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December 31, 2004

Resolution Time!

Well, I achieved my primary goal of last year--to be on track toward getting healthy. I lost over 35 lbs and dropped a few dress sizes. I didn't do quite as well on the writing front, however. I had vowed to submit at least 1-2 poems a month and I dropped off on that about halfway through the year. But I was fruitful in my writing, garnering a Pushcart nomination, developing the draft of my book proposal and writing more on my fiction novel. So putting resolutions together are worth it if you set your mind to it.

So here goes it:

1. To lose another 35 lbs and become even healthier.

2. To find an agent for my book on creative writing exercises.

3. To be a better correspondent with my aging grandparents.

4. To write one poem a week.

Check back in next year and see how I did...

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December 23, 2004

Merry Christmas!


I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday! May Santa be extra good to you this year!


An orangutan, named Dan-bi wears a Santa Claus outfit, waves bells in front of a donation box at the Salvation Army's money rising campaign in Seoul December 22, 2004. Trained monkeys and Orangutans were used to entice donations during a charity campaign to help orphans and other needy people. REUTERS/You Sung-Ho

Posted by crystallyn at 05:21 PM | TrackBack

December 19, 2004

FINIS!

I turned in my final thesis paper today. And my exit self-assessment. I'm done with my Masters degree in Critical & Creative Thinking. FINISHED! DONE! WOOOHOOOO!!!!

Now maybe I'll start getting some semblence of my life back. For a moment...until I find an agent for my book, then have to write my book. Problems I will be overjoyed to have!

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December 11, 2004

I AM SO HAPPY!


DURAN DURAN

duran2.jpg

April 1, 2005 at the Agganis Arena BU!

GOT MY TICKETS!

Posted by crystallyn at 11:57 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

December 05, 2004

these statistics made me sad

in doing research for my book on creativity exercises for writers in progress, I discovered the following sad stats, courtesy of Para Publishing:

One-third of high school students never read another book for the rest of their lives. Many do not even graduate from high school.

58% of the US adult population never reads another book after high school.

42% of college graduates never read another book.

80% of US families did not buy or read a book last year.

70% of US adults have not been in a bookstore in the last five years.

57% of new books are not read to completion.

Most readers do not get past page 18 in a book they have purchased.

70% of Americans haven't visited a bookstore in five (5) years.

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December 03, 2004

Nietzsche

You need chaos in your soul to give birth to a dancing star.

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December 02, 2004

the songs du jour

from my absolute favorite Internet radio station, daygloradio.com
that made me smile and tap my foot today are:

Orchestral Manouevres In The Dark - La Femme Accident
Dukes of the Stratosphere - Vanishing Girl
The Cult - Rain
Joey Ramone - I Wanna Be Sedated (accustic)
Pete Shelley - Homosapien
Book of Love - I Touch Roses
Tones on Tail - Go!
Michael Penn - This and That
Tears for Fears - Change
Split Enz - Six Months In A Leaky Boat
Depeche Mode - Blasphemous Rumors
Thompson Twins - You Take Me Up
Creatures - Fury Eyes
Oingo Boingo - Little Girls
Smiths - There Is A Light That Never Goes Out
PIL - This Is Not A Love Song
Sparks - Music You Can Dance To
Jimmy Somerville - Don't Leave Me This Way
Thomas Dolby - Airhead
Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart
Howard Jones - Things Can Only Get Better
Icicleworks -Whisper to a Scream
Bananarama - Shy Boy
Kim Wilde - Kids In America
David Bowie - Ashes to Ashes

and lots more...

What I love most about DayGlo Radio is that it's EXACTLY the type of 80s music that I really love...but they don't play the same songs over and over. They will often play more obscure tracks from artists rather than their one hit song. I love love love love love this station. I wish I could get it in my car!!!

Posted by crystallyn at 10:08 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

December 01, 2004

Amazon's Customer Service Phone Number

so you have it, is:

1-800-201-7575

This is because Amazon doesn't want you to find it. It would mean that they have to hire more staff to man the phone lines. Heaven forbid...letting you talk to a real person! It's 2004! You can just fill in a form and get your information...why would you want the bother of speaking to a live human being?


Oh, and btw, they DO NOT TAKE BACK televisions over 27" so if you buy one, beware--you are stuck with it. And no, I didn't get a tv for me...had to pick one up for a promotion we are running at work. Argh.

Just don't get me started on how completely and utterly unhappy I am with Amazon today.

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