crossing the finish line

Long time no see.

I suppose you could say I've been on a blogging hiatus the past few months. I know there are no good excuses, but I'm going to make a few anyways. Here are the top five reasons I have not been updating my blog:
1. I moved back to Nebraska in September, which essentially rocked my world.
2. I don't have Internet at home, currently, so I must depend on the kindness of strangers.
3. Since moving back to Nebraska, I've made five trips back to the Gulf Coast (No. 6 will be next week). That also means that I've had a lot of writing to do for work to complete various projects before the end of the year.
4. Football season started, and I spent a lot of Saturdays drinking beer and cheering on my Huskers during their final Big 12 season.
5. I've been busy writing a novel.

Yes, you read that correctly. I've been working on a novel. A few in fact.

During September I dabbled on a book that I first began to develop about two years ago. I made the outline and a detailed working synopsis. I also wrote the prologue and part of the first chapter. Then I stopped.

Then, Nov. 1, thanks to a one of my friends posting something on her Facebook profile, I realized it was National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo. During NaNoWriMo people are challenged to write 50,000 original words toward a novel. The rules state that the words must all be produced between midnight Nov. 1 and 11:59 p.m. Nov. 30. Once you upload your text to the website, you're named a winner. There's no cash prize, or offers for publication, but you do get the satisfaction of being called a winner.

I first learned about NaNoWriMo last year. On Nov. 23. It seemed a little late to start then. However, because I'm a naturally competitive person, the contest appealed to me. I made a pledge that I would participate in 2010.

So, when I saw that post staring me in the face I decided I had to at least try. At 8 p.m. that day I registered for an account and began writing my working synopsis. Before bed I had outlined the first few chapters and written my cold open.

The next day I left for a quick business trip to Houston, but I went prepared. I used the flight to and from as an opportunity to keep working on my detailed outline. I was off to a great start.

It came easily to me at first. I'd been thinking about this book off an on for the past 19 months or so, and I was at a good place mentally and emotionally to finally write it. I figured writing 1,667 words a day would be no big deal.

Then work happened.

With a vacation from work scheduled for Thanksgiving week I had to gather two newsletters and write three before Nov. 18. Also factor in that I had four weekly projects shows to write out. Those first three weeks I was responsible for turning in about 24,000 words of content for work. Needless to say, that kept me pretty busy.

So, I decided, I'd write a little when I could and devote my nine-day break from work to my novel.

Then life happened.

My first few days of vacation I spent most of my time in bed nursing a rocking cold and fever. I hurt so badly I couldn't even read books let alone write them.

By that Monday morning I wasn't feeling 100 percent, but I figured I was well enough to write. And so I did.

So I wrote, and wrote, and wrote, and wrote.

When I woke Nov. 28, my last day of reprieve before returning to the office, I sat at about 32,000 words. I had a long ways to go. So Sunday, I holed myself up at home all day and write more than 8,000 words. Before and after work (and during my lunch) I wrote the remaining 10,000 words Monday and Tuesday.

At 8:30 p.m. Nov. 30 I checked my word count and screamed (quite literally). I was at 50,167 words. I'd done it. I was going to be able to upload my text (encrypted, because I am a little paranoid) to the NaNoWriMo website for verification.

Without Internet at home I went to a local bookstore/ coffee shop to use their WiFi. Unfortunately, I was apparently not the only procrastinator uploading words to the website. My connection was so slow, and their server so busy, I couldn't even get the page to open before the shop closed at 10 p.m.

I couldn't believe it. I'd come all this way and accomplished my goal of writing 50,000 words in one month, and I wasn't going to be able to officially call myself a winner.

Then a good friend of mine saved the day. Using her High-Speed Internet, she uploaded the text on my behalf. Just after 10 it became official. I was a winner. I had taken the NaNoWriMo challenge and come out a winner.



Elated doesn't even come close to describing how I feel writing this.

I still have a ways to go on the book. I estimate that it will be between 100,000 and 110,000 words when it is completed, so I'm about halfway there, and will need to keep going. Plus, for all I know, I could have 50,000 words of crap sitting in my computer file.

But even with these uncertainties, I'm walking away from this experience knowing I can do it. I can write a novel.

(I'd like to note that even though I did spend a lot of my time writing, I still managed to have a life. For example, I:
• Read two novels and nine holiday novellas. This is less than I'd normally read, but still pretty good.
• Decorated two Christmas trees.
• Made 40 paper snowflakes to hang on my windows.
• Addressed and wrote out all of my Christmas cards.
• Baked three pies and three loaves of bread.
• Went to the Midnight Harry Potter screening, and attended a pre-movie event.
• Planned a book club and writing group.
• Watched all of the Husker football games with friends or at Memorial Stadium.)

For anyone on the fence about participating in NaNoWriMo in the future, I encourage you to try it. You may reach the 50K milestone, but then again you might not. Either way, you're challenging yourself to be creative, get motivated and change your life.

With a clean bill of health, and a much lighter work load at the office thanks to my November marathon, I plan to keep working on my novel. If I really try, I hope I can have it finished by the end of December.

Wouldn't that be a fantastic way to end one year and begin the next?

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no. 1: fun with dad

During my year in Houston, some of my favorite moments were the times my father came to visit me.

We went to a Nebraska football game in Waco, Texas. We celebrated Halloween at bars in Downtown Houston and The Woodlands. We saw NASA, Galveston Bay, Museum of Natural History and the Houston Symphony.

I was lucky enough to have him visit me four times — two of those on his own during interludes in business trips. It's hard to say in words how much it meant to me to have him there. Not only was he a much-needed reminder of home and what I have waiting for me back in Nebraska, but he also was an excuse for me to be a tourist in the city that I lived for more than a year.

Thanks for the memories, Houston. It's time to head back north.

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no. 2: the hangover part two

No. 2: The Hangover Part Two

You've seen "The Hangover," right? Well, have you lived it? I haven't, but one night in February, I came pretty close.

I guess I should start from the beginning. Once upon a time...

On a February night, my friend Cathy and I decided we wanted to check out the barbecue that precedes the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. For those of you who don't know, the Houston Rodeo is one of the biggest rodeos in the world. This year, attendance was more than 2 million. The barbecue itself brought in more than 220,000 people. So knowing all of this, we figured us Nebraska transplants should probably check it out.

We had no idea what to expect. For this reason, we ended up stuck in traffic for two hours and spending another half hour finding parking (which we eventually did in a McDonald's parking lot). Not wanting to get towed, we each got a hamburger and walked to the rodeo grounds. In hindsight, getting those hamburgers probably saved our lives, because by the time we got to the event, they were no longer serving barbecue.

Cathy had some VIP passes for a few of the parties that are held at the barbecue. We decided to check out the biggest one first, and stood in line for a while.

While we stood in that line, Cathy looked around her and saw what people were drinking.

"Laura, am I going to have to drink domestic beer?"

