to all the award winners!

And to everyone that had books out in 2008 that did not win awards, because no matter what writing a book is dang hard and seeing it through publication is even harder, so you are all sparkly and wonderful too!

(And that was an award-winning run-on.)

Calling all storytellers: Go see this movie.

I won’t give anything away, but the majestic way the director/writer/actors weaved humor and light throughout what should have been (and truly is) extremely harsh material (and accurate depiction of street kids in a third world country) showed their acute ability to highlight this unique human experience.

A true force of nature, this movie is correctly coined by many reviewers as a triumph of the spirit.

A rare, unpredictable delight that left me incredibly moved and I dare say it, changed, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE was an absolute gem of a movie from opening credits through the end (make sure you watch the entire end credits!)

Danny Boyle and gang, I bow in awe of your absolutely phenomenal, uplifting and genius storytelling that kept me on the edge of my seat rooting for your child and young adult heroes.

Blown away. Four stars.

And Mr. Boyle sir? While I have your attention here (because I’m certain you read my blog), would you consider directing the film version of SEA? Because I couldn’t imagine anyone doing it better. Okaythanks, I’ll leave you to shine your Oscars now.

=D

Happy Days

1. The Inauguration. I watched the swearing in with my yoga class and yoga teacher, eyes glued to the big screen TV in the waiting room, tears in most eyes, sweat dripping off one guys nose (I wish I was kidding, he had, apparently jumped off the exer-bikes to share the moment.)

2. I wrote for two hours at Peet’s Coffee wearing my 44th President Barack Obama shirt. People kept coming up and commenting on it. My favorite was one dude who said, “Tell me. Is the tyrant really gone?” I never heard that word used quite the same way and it cracked me up.

3. Picking up the boy at school I heard the beautiful sing-song of little children, really, is there any sound sweeter than children singing? I was a few minutes early so I stepped in the theatre to listen. Not only were they singing, they were signing along to Bob Dylan’s “Blowing in the Wind,” practicing for their Martin Luther King Junior Assembly on Friday. The kids had gathered in that same theatre earlier that morning to watch history unfold on a giant TV while 2 million people huddled together in D.C. to experience the momentous occasion first hand. What did E take away from all this? A song they learned in music class which he’s been singing all week, “Barack Obama hooray horray, Barack Obama, what a wonderful day!”

4. And more new things: BB’s first baby tooth is poking through, she says, “Mamamamama” as she pats my chest with her dimpled hand AND she’s starting to crawl! So much to be grateful for this January, 2009.

5. So now? We celebrate.