The Mercurial Wordsmith

Well, dear reader, I did it! The sun is now setting on November 2020, and a new month dawns tomorrow. With today's post, I have now taken the time to sit down and write something, anything , each day in the month of November. I'm proud of myself for doing this. For someone who has always had the drive, but lacking the direction and discipline, this is no small feat! I have looked forward to sticking to my goal, and I am thrilled to report that I met that! A few observations as I close out this chapter of Non-NaNoWriMo 2020. I Kept Myself Accountable. Admittedly, it wasn't always easy. Some days I struggled with content, other days it was the mental energy. But, I persevered, even on the days when I may have cheated a little and phoned it in with a Random Things Edition or calling back a memory that was written years ago. I purposely didn't set limitations on myself with this project, as I knew those days would likely come. It's hard to write everyday, and keeping my...

  The following depicts one of the strangest encounters I've ever experienced. It happened to me a few years ago, and I all but forgot about it. But the Facebook memories tool brought me it all flooding back, as I came across it again the other day. I think it's worth sharing here again, because as I read it with again with fresh eyes, I'm even more incredulous at the occurrence. It really was like a personal trip through the Twilight Zone!  I'm still trying to process this...Long post ahead... Today I treated myself to my usual weekly-ish or so salad bar lunch at Jason's Deli. Almost immediately, I noticed an older woman (late 50s or so) who was behind me in line, but more at my side and seriously crowding my personal space...and staring very hard at me. I shrugged it off and moved along with paying and then assembling my salad. Roughly 10 minutes later, I am settled and eating, surfing on my phone, when I just feel like I am being watched. Yup. She's seated a ...

Note: This entry depicts issues surrounding menstruation and reproductive matters. If you're sensitive to any of these topics and don't wish to read further, please feel free to exit and skip this post. Two years ago today marks the day I consider my Rebirth Day. Such a strange and bewildering experience has brought me here. I could probably write a book about all that has transpired over a several month span back in 2018. So here goes the (sort of) abridged version.  My bits decided to sprout some fibroids, wreaking all sorts of havoc with various aspects of daily life. Gnarly, alien-like masses (which are rarely malignant, thankfully) invaded my womb and body, a byproduct of the natural and cyclical hormonal fluctuations. Fibroids are incredibly common and there is nothing that can be done to prevent them from growing. Simply being equipped with female parts is the only known risk factor.  My largest and most problematic fibroid was approximately the size of a (growing!) ten...

Since it's Black Friday, I decided to play around with with Canva a bit and create a holiday themed animated graphic. What do you think? The static image is posted and the animated graphic is linked.  This is just so much fun! As with writing, I've been a bit of a dabbler in the graphic design arena. It's been something more of a relaxing pleasure than anything professional.  Although, I have incorporated images and graphics for work-related newsletters and email blasts. But that was a million years ago, and this is really ust for fun.  But I think this will become a vital portion of allowing myself to display the artwork I create for the blog. It's largely been kept private and for my own creation and viewing experience. Delving into another art form as I continue to focus and grow on the writing should prove interesting.  Indeed, I've read that exposing one's self to different mediums and types of artistic expression can inspire and foster positivity in the ot...

Surprise! The Mercurial Wordsmith is an active blogger page on Facebook! As November draws to a close, I have decided to establish a new social media page in which I will continue to create, share and promote my writing process and projects for the future. This is also the perfect arena in which I can flex a bit of my design skill muscles and showcase those projects as well.  The posts I create here in Blogger will eventually be shared exclusively to that page, and will be kept separated from my personal one. I'll only keep sharing to my personal page through the end of November. The results from the poll I posted earlier this week were the main driving force behind that.  Perhaps it was the method I used that, but more people only viewed the poll in My Story than actually participated. Nevertheless, I think this is a better arena for me to continue to share my creative outlets moving forward. I want to do so freely, but at the same time, I don't want to do it in a manner th...

I have decided to stick with Blogger for now. The platform is working really well for me and for the current needs and overall purpose of the blog. If I find that I am outgrowing it or its limitations are hindering my progress in any way, I'll reconsider moving to a different platform. So with that decision made, I also went ahead and decided to purchase a custom domain for the blog. This will help shorten the URL and make it more seamless to remember and  utilize across multiple platforms, and I think it helps boost the professional appearance of it, too. www.mercurialwordsmith.com Just typing that link gave me goosebumps! I feel like I am gaining more insight and clarity in what I want to do and achieve with this blog. Less than a month ago, that vision was not yet realized. I can't wait to see where this all leads! Dare I say, it's starting to feel a bit like I am developing my own brand! I have some more ideas/plans that I am working on and that I will share before the ...

