One week away

Well here I am, one week from the big 40. I don't feel any older. My brain is as shap as...huh? what? Sorry I fell asleep there for a minute. OK, where was I? Oh yeah. My body is in great shape. I just don't see what the big deal...Ow! I think I just pulled a goiter. I've got more to say about this, but I can't remember what it was. I think I'll go take a nap.

Thought for the day -

Um...You should never...Don't try to...Oh whatever.

Why do they think this is a good idea?

Last night, my wife and I were watching some DVD's and the phone rings. I pause the show and pick up the phone only to hear the recorded voice of some politician telling me why I should vote for him.

Is this the best thing they could come up with?

Did the meeting go like this?

"We need to get more people to vote for me."

"I know. Why don't we call them at home and interrupt their evenings with an annoying recorded message. They'll love you for it."

"Great idea. Let's get on that right away. After that, why don't we sign them up for record clubs?"

I know it's all about name recognition, but why don't they get a friggin clue.

I'll recognize his name alright.

"Hey, I recognize that name." I'll say. "That's the clown that called me with the recorded message. I think I'll vote for Tony The Tiger instead."

I did take some immediate action. I went to his web page and found out how to contact him. I called him and left a voice mail instructing him on why his strategy was a bad idea. I also sent him an email with the same information.

OK, I feel better now.

Thought for the day -

Lost causes are the only ones worth fighting for.

He's back.....

Sorry I've been away for a short time. I've had a bunch of stuff to do and as a result, I've neglected my blog.

Today I have a cold and am just feeling sorry for myself. I hate colds because you are not sick enough to lay in bed all day, but not well enough to enjoy anything.

I guess I'll just sit here and check my email every five minutes to see if the agent wants to look at my full manuscript. Woo hoo, what a fun day.

Thought for the day -

A watched pot never boils, but sometimes the water in the pot does.

The best birthday party ever!

Last night, I celebrated my 40th birthday by renting a roller rink and throwing a huge party. My birthday isn't till October, but because the place was booked up, we had the party last night.

My wife played hostess (Thanks, Honey) and let me skate and hang out with my friends. I burned two CDs of 70's and 80's music and we grooved to the old school for two and a half hours.
I told everyone not to bring gifts, so I got a big stack of birthday cards.

It was wonderful to share this milestone with the people I care about. I am truly blessed.

Thought for the day -

Don't forget to let you inner child out to play every once in a while.

Yay me!

I just got an e-mail from a literary agency that I had queried. After reading the obligatory thank you, I was ready for the usual rejection. Much to my surprise,

THEY WANTED TO SEE THE FIRST THREE CHAPTERS!!!!!!!!!

Needless to say, I did my happy dance with vim and vigor.

This is so cool. I feel like such a grown up right now.

Thought for the day -

Never let serendipity take you by surprise.

And the winner is...

I would like to thank all of you who (All three of you) entered the

FIRST OFFICIAL DREW'S MUSE CONTEST

No one got the answer correct, but all received high marks for creativity.

The votes are in and the winner is...

The envelope please....

Ramblin Rose

Congratulations.

Her answer was:

She named it Kalamazoo, because you got it in California, brought it home and it ate a kazoo and every time it meowed it made kazoo noises instead of the Kazoo noises?

The correct answer was:

My wife likes the song "Della and the Dealer" by Hoyt Axton. The song is about Della and the Dealer and a dog named Jake and a cat named Kalamazoo. I know it's obscure, but I wanted to give you a challenge. If you Googol "cat named Kalamazoo", you'll find it.

Thanks for entering. Look for more fun contests in the future.

I know this is off the topic, but my two year old niece is the cutest little girl in the whole world. It brings a huge smile to my heart when I ask her if she wants something and she says "No please".

Thought for the day -

Band-Aid has a racket going. They put the Band-Aids in a cardboard box. You get a paper cut when you reach in, so you need another Band-Aid.

When disaster strikes

OK, so I get up this morning and go to the kitchen to get breakfast. On the floor are the remnants of Rosie (The Destructo Dog) Cotton's collar. Somehow, she had managed to remove it from her neck and kill it.

No problem. I make my way to the pet store. The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and I'm grooving to my tunes. All is good.

Then it happened.

I'm in the store looking at doggie fashions when the music stops.

THE BATTERIES IN MY IPOD HAD GONE DEAD!!!!

There I was, cast adrift in the retail sea with no music.

"It's OK. There's no need to panic." I told my self as the beads of sweat started to form on my brow.

I grabbed a collar and hurried to the check out line.

Heart rate increasing. Shortness of breath. Vision blurring. Why do I always get in line behind someone who has never used their debit card before?

Two years later, I made it to the safety of the decompression chamber that is my car. I turned up the stereo and lost myself in soothing aural sensations.

The sun was shining, the birds were chirping, and all was good.

Thought for the day -

Be careful not to let your wants become your needs.

More of the same

Thanks for the interest in the

THE FIRST OFFICIAL DREW'S MUSE CONTEST!!!

Right now, Trish is in the lead because she has actually entered. There's still time, but don't put it off or you could miss out on the fabulous prize.

Now back to 101 things about Drew

61 - 70

62. I love going to Disney theme parks.
63. I can't drink any juice that's red.
64. I have skipped rocks on Loch Ness. No, I didn't see Nessie.
65. My kilt is the ugliest tartan you can get. Buchanan.
66. I am not the most athletic person, but I love to play sports. I make myself better by working harder.
67. I have all but one of Jimmy Buffet's records. That's the stuff on vinyl.

