New Blog

I just created a new blog for "Kids, Have You Seen My Backpack." I know, like you need another blog from me to read! If you want to though, stop by for a visit.

Some Cool Going-Ons @ the Workplace

Three Weeks With Three Cups of Tea with the Cacti
I am reading Three Cups of Tea and am enjoying the living heck out of it. I don't think I would have picked up the book on my own-- but now that we've got a book club going on at the office, I'm reading the same book with about a dozen other co-workers. I think it's an awesome idea!

Now that my reading list for the MA in Creative Writing at Wilkes University is over, I can enjoy reading whatever I want again -- which is of course usually memoirs anyway. But, now I have a thing going on that will continue to keep me in the reading habit, trying to make sure I am up with everyone else so we can talk about what's happening in the halls at work, and then of course at our planned discussions which we'll be holding after we're done. You can read more about the Solid Cactus Book Club, or as we call it, the SCBC, here at the company blog. That pic is of all my fellow office book worms.

I Still Work for One of the Best Places to Work in PA
If you keep up with my blog, you know I love my job. And lots of others do too because Solid Cactus has once again made the list of The Best Places to Work in PA. We don't know what number yet- that gets announced at an awards banquet later on this fall. You can read about this honor, again, at the SC blog as well as on the Best Places to Work in PA official website.

I Was Blessed a Lot Today
Literally- not in the wierd religious sense- but my co-workers must have said "Bless You" at least twenty times today. I felt sluggish all day-- had lots of coffee, soda, candy, ice cream and more to get my mind and body going. Nothing really helped. A few others at the office have colds, and I think I am next. I plan to finish eating my grape leaves and just crash, or lay in bed with Three Cups of Tea until I fall asleep. I haven't used a sick day yet and it's been 16 months (see above, about me loving my job) so I definitely want to get some rest to kick this thing before it settles in somewhere like my nose or my throat or my head.

I accidentally spent $113.00 at Barnes and Noble today-- knowing I had a $60 Amazon order on the way...

A well-read coworker, C. of mine had a grand idea: A company book club. In fact, I joked to another coworker a few weeks ago when we said we were going to start reading on or near the hammock in our courtyard that we should have a club. But that was just a joke in passing. Proving great minds really do think alike, a new book club has newly formed and our first book was just selected: Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace... One School at a Time by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. It's been on the best seller list for about 80 weeks now- and is the inspirational story of a man who built schools in Pakistan.... and way too much more to write here...


So, I went to Barnes and Noble in Wilkes-Barre to pick up the book. It was right there at the front of the store in the New in Paperback/Bestsellers area. I could have picked up the two copies I went in to buy, walked to the register and have been home and reading. But no. I did the deadliest thing you could do in a Barnes and Noble. Yep. I browsed. I ended up saying to the clerk, " I think today is the day I should sign up for the Barnes & Noble membership." I saved 10%! Woo hoo and thank goodness.

I decided to see what was out there... so I checked out the books they keep on the tables. The cover of The True Story of Hansel and Gretel: a novel of war and survival by Louise Murphy caught my eye. I was always a fan of a modern spin on an old story. This story is about a brother and sister in Nazi Poland whose dad and step-mom leave them to find safety in a forest-- they are renamed Hansel and Gretel to hide their Jewish roots. They are taken in by an older woman, Magda who tires to save them, despite a German officer who is looking for the kids-- and has plans for them. Wow. It sounded riveting. I picked it up and added it to my armload shopping cart.

On the same table, Erica's Nightstand, I saw My Horizontal Life: A Collection of One Night Stands by Chelsea Handler. I read an interview with Chelsea Handler in the Weekender by my pal Nikki Mascali (an incredible article) and had wanted to pick up Chelsea's book since. I am working on my coming-of-age memoir, but have some tales I want to tell about my adulthood adventures, so this book by this new comedic genius has long been a book I've been meaning to get- for both research and enjoyment. I love her humor and her openess. I figure this could be like a female Augusten Burroughs type humor.

