Happy New Year

It's that time again.  Yeah, I'm turning a year older, reflecting on the past 365 days to figure out if anything life-changing happened.  I'm sure it did and I most likely recorded it in my journal (what, you thought I told you everything) but nothing stands out as "GREAT!" (read that in your Tony the Tiger voice).  I failed miserably on my 30 day challenge, completing a bit less than half.  I'm still writing but unpublished.  And still in need of ... well, why bother listing all of that.

So I looked back over my 101 goals and actually smiled because I'm making progress.  Proving that having a visual guide before you not only hoists your dreams into the universe but also pulls you toward them.  That said, I've finally outlined 10 things about myself that I like.  And in honor of this new year, here goes:

10. Confidence

Yes, I pretty much believe I can do anything I want.  To the point that I believe you can also do anything you want and that I should, and often do, share unsolicited advice.  I think it's a pretty awesome trait.  I could be Chicken Little ya know.

9. Metropolitan

I love and enjoy and love city life.  I like to move and shake, to go and see.  I like to go everywhere and see everything.  From museums to wine tastings to theater, I will find something to do.

8. Me

Ok, think Five Heartbeats when Eddie King Jr. asks Flash "how does it feel to be me?"  Yeah, I feel like that a lot. I am more than myself.  I'm ever-changing though consistent, serious though carefree.  In a word...weird.  No need to be PC when I'm talking about myself.  Yep, I don't even want to be anyone else.

7. Erudite

I love to learn something new.  I like to read and write and research...and write about what I've read...and research topics to write about and...well, you get it right?

6. Analytical

I love puzzles and games and brain teasers and anything that makes my brain bulge.  Except those darned math word problems.  Those things are just wrong.

5. Give 110%

If I say I'm in, then I'm all in and then some.  Up to my elbows doing my very best to help you and yours.  If I have it, you got it.  But not everyone knows that, so let's keep it between us.

4. Exuberant

Yes, I wake up happy. I walk around happy for no reason.  I usually go to sleep happy too.  I like that I'm usually in a very good mood.  How can that NOT be a plus?!

3. Creative

This is one of my favorites.  I love to see things become.  Whether I'm baking or making...as in needlework or arts and crafts...I enjoy the entire process.  I'll get around to those quilts shortly.

2. Optimistic

Yes, there is a silver lining, a bright side, another opportunity to reach your goals.  I thought you knew that too.

1. Honest

If you ask, I will tell you.  Unless I don't want to, and I'll tell you that too.  This is one of the things I both love and hate about myself.  Think job interviews and "do I look fat in this?"  Well, you asked.

All in all, this has been a good year and of course I have set goals.  But for right now, let me enjoy the moment...all that is me.

Where Did the Adverbs Go?

It's a sunny Spring Saturday in Alabama and the Book Festival is taking place in Montgomery.  While there were a number of vendors pushing literacy, books, religion, the arts, history and even food, there were also several workshops including Writing Fiction, Pitching and Submitting to Publishers, and Screenwriting.  I attended a few, you had to register early via the website (www.alabamabookfestival.org), and I learned quite a bit.  Some authors were more memorable than others and I've added some titles to my TBR list on GoodReads.  I enjoyed the workshop with Vanessa Davis Griggs because she touched on some down-home tips for writing and publishing.  I skipped the talk with Natasha Tretheway, former US Poet Laureate, because I attended her inauguration in Washington, DC back in 2012.  Though I am thrilled that she was featured.

But for all the good, there was a phrase that echoed throughout the day that brought a frown to my otherwise happy face.  "Stay away from adverbs."  What? Why? Is that even possible?  When some of these questions were posed to the authors, most responded that publishers frown upon adverbs.  Who are these people who wish to do away with an entire part of speech?  The English teacher buried deep inside of me bubbled to the surface bringing with her the memory of SchoolHouse Rock videos and I became teary-eyed by the sound of Lolly, Lolly, Lolly playing in my head.  In case you don't recall it right away, check out the video.

I love reading and have loved it ever since I can remember.  I love to read well-written books by writers who enjoy using language to titillate and inspire.  Adverbs are an underused part of speech that appeal to those of us who do more than read books.  I am saddened for that sector of the population who booksellers don't include in the "masses" that they sell their books to.  It leads one to make the hard decision of writing to sell or writing to write.

All in all, I enjoyed my trip to Montgomery, Alabama and the Book Festival.  I'll have to return to actually do some sightseeing in the near future.  In the meantime, I cry for the adverbs.

Until Next Time...

30 Day Challenge

It starts today.  I'll highlight the days as I go.  

I'll post the results on May 1st.  

Are you joining me?

Taken

I realize that this post bears the same name as a trilogy of films starring a great actor.  But there is no correlation, with the exception of someone taking something you love for reasons of their own.  It seems to be the cultural norm to strip our stars, heroes, and/or idols in some cases of their earnings if there should be a fall from grace.  Think Bill Cosby and Manny Pacquiao -- the latest, but there are many, many more.

Apparently, we don't expect people to be human and make mistakes.  Whether religious leaders, business moguls, politicians, athletes, musicians, or actors, we sit in judgment and condemnation of every action reported as if they are not allowed to do things that may mar our moral fiber.  We, the people, may steal from our jobs or rant in a store but not our role models.  The American public may wear little or nothing during our wild youthful days, but it's unacceptable for 20-somethings on the world stage.  You and I may have made bad decisions in regards to colleagues or weren't quite politically correct in all of our conversations with others, but they can't be held to the same standards.

It shameful how we try and convict average Americans who have delighted us in so many ways.  And to add insult to injury, we take away any remembrances of them.  To remove banners in gyms, strip awards from the record, remove stars from the Walk of Fame, void contracts, and force unwarranted apologies for being...normal...is going way too far.  I, for one, do not appreciate it.

