2011 has brought many changes for me, most good, some...not so much.  I got a job, a divorce, two manuscripts published, a new guy in my life. A few months ago, I changed jobs.I love the new job, the people I work with and the customers I see daily.  I also love the pay.

So where's the bad ,you might ask. 

I liked the people at my old job too.  I miss them and the new job hasn't allowed me time to visit.  I work LOTS of hours.  The new guy decided I didn't float his boat.  The worst part has been, I haven't had time to write.

I have a mild form of OCD and when I write I tend to exclude everything else.   That  task orientation is great, but not when you have to work around a 45 hour week.  (But my boss loves me!) I am learning to adapt.

Last week I spent one of my days off, cleaning and doing domestic stuff, on  the other--I WROTE!  All freaking day!  I wrote 7500 words.  Good words!  Now if I can just manage to continue in that vein I should have my first draft completed in about three months.  Yea, me!

So that is my plan for the New Year.  I don't make resolutions.  I will continue to adapt and grow as a person and a writer.  What are your plans?

Now on the subject of Christmas...

I, like many others, will be alone this holiday season.  I'm used to it but that doesn't mean I like it.  I don't want sympathy, I'm trying to make a point.  As you hustle about buying gifts for friends and family, please pause to think of those less fortunate.  Sure it's great to give to the needy, those unseen faces.

But, what about those you  know.

What about the widow or widower who lives down the street?  The one who talks your ear off when you meet at the mail box.  Did you know they do so because they're lonely?  Their children live in another state and never visit?  The next time you think your ear will fall off if they say one more word, you might give them the gift of tolerance.  It's a little thing for you that might mean the world to them.

The shy child, who looks longingly at you when you play ball with your kids.  Have you thought to invite them to join the game?  Maybe his/her parents aren't around much, or at all.  As a kid I adopted my friends families because I didn't have one of my own.  I wheedled my way in...and they let me.  I've never forgotten the way they included me or them.

You kids out there, young and old, when was the last time you spoke to your mom or dad?  When did you tell them you loved them?  When did you visit last?

We are all so caught up in our own little universe we sometimes forget the very ones who brought us into the world.  Without them we would not be.  Show a little gratitude, kindness and love.

Charity does begin at home.

Merry Christmas all.  Have a bright and wonderful New Year.



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Doing Your Part 10/13/2010
 
Have you noticed all those television ads recently, the ones about doing your part to make things better in the world?  They bother me. 

Should we have to be told to do this?  Should money be wasted on ads, that could be used to feed the hungry?  Or those shows where they pick some lucky stiff whose house is falling in around their ears and build them a brand new one for half a million.  I don't get it!  I understand the need for a new house, and that these people are deserving but why the extreme?  For the same amount of money they could build nice houses for 4 or 5 deserving families.  Why don't they think about that?

Or all those empty buildings and malls sitting around going to ruin while people are forced to live on the street...HELLO.. remodel them and give them a place to stay. ( I've been homeless and hungry.  The feeling that know one cared will follow me the rest of my life.) This is just common sense stuff, should we have to be told?

I talk about my critique group ERAuthors a lot, with good reason.  They are a great, talented supportive group.  We have few rules.  Be nice and polite to each other.  Try to find something nice to say about the material you are critiquing not just the things that are wrong.  We are each to do one critique per week regardless plus a crit for each piece you post for review.  Simple right?  Not always.

Sometimes we get a member who stirs up trouble.  Yes, it happens no matter how careful we are and are forced to ask them to leave.  Sometimes we get people who expect us to do their work for them.  They post material  without making an attempt to clean it up first.  I was actually one of them when I first joined.  I didn't do it intentionally, I just didn't realize how bad it was for an experienced writer to wade through all the over used words, POV changes and fragments I had left dangling from changes I had made.  Yikes!  A year and a half later I still feel the need to apologize.  SORRY!

So what is my point with this long winded blog?  We all have to follow the rules.  Don't assume the guy or gal next to you will pick up your slack.  Take responsibility for your actions and make the changes needed to be a productive member of society.  Do your best, not the least you can get by with.  We all make a difference whether we realize it or not.  We shouldn't have to be told the right thing to do.  If a person is hungry- feed them, cold- clothe them, homeless- house them, and yes, post a crit- do a crit.  Do your best in all things, not just the least you can get by with.

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