iPod Essentials #47: "Thunder Road"--Bruce Springsteen

Tim Russert loved Bruce Springsteen. Yesterday viewers of MEET THE PRESS saw a heartfelt tribute to Mr. Russert as only The Boss could sing it. "Thunder Road," along with the other songs on BORN TO RUN, talk of desperation and strength amid a working-class existance.

Hopefully, wherever Tim Russert is now he's on another kind of road, one that is peaceful.

Big Tim & Me

Like so many other Americans, I was shocked and saddened to learn of the sudden passing of Tim Russert, the astute and congenial host of MEET THE PRESS. I used to watch this show every Sunday morning. While I read my Sunday edition of the LOS ANGELES TIMES, I would listen to him ask intelligent questions to politicians and political figures.

What I admired most about Mr. Russert is that he would not take politicians' attempts to talk around answers or to evade questions. He appreciated directness. Unfortunately, few political journalists have the courage to ask questions. Mr. Russert never sought to placate his audience or his guests, the way true journalists should.

My Sunday mornings will never be the same.

iPod Essentials #46: "A Beautiful Morning"--The Rascals

This song has such a sleepy, lazy day feel to it, especially when you are off for a week, like I am right now. It encourages the listeners to go outside and live and pay attention to surroundings. We sure don't do that enough, do we? We're too busy. Lazy days--we don't have enough of them.

Editing

These are a few tips on editing your work. I'm finding that too many students and authors don't pay enough attention to this valuable process. Often, they also can't be bothered to proofread, either.

1. Every word you write must account for something in each sentence. Don't use fillers, like "you know" or "due to the fact that."

2. Choose your words carefully. There's a big difference between "John walks," "John strides," and "John meanders."

3. Commas--the most misunderstood punctuation mark. Do not use them like periods--to end sentences. That is not their job. Their job is to indicate a temporary pause to the reader so that the reader can catch a mental breath before continuing to read.

4. If you don't have one, invest in a good grammar handbook. My fave is Lynn Aaron's LB BRIEF. It's affordable and concise.

Keep writing, but please take the time to edit and proofread your work.

iPod Essentials #45: "Heat of the Moment"--Asia

A classic pop-rock tune about a bad relationship (Aren't most of them?) based on physical attraction "that rose from circumstance." Looks alone could not keep this couple together.



Asia was a spin-off of Yes and ELP. They had a few hits of pleasurable pop-rock

Heat

I like the summer, but I hate the heat. I feel like doing nothing but staying indoors and either reading a book or watching a DVD. Heat might be nature's way of making us relax and take it easy. Every year we get busier and busier. I have stacks of books and DVD's that need reading and watching, but the stacks don't get smaller until the temps go well into the 90's. Drink and lemonade and read a book today.

iPod Essentials #44: "The Way I Want to Touch You"--The Captain & Tennille

Okay, it's cheesy and 70's. But since my birthday was Thusday, May 8, along with singer Toni Tennille, this seems like a logical selection. This was their best song, simple.

When I was in the sixth grade, I idolized Ms. Tennille, even down to the haircut...Scary!

Line Editing (It Feels Good to be Home)

After preparing for a fruitless full-time interview, I have come home to line edit my latest manuscript. I needed to take some time off from working on my latest; I needed to review my work with fresh eyes. I've realized how much I've missed being a writer and visiting with my characters.

So I didn't get the full-time teaching gig I wanted. That's okay. I still have my writing.

iPod Essentials #43: "Venus"--The Shocking Blue

Let's go way back to 1970. This was one of the first singles I received as a kid. I played it for hours on my small phonograph in my bedroom, bouncing up and down on my bed until one of my parents reprimanded me.

Years later, this song still has passion and a strong beat. Even though I like Bananarama, I can't stand their cover of it. The synthesizers and girly harmonies dilute the "woman power" theme.

Taking Pictures

As I progress in my photography skills, the more I am valuing the relaxing quality of taking pictures. I usually take a small camera (a Canon Powershot S60) on hikes with me since you will never know what you might encounter (a female mule deer last Saturday). My main camera is a Rebel XTI.

The more pictures I take, the better artist I am becoming. I can now take pictures of my dogs without their looking like blobs. I know not to dead center most of my subjects. In five years, I would like to go pro. Until then, I highly recommend the online photography classes at http://www.betterphoto.com/. You will get your money's worth!

Rosetta Stone

To enhance my opportunities for better-paying teaching jobs, I am working on studying my Spanish with the Rosetta Stone series of DVDs. Also, when I travel abroad, I like to speak the language at hand. It's only polite and respectful of the country's culture. These Rosetta Stone products certainly simplify the process of learning a new foreign language, even though I come to Spanish with four years of high school study and one year of college study.

