Well, at least I'm consistently getting my Friday post out. That and walking New Dog twice a day seem to be all I'm consistent with these days. I really really want some of my routine back. And am so very excited for a long weekend! How about you?
Today's Soundtrack Friday is about the video more than the song. I had never heard of this group before someone posted the video on one of the reader boards I frequent. The music is soft and soothing yet sensual and makes me want to float gracefully and deliberately about the room. The visuals in the video are stunning. Flemenco is a dance that's not performed much in North America, and that's just sad. The women who dance in the video are strong, precise, elemental and fluid. They make me want to stand up tall and embrace all it means to be a woman. And reminds me that women are strong and fluid and elemental. We don't fit into neat little boxes with tidy labels. I needed to be reminded of that this week - without a lecture from well meaning friends. And this video did the trick.
So I bring you Iron and Wine and their Flemenco inspired video, Boy with a Coin.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
Soundtrack Friday
Goodness, two Fridays in a row! It's a winning streak, folks!
Life's been a little busy, but in a new and different way. On Sunday, my husband and I adopted a dog. He's a great boy, needs some training, and we need to adapt to his energy levels, but after a year and a half of living life without a dog, Remy is a great addition to our family.
Today's Soundtrack Friday is all about the dogs. While I don't encourage everyone to jump up and go find a dog from a rescue or the Humane society without first evaluating what breed will best fit your lifestyle (if a dog will fit your lifestyle at all), I do recommend having the right animal in your life when you are ready. There is nothing better than the relationship that builds between a pet and their trusted and caring owner.
I am so blessed to have Remy be apart of our lives and in just under a week, I can't imagine life without him. There is still much to do to build trust and work through some obedience issues, but I know time and discipline (on all our parts), and love will get us there.
I scoured the web looking for a dog song and found this by Nellie McKay. The Dog Song is cute and fits my mood today. Here is a You Tube clip of Nellie singing. Here's to all the doggies, and their owners, who have found life long love with each other. Happy Friday!
Life's been a little busy, but in a new and different way. On Sunday, my husband and I adopted a dog. He's a great boy, needs some training, and we need to adapt to his energy levels, but after a year and a half of living life without a dog, Remy is a great addition to our family.
Today's Soundtrack Friday is all about the dogs. While I don't encourage everyone to jump up and go find a dog from a rescue or the Humane society without first evaluating what breed will best fit your lifestyle (if a dog will fit your lifestyle at all), I do recommend having the right animal in your life when you are ready. There is nothing better than the relationship that builds between a pet and their trusted and caring owner.
I am so blessed to have Remy be apart of our lives and in just under a week, I can't imagine life without him. There is still much to do to build trust and work through some obedience issues, but I know time and discipline (on all our parts), and love will get us there.
I scoured the web looking for a dog song and found this by Nellie McKay. The Dog Song is cute and fits my mood today. Here is a You Tube clip of Nellie singing. Here's to all the doggies, and their owners, who have found life long love with each other. Happy Friday!
Friday, May 08, 2009
Soundtrack Friday
I almost forgot about Soundtrack Friday today! It's been a bit of a whirlwind and I'm still catching my breath. Spring is definitely here and while the grass is green and the trees are starting to look less like emaciated skelatons and more like leafy canopies, I find myself driven to ground by pollen. Doesn't keep me from enjoying being outside or the growth and color that is spring, but it does mean I get tired and grumpy a little more often than I should.
There have also been some interesting family things in my extended family. Neither good or bad, they just are. But it takes energy to process and deal and support. Energy that because of the aformentioned allergies, I don't have in high reserve. Perhaps this is a reason I haven't been blogging much in the last month. No energy. I am seriously going to have to do something about that.
Which brings us to Soundtrack Friday. I was thinking of a peppy song to get the blood pumping and the energy moving. But all week I've had a song stuck in my head and it seems appropriate somehow. I spent time plotting Mallory's story in more detail, revisited a little story I was writign for a friend that is turning into something longer with publication potential. And both stories have this deep need, this deep longing for belonging as a theme. Now, don't go analyzing me and my issues! Face it, we all have this longing and need to belong to something greater than ourselves. When writing popular fiction, you need to embed universal themes into the stories so the reader can relate to the characters.
