Most of you know that I want to be author someday. This post is not about what it takes to be an author and all that, but let's fast forward. Let's say there's a book that is published. Of course, a person who wants to read this book has to pay money to buy the book or buy the digital copy. Why not? Should not the artist/author get paid for his/her talents and efforts. I have no problem with that. When the book sales go high because the book is amazing, the pay should be equally amazing.
Here's my contention: What if someone pays for the physical book. Do they still need to pay for a digital copy of that same book? I feel no. After all, it's the SAME book and the person has already paid for it. Asking them to pay twice and a second time (a digital copy) is double dipping. Besides, what's the cost for a digital copy? It's not like printing costs. I can see adding a cost to purchase the book when one has already purchased the digital copy, but the other way around doesn't make sense to me.
My husband buys BluRays. That's a whole another story, but when he buys a BluRay, it comes with a FREE digital copy, so he can go online and download the same movie on to his computer and watch it whenever and he doesn't have to carry all the BluRays with him. He has already paid! So, while we are in the digital age and advanced, why can't books catch up?
Best to you all,
TTR
Saturday, November 25, 2017
Tuesday, October 3, 2017
Getting past my demons, yet again!
I know what the last post was about. This post is about the same thing. A way to control the demons that control me - specifically one demon. My writing. I cannot describe myself right now but I'm between patients and working on this post. My hands were literally shaking and I feel like I'm having a mini seizure. My searches for today - writing retreats, writing sites. An hour later, I'm staring into space, feeling very lost and confused. Yet, I feel found. I take that back. I feel like Hope is knocking on Pandora's box and I do not want to open the box again. I want to. I don't want to. I desperately want to. Yet, I'm holding on to dear life, because I feel like I'm standing on a precipice. Free fall, with shards of sharp rocks on the way, leading to definitive death. Yes, why wouldn't I be afraid?
Maybe it's the tea. The caffeine is known to make one ansy. I wish it was as simple as that. For someone like me who drinks several cups a day, one cup is not going to do it. No, it's the damn writing thing that is calling again and again and again. I can scream it to go away, but it won't.
When I'm at work and I need to behave, perhaps one way to keep demons in check is to write. So, here I am. Writing. Writing like I'm running out of time (Yes, Hamilton). Writing like my life depends on it. Sometimes, I think it does. I wish it didn't. The curse is real. I look around my office in mad suspicion. Did someone spray something to make me jittery? Most people can't handle my energy level. Why would they seek to increase it in an uncontrollable fashion? I cannot tell you. What do you name this paranoia? The writer's curse? I would think and hope this post would cure it. I know the truth. It may alleviate some symptoms, but this one is going to hurt.
I remember starting my novel, The Color of Rain, in 1999 shortly after I finished dental school. What do I have now? 23 chapters and they are not that great. I stand and look at 80,000 words that all need to be re-read and re-written. Maybe I'm just overwhelmed. But I remember 1999. I couldn't function normally. I was possessed. This feeling is deja vu all over again. If I would have quit, maybe this won't be so bad. I had taken a long reprieve. My demon had disappeared. I called out to him and I almost didn't even realize he existed until now. He shows up and my life will be filled with a thirst I cannot quench standing at a stream. Who knows? The stream may just be an illusion.
This post is not working. I'll just breathe. In. Out. In. Out. In. Out. Still not working. A screw is loose in my head. C'est la vie.
Until next time,
TTR
Maybe it's the tea. The caffeine is known to make one ansy. I wish it was as simple as that. For someone like me who drinks several cups a day, one cup is not going to do it. No, it's the damn writing thing that is calling again and again and again. I can scream it to go away, but it won't.
