When you move you see things in new ways, find things you expect and don't expect along the way. Learn things about yourself. I've always wanted to live on the ocean and, now, after living my dream for about a month I was ready for a question asked of me at last 4th of July's party at Esalen, "So, how do you like your new place?"

"Love it. Never have lived on the ocean before. And I've noticed that it is so calm. Some days it looks like glass, like you could waterski on it. Didn't really expect that."

And the very nice man said with a little gleam in his eye, "Yes, that's why they call it The Pacific."

I was like...hmmmm. Oceans just have names, right? Never really thought much about who named them or how they got their names. My bad.

So it made me wonder...been a long time since I studied about Magellan, and here–for those of you, like me, who didn't retain all the information we learned in Social Studies–is how the Pacific Ocean got it's name.

Which led me to wonder how the Atlantic got its name.

I expected the ocean to be more churned up than it is. I didn't expect the cold, being from Southern California. And I learned that the things we take for granted everyday have amazing stories behind them.

Our house isn't packed up yet, but it does look like that scene in The Grinch where The Grinch just took down The Who's Christmas decorations...good luck finding any Who Hash in the refrigerator.

Our friend's had us over for a wonderful bon voyage party with our neighbors. Here's a few pics:

In more ways that one!

Tonight some neighbors are having us over for a good-bye party. They are a blast and we always have such a great time when we get together. I've been saying goodbye all week: lunches, coffees, dinners, drinks. It's all so fun, but I'm left wondering, why wasn't I able to see all my friends more?

Long answer? Well, for the last [nearly] two years, we've been gypsys traveling north and south and north and south, between Northern and Southern California for work.

Short answer? We live in LA [well, in the suburbs anyway]
And, when you live in LA your friends can live anywhere from next door to 90 miles away usually involving excruciating drives on freeways full of fellow angelinos trying to do the very same thing. The traffic is even an excuse to miss work. OK, don't make a habit of it or anything, but I actually did have to turn around and head home when I worked in Mid-Wilshire. Called my boss from the Sepulveda Pass after being on the road for 2 hours and told her when I did eventually get there she definitely wouldn't want to deal with me. She told me to turn around. And, I did have to turn back on PCH when, after driving a little over an hour, I was still in Malibu, on the road to meet friends in Santa Monica. My bad.

But, I'd brave the crowded asphalt for any one of my buddies and will miss them all. So, that hurts.

And then there's this shoulder of mine that mysteriously decided to ache this morning. And all these other aches and pains that have cropped up. Moving is actually quite the workout. Not a lot of cardio, since I don't have to chase after young kids while I pack any more, but lots of weights [picking up boxes that I've overstuffed with our earthly possessions] which my body sorely needs. Just wish it didn't make me so sore. But, every time I start getting whinny, like I am here...SO sorry, I'm manning up...I think about my 81 and 85 yr old parents who just packed up and moved to FLA. They are amazing and a constant source of inspiration when I get tired and cranky.

But, it doesn't make the move hurt any less.

And then there's the photos I poured through today. Didn't get anywhere near the amount of packing done I thought I would, getting bogged down in my hallway cupboard full of photos that should come with a warning similiar to land wars in Asia: Never get involved. Flicking through the years in as many minutes. Coming across images that crack me up, images that make me question why I ever thought I was fat at 30, and images that surprise. The photos of the loved ones no longer with us that I thought would live forever. And the random card that I saved and re-read again that means so much more today, Christmas cards after 9/11 particularly. Ow.

But those who have passed on are closer to me now in ways I can't quite describe. Hearing their quips in my head in certain situations. Affecting my daily thoughts and deeds by their example. They have become a part of me now.

But, it doesn't make the move hurt any less.

So I'm going to do what Elle does in Legally Blonde when she need's a lift. Mani/pedi here I come! The boxes will wait.

Hmmmm...I unearthed our games and not including puzzles we have 29 games. 29! Games! Really? Really? Did we need 29 games? How on earth did they all get here?

What games go with us? What gets donated? What is in such bad shape there is nothing left but the trash bin? And...why am I the one who has to figure all this stuff out?

