Off the Bookshelf

It's about time for me to stop what I'm reading and actually talk about it. :)

For this edition, I'm going back to one of the presents I bought myself for my birthday back in May: Obsidian by Jennifer Armentrout (next time I'll cover the other book).

To start with: As an enjoyer of the YA genre, I have grown a bit tired of the vampire/werewolf storylines. That's not to say I won't read them, but a unique perspective is hard to come by--especially a well-written one. So, needless to say, it usually goes in the 'No' bin automatically.

So, in the interest of seeking out something new, I came across Obsidian, a fun little book involving aliens. 

Aliens.

To say I was excited would have been an understatement as I had been somewhat of a fan of Roswell back in the day. Annoyingly, I had to order it online and boy did the weeks go by slow. Thank goodness it was only two or I would've taken to hurting someone.

The book is about a girl named Katy who moves to a small town in West Virginia and befriends her neighbor, Dee. Unfortunately for Katy, Dee's twin brother, Daemon, does not approve and chooses to voice his displeasure many times over. It doesn't take Katy long to figure out that Dee and Daemon are different, she just doesn't quite put a finger on it until there's no way the two can keep from telling her. She and Daemon have a love-hate relationship; the only thing that keeps her from killing him are the moments alone where he is actually pretty nice. Once inside their secretive world, she gets a taste of the baddies that hunt their kind and--as happens--becomes tangled in a battle for their lives.

I will say the banter in the story was quite spot on and equally hilarious. I caught myself laughing out loud more times than I care to admit. I have a hunch the dialogue is where you get to actually see this author's fun personality. I say that having read a few books by her now and checked that as a similarity. Make no mistake, I'm jealous. I wish I was that funny. :)

Even though the book is told from Katy's POV, I got a nice grouping of pages at the end that picked out a handful of scenes from the book and put them in Daemon's POV. On top of that, Jennifer has her own website where she gives 'Extra' scenes to the fans and additional scenes from different POVs. SOOOOOO AWESOME!!! (More authors should DO THIS!)

On another note, we learn part of Daemon's irritable nature is due to the circumstances surrounding his brother's death (they were actually triplets: Dee, Daemon, and Dawson). A novella is also available that gives the reader insight into that: Shadows.

So, now you know a little about the first series I read by one of my new favorite authors.


Until next week, HAPPY READING! :)


*Kayla*

Happy Birthday, Fezzik!

A little over two months ago, Love and I celebrated the one year birthday of our Great Dane pupster, Fezzik.

Over a year ago, I still didn't know about him. He was a complete surprise for my birthday and was too busy chewing on his brothers and sisters to care about us yet. He was rambunctous and wily, getting into everything and anything he could. The only shy part of his personality came through when we came to claim him. He rode the whole way home from Waxahachie in my lap.

Months later, he'd adjusted to the home, taking our Boston Keeley under his paw as Little-Big Sister Extraordinaire. Since, they've become like two peas in a pod, one not wanting to be away from the other.

(Aside: When he decided to escape from his crate and incinerate some of our books with his teeth a while ago, I'm sure she was only that much sadder that she couldn't join in.)

He learned quickly what Love had intended him for, barking and showing his teeth to the endless stream of strangers that seem to walk along our street from one place to the next. On walks, he tried his best to stay between me and the road--although sometimes Keeley doesn't always let him stay in her own spot so they swap. :)                                                                                 Back then, he liked to sit under my feet while I typed out my novel at our kitchen table (as shown here -->). He didn't like the crate, but loved the chewy toys that came with it. And, he most definitely didn't like us leaving or Love being out of eyesight.   

 Now, Fezzman is a big boy well over 100 pounds. He's happy and slobbers and likes to stay outside on warm days as long as he can, chewing on sticks and wrestling with his Sister. He can be a picky eater, but only because he knows Love throws the occasional potato chip his way. He sleeps in an ever-refigured crate made out of cattle panel, on a horse mat next to Keeley's puny crate.