Well, the song that comes to mind as I think about longing and need is Here Comes The Rain Again by the Eurythmics. I loved this group in the 80's and am so happy to see they are back recording and getting their music out there! I'm also glad I heard HCTRA on the radio last week as I was hitting a crucial scene that revealed Mallory's true beliefs about herself. The lyrics in the first halves of the verses really hit the nail on the head for Mallory. The music, well, it set up the atmosphere for the entire scene and then some. Annie Lennox, thank you for this song and for your amazing, haunting voice!
So, without further adieu I give you a link to the Eurythmics and Here Comes The Rain Again. Enjoy today's Soundtrack Friday and have a wonderful weekend!
There have also been some interesting family things in my extended family. Neither good or bad, they just are. But it takes energy to process and deal and support. Energy that because of the aformentioned allergies, I don't have in high reserve. Perhaps this is a reason I haven't been blogging much in the last month. No energy. I am seriously going to have to do something about that.
Which brings us to Soundtrack Friday. I was thinking of a peppy song to get the blood pumping and the energy moving. But all week I've had a song stuck in my head and it seems appropriate somehow. I spent time plotting Mallory's story in more detail, revisited a little story I was writign for a friend that is turning into something longer with publication potential. And both stories have this deep need, this deep longing for belonging as a theme. Now, don't go analyzing me and my issues! Face it, we all have this longing and need to belong to something greater than ourselves. When writing popular fiction, you need to embed universal themes into the stories so the reader can relate to the characters.
Well, the song that comes to mind as I think about longing and need is Here Comes The Rain Again by the Eurythmics. I loved this group in the 80's and am so happy to see they are back recording and getting their music out there! I'm also glad I heard HCTRA on the radio last week as I was hitting a crucial scene that revealed Mallory's true beliefs about herself. The lyrics in the first halves of the verses really hit the nail on the head for Mallory. The music, well, it set up the atmosphere for the entire scene and then some. Annie Lennox, thank you for this song and for your amazing, haunting voice!
So, without further adieu I give you a link to the Eurythmics and Here Comes The Rain Again. Enjoy today's Soundtrack Friday and have a wonderful weekend!
Friday, May 01, 2009
Books Read In April
Fragile by Shiloh Walker -- A wonderful gritty and hopeful book about love and healing in the face of danger and trauma. And yes, Shiloh made me cry!
Unseen by Nancy Bush -- the second book about the cult, The Colony, that was started in Wicked Game by Nancy and her sister Lisa Jackson. Creepy and well written.
Midnight Bayou by Nora Roberts -- This was a reread of a Nora favorite. Bayous, New Orleans and haunted mansions - this book has it all!
High Noon by Nora Roberts -- a reread of Nora's 2007 single title release. I read it to get ready for the Lifetime TV channel movie version of the book. It was still a good read, but not as great as I remembered.
Tribute by Nora Roberts -- another reread. Um, yes, I like Nora Roberts. And I probably wouldn't have reread so many in a row if it weren't for her Lifetime TV movies. I'm glad I did reread Tribute. The book was better the second time around.
Surrender A Dream by Jill Barnett -- Jill's second book and one of my friend, April's favorites. This was my first read through and I really enjoyed the story and the setting.
Duke of Shadows by Meredith Duran -- A gritty historical that takes place in India during 1857 and then fast forward to England a few years after. The story isn't light and definitely not a costume drama. A great debut novel!
Archangel Project by C.S. Graham -- An interesting look at remote viewing as a government program. Rife with danger, conspiracy and political intrigue, this was a quick read and I'm curious about future books in this series.
Smooth Talking Stranger by Lisa Kleypas -- Another wonderful contemporary novel by Lisa. Her historicals are gripping and entertaining, but her contemporaries completely suck me in.
Witch's Grave by Shirley Damsgaard -- The 6th book in Shirley's Abby and Ophelia mystery series opens up some new directions for the series and in Ophelia's growth as a character.
