​It's not like I didn't know-know this information. But I definitely had forgotten about it. 

The Heart of the West Contest. Apparently, it's for published and non-published folks alike. So I'm feeling pretty stoked about being a finalist in that at least two of the other finalists in my category have not just published but have LOTSA published. And they have really cool looking books, like stuff I'd enjoy reading, and have lots of >stars< and comments on websites like amazon.com.

So it occurs to me two things. 
#1) Wahoo, that's pretty boss that I am in the same field with these folks.
#2) Snowball's chance for me.

And all that's good. I'm just more pleased about sort of holding my own with folks who obviously have had publishing success and lots of it. I am reassured that I'm moving in the right ("write") directions.

http://www.hulu.com/watch/536145


Please enjoy one of the best SNL skits "More Cowbell" with my sincere compliments.

The joke in our house if things are nuts and it looks like it's getting worse, our go-to phrase is "more cowbell, please." Like, more ridiculousness, more insanity, more stupidity, more…cowbell. Why? Because it's the durn cowbell. Why not?

"If Bruce Dickinson wants more cowbell, we should probably give him more cowbell."

"We don't have a whole lot of songs that feature the cowbell."

Yeah. More cowbell.