Thoughts while waiting for the coffee to brew

Happy Birthday, Wolfgang!

After a slight wobble when she called CNN two weeks ago, Oprah retakes the crown as Queen of the Known Universe. Thank goodness. Did anyone actually see the show?

I had a moment last night when I was IMing three of our four kids at the same time. It was so cool I could barely contain myself.

I have another massive list of books for BH to fetch home from the library for me. I’m going to need new glasses by the time this research is over.

I keep looking for situations in which I can say “Gotham” and “dolt”. Do you ever do that, obsess over a word for a while and try to shove it into sentences where it doesn’t belong until your friends scream “Cut it out! God, you’re such a dolt!”

Hee.

58 Replies to “Thoughts while waiting for the coffee to brew”

  1. my english teacher does that all the time actually when we’re learning vocab, he’ll start using it whenever he gets a chance.

    and haha I always get so confused IMing more than maybe, three people, but my sister does probably 50 at a time or something.

  2. my english teacher does that all the time actually when we’re learning vocab, he’ll start using it whenever he gets a chance.

    and haha I always get so confused IMing more than maybe, three people, but my sister does probably 50 at a time or something.

  3. my english teacher does that all the time actually when we’re learning vocab, he’ll start using it whenever he gets a chance.

    and haha I always get so confused IMing more than maybe, three people, but my sister does probably 50 at a time or something.

  4. Sean Connery said it in Indy 3

    The only thing I can remember off the top of my head is Sean Connery saying it in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. (Indy 3)

    It was half way in where Indy is rescuing him and the bad guys show up and they ask for the notebook and he scoffs and says (badly mangled from memory here) “You DOLTS! Do you think I would keep it here where it could fall into your hands? I sent it far away….” or something like that but you get the idea. Of course he looks at Indy and asks him if he did in fact leave it at home but in fact Indy HAS IT ON HIM!
    Which brings up another funny line Connery says about how he should have sent it to the Marx brothers. Then theres a brief argument and Indy grabs a gun and does his hero thing and they escape.

    Point is- I do remember him saying that. It made for a funny scene.

  5. Sean Connery said it in Indy 3

    The only thing I can remember off the top of my head is Sean Connery saying it in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. (Indy 3)

    It was half way in where Indy is rescuing him and the bad guys show up and they ask for the notebook and he scoffs and says (badly mangled from memory here) “You DOLTS! Do you think I would keep it here where it could fall into your hands? I sent it far away….” or something like that but you get the idea. Of course he looks at Indy and asks him if he did in fact leave it at home but in fact Indy HAS IT ON HIM!
    Which brings up another funny line Connery says about how he should have sent it to the Marx brothers. Then theres a brief argument and Indy grabs a gun and does his hero thing and they escape.

    Point is- I do remember him saying that. It made for a funny scene.

  6. Sean Connery said it in Indy 3

    The only thing I can remember off the top of my head is Sean Connery saying it in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. (Indy 3)

    It was half way in where Indy is rescuing him and the bad guys show up and they ask for the notebook and he scoffs and says (badly mangled from memory here) “You DOLTS! Do you think I would keep it here where it could fall into your hands? I sent it far away….” or something like that but you get the idea. Of course he looks at Indy and asks him if he did in fact leave it at home but in fact Indy HAS IT ON HIM!
    Which brings up another funny line Connery says about how he should have sent it to the Marx brothers. Then theres a brief argument and Indy grabs a gun and does his hero thing and they escape.

    Point is- I do remember him saying that. It made for a funny scene.

  7. I love how I learn a new word to use in my writing, and I like it so much it shows up every 30 pages or something. Then my editor makes me take all but one or two out. My friend Laurie Stolarz did this with the word pivot on a first draft a few years back, and then I just finished reading UGLIES by Scott Westerfeld and he has objects “finding purchase” like eight or ten times. It’s amusing to me, because a non-writer probably wouldn’t notice that, but by the end you’re like, “Um, can things STOP finding purchase?” All the while knowing I do the *same* thing myself. Like when I first learned how to use “trounce.” I know there are more words/phrases but that’s the first that comes to mind.

  8. I love how I learn a new word to use in my writing, and I like it so much it shows up every 30 pages or something. Then my editor makes me take all but one or two out. My friend Laurie Stolarz did this with the word pivot on a first draft a few years back, and then I just finished reading UGLIES by Scott Westerfeld and he has objects “finding purchase” like eight or ten times. It’s amusing to me, because a non-writer probably wouldn’t notice that, but by the end you’re like, “Um, can things STOP finding purchase?” All the while knowing I do the *same* thing myself. Like when I first learned how to use “trounce.” I know there are more words/phrases but that’s the first that comes to mind.

