How Do I Know What I Think Until I See What I Say?

At my current job, we don't go out for lunch much. That's because we have a decent cafeteria in the building, and also because people have a very traditional work ethic about getting their jobs done so they can leave early. (It was just the opposite at the law firm--since we were going to be there until 10 at night anyway, we went out to lunch almost every day. What was the point of working through lunch when you didn't get to leave early?) But I have the habit of taking a break around noon, so during lunch, I read writing blogs. Blogs of authors, blogs of agents, blogs of editors. It's interesting to see how different people did different things. And, on one for the blogs I read recently, the author (who shall remain nameless not because I'm trying to protect her, but because I can't find the link, so I don't actually remember her name) said that journalling is not writing. *gasp*! I know! Because most writing advice websites and books and instructors ...

David Foster Wallace found dead.

Dear Political Campaigns -- Since most of you are lawyers, or have lawyers (or SHOULD have lawyers), I didn't think this was going to be necessary, but apparently I was wrong, so let me just say this: You are not permitted to use other people's songs and music without their permission unless they are way dead. Like a hundred years dead. Beethoven dead. Yes, this means even if you really like the song, or even if it's totally your nickname (I'm looking at you Sarah "Barracuda" Palin). Because, you see, if they are still alive*, the people who wrote the songs and the people who sing the songs are supposed to get paid when you play them. Also, in case you didn't realize this, musicians and song writers are artists, and a lot of the time artists get a little...pissy when you try to use their stuff to promote things they don't necessarily like. Like, for example: 1. trickle down economics (see, e.g., Bruce Springsteen's objections to Ronald Reagan...

Just a couple of things I've been thinking about while watching television this afternoon: 1. Considering the company's not-so-distant history, is it really wise for Volkswagen to use a VW bug with a German accent as a spokescar? Really? 2. Why does Dell want us to think that the main use of its digital photo tool on its computers is to photoshop out your ex-girlfriend? As a woman, am I supposed to assume that guys who have Dells are all jackholes who can't commit? 'Cause I didn't before, but now I sort of do. 3. Amy Adams' performance in Junebug? Stellar. I loved her in Enchanted (no, really --that's a cute movie!), but I hadn't seen Junebug until today and it's good, but she's Really Good in it. 4. The Bridge is the most haunting and the most beautiful documentary I have ever seen. 5. My dog is the Cutest Dog Ever. 6. I wish I had a bike. I tried to walk to the library the other day and I actually got there, but it was Really Far. ...

I'm a lawyer at a company that employs a LOT of creative people, so it was no surprise to me that one of our employees writes novels. He writes "adult" novels (by which I means, books for adults, not dirty books), and he's got an agent and had a couple published, and gotten some good reviews, and rumor has it that they made a movie of one of his books a while back, although I can neither confirm or deny that rumor. And, according to friends of friends, he's unhappy. He doesn't like the way his writing career is going. He was hoping for more. I don't know what more, because that's not something that you can really ask someone, like--"hey, so describe the ways in which you're unhappy with your writing career"--but I imagine it's the typical writer stuff: fame, fortune, the respect of people of letters. But it's funny, because, um...he HAS the things I dream about. An agent. More than one book published. Books you can buy in, ...

about ( this ), but I think my opinion can be summed up thusly: dude, what were you thinking ? ::shakes head::

I'm listening to This American Life (I told you I'm not only fourteen years old!), and it's a rerun about breakups. One of the regular contributors, while going through a major breakup, decides to write a breakup song, despite the fact that she has no musical talent or song writing experience, and, as a part of this project, gets in touch with PHIL COLLINS for his advice, which he provides (and turns out to be really cool, actually). I'm sorry, but this is the most awesome breakup story in history, better even than my last major breakup, in which my boyfriend moved out of my house without telling me while I was home visiting my mother ON MY BIRTHDAY (true story!). And I just have to say that, the next time I have a major breakup, I am totally writing a breakup song (despite the fact that I have no musical talent or song writing experience) and recording it. And becoming an international pop star just like Phil Collins.