Ouch!

Nat's really doing her job. Well. I've been this sore before, but not in awhile, so it feels good. No pain no gain. I've taken today off, and will resume with Nat Monday. In the interim, I will practice yoga and pilates (maybe) and perhaps a muscle sculpting class. Today, however is completely off. No nothing.

I got a rejection from one of my wish list agents, and I have heard back from the third, but we haven't spoken and I can't tell the verdict from his messages. For gosh sake, put some good energy out there for me! This is important! Don't you want to read Her Essence? I'd like you to.

Work on the other books is going well, and I even started Essence 2! I re-read Taming Roland, and I was astounded. It is better than I dreamed (you all know that this one started from a dream right?) Actually, both of them did. All that and a new twist!

Anyhow, enjoy your weekend, read something wonderful. Oh, by the way, I heard the most wonderful joke today:

Q. How many Leos does it take to change a light bulb?

A. Leos don't change light bulbs, but their agent will be right on it!

I thought it was cute, if not stereotypical and not at all like my fellow lionesses;). They must be referring to the August Leos.

Andrea

Another Post on our Differences

I do believe that men and women are innately different. Even as children, girls gravitate towards flowers, pinks and purples, while boys prefer action figures, cars and trucks. Of course, this is not true for ALL girls and boys, but it IS rather standard as it's well documented everywhere and nothing new.

A difference, however, is in the way we process each other.

Within a week's time, I've been 'hit on' by a sixteen and an eighty year old. And it leaves me baffled. I'm not sure what about me says, "come hither" to BOTH a sixteen year old and an eighty year old.

The sixteen year old approached me as if it was the most normal thing in the world to come on to me. He's a student at the school where I'm tutoring math (stop laughing!) Anyhow, he never speaks, but only mutters things under his breath and gestures with his hands. Not Thursday. Thursday, he followed me into the classroom (not his period) and asked (after checking me out in the hallway mind you...) "So what takes place in this room?"

Baffled that he even had a voice and was articulate, I responded, "Math tutoring?" scrunching my nose, and hardly looking 'come hither.' He sat next to me and engaged me in conversation. Still perplexed, I stopped him mid sentence and said, "I've never heard you speak more than a few words." A teacher across the room who had witnessed this minor miracle said, "I've never heard him speak at all!"

Enough about him...on to his great grandfather...

At the healthclub, my latest hang, I stood and looked around for a particular machine when I heard a a small voice ask me, "Are you lost?"

I looked around and saw an elderly gentleman smiling at me. I'm a polite young lady, so I smiled back and said, "No, I'll find it."

My new friend decided he had selective hearing and ushered me over to the *ahem* glute machine. A machine that would hoist my bottom up in the air while I kicked my leg up...or pushed, depending on the weight...unbeknownst to me as I'd never tried it.

Naive little me thought, "Oh what a nice man trying to help me out." And then I got on the machine as he stood back and watched. "This is a good machine. I love it," he said, and I now know why, as his bottom was anything but rock hard. I was tempted to ask how often he used it.

I looked back at him and said as sweetly as I could, "okay, I got it." And I thought HE got it until I saw his hand come up to pat me. My bottom was poised eye level, and surely his target until he met my glare. He moved up and pat me on the back and said, "Have a good workout."

I discussed this with a friend, who says that large eyes are a universal symbol for friendliness or beauty...think of all the Disney cartoons, Betty Boop, etc. And I get that because children and babies LOVE me...BUT there's no mistaking a glare no matter how large or small your eyes are.

What the hey?!?!?? Can anyone shed any light on the topic? Why are men so forward? With my grand and teen, I figure one had nothing to loose and the other everything to gain...in that order. Regardless, I'm toning down the 'love' room per Feng Shui and adjusting it to about 25-45, perhaps there were some toys and let's just say, something not young in the room. More on Feng Shui discoveries later.

Change

As I was driving my rather boring and familiar path this morning...to the health club (for yoga!) to Whole Foods, and back home, I questioned if I'd taken the right path at almost every street.

Everything is blooming, and thus bigger and greener, and different. Every street looked unfamiliar from just a few days ago. I knew instinctively where to turn, as I take this route ALL THE TIME, yet, once on the street, I would slow down and look for familiar landmarks. I wouldn't feel comfortable until I saw the little white and green school, or the beautiful mansion I envision living in one day...I want it to look just like that one.

Anyhow, as I was driving home, several thoughts flooded my brain. The first of which, "SPRING IS HERE!!! YEA!" The other thoughts turned more somber. It's a stretch as far as transitions go, but what the hey...it's *my* blog and I'll transition the way I want.

