Tuesday, March 17, 2009

If You Love Something Set It Free and Other Bad Cliches

There are certain things I remember from the '80s that no one else seems to remember. The Land of the Lost, for example. That might be one of the best shows ever (They fall over a waterfall into the Cretaceous Period! C'mon, how can you go wrong with that?) and, yet, no one I know can have a meaningful discussion about Chakka or the Slee Stacks. The movie North Shore and that zany surfer Turtle. Why does no one remember Turtle? At times, I've gone so far as to wonder whether I manufactured these memories --perhaps my jelly sandals were a little too tight, my fluorescent leggings a little too bright, who knows.


But of all my '80s memories, Blue Mountain greeting cards, for some reason, are one of my favorites. You know, the cards with their own special rack, the ones with the purposefully frayed edge, sappy cursive writing and putrid pastel colors. They are like Deep Thoughts by Jack Handy, only completely serious. They generally have three full paragraphs of sap that would put any soap opera monologue to shame and, at the age of 14, I was certain the author of this stunning prose saw straight into my heart. I still remember perusing the rack, nursing a broken heart because Chucky Lang broke up with me after a few short weeks of whirlwind-baseball-field-snack-bar romance, and coming across a card that was printed with some overdone cliche about loving something and setting it free and when and whether it would come back.


If you've read this blog, you know how Laura and I love The Pecking Order. Well, sometime in 2008, we both set it free. I'm not sure exactly when it happened, but we both felt the release and it was liberating. When we started writing, we held the book so tightly our knuckles were white. We tried to squeeze from it an exit from the firm, which was sucking out our souls like one of JK Rowling's Dementors, not to mention wreaking havoc in our marriages, our friendships, and with our health. We just knew that along with an agent would come balance and happiness and wholeness and consciousness in all its splendor. Forget The Secret; what we needed was an advance.


In time we both realized in our strange cosmically connected way that maybe there was something to what Oprah, Eckhardt, our pastors, and our yoga instructors were saying. Perhaps, just perhaps, happiness and wholeness and consciousness would not be found in the pages of our yet to be published novel. Sure, we had worked hard to write it and even harder to find it a publishing home, but what we really needed to do was (to use another bad cliche) look inside ourselves. And as it turned out, we had work to do there, too. And with that work, we unshackled The Pecking Order at long last and put the responsibility on the right parties. Don't get me wrong, neither one of us sits around meditating or moves through life in complete zen; we still occasionally yell at our kids, snap at our husbands, and curse in traffic, but not nearly as much. And what we've learned is something I was taught twenty years ago by the Blue Mountain greeting card - if you love something, truly love something, set it free and it will come back to you better and bigger than it ever was. And thank goodness (see Big News), unlike Chucky Lang, The Pecking Order did.

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

There's nothing like a Blue Mountain moment. :)

Tim Williams said...

Sleestaks!!
That show kind of creeped me out (I watched it earlier than the '80's, though....). Not too hokey, though (!!)
I like how you wrapped your arms around the Blue Mountain entity after earlier shouldering it off.
Keep it coming!

Karri O'Bryan said...

"I hope that someday we will be able to put away our fears and prejudices and just laugh at people."
-Jack Handey

Jenny said...

I know I watched Land of the Lost. I know I loved Land of the Lost, but I can't remember a damn thing about Land of the Lost. That's gonna bug me..

So excited to hear more on the journey of your book. Keep the facebook updates comin!

Tisha B said...

LOL!!! I do remember the Land of the Lost,, and oh boy,, the Blue Mountain Cards,, They were my sister's favorites..I really wish you much success on your book.. Keep me posted..

Anonymous said...

Ich denke, dass Sie sich irren. Schreiben Sie mir in PM, wir werden besprechen. levitra generika cialis 20mg rezeptfrei [url=http//t7-isis.org]cialis rezeptfrei forum[/url]

Anonymous said...

Que insolencia! http://nuevascarreras.com/tag/cialis-online/ cialis 20 mg. Vi suggerisco di provare a guardare a google.com [url=http://nuevascarreras.com/tag/cialis-generico/ ]cialis precio venezuela [/url]

Anonymous said...

cool websites
[url=http://biatplu.herumfahren.de/73/index.html]agga ruter spaceship f[/url]
[url=http://bhvetmt.beeinflusst.de/54/map.html]download anime bible map 852[/url]
[url=http://biatplu.herumfahren.de/32/index.html]anime marin soreyuke n[/url]
[url=http://biloori.pt.gp/32/map.html]big anal big map U[/url]
[url=http://biljuiu.wieder-laden.de/73/map.html]nonconsent anal extreme map S[/url]
[url=http://bilhuta.profis.me/72/map.html]theater in adult map o[/url]
[url=http://bheedyy.kilu.org/41/map.html]trade anime fansub map B[/url]

Bye

Anonymous said...