As a bit of a beer snob, she seemed upset to see everyone throwing back Miller Lites. And while I didn't want to distress her anymore than she already was, I knew I couldn't keep the truth from her forever.

"Cathy," I paused, thinking of how best to put it. "Not only will you be drinking cheap American beer tonight, but it's probably going to be out of a can."

I could tell this was hard for her to handle, but I myself was thirsty and just wanted the line to move more quickly. I was also busy checking out all the cowboy hats, and feeling some envy that I didn't have one of my own. Sure, I was rocking my fabulous brown cowboy-style boots and jeans, and while — for one of few times in my life — I knew I looked good I just didn't feel country enough.

Cathy and I promised each other we would wear cowboy hats at some point that evening.

We finally made it to the front of the line. The bouncer, an older gentleman with salt-and-pepper hair and a handlebar mustache carefully guarded the door.

"It'll just be a few more minutes, ladies," he said, with a tip of his hat. "How're y'all doin'?"

Excited. Hungry. Thirsty.

As a true southern gentleman, the old cowboy pulled a couple of beers from his own personal stash and offered them up to Cathy and I.

"Cheers."

We finally made it through the door, and I took a moment to appreciate the scene. A country band played on the stage, and people crowded the dance floor, two-stepping, or whatever it is people do in Texas. A good crowd also surrounded the bar — where booze was free — and I knew we were going to have to stock up on rations if we wanted to have a good time.

Being close to Mardi Gras, I also saw many people wearing beads. For whatever reason, this year I was obsessed with collecting strands of Mardi Gras beads, and I knew at some point I was going to have to get my hands on some. I didn't wait long.

On the way to the bar, I bumped into a nice young man wearing several strands.

"What did you have to do to get those?" I asked.

With a smile and a wink, he pulled off a strand and put it around my neck. He said something, but unfortunately I don't remember his exact words. I do remember thinking it was clever.

I admired my beads while we waited at the bar. I told Cathy we would need to find someone tall to help us get drinks, and a nice tall man in front of us overheard, and promptly ordered us a couple of drinks.

"Ladies," was all he said.

Impressed, we gladly accepted, but I also knew one beer each wasn't going to get us far. So the man helped me elbow my way up to the front where I caught one of the bartender's eyes.

"Four beers, please. And how about two shots of Patron, and two glasses of whatever everyone else is drinking?"

The obliging gentleman filled my order, and as we exchanged smiles. Something passed between us, and I knew we weren't going to have to wait in line to score drinks the rest of the night. Based on the outcome, my guess was correct.

Having since made friends with another young man — this one visiting from Dallas — the three of us raised our tequila in toast.

"To the Houston Rodeo," I said, then threw back my drink. "Now let's get drunk."

What followed was a blur of fun and excitement.

The next clear thought I had was at 1 p.m. the following day. I woke up on my living room floor feeling exhausted and sick. I also wore my boots and shirt from the night before.

And I noticed I now sported about 10 strands of Mardi Gras beads and a cowboy belt — none of which I had prior to my mayhem the night before.

Oh my.

As I stumbled about my apartment, trying to ignore my reflection in the mirror, I knew I needed answers. I found my jeans near the door, my jacket close by. When I finally found my purse, I opened it looking for clues. It held my wallet and cell phones — thank God — more Mardi Gras beads, a gift certificate for dinner for two to a barbecue place and a can of beer.

Even as some guilt settled in, because I knew I had gotten out of hand and perhaps reckless the night before, I also started to feel something else. Not quite pride, but quiet amazement.

I so seldom really cut loose, but after looking through my purse of one thing I was sure: I'd had a blast.

Using our vague memories, purses and cameras for evidence, Cathy and I were able to piece together the rest of the night.

Some of the happenings are better left unsaid, but here are a few tidbits:
• Cathy and I made friends with the nephews of the party's sponsor — a local barbecue joint. After we shared our sad story about missing out on all the barbecue, they gave us gift certificates to the restaurant.
• Our new friend from Dallas gave us cash to cover the cost of the cover to enter the barbecue.
• A nice young man taught us to two-step. At least he tried to.
• As we left the party, I bumped into a girl wearing what I apparently thought was a fantastic belt. I told her, and she took it off and gave it to me.
• We both wore several cowboy hats that night as we wandered the barbecue's grounds. Most of the obliging gentlemen to share their hats with us were old enough to be our fathers.
• Near the port-a-potties we made friends with a group of people who did a mini-photo shoot with us. They also gave me lots of beads.

All in all, Cathy and I learned valuable lessons at the barbecue. First, everything really is bigger in Texas — including barbecues — and you have to be careful if you decide to mess with it. Second, we all really do have a hillbilly bone down deep inside. Third, sometimes, you just have to cut loose from your uptight ways and live a little.

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no. 3: my girls

No. 3: My girls

My mom and and sister each came to visit me while I was in Texas. They're perhaps my two best friends in the world, and having them here was amazing.

My baby sister Sarah came to visit in December. While she was here we hosted the "Third Annual Bad Sweater Party: H-Town Edition."

It was fantastic.

We also went on a Ross shopping spree, checked out NASA, and I took her to Galveston to wade in the ocean for the first time.

The only downside of the visit was that somewhere along the way, we ate something bad and both got food poisoning. Just in time to not be fully hungry still by Christmas.

One of the best parts about going back to Lincoln is that I will get to be with my sister more, and I'm so excited.

My mom also came to visit in the spring. (Dad joined us eventually that weekend, but I'll get to him later.) Once again, we checked out NASA, but we went to the Kemah Boardwalk instead of Galveston. I think it has to be one of my favorite places I've been in the Houston-area.

Mom always gives me good advice and support, so spending time with her was just what I needed.

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no. 4: getting trashy somewhere classy

No. 4: Getting Trashy Somewhere classy

Living in The Woodlands means I am close to The Waterway, a really need stretch of bars and restaurants. It's more upscale than many of the other bars in the Houston area.

My favorite spot on The Waterway by far is Goose's Acre. It's right on the water, with a fantastic outdoor seating area (except it's too hot and humid to sit out there during the summer).

Other favorite spots include Crush, an awesome wine bar (with one level on the roof), and Baker's Street. The crowd at Baker's Street is like a cross of what you'd find in a college and and old person bar. Sometimes, the people there are so absurd, but the people watching is always good.

The best part about these bars... they're only minutes from my home, which means I could get my drink on without having to worry about a long drive.

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no. 5: at the boil

No. 5: At the Boil

On the Gulf Coast — especially when you get close to Louisiana — crawfish is considered a delicacy.

Since I started working in this area in November 2008, I've eaten a lot of crawfish. But, it's always been a restaurant, and always out of its shell.

But this spring in Spring, I went with my good friends Amber and Heather to the Spring Crawfish Festival. At the festival, you buy boiled crawfish by the tub.

It was my first time dealing with crawfish this way, so I got some advice from Amber, a Galveston native.



I didn't do too badly!

After the crawfish, I tried another fair specialty for the first time: a fried Snickers bar.



It was entirely too delicious.

