Writing

I am in a time warp; the only activity that really relieves me is reading.  Today I finished Michael Tobias' gripping fiction novel, Chateau Beyond Time.  Similar to The Da Vinci Code in that there is frantic searching, much digging about in ancient, secret monasteries and their libraries; racing from one European city to another via SUV, taxi, train, plane; Interpol, secret police, local gendarmes.  As one would expect, it takes place, as Da Vinci did, in France.  he search is for a lost book that if found will be the Future Testament, after of course, the New and Old.  It held my uninterrupted interest for two days and I put it down with a sigh, relieved at the ending, glad it didn't continue.  Instead of a search for the grail, this book reminds me of Jurassic Park.  If pretty implausible, the author is a wonderfully marvelous researcher.

I attended the monthly Southwest Writers meeting today; coincidentally, the guest speaker talked of research, especially when writing historically: how much to do, when to stop; how to incorporate your hard-fought-for findings into your story without making your research the book!  As an extra bonus, I got in on the New Members' potluck.  The meeting inspired me so much that I signed up for an all-day writers conference later this month, complete with famous speakers who've made the 'big-time' and will share their expertise with us. They are screenwriters who will guide those interested in how to convert their novels into screen plays or vice versa.  I hope to participate in more events this year.

Last night two friends and I attended a Fractal show held at the Planetarium, within the Natural Science Museum.  A fractal, we discovered, is a mathematical equation entered into a computer resulting in mesmerizing formations, projected onto the overhead dome.  With much zooming in and out, the presenter told us that each piece of a fractal is exactly like every other part, from the large center to the tiniest particle, into infinity, a definite mind-enhancing evening, for sure.  It reminded me of being inside a kaleidoscope as it was being rotated; also of reading about the holographic universe several years ago; stem cell research, et al.  The audience, mostly young people, was spellbound, breaking into applause

several times.  The information man revealed that he takes a portable plastic dome into schools so that children can see what we saw last night.  He was so excited that the city of Albuquerque has agreed to his painting fractals on some of the high-rise buildings in town, to spread the word around!  Kids are learning geometry and having fun doing it!  Wonders never cease!

Albuquerque is unique in that it abounds in diversity on all levels: cultures, art, science, music, senior citizens' programs, sports, changing weather patterns.  It also has diversity on other levels:  crime, neglect, racism, violence, drinking, drugs - but this is the way of things, isn't it?  Which project to invest money and time in, what nurtures one's soul, which cause to volunteer to stop, which to leave to others.

A time warp, indeed.  I must read, and write.