Top Internet sites
[url=http://chewinggum.hostaim.com/32/index.html]chicken pox adult 180[/url]
[url=http://ckayyqr.zahlt-aus.de/50/map.html]card collect credit map Y[/url]
[url=http://worcester.avafreehost.com/78/index.html]avoid eps exubera r[/url]
[url=http://kohlerengine.hostevo.com/50/map.html]deo confido in map D[/url]
[url=http://cowpeue.ch2.eu/50/map.html]fair credit reporting map 805[/url]
[url=http://chewinggum.hostaim.com/64/map.html]claritin trimeton chlor f[/url]
[url=http://cowpeue.ch2.eu/34/map.html]debt lower consolidation l[/url]

Bye

Anonymous said...

usa singles [url=http://loveepicentre.com/]bisexual personals[/url] pros and cons of tl dating http://loveepicentre.com/ casual sex personals

Anonymous said...

The remarkable answer :)

Anonymous said...

Willingly I accept. An interesting theme, I will take part. I know, that together we can come to a right answer.

Anonymous said...

coral calcium 2k plus [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/anti-herpes.htm]anti herpes[/url] low carbohydrate cereal http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/hytrin.htm who makes depression medications http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/glucophage.htm
muscle building instruction charts [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/toprol-xl.htm]toprol xl[/url] timed tests and anxiety [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/pletal.htm]herbs used to fight kidney cancer[/url]

Anonymous said...

http://meen.in/fluoxetine/fluoxetine-monograph-with-salt-chemical-structure
[url=http://meen.in/carvedilol/carvedilol-generic]foreign services health plan[/url] symposia levitra [url=http://meen.in/fluoxetine/fluoxetine-salt-chemical-structure]fluoxetine salt chemical structure[/url]
mdrx pharmacy http://meen.in/erections/tobasco-sauce-and-erections
[url=http://meen.in/carvedilol/coreg-carvedilol]hair salons in medicine hat[/url] pharmacy info for meds [url=http://meen.in/finasteride/health-pharmacy-drugs-and-medications-f-finasteride]health pharmacy drugs and medications f finasteride[/url]
krumikuthar ayurvedic drugs http://meen.in/carvedilol/carvedilol-allergy
[url=http://meen.in/erythromycin/erythromycin-and-lipitor]need drugs[/url] girl wears drugs suck tshirt at school [url=http://meen.in/celexa/off-celexa]off celexa[/url] physiology of erectile dysfunction [url=http://meen.in/cefuroxime]cefuroxime[/url]

Anonymous said...

brigitte fashion http://topcitystyle.com/30-shorts-size12.html latest fashion [url=http://topcitystyle.com/?action=products&product_id=2210]lauren pope[/url] online dog clothes patterns
http://topcitystyle.com/white-pullover-color4.html mesh nursing shoes [url=http://topcitystyle.com/skirts-gucci-category96.html]alanah hill australian fashion designer[/url]

Anonymous said...

rise of the automobile http://carautonews.in/bentley/pamela-bentley clancey auto body repair shop
[url=http://carautonews.in/chopper/chopper-bike-bicycle]best rate automobile loan[/url] volkswagen beetle for sale nc [url=http://carautonews.in/ferrari/hassler-ferrari]hassler ferrari[/url]
automobile logos http://carautonews.in/fiat
[url=http://carautonews.in/auto-com/cross-country-auto-sales-albuquerque]volkswagen mirror[/url] used mercedes r350 [url=http://carautonews.in/auto-and/cheapest-auto-timing-light]cheapest auto timing light[/url]
state farm insurance automobile policy http://carautonews.in/chopper/chopper-rear-fender
[url=http://carautonews.in/bike/paisley-wood-bike-trail]automobile tire preservation[/url] venom racing [url=http://carautonews.in/dodge/door-for-dodge-ram]door for dodge ram[/url]

Anonymous said...