I'll take it one step further by saying that I was flabbergasted by the statement issued from NIKE -- sorry, wait.  NIKE is a company, an inanimate object which by definition is void of human emotion and therefore, incapable of being offended by the words and/or actions of ... people.  Suffice it to say that the Board of Directors, PR aggregate and other C-Suite employees of NIKE fear the backlash against the source of their exotic vacations and company-funded retreats and, therefore, issued the statement.  I nearly decided to never purchase another NIKE product.  Of course, since I don't make purchases due to the spokesperson promoting the product, I wasn't terribly fazed and quickly recovered from what could have been a heinous consumer decision. (Please read with sarcasm, as we all know that withholding my few dollars will not affect the profit margin.)

Of course, I'm just a small-town girl writing a blog deeply buried below any pop culture radar, but let me go on record this day:

*ahem*  I do not want your accolades (especially those honorary degrees) because, undoubtedly, I WILL write something (thank you Freedom of Speech and Poetic License)  -- sooner or later -- to offend you. It will be unintentional, but that won't matter to you.  There will be a public uproar and the demand for an apology which will go unrequited.  There will be an outcry to retrieve any and everything that's been awarded me.  If you didn't give me anything, there is nothing to be...TAKEN.

There should be a hashtag for that --

ShelfReads? GoodFari? Say it Ain't So

Wait a minute!!!!  Shelfari and Goodreads are uniting????  Ok, ok.  I can go along with that since I have an account with both but um...who's "face" will we use?  I much prefer the look of Shelfari to that of Goodreads.  Of course, I've always enjoyed the facts that Goodreads has an app...much needed technology for a bookie.  I review my books and keep ownership information on Shelfari, I just prefer the interface because of the better look and feel.  Goodreads seems more Social Media in the sense of Twitter and FB but Shelfari really felt like it was centered around books.  I'm sad to put it lightly.

Of course, I'm too mature to place blame as some have (Amazon Kills Shelfari) especially since Amazon owns both.  Hmmm...insert Dr. Spock quote about logic here.  But we know there will be major conjecture about this since the only thing better than free speech is free places to post our opinions.  That said, interesting take on women and book sites (Quit Goodreads) that may cause pause before posting/responding via many social media outlets.

Typically I embrace change and am therefore looking forward to using Goodreads more, especially since there's an app for that.  That will make it easier to browse at the library and in bookstores.  I hope to interact with more readers too and to add it to my blog and other social outlets as soon as possible.  What a way to begin 2016 huh?

Say What? -- Laid Back

All too often, people say things without really understanding what they mean. And based on cultural definitions, they regularly become catchphrases. Some catchphrases are silly when you think about them.  For instance, laid back.

Sure, to most, it connotes a cool demeanor.  It leads one to believe that the person labeled such is mild-mannered and even-tempered.  It does not lend to such thoughts as ambitious, rambunctious, or passionate.  I prefer the denotation.

Laid Back is a two word phrase.  Let's take each word separately. Laid is the past tense of lay and has about 27 definitions (definition), all of which are rather passive.  The object is being acted upon.  My favorites are to a) knock or beat down, b) set, place or apply and c) to bury.  Interesting right?  Back is a noun, a verb and sometimes an adjective (definition).  It can mean the rear portion of the body serving to support, to cause to move backward, and/or situated at or near the rear.

Maybe it's me but taken separately, these terms seem to have a negative connotation.  I wouldn't want to use them to describe myself, especially if I'm attempting to make a great first impression.  Hopefully, the meshing of these two terms will have a sort of oxymoronic effect in the same vein as "seriously funny" and "unbiased opinion."  This is clearly confusing. lol

Ironically enough, laid back is defined as relaxed and free from stress (definition).  Ehh...not too bad I presume.  That knowledge still gives me pause and causes the connotation to morph.  I'm now thinking someone is lackadaisical, apathetic and weak minded. According the Urban Dictionary(definition), I'm not too far off the mark.  May not be the truth behind each person's use of the phrase, but perception is reality right?  We live by our stereotypes because they are built around some small amount of truth.  I just hope a pause comes prior to spouting out this term.  Next time you hear someone use it, give them a "say what?"

I Learned to Knit

It's been on my To Do list for quite awhile and time and space afforded me the chance to learn.  Free knitting lessons were offered at Hoover Library, so I signed up, marched into Michael's to purchase my materials and gave it my undivided attention.  I was thrilled to find the teacher learned from her grandmother and taught her son, a 20-something who was assisting, and that the students were a group of mixed ages and races.  It felt just right.

I got the beginning stages down pretty quickly, even though neither my confidence nor rhythm matched my skill.  But the teacher, and her young assistant were so encouraging that I felt I could knit an entire wardrobe by the time class was over.  Learning something new is always exhilarating; learning to create something with your own two hands is...invigorating and undoubtedly salubrious.  I feel like a superhero -- KnitWoman!  I'm going to knit my own cape LOL!

Afterwards I attended Purl @ the Plaza, an event that brings artists together every second Saturday.  By artists, I mean people who knit, crochet, tat, crewel, embroider, needlepoint and cross-stitch.  There was a fabulous mixture of women - and one man lounging on a sofa reading a book), door prizes and exchanges of ideas.  So many different projects were going and folks were quick and ready to discuss them.  Once settled into our respective projects, other conversations began.  I learned about grandchildren living abroad, audio-books, vacation destinations, elder care, romance and so much more.  All of this added an extra layer of exuberance to this experience making it a grand day.  I can hardly wait until next month.

In the meantime, would you like a hat or scarf?