Send in the clowns..er, 2010.

Winding down 2009, which has been a year of great transformation, challenges, some new opportunities, and new friendships. I've renewed my interest (read: obsession) with the work of Rod Serling, returned to my roots in sci fi writing, and forged a new partnership with my husband. It has also held the deepest sorrow I could ever have imagined, with a Momazoo-shaped hole in my life. One thing is for certain; I am ready to say good-bye to 2009, but I choose to usher it out with a smile and a hearty "thank you" for the many and myriad opportunities to practice Dharma.

I welcome 2010, the first year of the second decade of the 21st century, with a child-like enthusiasm, a feeling of humble dedication towards making the most out of every opportunity that comes my way. In that spirit, I'm doing away with lists of intentions or resolutions. There is only this one: To celebrate and make the most of every moment of this precious human birth. No wasted time, no wasted opportunities, no matter how small. Every moment to be lived with intention, no matter what the intention, rather than passively letting time and life flow past. This means making choices in all things, from what script to develop, to what to wear to work, to how I eat, to how much time is spent in front of the TV, to what time to get up in the morning, to meditating at my shrine, to what ways I can make City on the Edge of Forever work for me, instead of allowing myself to be depressed and defeated by it.

I wish everyone a healthy new year with plenty of opportunity and intentions of your own. Thank you for reading my burblings on Fred In The Can. Be safe tonight, all you partiers.

Went a little crazy with the post-Christmas consumption of commercial goods, but nothing I purchased today is wasteful. A new valise to carry around my work and not look like a grad student. A new power cord to the ole' MacBook Pro so that I can have dual work stations at home (and incidentally, so I can work here in Cleveland even though I left the power cord at home). A car charger for my iPod (at Marshals for $8!). Two games at 40% and 50% off - Hang Four (a surfing doggeh card game) and The Big Kahuna (Tiki guys galore). A wipey cloth for my laptop. Bizarro bought me a pair of earrings on clearance for belly dancing (they're rather big and flashy, not for work). I also treated myself to a quickie manicure (at a cheap price) - lavender, of course.

Best of all, we had a few minutes by the lake in the mid-afternoon sunshine. Photos soon to come. The best part of the day was free!

I've done well with the level of food intake; my healthy, filling breakfast of yogurt and oatmeal is leaving me full until 1 or 2 in the afternoon, and I've been eating a sammich and one side dish for lunch. Dinner is whatever Mom and Dad Bizarro make, but as with tonight's dinner of (fried) lumpia, I only had a few, and instead had two bowls of soup and a largeish salad. And only a few spoonfuls of rice. As long as they see me eating a little of everything, they leave me alone. Hee. Of course, I've had more than my fair share of Christmas cookies, but still within normal range.

And now the exciting stuff: I've been "hired" to proof read for a small press that is publishing original novels of Space: 1999. I've been email pals with one of the writers, who eventually took over the role of editor when the actual editor had to manage some personal crises that prevented him from doing the work of publishing books that had already been written. At this point we're gonna get all the books out in 2010 that were supposed to have come out earlier this year. I say "hired" in quotation marks because although he's cut me in on this, I won't see money for awhile. However, I will see money, and let's face it, I can put this on my C.V. That alone is worth the time I'm taking.

Now, I've also been working with the writer-cum-editor on some ideas for a TV pilot pitch. That's right - if Battlestar Galactica with their disco capes and King Tut-style space helmets can be reimagined - and hell, if Star Trek can be messed with - then Space: 1999 needs a jolt of its own. At present I don't know if I want to go the route of alt history or create a different title set another 1000 years in the future. It's a primordial work in progress at the moment, but it's very exciting, especially with my writing retreat coming up.

And so, 2009 is winding down with some great possibilities lined up in 2010. New job as a permanent writing tutor, new manager interested in my scripts, new side job as a proof reader, and many new ideas ready to break out into the world. Made a couple new friends this year, and I'm looking forward to nurturing those relationships in the new year, as well. 2010 feels like it's going to be a great year!

Right now, though, it's time to catch the Doctor Who Christmas Special on BBC America! Time to say good bye to David Tennant. He's my personal iconic Doctor, and always will be.

Christmas Time Is Near

This was my very first record as a child. The next one was, I believe, the soundtrack to Star Wars.

I rather identify with Alvin, especially "Let's do it again! Whaddya mean, 'over do it'?"

Tomorrow we drive to Cleveland, so yesterday and today have been filled with preparations, shopping, house cleaning (cause I despise coming home to a dirty apartment) and an attempt at detoxing before the onslaught of greasy meat, fried everything, and sugar bombs. I am going to eat small portions and avoid rice, and we're bringing our favorite Brown Cow chocolate yogurt and oatmeal. At least I can have a decent breakfast (although Bizarro will eat every scrap of the fried eggs, bacon, sausage and rice that his dad fixes for breakfast EVERY DAY). If this week-long trip doesn't give him a blocked artery, it'll be a miracle.

Then of course on the way back to New York next week, we're stopping over at our beloved Splash Lagoon. I had to pick up a pair of flip flops for the occasion, since I did away with all mine after I was told that they were hurting my ankles (after spraining them both last year). The Splash Lagoon and hotel pool will get me started on a good exercise program for the winter. I plan on using the pool where I work this break.

Soon I'll be posting my Best/Worst of 2009 (that'll be a doozey) and my Bliss List for 2010, so keep an eye out.

Meantime, I'm sending warm Christmas and New Year wishes. Yesterday was Yule, so from now on the days will get a little longer, the nights a little shorter. Here's to the coming of the Sun!

Happy 2009

Well here we are in 2009. Only 3 more years until the Mayan calendar ends and we are all doomed. So tonight I'm gonna party like it's 1999... (yeah, remember the LAST time the world was supposed to end nine years ago?)

We're enjoying our time in Cleveland, bolstered by the fact that Mom is doing so much better, so I can turn off the long-range Elsie censors and allow myself to stand down and relax. Bizarro is enjoying his new tiny-ass computer, and I am still feeling quite overjoyed from our 2 days at Splash Lagoon. What a marvelous invention. We decided from now on whenever we come to Cleveland, we'll build an overnight in Erie for Splash Lagoon. We were both like 10 years olds in that place - SO much fun. I can't remember the last time I had that much fun, in a juvenile, elemental kind of way.

Okay, so as promised, the lists of '08 - '09:

The review of '08: Accomplished some goals: taught more screenwriting and ESL, started some new writing projects and moved forward on a couple standing ones. Didn't get to enter a lot of competitions (only a couple) or get an agent. Rediscovered my power element - Water. Discovered wind surfing in my town and entered an obsession with surfing in general. I made some new friends in '08, though not close yet. Started a Yoga class, but stopped when Mom's situation got so bad that I was at the hospital/nursing home every night. Though Mom's health usurped the last 2 months of the year, she finished out the year feeling better and in much lighter spirits, which means my world has achieved some sense of normalcy as well.

Nine intentions for '09:
1. Continue building my teaching career.
2. Continue building my writing career: finish the two older works, enter them in competition, write a TV pilot, form a writing group (already in the making).
3. Create new bonds of friendship with folks from the windsurfing club.
4. Save a bunch of money and start up the first time home owners club.
5. Be strong yet flexible in everything I do.
6. Build my mind-body with fun exercise and regular meditation.
7. Spend as much time as possible by the beach - both at home and Nantasket.
8. Continue creating a healthy relationship with Bizarro.
9. Take better care of myself, in general.