Excellent day. Went for a walk first thing this morning with Coco. Met one of my neighbors at the end of the road and actually engaged in conversation, not bad for not yet having coffee. It was sunny, though there were enough clouds to remind me that we were due to have snow this afternoon. The dirt road was snow covered but thankfully not slick. Coco seemed to enjoy the walk as much as I did as she ran along the side of the road sniffing what I'm sure were the scents of not other dogs, but other animals that make their home in the woods that separate each home in this area.
I spent most of the day applying for corporate jobs and freelance writing jobs. FIve of each. The best part was that these were jobs that I would enjoy, both on the corporate side and the freelancing. I even went through the Ladders website to send out my resume to 20 of their recruiters. Today I finally managed to do what I've imagined, to dig deeper in the job hunt and pursue more meaningful contacts.
This evening I went to work on my novel and wrote another two pages. I'd love to reach 60,000 words by the end of the month or by the end of next week. Tomorrw, I'm going to switch it up and write in the morning.
Still to do: Push ups, sit ups, make progress in my book club selection.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
25 February 2010
Excellent day. Went for a walk first thing this morning with Coco. Met one of my neighbors at the end of the road and actually engaged in conversation, not bad for not yet having coffee. It was sunny, though there were enough clouds to remind me that we were due to have snow this afternoon. The dirt road was snow covered but thankfully not slick. Coco seemed to enjoy the walk as much as I did as she ran along the side of the road sniffing what I'm sure were the scents of not other dogs, but other animals that make their home in the woods that separate each home in this area.
I spent most of the day applying for corporate jobs and freelance writing jobs. FIve of each. The best part was that these were jobs that I would enjoy, both on the corporate side and the freelancing. I even went through the Ladders website to send out my resume to 20 of their recruiters. Today I finally managed to do what I've imagined, to dig deeper in the job hunt and pursue more meaningful contacts.
This evening I went to work on my novel and wrote another two pages. I'd love to reach 60,000 words by the end of the month or by the end of next week. Tomorrw, I'm going to switch it up and write in the morning.
Still to do: Push ups, sit ups, make progress in my book club selection.
I spent most of the day applying for corporate jobs and freelance writing jobs. FIve of each. The best part was that these were jobs that I would enjoy, both on the corporate side and the freelancing. I even went through the Ladders website to send out my resume to 20 of their recruiters. Today I finally managed to do what I've imagined, to dig deeper in the job hunt and pursue more meaningful contacts.
This evening I went to work on my novel and wrote another two pages. I'd love to reach 60,000 words by the end of the month or by the end of next week. Tomorrw, I'm going to switch it up and write in the morning.
Still to do: Push ups, sit ups, make progress in my book club selection.
It's Snowing in Evergreen and there's Elk in My Yard
Last weekend it snowed off and on for the entire weekend. The result was this beautiful, but fleeting display. By Tuesday, when the sun had come out the snow was still on the ground but the strong Colorado sun was quickly revealing the brown patches of pasture beneath. Luckily for me, it started snowing again this afternoon. A light dusting, perhaps no more than an inch or two, but I'll take it. I'm still holding out hopes for a real substantial snowfall like they've had on the East Coast. 
On Monday as we set the table for lunch, we looked out the kitchen window where normally we'd see Chickadees and Stellar Jays feeding from the birdfeeder. Instead we were greeted by eight elk who apparently have developed a taste for the sunflower seeds that get knocked out of the feeder and onto the ground. They were having quite a party and we're so thrilled with the easy meal that when I stepped in front of the window, they looked at me as if I was the curiosity.
And then there's Coco. She's got a special place in her heart for the birdfeeder as well...she's convinced that one of these days her incessant barking will persuade those birds to come down and play. Although I don't trust her intentions, they may be closer to those of the Big Bad Wolf toward Little Red Riding Hood.
How lovely it is to be in the snow. I wouldn't mind if it lasted all summer long!
25 February 2010
Excellent day. Went for a walk first thing this morning with Coco. Met one of my neighbors at the end of the road and actually engaged in conversation, not bad for not yet having coffee. It was sunny, though there were enough clouds to remind me that we were due to have snow this afternoon. The dirt road was snow covered but thankfully not slick. Coco seemed to enjoy the walk as much as I did as she ran along the side of the road sniffing what I'm sure were the scents of not other dogs, but other animals that make their home in the woods that separate each home in this area.
I spent most of the day applying for corporate jobs and freelance writing jobs. FIve of each. The best part was that these were jobs that I would enjoy, both on the corporate side and the freelancing. I even went through the Ladders website to send out my resume to 20 of their recruiters. Today I finally managed to do what I've imagined, to dig deeper in the job hunt and pursue more meaningful contacts.
This evening I went to work on my novel and wrote another two pages. I'd love to reach 60,000 words by the end of the month or the end of next week. Tomorrw, I'm going to switch it up and write in the morning.
Still to do: Push ups, sit ups, make progress in my book club selection.
I spent most of the day applying for corporate jobs and freelance writing jobs. FIve of each. The best part was that these were jobs that I would enjoy, both on the corporate side and the freelancing. I even went through the Ladders website to send out my resume to 20 of their recruiters. Today I finally managed to do what I've imagined, to dig deeper in the job hunt and pursue more meaningful contacts.
This evening I went to work on my novel and wrote another two pages. I'd love to reach 60,000 words by the end of the month or the end of next week. Tomorrw, I'm going to switch it up and write in the morning.
Still to do: Push ups, sit ups, make progress in my book club selection.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
24 February 2010
Took Mom to the airport this morning. Spoke with her this evening, she's safely back home in Fort Lauderdale and already missing me and the beauty of Evergreen. The house is a lot quieter without her here, but I hope she will enjoy the next six weeks with her friends. Then she'll fly back here and then off to Hawaii for a month to celebrate her friend's 90th birthday. Not bad for 84!
Can I match that energy? Let's see how much I can get done in the next six weeks. Today, two pages written in my novel. Twenty five sit ups. Ten push ups.
Can I match that energy? Let's see how much I can get done in the next six weeks. Today, two pages written in my novel. Twenty five sit ups. Ten push ups.
24 February 2010
Took Mom to the airport this morning. Spoke with her this evening, she's safely back home in Fort Lauderdale and already missing me and the beauty of Evergreen. The house is a lot quieter without her here, but I hope she will enjoy the next six weeks with her friends. Then she'll fly back here and then off to Hawaii for a month to celebrate her friend's 90th birthday. Not bad for 84!
Can I match that energy? Let's see how much I can get done in the next six weeks. Today, two pages written in my novel. Twenty five sit ups. Ten push ups.
Can I match that energy? Let's see how much I can get done in the next six weeks. Today, two pages written in my novel. Twenty five sit ups. Ten push ups.
24 February 2010
Took Mom to the airport this morning. Spoke with her this evening, she's safely back home in Fort Lauderdale and already missing me and the beauty of Evergreen. The house is a lot quieter without her here, but I hope she will enjoy the next six weeks with her friends. Then she'll fly back here and then off to Hawaii for a month to celebrate her friend's 90th birthday. Not bad for 84!
Can I match that energy? Let's see how much I can get done in the next six weeks. Today, two pages written in my novel. Twenty five sit ups. Ten push ups.
Can I match that energy? Let's see how much I can get done in the next six weeks. Today, two pages written in my novel. Twenty five sit ups. Ten push ups.
Monday, February 22, 2010
22 February 2010
After a rather depressing blog post, today was a better day. I got up and got to work at my computer first thing. I started with pursuing jobs at elance.com, I applied for seven new assignments. I believe now that bidding on jobs, composing proposals for the work, is a learning process, so rather than get discouraged if I get rejected, I will now consider that I am simply learning what to do better next time and one step closer to acceptance.
Second, I am staying with my commitment to the writing schedule I made for myself at the beginning of the year and have written a minimum of one page in my novel today. It's taking longer to write one page than it did to write two yesterday simply because I'm moving into new territory, unplotted, and the place in the novel for more suspense, something has to happen that will propel the action for the next few chapters, but I'm not sure what yet.
Second, I am staying with my commitment to the writing schedule I made for myself at the beginning of the year and have written a minimum of one page in my novel today. It's taking longer to write one page than it did to write two yesterday simply because I'm moving into new territory, unplotted, and the place in the novel for more suspense, something has to happen that will propel the action for the next few chapters, but I'm not sure what yet.
