and I'm FREE

Weeeeeee! I am officially free! All of this nightmarish court stuff is finally over. I had a great day in court today with a very understanding and patient prosecutor. Now if The Corporation will only pay my unemployment, I'll finally be able to truly start fresh. I feel like a new person. It's amazing.

One thing that struck me while I was in jail (for the 8 hours I spent in that holding cell) was how easy it seemed to get there. I was put there because my license was suspended because of a ticket I didn't pay from 2006. I didn't know that it was suspended... neither did I know that police DO NOT, in fact, give you any leeway when it comes to paying your tag tax. My bday is June 5 and I was pulled over on June 22. I thought you had the whole month to pay it... NOT SO. I was terrified on the way to court today. I didn't know if they would be as mean as they were in jail, but as my s.o. pointed out, you're a person again in the courtroom. I thank God that things went as well as they did. Now I can finally get on with my life.

And that consists of pretty much nothing but work right now. I still have a ton of stuff to pay off so I'm trying to pick up as many shifts as possible. I want to do some more reading, but I need to spend my money on things like keeping the lights on so the new books will have to wait. Unless of course, I can borrow the new Harry Potter and then no one will see me for at least a week until I finish it. I've been trying to re-read my favorite books, but it feels like watching a DVD I've already seen a few too many times. The old favs just can't keep my attention right now... except David Sedaris. I can read his books over and over again. Maybe it's because each story is different and I always find something I missed the first (few) times I read the story. I've tried reading "The Road Less Traveled" again because it meant a lot to me when I read it the first time 10 years ago, but it's feeling dated to me now. If anyone reading this has any suggestions on books to try, please let me know. I love a good story. Stephen King had a few suggestions in his memoir and I put those on my Amazon Wish List. (that might be a hint if I thought anyone was actually reading this...)

I should go get ready for bed now. I have to work in the morning (and by morning I mean almost noon) and today has been a very long day.

Cheers!

On Writing (is awesome)

I've been reading Stephen King's "On Writing". The first half is a memoir and the second half is pretty much an instruction manual. I love his instructions on writing: write like a maniac until you have the entire story out, then put it away for 6 weeks and don't even think about re-reading it. That's exactly what I've found that I have to do with stories I write... if I read them too soon after I write them, I hate them. I want to fix everything and more often than not, I throw it out. Sometimes I'll stuff them in a drawer or a box and when I find them some time later (usually the next time I move, which is practically every year) I read them and wonder what I thought was so terrible. Sometimes I'm actually impressed with my writing--but I keep those to myself because I don't want anyone to rain on my parade (whether it's deserved or not.)

What I really want to read is the new Harry Potter. I can't bring myself to pay the $20 for the hardcover, so I'm trying to restrain myself. It's actually not to difficult since I can't find a spare $20 anywhere, but God help me if I make a ton of money some night this week.

My court date is approaching next week and I have to make sure I have all my ducks in a row. I'm really nervous. I know exactly what I'm going to do, thanks to a wonderful friend with a law practice, but I'm still afraid they're going to find a reason to throw me back in jail. I wonder if everyone that's been in jail thinks that... it's pretty traumatizing. Maybe I'll make the s.o. go with me so he can tear me away and help me get to a non-extradition country. I'll have to do some more planning.

That's it for today... I've caught some cold and am fighting it off with Advil Cold & Sinus and a Miller Lite. I should probably trade that for some hot tea...

Cheers!