Breaking Dawn

Not only was this weekend busy with the seminar in Indy, but I had my semi-annual fan girl outing with the gals. You know we got all gussied up to go see Breaking Dawn during opening weekend. Okay, I wouldn’t say gussie as we were wrapped in coats in a crowded movie theater, but we definitely were dressed for our outing.

We each had different opinions about this book. I recall Becky and I even had an online disagreement on a review site. Now, the gals are completely Team Jacob and I’m Team Edward. I can’t help it. I have a sick compulsion for the fictional dominant guys (obviously this is a type I find appealing, but have discovered that in reality, they aren’t attractive). Either way, I’d say after the last four movies, I am Team Charlie all the way. His toast in the wedding scene just cracked me up the same way he stole his scenes in the first movie, so I’ve completely switched sides.

I have to say the movie was better than we expected. We knew it would cater to fans of the books, so only us gals would enjoy it. I went in expecting to laugh at the sex scene, which turned out better than I thought, with some fun humor in it, but lacked the awkwardness I’ve come to expect. I know the gals and I were concerned with the bruising scene and how that would come across to young impressionable girls, but once again I feel it was tastefully handled. The wedding was beautiful with some sweet moments thrown in. And the infamous birthing scene was as gruesome as I imagined, though they didn’t show as much, but the sound effects placed you in the scene. It was so fast-paced that Erin asked why Edward had blood on his mouth, not realizing it was a result of the gruesome biting through the placenta scene.

Overall, our group was satisfied with the movie. It was well done for the fans and featured some intimate and funny scenes. And obviously us gals have plans for seeing the second half next year, but in the meantime we were excited to see the trailer for Hunger Games which comes out in March.

Backwards and Forwards

This week has been a wild ride for me. I honestly questioned my ability to present six lectures at three different conferences on three varied subject areas all within one week, but I survived and based on comments I’ve received, I did an outstanding job each time. The week began with the Military Seminar. I should have recalled that when coordinating an event, you should decline to offer any of the programs because you’ll only exhaust yourself. Several people were not pleased to discover that I was the representative for the center rather than my manager, but those same people approached me after my pension presentation to tell me how impressed they were with my lecture. One even tried to offer a compliment in saying they could understand why my boss allowed me to speak at this event. Okay, I thought, considering I was the one responsible for the entire seminar.

A few days later, I co-presented a two hour lecture at the Indiana Library Federation Conference along with my amazing colleague, Dawne. I managed to shock her when mid-lecture I used the example of ?ucker for a search. In my defense, I definitely kept the attendees on their toes. Dawne and I attended Delia’s session as backups to help with any perilous questions. Delia had the group chuckling at several of her death quips. The only backup she needed was a mention of the Daitch Mokotoff Soundex, which I just personally like saying. At the end of the week, there was the all day conference in Indianapolis. It was my first experience as the main speaker at an event. Four lectures on varying immigration topics and a very pleased audience. This was my forward momentum, another example of the changes in my career.

A few weeks ago, I received messages from several of my former employees, who were distressed about decisions involving my old collection. I was devastated to hear about the changes, yet felt it was another reminder that accepting my current job was a smart decision. The night before I spoke in Indy, the last true genealogy librarian left from my time and experience at my old library, sent me a message that she was being transferred and her position dissolved. I was a bit shell-shocked by this. It was the final death nail in my legacy. No specialized librarians in that collection; no one that the societies respect; no one with even basic knowledge of genealogy research; no one to offer original classes, only to read the notes and powerpoints I created almost seven years ago; no one who understands the book ordering; no one who cares for the history of that collection. It truly breaks my heart, but it also was a sign that I have to continue in my forward motion.

What's in a Name

As my reviewers rake over my story, I've had several comments made pertaining to names. The first comment concerned my pseudonym. I had shortened my first name, so it's a bit different, and used hubby's middle name. The gals noticed it immediately upon receiving my latest manuscript and I heard why the last name was a bad choice, though they love the first name. Following a running dialogue on this topic, the concensus was I should use my maiden name. I willingly agreed, so my new pseudonym is ...

Then I learned that there was a divide among the reviewers concerning my character's names. Everyone enjoyed my female characters' names, whereas complaints were lodged against the males. I've been swayed to slightly alter the one name, but I refuse to change the hero's name. It suits him. It brings a certain image to mind for me, therefore I deem it perfect for him.

So the name game has begun. Alas, I've been hearing some opinions concerning my story. My favorite being that one reviewer stayed up, unable to put the story down. And two of the reviewers are determined that I definitely submit this one. They have several criticisms of the work as well, which I'm waiting to hear back when they give me their full reports. Three of the reviewers haven't finished reading it as of yet. I'll share their comments once I have them. As for NanoWrimo, I am way behind in my numbers, but determined to play catch up once I find a spare moment in my schedule.