He LOVES walks and people and riding in cars and toys and food and generally anything we do that just might include him. (And, he pretty much feels EVERYTHING should include him.)

For his birthday, I made two cute little cakes for him and Keeley and bought a candle to go on top. The recipe didn't call for any icing, but I went ahead and slathered the top with PEANUT BUTTER as an added incentive for him. He pretty much ingested it in under a minute, to my happiness. :)

Before food, we played with BUBBLES! that I bought for them. Fun was had both inside and outside of the house.

All in all, it was a good day at home full of fun and laziness. He may not really care or have any expectations for next year, but it's a day Love and I will cherish forever.

*Kayla*

This will probably be sad...

Today, I wanted to take a moment before a much needed nap to talk about the past week of my life.


A week ago, I had no idea I would be writing this and--honestly--I would've preferred not to. But, here we are.


The last time I spoke with Hank (a partner at the Firm), my main goal was to check to make sure I knew specifically how long he'd be gone. You know, in case anyone asked. He smiled, said "10 days", and proceeded to exit the office. Garner (another attorney) mentioned his impending surgery, to which we all laughed. We had, after all, been making light of his hip replacement surgery since we first learned he had finally said "yes" to it, weeks ago. 


Comments on "walkers" and "hoverounds" and the like, ensued, until the elevator came for the big guy and took him on his way. Smiling, as he always did.


Yesterday, some family friends brought me the leather file zipper folder he happened to have taken with him. Because nothing speeds recovery like working on cases.


And, I cried.


Because, it smelled like him and reminded me he would never be back. A blood clot had taken him sooner than any of us were comfortable with.


I heard his voice all day Wednesday, after I was told of the horrible news. I remembered phone calls we had, the way he said "Kayla" that always brought a laugh, the jokes we exchanged with clients, and the candy in his office that I would occasionally steal. I remembered how exactly a week had gone by since I had called him out of his office to our Firm birthday party because he was "my lead birthday singer". 


Like those birthdays he'd noticeably missed in the past, our Firm isn't the same without his presence.


Many of us have had small moments of forgetfulness since Tuesday evening when our Friend was taken so suddenly: making our way to his office for a chat, taking a cold call and wondering if he'd take it, working on projects that we know he'd have the answer to.


All of it means that we, as a family, take small moments aside in corners or by conference rooms, out of eyesight of anyone. We let the pain and emptiness of his exit wash over us for the precious seconds we have and then move on and try to do something else that distracts the mind.


The thing is, I've only been at the Firm for three years. So, imagine the suffering of those who've been beside him the entire forty-three years he was there. 


Watching the other partners in their silent, busy states breaks my heart more than anything. The quiet resolve, the half-smiles, the pats on the back: it all speaks of the hurt.


This morning, we said goodbye. I sat in the back with Love, tearing more than I wanted and expected, moreso because half of the front row of pews contained the attorneys I see more than my own family. They were the pallbearers of the man who was every bit of the Heart of the Firm. I watched them in their calm, reflective ways, only one head bowed. 


And, I couldn't help but think: "They shouldn't have to be doing this."


I've lost my share of family and friends, but this one ranked up there with my Great-Grandmother's just a year and a half ago.


My Great-Grandmother was one of the sweetest people you would EVER meet. She never said a cross word about anyone, even those who most deserved to hear her thoughts. Thing is, I'm not sure she was even capable of that kind of human sin. She was pure and independent and strong. She was my closest tie to my Grandfather, her son, and I relished in her stories because I knew nothing of the Man I Loved the Most.


When she passed away, no one got up to speak save the leader of the service and one other relative. But, it wasn't because there wasn't anything to be said. It was because we were all so heartbroken that it was hard to really talk.


Hank is up there with my Great-Grandma. They were two of the best people I had ever known. Honest, reliable, loyal, and devoted to others when they didn't have to be. They were better humans than any of us.


