A Week of Observations: P5

I hope your Thanksgiving was fantastic. My husband and I managed to travel to Ohio to see my grandmother, to Michigan (for the OSU v Michigan game), to Windsor, and back in four days. Here are a few observations from the week:

• Canada is cold in late November.
• It's not a good idea to open an umbrella in a casino, even if you're just walking through.
• If someone aggressively sells you an umbrella, it will probably do this: 
  
• Due to the fact that my husband ran into them in Japan, and we ran into them in Toledo, Ohio, I'm thinking there's a 20% chance that you will run into Exodus in any given hotel restaurant.
• At any given Thanksgiving celebration, the stuffing should be positioned at least two places down (beyond arm's length) from me.
• There is nothing like connecting with family, even if for a short time.
• Ohio in late November is cold.
• Being the opposing team fans at a big college football game may get you flicked off by an eight-year-old. 
• Airbnb can be fantastic, as can shepherd's pie.
• In November, Michigan is cold.
• Anyone who goes to Ann Arbor should try Zingerman's sourdough. 
• The year moves fast.
• A real vacation means blocking email, and a real vacation is nothing short of bliss.
• There's never enough time with family.  
• Vacations do not always equal sleep.

Prompt: Go to a competitive sports event you wouldn't ordinarily attend and sit on the opposing side (no home games). The conversations get interesting and are often quite fun. If you can't make it to an event, try to think worst case scenario and write a short story. Twenty minutes. Go!  

Happy Holidays!! 

Off and on

Ever had one of those days (weeks) when you just feel off? That's me. For instance, I'm chewing a piece of 5 gum right now, a gum brand I usually find satisfying, and for some reason it tastes like paint thinner. I thought I was getting sick but ended up just feeling kind of weak and achy for a few days, so I guess I fought it off. I made many small, avoidable errors at work and in life (oops, forgot my keys; oops, didn't mean to send that email yet; oops, did I just upload the wrong file again?). I was beginning to think that I was subconsciously self-destructing. But really, I think it's just one of those weeks. 

I just spit out that gum, and I kind of want another piece. But I'll throw the pack away. Okay, so talking about my ineptitude at life this past week is boring, so on to other things. I read a horrible review of some of my older work, which I know shouldn't but kind of affected me. I did not win the Black River Chapbook competition, but I am still honored to be a finalist; I look forward to reading the winner's book.

Along with my meh and out-of-it news, I have good news! Lots of it.

Writing: I got a piece I really love accepted to JMWW, which is one of my favorite journals to read online. I revised one of the strangest pieces I've ever written. I think it's ready to submit, but I have no idea where it would fit. And see the two new pubs this week.

Reading: My reading life is good because a copy of Hobart 14 arrived in the mail, so I've been devouring that. Also, I received a book from Claire Ibarra, Dreams of Duality, which I won (don't usually win stuff). I look forward to reading it next.

Personal: I went to the dentist and though he did try to sell me a toothbrush, he said I was doing good... no cavities and gums are okay. I bought not one, but two new pillows. I got a $14 haircut that ended up great, better than the $30 one I got a year ago.

And the absolutely best news imaginable: My sister, who has been looking for full-time work for almost five years, got a job! A good job with benefits! At OSU! I couldn't be happier for her. Go Bucks!!!

Two new publications this week: 

Thumbnail 4 in Print 

And Istanbul Review: THE SCREEN OF LITERATURE   

Available this week... In the meantime, check out their website by clicking on the picture. It's amazing, the art they sample that is featured in this issue. I was blown away and can't wait to see the print version.

Off to write... hope you all have an on week.