Thursday, February 28, 2008

Making My List, Checking It Twice...

The first thing on my to do list is to get tickets for The Odd Couple, now playing at the Hart Community Theatre. I hope it's on yours! I hope to go on Friday, tomorrow that is. (See yesterday's post for the details.) I hope to have many questions answered, the most important being.. Am I an Oscar or a Felix type? I think most of my critics would put me into the Oscar category... Which one are you? Will you truly be able to navigate future challenges without knowing the answer to one of life's most basic questions? And once we decide on our category... what to do then? Clean the house or raid the fridge? Oh just go see the play and surely your angst/confusion will ease.

Before the play starts on Saturday, you might want to take a short drive and check out The 14th Annual Athens Home and Garden Show from 10 AM - 6 PM

I hadn't planned to go to Athens this weekend, but oh, I may have to check this out on Sunday afternoon. (My dance card is full for Saturday.)

It will be at The Classic Center, 300 N. Thomas St., Athens and will present great exhibits and demonstrations of the latest in indoor and outdoor home improvements. A special "Kid's Corner" will include activities, arts and crafts, and other family events to keep them all smiling. Come on out to enjoy this annual event. 2008 ticket prices: $5 adults/$4 seniors/$3 age 3-12/ under 3 free. Parking Fee: $5. 706-357-4444.

I really want to get ahead of the long, hot summer and see what water saving devices are on the market, available for our area. So far I haven't had much luck in finding the plumber of my dreams (anybody interested in the new gadgets) but hope springs eternal. So... maybe this show will be a source of much needed info.

My sister is coming to town so there won't be much on the weekend agenda, but coffee, coffee and more coffee, but I plan to torture her overscheduled self with news of a weekly offering at the Atlanta History Center on Sunday afternoon, Mar 2, 2008 12 PM - 5 PM

Join the Atlanta History Center in celebrating the heritage of Ireland with traditional Irish music performances on multiple instruments; haunting and hilarious Irish songs; Ceili (Kaylee) dancing; and spirited colorful Irish step dancing. This program is free with general admission. For more information, please call 404.814.4116 or visit www.AtlantaHistoryCenter.com.

Admission: This program is free with general admission.
Parking fee: $0
Event Phone: 404-814-4000

She would so be there if the price of gas was a dollar less, if Monday didn't present scheduling difficulties. So... if you're broke, and the gas card is on the coffee table... zoom on up to Atlanta for a few hours!

And what have I been doing lately besides throwing things at my computer? Well tonight I went for a run. It was lackluster, but I made it to 3.1 miles and entered my total into
http://exercise.lbl.gov/index.html;jsessionid=C73234F402D2234D74BBF27E2528C11B

I love that site. It's made me work out so much harder. check it out... Tomorrow! Good night!

Thank You Mozilla

(FYI, this is Tuesday's blog... that I lost and rewrote on Wednesday, then almost lost again and finally loaded on Thursday. My technological burdens are so heavy... anyway, hopefully today will be a double post. If I can stand my own efficiency, that is...)

Curses! I cannot believe that I failed to mention that The Odd Couple is playing at the Hart County Community Theatre in Hartwell, Ga! Sob, it opened last weekend… and have I bought my tickets yet? No, no, but yes, I’m going to, I promise! I cannot believe that my brain failed me, that it could be such a heel… hmmm… if I’m walking on it, that just might explain its chronic ineffectiveness. But I digress! The point is, the Odd Couple is playing on Depot Street February 22-24, 29 & March 1-2, 2008... So give your heel-brain a wonderfully sadistic workout, RUN over there and get your tickets! I’ve heard that the director is very young, and very talented so it‘ll be interesting to see the play through the eyes of Generation Y.

If you decide to go to see the play on Saturday, you might start your day in Athens, Ga at
The 2008 Inaugural Fred Birchmore Run for Fun 5K/1M in Athens, GA. The 5K is at 3:30PM and the one miler is at 3:00PM. Isn’t that time the greatest? You can watch Conan, sleep late, eat a big breakfast and burn half the calories…

From Active.com:

The race takes place at Sandy Creek Nature Center / North Oconee Greenway
which is located at 205 Old Commerce Road, Athens, GA 30607.

Come celebrate with the legendary Fred Birchmore at the Inaugural Fred Birchmore Run for Fun 5K and 1 Mile. Fred Birchmore, 96 years young, is a world traveler, adventurer, sportsman, author, naturalist, historian, and builder of the Great Wall of Happy Hollow. He has been a member of the Athens Kiwanis Club for 76 years.

The course will run on the North Oconee Greenway on paved surfaces and is flat and fast. Registration will open at 1:30PM at the parking lot for the Allen House, which is located next to Sandy Creek Nature Center.

Fees: $15.00 by 2/15/08, $20.00 afterwards thru race day.
Online Registration Closes: 02/28/08 11:59 PM
Website: http://www.runningintheusa.com/crs

Now doesn't that sound like fun? I think "you" should do it. I have a wayward relative coming through town, so I doubt I'll be able to go.

After the race, head on down to Hartwell, take a polar dip in the rather large… er puddle… formerly known as Lake Hartwell, sigh… and wash off the stink off (who knew endorphins stunk so?! I thought they were a good thing!) BEFORE heading down to Depot Street, to the Odd Couple. (If you skip step 2, er… watch who you sit next to…Just a thought…)

On the industrious side, I subbed a playlet to The Women's Theatre Project. They’re putting together a reading of women's short plays (10 minutes), scenes and monologues to celebrate International Women's Day. The reading will be on Sunday, March 9th in Ft. Lauderdale. FL. This is a meaningless ritual, but hey, at least I got to poke that send button. (Every finger should get its daily workout. I'm a firm believer in that.) And the artistic director sent me a nice, "you go girl" confirmation, so that seemed civilized. I doubt my feeble offering will make the cut, but at least… my brain also got it's aerobic workout! Yeah, I'm sure I was going for that. I hope that’s called fulfillment lol. … Is that related to being full of oneself? I sense a strong connection.

On that out-of-tune note, stay tuned for more great discoveries and blown deadlines… Good night!

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Road Trip!

Now why did I name this blog ReadWriteRun… I mean, I’ve done the running, the writing… but have I done any reading since starting this blog? Well, I’ve read a bit of “The Year Of Living Bibically” by A. J. Jacobs… which I love! But why so silent?

