Can’t it be both?

Think about it: there have been so many different cultures, religions, gods, goddesses, heroes, saints, morals, practices, how can we possibly say that one is correct over the other?  It also seems impossible to say, “Well, they’re all correct.”

What I think I’ve come to believe (but wait a week and it will change) is that somewhere in the midst of all of those beliefs is a connection to something.  I don’t know if it is God, Allah, The Universe, or Energy, but there is something we can connect to if we want to.  Some people tap into it for evil things some for good, some for selfish reasons, some to help others.  Some completely ignore it, or turn to it only in their hour of need.  Some struggle their entire lives trying to tap back into what was so easy as children.

The Key, and the main point in our books, is that you have to possess a strong imagination to connect.  When I was a kid I had no problem whatsoever believing in God.  I could imagine His arms around me and I could feel His light shine through me.  Then I went to college and took World Civ and realized that Christianity is only a small slice of pie on this earth and it killed my ability to believe in the words of men who sought to control the masses.  What about all those other cultures who believe their beliefs so fervently?

From what I’ve experienced, both Christianity and Magic tell you to visualize the outcome you want firmly in your mind and release it into God’s Hands or The Universe.  Both practitioners of magic and prayer have obtained impressive, sometimes miraculous results: because they can Imagine.

In high school, I had no idea where I was going to college, but I could visualize myself sitting in college classrooms.  I managed to get there with pretty much a free ride.  In college, I had no idea how I was going to get to England, but I could very easily imagine myself in Oxford classrooms and drinking in pubs (actually, the pubs were a huge stretch for my imagination!).  I got all of the paperwork and loans taken care of with surprisingly little hassle.  I have no idea how Joey and I are going to get these books published, but I can picture the two of us holding the finished product in our hands and grinning at the camera.  I know it’s going to happen.

As for my relationship with God?  I believe he must exist, considering the vast numbers who worship Him.  Who wouldn’t want a loving, caring God to get your back?  I know I’ve felt the connection to Him, or whatever energy/being it is out there.  When I release my prayer into the wind, I talk to Him, the universe, my personal dragon, Phylquestrial, and I feel slightly closer to fine.

Title inspiration (and relevant topic): Closer to Fine – Indigo Girls

On the one hand, this person “likes” rjpsindle.com, which I can understand. Part of Facebook is networking with people who like the same things as you. On the other hand, this person “likes” The worst feeling ever is feeling like you’ll just keep trying and always losing.

What! No, you do not like that! NO one likes that!

Oh, look, another person “likes” rjspindle.com! But wait, they also “like” I’m sorry, I forgot you only notice my existence when you need something.

Once again, you clearly do not like this about anyone…so why bother going through the trouble of pressing a button that says you do “like” it? Is it because people are too lazy to bother writing their own likes and dislikes so they just have to join thousands of other people “liking” their same dislikes, only horribly misspelled and mistyped?

To quote a memorable college professor in a high pitched, squeaky voice, “Facebook. You make me SO SAD!”

Sorry for the long absence, all! We’ve been busy bees with our day jobs and writing the book and tweeting our Taftkan adventures. Don’t worry, I plan to post weekly updates when I have enough tweets, expanding on why I needed certain buffs or how I ended up banished to Ebwidar with no armor.

“It’s a jungle out there, kitties. Have a very fruitful day!”

The Worst:

One would think the worst that could happen is failing: we never finish the book, nobody wants to publish it or it gets published and no one likes it. That would be pretty bad, but I’d still have the experience of being a novelist, something I never thought I’d actually have. Not to mention, we’re only a few chapters from the end of the rough draft, so I don’t think the first failure, of not finishing the novel, will happen. There is still the chance that no one will publish it or like it, but I find that doubtful.
We’re writing with our contemporaries, much like every time period I ever studied in British, American, or World lit. The classes are all about, “How is this similar to who came before and how is it different?” We are taking what is popular at the time and integrating the elements we like while making fun of the elements that we dislike.
And if no one likes what we write, we still have the experience, one that has brought Joey and I closer together than I thought possible. Which brings me to the absolute worst thing that could happen in this venture, and it could happen before or during publishing: something could turn into a huge argument between us and end our friendship forever.

