Sizzling Publications

Creating Mircales

2012-01-29T19:13:00.001-08:00

Rainbow Way!, a photo by DimitriS Photography on Flickr.

When we are open to possibilities; when we are receptive to truth and knowledge beyond reason, miracles happen. Being open to possibilities does not mean being passive. It doesn't mean sitting in front of the television with glazed eyes and numbed senses. Being open to possibilities means being proactive. It is taking back your power and being engaged in your world.

Believe that success, truth, love, peace, and joy are all yours and then share them with everyone you encounter. Share truth and love with every relative, friend, passerby, telemarketer, and store clerk you meet. Share peace and joy with every customer, client, student, teacher, taxicab driver, plant, and animal that comes your way. Only through giving do you receive. Nothing manifests outside of a divine plan. Nothing. Whatever you give abundantly, you will receive abundantly. This is the Divine Law. Do this and experience miracles that will blow your mind.

Change Is Gonna Come

2011-11-12T21:10:00.001-08:00

smile, a photo by Lacaille_ on Flickr.

When I am faced with a challenge, I do one of several things:

a) retreat to my lair and draft an action plan
b) cry
c) pray that a one way ticket to Paris falls from the heavens and into my hands
d) ask for divine guidance
e) all of the above

Time and again letter “d” proves to be the best choice, yet far too often it is my last choice. I will cry, fuss and cuss before I begin to get still and listen to the divine voice of wisdom within me. And it always has the perfect answer.

So the real challenge in life isn’t the daily frustrations I face. The challenge isn’t the illusion that things are not unfolding as they should be unfolding. The real challenge is responding to the alleged hardship properly. It is learning how to immediately tune in to the voice of divine guidance verses the voice of insanity.

I was watching Oprah’s Life Class web cast last night when I heard Iyanla Vanzant say something that tickled my ears. She said that when faced with a challenge, she responds by affirming, “I can’t wait to see what good is going to come out of this!” Hearing her say this was a powerful wake up call for me. Believing that something wonderful is rising from the ashes of sorrow gives me clearer perspective of my life journey. This is what the still, small voice always whispers to me: change is gonna come, and it’s gonna be all good.

Ah The Beauty That Is Music...

2011-11-01T19:08:00.001-07:00

Ah The Beauty That Is Music..., a photo by mandoka on Flickr.

Music is amazing. It is so amazing that I cannot find the words to express how amazing it is. What’s even more remarkable is that I, a music teacher, often times forget the power of music. Music can soothe, calm and help alleviate an emotional wound. It can also exacerbate, irritate and awaken those feelings that we classify as bad. Music seeps under our skin and resonates within our bodies. It tickles our soul; it purges our pain and celebrates our love.

October was a challenging month for me emotionally. There were moments when I felt pain in its rawest form. There were moments when I felt confused and blindsided, helpless and alone; and yet, the still small voice within me whispered softly, “Everything is perfect, Ebony. You’ll be okay. You are okay.” A song would then pop in my head – never the same song, always different, yet always keen.

The Prince of Egypt soundtrack contributed to my personal radio station. The Whitney Houston and Mariah Carrey duet, When You Believe, strengthened my spirit and renewed my faith in life's unlimited opportunities. My favorite lyric is “who knows what miracles you can achieve when you believe?” With two heavy hitters like Houston and Carrey delivering an inspirational song with real emotional depth, I felt the pain in my body rise from my toenails, up my thighs, through my chest, up my throat and out my mouth and eyes. Unlimited opportunities. Miracles happen now.

Last night I played a recording of Bach’s Suite 3, Air On The “G” String and wept. I wasn’t expecting to cry. It was such a pure and unadulterated response: it shook my core. What brought that on? I don’t completely understand why I cried. I do know that the music spoke to something deep within me. It got under my skin and summoned the weariness residing inside me to leave like Lady MacBeth ordering her banquet guests to leave at once. When the music ended and I finished crying, I felt cleansed.

What type of music leaves you feeling cleansed and renewed with hope? What songs does your personal radio station stream during life’s challenges? If you’ve never tried listening to music to uplift your spirit, try it now. Sit down, get comfortable and truly listen. Music can change your life. Miracles happen now.

Monday Minute #60

2011-06-06T17:25:00.001-07:00

1. What part of 'no' do you not understand?
I understand "no" completely. I even know how to say it in three different languages: English, Spanish, and French.

2. Which current reality show do you think you could win?
If I had rock star partner, I think I could kick butt in the Amazing Race.

3 . Would you amputate your right arm for ten million dollars?
No. But I would amputate your right arm for ten million dollars. Hahaha. J/K.

4. If I say, just bring it - what you got?
Dessert. Count on me to bring the sweets. Woot woot.

and finally...

5. You are opening a restaurant. What type or theme of food are you serving?
Pizza. I would totally be the Bubba Gump of pizza. I would fry it, bake it, toast it, and roast it, baby.

Iggy Punk

2011-06-05T22:04:00.000-07:00

So I'm reading this book, Please Kill Me: The Uncensored Oral History of Punk, and the punk rocker lifestyle fascinates me. Perhaps I should qualify that by saying that some the punk rocker lifestyles fascinate me because not all punk rockers lead crazy, reckless lives. There's always an exception. But for those who do speed down life's highway with a beer in one hand and a needle in the other, in the words of Ricky Ricardo, "aye yai yai!"

I'm about a hundred pages in and I've learned more about Iggy Pop than I'd care to know. I'm sure that theses days Iggy is a wise man who would welcome you into his home and offer you a glass of wine and a canape, but when he was a young rocker in the Stooges -- Lawdy! I already knew that he used stage gimmicks a la the legendary Jim Morrison: exposing himself, yelling obscenities and antagonizing his audience. I knew that he tossed globs of peanut butter at his audience, but I didn't know that he added hamburger meat to the mix, and I didn't know that he vomited regularly on stage. Gross. I haven't mentioned his recklessness off stage. I'll save that for another post.

There are two things that fascinate me about Iggy Pop:

1. He's still alive after leading a hard life.

2. His audience loved him.

Maybe I'm disconnected from the hip world of punk rock, but I don't understand why an audience would enjoy having raw meat and peanut butter tossed at them while being called mother*&$%. Neither do I understand why an audience would enjoy watching a performer puke onstage. According to the authors, Legs McNeil and Gillian McCain, Iggy's shows were considered art. Miles Davis attended Stooges's concerts and enjoyed them. He even snorted coke with the guys backstage at their New York shows. Hmmm. There is something mighty powerful about the united punk spirit.

Lady or GaGa?

2011-05-26T22:38:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I went to my favorite supermarket and ran into my favorite courtesy clerk, or I should say he ran into me. Let me explain why he is my favorite courtesy clerk: he showers me with compliments. My ego shall never go hungry as long as this man is in my life. Whether I'm in the produce section, picking though Braeburn apples or in the paper goods aisle, stocking up on over-priced boxes of Kleenex, Mr. CC always finds me, always smiles at me with dreamy eyes, and always says, "Wow. You look great!" If only I could have a live-in courtesy clerk. My world would be a better place.

Anyway, yesterday while I was standing in the deli line dressed in a black A-Line dress with black tights, red ballet flats, and other essential accessories, Mr. CC zeroed in on me. He slid toward me like a savvy salesman. He gave the once-over and said, "You always look so good. I love you're artsy style." Cue the blushing and girlish giggles. "Thank you," I said as I floated on puffy clouds of flattery. He continued, "You always do it right. Very Lady GaGa."

POOF! My clouds vanished and I crashed down to earth. Lady GaGa?? The woman who wore the Kermit the Frog on crack dress? The woman who was escorted to Grammy Awards in a giant egg? I'm sure his Lady Gaga reference was meant as a compliment but good grief, couldn't he have referenced someone a bit more classy like, oh I don't know, Grace Kelly? Audrey Hepburn? Heck, I would've taken Cher. But Lady GaGa? Come one Mr. CC. I'm just sayin.

Omigosh, What Is Happening To Me?

2011-01-26T19:17:00.000-08:00

I think I might be a Taylor Swift fan. Any one who actually reads my tweets will gasp at this revelation. My feelings for Swift's music have been ambivalent. She doesn't totally suck. She has a pleasant voice that is reminiscent of Connie Stevens - sugary sweet with a pinch of sass. But the lyrical content of her songs is so juvenile. Listening to her music is like listening to a Chuck Berry track: puppy dog love set against the backdrop of a high school campus, complete with letterman sweaters, pom poms, and secondhand automobiles.

I listened to her latest album, Speak Now, and was unimpressed. I thought, this is the album topping the billboard charts? Really? The songs lacked a level a sophistication that I would expect from an artist of her caliber. Take the title song, "Speak Now." Swift barges in on her would be lover's wedding, demanding that he stop the show and marry her instead. The most poetic lyric in this piece is, "I sneak in and see her friends /And her snotty little family/All dressed in pastel /And she is yelling at a bridesmaid /Somewhere back inside a room/Wearing a gown shaped like a pastry." That's it. This is dominating the Billboard charts.

I decided to listen Swift's previous album, Fearless, hoping that I would find something substantial to this pop icon. As I listened, something funny happened - I started singing along. "She wears short skirts, I wear t-shirts/ She's cheer captain and I'm on the bleachers!" I couldn't believe it. I, Ebony Haywood, was rocking out to Taylor Swift, in my car, on my way to work, and enjoying every minute of it. "It's a love story, baby just say yes!" I was infected with the teen pop bug. Fearless is packed with catchy tunes that cling to you, and beg for your attention. The lyrics are cheesy, but the melodies are so well crafted, and the background vocals are so slick, that you forget how lame the words are. Then I understood. This is Taylor Swift.

Doesn't Glee Mean Happy? Or Something Like That?

2011-01-25T19:54:00.000-08:00

Can we talk about Glee? Great show. As a television junkie, and an avid fan of most things music, I totally dig the show. As a music teacher, my feelings border between inspired and annoyed.

In the beginning of the school year, a group of students approached me and said that they wanted to start a Glee club. Their excitement was contagious. These kids were inspired by the television series, and they wanted to start auditions immediately. Their conversation was soaked with Glee references. I sat listening to them, trying to decipher the show characters from the real life students. “Can you help us, Ms. Haywood?” “Sure,” I responded. This was great. Motivated and upbeat kids with a purpose – success in the making.