I began thinking about people. The people I interact with on a daily basis, simply because we occupy this space together at this time. So not people I associate with purposely or may work with, but people who also shop at Whole Foods, or work out at my health club, or neighbors...

Anyhow, I began to think about the way they take who I am for granted, giving me a script that I'm supposed to play out. I don't like being assigned things. Not by bosses, not by extraneous people, and everyone inbetween. When you're on auto-pilot, as I was driving today, you miss out on the beauty the trees hold. You miss the change. You miss out on the detail, and it's in the detail that such beautiful things are found.

People who only see me superficially miss out on who it is I really am, the beauty of me. When relationships/associations start out like that, and I can claim about a million as corporate America is the PRIME example of this, everyone is disappointed. The boss who put you in a square box, and later found out you were actually a circle (after much turmoil and frustration by both), and you because you hoped this person was different and would view you as an individual, and not a stereotype. It's sad really, but that's exactly how people are going through life. They may see the trees change, etc., but they're not seeing the beauty in each other.

I read a blog the other day, I'm not sure where, and even if I did, I probably couldn't link to it...for another day...anyway, it asks you to write 10 things you want to say to someone. I can only think of one: Stop judging me, for goodness' sake. If you have nothing positive to think, then just stop thinking of me all together.

For lunch today, I'm preparing tuna with guacamole and I'm having a glass of champagne with strawberries. I'm celebrating my beautiful self.

Getting Serious

Okay people! I'm getting serious. I'm getting Natalie. Natalie is my new personal trainer for the spring...spring training so to speak! I hope you'll all recognize me this summer;)

This is not a slam on my love, yoga. I truly love yoga and am not sure what I'd do without it, but, well, let's just say I want to see the scale's needle actually move...preferably south (and besides, I have to get ready for my book cover picture). I'm sure you'll be hearing more about my new friend Nat, that's what I call her now. I'm sure that will change after awhile.

Feel free to send me words of encouragement.

Wright on...

Spotted at Serendipity

I found this on another blog and thought it looked like fun...besides, the extrovert in me would like to share...

The Rules:
1. You can only say YES or NO!
2. You are NOT ALLOWED to explain ANYTHING unless someone messages you and asks!

Taken a picture naked?: No
Made out with a member of the same sex?: No
Danced in front of your mirror?: Yes
Told a lie?: Yes
Gotten in a car with people you just met?: Yes
Been in a fist fight?: No
Had feelings for someone who didn't have them back?: Yes
Been arrested?: No
Slept in a bed with a member of the same sex?: Yes
Seen someone die?: No
Kissed a picture?: No
Slept in until 3?: No
Laid on your back and watched cloud shapes go by?: Yes
Played dress up?: Yes
Fallen asleep at work?: Yes
Had sex at work?: Unfortunately, no
Felt an earthquake?: Yes
Touched a snake?: Yes
Ran a red light?: Yes
Been in a car accident?: Yes
Pole danced: Yes
Been lost?: Yes
Sang karaoke?: No
Done something you told yourself you wouldn't?: Yes
Laughed until something you were drinking came out your nose?: Yes
Caught a snowflake on your tongue?: Yes
Kissed in the rain?: No
Sang in the shower?: Yes
Got your tongue stuck to a pole?: No
Sat on a roof top?: Yes
Played chicken?: No
Raised chickens?: No
Been pushed into a pool with all your clothes on?: No
Been told you're hot by a complete stranger?: YES!
Broken a bone?: No
Mooned/flashed someone?: No
Forgotten someone's name?: Yes
Slept naked?: Yes
Blacked out from drinking?: No?
Played a prank on someone?: Yes
Felt like killing someone?: Yes
Made a parent swear?: Yes
Cried over someone?: Yes
Had sex more than 5 times in one day?: No
Had/Have a dog?: No
Been in a band?: No
Drank 25 sodas in a day?: No
Shot a gun?: Yes

Rather tame I think...feel free to do this activity on your own. It brings back fun memories.

Extrovert or Introvert?

Over dinner about a month ago, I discovered that a dear friend is an introvert.

“An introvert!? But you give presentations, aren’t shy in the least, and you talk non-stop! If anyone, between the two of us, are introverts, it’s me, and I’m not because I took the Myers-Briggs test,” I said, befuddled.

Well, she had taken it too, and she tested as an introvert.

After we compared our E/I S/N T/F J/P’s, she had this to say: “There’s more to being an introvert than being shy. Many introverts aren’t shy, and there are some extroverts who are. For instance, I get up in front of hundreds of people and speak, but I really enjoy my time alone and if I’m at an event, I’m headed home by ten o’clock at the latest...I’m drained.”