When I'm at work and I need to behave, perhaps one way to keep demons in check is to write. So, here I am. Writing. Writing like I'm running out of time (Yes, Hamilton). Writing like my life depends on it. Sometimes, I think it does. I wish it didn't. The curse is real. I look around my office in mad suspicion. Did someone spray something to make me jittery? Most people can't handle my energy level. Why would they seek to increase it in an uncontrollable fashion? I cannot tell you. What do you name this paranoia? The writer's curse? I would think and hope this post would cure it. I know the truth. It may alleviate some symptoms, but this one is going to hurt.
I remember starting my novel, The Color of Rain, in 1999 shortly after I finished dental school. What do I have now? 23 chapters and they are not that great. I stand and look at 80,000 words that all need to be re-read and re-written. Maybe I'm just overwhelmed. But I remember 1999. I couldn't function normally. I was possessed. This feeling is deja vu all over again. If I would have quit, maybe this won't be so bad. I had taken a long reprieve. My demon had disappeared. I called out to him and I almost didn't even realize he existed until now. He shows up and my life will be filled with a thirst I cannot quench standing at a stream. Who knows? The stream may just be an illusion.
This post is not working. I'll just breathe. In. Out. In. Out. In. Out. Still not working. A screw is loose in my head. C'est la vie.
Until next time,
TTR
The artist within me - Wattpad, what have you done?
I am consumed. I will not be able to sleep soon. The writer in me will gnaw at my conscience. I just discovered Wattpad and I stare at it. There's a tightness in my chest. I'm afraid. I want to do it. I don't want to do it. I don't have the answer and I have work to go to.
Sometimes I feel the person you are, will claw right out of you, whether you want them to or not. My inner writer is my own demon. I've been fighting it. Sometimes I can keep it quiet. Sometimes, it won't come out when I want it to. And the battle rages on.
I wish I can tell you all how this will go. History has not been kind to me. I have to fight an uphill climb. To the victor belongs the spoils, or nothing at all. Sigh. Let the silence envelope me while I fight my demon once again.
TTR
Sometimes I feel the person you are, will claw right out of you, whether you want them to or not. My inner writer is my own demon. I've been fighting it. Sometimes I can keep it quiet. Sometimes, it won't come out when I want it to. And the battle rages on.
I wish I can tell you all how this will go. History has not been kind to me. I have to fight an uphill climb. To the victor belongs the spoils, or nothing at all. Sigh. Let the silence envelope me while I fight my demon once again.
TTR
The original They Throw Rocks
OK, so let me try this out. I'm going to link my story here. I'm new to Wattpad, so I'm going to see how to link the story into my blog.
Happy reading.
Also, incidentally, I've been working on a novel. Did I tell you guys that? Well, I have. It's called Color of Rain. I will most likely be posting a chapter at a time there. Why not? I'll just have to figure a way to post here also? Or maybe just there. I'm so new to this, but hopefully it'll get me working on that novel from a million years ago!
TTR
Sunday, September 17, 2017
The Muslim Class
I love to travel and I love to travel in style. I especially enjoy the perks. If I can get lounge access or something more, it's a little lift me up. I'm even willing to pay more for that. OK, I cannot afford business class or first class but if I were offered a free upgrade I would take it. I would enjoy the perks of better food and larger chairs and ability to sleep. I know recently some airlines were offering upgraded business class fares for half their normal cost. Hmmm. Would that be more affordable? It's pushing my financial limits, but maybe. I'll think about it.
What does all this have to do with a Muslim Class and what the heck is a Muslim Class? Well, here's the thing. I'm doing research on a trip and there are 3 classes on the boat. Standard, an upgraded class and a platinum class. The platinum class is nice and I might even be able to afford it, but then I'm left with the perks and wonder if I really need it? Upgraded drink service. Minor detail, but I don't drink alcohol. A wine gift basket on check in. Woo Hoo. Again. In case you didn't get the memo - no alcohol for me. I got to looking at the other perks. They are nice. A la Carte breakfast and dinner with the captain (this is a specialty cruise). Of the several perks offered extra on the platinum class, I only wanted half of them. Obviously, alcohol limits some of the perks and I thought to myself that I needed a "Muslim Class" - an upgraded class that upgrades some elements but not others.
