I am slowly making my way through The Book Of Joy by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and Douglas Abrams.
These three men are from very different worlds. And these three men from different socio-economic, faith, and racial backgrounds joined together to write a book about joy. I was intrigued from the moment I first learned of this book. While I believe in God, I do not believe that my faith background holds all the truth there is to be learned about life and compassion, about God. The world is too big, God is too large for that to be so. And it warmed me that a Buddhist, a Christian, and a Jew could forge such bonds of friendship with each other. Could delight in each other.
Which is part of why I'm slowly reading this book. Normally, I would devour it quickly and move on to the next book. I love knowledge and learning. Sometimes I love it more than the application of knowledge. Knowing this about myself, and knowing that joy is something that has been on my mind for the last three years, I made the decision to enter into this book with intentionality. This might be my only opportunity to learn at the feet of two men I admire greatly and a man they admire. I was going to make the most of it.
The forward sets the tone for the book, and within the forward are these paragraphs:
No dark fate determines the future. We do. Each day and each moment, we are able to create and re-create our lives and the very quality of human life on our planet. This is the power we wield.
Lasting happiness cannot be found in pursuit of any goal or achievement. It does not reside in fortune or fame. It resides only in the human mind and heart, and it is here that we hope you will find it.
Lama, Dalai; Tutu, Desmond; Abrams, Douglas Carlton (2016-09-20). The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World (p. ix). Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.I read these words and had to put the book down and let the words wash over me, through me. In these words is permission. Permission to choose. Permission to create and dream. To wrest back our ability to act from the hands of everything around us that wants to lay siege upon our will. We are put back into the driver's seat.
But how? How do we find joy? Especially if it is not happiness. And is not found in accomplishments? If joy is an internal state, what must be done to find it? And live in joy in a world filled with suffering? Some of this comes down to choice:
They offer us the reflection of real lives filled with pain and turmoil in the midst of which they have been able to discover a level of peace, of courage, of joy that we can aspire to in our own lives. Their desire for this book is not just to convey their wisdom but their humanity as well. Suffering is inevitable, they said, but how we respond to that suffering is our choice. Not even oppression or occupation can take away this freedom to choose our response. (p. 7)And resilience, I think, though so far this term has not been used in the book (I'm still mulling over the introduction and first chapter), but resilience applies to how Archbishop Tutu describes life with joy in the face of suffering:
Discovering more joy does not, I’m sorry to say...save us from the inevitability of hardship and heartbreak. In fact, we may cry more easily, but we will laugh more easily, too. Perhaps we are just more alive. Yet as we discover more joy, we can face suffering in a way that ennobles rather than embitters. We have hardship without becoming hard. We have heartbreak without being broken. (p. 12)Joy seems to spill over from empathy and compassion. From feeling deeply. Which sometimes scares me. If I don't feel too deeply, then I'm not going to expose myself to too much pain. Isn't this what we learn? That feeling deeply leads to deep pain? But what if it doesn't? What if feeling deeply, or empathy and compassion, actually leads to resilience? It's something I am questioning for myself.
The Dalai Lama builds on this, and stresses the inner life. That the core of our joy, of our strength, is within. And that this is the same for all people, regardless of race, religion or creed:
It does not matter whether one is a Buddhist like me, or a Christian like the Archbishop, or any other religion, or no religion at all. From the moment of birth, every human being wants to discover happiness and avoid suffering. No differences in our culture or our education or our religion affect this. From the very core of our being, we simply desire joy and contentment. But so often these feelings are fleeting and hard to find, like a butterfly that lands on us and then flutters away.
The ultimate source of happiness is within us. Not money, not power, not status. Some of my friends are billionaires, but they are very unhappy people. Power and money fail to bring inner peace. Outward attainment will not bring real inner joyfulness. We must look inside. (p. 14)I'm chafing a little at the thought that the ultimate source of joy is within. I was taught we are created in God's image and all good things come from God. Joy comes from God. At the same time, this makes sense. Joy is intensely personal. It may spill over from within onto the people around us, but it starts with us. With me. And if the source of joy is within me, that doesn't detract from God. Or from human evolution. Or social science. It shows just how amazing humanity can be.