Maybe this newsflash will get me going! A mindless Google search led me to the news that Tracy Chevalier will be at Wordsmiths Books in Decatur on February 28, 2008. I don’t know that Tracy is my favorite author, but I love her writer’s mindset. I got so much out of “Girl With A Pearl Earring” because she showed me how a painter approaches his subject. She’s a combo of how to manual and poet. Or so she was in “Girl…” It’s not like I’ve read anything else of hers, like I’m an expert. Hmmm… perhaps I should rectify that and read Burning Bright. Then I could be a two book expert. “ Burning Bright” is about William Blake, the poet so that should be a beautiful book. As Tracey’s appearance at Wordsmiths will be her only appearance in Georgia, I’d like to see her. I’ll have to seriously consider that….

Sadly I did little this weekend… well, nothing that meets blogging standards. Recycling newspapers generally doesn’t inspire comment. Nor does losing keys and cell phones. Paying bills. Watching Jane Austen… well, maybe that’s borderline. It IS an elevating experience, even if I have seen the mini-series 99,000 times.

I did experience the good life. I dined at Sullivan’s Metro Grill on Main Street in Anderson, SC. You don’t eat at Sullivan’s. You dine. It was wonderful. Salmon, all sorts of cheesecakes, caramel cake… Check it out at http://www.sullivansmetrogrill.com/find_us.html

I started 3 plays so maybe that counts for something… but not for finishing though. Everything just seemed to LOOM… each project went King Kong on me, seeming too big and unruly to tackle on a Sunday night while trying to sort of watch the Oscars (boring!) and Pride And Prejudice (my salvation! Darcy took the bitter aftertaste of the Oscars right out of me! Yeah!). I’ll have to try them again while… House is playing in the background… or maybe another mindless episode of Law and Order. Or CNN and their two minute loop of stories. Oh, how many times I heard the same three tired stories over and over again. Are their writers still on strike? Do they have any writers?

But on a less cynical note: I ate lunch on Saturday at McIntosh’s Coffeehouse. Spinach quiche with potato salad… It was a fine experience. Note to self: go there more often. Just don’t buy the antiques. That could set you back a few bbq sandwiches.

I also checked out the perfumed, sugary air at Donuts on Depot. I went through the door as an inspector, but was immediately sacked (which was filled with incriminating bear claws and cinnamon donuts!) as everything there is so intoxicating… After leaving, I found that my sugar level was 4.0 over the legal limit, and I hadn’t eaten the first pastry! And to make matters worse, I think I was spritzed with candy gas and made to order brownie pie and lemon donuts and… oh, never mind the listing of my sins. I’m not exactly looking for redemption… unless it’s covered in chocolate…. or found within a loaf of apple bread. In fact I was pleased to find that eating apple bread while watching Jane Austen really made me feel the authenticity of the… well, okay it didn’t, but it sure did make me happy. One more note to Self: Don’t forget the importance of apple bread in the diet.

Enough prattle. It’s time for sleep! For visions of sugar plums to dance… Good night!

Monday, February 18, 2008

Now Where Was I?

Last night I didn’t finish my weekend report due to my inability to win my wrestling match with Hewlett, The Angry Packard. (I’ll spare you the boring blow by blow description of my defeat. Suffice to say there were bruises! All mine. Talk about pathetic. Yes, I‘m still crying.) So… let’s continue with more positive developments/details, whatever :

I did a good bit of stepping out on Saturday. (We won’t discuss Sunday… which uh… oh yeah, that was a day of rest. Woo hoo, what an incredible save!) The back door was swinging all day… first the 5k, then I ran to the last Saturday class at bell, Book, and Candle at the Health and Nutrition Center in Lavonia, Ga on Vickery Street. Sadly the bookstore is going to change ownership and while I’m glad it’s going to stay open, I’m sad that the writer’s club, the Saturday classes, and the book club are all going to be no more. There just wasn’t enough interest.

The last Saturday class was a good one! We tasted different varieties of chocolate and compared and contrasted dark chocolate and milk chocolate. It was the funniest class! You kind of had to be there to appreciate the insanity of eating so much chocolate in such a short period of time… Sorry, I would describe the mouthwatering experience, but you snooze, you lose… so I leave you with only your starved for details imagination.. Which is lacking… chocolate. On the plus side, you weigh 5 pounds less than I do, so go ahead and snicker. What? Did I hear a Snickers bar unwrapping? Am I paranoid? Or just hungry? I could never live in Hungary. What do people do there?

But perhaps I'm going off on an unfunny tangent...

And I ended the night at a pub on the corner of Hull and Hancock. I forget the name of the pub, but it was a great place… quiet. I met a friend and we sat outside in the courtyard and there was a homemade skee ball area where people were competing… and inside a sewing class was meeting, so it’s the sort of place where you can do your own thing. Nice!

And my friend and I decided to create a theatre club. If you want to join, feel free to fill out a ten page application, after which you should be prepared to provide a hair sample… then maybe a urine… on second thought, maybe that last requirement could be omitted... At any rate, we decided to write, sub a play on quilts to a theatre in Kentucky so the theatre club will be a fantastic learning opportunity.

And tonight I went out for a run. 3.5 miles. I was almost Gone With The Wind, but luckily I persevered because frankly, I just didn’t… heh, heh. When I came home, I entered my time at http://exercise.lbl.gov/index.html and I’m currently 1.16 mi from Chavies, KY which is in Perry County fyi. If you don’t know what lbl.gov is then it must be Google time. At any rate, Chavies, Ky isn’t too impressive. Lots of trees, a transfer truck that may have crashed into a chain link fence. (And that’s more drama than is usually found at lbl.gov so consider yourself lucky.)

Okay I’ll end the night with a little bit of info. On Saturday, there’s a race in Flowery Branch. The 1st Annual 5K Racket Run/Walk at 9 a.m.

While meanwhile, on the other side of the creative divide….

In Athens, at The Town and Gown theatre, Glengarry Glen Ross is playing February 22 through February 24, 2008.

And that’s it, folks! Good night!

Sunday, February 17, 2008

The Weekend Rolls To A Close

And it was busy!

My weekend score is at least a C… On Saturday, the back door was swinging all day... I made it to several events. We won't talk about Sunday, which could have been a recovery day.

Somehow I did indeed make it to the St Joe’s Jog 5k! I don’t know how as the morning races are so brutal to the pysche (oh, you should see the bruises!), but bravely, I sallied forth. Without the aid of coffee, nothing stronger than filtered water, I made the journey and only came to a screeching halt 5 minutes before the race started. I had time for a lunge and a half before they waved us off, but my legs didn’t complain so much as I came in 114 out of 153 runners. My time was 34:49.7. Not great, but not so lousy. I can handle that range! I came in fourth in my age group and no. 3 came in two minutes faster, so I’ll have to get better batteries for the next race.

