Open Mic Wednesday 4/20/11
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
It’s Open Mic Wednesday. What’s on your mind?
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Books by Kaye Dacus
Novel in Progress
Follow the Heart*
Book 1 of The Great Exhibition Series
Due May 1, 2012
first draft completion goal date: 01/31/12
*working title
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Middle Tennessee Christian Writers
Have you ever gone by a first name other than the one you go by now? What was it and why did you change it?
Here’s my story about my name change:
http://kayedacus.com/2006/09/28/by-any-other-name/
my full name is Jennifer but I have been Jenny since I can remember infact I dont think I was ever called Jennifer except by people being smart. They try Jen and I hate it. Online I use Ausjenny as there are so many Jenny’s. We also more than one in alot of classes at school too.
In my street neighbours had a Jenny so I was big Jenny and her little Jenny. Im still big Jenny to them. It was funny in my hockey team on one stage there were 4 Jenny’s I figured If it was me they wanted they would make me know. Often playing the other team there would be a Jenny also and I adopted the same attitude.
My first name is December, and my parents called me that until I was about 18 months old. One day my dad was trying to get my attention, “December, come here December…” and I was ignoring him, so he tried “hey, Audry,” and I turned around. Based on that, they decided I’d rather be called Audry. I’m sure I was just being a brat and the unfamiliar “Audry” piqued my curiosity, but I’m glad they decided to switch to Audry.
When I was little I used to practically have a temper tantrum if someone called me December. I don’t care anymore, but I still think it’s a weird name and prefer Audry.
Have you ever asked your parents why they named you December?
They don’t have any particular reason. My birthday is in December – though they say that’s now WHY they picked it… and that’s the first question everyone asks too, “Is your birthday in December?” which is one of the reasons I don’t like it!
I’ve gone by Christy my entire life, but my parents came up with the great idea to name me Christopher. When my mom was pregnant, she and dad decided not to find out if I was a boy or girl, and said that regardless, they would name the baby Christopher. My mom thought that would be really interesting since everyone back then had names that were all the same and mine would stand out (esp. if I was a girl).
I used to think it was cool when I was younger…now it’s just a little annoying. People ask me if I’m sure that’s my real name, or they don’t know what to call me, and on and on and on it goes….ugh.
No, I have always gone by my middle name, which is Michelle. Sometimes it seems like OTHER people want me to go by another name, though.
In college (and other government institutions/offices), they always called my by my first name (Dacia) until I corrected them. Forms always ask for first name, middle initial, and last name. If you go by your first name, you might not have noticed that, but if you go by your middle name, trust me, you notice.
Since my married name is also a female first name, a lot of people get mixed up and call me Lesley, as though it were my first name. Even when it’s right there in front of them in writing. (Last night someone responded to an e-mail I had sent with “Dear Lesley…” even though they had to look at my signature {Michelle Lesley} to find out what my name was.)
People also call me Melissa a lot. Either I look like a Melissa, or people get Michelle/Melissa mixed up a lot.
And, finally, there’s a lady I work frequently with who’s always calling me Karen. I have no idea where that came from.
I’m starting to get an identity crisis :0)
Someone I used to work with at the newspaper always called me Michelle. And whenever I corrected him, he just shook his head and laughed and said I looked like a Michelle. So finally, after this occurred several times, I told him that, yes, I did look like a Michelle, because my sister Michelle and I look a lot alike. Don’t know if that’s what did it, but he never called me Michelle again after that. Karen, Karla, Katie, yes, but never Michelle.
I’ve always been Carla, though sometimes I’m called Carly by family members. When my paternal grandmother emigrated from Sweden she changed her name from Carolina to Carla and I’m named after her. I always thought she was brave for changing her name. I love your “new” name, Kaye!
This question made me think of a story a friend of mine once told:
(Her daughter’s name is Susan)
One Sunday she went to pick up her daughter after church. They told her they didn’t have a Susan. She pointed out her daughter playing in a group. They said Susan had told them her name was Jennifer.
I’ve been Jenni since the 8th grade when I changed it from Jenny. Ever since, “Jenny” has never looked right to me.
My 2 best friends are Stephanie and Jessi and I have a friend named Stephanie Jesse.
Do you have siblings—if so, did you get along better as children or as adults? (And if you and/or your siblings aren’t all adults, how has your relationship with them changed as you’ve gotten older?)
Many of you know from Facebook that Michelle Lesley, who occasionally posts here, is not only a soon-to-be-published Bible study author, but she’s my big sister, too. We’re two years apart and have had some definite ups and downs in our relationship. But I’d have to say that we get along much better now than we did growing up or when we shared an apartment in college. Would you agree, ‘Chelle?
I have one brother and up til dad died when I was almost 12 we got on well after that not so well. hes over 4 years older and he tried to take over as man of the house. Hes a teacher and uses the teacher voice and stance with me and mum which is annoying its like he talks down to me and if he doesn’t like what I say he uses that authority voice and attitude.