When I was 15, I moved to a another part of the county that placed me in a different school district. I handled that about as well as you'd expect any temperamental, self-absorbed teenage girl would. I was leaving behind a small circle of friends and larger orbit of friendly acquaintances, that I think deep down, I largely understood I wouldn't see again. With the exception of my best friend Susan, that premonition expectedly came true. Socializing and keeping in touch was so different than it is today. Remember, this was back when shitty dial-up was a hot commodity and the Internet was akin to the Wild West. Anyway, I digress a bit. Back on topic.  Already sullen and Hating Absolutely Everything, I arrived at my new school on the first day, almost immediately getting lost as I stepped into the building. I remember traipsing the halls trying to find my first period classroom. After a certain point, it became aimless wandering, frustration building up and holding back tears, I ...

After Brian went to bed last night, I stayed up a while longer, still a bit charged up. I began with the intention of researching and possibly deciding on a new humidifier that really need as the Winter dryness is already settling in. Over the past week or so, I've been researching the various types that are out there, and I didn't realize there were just that many! I might save the details of that for another post, but suffice to say, I ended up veering off in a totally different direction that felt surprising and familiar at the same time. I somehow got to thinking about the future of this blog, and ironically, if this is even going to continue being the home base. I largely started it up again here, as it was already established from years ago, sitting dormant ever since. It's also part of the Google environment, in which my digital footprint is so firmly planted. My enthusiasm to just hit the ground running with writing again superceded any serious blog options and ove...

It is without any doubt that this has been a peculiar and challenging year. The effects of the Pandemic have been so far reaching, and impacted everyone's life in some way, shape or form. I guess it was around the halfway point of the year when I began to see articles, memes and even merchandise surrounding the notion that 2020 has been the Most Horrible Year Ever. In almost a knee-jerk reaction, I immediately agreed, and sometimes shared that sentiment with beleaguered enthusiasm and without much additional thought beyond that.  But then, I slowly began to analyze it and consider it some more, and how it has directly impacted me and my life thus far. And it I came to realize that in the grand scheme of things, and in comparison to others, it has decidedly not been the most difficult or worst year. In fact, in a lot of ways, it's the polar opposite and with much to celebrate. But it's hard to not come across as being self absorbed and tone deaf to the general state of thin...

One of the most striking observations I've made during the 8+ months now of the Pandemic, is actually how little the social distancing aspect has really affected me overall. Being introverted certainly contributes to this greatly, but I think it also goes a bit deeper than that.  It wasn't always like that, though. I look back on my former, younger self, in what feels like a lifetime ago, and I was very much the social butterfly. Or at least, I tried to be. All of the youth ministry/church involvement, school activities and typical social things that adolescents and young adults do were aplenty and constantly at my disposal. But the fact is, I was never truly a part it or fully accepted into any of it.  In some cringe worthy recollections, I look back on myself trying so damn hard to become a part of it, all of it, and never really succeeding in doing so, and only trying that much harder as a reactionary result. It was, in a lot of ways, my own personal Myth of Sisyphus battl...

Yesterday was a bit emotional around here as we watched the Supernatural series finale. I will likely blog about that at a later time; but it is much too soon. I am still processing it and need a bit more time to ruminate. I think the tension buildup and release of having a bit of an ugly cry triggered what turned out to be a migraine. Undoubtedly, the consistently shitty sleep over these past several months has also contributed to odd bodily reactions that occur for no other apparent reason.  I felt the pain creeping in shortly after the show ended, and while I was getting the new mattress made up for bedtime. Initially, it just felt like a regular headache, so I popped a couple of Tylenol and surfed the web a bit after Brian had retired to sleep. It seemed like it was doing its job as it was just a dull ache when I finally turned in as well.  Upon waking this morning, I instantly felt the familiar throbbing of a full-blown migraine that had settled in deeper overnight. It w...