  9. I love how I learn a new word to use in my writing, and I like it so much it shows up every 30 pages or something. Then my editor makes me take all but one or two out. My friend Laurie Stolarz did this with the word pivot on a first draft a few years back, and then I just finished reading UGLIES by Scott Westerfeld and he has objects “finding purchase” like eight or ten times. It’s amusing to me, because a non-writer probably wouldn’t notice that, but by the end you’re like, “Um, can things STOP finding purchase?” All the while knowing I do the *same* thing myself. Like when I first learned how to use “trounce.” I know there are more words/phrases but that’s the first that comes to mind.

  10. I read the transcript, which was very satisfying. But as far as I’m concerned, she’s going to have do more than give Elie Weisel a tongue-bath when they talk about his book (by which I mean, ask about some of the potential factual errors in his book) if she wants to regain her crown.

    Alternately, she could start picking books that nobody has ever heard of, maybe even one that doesn’t automatically impose depression on the reader. If you’re reading this, Oprah, I have several good ideas.

    Maybe she could pick a YA book!

  11. I read the transcript, which was very satisfying. But as far as I’m concerned, she’s going to have do more than give Elie Weisel a tongue-bath when they talk about his book (by which I mean, ask about some of the potential factual errors in his book) if she wants to regain her crown.

    Alternately, she could start picking books that nobody has ever heard of, maybe even one that doesn’t automatically impose depression on the reader. If you’re reading this, Oprah, I have several good ideas.

    Maybe she could pick a YA book!

  12. I read the transcript, which was very satisfying. But as far as I’m concerned, she’s going to have do more than give Elie Weisel a tongue-bath when they talk about his book (by which I mean, ask about some of the potential factual errors in his book) if she wants to regain her crown.

    Alternately, she could start picking books that nobody has ever heard of, maybe even one that doesn’t automatically impose depression on the reader. If you’re reading this, Oprah, I have several good ideas.

    Maybe she could pick a YA book!

  13. repetitive word usage

    I can totally relate to the obsession with a word. I’ve done the same thing recently, with words and phrases. When I was taking my midterms this last week, there’d be a word or phrase that would pop into my head when I was reading the question, and then I’d have to figure out how to put it in my essay. This happened with both AP US and AP English, but I don’t think it hurt my essays. There was a really good sentence I wrote in my AP US essay, so good that I was sad that I’d never get the midterm back, cuz I knew I’d never be able to remember that sentence.

    Oh, I wanted to tell you this a while ago. I’m a big fan of yours (I’ve left a few messages here before). When I had a snow day and nothing to do, I read both Speak and Catalyst that day. I’m a really fast reader, and I’ve read both of those books numerous times. Interestingly, my favorite of the two has changed. I used to like Speak better, especially back when I was a freshman. Now that I’m a junior taking four APs (AP Spanish and AP Physics in addition to the two I’ve mentioned before) I can relate more to Catalyst. I really like that one author can create books that I can really relate to in various stages of my high school career. Whenever I start to get all college-nervousy panicky, I think about Catalyst. It really helps me put things in perspective. THANK YOU!!!
    ~Karen

    PS- I read Uglies too, and the endless use of “finding purchase” annoyed me too! It was soooo repetitive.

  14. repetitive word usage

    I can totally relate to the obsession with a word. I’ve done the same thing recently, with words and phrases. When I was taking my midterms this last week, there’d be a word or phrase that would pop into my head when I was reading the question, and then I’d have to figure out how to put it in my essay. This happened with both AP US and AP English, but I don’t think it hurt my essays. There was a really good sentence I wrote in my AP US essay, so good that I was sad that I’d never get the midterm back, cuz I knew I’d never be able to remember that sentence.

    Oh, I wanted to tell you this a while ago. I’m a big fan of yours (I’ve left a few messages here before). When I had a snow day and nothing to do, I read both Speak and Catalyst that day. I’m a really fast reader, and I’ve read both of those books numerous times. Interestingly, my favorite of the two has changed. I used to like Speak better, especially back when I was a freshman. Now that I’m a junior taking four APs (AP Spanish and AP Physics in addition to the two I’ve mentioned before) I can relate more to Catalyst. I really like that one author can create books that I can really relate to in various stages of my high school career. Whenever I start to get all college-nervousy panicky, I think about Catalyst. It really helps me put things in perspective. THANK YOU!!!
    ~Karen

    PS- I read Uglies too, and the endless use of “finding purchase” annoyed me too! It was soooo repetitive.