I had one brother. I was the oldest. Occasionally we would fight. That was the only thing we would get a whipping for. Sometimes he would be looking for a fight. I wouldn’t take anything off of him because I was bigger. However when we became teenagers he was stronger than I was, so I used tact instead. When he was dying he called me and said, “This is your baby brother, come see me.” We has good times growing up. When I visited him the last time we talked about them and I think the favorite was one winter night when it was snowing so hard you couldn’t see across the street we went out and played in the snow. There was a streetlight in front of our house (we lived in the city) so it was a magic time. The snow was like a rosy hal0 around us.
I’m the oldest of 10 – I have 5 younger sisters and 4 younger brothers. They range in age right now from 14-30, so I’m sure you can imagine that I have different types of relationships with them all, but they’re all good. I have one brother I did NOT get along with AT ALL growing up, and we get along much better now. Half of them were still really little kids when I went off to college – my youngest sister was only a year old – and I feel like I don’t know those siblings nearly as well as the ones closer to my age. Facebook has actually helped in that regard, strangely enough.
BAHAHAHAHA! How’d you know I’d drop by here today? :0) Yes, I would say that we definitely get along better as adults. Sometimes it’s easier for siblings to be friends when they don’t live together :0) Lots of fun childhood memories, too, though.
(And thanks for the plug, BTW. If any of your readers are looking for another Facebook page to “like” they can come join me over at “Michelle Lesley- Author”.)
How many set health & fitness goals for the new year? How are you doing on those?
After craving activity when I was strapped into that boot and unable to walk for two months, then gimping along with it for another month, once I got home, all I did was sit on my duff, waiting for something to happen—mostly I used the excuse of waiting to hear about whether I’d be working full-time or not. My eating habits have been deplorable, and I know that my ankle should be in much better shape two months after getting the all-clear if I’d done what I talked to the doctor about and gone ahead and started going to the gym to walk on the treadmill.
Well, no more waiting. I started back to the gym this week—walked 1.1 miles in 30 minutes (2.2 mph average) on Monday and 1.3 miles in 30 minutes (2.6 mph average) yesterday. Will pop back in to let you know how I do today. And I talked to one of the guys at the front desk and next week, we’re going to set up a full workout routine for me so that I can spend age 40 getting fabulous!
I also started back to low carb this week. So far, the cravings haven’t been too bad, but I’ve been stepping back instead of going cold turkey, so that may be what’s helping keep both the cravings and the withdrawal headaches at bay.
I have managed to lose a little weight this year considering I put on about 3 and a half kilos over Christmas (about 7 – 8 pounds) I have taken that of and about another 5 pounds or so. but eating is not good and I dont do as much as I should. I do walk most days as I dont drive.
Much success, Kaye. I’ll be praying for you.
Good job on renewing the commitment to exercising and eating better!
I did not reach last year’s goal of doing 10 pull-ups by Christmas (I got to 8 ) and now I’ve been slacking a bit and have lost some ground. I’m trying to get back at it, and have also started taking a yoga class (got a really good deal through livingsocialdeals.com) which is really improving my flexibility. Haven’t set any official goals though.
I lost about three pounds over the last few weeks – but then I had gallbladder surgery! My goals are to start walking regularly, and to eat more healthy foods. Right now I’m at a standstill with a sprained shoulder. It hurts no matter HOW I move. Ugh.
Good for you, Kaye! Sounds like you’re jumping right back in. Will you be blogging about it again? I’m on day 10 of my new food commitment and doing well on my goal of staying between 1200 and 1500 calories and under 150 carbs daily. I’m also increasing my activity, a little (difficult for me since I have joint problems). I also started the Made to Crave book and DVD (Lisa Tournquist). Have you heard of it?
Severe spring weather. Who’s sick of it?
ME!
If you mean the natural disasters I agree. We had such a lousy spring here last year very wet and cool. Summer was more like spring not very warm and Autumn has had a few hot days but no indian summer. Its wet and becoming cold today. I am even contemplating a fire.
Jenny, for the past almost two months, here in the southeastern part of the US—and now moving more into the northern part of the country—this is the time of year when we have torrential rains, damaging wind, severe thunderstorms (damaging lightning), and tornadoes. May 1 marks the one-year anniversary of Nashville’s flood. Yesterday, there were more tornadoes across Arkansas and part of Tennessee. Last week, tornadoes rampaged through Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Virginia. This is the severe spring weather I’m sick of.
We had more of it in west TN last night, and are still without power this morning. I’m so very thankful that we didn’t sustain any damage, although the same cannot be said for some areas of town.
I remember the flooding last year b/c it hit very hard in Millington. My parents almost lost their home b/c of it, and I hope I never have to see anything like that again in my lifetime.
Oh I can understand that. it would be a little like what we had in late Dec and Jan into Feb with so much flooding in Queensland and other states. one area of Queensland had yet another flood this week.
I understand you being sick of it we are too.
Me too! Sick of spring period and NOT looking forward to full-blown summer. I’m ready for fall.
