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Blog Entry 87 of 105 Places To Go, People to See
A new blog from the Buffalo born author of the novel, 'Traveling With An Eggplant', that deals with her work, book tour, and ridiculous midadventures, as well as descriptions of Clarence bars, restaurants, businesses, parks, etc so that people know more about her hometown and get a humorous look at what's featured in Clarence and what being there is really like so that they want to make an effort to check it out. People actually living in Buffalo have zero excuse for not going anyways but hopefully the blog will give them that extra push. For more info, there's always the official site: www.alyciaripley.com where you can read all about the lively, eccentric brunette and what she's currently up to. In addition to promoting "Eggplant," her new book 'Try Anything Once' should hit stores in late summer '07 followed by a novel called 'Winterphoenix' shortly thereafter. She is also an obsessive copyeditor, the co-editor of an anthology book of works by Buffalo born writers along with notorious Buffalo man about town essayist, Tom Waters as well as being a commentator for this just-born site. She has performed in many NYC stage productions and has an upcoming extended stay in Los Angeles to further her film work. Her nomadic life has helped her to appreciate what Buffalo and in particular, Clarence, NY has to offer, so get there already and see what all the fuss is about.

Questionaires always clear my writers block!
Contributed by: Alycia Ripley   on 5/4/2008

I had an aggrevating day and whenever that happens I LOVE taking these questionaires and just thinking...sometimes the thinking that I (we) do when we just allow our minds to wander is the best kind. You get to learn more about you and what you like and how you're feeling that way. And as a writer, I've gotten some great beginnings to paragraphs when I've been stuck or blocked and can't get out what I need the character to say or do. It's cheesy and makes me look like an 18 yr old girl but its no joke- sometimes these ridiculous questionaires help me out a lot. The best part is that you don't even have to write out or type out the answers, although I always end up doing it for some reason. As a writer, and I know a lot of you reading this are creative writers or editors so I know you can relate, sometimes the best inspiration comes from the most random and seemingly banal (and just plain annoying- think of how many of these come into your email or myspace inbox every day or week?) places and sources.

Are you anything like you were at this point last year?
Nope. .. ive changed a lot. And for the better. Some of the things I learned this year, esp about other people, was invaluable to toughening up and learning to kick some rear. I'm still nice, but my real self came out this year, especially because I was hanging out with ppl that encouraged my assertiveness and to value myself enough to call ppl out more often. Especially calling out female haters. What's the deal with some women over 40 who are miserable and have to hate on others, esp women who are younger than them? It's so bizarre to me- I just don't understand it.


Whats the 8th text in your inbox say?
Lauren giving me her address- she's acting as my 'assistant' helping me to set up my surreal and crazy Wizard of Oz theme birthday party back in Buffalo in June.

Are you on AIM?
since 2000 and sometimes its incredibly annoying when you're trying to work and someone keeps IM ing you, esp someone old enough to not be all over the damn thing and then a 2nd person does it and you have to keep answering then clicking off the boxes. Finally I just have to turn the whole thing off or I'll never get any work done. And then it makes me want to just type in JUST CALL ME ON THE PHONE .Can anyone relate to this?


What are you wearing right now? Black tight yoga pants, red tank top, hoodie. I'm in CA and it gets cool at night still.

What are you most looking forward to today ?
It's dinnertime so I'll shoot for tomorrow..getting my mom a Mothers Day present

Do you think you like anyone? I like lots of ppl....but the fact is that I was alone THE ENTIRE DAY. Except for one phone call and some texting I was alone all day, and that's fine because I needed to write and work. I have an upcoming book deadline that needs to be reached!!


Have you ever been awake for 48 hours ? I could never handle that, I'd die. I did almost 24 once and it was an ugly, ugly scene.


Are you friends with any of your exes? Pretty much all of them. I don't understand ppl who arent. Unless something weird or bad happened, if you liked them enough to date them and be intimate, why wouldnt you remain friends? There's a couple I'm in close contact with and a few I get one or two emails from a year but still- we're on great terms. I'm coming to find out that I'm the minority in this situation but that makes me feel thankful because they're all great guys and I'm thrilled to have dated and spent time with them- I learned a lot about guys and myself and it's wonderful to always have them in my life.

What are you listening to?
Fleetwood Mac, the Rumours album. It's the working soundtrack to the largest story in my new book and need to hear it over and over and over in order for it to permeate my words and the work as a whole.

