My Cardboard Balcony

Latest update: New job. I had my first training day, which was uneventful. First official day of work is Sunday - four and a half hours. And a good chunk of it will be spent on working on orientation tests and lessons. Still, the people seem really nice, and the atmosphere is just so much better than that other retail place I worked at. But I think part of the reason for that is this job doesn't focus on speed as much - it focuses on people and profit. Which is nice. Then tonight, I was in the East Bay, having dinner with my relatives (the Blackfords) and then seeing my sister as Alice in Thoroughly Modern Millie (Pacific Coast Repertory Theatre, or PCRT). I've always liked that show, but this was a lot of fun - lots of great acting and singing, ESPECIALLY from the two older women playing Mrs. Meers and Muzzy. Plus it's always a blast seeing my sister perform. I think sometimes she doesn't give herself enough credit for her genuine acting ability, her amazing tap danc...

Give it a Try by Belinda Roddie Toucan Dan, sitting on a telephone wire Watching the world through microscope eyes Biding his time, sensing a storm from the south That’s Texas, not Arkansas Panther comes running from his house On the prowl, saying, “Won’t you come down? My bills aren’t paid and I need to get laid, Give me words of advice, I’m in shame, I’m in shock I’m not the beast I was.” “Run, give it a try,” says Dan as nicely as he can Panther goes racing through the stars Blending with darkness, turning and twisting Laughing until he’s consumed And his constellation stays where all Texans can see it And Toucan Dan’s all grin and no gloom The work you see here has not been edited nor altered since January 21st of 2007.

Being a writer isn't prosperous. It's not meant to be. At least, financially, it's not meant to be. Creatively, you could have all the money in the world. Only instead of money, you have words. Lots of them. Locked in vaults of gold and carried around in checkbooks. Want to buy a story? I have plenty. That's my prosperity. My spirit. And no matter how small of a paycheck I may get, I'm happy with my "annual income."