22 February 2010
After a rather depressing blog post I wrote yesterday over at Suzanne Anderson, today was a better day. I got up and got to work at my computer first thing. I started with pursuing jobs at elance.com, I applied for seven new assignments. I believe now that bidding on jobs, composing proposals for the work, is a learning process, so rather than get discouraged if I get rejected, I will now consider that I am simply learning what to do better next time and one step closer to acceptance.
Second, I am staying with my commitment to the writing schedule I made for myself at the beginning of the year and have written a minimum of one page in my novel today. It's taking longer to write one page than it did to write two yesterday simply because I'm moving into new territory, unplotted, and the place in the novel for more suspense, something has to happen that will propel the action for the next few chapters, but I'm not sure what yet.
Second, I am staying with my commitment to the writing schedule I made for myself at the beginning of the year and have written a minimum of one page in my novel today. It's taking longer to write one page than it did to write two yesterday simply because I'm moving into new territory, unplotted, and the place in the novel for more suspense, something has to happen that will propel the action for the next few chapters, but I'm not sure what yet.
22 February 2010
After a rather depressing blog post I wrote yesterday over at Suzanne Anderson, today was a better day. I got up and got to work at my computer first thing. I started with pursuing jobs at elance.com, I applied for seven new assignments. I believe now that bidding on jobs, composing proposals for the work, is a learning process, so rather than get discouraged if I get rejected, I will now consider that I am simply learning what to do better next time and one step closer to acceptance.
Second, I am staying with my commitment to the writing schedule I made for myself at the beginning of the year and have written a minimum of one page in my novel today. It's taking longer to write one page than it did to write two yesterday simply because I'm moving into new territory, unplotted, and the place in the novel for more suspense, something has to happen that will propel the action for the next few chapters, but I'm not sure what yet.
Second, I am staying with my commitment to the writing schedule I made for myself at the beginning of the year and have written a minimum of one page in my novel today. It's taking longer to write one page than it did to write two yesterday simply because I'm moving into new territory, unplotted, and the place in the novel for more suspense, something has to happen that will propel the action for the next few chapters, but I'm not sure what yet.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
21 February 2010
Today I wrote another 1,000 words / 4 pages in my WIP. I'm gathering momentum and really enjoying the writing process of this novel. I'm also looking forward to seeing where the story takes me, 55,000 words done, on to my target 100,000 word finish line.
21 February 2010
Today I wrote another 1,000 words / 4 pages in my WIP. I'm gathering momentum and really enjoying the writing process of this novel. I'm also looking forward to seeing where the story takes me, 55,000 words done, on to my target 100,000 word finish line.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Completion
This year, so far, has been one of begininngs. I moved to Evergreen, Colorado, I've undertaken a job hunt, I started writing again, working on a novel that I'd abandoned a year ago halfway through, and I've established a freelance writing business and am now looking for assignments. And while I am enjoying each of these endeavors, and trying to enjoy the 'journey', my heart longs for completion, for successfully obtaining a job, for a sense of attaining a goal.
When you are going through the daily, seemingly neverending hamster wheel of applying to and never hearing back from prospective employers, one aspect of the frustration is a sense of never having a feeling of accomplishment. In fact, I think this is the most difficult aspect of the process, the open-endedness of longing and wondering if and when I will achieve my purpose in being here.
For this reason I've discovered that there is an important need to devise tasks where I can have a sense of completion, of getting the job done, even while I'm waiting for a larger job to get done. That is where the usefulness of smaller milestones comes in handy. For instance, I have weekly page count goals with my novel that I strive to achieve. They are purposefully modest, a page a day or five pages a week. If I hit the minimum great, if I can do more than that, better still. I set the same type of goals with my daily applications to jobs and freelance assignments. The best part of the day is after I've accomplished those daily goals. The worst part is late at night when I start to worry that despite my efforts I feel that I haven't accomplished anything real.
What I'm struggling with right now is believing that past or current rejections will not last forever, that ultimately I will be successful, that I will find a job, that I will find a writing assignment, that I will ever see a novel published, that I will ever own my own home in the mountains.
Every night before I go to bed I read a page or two in a variety of inspirational books such as the classic THE GAME OF LIFE by Florence Scovel Shinn, or THE PURPOSE OF YOUR LIFE, by Carol Adrienne. Lately I've been reading Joel Osteen's latest, IT'S YOUR TIME. Last night I read, "God never aborts a dream. We may give up on it. We may delay it. But the seed God put in you never dies. All it takes is for you to believe once again." My greatest challenge right now is believing once again. And without some sense of accomplishment, I'm not sure how to believe in the absence of its evidence. Yes, I know, that is the very definition of faith...but how does one keep on believing in the absence of positive feedback? That's the crux of it for me.
When you are going through the daily, seemingly neverending hamster wheel of applying to and never hearing back from prospective employers, one aspect of the frustration is a sense of never having a feeling of accomplishment. In fact, I think this is the most difficult aspect of the process, the open-endedness of longing and wondering if and when I will achieve my purpose in being here.
For this reason I've discovered that there is an important need to devise tasks where I can have a sense of completion, of getting the job done, even while I'm waiting for a larger job to get done. That is where the usefulness of smaller milestones comes in handy. For instance, I have weekly page count goals with my novel that I strive to achieve. They are purposefully modest, a page a day or five pages a week. If I hit the minimum great, if I can do more than that, better still. I set the same type of goals with my daily applications to jobs and freelance assignments. The best part of the day is after I've accomplished those daily goals. The worst part is late at night when I start to worry that despite my efforts I feel that I haven't accomplished anything real.
What I'm struggling with right now is believing that past or current rejections will not last forever, that ultimately I will be successful, that I will find a job, that I will find a writing assignment, that I will ever see a novel published, that I will ever own my own home in the mountains.
Every night before I go to bed I read a page or two in a variety of inspirational books such as the classic THE GAME OF LIFE by Florence Scovel Shinn, or THE PURPOSE OF YOUR LIFE, by Carol Adrienne. Lately I've been reading Joel Osteen's latest, IT'S YOUR TIME. Last night I read, "God never aborts a dream. We may give up on it. We may delay it. But the seed God put in you never dies. All it takes is for you to believe once again." My greatest challenge right now is believing once again. And without some sense of accomplishment, I'm not sure how to believe in the absence of its evidence. Yes, I know, that is the very definition of faith...but how does one keep on believing in the absence of positive feedback? That's the crux of it for me.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
18 February 2010
Today was a productive day. I wrote 1000 words / 4 pages in my novel and applied to 5 jobs on elance.com. Now I'm going to read The Historian, a 650 page novel that we chose for our first book in my new book club. The only problem is that I'm only on page 175....hence the need to turn off the computer and open the book!
18 February 2010
Today was a productive day. I wrote 1000 words / 4 pages in my novel and applied to 5 jobs on elance.com. Now I'm going to read The Historian, a 650 page novel that we chose for our first book in my new book club. The only problem is that I'm only on page 175....hence the need to turn off the computer and open the book!
18 February 2010
Today was a productive day. I wrote 1000 words / 4 pages in my novel and applied to 5 jobs on elance.com. Now I'm going to read The Historian, a 650 page novel that we chose for our first book in my new book club. The only problem is that I'm only on page 175....hence the need to turn off the computer and open the book!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Thank You
Last Friday I posted a quick blog about Mom and I heading down to Jewish National Hospital to get some tests run and then dashed off a research question I had for a scene I was writing in my murder mystery, which I didn't have time to figure out because of that day's adventure.
You all generously chimed in with suggestions. And this past Sunday when my computer broke down, I finally had time, by necessity to go to the Evergreen public library to do that research. And of course, you were right on. In fact, the librarian showed me a reference page on the library's system that quickly took me to the State of Colorado's business license look up which allowed me to easily find the history of a local business.
I want to thank you all for your helping hand.
Today, we're heading back down to Denver to JNH, for another blood test that will measure the effectiveness of the cardiac medications that Mom's taking, her last blood test before she heads back home to Florida for a couple of months. Before I head out, I also want to thank you all for your encouraging words. Encouraging words are fuel for the journey and inspiration to do more and better. This road would be much lonelier without your friendship. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
You all generously chimed in with suggestions. And this past Sunday when my computer broke down, I finally had time, by necessity to go to the Evergreen public library to do that research. And of course, you were right on. In fact, the librarian showed me a reference page on the library's system that quickly took me to the State of Colorado's business license look up which allowed me to easily find the history of a local business.
I want to thank you all for your helping hand.
