Old Blog Posts

DAY 14.2: HIGH OFF THE LIFE

mollyhill — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 01:07:00 +0000

So the countdown begins. It feels like New Year's all over again. The Good District is celebrating two weeks in the blogosphere in just a few hours.

We have officially recovered from the performance anxiety that I suffered last week after adding the town of Clayton (reminder: pop. 6973), to our small but growing group of readers. In fact, we/me are starting to love the idea of cultivating a readership. Although, my confidence in a strong cult following coming out of North Carolina is starting to wane.

So with our two week birthday only hours away, and a new website in our sights, what is there left to write about? This feels like the mountain top to me. Except there are still 351 days left in this project, and that darn book to write.

And what happened to the book? Well, I am afraid all I have is some solid hemming and hawing as my answer to that question.

Anne Lamott addresses the problem well in Bird by Bird, so I will leave it to her to explain:

"We all ended up just the tiniest bit resentful when we found the one fly in the ointment: that at some point we had to actually sit down and write."

Couldn't have said it better myself. So with the shield of web design soon to be removed from my excuses list, I will have to get back to.... THE BOOK.

But I will not let my writing dampen the spirit of celebration tonight. Mazel Tov to The Good District! Happy Two Week Birthday! May the best be yet to come!

14 Days Down, 351 to go.

Warmly yours, Milagros

DAY 14

mollyhill — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 17:34:00 +0000

After spending all day yesterday, and most of this morning, attempting to cut and paste digital images, I learned that all I needed was a pre-teen to teach me the ropes. I happened to find a You Tube video, taught by an 8 year old, who was picking his nose while teaching photoshop basics (kid you not), and successfully explained it all in 10 minutes! 10 minutes! Kids these days know everything. I bet he could have whipped up a book proposal while picking his nose too.

So, suffice it to say, that thanks to booger boy, we are now in the final stages of styling the new website. I have to admit, that after all this build up, it is still pretty simple. But we will reveal the new Good District for our two week anniversary (tomorrow).

So back to work for me, but more later...

I remain truly yours, Milagros

DAY 13.2: BIRD BY BIRD

mollyhill — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 23:26:00 +0000

Bird by Bird arrived today. For those of you who are new to this writing thing (OK, so am I), it is a book by Anne Lamott, fully titled Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life. My first inclination upon opening the Amazon.com box, was to panic. I felt that I had already broken a cardinal rule of authorship - be original. If Anne Lamott had already written of both life and writing, what is there left to say on the subject? Fortunately, I quickly realized I don't really know who this Anne Lamott lady is, and the possibility does exist that we could have different things to say. Whew.

I came about ordering the book on the recommendation of a friend, who I hope will one day help secure a book contract for me (isn't that wonderfully presumptuous and exciting at the same time??). So dutifully following my assignment, I plan to dive into Anne's work tonight, and share my feedback in coming posts.

Other than that, I should let it be know that I intended to finish the new website by this evening, but I have a funny feeling that some where a web designer is laughing at my grand ambitions. Hopefully the reveal of the new "Good District" will be happening soon, so I can get back to the heart of the matter. Writing. Writing. Writing.

OK, here is my closer: I watched part of the movie Serendipity (2001, w/ John Cusack, very cute) this morning while eating my cereal, and just have to leave you with the following quote:

"If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid." Risks I take everyday.

With that I remain truly yours, Milagros

13 Days Down, 352 to go.

DAY 13: MAKE OVER

mollyhill — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 16:23:00 +0000

The Good District is getting a make over! With our two week anniversary just around the corner, it is time for us to get dolled up. Admittedly, I have not mastered HTML code yet, but hopefully I have learned enough to bring us to new blogging heights. Or at least take a blogging baby step.

And let's face it. I am an American. I like new things. No need to exclude my blog from my cultural compulsions. It is time for an update. More to come soon!

DAY 12.2: WHO AM I? AND OTHER NOTES ON THE SUBJECT

mollyhill — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 23:24:00 +0000

While not much got done in terms of coming up with answers to those pressing questions from earlier, I am now more resolved than ever to upgrade the blog itself. Would you believe if I told you that the same questions I need to answer for the book proposal, I also need to resolve to increase interest and activity on the blog? It is true. I found all of this information on the Internet. Incredible that most of life's mysteries can be resolved by sitting down and answering the the question of the ages: "Who am I?"