The race was a good one. I would do it again. We started out on Prince Avenue, in front of St. Joseph Catholic School and it wound around the Historic Boulevard area, so there was some nice scenery… and the hills! Oh the hills! Yes, the hills were alive… with the sound of my screaming! I don’t run in Athens very much because I lived there for years and it’s hardly an exotic location, but I should run there more often just so I can torture my heels with their hills. I admit to some traumatic flashbacks because of the killer... hills... that taunted me with their… great, unrelenting height, but even so I kept running and didn’t suffer so much. (It really helps your endurance if you're capable of going 00000.2 miles an hour.) So eventually I quit my sobbing. Especially when the other runners asked me to stop. All those babies in their strollers were getting irritated.

I can’t run next weekend due to relatives coming to town, so I’ll offer up two interesting races that are scheduled for Saturday:

The 5th Annual Barrow Boogie 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run is also on Saturday. The 5K begins at 9:00AM, the 1 Mile at 8:30AM. The start/finish is located at Barrow Elementary School next to the UGA Track and Butts-Mehre Building. The course will run through the UGA campus and adjacent neighborhoods

Fees:
$15.00 by 2/15/08, $18.00 afterwards to race day.

Online Reg. Closes:
February 21, 2008 11:59 PM Pacific Time


The second race takes place on Saturday as well… at the Mall of Georgia. Oh, I want to run and go shopping! I can’t-I can’t-I can’t… Arrrgh!

The Mall of Georgia is located just off I-85 in Buford, GA. The proceeds from the race wil benefit the Children's Miracle Network, Miss Mall of GA Scholarship Fund, and Simon Foundation for Children.

Fees:
$15.00 BY 2/14/08, $20.00 afterwards to race day.

Online Reg. Closes:
February 21, 2008 11:59 PM Pacific Time

The race takes place on paved roads going around The Mall of Georgia. So run to the finish line and keep on going inside... do a little shopping and finish yourself off with some fattening treat. That sounds like heaven! Well okay, maybe it will lead to heaven... but still, what a great way to run!

I had more to report, but Word keeps messing with me and I keep losing my posts! The cyberdog keeps eating my homework! So there will be more tomorrow. Good night!

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

This And That

Tonight I was poking around the Internet and I noticed that the theatre at Furman University in Greenville, SC is performing "Proof" by David Auburn. It won the 2001 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the 2001 Tony Award for Best Play. I've heard so much about this play... I'd really like to see it and see if it's worthy... I'm mulling it over for the weekend... I'm definitely going to a race in Athens (a non-thinking event so of course that's confirmed...) ... so that'll be a bit of driving... (more mindlessness, so yeah, that's doable...), but it could work out.... er... if... uh, I was up to the content of the play.... I hear it's intellectually rigorous. At the end of the day? Should I see Fool's Gold instead? Can my tired, underachieving brain cells... handle a Pulitzer Prize winner? Time will tell, probably on me. At any rate, for you adventuresome types, the box office phone number isite is: 294-2125 and the website is: http://facweb.furman.edu/%7Erbryson/dramadept/dramadept.html

the times are February 06-09 & 12-16 - 8 PM, matinee February 10 at 3 PM

I think I've already mentioned this before, but A Streetcar Named Desire is playing at Town and Gown Theatre in Athens, Ga this weekend... this is the last weekend, so if you're going to go... For more info, the website is http://townandgownplayers.org/ I just don't think I can do it. I've seen that movie one too many times. Stellllllllllllaaaaaaaaa! I wonder if The Flintstones ever did a parody? Fred would have made a fine Stanley. And Wilma a great Stella. But Blanche? Would Betty have made the cut? I could totally see Barney as one of the poker buddies. Great, now I've channeled the entire movie through my high speed mental Ipod. Traumatic flashbacks included.

And on the depressing, frustrating writer's front... I found two interesting submission... er make that rejection opportunities lol. But on the positive side,, they sound like great reading experiences...

Check out:

"At Sniplits, we're simply crazy about short stories. We think more of them should be published, and we've decided to do something about it. So, we're working furiously toward launching as a new short story publisher. Our goal is to make Sniplits the single best place to find wonderful, short tales for downloading to your MP3 player, cellphone or whatever. We're accepting and reviewing manuscripts now, and we welcome the work of new as well as established authors."
SNIPLITS - Audio short stories to go
Submission Guidelines: www.sniplits.com
Pays: $30 - $150/story

I collect mini mags and this is one I intend to subscribe to... $4 a year! Can't beat it! Snotty, elitest magazines for the underclasses! That's the price of lunch... in 1994!

Check it out:

Inch is the magazine of short poetry and microfiction. We are currently accepting submissions for our Fall 2006 issue.

Poetry: We are looking for smart, complete poems one to nine lines in length. Don't send us a good line or three-- send us a complete poem that bites, resonates, or sleeps with giants. Submit one to five poems with a cover letter. You may include more than one poem per page provided that you insert ample space in between. We do not accept previously published work or simultaneous submissions. Submit your work to Inch because it belongs in our magazine, not because you're desperate to place it somewhere. All rights revert to the author upon publication, though we will occasionally ask if we may reprint poems in our double-sized spectacular issues. Pays three copies. Submissions that include poems longer than nine lines in length will be read and ignored.

Fiction: Flash fiction. Microfiction. Call it what you will; Inch publishes the finest stories of 750 words or less. Submit one to three stories for consideration. Include a cover letter. All rights revert to the author upon publication, though we will occasionally ask if we may reprint fiction in our microfiction bonanza issues. Pays three copies.

Submissions should be addressed to the fiction or poetry editor's attention.

Mail submissions to:
Inch / Bull City Press
1217 Odyssey Dr.
Durham, NC 27713
E-mail submissions are not accepted.

And thus ends another anemic edition of Run-Write... whatever the name of my blog is...

Good Night!

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

I went for a glorious run tonight and am in a fine mood! All is right with the world. On behalf of the running world, I offer up two weekend races:

This first one you'll have to travel for, but it must be a good run because every runner seems to have a t-shirt from it. I bet it's one of those glorious, good food/good goodies races. I doubt I'll go but I may have to go look at the description for it (don't have time tonight.) there is nothing better than a well-stocked goodie bag... full of useless junk.

2/16/08
12:00 AMRun the Reagan
Reagan Parkway & Hwy 124
Snellville, GA


And... a Sunday race! I love Sunday races... when they're late in the afternoon, that is. I think this one takes place at Sandy Creek Park. I love running on the greenway. I did a Halloween race there and it was wonderful!


