That’s All She Wrote

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30

NaBloPoMo DAY 30:

November is over and so is NaBloPoMo, four syllables I'll never have to say again, not until next year, anyway.

November (in San Diego) is over, and so is NaBloPoMo, four syllables I’ll never have to say again, at least not until next year, thank you very much!

Folks, I’ve reached the end of the line. Sayonara, NaBloPoMo. It’s been grand. Thanks to you, I’ve added 30 posts to my blog, with this last one being my 399th. Whew.

Yet, this last post is not a happy camper. Not by a long shot. In fact, it’s got an attitude like you wouldn’t believe, and whines incessantly.

“Why me? Why do I have to be the last post?”

I shrug.

“Why couldn’t ‘Oliver gets Soaked’ be the last one, or one of those dumb posts you write about things you find on your walks? As if anybody cares what you find, anyway.”

I sigh.

“So why couldn’t I be first,” it rants on. “Like the one you did on Day of the Dead, back on November 1st? Or maybe you could’ve posted me on Thanksgiving Day?”

“Because,” I say matter-of-factly, “How would it look for a Day of the Dead story to appear on Nov 30th instead of Nov 1, the day it actually falls on?? Ditto for a Thanksgiving post. In fact you should be thankful that I’m even including you at all in NaBloShloMo–or whatever-it’s-called.”

“After all this time you can’t even remember how to say NaBloPoMo?” It asks indignantly.

Sheepishly, I reply, “I still think it’s a dumb name. And with any luck, by tomorrow I’ll forget that I ever participated in it.”

“So that’s it, then? I have to be the last post?”

“Yes, because you’re the only one that can recap the whole month and reflect on what I’ve learned. So accept the responsibility and deal!”

That finally quiets him.

Now, where was I? Ah, yes. Please allow me to fill you in on NaBloPoMo and how I fared:

It’s been a whirlwind of conjuring up ideas and stories, writing, uploading, posting, and sharing my inner, as well as outer-most thoughts–from the inane to the sublime, with an immediate sharp turn into the ridiculous.

Posting everyday has been fun and also time consuming. I was terrified that I’d run out of ideas and not be able to deliver. I begged my cousin Adele to write at least half of the posts for the month, but she adamantly refused, though she did contribute twice, which was rather helpful.

But despite my trepidation, I managed to find all kinds of things to write about, and was never at a loss for words. I also came to the realization that daily posting meant having less time to visit your blogs. I tried to stop by when I could, but let’s face it, I simply couldn’t do it all. I’m not Wonder Woman, you know,

To blog as much as I did, and keep up with all my other responsibilities, I had to give up watching TV, reading, and a slew of other activities. Many a night I lost sleep, but what else is new? Partially to blame is Daylight Savings Time and Henry. His biological clock finally did adjust, but just last week he regressed. The little fiend.

So this is the last post on the last day of NaBloPoMo, and I can finally retire that blasted name for a year. Whoever came up with the abbreviation of NaBloPoMo should find a new way to annoy. Like scratching their nails across chalkboard. That would be far less obnoxious.

So, will I keep posting everyday now that I’ve gotten into the habit? As tempting as that sounds, a reality check gets the better of me. So, no. Will I do it again? Probably. But for now, it’s time to give it a rest.

I’m done. Finito. That’s all she wrote. The fat lady has sung and left the room.

I’ll be back soon to announce the winner of my NaBloPoMo contest.

In the meantime, thank you, mil gracias, merci beaucoup, and obrigado to all of you who cheered me on, encouraged me to continue and who felt my, ahem, pain. You rock!

Hasta la vista, Baby! It’s been real. Or, as Jimmy Durante would say,

“Goodnight Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

30 thoughts on “That’s All She Wrote”

  2. Monica, my friend, kudos to you for completing such a venture! I’m not a fan of the Nano nano whatchamacalit, but my hat comes off to anyone who can make as many sacrifices as you have for the sake of writing. Note to self: Be more like Monica! 🙂 As you know, it’s been a long road back to getting out of the writing slump. I find my abilities as a self proclaimed writer vanish and my poor muse goes into hibernation when I’m in a funk. I hope 2015 will be different. In the meantime, I look forward to catching up with your blog posts! Hugs to you, Sir Henry, and little Oliver from Roxy and me! 🙂

    • Bella, you might want to read the post I wrote before this called A Writer’s Life for Me. I explain how there were times I stopped writing and let other stuff take priority, but thankfully, I came back to writing, and this time, I’m not giving it up again. Writing is like breathing and I will always be a writer. I hope you get back into your writing, and taking photographs, something I also love, almost as much as writing. Never going to give them up again. Whew.