The Book of Joy is going to be a very interesting journey. It's already doing it's best to stretch my understanding, which is a very good thing.
Gratitudes:
- Chocolate coconut water.
- The loamy scent of autumn.
- Silence.
Resources:
- Current Mood:
thoughtful - Current Music:Last Love Song by ZZ Ward
Gratitudes:
Train. Just because.
My friend's daughters. They are true joy and I love being a part of their lives.
Grape chia kombucha. Don't judge.
In addition to fibromyalgia (FM) and a recent diagnosis of chronic migraines, I also have insomnia. It's not chronic, even when it feels like it. My particular brand of insomnia is likely a co-morbid condition linked to the FM. I'm in pain, so I can't sleep. I don't sleep well, so I'm in pain. And so on. Most nights I can sleep. It's not the best sleep on the planet, but it's still sleep. Then there are nights like tonight.
I went to bed with Hubs at the regular time. Played a little Angry Birds Pop, read a little, then turned on the classical music and turned out the lights.
Hubs was snoring within five minutes. Me? Tossing. Turning. Closing my eyes. Doing relaxation breathing. Tossing some more. Then finally getting out of bed after ninety minutes of doing everything I could think of to will myself to sleep.
</td>
We have these lovely reclining Mission style chairs in the great room. It's pretty much the only good furniture we own. When I can't sleep and I don't want to stare at any type of screen (phone, tablet, computer, tv. You get the idea), I go to my reclining chair. I may bring a book. Or my journal. Or I may just converse with, well, whatever it is I figure I need to converse with. God. The characters in my head. Myself.
Tonight I had no desire to journal and I couldn't locate the fiction novel I just started reading, so I went with door number three and conversed with what felt like every self doubt I have ever had. Or rather, self doubt decided to talk to me. Loudly. In Surround Sound.
Yesterday, since it's now tomorrow, Twitter served up something very timely. Almost prophetic.
Jeri Ryan, of Star Trek: Voyager fame, posted the above on Twitter and Facebook as her Monday Mantra. I happened to see, thought "Hells, yeah! Let's kick self doubt in the balls!" And went about the rest of my day. I didn't really think anything about self doubt, kicking it in said balls, or how to keep going.
Then midnight comes. And goes. And I'm tired yet awake and frustrated because AWAKE! And that background noise that is made up of accusations and self doubt goes through an audio filter and the tracks clean up until I can hear with the clarity of Dolby Surround Sound all the accusations and doubts and fears. And I'm tired and vulnerable and start to argue. Even though my arguments are nonsensical because TIRED!
And then in frustration and resignation I turn on my phone to check I don't even know what. And there it is. Twitter. Open to Ms. Ryan's tweet. My respite from the crazy making.
And I kick that self doubt in the balls. Really fucking hard. I stand my ground. I remind myself of all the things I have going for me. All the affirmations anyone has ever shared with me. I open the email thread from 2008 when I was laid off from a job I kinda enjoyed working with people I really loved and admired and reread all the positive things they told me about me. And I drank it in like a fine wine. And I kicked that self doubt where it would hurt the most.
I am. That's it. I. Am.
As long as I exist, there is the potential of doing better. Of overcoming. Of moving forward instead of backward. I. Am. The commentary is background noise again. I remain awake, and am now staring at a screen writing this post and then potentially writing more on my WIP. Or I may try for a couple of hours sleep before I head out to breakfast and super fun time shopping with a friend.
Doesn't matter. I'll take being exhausted over being a puddle of self doubt and misery any day.
Photo by Kristina Kuncevich
In addition to fibromyalgia (FM) and a recent diagnosis of chronic migraines, I also have insomnia. It's not chronic, even when it feels like it. My particular brand of insomnia is likely a co-morbid condition linked to the FM. I'm in pain, so I can't sleep. I don't sleep well, so I'm in pain. And so on. Most nights I can sleep. It's not the best sleep on the planet, but it's still sleep. Then there are nights like tonight.
