jdDubs - Your Legs Are Amazing... Jealousy doesn't begin...

I saw this over on Borrowing Heaven, Subletting Hell. I couldn't stop watching. The music is awesome, the dancing is terrrific and the legs. Holy cow, the legs! So jealous. Yep, I said it. Jealous.

In the RWR this month (December) there is an article about jealousy versus envy and the emotional impact of each. 

I think it's important to remember why you're doing what you're doing. If you're writing and you're the competitive type, this isn't the industry for you. Everyone in the publishing world says "reading is subjective". Most rejections are based on this principle. Many agents and editors will say - Just because the story didn't grab me, doesn't mean it won't grab someone else". And of course readers are the utmost in subjective examples.

Have you ever had a friend suggest a book to you which you then went on to hate? Or a movie? Or music?  How do you establish the success of that item? Based on your likes or your friends? Also, Twilight, Harry Potter, and Hunger Games are wildly popular - but only to a certain reader. I adored all three and my husband is rather ho-hum about each (he wouldn't be if he would read them!).

But the point is - how can a person be jealous of another when everything in this business is subjective? Someone else's success may be appealing from the outside, but we have no idea what it looks like from the inside.

Do you think I'm way off base?

- Pathies

Apathy - state of indifference.  Example: We have grown apathetic as a society toward others suffering.

Sympathy - closely understanding anothers feelings. Example: She was sympathetic to her friend's loss.

Empathy - to share feelings. Example: He had lost his mother, too, and could empathize with her.

When you read a book, do you feel apathy? Sympathy? or Empathy?
When you watch a movie, a commercial, the news, etc. do you feel any of the above?

Oooh, Turkey and Mashed Potatoes

So what do you do with your Thanksgiving leftovers?

I make sandwiches and just lots and lots more platefuls. woot!

I will be taking a blogging break this weekend and will return on Monday, hopefully with more inspired posts and topics. 

Have a great Thanksgiving Day my fellow Americans. And if you're one of my international comrades - please know that I'm thankful for you as well.

Gratitude isn't limited to nationality or day. It is a frame of heart and mind.

Well, You Might Not Like Me... But ----

Remember in grade school when there was always someone picked last? Yeah, it was usually me. Not because I wasn't a fast runner or a good sport, but because I was always a little too... blunt.

Someone recently said I tell it like it is and not too many people are comfortable with that. *grin*. Is that okay that I'm the one that usually doesn't sit on my hands? That I usually have my opinions on my sleeve?

Does it make it better or worse that I enjoy hearing other people's opinions? I think our beliefs and opinions make us who we are and if nothing else, I LOVE hearing about what makes others tick.

I never really argue topics though. A friend of mine and I got into a really great lengthy discussion on the pros and cons of our political beliefs. Not once did either of us get angry or upset. We actually laughed about our differences. I can't remember which on said it, but throughout the course of the conversation we returned to a statement along these lines:

One of us will be right and the other can wait until the one that is currently right is wrong.

Maybe I'm too confident that anything can be resolved with contemplation and kindness. I'm usually very slow to react to something negative. I'll take at LEAST 24 hours to reply to an email or phone call or letter (who gets those?) with a negative message inside. Emotions can jack you up and make the situation worse.

Especially when dealing with others opinions and beliefs.

I'm passionate about what I feel, think, believe, live, etc. and about what you feel, think, believe, live, etc.

What are you passionate about?

I WANT TO CRY!

I will discuss this next week. YUM!

It's dirt biking Friday, but I have to put the bikes away. Snow has fallen and there is no question it's here to stay. We have about 5 inches that has dropped in the last few hours. *tear* The bikes are gonna have to hibernate for this season.

But you know what that leaves more time for? Reading - books, blogs, my own work, and anything else I can get my hands on. Woot!

But I still want to cry. I love the riding weather.

Thanks for listening to my tears. Now it's time to move on.

So, I put the bike away, pull out some work and we will maybe discuss snowboarding and other fun things on Fridays until biking season opens up again.

Anything you'd like to talk about? Questions? I'd love to hear from you - either email me on the right or comment here.

What's going on in your neck of the woods?

For My New IWL Friends - And You If You're Interested!

I had the opportunity to discuss epublishing with the Idaho Writers' League of Coeur d'Alene this morning. Great group of people!

I thought I would post the links for the free books online right now for them - and for you, if you're interested.
Amazon's Top 100 Free List

And

Nook's

Thanks again, y'all!

Do You Have a Support System?

This last Saturday was our November "Holiday" party for the local chapter of RWA.

We had a blast. Literally. I'm on the board and those ladies (with one awesome man! - not in attendance) voted in the past board for next year, we had our business meeting, a terrific potluck, gift exchange, and inspiring conversation.

I left feeling like my writing side had been edified. There is something about spending time with those who understand your career choice. Likeminded not only about writing, but about publication, genre, and industry.

Again, I had a blast.  I'm a member of the Inland Empire Chapter of Romance Writers of America. Join us for some fun!

Do you belong to a chapter of RWA? How about any writing group? Or any hobby group? What organizations to you belong to?

I have a Tree of Veteran's!

I love these guys! All of these gentleman are currently living family that has or is serving.

I stick up for Vets. With fierceness and loyalty.

And when I stick up for the military and those serving our Country, I'm not doing it because of some political agenda, some religious belief or because I like the colors Red, White and Blue.

I love Veterans because of their service. MY blood is out there fighting. MY family is protecting. MY family has lost. If you look at your own lineage - do you have anyone who has served? Then you, my dear friend, have a part of you that was out there on that line, too.