Feb 17, 2008 10th Annual Frog Hop 5K & Tadpole 1 Mile Fun Run - Athens, GA Mail-in Registration Online Registration 5K - 2:30PM

(Details on both are at active.com. I'm running late and can't be bothered tonight!)

Well... after my lousy experience of yesterday, I shouldn't even list a writing opportunity, but why shouldn't I try to ruin yet another day? Yes, I could waste more time! What a concept!

Quay, a literary arts journal, is soliciting submissions in poetry and prose as well as drama through the end of February for our print edition coming out May 1. The editors at Quay are hoping that many of you will have something on your desk that is dying to be sent off - here's the time and the place! The following link explains our submission guidelines.

We are looking forward to reading your work. Please forward this invitation for submissions to any writers you know who are looking for a venue for their work.

Happy Writing,
The Editors of Quay

http://www.quayjournal.org/submit.htm


And although I'm leaving the writing world behind (haha), I think I'll throw my Canadian reader a bone...


Submissions :: Puritan Magazine 3.17.08
The Puritan, Ottawa's Literary Prose Magazine, is accepting submissions for the Spring 2008 issue: fiction and creative non-fiction,500-7500 words. Deadline: March 17, 2008.

And finally, the seriousness is over and done with. Sorry, but tonight's blog does not come with jokes. That would be $9.99, sold seperately. In fact... feel free to insert your own. Anywhere. Just clean up after your're done.

Monday, February 11, 2008

Giving Up Writing For Lent

Well at least I'm ahead of schedule. And this is important to me, as I'm usually lagging behind.

And I'd like to publicly boo-hiss Bill Gates for my decision. Enough said.

But on a positive note, I'm definitely going to go to a race this weekend.

I am eyeing this...

Saturday, February 16, 2008 at9:00 AM

Come join us for the 9th Annual St. Joe's Jog 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run. The start/finish will be at St. Joseph Catholic School which is located at 134 Prince Avenue, Athens, GA 30601. Proceeds from the race will benefit the Clute Barrow Nelson Children's Center of St. Mary's Hospital and educational programs at St. Joseph's Catholic School.

Additional Information
Pottery awards in the 5K will be presented to Overall Male/Female, Masters Male/Female, and top three Male/Female in age groups beginning 15-19 through 75 and over. The two lower age groups will receive special trohpies. All participants in the 1 mile fun run will receive medals. This race is part of the 2008 Run and See GA Grand Prix Series. Early packet pickup is available on Friday, February 15, 2008 between 11:00AM and 6:00PM. Race day registration and packet pickup will begin at 7:00AM. The entire course will be run on paved streets in the historic Boulevard district of Athens, GA.

Fees:
$18.00 by 2/9/08, $20.00 afterwards to race day.
Online Registration Closes:
02/14/08 11:59 PM
Website:
http://www.runningintheusa.com/crs

Sunday, February 10, 2008

The Weekend Report

And how did you fare? Did you use your time wisely? Do you have dozens of dazzling anecdotes destined to drum up despair down at the.... You and I both must be really glad that I can''t continue that twister! I was never a fan, I admit. Couldn't dance either.

I did accomplish a few things:

1. Went for a run. 3.1 miles.

2. Watched "Music From The Heart" with Meryl Streep. I get points subtracted for watching it on tv... since great chunks of the movie were excised in order to sell shoes, but even so, I managed to enjoy and understand the video.

3. Entered The Binnacle contest! As they get 600 subs on average, I felt like I threw my submission away... and I won't be able to resubmit until May when the winners are announced... but still, I rescued a story snippet from my hard drive, and it was fun to chisel it into a story. The story had to be 150 words, and that was a challenge. First I had 276 words and I was shocked as there was so little story to that... and then I started hacking off limbs, and I made it to 173... then after that, it was a piece of cake. (Angel food--not so much in importance, but low-cal and that's something.) It's interesting working on a story of so few words because one word has to point into 3 directions in order to serve both character and plot. It's an interesting process to change a word and see the interplay between the two open up... just on the strength of a mere word. In one case, I changed his to their, and the story exploded... well, sort of... in a Roman candle, sort of low-key way.

4. I picked out a couple of play contests to enter... then I struggled with headers, footers, and cover pages for way too long. I really despise Word. If I wasn't so aggravated, I'd send WORD to Bill Gates of my irritation, but nah, I think I'll just smack my header with my footer since it dovetails with my interest in yoga... Or would that fall under the header of Taking An Unneccessary Beating? I'll be sure to send my bandaid bill to proper noun Bill.

5. I half-watched Pride and Prejudice on PBS. I was still footering my teetering header, so it kept me from fully engaging with the plot... but even so, I looked up every now and then and enjoyed whatever... what was that, now?. Is that evidence of ADD or multi-tasking? You be the judge!

And so that's that. I give myself a D. And how did you do? Tally your score, and give yourself a beating, if need be. I'll resume listing things to do on Monday.

Saturday, February 9, 2008

The Pressure Of The Weekend Intensifies

And how is your weekend going? Remember, you have one more day to cram it all in, to get out there and do something, one more opportunity to create meaningfull conversation around the water cooler... You know... I have never discussed anything around a water cooler. I get the water, I move on. Am I living right? Is conversation more meaningful around a water source?

I have however uttered/taken in lots of gibberish at the coffeepot. Yes, I am a tongue flutterer.... but then most people seem to be, so maybe that's no huge confession.

So far, I haven't lived up to the weekend challenge. This does not surprise me. I would have attended the wine/cheese pairing lecture... but it was cancelled due to illness... and I should have gone to a race, but I cracked open a case of procrastination instead. I should have blogged Friday, but I watched the second half of "The Family Stone" and spent the rest of the night filling in the first half of the movie. It was exhausting yet oddly exhiliarating.

I did run tonight. I ran like a 98 year old, but oh well, at least that's one stat for the weekend. And hopefully it'll bode well for a race next weekend.

I may sneak off to Anderson on Sunday and see "The Atonement." I wish I could say I was excited about the Oscar movies, about seeing everything that's been nominated, but I keep going down the list... blood, blood, blood, more gore. Does Daniel Day Lewis choose his roles according to how many body parts he's allowed to scatter? And "No Country For Old Men" sounds like a splatter fest too. I think I'll go see Atonement and root for it... if there is an Oscars ceremony. Sigh. Bring the writers back!

There is a 3pm showing of "The Seagull" in Greenville on Sunday, but I doubt I can make that.... real life and all of that. Maybe next time, Anton...

I found an interesting writing opportunity and the deadline is looming... (I did spend some of my Saturday working toward this so, hey, I'm not a total slacker!)

