Welcome to the 2013 A to Z Blogging Challenge!

Sunday, March 31, 2013


Welcome to the 2013 A to Z Blogging Challenge! This is the third year I’ve participated in the challenge, and I hope to once again make it through on time. It’s not easy - it takes a lot of organization - but it’s worth all the effort to reconnect with bloggers from last year’s challenge and to meet new people and make new friends.

In 2011, I flew into the challenge by the seat of my pants. The blogosphere (do they still use that word?) is full of information and it’s impossible to hear about every fun thing that comes down the road. I skated into the challenge at the very last minute, but I’m sure it happened the way it was supposed to happen. I was so stoked to have finished all thirty posts on time, I was ready to dig into the 2012 prep work - and I did.

One of my goals has been to write about my experiences in the industry. I don’t think my path has been either mundane or unique. It simply has been my path. So in 2012 I focused on sharing my experiences and geared the blogs toward those just starting out. If I helped just one new writer, or even someone who’s been at it awhile, I did what I set out to do.

So on to 2013…….

I wasn’t sure how 2013 would shake out as I prepared the calendar, but I’ve settled on what I believe is a good mix of material. This year, It’s All About the Books. I resisted a major promo blowout in past years -tooting my own horn, as they say - but this year I’m going for it. Some days are pure promo and others are more about the story behind the story. There’s even going to be an interview with a character, which I think is a first for me.

So come ‘walk’ with me on my winding path to Z in the 2013 A to Z Blogging Challenge. I think you’ll enjoy it.

And of course, this introduction to the Challenge wouldn't be complete without a "thank you" to its creator, Arlee Bird. You can check out his blog Tossing It Out at http://tossingitout.blogspot.com/ .

KC Kendricks

http://www.kckendricks.com

 

Huzzah!!! Season Five of Justified

March 28, 2013

Happy dance! Happy dance! The word just hit the airwaves that FX has renewed Justified for season five. (As if they'd dare not renew the best show they have on!)

I'm hooked on Justified. Yeah, yeah, Timothy Olyphant is pretty easy on the eyes but that's not the sum total of why I like the show. Sure I could follow in my friend Yvonne's pin-steps and devote a Pinterest board to him but she does an excellent job so I gaze at her pins. And he's not just nice to look at, the man is a fine actor. Raylan is an open enigma. Not just anyone can pull that off the way Tim does.

I like Nick Searcy whose character Art plays perfectly beside Raylan. Let's face it - Art was Raylan when he was younger. He had to be. How else would he understand Raylan so well? And Nick Searcy himself is a hoot. Check out his School of Acting if you get a chance.

Then there is Boyd Crowder. I can't imagine anyone other than Walton Groggins as Boyd. The man owns Boyd. Boyd is the kind of ... what the hell is Boyd? A villain? He's in a classification all his own in tv-land right but I guess we have to call him a "bad guy" even though he's simply BOYD. And yes, I hope Boyd and Ava manage to squirm out of their current situation and keep going.

Speaking of Ava - I like her. She takes up for herself (although not in ways I can recommend). It's the fact she stands up to those who want to bully and hurt her I like. If I had the chance to mentor her I'd work on her techniques. Soften a few edges. Teach her a little Klingon guile. Ava is a fast learner.

This year, season four, was maybe a bit slow building but knowing how the show is written I paid close attention. Bits and pieces of seemingly inconsequential information were doled out across the first episodes. Some characters were ominously absent. Clues were meticulously planted. Then the story lines began to converge in unexpected ways. The writer in me took notes.

Yes, I'm a big fan of Justified. Well done, guys!

KC

In the wee hours

March 24, 2013
Palm Sunday
before daybreak

So I just zipped over to the A to Z Blogging Challenge home page to see how many bloggers have signed up for this year - a whopping 1315! And there's still eight days to go before the sign-up list closes.

Man, there is no way I'll be able to visit 1315+ blogs in one month, so everyone who stops by Between the Keys during the Challenge, please accept my apology now for maybe not making it to your blog.

Just an FYI - I'm #91 on the list in case you go looking. Actually, you should go look and use the sign up list as a portal to find new and interesting blogs. Click here.

Now I must find coffee and caffeine myself awake. 

KC 

Earth Hour 2013

March 23, 2013

8:30 PM local time
http://www.earthhour.org

For the past several years I've participated in the annual Earth Hour blackout. If you're not familiar with Earth Hour, it's a worldwide event sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund. The first Earth Hour took place in 2007 in Sidney, Australia, and spread around the world from there. During Earth Hour, participants "unplug" from the power grid in a symbolic gesture in support of caring for our planet. It's a simple idea that only looks complicated on the Internet. 

But as with all things that have political undertones, I think it's sometimes okay to tailor participation to your own needs. While Earth Hour is officially from 8:30 to 9:30 PM, I have a different plan to keep spousal whining from ruining my evening. Probably around 7:00 PM, just about the time dinner is ready, we'll light a candle, open a bottle of wine, and spend an hour at the dining room table having an old-fashioned conversation with our meal. I'm not sure what time zone we'll be joining, but I doubt it matters. Call it multi-tasking if you like.

Will we totally unplug from the power grid? Almost. Flipping the breaker on our sump pump would be stupid and we're not, but other than that, yes, we'll unplug. Will it impact our utility bill? I doubt it. But think about this. If one plus one equals two, and you multiply that by millions, will it have an impact somewhere? I think so, and the greater common good is why I do it.

KC
http://www.kckendricks.com

Some motivation required

March 21, 2013

The calendar says lovely Spring has arrived and as in years past my thoughts have turned to getting outdoors and doing ...anything.

Seriously - I don't care what the activity as long as it gets me out of the house. It's been a long, cold winter and I've been a slug since Christmas. The camel-colored slacks I'm wearing today that fit like they'd been made just for me last fall are a wee bit tight now. Not so much I risk the seams by wearing them, you understand. They're just snug.

So it's time to take action and start the yearly ritual. Again. Every spring I buy a pair of walking shoes and start walking. And every year I tell myself if I just hadn't quit walking in November, I wouldn't have to get back in the groove now. (I'd still need the shoes.)

What can I say except it was COLD in November? Give me a "wimp" button and I'll wear it.

The truth is I think I write better when I get out and walk. The fresh air and sunshine lift my spirits as well as oxygenate my brain cells. My theory is better brain cells, better books. It's win/win.

I found this cartoon a few days ago and I've been laughing over it ever since. I don't need quite this much motivation, but I sure would appreciate the mercury rising above 50F.

KC

Really? Did I have to?

March 3, 2013

It seems I've discovered yet another Internet playground. It wasn't enough to become a blogger. It wasn't enough to tease my brain with Twitter, which I've called blogging on steroids from time-to-time. I thought I'd learned my lesson when I was able to keep the time spent on MySpace, Facebook and Goodreads under control. Boy, was I kidding myself. I've now found PINTEREST!!

This behavior is not conducive to getting some writing done.

KC
http://www.kckendricks.com