I have been toying with the idea of this post and I almost wasn't going to put it up until I read something Sandra wrote. It's an interesting post you should read.
People mention the 40th birthday as a significant event, but I'm sitting here at 39 (as of Monday the 19th) and thinking it has more of an impact. It's the silent breath before the battle, the toes extending out over the cliff. Okay, that's a little melodramatic, but hitting 39 does make you think about things.
For starters, my birthday is not as fun as it used to be. I live in Denver, so my birthday is too close to the tragedy at Columbine High School. I even have a cousin who was a teacher there. Then of course there's the Oklahoma City Bombing, another terrible tragedy. And of course, having your birthday right next to Hitler's isn't exactly cool either.
I was not personally affected by these things, but they weigh on my mind nonetheless. When I think about these events, I am saddened by the loss of life for no real purpose.
Turn the page...
Time to get back to more optimistic things. I finished my short story (tentatively titled "The Job") for my writing class. I even managed to do a bit of editing on it. I changed the first section because I felt it didn't catch attention quick enough. The ending is a little abrupt, but I think that's how it has to be.
Since I'm turning it over to the workshop crew this evening, I'm feeling more anxious than a cat in a room full of rocking chairs. To make matters worse, I had a co-worker read it this morning and I typed the wrong word in a sentence halfway through. But they're already printed and I really don't want to re-print 10 new copies. Grrrrr.
Oh well, at least I know the error is there and it's not a HUGE error, just a wrong word. Here's hoping there aren't ten million more.
Last but not least, if you haven't entered my contest, get your butt over here. The prizes are awesome, folks. You don't want to miss out on this, and entering is as easy as commenting on a post. Get to it!
10 comments:
I didn't realize you worked on short stories! That's exciting. Have you considered entering my contest? I'll go enter yours. :)
And I think you have a really great point there about 39 and being on the edge of 40. That might be more significant than turning 40. I just turned 30, and the whole year I was 29 I was holding my breath.
Happy 39th!!! I totally agree about the holding your breath, I think the anticipation is usually more gut wrenching than the actual number when it arrives...it's the build up!
Good luck with the short story! I hate when that whole error thing happens and you catch it RIGHT AFTER handing it to someone. Oh well, rest easy knowing that you found it first. :-)
Old is just a state of mind.
Besides, 40's the new 30.
That being said I feel you Eric. I turned 33 this March.
39? You don't look a day over 29. And yes, I'm saying that with a straight face.
Here's fingers crossed for a good review to your short story!
Don't worry about the typo. As you said, you know it's there.
40 sounds rather ominous, doesn't it?
"It's the silent breath before the battle, the toes extending out over the cliff"
OK--that is beautiful writing! I love that line!
Lady Glamis - Actually this my first attempt at a short story, so we'll have to see how it ends up. I'll go check out your contest though, and thanks for joining mine :)
Kristi - Thank you very much. I actually re-typed that particular page right before class, which helped me feel better about the whole thing.
Matthew - You are so very right. I have to remember what I've always tried to tell myself - it's just a number.
Michelle - Heh heh, it's an old picture. If I had a more recent one up, it might show a little more gray in the goatee. But thanks :)
Alex - Thanks. It's weird, huh? I used to think it wouldn't be a big deal, but it is different when you're actually here.
Beth - Heh heh, I'm so glad you like that one. I felt a tingle after I typed that one. I don't get things like that to come out very often, but when they do...oh yeah!
Michelle seems to have a thing for us balding guys with goatees :-)
It's just a number. You know that, of course, but I still felt I should tell you. The best advice I ever heard concerning age came from Satchel Paige. He asked, "How old would you be if you didn't know how old you were?" Of course, if your answer is something like 35 years more than what you are, it's not so good.
Happy belated birthday!
And congrats on finishing up your short.
40 is easy. Turning 10 was hard; that's when yer no longer in single digits.
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