And to finish the day, frozen margaritas - in a pouch that goes around your neck! So handy.

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no. 6: the 'skers

No. 6: The 'skers

Being away from home this fall was hard. It was the first time I'd been away from Nebraska during Husker football season.

I was home with family to go to the first game of the season, but I needed a place to watch the second. I found it at the SRO, where the Houstonians for Huskers meet for every game. Some of us were Nebraska natives and alumni, others were just big fans.

We cheered in good times and did rally shots during the bad. And it was always a lot of fun.

In addition to being a way for me to watch my team with people who love them as much (or almost as much as me), there were also a lot of fun moments. I won a t-shirt (which was a child's size, so I sadly could not wear it), and I also got to watch one of the games with special guest Mike Rozier. Here I am pictured with him.

All in all, it was nice to have an adoptive Husker family away from home.

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no. 7: trouble with a capital "t"

No. 7: Trouble with a capital "T"

... And that rhymes with "D" and that stands for Drink Houston.

Everyone has their Everest, that mountain, that challenge they want to overcome. And since moving to Houston, my challenge has always seemed to be Drink Houston.

Sometimes, there are no words. This time, I think I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

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no. 8: twi-hard: with a vengeance

No. 8: Twi-hard: With a Vengeance

I'm an obsessive person by nature.

When I was three I got really into "The Little Mermaid" and watched it a million and one times. When I was 14, I fell in love with "N'SYNC" and devoted my life to reading everything I could about them.

It's no wonder that when I finally gave into pop culture pressure and watched "Twilight" in October 2009 I was hooked.

I had no intention of ever reading or watching the saga, but one night in early October I was at Redbox and figured what the heck. It was, after all, October, and vampires kind of seemed like the way to go. I went out the next day and bought the book and its sequel, "New Moon." By the next weekend I'd purchased "Eclipse" and "Breaking Dawn," and the rest is history.

By this summer, I'd joined the cause and bought a "Team Edward" shirt, and was asking my friends to have a "Twi-hard" marathon with me. In one night, we watched "Twilight" and "New Moon" at home before going to the theatre to watch "Eclipse" (for the second time each).

So here's to you, Stephenie Meyer, for giving me something to have in common with teenagers around the world, and to you Robert Pattinson for giving me inappropriate thoughts (but hey, he's a couple months older than me, so I'm not robbing the cradle).

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no. 9: you know, for kids

To commemorate the past 14 months of my life, I will countdown my top 10 "Most Memorable Moments," as a Texan.

No. 9: You Know, for Kids — My day as a volunteer at the Houston Children's Festival

In April, I had the opportunity to give back to my community as a volunteer at the Houston Children's Festival. In addition to being a weekend filled with fun, educational activities for families, funds raised at the festival benefit Child Advocates, Inc.

A little background on the festival from the press release:

Designated as "Houston’s Official Family Celebration," the Houston Children’s Festival, presented by Baker Hughes, is gearing up for its 22nd year as Houston’s favorite family outing. Scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, April 10 & 11 from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., the event takes place around City Hall, Tranquility Park and Sam Houston Park in downtown Houston. Designated as one of the “World’s 300 Unmissable Events” by Frommer’s Travel Guides, the festival is expected to attract an expected attendance of 50,000 plus people.

I worked the Saturday afternoon shift at SABIC Monster Math Zone. I work with SABIC Americas, Inc., and their Houston-based office to produce an employee magazine three times yearly. They are great clients and the employees consistently find ways to give back to the community. This year, as we pieced together an article about the event, I decided I wanted to get involved and help, too.

During my shift, I ran the geometry booth. For hours, I supervised children as they used geoboards to make shapes. I also asked visitors to use their knowledge of shapes and space to calculate how many of an item fit in a jar.

By the end of the afternoon, my feet hurt, my throat was hoarse and I was hungry. And I'd had a blast.

I also had good feedback from several of the parents throughout the afternoon. Many asked me if I was a teacher in my "real life," and I took that as a compliment. For years I planned to be a teacher and have the upmost respect for that profession. It got me thinking that maybe I should consider teaching as a future career move.

Most importantly, volunteering at the festival reminded me of how much I enjoy community service. I plan to do more of it in the future.

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no. 10: home and away

In 10 days, I leave Texas for home, for good, for now.

Although Sept. 2 marks the end of my career as a faux Texan, I have made many memories along the way. To commemorate the past 14 months of my life, I will countdown my top 10 "Most Memorable Moments," as a Texan, beginning with...

No. 10: Home and Away — Nebraska vs. Baylor

The University of Nebraska Cornhuskers through the smack down on the Baylor Bears in Waco, Texas, Oct. 31, 2009. My dad, myself and our fellow NU fans were there to witness this humiliation.

Not only did Nebraska win big, but I'm pretty sure we had more fans there than Baylor.

In all fairness to our soon-to-be-ex-conference mates, football really isn't Baylor's sport, and Texas is filled with Nebraskans who usually only get one game in their state a year (which will stop happening in all likelihood when NU joins the Big 10 in 2011).

The day started off well. My dad (who was in town for the weekend) and I woke up early and drove to Waco. Along the way, Dad used his handy little Blackberry to look up facts about the Branch Davidians and we brainstormed costume ideas for that night.

We arrived in Waco before 10 and promptly started drinking beer, like all good Husker fans do. As my brother Mike always says, "I love early kick-offs. It's the only time it's socially acceptable to drink beer at 8 a.m."

We hung out at one of the many tailgate parties for Husker fans and watched Husker football Texas-style.

In addition to being a fun day with my dad and a chance to see my 'skers play, this game was also my first Nebraska away game.
Dad and I had such a good time in Baylor, we decided we want to do another away game. This fall, Mike, Dad and I will attend the NU vs. Texas A&M game in College Station, Texas. Even though I won't live down here, and it'll make for quite the road trip. I can't wait.

Check back tomorrow for No. 9 of "My Most Memorable Moments — Texas edition."

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another appearance

I also make a brief appearance in another post on Brian Anthony Hernandez's blog. This time I weigh in on the future of the newspaper industry.

My response was bleak. While I believe in the future of news and media, I just don't see newspapers — as we have known them for centuries — making a full comeback. I believe the future is in multimedia reporting, as people are increasingly interested in getting the news as it happens.

Other journalists weighed in, too, and provided some great feedback.

Click here to read comments from myself and six other journalists.

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guest appearance

This week, I had the opportunity to write a guest blog for my good friend and fellow journalist Brian Anthony Hernandez.

My friend Laura Chapman, who is a communication specialist in Texas, operates a blog about writing.

In this guest blog, she discusses mending her broken relationship with words and challenges journalists everywhere to rediscover the joys of writing – even at work. The next two paragraphs are excerpts from her guest blog.

“All too often I find myself writing to a formula or template. … It’s worked for me these past two years. Somewhere along the way, I fell out of love with writing. While I do not necessarily look forward to the articles I have to write for work, I have tried to be a little more creative, even if I can not push it too far. I have also put more time into writing for myself, both in my journal and in my personal special projects.