So with a page full of questions, and a second wind of motivation to learn web design, I am back at tackling those 2010 resolutions. Today's scores: Blog = 2 pts. (2 entries today!), Unexpected soul search from book proposal prompt questions = 1 pt., Book = 1/2 pt.

12 Days Down, 353 to go.

Truly yours, Milagros

DAY 12: SUCCESS IS 10% INSPIRATION AND 90% PERSPIRATION

mollyhill — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 16:20:00 +0000

Today has already gotten off to a better start. Now that I have concluded that my home has everything I am looking for in an office: Food, Free, and Quiet, my first working day of the New Year is off to a banner beginning.

Today we are tackling the writing of a book proposal. While I mentioned that in some ways I am dreading this task, I am also hoping it will help organize my thoughts around what I am actually doing.

The guiding tips and questions seemed so universally helpful, that I had to share them with you... Whoever you are:

(1) Sell yourself as well as the Book (Book could be substituted for idea)

(2) Focus on the qualities about you and your ideas that spell success. (I mean, you don't get more Tony Robbins that that.)

(3) Why this book?

(4) Is it unique and original?

(5) What will make this book popular?

(6) Why will it be successful?

These are all really great questions that I am dying to know the answers to myself. But me aside, I hope you draw a little motivation from looking at your own qualities that spell success.

More to come later --

Truly yours, Milagros

DAY 11: THE SEARCH

mollyhill — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 04:15:00 +0000

On today's episode of Molly and Her Book, our heroine roved the streets of D.C., looking for the perfect place to write her yet to be completed Great American Novel.

After a great holiday break, I, like most Americans, was ready to get back to work. Except, unlike most Americans, my only current job is writing my book. Which, given the fact I am not on salary, is more like a volunteer gig, or an interesting way to look at self-employment. Blame it on the Recession?

So, with my renewed commitment to my book, I thought it time to find an "office," so I could really get cracking. Today, I began the hunt.

Last night, before going to bed it occurred to me that a library might be the perfect spot. Surrounded by books for motivation, and quiet for concentration, it was a stroke of genius I was happy to give myself credit for. In order to face the day with a plan, I then googled "nicest library in D.C." and what popped up but THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. Of course! How full circle. I could write about my political exploits near the halls of power that I once labored in. Not to mention, I watch movies, I know brilliant things happen in the Library of Congress' Reading Room. I was building the closing scene in the movie about my life. It was perfect, and contentedly I went to sleep.

Scene: This morning. Wake up. Freezing outside, but that doesn't slow our heroine down. I got ready, got in the car, and drove towards my destiny. How was I to know that the Library of Congress isn't actually a library. Perhaps the name is a little misleading. Perhaps I didn't do all my research. Perhaps I should investigate other life assumptions I have made based on Hollywood movies. Who knows, but none of that matters now. What matters is that you can not actually hang out at the Library of Congress with a laptop and notes on your memoirs. You can however look down into the main Reading Room through a protective glass pane on the second floor. Down below sit researchers who have been authorized to pull selected works from the archives and sit under the watchful eye of highly trained staff for a limited period of time. And they call this a library!

Frustrated, but undeterred, I remained resolved to find my perfect writing spot, and left the Library of Congress, head still held high. Down one block to the Folger Shakespeare Library. Turns out, also not a library. A museum, yes. A theatre, yes. A library, no. Dejected, my laptop and I headed to the trendy local coffee shop where all the hipsters and artists spend their time reading, writing, and generally looking "in the now." Unfortunately, halfway through my hot cocoa, the woman next to me began an animated conversation about her dog's need for a psychologist and a homeopathic form of Zoloft to help with the dog's anxiety. I knew I was out of my league. No writing could be done while trying to be this trendy.

So after a day on the streets, our heroine headed home. Where I wrote. And wrote. I am starting to think this is the home for my book. Isn't that like life? You search and search, when what you are looking for was right under your nose the entire time.

And with that, I remain truly yours, Milagros

11 Days Down, 354 to go.

DAY 10: 2009

mollyhill — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 02:16:00 +0000

In that this blog has become as much about life, as it is about writing, I didn't want to totally dive into 2010 without one last look back at last year.

Sure, 2009 had it's ups and downs: a tough economy, the loss of Michael Jackson, NASA finding water on the moon, and the failing of our icons (oh Tiger Woods...). But, despite the fact I live in a city as consumed with the health care debate as they are with the White House party crashers, my life got wonderfully back to basics.