After I picked of My Horizontal Life, it dawned on me that I really should be reading more memoirs, so I went to the Biography section. A whole crapload of titles jumped out at me. I picked up a few, read the descriptions, held them for a while and then finallly settled on one. Since I am working on a childhood memoir and am struggling a bit with some scenes and building some family members as characters, I thought this one would be interesting: Five-Finger Discount: A Crooked Family History by Helen Stapinski. The book is billed as humorous, which I like in a memoir. It's a "story of an unforgettable New Jersey family of swindlers, bookies, embezzlers and mobster wannabes."






I thought I was done. I thought that was it. But even after getting four new books, as I walked to the front, another title jumped out at me: Reading the OED: One Man, One Year 21,730 Pages by Ammon Shea. It's a book about a man who read the Oxford English Dictionary, something I've always wanted to do since I began playing Scrabble as a small child, something I believe my mother does every night. The book is 26 chapters long- you guessed it- one chapter for each letter. It's full of little tidbits about what he discovered while reading the God of All Resource Books. I figure since I love words and vocabulary, this would be a quick, fun read- much quicker and 'funner' than reading the dictionary myself. I like quirky and absurd stuff, so it's really right up my alley.

But guess what? Before this trip to Barnes and Noble, last week I ordered four books from Amazon.com-- they shipped today, as per an email I received on my phone a few hours ago. So, I now have 9 brand new books. I should read Three Cups of Tea first, but what next? What do all you book lovers think?

Oh yeah- here's what I got at Amazon: The Back of the Napkin: Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures by Dan Roam- I bought this because in my "idea box" at home, most of the paper where the ideas are written are on bar napkins. (Maybe there is even one to write a book and call it The Back of a Napkin!") Amazon didn't know that part, but somehow it was recommended to me and it looked pretty interesting.

A Working Stiff's Manifesto: A Memoir of 30 Jobs I Quit, Nine that Fired Me and Three I Can't Remember by Iain Levinson- I ordered this one because again, Amazon knows I buy A LOT of memoirs so it suggested this-- successfully I may add. This sounded like a funny read.

Indexed by Jessica Hagy- Again, a recommendation from Amazon. I love bloggers and blogging and love how books can come from blogs, like Tucker Max and Diablo Cody. At any rate, the cover of this book attracted me from the get-go. She has a blog at indexed.blogspot.gom where she drawns charts and other things to share her thoughts on life. So this book is her greatest blog posts, as well as new material.

Unrealiable Truth by Maureen Murdock- I am very excited about this one- again, recommended by Amazon since I buy so many memoirs and writing books. It is a craft book (as in writing, not arts & crafts) I wish I found earlier. Many memoirists struggle with their memory -- what we write may be different than what a family member will remember- memory is a fascinating thing and this book is there to help. In Unreliable Truth, Murdock shows us how to deal with this beast called memory.

As I write about these four books that are coming in the mail, I am getting more excited for them. So now I have nine new books, not to mention a slew of other books I have yet to read like Tobias Wolfe's This Boys Life and Bastard Out of Carolina.

What I have learned just by sharing these nine titles is that I have one helluva wide range in book tastes. Funny. Satirical. How-to. Memoir. Wartime thriller. Absurd. Inspirational. Nearly Pictoral. So yeah, I'm different.

My Friend Just Published....

Hi all. I posted this on my other writing blog, but this one gets more traffic.

My friend and classmate, Andrew P.H. Clyde just released his first book, LithiumBuzz. Here is the book jacket flap:

Picture this: A love story that isn't a love story at all, but is the memory of the story of a love story.

Confused yet?

Lithiumbuzz is that story.

Marcus Dolby is not well. He's 30. He's got serious mental health issues. He's losing his mind. His fiance just died. And to cap off the high times, he just got out of a mental hospital after an accident involving a kitchen knife and his neck.

But there's something he has to do. His fiance died while carrying his child, and her parents don't even know they were seeing each other. To make this right, Dolby decides to drive across the country to tell her parents about the child, and reveal his relationship with their daughter to them.

There is a catch, however. Upon leaving Hartford on his way to New Mexico to break the news, he loses his medication. So where does that leave us?

Picture this: A love story that isn't really a love story, but is rather the memory of a love story as told by a total psychotic...

