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Ahem. Yes. Writing. That's what this is all about, lol. Thanks for humoring my way more serious segue into determining the fate of America. We now return you now to your original programming, already in progress!
I don't think I'll make it to Atlanta. You've heard the saying "When God closes a door, he opens a window"? I think in my case, he opened the window before he closed a door--weird turn of events, stroke of fate, whichever. Something VERY interesting going on out there in the writersphere! A new plagarist among us? Perhaps even a new champ!
Where's the good news? I got you some good news right here. Seriously--I just stopped to count and I've written seven chapters in the past three weeks. I say this out of sheer stunned amazement--my CPs know I'm not Speedy Gonzales. My 'good pace' can be considered a chapter a week at best. I don't know what it is, but there's something about this story that's clicking away. Perhaps three chapters to go! If I could turn that out before I leave for the mountains this weekend, I won't drive myself crazy wishing I had two free hours and a laptop. Computer, that is.
On an earlier Oprah, Morgan Spurlock of FX's Thirty Days and his wife agreed to live on minimum wage for (yes) thirty days. It turned out to be an impossible task. Minimum wage has not been raised in the past ten years, although the cost of living continues to rise, and is one reason the rich get richer, as the poor get poorer. USA Today is also on the bandwagon. What can you do? Contact your national leglislators and pressure them to get raise the national minimum wage. If you want the American Dream to persist, we have to create a fair environment for competition.
In prepping my lesson for class today, I covered 'settler colonies' like The United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. One of the distinct differences when compared to the mother country? No social hierarchy--everyone was more or less on the same plane, with the advantage of immediately instituting democratic political systems. This is one reason why class hasn't been a big issue in America, and we don't like to think of ourselves in that way.
But has an 'aristocracy' developed in the US? What about the Vanderbilts, Carnegies, Hiltons and Johnsons? What about Bill Gates and Warren Buffet, or celebrities? While you'll never hear me say that money makes a person 'classy'--it does give opportunities that not everyone can easily afford. In some historical cases, the class divide was great enough to provoke anger and social unrest. We aren't to that point here.
Bottom line: we still live in the greatest country in the world, where hard work and education can open doors and we can aim high to achieve. It's not magic--it doesn't just happen--it has to be maintained, like all good things.
Today, Oprah talked about class. As in socio-economic class. It was very interesting, and pointed out that the divide between the haves and have-nots is increasing. Something like 40% of the population controls the majority of the wealth, earning high six-figures, while the remainder toil for a median salary near 34k annually.
The econonmic advisor from the Clinton administration said that this widening gap does threaten the stability of the United States--that if people no longer believe they can achieve the "American Dream" they become frustrated, and in that frustration, become socially and politically dangerous.
He has a point. Last quarter, when discussing the fall of Rome with my students, one of them asked if I thought the United States was in decline. I answered yes, and we proceeded to make parallels from Rome to the United States, as well as other examples.
Like it or not, I think Keynes had it right. Economics (money) is the driving force behind history. When asked where the money was going next, my students had no problem identifiying countries like China and Korea. Oprah's site has a quiz to help you evaluate your socio-economic class. I'm not asking you to post results, but take a look and consider some of those questions. If you don't think you can live or achieve your dream or rise to another economic level...what does that mean to you?
This happens every eleven weeks...after the quarter starts and things settle down, I spew out chapters. Plural. I'm into my third chapter on The Knot since Thursday. After being so tired and working OT, it's like a dam breaking. Don't question it, just do it!
And thanks to the members of the RWA specialty chapter, FF&P, for their warm welcome this weekend!
Last night I watched on the National Geographic channel the two-hour unveiling of The Gospel of Judas. Basically, it's a Gnostic (type of Christianity) gospel along the lines of the Gospel of Timothy, the Gospel of Philip, etc. This predates any copy in existance, and it's very rare. It gives Judas a big makeover, though, saying that Jesus requested Judas betray him because Judas was the only disciple who understood what was about to happen. This gives him a place of honor, rather than scorn. Interesting...
...and the week was over! Near the end of a hectic work week, I came home this afternoon with the best intentions of a long evening of writing. I sat down on the sofa for a second, closed my eyes...and woke up three hours later! I could have slept through, but I forced myself awake at 8 p.m. I have a hair appointment in the morning, so I can sleep a little later, too.
I joined RWA. I haven't belonged to a single writer's group where "to be a member or not be a member" hasn't been debated. With information that used to only be available via RWA now accessible in other forums (mostly through sites like Romance Divas), I can see that point. I'm not under the allusion that it will get me in any doors just by putting member on my query. However, this is one of those things I have to experience and decide for myself. I've never been much of a joiner, but it's something I've considered for a long time and I'm going to give membership my best effort and see what happens. Maybe it's for me, and maybe not, but it won't be because I went in with my glass half empty and didn't look for benefits or participate. I'll probably join one of the online specialty chapters. I'm still considering the national conference, and I know it's getting down to the wire...but I have friends in the area and can drive down.
Thankfully, things have slowed down at work and I managed to post another chapter of my vintage historical for critique today (thanks for the fast feedback, ladies) and started the next. I want to finish this thing before summer ends--they deserve a happy ending :)