So, in a spirit of optimism about the coming year, I am coming through on my promise to whip up a top ten list for 2009.

ONE

Barack Obama was sworn in as POTUS. My perk from working on the Obama campaign is that I got to be there. Despite my cynicism about politics at the tender age of 30, even I can admit that being a part of inauguration was amazing.

TWO

The passing of my aunt and step-dad. Tough blow for one year, but I have a feeling they are reading this from their Heavenly Macbooks, making edits to my writing, and cheering me along.

THREE

Quitting my day job. Best. Move. Ever. Working with the real Carcetti (reference "The Wire") was gangsta Baltimore politics. More on this subject in 2010. It will be in the book.

FOUR

Return to the motherland. My first trip back to the Dominican Republic since I was a baby was incredible in a good way.
I cried on our flight in, and on our flight out. (Make note - I did resolve to do less of the crying thing this year.)

(dune buggy riding on the beach)

FIVE

MAY WEDDING!! (Not mine - my friend's)

What is there not to love about a wedding?

Music, flowers, food, dancing.

SIX AND SEVEN

Turning 30 and Celebrating with friends as we all got a little closer to understanding the show "Thirtysomething." While I may miss eating cookie dough with no consequences to my waistline, turning 30 feels good.

EIGHT

While some love Paris in the Springtime, I love Paris in the Fall. First trip to the City of Light with my mom in October. Resolution for 2010 = Go back.

NINE

First and last big snowstorm in D.C. 16 inches of powder. Great excuse to watch t.v. and eat cookies all day. Staying away from the yellow snow = success.

TEN

Starting "The Good District" on Christmas Day 2009. Still feeling great about that decision.

Thank you 2009 for all the memories. I learned a lot, and get to share 2010 with all of you (current readers: mom + me + boyfriend + mom friend)

Happy New Year!

10 Days Down, 355 to go.

DAY 9

mollyhill — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 05:50:00 +0000

If I had my way, I would probably only communicate with people via handwritten letters, an occasional text message, and of course this blog. Imagine how great it would be if you were freed up from having to say anything out loud. You could just express yourself in a well crafted note, or quirky colloquialism, showing your mastery of language as well as ability to be clever at the same time. Of course some things should be said, like "I love you," or "I'm sorry," but truth be told I have read some great greeting cards that seem to do a pretty job writing out these emotions.

And why do I love writing so much? Because, to be frank, I am just not that quick on my feet. Some people are gifted to have the right response for everything, but I usually think of the best one liners at least 5 minutes after the fact. Is it too much to want a level playing field? Where we can just write each other, and I have a fighting chance to win a "Yo Momma" competition?

Writing is just logical to me. My brain has a chance to chew things up, roll words around, and draw some pretty big conclusions and insights on life when given a few minutes with a pen and paper. Which is more than I can say for most of my conversations, with the exception of the heart to hearts that everyone has experienced after a few too many glasses of wine.

So that brings us to the book. When it is finally finished, it will be like the friend who waited long and patiently enough to hear what I had to say. I have to admit, I didn't write today, but I know the blank pages will be waiting for me tomorrow. Ready whenever I am to breathe a little life into my words.

With that I remain truly yours, Milagros

9 Days Down, 356 to go.

DAY 8: HAPPY ONE WEEK ANNIVERSARY, SUCKA

mollyhill — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 06:22:00 +0000

Today will not be funny. OK, kind of funny. Try as I might to be a tragic writer, doomed by my own talent, this whole experience is not quite shaping up as planned.

For starters, one week in, and I am already asking myself, "What did you get me into?" A book huh? You really thought the spilling of guts was a good idea? Really? Seriously?

Not to mention my exponentially growing audience (by now you know the drill: me + boyfriend + mom + aunt + mom friend). Family and friends. People who matter. To me. I thought publish or perish was bad, but the possibility of friends thinking you shouldn't have quit your day job merits a least one vodka cocktail.

Needless to say, there is more to this artist thing than I anticipated, but we have survived one week, and now officially one day into the New Year.

Today I learned about web design, and that I don't want to do it. I read about pitching a book idea to a publisher, and in all honesty I don't want to do that either. It reminds me of the years and years I was in school, minus the parties. Not fun. But most importantly I learned that pursuing a goal can be scary, but once those feelings pass, you are one step closer to the finish line. So it turns out this one week anniversary is something to celebrate after all.

8 Days Down, 357 to go.

Truly Yours, Milagros