I haven’t been blogging much yet this year, mostly because, well because things are overwhelming lately. Not the ohmygoodnesslifeistoohardtohandle kind of thing but just lots of stuff (like more layoffs at work) and not really any of it about writing which is supposed to be the focus of this blog. But, keeping in mind my theme for the year is Reach Out With Joy, I have just a few things to share.
First, we (as in local here in San Jose) were lucky enough to have coppervale come to town this week. You might also know him as James A. Owen, the talented author (and illustrator) of Here There Be Dragons, which is the first book in the Chronicles of Imaginarium Geographica series. (Read more about the books on his website.) James was a gracious and entertaining speaker. He shows us how to draw a dragon (mine is very lopsided) and we were treated to some glimpes of original art from his books including an upcoming cover!
I took my brand-new digital camera to the event (some of you may remember how I didn’t fall instantly in love with that darn thing) and well, there were a few technical glitches, such as when I thought I was taking pictures of James when he was drawing and talking to the kids I was actually taking movies which didn’t clip so well. Never mind. I did get one picture with James.
More connections. Last week I connected with d_michiko_f , I get to spend Saturday with beckylevine and next week I get to see Jen of jkrbooks.typepad.com/ For someone who is usually a homebody and a loner, I think I’m doing pretty good.
Next up is to find some online friends who like to talk on the phone and set up some phone dates so I can reach out and get to know even more of my friends. If you’re interested, drop me an email so we can set something up.
In other non-writing news I picked up my new glasses, progressives. So far, I am not impressed and am rather frustrated with the whole experience. I’m already thinking about having them put back to single vision but I promise to work with them for a few more weeks before I make up my mind.
Glad you like the Sony…it just takes some of us awhile longer than others, huh!(like me-and I love mine now too
Mona
PS love my progressive glasses too!
The little Sony was great for tucking in my pocket for an event, just what I wanted. I think we have the settings okay for standard pics, so that’s good. Funny the thing that STILL bugs me about it is the connector cable to the computer, it’s just asking to break off. But oh well. 🙂
Not liking the glasses today AT ALL. I don’t think I need progressives and I’m trying to remember why the eye doc thought they would be a good idea. There’s absolutely no way I would read with them on. It is not a pleasurable experience for me at all.
I take them off for the computer and take them off to read. Most of the day here at work I walk around with them off.
Five minutes of having them on and my eyes hurt….though I know some of that is getting used to the new prescriptiong. It’s not a lot different but some different.
I think the think I don’t like about the glasses is that no matter what, even if I get used to everything else, there will always be a blurry spot when I turn my eyes. I don’t know that I can get used to that. I may have too much “dingaling” in me for these. (The same reason I can’t drive a stick shift.)
Woohoo! What a lovely picture of you, Susan. You’re getting there on the camera, and you’ll get there with the glasses, too, I bet.
Like me, you’re a slow adapter:>)
That’s great that you’re reaching out and getting together with more writer friends. It definitely adds joy to your life!
Thanks, Laura. I’ve missed you and the group. Sigh.
Not so sure about the glasses though. (see the response above.)
Good luck with your beautiful goal, and sounds like you’re making great strides. And good luck with your progressives. You might think of calling your eye doc if it’s not working out in another day or two — I don’t think it should take a few weeks. Even readusting the frames may make a huge difference. It is good to give it time, but you might need to experiment a bit, too (obviously I’m a veteran!) Your vision is important!
Thank you, Jeannine! And I’m not so sure about the glasses. (See my long response about them above.) The doctor said yesterday that they give people 3 months to return them but that she expected a couple of weeks for me to be mostly there. I’m calling the eye doctor today though to ask more questions about why he thought they were the right choice for me. As it stands right now, single vision is looking pretty good to me. Sigh.
Susan,
Looking forward to Saturday.
I know I’m supposed to be positive and affirming about the glasses, but I’m resisting the progressives big time. Everybody else in my family (except my younger sister, but her time is to come, I’m sure!) has them and has no problem with them. Me…sigh. I think there’s a gene assigned to this, and its the same one that makes people leave tags in their shirts or cut them out, wear socks with seams or only without, etc, etc…
Becky, I agree that there’s a gene thing and I don’t have the right one for these glasses. My neck already hurts from all the moving back and forth and every time I see that distorted section I freak out! If I did that while driving, not good!
I have an appt with the eye doc on Tuesday but I’m already feeling good about going back to single vision. It might change, okay it WILL change, as I get older still but for now I read just fine without my glasses.
Another writer/editor friend told me she got invisible bifocal computer glasses. They are perfect for the computer and then she can glance down at the manuscripts with no problem. She also said she doesn’t know any of her other editor friends who like progressives – too much head shaking. 🙂
I promise to wear my old regular glasses on Saturday.
My mom had these for her needlepoint, except they were sort of like those old-half reading glasses, with just the top half. She embroidered with the fabric at the tip of her nose, but then she could look up at the room and still see who she was talking to!
Me, I’m just making the font size bigger all the time!
Good to see you back online!
A friend of mine tried progressive lenses. She couldn’t get used to them. That frustrated her so much that she did an informal survey of people around us: who was able to adapt to them and who wasn’t. Seemed like people who had been nearsighted all their lives adapted better. (Nonscientific poll!)
Thanks! Yes, I’ve heard that nearsighted folks like me are supposed to adapt more quickly. Of course I type this with my old glasses on. Sigh.
Well, on the bright side, humankind managed to survive for thousands of years without progressive lenses!
Looking forward to seeing you next week, Susan! I have serious homebody tendencies, too, so I do understand…
Thank you for reaching out, Jen. I need to remember that the other side of reaching out is saying yes. 🙂
I’m not good at that part either, Susan. But we’ll hang out next week.