Today, we're heading back down to Denver to JNH, for another blood test that will measure the effectiveness of the cardiac medications that Mom's taking, her last blood test before she heads back home to Florida for a couple of months. Before I head out, I also want to thank you all for your encouraging words. Encouraging words are fuel for the journey and inspiration to do more and better. This road would be much lonelier without your friendship. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Monday, February 15, 2010
15 February 2010
Yesterday was quite a day. My computer died. This is the third computer that has died in the past year. Either I'm spending way too much time on the computer or I've just had a run of bad computer karma. First my Dell laptop died after 2 1/2 years of good service while I was doing my MBA. Then my HP laptop died within a couple short months of ownership. I got the hard drive replaced and gave it to my nephew as a going off to college present. I then bought a Toshiba netbook which I loaded up with Norton 360 and McAfee anti-virus software because in each of the previous computer failures, my hard drive died and the thought was that perhaps it was due to a virus.
Being very careful not to open any videos or strange websites and with the addition of the security software, I thought I was safe. Apparently not. The Toshiba is still under warranty so they will replace the hard drive, but sending it off means that I would be without my computer for a few weeks, as well as losing everything on my old hard drive.
A couple positives came out of this adventure. My files had been backed up on Norton's storage area online. I spent last night working with their technical service department to get them restored to the computer I bought yesterday at Wal-Mart. Luckily, I'd previously added a monitor and keyboard to my netbook to accomodate my poor eyesite and big paws, so all I had to replace was an inexpensive tower. I'd also backed up all of my photos to Picasa, google's free photo storage area, as well as storing my documents on a thumb drive I keep in my desk. The other positive was that this event forced me to finally go to the public library where I was able to do a little research, and yes, confirmed the good advice of my blogging friends regarding the 'mystery question' from last week.
Last night when I went to bed exhausted, I was also grateful. I counted the days events with gratitude that everything worked out well in the end despite my initial frustrations. And while the assistance the tech support guy offered didn't succeed in downloading my files properly, this evening I figured out how to do it myself and my files are now safely back on my desktop.
I'm also thinking of switching to an Apple.
Being very careful not to open any videos or strange websites and with the addition of the security software, I thought I was safe. Apparently not. The Toshiba is still under warranty so they will replace the hard drive, but sending it off means that I would be without my computer for a few weeks, as well as losing everything on my old hard drive.
A couple positives came out of this adventure. My files had been backed up on Norton's storage area online. I spent last night working with their technical service department to get them restored to the computer I bought yesterday at Wal-Mart. Luckily, I'd previously added a monitor and keyboard to my netbook to accomodate my poor eyesite and big paws, so all I had to replace was an inexpensive tower. I'd also backed up all of my photos to Picasa, google's free photo storage area, as well as storing my documents on a thumb drive I keep in my desk. The other positive was that this event forced me to finally go to the public library where I was able to do a little research, and yes, confirmed the good advice of my blogging friends regarding the 'mystery question' from last week.
Last night when I went to bed exhausted, I was also grateful. I counted the days events with gratitude that everything worked out well in the end despite my initial frustrations. And while the assistance the tech support guy offered didn't succeed in downloading my files properly, this evening I figured out how to do it myself and my files are now safely back on my desktop.
I'm also thinking of switching to an Apple.
15 February 2010
Yesterday was quite a day. My computer died. This is the third computer that has died in the past year. Either I'm spending way too much time on the computer or I've just had a run of bad computer karma. First my Dell laptop died after 2 1/2 years of good service while I was doing my MBA. Then my HP laptop died within a couple short months of ownership. I got the hard drive replaced and gave it to my nephew as a going off to college present. I then bought a Toshiba netbook which I loaded up with Norton 360 and McAfee anti-virus software because in each of the previous computer failures, my hard drive died and the thought was that perhaps it was due to a virus.
Being very careful not to open any videos or strange websites and with the addition of the security software, I thought I was safe. Apparently not. The Toshiba is still under warranty so they will replace the hard drive, but sending it off means that I would be without my computer for a few weeks, as well as losing everything on my old hard drive.
A couple positives came out of this adventure. My files had been backed up on Norton's storage area online. I spent last night working with their technical service department to get them restored to the computer I bought yesterday at Wal-Mart. Luckily, I'd previously added a monitor and keyboard to my netbook to accomodate my poor eyesite and big paws, so all I had to replace was an inexpensive tower. I'd also backed up all of my photos to Picasa, google's free photo storage area, as well as storing my documents on a thumb drive I keep in my desk. The other positive was that this event forced me to finally go to the public library where I was able to do a little research, and yes, confirmed the good advice of my blogging friends regarding the 'mystery question' from last week.
Last night when I went to bed exhausted, I was also grateful. I counted the days events with gratitude that everything worked out well in the end despite my initial frustrations. And while the assistance the tech support guy offered didn't succeed in downloading my files properly, this evening I figured out how to do it myself and my files are now safely back on my desktop.
I'm also thinking of switching to an Apple.
Being very careful not to open any videos or strange websites and with the addition of the security software, I thought I was safe. Apparently not. The Toshiba is still under warranty so they will replace the hard drive, but sending it off means that I would be without my computer for a few weeks, as well as losing everything on my old hard drive.
A couple positives came out of this adventure. My files had been backed up on Norton's storage area online. I spent last night working with their technical service department to get them restored to the computer I bought yesterday at Wal-Mart. Luckily, I'd previously added a monitor and keyboard to my netbook to accomodate my poor eyesite and big paws, so all I had to replace was an inexpensive tower. I'd also backed up all of my photos to Picasa, google's free photo storage area, as well as storing my documents on a thumb drive I keep in my desk. The other positive was that this event forced me to finally go to the public library where I was able to do a little research, and yes, confirmed the good advice of my blogging friends regarding the 'mystery question' from last week.
Last night when I went to bed exhausted, I was also grateful. I counted the days events with gratitude that everything worked out well in the end despite my initial frustrations. And while the assistance the tech support guy offered didn't succeed in downloading my files properly, this evening I figured out how to do it myself and my files are now safely back on my desktop.
I'm also thinking of switching to an Apple.
15 February 2010
Yesterday was quite a day. My computer died. This is the third computer that has died in the past year. Either I'm spending way too much time on the computer or I've just had a run of bad computer karma. First my Dell laptop died after 2 1/2 years of good service while I was doing my MBA. Then my HP laptop died within a couple short months of ownership. I got the hard drive replaced and gave it to my nephew as a going off to college present. I then bought a Toshiba netbook which I loaded up with Norton 360 and McAfee anti-virus software because in each of the previous computer failures, my hard drive died and the thought was that perhaps it was due to a virus.
Being very careful not to open any videos or strange websites and with the addition of the security software, I thought I was safe. Apparently not. The Toshiba is still under warranty so they will replace the hard drive, but sending it off means that I would be without my computer for a few weeks, as well as losing everything on my old hard drive.
A couple positives came out of this adventure. My files had been backed up on Norton's storage area online. I spent last night working with their technical service department to get them restored to the computer I bought yesterday at Wal-Mart. Luckily, I'd previously added a monitor and keyboard to my netbook to accomodate my poor eyesite and big paws, so all I had to replace was an inexpensive tower. I'd also backed up all of my photos to Picasa, google's free photo storage area, as well as storing my documents on a thumb drive I keep in my desk. The other positive was that this event forced me to finally go to the public library where I was able to do a little research, and yes, confirmed the good advice of my blogging friends regarding the 'mystery question' from last week.
Last night when I went to bed exhausted, I was also grateful. I counted the days events with gratitude that everything worked out well in the end despite my initial frustrations. And while the assistance the tech support guy offered didn't succeed in downloading my files properly, this evening I figured out how to do it myself and my files are now safely back on my desktop.
I'm also thinking of switching to an Apple.
Being very careful not to open any videos or strange websites and with the addition of the security software, I thought I was safe. Apparently not. The Toshiba is still under warranty so they will replace the hard drive, but sending it off means that I would be without my computer for a few weeks, as well as losing everything on my old hard drive.
A couple positives came out of this adventure. My files had been backed up on Norton's storage area online. I spent last night working with their technical service department to get them restored to the computer I bought yesterday at Wal-Mart. Luckily, I'd previously added a monitor and keyboard to my netbook to accomodate my poor eyesite and big paws, so all I had to replace was an inexpensive tower. I'd also backed up all of my photos to Picasa, google's free photo storage area, as well as storing my documents on a thumb drive I keep in my desk. The other positive was that this event forced me to finally go to the public library where I was able to do a little research, and yes, confirmed the good advice of my blogging friends regarding the 'mystery question' from last week.