BINNACLE 5TH ANNUAL ULTRA-SHORT CONTEST - Deadline: Feb. 15, 2008. No entry fee. Fiction, Please submit original poetry, short fiction, short short fiction, creative non-fiction, as well as photography and other works of visual art, both color and black and white. 150 Words Max. Poetry, 16 Lines Max. Submit to editor: ummbinnacle@maine.edu Prizes To $150, URL: http://www.umm.maine.edu/faculty/necastro/binnacle/ Click on submission guidelines.

The Binnacle will sponsor its Fourth International Ultra-Short Competition in the 2007-2008 academic year. We are looking for poetry of sixteen lines or less and prose works of 150 words or less. All submissions should be made via email to ummbinnacle@maine.edu. Please include the work in the body of the email message, if possible. If you would like to send it via attachment, we prefer ,doc, .txt, or rtf files. A minimum of $300 in cash prizes will be awarded, with a minumum prize of $50. Please submit no more than two works total, prose and/or poetry. When you submit your work, please be sure to include your postal address as well as a thirty-five to fifty word self-description.

There is no submission fee. Deadline for submission is February 15, 2008.) Notifications will be made around May 15, 2008. Because of the volume of submissions, we are not always able to send notifications to all works that have not made the cut. To gain news about the winners and those who will be included in the edition, please keep checking our website. Look especially on the Updates page.


Hey you teens! Here's an opportunity to make some moolah with last week's homework assignment. Dig through your book bag and smooth out the edges of that wadded-up essay, and send it off!

Learning Through History magazine is a bi-monthly history publication for readers in middle thru high school. We are accepting submissions for the Nazi Germany issue through February 20, 2008. Here are just a few of the many topics that would be of interest - we also encourage writers to submit manuscripts and queries on other possible topic(s) that are related to the issue theme.

For this issue, we are interested in articles on the Nazi German state itself versus WWII specific articles (battles, etc.)

The Rise of the Nazi Party, Night of the Long Knives, Reichstag Fire, 1936 Olympics
Nuremberg Laws,The Hitler Youth, Goebbels and the Propaganda Ministry
Hitler's Henchmen (Goring, Himmler) , Lebensraum , The Gestapo
Dachau: The First Concentration Camp , The Munich Agreement, The Anschluss
Kirche, Kinder, Kuchen: Women in Nazi Germany , The End: Third Reich in Ruins

Learning Through History pays $75 per non-fiction articles of 1000-1200 words, plus a complimentary issue in which your work appears. We also accept arts and crafts project submissions. Please see the freelance guidelines section of our website for complete details on how to submit to our magazine at http://www.learningthroughhistory.com/


I had to laugh when I saw this competition. I was able to come up with 3 contenders immediately... that's nothing to brag about, is it? I wasn't going to submit because of the embarassment of being successful... but a) I'll probably fail, which means... er... oh let's not go there... and b) oh why not... what's a little... more humiliation? I would hate to run out of everpresent ooze.

LANDLESS PLAY COMPETITION! "SO BAD, IT'S GOOD!" We are looking for a play to produce in June, 2008, that fits our theme, "So Bad, It's Good." How you interpret this is up to you: Is it the play? The subject of the play? The theme of the play? What the theme is about? The playwright? Etc.? Etc.? If you've got a play in your computer or in the back of a drawer or in the back of your mind and you know it is perfect for Landless (that is, so bad it's good!) then we'd like to see it, read it, and consider it or a full-scale production! And we are talking the best director, actors, and set that no-budget can buy, and a completely mounted late-night show in the Adams-Morgan neighborhood of the Nation's Capital. We will have a distinguished panel of judges: primarily, our fans via voting on our Web site, make the selection. What do we want? Your play, say 45-90 minutes in runtime. Include with it a synopsis of the play, suitable for posting on our Web site (we will ask our fans to read these synopses, along with a short bit of dialogue from your play, and vote on what they'd love to see performed, so make this synopsis appealing), and a little bit about yourself (contact information, biography, etc.) When do we want it? On or before February 14, 2007 (Valentine's Day!). So, if there is some writing to be done, what are you waiting for? Where do we want it? Email to shakespeare@landlesstheatrecompany.org, or contact at this address for other arrangements. What's in it for you? A full-scale production by one of the District of Columbia's premiere professional fringe theater companies, see www.landlesstheatrecompany.org for information. Important Dates: 14 February 2008 Deadline for submission 31 March 2008 Notification of the judges' decision 13 June 2008 So Bad, It's Good World Premiere!

And that's it for Saturday night. Go forth and make something out of your Sunday!

Thursday, February 7, 2008

The Weekend Is Here! Start Your Engines!

Okay now it’s Thursday night, the weekend’s staring us in the face, and friends, it’s time to get serious, to quit yapping about that distant, faraway mirage of a weekend; it's time to make the final decision, to make your reservations despite your reservations (there's just something so wrong about that whole concept) lest you have nothing pretentious to talk about yet again on that always looming, not-really-so-far-away Monday morning.

Now I’m committed to the Shimkets lecture on wine and cheese pairing at bell, Book, and candle in Lavonia, so everything else will have to be, scheduled around that… so… my options are:

1) a race in Athens, Ga:

Come join us for the 23rd Annual Spartan 5K and Spartan Sprint. Come set you PR in the 5K as the last 3/4 mile is all downhill. Arrive early as the 5K participants will be bussed to the start. Packet pickup is at the Tillman Center on the Athens Academy Campus. Athens Academy is located on US 441 between Athens and Watkinsville, GA.
Fees:
$15.00 by 1/31/08, $20.00 afterwards.

Event Description:
Hand painted earthenware awards will be presented to the Overall Male/Female, Masters Male/Female and top three Male/Female in age groups beginning 10 and under through 75 and over.

I could run that and then go to the lecture in Lavonia. Since the lecture will be on wine and cheese pairing, there's a good chance that Exhibit A will be some stinky, exotic French cheese... and that might work well as I try to linger too long in a small room in sweaty clothes… Perhaps I won'tt stand out if there's some Limburger cheese in the house! But with my luck, the cheese of the day will probably be Havarti. And tongues would wag...

So… that "pairing" could be a poor combo. What does go with sweat? More sweat? Perhaps sports and culture (usually involving crowded rooms full of gossipers...) can’t co-exist so easily…

Verdict: I probably won’t do the run based on my poor performance this week… so… my second option is:

Culture! Sitting in a chair! Letting my cell phone go off during the performance! (People like that…) After my lousy run tonight, that sounds like a great way to spend the weekend. (Didn't even make the usual 3.1 miles... barely made it past the Serial Killer motel (just a little joke!), my fave landmark at the beginning of my run... and horror of horrors... I actually... gasp... WALKED! Oh the shame! I have a big ole Scarlet S on my forehead for Slacker, of course.