“As journalists, so often we focus on getting the facts and less on how we will present them. While the first part is certainly important, I challenge you to try something new with your writing, and rekindle the romance.”

Click here to read the rest of my guest bit.

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book review: vision in white

Title: Vision in White (The Bride Quartet, book one) Author: Nora Roberts

Nora Roberts has once again ruined me for all men.

In "Vision in White," the first of four books about a quartet of best friends who run a successful wedding business together, Roberts sets up photographer Mackensie "Mac" Elliot with the elusive, legendary perfect man. Carter Maguire, PhD, is a beloved English teacher at the high school where he was once deemed a nerd and virtually ignored by his peers, including Mac.

Carter is smart (he has a PhD from Yale). He's compassionate (he has a three-legged cat called "Triad," whom Carter nursed back to health after being run over by a car). He is close to his family (every Sunday, he has dinner at his parents' house with his two sisters, their significant others and kids). He's no pretentious snob (he reads popular fiction along with the supposed literary classics — refreshing).

Most importantly, Carter is flawed, but in the most endearing of ways. He's shy and unsure of how to woo the woman of his dreams. After years of harboring a crush on Mac finally gets up the courage to ask her out for coffee, but frets he's made the wrong move. On subsequent dates, he agonizes about every detail to ensure it goes off well. He agonizes over the choice of restaurants and the bouquet of flowers. When he invites her over for dinner, he does a dress rehearsal in the days before to make sure he can cook everything correctly and on time. He even works from lists.

Simply put, Carter is absolutely, disgustingly, fabulously wonderful. Oh boy, I'm in trouble.

Too often in romantic stories the male heartthrob is a jerk, who doesn't know how to cope with his feelings. He (inadvertently) hurts the heroine, and must come to grips with the fact that he is a douche bag. Or, if he isn't a complete dick and recognizes and embraces his true feelings for the heroine early on, he maneuvers her to reach the point where she admits her feelings. That's not Carter.

Although Mac is ultimately the one who must overcome her hidden demons, Carter doesn't force her to do it any faster than she is able to on her own. He's waited to be with her for more than 10 years, but he's willing to put in the time to let her realize she loves him as much as he does her.

Carter also makes a move that left me breathless when I read it (and admittedly re-read, over and over):

He wanted more than a rational man could.
He stepped back, contenting himself with a brush of his thumb over her bottom lip. (p. 119)

Never in my mind could I come up with a gesture so tender or romantic. It sure got my blood pumping.

In addition to raising my standards in men, Roberts' "Vision in White" provided a delightful story about the strong lifelong connection between four women. Mac, Emma, Laurel and Parker take their childhood pastime of throwing pretend weddings in Parker's backyard and turn it into a business. Each brings their strengths to play as a photographer, baker, florist and planner.

On top of being successful business parters, the women are first and foremost friends. Whether that includes taking a much needed girl's night in a New York City club, or discussing one of their problems over coffee.

I'd heard a lot of praise about this quartet before I decided to give it a read. If the first book is any indication, this series won't disappoint. I'd expect no less from a perfectionist like Roberts.

With book four in the series set to come out in November, I think I'll try to take my time reading the next two so I don't agonize about its arrival beforehand. 

Rating: 5 of 5

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spicing up the news room

While going through some old papers recently, I stumbled upon a gag some of my old co-workers and I had while we worked at our college newspaper. My senior year, before the holidays, my friends and I decided to try our hands out at writing romance novels. And being competitive, we made it a contest.

I'm posting the entries we came up with. My submission is in there somewhere. Feel free to take a guess.

WARNING: As this was a romance writing contest, there is some content that should not be read by the faint of heart. I'm going to go ahead and give this post an NC-17 rating, for sexuality and language. Otherwise, enjoy!

**********

Congratulations on being selected to participate in the first ever Daily Nebraskan Romance Story Contest Extravaganza. With your efforts, you have made this activity a success. Well done.

Hopefully, we can leave behind a legacy of future contest participants who will continue to promote these great principles of writing.

Enclosed you will find the works of you and your fellow participants.

The rules for this contest are as follows:
1. We all use the same first line as a prompt for our story and setting (keep in mind it's a romance story, so it should be good).
2. Anything else goes. You can talk about quivering members and nipples till the vicar comes home (or even after if you fancy).
3. 500 word max. We're journalists, let's be brief.
4. We will share whatever we have done post-budget Thursday evening at 9 p.m.
5. There must be at least one other character to help "Patience" out.

Here are the prompts (courtesy of the book Johnny bought for Laura):

• Title: "Naughty by Nature"
• Setting: October 1808, Cheshire, England
• First line: "Patience Rose Farnaly was rebellious, opinionated and prone to lie."

So with that final note, please enjoy the submissions, in the order in which they were submitted to our judge. Thank you all for your participation and God Bless.


Version 1

Patience Rose Farnaly was rebellious, opinionated and prone to lie.

This was standard, because she was a woman, a creature that is known to be devoid of logic and reasoning.

Oh, and Patience was actually a man, which makes her an intense liar of sorts.

This was an important fact Longballs O’Cocksmith was unaware of when he picked her up for their first tryst.

They went dining, dancing. They ate food and fondled each other. Later they would do the opposite.

“This was a ravishing meal,” said O’Cocksmith with quivering anticipation.

“Yes, it was,” said Farnaly, who was actually thinking about ravishing O’Cocksmith with her not-so-genuine member.

O’Cocksmith was thinking the same, only his involved thrusting, licking and gallivanting his prominent manhood into the vapid, onerous spaces of Farnaly. Too bad all he’d expect was docking.

Their afternoon excursion came to a close around 4 p.m. when they decided to go to a movie. If you asked them now, they wouldn’t remember the name, but they would remember the two hours of excruciatingly amazing foreplay.

The foreplay would eventually lead to abject horror.

But nonetheless, they went to the movie. During an intimate scene where the bear discovers he is not alone in the big, scary forest, Farnaly made her move. She caressed the thigh of O’Cocksmith, moving higher and higher while matching her hand to the happy-go-lucky soundtrack of the movie-bear reuniting with his rabbit friend.

Farnaly wanted to procreate like a rabbit.

O’Cocksmith moaned as her hand moved closer to his jujubes. He grabbed “her” face and pulled it toward his, licking the insides of her frail mouth while her tongue caressed his. Their teeth clicked from the passion of smashing against one another.

Her hand met his rigid hospitality. His rigid hospitality welcomed her hand.

She pulled up his shirt and kissed his stomach, licking her vacuous tongue all over his flamboyant happy trail.

He moaned slightly, trying not to disturb the family of seven Methodists sitting four rows in front.

She unzipped his fly, grasping his unflaccid ramrod in her hands and then inserting it into her eating orifice. He moaned louder, this time offering a faint sound of extreme pleasure: “Fuck!”

Farnaly cupped his cranberries and occasionally popped one in her mouth, all the while stroking his burgeoning anticipation.

