Sunday, February 20, 2011

Hated It!!!

Ciao Bella's,

With my allergies so rudely interrupting my Sunday sleep in I thought I'd stalk myself on the Internet until Sig Other drags me away to do chores. I'm always interested in what people have to say about my work and except for my one star experience it's been pretty positive. Well to my surprise I finally found my critic and was actually excited by what they may have to say. Alas, it was just a "Don't buy this crap!" sort of review.

I really don't know what to do with something like that. Don't buy it because the character's were unrealistic, or the dialogue sucked, there was too much sex, or not enough sex. If you're going to critique someones work please give them something to work with. Since the day I got my toy typewriter as a child I've been compelled to put my thoughts on paper. I understand that not everyone is going to like what I have to say but could ya please tell me at least why.

As a reader I usually look at the negative reviews first and if the majority of them are "Hated it" than I start to question the validity of the review. Reviews in my opinion are not only there for the other readers to look at to help with informed choice while buying but I really think they help the author connect to their audience and develop their craft.

Anywhoo, my rant is over, mostly because Sig Other is trying to lure me with lunch only to whisk me away to do laundry.

Until my next little tangent.

Janet

Friday, February 11, 2011

Best Birthday Ever!!!

Hello My Lovelies,

With my Dirty 30 fast approaching (it's Sunday actually) I find that I really don't have the money or motivation to do something big. Sig Other started asking me back in December what I wanted to do and I'd thrown out some ideas that I just didn't have the energy to execute. I should back up and say that since December I've had the flu three times and various allergy flareups along the way. I decided to take an online class that seems to have sucked all of my time and work has been particularly busy with me doing stuff. I say stuff because I couldn't even tell you all that I've done because as soon as I'm finished with one thing it's time to take care of something else.

What I've found interesting is how anxious my friends are becoming each day I don't have something planned for my birthday. There's been a lot of blah, blah, blah about how important it is and what a milestone. Don't I want to do something? Sig Other is a bit disgusted with me because I told him I'd rather buy a Mac Book than have a party. Partner in Crime keeps saying I need to have something where my friends can come and celebrate me. With my general apathetic reaction to all these comments everyone has started to assume that I've slipped into a depression at the idea of entering a new decade of life. Frankly it's so far from the truth that trying to explain it just makes people believe it even more.

With all this hoopla over my birthday I started thinking of those that have passed and realized that I only have one memory of the Best Birthday Ever and that would be my seventh. Interesting because in the birthday milestones seven doesn't even get an honorable mention. But for me when I think of the birthday I will always carry it's that one.

When I woke up my parents and sister sang happy birthday to me. My birthday outfit was waiting for me on my bed after I came out of the bathroom. It was pink pants, a white shirt with cap sleeves and little red hearts on it, and pink slippers that looked like ballet shoes. The interesting thing about the outfit was I actually really disliked pink and was more of a purple girl but that day, that outfit was the best outfit ever.

After having breakfast my favorite female cousin came over and helped my parents get our backyard ready for the party and my grandmother petted and cooed over me as I waited for my friends. As my little friends filed in I was presented with yet another gift, my best friend from pre-school was there. She'd moved away before we started kindergarten but had recently moved back and our mother's had reconnected and there she was for my birthday.

There was playing and gifts and I had friends and family galore. Even as I describe it I can't pinpoint what made the day so great for me and watching the home videos it looks like any other kids party but it was the Best Birthday Ever!! So aside from nostalgic ramblings I'm curious my dearest readers, what was yours?

Janet