Unseen by Nancy Bush -- the second book about the cult, The Colony, that was started in Wicked Game by Nancy and her sister Lisa Jackson. Creepy and well written.
Midnight Bayou by Nora Roberts -- This was a reread of a Nora favorite. Bayous, New Orleans and haunted mansions - this book has it all!
High Noon by Nora Roberts -- a reread of Nora's 2007 single title release. I read it to get ready for the Lifetime TV channel movie version of the book. It was still a good read, but not as great as I remembered.
Tribute by Nora Roberts -- another reread. Um, yes, I like Nora Roberts. And I probably wouldn't have reread so many in a row if it weren't for her Lifetime TV movies. I'm glad I did reread Tribute. The book was better the second time around.
Surrender A Dream by Jill Barnett -- Jill's second book and one of my friend, April's favorites. This was my first read through and I really enjoyed the story and the setting.
Duke of Shadows by Meredith Duran -- A gritty historical that takes place in India during 1857 and then fast forward to England a few years after. The story isn't light and definitely not a costume drama. A great debut novel!
Archangel Project by C.S. Graham -- An interesting look at remote viewing as a government program. Rife with danger, conspiracy and political intrigue, this was a quick read and I'm curious about future books in this series.
Smooth Talking Stranger by Lisa Kleypas -- Another wonderful contemporary novel by Lisa. Her historicals are gripping and entertaining, but her contemporaries completely suck me in.
Witch's Grave by Shirley Damsgaard -- The 6th book in Shirley's Abby and Ophelia mystery series opens up some new directions for the series and in Ophelia's growth as a character.
Monday, April 27, 2009
A Little Help From My Friends
In the last two weeks my life has been a little out of control. Work has been good, but very time and energy consuming. I had more commitments on my dance card than I had dances. My fibro was acting up big time, but instead of reaching out and admitting I couldn't do it all at this point in time, I raised the flag of personal responsibility and like a good little martyr, I pushed on. Until I collapsed. Almost literally.
I'm the first to admit that I'm not good on leaning on others. I was raised with the values of personal responsibility and good hard work get the job done. And this has served me well. However, it has also made it difficult for me to ask for help, even when I know I need it. Given the fact I know when certain things occur, I need to let go and delegate or just say no, why is that I continue to horde my tasks like precious jewels?
For me, I think it's because raising the white flag to signal for help has been associated personally with failure. I should be able to do it all. I'm an intelligent and talented human being. I'm capable. There is no reason why I shouldn't be able to follow through and get through everything on my list. Failure is a nasty word in our culture. And, as a society, we're moving further and further away from failure being a positive experience. More on that in a future post.
But since I was afraid to look like a failure or to be seen as weak, I didn't ask for help. Fortunately, I have good friends and a great husband who can tell when I'm getting overwhelmed. And these people step up and step in. Oh, I may not be all that gracious about their offers of help, but I do appreciate their willingness to support me with their talents and strengths.
In the end, through this team effort, I made it through the week and am looking at life through clearer eyes and with renewed energy. And I made a commitment to myself to be kinder to me. That means asking for help before I reach that breaking point. I want to break the old habits that are no longer serving me and let go of false beliefs that asking for help somehow equals failure. And that failure is bad.
Are you fortunate enough to have a good support system of people who will step in even when think you can do it all? Or are you more likely to muscle through? What do we miss out on in life because we aren't willing to lean a little? I'm curious about your impressions and can't wait to read your responses.
I'm the first to admit that I'm not good on leaning on others. I was raised with the values of personal responsibility and good hard work get the job done. And this has served me well. However, it has also made it difficult for me to ask for help, even when I know I need it. Given the fact I know when certain things occur, I need to let go and delegate or just say no, why is that I continue to horde my tasks like precious jewels?
For me, I think it's because raising the white flag to signal for help has been associated personally with failure. I should be able to do it all. I'm an intelligent and talented human being. I'm capable. There is no reason why I shouldn't be able to follow through and get through everything on my list. Failure is a nasty word in our culture. And, as a society, we're moving further and further away from failure being a positive experience. More on that in a future post.
