Adult ADD

I often wonder if I am a victim of Adult Attention Deficit Disorder. I seem to sign up for things and then all of the sudden my attention is diverted and the first thing that seemed fun is no longer interesting. You will often find this behavior when you observe two-year-olds. The only benefit of me having ADD is that I will most likely not whack my friend over the head with a wine bottle to take her glass because hers looks better*.

Some of the things I have signed up for have been a half marathon – which I stopped training for. And the National Novel Writing contest – which is half over and I am only ¼ of the way through my 50,000 word count. Hmmmmm. The things that I am suddenly interested in are my CD collection, reading, and sleeping**.

The half marathon is going to hurt. It’s in Seattle which equals that most of it is going to be UP HILL and with my luck, probably BOTH WAYS. I was okay with paying almost the $100 for the entry fee+ and I was deliriously optimistic about my chances of actually finishing the race—until I started talking to people about it. I told my co-workers that I was going to actually RUN the entire 13.1 miles. I told people that I would SMILE when I crossed the finish line. I told my family and friends to come WATCH. What the hell was I THINKING??! Clearly nothing. My boss, sweetest guy ever, looks at me with pity in his eyes and says, “Dacia, there is a really big hill and it’s okay to walk it.” What did my over confident self think when he said that? “Gawff! Dacia doesn’t walk up hills!!! SHE RUNS THEM!”++ Did I mention how fit my boss is and how he probably is right? Yes, people, I am going to die mid-half-marathon.

So the novel writing contest...Ha! I got this idea for a book based on some song lyrics. I figured I could turn it into a full blown novel until I got to page 22 and thought, “Hmm….I don’t have a plot.” I am aimlessly writing and wondering just where this story is going. People have asked, “What are you writing about now?” and I can’t help but just stare at them like a deer frozen in headlights. I haven’t got a clue but I assure you all that it’s going to be a masterpiece+++.

As of today, I have decided that I am not going to sign up for anything else after November. I can’t seem to keep a focus on anything and my CD’s seem to captivate my interest for right now. Although, as I look at this eclectic mash of musical taste, I can’t help but wonder—does even my music suffer from my inability to focus? *heavy sigh*

Looks like Spanish classes start up in January. Maybe I should look into those to give me some focus.


*Notice the use of ‘most likely’ here. It could happen…you never know.

**AND eating…always eating. I never seem to lose interest in that.

+ I am going to wear the thread out of that race t-shirt I tell you!

++ Clearly I am not only a victim of ADD, but also insanity. I am legally insane, I think.

+++Most crazy people do their best work at the height of their insanity.

The Writing Biz

What a whirlwind time I have had these past couple of weeks! Being a small time writing celebrity sure is a lot of work. I can’t wait to be a REAL celebrity with all my personal assistants in tow… imagine if you will, me, with four gorgeous assistants who keep me fed, watered, walked and happy. Wait a second—that almost sounds like a dog hoping for a family. Maybe I am a puppy. Nevertheless, dog or human, it would be grand.

So back to writing. I wrote a book. I have actually written two and the one I just finished self-publishing (which I would like to add is only for those writers who are mentally insane) is finally up for sale on Amazon.com. Never in my life did I think I would have a book for sale. I collected pre-orders for those who wanted theirs signed and the feedback has been outstanding. Supportive networks I have going on out there. But that’s not the first thing in this chain of wild events.

I said I’ve had a whirlwind of a few weeks (I seem to keep getting off track here) and it started with Meeting Ann Rule at a book signing in Tumwater. It was my first ever experience meeting a real author and I have to say, I was a little star struck! For once in my life, I was speechless until my new friend, Kim told me to speak. Oh! I suppose I should introduce Kim to the rest of you...

I met and made friends with a REAL reporter for a newspaper down in Lewis County. She* interviewed my dad and I for their local paper (while we stood in line waiting for Ann) and lo and behold we were printed up. Of course my dad had far wittier things to say, BUT! we were there just like Lloyd Christmas is to Harry Dunne** hamming up the scene. Anyhow, Kim is a really cool gal*** and perhaps I can bring her around Shelton for show and tell sometime.

So, back from the rabbit trail—my book is finally published and is released for sale, newspaper prints story, people are shoving $20 bills into my hands left and right, my oompa loompas are going crazy with all the crazy fans surrounding the estate, and this circus just keeps getting crazier. Perhaps I should start photographing my circus life? My next book Dacialand: The Circus in Pictures.

Anyhow, it’s been a fun ride thus far and I can’t wait for more…

Bring it on life, bring it on. +

*Kim the reporter!

**Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne are the characters in Dumb and Dumber. I had to explain who Lloyd Christmas was to my boss the other day so I just wanted to make sure everyone else understood this too. :)

***which makes me question – would a person make friends with someone they didn’t think was cool? My guess is no.

+Last time I said that I was given a HUGE project at work so I am thinking this mantra will work!

My Mom - The PR Rep

As some of you may know, I have written two books and am working really hard to self publish one of them through Amazon. There are some things I have come to realize through this process—self publishing for the mentally insane and you really find out how much people are willing to help you in making your dream come true.

I was asked by a friend today how many hours I have put into the novel I am currently working on. My close approximation is about 177 hours of writing, editing and rewriting. The first month I spent writing this dang novel equated to a part time job (which I didn’t earn a paycheck for). (Yet! I am always optimistic!) At any rate, these are not sane hours for one to keep. The time could have perhaps been cut in half, but due to my vice (read: WINE) it took a tad longer in the rewriting process. I am absolutely sick of my characters, just the other night; Quinn (the real annoying one) made a cameo in my dream. Like really? Where in hell did she come from?? So here I am, busting my hump to get this book off the ground and keep up the blog for those of you who are interested.

So! I was at lunch a couple weeks ago with my parents (and I would like to also add that before this story even gets off the ground that I was severely hung over. Not quite sure what happened the night before to render me so hung over, but whatever it was, I am sure it was fun. The tattoo I found on my lower back that said, “Fun Cheeks” ensured me of that. Not sure what that was about??) and we were talking about careers and jobs. It was at this point that my mom (who was particularly perky that morning) announced that I, who was on her left, was the next best thing to hit the Barnes and Nobel best sellers list. I about choked on my own tongue as the table turned to look at me expectantly.

My mouth suddenly went dry and all I could think was where am I? Am I still drunk? Who are these people? Am I still drunk? Did my mom just really tell all these people about my book? AM I STILL DRUNK?! Where did my mouth just go? As soberly as I could I smiled, nodded and tried to explain that the book wasn’t really that big of a deal to try and get the attention off me. This was by far the ONLY TIME IN MY LIFE when I didn’t want the limelight and apparently no one was picking up my ESP vibes.

In true mom fashion (well my mom’s fashion) she went on to tell the table of ten what a wonderful daughter, writer, employee, citizen I was and she was so convincing that even I believed her and wondered when I was going to meet this said ‘daughter’ of hers. It wasn’t until she actually said my name that I connected the dots—it was me! My mom was talking about me!

It was at that moment that I decided I no longer needed to worry about my PR rep for when I became famous one day. My mom would take care of that in one fail swoop. As for my job now, I wonder if my work would allow me to take my mom on interviews with me…She does a way better job presenting me than I do!