But enough of my problems. Next up on the list of possibilities is...

In Athens, “A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams is playing Feb 8 through Feb 10 & Feb 14 through Feb 17... So I could go next week, and spend this weekend developing the fine art of procrastination, getting in touch with my inner wishy-washy... or I could get with it and actually be able to compare the play to the movie version… Hmmm… Not that I’m dying to do a book report on my weekend, but hey, it's an option, lousy though it be. The website is : http://www.townandgownplayers.org/

Oh and my fave theatre of all time is doing… a rerun! I think I’ve seen this show… This theatre is in downtown Greenville. The website is here: http://www.cafeats.com/main.htm
And… from their website:

What happens to women from all walks of life as they approach middle age, sail through it, and come out fatter on the other side? It may sound like a simple question, but there are NO simple answers. That’s why you should make reservations now to see DESPERATE HOUSEFLIES, a spirited and spunky examination of how our heroines deal with aging . . . or ignore it all together!

Join us Wednesday through Saturday at 6:30 pm for dinner. To make a reservation, call 864/232-2287, or use our handy reservation page.
Performances take place at 8:15, and admission is still only $15.00 per person.

And I probably won’t make that (boo hoo, sob sob), but option 3 is also in Greenville… Check out the website: http://www.warehousetheatre.com/

Well… I’ve never seen this one. This is the last weekend, so would it be sold out? If I had an assistant, I would know this already. If I were serious about going, I bet I would know already. Oh well, read the synopsis along with me, and we’ll all feel enriched. It sounds good though! I might have to look into it. I would like to know if I liked ole Anton. Plus, one of the best plays that I've ever seen was a "stylized contemporary approach" to a realistic play. That is some serious fun. My adventure was with "An Inspector Calls." I saw that play years ago and I still think about it.

From the website:
The Seagull
Anton Chekhov
Directed by Matthew Earnest
Feb. 3, 7-9
Synopsis & Description
This classic play gets a modern makeover. The play is one of the first examples of modern realism in the cannon of dramatic literature…and The Warehouse Theatre will give it a decidedly more stylized contemporary approach. Truly an “event in space” this story of wayward, misplaced love comes alive, as if stepping off the canvas and onto the stage this production reminds the audience of Chekhov’s words, “Please, understand your life.”

Well now there's a few things to mull over. I really hope I do more than talk about it. I'm way too good at that. I should end with a joke and get out of this blog going nowhere, but where are my jokes? I have misplaced my jokes. I hate it when that happens. (Yes, it happens way too much.)

Good night!

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

This Friday night at 8 pm, Adam Davis and Brian Carely, two members of the Elberton band Wacko Mazoe will be playing at the Green Bean Coffee Café. If you’d like to preview the show, head over to their My Space page:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=40922851

It’s going to be an acoustic show. And for all you cheapskates, there will be no cover fee…. So save your lunch money for the Green Bean Coffee Café pastries… Yes! You can do the Green Bean Coffee Café on $5 a day! (Sadly, due to the strength of the Euro, Europe is out, but if it’s Tuesday, you must be leaning on the counter, ordering a Java Chip blender with two shots of expresso, dreaming of Prague, and cursing the fact that you left your Czech dictionary at home. Ahoj!) A $3 coffee, a $1 brownie and… er… well maybe some of that psychodelic cereal along the wall, and look at that, you even have enough left over for a lousy tip! And remember... the chair dancing is also free! (The word at the assisted living centers is that it’s one… slow… workout… well actually, only if you limit yourself to chair polka. They say the chair tango is quite invigorating… especially when tempos vary, when too many participants insist on leading, causing feminist-chauvinst power struggles and all of that, and… before you know it’s a ten chair pileup! Yes! Free firewood at the Green Bean Coffee Café! Come on down! Or maybe lots of new coffee stirrers. Okay, okay, even the voices in MY head are begging me to shut up. Sorry.)

Also, if you go to Wacko Mazoe's myspace page, you can hear snippets of songs... so you know... you won't get burned on that exorbitant free cover scam. Then again, maybe the website has the whole song. I don't know, I just won't do the math. Go and time your own selections, please. I’m listening to them now… but I’m not wearing a watch, so no, I repeat, I will not do the math. Sorry! I realize it’s a burning question.

Also, the myspace page is quite informative… the band Wacko Mazoe (And how does one pronounce that? Is it one of those tomato-tomahto faux pas in the making?) needs a drummer! So get your chopsticks out, and start practicing now! You have two days to leave your old life behind, to get your act together! (And read your fortune cookie beforehand, and save yourself some grief.)

But semi-seriously, you can also go to http://www.wackomazoe.com/ for more info. I had to buy shoes tonight and had little time to check it out, so maybe more I'll have even more info. It would be nice to be an expert on something. (but I have shoes!)

Next on the cultural agenda…

The Hart County Community Theatre is going to Chattanooga! On March 5-9, two high school seniors are going to compete in the 59th Annual Southeast Theatre Conference. Sadly this will not be a $5 a day trip… it’s going to cost $5,000, so the theatre has set up an account at Athens First Bank and Trust for anyone who’s willing to contribute to a very worthy cause.

It’s exciting to me, because last October, I opened the Hartwell Sun newspaper and noticed a familiar name… one that I know from online writing sites, Lou Catron. He wrote the play that the theatre performed at the Georgia Theatre conference, the conference where they won several awards. (After you win at the state level, you’re automatically eligible to compete at the regional level.) Lou is a well-known professor and playwright, someone that I’ve “chatted” with via internet message boards for a couple of years. He’s an amazingly nice guy and extremely talented writer. The theatre is going to do another performance of the his one act at some point so I hope I get to see it. When I told him the theatre wanted to perform a trilogy of his and there was one part that was out of print… he actually pulled his personal copy off of his bookshelf, copied it on a busy Saturday morning and suffered through a long line at the post office in order to get to the theatre post haste. That was awesome!

Friends, it is with some regret and much relief that I tell you that ReadWriteRunMania has met its daily quota of consonants. Admittedly there are three leftover vowels, (u, e, and i) and you are welcome to continue the program, if you are willing. Let's see... perhaps you might experiment with a yoga moan? (you know one of those yoga chant thingies...)

Good night!

