rSquare -- rillas rant: 38 -- Starving for Sydneyside Summer

Quotes I like

Growing up is mandatory, growing old is optional.

First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out-- because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out-- because I was not a socialist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out-- because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out-- because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me-- and there was no one left to speak out for me.
Martin Niemoeller

Unless we safeguard the liberties of all our citizens, the Pledge of Allegiance and the Declaration of Independence mean about as much as a plastic flag bumper sticker.
Elie Wiesel

Tips for Writers

Dialog should be conversation's greatest hits.

There's nothing wrong with making chronology your friend!

Lauren Velevis, Assistant Editor, HarperCollins Children's Books

Kids have great bullshit detectors.

Surround yourself with people who believe in you and your agent and editor should definitely believe in you!

Laura Rennert, Senior Agent, Andrea Brown Literary Agency

Take whatever encouragement you get.

Debra Garfinkle, Childen's Book Author

Rejections are kinda like badges. You gotta earn them.

LynNerd, Children's Book Author

A story should be as long as necessary and as short as possible.

Caroline Hatton, Author

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

38 -- Starving for Sydneyside Summer

NOTE: This blog is a continuing dialog between the two faces of rilla. The identity crisis is explained (if such a thing is possible) in the first edition. Click here to read: 1 -- Introduction

Rilla: Yes!
rilla: Sorry?
Rilla: I'm so glad you asked.
rilla: About what?
Rilla: If I had a fabulous time in Sydney. I did!
rilla: I didn't ask.
Rilla: Oh.
rilla: I didn't even know you'd been to Sydney.
Rilla: What?
rilla: When did you go to Sydney?
Rilla: In December! You don't remember? Nothing at all? How about the incredible food?

Rilla: Or, going on our favorite hike in the Blue Mountains...

Rilla:...down the Charles Darwin walk...

Rilla:...to Wentworth Falls?

Rilla: No? Then how about the incredible food?

Rilla: And the cold blustery day we revisited the Three Sisters...

Rilla: ...and Fitzroy Falls?

Rilla: Still drawing a blank? Then what about drinks with friends...

Rilla: ...the fabulous port?

Rilla: Seeing our old apartment in Pyrmont?

Rilla: Hmm...OK. Let's see. Huh! You really don't remember the incredible food?

Rilla: Or seeing the Opera House and wishing we had time to take a ride on the Manly ferry again?

Rilla: Visiting friends and their beautiful homes and gardens...

Rilla: ...and families?

Rilla: ...even when they fought over our shoes?

Rilla: ...not even the incredible home-made food?

Rilla: Nothing? You're hopeless.
rilla: That was a lot of food!
Rilla: Yeah! My diet went for a six.
rilla: You're on a diet?
Rilla: We were discussing Sydney.
rilla: And your diet.
Rilla: No. We were talking about food and friends...
rilla: YES! I do remember having dinner with someone special.
Rilla: So it's not alzheimer's yet...
rilla: It was great. We had dinner down by the toaster. She is the...the...hmm...the...
Rilla: It is alzheimers, after all.
rilla: I have it. She is the West Sydney Children's Officer.
Rilla: What were you doing having dinner with the police?
rilla: No, no, no. She is the Western Sydney Young People's Officer.
Rilla: Armed forces?
rilla: NO! Why can't I get this right? Judith, help me out here.

Rilla: Judith?
rilla: Yes, that's me with Judith and Harriet. We spent the whole evening discussing...that's it...Judith is the Western Sydney Young People's Literature Officer.
Rilla: Literature Officer? As in censorship...?
rilla: Good Grief, NO! She...she...what do you do, Judith? Hey! Maybe, Judith can tell us what she does if we interview her on this blog.
Rilla: Sounds like a plan to me. Nothing like keeping a blog and getting someone else do the wor-writing! Maybe we can have dinner with her too.
rilla: You still on that diet?
Rilla: What diet? Why would you insist...?
rilla: You seem to be inordinately stuck on the notion of food.
Rilla: I'm fine. I really am.
rilla: You sure you've had enough to eat?
Rilla: Of course, I have!
rilla: Yeah? Then why's this keyboard dripping wet?

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10 comments:

Misrule said...: Rilla and rilla, I would be honoured to be interviewed on your blog! Thanks!; January 21, 2009 at 12:36 AM
rilla jaggia said...: Thanks, Judith! We're working hard on those questions!; January 22, 2009 at 6:35 PM
LindaBudz said...: Hi, rilla! Looks like a fabulous trip! And I can't wait to learn what Judith does!; January 25, 2009 at 9:48 PM
rilla jaggia said...: Hey Linda,
it was! And to tell you the truth, I can't wait to hear what Judith has to say for herself either!; January 26, 2009 at 3:09 PM
Anonymous said...: I like Rilla and rilla..not sure which one I barrack for though!; January 27, 2009 at 3:14 AM
C. K. Kelly Martin said...: I'm so happy to see you back blogging! And the pics are gorgeous. I love Westies...even when they fight over shoes.; January 27, 2009 at 5:24 AM
rilla jaggia said...: rilla: Hey there, Peeyush. There's a new usage for the word--'barrack'. I had to go look it up!

Rilla: While that numbskull of a would-be writer is busy looking up simple words, I'll tell you who to root for--ME--of course!; January 27, 2009 at 11:26 AM
rilla jaggia said...: Good to see you back, too, CK!

Yes!I LOVE Westies. These two had an older brother who is sorely missed. And our neighbor here has the most darling little Westy girl who loves us as much as we love her--I hope!; January 27, 2009 at 11:28 AM
Natalie said...: Wow--what a vacation! The photos (and food!) look scrumptious. :-); January 29, 2009 at 8:04 PM
rilla jaggia said...: Thanks, Natalie! I try not to look at those pictures too much...I just cleaned up my keyboard.; January 30, 2009 at 11:27 AM

Your Score: Katharine Hepburn

You scored 11% grit, 9% wit, 66% flair, and 23% class!

You are the fabulously quirky and independent woman of character. You go your own way, follow your own drummer, take your own lead. You stand head and shoulders next to your partner, but you are perfectly willing and able to stand alone. Others might be more classically beautiful or conventionally woman-like, but you possess a more fundamental common sense and off-kilter charm, making interesting men fall at your feet. You can pick them up or leave them there as you see fit. You share the screen with the likes of Spencer Tracy and Cary Grant, thinking men who like strong women.

Find out what kind of classic leading man you'd make by taking the Classic Leading Man Test.

Rilla

Your Score: Joan Crawford

You scored 85% grit, 4% wit, 9% flair, and 7% class!

You are one tough dame, as tough as they come. You've had to fight long and hard to get where you are, but you always knew you'd do whatever you had to do to get ahead. You aren't above committing crimes (or seducing others to do them for you) to get what you want. You want to be happy and comfortable, but you usually always manage to get the fuzzy end of the lollipop. Even your kids are usually against you. Your leading men include anyone you set your sights on, even married guys that are never seen on-screen. Watch your back. Find out what kind of classic leading man you'd make by taking the Classic Leading Man Test.

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