Southern Writing

First acceptance of the new year

My short story Monica was accepted by a magazine provided I do some rewrites. I really need to rewrite the stories I have floating around in this computer. I'm on a roll!

I'll post more information after my rewrites are accepted.

Resolution addendum and Mr. T in my kitchen

Okay, Mr. T isn't really in my kitchen. But, his FlavorWave Oven Turbo is. My stepfather bought it for me for the holidays and I have to say, it's a lot easier to cook with (I haven't burnt anything yet) and it's a breeze to clean- I just wipe down the glass bowl and cooking racks and I'm done. Chicken turned out a little chewy, but it's better than the burnt skin I usually deal with when I cook it in my convection toaster oven. (My studio does not have a real oven.)

I have a joint addendum to my resolutions from yesterday.

I would like to start exercising 30 minutes a day and either join a gym or my local JCC. Both have their advantages, and I can't figure out which is more important.

With the JCC, I will have an instant community which I think will help me keep on track. I have a tendency of seeing people at the gym as scary gym people instead of regular folks who just want to keep up with their fitness goals. I would also have access to cultural events like special dinners and guest lecturers as well as a number of clubs, like the JCC book and travel clubs.

Unfortunately, the JCC is a bit of a drive, and while if I made connections with people at the center who could keep me on track I'd be likely to make fitness classes and the like, if I don't make those connections I will have membership dues for a service I don't use.

If I do get a gym membership, it will probably be a Shapes membership. There is a Shapes opening up nextdoor to the Pasco Times office, so it would be convenient for me to go in to the office and the gym two or three times a week. As a freelancer, I have access to a couple of desks and computers to work on if I decide to go in, so a Shapes membership could ultimately help my health and career. I was also reading on their website that they make a habit of contacting members who haven't made it into the gym in a while, and they have a number of locations I can choose from, so it is a bit more accessible. I also really like the Super Target on the way back to my house from the office, so I'm starting to lean towards joining Shapes. The downside is I might get intimidated, and I'm thinking Shapes might be more expensive.

I expect to take advantage of free trial memberships in the next few months.