Last night when I went to bed exhausted, I was also grateful. I counted the days events with gratitude that everything worked out well in the end despite my initial frustrations. And while the assistance the tech support guy offered didn't succeed in downloading my files properly, this evening I figured out how to do it myself and my files are now safely back on my desktop.
I'm also thinking of switching to an Apple.
Friday, February 12, 2010
12 February 2010
After my first month in Evergreen, I realized that I was lonely and needed to do something to meet new friends. That need became the impetus to create a book club via the innovative services provided by meetup.com Not only did I have eight book and wine loving people show up at the first meeting, through another group I joined on meetup.com I met a new walking buddy. Lessons learned: 1) if you want something in your life, take action: intention + action = results, 2) the Internet is truly a wonderful resource for accomplishing #1.
After two months of applying for jobs without results, my ego was bruised and I wanted a way to take control of my productivity. While reading an article in Entrepreneur magazine last week, I came across a mention of elance.com, a website which creates a marketplace for freelancers and those seeking their services, to meet and create. So, today I hung out my shingle.
While I will continue to apply for 'traditional' corporate jobs, I am excited to also begin an entrepreneurial endeavor that will allow me to expand my career horizons, work at becoming better at something I love (writing) and feel productive again. I even created a free logo at vistaprints.com (which you can see above) because I like to dream big!
I still worry about the 'what will I do when my lease runs out at the end of May' scenario. Yes, it would certainly make my life easier if I had a great paying, regular job by then and even a house picked out to buy. If I don't I'll have to make some hard decisions. I am grateful, however, for the gift of this period of uncertainty. It has forced me to take risks I wouldn't otherwise have taken and expanded my horizons into areas I only dreamed of. So with the fear, there is an excitement to see where this unexpected path leads.
12 February 2010
After two months of applying for jobs without results, my ego was bruised and I wanted a way to take control of my productivity. While reading an article in Entrepreneur magazine last week, I came across a mention of elance.com, a website which creates a marketplace for freelancers and those seeking their services, to meet and create. So, today I hung out my shingle.
While I will continue to apply for 'traditional' corporate jobs, I am excited to also begin an entrepreneurial endeavor that will allow me to expand my career horizons, work at becoming better at something I love (writing) and feel productive again. I even created a free logo at vistaprints.com (which you can see above) because I like to dream big!
I still worry about the 'what will I do when my lease runs out at the end of May' scenario. Yes, it would certainly make my life easier if I had a great paying, regular job by then and even a house picked out to buy. If I don't I'll have to make some hard decisions. I am grateful, however, for the gifts of this period of uncertainty. It has forced me to take risks I wouldn't otherwise have taken and expanded my horizons into areas I only dreamed of. So with the fear, there is an excitement to see where this unexpected path leads.
12 February 2010
After two months of applying for jobs without results, my ego was bruised and I wanted a way to take control of my productivity. While reading an article in Entrepreneur magazine last week, I came across a mention of elance.com, a website which creates a marketplace for freelancers and those seeking their services, to meet and create. So, today I hung out my shingle.
While I will continue to apply for 'traditional' corporate jobs, I am excited to also begin an entrepreneurial endeavor that will allow me to expand my career horizons, work at becoming better at something I love (writing) and feel productive again. I even created a free logo at vistaprints.com (which you can see above) because I like to dream big!
I still worry about the 'what will I do when my lease runs out at the end of May' scenario. Yes, it would certainly make my life easier if I had a great paying, regular job by then and even a house picked out to buy. If I don't I'll have to make some hard decisions. I am grateful, however, for the gifts of this period of uncertainty. It has forced me to take risks I wouldn't otherwise have taken and expanded my horizons into areas I only dreamed of. So with the fear, there is an excitement to see where this unexpected path leads.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
10 February 2010 and a Mystery Question
I'm going to be gone all day tomorrow, at the National Jewish Hospital in Denver again with Mom making the rounds of doctors visits. Everything is fine, in fact, we love how thorough they are, we're just doing the follow-up visits to last week's MRI of her heart.
Along with my other 'little' business project, I've been working on my murder mystery. I've begun playing with a new twist in the plot and there is a question that I know at least one of you very smart people out there will know the answer to:
If I wanted to find out how long a local business in a small village had been in business, for instance, or to look up their business license to see whose name was listed there, would I go to the library, the Chamber of Commerce, or the municipal government offices?
Anyone know the answer?
Along with my other 'little' business project, I've been working on my murder mystery. I've begun playing with a new twist in the plot and there is a question that I know at least one of you very smart people out there will know the answer to:
If I wanted to find out how long a local business in a small village had been in business, for instance, or to look up their business license to see whose name was listed there, would I go to the library, the Chamber of Commerce, or the municipal government offices?
Anyone know the answer?
10 February 2010 and a Mystery Question
I'm going to be gone all day tomorrow, at the National Jewish Hospital in Denver again with Mom making the rounds of doctors visits. Everything is fine, in fact, we love how thorough they are, we're just doing the follow-up visits to last week's MRI of her heart.
Along with my other 'little' business project, I've been working on my murder mystery. I've begun playing with a new twist in the plot and there is a question that I know at least one of you very smart people out there will know the answer to:
If I wanted to find out how long a local business in a small village had been in business, for instance, or to look up their business license to see whose name was listed there, would I go to the library, the Chamber of Commerce, or the municipal government offices?
Anyone know the answer?
Along with my other 'little' business project, I've been working on my murder mystery. I've begun playing with a new twist in the plot and there is a question that I know at least one of you very smart people out there will know the answer to:
If I wanted to find out how long a local business in a small village had been in business, for instance, or to look up their business license to see whose name was listed there, would I go to the library, the Chamber of Commerce, or the municipal government offices?
Anyone know the answer?
10 February 2010 and a Mystery Question
I'm going to be gone all day tomorrow, at the National Jewish Hospital in Denver again with Mom making the rounds of doctors visits. Everything is fine, in fact, we love how thorough they are, we're just doing the follow-up visits to last week's MRI of her heart.
Along with my other 'little' business project, I've been working on my murder mystery. I've begun playing with a new twist in the plot and there is a question that I know at least one of you very smart people out there will know the answer to:
If I wanted to find out how long a local business in a small village had been in business, for instance, or to look up their business license to see whose name was listed there, would I go to the library, the Chamber of Commerce, or the municipal government offices?
Anyone know the answer?
Along with my other 'little' business project, I've been working on my murder mystery. I've begun playing with a new twist in the plot and there is a question that I know at least one of you very smart people out there will know the answer to:
If I wanted to find out how long a local business in a small village had been in business, for instance, or to look up their business license to see whose name was listed there, would I go to the library, the Chamber of Commerce, or the municipal government offices?
Anyone know the answer?
Monday, February 8, 2010
8 February 2010
Finally a good day. Okay, that's a bit dramatic and not true. I mean, today was a good day, but the 'finally' is a bit too much. There have been other good days here, I'm just too tough on myself to acknowledge them unless they're good on my terms.
Enough with the confessional/definitional, back to the good day. Today I have finally taken a positive step in taking control of my career. A friend of mine (L.) has told me that I'm not allowed to elaborate on projects/interviews/kissing frogs until they come to pass so that I don't jinx the outcome. So, let's just say that I am taking steps which will allow me to work for myself, or at least to dip my toe into the water and see how it goes....
I will still continue my daily job search for more 'traditional' corporate jobs that I can do remotely (read: at home or in Paris, Hvar, Friday Harbor, etc.) but I'm excited to give this a try and see if it generates a little pocket money or a full-fledged financially independent career. Fingers crossed.
Enough with the confessional/definitional, back to the good day. Today I have finally taken a positive step in taking control of my career. A friend of mine (L.) has told me that I'm not allowed to elaborate on projects/interviews/kissing frogs until they come to pass so that I don't jinx the outcome. So, let's just say that I am taking steps which will allow me to work for myself, or at least to dip my toe into the water and see how it goes....
I will still continue my daily job search for more 'traditional' corporate jobs that I can do remotely (read: at home or in Paris, Hvar, Friday Harbor, etc.) but I'm excited to give this a try and see if it generates a little pocket money or a full-fledged financially independent career. Fingers crossed.
8 February 2010
Finally a good day. Okay, that's a bit dramatic and not true. I mean, today was a good day, but the 'finally' is a bit too much. There have been other good days here, I'm just too tough on myself to acknowledge them unless they're good on my terms.