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Your RDA of Infomation For GA-SC

Friends, tie your shoelaces now! bell, Book and candle (the bookstore in downtown Lavonia, Ga) is hosting Richard Shimkets of Tastes of Georgia on Saturday, at 1:oo pm. The "class" (don't sweat it, there will be no pop test, and recess is guaranteed... but no running in the bookstore, okay?) The hour talk is going to be on wine and food pairing... according to Jean, the owner who frequently wonders... "What beer really goes with Moo Goo Gai Pan? PBR? Guiness? Molson?" (Her joke, not mine... I wish!)

And if you are not familiar with Tastes of Georgia, check it out: http://www.tastesofgeorgia.com

A snippet from their website:
Tastes of Georgia is Hartwell's healthiest restaurant and wine shop, with fresh, biologically-conscious dishes made from artisan breads, fresh cheeses, meats and jams from Georgia that are prepared using only healthy oils, such as olive and canola oil. Best of all, if you find a wine, cheese, bread, or chocolate that you fall in love with, you can take some of it with you!

It should be a real treat to hear Richard talk. Sadly, there will be no wine served, but the good news is that Richard is such an interesting speaker, that we'll feel like we've sampled Havarti cheese, guzzled... er... sipped um... Chablis November 2007? No... better make that Pinot Noir '98 from... uh oh, ladies and gentlemen, this bulletin is interrupted by my general inability to understand/fill in the joke... knowledge is so hard to fake! Guess I'll be taking notes on Saturday...

And please show up. Even if you're still in your jammies and bunny slippers. Nobody will laugh at your pink curlers, I promise, no matter what you choose to roll up... But hey, don't dare show up with your Arbor Mist, tucked under your arm... even I know that much. Hic! On second thought, bring your red neck on down!. (Othewise I'll waste my precious Saturday guzzling PBR with Jean over cold Moo Goo Gai Pan, trying, straining, stuggling to say something nice about beer... what can be said about beer? Aand yes, if you wondered, that is indeed the menu planned for the Apocalypse. No wonder Jean's excited.)

DESPERATE NOTE TO SELF: Before a 3 mile run... do not down a substantial helping of Ben and Jerry's ice cream and consider that your pre-run carb loading or whatever it is you're supoosed to do before running.

Okay, on to the writing opportunities:


3/15/08 DIAGRAM Big Sexy Innovative Fiction Contest Prizes: $1,000, T-shirts, and publication Fee: $5 DIAGRAM $5IFC
648 Crescent NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503 nmp (at symbol, you know, the "@") thediagram.com Judge: Kelly Link Notify: Story: We don't make money on this contest (obviously). This contest also has no frills: we can't send out snail mail contest announcements or e-mail announcements of the finalists or winner (though if you submit electronically, you'll get a response). All submissions are read anonymously by an anonymous panel of judges and screeners (different group than last year). This is an ethical contest, so please, close friends or former students of the judge, you're not welcome to enter this time (sorry). All submissions are considered for publication by DIAGRAM. All stories submitted must be unpublished (personal website and blogs excepted). The entry fee per story is $5, paid via paypal or check or cash. This year we will accept submissions via two methods: snail mail (not preferred, but okay if you want to do it): mail the story (w/a removable cover sheet with your contact info & the story title) and a check or cash. Sorry, but we can't notify via SASE. If you want a notification, go for #2: the DIAGRAM submissions manager system: much preferred; this way you will definitely get a response—create an account and submit your story, and this is important, you must choose the genre as "$5 IFC" for your story to be considered; you must also pay the entry fee ($5) through PayPal or via post. Note that you will receive an automated submission acknowledgment via email (it's the boilerplate one we send for regular DIAGRAM submissions, so ignore that part of the e-mail).
http://thediagram.com/contest.html

2008 Submission Guidelines The Sin Cycle For ten years Atlantis Playmakers has produced works from playwrights around the world. In 2008, we are expanding our new works program to include an entire cycle of plays, "The Sin Cycle." Every month begining in January, a new sin or two will be announced as the topic for that month's entries. Each topic will have a specific deadline, but all will follow the guidelines below. Please FOLLOW the guidelines. We receive hundreds and hundreds of scripts each year and unfortunately cannot consider works for this PlayFEST if they don't meet the requirements. Selections - scripts may be selected for readings throughout the winter and spring, and/or for full production in the SAS PlayFEST. A minimum of seven entries will be chosen for the final "Sin Cycle" in the SAS PlayFEST (summer 2008). Please read ALL the guidelines and make sure that your script is topical. Please note, individual themes have specific deadlines. Email entries must be received by midnight on the deadline date. Snail mail entries must be postmarked on the deadline date. "Sin Cycle" topics will be announced on February 1, March 1, April 1 and May 1. Entry deadlines are February 15, March 15, April 15 and May 15 respectively. 1) Actor limit - the SAS PlayFEST is an ensemble piece. As such, we will cast only three men and three women to play all roles in all entries. It is highly recommended that you limit your characters from two to five. 2) Time limit - Submissions must run no more than fifteen minutes long. 3) Set limit - Simple sets are recommended. 4) Submissions MUST be unproduced, staged readings are OK. We define a staged reading to include all of the following: actors on-book, volunteering their tme or receiving a small stipend, no set, no costumes, and the audience does not pay to view the reading. 5) Do not send a bio, resume, quotes from critics or other propaganda. We don't read them. We only read the scripts, and we don't even look at your name until after your script has been selected. Seriously. After we select your script, then we'll want to hear all about you. 6) Selected works MUST have their world premiere at the SAS PlayFEST. 7) All production rights for the plays revert to the playwright after the Festival, Atlantis Playmakers merely has the right to produce the premier. we are not able to offer individual critiques. Unused scripts are recycled. FORMAT: Entries must be typed, and include a cover page with the playwright's name, address, phone, and e-mail. You do not need to use a specific script program. Old fashioned typing is fine. BY MAIL: Please mail hard copy submissions to 4611 Monroe St Hollywood FL 33021 SUBMIT BY EMAIL: Word format ONLY to kdb@AtlantisPlaymakers.com. If we cannot open the file, we simply cannot accept the entry.


There. I think that's enough useless information for the day. Good night!

Monday, February 4, 2008

Current Events in NE Ga and SC

I hate missing out on weekend events in my area. It happens all the time. I have CIA-like files of running events, local theatrical productions, book-related events, and writing opportunties... everything that I care about, everything that I constantly forget about... until Monday morning, that is. So, in an effort to improve my life, my plan is to note some of the events going on in Northeast Georgia and South Carolina… (I’m a dabbler, and I try to do it all.)