What do we keep? The classics...but it is murky water. When you have three versions of Monopoly which do you keep? Star Wars, Episcopopoly [yes, the Episcopalian Stewardship version, and, no, it wasn't a hard decision to know what to do with this], and the classic version. Hmmm...So here's what we are keeping: Scrabble, Yahtzee, Pictionary, Jenga, Bingo, Cranium, Take Off, chess, backgammon, Trivial Pursuit The 1960s Version, Clue, Crocodile Dentist, Dominoes, Bop It, Slamwich, 221 B Baker Street




What we are donating [tomorrow or Monday, so if you see something you like, let me know..]

CSI: The Board Game
Wit's End
Twister [Joe's call]
Cranium Pimo Edition
Where in the USA is Carmen Sandiego
Scattercories
Operation
Goosebumps
Trivial Pursuit Junior
Life [never liked that game]
and miscellaneous kid card games...

On the fence...
Sabrina The Teenage Witch Crystal Ball
Pass The Pigs

So...what does your game collection say about you? Most importantly, have you played any lately? With the kids grown now, we don't spend much time playing these games. The only thing I've been playing lately is pool and the lottery. Note to self: Need to play more games:)


And YES, I decided to make myself absolutely insane and schedule my first 50 page revise with my editor for my close of escrow date. Go me.

Happy July 4th! Part of making a move is figuring out where to go to see the fireworks. And this year is a bit of a challenge. Lots of places have cancelled shows for one reason or another, budgets, fire danger...so we aren't really sure where we will end up yet. Maybe Half Moon Bay.

Yesterday we had a real outlaw day. Started out by one of our own being picked up by the CHP. It's the good ones you have to watch out for. Oso had been picked up by the police when he decided to roam Hwy One. Bad Dog. Had to spring Oso from the dog catcher all the way in Salinas!

While we were in town, got some groceries and saw Public Enemies, which completed our outlaw day.




Loved it.

Thinking about giving Oso a criminal nickname now that he's been inside. Pretty Boy Oso, Babyface Oso, but the one that stuck is Dillinger Dog:)

Sooner or later we all do. One way or another. When my youngest told me she celebrated her 20th by literally jumping off a cliff into the Pacific Ocean I couldn't help but realize that Joe and I were doing the same thing in our own way. And isn't that what life is all about? I told Mx how cool it was and how brave she is [after I thanked her for not dying]. And I reflected on how many new experiences our whole family is having this year. The list is so long, won't go into it here. Bottom line though? Change is so good. And life, even though you might not recognize the one you are living from time to time, has a funny way of all working out. Now...back to my edits!

Well, I'm back down in SoCal throwing things away. You know you are moving when the sight of a 40 yard dumpster sets your heart all a flutter:) And so it begins. Trashing and donating mercilessly. What surprised me today?

I have a serious problem. I am a tea addict. I should never, EVER, under any circumstances be allowed to purchase tea again. EVER. What's up with that? It's like every time I went to the grocery store over the past year I decided. Hummmm...how about a nice hot cup of tea. I don't even drink it that often.

I drink it a lot more up north where I have to wear socks. I'm not a fan of wearing socks. So what did I do with all that tea? I unearthed a little rarely used treasure that got buried in the nether-regions that is my pantry and slid it out. I poured some water in the jar and placed the tea bags in and set it in the sun. It's so groovy. I love sun tea and just never make it anymore. Now, I know why. The cute little dispenser was there all along, but alas, hidden and forgotten. I will pack it to take with us on the road. It's cool. Cool things go with us.

Back to arranging repairs before an end of escrow that is now being requested to move up a few days. Here's hoping we can pull that off, because we are getting ever more tired with the trips up and down HWY 1 [if you are NorCal] or PCH [if you are SoCal], speaking both languages correctly is very important to the natives.

Internet....Ahhhhhh......on deck tonight? A nice hot spa and copious amounts of iced tea.

Yes. That's right. I've got a whole hour to get caught up. Been living Internet free for 16 days now, not that I'm counting or anything. Actually, I feel like a drug addict detoxing. Fighting the urge. Everyday. It's weird what we "get used to." Yes, I know that half of my "research" was emailing friends and getting caught up on Facebook, but it's really hard to go cold turkey.

But, good things have come from it too. As you might expect, I am getting more editing done [I always panic in edit mode not wanting to kill the heart of the story]. And, as moving requires lots and lots of things to do, I've been doing all of those too:

House sold? Check. We officially become non-homeowners on July 16th. The plan? We'll be moving from place to place for a few years. Next stop? Who knows. Prolly be in one place until the end of the year.

Internet established at the new place? We THINK July 1st. It's kinda hard to find us, since we don't actually have an address. We kind of have to guide people by things with names, like mountains and creeks, since most of the roads don't have any.

