Unstuck

I feel like I've been in a creative rut for months. Every project I start languishes half-done or barely begun. Most of the projects I dream up are never even started. I'm bursting with plans for things I want to accomplish, from finishing that baby blanket I started months ago to brushing up a few of my favorite arias to writing that novel I've been dreaming of (see previous post). And nothing gets done.

Friends, I vow to you, that is about to change. I'm not going to live a half-finished life, and I'm not going to look back in ten years and say, "What on Earth have I done for the last decade other than read blogs and watch TV?" That will not be me. I won't have it. And I won't let the obvious excuses (kids, work, general laziness) hold me back.

I make this resolution to you, Blogland. I will write that novel. I will sing. I will finish that baby blanket. And while I'm doing that, I will make time to go to the gym. It might take some organization and a stronger work ethic than I've ever in my entire life exhibited, but I will do it, so help me.

NaNoWriMo

I love the idea of National Novel Writing Month. I want to write a novel -- not just a novel, but the novel. The novel to end all novels. The Best Novel Ever. This has been a goal of mine since about 1986, and here I am, 20+ years later, with no novel.

So twice I've started the month of November all fired up and ready to write. I could blame my failures on a lot of things: my poor work ethic, my predisposition to distraction, my lack of interesting ideas, my overall inability to write a novel, whatever. But I choose to blame it on this: November. Who picked November as the best month for writing? It's jam-packed with holidays and holiday shopping, and it doesn't even have 31 days to its name (for maximum word-scribing time). The only worse choice would be December, or perhaps February.

So I reject November as National Novel Writing Month and say we take up a new month for that purpose. May would have been a good choice, but seeing as it's almost done, it doesn't do me much good NOW. I like the idea of July, seeing as it's coming up soon, but July is a good month for spending time outside, not cooped up in front of your computer screen agonizing over your deathless prose. The next best month: October. It's perfect. It meets my every criteria. It's a good indoor month, it has 31 days, and distractions caused by holidays are minimal.

So I hearby declare October Kelly's Novel Writing Month. Who's with me? Start planning your novel now!

Shoe Love

You all know I'm not the type to talk about fashion or shopping. Because, let's face it, I'm not qualified to do so. But I must show you my incredible new shoes, with which I am now totally in love. They are the most comfortable shoes ever made in the history of shoes. And so pretty!!

J-41 Aquarius, my new love

Cruising

I'm so excited about Dan's upcoming summer stint on board the Queen Mary 2! Dan landed himself a sweet gig as the second trumpeter for the luxury liner's summer season, so when he's not entertaining the passengers with his fine jazz stylings, he'll be enjoying the sights of England, France, Germany, and the Mediterranean. I can't even tell you in words how jealous I am. What do I have to do to get to spend the summer on a cruise ship?! Seriously.

Jazz fans, visit Dan's MySpace page and listen to his latest music tracks. That's some mighty fine playing, if you want my totally unbiased opinion.

Celebrity Endorsements: Don't think for yourself! Let Tom Hanks tell you who to vote for!

I think this is kind of awesome, because I'm fond of both Tom Hanks and Barack Obama.