I went to bed with Hubs at the regular time. Played a little Angry Birds Pop, read a little, then turned on the classical music and turned out the lights.
Hubs was snoring within five minutes. Me? Tossing. Turning. Closing my eyes. Doing relaxation breathing. Tossing some more. Then finally getting out of bed after ninety minutes of doing everything I could think of to will myself to sleep.
</td>We have these lovely reclining Mission style chairs in the great room. It's pretty much the only good furniture we own. When I can't sleep and I don't want to stare at any type of screen (phone, tablet, computer, tv. You get the idea), I go to my reclining chair. I may bring a book. Or my journal. Or I may just converse with, well, whatever it is I figure I need to converse with. God. The characters in my head. Myself.
Tonight I had no desire to journal and I couldn't locate the fiction novel I just started reading, so I went with door number three and conversed with what felt like every self doubt I have ever had. Or rather, self doubt decided to talk to me. Loudly. In Surround Sound.
Yesterday, since it's now tomorrow, Twitter served up something very timely. Almost prophetic.
Jeri Ryan, of Star Trek: Voyager fame, posted the above on Twitter and Facebook as her Monday Mantra. I happened to see, thought "Hells, yeah! Let's kick self doubt in the balls!" And went about the rest of my day. I didn't really think anything about self doubt, kicking it in said balls, or how to keep going.
Then midnight comes. And goes. And I'm tired yet awake and frustrated because AWAKE! And that background noise that is made up of accusations and self doubt goes through an audio filter and the tracks clean up until I can hear with the clarity of Dolby Surround Sound all the accusations and doubts and fears. And I'm tired and vulnerable and start to argue. Even though my arguments are nonsensical because TIRED!
And then in frustration and resignation I turn on my phone to check I don't even know what. And there it is. Twitter. Open to Ms. Ryan's tweet. My respite from the crazy making.
And I kick that self doubt in the balls. Really fucking hard. I stand my ground. I remind myself of all the things I have going for me. All the affirmations anyone has ever shared with me. I open the email thread from 2008 when I was laid off from a job I kinda enjoyed working with people I really loved and admired and reread all the positive things they told me about me. And I drank it in like a fine wine. And I kicked that self doubt where it would hurt the most.
I am. That's it. I. Am.
As long as I exist, there is the potential of doing better. Of overcoming. Of moving forward instead of backward. I. Am. The commentary is background noise again. I remain awake, and am now staring at a screen writing this post and then potentially writing more on my WIP. Or I may try for a couple of hours sleep before I head out to breakfast and super fun time shopping with a friend.
Doesn't matter. I'll take being exhausted over being a puddle of self doubt and misery any day.
Photo by Kristina Kuncevich
- Current Location:The Land of Anti-Nod
- Current Mood:
exhausted - Current Music:Outlander Soundtrack
Happy birthday to the incomparable 
_lady_narcissa_! Here is to a day set aside for celebrating you! My wish for you as you enter this next year is this: that life is filled to overflowing with blessings, with joy, and with best of adventures.
(sorry it's not Lucius or the Pimp Cane. They are conspiring in the Mini Manor, I'm sure!)
_lady_narcissa_! Here is to a day set aside for celebrating you! My wish for you as you enter this next year is this: that life is filled to overflowing with blessings, with joy, and with best of adventures. (sorry it's not Lucius or the Pimp Cane. They are conspiring in the Mini Manor, I'm sure!)
- Current Mood:
happy
We have two enormous black walnut trees in our smallish yard. They are fantastic for creating shade along the southwestern corner of the house and the deck, which makes being outside fabulous for someone like me who is sun sensitive.
The downside is that black walnut trees, while pretty and excellent shade trees, are messy. They drop leaves and twigs all the time. And the walnuts. Did you know that a walnut is the seed of an ugly green fruit? I have the proof!
See that bucket? That is a gallon sized bucket filled to the two thirds mark with walnuts. From the beginning of August until mid-September we pick up at least this much every other day. Often we fill the bucket. What we don't pick up and throw away the squirrels eat. They peel off the green skin and the white fruit (fruit that turns black as soon as it makes contact with the air). They don't sweep up their leavings and neatly toss them in the trash. No, they leave these bits of walnut fruit and shells every where. In the grass. On the driveway. On the deck. In the rain gutters. In the pots I use for plants. Every. Freaking. Where!