As I miss her, I will always miss Hank. He's gone now and there's no going back to last week. Life moves on and we all learn cope and figure out a life without the ones we miss. 


And, I can't be mad at God for taking him. If I were him, I'd take all the good ones, too.






*Kayla*

Fun and Unfun

For anyone who wondered: I have enough songs in my phone to last me the full eight hours that I am at work on any given Monday through Friday.

That's gotta get me cool points somewhere, right? ;)

It's been a while since I've posted, mainly because there have been so many goings on that I forgot! HA!

But, today, you're in luck because I have some fun and not-so-fun things to share.

On with the not-so-fun, first:
I've been working hard on my novel--making changes here and there--and the road is exactly how I thought it would be: unfinished.

I keep coming up with these cool new ideas or ways that I can say things differently than before and, boy howdy, it's bogged down the progress. Which is the saddest thing I think I've written to-date.

And, that's exactly what happened to the last batch of stories that I put together.

So, I'm nothing if not consistent. :)

On top of the novel, I've been working on my first screenplay--which has also taken a step back because I've been mindlessly doodling on my Noir Novella.

Could I be putting my writer's brain into more projects???

The good thing is that Love is in the same boat--juggling multiple projects with school--except he gets his done! Which is why I'm more envious of him that I'll ever admit...to his face! :)

On with the fun:
Saturday was the BEST night for some fun down at our haunt, Legacy. Love and I pretty much spent the day waiting for Beautiful Disturbance's CD release party. :D

We sat with friends, listened to some good tunes, and tried our best not to spend too much money on the merch! Pictures were taken and the laughter was loud and at the end of the night, I felt like the luckiest girl in the world to know such amazing people.

Plus, there was pizza! :) Nom. Nom!

Another fun thing:
Earlier this week, I got to talk to my little niece on the phone. She had taken a nasty fall on Easter and Mom and Sister were worried her little knee was broken. (She's fine.)

She's all of four, but she's so distracted when she talks that it's hard to really have a full conversation with her. But, it's cute and you do get some kind of answers (just not the ones you wanted).

She also set a record for how quickly she asked to talk to Love: 5 seconds. I'm officially not the favorite anymore, which is fine. There's two more to go around and, honestly, it makes me happy to know the kiddos like him so much.

From day one I've felt like Love filled the hole I didn't know was there in my life with my family. As cheesy as that sounds, it's the truth. And, any time the little ones want to talk to him or hang out with him, I feel like all is right with my world. 

I'm blessed.

*Kayla*

Your Moment of Bohemia

As part of my gig with Bohemia--the literary journal I am fortunate enough to staff on--I will be writing a weekly blog assignment here catered to our fans/friends/bohemian followers. The rest of the staff are poised to write, as well, so feel free to visit http://bohojo.wordpress.com/ to check out my fellow staffers in all their glory!

For me: sometimes I will write on certain topics and other times, I'll post some fiction I've been working on so keep checking back weekly for that! :)

******************************************************************

Peeling myself away from March Madness has been a daunting task. Of course, being the one to break up the sour party amid the Texas loss so a conference room could ACTUALLY be used for work was not so much fun either.

But, as the saying goes: Life moves on.

:)

This week, I've been working hard on both the narrative for my Noir screenplay and a brief overlook on my novel (before sending it out to the next agent on my list). In doing these things around my work, I really haven't actively written anything for my Bohemia Day.

However, I do have something on my mind and, though it might get a tad "ranty", I'd like to be indulged for a few minutes while I try to figure myself out. :)


Last weekend, I happened to have an interesting altercation while out with the puppies. Fezz-man is getting big (as all Danes do) so most people don't bother me, but this one gentleman actually seemed to be up to no good. And, there I stood with two barking dogs who really wanted to take a bite out of crime. Said no-gooder took a step towards me and, deciding I wasn't worth it, moved on after barking back at my dog.

Two days later, as I'm relaying this story to a neighbor, I find out that she doesn't go out late at night with her dogs because she had nearly been kidnapped as a kiddo--twice.