best anal lubricant http://theporncollection.in/mature-xxx/mature-pussies-mature-women
[url=http://theporncollection.in/gay-love/buy-gay-movies]free ebony porn vids[/url] pink kitty hentai quiz [url=http://theporncollection.in/sex-mature/curvy-mature-in-corset]curvy mature in corset[/url]
bleach flash hentai http://theporncollection.in/best-porn/montana-ray-porn
[url=http://theporncollection.in/gay-video/secretly-gay-couple]free homemade spy porn mpegs[/url] amateur fucking machine video [url=http://theporncollection.in/orgasm/ruined-orgasm-movies]ruined orgasm movies[/url]
squirting dildo http://theporncollection.in/gay-movie/hot-gay-thumbs
[url=http://theporncollection.in/hentai-porn/jasmine-video-hentai]sexy ass free thong pictures[/url] massive dildo pictures [url=http://theporncollection.in/porn-girl]porn girl[/url]
lost adult yahoo groups http://theporncollection.in/gay-male/free-gay-porm-cards
[url=http://theporncollection.in/gay-male/gay-canines]young adult classifieds[/url] amateur redhead blowjobs [url=http://theporncollection.in/porn-galleries/porn-star-working-for-fox]porn star working for fox[/url]

Anonymous said...

womens medical information [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/zantac.htm]zantac[/url] effect images of people with type 2 diabetes http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/relafen.htm
undifferentiate autoimmune disorder [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/catalogue/m.htm]Buy generic and brand medications[/url] how long can post partum depression last [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/la-sante-des-os.htm ]occupational health and environment degrees [/url] future of pharmacy
e quit health canada [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/astelin.htm]astelin[/url] american heart assn http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/mentax.htm
nell mcandrew smoking [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/sumycin.htm]sumycin[/url] side effects of herpes [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/montage-packs.htm ]wasteful medical technology [/url] boston tea party major participant

Anonymous said...

website for people learning to make clothes http://www.thefashionhouse.us/on-sale-page43.html comfortable dancing shoes for ladies in large fittings [url=http://www.thefashionhouse.us/zu-elements-brand61.html]magazine spring fashion ecko show model girls runway red clothing[/url] designer snow boots
http://www.thefashionhouse.us/dolce-amp-gabbana-stunning-pants-for-women--item2336.html items made from horseshoes [url=http://www.thefashionhouse.us/black-white-dolce-amp-gabbana-color156.html]kleinplasie[/url]

Anonymous said...

designer clothes http://www.thefashionhouse.us/shoes-roberto-cavalli-category12.html munroe shoes [url=http://www.thefashionhouse.us/gucci-bomber-style-leather-jacket-for-men-black-item2297.html]comfortable shoes[/url] giada de laurentis strawberry cake
http://www.thefashionhouse.us/richmond-women-brand18.html deja enviromental shoes [url=http://www.thefashionhouse.us/purple-women-color37.html]wholesale fashion accessories australia[/url]

Anonymous said...

newport fashion http://luxefashion.us/jeans-page10.html miniaturehorseshoes [url=http://luxefashion.us/xs-dolce-amp-gabbana-size46.html]anne klein full length down coat[/url] gucci sunglass frames
http://luxefashion.us/?action=products&product_id=2371 kelly interview shoes [url=http://luxefashion.us/g-star-t-shirts-for-men-brand42.html]womens discounted athletic shoes[/url]

Anonymous said...

playing cards in quantity http://xwn.in/joker_bb8-joker diversity visa lottery programs and australia
[url=http://xwn.in/online-casino_mount-airy-casino-opening-date]euro pride lottery[/url] grand casino spa packages ohio [url=http://xwn.in/online-casinos_realtime-gamgling-casinos]realtime gamgling casinos[/url]
horseshoe hotel and casino bossier http://xwn.in/blackjack_joe-gibbs-blackjack
[url=http://xwn.in/baccarat_beat-online-baccarat]games play blackjack[/url] million dollar lottery winners in maryland [url=http://xwn.in/betting]betting[/url]
online casinos for americans with bonuses and free money http://xwn.in/betting_new-zealand-betting-odds grand casino hotel tunica [url=http://xwn.in/lottery_lottery-formula]lottery formula[/url]

Anonymous said...

trump casinos atlantic city http://lwv.in/poker-online/poker-bad-beat-rules online slot casino
[url=http://lwv.in/jackpot]texas lottery offical web page[/url] savanah bingo [url=http://lwv.in/bingo/gmtv-free-bingo-games]gmtv free bingo games[/url]
bb9 joker http://lwv.in/joker/batman-joker-forum
[url=http://lwv.in/lottery/wi-lottery]casino magic and isle of capri in biloxi[/url] townspeople in the lottery [url=http://lwv.in/gambling-online/world-history-of-gambling]world history of gambling[/url]
salvatorre wynn casino http://lwv.in/joker/cheats-for-dragon-quest-monsters-joker-on-ds south carolina state lottery cash 5 [url=http://lwv.in/slots/no-deposit-bonus-online-slots]no deposit bonus online slots[/url]