Do you like your first name? A-lee-cee-a. It's ok. Other ppl think it sounds pretty. I guess I like it but as a writer I'm obsessed with names and what they mean and how they sound so it makes sense to me that I think other names sum me up and seem like they'd be my name, ones like Samantha, Rebecca, Alison, Elaine, even Roxy which I want for my future daughter!


What are your initials? A.M.V.J.R

Baseb all or football?
neither....hocke y. I love hockey

How do you feel about chocolate- covered strawberries?
I feel that I want one. Immediately.

How about plain strawberries?
Still really good.

Europe or the Caribbean?
Been there done that all over the Caribbean and esp since I live in a warm climate now and I've never been to Europe so to E I would go...

Name a song that reminds you of old memories?"When Smokey Sings"- ABC It reminds me of driving down Delaware Ave and the corner of Hertel circa 1986 in Buffalo with my friends Nicky and Sam and their mom and the absurdities going on in the car.


Do you like the color gray? yes, it makes me feel calm and although it doesnt really brighten my complexion at all, i still like to wear it. It's an easy color to wear when I don't feel like putting in a lot of effort


Look outside, how's the weather? Sun is setting, its about 60 degrees here at the beach


Are you jealous of anyone right now?
Way too many to name. Everyone who looks great (I feel like I look horrible at the moment) and everyone who is working at the job they love (hopefully I get to do more of this soon) or with ppl they love (hopefully I get to be back visiting with loved ones soon enough!)


Did you ever think someone didn' t like you, but came to find out they really
did? YES- my best friend Shelly actually. But thats just b/c she seemed like a tough, quiet chick back in DC and I was new to the program and she WAS a tough, quiet chick, but she's the nicest person you could meet and full of fun and life and as soon as we got the time to actually see each other outside of the dorm bathroom we were great friends!


Who has annoyed you withi n the past 2 days?
Several ppl. Lets leave it at that.

Last time you ate grilled cheese? Months ago..i can't even remember. But I love it!

Name something great that happened today :
I got ALOT of writing done on a story for the new book and feel accomplished and happy and am really proud of those new pages as well as the fact that I went to our dollar store (our santa monica dollar stores are the best- they have EVERYTHING, mostly name brands too and FRESH CALI PRODUCE TOO!! all for one dollar!!) and got toilet paper, paper towels, two cans of diced tomatoes, 2 cans of beets, 1 protein bar, an 8 pudding snack pack, a box of Gobstoppers, and a greeting card for $8.56. I love that place!!!

Do you regret doing something today ?
I always do

When you think of the rainbow, what pops in your head? The Wizard of Oz

Do you watch American Idol?
I've only seen a few episodes- it makes me too nervous and I hate reality TV anyway

Would you date someone 8 years older than you?
Sure

What would you do if your significant other wanted to go into the military?
talk him out of it ASAP

Where 's your best friend?
Waldorf, MD

Do you think you' re old? NO! In some ways I'm too young!


Are you afraid of the dark? Not of the dark, but what's in the room with you that you can't see BECAUSE its dark


Are you tan?
Very- I live at the beach and go biking every day! I HOPE I'm picking up some rays!

Are you on a desktop or laptop?
Laptop

Do you wear glasses?
yes but only at night, i dont wear them around ppl. :> and i hate not having peripheral vision. i only wear contacts during the day- dont like anything on my face, esp here where its warm

What did you do last night ? Who were you with?
Home here with Heather and the dogs for a while until she left for a double date and then I was just here working with the dogs- Jack and Max.

What are you looking forward to in the next week?
Anything good


What is it you truly want right now? To be working at what I love and to be making money. I don't even mean millions of dollars, just GOOD money


When is your birthday?
april 3rd..but the wizard of oz costume b day party is june 21st so be sure to come out for that!

What color is your hair? ruddy gold

Do you like pancakes?
chocolate chip pancakes especially

What about waffles? LOVE them. I love food. There's a pattern.


What are you doing tonight? Writing for my new book. Taking a hot shower. Talking on the phone for a few minutes. Planning out tomorrow's day. Really exciting stuff, what can I say?




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CONTRIBUTOR INFO

Alycia Ripley

Clarence , NY

Alycia Ripley has posted 105 blog entries and 3 comments since joining on 12/6/2006. Alycia Ripley 's average blog rating is 4.46.
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