He pumped harder and harder, smacking her uvula like a piston in an engine, only with less oil and more spit. She gagged, throwing up a little on his beckoning empathy. He did not mind because it only added to the lubricity.

At the moment the movie-bear found his family and discovered he was a king, O’Cocksmith shouted: “Fuck me raw!”

His crescent moon fulminated in her mouth with a fierce intensity like LeBron James shoots a layup.

He lay there, gasping, while she leaned back, gulping.

He grabbed for her womanliness only to find another wistful anticipation.

O’Cocksmith sighed, shook his head, and left the theater with haste, for he was not homosexual.

“Fuck!”


Version 2

Patience Rose Farnaly was rebellious, opinionated and prone to lie.

And she had no qualms with telling the soon-to-be vicar she was a virgin. She enjoyed the way he tried his best to maintain eye contact as she stood before him, her breasts uncovered, as he hid the fact that his britches had become painfully taught.

Knowing he was the true innocent made Patience’s conquest all the more satisfying. Ravaging the man of God would certainly be the single-most thrilling moment in her 18 years of life.

She knew just what to say. “I whole-heartedly give myself to you before you turn yourself over to a life with God so you can experience the pleasure of flesh once without regret.”

Howard Franklin Addison couldn’t mask his astonishment as her breasts pressed against his bare, muscular chest. Never in his life had he felt anything so enticing, and all thoughts of sermons and scriptures vacated his mind.

He hadn’t experienced the sweet touch of a woman’s flesh in far too long.

Though he had come to the barn to escape the temptation standing before him, he knew what he had to do. God had presented him with an opportunity and a sign, and he knew he must indulge.

He could never enter his work with the Lord with a clear heart after this, but Howard knew their mutual fulfillment would be worth the sacrifice.

Howard lifted his hand to cup her soft breast lightly with his palm, putting his other hand on the small of her back, pulling her closer. Her chin lifted as his mouth descended to hers in a rough mating of the tongues. Her womanhood flushed with heat as she anticipated the mating of their parts as well.

A soft moan escaped her throat as Patience’s fingers intertwined in his black hair. Her other hand traveled down his hard chest, hesitating at the waist of his pants a moment before it wandered under his belt. She grabbed his manhood and squeezed it, earning a husky groan from the vicar.

Knowing he was too close to the crucial moment already, Howard allowed her to undo his pants while he pulled the hem of her dress above her smooth hips.

He lifted Patience up, pressing her back to the wood of the wall, as her legs wrapped around his waist, ready to take him into her being. Howard tore his lips away from hers to take her breast into his hot mouth, sending waves of pleasure through her body.

Howard entered her sheath hard and pumped furiously, giving both what they desired. He passed the point where her maidenhead would have been and knew she had lied. But that mattered little to him as a scream escaped Patience’s mouth and he let out his own roar as they found fulfillment together.

“You weren’t a virgin,” Howard said gruffly, as he set her feet back on the ground and pulled her into his embrace. “But then again, neither was I.”


Version 3

Patience Rose Farnaly was rebellious, opinionated and prone to lie.

Her seemingly overwhelming emotional complexity was merely a façade for her innate, underlying instincts.  Atop her list were merely three things in life: a hot bath, a warm meal and Daemon Pierce — not necessarily in that order. For her, right now, she had nothing more to grasp than fleeting memories of mystic summer nights spent in his Ontario cabin — memories that had been haunting her to this moment, while she was with her boyfriend.

Michael's foreskin extended far from his tip, and hung down like an oversized raincoat on a small child. She didn't mind blowjobs; she had actually became quite accustomed to the practice. Men realize quickly, she fathomed, that a woman ought only be expected of so much in regard to pleasure-giving — haven't having a member of their own to grasp the concept (and the physicality) proves difficult in understanding the art of pleasure.

Nothing but these thoughts were in her head during the ordeal. It was a chore; a task needing completing to save their relationship. It was awful.

All she could think about was her first night with Daemon in the Canadian countryside. They ran around all day in the wilderness, stopped only by a light spring rain; they ran back to Daemon's cabin, soaking wet.

Daemon led Patience into the laundry room to dry their clothes. He slipped off his shirt first, shaking his head vigorously to rid it of water. His hair shined the light shone through the sole windowsill in the dark room. Her heart beat so loudly, Patience was afraid he'd hear it. Daemon unbuttoned her blouse and, without removing his gaze into her eyes, dropped it into the dryer. He caressed the intricate patterns on her bra with the tips of his fingers as she raised her left hand and grazed the knuckles of her fingers on his cheek. Her other hand was less innocent.

She could feel the veins run from the hairy base up to the tip. She fell to her knees. Her tongue extended, barely touching the tip — her heart raced; she was afraid if she went any further, she'd become so fluttery she'd fall over dead and go to Heaven — if she wasn't already there, she thought.

She curled up her tongue underneath him, and slowly put more and more pressure on it. Daemon quivered – his breathing was deeper than an ocean. He picked her up by her legs, upside down, and stuck his tongue inside of her, with her feet dangling in the air. They held each other so close, they could hardly breath.

He laid her atop the laundry machine, and went inside her. The vibrations of their intercourse were even more powerful than the dryer running next to them. She couldn't take her hands off his chest, and started squeezing his shoulders as she climaxed — he felt the sensation, too, and for the first time in her life, she and her partner orgasmed together.


Version 4

Patience Rose Farnaly was rebellious, opinionated and prone to lie.

Which was probably a bad thing to be since she was the editor in chief of the Weekly Nebraskan.

It was late and a few choice people were still at the office.

The news editor, Jonathan Perrey, Jaynold Carls and Chucksanne Lipstan stood in the printing room, pressing sheets of paper against ink blocks.

Then everything changed with a bolt of lightning. In an instant, a machine appeared in the middle of the newsroom. A man stepped out.

“Hello. I am H.G. Wells,” he said.

Wells convinced them to come with him the future as their descendants were in desperate need of help.

“Descendants!?” gasped Patience, holding her hand to her chest. The thought of which of the two men she might … you know … with left her breathless.

“I know this might blow the space-time continuum, but the future of the world depends on it,” Wells said.

The four were convinced and stumbled into the time machine. A second later, they were in 2007 standing in the middle of a dark college newsroom. Patience stepped back, scared by strange, glowing boxes stacked on tables. Jonathan held her arm so she wouldn’t fall down.

She looked up at him and blushed a deep crimson.

“What are we doing here?” Chucksanne asked.

“Your descendants can’t get into the newsroom because it’s covered with a sheet of ice,” Wells said. “They cannot put out a paper, and if they miss a day, their reputation will be ruined.”

They set to work. Wells showed them how to use the new-fangled equipment and told him he’d be back for them later.

“I have a kingdom to save in the year 556!”

Chucksanne and Jaynold went to the back room, where they put together the students’ hard work. Patience and Jonathan stayed in the newsroom, putting stories in the system. But their sense of curiosity was such that they decided to explore the newsroom’s various oddities.

