The Tomboy– Capital City Motorcycle Club, California c. 1950

When I originally began writing my weekend post I had this commercial break in the center. Foolish. I realize now that it needs to be up front center stage lest you try to ignore it.

I want to promote a crazily talented friend, my dearest Dilettante. She is doing a kickstarter campaign. Please head on over and support her. I know you have $5 (preferable more-says me) to lend to her cause. Go ahead and buy her a coffee will ya! Forgo one latte for drip this week in support of the arts.

I’m a huge proponent of supporting artists. We are a community that needs to hold one another up. I compile my own personal library based on the books of people I’ve read and met online. And my walls are covered with the images (photography and artwork) of those that touch me. For me it is really in the connection with others more than anything else. That’s simply how I’m wired.

And Helena is generous beyond measure. She was kind enough to lend words to me this week when tongue tied on a personal matter. I was far too close to the situation to remain objective, have any wit at all. And she critically reviewed my short story with her red pen.

Honesty is my crack cocaine (no I am not condoning drug usage). I believe it only brings me closer to the person with whom I’m connecting. And honest critique makes me strive to be better.

Okay now back to the program……………

I was up late Wednesday night. 2 am PST when the prompt for FF came through my reader. I stared at the screen. Nothing……..still nothing. I tried to click clack the keys hoping for some free association. Or divine inspiration that would awaken the dragons’ genius in my mind.

All I could visualize was two women discussing the nature of the champagne coupe being designed around a woman’s breast- Marie’s, Josephine’s, Helen’s, didn’t matter who’s (Note: this isn’t actually fact). To boot in my mind it was a period piece. The castle in the background obviously played tricks with me. One would think my own corset strings were laced too tight. (I don’t really wear one. This is just creative license). So I knew unequivocally it was time to turn off the computer and get some shut eye. Come on admit it, that’s just craziness.

If you read my FF entry this week you know things went better the following morning. At least I think so. My new storyline has more weight-imagination, mythology blended with mystery, fantasy and love. But you judge for yourself.

DT² formerly referred to on the blog as Shidduch, following Yente which was preceded by DT² (for double trouble). Well DT² and I decided to begin a joint writing venture in order to get our juices flowing. Yet another supportive creative friend in my corner.

Our idea was we’d volley back and forth. Naturally we flipped a coin. The winner of the toss would get us rolling. Which for us both actually meant the winner was the looser. Because neither wanted to go first.

Seriously, firsts freak me out. I panic. This manifested most succinctly when I was on stage, terrified I’d forget my lines or miss the song’s first note. But without fail once I got past the first….. I sailed along.

So can you guess? I bet you can. I lost. I mean won. I had to begin writing. Beads of sweat began to form. We started discussing some ground rules, how we felt about certain movie’s mood and tone, seeking how close to or far from one another we fell in taste. Suddenly inspiration struck. The matchmaker knew where she’d begin. So I gladly handed the torch back to her. Go ahead say it. Baaawkkk bawk bawk…….

Now?     Now I’m worried about going second.   Good God I know…..am I ever satisfied?

Then on top of it all during lunch I had a sudden attack of bling envy. This might be normal for some of you. But I’m the girl that doesn’t wear any makeup except on very special occasions. I’m not into diamonds. Now I’m not saying I wouldn’t love to rock a Harry Winston but it is not a driving urge. But my dear DT² has designed some of the most spectacular pieces. I have coveted a lacy diamond necklace of hers for years. I simply cannot convince her to do jewelry design for a living. Seriously Tiffany’s if you’re reading this, hire her. Her creations will actually make your blue boxes more extravagant.

At lunch she wore a gorgeous Aquamarine diamond ring– classic shape, ornate artistry. Another of her divine inspirations (yes she designed it). She indulged me allowing me to don it for the duration of lunch. I swear it was mesmerizing. To watch me was to see “My Precious” ratcheted up full throttle. I was possessed! So much I barely recognized my reflection in its azure haze. In the end I gave it back. I’m sure she had her doubts I would and sighed in relief. Things never should come between friends.

Okay enough rambling. Go forth and play. I’ll see you Monday on the blog.

Blast from This Blogs Past

• 2012: Technique
• 2013: Rogue Illustration #8 ~ Pop Art
  
• 2013: Photo Pair~ Camouflage

The Weekend Reading List

• The Brown Silk Dress~ I can’t begin to say which part of this story touches me the most.
• The Writing Process II, Part 4: Why we read ~ I highly recommend you read her entire series. But this one was the inspiration I needed to fertilize the seed of a new project.
• The Master ~ Remembering Philip Seymour Hoffman
• 5 Ways to Add Humor to your Writing ~ I have to learn funny somewhere.

Something Extra

Say Something ~ A Great Big World & Christina Aguillera