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August 2005

NaNoNextMo

Last year, on what amounted to a dare, I decided to attempt National Novel Writing Month. On the plus side, I met Mandrina on the first night, so that worked out well. On the downside, I totalled my car, got inolved at work, and then completely and totally failed to have enough time to finish my 50k words. I gave up early enough on to make it so Mandrina, who had been slightly injured in that entire \”total the car\” bit, could finish her novel, but mine crossed 15k, but not much further. Which is a good thing — I had signed up on two days notice, and didn\’t have much of a plot. Despite Chris Baty\’s promise, a plot is a necessary device. Or, at least, interesting characters. Or, at least, not a preoccupation with the cute girl next to you…

This year, Mandrina decided on her plot months ago. I went back and forth between a few, and think I finally have one. I don\’t know if it will hit 50k words, but it shows promise.

I need to write this stuff up somewhere!

So this year, I think my plot is going to be something along the lines of “Diary of an Evil Genius.” Although, I really hope that isn’t the final title.

Road [Plane] trip!

So last week Mandrina moved out of her apartment. I, of course, assisted… way more than I was originally supposed to, but I’m sure she’ll thank me later. *waits* Okay, way later…

While she’s leaving, I insist on checking her mail, which she hasn’t bothered to even glance at since, well… end of June we went to Romania, and before that she was on a business trip… so since the middle of June. I steal her keys, and go through her mail standing in the foyer of her apartment complex. Junk mail, junk mail, Seattle City Power and Light bill, Seattle City Power and Light bill for Ricardo Mendendez, Seattle City Power and Light disconnection warning for Ricardo Mendendez, another Seattle City Power and Light bill for Mandrina, an invitation to Miss A. R. + Guest… which I handed to Mandrina as I finish going through the rest of the mail.

“OH MY GOD! My father’s getting married!”

I then come across a letter addressed in the same handwriting to Ms. A. R., which I hand to her. It’s the letter sent four days before the wedding invitation that was intended to tell Mandrina about her father’s new girlfriend… who he started seeing over Easter. Yes, this Easter.

So the invitation was sent out six weeks before the wedding, but Mandrina had just not checked her mail. Her father’s note mentioned “wonderful boyfriend Andrew,” which is all he’s ever heard of me. And next weekend, Mandrina and I are flying back to her home town to attend her father’s wedding. We’re going to be staying at her mother’s house…

Yes, my life is just a little odd.

Idol thoughts…

Mandrina has decided at the last minute to compete in another karaoke competition — she really needs for these things to be scheduled better. But she made it through the first round with ease — admittedly, so did everyone else there because there weren’t enough people for a competition that night. However, tomorrow night is the final-ish round (I lost track of whether or not it is the final), and she’s… doing something.

It involves mirrors, a hair-curler-microphone, costuming, and mouthing singing…

Is this normal???

(I love you, Mandrina…)