Yesterday, the Nicknameless Friend and I went to MOMA for Free Friday. There, we saw an exhibition by the German artist Ernst Kirchner. I suggest you hie on over to the Alpha Dog’s blog for thoughts on that, since the extent of my art criticism is:

Hey, that’s neat.

And if I’m really feeling like getting in-depth, I’ll say:

I like those colors.

And then we met said AD for dinner and beer. Fun!

Today, the NF and I are watching North and South–her first time–and later watching Diane Lane’s first movie, Ladies and Gentlemen The Fabulous Stains. The Spouse had an early obsession with the movie (Hello? A young Diane Lane?!?), and is psyched to watch it with us tonight.

A good Saturday.

“On the other hand, you have a resume from a gifted man with an Ivy League education.”

What is so wrong about electing a President who’s an intellectual? Don’t we want a smart person in charge of the country?

[looking at who we’ve elected lately] Oh. I guess not.

The Alpha Dog and I have made a standing weekly writing date, so yesterday, I managed 1,000 words! And since I’m writing a novella, I’m only about 8 thousand words away from finishing. Where I’ll submit it, I have no idea, but I need to get this story out of my head. Two of my readers–the Delightful Phone Friend and the P-I-C–have both read what I had a few weeks ago, and said it was fantastic. The DPF did say it’s not erotica, so it can’t sell there, and it’s too short and sex-driven to survive as anything other than a novella in a like-minded group of stories, so we’ll see what happens.

And my agent said she’d be open to reading–and if she likes it, representing–my revised Mothering Heights. I want to revisit it and deepen the emotional depth to make it less fluffy (but no less funny, I hope). Not quite sure how to do that, but I bet if I can up the stakes for my heroine and make it less of a straight romance it will have a chance of selling.

This weekend my friend from high school–WHO HAS NO NICKNAME!–is coming to visit. We plan on drinking beer, eating steaks, and making fun of people’s outfits. Maybe see some art, too. And perhaps I will unearth her nickname.

I’ve known her since before I was a compulsive nicknamer; she sat in front of me in French class, and like me, she had long hair. Unlike me, she did something new to it every day (French braid, appropriately enough, side ponytails, twists, barrettes, etc.), so I hated her. Rational, not so much. But when I got to know her, she became one of my best friends, and remains so, even now.

Of course, the political season calls for exceptions, and I just gotta say–teaching Creationism in schools? Really? THAT’S what you want for our kids, all of ‘em, not just the Christian ones? I am appalled. Leaves me speechless.

But she has a vagina, so I am going to vote for her? Please. Don’t be a dick.

Today is the first day of school–fourth grade–for the Son. He wore his Megatron For President (”Why vote for a lesser evil?”) t-shirt, black shorts, and Daddy spiked his hair. He worried that his teachers will think he’s a trouble-maker because he looks so cool and scary. Heh. My cutie.

Last night, I had problems sleeping, which stunk. Worse since I had to get up at 7:00. But September means the onset of cooler weather, my wedding anniversary, SCHOOL!, a renewal of my vows to the gym, eating better, etc. So all is good, despite the general exhaustion.

More tomorrow.

Tomorrow, the Spouse the Nine Year-Old and I will be headed to the Jersey Shore for a week. Posting here will be sporadic, at best. So–to keep you occupied while I am away, how’s about you let me know what you’d like to talk about here? Or not talk about (yes, I know I am obsessive about Clive. I can cut down, honestly I can! No. I can’t. I am too far gone).

In writing news, my agent sent out That Subtle Knot and expects to get feedback in a couple of weeks, give or take a few nail-biting hours. I am more than halfway done with the super-sexy novella, and On Bold Adventure (aka Richard Sharpe Settles Down, At Last)is burning a hole in my brain, so that will be September’s project.

I have no Life News, except to report that my mom–The Queen of Flakes–actually remembered to call me on my birthday, although she did not remember precisely how old I was.  One step at a time, right?

First of all, a caveat: I am incredibly crabby today. See the post below for why.

But second? Second, I DO NOT WISH TO LOOK LIKE A GOTHIC CLOWN this fall. And yet, the makeup companies are launching tons of dark, dark “smoldering” colors for lips and eyes that will make me look like a daguerrotype. PLUS, I DID that look the first time around! I used to wear super-dark lipstick, smoky eyes, blah, blah, blah. People with darker skin can handle those rich colors, but me? I look like Morticia Addams, without the cool-ass dress. And the knock’emdead figure.

And I know myself. I love dark colors, I will get sucked in, and end up buying something that’s called something like ‘witch’s blood’ or ‘burnished crow’s wing’ (oh, for goodness’ sake, one of the MAC descrips is “burnished eggplant.” Kill me now) and then I will wear it, and then what? I WILL LOOK LIKE A CLOWN!

I am not fond of clowns.

Megan

PS: Did you know there is a word–coulrophobia–meaning abnormal or exaggerated fear of clowns?
PPS: I image-googled “fall 2008 makeup” and this is the first picture that appeared. I rest my case.