After various poking arounds, they accidently locked themselves in a small room with a couch and two of the light boxes. After calling for help for, they gave up, sat down on the couch and sulked.

Chucksanne and Jaynold didn’t hear their cries because they had already been sucked into throws of passion. In this world, there seemed to be no consequences to any actions. They held each other’s scantily clad bodies, rolling among sheets of newspapers.

In the break room, Patience sat closer to Jonathan, wondering if he would ever love her. She felt his eyes on her. She touched her glasses at three precise points, a nervous habit. In a minute he was on top of her. The blue couch creaked beneath their rocking motions.

The next morning, H.G. Wells had still not arrived. The general manager of the school paper walked into the conference room in a hilarious sweater.

“Um, you all need to clean up this mess. And don’t tape things to the walls.”


Version 5

Patience Rose Farnsley was rebellious, opinionated and prone to lie.

That wasn't the kind of attitude that the quiet, self-respecting residents of Cheshire much liked. At the end of a cold, dreary November, Patience swore she would find someone - anyone - before the bells of the new year.

But tonight was Christmas Eve night. Every promise to herself, every lie-tinged web of distrust that Patience had weaved that year was as obscure in her mind as the fuzzy image of the childrens' white winter snowman in the front yard, peeking through falling snow as she tucked into bed. 

Like many on this anticipation filled holiday, Rose awoke too early. The moon still shone as she made her way past the tree for a glass of water, Christmas contentment deep in her soul.

As she made her way back, she made out the round shadow behind the tree.

Afraid but oddly curious at the mystery figure, she approached. A deep voice reached out and stopped her cold.

"And what would you like for Christmas, little girl?"

She stammered, paused. All she wanted, really, was what she dreamed of every night, lying alone in bed, stewing in hate. She wanted love.

They were alone. This was as good a time as any. She couldn't resist the voice, so deep, so loving; she could almost hear the … the wanting. Her heart opened up.

"Love. I want love."

The figure emerged. His suit of red and long, flowing white beard struck Rose in a new, new way. She had to act now.

"I want … I want you."

"Patience Rose Farnsley, that wish I can grant, but you should be aware…"

"Anything!" The voice was pulling her in; the lady in her was overcome and she burst with ill-conceived energy. She knew it was time.

"Patience, so many want only my body. There are too many lonely people in the world. Perhaps you've met old mister Swartzlander down the street…" the voice trailed off with fond nostalgia. "I don't do commitment, Patience."

Patience was too rebellious for commitment. She moved closer to him, taking his round bicep in her arms, slowly massaging the cotton at the top of his red cap before nonchalantly throwing it to the ground. They spoke no words as their lips moved closer…

With a flick of his fingers, her nightgown lay neatly boxed and wrapped in the far corner. Their lips met; his round little nose glowed.

"Ho, ho, ho," he whispered. And his hands did merry, merry, terrible things.

Caresses led where caresses do; she couldn't resist - she tasted of fudge and fruitcake, no matter where her lips ventured. She collapsed at the end, in his jolly arms. His nose slowly flashed berry red and mistletoe green.

He rose without a word, the pain of a thousand Christmastime hookups on his weathered old soul.

"Saint Nicholas doesn't forget, Patience."

"Goodbye, big papa Christmas."

"Goodbye."

And with that, he bowed slightly and shot up the chimney.


Version 6

Patience Rose Farnaly was rebellious, opinionated and prone to lie.

That's how she found herself in the garden shed waiting for the stable boy.

The stable boy, Gustav, was not particularly well-liked by her father, who claimed the boy was a sexual deviant. Her mother agreed but was quite fond of the boy's good table manners.

Patience didn't care. She yearned to know the things he could teach her. She had grown tired of her adolescent lovers. They were young and too frightened by her enthusiasm to put it in her.

Patience had heard of Gustav's raw lust for her from the other girls in town and stories of their own escapades with the mysterious foreigner.

Despite her name, Patience had no inclination to wait any longer – it was her turn to be pleasantly punished by the dashing Ukrainian.

She told her parents she was going to call on Charlotte down the road and slipped out the back door. Instead of walking down the cobblestone thoroughfare, however, she took the garden path past the menagerie and sauntered to the shed where she knew Gustav would she tiptoed past the lavender and lilac bushes, full bloom in June, ripe with their sumptuous scent and ready to be plucked.

She lifted the iron latch on the door of the shed and crept inside. The shed was full of the musk of earth and moss, and Patience thought wistfully of Gustav. She longingly caressed her loins, imagining his presence, his strong cock pushing deep inside her, touching her as she never could herself.

Patience worked herself into a frenzy, watching the sun set through a crack in the wooden planks of the shed’s rustic walls and wondering when Gustav would happen upon her, writhing in the foliage that lined the dusty floor.

She moaned softly as finger banged herself. She dreamt of intimately fondling Gustav and guiding him inside the soft warm abyss between her legs. Patience’s toes curled, and the beads of sweat that had collected on her face rolled down her cheeks. She tasted sweat on her lips.
Suddenly Patience heard Gustav’s footsteps outside the door, and she felt her dewy poon as she waited for him to open the door and find her there on the floor, ready to be taken.

Gustav’s eyes fell on Patience’s supple breasts. Bending down to touch her milky skin, there stirred within him the primal urge to penetrate her tight little pish. Wild with lust for Patience, Gustav ripped open his tattered work shirt. He pulled Patience to him, and after she removed his remaining clothing, she took him inside her and gave him the hot pleasure she had prepared for during her wet, solitude that evening.

She wondered silently if he liked pie.  


Version 7

Patience Rose Farnaly was rebellious, opinionated and prone to lie.

But the 18-year-old English girl did more than offer the occasional fib. More often than not, her slanderous speech was directed toward the sexual orientation of whichever boy caught her fancy.

As Patience had found throughout high school, calling a crush “gay” or “fag” inevitably provoked the boy to do whatever it took to prove he fancied women. On three separate occasions, Patience gleaned a long kiss from her aspired lovers behind the schoolhouse, but never more than that. The limited experiences had slowly made the teenager bitter toward the full sexual experience, but left her more determined than ever to find out what it was like.

One afternoon, Patience found a boy who was quite agreeable in mind and features. Timothy was his name, and he held about him an aura of someone who would make something out of himself one day. Particularly appealing to Patience was his flexible nature and tanned, muscular arms. He was a transfer student from London, and thus was blissfully unaware of Patience’s history of shenanigans.

On that fateful second Thursday in August, Patience tried in passing to comment regarding his preference for other boys. As if sensing Patience’s true intentions, Timothy turned to her and smiled a smile that melted her heart.

“If I were interested in boys,” Timothy grinned, “I wouldn’t find you so dashing right now.”

Two minutes later, down by the old tool shed behind the schoolhouse, the pair began to engage in a behavior strictly forbidden by the schoolhouse master. Patience knew they had time to indulge in intercourse before anyone would notice, but Timothy seemed reluctant to make a move beyond the tender kisses he offered.