Surprises? Many. Poor Mx sprained her foot surfing in Santa Cruz. But, like lots of surfers, she's got a good story to tell. Joe's on the Ventana softball team. First game today. I'll let ya know how we do. Looks like Candy will be taking a 5 month road trip of her own across the US. How exciting. One of the best surprises. How amazing our closet is in the new place. Tons of storage. Very organized.

I think the most challenging aspect of the move is going to be meeting my editorial deadline of July 15th. 50 pages due. And, well, it's a little hard to focus these days with all the things that need to get done between now and then. Thought about pushing the date back, but, there's always something going on these days. And staying focused on making my story better might just help me keep my sanity through all the transitions we are going through.

So very soon we will leave Southern California for a while. And, very soon we will get Internet up here. But, of course, you need electricity for that. One thing that we are without right now. No one knows why. Just happens from time to time. The house is really quite when there is no power:)

Want ad for an "Oyster Shucker/Magician"

We moved out of our house in SoCal into our house in Big Sur last Sunday. When we picked up our Uhaul we had a little surprise. The man gave us the keys to a 14' truck and asked us to check it out. Turns out, we had a fortunetelling trailer. It simultaneously asked and answered the question we've both had on our minds for a little while. Where are we headed next?



North Carolina. Cracked up when that was the state on the side of our truck because that's most likely where we will be. And the funny thing is, Mx and I drove right by where Joe and I will be living on our road trip. Beautiful country. What an adventure.

When we returned the Uhaul yesterday, on our way up to San Francisco, there was this cute little pit bull puppy busy gnawing on a bone:




Yep. You saw it....a real pig's foot, bone exposed and everything. And, I, like the brain drained, all after-move idiot, asked the young guy working there, "Where do you get those?"

"Pig." He said, deadpanned.

Touché.

Not every day you see a cute pooch gnawing on a real pigs foot:




We love our new place as much as that lil' pit bull loved his pig's foot. Home is where our bed is. And it's now in Big Sur...

things like this happen when you are moving, I guess. In case you haven't had the pleasure, walking around the garage naked feels completely different from walking around the house naked. First of all, it's quasi-outside and, no, the garage door WASN'T open. Long about 2 or 3 AM I started thinking. Don't know exactly what woke me. Probably had a little too much fun celebrating the Lakers win last night at our local BJs with a ton of other Lakers fans, maybe it was BJ's Smokin' Tini that did it. They are very cool BTW. I have no idea. But there I was, AWAKE. And, my thoughts wandered in an in-and-out-of-sleep way. Here's the thoughts as best I can remember them: I love that I have a friend who asks me to pick out a dinosaur's color for a project of hers, I love that I have a friend who gave me a pure dose of Sister Mary Sunshine yesterday when I needed it most, need to call to get the tires ordered so we can put them on before we head up north this weekend; yes, I am taking my favorite chair with me non-negotiable; moving a pool table is hard to do; what will I write about tomorrow; what will I post tomorrow; where will we be living this time next year; lame move leaving my new glasses at BJs; must remember to pick them up tomorrow, um, today; and, oh yeah, I left some shopping bags in the trunk of the car...




BJs Smokin' Tini

So, about a week before Mx and I left on our odyssey, my editor and I had a two-hour phoner about my first fifty pages of WIP. My head swam with ideas about how to strengthen the story and bring my characters to life in ways I hadn't even considered. She's got great incites and asks me the tough questions I never think of asking myself. So, to let my novel sit for two to three weeks was a little hard. After the call, all I wanted to do was power through my book and make the edits.

I'm glad fate intervened. Glad I got away. In big ways and small ways I know my head is more in the game than ever and, I'm sure I'm not surprising any of you, perspective is always a good thing.

But that's not what I want to talk about today. What I want to talk about is something my editor suggested. Something that made me turn green and curl up in a ball on the sofa. "What you need to do Laura, is an overview of your novel. So you can see the narrative arc." This came at the end of the call.

I'm like, "Huh?" Yes, you guessed it. I'm an 'organic' writer. One of those wild-west types that just gets her pen out [or keyboard] and lets loose until the tale is told. Works for me. But, I'm up for knew experiences. I want to get better at my craft. It's just, um, what does that mean, exactly? How does a person go about that?

My editor answered, "You write down the GOAL, PROBLEM, TURNING POINT, and RESOLUTION for every scene."

