On Watch by anahata.c
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I didn't intend to be gone this long. I had 3 weeks of plumbing issues---you wanna know about toilets? I'll tell you about toilets. You wanna know about "flanges"? Just ask. Vanities? Stuck valves? Toxic valve sprays? I'm your man. I had to redo my kitchen and bathroom, and am getting my seasonal treatments for arms and shoulders, and will be getting some dentistry for tooth problems. The latter all come with age, so no panics. Certainly not as bad as what some of you have faced...but consuming all my time and energy.
But:
Tomorrow, Rod (RodS) has a birthday, for which I've started a dedi. A few days later, Marilyn (beachzz). Two days after that, Mark (wysiwig). And 2 weeks later, Bill (bmac62). I'll be late on all of them---mea culpa. But I'll get to them! I want to comment again too: I have a million comments in my head. Bear with me, I'll get back, I promise.
Also: A big shout out to Steve (eekdog) who's dealing with a distressing health matter, which all his fans---including me---hope will turn out well. All healing, Steve, you deserve it! And healing to all else, including Mike, Helle, etc etc, who've dealt with health issues of all kinds. And to Harry, who's been overwhelmed with health issues. And Brigitte, after her terrible loss of a son. My healing wishes to all of you, for everything. May the sun shine brightly over your lives...
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Finally---since you've all been so supportive of my writing (I hope this isn't boring, but several of you have asked):
1) Literary journals publish 2 to 4 times a year; annnnnnnd...they take months to get back to you. You can send to several journals at once, but the wait's forever.
However, I've gotten 10 letters of interest now: That's very positive! But "letters of interest" can lead nowhere. The saying, in writing, is: Be prepared to cover your wall with rejections. That's the biz. It'll probably be several more months before I have an idea where I stand out there.
2) As far as the biggies---ie, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, etc: I submit to them all, but they're long shots! You have to be pretty famous to get into those places. (The New Yorker turned down Saul Bellow after he got a Nobel Prize---that's picky, people!) And saying, "this piece is better than the Book of Isaiah and the Constitution combined" does NOT help. Editors like humility (until you're known)...
Also: I'm not writing books yet: That's for the coming year or so.
Finally:
3) Grants take even more time than fiction, and the applications are deadly awful.
All of which is my way of saying: This takes time. I've worked until I've been ready to drop; but I'm not near the goal yet...
But:
Your responses have meant the world to me (along with a handful of offline friends); and I'll be eternally grateful to you no matter what happens. You've all made this so much better than it could be, and I'm extremely grateful.
Ok.
Dedis and comments will come! And I see everything you do, I don't miss a thing! But for now I hope you're all well, my wishes and prayers to all of you who are struggling, and happy birthdays, anniversaries, Nobel Prizes in Physics, Gold Medals, Grand Prix's and whatever else is lying around, to everyone else. And thanks for all your love and visits! Peace and tons of inspiration to you all, have a wonderful fall/spring! Mark
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Comments (15)
eekdog
Sorry about those pipe probs, Mark. I have 2 images for posting tomorrow with Rods bday and my PG magazine. Love your discription on supportive writtings. And as I always say you have a way with words. Bet you would be a great contestant on jeopardy. With your smile and personality you would be great. Love your posting my friend enjoy how you manipulate a photo, but enjoy what you say. And thanks for the shout out my friend. Just a wee bit better today.
LivingPixels
Mark I am with you through thick and thin I just count it an enormous privilege just to be considered a friend Your such an awesome persona and wish you all the best in everything you do Take care my friend and may you always bask in the peace of god that excels all thought!!
helanker
YAY! You are back. That must mean, that all the plumbing must be over. Thank goodness. It must have been such an unpleasant time. Messing up the intire Kitchen and reorganize, you name it, as you were in it. I hate such myself....who dont? Now I hope you can begin enjoying life again My dear friend. Love your Seagull. It is as calm as you hopefully are now. :)
bakapo
that bird is waiting so patiently. I'm sorry about the plumbing troubles, those are never small issues. I wish you loads and loads of luck with publishing your writing! I'm waiting patiently, like this bird, to see you make a best seller list. I have faith.
GrandmaT
Sounds like you've been having LOADS of fun. Plumbing issues are the worst. Take your time and take a breath every now and then. We will be here.
durleybeachbum
May the Seagull of Happiness poop all over your new bathroom.......it can be considered very lucky here in my hometown!
Faemike55
love the image - very interesting treatment. and then there's your writing, entertaining and fun, descriptive and humourous. glad you have your plumbing problems under control - health issues, well, they take another route all together. I just hope they don't cascade into something unstoppable. (One issue with OAS: cascading medical issues)
I wish you all the best and happiness and may all you grants become reality and may the responses to your submissions be positive.
jocko500
wow lot of birthdays coming up. this is wonderful image. very simple but have a loud voice lol. anyway I like it. I deleted as I miss spelled a work and had to correct it
wysiwig
First of all, you’re not the only one who has had plumbing issues. Unfortunately mine didn’t involve toilets. The joys of home ownership, right? I always advise young people to become either plumbers or undertakers because no matter what else is going on in the world two things are eternal truths. People gotta go and people gotta go.
Second, thanks for the reference to my birthday. The Bible says that a man’s life shall be three score and ten so next week I go into overtime.
And finally, tell us the names of these publications. I’m thinking we could organize a letter writing campaign. You know, letters in the comments section like “Have you read any of Anahata’s work. He’s fantastic!” Or, “Why haven’t I seen any of Anahata’s work in your publication? I thought you guys were a LITERARY magazine.”
You know, subtle.
Stay well, Mark, and we’ll see you when we see you.
Freethinker56
Hi Mark, wonderful to hear from you.. pluming problems sound terrible..I hope your talking about hose pluming lol! Your image is very cool and well done...Take care and see you soon.
with 
X-PaX
I hope you could solve all the problems. It speaks for you that you have probably done all this yourself.
Your photo manipulation is very nice. Take care my friend.
RodS
Hmmmm...... I've seen that look before. Many years ago, on south Padre Island. It's the look that says "OK, did you bring the popcorn this time??" Sea gulls LOVE popcorn....
Ah, a kindred soul...... Yeah, plumbing. It's not a job, it's an adventure. Normally when I work with (battle with would be more accurate) plumbing the driest spot within 200 yards is the inside of the pipes. That's why I was seriously shocked when I replaced the toilet last month, it actually worked - with NO leaks - the first try.
A most interesting read on the submissions... Still, I might try for a series with the T.N.A. Gals. Someone needs to displace Harry Potter, for cryin' out loud!
Thanks for the shout-out - I'm still laughing over that story on my birthday post....
Thoughts and prayers for Steve..
alida
I can relate to your tooth problems....ouch I've been dealing with an abscess for over a month,now.My life revolves around the dentist.............and yes I still have problems with the hand...............Life has a bit for all of us,some have more in terms of happiness,others have less.That is life.Smiles and health to all the readers
nickcarter
The last famous words: "Lose the washbasin? I fix it myself !!""
I'm sorry for your "problems": Anyway Ben refound Mark !!
auntietk
On the gallery page, this is right next to a picture Andrea posted of a bit of coprolite. Turtle coprolite, actually, but with that pile behind the seagull, and the fossilized turtle poop right behind it, it's hard to not make the connection. Your plumbing problems only add to the imagery. High-brow stuff here, huh? LOL! Thanks for the list of upcoming birthdays, btw. I know my birthday calendar is around here somewhere, but I haven't come across it yet. I like Mark's suggestion about a write-in campaign. Those literary folks ought to know you already have a huge following! :)