  15. repetitive word usage

    I can totally relate to the obsession with a word. I’ve done the same thing recently, with words and phrases. When I was taking my midterms this last week, there’d be a word or phrase that would pop into my head when I was reading the question, and then I’d have to figure out how to put it in my essay. This happened with both AP US and AP English, but I don’t think it hurt my essays. There was a really good sentence I wrote in my AP US essay, so good that I was sad that I’d never get the midterm back, cuz I knew I’d never be able to remember that sentence.

    Oh, I wanted to tell you this a while ago. I’m a big fan of yours (I’ve left a few messages here before). When I had a snow day and nothing to do, I read both Speak and Catalyst that day. I’m a really fast reader, and I’ve read both of those books numerous times. Interestingly, my favorite of the two has changed. I used to like Speak better, especially back when I was a freshman. Now that I’m a junior taking four APs (AP Spanish and AP Physics in addition to the two I’ve mentioned before) I can relate more to Catalyst. I really like that one author can create books that I can really relate to in various stages of my high school career. Whenever I start to get all college-nervousy panicky, I think about Catalyst. It really helps me put things in perspective. THANK YOU!!!
    ~Karen

    PS- I read Uglies too, and the endless use of “finding purchase” annoyed me too! It was soooo repetitive.

  16. I saw it. OUCH! OUCH! He looked whipped. The grill marks were perfect on both sides.

    Shadenfreude! I laughed maliciously all the way through. I just disliked that book so, so much (when I read it in galley form, waaay before oprah) that it made me doubt her sanity to pick it in the first place, and I did everything in my power to stop him at the grassroots level.

    Like this:

    Womanofacertainage: OH! Have you read that Million Little Pieces?

    Me: Yes.

    W: What did you think, is it just fabulous?

    Me: Actually, I thought it was just abysmal, one of the least pleasant reading experiences I have ever had. The main character is aggressive and angry and misogynistic, he takes no personal responsibility for the mayhem he causes, his descriptions of rehabilitation facilities and recovery were insane, and if the whole thing wasn’t embellished greatly, then it was just made up out of whole cloth. I HATED IT.

    W: … oh! well… I’ll take two!

    *sigh*

  17. I saw it. OUCH! OUCH! He looked whipped. The grill marks were perfect on both sides.

    Shadenfreude! I laughed maliciously all the way through. I just disliked that book so, so much (when I read it in galley form, waaay before oprah) that it made me doubt her sanity to pick it in the first place, and I did everything in my power to stop him at the grassroots level.

    Like this:

    Womanofacertainage: OH! Have you read that Million Little Pieces?

    Me: Yes.

    W: What did you think, is it just fabulous?

    Me: Actually, I thought it was just abysmal, one of the least pleasant reading experiences I have ever had. The main character is aggressive and angry and misogynistic, he takes no personal responsibility for the mayhem he causes, his descriptions of rehabilitation facilities and recovery were insane, and if the whole thing wasn’t embellished greatly, then it was just made up out of whole cloth. I HATED IT.

    W: … oh! well… I’ll take two!

    *sigh*

  18. I saw it. OUCH! OUCH! He looked whipped. The grill marks were perfect on both sides.

    Shadenfreude! I laughed maliciously all the way through. I just disliked that book so, so much (when I read it in galley form, waaay before oprah) that it made me doubt her sanity to pick it in the first place, and I did everything in my power to stop him at the grassroots level.

    Like this:

    Womanofacertainage: OH! Have you read that Million Little Pieces?

    Me: Yes.

    W: What did you think, is it just fabulous?

    Me: Actually, I thought it was just abysmal, one of the least pleasant reading experiences I have ever had. The main character is aggressive and angry and misogynistic, he takes no personal responsibility for the mayhem he causes, his descriptions of rehabilitation facilities and recovery were insane, and if the whole thing wasn’t embellished greatly, then it was just made up out of whole cloth. I HATED IT.

    W: … oh! well… I’ll take two!

    *sigh*

  19. Hello poppets!

    Oh, I do the word thing all the time! If I hear a word I like, I write it down. Later, I might try to use it.

    My notebook is at home, and for some reason, I can’t recall most of them. However, I distictly remember using the phrases “I take umbrage!” and “Great balls of fire!”

    My pet word at the moment is ‘Poppet.’

