FRIDAY STIR FRY - 'Tis The Season

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'Tis the season for people to go a little bit crazy. You've seen it. The vacant look in the eyes or the nervous twitch. The inability to hear or comprehend what you're saying to them. The hand wringing and the pacing. Yep, it's Christmas. Traffic is snarled and so is every one's sanity. There is nothing joyous about it.

That's one reason my participation in the madness becomes less and less every year. I just refuse to be bothered. If I decorated, I'd feel obliged to dust. And that ain't gonna happen. I don't like to shop. Not crazy about the pot lucks either. Man people really like meatballs. And all the forced cheerfulness turns my stomach. "Wow, thank you so much for the lovely pot holder. It's just what I needed." Please . . .

Yes, people see me as a Grinch. Don't care. In fact, I kind of get a kick out of annoying people this time of year. Makes me joyous!

Any other Grinches out there? Come out into the open. Don't be afraid.

FRIDAY STIR FRY - Work vs Art

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So I had a bit of a melt-down at work this week. And let me tell you, it wasn't pretty. I think I scared some people. Which is saying something because I have a bad reputation at work. Word on the street is I don't like anybody and you better not bother me. Both are pretty much true. Well sort of. I don't have close friends at work. There are people I tolerate because I have to. And I don't like to be bothered by stupidity or anal, control freak people. I'll do my job, you do yours.  

For those that don't know, I work in a social welfare job. Once in a while it is rewarding. Like when you know you are throwing a life line to a really needy person. That can make all the paperwork and dumbness worth it. But, sometimes nothing can block the frustration that boils to the surface. 

The phone has become my nemeses. I HATE IT! I get about 30 calls a day which I can't possibly answer. So I have voice mail. I specify on my recording to please leave only one message. Do they? No. I understand their need for an answer to their stupid question, but sometimes I just can't deal with it. This week I had stupid voice mail after stupid voice mail. I came close to tears at one point. I juggle three different jobs and when none of them are going right, well you know. 

I think part of the problem could be my frustration with my current work in progress. I failed to finish it during NaNo and I'm having a hard time getting into it. Some people would say put it aside and start something else. I can't. I need to finish it. It gnaws at my stomach and brain. Write me, write me.

Work and art are not playing well together right now. Any suggestions? 

FRIDAY STIR FRY - A Day Late

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Sorry, this is a day late, but as they say, better late than never. I have no excuse except maybe turkey day hangover. I am dedicating this post to promoting author friends of mine and their books. I hope you'll take the time to visit their web sites and spread the love. You may find a new favorite. Please support local authors by reading and reviewing.

First up is a very prolific writer - Allison Merritt. She writes anything from steampunk to paranormal to historical romances. I've read several of her books and enjoyed them very much. And her blog is a hoot. Check it out and follow her links to her books.
http://havenovelwilledit.blogspot.com/

Next up is Lisa Medley. She writes about demons, reapers and ghosts. All with the element of romance. I've read the first in her reaper series and liked it very much. And she takes pictures of graveyards. (I love graveyards)
 http://lisa-medley.com/

If you like romantic comedies, my next friend is right up your alley. She makes me laugh every time we talk. T. Sue Versteeg can also write a fantastic thriller. She also collaborates with best selling author Gemma Halliday. Here is the link to her web site.
http://tsueversteeg.com/

And last but not least is Tierney James. She writes thrillers about espionage and terrorists. I've read An Unlikely Hero and it is a real page turner. Also, she interviewed me on her blog last week. Check it out here.
http://ptierneyjames.blogspot.com/

That's it for now. In a few weeks I'll highlight more of my talented friends. I'm very lucky to know these people. I hope you will pay a visit to their pages.