I will tell you that the more I travel I think about the need for such a class because a lot of places (resorts and cruises) offer as gifts and upgrades the magical words "free alcohol". For me, those words hold no power. In fact, they make my mind go into overtime and wonder if there are other perks that will make an upgrade worthwhile. So, if you are in the commercial business with hotels/airlines/cruises and the like, you may consider a special class. Maybe not call it the Muslim class, because someone will surely get offended. Maybe just call it the "no alcohol, everything else" perk. Or I don't know. Just ask your marketing team. And when you do, give me a call and sign me up!
Best to you all,
TTR
What does all this have to do with a Muslim Class and what the heck is a Muslim Class? Well, here's the thing. I'm doing research on a trip and there are 3 classes on the boat. Standard, an upgraded class and a platinum class. The platinum class is nice and I might even be able to afford it, but then I'm left with the perks and wonder if I really need it? Upgraded drink service. Minor detail, but I don't drink alcohol. A wine gift basket on check in. Woo Hoo. Again. In case you didn't get the memo - no alcohol for me. I got to looking at the other perks. They are nice. A la Carte breakfast and dinner with the captain (this is a specialty cruise). Of the several perks offered extra on the platinum class, I only wanted half of them. Obviously, alcohol limits some of the perks and I thought to myself that I needed a "Muslim Class" - an upgraded class that upgrades some elements but not others.
I will tell you that the more I travel I think about the need for such a class because a lot of places (resorts and cruises) offer as gifts and upgrades the magical words "free alcohol". For me, those words hold no power. In fact, they make my mind go into overtime and wonder if there are other perks that will make an upgrade worthwhile. So, if you are in the commercial business with hotels/airlines/cruises and the like, you may consider a special class. Maybe not call it the Muslim class, because someone will surely get offended. Maybe just call it the "no alcohol, everything else" perk. Or I don't know. Just ask your marketing team. And when you do, give me a call and sign me up!
Best to you all,
TTR
Thursday, August 17, 2017
Shallow grief
Have you ever gotten bad news? Or unsettling news that makes your heart stop for a couple of beats and when it restarts, there's a slight pain and nausea there. You try to grapple with your new reality. Your new loss. Your life as you know it will never be the same. Yes, the title of this is "shallow" grief because when I opened my browser to teavana.com and searched for my favorite flavor of apple lemon pomegranate, the search pulled empty. I didn't stock up on this flavor. I have a few more brews of it and then it's permanently deleted from my tea stock. Permanently.
I found out that Starbucks was going to close down the Teavana stores by next April. I figured I had time to purchase and stock. My husband and I bought a pound of our favorite flavor - Earl Grey Creme. That was top of our list of teas. We haven't been able to find that flavor or even close, anywhere. A year ago, a patient's mom introduced me to Capital Teas. I was super excited. Furthermore, Capital Teas had a whole host of Earl Grey variations, including Creme Earl Grey. No comparison. We just figured we would use up the teas we got from Capital teas and then move on back to Teavana. After the heart breaking news of the Teavana stores shutting down, my husband and I had a plan - every month or a couple of times a month, we would go and buy a pound of a particular flavor.
We already got our Earl Grey Creme. I have a list. Apple Lemon Pomegranate was on the list. It hasn't been available at the stores for a few years now. When I found out last night that they may be shutting down the online store, I decided to make my second 1lb purchase the Apple Lemon Pomegranate and I did a search and it pulled blank. I tried to look for all teas with apple in them. Not even close. Nothing with apple and lemon. Forget the pomegranate! A search under the term "pomegranate" pulls up a blank search area. It doesn't even tell you that they couldn't find the product and would you like to search again. It's blank.