Enough with the confessional/definitional, back to the good day. Today I have finally taken a positive step in taking control of my career. A friend of mine (L.) has told me that I'm not allowed to elaborate on projects/interviews/kissing frogs until they come to pass so that I don't jinx the outcome. So, let's just say that I am taking steps which will allow me to work for myself, or at least to dip my toe into the water and see how it goes....
I will still continue my daily job search for more 'traditional' corporate jobs that I can do remotely (read: at home or in Paris, Hvar, Friday Harbor, etc.) but I'm excited to give this a try and see if it generates a little pocket money or a full-fledged financially independent career. Fingers crossed.
Enough with the confessional/definitional, back to the good day. Today I have finally taken a positive step in taking control of my career. A friend of mine (L.) has told me that I'm not allowed to elaborate on projects/interviews/kissing frogs until they come to pass so that I don't jinx the outcome. So, let's just say that I am taking steps which will allow me to work for myself, or at least to dip my toe into the water and see how it goes....
I will still continue my daily job search for more 'traditional' corporate jobs that I can do remotely (read: at home or in Paris, Hvar, Friday Harbor, etc.) but I'm excited to give this a try and see if it generates a little pocket money or a full-fledged financially independent career. Fingers crossed.
8 February 2010
Finally a good day. Okay, that's a bit dramatic and not true. I mean, today was a good day, but the 'finally' is a bit too much. There have been other good days here, I'm just too tough on myself to acknowledge them unless they're good on my terms.
Enough with the confessional/definitional, back to the good day. Today I have finally taken a positive step in taking control of my career. A friend of mine (L.) has told me that I'm not allowed to elaborate on projects/interviews/kissing frogs until they come to pass so that I don't jinx the outcome. So, let's just say that I am taking steps which will allow me to work for myself, or at least to dip my toe into the water and see how it goes....
I will still continue my daily job search for more 'traditional' corporate jobs that I can do remotely (read: at home or in Paris, Hvar, Friday Harbor, etc.) but I'm excited to give this a try and see if it generates a little pocket money or a full-fledged financially independent career. Fingers crossed.
Enough with the confessional/definitional, back to the good day. Today I have finally taken a positive step in taking control of my career. A friend of mine (L.) has told me that I'm not allowed to elaborate on projects/interviews/kissing frogs until they come to pass so that I don't jinx the outcome. So, let's just say that I am taking steps which will allow me to work for myself, or at least to dip my toe into the water and see how it goes....
I will still continue my daily job search for more 'traditional' corporate jobs that I can do remotely (read: at home or in Paris, Hvar, Friday Harbor, etc.) but I'm excited to give this a try and see if it generates a little pocket money or a full-fledged financially independent career. Fingers crossed.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
7 February 2010
Brave Suzanne.
A lighthearted aside.
It's snowing in Evergreen today. Ah, finally. Snow. How long has it been? 2 weeks? 4 weeks? Long enough so that the last snowfall has begun to melt and brown patches of tall grass interrupted my normally snow-covered fields. So, yes, today's snowfall however light, made my day.
As to the 'brave Suzanne' headline? Mid-afternoon I decided I had to have Buffalo wings to eat while watching the Super Bowl. So I bundled up and got in the Hummer and drove to the supermarket. I thought, what a brave girl I am to venture out in this snowstorm to get the makings for wings.
ha.
What a Florida girl I am.
As I drove by the lake at the center of town, I looked over to see at least fifty brave souls not letting a light two inches of snow curtail their afternoon of ice skating.
And the supermarket was packed.
Brave Suzanne, indeed.
A lighthearted aside.
It's snowing in Evergreen today. Ah, finally. Snow. How long has it been? 2 weeks? 4 weeks? Long enough so that the last snowfall has begun to melt and brown patches of tall grass interrupted my normally snow-covered fields. So, yes, today's snowfall however light, made my day.
As to the 'brave Suzanne' headline? Mid-afternoon I decided I had to have Buffalo wings to eat while watching the Super Bowl. So I bundled up and got in the Hummer and drove to the supermarket. I thought, what a brave girl I am to venture out in this snowstorm to get the makings for wings.
ha.
What a Florida girl I am.
And the supermarket was packed.
Brave Suzanne, indeed.
7 February 2010
Brave Suzanne.
A lighthearted aside.
It's snowing in Evergreen today. Ah, finally. Snow. How long has it been? 2 weeks? 4 weeks? Long enough so that the last snowfall has begun to melt and brown patches of tall grass interrupted my normally snow-covered fields. So, yes, today's snowfall however light, made my day.
As to the 'brave Suzanne' headline? Mid-afternoon I decided I had to have Buffalo wings to eat while watching the Super Bowl. So I bundled up and got in the Hummer and drove to the supermarket. I thought, what a brave girl I am to venture out in this snowstorm to get the makings for wings.
ha.
What a Florida girl I am.
As I drove by the lake at the center of town, I looked over to see at least fifty brave souls not letting a light two inches of snow curtail their afternoon of ice skating.
And the supermarket, packed.
Brave Suzanne.
A lighthearted aside.
It's snowing in Evergreen today. Ah, finally. Snow. How long has it been? 2 weeks? 4 weeks? Long enough so that the last snowfall has begun to melt and brown patches of tall grass interrupted my normally snow-covered fields. So, yes, today's snowfall however light, made my day.
As to the 'brave Suzanne' headline? Mid-afternoon I decided I had to have Buffalo wings to eat while watching the Super Bowl. So I bundled up and got in the Hummer and drove to the supermarket. I thought, what a brave girl I am to venture out in this snowstorm to get the makings for wings.
ha.
What a Florida girl I am.
And the supermarket, packed.
Brave Suzanne.
7 February 2010
Brave Suzanne.
A lighthearted aside.
It's snowing in Evergreen today. Ah, finally. Snow. How long has it been? 2 weeks? 4 weeks? Long enough so that the last snowfall has begun to melt and brown patches of tall grass interrupted my normally snow-covered fields. So, yes, today's snowfall however light, made my day.
As to the 'brave Suzanne' headline? Mid-afternoon I decided I had to have Buffalo wings to eat while watching the Super Bowl. So I bundled up and got in the Hummer and drove to the supermarket. I thought, what a brave girl I am to venture out in this snowstorm to get the makings for wings.
ha.
What a Florida girl I am.
As I drove by the lake at the center of town, I looked over to see at least fifty brave souls not letting a light two inches of snow curtail their afternoon of ice skating.
And the supermarket, packed.
Brave Suzanne.
A lighthearted aside.
It's snowing in Evergreen today. Ah, finally. Snow. How long has it been? 2 weeks? 4 weeks? Long enough so that the last snowfall has begun to melt and brown patches of tall grass interrupted my normally snow-covered fields. So, yes, today's snowfall however light, made my day.
As to the 'brave Suzanne' headline? Mid-afternoon I decided I had to have Buffalo wings to eat while watching the Super Bowl. So I bundled up and got in the Hummer and drove to the supermarket. I thought, what a brave girl I am to venture out in this snowstorm to get the makings for wings.
ha.
What a Florida girl I am.
And the supermarket, packed.
Brave Suzanne.
Friday, February 5, 2010
God the Father
First, I want to clarify that I am a big fan of a verse from the book of Genesis which paraphrased states: "Abraham feared the Lord, and it was credited to him as righteousness". A fear of God is something I live by, not a cowering fear, but certainly a healthy respect. But that is one facet of my complex relationship with the Almighty. My relationship with God is often times like that of a daughter and a father. Often times a bratty adolescent daughter....
I admire those writers who seem to have a deep and abiding relationship with God, where they regularly hear Him speak to them through prayer, or the Bible, or through others. Their faith is unswerving and reinforced by these regular communications. My relationship with God has been more complicated, often hallmarked by God's silence and my petulant rants. The most common manifestation of this being my nightly talks with God late at night when I walk outside and stare up at the stars and ask God why I haven't heard or seen an answer to my latest pressing prayer. This dialogue has gone on for years and yet the result remains the same.
There have been moments of greatest frustration that have caused me to turn my back on God, as a child folds its arms over its chest and says to its parent, "I'm not talking to you anymore!" and then looks over its shoulder just to be sure the parent is still paying attention. That's me. I'm pouting, I'm stamping my foot, I'm shouting that I've had enough and not ever going to say another stupid prayer again in my life, because obviously no one's listening. And then I peek over my shoulder and repeat my threat again, just for good measure.
And this is when I'm sure that God laughs.