I used to just itch with the need to pick up every last bit of walnut. Do you know how difficult that is? Impossible. But I would try. I would rake on the days the husband didn't mow. I would even attempt to be proactive and pick the nuts right off the trees. It didn't matter how hard I tried, the nuts would continue to fall and the squirrels would continue to make a mess of things. Eventually, I stopped. I continue to pick up the nuts that have fallen, but I no longer attempt to pick up every single bit of walnut from the deck and yard.
At first, this felt like giving up. I don't like to give up. I am a pit bull when it comes to something I am passionate about, or something I've started. I have to see it through. I have to give it my all. Anything less is admitting defeat. This attitude is what helped me be a functioning adult for over twenty years while battling fibromyalgia. It's also a contributing factor in why I am now unable to work because of the fibromyalgia. That tenacity, it's a double edged sword.
Letting go of my desire to have a neat and tidy yard during walnut season wasn't giving up. It was adapting my expectations so I could pour my energies into something more worthwhile. So the yard was going to be Disneyland for squirrels for two months out of the year. It keeps the dog entertained. It's nature doing what nature does. And the walnuts aren't going completely to waste.
The walnuts now represent the ability to adjust expectations. And to mindfully consider just where on the scale of importance something stands. Sometimes I get so worked up about something that is minor. Do I really need to expend all that time and energy on something that isn't truly worth my time? And won't really matter down the road?
Walnut season is over. We can reclaim the deck and the yard. We can go outside without fear of nuts falling on our heads. Sure, it was inconvenient for a time and required we gather nuts we neither desire or use. But those two trees are still a gift and because we are a little less diligent in picking up the nuts, the wildlife benefits. Velcro Dog benefits. Sometimes looking at a problem as though it is a benefit is a good thing.
The downside is that black walnut trees, while pretty and excellent shade trees, are messy. They drop leaves and twigs all the time. And the walnuts. Did you know that a walnut is the seed of an ugly green fruit? I have the proof!
See that bucket? That is a gallon sized bucket filled to the two thirds mark with walnuts. From the beginning of August until mid-September we pick up at least this much every other day. Often we fill the bucket. What we don't pick up and throw away the squirrels eat. They peel off the green skin and the white fruit (fruit that turns black as soon as it makes contact with the air). They don't sweep up their leavings and neatly toss them in the trash. No, they leave these bits of walnut fruit and shells every where. In the grass. On the driveway. On the deck. In the rain gutters. In the pots I use for plants. Every. Freaking. Where!
I used to just itch with the need to pick up every last bit of walnut. Do you know how difficult that is? Impossible. But I would try. I would rake on the days the husband didn't mow. I would even attempt to be proactive and pick the nuts right off the trees. It didn't matter how hard I tried, the nuts would continue to fall and the squirrels would continue to make a mess of things. Eventually, I stopped. I continue to pick up the nuts that have fallen, but I no longer attempt to pick up every single bit of walnut from the deck and yard.
At first, this felt like giving up. I don't like to give up. I am a pit bull when it comes to something I am passionate about, or something I've started. I have to see it through. I have to give it my all. Anything less is admitting defeat. This attitude is what helped me be a functioning adult for over twenty years while battling fibromyalgia. It's also a contributing factor in why I am now unable to work because of the fibromyalgia. That tenacity, it's a double edged sword.
Letting go of my desire to have a neat and tidy yard during walnut season wasn't giving up. It was adapting my expectations so I could pour my energies into something more worthwhile. So the yard was going to be Disneyland for squirrels for two months out of the year. It keeps the dog entertained. It's nature doing what nature does. And the walnuts aren't going completely to waste.
The walnuts now represent the ability to adjust expectations. And to mindfully consider just where on the scale of importance something stands. Sometimes I get so worked up about something that is minor. Do I really need to expend all that time and energy on something that isn't truly worth my time? And won't really matter down the road?