Lithiumbuzz is that story.

You can get it here.

What I learned from Augusten Burroughs

When you were a teenager, do you remember having heart palpatations when you were at a New Kids on the Block concert and you were close to, say, maybe Donnie Wahlberg? Yeah. I felt that way yesterday at the Free Library of Philadelphia when Augusten Burroughs walked on stage. 12 or so hours later, I still kinda have those butterflies.

My fellow Wilkes University MA in Creative Writing friend and classmate, Angie and I, along with her avid-reader friend, Shannon trekked into the city of brotherly love to see Augusten Burroughs read from his new memoir, A Wolf at the Table, which by the way is getting rave reviews from places like The Washington Post.

I cannot put to words how I felt when I read Running With Scissors. That book really gave me the courage to write my own memoir-- but at the same time, it also entertained the hell out of me. I don't think there is anyone else on this Earth like Augusten. In Running with Scissors, we learn that as a kid he loved shiny things and dreamed of fame. Now that he has it, guess what? He's just like you and me. He's honest, sincere and just so super-freaking inspiring to people like me. And he is funny as shit, too.

I did the unthinkable. I wrote him a fan/thank-you letter this morning. It's so strange-- when I worked in country radio, I had the really cool opportunity to meet some big names in the music biz-- and not so much with the big stars, but I also got to hang out and do some really cool things on a personal level with lots of singers (many who turned out to be one-hit wonders) that have had a lot of mainstream radio success. They were all cool, but it was so usual for me. I didn't get excited about meeting someone famous anymore. I don't get star-struck easy is what I am trying to say. Meeting Augusten was very different. He's truly someone I have related to for years. And I met him. And when he signed my book, he gave me writing advice and recommended a book to read (Elizabeth Berg- The Day I Ate Whatever I Wanted.) There were hundreds in line ahead of us- but he didn't rush us. He wasn't tired. He wanted to talk to us. He's so humble.

I am not ready to share my story with the world just yet through this blog- but there are some things I never had the courage to put on paper yet-- some painful things I want to include in the memoir. Through reading Augusten, as well as the support from my Wilkes mentors, things are really coming together for me on the writing front. Finally. I am drafting it now, and will hopefully one day get to see it printed.

In his reading- which was FANTASTIC- he was just so animated. A Wolf at the Table is a little different than his past memoirs- this one is a told a little more seriously because as Augusten explained, he didn't have the humor defense mechanism developed yet- he was a lot younger. So as an aspiring memoirist, it was very cool to hear about this being in a totally different voice because it was a different time in his life. But Augusten Burroughs does not hide behind the podium. He walks around the stage with a wireless mic and tells us a story- he doesn't read to us. He shared it like he was talking to a few friends- not an auditorium filled with fans. He also reads his own audio books. I also listened to Running With Scissors and my god, did he do a stellar job. Makes me wonder why he never got into film or theater.

During the Q&A, he was just so open. He gave some great writing advice as well, describing the memoir process like I never heard before. Someone in the audience had asked if Augusten felt Scissors helped create the memoir craze-- which of course led to some "lying memoirs" so Augusten commented on that with an answer so amazing that I took notes on my checkbook (I didn't have my moleskine). The answer itself was one that I have been sort-of taught- that a memoir is the way we remember something. But the analogy he used was awesome. Maybe I'll post it later, but Angie and I were both blown away by his advice. He also quoted Einstein, that there is no one point of relation in the universe. We all see things from a different perspective. It was powerful. The whole freakin' night was just powerful.

And- if you have not read Augusten Burroughs. Do it. Read Running With Scissors first-- if you read that, I know you will fall in love with him too. Then, Dry. Then read the others- Possible Side Effects was great and so was Magical Thinking. I actually was with Augusten from the beginning because I bought Sellevision when it first came out- that's his only novel. I was a communications major, so I was always fascinated by TV stations..... Buy them from your favorite bookstore because I want his sales to soar. However, if you want you can also use the library or if you are local, borrow them from me.

But by golly, read Augusten Burroughs. Turn off the freakin' TV and read a reality book-- a memoir.

