Writing on the Edge

All right, so in keeping with my self-proclaimed title of world's biggest reality TV addict, I was watching Dancing With the Stars this past week. And Carrie Ann Inaba said something to one of the celebrities that set me thinking.

She said, "You always dance right on the edge. I never know which way it's gonna go." (Okay, that shouldn't be in quotes, because I'm pretty sure that's not word for word. But you get the gist.)

And I actually hit the pause button. (DVR, baby.)

Because it's the mantra for my life. I feel like I'm living on the edge in most of what I do. So I said something to my DH about it, and thankfully he confirmed my psychosis, er, theory. He said, "That's how people learn. You have to challenge them to the point that they're on the edge of their knowledge."

Thank you, Dr. J. (No, he's not a real doctor. I just like to pretend. He is a teacher, and he knows how people learn.)

So in my writing, I've decided to write on the edge. Right at the cusp of "Holy cow this is wicked amazing!" but in which I'm right on the edge of the precipice of "Oh, man, this is the world's biggest train wreck. backspace...backspace...apple+a - delete..."

And so I'm writing on the edge.

What do you think? Do you think you need to be pushed right up to the edge of your abilities to get better? Have you ever been pushed that far? Did you learn what you needed to?

Things I Can't Live Without

My blog holiday post last week got me thinking about real things I can't live without. It didn't help that that very morning, I was aroused from a deep sleep when I heard my garage door open. See, I thought my husband had been in the shower, the water was running. I love that white noise while I sleep. But I digress.

The shower was off. The garage door had opened. My heart felt like lead. I didn't even have to get up to know what was going on.

The hot water heater had gone out. Again. That's right, peeps. AGAIN. Just fourteen months ago, I gave up a right kidney to keep my tiny townhome supplied with hot water. Seriously. With what a plumber costs, that's about what it took.

So here I was again. I didn't shower. Went to work. Was on the phone when my first class (of 6th graders) came in. When I hung up, I told them I was having a life moment and that this was my "unshowered" look.

They all stared. They had that look in their eyes like they weren't sure if I was kidding or not. Then one of them said, "Mrs. Johnson, it looks the same as your showered look."

*major snarfage*

So anyway, now I've been thinking about things I can't live without. And you guessed it. Hot water is way up there. Here's my top five, in no particular order.

1. Reality TV
2. Music
3. Hot water
4. Dove dark
5. My kiddos

Hmm...writing didn't make the list, but it would probably be in the top ten. What's your top five? Lay it on me baby. I showered today. In super-hot, scalding water. And no, I still have a functioning kidney. Barely.

FAIL Friday

I hope you have one of those big seat belts like on a roller coaster, cuz it's gonna be a wild ride. I bring you this weekly wrap-up of FAIL.

1. Driving slow in the inside lane. Come on. I passed a student driver on the right this week. They were going 10 under the speed limit! Has the general rule of "Slower Traffic Move Right" gone obsolete now? FAIL

2. Writing a query letter without the four parts. Check here for the first post. Also, submitting query letters to agents without following guidelines. I took a screen shot of Colleen Lindsay's tweet the other day. This comes after her made-of-win queryfail marathon last week. No punctuation? FAIL

3. Daylight savings time. I don't think this needs elaboration at all, but I will pontificate. Not only was I dog-tired because of the time switch, but our district decided to have professional meetings the Monday following said time switch. This does not a good week make. FAIL

4. Expired debit cards. This is a great story. I hope it makes you snarf. Me? Not so much.

So my debit card gave up the ghost on the last day of February. My bank didn't send me a new one. I was a little peeved. Called the bank. They said they did, indeed, send a shiny new card. Canceled said card cuz I didn't get it. Issued a new one to be mailed in 3-5 days for delivery in 8 -12 days.

Just wait. It gets better. "Just know it will come in a nondescript white envelope with no marking from XXX bank."

Are you kidding me? I probably threw the other one in the trash! I don't open every piece of mail. Who has time for that? There's reality TV to watch, blogs to read (and write), voices yelling in my head, kids who are hungry, piano lessons to drive to...and I'm supposed to open the nondescript white envelope with no indication as to what's inside?!?

Yes, yes, you are.

Whatever. The new one is coming. I have to write a check for everything. It's annoying. I hate my life for the next 8-12 days.

So then I decided to take all my tax stuff to my accountant. Thought I better open all the crap they needed so they wouldn't have to (they bill by the hour, you know). Guess what I found?

A nondescript white envelope.

With my now-canceled debit card inside.

FAIL

5. Dancing with the Stars. Now, I think most of you are extremely aware of my addiction to reality TV. I watch pretty much everything. DWTS has been a favorite. Until this year. Um, the words "the Stars" are in the title of the show. The only person who could even be considered a star (Jewel) dropped out due to injury. There are no stars. Sorry. Playboy bunnies, the Bachelor reject and computer nerds do not Stars make, not matter how rich they are. Sorry, ABC. FAIL

What have been your FAIL moments this week? Lay it on me. Maybe then I won't feel so stoopid about my debit card. *snarf*