Thought for the day -

You don't have to be faster than the bear. You only have to be faster than the other guy.

Taking care of business

It's time for some blog-keeping chores.

Trish has put out a challenge to post photos from childhood.



Here's me in 1977.

Notice the Steelers jacket.
















This is the only one I have. All the others are at my mom's and she is doing a major remodel right now.

Now it's time for all my loyal readers (Drew's Crew) to step up. Let's see those pictures.

And now, the moment you've all been waiting for...

THE FIRST OFFICIAL DREW'S MUSE CONTEST!!!

Now is your chance for fame and glory. The lucky winner will get special mention in the Drew's Muse blog.

The contest is open to all members of Drew's Crew. (That's anyone who happens to read my blog.)

To win, all you have to do is tell me how my wife came up with the name Kalamazoo for our cat.

If nobody answers correctly, the winner will be chosen by our distinguished panel of judges (Me) as having the most creative entry.

The contest starts now and ends promptly at 11:59 PM PST on Sunday September 17, 2006. You may submit as many answers as you like. Remember, this is a family blog, so please keep it clean. All decisions of the judges are final.

Good luck and peace out.

Thought for the day -

Being funny is often better than being correct.

Back to the drawing board

After yesterday's post, I have figured something out. I write better in third person.

I have been pounding my head against the wall trying to get through the first chapter of my second book. I've been doing it in first person and it just isn't working. The voice is wrong and it sounds fake.

I've decided to trash the whole thing and take another stab at it in third person. I think the story idea is good, so I hope I can work it out.

Wish me luck.

Thought for the day -

If you can't get the door open, try going in through the window.

Unthinkable

I wasn't going to write about 9/11 today. There a thousand memories and feelings that I don't want to have to face. Denial is a defense mechanism I lean on a lot.

Then I read what Hotwire had to say, and I knew I had to put something into words.


The cobwebs slowly cleared from his mind as the news on the radio told him that it was time to get up. He was glad to have the extra hour of sleep that came from having to take his car into the shop that morning.

Then he heard the words.

"...Two small planes have crashed into the World Trade Center. It appears to be deliberate..."

He jumped out of bed and ran to the spare room. For the first time, he was mad that he was to cheap to buy cable as the fuzzy picture of the towers came on the screen. Smoke was billowing from both buildings.

"Stacy, get in here." He called to his wife.
"What's the matter? Oh my God."
"This is huge. There is no way this is a accident."

They watched numbly as he thought about what to do. Should he let Stacy go to work? He figured that Lynnwood wasn't much of a target, so that would be OK.

"Don't believe anything you hear right away." He told her as she left. "There's going to be a bunch of rumors flying around. Wait until they know what's going on. I love you and I'll see you tonight."

He took one last look at the burning towers and went to take his shower. There sure was going to be a lot of talk at work today. He wondered if anybody would get anything done today.

After he got dressed, he went back to look at the TV. There was only one tower on the screen.

That is when the first tear came.

Some quick computations about how many people that building could hold gave him a number too horrific to think about. He sank down onto the couch and hugged his dog.

In an explosion of dust and smoke, the second tower started to fall.

"Oh my God. Oh my God." Tom Brokaw was saying.

The dog looked at him with that vacant happy expression so common with golden retrievers. Unconcerned with the world and only wanting to be scratched behind his ear.

"You are so lucky you aren't human today." He said to his companion through the sobs. "You are so lucky."


Thought for the day -

Make sure to let those you love know that you love them.

Rock and roll movies

Last night I was thinking. My head still hurts. So I decided to do an easy blog list.

5 movies that you must see if you are a rock and roller.

1. This is Spinal Tap. "Ours go to 11."
2. School of rock. Jack Black at his manic best.
3. American Graffiti. The original cruising movie. Under no circumstances should you see American Graffiti II.
4. La Bamba. Los Lobos covers are totally cool.
5. American Hot Wax. The story of how rock and roll was brought to the masses.
6. Walk the Line. Just plain awesome.

Thought for the day -

"Hey kids, rock and roll. Rock on."

It's a good day!

So I'm checking the usual sites after the long weekend and Wooha, I find my blog linked on the pemanent side list on two of my favorite blogs. (Ramblin Rose and Coffee House Chatter) These are the only ones I know of that have done this. I will be wearing a smile all day long because of this. Thanks guys.

This morning, my wife had to get up to go to work. (She's a teacher and it's the first day) I had to get up at the same time (6:00 AM!!!) for a Dr. appointment. I love to see her off, but 6:00 AM!! I didn't even know that there was a six in the morning. I thought that the one at night was enough.

Thought for the day -

If you lived here, I'd be charging you rent.

Bitter sweet

I got another rejection yesterday. :( This is not a crying, self pity bolg, so just keep calm, Manic Mom.

It was my first hand written one. Good news - Proof that someone actually read my stuff. Bad news - She didn't like it.

"I am sorry, I cannot find myself concerned about your heroine's (wait a minute, there are no drugs in my book) difficulties, so I think I had better pass."

I am disappointed, but not much. She is just one person. I know there is an audience for my book out there. I just have to find the right agent. If I don't get at least 20 rejections, I'm doing something wrong.

Well, I've got to go clean house. Have a great weekend.

Thought for the day -

Where does sticky stuff come from?