The Good, the Bad, and th- Oh Dear God the Month’s Almost Over

What? How did this happen? Wasn’t Halloween just yesterday? Where did my jack-o-lanterns go?

Pretty damn good, if I say so myself.

This can’t be happening. I mean, midterms just happened, but they only just happened! And didn’t I just pass my 10,000 word mark on NaNo? Wait. Oh. I fell behind. Dammit.

According to the handy little stats chart, I’m supposed to reach 30,000 words by the end of today in order to finish my NaNo novel by the end of November 30th. Fu-u-u-u-u-udge me. The second week slump hit me hard, what with those silly things called “midterms” going on in the background. Turns out it’s hard to focus on writing a novel when you’re memorizing the difference between valid and invalid argumentative forms and writing code for a ridiculous program at the same time. I am unworthy of my Asian genes.

What I’ve been doing with NaNo so far is cranking out between 3,000 and 4,000 words a sitting and then letting my “novel” sit for two or three days and then crank out another 3,000 to 4,000 words. This does not a healthy sleep schedule make. Not that I was getting much sleep anyway, what with clips of “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” existing on the Internet. [And no, I haven’t yet seen the revival of “Whose Line”… and I’m not really looking forward to seeing my Ryan Stiles and Colin Mochrie as… old people.]

Oh despair, despair. Start ransacking my room for inspiration, pulling books from recently re-organized shelves, boiling pots upon pots of hot water for tea, shut off my Internet connection…

Maybe I won’t go quite that far. After all, “Whose Line” clips aren’t just going to watch themselves now, are they?

Stay strong fellow Wrimos – the end is nigh! And in other news, how’s life? I feel like we haven’t had much chance to chat lately? How is your day going? No, I’m not going through a mental breakdown. I genuinely want to know about how y’all are doing. Please excuse my rat nest hair and craptastically short update. 

Scrap Paper Poetry #5: Boredom, Lecture, Oh- It’s Halloween

Is it Halloween?
The calendar says it’s so –
October 31st, let’s give a poem a go:
No, I think I’d rather not;
Validity and logic forms have turned my brain to rot.
If you’re looking for effort here,
I’m sorry to disappoint.
So go outside and fool around or fire up a joint.
What I really wanted to say, I guess, in a way not too obscene,
Is go fudge yourself
And have a Happy Halloween

Halloween: To Slut or Not to Slut

Vampires, goblins, ghosts – and whores?

Fetch the smelling salts – this is a small tribute to an overstated moral dilemma when it comes to a holiday so removed from its original purpose and meaning: how women (and girls) are allowed to dress sexier – or sluttier, depending on your view – on Halloween. That’s for true feminists and uber-conservatives to debate about. All I have to say is this: if it doesn’t hurt anyone, then let it be. If it doesn’t take away your ability to eat, breathe, or watch reruns of “Friends” on a lonely Friday night, then it just shouldn’t matter. So who cares that women dress in tantalizingly unrealistic mock-ups of law enforcement officials, educators, pirates, and condiments?

Yo quiero Taco Bell

Does the increase in the depth of cleavage suck up the oxygen in the air like a vacuum? Does the extra exposure of skin force you to shield your eyes for fear of creating cataracts- nay, blinding! your tender sensibilities? (Smelling salts at the ready). Oh, the depravity! Oh, the diminished light of innocence and purity! What has our society come to? (You should read up on a chapter of history of the parents of western civilization. I promise it’s related). Think of the children! (Yes, let’s shelter your kids even more so that they become as well-adjusted and socially savvy as you). 

And I don’t apologize for the use of “slut” and “whore” liberally. It is true that all words carry common connotations and associations with them. These two words are most often used derisively and pejoratively. However, it is also true that the baggage of these words can be used to counter the stigma – to empower rather than to demean. And if/when such terms are thrown at you disdainfully with the intent to maim, brush it off. Are you a really a “slut” or a “whore“? Or are you just enjoying yourself, not harming anyone in the process? So go! Slut it up and have fun. (Don’t you dare even think “YOLO.” Grr).

I do apologize (not really) for being preachy on Halloween, when you’re supposed to party, watch horror movies, and get sick on booze and candy. And I do apologize (actually) for such a half-assed Halloween post.

So Happy Halloween to all and to all a freaky, fantastic night. !

And be sure to Trick as well as Treat:

Got a great Halloween story? A prank? Any thoughts about the moral fiber of this holy of holy days? Share your two cents in the comments section below.