Unfortunately, teenage drama comes with the territory. Such theatrics work great on a sixty minute television show that is interspersed with slick arrangements of feel – good pop tunes. In real life, it sucks. (Can I get an “Amen!”?) Sometimes, while in the midst of a challenging Glee situation in my non-air conditioned classroom, I feel like breaking into a chorus of “We Can Work It Out.” But I don’t. Instead, I sit, and watch, and listen. This is the student’s show, and I’m just the lady who teaches them the songs. *Sigh.*

iPod:Random Five

2010-05-25T18:28:00.000-07:00

Are We The Waiting – Green Day

American Idiot is one of my favorite Green Day albums. I love the catchy hook of We Are the Waiting; a chorus of men sing out in unison, “ Are we the are, are we the are waiting!” It reminds me of a song that soldiers would sing on their way to battle – it sounds so brave and heroic.

Heaven (Candlelight) – DJ Sammy

I admit, I have sweet tooth for sappy love songs. DJ Sammy's Heaven gets me every time. I love the melody and the saccharine arrangement with piano, strings, and a soprano vocalist – reminiscent of a high school prom scene in an ABC after school special. *Sigh* Those were the days...

All Star – Smash Mouth

I cannot hear this song without thinking about Shrek, and breaking out into a huge smile, singing along and holding up a “Loser” hand sign near my forehead at the appropriate line. (She was looking kind of dumb with her finger and her thumb in the shape of an “L” on her forehead.)

Lost Ones – Lauryn Hill

This is one of those songs that you have to bump in your car while wearing shades and nodding your head. Lauryn Hill’s style of rapping is raw, yet hip and sultry. The words of Lost Ones roll off of her tongue, and stop in your face, daring you to listen passively.

Conjunction Junction – Better Than Ezra

It’s no secret – I love School House Rock. I love it so much, I own School House Rock Rocks, a soundtrack featuring updated renditions of the School House classics. Alternative rock band, Better Than Ezra, does a fantastic cover of Conjunction Junction. School House Rock, you truly rock.

This post is inspired by Ms.Random's Ramblings.

Random Stickiness

2010-05-11T17:26:00.001-07:00

And The Winner Is...

2010-05-02T16:15:00.000-07:00

Six Word Saturday

2010-05-01T07:57:00.000-07:00

Smile...life is still worth while. :)

--Charlie Chaplin

Random Stickiness

2010-04-27T19:06:00.000-07:00

Thirsty Thursday

2010-04-22T15:54:00.000-07:00

Mmmmm, tea. Tea is comforting, calming, sexy, and delicious. I recently visited Urth Cafe in Santa Monica where I enjoyed two different flavors of mouth watering tea. First, I enjoyed a warm cup of Devine Spice Herbal Chai tea. I then indulged myself in a cup of Moroccan Mint goodness. I felt my entire body saying, "Thank You" with every sip. Urth Cafe, you are my friend.

Thirsty Thursday

2010-04-15T18:04:00.001-07:00

Jamba Juice
Originally uploaded by Elena777

Jamba Juice rocks. My favorite smoothie is the Pomegranate Paradise - tart, tangy, sweet bless my thirsty soul goodness. I usually order this fab drink on Saturday mornings after I hit up the gym. Yummmmm. :P

Random Stickiness

2010-04-13T17:15:00.000-07:00

Monday Mingle

2010-04-11T15:57:00.000-07:00

Ethan Loney

2010-04-10T22:04:00.000-07:00

On Friday April 9, 2010, precious two-year old Ethan Loney lost his battle with cancer. He was a friend of two-year old Jaden Duttine who is also battling cancer. I did not know Ethan personally, and I do not know Jaden personally; but I do know pain personally and I cannot begin to imagine the depth of pain that these two families are experiencing.

I am writing this post not to mourn Ethan's death, but rather to celebrate his life. His two remarkable years on Earth have touched the lives of many people, many times over. His life has taught us to love, reach out to others, and to live a life of gratitude. Thank you, Ethan, for your legacy of love and hope.

If you feel moved to leave a kind word for Ethan's family, or to make a donation to Jaden's family, visit SupahMommy's blog. I have to say, God bless you, SupahMommy for all that you do for others. You truly have a heart of gold.

Look, A Beatle!

2010-04-09T18:38:00.000-07:00

I was reading DutchbeingMe's Five Question Friday post today when I was reminded about a embarrassing incident that happened to me in the beginning of the school year. As with most of the embarrassing teacher moments that I have experienced, this one involved bugs - sort of.

It was during my Choir class. The students and I were gathered around the piano as I led them through their warm-up vocal exercises. All was going well when something caught the attention of one student. Her eyes grew big as she looked at me, pointed in my direction and exclaimed, "Look, a beetle!"

I took off running.

"No, Ms.Haywood! Your shirt - you're wearing a Beatles shirt." I stopped. I looked down at my shirt. Sure enough, the Fab Four were there, all smiles and moppy hair. Relief relaxed my body; laughter poured out my mouth. Soon, everybody was laughing.

Despite the laughter, I still wanted to give that child detention for nearly giving me a stroke. But I'm still alive, so it's all good.

Thirsty Thursday

2010-04-08T21:22:00.001-07:00

coconut mint iced tea
Originally uploaded by Lara Ferroni

The thought of mint tea always sends a cool, breezy sensation through my body. Mint tea is refreshing and comforting. I love it iced or hot; I don't discriminate. Sometimes I will drink a cup before I go to bed or I will make a cup to take with me to work in the morning. Simply delicious.

iPod:Random Five

2010-04-07T16:12:00.000-07:00

I discovered this fun meme hosted by Ms. Random's Ramblings. You put your iPod, or in my case, Sansa mp3 Player, on shuffle and list the first 5 songs it plays. And let me tell you, my random five are radically random!

1. The Fool on the Hill - The Beatles
I heart the Beatles, and the about forty percent of the songs on my mp3 player are Beatles songs. They are my favorite Boy Band ever - minus the slick choreography and cheesy music videos. :P Anyway, The Fool on the Hill holds a special place in my heart because I was first introduced to this song via a CD of the Looney Tunes characters singing a parody of Beatles hits. This was my favorite song on that CD - so hilarious.

2. How High The Moon - Ella Fitzgerald
I think that is my favorite Ella Fitzgerald performance. Her scat singing is out of this world - I'm completely transported to a 1950's bebop jazz night club every time I listen to this track. I so wish that I could scat like Ella. Pure genius.

3. It's Not Unusual - Tom Jones
I can not hear this song and not think of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Every time I play this track for my students, someone always exclaims, "That's the Carlton song!" It's so fun and always puts a smile on face .

4. Yesterday - The Beatles
This is such an achingly beautiful song. The strings in the instrumental arrangement add an element of sophistication to this piece. This is one Beatles song that commands my attention whenever I hear it. It's a short song, but once it ends I always feel like I've had this amazing symphonic experience.

5. Don't Nobody Bring Me No Bad News - From the Wiz (Stage Production)
I love soundtracks - and this is one soundtrack that I can listen to time and time again. This song is belted by the wicked witch as she tells her subjects quite bluntly, "Don't bring me no bad news!" It makes me smile and move, with its gospel harmonies and rhythms, and it's funny lyric. My favorite line - "If you're gonna bring me something, bring me something I can use. But don't you bring me no bad news." Classic.

Hello Kitty Giveaway!

2010-04-06T17:25:00.001-07:00

Monday Mingle

2010-04-05T17:34:00.000-07:00

Why I Love Borders

2010-04-04T19:34:00.000-07:00

I love Borders Book Store- even though they don't carry my book- it's all good. There is something about the experience of walking through Borders that I don't get while perusing the shelves of any other bookstore. Plus, membership into the Borders club is free. Gotta love that.

So yesterday I made a spontaneous trip to the big B and purchased Maya Angelou's Letter to My Daughter. I walked back to my car, got in, and read half of it. Loved this book. If I could just write with a fraction of the profundity with which Maya Angelou writes, I would be dancing on clouds eternally. I finished the book this afternoon. There is no doubt that I shall reread this book in the near future.

Today I made yet another pilgrimage to Borders, this time with the intention of purchasing a new journal book. I walked into the store, picked up my glittery new journal and made my way to the cashier. Suddenly, I spotted it. The Rolling Stone Interviews, on sale for $5.99. I started salivating as I browsed through the table of contents: Pete Townshend, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Tina Turner, Eric Clapton, and more and more and more. OMG. $5.99.

I walked out of the bookstore a happy woman. I love Borders.

And The Winner Is...

2010-04-01T16:44:00.000-07:00

Monday Mingle

2010-03-28T18:43:00.000-07:00

Six Word Saturday

2010-03-27T11:33:00.000-07:00

Be grateful for every single day.

Thirsty Thursday

2010-03-25T17:17:00.001-07:00

Cranberry Juice
Originally uploaded by Cheri Neufeld

I heart cranberry juice- it's sweet, it's tart, it has a bite, it makes me swoon. Whenever I go out to eat breakfast, I always order a glass of cj. Cranberry-apple juice is another favorite of mine as well as cranberry muffins. Yeah, I'm a cranberry freak. :P

Monday Mingle

2010-03-21T19:31:00.000-07:00

Six Word Saturday

2010-03-20T07:32:00.000-07:00

Still shopping for a pink dress.

(I need one by tonight.)

Sticky Randomness

2010-03-16T18:49:00.000-07:00

Falling Behind and Frozen Yogurt

2010-03-15T19:14:00.000-07:00

Okay, I am so falling behind on blogging. Today I recorded a video for Monday Mingle, only to later realize that I answered the wrong questions in my vlog. I answered next week's questions instead of this week's questions. Geez. So I will post my vlog next Monday.

I am behind on my Spotlight Tuesday posts. My apologies folks. I hope to be back on track next week. Knock on wood.

This is totally random but I just have to say that I recently discovered Menchies Frozen Yogurt and I'm lovin it. It's like a yogurt buffet; they have a variety of flavors and toppings to choose from and you create your own concoction. Last week I had lemon flavored yogurt and I topped it with fresh strawberries and graham cracker crumbs. Today I had cake batter flavored yogurt topped with fudge brownie pieces. And I even bought the cutest Menchies necklace. :D If there's one near you, check it out!

Monday Mingle

2010-03-09T16:38:00.001-08:00

Hello All,

My Spotlight Tuesday guest is unable to appear to today, so I am posting a video blog that I attempted to post yesterday. Unfortunately, You Tube was performing a maintenance job last night and I was unable to upload my video (arrgh). So here it is...enjoy. :)

Six Word Saturday

2010-03-06T08:44:00.000-08:00

Taking one day at a time. :)

Mommies Faves Raves!