Because God knows me all too well. That I find my one sided dialogue with Him too irresistible to ever stop. Too hopeful, to ever stop hoping. Too lonely, to ever consider the silence that would grow larger without those prayers.
I have seen the hand of God in small ways and in large. I have watched my needs provided for when I was willing to be guided, to act sensibly, to take action. I have seen my mother healed when her doctors made grave prognosis. I have seen myself mature over the years, to 'put away childish things' and accept responsibility for my actions and to understand that over night sensations and miracles are usually built on a foundation of hard work. Still, I feel as if I have prayed the same prayer for a career to call my own and a place to call home for fourteen years without an answer and I have cried in frustration, 'why not this prayer, the one that means so much to me, why can't you answer this one?'
Parker J. Palmer writes in Let Your Life Speak, that during his own search for meaning and silence from God, he turned to a life-long Quaker for advice:
"Ruth," I said, "people keep telling me that 'way will open' Well I sit in the silence, I pray, I listen for my calling, but way is not opening. I've been trying to find my vocation for a long time, and I still don't have the foggiest idea of what I'm meant to do. Way may open for other people, but it's sure not opening for me."
Ruth's reply was a model of Quaker plain-speaking. "...in sixty-plus years of living, way has never opened in front of me...But a lot of way has closed behind me, and that's had the same guiding effect."
When I think of all the doors that have been closed, sometimes in the most painful ways, I wonder if that is another way that God speaks to us. And that as Parker J. Palmer goes on to say, that when we encounter those closed doors we need to turn around and look at all the doors that remain open for us to try, rather than getting stuck in a dead end. I like that perspective, to turn around and focus on all the possibilities that remain open to try, new paths that we would not have considered if we'd received our first choice.
My hope is that my prayers are being answered. Perhaps in small incremental steps that I take each day and which are so small that I cannot see my progress, but which someday I will look back on and see that I have found the answer and see God's hand guiding me all along.
And God laughing. At. Me.
I admire those writers who seem to have a deep and abiding relationship with God, where they regularly hear Him speak to them through prayer, or the Bible, or through others. Their faith is unswerving and reinforced by these regular communications. My relationship with God has been more complicated, often hallmarked by God's silence and my petulant rants. The most common manifestation of this being my nightly talks with God late at night when I walk outside and stare up at the stars and ask God why I haven't heard or seen an answer to my latest pressing prayer. This dialogue has gone on for years and yet the result remains the same.
There have been moments of greatest frustration that have caused me to turn my back on God, as a child folds its arms over its chest and says to its parent, "I'm not talking to you anymore!" and then looks over its shoulder just to be sure the parent is still paying attention. That's me. I'm pouting, I'm stamping my foot, I'm shouting that I've had enough and not ever going to say another stupid prayer again in my life, because obviously no one's listening. And then I peek over my shoulder and repeat my threat again, just for good measure.
And this is when I'm sure that God laughs.
Because God knows me all too well. That I find my one sided dialogue with Him too irresistible to ever stop. Too hopeful, to ever stop hoping. Too lonely, to ever consider the silence that would grow larger without those prayers.
I have seen the hand of God in small ways and in large. I have watched my needs provided for when I was willing to be guided, to act sensibly, to take action. I have seen my mother healed when her doctors made grave prognosis. I have seen myself mature over the years, to 'put away childish things' and accept responsibility for my actions and to understand that over night sensations and miracles are usually built on a foundation of hard work. Still, I feel as if I have prayed the same prayer for a career to call my own and a place to call home for fourteen years without an answer and I have cried in frustration, 'why not this prayer, the one that means so much to me, why can't you answer this one?'
Parker J. Palmer writes in Let Your Life Speak, that during his own search for meaning and silence from God, he turned to a life-long Quaker for advice:
"Ruth," I said, "people keep telling me that 'way will open' Well I sit in the silence, I pray, I listen for my calling, but way is not opening. I've been trying to find my vocation for a long time, and I still don't have the foggiest idea of what I'm meant to do. Way may open for other people, but it's sure not opening for me."
Ruth's reply was a model of Quaker plain-speaking. "...in sixty-plus years of living, way has never opened in front of me...But a lot of way has closed behind me, and that's had the same guiding effect."
When I think of all the doors that have been closed, sometimes in the most painful ways, I wonder if that is another way that God speaks to us. And that as Parker J. Palmer goes on to say, that when we encounter those closed doors we need to turn around and look at all the doors that remain open for us to try, rather than getting stuck in a dead end. I like that perspective, to turn around and focus on all the possibilities that remain open to try, new paths that we would not have considered if we'd received our first choice.
My hope is that my prayers are being answered. Perhaps in small incremental steps that I take each day and which are so small that I cannot see my progress, but which someday I will look back on and see that I have found the answer and see God's hand guiding me all along.
And God laughing. At. Me.
5 February 2010
Today was spent at Jewish National Hospital down in Denver. Mom had an MRI scheduled as well as visits with two doctors. Everything went well and we'll hear the results of the MRI of her heart next Friday when we drive back down to meet with her cardiologist.
While I sat in the waiting room, I took advantage of the time away from my computer by reading Down to Business: The First 10 Steps to Entrepreneurship for Women. This book provides very practical advice for every step of the start-up, written by Clara Villarosa, who started and ran a very successful business when she was laid off from a high profile bank job at the age of 52. The nuts and bolts of business start-up are interspersed with stories of real women who created businesses both small and large.
While I don't currently have a specific idea that would provide the impetus to start my own business, it's something I'm extremely motivated to try, if I could conceive of a viable business. So, why not be prepared, just in case?
While I sat in the waiting room, I took advantage of the time away from my computer by reading Down to Business: The First 10 Steps to Entrepreneurship for Women. This book provides very practical advice for every step of the start-up, written by Clara Villarosa, who started and ran a very successful business when she was laid off from a high profile bank job at the age of 52. The nuts and bolts of business start-up are interspersed with stories of real women who created businesses both small and large.
While I don't currently have a specific idea that would provide the impetus to start my own business, it's something I'm extremely motivated to try, if I could conceive of a viable business. So, why not be prepared, just in case?
5 February 2010
Today was spent at Jewish National Hospital down in Denver. Mom had an MRI scheduled as well as visits with two doctors. Everything went well and we'll hear the results of the MRI of her heart next Friday when we drive back down to meet with her cardiologist.
While I sat in the waiting room, I took advantage of the time away from my computer by reading Down to Business: The First 10 Steps to Entrepreneurship for Women. This book provides very practical advice for every step of the start-up, written by Clara Villarosa, who started and ran a very successful business when she was laid off from a high profile bank job at the age of 52. The nuts and bolts of business start-up are interspersed with stories of real women who created businesses both small and large.
While I don't currently have a specific idea that would provide the impetus to start my own business, it's something I'm extremely motivated to try, if I could conceive of a viable business. So, why not be prepared, just in case?
While I sat in the waiting room, I took advantage of the time away from my computer by reading Down to Business: The First 10 Steps to Entrepreneurship for Women. This book provides very practical advice for every step of the start-up, written by Clara Villarosa, who started and ran a very successful business when she was laid off from a high profile bank job at the age of 52. The nuts and bolts of business start-up are interspersed with stories of real women who created businesses both small and large.
While I don't currently have a specific idea that would provide the impetus to start my own business, it's something I'm extremely motivated to try, if I could conceive of a viable business. So, why not be prepared, just in case?
5 February 2010
Today was spent at Jewish National Hospital down in Denver. Mom had an MRI scheduled as well as visits with two doctors. Everything went well and we'll hear the results of the MRI of her heart next Friday when we drive back down to meet with her cardiologist.
While I sat in the waiting room, I took advantage of the time away from my computer by reading Down to Business: The First 10 Steps to Entrepreneurship for Women. This book provides very practical advice for every step of the start-up, written by Clara Villarosa, who started and ran a very successful business when she was laid off from a high profile bank job at the age of 52. The nuts and bolts of business start-up are interspersed with stories of real women who created businesses both small and large.
While I don't currently have a specific idea that would provide the impetus to start my own business, it's something I'm extremely motivated to try, if I could conceive of a viable business. So, why not be prepared, just in case?
While I sat in the waiting room, I took advantage of the time away from my computer by reading Down to Business: The First 10 Steps to Entrepreneurship for Women. This book provides very practical advice for every step of the start-up, written by Clara Villarosa, who started and ran a very successful business when she was laid off from a high profile bank job at the age of 52. The nuts and bolts of business start-up are interspersed with stories of real women who created businesses both small and large.