P.S. Speaking of courage, I have more. To really focus on my career, education and writing, I have decided to move into my own apartment in Shavertown- less than a mile from where I work. Out of respect for Dave, I won't publicly write a blog about the whole thing or share those kinds of feelings right now, but wanted to at least mention it because it goes along with this whole theme here-- but please know that everything is fine- it's on good terms and just something that I need to do. This week has really been a week of change! So, here is to new beginnings.

P.P.S- I didn't realize that I've blogged and written so much about him: http://randomthoughtsfromdonna.blogspot.com/search?q=augusten+burroughs

Most of My Amazon Wishlist Came True

I am swimming in books and I like it. I like it a lot.

I could barely carry the bag from my mom's house on Christmas. She got me about a dozen books on my Amazon.com wishlist. I am so happy! Dave also got me Naked, by David Sedaris- a memoir of I have dying to read. And speaking of memoirs, I also from my mom recieved the much-anticiapted I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell.

Also on my Amazon Wishlist was Philosphers Without Gods, The Portable Atheist: Essential Readings for the Nonbeliever, The God Delusion (because I love reading about secularism), Chapter After Chapter: Discover the Dedication & Focus You Need to Write the Book of Your Dreams, Boom! The Voices of the Sixties by Tom Brokaw, The Art of the Personal Essay: An Anthology from the Classical Era to the Present, Stiff, Leaving the Body, The Intellectual Devotional: Revive Your Mind, Complete Your Education, and Roam Confidently with the Cultured Class, and even the new John Fogerty CD.

Since have decided to write non-fiction and most likely a memoir for my MA in creative writing, I've decided that I need to read all the fun memoirs I can find. Augusten Burroughs is my hero, but I also know I need to read David Sedaris and his sister. Also, Tucker Max.

I Hope They Serve Beer in hell is not only something that I really hope for in real life since I will probably join all the other fun people in hell, but also the name of a memoir by Tucker Max. He's horrible and mean and HILARIOUS. This was the first book that I read from my Christmas presents. I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell is freaking amazing. I am only up to Chapter Five- but just from reading this book, I know that my style is similar to his and I also know that I could be successful because I have similar material.

I think that me being a girl and writing a memoir of this style will be very cool. Chelsea Handler wrote a book about her one night stands. And Diablo wrote a memoir (like Tucker, first it was a blog) on stripping. I mean- there is a market for these self-depricating memoirs.

So- I am hoping to learn some things from my Amazon Wishlist about life. writing, the writing life and also about the 60s and the secular life. Good stuff.

The View- I celebrated Whoppi's Birthday!

I had quite the adventure getting there and getting home-- more on that later ( A LOT more on that later!!)- but Steph and I were at the View on Tuesday.

Bill O'Reilly and Marc Cohn were the guests that day. I love "Walking in Memphis," which he performed a snippet of for Whoopi Goldberg when her cake was wheeled out. Prior to that, he played a song of his new album and talked about his hiatus from releasing new music, and how he got back on track after being shot in the head in Denver. Cool guy and super talented. Marc Cohn's band and back-up singers were really good too. I'd go see him in concert for sure if he came around here.

Bill O'Reilly? Eh. I am way too liberal for him, but I must say that I could agree with him on the topic of his new book, "Kids are Americans, Too" which basically states that parents are absent these days, while the kids are the boss. Despite me disagreeing with him most of the time, I suppose it was cool. I would have loved if it was Michael Moore, though!

The women were a hoot. Didn't interact with the audience as much as other shows I have gone to, but there is just so much that has to be done behind the scenes in those few minutes during the commercial breaks. I was just so excited to see Whoopi Goldberg in person- I mean, I grew up loving her. It was awesome to be that close to the icon, Barbara Walters on the set of the View, too. Joy and Sherri are a hoot as well!! But Whoopi-- she's been making me laugh since I was a kid.

We made out well with the gifts, too. I did not even know they gave out gifts on the View until a few weeks ago when some friends of mine went. Here is what we received:

1.) Bill O'Reilly's book, "Kids are Americans, Too"
2.) Marc Cohn's new CD
3.) A Tickle Me Elmo
4.) $100 gift card to Daffy's
5.) Candy bar from the Retro Candy Bar
6.) Piece of strawberry shortcake served in a commemorative Whoopi's Birthday Bash pint glass.