2010-03-05T13:31:00.000-08:00

I'm delighted that Tree over at Mommies Faves Top Sites has posted a book review and is hosting a giveaway for my children's book, There Was Once A Potato. Head over to her blog and get the scoop! :)

Spotlight Tuesday: Irene Brodsky

2010-03-02T01:00:00.000-08:00

My guest today is the talented Irene Brodsky. Irene is a poet and the author of Poetry Unplugged. The story of her life is inspiring and she continues to inspire and give back to her community through teaching courses at Brooklyn College. Irene has such a warmth about her; she exudes love and joy. I’m so happy to have you here, Irene!

Q. In 2007, you graduated from Brooklyn College at the age of 60. Was this one of the highlights of your life?
A. Yes. The first highlight was my wedding day, March 18, 1989, when I married Neale Brodsky. I was age 42. The second highlight was my graduation day, May 31, 2007, Class of 2007. I was age 60.Those two dates are permanently engraved in my heart and soul.

Q. Of the many poems that you have written, which is your favorite?
A. My favorite poem is "Howard Avenue" because that is where I born at home, and raised until I was age 12. Wonderful candy stores, old-fashioned deli's, P.S. 144, push carts filled with fruit, etc.

Q. I love your poem "A Tribute to Street Corner Harmony". What does music mean to you?
A. Music is all about my love of acapella music of the 1950's. So I wrote it and made a video of it. Most of all, my brother, Herby, introduced me to this music by playing the Alan Freed Rock & Roll Show on the radio especially for me as if it were a lullaby.
Every night, I went to sleep listening to "My Prayer" by The Platters and "Goodnight my Love" by Jesse Belvin.

Q. "Poetry Unplugged" opens with "The Tallest Twins," a poem about September 11. How did that tragic event affect you as a poet?
A. Actually, until that day, I was not a poet or a writer. I was a School Secretary and loved to sing. But on that tragic day, which was my 55th birthday, I was almost possessed to write something about it. And I wrote 100 poems since that day.

Q. You have a beautiful singing voice. Did you grow up singing?
A. Yes, I sure did. My mother sent me to Star Time Studios for
singing lessons. And I sang with a Hebrew School Choir. As I grew older, I sang with my brother, Herby, and went on to sing with the Chris Grieco Trio, & with several house-bands upstate New York.

Q. What is your process? Do you sit down and write poetry everyday?
A. In my Poetry l and 2 Class, we wrote a new poem every time we met. The Professor would give us an idea, and we had 10 minutes to start writing anything that came into our heads.....40 of my poems were written in those 6 months.
The rest of my poems are from life experience, what i see, what T.V. shows I like, other poets who inspired me, mother nature, silly stuff....and I write it down to not forget. It’s like therapy

Q. What is next for you? Any current projects?
A. My new children's book "The Adventures of Silly Kitty, Princess Jasmine and First Puppy" are in production at Outskirts Press (Denver Colorado) and should be available by Spring season.

Hello Kitty Giveaway

2010-02-28T17:09:00.000-08:00

Blog Award Bonanza

2010-02-28T15:57:00.000-08:00

I was awarded a whopping three blog awards this weekend. Thank you, Amy for the Beautiful Blogger Award and the Happy 101 Award. As lame as it sounds, I've run out of interesting things to say about myself. I know, I'm such a party pooper. But I would love to pass these two awards to the follower bloggers:

1. Diane - Thanks for the outstanding guest post.
2. Raine - Thanks for being awesome.
3. Cate - Thanks for hosting fun memes.
4. Autumn- Thanks for being cool.
5. Hairs Bows and Guitar Picks - Thanks for having a rockin' blog name.

Thank you, Medeia for the Quil Feather Award. For this award I am supposed to tell you how I like my eggs. Scrambled. I love my eggs scrambled. I shall pass this award to Vesty because she has an adorable cat. :)

Seven Days Seven Answers

2010-02-27T08:21:00.001-08:00

Portrait of an articulated skeleton on a bentwood chair
Originally uploaded by Powerhouse Museum Collection

This is the end of the rookie teacher's first day at work. Guess they're not kidding when they call you "fresh meat."

Six Word Saturday

2010-02-27T08:01:00.000-08:00

Meeting new bloggers is the best. :D

Thirsty Thursday

2010-02-25T18:31:00.001-08:00

Nothing quenches my thirst like a refreshing dose of water. Love it, gotta have it, can't live without it. I guess technically no one can live without it. One thing about me that people might find weird is that I love drinking carbonated water - plain. The bubbly fizz gives the water a little extra kick. - Really. ;>

Spotlight Tuesday: Diane J.

2010-02-23T01:00:00.000-08:00

I'm delighted to have Diane J. as my guest blogger for this edition Spotlight Tuesday. Diane is a wife, mother, writer and the brains behind the witty blog, Contentedly Neurotic. Her posts are entertaining and perceptive. Take it away, Diane...

One year and four months ago, I attended a writer’s conference. I met a participant who happened to mention she had a blog, but no followers. I didn’t know much about blogging, but I thought the gal was nice and I wanted to help her out. I promised her that when I got home I would start a blog just to follow her and I did.

My first post took a few days to write. I assumed I should write about writing. I was proud of that first post. I was proud of following a fellow writer whose writing I enjoyed. I stared at my blog in awe of what I had created…I had a blog. I was a blogger. I was a writer who blogged. I was a writer blogging about writing. I was...horrified. I didn’t know much about writing. I love writing, but my writings are passive and prepositional nightmares. No worries, I would be a mommy blogger. Yes, that’s it, a mom blogging about mom-dom. Wait, I wanted to be known as something other than D’s wife, or B, N, D, D, or D’s mom. So I did what I do best, I panicked:

“I want to write about writing, but I’m not good enough. Someone will see this blog and think I’m a hack!”
“I want to share what my kids do, but what if I embarrass them?”

“I want to write about whatever peak’s my curiosity, but what if I offend someone?”

I considered abandoning my blog to the great black hole of the web.

Then, in the midst of my panic I realized that my biggest fear was other people reading what I’d written. That was the main fear that held me back from submitting my writing. Then the light bulb clicked on. Blogging could help me become a better writer. No, I don’t write about writing…well, not usually. I write about whatever comes to my mind.

Blogging helps me with consistency. I aim to blog once a week. I don’t always meet that goal, but if I miss it, it’s usually because I’m working on an article.

Blogging helps me learn. I can post about an issue I’m having with other parents and get tips on how to deal with the situation or encouragement to stick to my guns.

Blogging lets me “voice” my thoughts. Putting my thoughts out to be read is scary for me, but I’ve become much more comfortable with sharing. In turn, I’ve begun to submit articles I’ve written.

What started out as a good deed, became a way for me to improve my writing…although, not like I assumed it would. I’m still a passive and prepositional nightmare of a writer, but I’m more confident. I’m willing to share whatever crosses my mind, something I used to hold my tongue…er, pen on. I will continue to blog in hopes of improving my writing, but I will also continue because of how inspired I am by all the other bloggers I’ve met. Bloggers who struggle with writing, bloggers who help those of us who struggle with writing, bloggers who struggle with parenting, bloggers who help those of us who struggle with parenting, bloggers who share their thoughts, and bloggers who encourage those of us who struggle to share our thoughts.

Six Word Saturday

2010-02-20T07:28:00.000-08:00

Thanks for the blog award, Raine!

Who Am I?

2010-02-18T20:20:00.000-08:00

Sometimes the most difficult part of life is the part where I have to say to myself, “It’s okay, Ebony. You are perfect the way you are.” There are moments when I feel like beating myself up over something I said or did. But that is life; there are ups and downs, highs and lows. Through it all, I am who I am, and that is all good.

I came face to face with this truth after reading Suzanne Mulcahy’s children’s book, Who Am I? Yin is a young panda bear who is discovering who he is – his personality, his likes and dislikes, his different moods and his thoughts. “I think about many things. Sometimes I think about my family…Sometimes I think about food. Are my thoughts part of me?” Yin is learning that he is multidimensional. He is fascinated with the many layers of his being.

Yin is most fascinated with the most important aspect of his existence – his heart. “Your heart is full of love. It has all your Special Gifts that you can give to others.” Giving love will make Yin’s heart shine. In the end, Yin celebrates himself. He celebrates his personality, his special gifts, and all the love that he can give to others.

Mulcahy does a wonderful job of reminding us that we all are love, and that the best part of being love is spreading it effortlessly. Who Am I will encourage and inspire you to embrace who you are, be patient with who you are, and most importantly, to love who you are.

Spotlight Tuesday: Tal Boldo

2010-02-16T01:00:00.000-08:00

I met today’s Spotlight Tuesday guest via Associated Content. Her clever poetry and articulate voice captivated my attention. She has published several short stories and articles spanning the topics of home improvement, current events and publishing. Thank you so much for joining us today, Tal!

Q: Your current project, The Sound and the Echos, sounds exciting. Can you tell us a little bit about this fabulous story?

A: Thanks for having me on your terrific blog! I’d love to talk about my Young Adult adventure tale. Imagine that everyone around you has a mirror image living somewhere else. Your world is like a sound, which produced that other world of echoes. And in this land men are governed by a terrible law—no Echo is allowed to live after his Sound dies. To ensure this, the ruling class practices legal murder daily. Worse still, enemies are plotting to get rid of the Prince, and what easier way than to kill his Sound? Will Cleary is about to discover that he is the Sound they are hunting down. And so begins his adventure into a see-through, sparkling world filled with eerie crystal balls, and lots, lots more.

Q: I just love listening to your audio excerpts on your webpage and your Associated Content page. May I ask from where is your accent?

A: Hee, hee. Well, my accent is like a book cover: It hints at the story of my life. I was born in Israel, lived a little in the UK and in Montreal, growing up, and then I moved to the US from the South to the West coast. In short, my accent is from nowhere and everywhere.

Q: At the age of twelve, you were introduced to Victor Hugo’s Les Miserable. How much of an impact did this story have on you as a writer?

A: Hugo had this amazing view of man as a great hero. To discover Hugo is to discover that life can be anything you make it. The two authors that gave my life direction and meaning are Victor Hugo and Ayn Rand.

Q: Are there any contemporary authors whose work you admire?

A: I admire Ayn Rand more than any other writer. And I adore Collin Dexter and Ellis Peters. In YA: Anthony Horowitz and J.K. Rowling.

Q: How do you market your work?

A: like many authors I’m better at writing than marketing. This said, I created a website and I started writing on Associated Content, both as a way to make money and to meet other great writers.

Q: Some writers have a specific space set aside for writing; others have to listen to a particular piece of music or eat their favorite snack before they write. Do you have any writing rituals?

