Posts
Last night I actually went to bed and read for about 40 minutes before going to sleep. I haven't done that in ages. I've been reading The Devil Wears Prada since July and my goal is to finish it before Christmas. I have a ton of new books to read, recent purchases from the last two Friends of the Library book sales.
I always swear I won't buy any more new (or used) books until I read all the books I have.
But when it comes to books, I have zero self control. I've always been this way. Ask my mom, who read me storybook after storybook after storybook until she (and I) knew Richard Scary's Great Steamboat Mystery by heart.
I just love the feel and the smell of books. I love the sound of a new book spine as it cracks up to reveal a host of imaginative treasures. I love escaping into the story, of living someone else's life if just for a few brief moments.
In fact, I think I might go to bed early tonight and curl up with a good book.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Monday, October 16, 2006
Wanted: Extra Brain
Wanted: A personal assistant to keep me organized, run errands, clean house, cook dinner, buy my lunch, keep my calendar, take dictation for my blog, organize my huge piles of magazines pulling out articles I might like, and jot down reminders when I think "Oh, I need to..." (Actually, don’t jot down reminders, just do them.) Pay: The sheer satisfaction of knowing my life is slightly less stressful.
The real kicker here is that I am an organized person. I'm often complimented on my organizational skills and ability to juggle many tasks as once. But today I realized I had scheduled a focus group with Business Journal readers for a Tuesday morning. Duh - I teach my class at the College of Charleston on Tuesday mornings. I can't really miss this focus group so I'll probably cancel class (the students will be sooo disappointed).
Once I realized what I done, I also realized I am OVER BOOKED BIG TIME. The solution is to find a personal assistant willing to work for free or eliminate some commitments from my life. Actually I may need the assistant to help me eliminate some of those commitments. Any takers?
The real kicker here is that I am an organized person. I'm often complimented on my organizational skills and ability to juggle many tasks as once. But today I realized I had scheduled a focus group with Business Journal readers for a Tuesday morning. Duh - I teach my class at the College of Charleston on Tuesday mornings. I can't really miss this focus group so I'll probably cancel class (the students will be sooo disappointed).
Once I realized what I done, I also realized I am OVER BOOKED BIG TIME. The solution is to find a personal assistant willing to work for free or eliminate some commitments from my life. Actually I may need the assistant to help me eliminate some of those commitments. Any takers?
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Sky writing, please
"Snip"
In a nanosecond I knew I made a mistake. Bangs. I haven't had serious bangs in at least seven years, but utter hair frustration will make one do stupid things. So last weekend I told my hairdresser to give me a few bangs. At first she styled them at an angle, and by angle, I mean they were obstructing the view from my left eye. Not exactly practical for someone who spends all day reading and writing. So she cut them a little shorter, styled my hair and I decided, well, maybe they looked OK.
Of course once it came time for me to style them myself, all bets were off. I've received several compliments from friends and co-workers, including at least three people who told me I looked younger. Surely, that can't be bad.
I'm still not sold, though. Maybe a few more days with my new do will convince me. If not, I guess I'll start the growing out process.
It seems I've come out of every decision lately completely second-guessing myself. I decided last week to accept a new position within my company. Essentially I'll be our Web editor (exact title yet to be determined). We are launching a new Web site in the coming months and expanding our e-mail products. We're also launching a statewide business magazine, which will most certainly have a Web site component. This is also a brand new position for my company, so I'll really be breaking ground.
I want to broaden my skills and make myself a more marketable journalist. After all, so much of our industry is headed down the digital path. And I have a real interest in learning some new technology -- video streaming, podcasts, etc. Plus, I can make a mark for myself. I'll have a chance to build a new position and shape the future of the company. Big stuff.
I gave the position a great deal of thought. I prayed about it and no negatives came to light. I couldn't think of a reason not to take the job. But now ... I think I'm just doubting myself and my abilities. New ventures are scary. And yet, I can't help but wonder if I made the right decision.
I pray about these things and yet don't always hear a clear answer from God. (Skywriting would be so very helpful, Lord.) Or maybe I'm just running at such a fast pace, God is talking and I don't hear Him. Or maybe he needs more time to decide, and I'm working on my own timeline, which is NOW.
Several months into my 30s, I find myself at a crossroads. I'm making a job change, I'm teaching at the college level (could that lead to a career change down the road?) and I'm pondering my future with the Society of Professional Journalists board of directors (my term as regional director ends next fall and I don't intend to run again). Should I pursue higher office? It's a four-year commitment and a heady responsibility.
The next three to four years also seem to be the critical time to decide whether to have children. This decision takes the prize for most complicated and difficult. If the answer is "start a family," major life changes have to happen and my career may have to take a backseat. If the answer is "don't start a family," will I wake up 20 years from now wishing I could look forward to grandchildren?
I've made a lot of important decisions in my life: moving to Texas, marrying Clint, pursuing a master's degree. And all these decisions enhanced my life in ways I can't even describe. I made those decisions and never looked back.
Yet those decisions came at different stages of my life and now it seems I'm faced with several important, life-changing decisions all at the same time. And yet, it's possible I'm just thinking too much. I'm spending too much time analyzing and maybe the best decision is "just do it." The trick, though, is figuring out what "it" is.
In a nanosecond I knew I made a mistake. Bangs. I haven't had serious bangs in at least seven years, but utter hair frustration will make one do stupid things. So last weekend I told my hairdresser to give me a few bangs. At first she styled them at an angle, and by angle, I mean they were obstructing the view from my left eye. Not exactly practical for someone who spends all day reading and writing. So she cut them a little shorter, styled my hair and I decided, well, maybe they looked OK.
Of course once it came time for me to style them myself, all bets were off. I've received several compliments from friends and co-workers, including at least three people who told me I looked younger. Surely, that can't be bad.