Walnut season is over. We can reclaim the deck and the yard. We can go outside without fear of nuts falling on our heads. Sure, it was inconvenient for a time and required we gather nuts we neither desire or use. But those two trees are still a gift and because we are a little less diligent in picking up the nuts, the wildlife benefits. Velcro Dog benefits. Sometimes looking at a problem as though it is a benefit is a good thing.
- Current Mood:
sleepy
Originally posted by sweetmusic_27 at International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day 2014November 22 is International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day.
Four years ago, my mother committed suicide. I still struggle coming to terms not only with her death, but with my family's wider history of suicide. My maternal grandfather and great-uncle died by suicide, my sister made an attempt, and I have struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts since puberty.
When I talk about these things, people shy away. It's a frightening subject, but if we want to help people who are suicidal, we need to understand what suicide really means, how it works, and how to respond to people contemplating it. Remember, talking about suicide does not cause someone to be suicidal. If you're worried about someone, it is safe to bring up the topic of suicide.
Suicide is the act of taking one's own life, and suicidality - the tendency toward or risk of suicide - is an illness like any other. Some people have this sickness temporarily, others fight it their whole lives. In my family, it's hereditary. All too often, it's fatal. It takes over your mind and body and you die from it. When that happens, as a society, we tend not to talk about it too much. It’s a very quiet killer, rendered quieter by stigma, taboo, awkwardness, and misconceptions.
Suicide is not selfish. Imagine that your thoughts and emotions make up a house. My mother's mental house faded around the edges. Room by room, the space available to her shrank until she was left a hallway, trapped in a narrow place. It's not that she was thinking of herself; it's that she couldn't think of anyone, anything.
It’s nobody’s fault when this medical condition takes hold. As many as one in six people become seriously suicidal at some point in their lives. While it is not directly caused by depression, anxiety, drug use, or other risk factors, about 90% of suicidal people have mental issues that involve or worsen seriously suicidal thoughts. These issues can be treated.
If someone brings up the topic of suicide with you, don't panic. Don’t lecture, and don’t make demands. Start by listening. Someone reaching out to you is a very good sign. First of all, it means they trust you. Second, if an individual is sharing these thoughts with you, there is something stopping or delaying them from completing suicide. It is safe to ask, "What's stopping you, and how can we focus on that?"
Here are some other “do’s” and “don’ts” for such a conversation. We all need to be ready to support our friends and family.
Do try to have the conversation in private. Don't promise to keep the contents of the conversation private, though. It's important that you be willing to get help if someone you know is in crisis.
Do try to say something, even if it's "wow, I'm sorry," or "well, crap." You don’t have to instantly become a perfect therapist. A friend of mine reached out to some of her friends, and they reacted with silence. "You could have heard a pin drop," she told me. "Nobody said a thing." It made her feel distanced, alone.
If the person you're talking to mentions a certain means of committing suicide, it's safe to bring up ways to remove or limit that means. "Do you want me to keep your gun for a while? Do you keep ammo in the house?" "When you say you're thinking about swallowing pills, are they pills you have? Can you get someone to dose out a week at a time instead of having the whole bottle around?" "You mentioned slitting your wrists. Is looking at knives or razors hard for you? I can come over and help you get those things out of the house for a while. Want to go shopping for an electric shaver together?" Bringing this up is not harmful and will not give anyone ideas. Don't press for action, just let them know there are options.
Later, check back in. Be ready for things not to suddenly be better. The mental issues surrounding suicidality don't go away quickly. If you can, try to communicate that it's okay to still be struggling.
There are many resources for those who are suicidal or talking to people who are considering suicide. America's Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and anyone in crisis can use their online chat to talk to a counselor. Similarly, IMAlive is an online chat-based Hopeline staffed by trained volunteers, and the Kristin Brooks Hope Center's Hopeline phone number is 1-800-442-HOPE (4673).
If you're suicidal, there are people who can help. If you are not, the odds are that somebody in your life will be or has been before, and you can still help by being willing to educate yourself and others, and being willing to say the word "suicide."