I, motivated by her honesty, told her I had my own near-abduction story.

I've never polled those I talk to daily on their own experience with kidnapping but the comment left me wondering how many people have experienced that during their childhood. I found no statistics on the subject--I assume because near misses aren't reported. I know mine wasn't. So, even if there was data, it wouldn't be very accurate.

(Aside: I did read that about 2,000 kids are kidnapped every day.

Every. Day. Which is a number I just can't wrap my brain around. End of Aside)

Oddly enough, what intrigued me most about our conversation was the vast difference in our routines. While she doesn't take her dogs out past sundown unless she has to, makes sure she checks her surroundings, and performs all the cautionary actions of a normal adult, I step out carefree sans my glasses and assume anyone who comes by is just passing through. In fact, my only general reaction to someone is to take the dogs further onto their little plot of potty land to give me distance from said person. To really prove my stupidity further, I get an automatic guilt for even thinking the stranger could do something bad, telling myself that it's not nice for me to judge.

So, that's what has me thrown: two people who have similar not-so-good experiences in childhood but turn up with different reactions in adulthood. How does that happen? And, why am I not as guarded as she is? What is wrong with me?

My only guess is in the reactions in our personal stories. I didn't get her full account--which is fine--but I did surmise from her tone that it wasn't as throw-away as mine. Which, leads me to my answer. When I reflect back on my tale, I can see how clueless I was that day. In fact, it wasn't until years later that I realized how wrong I had taken that situation.

I've always been "trust first, ask questions later". And, that day, I did exactly that. I don't doubt that I would've gotten right into that car had my sister not been there to stop me. I was that trusting. Of a stranger.

And, despite my life experiences since then, nothing has changed. I've grown older, but that trusting little girl is still the first to give the benefit of a doubt. It really feels like I didn't learn my lesson. I'm that much of an idiot.

Maybe, on some other level, I also want to prove that I can take care of myself. I've always been the baby and I've pretty much always had someone by me to protect me against whatever threatened my Bambi self.

When I first started living on my own, I was so stoked and ready to prove that I could be on my own and handle anything. But, the problem is, instead of growing into a stronger, independent person, I've still kept my same, bonehead moves. While would-be troublemakers have gotten better and found me away from my big sister, I've completely overlooked what she was teaching me with her strong, defiant stance.

So, needless to say, it's time to get smarter...




*Kayla*

Time After Time

A couple days ago, I found--tucked away neatly in my SPAM folder--a shiny, new rejection email.

Of the glorious negatives that I've thus far received, this one hit a particular soft spot and reminded me: Be careful what you wish for.

Aside: Over the past weeks of searching for someone to buy my beloved first novel, I have acquired roughly four "No" emails (Is it sad that I have already lost count?). Each one--up until the last--felt like a generic, non-answer from some computer somewhere that never even read my entry. At one point, I even grumbled to Love at the uselessness of the replies. I wanted wholeheartedly for someone to not just say "We don't have time for you" but maybe "this specifically doesn't work" (and if they're feeling particularly nice maybe add "and here's why"). You know, make me believe that a human pair of eyes read the twenty requested pages!

I realize that any given agent's job is far too hectic to really give any discernible amount of critique to those not under their bill and that I'm writing to a higher level of the literary food chain, not my writing buddy a few states over. But--in my defense--if you think it's crap, tell me. I'd rather know right this moment that I have no possibility of getting my hole-punched manuscript into a publisher's hands than to trudge along for years and years, wasting time in the thought that someone, someday will tell me "Yes".

You might say that it's also not their job to know whether or not a story will see the light of day, but I say rubbish. That--in my pov--is a huge part of their job. I firmly believe that agents across the World receive piles of really bad crap every day; items that they read and just CRINGE at: A theory that leads me to believe that what I'm sitting on is at the very least a mediocore endeavor.

I should be encouraged that my letters don't say "You should probably look into a different career choice".

