April is National Poetry Month. I've been posting poems daily on my other blog, so feel free to check it out!

http://coffee-stainedwriter.blogspot.com

How have you celebrated NPM this month?

Are you participating in Screnzy? Tomorrow marks the first day of ScriptFrenzy 2009! It's okay if you've never heard of it. I'll explain.

From the website: "Script Frenzy is an international writing event in which participants take on the challenge of writing 100 pages of scripted material in the month of April. As part of a donation-funded nonprofit, Script Frenzy charges no fee to participate; there are also no valuable prizes awarded or "best" scripts singled out. Every writer who completes the goal of 100 pages is victorious and awe-inspiring and will receive a handsome Script Frenzy Winner's Certificate and web icon proclaiming this fact.

Even those who fall short of the word goal will be applauded for making a heroic attempt. Really, you have nothing to lose—except that nagging feeling that there's a script inside you that may never get out."

I dare you to try it.

Visit http://scriptfrenzy.org for more info.

Sorry I haven't updated here lately. This fall has been busy and crazy. I'll work on being better about that!

What did you do last night​?​ I scribbled for a freelance project and organized my thoughts for my coffee house book. What was the first​ thing​ you thoug​ht about​ [this] morni​ng?​ I was thankful that my projects for this week were finished and sent off to my clients. Weekend! Woo hoo! What are you weari​ng right​ now? My pajamas: shorts and a t-shirt. When was the last time you got drunk​?​ I've never been *drunk.* Just mellow. [Do you prefer p]arty​ing or watch​ing a movie​?​ Watching a movie, definitely. What pisse​s you off the most?​ Abuse. Last thing​ you quest​ioned​ yours​elf on? Whether or not I made the right decision regarding quitting the day gig to be a full time writer. [Do you prefer b]ars or clubs​?​ Neither, really, but if I had to choose, I suppose I'd choose bars because they're usually quiet enough that conversation can still be had. What is the main ringt​one on your phone​?​ A generic phone-ringing sound. Where​ do you want to be at a year from now? I would like to be in a bigger apartment, but still in an office space scribbling away. How many kids would​ you like to have?​ As many as we're blessed with! Anyth​ing bothe​ring you right​ now? Yes. Do you like pickl​es?​ Yes. Are you proud​ of yours​elf?​ In some ways, yes. In others, not so much. Do you wish upon stars​?​ Occasionally. What is your one posse​ssion​ you never​ want to lose?​ It's a tie between my wedding ring and the Blessed Mother medal my Hubby gave me. What is your relat​ionsh​ip statu​s?​ Married. Are you happy​ with that?​ Quite. Do your paren​ts have myspa​ce accou​nts?​ No. [...] Would​ you go back and chang​e any part of your life? No. I did what I thought was best at the time. Do you belie​ve love lasts​ forev​er?​ I believe it can, yes. If you saw someo​ne broke​n down on the side of the road,​ would​ you stop to help?​ Sadly, I would not, unless I saw the person was hurt or something. It's unfortunate we live in a world where a young woman is afraid to stop and help because of stories that have been broadcasted on the news. What do you think​ of when you hear the word Chees​e?​ Cheese danish....yum. What color​ are your bedsh​eets?​ Off-white. Whats​ your favor​ite word?​ Truncated. Do you laugh​ enoug​h?​ No. Do you belie​ve that dream​s come true?​ Yes. Where​ do you work?​ At home for this awesome freelance company called Coffee-Stained Writing (http://www.coffee-stainedwriting.com). Best job evah. Who is your favor​ite footb​all team?​ I guess the Bears, but I don't really watch football anymore. Have you ever bobbe​d for apple​s?​ No. Have you ever thoug​ht you could​ do a bette​r job at being​ presi​dent?​ If I had a point of comparison I could probably answer this question. As it stands, I don't have enough information. So my answer is dot-dot-dot. If you could​ only drink​ one thing​ for the rest of your life,​ what would​ it be? Decaf Kenya AA coffee. (organic, if possible) What's​ one food you could​ eat every​day for the rest of your life?​ Cheese danishes. What was your costu​me for Hallo​ween last year?​ I was a freelance writer. You'​re in line at Taco Bell,​ whats​ your order​?​ Cheesy Gordita Crunch, baby. (You have to say "baby" when you order it, too, or it doesn't work.)

How long until your birthday?
11 months

Do you have any relatives in the military currently?
My father-in-law is in the AF.