I don’t think this could possibly happen. If it was going to, I imagine it would’ve happened already. Luckily for us, we’ve spent a lot of time fighting about useless things in the duration of our friendship and have therefore learned how to navigate an argument into something useful; every time we have an argument about the book, the story gets even better.

The Best:

Obviously the best case scenario is that our book catches the world’s imagination and we soar into the consciousness of our audience. That I’ll become a New York Times bestselling author, something I’ve wanted since I read Stephanie Plum and saw that splashed on every one of Evanovich’s books.  And maybe saying things like that does sound naïve. But if I didn’t go after this chance, I would be absolutely insane, especially since the worst that can happen seems so utterly unlikely. Let them say no to us; they can’t take away the artistic genius that has come from our writing partnership or the fun we’ve had along the way.

When we’ve graduated and suddenly become bogged down with a cornucopia of responsibilities, snow is the greatest pain in the ass in the world.  We have to shovel it, push it off our cars, and drive through it.  On the weekend, it’s the reason we can’t go out and do whatever we had planned (although, I suppose that would be a good thing depending on the plans).  During the week, it’s just another obstacle on the way to work in the morning or on the way home in the evening.  Now, if there is too much snow to get to work, we have to use precious personal or vacation time to stay safely at home, away from the maniacs on the highway who don’t understand the concept of driving slowly in inclement weather.

The past few days the weather people have been freaking out about gobs of snow, snow like we’ve never seen, snow that will end life as we know it!  When we first found out, we all groaned.  Great, we thought, I’m going to have to get up extra early to get to work and my boss probably won’t let me leave early so I’ll be home just in time to turn around and go back to work.  Fabulous. But, as the chance for snow seemed more and more unlikely, the groans and grumbles got louder…because now we WANTED a day off from work.  We were promised a storm, we want a STORM!  Maybe we don’t want to get into a snowball fight or sled down snow banks, but we want the chance to sit inside with hot cocoa and read a book or play a game.  Take a break from responsibility.

Well, we didn’t get that break.  The winter still has a ways to go, though.  Maybe we’ll have our chance to be kids again before the warm and wonderful weather moves in for yet another cycle.  If only they gave us a “nice weather day.”  When these books take off, I’m taking many!

I really don’t have anything to say, but I wanted to stop in and say, “Hello!” Hope all is well with everyone

American Gods

by Neil Gaiman

Preface

I recommend reading “American Gods” by Neil Gaiman before reading this post. It’s not a very formal commentary like Joey does. I didn’t have the thought to mark what chapter I was on as I had these revelations, and they come very far into the book.

My Thoughts on the Book

Ok, I haven’t commentated on this book like I wanted to. I kept forgetting, because I was at work and reading during lunch instead of at home where I can turn to the computer at any moment. So, I didn’t comment on some woman swallowing a guy with her vagina, I didn’t comment on the random gay sex with a god, and I didn’t comment on the giant mechanical spider of doom on top of a pile of human bones. I didn’t get to talk about how awesome (girl) Sam is, even though she is barely in the story or how much Wednesday reminds me of a much more psychotic version of one of our characters.

But this? This I’ve got to comment on. Shadow, the main character of the book, just died. I stopped reading in order to write this, so I don’t know if he comes back in any capacity, but he BETTER! I just spent 484 pages completely wrapped up in this guy’s story, following along in his blank, unbelieving mind, wondering just when everything is going to make sense, and then he DIES! I seriously did not think he was going to die on the tree. I don’t really believe he’s dead, now. He can’t be. Okay, I’m going to pick the book back up again and I’ll get back to you on this.

OH NO! Laura is somehow alive (I feel like I’m talking about Twin Peaks…), ALIVE alive, not the dead alive, and she just got in a car with the guy that killed Shadow! I’ve been enjoying the book, but this is the first time I feel completely IN the story.