Book Events:

There is a new bookstore, “bell, Book, and candle,” in downtown Lavonia, Georgia on Vickery Street. It’s located inside the Health and Nutrition Center. I’m partial to the store because it’s owned by a friend of mine, but hey, even if I didn’t know Jean, I’d be hanging out at the place. Jean sells new books, used books, candles and other gifts, so check it out.

On Saturday, her new book club met, and we discussed “Garden Spells” by Sarah Addison Allen. (For an in-depth review, look for my comments at Goodreads.com.) I started reading this book reluctantly at 12am Friday night… only because the book club met the following day at 2pm… and I couldn’t put it down. I read until 4:30 in the morning. It was bawdy, it had a oh-my-what’s-going-to-happen-next kind of plot, and say yes to the lovely language! It read like a long poem… Sarah Addison Allen (shorten that name, Missy!) has a gloriously poetic style that oddly enough isn’t obtuse or hard to read. It’s the kind of book that you can read after a hard day at work… when you don’t even feel like reading cereal boxes. Or frozen pizza microwave instructions. And it’s light reading, but it’s a book you can give to a picky, snotty literary fiction type of reader, (me!) and they’ll read it eagerly without complaining (not once!). Sarah Addison Allen (have ya shortened that name yet, Missy?) is the bridge between the Grisham and Pynchon crowd… She's a Can’t we just all get along, Rodney King type of writer… well, okay maybe that’s pushing it, but it is next year's perfect Xmas gift… sadly only 944 days away. But hey, thanks Jean for making me read Allen. I can’t WAIT until her next book… and you know, when that book comes out, I’m going to that book signing! I want to meet the person who has created the world’s most unusual, and insane villains.

So... The book for next month’s book club is Jodi Picoult’s Vanishing Acts.

Okay enough about books. Trees are getting nervous.

Upcoming road races:

Yes, you should consider a 5k. It would be good for your poor unused legs. You can walk ‘em… in some of them, you can give your dog a workout, (although some races don’t encourage man’s best friend to show up. You’ll have to call ahead as the rules are different in each race.). Your kids can run and get a ribbon. Your grandma can run and beat me… It’s a good way to start or end the day. There are races that would probably let you crawl in one…. Er… yeah, come to think of it, I think I’ve done that more than once… I confess I became obsessed last year when a 75 year old whipped past me, finishing about 9 minutes faster than I did. It's amazing how fast humilation grows on you. And how it sticks to you. How it won't come off. How... Okay, never mind.

1) Spartan 5K and Sprint, Athens, Ga 9 a.m. Come join us for the 23rd Annual Spartan 5K and Spartan Sprint. Come set your PR in the 5K as the last 3/4 mile is all downhill. Arrive early as the 5K participants will be bussed to the start. Packet pickup is at the Tillman Center on the Athens Academy Campus. Athens Academy is located on US 441 between Athens and Watkinsville, GA.

Hand painted earthenware awards will be presented to the Overall Male/Female, Masters Male/Female and top three Male/Female in age groups beginning 10 and under through 75 and over. Finish line management by Classic Race Services with complete results online within 24 hours at www.runningintheusa.com, www.active.com, and www.coolrunning.com.
Fees:
$15.00 by 1/31/08, $20.00 afterwards.
Online Registration Closes:
02/07/08 11:59 PM

2) Inaugural 5K Mission Track & 1M Journey Sprint - Monroe, GA- 3:00PM
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Venue: Harmony Baptist Church, 1310 Harmony Church Road, Monroe, GA 30655

Come join us at Harmony Baptist Church for the Inaugural 5K Mission Track and 1 Mile Journey Sprint. The start/finish will be held at Harmony Baptist Church, located just 20 minutes south of Athens, GA at 1310 Harmony Church Road, Monroe, GA 30655. Proceeds from the race will benefit the various mission projects of the church.
Packet pickup and race day registration will be held at the church beginning at 2:00PM. The course will run through the country side of Walton County on paved roads.
Fees:
$15.00 BY 1/31/08, $20.00 afterwards to race day.
Online Registration Closes:
02/07/08 11:59 PM

3) FEBUARY 9, 2008 (Saturday) 3pm ABBEVILLE 8K
Venue: Abbeville Area Rehab & Wellness Center 428 Thomson Circle, Abbeville, SC 29620

Come on down and enjoy the scenic historical views of down town Abbeville. Stay and have dinner in one of the local restaurants or shop in one of the many stores located in the down town area. You can also feel good in knowing that you are helping our community as we are raising money for community wellness programs for children in the area.
Fees:
$15.00 with student ID, $20.00 pre-registration(01/09/08), $25.00 race day registration


For more info and to sign up, go to active.com (That’s where I sign up 90 per cent of the time.)

Okay, enough about races. You weren’t going anyway.

Writing opportunities:

TheatreRats is now accepting submissions for The Fourth Annual Chester Horn Short Play Festival, to be held late Spring/Early Summer 2008. Plays may be any genre, any cast size. Scripts must be 15 pages or less. Submissions must be submitted electronically as Word or PDF files. Limit: 2 submissions per playwright. Due to the high volume of submissions, entries that do not follow these guidelines will not be considered.
International submissions and short musicals are strongly encouraged as well. Please send all submissions electronically to scripts@theatrerats.com. Submission deadline is February 15, 2008.


WAFFLE HOUSE STORIES-- DEADLINE: February 15, 2008 GENRE: Short Stories/Nonfiction DETAILS: Unpublished, short stories 3,000 words or less, must be set inside of waffle house. PRIZE: Publication in anthology. URL: http://www.wafflestories.com EMAIL: wafflestories@gmail.com

The Underground Players are pleased to announce the 1st Annual Longwood Ten-Minute Play Festival. Open to any theme, style and approach, all playwrights (except those affiliated with Longwood University) are invited to submit no more than two scripts.
Here are the details:
Scripts should run no longer than ten minutes.
Stapled copies are fine.
Set and technical requirements should be minimal.
Each script must include author-contact information on its cover page.
Winners will be notified by e-mail and then posted on brierycreekpress.org on or before March 1, 2007. Plays will be produced in late April. Winners will receive a DVD recording of their play.
Please send plays (hard copies only) to the following address by February 16:
Longwood Ten-Minute Play Festival
English Department
Longwood University
Farmville, VA 23909


4) A Call for Submissions... of the Faery Taile Kynde!

CatsCurious Press is looking for humorous fairy tale re-tellings written from ONE POV only... the protagonist's. Story length must be between 5,000 and 10,000 words. Detailed guidelines are at http://www.catscuriouspress.com/guidelines.aspx The deadline is 3/31/2008

And with that, TREES ARE FALLING… RUN! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES! Oh dear, I’ve already covered running… Good night!