A: This reminds me of a great article I came across recently called: “Room to Write”. I write fiction in my office, where I have white boards for drawing flow-charts and mapping the plot. For casual writing I can write anywhere, but I always like having music to set the tone of the moment.

Q: Do you have any advice or pearls of wisdom for young writers?

A: Mmmm… well, don’t put your life on hold until you get published. It may be a long process. And, even more importantly, don’t gauge how good a writer you are by whether you are published (this second one is tough, I know).

Six Word Saturday

2010-02-13T08:03:00.000-08:00

Saturday morning turbo kickboxing class rocks!

Spotlight Tuesday: Nicole Green

2010-02-09T01:00:00.000-08:00

Nicole Green is a talented writer whose novel, Love Out of Order, was released last week. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Virginia, and she is currently earning a law degree from the College of William and Mary. In 2008, Nicole launched her blog, Chapters, where she has since chronicled her journey as a writer. I’m delighted to have her as my guest today. Thanks for being here, Nicole.

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your new book, Love Out of Order?

A: Sure. Love Out of Order is about Denise Rich, a law student, who’s always been focused on school. Then she meets John Archer, a transfer student, who makes her forget all about everything but him. They soon get into a rocky relationship that rearranges everything in Denise’s life and causes her to question what’s really important to her.

Q: How long did it take you to write?

A: Well, I started it in Fall of 2007, during my first semester of law school. I worked on it off and on for the next two years. I had school, I started other writing projects, but I kept coming back to Love Out of Order. I put some finishing touches on it in Spring 2009 and received a contract for it shortly thereafter.

Q: Was it challenging to create a story about interracial love?

A: Not really. I’ve always been interested in race issues and I’m a huge fan of diversity. One day, I’d like to see us live in a society in which we don’t pay attention to color lines. Sadly enough, I don’t think we’re there yet. But since this is something I’m very passionate about, it’s easy to write.

Q: In your blog post, “Character” you say, “Relatable has become a dirty word. I'm about to banish it from my vocabulary.” Do you still feel this way?

A: On relatable. Wow, I had forgotten all about that post. When I said that, I guess I meant that sometimes, it’s hard to find the balance between having a character who’s real and having a character who’s too real. I think I’m still working on mixing the flawed with the likable in my characters. I think I always will be. The day I decide to stop working on improving my craft should probably be the day I stop writing to be published. But yes, in ways relatable can be one of those “groan” words. But only because it’s difficult to find that balance between what’s real and what works for the reader.

Q: What is the best piece of advice anyone has offered you in regard to writing?

A: Keep writing. That is the most simple, true, and helpful advice that I’ve received. Keep writing and learning. You learn by doing. I’ve heard several people say, and I believe that it’s true, you can’t become a better writer if you don’t write. No matter how many workshops you attend, books you read on craft, etc., you have to write. And often.

Q: What has been the most challenging aspect of publishing your book?

A: I think the most challenging aspect of getting published has been trying to combine my vision of my work with what’s commercially viable. That and learning how to craft a story and sell my idea in an effective manner. I recently realized that I was too often writing just to write when I started a new project. I didn’t have a solid idea in mind, no characters in mind really, not much of anything. It’s much harder to get started without a solid idea. That doesn’t mean I sit around all day waiting for a muse to come visit, because that would just be silly. But I do brainstorm more now. Not necessarily on paper. I’ve never liked to do that. I’ll just think things through while taking a walk or driving or something. And if I stumble across something valuable, I’ll write it down. What a rambling answer to your question. But basically, I guess what I should have said is: learning how to tell a good story. Lots of people can write well, but crafting a good story is the most difficult part of the game, I think.

Q: What is next for you? Any new projects?

A: Yep, I’m working on a few things right now. I just sent a manuscript to my publisher for review, I’m revising a novella, and I’m working on the first draft of a young adult novel. And what I hope will be my third novel—my NaNoWriMo 2009 novel—is currently awaiting revisions.

Six Word Saturday

2010-02-06T08:24:00.000-08:00

I didn't see that ending coming.

(Just finished Jennifer Weiner's Certain Girls.)

I'm So Glad We Had This Time Together

2010-02-04T18:26:00.000-08:00

Yesterday my journey with Percy Jackson -through the New York subways and the Los Angeles beaches - came to an end. The experience was heavenly, no pun intended. Percy Jackson (demigod son of Poseidon) along with his friends Anabeth (demigod daughter of Athena) and Grover (a satyr who plays reed pipes) heroically slayed ginormous monsters and saved the world from World War 3- at least for now.

There are six books in The Olympians series. Part One ended on a cliff hanger; Percy ends up betrayed by one of friends (I knew that guy was no good but no one ever listens to me). Although he and his friends successfully returned Zeus's master bolt, the evil Kronos is still bitter about his sons (Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades) chopping him into a million pieces (jeez, parents over react to every little thing). He has a major bone to pick in Part Two.

Don't worry, Percy Jackson, I'm with you till the end. I'm psyched about the Lightning Thief movie. I so hope it lives up to the book. If it does, the movie will be AWESOME. To be continued...

Spotlight Tuesday: Raine Vollor

2010-02-02T01:00:00.000-08:00

Today’s Spotlight Tuesday guest, Raine Vollor, has become a dear friend of mine. Her blog, True Confessions of a Single Mother, caught my attention last summer and since then I have become a fan of her writing. Her blog is poignant, witty and insightful. Thank you so much for being here today, Raine.

Q: What inspired you to start blogging?

A: I was feeling really lonely. There really were no adults that I spoke to daily. I missed and still do miss having someone at home to ask how your day went. I had things that I wanted to tell someone, but didn’t necessarily think that they were phone-call worthy. So I started blogging, I felt like I was telling somebody something.

Q: You talk candidly about the ups and downs of being a single mother. Is it difficult for you to be so open?

A: Not really. That was the whole idea from the start. I needed somewhere to share the good and bad things that were happening to me. I actually have the opposite problem sometimes; I have to tell myself, no, you can’t post that on the internet!

Q: Some of your funniest and sarcastic posts are about your family. Do they read your blog, and if they do, how do they feel about it?

A: Only a select few of my family members know about my blog, my siblings and my cousin. I felt that I would not be able to be candid if I thought that my parents might read it. Although, I have written notes on FaceBook and tagged my parents and they never read the notes. So, I probably wouldn’t have to worry anyways.

Q: What has been the most difficult post for you to write?

A: I think the hardest was “You Might As Well Leave” It was something that I thought about every single day. I never told anyone, though. I kinda thought that they would think that I was crazy. I felt so much better after I wrote it and no one thought I was crazy. No one called me an idiot. Only rarely now do I feel like telling the people at the station that they might as well leave.

Q: Picture it: True Confessions of a Single Mother on the silver screen. Which actress is cast to play the starring role of Raine Vollor?

A: Wynona Ryder, I took some dumb quiz in some dumb magazine one time and it said that she was my celebrity twin. Since then I have felt some kind of connection to her. I did not name Ryder after her though. Coincidence. That I only saw just now. :D

Q: Has blogging been all that you expected it to be?

A: Blogging has been way more than I expected it to be. I thought that it would just be somewhere for me to vent, but it has become a support system. I never thought that I would be able to connect with people who knew what I was going through. I’ve tried to meet single mothers around town, but it never works. Seems like they are all blogging! But seriously, I feel as if I get more support online from my bloggy friends that I have never met before than I do anywhere else.

Q: Your blog is down to earth and engaging. Have you considered writing a book?

A: No. I’ve never fancied myself a writer. Actually, I don’t think I’m really good at telling stories, either. I think it is all in the editing. But, you know, if a publisher came along, I wouldn’t turn them away.

Six Word Saturday

2010-01-30T08:00:00.000-08:00

Will I beat level three today?

(This arcade game is driving me crazy).

The Awkward Years

2010-01-28T17:29:00.000-08:00

Remember junior high school? I do, much to my chagrin. Junior high school, or middle school, as it is affectionately called these days, was the most awkward period of my life. Suddenly every body's opinion of me really mattered. Not only did the opinions of others matter to me, they followed me, teased me, ate breakfast with me and dressed with me. In contemporary teenager vernacular, the opinions of others were all up in my grill and had me trippin'.

My adolescent recollections are resurfacing as I read Jennifer Weiner's Certain Girls. The main character, Cannie, has a teenager daughter, Joy, who is in junior high school and going through the motions, or perhaps more accurately, she's going through the emotions. Joy desires desperately to fit in and be accepted by her friends; she is even willing to go through school without wearing her hearing aids. Her grades are slipping because she can't hear well and Cannie is confused and worried about what is going on with her little girl.

I can relate to Joy. I started wearing glasses when I was in the seventh grade. Good grief. It didn't help that the prescription was super strong and the lenses were mega thick. I wanted chic, cool wire frames but my obese lenses would not permit that. So I had to wear chunky plastic frames that made me look like the president of the Edith Head fan club. There were days when I would ditch the glasses in favor of peer acceptance. Yes, my school work suffered. Yes, my eyes suffered. But by golly, my ego was happy and that was all that mattered.

Yeah, I don't miss junior high school.

Spotlight Tuesday : Deb Martin - Webster

2010-01-26T01:00:00.000-08:00

I am honored to introduce my first Spotlight Tuesday guest. She is an author, wife, mother and grandmother. Her first book, A Hot Dog Stand in the Himalayas, was released in 2008. It’s a pleasure to have Deb Martin – Webster as my first Spotlight Tuesday interview. Welcome Deb!

Hi Ebony thank you for having me.

Q. Can you tell us a little bit about your book, A Hot Dog Stand in the Himalayas?
A. A Hot Dog Stand in the Himalayas is the first book I’ve ever written and was never meant for publication. It was a journal for our granddaughter as a way for her to remember our adventures before we moved to North Carolina. She was only five years old when we left so I documented as much as I could remember. When my journal caught up to her current age that’s when I began writing the “What If” portion of the journal more fiction than memoir. When we finally got settled in our new home I knew I didn’t want to continuing doing the same type of job I left in Pennsylvania so I thought I’d recreate myself and writing was as good a career as any. So I started to blog, write reviews, short stories. It became a passion, I love it! Now the title, well that’s a story in itself. I’ll save that for another time.

Q. A Hot Dog Stand in the Himalayas is narrated by a young child named Sammie. Is it challenging to write in the voice of a child?
A. Not at all. I’ve known for quite a while that I’m a six year old trapped in the body of a fifty-seven year old. Did I just reveal my age, whoa I must be slipping. A classic case of arrested development, that’s me. I’m a storyteller by nature so it’s very easy for me to slip in and out of first, second and third person narration. I can hear the characters conversing in my mind. Some say it’s a sign of mental illness, I say it’s a sign of a talented writer. Because my characters are so much a part of me it’s easy [for me] to narrate through them, if that makes sense. There are times when I can’t remember who’s telling the story or who’s writing the book. But from what I understand it’s the sign of a good writer. Can I go play now?