Oh yay, Shadow is back (sort of), but I don’t think he’s too happy about it! I suppose I don’t blame him, being hanged from a tree and all.

Um, Laura? I didn’t think I liked her too much, but I kind of like her style. She’s pretty badass for a semi-alive murderous bitch.

OH MY GOD, I think it was just last night that I thought of how terrifying it would be to fly on an animal’s back and then what happens? he flies on a thunderbird’s back and I WANT TO!

Neil Gaiman is a genius of epic proportions. And that’s not even sucking up!

Oh no, oh no, OH NO! And I liked Hinzelmann. Those poor kids . At least Shadow saves the day.

Awwwwe, Sam’s phantom flowers.

Ah, I love that Shadow went to meet his death but that he was allowed to live.

Type O Negative ending

I am sorry for the “Type O Negative” ending (where things just cut off randomly)…but I am unable to form coherent trains of thought after finishing that EPIC book. I’m glad I read this during the early drafts of our series! Thanks, Neil Gaiman!

Also, I promise that though my posts end abruptly, our books will not.  I don’t have a lot of time to devote to blogging at the moment, but it’s fun to share when I get the chance

“You’re impossible,” [Edward] said, and he laughed once a hard laugh, frustrated. “How can I put this so that you’ll believe me? You’re not asleep, and you’re not dead. I’m here, and I love you. I have always loved you, and I will always love you. I was thinking of you, seeing your face in my mind, every second that I was away. When I told you that I didn’t want you, it was the very blackest kind of blasphemy.”

That sentence sums up exactly why almost every ‘tween, teen and twenty-something is in love with these books, with Edward. Every break up we’ve ever had, we’re left wishing that person would come back and say these words to us. And I burst into tears right along with Bella.

On a personal note, I identify more with Edward in this scene than Bella at the moment, though I’ve been in her position at least three times. Because about five years ago I broke up with Ryan, for a myriad of reasons, but mostly because he lived in Pennsylvania and he was a Junior in high school and I was a Freshmen in college. I didn’t want to say goodbye to him, but it wasn’t working then, never seeing each other. But, I got Edward’s ending here. We’re older, we have control over our lives and we have each other. My Junior year of high school, I dreamed and dreamed of being with Ryan forever. I think 16-year-old Rhiannon would flip if she knew she’d be living with him in her 20s!

It feels liberating, after so many years of gripping the steering wheel for dear life, to move into the passenger’s seat and chat freely about ideas instead of paying strict attention to the road. For a while I was feeling panicky because I couldn’t see what was coming and I knew much less about the destination than Joey did. But now, even though I occasionally reach up to grip the “oh shit” handle, I’ve accepted my roll as navigator in this insane ride we’re on. Hopefully with practice, I’ll kick my feet up on the dashboard and relax!

But seriously, Joey drives like a maniac. (“Stay?” I ask him, flabbergasted. “You can’t just point to a car and tell them to STAY in Boston, Joey!”)

The Fame Monster

Bad Romance

Ok, I’ll admit the first time I heard this song, I thought the “Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah-ah! Roma-roma-mamaa!” was ridiculous, especially when she sang, “Ga-ga-ooh-la-la!”  Especially since the song has such a stereotypical dance song beginning.

Upon a second, third, fourth and millionth time listening I have come to accept the fact that “Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah-ah! Roma-roma-mamaa! Ga-ga-ooh-la-la!” is actually an ancient chant used by magic-men, priests, shamans, and sorcerers for millions of years to control the masses.  Somehow Lady Gaga has found out these secrets and I am now prey to her whims; this song is highly addictive and should not be listened to lightly.  This ALBUM is highly addictive.  I actually considered staying home yesterday because I knew my mother wouldn’t let me listen.  I did manage to leave the house, but just barely.

A random note: I love the way she says the word “love” especially near the end of the song.  Almost lav.

Joey’s Two Cents

Okay, I wasn’t going to do this–but!–with Rhiannon’s growing obsession I am finding myself listening to Lady Gaga more and more often.  Other people’s excitement inspires me, and (shame the devil; I cannot tell a lie) I am in “lav, lav, lav,” with Lady Gaga.  In fact, I can categorically say this gay-guy is GuGu for Gaga.

