The What
Belly Up comes from the gut. It’s a smattering of ideas, topics, and opinions that pass through my brain and life. Some of them are fluff, some are downright offensive, all of them are me.
The Who
No, not the annoying band that only guys like. I’m a 36-year-old woman who has been married since 2006 and a mom since 3 months before the wedding. At press time, I am still working. By that, I mean I work from home as a contract technical writer and editor. It’s the perfect setup since:
- I cannot stomach the idea of working in an office again and putting up with all of the bullshit.
- My daughter should be raised and cared for by myself or her dad (which is actually my husband! shocker!).
- The paycheck goes so much further when the gas, food, and clothing expenses are eliminated. I’m frighteningly productive in jeans and a Led Zeppelin t-shirt, an ensemble that just doesn’t fly in most offices.
In short, I’m an opinionated broad who loves to write and Belly Up gives me a forum.
The Where
As of late June 2007, I live in Nashville, TN. That’s state number 8 for those of you keeping score at home. The last stop was a 5-year stint in Chicago. It’s a great city, and although there are downsides (parking comes to mind, as does the asinine cost of housing), I left that toddling town with a husband, baby, and no car loan, so it’ll always have a special place in my heart. And financial statement.
I like Nashville. It appeals to my redneck core and my city-fied ways. People seem nice, the town is easy to drive around in, houses are affordable, and when my southern accent kicks in, no one busts my balls about it. In fact, it helps grease the wheels with the locals. Even in Chicago, a well-placed “y’all” or “hon” will get not only your foot, but you, in the door.
The Why
A friend from college encouraged me to start writing again. He even offered to host this blog on his page. Before I could say no, he set it up. Thank god for assholes like him that don’t take no for an answer. Birds of a feather and all that shit. I write because I have to. Even if no one reads this, the words are out of my soul, and that leaves a little room for new things.