Q. I enjoyed reading your Hopping A Train blog entry. You talk about the similarities between you and your father. “Born with a more artistic soul we believed that beauty and love are just as important as climbing the corporate ladder.” How much have your parents influenced your writing?
A. My parents are huge supporters of my careers. It didn’t matter what I wanted to be as long as I did my best. The story Hopping A Train is based on a true conversation I had with my dad at the tender age of five. I told my dad I wanted to be a hobo. Mom said I needed to set my career aspirations a little bit higher. When I told them I wanted to be an artist it wasn’t any better. He earned his Business Law degree by taking courses at a local college’s evening program and later became a successful Insurance Broker. He wanted me to become a lawyer. When I said, “No way!” his reply, “Okay it’s your choice - I know you will be successful at whatever profession you choose.” My dad is such a gentle soul. Passion is something he also passed on to us. He’d tell us, “Bring passion into everything you do. Whether it’s writing a novel or boiling an egg!” After my mom died he retired and started writing. I remember him jotting down poems and stories; always asking one of us to read them out loud and give him our thoughts, critiques, etc. It got to the point every time we saw him coming towards us with a sheet of paper we’d run! His poems were lengthy and we knew we’d be there for at least thirty minutes reading and discussing them. However he did eventually self-published all of those poems and stories. And at ninety-one years young he’s still able to remember and recite most of them by heart. I think that’s where I get my creativity and I know that’s where I get my passion.

Q. How did you get your book published?
A. Oddly, publishing this book was the furthest thing from my mind. Again I reiterate it was never meant to be published. All I wanted to do was to chronicle our family adventures for our grandkid. I wanted her to remember all the wacky things we did together as a family. The more I told folks about it the more they insisted I publish it. So I sent the manuscript to an online self-publishing company. The book debuted in October 2008 and is doing well for a first book, even receiving a couple of good reviews! Kids, parents and grandparents seem to enjoy reading it. A friend of mine said after reading it she wishes she had a grandmother like the character in the book. Another friend was brought to tears because her grandmom whom she was extremely close to had just died. The book brought back similar memories for her. Kids want to be Sammie. I don’t know . . . its crazy overwhelming in a surreal sort of way. I’m blessed the book is doing so well. I hope my second book, A Pizzeria in Pago-Pago does as well, how’s that for a shameless plug.

Q. Who are some of your favorite authors?
A. I love David Sedaris. His book, “Holidays on Ice” is my favorite. It’s a hilarious collection of humorous Christmas stories. I laugh out loud every time I read it! My favorite is The SantaLand Diaries. It’s the story of his experience applying for a job as an Elf in Santa’s Village.
Here’s an excerpt: The woman at Macy’s asked, “Would you be interested in full-time elf or evening and weekend elf?” I said, “Full-time elf.” I have an appointment next Wednesday at noon.” I’m a thirty-three year old man applying for a job as an elf. I often see people on the streets dressed as objects and handing out leaflets. I tend to avoid leaflets but is breaks my heart to see a grown man dressed as a taco.”
In fact I just bought a hardback copy as a Christmas gift for my husband. He’d never read anything by David. I think he’s now hooked Sedaris.
I also enjoy Janet Evanovich, the entire Stephanie Plum series. I guess it’s growing up in Philly. I really get her Jersey girl sense of humor. I love her writing style.

Q. I understand that you know how to juggle. Where did you learn how to do that?
A. Did I mention I get bored very easily? It’s important to keep your mind and body active because boredom is the ultimate enemy of creative people. Juggling - I was in a book store and saw a book on how to juggle. The book came with three sand filled balls in a net bag. I thought it would be a talent I could uses someday. I’m a lousy juggler but its fun and a great stress reliever. I also learned to throw my voice. The only thing I can do is a dog barking in the distance. Scares the crap out of our cats, but it keeps me amused. One of my friends made a sign and put it on my office door, “Office of the Easily Amused.” The truth is when you strip us down we’re all just a bunch of circus folk waiting our turn to jump out of the clown car of life.

Q. What is the best piece of advice anyone has ever given you in regards to writing?
A. Probably not to quit my day job! Everyone has a novel in them. Everyone thinks theirs is the next War and Peace. If you are driven by money that’s okay but I believe successful people are driven by passion; a passion to do what they do whether they get paid or not. It’s like the old saying, “Do what you enjoy and you’ll never work a day in your life.” I hate work . . . so I do what I love!

I've Taught My Dog To Do My Homework

2010-01-24T17:43:00.000-08:00

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Six Word Saturday

2010-01-23T08:32:00.000-08:00

Granola Bars, I truly love you. :P

Poetry Unplugged

2010-01-21T17:22:00.000-08:00

Poetry Unplugged is a delightful collection of poems by Brooklyn College educator, Irene Brodsky. Brodsky is a masterful story teller; her poems leap off the page and transport you to another world.

In “The Best Kept Secret in Brooklyn,” Brodsky takes you back to her childhood. Warm and comforting images dance on the pages as she describes the inviting aromas of her home: “…the scent of apple pie beckons to you.” One of her most delicious lines is: “Thick burgers and fries pile high/ And ketchup flows like the red sea.” Do not be surprised if you are hungry by the end of the poem.

“An Hour In Time” is a reminder of how precious each moment of our lives is, and what a difference each of us can make in the lives of others. If you could go back in time and make a difference would you do it? The closing line of this poem says it best: “If you could back,/Would you do it?/Or will you/ Just sleep through it?”

Brodsky pays tribute to her parents in the hear-warming poem, “Lily of the Valley.” She uses words to paint a breath-taking portrait of a husband and wife who are enraptured in each other’s love. “In his eyes, Lily was a jewel in the midst/His wife of 50 sparkling years/Lily of the Valley.” This poem is simply lovely.

This book is a must read for anyone who is a lover of the written word. Poetry Unplugged will make you smile, think, laugh, and remember how wonderful life is.

Spotlight Tuesdays

2010-01-19T16:44:00.001-08:00

Spotlight
Originally uploaded by flergoodwin is working on it...

Spotlight Tuesdays is underway. I have a fabulous line up of authors and bloggers:

1. January 26 – interview with author and poet, Deb Martin-Webster
2. February 2 – interview with blogger, Raine Vollor
3. February 9 – interview with author, Nicole Green
4. February 16 – interview with author, Tal Boldo
5. February 23 – guest post by blogger, Diane J.
6. March 2 - interview with author and poet, Irene Brodsky
7. March 9 - interview with author and poet, Heather Kristina
8. March 16 - interview with blogger, Jane King
9. March 23 – interview with author, Vanessa Richardson

I’m excited and honored to have a talented and diverse list of guests. Stay tuned…

Kid Poetry Rocks

2010-01-18T14:35:00.000-08:00

I'm excited to launch my new website, kidpoetryrocks.com. This is my poetry playground, and I'm inviting you to come join me. Kidpoetryrocks members can blog, post their own work and participate in forums. Ideas and suggestions are welcome. Enjoy...

Six Word Saturday

2010-01-16T11:22:00.000-08:00

I have a craving for cupcakes!

Spotlight Tuesdays

2010-01-12T18:25:00.001-08:00

Spotlight
Originally uploaded by flergoodwin is working on it...

In two weeks, I will launch my Spotlight Tuesday series. This idea was inspired by my blogger buddy, Raine. Every Tuesday I will write a post featuring a blogger, writer, or author. Guests will have the option of writing their own guest post, or answering up to seven interview questions presented by yours truly. Topics should be blogs, books, the art of writing and the writing industry.

I hope for this to be an inspiring, informative, and promotional tool. If you are interested in being a guest on the Spotlight Tuesdays series, simply email me at info@ebonyhaywood.com. If you have a blog or website, please be sure to include your URL. Now is your time to shine!

I can't leave without mentioning the newest book on my bookshelf, Jennifer Wiener's Certain Girls. This is the sequel to Good in Bed; I'm lovin' this book already. All the juicy details will be posted next time. Till then, happy Tuesday!

Six Word Saturday

2010-01-09T08:07:00.000-08:00

Currently reading Jennifer Weiner's Certain Girls.

Percy Jackson, My New Harry Potter?

2010-01-05T18:52:00.000-08:00

I’m developing a huge crush on Percy Jackson. He’s young, handsome, and the son of a Greek god. What more can a girl ask for?

I’m not turning my back on Harry Potter; I could never turn my back on Harry. There is just something that is so riveting and captivating about Percy. Albeit, I’m only on chapter eight of book one, The Lightning Thief. Yet still, I’m already committed to Percy for the long haul.

For those who have not met Percy Jackson, let me introduce you. He is the main character in Rick Riordan’s The Olympians series – Greek mythology with a contemporary twist. Percy is a demigod; his father is a god and his mother is a mortal. He doesn’t yet know of his parentage. Throughout his life, his mother disclosed tidbits of information to him concerning his father: that he was handsome, that though he was in love with Percy’s mother they never married, and that he took a trip across the sea never to return.

So now, Percy is coming face to face with the truth of his life and existence, and he’s taking me along for the ride. And let me tell you, this is some ride.

The Best Book I Read in 2009

2009-12-31T18:19:00.000-08:00

I know what you’re thinking; a grammar book, Ebony? Yes, a grammar book. The Elements of Style is the best book I read in 2009 for one reason: it changed the way I approach writing.

Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity – it’s that simple. Say what you mean to say without all the thrills and frills, and people will love you for it. This was a revelation to me. When I was in high school, I loved using big, ten dollar words in my essays; I garnered the praises and accolades of my teachers and the envy of my peers. Then I went to college and took a few English classes to see what they knew and WHAM!

My ego was officially deflated during my freshman year. I was told by a very dear English professor that my writing was convoluted. “Explicate, explicate, explicate,” she would write in the margins of my papers.

I wish I had a copy of Elements of Style back then. If only William Stunk Jr. and E.B. White were there to hold my hand and whisper in my ear, “Omit needless words. Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts.” Sheer brilliance.

This book is filled with so many pearls of writing wisdom: do not break sentences in two; use the active voice; place yourself in the background. Chapter four, "Words and Expressions Commonly Misused," is a breath of fresh air for any writer who is serious about her craft.

I can go on and on about this book. As Reading Rainbow’s LeVar Burton would say, “You don’t have to take my word for it.”

