I've been doing a lot of things, recently that I haven't done in a long time. I went out to the movies. I've managed to read, and finish two books, and I'm in the first quarter of a third. And, I even agreed to go out to a poolside party with some of Wallace's coworkers.
The movie, Gone in 60 Seconds was okay. Even really bad movies which include Nicolas Cage, can almost pass for okay... except for maybe, Vampire's Kiss. And, I didn't hate it, but... the best word I can find to describe it is 'weak'.
It was good to go out. Take a little break from Ms. Savannah, and eat popcorn while watching some fun car chase scenes. Maura took me, the kind friend that she is... and I had a lot of fun.
I'm not precisely sure what made me pick up the book that I decided to read first. A few years ago, Wallace got on a little kick for Poppy Z. Brite, as she had been recommended to him by an acquaintance for a vampire story that she had written, called, Lost Souls. Wallace and I both loved the Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice, so he picked it up.
It was another okay experience. But, sadly didn't include Nicolas Cage, so it was probably slightly less okay than the movie I saw. If anything, she only served to nudge me a little bit, in wanting to do some of my own writing, as her style is immature and unrefined. And, I have a lot of confidence I could do better... maybe. The ending was vastly unsatisfying.
So, foolishly, I immediately followed that with reading Drawing Blood. And, after about the first 15-20 pages, almost put it away. This led to a very interesting conversation with Wallace about the 'gross-out' value vs. non-value of books.
I would have to say that my favorite genre of books is horror. I began reading Stephen King when I was around 9 or 10. And he's written some really bone-chilling stuff, in my opinion. And, while he may have been somewhat graphic in his descriptions from time to time, I don't feel that he ever used the 'gross-out' for the sake of gross-out.
So, that is probably another reason I disliked Ms. Brite's approach to Drawing Blood... But, I didn't stop reading. And, at least it didn't get any grosser. I'm adding it to the list of writers I've read who make me sit and think, 'well gods, if s/he can get published and paid for this crap, I could probably too.' So, I guess my only problem is just sitting down and doing it.
So, I would guess that brings to me to the pool-side gathering we attended. I succumbed to Wallace's want to go, after a long and considerably un-fun day. But, I tried to be optimistic... I even, for a split second or two, thought I could maybe even manage to be social... Until we got there.
I was starving. And there had been food promised. But, generic chips and salsa, at the bar was not going to do it for me.
Savannah was grumpy, and rightly so, after the day she'd had... And there wasn't really anywhere for her to go. We weren't prepared to swim, and the area around the deck was concrete on one side and wooden on the other. Neither of which seemed conducive to crawling around for her or for us.
It was hot, Savannah was grumpy and as we waited there were very few people who actually came from Wallace's work. And, it didn't take long to decide that we should probably make our way home.
So, with all of these things, including some other concerns for Savannah, some trips out to the pediatrician and for some tests and with some really great late-night conversations with 'Sted... This is where I am, today.
I'm waiting as patiently as I can for a few phone calls today. Hoping to hear good news, for a change.
But, in the very least I feel like I'm getting back some things I've misplaced over the past few years, and experiencing them differently too. So, I'm off to find out what else I'd like to be reintroduced to, with my whole new perspective on life.