I was going to minor in Spanish at CSUN until I had a Cuban instructor for my Spanish 204 class. I couldn't understand her. She made simple verb tenses complicated. After that semester, with my first C in Spanish, I decided not to minor in the subject. Foolish mistake. Learning language is good for the mind, soul, and job.

iPod Essentials #42: "I Scare Myself"--Thomas Dolby

An often unplayed song on the radio. I had never heard it until I was listening to Fred on XM. I couldn't believe it was Thomas Dolby. (I'm not fond of "She Blinded Me With Science.")

Yes, the lyrics are simplistic, but its music is soft and gorgeous, almost like the piano bar during cocktail hour. If only love were so simple...

The Price of our Craft

Being a professional writer is very expensive. Most authors get no financial support to promote their books, so they must do it on their own.

Right now I'm staring at my fourth-draft, completed manuscript of my newest mystery. I would really like some feedback from my editor in San Diego, but unfortunately, it's $1,600. I can't afford that, not with taxes, health insurance, car insurance, and my upcoming trip to Peru in July.

The craft you love versus financial necessitites--the choice is too painful sometimes. I will get my manuscript to my editor...sometime this year.

iPod Essentials #41: "Photograph"--Def Lepard

Ahhhh, the year of 1983. I was in college, staying busy with classes, dreaming of a relaxing summer and a good tan, and along came this song.

It's commerical rock at it's best. This song is so catchy, you will find yourself thinking about it long after you hear in on the radio.

And while you're at the beach, working on that tan.

iPod Essentials #40: "Magic Man"--Heart

The title of this song is my nickname for my eleven-year-old husky, Magic. It fits him. In his early years, Magic was a handful (well, he still can be one at times). Even so, Magic can magically sense my moods and is a very loyal dog. Every night he sits next to me on the couch. I would be very lonely without him and Georgy, my other dog.

Next time I blog, I will discuss my dogs in more depth and even provide a picture.

iPod Essentials #39: "Magic Man"--Heart

The song title is my nickname for my dog Magic. He's an eleven-year-old Siberian Husky. He's actually eleven going on three. He has so much energy, except on those days when his arthritis bothers him.

Even though he was a rescue dog and didn't know me during his puppyhood, he magically senses my feelings. When I'm sad, he is right there to comfort me. When I'm happy, he wants to play and play.

A magic man, he is.

iPod Essentials #38: "Georgy Girl"--The New Seekers

I was thrilled when iTunes finally released this song. It's the theme song to one of my favorites movies, Georgy Girl. It's also the name of my five-year-old Siberian husky. When I adopted her last year, the rescue facility had named her Peanut, of all things. I looked at her, and the line, "There's another Georgy down deep inside" kept running through my mind.

Sure enough, Georgy has proven herself to be a great dog, though she has a couple of odd quirks about toys. She's so happy and strong. Not a Peanut.

This song is inspirational and tells the story of the film in two minutes.

Resolutions

Shame on me. It's been over a month since my last posting. English teachers don't have lives during their semesters due to papers, papers, exams, more papers, and final grades.

In 2008, I resolve to find a small publisher or a literary agent for my latest Quinn manuscript, which is floating around in Agentspace. I will complete and market my newest manscript (almost done). I will find a better-paying B Job. Part-time community college teaching is just not working out anymore since life in So Cal is now too damn expensive, and this country is heading toward a recession.

On the personal front, I will reach my goal weight with Weight Watchers. (The program does work as long as you track your points.) I will stay healthy and strong with exercise and stress reduction. I will go to Peru for ten days in July. (My passport and I haven't been out of the country in two years!) Despite life's challenges, I will try to remain positive.

Oh, yeah, I also resolve to blog more frequently.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

iPod Essentials #37: "Love Comes Quickly"--Pet Shop Boys

Ahhh, every time I hear this selection I picture myself in my bedroom thinking about my senior year in college and the guy I couldn't have. A moody but hopeful song, the lyrics and synthesizer gelled in a way that I remained hopeful that one day I could change his mind about me. It never happened. I wonder what he's doing now.

What's Wrong With GENERAL HOSPITAL

Sigh...I have watched GH since its glory days in the 80's. GH had it all: great acting, exciting stories, mystery and intrigue, and hot romances.

But this week...I'm not sure if I will be tuning in much longer.

I'm beginning to believe that the suits on the show and its writers hate women. This "Spook Island" storyline, with Nicolas's uncontrollable mental state and the umpteenth mob war, is ridiculous. The death of Emily Quartermaine, Nicolas's beloved, was horrific, even for daytime standards. (Hey, I write mysteries, so I'm no stranger to bloodshed or corpses.) You heard Emily being strangled, and it was graphic. I'm having trouble shaking it.

Why are ratings down? First, get Sonny and Jason out of the mob business. Give women characters lives other than pining for men they can't be with (i.e. Jason and Elizabeth). Bring back the romance and adventure. Bring back the veterans (like Genie Francis), and get rid of the NIGHT SHIFT crew. Writers should be required to study videotapes of the 1980-1990 period and learn how to tell a story.