But since I was afraid to look like a failure or to be seen as weak, I didn't ask for help. Fortunately, I have good friends and a great husband who can tell when I'm getting overwhelmed. And these people step up and step in. Oh, I may not be all that gracious about their offers of help, but I do appreciate their willingness to support me with their talents and strengths.
In the end, through this team effort, I made it through the week and am looking at life through clearer eyes and with renewed energy. And I made a commitment to myself to be kinder to me. That means asking for help before I reach that breaking point. I want to break the old habits that are no longer serving me and let go of false beliefs that asking for help somehow equals failure. And that failure is bad.
Are you fortunate enough to have a good support system of people who will step in even when think you can do it all? Or are you more likely to muscle through? What do we miss out on in life because we aren't willing to lean a little? I'm curious about your impressions and can't wait to read your responses.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Soundtrack Friday
Sorry I missed last week. Sometimes life gets busy. And sometimes you just don't know what song represents the moment. That was me. I had no idea what song went with the story or went with my life. And this week, in the midst of systems training and trying to make a decision about a supervisory opportunity, I kept coming up blank. I had nothing to say. Nothing to write. No music in my head.
Until today.
I woke up this morning, and after showering and dressing, I was putting on my make-up and humming. The nonesensical tune morphed into Amy Grant's Takes A Little Time and I started singing the chorus when it hit me, sometimes life doesn't go the way we plan and it takes some time to course correct. Sometimes what we need to do we don't have the energy or the skills for. Or sometimes we just need time to get over the shock of the direction life pushed us. The song talks about that, but it also talks about being patient with ourselves. Life just takes time.
Until today.
I woke up this morning, and after showering and dressing, I was putting on my make-up and humming. The nonesensical tune morphed into Amy Grant's Takes A Little Time and I started singing the chorus when it hit me, sometimes life doesn't go the way we plan and it takes some time to course correct. Sometimes what we need to do we don't have the energy or the skills for. Or sometimes we just need time to get over the shock of the direction life pushed us. The song talks about that, but it also talks about being patient with ourselves. Life just takes time.
It takes a little time sometimes, to get your feet back on the groundTo see a video and here this song that is really speaking to me this morning, you can go to You Tube - sadly, I can't embed the video here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zBCXD6UdL8
It takes a little time sometimes. to get the Titanic turned back around
It takes a little time sometimes, but baby you're not going down
It takes more than you've got right now
Give it, give it time
What's this walking through my door
I know I've seen the look before
Sometimes on faces in the street
And sometimes in the mirror looking back at me
You can't fix this pain with money
You can't rush a weary soul
You can't sweep it under the rug now honey
But it don't take a lot to know
[Chorus]
Well it may not be over by morning
But Rome wasn't built in a day
You can name that thing a thousand times
And It won't make it go away
Let me
put my arms around you
And hold you while you weep
We've been talking and you know
what, I'm sick of this talk
And it's nothing that won't keep
[Chorus]
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Taking Ourselves Too Seriously
I have high standards for certain things. The cleanliness of my bathroom. How my closet is organized. The quality of my clothing. The organization of my purse. Getting the bills paid on if not before time. And my books. I have super high standards for the quality of books that I keep, particularly trade and hardcover editions. New or used. Mass market paperbacks I'm more lenient about, unless I'm buying new. Then I want to pick the most immaculate looking book in the store.
Recently, these high standards got me in trouble. I belong to a book swap site where members can swap books with each other. It's a great way to recycle books I don't want to keep and to obtain the backlist of authors I have recently discovered. The site allows you to list conditions that must be met before you are willing to accept a book. I rarely ask for hardcovers because I usually buy the hardcovers I plan to own. You know stimulate the economy and support those people who are doing what I hope to do some day soon - publish. But occasionally I'll want a hardcover that is hard to find new or is out-of-print and these books I plan to not read and pass on but to keep.