Good times!! Thanks Steph for coming with me. And... stay tuned to read about my adventure. This is the first time I have been at my home computer since Monday-- and it's 8:00am on Thursday... yep. That should clue you in to the adventure I had.

I finally got knocked up & some book news

First of all- my headline. Let me explain. I am a direct mail sucker and signed up for the Columbia House DVD club a few months back. I usually check the "Do Not Send" box for the monthly selection... until last month when the movie was Knocked Up. So-- yep. I got Knocked Up. Found out yesterday. Haha. I've been wanting to see it- I always go for horror and thriller movies when I rent or go to theaters, so this will be refreshing. Plus, I like Elizabeth Hegel.

I am in a procrastinating mode so I decided to Google and search Yahoo for my book ("Kids, Have You Seen My Backpack?" and Other Inspirational Stories of Non-Traditional Students: An Adult Learner Anthology) to see what I could find. It's been out a few years and sold a few copies, so I just like to search every now and then to see if there is anything new online about it. Here are some tidbits I found:

1) It sells for over $30 in Australia.
2) It is availabe at BooksFree.com which is like a Netflix for books. That's pretty cool. I should join and "rent" it and write a note in it. Haha.
3) It's used as a textbook at Drexel University for an adult learner's program- a class called Strategies in Life Long Learning. That is awesome that the 22 people in my book get to inspire other adult learners- I want to e-mail the professor and see what kinds of assignments she has with it... that'd be cool. I'd like to try them, too! (I'm a nerd; I LOVE homework!) By the way, the Goodwin College at Drexel has, since the book came out, used book snippets as testimonials, as two of the essayists attended the evening program. Coolness. Read them here.
4) And this one- I found a few weeks ago, but figured I'd share here. I am nobody, but this guy somehow got a signed copy and it's going for like $70. Can you believe that?! Who would by that? Haha! (Who else but me would search for that?!)
5) You can do a search by what Barnes & Noble stores have it in stock, and one on 555 5th Avenue in NYC has it! And, there is one left at the Arena Hub one too.
6) Google Books is the coolest thing- I didn't even know this, but I guess through the publisher they have a deal to show previews... Check it out here.
7)You can do a national library search at Google Books too- my book is available at 13 that were found, from Penn State Scranton to schools in Florida, Ohio, Washington, Cali, and Colorado.

--I just get a kick out of this stuff. I don't have a lot of money to put toward marketing my book, so this is pretty cool that it got to all these places with minimal effort- I am thinking about putting out a revised edition soon. What do you think?

I like new things. (and a call for comments)

Since this blog is named Daily Dose o Donna, I figured I needed to get more daily.

B&N Gets a Make Over
This morning I noticed that Barnes and Noble's website has a brand new look. Oh boy does it look good. Looks a lot more clean and slick, and is more user friendly. Of course, I am on Amazon nearly every day spending my bill money on books, but I really do like the new Barnes & Noble site.

Donna Launches Bookstores
Speaking of bookstores- I created four new stores-- if you are looking for gifts for people, help a sister out:

The Dream Drawer- sells sleep aids, dream books and lots of cool stuff
The Reporter's Store- for the reporter and freelance writer- DVRs, style guides, pens
MA in Creative Writing Store- books for all genres of creative writing
80s Music & Movies Store

Leave Your Mark!
I have Google Analytics on this blog. I know I have visitors. In fact, I can drill down to where you are from. Ha! Big Brother is watching! But my point is- and my pal Andee will agree- it's nice to have comments. So, leave me comment. Let me know what you think!

XS Blast Energy
I admit-- I have an energy drink addiction. I try every last one I can get my hands on. I really want to try 5-Hour Energy. But, a client of ours sent a few cases of XS Energy - there are some cool flavors. They are a selection of colas and teas in the same size can as the smaller Red Bull. My favorite flavor so far is the Root Beer. Yummy!

So- that's my post for the day!! Back to work. Lunch is over.

