The Pyrenees---Southern France

The Pyrenees---Southern France

Thursday, April 16, 2015

Find the Orifice

         My philosophy, when it comes to technology, is if the cord will jam into the orifice, it'll work.

      No need to bother with keeping the matching cord with the device. Try several. Huff and puff and sweat and try to cram it in. Eventually I find one that fits.

      Last night, as I was packing for a work trip in my normal procrastinating style with plenty of lead-time, I was unplugging my work ipad. The cord would not come out. It had gone in with ease. What was the problem?

       I had used this cord before, and had trouble getting it out before as well. I spent enough time on it that I started to worry. What would my boss say when I turned in the damaged ipad with the Nintendo cord dangling from it?

       Yes, that's correct. This was a cord abandoned by our son years ago, and had gotten into the cord rotation... and apparently it was one of my favorite go-to's, because this was the second time I had gotten into a jam (literally and figuratively).

        Thankfully, I eventually was able to yank it out. 

         It made me wonder what kind of openings we pay attention to as people, as writers, as artists. Are we stuck plugging away at the stuff that's "safe" for us and while doing so, do we miss out on some avenues, some opportunities?

        Jennifer Brown Banks--on her blog Pen and Prosper--is sharing a link for an anthology on music. Chicken Soup for the Soul has several call-outs. I'm stalking an editor for a children's book that I have unwavering faith in. (It's a slow stalk... imagine a slug leaving a trail behind it as it stalks someone.) My NaNoGoneWrongo is stagnant, but I hope to get some work done on it this weekend. 

         (And I don't need large spans of time to move it forward a little. Even a half hour, if I take advantage of it, will add to the story.)

       What are some openings/opportunities you've taken advantage of? Exhausted minds want to know... 



       

20 comments:

  1. I'm still looking for some openings. As to that cord thing, I don't understand why all of these devices plugs can't be standardized.

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    1. Joeh--I'm right with you. I think it's a way to gouge us. But I could be overly suspicious. I'm suuuuure they're not out to make a buck...

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  2. You crack me up. The slug . . . hahaha . . .

    Openings/Opportunities don’t always wear a sign, is the problem. And I second guess/overthink every darn thing, so often I’ve missed the O/O because I’m still counting pros and cons when it flies past me. The last one that I took advantage of was an invitation from my critique partner to take a couple days and go to Asheville with her to see the Downton Abbey costume exhibit at the Biltmore. I never watched DA, but went anyway. So glad I did. We had a ball, and we got a ton of writing done.

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    1. Lisa--From what I hear, you (and I) need to go back and watch DA from the beginning. Yeah, if those opportunities wore huge signs and were emblazoned with flashing neon lights... it might help us.

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  3. Slug...great image of what I am these days. Vowed on Sunday life would be different...ha, it is late Thursday and another of same old, same old. If opportunity knocked, I would be ignoring it I am thinking.
    Technology...that is another thing!!! HOURS of frustration and tech support and junk at this house this week...still much not working yet!

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    1. Claudia--Let's you and I form an anti-technology society. We can both write with electric typewriters--but I gotta have the kind that corrects typos OR I need rolls and rolls of that correction tape they used to have.

      Really, being able to move a whole paragraph to a different spot or being able to delete things with just a click on the keyboard is quite convenient. But when it doesn't work, it's horrible.

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  4. I am so techno challenged. Inspiration strikes unexpectedly. I feel as though I am coming out of hibernation. It was a stagnant winter.

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    1. Linda--For YOU, stagnant probably means you only submitted 4 or 5 things every week. ;)

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  5. It's nice to know that I am in such good company...with you and with your followers! Thanks for the reminders of the call outs. I just missed one that was due the 15th, but I figure, it wasn't supposed to happen. I'm lucky I have a techno son to call when I can't figure stuff out! I could never make it on my own! I truly believe that opportunities avail themselves all the time. We just need to be ready for them. And when that bed calls us back....well you know! Always love visiting your blog!

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    1. NoExcuses--I've sent things late before (just a few times--the rest of the missed deadlines I just gave up on) and they were accepted (but not necessarily published). If you know the editor, you can beg and whine (sometimes).

      The bed called me yesterday afternoon, and I really enjoyed a nap.

      Thanks for the compliment. I love having these conversations with other writers and other people all over the country (and world).

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  6. Perhaps I'm a bit behind the times, but I'm still reeling from the fact that the power cord to my Hamilton Beach popcorn popper fit my Hamilton Beach Little Mac sandwich maker! My parents would be glad to know that I DID learn something in college!

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  7. Val--Obviously Hamilton Beach is considerate when it comes to their customers.

    So, does that Little Mac sandwich maker do rap as it heats/grills your sandwich? I've got their Big Mac Daddy sandwich maker... it's quite entertaining.

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  8. Mister Man saves a thousand different cords, thinking he'll need one someday. I guess it's a radio thing. Whereas I'm a "cord for every thing and a thing for every cord" person and CRINGE at the idea of jamming cords into devices willy-nilly.

    Trying writing opps, though, is totally different. I have a story I'm thinking of converting into a play. I hate settings and love dialogue...should be a piece of cake, right? :-)

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    1. Cathy--Sorry I made you cringe. ;)

      I hope your soon-to-be play does turn out to be a piece of cake. Good luck.

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  9. I've been slugging along lately. Joined a local fitness center and have been trying to lose weight and get back in shape.

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    1. Donna--I'm struggling with that as well. I'm sure you're enjoying more success than I am...

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  10. I have a retirement date in the near future and now I seem to be postponing everything. "I'll get to it after I retire" is my current motto.

    Pat
    Critter Alley

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    1. Pat--Congratulations--I know your two furry friends will enjoy having you home a little more.

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  11. I don't know if these qualify as openings, but I've been learning to do a lot of my own home repairs. It's out of necessity, of course, but I have lots of opportunities to learn, ha ha! And I guess writing and technology do have a few things in common. Both make our lives wonderful when they go well and miserable when they don't....

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  12. Tammy--It sounds like those are good opportunities to take advantage of... not fun ones, but ones that make you handy and gifted.

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