This song is huge.  It’s edgy, it’s got a good beat, and (most importantly) it’s catchy!

Alejandro

Once again, I went into this song thinking, “This is absolutely ridiculous: why is she even talking like that?  Who the hell is Alejandro, and why should I care?”  And then the beat started.  And once again I was completely hooked.  I seriously hope to choreograph this song with Joey, because I think it would make an amazing partner dance.  It would be a Latin/ballroom/hiphop/modern combo, because I have no actual dance training: I go with how I feel!  I SO hope he decides to do it – dancing on Tuesdays would be so much fun and get our creative juices flowing!

Joey’s Two Cents

This song makes me want to drink wine and do Dirty Dancing kinda dancing.

Monster

OMG, this SONG!  If it weren’t so dirty, I would’ve played this at the haunted house.  I can’t keep saying these songs are addicting, but they are.  If only my boyfriend would condescend to listen to her with me, I’d dance my little ass off.  Ah, well.

(Lesbian question number one: “I asked my girlfriend if she’d seen you round before / She mumbled something while we got down on the floor baby / We might’ve fucked not really sure, don’t quite recall / But something tells me that I’ve seen him, yeah.”  Okay, who is saying what here?  Just pointing it out.)

Speechless

I won’t make the pun, but she did an amazing job on this song.  She has an incredible voice!  The way she emphasizes words and phrases in this song has such a tug on my soul—and really, who hasn’t felt like this?  I want to give her a hug!  As I said to him earlier, “Does it sound like she killed him at the end of this song, or am I just ‘Pulling a Joey?’”  Seriously, the way she says, “Why you speechless,” sounds like she offed him.

Joey’s Two Cents

Turns out we BOTH pulled a Joey.  The song is actually about Lady’s father who wouldn’t get surgery he needed to survive.  It’s a song she wrote on tour, because she couldn’t get to him.  I already thought the song was melancholy … now, infinitely more so.  I love this song.

Dance in the Dark

Not gonna lie, this song turns me ON!  It’s such an edgy sort of romance that runs through this whole section of the album.  I wish this album had come out the end of high school, although the music snob in me then would never have let me listen to it.  But it fits so well and fits so many eras of my life.  These songs would have made a nice companion, although I probably wouldn’t have recognized why, then.  Although I will say, her random Madonna “Vogue” moment is kind of strange—don’t get me wrong, I love it.  But that was immediately what I thought of, which makes me wonder if she meant to?

Telephone

This is an anthem.  I probably would have played this song at top volume in our dorm.  I’ve always wished I had the self confidence that Beyonce has, in this song and in Irreplaceable.  The content of these songs have a lot more depth than the earlier songs, in sound and in lyrics.  I love how this song goes from Beyonce telling off this guy to singing, “I’ll be dancing, I’ll be dancing,” and the beat picks up.   I also love how she distorts her voice on, “ringing,” to sound like a cell phone.  Lav, lav, lav…. I’m repeating myself way too much!

Joey’s Two Cents

Highly addictive.

So Happy I Could Die

This song makes me want to dance and cry at the same time.  It’s also my Lesbian question number two.  I can’t even use one quote to demonstrate it because the whole thing sounds like to me like a girl in love with her best friend.  Now, in context of the whole album, it could be that she is so relieved to be out with her best friend and away from her asshole boyfriend.  This is another song that’s edgy and sexy, but listening to the lyrics takes you a lot deeper than the sound itself.  Just hearing this in a club would be wicked fun to dance to, and you get the pleasure of catharsis by listening to the lyrics when sitting at home.

Teeth

I LOVE THIS SONG!  Seriously, the driving, carnal beat in this song is original and hypnotic, and the lyrics are suggestive of filth.  Bad girl meat?  Vampires?  What is not to love about this song???  I would love to choreograph this song, too, but I envision a group number for this.  I’m going to leave off, now, because I can’t help dancing to this song!