Me, too. I feel like we’ll just skip Spring and roar right into Summer like we have the last few years. Hmmm. I’m sounding a little Eeyore-ish today, aren’t I?
Sick of it! Weird thunderstorms here. And it’s driving my allergies nuts!
I’m just sick of spring in general. Weather-wise it hasn’t been that bad here. I’m having horrible troubles with my allergies this year and am still recovering from a bad attack Sunday.
Very sick of it, but I managed to sleep through the storms last night.
Avatar
Have you seen it? What did you think of it?
Tried to watch it this week. Turned it off after 30 minutes of sheer boredom.
Haven’t seen it at all yet.
Not a fan. Too much emphasis on effects, not enough on plot.
I saw it in the theater in 3-D and really liked it. That truly makes *all* the difference. It is an incredible movie in 3-D, and so gorgeous that I really didn’t care about the lack of plot. I haven’t tried to watch it again, but I do love the soundtrack.
Water for Elephants
Have you read it? Are you planning to see the movie?
I haven’t heard of it I dont think.
Yes. I have a friend who reads a lot and she recommends the good books, this was one of them. I liked it and can understand why it has been made a movie. Super, super.
Read it after seeing the trailer. I didn’t love it, didn’t hate it… it was a much darker story than I was expecting. Still planning to see the movie at some point.
I’ve heard the book is so-so but the trailer looks interesting.
I haven’t read the book but I do want to see the movie, despite the Twilight guy being in it. I don’t see the hype about him.
Haven’t read it, thinking about seeing it. I’m just impressed that it started as a nano novel.
Complete the sentence:
By the end of this year I want to have accomplished. . .
–Financial solvency
–Building a life outside of writing/publishing
finishing the Diploma of Business Administration (even if it kills me!)
I will be employed and financially independent.
Having a clutter free house and neat, weed-free garden. I would like to be able to sit on my deck each morning, drink my coffee, read the Bible, then work on writing my novels without feeling guilty and stressed that there is so much to be done. Sometimes I am overwhelmed there is so much to do. It’s not that I am lazy, but that these things have accumulated when caring for my husband became so demanding. I am considering hiring a cleaning lady to come in weekly and a landscape gardener to help me get the yard in order. As I think about it, I should have done that years ago, but who can think when stressed?
Getting my architecture license.
Visiting Italy.
Flooring in the whole house.
Finishing my first draft and starting on revisions!
What’s the last nonreligious nonfiction book (i.e., not a devotional or Bible study) you’ve read?
Nineteenth Century Fashion in Detail
I know it looks like a picture book, but there’s a lot of text with great info on the period pieces pictured from the V&A Museum.
Good question a study book (for my business studies)
Oh no it would be An easy guide to the Hawaiian Language (or the other one I got on the language.)
TROWEL AND ERROR, Over 700 Shortcuts, Rips, & Remedies for the Gardener, by Sharon Lovejoy. You can tell I am trying to get my garden in order. I figure if I can get some shortcut tips I can do it faster and easier. I ought to be out there weeding right now. It should be a joy. But the pictures in the book are happy and joyful. Motivates me to get moving. But, I have a good excuse today, it’s raining. So, time to read.
The Winter of our Disconnect, by Susan Maushart. It was interesting, not earth-shattering.
I don’t know if you would consider this non-religious or not, but I’m in the middle of the new Eric Metaxas biography: “Bonhoeffer”. It’s really good, but it’s really long, and I’m not going to finish it before it’s due back at the library on Friday.
I’m reading Bonhoeffer, too, Michelle, and you’re right on both counts: very good, and very long. I’m not reading it at any regular pace or schedule, but plugging along. May not even get it finished by the end of the year.
The Cotton Planter’s Manual by J.A. Turner, published in 1857.
Working my way through Jeff Gerke’s Plot Vs Character right now (and recently finished Self Editing for Fiction Writers… I’m sensing a theme).
Cleopatra: A Life by Stacey Schiff.
Plan B by Pete Wilson. Excellent book about life throwing you into a Plan B. We all expect life to be a certain way and often life throws us a road block, making us take a detour. The book really spoke to me.
Who’s getting excited about Captain Jack’s return?
I hadn’t realised it was coming up. I have only seen the first two.
I like Johnny Deep. I always enjoy his films.
I seriously can’t believe they’re making ANOTHER one. I only saw the first two – loved the first one, thought after seeing the second one that it really didn’t need a sequel.
I CAN’T WAIT! Even my dad is excited about this movie.
I am. I wasn’t sure there was room for more, the way the third one ended, but with new secondary characters, I think it has a lot of potential.
I’ll probably see it even though it doesn’t have my favorite actors in it from previous movies.
ME ME ME ME ME ME!!!!! I am so ridiculously excited about Disney finally doing real-life mermaids, and one of them is modeled on Ariel! My sis is excited about the zombies.
We may even do opening weekend.
Soooo looking forward to this!!
Shiver me timbers! I can’t wait!
I’m so tired after two emotionally exhausting work days. Would love to write, but just feel like lying on the sofa and watching American Idol. Dealing with the guilt!