When someone brings up thoughts of suicide to you, you have already done something right. You’re the one they trust, you’re the one who feels safe. "Suicide" is a scary word, but talking about it doesn't kill you, and being ready to listen might help someone live.
Every time you share this post or other information on suicide, you help to fight the stigma, break the taboo, and dispel the myths. Feel free to link back to this. Feel free to comment here with other links and resources and stories. Feel free to talk to me about suicide. Feel free to comment anonymously on this post (trolling and hate speech will be deleted).
sweetmusic_27 at International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day 2014Four years ago, my mother committed suicide. I still struggle coming to terms not only with her death, but with my family's wider history of suicide. My maternal grandfather and great-uncle died by suicide, my sister made an attempt, and I have struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts since puberty.
When I talk about these things, people shy away. It's a frightening subject, but if we want to help people who are suicidal, we need to understand what suicide really means, how it works, and how to respond to people contemplating it. Remember, talking about suicide does not cause someone to be suicidal. If you're worried about someone, it is safe to bring up the topic of suicide.
Suicide is the act of taking one's own life, and suicidality - the tendency toward or risk of suicide - is an illness like any other. Some people have this sickness temporarily, others fight it their whole lives. In my family, it's hereditary. All too often, it's fatal. It takes over your mind and body and you die from it. When that happens, as a society, we tend not to talk about it too much. It’s a very quiet killer, rendered quieter by stigma, taboo, awkwardness, and misconceptions.
Suicide is not selfish. Imagine that your thoughts and emotions make up a house. My mother's mental house faded around the edges. Room by room, the space available to her shrank until she was left a hallway, trapped in a narrow place. It's not that she was thinking of herself; it's that she couldn't think of anyone, anything.
It’s nobody’s fault when this medical condition takes hold. As many as one in six people become seriously suicidal at some point in their lives. While it is not directly caused by depression, anxiety, drug use, or other risk factors, about 90% of suicidal people have mental issues that involve or worsen seriously suicidal thoughts. These issues can be treated.
If someone brings up the topic of suicide with you, don't panic. Don’t lecture, and don’t make demands. Start by listening. Someone reaching out to you is a very good sign. First of all, it means they trust you. Second, if an individual is sharing these thoughts with you, there is something stopping or delaying them from completing suicide. It is safe to ask, "What's stopping you, and how can we focus on that?"
Here are some other “do’s” and “don’ts” for such a conversation. We all need to be ready to support our friends and family.
Do try to have the conversation in private. Don't promise to keep the contents of the conversation private, though. It's important that you be willing to get help if someone you know is in crisis.
Do try to say something, even if it's "wow, I'm sorry," or "well, crap." You don’t have to instantly become a perfect therapist. A friend of mine reached out to some of her friends, and they reacted with silence. "You could have heard a pin drop," she told me. "Nobody said a thing." It made her feel distanced, alone.
If the person you're talking to mentions a certain means of committing suicide, it's safe to bring up ways to remove or limit that means. "Do you want me to keep your gun for a while? Do you keep ammo in the house?" "When you say you're thinking about swallowing pills, are they pills you have? Can you get someone to dose out a week at a time instead of having the whole bottle around?" "You mentioned slitting your wrists. Is looking at knives or razors hard for you? I can come over and help you get those things out of the house for a while. Want to go shopping for an electric shaver together?" Bringing this up is not harmful and will not give anyone ideas. Don't press for action, just let them know there are options.
Later, check back in. Be ready for things not to suddenly be better. The mental issues surrounding suicidality don't go away quickly. If you can, try to communicate that it's okay to still be struggling.
There are many resources for those who are suicidal or talking to people who are considering suicide. America's Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and anyone in crisis can use their online chat to talk to a counselor. Similarly, IMAlive is an online chat-based Hopeline staffed by trained volunteers, and the Kristin Brooks Hope Center's Hopeline phone number is 1-800-442-HOPE (4673).
If you're suicidal, there are people who can help. If you are not, the odds are that somebody in your life will be or has been before, and you can still help by being willing to educate yourself and others, and being willing to say the word "suicide."