Good riddance, Purple! Hello, Beautyrest! In  a lot of ways, it feels like consistent, quality sleep hasn't happened since last February. Ah, the Before Times. It's been a weird, arduous struggle with internalizing a lot of extra stress, uncertainty and anxiety AND finding the right mattress. We have a 120 night trial for this one, but fingers and toes are all crossed that this one takes. 🤞🤞 Immediately after receiving the mattress today, I put on a the new protector, also a Beautyrest. It's called Sensacool Silver. It has a nice cooling sensation and feel to it that should help keep it from overheating. Always a good thing when there is some foam involved.  However, the jury is still out on the feel of it. It initially seems like it's a bit too big for the bed, even though they're both California King sizes. It's ever so slightly crinkly upon shifton, but I think that's because it's not a tight fit and without the flat sheet. I'll test it out to s...

 It's been a ridiculously stressful work day, reminiscent of when I was back in IT. It appears that a Windows update totally fucked with my shit, and totally derailed my day. I only made the switch and over to Marketing less than a year ago. But it's incredible just how mellow and chill it's been since, and how much I don't miss having a day like today that happens everyday.  At any rate, I'm mentally fried to write anything deep and profound, so I figured I'd just do something fun and nonsensical while still doing right by my November plan to write something, anything each day. Random Things About Me- Vol. 2 1.  AC/DC releasing a new album in 2020 is one of the best things to happen. 2.  My first job was working as an assistant for the church I attended through college. 3.  I changed my major from English to History. 4.  My geekiness didn't surface until I met Brian. 5.  I am an only child. 6.  My earliest exposure to the death was when I was abo...

 I've been ruminating on this for a while now, and I think I am ready to give it a go. It's nearly a week until Thanksgiving 2020, and no parties/gatherings will be occurring here in my neck of the woods and in the real world. All the more reason to have an imaginary dinner party! There are, of course, countless people who could end up on this list, so for the purpose of this exercise, I am going to jot down the first name that comes to mind and stick with it, and go with it. I'll start with six and might expand on it later in another entry/volume, but this should be a good and interesting start! If you could invite any six people, living or dead, who would they be and why? 1. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - My favorite classical composer! His genius never fails to impress me, and I can always rely on his music to get me through times of great focus. Most of my college papers and projects came into existence with his help. I'd love to converse with him about his process, hi...

******BEWARE: MAJOR SUPERNATURAL TV SHOW SPOILERS AHEAD****** I am not the typical Supernatural  fan. Unlike scores of its faithful followers, I did not start watching it when it premiered back in 2005. Upon Brian's recommendation, who got into watching it since around the 3rd or 4th season, I first started watching it in early 2019. I had binged through the first season fairly quickly. Season Two came and it was more erratic. Perhaps life got in the way, perhaps it just wasn't my mood or mindset, or a combination thereof, but I ended up abandoning it until this year. Enter The Great Binge of 2020. Like countless other shows, Supernatural was filming when the Pandemic hit and everything came to a screeching halt of a shut down. Except this was their last season, and had the Pandemic not happened, it would have ended in May. But, as we all know, filming production was pushed way back until August, and with the final episodes airing now. This presented the perfect opportunity fo...

Have you ever experienced an accident or situation that you survived unscathed, and can't really explain just how exactly that happened? I did, just about a year ago, and I recall that account here.  It was a dark and stormy night...truly. Actually, it was last October, and there was a break in a recent band of rain. The breeze was strong enough that the roads were mostly dry, just in time for more rain to come through later in the night.  I was en route home around 8 p.m. It's rutting season, and the deer are more active and prone to unpredictably jump out in their tunnel vision quest to mate. Having lived in sparsely populated suburban and rural areas since becoming a licensed driver, I have always been cognizant of this. It was no different this night, as it was the perfect time for them to be out with the break in the weather. I clicked on my high beams on a particularly dark stretch of road without street lights. My eyes constantly scan all sides of the road in search for...

There's no doubt that this is going to be a long. hard Winter. I'm not necessarily speaking to brutal cold and snow - which is already never welcome, in my case; but the ominous fact that the Pandemic numbers are already spiking right now, and I can sense that it's likely going to get much worse before it gets better. As such, there's going to be a lot of time spent inside, yet again. Perhaps like we did back in the Spring. I am mentally preparing myself for this, and that my free time is open to possibilities, particularly as I look to maintain this blog and beyond. I have a few ideas on how to spend that time here and cultivate my craft as the Winter months loom large.  Book Recommendations/Reviews - I would love to delve into reading fiction again, especially if it's an author who has created a recurring character. I have been craving the desire to get lost in a book and tuning out the real word for a while. I started thinking about Sue Grafton lately, and how I...