Who got married at the last wedding you went to?
Frazzoo and Gazdzoo!

Are you better at math or art?
I'll say art because writing is a form of art.

Science or History?
History.

Who was your 4th grade teacher?
Mrs. Plummer.

Who was your best friend in 7th grade?
The school's librarian.

Where did you go to preschool, if you went at all?
I didn't go to preschool.

Who was the last person to call you?
My mom.  She was checking on Frazzoo.

What's your favorite brand of gum?
Green Orbit.

Do you own a digital camera?
Yes--my hubby bought it for me for Christmas.

How old is the cellphone you have right now?
I have no idea...more than a year.

Do you know anyone named Tyler?
Yes, actually.

Are both your parents still living?
Yes.

What was the last thing you bought?
Booze.

Can you do a handstand?
Not really, no.

How many funerals have you been to in your lifetime?
Eight. (Great-grandpa Tillet, Grandpa Bergstralh, Great-grandpa Metras, Great-grandma Metras, Great-grandma Vant/Tillet, a friend's grandfather, a friend from middle school, a friend from high school)

Have you ever had a pet fish?
Yes.

Are you taller than your mom?
Yes!

Are you confused?
About that question, yes.

Whats on your wish list for your birthday?
I haven't made that list yet.

Does the future make you more nervous or excited?
More excited, but there's definitely some nervous in there, too.

Something you hate more than anything?
I hate people who are intentionally hurtful.

Did you kiss or hug anyone today?
I definitely hugged and kissed my Hubby!

Do you like surprises?
It depends on what kind of surprise it is...usually not, though.

Do you think people have any misconceptions about you?
Definitely.

Do you miss someone?
Yes. More than one someone, actually.

Would you move to another state or country to be with the one you love?
Without hesitation.

Do you believe that everything happens for a reason?
Yes.

Which one of your friends do you think would make the best doctor?
I'm going to say Abi because she has such a big, kind heart that she would take care of all her patients with all her energy.

Whats your most favorite scar?
I don't have a favorite scar.  I just have memories of them.

When was the last time you flew in a plane?
Flying back to St. Louis from Florida a couple of years ago, I think.

What did the last text message say that you received?
"Im home"

How many kids do u wanna have?
I like Frazzoo's answer: 2ish.

Would you make a good parent?
I hope so.

Honestly, whats on your mind right now?
Everything I have to do this week before Hubby and I go on our trip.

Do you wear contact lenses or glasses?
Glasses.

When is the last time you received a massage?
I don't remember.

Who made you cry?
Lots of people have made me cry.  Most recently it was a situation and not a person who made me cry.

What was the last tv show you watched?
Futurama.

What are your plans for tomorrow?
I haven't thought that far ahead.

Well, the school year is over, so I'm officially open for business!  I'm actively seeking freelance writing clients, so if you know anyone who needs awesome copy fueled by caffeine, send them to my website!

And if you'd like to read more of my lovely blog posts, check out my other blog.

Enjoy!

She was one of those people who believed she was pretty enough the rules didn't matter, or if they did, there was always some loophole or exception designed to let her perfect body slink through to "Oh, that's okay."  And because she was so persistent in her belief that she was somehow "above," many who had the opportunity to change her lack of work ethic or teach her she was, in fact, just like everyone else had long since lapsed into eye rolling and muttering "That's just her personality" in the way of some sort of apology.

Every year there was a teacher who, despite politely-worded warnings, believed she could work with this slightly delusional student to turn her into the motivated honor student everyone suspected she could be.  This teacher--usually young, usually new--would begin the year with an open mind, and try to make considerations for her excessive absences, distractedness, and general apathy when it came to whatever subject matter happened to be the topic for the unit.

As the year wore on, said teacher would find herself increasingly less patient, wanting to turn the incomplete assignments into zeros in the gradebook.  She would impose stricter deadlines for make-up work, not wanting to have to wait in order to reconcile grades.  By the end of the first semester, the student had usually shown she not only still didn't care about her grade and was simply taking advantage of the teacher's kindness, but this experience further proved she could get what she wanted with a saccharine-false smile and a few melodramatic phrases.

Second semester usually followed much the same pattern as the first, with the teacher taking a renewed interest in the student because of her desperate attempts to do extra work and have her first semester grade changed a week or so after report cards arrived at students' homes.  The second semester frustrations progressed faster and deeper, though, with the teacher already suspicious of the student's apparent dedication to the curriculum.

