Los Angeles

It’s raining in LA.

This is good – it keeps me focused and working.

I came up for a brief gulp of air on Saturday when the sun finally came out – you can read about that bright, shiny morning later this week over at Wasa (where I’m still blogging, even as I’m buried in archives at the library).

Speaking of bright shiny mornings, I’m so excited for this book that’s coming out in 2008

And I'm looking forward to this one too . . .

Also I’ve been reading Trish’s blog for awhile and her book (I couldn't get the picture to upload) is being released in April (go Trish!).

Taking Shelter

It's a clear day in Washington DC. Cold. The plane lifts off the ground; it's an old Alaskan Airlines craft, no TV, but lots of leg room. Two windows by my side. I keep the shades open so the sunlight spills all over me.

5 hours and 18 minutes and I'll be in Los Angeles, the city I lived in for ten years.

"Are you coming home or flying in for a visit?" the stewardess wants to know.

Her question stirs up thoughts that have consumed me since my husband and I moved away almost 18 months ago. Will we ever come back? When? How?

I don't know when. Or how. Who knows what the circumstances will be that'll allow us to return to the west, but I've made a peace with not knowing. So I look to the stewardess and smile.

"Both," I say.

~ ~ ~

I'm taking shelter for awhile, trying to finish a writing project I started out here a couple years ago as well as keep up with some additional articles and assignments. I'll see ya when I emerge . . .

Personal Essay Markets Part II

Part II of my Mediabistro.com article highlighting personal essay markets is online today with more fun outlets (Plenty, Psychology Today, Saveur, Women's Health, etc.) details, and insider tips from editors. And there are many more that I didn't have the chance to cover (like WorldHum.com's "Dispatches"). Hmm . . . I'm thinking Part III?

Sunshine

“Think!” I beg my mom.

I know if she digs around in her brain deep enough she'll come up with an excellent suggestion. A book she read a long time ago that I won’t come across in the bookstore or library because it’s out of print.

A moving book.

“Something you read when I was kid that really stuck with you,” I push.

It has to be based on a true story. Like when she recommended Eric by Doris Lund.

“Oh, I can’t remember. Sunshine,” she finally says.

Sunshine!

I Google it, Ebay it, and Amazon.com it until I finally figure out which book she’s talking about (available for $0.01 and up).

Arrived in the mail today. I read the first line (“It’s funny how you can tell when people are lying to you.”). Closed the book. There’s work to do first (writing, editing, deadlines, etc.), and I can tell if I start it, I won’t sleep, eat, or pee until I finish.

Thanks, mom!

Not So Bad

One of my favorite forms of writing is the personal essay, and I had a blast putting together two articles that highlight 30 different personal essay markets. Part I is running on mediabistro.com today. Check back next Tuesday for Part II.

And now onto other stuff…how about an update on the pregnancy/baby front: Can you say hysterosalpingogram? I can’t, which is why it’s usually called the HSG test. Had one Friday. Wasn’t pleasant. Let’s just say it involved tubes, clamps, and toxic dye and leave it at that. The purpose of the test is to see if your fallopian tubes are open or if they’re blocked by scar tissue.

Earlier in the week, I was reading Jill Smolowe’s book An Empty Lap. She had an HSG test and described it as the worst abdominal pain she’s ever felt. GREAAAT. So glad I read that two days before my appointment. On the exam table I was going into hyper-spaz mode, especially when the nurse said, “This is the part that hurts.” At one point the radiologist, the nurse, and my husband were all holding me down. Ron and I looked at each other and we had the exact same thought, although we didn’t share it with each other until later: Maybe we’re not supposed to have kids. I mean, if this is what I’m acting like for an HSG test can you imagine what a mess I’ll be during labor?

But I think I’ll be okay. And I have to admit the HSG test was over pretty quickly and wasn’t too bad. Also, the results were good. So keep up those prayers!

Taking a Stab at Acupuncture

'Member when I was too scared to try acupuncture?

But you all reassured me it would be okay?

Well, you can read about whether or not I survived in my latest article: Taking a Stab at Acupuncture.

Happy 2008!