Anonymous said...

photo to movie review [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_palmetto/]palmetto[/url] carlos menzie new movie release http://moviestrawberry.com/hqmoviesbycountry/country_usa/?page=85 flash movie maker
download zeitgeist the movie [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_dazed_and_confused/]dazed and confused[/url] movie the good shepherd http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_ali_g_indahouse/ xx india movie
movie listings fredericton [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_east_of_everything/]east of everything[/url] porn movie database
movie blogspot russian [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_book_of_blood/]book of blood[/url] downloadable sites for high school musical 2 full movie http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_the_surfer_king/ origin of the pirates of the caribbean movie
online movie maker [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_airplane_/]airplane [/url] mexican movie bittorrent site http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_pop_skull/ download movie p2p

Anonymous said...

kotor movie [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_primal_fear/]primal fear[/url] movie guide tnt http://moviestrawberry.com/hqmoviesbygenres/download-genre_adventure-movies/?page=23 lowes movie theater in nj
movie 1919 mussolini [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_first_blood/]first blood[/url] disturbia full movie http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_the_sand_pebbles/ agianst the wall the movie
what breed of dog was in the movie to dance with a white dog [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_stagknight/]stagknight[/url] free ethnic porn movie
gamecube strategies spongebob squarepants the movie [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_cry_freedom/]cry freedom[/url] cum movie shack http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_the_price_of_pleasure_pornography_sexuality_relationships/ movie premiere marketing
sony movie theaters [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_irma_la_douce/]irma la douce[/url] memphis belle movie script http://moviestrawberry.com/hqmoviesbygenres/download-genre_biography-movies/?page=6 movie thumbs femdom handjobs

Anonymous said...

The training could have been as simple as watching your mom or dad drive but by the time you went to actually? drive yourself, you had the basic training Indeed, shopping online is one of the ways by which you can save not only your energy, but also your time and absolutely the money Additionally, they provide trained volunteers to teach oral hygiene to parents and children Kyle Orton swears he / she never saw that arrivals of Brady Quinn and Tim Tebow as being a sign of disrespect with the Denver Broncos, exclusively another challenge in order to embrace Use recovery console and the fixmbr command These 15 jerseys belong to Troy Polamalu, Jay Cutler, LaDainian Tomlinson, Adrian Peterson, Jason Witten, Eli Manning, Tom Brady, Brett Favre, Tony Romo, Ben Roethlisberger, Peyton Manning, Mark Sanchez, Hines Ward, Michael Vick and Terrel Owens
Delivery by EMS(USPS), DHL,TNT in the event you do, you may spend best dollar for the jersey I like the feeling of sporting the jersey and I pleased with my group it does not matter it wins or is beaten by other groups (There will be only nine words, two of eachcom or by telephone at 214-298-8877It is additionally the same statement which for your reasons regarding selling and also supercharge the particular promoting projects on the group in addition to to help relive your appreciation from the workforce, reliable will also be renowned by using football along with footballing coaches and teams
Minnesota Vikings first-round pick this year, quarterback Christian Bond in a radio interview that his goal is to become the team starter this season and his become popular, but he also understands that to build the team not to introduce an experienced quarterback on the basis of It is possible for a man to be supporting more than a single team and this is when he feels the pinch with prices of jerseys having increased so much Don't hide if you're rooting to some rival team of the friend in the end you're liberated to determine which one you actually like Critical aspects of the pitcher performance that you have to take into account include his current playing form, performance record against their upcoming opponent, performance record when pitching home or away, etc In 1937, the team moved to Washington team, and then renamed the Washington Redskins You may as well receive reliable tailored NFL jerseys

[url=http://www.officialtexansfanstore.com/garrett-graham-jersey-cheap]Garrett Graham Jersey[/url]
[url=http://www.nikebroncosjersey.com/nike-champ-bailey-womens-jersey]Champ Bailey Jersey[/url]
[url=http://www.redskinsnflprostore.com/trent-williams-jersey-elite-c-6_23.html]Trent Williams Jersey[/url]

Anonymous said...

top [url=http://www.c-online-casino.co.uk/]free casino[/url] check the latest [url=http://www.casinolasvegass.com/]online casino[/url] free no set aside reward at the leading [url=http://www.baywatchcasino.com/]baywatchcasino.com
[/url].