I thought about what she said, I consider myself quiet and observant, but it pains me to write at home at my computer… alone. I would MUCH rather be somewhere (tropical island) with pen and paper in hand, surrounded by several hundred people, and write. I told my friend this.

“See! That’s just it! You draw from external sources, I draw from an internal source and can spend days in front of my computer alone.”

So I did a little thinking on the topic of introverts and extroverts and this is what I’ve come up with…I was a psychology major, so bear with me.

There are four types of people (outside of the 16 identified in the Myers-Briggs test): Introverted Introverts (II), Introverted Extroverts (IE), Extroverted Introverts (EI), and Extroverted Extroverts (EE). I will use myself as an example (the extrovert in me demanding that I do…by the way, I’m an IE, so I'll delve only so far)

I can stay up until two or three o’clock in the morning…ONLY if I’m attending a party. Subsequently closing the party down. If I’m at home, I’m out by 10:00 at the latest. (E)
I like to dine and movie-go alone (I)
I prefer to go to a coffee house/ restaurant/ bar to write (E)
I write (I) (stereotype…I know)
I like to be the center of attention (E)
I get to the center of attention by way of being mysterious, ie., quiet and observant (I)
I blog (E)

On the Meyers-Briggs test, say there were 15 questions that assessed your I/E, I scored 8 in Extrovert and 7 in Introvert, drawing a very fine line.

So, which do you think you are???

RANDOM THOUGHTS

Driving is the single most unfeminine thing I do on a daily basis. Really...and I’m all about sports, playing them as well as watching. When driving, you must sit with your legs separated, arms out in front…at least one arm for me, as I like to drive with my hand on my hip—not that anyone can see this sexy stance. Not to mention maneuvering in and out of the darned things (cars). Trying to be cute while driving is really a feat, hats off to those of us that make it happen.

Speaking of arms out in front, why do people drive with two hands on the steering wheel when we have knees?

If politicians love to hear themselves speak, is it also strange but true logic that figures actors love to see themselves and writers enjoy reading their own words?

Why do we have terms/words in the English language like: Old Soul, Reincarnation, Karma and Past lives? Is there any truth to these notions and if so—what’s the real deal please? Do I have another shot at this or what?

Speaking of past lives, I wonder what would happen if you ran into yourself by chance. Say you’re a history buff and you read about some king or queen that really made a difference, or not…and it was you in a past life? Would that cause one to go insane if they figured out that it was they?

Let’s take this idea one step further, if you’ll allow me to digress…let’s take someone really notorious…like Adolf Hitler.

1. Here’s a person who’s ego entered a room well before he did (let’s just say he liked himself plenty).
2. The ultimate elitist
3. He never drank
4. He never smoked
5. He loved his wife (I’m guessing less than he loved himself…but whatever)
6. Controversial to say the least

If you believe in karma/past lives, etc., who would he be today?

Really, who do you think???





My guess is James Frey. Now wait a minute, let me explain:

1. Here’s a person who really hated himself, so much so that his life was one of the most destructive paths recorded (if you believe certain parts of the book)
2. Just your liking him was enough to put you on the bad list with him…it wasn’t you who wasn’t good enough, it was him
3. He drank…a lot
4. He smoked anything he could fit into a crack pipe
5. Let’s just say he had relationship problems with women
6. A Million Little Pieces = One big controversy
7. I’m not sure if he’s Jewish, but let’s just say for kicks and grins he is. Perhaps cause for all the self hate… what if you were Adolf and came back as a Jewish person…hmmm. It would explain a lot about James, no?

Just a thought, albeit random.

Driver has Flash of Inspiration

Guess what??? One of my stories was published in the Chicago Tribune today (Q section, Diary)


I blogged about flashing my brights earlier, Rebel with a Cause, March 16th. As a little test, I sent it in about two weeks ago and it got picked up!!!

Needless to say, I'm thrilled (and sending more work out!)

More later, as I've had a few very interesting thoughts of late.

Christmas in April

Hi All! I am now well into my thirties (and very proud of it, but don't mistake me for anywhere past 35 thank you very much!In fact, let's just say I'm thirty). A strange and sad thing happened to me after I turned thirty: I stopped getting excited about Christmas, birthdays and all holidays in between.

I'm not sure why, how or exactly when (only noting that it happened after I turned 30)all this happened, but I noticed one day that I began to wait until the last moment to purchase Christmas presents-- like December 24th. I started sending e-cards to friends and family for their birthdays. I would forget that my own birthday, certainly a day of celebration, was forthcoming by July 2nd.

Fast forward (not that far!!!) to yesterday. I called the two agents who requested partials and fulls of HER ESSENCE. I just wanted to make sure they received my mailing (despite the fact that I paid the extra $0.50 to verify this fact online).