  20. Hello poppets!

    Oh, I do the word thing all the time! If I hear a word I like, I write it down. Later, I might try to use it.

    My notebook is at home, and for some reason, I can’t recall most of them. However, I distictly remember using the phrases “I take umbrage!” and “Great balls of fire!”

    My pet word at the moment is ‘Poppet.’

  21. Hello poppets!

    Oh, I do the word thing all the time! If I hear a word I like, I write it down. Later, I might try to use it.

    My notebook is at home, and for some reason, I can’t recall most of them. However, I distictly remember using the phrases “I take umbrage!” and “Great balls of fire!”

    My pet word at the moment is ‘Poppet.’

  22. Now that I have a new, awesome manager, I have been doing the same thing. And people are reacting the same way. One woman even scolded me and told me I was clearly too young to appreciate the book. …?

    There’s something really satisfying about being honest with people about how much you think (fill in whichever book) sucked, but then it’s doubly diappointing when they don’t give a damn.

  23. Now that I have a new, awesome manager, I have been doing the same thing. And people are reacting the same way. One woman even scolded me and told me I was clearly too young to appreciate the book. …?

    There’s something really satisfying about being honest with people about how much you think (fill in whichever book) sucked, but then it’s doubly diappointing when they don’t give a damn.

  24. Now that I have a new, awesome manager, I have been doing the same thing. And people are reacting the same way. One woman even scolded me and told me I was clearly too young to appreciate the book. …?

    There’s something really satisfying about being honest with people about how much you think (fill in whichever book) sucked, but then it’s doubly diappointing when they don’t give a damn.

  25. I’m very lucky – I am a known quantity at my store, 85% of the customers are very regular and ask me questions specifically because I am candid about my opinions, and they tend to listen. However, the 15% of customers that are Oprah-philes (who would never come to the store otherwise)… they definitely don’t want to hear from me.

    Ah, well.

  26. I’m very lucky – I am a known quantity at my store, 85% of the customers are very regular and ask me questions specifically because I am candid about my opinions, and they tend to listen. However, the 15% of customers that are Oprah-philes (who would never come to the store otherwise)… they definitely don’t want to hear from me.

    Ah, well.

  27. I’m very lucky – I am a known quantity at my store, 85% of the customers are very regular and ask me questions specifically because I am candid about my opinions, and they tend to listen. However, the 15% of customers that are Oprah-philes (who would never come to the store otherwise)… they definitely don’t want to hear from me.

    Ah, well.

  28. I missed the show unfortunately. I only ever watch it when my mom is home and SHE is watching it. I’m not always a big fan of Oprah. Sometimes I like her and sometimes she rubs me the wrong way. I read the show was live though… that must have been fun for Frey. Ha ha on him.

  29. I missed the show unfortunately. I only ever watch it when my mom is home and SHE is watching it. I’m not always a big fan of Oprah. Sometimes I like her and sometimes she rubs me the wrong way. I read the show was live though… that must have been fun for Frey. Ha ha on him.

  30. I missed the show unfortunately. I only ever watch it when my mom is home and SHE is watching it. I’m not always a big fan of Oprah. Sometimes I like her and sometimes she rubs me the wrong way. I read the show was live though… that must have been fun for Frey. Ha ha on him.

  31. two-point vocab word

    I usually obsess over book/movie quotes that i love and repeat them endlessly. As if you couldn’t figure that out by looking at the subject of this comment (^_^)

  32. two-point vocab word

    I usually obsess over book/movie quotes that i love and repeat them endlessly. As if you couldn’t figure that out by looking at the subject of this comment (^_^)

  33. two-point vocab word

    I usually obsess over book/movie quotes that i love and repeat them endlessly. As if you couldn’t figure that out by looking at the subject of this comment (^_^)

  34. Re: repetitive word usage

    I’m so glad you told me this!! I was hoping this would be the kind of thing that lots of readers would go through… having SPEAK be important to them in their early high school years, then as college approached, getting more out of CATALYST. Thanks!

  35. Re: repetitive word usage

    I’m so glad you told me this!! I was hoping this would be the kind of thing that lots of readers would go through… having SPEAK be important to them in their early high school years, then as college approached, getting more out of CATALYST. Thanks!

  36. Re: repetitive word usage

    I’m so glad you told me this!! I was hoping this would be the kind of thing that lots of readers would go through… having SPEAK be important to them in their early high school years, then as college approached, getting more out of CATALYST. Thanks!