So, I have to come to grips with not being able to purchase more of one of my favorite flavors. It's done! I know I'll always remember the taste, but I also know that I have a 2-3 more brews left. With every brew and every sip, I will savor it for I know it'll be gone. In some strange way, it feels like life. We take our lives, friends, and family for granted, instead of cherishing every moment with them and creating the warmest memories. One day, they will not be anymore, just like my favorite fruity Teavana flavor. I know, this is just tea and I may sound shallow, but for all of you who have come home and played games with me and enjoyed the tea, you will understand. It's all part of a memory that will slowly fade.
Best to you all,
TTR
I found out that Starbucks was going to close down the Teavana stores by next April. I figured I had time to purchase and stock. My husband and I bought a pound of our favorite flavor - Earl Grey Creme. That was top of our list of teas. We haven't been able to find that flavor or even close, anywhere. A year ago, a patient's mom introduced me to Capital Teas. I was super excited. Furthermore, Capital Teas had a whole host of Earl Grey variations, including Creme Earl Grey. No comparison. We just figured we would use up the teas we got from Capital teas and then move on back to Teavana. After the heart breaking news of the Teavana stores shutting down, my husband and I had a plan - every month or a couple of times a month, we would go and buy a pound of a particular flavor.
We already got our Earl Grey Creme. I have a list. Apple Lemon Pomegranate was on the list. It hasn't been available at the stores for a few years now. When I found out last night that they may be shutting down the online store, I decided to make my second 1lb purchase the Apple Lemon Pomegranate and I did a search and it pulled blank. I tried to look for all teas with apple in them. Not even close. Nothing with apple and lemon. Forget the pomegranate! A search under the term "pomegranate" pulls up a blank search area. It doesn't even tell you that they couldn't find the product and would you like to search again. It's blank.
So, I have to come to grips with not being able to purchase more of one of my favorite flavors. It's done! I know I'll always remember the taste, but I also know that I have a 2-3 more brews left. With every brew and every sip, I will savor it for I know it'll be gone. In some strange way, it feels like life. We take our lives, friends, and family for granted, instead of cherishing every moment with them and creating the warmest memories. One day, they will not be anymore, just like my favorite fruity Teavana flavor. I know, this is just tea and I may sound shallow, but for all of you who have come home and played games with me and enjoyed the tea, you will understand. It's all part of a memory that will slowly fade.Best to you all,
TTR
Monday, August 14, 2017
My first cooking video - making biryani.
For anyone who's made biryani, you'll know that it takes a while. My video only takes 2:30 approximately. Well, I was inspired by those Tasty videos that I keep watching on Facebook. They make everything look so easy. I take that back. The inspiration came from my nephew. Something about a food video contest in India? He was getting a lot of people asking him to submit the biryani video and he thought 90 secs to make biryani was impossible. My video is longer than 90 seconds, but I'm sure, he can trim it down to the magic number.
As I talked to him, I got excited for the challenge. I told him that I would make a video and send it to him and he could get some ideas from it. I was supposed to have it done by yesterday, so being a day late, I didn't want to look for the right music in the background and so I hit the mute and posted. Don't worry, it's sorta subtitled. Sorta because there's some instruction here and there.
The question is: do you like the video? And do you want to see more? It does take work. A lot of work to shoot and edit, but the finished product, feels good. Not perfect but it's a start. Here's the video.
https://youtu.be/jcpiEzFh3Q4
Hope you enjoy it. Let me know if the link works or not. Thanks and best to you all.
TTR
As I talked to him, I got excited for the challenge. I told him that I would make a video and send it to him and he could get some ideas from it. I was supposed to have it done by yesterday, so being a day late, I didn't want to look for the right music in the background and so I hit the mute and posted. Don't worry, it's sorta subtitled. Sorta because there's some instruction here and there.
The question is: do you like the video? And do you want to see more? It does take work. A lot of work to shoot and edit, but the finished product, feels good. Not perfect but it's a start. Here's the video.
https://youtu.be/jcpiEzFh3Q4
Hope you enjoy it. Let me know if the link works or not. Thanks and best to you all.
TTR
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