When someone brings up thoughts of suicide to you, you have already done something right. You’re the one they trust, you’re the one who feels safe. "Suicide" is a scary word, but talking about it doesn't kill you, and being ready to listen might help someone live.
Every time you share this post or other information on suicide, you help to fight the stigma, break the taboo, and dispel the myths. Feel free to link back to this. Feel free to comment here with other links and resources and stories. Feel free to talk to me about suicide. Feel free to comment anonymously on this post (trolling and hate speech will be deleted).
I'm psyched because I just read author Richelle Mead's review about the first movie adaptation of the first book in her beloved YA series and it sounds like the adaptation is really, really good. I read the series after I went with _lady_narcissa_to a book signing in Chicago for the final book in the Vampire Academy series. I actually purchased the first book in the series after the signing while spending time wandering around Chicago, entertaining myself with museums and cafes and bookstores. I was planning on finishing the book on my flight back home, but Snowmagedon happened and my flight was cancelled, delaying my return by THREE DAYS! I had training I had to present at work or I would have happily spent the extra time with _lady_narcissa_. Instead, I rented what must have been the last SUV in the Chicagoland area and drove myself home. Don't worry, the snow was moving east and I was heading northwest and the highways were all well plowed the entire drive home. :)
Anyway, back to Vampire Academy. I just turned a friend's 17 year old daughter onto the series and she's really enjoying the books. I hope to take her to see the movie sometime in the next few weeks when our schedules align. Knowing that Richelle Mead is psyched about the movie and fully endorses the adaptation makes me even more excited! I hope her vision of the book and mine mesh enough I can enjoy it. LOL
If you're a fan of the Vampire Academy series, are you planning on seeing the movie?
_lady_narcissa_to a book signing in Chicago for the final book in the Vampire Academy series. I actually purchased the first book in the series after the signing while spending time wandering around Chicago, entertaining myself with museums and cafes and bookstores. I was planning on finishing the book on my flight back home, but Snowmagedon happened and my flight was cancelled, delaying my return by THREE DAYS! I had training I had to present at work or I would have happily spent the extra time with _lady_narcissa_. Instead, I rented what must have been the last SUV in the Chicagoland area and drove myself home. Don't worry, the snow was moving east and I was heading northwest and the highways were all well plowed the entire drive home. :)Anyway, back to Vampire Academy. I just turned a friend's 17 year old daughter onto the series and she's really enjoying the books. I hope to take her to see the movie sometime in the next few weeks when our schedules align. Knowing that Richelle Mead is psyched about the movie and fully endorses the adaptation makes me even more excited! I hope her vision of the book and mine mesh enough I can enjoy it. LOL
If you're a fan of the Vampire Academy series, are you planning on seeing the movie?
- Current Mood:
excited
We had a lovely Christmas day, just the two of us. We didn't go anywhere this year, and for the first year in probably six we didn't have company either. Usually A's mom comes up to visit and she invariably ends up staying with us. Partially because she expects us to have a room available and doesn't appear to make plans to stay anywhere else and partially because A can't say no to his mom. Whatever. The good news is this year was guest free!
I didn't get any knitting completed this year. I owellaras a scarf and I was going to make these lovely knitted cowls for some family members, along with little mouse catnip toys for some of the cat owners in my life. Didn't happen. Why? Partially due to lack of time and partially because the fun yarn store near me closed down and I haven't found a new place to purchase yarn for my projects. The owner at my local store was so kind and patient and would help me out if I brought in a pattern or even a project in process. She retired this summer and moved to New Mexico. I'm happy for her, but still sad for me. One of my New Year's goals is to complete one project a month. Before January I am going to take an inventory of what I have and organize it, then I'll plan out some projects. Dani - you'll be first on my list!
We did see the Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug on Christmas morning. While I understand some of the additions to the story in both plot and characters, I'm finding the Hobbit movies to be on the long side. There's too much filler IMO. Still, it was delightful to be two of about ten people in the theater. It was almost like a private showing!