By the end of the year, they'd both given up.

Some day, years from now, she won't be pretty enough to get by, and maybe that will be her wake up call.  Maybe she'll get fired for not doing her job properly--or not going to work when she's scheduled--or maybe she'll get kicked out of her house for sleeping all day and being out all night.

Some day, years and years from now, she'll realize what her life has become, and wish she could have done something--anything, many things--just a little bit differently.  Maybe she'll have a daughter of her own whose parent-teacher conferences make her feel sixteen again, full of attitude, and on her way to perpetual summer school.  Maybe she'll be sleeping on a friend's couch, jobless, homeless, her last refuge utterly fed up with all that she is, and ready to turn a back on her.

Until then, she somehow manages to sneak by year to year, tossing a smirk to past teachers when she sees them around campus after failing their classes.  The teachers swap stories--it's easy in a school so small--but there's always a teacher who smiles politely at the warnings, sure he can be the change she needs.

1. What time did you get up this morning? Let's say 6 a.m.

2. Diamonds or pearls? Honestly, it depends on what I'm wearing.

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Forgetting Sarah Marshall (P.S. Jackie rocks!)

4. What is your favorite show on tv? Anything with "Law & Order" in the name, Ghosthunters, America's Next Top Model (Don't judge me.), and the Monday night CBS line-up.

5. What do you usually have for breakfast? Water.

6. What is your middle name? Nicole

7. What food do you dislike? Okra

8. What is your favorite CD at the moment? I've moved on to iPods, ladies and gentlemen.

9. What kind of car do you drive? Pontiac Grand Am GT

10. Favorite sandwich? Rueben

11. What characteristic do you despise? People who don't show general courtesies to others.

12. Favorite item of clothing?  My 100% organic t-shirt

13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go?  Definitely Ireland.

14. Favorite brand of clothing?  I generally like the stuff at Target.

15. Where would you retire to?  Roscrea, County Tipperary, Ireland (where my family is from)

16. What was your most recent memorable birthday? I'm looking ahead to my next birthday. I don't live in the past, kiddos.

17. Favorite sport to watch? I guess baseball or hockey.

18. Farthest place you are sending this? Into space. Cyber-space.  Ha!

19. Person you expect to send it back first? N/A

20. When is your birthday? May 9^th, baby!

21. Are you a morning person or a night person? I've always been an evening/night person.

22. What is your shoe size? It varies between 8 ½ and 9, depending on the shoe and brand.

23. Pets? I have a Jaina kitty and a Hubby.

24. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? Like to but not gonna.

25. What did you want to be when you were little? For a long time I wanted to be a teacher, and interspersed in there was psychologist/psychiatrist, interior designer, wedding planner, and always, always a writer.

30. What is your full name? S. Nicole Palmby

31.What are you listening to right now? Law & Order on NBC and World of Warcraft fighting noises.

32. What was the last thing you ate?  Lays Salt & Vinegar chips.  Yummy!

33. Do you wish on stars? Every night.

34. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Grass green.

35. How is the weather right now? Florida Perfect!

36. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Hubby.

37. Favorite soft drink? Dr. Pepper

38. Favorite restaurant? It's a tie between Amigos and Steak 'n' Shake.

39. Hair color? Brown

40. What was your favorite toy as a child? My books.

41. Summer or winter? Summer (although down here, winter's pretty nice, too)

42. Hugs or kisses? Depends on who is giving and who's receiving.

43. Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate.

44. Coffee or tea? I love both.

45. Do you want your friends to email you back? They usually do.

46. When was the last time you cried? Several days ago.

47. What is under your bed? Usually our kitty.

48. What did you do last night? I took a nap and had dinner with my in-laws.

49. What are you afraid of? Lots of stuff.

50. Salty or sweet? Both.

51. How many keys on your keyring? 3 or 4.

52. How many years at your current job? Almost one.

53. Favorite day of the week? Saturday.

54. How many towns have you lived in? (10) Rockford, IL; Biloxi, Miss., Oregon, IL; Enterprise, AL; Somewhere, South Dakota; Clarksville, TN (twice); Katterbach, Germany; Byron, IL; Jacksonville, IL; Orlando, FL

55. Do you make friends easily? It depends on the situation.

56. How many people will you send this to? None.

57. How many will respond? Didn't this get asked already?

58. Are you single or married? Married almost one year.

59. Is 58 by your choice? Yes.  Whole-heartedly and most definitely yes.

60. Is there one person you can tell anything to? More than one, yes: Hubby, Frazzoo, and Dana.

1) What's the last thing you put in your mouth? Burger King fries

2) Have you ever kissed anyone named Matt? Yes.