"Um, ok." This is the point where I turn green and curl up in a ball.

I told her I don't do that stuff. That if I had to do that stuff none of my stories would get written.

"OK. Got it. Then highlight [with different color markers] those things in every scene and make a list."

"Um.." Me..still green but open to trying it out.

But, you see, I still didn't get it. Those terms are so, so...writerly. And, I'm, well, having trouble with lofty words these days. I needed small words I could understand. And, hopefully use to strengthen my story.

Like the hero in an action-adventure, my screenwriter friends came to the rescue. One friend told me that was insane. That life was too short and that she would never go back through a story to make that list. But, she did send me a sample outline she uses to outline her scripts. Outline. Check. So helpful to see someone else's process. And, since she just got the script optioned, there might just be something to this outline thing.

Another screenwriter friend said, "Yeah, we do that all the time. Its called Character, Conflict, Choice, Change. A-HA! Small words I can understand!

So, now I'm editing my scenes [and posting instead of editing, because, let's face it, it's a TON of work] and looking at my story arc using highlighters, small words I can understand and decidedly less green than when I started. Although, I do get these short spurts of panic where I think I can't possibly do this. But, that's what chocolate is for:)

Happy Writing, All!

Back from our epic road trip! Mx and I drove from NYC to Los Angeles. We had a blast! Here's the route we took on our ten day odyssey:

New York, NY
Raleigh, NC
Ashville, NC
Nashville, TN
Memphis, TN
Natchez, MS
New Orleans, LA
Cut-N-Shoot, TX
San Antonio, TX
Carlsbad, NM
Alamogordo, NM
Pie Town, NM
Flagstaff, AZ [by way to Meteor City]
and home to LA...

Wanted to post from the road, but when I did get a chance to reflect, I was out like a light. My goal is to post some highlights soon. The best part? The unexpected moments. The good times that sneaked up and surprised. The people we met. The laughs we shared. So lucky that I was able to take this amazing trip with Mx. I'm certain it will all end up in a book one day.

Back for four days now and am getting on with selling our house, moving into a new one, and getting Mx settled in Santa Cruz for the summer. Logistics are the order of the day. That, and maintaining our sanity through it all. All good! But, there are days where I feel myself coming and going. And, oh yeah, back to the edits on my book. I was so overwhelmed when I got home, I couldn't even make a grocery list and go grocery shopping, let alone wade back into the novel, such as it is. What a difference a day makes!

Programming note: Mx kicked my butt. Said that every since I posted my tweets I was getting lazy. Didn't post anymore. So, as of today, no tweets!

On the menu today:

• 12:02 Finals over -- escape from new York packing a few more things Raleigh nc here we come! #
• 12:14 My road trip perfume? Euphoria spring temptation by Calvin klein #
• 12:15 Very cool bottle:) #
• 12:16 What's playing on the iPhone? Miss Sarajevo #
• 12:24 @TopOThHilStudio Seen lots of NYC over the years this trip mostly my daughter's apt a couple gave restaurants my hotel and nab the traffic! #

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On the menu today:

• 14:40 The road trip begins! #
• 14:56 Jfk to fit stuffing boxes in the car #
• 15:00 Tonight? Sangria and clams at el quixote #
• 15:01 Can't #
• 15:02 Can't believe I drove through manhattan #

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On the menu today:

• 08:29 @SauerTammi BEAUTIFUL! Um...hunting for prom pic...will undoubtedly not find, prolly packed already! #
• 10:07 Just booked two night in New Orleans for $189! #
• 10:12 @SauerTammi Heh-heh-heh....will try... #

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On the menu today:

• 15:46 @TopOThHilStudio Thanks! I certainly will... #
• 15:48 What I'm reading...The Dust of 100 Dogs, A Natural History of the Senses, The Virgin of Small Plains #
• 15:49 Just read: Dreamland by Sarah Dessen #
• 15:52 @tooartsy That's F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S! #
• 15:52 @susanwrites Good luck! #
• 15:53 Conspired with sister to have her fly out and go to a wedding in SF with me this August. MMMWWWWAAAHahahahah [i love the word conspire] #
• 15:56 RT @vcstar L.A. sheriff's sergeant arrested for shoplifting at Oaks Mall : used young daughter as participant... tinyurl.com/p5o4wm #
• 16:02 @MyFriendsHotel Fascinating. Enjoyed reading about The Diggers #
• 16:32 @susanwrites Put a puppy in your powerpoint! Works every time:) #
• 16:33 So....last night on Gossip Girl. Wow. Loved that episode. LA in the 80s. And we meet Sarina's dad Mr. VanderW! Love. #