  37. I don’t try to use certain words in a sentence much lately but I did notice that Meg Cabot put well if that isn’t the pot calling the kettle black in 3 different books it got a little tiresome lol – jessica from sheepshead bay high school

  38. I don’t try to use certain words in a sentence much lately but I did notice that Meg Cabot put well if that isn’t the pot calling the kettle black in 3 different books it got a little tiresome lol – jessica from sheepshead bay high school

  39. I don’t try to use certain words in a sentence much lately but I did notice that Meg Cabot put well if that isn’t the pot calling the kettle black in 3 different books it got a little tiresome lol – jessica from sheepshead bay high school

  40. I’m from the department of redundancy department….

    Yeah, I do that. I made up my own word (lesbonic), and I use it whenever I can. A few months ago I kept calling everyone nymphomaniacs. lol I don’t know why.
    I also quote movies and books and people too much. I almost drove my friends crazy the other day saying, “I am the Batman!” off a comedy show I love.
    When I read Tithe, I got very upset because the author used the same phrases a lot, and her favorite was, “…she let out a breath she hadn’t noticed she was holding.” That was used in like every chapter. Bleh.
    OMG If I start IMing more than 3 people that all know each other, I just start a conference because I get tired of repeating the same things. (How ironic. lol)

  41. I’m from the department of redundancy department….

    Yeah, I do that. I made up my own word (lesbonic), and I use it whenever I can. A few months ago I kept calling everyone nymphomaniacs. lol I don’t know why.
    I also quote movies and books and people too much. I almost drove my friends crazy the other day saying, “I am the Batman!” off a comedy show I love.
    When I read Tithe, I got very upset because the author used the same phrases a lot, and her favorite was, “…she let out a breath she hadn’t noticed she was holding.” That was used in like every chapter. Bleh.
    OMG If I start IMing more than 3 people that all know each other, I just start a conference because I get tired of repeating the same things. (How ironic. lol)

  42. oh my goodness

    As an aspiring writer/poet/artist and avid reader of all of your books let me tell you how amazed i am that YOU HAVE A LIVEJOURNAL AND I AM COMMENTING ON IT RIGHT NOW!
    I cant even tell you how much both speak and catalyst are both amazing books that i have cherished every single time I read them, which is quite a lot.
    I just asked my AP English teacher if I could write my term paper about you, and I googled you and eventually came here. This is such a blessing!
    When I have a particularily bad day, I carry speak around with me in my purse next to Catcher in the Rye. Today, was one such day. I was in the De Young Museum and I just sat down on a bench and read line after line in that book. I cant even tell you how much of an impact that book, as well as catalyst, has had on my life. I would read some of those lines and be moved to tears to realize that someone out there felt the way I DID!
    Anyways, I just wanted to say thank you so much for writing truly incredible pieces. If my teacher gives me the thumbs up to write about you, would you mind answering a few questions i have?
    THANK YOU SO MUCH (for your beautiful novels, everything)
    Lana

  43. oh my goodness

    As an aspiring writer/poet/artist and avid reader of all of your books let me tell you how amazed i am that YOU HAVE A LIVEJOURNAL AND I AM COMMENTING ON IT RIGHT NOW!
    I cant even tell you how much both speak and catalyst are both amazing books that i have cherished every single time I read them, which is quite a lot.
    I just asked my AP English teacher if I could write my term paper about you, and I googled you and eventually came here. This is such a blessing!
    When I have a particularily bad day, I carry speak around with me in my purse next to Catcher in the Rye. Today, was one such day. I was in the De Young Museum and I just sat down on a bench and read line after line in that book. I cant even tell you how much of an impact that book, as well as catalyst, has had on my life. I would read some of those lines and be moved to tears to realize that someone out there felt the way I DID!
    Anyways, I just wanted to say thank you so much for writing truly incredible pieces. If my teacher gives me the thumbs up to write about you, would you mind answering a few questions i have?
    THANK YOU SO MUCH (for your beautiful novels, everything)
    Lana

  44. Re: oh my goodness

    Wow – thanks for the enthusiastic post! Feel free to ask questions. The best way is to do it right here on the LJ. Tell your teacher I said hi.

    Oh, and btw? Your use of Catcher in the Rye for dealing with bad days is brilliant.

  45. Re: oh my goodness

    Wow – thanks for the enthusiastic post! Feel free to ask questions. The best way is to do it right here on the LJ. Tell your teacher I said hi.

    Oh, and btw? Your use of Catcher in the Rye for dealing with bad days is brilliant.

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