29 Days of Giving

2009-12-29T21:42:00.000-08:00

Last week I joined the 29 Day Giving Challenge. Giving isn't as easy as I thought.

I shouldn't say that because certain aspects of giving have become easier for me - like giving money. When I am approached by soliciting organizations standing guard at the super market entrance I don't feel agitated and annoyed like I have in the past. As a matter of fact, I feel at ease as I slip them my spare change. Giving away love and kindness, for me, ain't so easy.

It's not so much giving love that is difficult; it's giving love without expecting anything in return that is killer - my thorn in the flesh. As I pay closer attention to my giving habits, I notice the motives behind the giving: wanting some kind of approval in return, wanting some kind of favor in return. My love is not always authentic and I'm glad that I can acknowledge the truth. Now I can slowly begin to free myself from the confines of the need for acceptance and reciprocation.

I am happy that I have embarked on this giving journey. The experience so far has been amazing and I would encourage anyone and everyone to give it a try.

Because My Life Isn't Exciting Enough

2009-12-22T15:40:00.000-08:00

I discovered this website via Wild Rose. Enjoy!

The Back Story

2009-12-21T21:10:00.000-08:00

Enjoy!

And the Winner Is...

2009-12-19T14:27:00.000-08:00

Good In Bed

2009-12-18T21:45:00.000-08:00

Breaking up is hard to do. It is even harder when your ex is a journalist for an enormously popular magazine and conspires to write a monthly column inspired by your breakup.

Such is the case of Candace Shapiro, a twenty- something year old woman who is dissatisfied with her weight, her family, and her love life. Her boyfriend, Bruce, has ended their three year relationship while her mother is involved with a disappointing lover; all of this is set against the backdrop of Candace seeking acceptance into a new clinical study weight loss program.

Bruce adds salt to the wound. In his syndicated column, "Good in Bed," he publicly reveals sentiments and intimate details about his expired relationship with Candace – the way he really feels about her weight, her lack of confidence and her bouts of cold heartedness. Nevertheless, Candace can’t let go of Bruce. Her pursuit of his love drastically changes her life forever.

Good in Bed reminds me so much of He’s Just Not That Into You – the damsel in distress determined to create a Prince Charming out of a useless frog. I can see pieces of me in Candace; I believe most women can if they are honest with themselves. For me, Candace was a mirror reflecting my sometimes desperate and irrational behavior. But there are also great character traits reflected from Candace: spunk, cleverness, generosity and strength. These are the traits that sustain her – and redeem her.

I'm Published!

2009-12-16T19:52:00.001-08:00

Last week, my childrden's book, There Was Once a Potato was published! It's been a long time coming.

I realize that now about forty percent of the work is done and the other sixty percent is promotion; but I feel so relieved to have made it this far. Here is a sample of the text:

There was once a potato named Clamatoe,
Who knew a cucumber named Columber,
Who was cousin to a pickle named Malickle,
Who was best friends with an apple named Katapple.
And together they lived as snug as can be,
In a refrigerator, in a house, on Maple Street.

“How are you doing, Malickle, you fine lookin’ pickle?”
Said Katapple, the apple, as she leaned against a Snapple.
“Oh, I’m doing just fine, couldn’t be better myself,
How are you doing, Columber, as you sit on your shelf?”
“Why, I’m doing very well, things are going nice and slow,
I’m having a conversation with Ms. Cookie Dough.
And how about you, Clamatoe Potato,
Are you feeling your usual strong and stable?”

I'd like to thank all of my fellow bloggers for your kind, supportive words throughout the past months. Now another adventure begins...

Gorgeous Blogger! Thanks, Yellaalley95!

2009-12-16T19:04:00.000-08:00

Thank you, Yellaalley95 for presenting me with the Gorgeous Blog Award!

Here are the obligatory five facts about myself:

1. I have a crush on Josh Groban.

2. I am embarrassed to admit that I actually like a few Miley Cyrus songs. (Yes, that includes Party in the USA.)

3. I wear high heels mostly for the extra height.

4. I shed a few tears while watching the Disney/Pixar movie, Up.

5. Love raspberry jam.

I would like to pass this blog award to the following six recipients:

1. Raine

2. Danger Kitty

3. LaAventurista

4. Judi

5. Diane

Pass on the love...

The Power of Myth

2009-12-14T18:38:00.000-08:00

Joseph Campbell rocks. I just finished reading The Power of Myth, an interview he did with Bill Moyers back in 1985 and all I can say is, “Wow.”

When discussing Joseph Campbell, one would be remiss to not include one, if not several of his quotes. The most popular by far is the follow your bliss quote:

If you follow your bliss you put yourself on a kind of track that has been there all the while, waiting for you, and the life that you ought to be living is the one that you are living. Follow your bliss and don’t be afraid, and doors will open where you didn't know they were going to be.

I love this quote. It’s so simple; do what you want to do. When I was a kid, there were two things that I knew I wanted to accomplish in my life: become a teacher and a writer. I feel like those two careers are a part of my biology. There were times when I tried to change my course. I tried resisting the natural path of my life only to discover that resistance was time-consuming and useless. Following my bliss has always been the less stressful way of life.

Mythology has always been fascinating to me. There is something about the zealous gods, the superfluous heroism and the crazy women who make Tyler Perry’s Madea look as tame and innocent as a kitten that seizes my imagination. Mythology is like a creative feast- an all you can eat buffet of plots, characters, conspiracies and psychological disorders.

Power of Myth is the caterer of this mythological feast; it lays out all of the dishes into neat, organized components – The First Storytellers, The Hero’s Adventure, and The Gift of the Goddess to name a few. From the Shinto texts of Japan to Dante’s Divine Comedy, Campbell leaves no stone unturned as he masterfully shares his inexhaustible knowledge of myth.

He's Just Not That Into You

2009-12-06T14:53:00.000-08:00

Most of us have been there – men and women alike. We have been totally into somebody who was not totally into us. Ouch. Major ouch.

I postponed reading He’s Just Not that Into You for one reason: fear. I didn’t want to feel like the speaker of Lori Lieberman’s song, Killing Me Softly, stunned and saddened that all the details of her less than illustrious love life were broadcast for public consumption. Eventually, I finally gave in and read the book.

Sure enough, written upon the pages of this thin hardback that I picked up at a book swap were scenes from my life, documented to perfection. My college crush to whom I was nothing more than a friend, the charming man that I met at a party who never called me back, my first boyfriend who was a jerk only my rose colored glasses didn’t permit me to see it – all the embarrassing situations I would rather forget had risen from the dead and assumed the form of a telltale self-help book.

Nevertheless, I must say, I enjoyed He’s Just Not That Into You. Authors Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo are blunt yet consoling as they give you a healthy dose of reality. I have to admit, I was surprised to discover what some women are willing to tolerate from their men. For example, I never expected it to be necessary for this book to include chapters titled, “He’s Just Not That Into You If He Only Wants to See You When He’s Drunk,” and “He’s Just Not That Into You If He’s Disappeared on You.” Double ouch.

This book does more than slap you in your face; it empowers you to make better choices in your life. It’s riddled with humor to help lessen the pain, but it never backs down from its message: He’s just not that into you so forget about him and attract somebody who is that into you plus some. Amen.

Can You Keep a Secret?

2009-12-05T19:59:00.000-08:00

Imagine that you are riding in an airplane that is experiencing sharp turbulence. You feel fright as you have never before felt it and you believe that the plane is going to crash and you are going to die. There is a calm, quiet man seated next to you who, you believe, will be the last person you will talk to before you plunge to your death.

You begin to tell him everything, like a death row inmate having his last heart to heart with the prison chaplain. He sits in silence and listens as you spill all your secrets – how you lied on your job application, what you really think about your friend’s fashion sense, the intimate details of your love life, how you pour orange juice into your snotty coworker’s office plant. Just like the Energizer Battery Bunny, you keep going and going and going.

The plane does not crash and you do not die. Nobody dies. The turbulence ends and the plane lands. You and the now overwhelmed stranger seated beside you say goodbye and part ways, never to see each other again; that is, until a few days later when he shows up at your job and is introduced as the founder of the company – your boss.

This the plot of Sophie Kinsella’s Can You Keep a Secret? This book was a joy to read; but it got me thinking – have I ever told a stranger too much information? I have had instances in my life where I have confided in total strangers based on the premise that I would never see them again; and thus far, I haven’t seen them again.

Actually, it usually happens that strangers will spill their secrets to me. I recently met a woman at the Laundromat who disclosed a slew of raw emotions about her family. Imagine how awkward it would be if I ran into her and her family at the movies, or at a restaurant. “Hi there! Great to see you gain. This must be your lovely family…”

This sure does give a new dimension of meaning to our parent’s curt warning, “Do not talk to strangers.”

Good in Bed, Baxter Style

2009-12-03T18:05:00.000-08:00

I’m currently reading Jennifer Weiner’s Good in Bed. (I have fallen in love with chick lit). The main character, Cannie, is a twenty-something year old woman who is the product of a broken home. Her parents divorced when she was a teenager; her plastic surgeon father had an affair, became cold and indifferent to his family and after six years of callousness, finally packed his bags and left.

Her mother then became a lesbian. Nearly twenty years of marriage and three children later, Cannie’s mother discovered herself. So when the news of Meredith Baxter’s coming out hit the newsstands yesterday morning I was shocked, yet intrigued. How common is it for jaded, mid-life divorcee mothers to change their sexual preference, like changing favorite ice cream flavors?

Thanks to the Oprah Winfrey Show, (isn’t it amazing how much we’ve learned from watching Oprah?) men living on the “down-low” is common knowledge. Betrayed wives now question the sexual orientation of their husband’s betrayal. For some wives, the sting of their husband’s affair is blunted when they discover that the other woman is actually the other man.

How bad is the sting for men who discover that their wives and girlfriends have cheated on them with another woman? For some reason – I might be wrong – I think that men feel profoundly insulted when their women leave them for other women. It’s a huge blow to his masculinity and sexual prowess.

Human relationships are quite fascinating. Forrest Gump’s famous “life is like a box of chocolates” adage is right on the money.

Give Away!

2009-12-02T19:14:00.001-08:00

The Cisneros Factor: Why I Crave Laffy Taffies

2009-11-30T19:20:00.000-08:00

I finished Sandra Cisnero’s classic, Caramelo, this weekend. The read was joyous, heart-wrenching, and inspirational. It is the story the Reyes’, a Mexican family who struggles to find a home away from home – an existence that is dignified and authentic.

