Some unrelated, miscellaneous thoughts as of 12/12/2023
There is a possibility of anything, these days.
I’d like to remember more than my brain is (probably) capable of. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the record for most languages spoken fluently by one individual is a colossal 42, set by Powell Alexander Janulus in 1985. In order to prove this, Powell allegedly underwent 2 hour conversational fluency tests with a native speaker for each language, to which my knee-jerk response upon reading that was, “How did this guy remember/retain that much information to demonstrate such a feat?”. Heck, even if it was like, let’s say 10 languages, I’d be impressed still, but 40-freaking-2? And from what little I’ve read about it, the languages he spoke/remembered were all pretty varied, unique and difficult amongst the other (for instance, French, Icelandic, Japanese, Urdu, Macedonian, etc.)—no technicalities like regional variances or whatever; basically, he’s written as the real McCoy, ala’ polyglot. I’m not sure why I decided to post this, but felt like getting it out in the open.
To certain astrologists and/or numerologists, the date of 12/12/2023 on the Gregorian calendar signals a portal, time of change to introduce the Sagittarius new moon. The date can signify a major, significant shift in one’s energies, manifestations, projects, dreams, etc., and can also mark the shift of poignant energy transference, aka “breakthroughs,” revelations, etc. I’d like to take this time to say that while I’ve always kept (what I’d consider, healthily) an open, yet focusedly-skeptic eye to any one belief system or modus operandi to view the world or our reality(ies), astrology and the like of new age-y potpourri (Wicca, Tarot, etc.) consistently attract my attentions and intrigue. There’s so much world, so much stimulus, information and worlds to explore within ours, that I like to remain open to viewing things from different perceptions and perspectives. Somedays, the commixture of Tarot and Zodiac symbology speak to me, and other days it doesn’t—however, lately it has. The best way I can explain it - my relationship to Tarot and/or astrology - is that I don’t go looking for a crystal ball, but rather instead, use the tools I’ve come to incorporate into my routines more so like a mirror, if that makes any sense. To the universe’s end, we shall see I suppose.
Re-doing The Artist’s Way by Julie Cameron this year has been fruitful as it was the first time, and I do so plainly enjoy it. This week, the exercise involves no reading for pleasure, at-all for a solid week. Obviously, we all have to read throughout the day, because you can’t exist in the modern, metropolitan existence we find ourselves in without having to read something, like the name of a street, or ingredients in your pantry, an email, text to a friend, etc. The idea behind it is, that when you take away reading (in-addition to limiting your screen time to avoid “cheating” your way through with television/video games), you open yourself up to not only “hearing” your proverbial self more, but also, you can create time to do more fun things that you wouldn’t normally allow yourself to do—for example: take some time to really do your nails, finish that photo collage/scrapbook, rearrange your drawers, paint that cabinet you’ve been avoiding, etc. Complying this week has left me with quite a bit of a space that reading fulfills, to which…I’m practically going through withdrawals. Yes, I am currently writing, but let me assure you (as you’re probably already more than familiar if you’ve ready anything of mine) I am not proofreading or editing this, since this blog post qualifies as writing. So, do I have any elucidating, profound bits of truisms to share with you, only 2 days in…? Absolutely not! To quote someone who paraphrased the whole, self-journey-into-deeper-truths agenda I seemingly have an innate penchant for:
“Going deeper doesn’t always mean things are clearer.” — a very dear friend of mine who’ll remain anonymous
As far as the interquel goes for Saturday Mornings Forever, right now the title and manuscript have been copyrighted as The Diary of Laura Carpenter: A Saturday Mornings Forever Story. Right now, I’m in the final stages of editing and tweaking it, including getting feedback from a small handful of readers. Tonally, the book will be quite the shift from the first novel in its series, and the narrative voice I feel is a pretty big departure. So far, the book remains very dialogue focused, though there is focus on establishing ambience and illustrations to further what happens in-between “scenes.” Honestly, I’m feeling excited about it, though it has been an effort and a half to shape/edit/distill the Plot™ from narrative, feel and characterizations throughout. Ideally I’d like to have it out sometime early next year, but with the holidays as they are, in-addition to a lot of life stuff going on, this may be postponed and/or delayed, completely dependent on when I can read through the book after its pre-final edits and not encounter a “hitch” or “hiccup.” Regarding Charlie Bluesmith and Laura Carpenter, their respective journeys will be definitively coming to an end with this book, and with that being said, I worked very hard to ensure that the “payoff” so to speak will feel rewarding, both to potential new readers who haven’t read the first book in the series, and to returning readers. Here is a mockup of the pre-final cover:
The Diary of Laura Carpenter: A Saturday Mornings Forever
Story
“Told from the perspective of one picture-perfect, though misunderstood young woman, The Diary of Laura Carpenter is an interquel to Saturday Mornings Forever, taking place before, during and after Charlie Bluesmith’s misadventures of 1999.
“I’m dying to live.” — Laura Carpenter
For anyone reading, hope your holiday(s) or lack thereof are going well. More to be revealed, as they say. Love, hugs, and all the like to you, really <3