Hello. Today's post will be about some random website things. First of all, the Wilkes University book I wrote does not seem to be on Amazon right now, however, it IS available at College Prowler- and they made a cool page and added some additional content re: Sex in the City. I think this is great copy! I also found out that if you go to Wilkes and you register with the site, you have access to the online version of the Wilkes book for free- but I'd love it if you bought the print version... here is the link:

http://campuslife.collegeprowler.com/guide.asp/1427402779/index.html

Also- I've been a member of Amazon Associates forever now- however I learned a little while ago that they have this cool Web Store option, so I decided to play around with it. I created two online stores- check 'em out and let me know what you think:

The Dream Drawer- a sleep and dreams store
I had this up previously as an old astore, which was just a big widget pasted to a Yahoo geocities page- check this one out-- looks a little better now. At any rate, it has dream dictionaries, dream journals, sleep aids and things like that.

80s Music & Movies- self-explanitory, however I also have some TV shows and pop culture stuff thrown in. I also bought the domains 60smusicandmovies and 70smusicandmovies, so look for some sister decade sites, soon.

Wow- how is all that for shameless promotion?! Have a nice day and thanks for reading!

A Day Full of God... or Not (Norman Mailer, Freedom from Religion, Etc.)

MY PROFESSOR KNOWS GOD

This morning as soon as I logged into WebCT-which is the platform for which Wilkes uses for its low-residency creative writing program, I found a message from a classmate, Rick which said one our program's co-founders and faculty members had a story in this week's New York Magazine. Way cool. Dr. J. Michael Lennon befriended Norman Mailer 35 years ago and has since become his historian and biographer. Mailer is on the advisory board of the Wilkes University MA in Creative Writing program, actually. And together they wrote a new book, On God: An Uncommon Conversation. (RandomHouse)

New York Magazine published an expcerpt of the book in an article called "The Rise of Mailerism." Mailer is neither an athesist or a traditional practictioner of any religion-- he has a very unique take on god that makes much sense, at least from the excerpt that I read. I am very fascinated by peoples' beliefs and I think that this book will do quite well. People seem to be much more open these days to looking at different interpretations of religion.

I encourage you to read the article: http://nymag.com/news/features/38961/ and maybe even preorder the book.

FREEDOM FROM RELIGION
I have always had my doubts about there being a god, and even more than that, had major issues with organized religion. I could go on and on about that. However, as I got older and attended a liberal school and met more liberal friends, I have realized that how I feel is okay. I know people just like me, who respect the bible as literature and live by ethics instilled by those bible stories-- however again, have major issues with things revolving around organized religion. I am also extremely fascinated by creation stories-- every culture has one. In an Art, Music, Literature and Culture class I took at Wilkes with Dr. Steven Thomas, we read many of these stories. Some said the world was created by nature, and so on and so forth. To me, humans all question where we came from and why we're here. That's why there are so many stories that have been pondered-- and who is to say which is right? Again- I could go on. But... let me get to the point....

I did not get to the newspaper until this evening. In the Faith section of the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, which runs every Saturday was an article about a convention for atheists and agnostics. First of all, kudos to the Times Leader for printing this article in this section. That is just very cool that they also consider atheists and agnostics to have valid beliefs and I think they were brave by printing this article in this particular section of the paper, rather than move it to say, the news or features section.

So anyway, the article was about Freedom From Religion Foundation. Each year they have a convention in their home city of Madison, WI. I was intrigued by this group and agree with their mission. So today, I became a student member of the group for $25.

The Purpose of The Freedom From Religion Foundation is: (from its website)

The history of Western civilization shows us that most social and moral progress has been brought about by persons free from religion.

In modern times the first to speak out for prison reform, for humane treatment of the mentally ill, for abolition of capital punishment, for women's right to vote, for death with dignity for the terminally ill, and for the right to choose contraception, sterilization and abortion have been freethinkers, just as they were the first to call for an end to slavery.

The Foundation works as an umbrella for those who are free from religion and are committed to the cherished principle of separation of state and church.

So, today has been a day of discovery for me.... God as an artist, God not existing, etc. Some things to think about for sure... thoughts anyone?