A Hairy Choice

In the coming week, I am having a portrait done of hubby and me. It got me thinking that I need a different picture for my professional speaking engagements. My current pic is from two years ago and I look a bit different now, plus lots of pinkish tones in the image along with my red hair. Cringe! So I am asking you to help me choose my hairstyle for my professional pic. This is the one I'll be providing groups to use in advertising and brochures for my speaking engagements. So let me know what you think!

Option1

Option2

 

Option 3

Option 4

Numbers game

This week has been all about the numbers. Since getting sick, I have put on a bit of weight, I'll admit to more than 10 pounds gained. I've been struggling with my condition, calories, and the energy for a workout. I'm finally seeing some results. The scale was down 4 pounds this morning. I'm doing the happy dance, you just can't see.

This Saturday kicks off my 3 conferences/ 6 lectures week. I've been watching the numbers for Saturdays seminar rise daily, which is very exciting. Plus the gals and I have been counting words for our writing group. As I'm officially participating in nanowrimo, I need to complete 50,000 words by the end of the month. I decided to work on a story I'd previously outlined and developed character sketches for. I started off the week slow with only 700 words, but this weekend was intense. The story flowed quickly and became 14,000 words in the end. I'm enjoying the different personality conflicts involving the characters because they are each so flawed.

All the while, I beat back my anxiety that says I should ask my reviewers to return my previous project to me. I know I'm not a well versed writer and that I write they way I talk which had many colloquialisms to it, but I know my ideas are good. I fear my reviewers thinking, how can she believe anyone would ever publish her crap. I know in reality, they won't think that because they're all too professional to go that route. So I try to patiently wait for their opinions, all the while, playing the numbers game with my latest work.

Shopper's Weekend

This past weekend went by way too quickly. It all began Friday evening went I headed out to Jefferson Pointe for dinner with Sarai. I stopped in Von Maur to shop for some ankle boots and couldn't make up my mind, so I bought two pairs; one suede, the other leather. Dinner, Debrand's chocolate, and lots of talking led to a late night for me. Though I arrived home at 11:00, it was way past my bedtime. And I have to admit, the doc was right that any altering of my sleep throws my system out of whack. Arriving home, I took B for his nightly walk and was issued an interesting invite. Becky's cute younger neighbor approached me to ask if B was comfortable around other dogs because his dog had been in the car all day and was full of energy. Honestly, I was confused at the question then told him that B usually became scared of other dogs. The neighbor seemed disappointed and said he'd hoped B could play with his dog. I glanced over at his apartment, where his dog sat in the window along with a woman, so I truly believe he wanted our dogs to play, but it was awkward.

On Saturday, hubby and I headed off for some shopping and discussion about our xmas list. While at Macy's, I pointed out their set of Very Soft Socks, which are $10 each and told hubby, those were on my list. He asked me to pick out which colors I liked, then proceeded to buy them for me, handing me the gift.When I asked if this was an early xmas gift, he said no, it was because I wanted them. Aahhh! That evening was football mayhem as South Carolina lost to Arkansas and LSU and Alabama went into overtime. Another late night for me.

Sunday was intense. I was so focused and driven that I managed to get a lot of writing done, which is another post. So what do you think of the new boots?

To Buy or Not to Buy?

I know, I know, we've had this discussion numerous times. I'm a horrible homeowner. I don't enjoy the yard work and all the little fixer upper jobs that need to be done. When I was a homeowner, I spent every weekend working on something with the house, lamenting owning it. Now mind you, I lived in Florida, in a neighborhood that went to shit before we moved in thanks to the housing boom, and was in a deed restricted area. Hello, you try keeping St. Augustine grass lovely during the summer heat spells when your sprinkler system breaks. Hubby and I had a wonderful realtor when we first moved up here, who showed us several scary houses in the remote regions between our two places of employment. It wasn't for us.

So, I've been a somewhat content apartment dweller, in the aspect that they do all my repairs, yet I hate the complex, owners, and neighbors (except Becky). The complex has been on a downhill slide for a long while. It was bought out for the third time a few months ago and still seems to be going down. We'll ignore the fact, they can't seem to clear a sidewalk when it's icy and focus on the fact that they keep raising the rent far more than market value. It's ridiculous.

So with all this in mind, I visited Erin's new house and, gasp, fell in love. She lives in a beautiful area of town, with rolling hills, almost an acre lot, and lovely old trees, lots of privacy, and no deed restrictions. Her house is cute with some nice trimmings. I came home and told hubby, I want a house like hers. So after much debate over the fact that we're bleeding money and next year, I may not be able to afford the rent, we're on the path to considering hiring another realtor.

Yes, I'll hate the yard work, yet it won't be based on the previous exact standards. I'll have to do most of the house work myself since hubby only "visits." But I can't help but think about the difference between leasing a car and buying a car. I've paid off my car, which is a relief and I just pay for taxes, fees, and maintenance. Wouldn't it be nice for to have the same situation for my home? Especially considering we could get a house for cheaper than my rent, which keeps going up. It's really left us with a huge question hanging over our head. Should we buy or not?