I hadn't been paying as close attention as I should have. As I drew open the kitchen curtains today to let in light for the air plants nearby, I looked down and immediately became alarmed. The green and burgundy beauty was not well. Her color was noticeably dull. What were once healthy leaves bursting with life, were suddenly devoid of it and curled into itself in despair.  I gently lifted her out of her vase to inspect further. She seemed dehydrated and calling out for water. I had just given her a routine spritz the other day, but didn't really look at her. Where the signs already there? I thought back and could not recall. I gently set her back down again and took to the web to see what to do.  By all accounts, it appeared that she was severely dehydrated and in need of some TLC. I prepared a bowl of water for her to soak, and decided to give her siblings one as well. I stared down at her in the water, hoping to see signs of revitalization occur before my eyes. I went to m...

After months of much research, waffling and toil, I finally took the 'leap' and purchased a refurbished Steelcase Leap V2 office chair.  My aching back and hip should feel some relief soon. This chair normally retails for over $1,000 brand new, but is also one of the best rated chairs out there. I kept coming back to it because it's chock full of all sorts of adjustments and combinations for ergonomic comfort, not the least of which is an adjustable seat pan. I found this to be the single most critical aspect, as the depth is really what makes it easier to adapt to, based on a person's height. This is why most gaming chairs aren't the best fit, because they're already too deep for my short legs and are stationary seats.  I really liked the refurbished aspect of it, surprisingly. In my research I found a pile of what appeared to be thousands of chairs that are normally destined for the the dump. Instead, they keep the main frame components that are still function...

I have a few vivid dreams that have stuck with me over the years, and I'd like to share one in particular here today. Background: This dream occurred when I was a senior in high school, and I was recovering from wisdom tooth surgery. Under normal circumstances and for a run of the mill sick day, my Mom would have left me home alone while she was at work. This was a little different, I'd had all four wisdom teeth removed at once (which in hindsight, I am grateful for having done so), and the post-op swelling and throbbing pain took hold almost immediately after the surgery. Since I was going to be heavily medicated over the next few days, I convalesced at Grandma's so she could keep an eye on me. She was all too pleased to do the pseudo-Jewish grandmother thing and feed me matzo ball soup. My Grandmother was a widow at this point, as my Pop-Pop had passed on about two years ago. She had a faithful companion in the adorably rambunctious form of a Miniature Longhair Dachshund....

I think the current events and general state of things has had me thinking about my Grandfather a lot lately. Even in 'normal' times and before the nonsense, there hasn't been a day that's gone by that I haven't thought of him. But with all of this - *gestures at everything *- I really find myself thinking about how he'd react and respond to things. I can be deep in a project or task for work and I'll find myself zoning out, considering what a conversation with him on recent events would look like. He's the person I'd choose to bring back if I could. Even if it was just for a set period of time. I lost him wg I was 16 and often wonder what it would have been like to converse with him as an adult. That curiosity has only grown stronger in these last seven months or so.  I just so wish that I could pick his brain and spend the time with him, conversing, perhaps even debating, and seeing things from his perspective. His worldy experience and knowledge w...

 On the heels of an intense week, it was announced late yesterday morning that Alex Trebek, the mainstay host of Jeopardy ! passed away at 80. Trebek had announced his advanced stage diagnosis of pancreatic cancer back in March 2019. And although his prognosis was poor, he continued to share periodic updates on his amazing, odd-defying progress. I remember hearing that back in March of this year, amidst the flurry and pandemonium of the ensuing pandemic, he had reached the one-year mark with elation, having beat the low survival rate chances given to him the year prior. Admittedly, I hadn't thought much about him in these past few months since.  Jeopardy ! itself has always been a show that I have watched in fits and spurts. Trebek took over hosting the show in 1984, when I was six years old. I still have vivid memories of gathering in front of the living room TV after dinner, and watching that and Wheel of Fortune with my Grandfather before my dreaded bedtime. (I was a child...