Mini AG Doll Kirsten

Kirsten’s Dirndl Outfit

Bunk Bed

Magic Attic Doll Megan

Addy’s Dining Set

Addy’s Bedset

Smaller is better…

The whole package:

Top View:

Bottom View:

AC Power Adapter:

Wireless Card:


]]> http://chicagowriter.wordpress.com/2009/01/10/test-html/feed/ 0 aprilwriter http://chicagowriter.wordpress.com/2009/01/10/sony-vaio-laptop-size-does-matter/ http://chicagowriter.wordpress.com/2009/01/10/sony-vaio-laptop-size-does-matter/#comments Sat, 10 Jan 2009 05:23:59 +0000 aprilwriter http://chicagowriter.wordpress.com/?p=22 ]]> HTML code for Laptop ad

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External CD-RW Drive:

Linksys Wireless Card Adapter:

Power AC Adapter Cord

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Video:

Rather boring but detailed You Tube video someone posted of
the PCG-C1VS/BW. It shows the laptop from
all angles and the start-up/shut down process.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGrYS3_00sM

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http://www.notebook-driver.com/laptops-information/sony-pcg-c1vsxk-c1vsbw-main-specification/#more-192

]]> http://chicagowriter.wordpress.com/2009/01/10/sony-vaio-laptop-size-does-matter/feed/ 0 aprilwriter laptop-cord http://chicagowriter.wordpress.com/2009/01/05/laptop-images/ http://chicagowriter.wordpress.com/2009/01/05/laptop-images/#comments Mon, 05 Jan 2009 02:32:40 +0000 aprilwriter http://chicagowriter.wordpress.com/?p=19 ]]> Lap top Images

Why do I kid myself. What am I waiting for? I have read the life’s pursuits of those I wish to emulate. I feel so detached from where I want to be sitting naked in the office that was supposed to be my refuge but ended up merely being a storage closet for clutter, anything my husband and I want to shut out of our memories.

I have become lazy or maybe I was always lazy. I crave creature comforts to those ethereal things I used to chase after. Is this growing older? One settling after another? First marriage, then a 9-5 and then children to completely obscure my purpose? I thought I could have a husband and a puppy and write. I thought I could channel my boundless (only now starting to fade) optimism (energy..whatever spark sets me apart) into building endeavors. 9-5 to increase my husband’s and my status- House, car etc. And my worry is that I will crave these things more than I should, more than the superlative goals I set for myself as a child.

It should be so simple. I know what I want. I want to stand among the greats. But If I thought that could be done without sacrifice, without proper reverence, I was a fool.

How is a great art like writing anything other than a mysterious craft? What audacity to assume my apprenticeship is over, that I am ready to face what continues. But it is not further tutelage o take me from one day to the next. To be able to make that sacrifice continually day after day in order to reach my definition of success–my definition keeps changing. Some part of me just wants to aqueous, become a housewife and have several children that will become my life. That is not the future I painted for myself at 15.

I must find some way to obsess over writing instead of over reading, to crave my own words as much as I crave my husbands arms.

When did my words become so scary that I had to build up all my courage/make a production out of getting there? I am afraid. These are my fears. If I recognize them, I ought to be able to face them. Even as I write this I crave my husband’s touch.

Flee Flee Flee that’s all I’m good for these days. Where is my reverence. If writing becomes my ritual will I again stand a chance of entering the gates? Can/Could I truly commit? Is there hope for my success? I am only 24 but I keep telling myself I should have it figured out by now.

I let my husband hold me back. He’s caught in a deeper rut than mine and I take turns tossing/free falling in there with him. At least I know. But knowing doesn’t stop it from happening. Neither does complaining or teetering or half-assing or digressing.

Will I be my own traitor? Do I stand a chance at becoming more? I think so but I am so afraid.

Every since I started writing my novel with all the ghosts and catholic mysticism, writing fiction has become a religious/spiritual experience for me.  

I have to be alone behind a closed door fro new writing (re-writing I can sometimes do in the living room while my husband plays video games or watches sports).  I always keep a candle for the Virgen de Gudelupe on my desk and a I kneel and say a prayer before I begin. This clears my mind and puts me in focus for what I am about to do.  Much of my novel is based on Galarza family folklore and that little prayer reminds me of the responsibility I have to tell my family’s stories and true and as full of life as I can.  It seems like such a large responsibility sometimes because I know the stories stand a good chance of being lost after this generation.  

I listen to foreign music too.  I like to find something that has the mood of the story I am writing.  For my novel its always boleros.   I either listen to the same cd over and over again ( I don’t want to stop for something meager as changing it) or I use bantaga.com my favorite Internet radio station.   I can not write in silence.  I think this comes from growing up in a big family with a busy and noisy house.    I also like jazz and classical music but for my novel its always the boleros.   

I have the weirdest ritual that doesn’t make sense to me, but I do it anyway every time I write.  I make a cup of tea bring it in the office and then promptly forget about it while I write. By the time I think of the tea it is cold so I put it in the microwave and the whole process starts again.  I hardly ever drink the tea until I am done with the session and then it has been reheated several times.  Sometimes I reheat the tea in time for the final reading of what I have just written. 

I read out loud to my husband while he is playing his video games usually directly after I finish something that feels right to me.  I know he only half listens and I hardly ever appreciate anything he has to to say about it (except maybe when I write an article)   But I do it anyway.  Hearing it out loud usually helps me decide whether the story is worth continuing, whether I made a break through or a mess.

I agree with the “don’t stop typing guidline”  But I would add to it don’t stop seeing.  If you can’t see what happens next just focus on the place it self and what you can see.  Often describing the objects on the table with give me clues to the characters and thus lead me into the story.

My last device, kind of like Chad’s jogging is to do mundane housework.  Nothing clears the clutter in my mind like clearing the clutter in my house.  I curse my mother for endowing me with this obessesion but for some reason it works.   I can’t work at a messy desk.  So often the act of cleaning the desk becomes ritual enough to get me going.   Also when I was young (before I discovered books on tape) when my mom made me clean I would tell myself stories to pass the time, so I think some connection was develed for me between storytelling and cleaning.  

It starts at 7:30 pm. Check it out if you feel inclined. Other than myself I can guarantee the readers will be great! You’ll have to judge my skills for yourself. It’s a small reading but it feels good to make a step towards my literary career. It seems with all the articles and all sometimes that gets put on the back burner. Hope to see you there.

1) My very first cover story! I couldn’t believe it when I saw it. It is something I’ve wanted to achieve for a while and was totally surprised when I did. It wasn’t the story I expected to be my first, a story about Jewel-Osco closing down in Bridgeport area,

Jewel Closes its Doors

but this issue is very important to Bridgeport residents. It was a good reminder of an editor’s duty; to reflect the interests of the community.

2) An article that I am very proud of was published

Global Warming: we all can do our part to improve environment the main reason I became a journalist was because I wanted a chance to make a difference in the world using my writing. I consider it the moral duty of media professionals. After seeing The Inconvenient Truth and learning about the dangers of global warming I was determined to do something. I used to spend much of my time going to demonstrations but I never felt like I was making a difference. As a reporter I am able to reach people and share what know. This article is the most heavily researched article I have done so far. I did four separate interviews and attended environmental events. Although I love doing community features that reflect the events and issues of local residents, articles like this one are what I aspire to publish. Articles that don’t stop at reporting the news but encourage action.