Do you honor them? I do. I love my military family. They are the strongest branches of the tree.

THANK YOU!

(Brother – Air Force – Currently)

(Grandpa – Army – WWII)

(Uncle – Navy)

(Father-in-Law – Army)

(Brother-in-Law – Army)

(Grandpa – Navy)

(Uncle – Coast Guard)

(Dad – Coast Guard)



Even Mad, I'd Cut Your Face Off For You...

It's a favor I'd save for only those I hold most treasured.

Here's the context.

I woke up sweating about 20 minutes ago and not because I was hot. The whole dang house is freezing 'cause the oldest has whooping cough and with the window open and cold coming in by his face, the inflammation of his throat stays down so he can sleep - which is important when you're sick. So, anyway, it's been a freezing night, but the kid hasn't coughed once - woot!

But back to the point. I had to change the youngest and get ready for work. My dream woke me up in a sweat.



I didn't use this knife - My Hubs made this from scratch - design and all. Pretty huh?

 In my dream, I was thrown into a close position with someone I don't get along with but had to be around. She fell on her face - which wasn't funny - and had a large hematoma growing above her cheekbone. When I say large, let me rephrase and say literally the diameter of an orange. But it was also flat which means there was some bone damage underneath.

Her skin was swelling and she was crying, saying how much it was starting to hurt INSIDE her head/face. I gathered the necessary tools. I knew what I was going to do and how I was going to do it. In that moment, when I sat her down, it was the first time she's talked to me in months.

I cleaned the razor blade and her purpling cheek. I felt bad doing it, but I was filled with a sense of purpose. The lady is super pretty and I didn't want to do it so it'd leave a major scar. So I opted for the multiple swipes - small ones - to keep the damage down.

I woke up as the blade approached her skin.

Would I do this for her in real life? You bet your butt. And here's why.

If I care enough to have some kind of emotion toward you, I still care and if you need me, it's all good, I'll be there. (Wow that was lyrical and I feel stupid having written it.). 

And for the record - I'm not really mad at this person, it's just easier for us not to talk to each other.  Whatever that means. : )

Is there something you would do for a person you can't stand or get along with?

Vanilla is a Flavor and NOT a Color

My friend, Kammie, owns an Essential Oil and Herbalist company and has a blog and all that fun stuff here. Check her out, chika, has some skills and knowledge.

She taught me how to make Never-Ending Vanilla. 

Vodka and Vanilla Bean. How simple, right? 

Most of the time, people associate the word vanilla with plain, boring, unexciting. I used to. But as I've had these bottles doing their thing on my counter for the past three weeks, I've realized there's nothing boring about VANILLA, just those of us who think it's boring. 

True vanilla isn't a single color, consistency, or clarity. What the heck? That sounds like a diamond and those certainly aren't referred to as dull. Vanilla has little chunks of deliciousness hanging out at the bottom of the bottle. You shake them up and they turn into a dark snow-globe that has trees (the beans), dark snow (the vanilla chunks) and the brown atmosphere (extract). Oh, man, they are pretty. 

And they smell so dang good. I can't wait to give them out. I will post pics soon of how beautiful the color is through the green glass. It just looks awesome. 

Let's brainstorm better words for boring. What have you got? Seriously, I got nothing.

P.S. From now on, I will only be putting pictures up on this blog if they are mine or I have them legally. I didn't realize that it was pirating to take them from around the web. My apologies to anyone I have "stolen" from. Sorry if that makes this blog a little more [insert new word for boring here].

Do You Know the Magic Word?

Not many people practice these today.  I don't think it's a cultural thing, more of a lazy-rude-"Your-mama-didn't-raise-you-right" thing.

At the schools, they're teaching the "magic words", yes, we learned this back in the day, too, these words are: Excuse me, please, thank you, sorry, etc. 

My daughter comes home talking about the magic words and I laughed but said, "Sissy, you've known those words since before you could talk."

"But Mom, I didn't know they were magic." She whispered.

Kid, I think a lot of people have forgotten the magic of manners.

So, let's reinvigorate them. Let's remind people of the Golden Rule, the Magic Words, the things that get you somewhere instead of nowhere.

Because writers need to use manners in their writing, in their life, social networking, at conferences, etc. - everywhere.  Let's learn about them once more.

• Please - always awesome to hear and usually gets you what you want.
• Thank you - GREAT word. If you tell me thank you, I will most likely be glad to help the next time.
• Excuse me - a social nicety in so many regards... we won't run them down here.
• Sorry - humility is a terrific trait, and one that doesn't go unnoticed when employed.  Can you honestly say to someone that you're sorry? Did you bump into them? Then say it, for the love, and don't just push on by.
• Hello - people think this word is over-rated. I don't. An in-law of mine lacks this certain social grace. It's an easy word - yes, it does welcome rejection - but so do all the queries I send out. Toss out a hello and see what happens.
• Have a great day - even if you wish that person would fall down the stairs and break a few bones, wish them a good day. It's polite and horribly underrated.
• Nice to meet you - oh my heck. This one is not used nearly enough. I meet people everyday, in fact, my family constantly tells me I've never met a stranger which I think is true. You're a fellow human on this earth dealing with horrible struggles like me. I think we have enough on our plate than to add stranger-nerves to it. I would like to meet you and you know what? I'll tell you so.

I think those are the basics. Next week, I would like to discuss another topic of etiquette.  Won't you, please, join me?

What is your favorite or least favorite Magic Word? Do you have any phrases or words to add to my list?  Please do! And Thank You!