November: Do one thing

You know what the easiest excuse in the world is? "I don't have time."

So I'm bringing a different excuse to the table: "I'm a bad beginner."

It was an awesome and inspirational October. Two things specifically inspired me as a writer (both of song and otherwise):

1. John Vanderslice's house show, put on by KC Turner. JV--yeah, I know him. So what?--is quite the inspirational songwriter. He tells stories about his songs (or just about being a musician in general) that are so compelling, so endearing. And it makes me want to tell stories with my songs. Like Patty Griffin tells stories. (Have you ever heard her song "Makin' Pies"? It's beautiful. And haunting. And it tells a story.)

I wrote down several song ideas while I was enjoying the sweet sounds of John Vanderlice's music on someone's back lawn.

But have I actually made any of those ideas into songs? No. And I'll tell you why. It has to do with my second inspiring event.

Gap cords and top, Madden boots, F21 necklace

2. CAFe Salon Talk #1. It's an artist series curated by my church here in the city. CAFe (City Arts Fellowship) wants to connect artists so they can connect with and inspire one another. I went to the first "Salon Talk," which was basically a dinner at one artist's home (in this case, a blogger--love it!), during which we shared what we're interested in art-wise and our struggles with being a "poor beginner."

And I realized something while I was there. Karl--an amazing musician and our church music director--talked about how when you hear an amazing song, there are never any liner notes that say, "This song took six months to complete." You don't know how much work went into it and how long the songwriter had to struggle with getting started with the writing of it.

I felt relieved when I heard that. Maybe the beginning of writing a song really is just having those ideas scribbled down. And eventually one or more of them will become a song. But it's ok that it didn't happen in a month's time.

Speaking of things happening in a month's time, I have my "do one thing" for November. Are you ready for this? I'm doing NaNoWriMo. I'm writing a novel (or, at least a lot of little vignettes). My main idea is just to start getting ideas out there. I have several, many of them autobiographical in content. So, tomorrow starts my goal to average 1,666 words per day.

This will be interesting, and I'm really excited about it.

OH, and on the style front, I can't wait to show you my new shoes.

Confession.

I have a confession to make. It's a pretty serious one.

I haven't read a book in months.

I know, I know. That's just awful. I don't want to talk about it. Leave me alone.

 Gap top and pants, Target flats, F21 belt. Can I just say that I love this outfit? And I think I need to color my hair or get highlights or something.

Ok, I'll talk about it.

In all seriousness, I could blame it on my having begun a new job, but I think the statute of limitations on that excuse has run out. I could blame it on the fact that I've been learning something new like sewing or bundt cake baking, but that wouldn't be the truth. I could say I've been training for a marathon, but we all know that I haven't even chosen one for this year yet.

Other things have just taken precedent. Lots of random things.

And my problem--not really a problem, I suppose--is that it takes me a while to get into a book. And it takes me a while to remember how much I enjoy reading. In a weird way, I've got to make myself sit and read. It didn't used to be that way. But, then again, I also spent most of my undergrad and graduate school years reading because I had to.

Don't get me wrong, I typically enjoyed the stuff I had to read, from Shakespeare to "Don Quijote," but it was still a lot of time devoted to just chugging through lots of text.

And now I've lost a bit of my chugging power. I still read. I read all the time at work: news, blogs, online journals. Just not books. I'm going to get back in the saddle.

And, no. I don't need book suggestions. Thanks. Think I'll go find a book.

"It's Business Time"

 Gap top, J. Brand jeans, Urban cardigan, Madden boots, H&M necklace

Blog, meet chambray shirt. Chambray shirt, blog. When I put on this outfit, husband said I looked very "business-like." When I defensively asked what he meant, he said he meant it in a good way. I'm digging it, too. So that last pose is my business pose. Apparently I mean business when looking at my watchless wrist.

And I got a compliment at work, too, so I'd say this outfit wins. I can't wait to see what else I can do with the chambray top.

Yesterday was husband's last day before his Hong Kong trip, so we had a spontaneous happy hour date. Here's to happy hours with cheap appetizers that we make into our dinner. Yum!




* Ten points if you know where I got the blog title.