BOUNDARIES

I've posted 60 blogs so far. Today is number 61. I'm proud of myself for sticking to this and a huge thanks to all of you who have signed on as followers...even if you don't read it, so you'll never see this. Thanks also to those of you who have not only signed on, but leave me comments periodically either on this site or via my email address. I love and appreciate each and every one of you. You are true friends.

Writing is a messy business. I can't remember the last time I saw my diningroom table without papers scattered all over it, flash drives lying about, reference books piled high, pens, pencils and yet for some reason...I still have the placemats on the table. But I'm using the placemats. One for my laptop, one for the box with my completed manuscript, one for books, one for mailing envelopes, even one for writing tools along with pads of paper. I think it's funny that I don't have anything sitting on the table unless it's on a placemat. No free-range writing paraphernalia.

I wonder when the "placemat" was first used. It's such a nice item for defining space. Before the placement there was just the great big tablecloth. What kept your knife and fork in your designated table area? What was to keep it from creeping over into your partner's area? How did we really know whose drink was whose? Dah, Dah...enter the PLACEMAT! No longer is it a problem telling what area of the diningroom table belongs to whom. Now your area is mapped out for you...marked out with clear boundaries. Any part of the table that doesn't have a placemat is open range. These spots are for things we want to share with others. But the placemat in front of me...that's mine, all mine. Don't cross my placemat line to grab food from my plate or borrow a utensil. If I wish to share...I will hand you the item in question...otherwise...stay back! This is my spot!

I hate round or square placemats. Who the heck came up with that idea? There's not enough room on one of those things for me to keep all my stuff on it. If I have a placemat I want it to be rectangular...a large rectangle is best. Room for my plates, cup, utensils and napkin. My little world...Deblandia. Welcome to my world...by invitation only.

Okay...back to serious writing...coming to you from my laptop, sitting nicely in the middle of my placemat, atop my messy diningroom table.

"CRITICAL" REPORT

I didn't do one blessed thing yesterday as far as writing goes. Very short "accomplishments" list for the day. Very disappointed in myself. I MUST do better today.

I did discover a wonderful cure for insomnia though, this past weekend. The Informant starring Matt Damon. Wow, what a snooze fest this movie is. It's basically just a lot of blah, blah, blah...over half way through the movie you "get it" but by then...I'd really lost interest. There are a couple of snicker funny parts in it, but no laugh out loud moments. Too many "guarded looks" going on between the actors, conversations are basically on a monotone level and well...that did make for some great sleeping! I'm thinking about buying it when it comes out on DVD and then plugging it in on those nights when my brain just doesn't want to shut down and I'm sure to get a peaceful nights sleep.

Considering it was based on a true story, it had the potential to be really good, but definitely fell short of it's goal.

BATHROOM ASPIRATIONS

Went to a wonderful Meetup gathering on Saturday night. A publisher from Novello Festival Press was there along with two copy editors. The information they passed on was amazing and I'm so glad that I went.

Besides the great tips I received...I acquired a new aspiration while attending the meeting! I want to be in the Quail Ridge Bookstore bathroom! This is the first time I have visited those facilities and besides loving the really cool table, in there, which looks like a pile of books...the walls are covered with autographed framed photos of authors who have visited the store. I have to admit all those people staring at you while you "take care of business" can be a little disconcerting, but I spent an extra ten minutes just checking out all the pictures. I want to be on that wall! I never thought I'd want to spend anymore than time than absolutely necessary in a public co-ed bathrooom, but this has now become my dream. You can have your Walk-of-Fame Hollywood...I crave a spot on the Quail Ridge lavatory wall. When I see my picture there...then and only then...will I know I have truly MADE it to the big time!