I love Cisnero’s writing; it is so delicious and descriptive. Every area of my palate is tickled when I read her prose. I love the moments where her words paint mouth-watering portraits of Mexican cuisine –warm tortillas, and spicy black beans. The title, Caremelo, is such a sweet, comforting word that evokes visions of creamy flan and sticky caramel.

Toward the end of the story, the main character, Lala Reyes, mentions taffy candy. Upon reading the word “taffy” I instantly craved Laffy Taffies. As I kid, I loved taking trips down to the corner liquor store and purchasing handfuls of the chewy, fruity candy for five cents a piece. That was the one candy that I would carefully unwrap so as to preserve the jokes printed on the inside of the candy wrapper.

Today I purchased a Laffy Taffy bar; it was first one I have had in years. It was delicious – succulent, sweet, soft, chewy perfection. Today’s joke: What kinds of birds always stick together?

Answer: Vel Crows.

God bless you, Willy Wonka.

And the Winner Is...

2009-11-28T13:44:00.000-08:00

Say Wha?

2009-11-24T17:03:00.000-08:00

New Book Trailer!

2009-11-23T20:16:00.000-08:00

My book is due to be published next month and I am mega nervous. I keep asking myself questions like, "what if it flops?" and "who's going to buy it?" Now I understand why people do not pursue their dreams- because of fear.

When I was in the sixth grade, my teacher planned a field trip for our class. A few days before the trip, my classmates bombarded the teacher with "what if" questions. "What if it rains?" "What if the bus doesn't show up?" "What if we get there too late?" Our teacher raised his hand and silenced our tremulous worries. He spoke:

"What if the sky turns purple and it starts raining oranges? You can ask 'what if questions' all day, and it will not get you anywhere. Sooner or later you must take action. And so that is what we will do. If something comes up, we will take action. Worrying will get you nowhere."

What my sixth grade teacher said that day has made a lasting impression on my life. Worrying will get me nowhere; I must take action. And so, here I am, publishing my first book, full speed ahead. I cannot turn back now. This is another adventure in my life- a true life action movie.

My First Give Away!

2009-11-19T17:19:00.001-08:00

Awesome Blog Award

2009-11-16T18:58:00.000-08:00

Many thanks to helcar13 at Who Me? Who Wants to Know? for presenting me with the Awesome Blogger award. Here are the rules:

1.Thank your host (a.k.a, who gave you the award)

2.Copy

3.Get to the postin!

4.Give us addicts the standard set amount of facts (7 in this case)

5.Keep the award going. Pass it on to 7 others.

6. Inform the lucky contestants of your gift to them!

7. Be Cool!

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I will share a few tasty and gobble-gobble fun facts with you:

1. I prefer pumpkin pie over sweet potato pie.
2. I’m the only person in my family to prefer pumpkin pie over sweet potato pie.
3. Sometimes I dream about food; then I wake up mega hungry.
4. The smell of collard greens repulses me.
5. I prefer dining at a restaurant on Thanksgiving.
6, My favorite part of poultry is the breast.
7. I love the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving cartoon.

I will pass this award to:

Omchelsea - http://thewayitgoestoday.blogspot.com/
Justice Jonesie - http://blogalicious2009.blogspot.com/
The Secret Beauty Blogger - http://secretbeautyblogger.blogspot.com/
Reading in Color - http://blackteensread2.blogspot.com/
Jens Voices - http://jensvoices.blogspot.com/
Chapters - http://lisezvous.blogspot.com/
Abby - http://www.abbyquijano.com/

So now, all that's left is for me to be cool...sounds easy enough.

I Feel the Mary Tyler Moore Theme Song Coming On...

2009-11-10T19:48:00.000-08:00

Hello world. I’m back from the depths of blogger oblivion. I feel nervous writing this entry because it’s been like sixteen yeas since I last posted; but I feel I need to write. I owe it to my fabulous followers – if you’re still following me.

I was recently hired as a freelance writer for various websites. Upon being hired, the editorial staff recommended I read this dainty little book called The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White -yes, that E.B. White. Elements of Style is an instructional guide to grammar and writing styles.

After reading this book I am completely embarrassed by everything I have ever written – ever. I can’t begin to tell you everything that I’ve learned from this thin, ninety-five page book - everything from the appropriate use of the comma to the most misused words in the English language.

Since then, I’ve been rereading this book, trying to extract as much wisdom and knowledge from its enlightening pages. I truly want to become a better writer without losing my voice; I want to refine my style without becoming stiff and boring.

So here I am, back to basics. I feel like I’m back in elementary school learning how to write “see Jane run” sentences. But, as the old adage says, a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. Never mind that I’ve taken over a million steps since I first learned how to read and write over twenty years ago and now I have to start again, from scratch. I’m not bitter – really.

Love Notes On a Tuesday Evening

2009-10-06T17:34:00.000-07:00

Say Wha?

2009-09-29T18:33:00.000-07:00

I so love Raine's Post-Its! I wanna participate. So here I go...

Six Word Saturday

2009-09-26T15:21:00.000-07:00

Which movie to go see today?

Umm, I Don't Recall Inviting You In...

2009-09-22T18:24:00.000-07:00

I totally dislike spiders. Totally. Everything about them repels me and makes my skin crawl. The way they move -eerie. They way the look- creepy. The way they invade my personal space - annoying. Me and spiders have a history. A long, arduous history full of screaming, crying and panicking.

This year, I am convinced the spider gods are out to get me. Every morning when I arrive at work, I walk into my classroom to find at least, and I repeat - at least ten daddy long legs chillin around my desk on their icky webs like they're having a family picnic. I can't believe how much nerve those creeps have. Like I'm invading their space. I've said it once, and I'll say it again. Unless your name is Charlotte, and you're going to write fabulous messages in your web about what a fantastic human I am and that I deserve a raise, don't even think about making yourself at home.

But I've learned to cope with it. I have several fearless students who take their bare hands and whack the life out of those spiders. WHACK! SMASH! SPLAT! Just like a scene out of Bat Man. Ha ha ha. Revenge is sweet...

Except when it's revenge on me. Like two nights ago, for instance. I was sitting up in bed reading, before I fell asleep, when lo and behold, a spider came running toward me on my bed. Oh sweet Jesus. I think I gave a new meaning to the term "freak out." I jumped up with my heart palpitating at about 155 beats per second. I took my book and started beating the crap out that thing like those women on Snapped who instantaneously go trigger happy on their husbands because they are having a classic "I'M AS MAD AS HELL, AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE" moment.

I was sweating by the time I got control of myself. And the next day, you best believe I washed my bed sheets. Ugh. Spiders, get your own room, and stay out of mine.

The Future of Laundry

2009-09-14T16:55:00.000-07:00

After three months of remodeling, my building's laundry room has finally reopened. I can't tell you how relieved I am. I now realize how convenient it is to have in-house laundry facilities. Whew! Big sigh of relief.

Too bad the older people in my building (they make up about half of the building's population) aren't happy with the new washer and dryer machines. See, the these new machines don't take money - at all. Our laundry has gone electronic now. The machines run on cards on which you add money and slide through the machines. "Say what!" exclaims Mrs. I'M GONNA KNOCK YOU UPSIDE THE HEAD WITH MY CANE IF YOU DON'T SLOW DOWN AND EXPLAIN HOW THESE THINGS WORK ONE MORE TIME. Gosh, I felt sorry for the laundry machine company representatives who were on site introducing this new technology.

If I'm perfectly honest, I must say that I too, am a bit disappointed with the new Jetson's laundry method. First off, if you lose the card, you have to pay ten dollars to get a new one. It cost $1.25 per wash load for twenty-five minutes. It cost $1.00 to dry for forty-five minutes. You add money to your card via a machine that is located near the first floor laundry room. In order to add money to your card you must have either a five, ten or twenty dollar bill. The machine does not accept singles, nor does it accept change. So in order to add money to my card I have to make sure I have at least a five dollar bill on me. Somehow quarters seem so much easier...

We've come a long way from scrub boards and stones. Welcome to the future.

I Survived!

2009-09-08T17:17:00.000-07:00

Whew, I have survived my first week at work. After one week of extreme heat in a non- air conditioned classroom, I am most certain that my favorite season from here on out is winter. I am very much looking forward to the cold, chilly, crisp, wet, rainy promises of the holiday season.

If given the choice between being the most underpaid, unappreciated reindeer hauling Santa's sleigh through the most icy blizzard, or being one of the heroic Hebrew boys in the fiery furnace, I'd choose to be the reindeer. As a reindeer, I would be biologically built to keep warm and I'd work up a sweat pulling Santa's sleigh. There would be no possible way to keep cool in a fiery furnace. Even if I stripped naked, there would be no relief. Ugh, I'm starting to sweat just thinking about it...

My students are a great bunch of kids. I'm quite impressed by them. They walk in class, take their seats and follow directions. So lovely! They must have come from the Planet of Well Mannered Children. I love that planet. Wish they had an order catalogue...

Before I wrap this up I must give a huge Thank You, to Raine for giving me the Queen blog award. Thanks Raine! And since I'm Queen, I will pass this award to the following bloggers:

1. Moxie at Creative Explosion By Moxie

2. Jen Jen at Jen's Voices

3. Diane at Contentedly Neurotic

4. Abby Kihano at Abby's In Trouble Again

Congrats ladies! Pass on the love...

Beam Me, Up, Harry?

2009-08-30T17:54:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is the first day of school. Normally, I'd be pretty excited. However, this year, we are having triple degree weather here in Los Angeles, and I have no air conditioning in my classroom. Good grief.

So this year I will simply have to keep cool as best as I can. I've been reviewing my outfit options for this week. My rule of thumb is "less is best." I'm trying to wear as little clothing as possible without causing a scandalous uproar: one piece dresses with as little sleeve as possible and absolutely no pantyhose. My goal is to get through this week without reenacting the infamous wicked witch scene in the Wizard of Oz - "I'm melting!!"

Last week, during a faculty meeting, the teachers were asked to introduce ourselves including, our name, subject and one super power that we wish we possessed. Being the true Harry Potter fan that I am, I instantly knew what my super power would be - the ability to disparate. I often find myself wishing I could disappear and reappear anywhere I want, at any time I want. And Lord knows this week I would disparate to my hearts' content. One minute I would be standing in front of forty whining teenagers in an Easy Bake Oven classroom, and the next minute I would be in an air conditioned hotel suite in Hawaii, holding a pina colada in one hand and a strawberry daiquiri in the other.

Sigh. The vicarious pleasures of fiction...

Yay! Blog Award!

2009-08-24T17:20:00.000-07:00

Thank you, Diane, for presenting me with the Kreativ Blogger Award.