Maybe that's saying something. End of Aside.

To get back to my story--the newest "No, thank you" letter actually had some human wording to it with the agent saying that she wanted to get into the book (she read the prologue and chapter one), but it didn't happen. And, she said that with her packed schedule of authors, she couldn't devote the time to me to make it jump out at her.

This rejection has a somewhat different taste in my mouth. It's uplifting to the point that she at least thinks it has potential (otherwise I have no doubt she would've said so). It also tells me that my query writing is on track (i.e., even if the two chapters she read didn't quite fit the bill, the query at least intrigued her).

The downer is that it begs the response for me to muddle through and recheck the entire project, maybe construct an alternate opening. Although I'll do what needs to be done, I've been majorly procrastinating (partially because I got into another book in the Patterson series, partially because I've been busy with LIFE, and partially because I have other writing projects that are either more pressing or more interesting).

So, for now, I'll buckle down and spend the next week doing an overhaul of sorts to make sure it really is as pristine as I can make it. Because, even though I'd rather work on the fun sequel, there won't be one if I can't get the first one of the ground.

Sometimes the truth hurts.


*Kayla*

Your Moment of Bohemia

As part of my gig with Bohemia--the literary journal I am fortunate enough to staff on--I will be writing a weekly blog assignment here catered to our fans/friends/bohemian followers. The rest of the staff are poised to write, as well, so feel free to visit http://bohojo.wordpress.com/ to check out my fellow staffers in all their glory!

For me: sometimes I will write on certain topics and other times, I'll post some fiction I've been working on so keep checking back weekly for that! :)

******************************************************************

Whew! Just finished my round of articles for the upcoming issue and I can't wait for our annual proofing party to see just how high the bar has been set yet again. :) Seriously, our staff is awesome!

One of the perks of being able to work on such a great publication is the artists we meet out in the community. My first music interview was with Beautiful Disturbance. I was so nervous meeting them because I knew they had been travelling and had acquired a pretty good fan base, so I had my work cut out for me. I managed to get a tape recorded in about an hour and all the questions answered that I could possibly have. I worked for a few days shelling out the piece that made it to print and was even more ecstatic that they loved it as much as I did. When our release party rolled around, they played an acoustic show for us that totally made my night!

They, honestly, are some of my favorite people. So nice and down to Earth and just humble in how insanely talented they are. I really can't wait to see what happens with them next because they deserve every bit of notoriety that they get.

Yesterday, I had the privilege of helping out with their first music video. Love had a school project that involved shooting such a video and the BD crew was pumped and ready to make that happen! We met around lunch time at Legacy Cafe & Art Gallery (because James--the owner--is a Bohemian friend and all around awesome person) and the band up in front of the shop.

Yours truly was tapped to run the PA system. Woot!

Not as hard as it looks because Lord knows, I wouldn't have been able to do it if it was.

 
The band got to do full takes of the song since our crowd wasn't as unruly as was expected. Though, that's not to say they weren't noshing it out in the street (safely) because they were definitely rocking just as hard as the band was.

View of the rocking from my seat.

And, of course, the crew (Love and his buddies) took some pauses to get their shots set up. The three of them were all over the place and got a lot of really interesting angles.

At the end--after all the shots were done--the crowd, band, and filmmakers got together for a big photo group shot that was taken by some of Love's classmates/friends who were in the area and stopped by. It was a great moment in BD history and I feel so lucky to have been a part of it.

Taking a moment :)

I think that day exemplified what I love about Bohemia and our mission. We get to be a positive medium for these bands and artists and showcase them in such a way that displays our own art: Artists furthering Artists. There's no other way to put it. I meet so many people that are just hungry in this area for new sounds and new sights and new reads and Bohemia gets to be one of the sources to combat that starvation.

In turn, we get to really know the people whose stories we tell. We can help them out with future projects and they willingly help the Magazine out when we are in need.

It's a great community and I'm so lucky to be a part of it.


*Kayla*