Kudos to Ashley Ambirge and her ebook!

One of my coolest classmates ever, Miss Ashley Ambirge just released an ebook, Become a Costa Rican in 30-Minutes Flat.

And, I must add she did a fantastic job on the website for the book- she's got all the e-book and online marketing elements there!

Oh-- and the music. Okay. Where's my passport.

Congrats, Ash!!! You are super talented and your fun personality shines through with your title, logo and look and feel of the book and site. Go girl! Good luck.

3:00 Reboot, NPR and Other Things

Hi All! Haven't blogged in a few days, so here are some random updates and thoughts.

Every day just around 3:00 p.m. by computer at work goes nuts and I have to reboot. It is usually around this time that I realize that I, myself could also use a reboot. So, 3:00-ish has officially been designated as my rebooting period. I restart my computer and then go to the break room to grab a (hopefully sugar-free) Red Bull.

While I am in the subject of work, I love my new job and company. What cool people! I get to talk to some cool folks around the nation all day long!

SUPPORT NPR- Summer Pledge Drive
I renewed my membership to WVIA-FM yesterday afternoon. I cannot tell you how much I love NPR's Morning Edition, All Things Considered and Fresh Air, and additionally my local station's evening programming by George Graham. While I like classic rock and some contemporary rock and country, I've been growing tired of the same-old, same-old, so I listen to George Graham whenever I can-- I am not that into jazz, which is the first part of his show. But later in the evening he features music you don't hear anywhere else-- world music, folk, blues, local stuff-- just some really, really great stuff. I won't knock commerical radio because I worked in it for a long time, but man-- is this good shit!! There is something very special about public radion.

Regarding the news programming- I subscribe to the paper and read various things online each day and I watch the local news a few times per week. But nothing digs as deep and spends more time on individual stories than NPR. I feel smarter and more informed since I began listening daily about six months ago. It's good, good stuff. I learn so much! My particular favorite feature is a year-long reporting featuring NPR is doing with National Geographic on climate change-- they are traveling the globe interviewing people that are affected... And-- Fresh Air--- Terri Gross does some amazing interview with people in arts and entertainment, or newsmakers everyday from 6:00-7:00-- so many interesting things.

I encourage everyone local to donate to WVIA, or if you are not local, to NPR directly-- I am sure your local NPR station is also in the middle of their pledge drive.

COMMITTED TO THE ARTS
On a personal note, there have been some things on my mind lately. I have been wrestling internally with some things... mainly one choice. If you've been keeping up with my blog, you are probably noticing that I am thrilled about the MA in creative writing and my rejuvenation with writing in general. This is something I need to do, and devote my full-attention to, minus my time at my job. There have been lots of new beginnings for me this summer with a new job and this master's program. All that said, I am not going to get into personal details here, but you can read between the lines I am sure.....

I am on the waiting list for an apartment in downtown Wilkes-Barre. I need to be closer to my job and I need some time alone to writer. I am happy. That's what matters right now.

Life is good. I am enjoying a rather strong White Russian (I couldn't find a shot glass to measure the Absolut. Oops!) I made a committment with some classmates to have 100 pages of a novel done by January-- gonna hop over and try to get started on that!

DREAMS & SLEEP
I started an Amazon.com store selling dream journals, dream dictionaries, sleep aids, etc. Visit it at http://www.thedreamdrawer.com/.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/225148/what_is_psychic_dreamwalking.html
That is a link to one of my archived articles at Associated Content.

Cheers!

My New Book is out!! A Wilkes University College Guide

Happy Tuesday! I was greeted with some good news today and I want to pass it along. There is now a new guide to Wilkes University! (Joey Rahimi was one of the editors-- they give credit to them, too.)

The book is published by CollegeProwler.com. This company has a VERY cool history in itself-- it was born from a college class project at Carnegie Mellon. ( www.collegeprowler.com) The company has published over 250 student-written guides that give the 'real deal' on colleges.

I'm thrilled to the gills!! It took about a year for them to put it out after I submitted it. A BIG HUGE thanks to Nora Jurasits and Stephanie DeBalko who served as the 'bounce-back' team, and are also credited in the book. They helped fact check.