3) What does your last text message say?  "lol Ok"

4) What was the last song you listened to? "New Soul"

5) If you hated someone and got put in charge of their funeral music, what would it be? If I hated someone I'd never agree to do their funeral music.  If I did, though, it would be the "love song" from The Wedding Singer that's written both before and after Adam Sandler's character's girlfriend dumps him.  Ha!


6) What did you do yesterday? I went to work, and when I came home I took full advantage of the fact that I didn't have to grade anything! Hooray!


7) What did you dream about? I don't remember.


8) Pick a scar on your body - what did you do? I had surgery.

9) How would you describe your lover in one word? Hmm…I'll say…Butt.

10) How old is your mom? She'd kill me if I told you.

11) Last time you were dumped? I honestly don't remember.


12) Who's your most religious friend? I like Angie's answer borrowed from Ash, because "religious" is such an ambiguous label, but in order to answer the question, I'll say Rachel.


13) Who do you trust with your life? My husband.

14) If you could change your name to anything what would it be? Princess Consuela Banana-Hammock.


15) What would you do if someone told you that you were the most beautiful person in the world and they would do anything to wake up to your face each and every morning? I said yes, and then he put the ring on my finger.


17) Do you trust all of your friends? For the most part yes, but at different levels depending on the level of friendship.


18) Would you move to another state or country to be with the one you love? I did.


19) Do you believe that everything happens for a reason? Yes.


20) Name two things you would NOT tolerate in a relationship? Abuse because it's inexcusable, and disrespect because that leads to all kinds of other problems.


21) Which one of your top friends do you think would make the best prostitute? I have no idea.

22) Who is the nicest person you know? Rachel.

23) What is a goal you would like to accomplish in the near future? Write full time.

28) If you were to wake up from being in a coma for an extended time who would you call? Assuming my husband and family were by my side, I'd probably call Frazzoo.

29) Would you make a good parent? I hope so.

30) Where was your default picture taken? I have no idea.

31)Honestly.
 What's on your mind right now?
 Question 29.

32) Who knows you the best? Jason.

33) When is the last time you liked someone? I like people right now.

34) What are your plans for the weekend? Hubby and I are definitely going to see a movie, I'm sure I'll have a bit of grading to do, and definitely go to church.


37) What's your favorite saying? Right now it's a tie between "Coolio," and "Are you serial?" (thanks to my students for the latter)


38) Do you still talk to the last person you kissed? Only when he's not being a butt.

39) Have you ever punched a tree? Yes.  In the throat.  I made that up.


40) Have you ever snuck out of your house/someone in your house? Yes. That was a long time ago.

41) How would you describe your relationship with your best friend? Literary.


42) Morning or night person? Night
.

43) Are you there for your friends? I try to be.


44) Do you like to spend time with people? Usually, yes, but sometimes I just need to be left alone.

46) Are you a forgiving person? I try to be.


47) Would you ever share a boyfriend/girlfriend with your best friend? No.

48) Have you lost a friend recently? Sadly, yes. About ten months ago, actually.


49) Are you talking to someone while doing this? Who? Yes. My nosy husband.

50) Do you want a relationship right now? Well, I keep telling Frazzoo to run away with me, but you know how girls are….

I have to go back to work on Monday.  I’ve gotten spoiled this past week with being able to be home all day and scribble, and while I did do quite a bit of writing this week, I feel like I didn’t do enough writing this week.

I keep reminding myself that, for the next ten weeks I won’t have as much grading to do as have previously which will give me a bit more writing time.  And in ten short weeks it’ll be summer, and I’ll have quite a bit more time to write, particularly since I plan to pursue some freelance writing work this summer.  (Wish me luck!)

I do hope my students aren’t feeling the same effects of the warming weather as I am.  I find myself eager to be finished with the school year so I can sit by the pool all day and read, or pick up and take a day trip to the beach.  And I know that if I’m feeling this way, my students are probably feeling it much more.  I just have to hang on for about two more months, and then I’ll be free to read and write and relax.

And in the meantime, I have a guided meditation CD I may be using...every night.