While I don't currently have a specific idea that would provide the impetus to start my own business, it's something I'm extremely motivated to try, if I could conceive of a viable business. So, why not be prepared, just in case?
Thursday, February 4, 2010
4 February 2010
The best part of my day is the last part of my day. That is when I finish with the job hunt and allow myself to open the file that contains my novel in progress and as I stare at the blank page, I allow a new part of the story to unfold. I can't explain what a pleasure it is when that mysterious process happens. One minute I am looking at the last sentences of a chapter and wondering where the story needs to go next. And the next moment I am creating that story out of thin air. I don't know where the ideas come from but when the first glimmer of a thread shows itself, I gently grasp it and begin to type and slowly step forward and see where it leads.
That is when time stands still or flies by or loses its shape and form altogether. And when I've finished my writing for the day, I'm really happy. For the first time in all the years that I've been writing, I'm not putting any pressure on myself. I don't care whether this novel is ever published, I'm not telling myself that everything is riding on this book. I'm writing for my own enjoyment, because although it's already 275 pages long, it's only halfway through and it's my first murder mystery, so it's a new genre and a new adventure. All of these reasons make it a pure pleasure.
Since these entries are about my journey to create the perfect career, let me add that the feeling that I have when I'm writing is what I would love to feel when I am in my right career.
That is when time stands still or flies by or loses its shape and form altogether. And when I've finished my writing for the day, I'm really happy. For the first time in all the years that I've been writing, I'm not putting any pressure on myself. I don't care whether this novel is ever published, I'm not telling myself that everything is riding on this book. I'm writing for my own enjoyment, because although it's already 275 pages long, it's only halfway through and it's my first murder mystery, so it's a new genre and a new adventure. All of these reasons make it a pure pleasure.
Since these entries are about my journey to create the perfect career, let me add that the feeling that I have when I'm writing is what I would love to feel when I am in my right career.
4 February 2010
The best part of my day is the last part of my day. That is when I finish with the job hunt and allow myself to open the file that contains my novel in progress and as I stare at the blank page, I allow a new part of the story to unfold. I can't explain what a pleasure it is when that mysterious process happens. One minute I am looking at the last sentences of a chapter and wondering where the story needs to go next. And the next moment I am creating that story out of thin air. I don't know where the ideas come from but when the first glimmer of a thread shows itself, I gently grasp it and begin to type and slowly step forward and see where it leads.
That is when time stands still or flies by or loses its shape and form altogether. And when I've finished my writing for the day, I'm really happy. For the first time in all the years that I've been writing, I'm not putting any pressure on myself. I don't care whether this novel is ever published, I'm not telling myself that everything is riding on this book. I'm writing for my own enjoyment, because although it's already 275 pages long, it's only halfway through and it's my first murder mystery, so it's a new genre and a new adventure. All of these reasons make it a pure pleasure.
Since these entries are about my journey to create the perfect career, let me add that the feeling that I have when I'm writing is what I would love to feel when I am in my right career.
That is when time stands still or flies by or loses its shape and form altogether. And when I've finished my writing for the day, I'm really happy. For the first time in all the years that I've been writing, I'm not putting any pressure on myself. I don't care whether this novel is ever published, I'm not telling myself that everything is riding on this book. I'm writing for my own enjoyment, because although it's already 275 pages long, it's only halfway through and it's my first murder mystery, so it's a new genre and a new adventure. All of these reasons make it a pure pleasure.
Since these entries are about my journey to create the perfect career, let me add that the feeling that I have when I'm writing is what I would love to feel when I am in my right career.
4 February 2010
The best part of my day is the last part of my day. That is when I finish with the job hunt and allow myself to open the file that contains my novel in progress and as I stare at the blank page, I allow a new part of the story to unfold. I can't explain what a pleasure it is when that mysterious process happens. One minute I am looking at the last sentences of a chapter and wondering where the story needs to go next. And the next moment I am creating that story out of thin air. I don't know where the ideas come from but when the first glimmer of a thread shows itself, I gently grasp it and begin to type and slowly step forward and see where it leads.
That is when time stands still or flies by or loses its shape and form altogether. And when I've finished my writing for the day, I'm really happy. For the first time in all the years that I've been writing, I'm not putting any pressure on myself. I don't care whether this novel is ever published, I'm not telling myself that everything is riding on this book. I'm writing for my own enjoyment, because although it's already 275 pages long, it's only halfway through and it's my first murder mystery, so it's a new genre and a new adventure. All of these reasons make it a pure pleasure.
Since these entries are about my journey to create the perfect career, let me add that the feeling that I have when I'm writing is what I would love to feel when I am in my right career.
That is when time stands still or flies by or loses its shape and form altogether. And when I've finished my writing for the day, I'm really happy. For the first time in all the years that I've been writing, I'm not putting any pressure on myself. I don't care whether this novel is ever published, I'm not telling myself that everything is riding on this book. I'm writing for my own enjoyment, because although it's already 275 pages long, it's only halfway through and it's my first murder mystery, so it's a new genre and a new adventure. All of these reasons make it a pure pleasure.
Since these entries are about my journey to create the perfect career, let me add that the feeling that I have when I'm writing is what I would love to feel when I am in my right career.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
3 February 2010
On Monday, after another day of applying to jobs, I sent an email to Marc Cenedella, President of The Ladders.com, a job hunting website that I subscribe to. In addition to running that site, Marc sends our an email newsletter and runs a blog with job hunting advice.
My decision to send an email to him was completely spontaneous. In fact, what I did was send him a copy of a recent post I wrote after the President's SOTU address in which I lamented the lack of progress I was having with my job hunt and my resulting frustration.
Remarkably, I received a reply from someone at the Ladders within 24 hours, a detailed email full of suggestions on how to better use their website to improve my job search as well as encouragement to contact them with any questions I might have. I also received a follow up email from Marc.
The point of this post is twofold:
1) Sometimes, perhaps more often than not, if we are proactive we achieve amazing results that do indeed help us to move forward in our projects.
2) Customer service is, or should be, a company's most valuable asset. The Ladders showed that my membership and my feedback was valued. That's how you attract and maintain customer loyalty.
My decision to send an email to him was completely spontaneous. In fact, what I did was send him a copy of a recent post I wrote after the President's SOTU address in which I lamented the lack of progress I was having with my job hunt and my resulting frustration.
Remarkably, I received a reply from someone at the Ladders within 24 hours, a detailed email full of suggestions on how to better use their website to improve my job search as well as encouragement to contact them with any questions I might have. I also received a follow up email from Marc.
The point of this post is twofold:
1) Sometimes, perhaps more often than not, if we are proactive we achieve amazing results that do indeed help us to move forward in our projects.
2) Customer service is, or should be, a company's most valuable asset. The Ladders showed that my membership and my feedback was valued. That's how you attract and maintain customer loyalty.
3 February 2010
On Monday, after another day of applying to jobs, I sent an email to Marc Cenedella, President of The Ladders.com, a job hunting website that I subscribe to. In addition to running that site, Marc sends our an email newsletter and runs a blog with job hunting advice.
My decision to send an email to him was completely spontaneous. In fact, what I did was send him a copy of a recent post I wrote after the President's SOTU address in which I lamented the lack of progress I was having with my job hunt and my resulting frustration.
Remarkably, I received a reply from someone at the Ladders within 24 hours, a detailed email full of suggestions on how to better use their website to improve my job search as well as encouragement to contact them with any questions I might have. I also received a follow up email from Marc.
The point of this post is twofold:
1) Sometimes, perhaps more often than not, if we are proactive we achieve amazing results that do indeed help us to move forward in our projects.
2) Customer service is, or should be, a company's most valuable asset. The Ladders showed that my membership and my feedback was valued. That's how you attract and maintain customer loyalty.
My decision to send an email to him was completely spontaneous. In fact, what I did was send him a copy of a recent post I wrote after the President's SOTU address in which I lamented the lack of progress I was having with my job hunt and my resulting frustration.
Remarkably, I received a reply from someone at the Ladders within 24 hours, a detailed email full of suggestions on how to better use their website to improve my job search as well as encouragement to contact them with any questions I might have. I also received a follow up email from Marc.
The point of this post is twofold:
1) Sometimes, perhaps more often than not, if we are proactive we achieve amazing results that do indeed help us to move forward in our projects.
2) Customer service is, or should be, a company's most valuable asset. The Ladders showed that my membership and my feedback was valued. That's how you attract and maintain customer loyalty.