I'm still not sold, though. Maybe a few more days with my new do will convince me. If not, I guess I'll start the growing out process.
It seems I've come out of every decision lately completely second-guessing myself. I decided last week to accept a new position within my company. Essentially I'll be our Web editor (exact title yet to be determined). We are launching a new Web site in the coming months and expanding our e-mail products. We're also launching a statewide business magazine, which will most certainly have a Web site component. This is also a brand new position for my company, so I'll really be breaking ground.
I want to broaden my skills and make myself a more marketable journalist. After all, so much of our industry is headed down the digital path. And I have a real interest in learning some new technology -- video streaming, podcasts, etc. Plus, I can make a mark for myself. I'll have a chance to build a new position and shape the future of the company. Big stuff.
I gave the position a great deal of thought. I prayed about it and no negatives came to light. I couldn't think of a reason not to take the job. But now ... I think I'm just doubting myself and my abilities. New ventures are scary. And yet, I can't help but wonder if I made the right decision.
I pray about these things and yet don't always hear a clear answer from God. (Skywriting would be so very helpful, Lord.) Or maybe I'm just running at such a fast pace, God is talking and I don't hear Him. Or maybe he needs more time to decide, and I'm working on my own timeline, which is NOW.
Several months into my 30s, I find myself at a crossroads. I'm making a job change, I'm teaching at the college level (could that lead to a career change down the road?) and I'm pondering my future with the Society of Professional Journalists board of directors (my term as regional director ends next fall and I don't intend to run again). Should I pursue higher office? It's a four-year commitment and a heady responsibility.
The next three to four years also seem to be the critical time to decide whether to have children. This decision takes the prize for most complicated and difficult. If the answer is "start a family," major life changes have to happen and my career may have to take a backseat. If the answer is "don't start a family," will I wake up 20 years from now wishing I could look forward to grandchildren?
I've made a lot of important decisions in my life: moving to Texas, marrying Clint, pursuing a master's degree. And all these decisions enhanced my life in ways I can't even describe. I made those decisions and never looked back.
Yet those decisions came at different stages of my life and now it seems I'm faced with several important, life-changing decisions all at the same time. And yet, it's possible I'm just thinking too much. I'm spending too much time analyzing and maybe the best decision is "just do it." The trick, though, is figuring out what "it" is.
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Week in Review
Whew! What a week!
Monday was a holiday, so in theory it should have been a good week -- quick and painless. Instead, it was exhausting. Not to mention the week started on a sad note with the death of Steve Irwin, better known as the Crocodile Hunter.
I had several large projects at work and ran into some frustrating problems. By the time, Friday rolled around I was zapped.
And, with our busy schedules, we haven't done much to our house. While the upstairs is much better and certainly livable, the downstairs is still a mess. And Clint has a business trip this week so our progressed will be slowed.
The only saving grace -- the television is hooked up so I can escape reality for a few minutes a day.
Monday was a holiday, so in theory it should have been a good week -- quick and painless. Instead, it was exhausting. Not to mention the week started on a sad note with the death of Steve Irwin, better known as the Crocodile Hunter.
I had several large projects at work and ran into some frustrating problems. By the time, Friday rolled around I was zapped.
And, with our busy schedules, we haven't done much to our house. While the upstairs is much better and certainly livable, the downstairs is still a mess. And Clint has a business trip this week so our progressed will be slowed.
The only saving grace -- the television is hooked up so I can escape reality for a few minutes a day.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
The Donald in Chicago
CHICAGO -- Clint and I were addicted to the first season of "The Apprentice" with Donald Trump. The apprentice who was ultimately hired -- Bill Rancic -- opted to oversee Trump's latest project, the 78-story Trump International Hotel & Tower here in Chicago. Turns out it's under construction just down from my hotel.
The Windy City
CHICAGO -- Yesterday I arrived in Chicago for the Society of Professional Journalists Convention & National Journalism Conference. I always enjoy spending time in big cities--they have so much energy and life. I love the skyscapers and hustle and bustle.
It's been busy so far with workshops and board meetings but I took a few minutes this evening to walk on a couple streets near the hotel. I snapped a few photos I'm posting here -- enjoy!
Saturday, August 19, 2006
The Money Pit, Part II
Last night while standing in line at Atlanta Bread Co., I noticed a young woman sitting at a table.
"Doesn't that girl work at Lowe's?" I said.
Clint looked at her. "You're right, I think she does," he said.
Clearly, I have been spending way too much time at Lowe's if I can recognize cashiers in a non-Lowe's setting. This can't be good.
We are still in full-blown renovations but starting to see progress. Almost the entire second floor is painted (except the room over the garage and the master bathroom). We're still in discussion about what to do with those. I've painted a ton of trim and door frames. Clint, who has boundless amounts of energy, will stay up into the wee hours painting the walls.
Today's chores include taking down doors for cleaning and painting and beginning the flooring process. We're hoping to have a significant amount of the second floor done by the end of the weekend. I certainly hope so - it will be nice to have some sense of normalcy.
"Doesn't that girl work at Lowe's?" I said.
Clint looked at her. "You're right, I think she does," he said.
Clearly, I have been spending way too much time at Lowe's if I can recognize cashiers in a non-Lowe's setting. This can't be good.
We are still in full-blown renovations but starting to see progress. Almost the entire second floor is painted (except the room over the garage and the master bathroom). We're still in discussion about what to do with those. I've painted a ton of trim and door frames. Clint, who has boundless amounts of energy, will stay up into the wee hours painting the walls.
Today's chores include taking down doors for cleaning and painting and beginning the flooring process. We're hoping to have a significant amount of the second floor done by the end of the weekend. I certainly hope so - it will be nice to have some sense of normalcy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)