James Joyce can bite my ass

After so much procrastination, I'm finally doing it. I'm becoming a novelist.

At least for the month.

I'm pretty excited about it, actually. I intend to take my laptop to obscure coffee shops around the area, dressed in a tweed sport coat and silk head scarf, observing the locals and using them as fodder for my clever plot twists. I'm looking forward to spending the month of November blowing off chores in favor of hunching over the keyboard. I'll screen my calls so as not to disturb my muse. When friends ask what I've been up to, I'll casually respond, "oh, not much, I've been really busy writing my novel."

and I have already bought the first item of our novelist wardrobe. Now I have just under two weeks to find some giant Jackie Onassis sunglasses, cover the sweater in cat hair and stink the house up in patchouli incense.

So what do you do?

We just were at the rehersal dinner for Byron and Sarah's wedding this evening. And a friend of Rich's, Jay, asked me what I did in the SCA. It was kind of an odd question, but a valid one. And I didn't really have an answer. I could tell him things I did a long time ago (back in the day when I was a baroness in Southwest VA). And I could mention things that I plan on doing in the near future (perhaps finally picking up an epee and doing something with it besides taunt the cats). But as for right now? In some statement that could be made in under an hour of rambling? Um ... not much.

Part of me is okay with that. The times when I was doing a lot in the SCA were not necessarily some of the happiest times for me ("Oh you kids go off and have fun, I'll stay here and die a slow documentable medieval death."). But I think now I'm ready to do something. I feel like a newbie all over again. But I'm stuck somewhere between boundless energy and withering cynicism at the moment. Look for me at your next local event causing trouble while I try to find something to do all day.

Give a girl a Sharpie and she's dangerous

Thank you for the snazzy Aveda bag with five bottles and a container. I'm all packed for travelling now!

SHAM -- Herbal Essences Intensive Blends Protecting Shampoo (softer hair in one use! They only sell this in the Wal-Mart in Mechanicville, I'm convinced of it. Apparently, they don't make it anymore so I should stock up.)

COND -- Herbal Essences Intensive Blends Protecting Conditioner (softer hair in ... yeah, you get the idea)

BODY -- St. Ives Collagen Elastin Moisturizing Body Wash

FACE -- Clean & Clear Daily Facial Cleanser (with smooth round micro-scrubbers) I ran out of the regular so filled the rest with the Morning Burst variety.

HAIR -- Textureline volumizing gel by L'oreal

SPOO -- Lubriderm Advanced Moisture Therapy body lotion (for extry-dry skin)