7 Quick Takes Friday (2)

Conversion Diary

(1)

My Olympics Make Me Feel Inadequate Sweepstakes is still going! Comment on any blog entry to be entered to win a custom-made stuffed animal of your choice!

(2)

I saw this sign above the bathroom door handle at Subway.  "Push in only to lock."  I'm afraid I'm missing something obvious, but why was this sign necessary?  What might my other goals be when pushing in that little button?

"I tried to push that button for assistance when I fell in your bathroom,
but no one came to help me.  Expect a letter from my lawyer!"

(3)

I saw someone in a Sonic the Hedgehog t-shirt this week at Walmart and it made me think.  I never really bought into the idea that Sonic is a hedgehog.  He was the wrong color entirely, and from my limited zoology knowledge currency has no effect on the hedgehog.  It certainly wouldn't entice one to spin through roller coaster hoops.  Still, Sonic the Hedgehog sounds much cooler than Sonic the Blue Creature.  Why am I even talking about this?

(4)

I played hearts on the computer the other day for the first time in years.  When I was little, I would play  on the family computer and name the other 3 competitors after my current crushes.  Whoever won was who I would marry.  I knew I wouldn't win, because I suck at hearts.  If I wasn't happy with who won, I would play again.  It was like flipping a coin to decide something and seeing if you are disappointed with the outcome.  It turns out that my hearts game was not accurate at predicting my future romances.  Thank goodness.

(5)

This week I got to spend quality time with two of my favorite girls in the whole world:  My niece, Lola, and my pug, Penny.

(6)

I got a letter back regarding an article I submitted to a magazine in North Carolina.  It is a rejection letter, but unlike the other two rejections I've received this month, it really motivated me.  This letter did come with boilerplate language that said "Thanks for sending us your submission.  We're sorry to say that it is not right for our magazine.  We rarely respond personally to submissions as the number of manuscripts we receive makes this difficult.  Please know, however, that we've read your work and appreciate your interest in our magazine."

However, the manuscript reader also included a handwritten letter that said the following:

"Hi Jenna!  Thank you so much for sharing the story of your mother's illness in your article "Cancer in III Acts."  Your mother sounds like she was an extraordinary woman, so lively and ready to look on the bright side.  I especially loved the "pee party at my place" part of the story.  I am very sorry for your loss.  Although this essay isn't quite right for this particular magazine, I appreciate having had the chance to read it, and have no doubt you will find placement for this piece.  Good luck with your writing!"

I know a rejection is a rejection, but it is nice to know that these places are actually looking at my work, and that someone enjoyed reading it.  I'm continuing to send out manuscripts, and keeping my fingers crossed for an acceptance letter.

(7)

I think my sister-in-law, Brandy, and I are going to take an adult ballet class.  I have horrible balance and zero flexibility, so obviously this sounded like a swell idea.  If nothing else, it should lead to some embarrassing stories.