One such book that I had requested arrived and it was not in the condition I thought I had made clear on my requester conditions. So I pinged the sender and asked for a return of credit since the book didn't meet my conditions. I've done this once before when a book didn't meet my conditions and the transaction was pleasant enough. I myself have been asked to return credit due to a book I sent that wasn't in as good a shape as I had thought. No biggie, right?
I was reprimanded by the sender. If I wanted a book that was pristine I should have purchased it new. I got the feeling, and I'm only guessing, that what the sender wanted to say was, "Get over yourself, it's a used book for crying out loud!"
At first I was upset. And then I thought about it. It was just a used book. Sure, I could have all the conditions on the book I wanted to put there but at the end of the day, unless I go to a store and pick the book out myself, I'm not guaranteed to have something that meets my personal requirements. What right do I have to be disappointed?
And that got me thinking about taking myself too seriously. With all these conditions we put on life, are we taking ourselves too seriously? Do we lose something in the enjoyment of living by saying something isn't good enough unless it lives up to these judgments we have created? By having these conditions for the sole purpose of having pristine and glossy books marching across my bookshelves, I could be missing out on what's inside the book - the story, the drama, the knowledge. I truly was judging a book only by it's cover.
I started to think about the conditions I place on other things in my life. What opportunities am I missing out on because I take myself and all my conditions and judgments too seriously?
I'm thankful this event occurred because it gave me a moment to stop and pause and see what I was doing through different eyes. I'm not saying I was wrong, but I am saying that perhaps I take my standards a little too seriously and have become inflexible in certain areas of my life that, when push comes to shove, really don't matter in the grand scheme of things.
What about you? Do you take yourself too seriously? Are there certain standards or judgments you place on people or things or situations that perhaps need a second look? What opportunities might open up with that second look? I'm curious and looking forward to your comments.
Recently, these high standards got me in trouble. I belong to a book swap site where members can swap books with each other. It's a great way to recycle books I don't want to keep and to obtain the backlist of authors I have recently discovered. The site allows you to list conditions that must be met before you are willing to accept a book. I rarely ask for hardcovers because I usually buy the hardcovers I plan to own. You know stimulate the economy and support those people who are doing what I hope to do some day soon - publish. But occasionally I'll want a hardcover that is hard to find new or is out-of-print and these books I plan to not read and pass on but to keep.
One such book that I had requested arrived and it was not in the condition I thought I had made clear on my requester conditions. So I pinged the sender and asked for a return of credit since the book didn't meet my conditions. I've done this once before when a book didn't meet my conditions and the transaction was pleasant enough. I myself have been asked to return credit due to a book I sent that wasn't in as good a shape as I had thought. No biggie, right?
I was reprimanded by the sender. If I wanted a book that was pristine I should have purchased it new. I got the feeling, and I'm only guessing, that what the sender wanted to say was, "Get over yourself, it's a used book for crying out loud!"
At first I was upset. And then I thought about it. It was just a used book. Sure, I could have all the conditions on the book I wanted to put there but at the end of the day, unless I go to a store and pick the book out myself, I'm not guaranteed to have something that meets my personal requirements. What right do I have to be disappointed?
And that got me thinking about taking myself too seriously. With all these conditions we put on life, are we taking ourselves too seriously? Do we lose something in the enjoyment of living by saying something isn't good enough unless it lives up to these judgments we have created? By having these conditions for the sole purpose of having pristine and glossy books marching across my bookshelves, I could be missing out on what's inside the book - the story, the drama, the knowledge. I truly was judging a book only by it's cover.
I started to think about the conditions I place on other things in my life. What opportunities am I missing out on because I take myself and all my conditions and judgments too seriously?
I'm thankful this event occurred because it gave me a moment to stop and pause and see what I was doing through different eyes. I'm not saying I was wrong, but I am saying that perhaps I take my standards a little too seriously and have become inflexible in certain areas of my life that, when push comes to shove, really don't matter in the grand scheme of things.
What about you? Do you take yourself too seriously? Are there certain standards or judgments you place on people or things or situations that perhaps need a second look? What opportunities might open up with that second look? I'm curious and looking forward to your comments.
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