Here are the rules:
1. Thank the person who nominated you for this award.
2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog.
3. Link to the person who nominated you for this award.
4. Name 7 things about yourself that people might not know.
5. Nominate 7 Kreativ Bloggers.
6. Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate.
7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know they have been nominated.

Here are seven things about me:

1. I love red velvet cake.
2. My favorite season is Autumn. I love the rich, earth tones and the fact that it leads into the holiday season.
3. I enjoy collecting cute ink pens.
4. I like Bob Dylan and I love his nasally sounding solo in the song, We Are the World.
5. The only beverage that quenches my thirst is water.
6. I own a sewing machine that I wish I knew how to use like a pro.
7. One of my favorite cartoon theme songs is Inspector Gadget.

And the nominees are...
1. Moxie @ Creative Explosions by Moxie
2. Raine @ True Confessions of a Single Mother
3. Amber @ Asbill Soup
4. Winna @ WinnaLife
5. JenJen @ Jen's Voices
6. Glamour Girl @ Not Your Typical Suburbanite
7.Gorrion @ Rooftop Melodies

Tripping Over Myself

2009-08-19T16:34:00.000-07:00

Video Blog:

Clumsiness is a virtue. Right?

On Turning Thirty

2009-08-16T19:00:00.000-07:00

I turned thirty years old last Wednesday - and boy, does it feel good.

There is something about turning thirty that is liberating and validating. I am glad to be out of my twenties; don't miss a thing about them. My twenties were uncertain, fickle, and fearful. Most of my twenties was spent trying to establish and assert my identity. I wanted people to be impressed with me and like me.

Now, at the age of thirty, I feel a lot more calm. I feel confident about who I am and what I want out of life. People's opinions of me don't matter as much. I don't waste nearly as much time worrying about what other people are thinking because quite frankly, that is none of my business. And no matter how hard I try, I can never get into someone else's head.

My twenties taught me a few life essentials. I have learned to above all, value my peace of mind. I have learned to mind my own business. I have learned that bitterness, resentment and grudges only slow me down and stress me out. I have learned to listen to, care for and love my body. I have learned that I am perfect the way I am. I have learned to be patient, gentle and understanding with myself. I have learned to sit in silence and be happy.

As corny as it may sound, I have learned to love and accept myself. And thus, I feel that I am off to a good start...

I Just Love How the Radio Can Bring Families Together

2009-08-11T09:55:00.000-07:00

Here's my Totally Awkward Tuesday story, hosted by Tova Darling.

One evening, when I was around ten years old, I was riding in the car with my mother. She and I were on our way home. I can't quite remember where we were coming from but it was probably church.

We were listening to the radio. I started to think about AM and FM radio. What was the difference between AM and FM stations? We seemed to listen to FM radio a lot. What did FM stand for? I posed this question to my mother. "What does FM stand for?"

She quickly glanced over at me with an apprehensive look on her face. Then, looking straight ahead, she replied, "Mother F#%&$"

Total Silence. Now I was looking straight ahead with a look of apprehension. I had never heard my mother say a bad word in my life. So I did what any other ten year old child would when she heard her mother say a bad word for the first time - I asked her to repeat it.

My mother repeated it but this time she furrowed her brow in irritation, "Mother F#%&$." I must have looked dumbstruck because she looked over at me and said, "You asked what MF stands for right?"

"No," I replied, "FM, like the radio stations."

Her entire demeanor slightly dropped with embarrassment as she scoffed, "Oh! I don't know what FM stands for."

Neither of us said anything else for the remainder of the car ride. Totally awkward.

Six Word Saturday

2009-08-08T12:40:00.000-07:00

Yay! Bette Davis marathon all day!

Silence of the Lambs Revisted?

2009-08-06T17:08:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I accompanied my mother while she was house hunting. We were traveling with a real estate agent. As we pulled up into the drive way of an Open House, the agent informed us that this particular property was currently being occupied by a tenant.

The landscape had an ominous feel to it as the grass in the front lawn lay yellow and dead and wild weeds crept along the front porch. If we were in a movie scene, this would be the part when the eerie violin music would be queued and the theater patrons would start yelling at the screen, "Don't go in there!"

We knocked on the front door. The door opened. There stood a tall, thin, greasy looking man of about forty years. He was unkempt with rough stubble covering his face, long hair which he obviously attempted to slick back but instead was unraveling itself in oily chunks, and a stained t-shirt with stained blue jeans. He was quite thin except for his beer belly that drooped lazily over his jeans. And his eyes were hollow looking with dark circles surrounding them.

He let us in and took a seat on his raggedy reclining chair in front his dated television set that was blaring the news.

The inside of that house was disgusting. The carpets were filthy, there were dirty dishes every where, there was grease on the walls - the works. Once we saw the kitchen we were about to turn around and leave. However, out of curiousity, my mother wanted to see the bedrooms.

We walked into the first bedroom. The room was quite bare and uneventful; that is, until we looked up and saw a long rifle hanging on the wall next to - a tennis racket. Umm, yeah. There was an immediate consensus amongst us that it was time to leave.

Creepy, greasy man remained in his tattered reclining chair with his stomach protruding from under his awesomely stained shirt. His eyes seemed to never leave the television screen. I suppose the news must have been horribly interesting that day. Or, he was on high alert, watching for any warranted updates about himself...

Six Things That Make Me Happy

2009-08-05T14:00:00.000-07:00

Greetings All! It feels like ages since I have last blogged. Feels good to be back.

Moxie at Creative Explosions by Moxie has tagged me for Six Things That Make You Happy. I am to list six things that make me happy and then tag people whose blogs also make me happy. So first, here is my list of six things that make me happy (in no particular order):

1. sufficient sleep

2. reading an engaging book

3. exercising

4. silence

5. watching a good movie

6. writing

In the spirit of the number six, I shall tag six bloggers (in no particular order):

1. Judi @ Lines Composed...

2. Raine @True Confessions of a Single Mother

3. La Aventurista @ My Latest Adventure

4. Magic City College Girl @Magic City College Girl

5. JenJen @ Jen's Voices

6. Fancy Schmancy @ Fancy Schmancy

Peace...

Don't Bug Me

2009-07-28T11:28:00.000-07:00

Here is my Totally Awkward Tuesday Story, hosted by Tova Darling.

About four years ago I confiscated a plastic toy cockroach from a student in my period eight class who was using it to freak out his fellow female classmates. I told him at least twice to put that blasted thing away before I decided to take it. There was only so much of "Eeew! Stop!" and "Ms. Haywood!" I could take.

He handed me the plastic bug and I quickly shoved it into my pants pocket and continued teaching. "When I am going to get it back?" I couldn't believe the nerve of this kid. I answered, "I don't know." Honestly, if he would have put as much effort into singing as he put into that stupid roach toy he could have been the next American Idol. Or at least he could have made it to Hollywood - maybe. Okay, maybe not. The point is that piece of plastic was interfering with instruction.

About a couple weeks later I was standing in front of my period four class. Class was almost over and I was taking a few questions as the students packed up. I casually placed my hand in my pants pocket and felt something in there. Curiously, I lifted my hand out of my pocket and opened my palm.

I screamed bloody murder. I threw the thing on the floor and jumped back while frantically trying to shake the nasty bug germs off my hand. One of the girls in class yelled, "Eeew! She got a roach in her pocket!"

I soon realized that it was that blasted toy. Ugh. Totally embarrassing. Totally awkward.

A Hollywood Education

2009-07-25T20:25:00.000-07:00

So I spent the latter part of this week, (Wednesday through Friday) attending an education conference held at a rather posh hotel in Hollywood. There were about 1500 teachers from all over nation at this conference. It cost over $500 per person to attend. Most districts, including mine, paid for their teachers to participate and those teachers who were from out of town were provided with hotel accommodations. Must be nice.

The most enlightening part of this conference was on the last day when one of the speakers was talking about the Hollywood image of the teacher as being the heroic individual who goes above and beyond the call of duty for her students. He mentioned three teacher movies that are based on true stories: Dangerous Minds, Freedom Writers and Stand and Deliver. What he said next was just so inspiring. Of those three teachers, he explained, two of them quit the teaching profession within three years and one of them worked himself into a heart attack.

Man, I love my job.

Ice Cream Chronicles: The Legend of Stingy Stan Part 2

2009-07-22T19:28:00.000-07:00

Greetings with Sprinkles!

Ice Cream Chronicles: The Legend of Stingy Stan Part 2 is ready for viewing! In this installment, C. Namore Wrinkles begins to share her tale of the Legend of Stingy Stan and his unusual neighborhood. The third and final installment of The Legend of Stingy Stan will be published on Sunday.

Comments left on the authspost website are welcome! And if you enjoy the story, feel free to click the "I Like It" tab toward the bottom of the web page. Thanks so much for your time and comments! Peace and hair grease...

Big Head and Hot Mama

2009-07-21T10:18:00.000-07:00

Here is my Totally Awkward Tuesday story, hosted by Tova Darling.

About eight years ago, when I lived at home with my family, we had a pet cat who I will refer to as Hot Mama. Hot Mama had an admirer. He was a rather large black and white cat with an even larger head. Gosh, that was one odd looking cat. He reminded me of those bobble heads that people place on their car dashboards. I will refer to him as Big Head.

Big Head would come strutting down to our house nearly everyday. He had an arrogance about him. Big Head always walked with his head held high (I don't know how he managed that), his cat shoulders pulled back, and his chest puffed out. If there was one song that represented him it would definitely be Right Said Fred's I'm Too Sexy.

Too bad Hot Mama, (who's song would be Fergie's Fergalicious), wasn't in the least bit interested in Big Head. He would plant himself on our front porch and let out a Rico Suave meow while Hot Mama wouldn't even bother getting up to go see about him. Once, I walked to the front door and told him to scram. He looked me square in the eye, slightly raised one of his hind legs, and sprayed urine at the front door. "Gee, Big Head," I responded, "You're so charming. I can't imagine why she doesn't like you."

Well, one day I was driving home from an errand. As I pulled into the driveway I couldn't believe what I saw: Big Head and Hot Mama were getting it on in the middle of the driveway! Ugh. I"ll never forget that look on Big Head's face with his mouth hanging open and fire in his eyes.

Hot Mama and I made eye contact. If looks could talk, my look would have said, "You hoochie mama! You actually fell for that jerk?" Her look would have said, "OMG. This is so embarrassing!" His look would have said - well, we won't go there...

I had to sit and wait for them to finish their business before I could completely pull into the driveway. Totally Awkward.