With this thought in mind, Patience began to undo the knot on Timothy’s britches. The London boy withdrew temporarily, looked Patience in the eye, then unleashed a fury of kisses upon her bosom.

From there, everything became a blur. For the first time, Patience saw firsthand what made a man a man. Timothy’s dillywacker lay fully exposed and ready to take its prize. The girl was more than happy to oblige, and within moments her anticipation transformed into a pain then, quickly, a satisfaction beyond what she could have imaged. The last thing she remembered before passing into a state of complete ecstasy was that this boy wasn’t a homosexual after all.


Version 8 (WINNER)

Patience Rose Farnaly was rebellious, opinionated and prone to lie.  

She and her dashing husband James Famaly were amongst the higher echelon of London aristocracy.  Their extravagant wealth stemmed from his countless years of service in His Majesty's honorary protective service.  Though this job provided a gifted lifestyle for the two, James was often called away for extended periods of time, leaving Patience alone in their mansion.  

And that was exactly how she liked it.

One day she couldn't take it anymore—she needed to feel the warm touch of a man gently brush her hair out of her face, slide down her bare shoulder and caress over her erect nipples.  
She called upon her stable boy, Pepe, a 17-year-old Spanish immigrant with a supple yet strong physique, speaking not one word of English. Their unrequited passion needed no words, only vigorous thrusting motion.     

 She told him she had just finished her afternoon horse ride and had become hot and bothered as a result.  Hence, in her weakened state she was unable to untie the intricate lacings of her confining corset and required an extra pair of hands. He arrived in the stable post haste.   Due to blistering heat from the summer sun, Pepe began to get hot and unbuttoned his shirt as he ran, exposing his glistening chest and his mocha tan. 

Upon his arrival, Patience said, "Oh, I've been waiting for you.  Now that I've had my ride, it's time for you to have yours".  

With that, unable to control their animalistic desire, Pepe ripped off the corset, revealing Patience's voluptuous bosom which was now heaving uncontrollably, causing immediate rigor mortous to his now throbbing member.  He threw her down upon a bed of hay.  Once settled, Patience slowly spread her long quivering legs, as Pepe kneeled whilst removing his slacks.  Being but a naïve, virginal child Pepe was unsure of the next action to take.  Aware of his nerves, Patience guided his throbbing manhood into her void that could only be filled with some saucy Spanish loving.   

Almost instinctively, Pepe proceeded to thrust with vigor.  With each thrust, Patience let out a cry of ecstasy accompanied by a groan of pleasure, letting Pepe know he was doing a job well done.
  
It was the most passionate moment of her life.

Two years later, James returned to the not-so-modest estate.  Upon his arrival, he was greeted by his wife, but in her arms, was something that made his blood run cold.  A young infant with a distinct mocha complexion lay sleeping in a cashmere blanket.  

His wife said, "I'm sorry my love, I guess I got a little Latin in me."


Epilogue

 Jonathon stood with his wife on their building’s rooftop and he thought that she had never looked prettier.  The sun setting behind her set her hair aglow like a halo and at that moment he saw her as an angel.

He studied her face, so beautiful in the fading light.  He remembered the sensation of kissing her lips for the first time and how for days afterward the very thought of her touch and her presence made him the happiest man in the world.

He remembered taking her to bed years ago, how they slowly explored each other for the first time.  Her hands were so soft, so loving.

Their love had blossomed, days of passion grew into weeks which grew into months and then years.  They had spent hours just staring at each other, their eyes locked together with love, somehow more intimate than anything else they could share.

There on the rooftop, twelve stories from the street below, he immediately regretted sleeping with her sister.  It was only one time, he tried to explain, they were drunk.  They were stupid.

But her eyes were stones now, they were sharp stones and they dug into him painfully and they did not stop.  When she put her hands on his shoulders, her grip was gentle and careful and he thought that things could improve.  When she pushed, sending him over the side and into the concrete below, he did not know what to think.

There on the street, a bloody broken mess, he thought he felt a single drop of rain strike his cheek.  But he could see the sky above, it was clear, nothing but a mix of oranges and blues shielding the stars.

It wasn’t rain, he realized, it was a tear.  “Was it mine… or hers?”

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updates

I had an opportunity to update much of the website.

Changes include:
• A new home page.
• New organization for pages.
• Biography, quick facts and resume under "About Me."
• Photos, links and documents under "Work Samples."
• Feedback from colleagues under "Feedback."
• Ways to contact me.

All I need to do is get my design clips uploaded, and we should be good to go. We're getting there!

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penny for my thoughts

I decided to start a new personal journal! And by that, I mean I bought a book that I will write in. You know, old school.

I've kept maybe 10 journals since I was 14, and it's been two years since I last did. I've never been very faithful at it, but I think my subconscious detects when I am going through a time in my life when I need to, and I am pulled to he journal section at Barnes and Nobel.

Let's see how it goes!

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new website

Welcome to my new website: www.lauramchapman.com. This will be a one-stop shop for everything Laura Chapman — from my work as a new reporter and communications specialist to my progress as a novelist.


Please be patient as I take the time to construct this website and keep checking back for more updates.

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twenty four

Today is my birthday. For whatever reason, turning 24 hit me hard.

Turning 23 was great. Fact: I rounded up my age to 23 since December the year before my birthday. But, 24 just seemed so much older. I think I just thought I'd have my life a lot more figured out by the time I'd been out of college two years.

I thought I'd have at least one novel written and have my career path figured out. I imagined I'd own my first home and live somewhere I loved. And while I didn't necessarily expect to be married or have kids, I at least thought I'd be on that path, and really I'm no where near as far as know.

But in the week before my birthday, I've come to grips with it. I realize that while many people are lucky to have done all of these things, I'm not alone. Some people go their whole lives without doing any of them.

Instead of looking at what I haven't done and want to do (which is what I usually do around my birthday), I decided this year to think of 24 things I've done in my life — one for each year I've lived — that I take pride in.

1. Learned to play six instruments. This includes the piano, clarinet, oboe, percussion, saxophone and English horn.


(Photo: Performing at one of our marching shows senior year.

2. Performed in a parade at Disney World.

3. Attended five proms in high school. Got good use out of the three dresses I bought when I went to the Millard West prom twice, and was invited to Millard North, Millard South and Skutt.

4. Graduated high school with 21 hours of college credit.

5. Adopted the two best cats in the world. Jane and Bingley have brought so much happiness to my life the past three years.

6. Spent 10 days in England. This included seeing all the big sites in London. I also took a Jack the Ripper tour that ended with one of my classmates and I grabbing curry and drinks with backpackers from around the world (some who I still stay in touch with on Facebook).

7. Had fun political encounters as a journalist. I saw Barack Obama right before he won the Nebraska primary, interviewed Rep. Lee Terry during a congressional hearing with C-SPAN rolling, offered one of three interviews granted by former Gov. Rod Blagjevich to discuss Illinois' mess of a state budget (I shared it with a fellow journalist and my editor, and I think the only reason I was offered was because I'd just written a story about one of his programs and was super nice to his communications people), etc.

