Rubis Bleu

Acupuncture:

I went to an acupuncturist once.  She stuck needles in my ear then told me to "relax."  I burst out laughing at the irony of that statement.  Unfortunately the acupuncturist didn't find it humorous at all and glared at me till I fell silent.  I think I kept going back to her because I was scared she would find out where I live and shoot needles at me while I slept.

 

She wore these 1986 business suits and had a passion for bright red lipstick and aquanet hairspray.  I swear she was married to Jesus himself.  Her husband preferred sandals, a big white cloak, and hair down to "there."  Once, he walked over to the couch I was sitting on, bent down as if sharing a secret, and said "Bless You."  I quickly sneezed to give him a sense of accomplishment. They had a pet turtle which would wander around the green carpet during the day.  I tripped over that turtle 72 times.  (It was either count that or the number of needles in my ear.)

Back to Writing:

I'm browsing blogs, something I haven't done in a good year, time or whatever has deterred me.  Anyways, while catching up on new favorites found this.  Copy/paste from Donald Miller's website: (Since I haven't found the archive link yet.)

In the new year, I’ve resolved to write a better story. By better story, I don’t mean the kind you write on paper, I mean the kind you write by walking and talking and breathing.

I’ve been studying a book by Robert McKee about the art of writing screenplay. The book, called Story, instructs on building good stories, creating fascinating characters, keeping audiences interested and so on. I used to think Hollywood stories were not like life because life is more boring. To some degree, of course, this is true, as stories are synthesized. But by applying the same principles an editor applies to a screenplay to our lives, our living and breathing stories become interesting.

So the question is, what principles make a story good? And can we apply these principles to our lives?

Here are some things to consider as we begin a new year, a new chapter in our stories.

1. Great stories include characters that want something. They have dreams and aspirations. Stories with characters that don’t want anything are nearly offensive. These characters have no appreciation for the gift of life, or worse, they refuse to take responsibility.

2. The dreams and aspirations of the leading protagonist are good for an entire community. They are inspirational dreams, or desires for justice, the character is kind and humble and wants for the good of all around him/her. The character does not think too much or too little of themselves.

3. The protagonist does not run from the forces that oppose him/her. A good story has its lead character facing their internal or external fears. They do not live out of their fears, they live out of their dreams.

4. The protagonist overcomes their fears in order to achieve their dreams. They "write" their story daily, because they know what their story is about. They take action.

5. Truly great stories include mystery and the power of providence. The goodness of God seems to reach in and help the character because God loves the protagonist. And the protagonist is good at receiving this love. We see this in the lives of Joseph, Moses, Joseph and Mary, Paul, Peter, Zacheus and so on…

Of course, there are many formulas for good stories, but this is a great one. In the past month, I sat down and wrote down my dreams, what I wanted, and I also wrote down my fears. I know now what I want, and what I have to overcome to get what I want. I know how to pray and I want to ask God to be with me on the journey. The story may not work out in the end. Many stories do not. But at least it won’t be boring….and by "it" I mean "life." The one who burries his talents is scolded, afterall.

All the best to you as you seek to write a great story. All the best to you in the new year!

Don Miller
12/25/06

Blue..

Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller came in yesterday, special delivery, a gift from a friend.  He's been telling me for a year, "read this book, it's so you."  Frankly the last thing I wanted to read a mindless finding of Christ by yet another "uber-pseudo-cool-40yo" Christian youth pastor.  The hypocrisy of it all drives me nuts. 

But damn it all... I liked this book. (You will too.)

It is a fluttering of life in the empty existence of being a Christian in today's world.

Merry Eve:

Listening To:

This time, This place
Misused, Mistakes
Too long, Too late
Who was I to make you wait
Just one chance
Just one breath
Just in case there's just one left
'Cause you know,
you know, you know - Nickelback

Someone holds me safe and warm.
Horses prance through a silver storm.
Figures dancing gracefully
Across my memory... - Anastasia

Ohh I'm sorry for blaming you
For everything I just couldn't do
And I've hurt myself by hurting you - Christina

A Few More:

 

Car:

OK New to Me Car:

Air Conditioning
Alloy Wheels
Am/Fm Radio
Cassette Player
Cd Player
Center Arm Rest
Clock
Console
Cruise Control
Cup Holder
Driver Side Air Bag
Fog/Driving Lamps
Heated Seats
Leather Wrapped St.
Leather/Leatherette
Map Lights
Navigation System
Passenger Side Air Bag
Power Door Locks
Power Drivers Seat
Power Locks
Power Mirrors
Power Outlet
Power Steering
Power Windows
Rear Defroster
Sunroof
Tachometer
Tilt Steering Wheel
Tilt Wheel
Trip Odometer

Add to the list..

Driving home from Kathy Casey's and car starts smoking.  Pouring rain, wind, horrendous traffic, I'm stuck in the middle of it, a 10 mile commute turns into 2 hours.  Car starts billowing smoke.  Can barely see past my hood.   Beg the car to get home. Starts makes weird sounds, clunks and POOF car inflamed with smoke and smell of burning.

*Sigh* What a week.

I think I'm buying a new car tomorrow.

Jackasses and other things...

So right before the first power outage I get a sms from James.  An sms he didn't mean to send to me.  A sms that talks about how he wants to screw another woman. 

(I can barely hold hands with someone and he's fucking other woman already.)

He then send another one saying "oops meant for someone else :-)"  No shit!  And thanks for rubbing it in with the smiling face.

It's always enjoyable to have someone take a knife, wrench it through your heart, twist it, then laugh as they pull it out. 

/end heartbroken-angry rant

Wine:

Created the achievable wine list: (This is how I celebrate no school till January.)

1.       Castle Rock: 2003 Columbia Valley, Merlot

2.       Chateau Ste. Michelle: 2003 Canoe Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon

3.       Chateau Ste. Michelle: 2002 Col Solare Red Blend

4.       Barnard Griffin: 2004 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

5.       North Star Winery:  Walla Wall Valley Merlot

6.       L’Ecole No. 41: (You want the Apogee and Perigee blends but they are sold out, from what I can find.) But this is good: 2003 Seven Hills Vineyard Estate Merlot.

7.       Novelty Hill:  2003 Syrah, Stillwater Creek Vineyard, or 2003 Novelty Hill Cabernet Sauvignon MAGNUM

8.       Wooldridge Creek Winery: Warrick Red

9.       Cedar Creek Estate Winery:  2004 Platinum Reserve Merlot

10.   Mission Hill Family Estate Winery: 2003 Oculus

11.   Maryhill Winery: 2003 Proprietor’s Reserve Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley

12.   Columbia Winery: 2004 Barbera Alder Ridge Vineyard

13.   Pepper Bridge Winery:  2001 Cabernet Sauvignon

14.   Kiona Vineyards: 2003 Lemberger

15.   Lake Chelan Winery: 2003 Stormy Mountain Red

16.   Tsillan Cellars: 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon

17.   Cascade Cliffs: 2000 Barbera

18.   Cathedral Ridge Winery: 2004 Rock Star Red

19.   Penner-Ash Wine Cellars: 2003 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

20.   Matthews Cellars: 2001 Elerding Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon or 2001 Colombian Valley Red

Breaks your heart...

James Kim