Small Tests (testicles?)

A poll in magdalene1's entry yesterday asked what we'd do if we found a wallet with $1000 in it. I've never been tested that way, but thinking about it reminded me of something that happened to me last year.

I found a book I wanted through Bookfinder (or ABEBooks, I don't recall which). It was at a used bookstore in Maryland. I contacted the bookseller through email, came to an agreement, and then I sent them a check.

A few days later the book arrived in the mail. I put it in my bookcase (it was a hardcover I'd bought to replace the softcover edition) and thought no more of it.

But then a few days later I got a letter postmarked in Maryland. There was no return address. Inside I found my check for the book (my address is pre-printed on the checks, of course) and an anonymous note saying that (whomever) had found the check lying on the street in Baltimore. It also said "God bless."

The only thing I can guess about this is that the bookseller lost my check...maybe the wind took it...on the way to the bank to deposit it, and this good Samaritan found it. You'd think the retailer would put all their money and checks in a big secure pouch or box before walking to the bank with them, but apparently not.

I have this image in my head of the bookseller, a big fistful of cash and checks in his hand, fearfully dashing through the streets of Baltimore hoping not to stumble or get mugged.

Anyway, I mailed the check back to them with a note explaining what had happened and admonishing them, "don't lose this again."

Just tearing up the check and thus getting the book for free, never crossed my mind.

Asparagus pee and me

It's really quite fascinating. I ate lunch less than two hours ago, really more like 90 minutes, but I just now went to pee and the strong, distinctive "asparagus pee" odor was already there. It seems incredible to me that some people can't smell it.

Okay, so now I've made a new commitment to my writing, and I'm finally going to start finishing things and achieve what it takes to be a real writer: rejection notices.

I read once that Jack London wrote one thousand words per day. He never wrote less than that, and once he'd reached his thousand, he could not be made to put one more letter on paper. That's always impressed me: a disciplined, yet healthy approach to his work.

Of course I'm no Jack London. And anyway, he was (in his later years) a full-time writer, so 1000 words is probably more than I could hold myself to.

But 500 words? That's just about right. It's not much day to day, but over a year that's like a novel and a half. Email, work-related writing and biographical updates (like this one) to this LiveJournal will not count, Saturdays and Sundays are exempt. Story writing, play writing and story-draft updates to the LiveJournal (like Friday and Monday's entries) will count.

If I miss a day (like I did Tuesday) I won't beat myself up over it or double my requirement for the next day. I'll take this one day at a time.