Launch of the Evergreen Vine and Book Club
Last night I hosted the first meeting of the Evergreen Vine and Book Club. It was a great evening with eight new members joining the group and we're expecting another 5 or so in March! I wanted to share with you a recap of the evening that I've sent out to members, as well as a picture of our participants. This turned out to be a wonderful way to meet new friends. After this experience, I highly recommend meetup.com as an organizational tool to set up local clubs and to find friends with similar interests.
Hi Everyone,
Last night we had the first meeting of the Evergreen Vine and Book Club! What a great group of men and women showed up to create a fascinating evening of conversation, wine and books. The evening started with a meet and greet around a table of wine and appetizers, we then moved to seats around the fireplace for our discussion of books. The atmosphere was relaxed and everyone contributed to a lively discussion of what we should read as our first book. If you weren't able to join us, don't worry, I've included our book pick below and we are looking forward to meeting you at our meeting in March!
Half the group was interested in non-fiction, specifically history and science. The other half was interested in fiction, with an interest in historical fiction, bestseller, and the classics. In the end, Lindsey, one of our very avid readers, suggested a book that captures the interest of both groups.
For the month of February, we've chosen THE HISTORIAN by Elizabeth Kostova. Since the book was published in 2005, you should be able to find it at your local public library, it's also available in hardback, paperback, audio and ebook at all price points. For instance, on amazon.com, you can find used copies of both the hardback and paperback for as little as $0.01 + $3.99 delivery.
Here's a brief description of the book from amazon's website:
In 1972, a 16-year-old American living in Amsterdam finds a mysterious book in her diplomat father's library. The book is ancient, blank except for a sinister woodcut of a dragon and the word "Drakulya," but it's the letters tucked inside, dated 1930 and addressed to "My dear and unfortunate successor," that really pique her curiosity. Her widowed father, Paul, reluctantly provides pieces of a chilling story; it seems this ominous little book has a way of forcing itself on its owners, with terrifying results. Paul's former adviser at Oxford, Professor Rossi, became obsessed with researching Dracula and was convinced that he remained alive. When Rossi disappeared, Paul continued his quest with the help of another scholar, Helen, who had her own reasons for seeking the truth. As Paul relates these stories to his daughter, she secretly begins her own research. Kostova builds suspense by revealing the threads of her story as the narrator discovers them: what she's told, what she reads in old letters and, of course, what she discovers directly when the legendary threat of Dracula looms. Along with all the fascinating historical information, there's also a mounting casualty count, and the big showdown amps up the drama by pulling at the heartstrings at the same time it revels in the gruesome. Exotic locales, tantalizing history, a family legacy and a love of the bloodthirsty: it's hard to imagine that readers won't be bitten, too.
We will discuss THE HISTORIAN at our next meeting, Tuesday, March 2nd. We'll also be picking our next book at that meeting. Our next book will be non-fiction, so please come prepared to suggest a non-fiction book you'd love to read! Also, THE HISTORIAN is a long book, so if you don't have time to read the entire book by our March meeting, or if it's just not your cup of tea, please come anyway, you'll enjoy meeting new people, good wine, and food and conversation that covers books and non-book interests as well.
You are welcome to bring a bottle of wine or an appetizer to share with the group.
I want to thank everyone who came to our first meeting. For those who were unable to join us because of last minute work commitments, we missed you and look forward to meeting you in March!
All the best,
Suzanne
BOOK GIVEAWAY UPDATE: Well, sometimes you just can't give a book away! There were no takers for DON'T LETS GO TO THE DOGS TONIGHT, so I'll take Larramie's advice that this is a sign that either it's meant to remain on my shelves or I've yet to meet the person to pass it on to. Believe me, I even tried to give it away last night at the book club meeting and guess what, no takers!
Last night we had the first meeting of the Evergreen Vine and Book Club! What a great group of men and women showed up to create a fascinating evening of conversation, wine and books. The evening started with a meet and greet around a table of wine and appetizers, we then moved to seats around the fireplace for our discussion of books. The atmosphere was relaxed and everyone contributed to a lively discussion of what we should read as our first book. If you weren't able to join us, don't worry, I've included our book pick below and we are looking forward to meeting you at our meeting in March!
Half the group was interested in non-fiction, specifically history and science. The other half was interested in fiction, with an interest in historical fiction, bestseller, and the classics. In the end, Lindsey, one of our very avid readers, suggested a book that captures the interest of both groups.
For the month of February, we've chosen THE HISTORIAN by Elizabeth Kostova. Since the book was published in 2005, you should be able to find it at your local public library, it's also available in hardback, paperback, audio and ebook at all price points. For instance, on amazon.com, you can find used copies of both the hardback and paperback for as little as $0.01 + $3.99 delivery.
Here's a brief description of the book from amazon's website:
In 1972, a 16-year-old American living in Amsterdam finds a mysterious book in her diplomat father's library. The book is ancient, blank except for a sinister woodcut of a dragon and the word "Drakulya," but it's the letters tucked inside, dated 1930 and addressed to "My dear and unfortunate successor," that really pique her curiosity. Her widowed father, Paul, reluctantly provides pieces of a chilling story; it seems this ominous little book has a way of forcing itself on its owners, with terrifying results. Paul's former adviser at Oxford, Professor Rossi, became obsessed with researching Dracula and was convinced that he remained alive. When Rossi disappeared, Paul continued his quest with the help of another scholar, Helen, who had her own reasons for seeking the truth. As Paul relates these stories to his daughter, she secretly begins her own research. Kostova builds suspense by revealing the threads of her story as the narrator discovers them: what she's told, what she reads in old letters and, of course, what she discovers directly when the legendary threat of Dracula looms. Along with all the fascinating historical information, there's also a mounting casualty count, and the big showdown amps up the drama by pulling at the heartstrings at the same time it revels in the gruesome. Exotic locales, tantalizing history, a family legacy and a love of the bloodthirsty: it's hard to imagine that readers won't be bitten, too.
We will discuss THE HISTORIAN at our next meeting, Tuesday, March 2nd. We'll also be picking our next book at that meeting. Our next book will be non-fiction, so please come prepared to suggest a non-fiction book you'd love to read! Also, THE HISTORIAN is a long book, so if you don't have time to read the entire book by our March meeting, or if it's just not your cup of tea, please come anyway, you'll enjoy meeting new people, good wine, and food and conversation that covers books and non-book interests as well.
You are welcome to bring a bottle of wine or an appetizer to share with the group.
I want to thank everyone who came to our first meeting. For those who were unable to join us because of last minute work commitments, we missed you and look forward to meeting you in March!
All the best,
Suzanne
BOOK GIVEAWAY UPDATE: Well, sometimes you just can't give a book away! There were no takers for DON'T LETS GO TO THE DOGS TONIGHT, so I'll take Larramie's advice that this is a sign that either it's meant to remain on my shelves or I've yet to meet the person to pass it on to. Believe me, I even tried to give it away last night at the book club meeting and guess what, no takers!
3 February 2010
On Monday, after another day of applying to jobs, I sent an email to Marc Cenedella, President of The Ladders.com, a job hunting website that I subscribe to. In addition to running that site, Marc sends our an email newsletter and runs a blog with job hunting advice.
My decision to send an email to him was completely spontaneous. In fact, what I did was send him a copy of a recent post I wrote after the President's SOTU address in which I lamented the lack of progress I was having with my job hunt and my resulting frustration.
Remarkably, I received a reply from someone at the Ladders within 24 hours, a detailed email full of suggestions on how to better use their website to improve my job search as well as encouragement to contact them with any questions I might have. I also received a follow up email from Marc.
The point of this post is twofold:
1) Sometimes, perhaps more often than not, if we are proactive we achieve amazing results that do indeed help us to move forward in our projects.
2) Customer service is, or should be, a company's most valuable asset. The Ladders showed that my membership and my feedback was valued. That's how you attract and maintain customer loyalty.
My decision to send an email to him was completely spontaneous. In fact, what I did was send him a copy of a recent post I wrote after the President's SOTU address in which I lamented the lack of progress I was having with my job hunt and my resulting frustration.
Remarkably, I received a reply from someone at the Ladders within 24 hours, a detailed email full of suggestions on how to better use their website to improve my job search as well as encouragement to contact them with any questions I might have. I also received a follow up email from Marc.
The point of this post is twofold:
1) Sometimes, perhaps more often than not, if we are proactive we achieve amazing results that do indeed help us to move forward in our projects.
2) Customer service is, or should be, a company's most valuable asset. The Ladders showed that my membership and my feedback was valued. That's how you attract and maintain customer loyalty.
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