Agent A: "H has been out of the office for two weeks. I'm sure that's why she hasn't gotten back to you. I'll let her know you called."

Agent B: "Please leave a message after the beep..."

So today I check my agent email (much like I would imagine a crack addict would check his/her cell phone for messages from her pusher...is pusher the right word in 2006???) Anyhow, I had a message. Seeing that there was a message sent a number of thoughts through my clouded mind (going through something right now) and I was excited, anxious-- the good anxious-- and nervous (same thing, I know, but without my thesaurus at the moment.) I thought, "Here we go! An email can't be good news...I called them. This can not be it! Come on M or H...good news, good news. I've rearranged my ENTIRE house based on Feng Shui learnings (well, the first floor anyway)!!!"

I happened to purchase my favorite Merlot...now, please note, I am NOT a fan of Merlot, but Rutherford Hill was on sale and it's my favorite Merlot and the only Merlot I drink. I opened it because red gets things going according to Feng Shui philosophy, so I grabbed it. I digress...I switched to the writer email and then poured a glass of the Merlot. After a sip I opened the email message.

It was from agent A. She received my partial and my message. She's been on vacation for two weeks and looks forward to reading HER ESSENCE. Will get back to me soon...begs forgiveness....

At that moment, I experienced Christmas, Birthday...which isn't until July...the 24th to be exact for those taking note and would like to send a gift (I am a Leo for gosh sake) and all favorite holidays in between. The anticipation was a huge rush. One I haven't felt in a long time.

That's how I know I'm on the right path, my path, the one I was meant to be on. I didn't feel this way when my headhunter called me regarding my interview Friday...in fact, I just felt anxious (the bad anxious). My joy is back. I'm doing this for me, despite the outcome. Really and truly! Okay, maybe for Blythe and me...or for the young, old, and all in between women of all races...and men who are enlightened. (I'd hate to offend and cut off a potential reader/buyer). I can't wait until you read HER ESSENCE...and it is amazing. I look forward to getting it out there for you.

Women's Intuition

What exactly is women’s intuition? Is it the same thing that a man would call gut instinct? And why are there two definitions in the first place? My thoughts on the subject: intuition or whatever you call it, is something akin to a sixth sense, an odd feeling, an inexplicable moment when you simply know something, do something or feel something (usually important to you, but not always so).

I think I’ve been more inclined to call mine a gut instinct…as I am sometimes described as more male than female, perhaps: FeMALe or feMALE, but certainly a young lady, but I digress. Lately I’ve been much more in tune with my intuition: slowing down to find a police car just a mile ahead (without assistance by way of flashing brights), slowing down, unprovoked, and avoiding a bird or a squirrel (spring is certainly here in Chicago), catching things before they fall, turning on the radio to find my favorite song playing, keeping quiet when things could potentially go very wrong for me if I don’t (this is another blog altogether as I’m usually prone to speaking my mind no matter the cost).

It’s like I’m listening to me more; that quiet voice that just seems to know the best path. Only the voice is getting louder or maybe I’m just listening more closely. Yoga has helped with this, as has meditation (and I’m sure Brend touched my third eye somewhere on my foot…see On the Side for further explanation). Whatever the cause, I’m looking forward to throwing caution to the wind and following this unseen map my life’s course is on. Something is in motion and I just know it will be great, I can feel it in my gut.

My Confession

I can't believe it's been a week since I've written. In the blog that is. I've spent my time away well, writing: Taming Roland, entering contests and the sort. I have yet to finalize my contest submissions, but I'm very, VERY excited about them.

I have to confess to you, however. It seems that whenever I get on track with my writing...my passion, and true love (not withstanding Blythe, Yoga and Reflexology. Really, I could go on and on with my loves but who has the time?) an opportunity arises that seems better than all the rest. I get sucked right back into Corporate America with a single vow: It will be better this time! I have sworn off the corporate life (several times) in an effort to give writing a real go and thus giving in to the Bohemian lifestyle I believe I was made for, so I confess that I interviewed for a job.

This time it's an Assistant Vice President of Advertising position. Long, long ago I thought my world would revolve around advertising. Today, I know that I was wrong. Writing is my passion. I learned a lot about myself as I studied advertising in college, but I've learned so much more through writing(fodder for another blog).

Anyhow, here I am faced with yet ANOTHER distraction from my writing. This is indeed the perfect job (and I know they all are until you accept the position). So I interviewed Friday. We'll see what happens. I will keep you posted, as I only interviewed and they did not demand that I take the job on the spot (what are they crazy...or just psychic???)

Have a great weekend, do something fun, *SPRING* is near here in Chicago.