The one thing that held up the process was all the edits-- as we all know, Wilkes and Wilkes-Barre changed so much just in the past year that I had to add a lot of new things to the book and change many things-- the Barons became the Yankees, we got a downtown theater, Barnes & Noble, a pool hall, a Bart & Urby's, Eienstien's and so, so much more. In a way, I am glad the book came out later that way we filled it with more cool stuff.

The way the book is set up:

It's divided into about 15 sections-- food, guys & gals, social life, academics, nightlife, security, etc. I begin each section with an editorial and the the rest is 3-5 pages of student quotes about each topic. I also wrote an introduction and closing statement. Each category is given a grade, which I had no say in, as they wanted it more objective (we all know how much I love Wilkes and Wilkes-Barre!)-- so they looked at what I wrote, as well as the student quotes and gave it a grade. Wilkes fared pretty well in everything, except parking!

The book also has a directory of clubs, restaurants, hotels, transportation and more...

Final Thoughts:
I just like subheads. I don't know why. At any rate, this is a far cry from a novel-- it's more like a compilation like "Kids, Have You Seen My Backpack." But it's one more publishing credit and one more way to get on Amazon.com. I am just thrilled to give back to Wilkes in this way, as they have given me so much the past ten years!

I found $300 stashed in my basement! And my digital camera cord!

POST #1 of the day- It was a GREAT weekend.

I had more energy than I have in a very long time. I think I have that S.A.D thing, because when it's miserable, I lack energy. Today, someone even told me I looked brighter. After a great weekend and having a lot accomplished, for once I actually can't wait to get home to do more work! At any rate, here are some updates:

Flea Market = $300+ & Letting Go
I literally found $300 in my basement and attic. Not literally, but that's how much the junk I sold was worth at the flea market. From apartment to rental house to house, I have carried the same damn boxes and never unpacked them. I accumulate stuff and I can't let go. I wanted to have a yard sale, but someone suggested going to the flea market instead.

For example, I haven't worked at the radio station in almost six years. Do I really need every single t-shirt, giveaway and coffee mug that I ever got from the station or clients to remind me that I worked there? They sold like hotcakes. I didn't bring the t-shirts, but the coffee mugs were a hit. I also have a filing cabinet filled with papers I wrote since high school. I am a dork. I save everything!

At any rate, we got up early on Saturday and Dave did some yard work and got some of his things together. I spent five hours in our attic room, which is slanted to go with the roof. I have the lower back pain to prove it. I filled five large garbage bags with items I finally decided to part with. I actually have room. It felt so great to get rid of so much stuff!

We were up just before 5 a.m. and when we got home from the flea market Dave mowed the yard and I went through the kitchen and weeded out more things we don’t use, cleaned out the fried and just got rid of clutter. It’s time for this chick to let go!

I pretty much focused my efforts on getting rid of household items for the flea market, so I still have a lot of personal papers to go through. I save every article I ever write, but sometimes I don’t get around to clipping them out of the paper. So, I have four bins filled with Weekenders and Times Leaders and Wilkes U. Beacons. I also about four or five bins and two filing cabinets filled with paperwork and all my binders from every college class I took. Oh yeah—I have a big box filled with every note I got from friends in junior high—from when I lived in Oklahoma! I can probably weed all that stuff that down to ONE bin and ONE filing cabinet.

I seriously feel incredible now that that stuff is gone. There is a new book out that I want to get called "It's All Too Much: An Easy Plan for Living a Richer Life with Les Stuff" and it says that a cluttered person can become depressed, anxious, etc. all things that I’ve experienced the past few years. My cluttered mind really ruled my life, I think.



Oh yeah! My camera cable!
I have a digital camera, but for over a year now I have not used it. I lost my cable. I did not have a memory card. I kept putting off getting a new one. While I was cleaning the basement,I found it! There were pics on there of Dave's nephew the day he was born. He's one now. Haha. I uploaded them to my computer and now I am ready to take more. PREPARE FOR PICTURE BLOGS!! Yeah! I almost bought a new camera, too.