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On the menu today:

• 17:45 HAPPYMDAY!:The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, where love resides. -Erma Bombeck #
• 17:46 Mother's Day Gifts:phone calls, roses, coffee&latte in bed, homemade eggs benedict,and this: bit.ly/mnSJk #
• 17:56 @TopOThHilStudio Thanks for the followfriday love. Much appreciated. #
• 17:58 So what's the deal with vegetables these days? The are massively HUGE. Weirdly huge. Had a dinner party. Recipe calls for med. potato..ah... #
• 18:04 RT @LATimesfires #jesusitafire Santa Barbara fire: Officials know where wildfire started tr.im/kZfQ #
• 18:06 #MothersDay laurasmagicday.livejournal.com/177119.html #
• 11:57 So MX calls, one week to go this semester at FIT...and my parting words are "Go buy chocolate and try not to kill your roommate, honey." #
• 15:15 RT @ChronicleBooks Did you know that over 153 million people in developing countries need glasses?Recycle your specs! ow.ly/6ifg #CTW #

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Wishing a happy Mother's Day to all. Here is an email I got from a very good friend of mine and it pretty much says it all:


Real Mothers sometimes ask 'Why me?' and get their answer when a little voice says, 'because I love you best.'

Real Mothers know that a child's growth is not measured by height or years or grade...
It is marked by the progression of Mommy to Mom to Mother...

4 YEARS OF AGE - My Mommy can do anything!
8 YEARS OF AGE - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!
12 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother knows some things, but...
16 YEARS OF AGE - Mom? She's hopelessly old fashioned & I want to have my own opinions. Not listen to hers all the time.
18 YEARS OF AGE - My Mom is kinda old and thinks she knows everything. I love her but don't need to listen to her.
25 YEARS OF AGE - Hummm, yeah Mom knows more than I have given her credit for, I guess?
35 YEARS OF AGE - Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion.
45 YEARS OF AGE - Wonder what Mom would have thought
about it?
65 YEARS OF AGE - Wish I could talk it over with Mom.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!

"When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would have not a single bit of talent left and could say, "I used everything you gave me." --------- Erma Bombeck

To all of the women in our lives...
Mothers, Grandmothers, Godmothers,
Daughters, Wives, Sisters, Nieces,
Aunts, Cousins & Sister-friends...

I received my favorite Mother's Day present: Joe bringing me a cup of coffee in bed [served up with the NY Times Book Review] then making Eggs Benedict for me. Which is, like his Cosmos, the best on the planet:) I received some beautiful roses from my daughter and wonderful phone calls from them both. Sadly, I didn't get the Laker's win I was hoping for, but this was a most unexpected Mother's Day present:

On the menu today:

• 22:03 Poor Santa Barbara. Just drove through. Flames bearing down on the town. 70 MPH winds forecast for tonight. Hope things stay calm. #
• 22:04 RT @LATimesfires NatlWeatherSvc"High Wind Warning in effect until 9a PT Fri ... Red flag wng until 10a Sat." tr.im/kHso #jesusitafire #

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On the menu today:

• 09:42 Like I needed another reason! bit.ly/afYDb #
• 09:44 RT @sgoodin Really like this idea RT @openzine: Create your magazine (free) www.openzine.com #
• 09:49 Got my editorial letter. In reworking the mms., have nine versions of my first chapter... #
• 09:51 In middle of the night last night skunk sprays our barrel [misses dog] tried to get to sleep skunkified [nose burning/eyes itching]...blech #
• 09:59 @jane_l Confused. Firefly? Ghost tweeting? Can you help a sister out? #
• 14:05 RT @idtheory To follow up today's #dayofprayer, can tomorrow be National Completely Random Superstition Day? That would be totally fun IMO. #
• 14:08 @jane_l thanks for clearing that up for me:) #
• 14:18 Hey looks like there is a Johnny Cash Festival at Seaside Park in Ventura, CA June 20th. www.myspace.com/johnnycashmusicfestival #
• 14:20 Hang in there Santa Barbara! #
• 14:20 Packing to head down south again... #
• 15:06 Made me laugh! bit.ly/15uzGS #

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