  4. Congratulations 🙂
    I was always in admiration with bloggers who can write everyday. Some that I know do it all year long. It’s the first time I commit to write 31 posts for December. It’s a lot of pressure but I think it’s a good thing.

    • Nikki, I can’t imagine doing it everyday of the year. I think I’d burn out quickly. I’ve seen bloggers try it for a while and then they suddenly stop. 30 days was my limit but I think I’m going to do it again next year. One month is perfectly doable!

  5. “You did it.♪♫ (repeat)” to the tune of “You did it” from My Fair Lady.

    Love your sign off. I’ll never forget Linda Ellerbee’s “And so it goes…” or Walter Cronkite’s “And that’s the way it is …” followed by the date. Your sign off is a keeper, as was Jimmy Durante. Well played 1-30.

    • I love that song, Georgette. In fact My Fair Lady is one of my all-time favorite musicals. And so it goes is another good sign off. Jimmy Durante’s though is among the best. I remember him saying it on his show.

  7. I love that you did it. 30 days of posting. That name has twisted my tongue so many times, I dare not say it again. I’m happy for you to not utter the words, well, until next year that is. I’ve enjoyed the serious, the sentimental, the ridiculous – although pssst! I never really thought so because I found those posts the most charming. May all the little lost beings find good homes – a good deed I call it. Congratulations on reaching the end. I know just how time consuming it is. So happy you did it though.

    • Thanks, MM. I’m so glad you found my stories of interest. I get a kick out of writing the Things I’ve Found stories. I love giving human emotions to inanimate objects, making them seem real. Maybe it’s why I love films like Toy Story or Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the Beast. An remember the Brave Little Toaster?

      • Mrs Potts is such a favorite of mine. I have a little plastic tea pot and chipped cup my girls got when they were much younger – they’re animated and I can’t bear to part with them. We never tire of Toy Story in our house. When I was growing up, I firmly believed my dolls had tea parties without me – I treated my toys so reverently, It was also about not having a lot. Everything I got was so well appreciated.

  9. Monica, Congrats on completing the challenge, though I had no doubt you’d make it! Coming up with the ideas, for me, wouldn’t be terribly hard. What would be hard is finding the time to post every single day! Now, aren’t you glad you embraced your inner NaBloPoMo, or whatever dumb name they’ve given it!!

    • Once the ideas started flowing, Debbie, it didn’t take too much time to do. My secret: I didn’t write and upload every day. I did it in bursts. When the creative juices flowed, they flowed and I was able to do up to four or five at a time!

  10. You did it! Never any doubt. A month filled with wonderful posts — great insight, funny moments, provocative views, fun flights of fancy, reflection, and beautiful photography. . CONGRATULATIONS big-time!!! You did it!!!

  11. It has certainly been impressive to watch you battle through the month. I’ve enjoyed your blog posts (especially those silly things you find on your walks). I agree that NoMoBlaBla is a terrible name, but it seems everything has an acronym these days and every acronym needs a “pronunciation guide”. I think they tried to do both at once. I don’t know that I’ll ever do it, but I’m glad you did. Be proud last post!

  12. You made it to the finish line. You deserve all kindsa trophies and whatnots. I think, maybe an Emmy. Since I’m awarding you and all, you need to prepare your acceptance speech. And I reckon you’ll need to fork out some coins for a red carpet gown. I don’t reckon you’re giving out any complimentary gifts…Ask not, want not. Just putting it out there. 🙂

  13. Monica,

    Well done!!!

    I have really enjoyed your blog posts every day, I have found them inspiring, thoughtful and enjoyable.

    So thanks for the journey, it’s been a great ride and I look forward to your posts in the next twelve months.

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