8. Have earned a living writing since I was 19. Wrote articles in college that were picked up by the Associated Press and ran in various other publications (mostly college), but once featured on the New York Times' website.


(Photo: My paycheck from the Associated Press for stringing a story on a Goodyear strike.)


9. Earned a bachelor's degree in four years.

10. Spent a total of five days unemployed after college. After wrapping up my internship I had to wait a few days before finding out I'd landed my current gig.

11. Operated a locomotive by myself. Granted it was at speeds lower than 10 mph, but it was still awesome. The guys also gave me pie. This was also special because it happned on my first business trip at my first grown-up job. What a way to start off a two-year career writing railroad newsletters.


(Photo: Engine I operated in the North Yard in Amarillo, Texas.)

12. Checked important items off the bucket list for important sites I'd like to see. Saw both Niagara Falls at night and dawn and Boston in the fall and waded in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.


(Photo: Boston in the fall. October 2008)

13. Shook hands with and personally thanked George Lucas for making the Star Wars and Indiana Jones sagas. (Episodes 4-6 only on SW and the first three Indie movies — its seemed rude to bring up his failures at the time.)

14. Met my childhood crush J.C. Chasez. I also shared a somewhat meaningful 15-minute conversation with him before receiving a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Sure, he didn't fall madly in love with me as I always imagined he would if we ever met, but it was still pretty fantastic. Plus, I was pretty drunk and managed not to make a complete ass of myself.

15. Saw Billy Joel and Elton John in their face-to-face tour.

16. Moved to a new state on my own.

17. Have worked from a home office since July 2009. My goal after college graduation was to do this by the time I was 30 — beat it by seven years.

18. Continuing to work on my dream: being a novelist. I wrote six chapters of a book before scrapping it to start over. Thoroughly outlined three books. I haven't met my goal to finish writing a novel, but this was a big step and I learned a lot through the process.

19. Learned to drink and love beer.

20. Lost 40 pounds in the last year.

21. Became (mostly) financially independent. I may struggle and not have much savings, but I own my car, pay my rent on time monthly and have insurance (renter's, auto, life and health).

22. Been to 26 out of 50 states plus the District of Columbia (not including airport stops): Arizona (1997), Arkansas (2009), California (1997), Colorado (1997), Connecticut (2008), Florida (2002), Illinois (1995), Iowa (?), Kansas (?), Louisiana (2008), Maryland (1999), Massachusetts (2008), Minnesota (2005), Missouri (?), Nebraska (1986), New Jersey (2010), New York (2008), Oklahoma (2004), Pennsylvania (2009), Rhode Island (2009), South Dakota (2000), Texas (2004), Utah (2002), Virginia (1999), Wisconsin (2000) and Wyoming (2002). (I've been to airports in Georgia, Michigan and North Carolina, but those don't really count.)

23. Fallen in love and been loved back. (I've also had my heart broken and recovered, which I feel were just as important in the grand scheme.)

24. Developed friendships and relationships with people coast-to-coast. I've also learned that while some friendships last years, other people are only in your life for a short time. That doesn't make their presence any less meaningful. (Cue: "In My Life" by the Beatles.)


Every experience, good and bad, has made me the person I am, today. I'm sure I could think of regrets, but what is the point?

I challenge all of you to look at the blessings in your life. Count them. At the end of the day, they are what matter most. Life is too short to have regrets.

And now for a look back at 23...

Favorite songs:
• "Then" by Brad Paisley
• "Imma Be" by the Black Eyed Peas
• "Bad Romance" by Lady Gaga
• "Don't Stop Believin'" Glee cover
• "You're Still You" by Josh Groban (This is an "oldie," but I just heard it for the first time this year.)
• "Need You Now" by Lady Antebellum
• "I'm Alive" by Kenny Chesney and Dave Matthews

Favorite new shows (or at least new to me):
• Glee
• Modern Family
• Dancing With the Stars
• Celebrity Apprentice

New states visited:
• Rhode Island
• Arkansas
• New Jersey

Major accomplishments:
• Lost 40 pounds.
• Moved to a new state.
• Became a fan of beer.
• Got my first place on my own.
• Learned to shell crawfish and ate a fried Snickers bar all in one glorious days.

Lessons learned:
• Don't speed. You get pulled over and apparently being polite and respectful won't get you out of a ticket.
• Know your limits when it comes to drinking. Otherwise, you might end up sleeping in a McDonald's parking lot, giving your number to awful guys or throwing up in a church lawn. However... you also might end up with a gift certificate to a barbecue joint, a cowboy belt and other fun tokens to remember the night out.
• Be comfortable being who you are. This can mean singing your heart out on a karaoke stage or stripping down to your swimsuit on the beach.

Goals for the next year (several of these are repeats from previous years):
• Eat healthy and exercise so I can continue to reach my target weight.
• Look for new professional opportunities and challenges.
• Finish writing a book.
• Check one item off of the bucket list.
• Spend more of my time and resources giving back to others.

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faking it

An often forgotten chapter in my life, is that I once sold Mary Kay cosmetics. It's true. Just check my bathroom and you'll see the remnants of my brief career: half-used moisturizes, lip glosses and bunch of nail polish.

I bought my starter kit the summer after my freshman year of college thinking it would change my life, just like it did for Evelyn Couch in "Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe." However, I soon learned I was not much of a saleswoman (my current bosses would also agree). By the following March, I packed up my inventory and shipped it back to Dallas, ending my career with MK forever.

My short-lived cosmetics career taught me more than the proper way to select eyeshadow (FYI, it's not to match your clothing) or how to write off business expenses on my taxes. It taught me that to succeed, I first had to see myself as successful.

All new MK sales representatives receive a copy of Mary Kay Ash's autobiography "Miracles Happen." The book tells about how she built her company from a one-person show, to a major multi-million dollar industry with hundreds of sales representatives nationwide. The key, she said, to success was simple: fake it till you make it.

I can't tell you how valuable that lesson was to me.

When hired at the Daily Nebraskan as a new transfer student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, I'd only ever reported a few new stories, and all were for class assignments. My editor handed me three story assignments for the next week, and I pushed aside my worry and went to work, pretending I knew what I was doing. I remember making my very first call. I practiced my introduction over and over before I picked up the phone, until even I believed I was "Laura Chapman with the Daily Nebraskan."

I've faked my first few days at every job since, and it seems to be working for me. Maybe I can find a lesson in here somewhere for me, now. Maybe I can pretend I am a novelist, and get myself — and others — so convinced, that I can't help but finish writing a whole book. Might be something to it.

On another note, No. 9 in the "Project Boy Meets Girl" series will be out this weekend. I spent too much time working my job and playing after hours to do more than re-read the book that features our next couple. With any luck, I can get No. 8 out this week, too, as I've already done the leg work for it, too.

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