A is off all this week and next week so he plans to finish the final base cabinet we need before we can get counter tops for the kitchen. If all goes well, we will order counters the week of January 6th. We're going with soapstone will look awesome! I'll take some pictures of the kitchen in progress and post them, along with a link to the before pictures. We have them housed in Flickr, which I can't get to on the computer at work due to all the social media blocking they do here. A has informed me we are going to get smart phones in 2014. It only took me five years of subtle and not so subtle hinting to get him to this point, but yay! It will make photosharing much easier, I think.
While we live in the northern midwest, we haven't done much in the way of outdoor recreation this winter due to the insane cold. Even Vecro Dog has decided it's too cold to do much exploring at the dog park. I hope this doesn't mean January is going to be unbearable. It's usually our coldest month and we've already seen several days of -20. I moved south from Canada for a reason, people! Apparently, I didn't move far enough south.
Hope everyone had a very happy holiday!
I didn't get any knitting completed this year. I owe
llaras a scarf and I was going to make these lovely knitted cowls for some family members, along with little mouse catnip toys for some of the cat owners in my life. Didn't happen. Why? Partially due to lack of time and partially because the fun yarn store near me closed down and I haven't found a new place to purchase yarn for my projects. The owner at my local store was so kind and patient and would help me out if I brought in a pattern or even a project in process. She retired this summer and moved to New Mexico. I'm happy for her, but still sad for me. One of my New Year's goals is to complete one project a month. Before January I am going to take an inventory of what I have and organize it, then I'll plan out some projects. Dani - you'll be first on my list!We did see the Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug on Christmas morning. While I understand some of the additions to the story in both plot and characters, I'm finding the Hobbit movies to be on the long side. There's too much filler IMO. Still, it was delightful to be two of about ten people in the theater. It was almost like a private showing!
A is off all this week and next week so he plans to finish the final base cabinet we need before we can get counter tops for the kitchen. If all goes well, we will order counters the week of January 6th. We're going with soapstone will look awesome! I'll take some pictures of the kitchen in progress and post them, along with a link to the before pictures. We have them housed in Flickr, which I can't get to on the computer at work due to all the social media blocking they do here. A has informed me we are going to get smart phones in 2014. It only took me five years of subtle and not so subtle hinting to get him to this point, but yay! It will make photosharing much easier, I think.
While we live in the northern midwest, we haven't done much in the way of outdoor recreation this winter due to the insane cold. Even Vecro Dog has decided it's too cold to do much exploring at the dog park. I hope this doesn't mean January is going to be unbearable. It's usually our coldest month and we've already seen several days of -20. I moved south from Canada for a reason, people! Apparently, I didn't move far enough south.
Hope everyone had a very happy holiday!
- Current Mood:
cold - Current Music:Christmas music on the iPod
I receive the RT Book Review's monthly email, which gives some high level information on new books and highlights articles in the RT Book Reivew magazine - which I don't buy. Imagine my shocked surprise when I read the following information regarding the RT Book Lover's convention that will be held NEXT MAY in New Orleans. It's important you catch the next May part of my last sentence.
I guess people are excited about this conference heading to New Orleans next year._lady_narcissa_ and I have briefly discussed attending, but I wasn't planning on needing to register or put down a deposit next month! I would love to attend, I haven't been to a conference for readers or writers in many, many years and the fan girl in me wails and laments every time I have to say no to a conference. The writer in me is more than ready to rub shoulders with other authors and discuss the art and war of writing with people who understand that the voices in my head aren't a sign of mental illness.
I guess I had best decide soon if I am going. How about you, Lady N? Are you ready to plan for next May this early?
Before I get to the new issue I wanted to update you about the RT Booklovers Convention in New Orleans, May 13 - 18, 2014. Just after I got back from our planning trip last month the link went up for hotel room reservations and it went viral. We sold out of a 800-room block in two days and quickly added another 100 rooms (at a slightly higher rate) and that sold out in an hour. So right now our 900-room block is completely sold out. However, we feel that many of the people who have reserved rooms may be undecided about attending. Once we open up the RT Convention Registration at the end of August, we will give the people who have reserved rooms in the block one month to register for the convention — or at least put down a one-third deposit. If they do not register within the one month, we will contact each one individually to see if they are still planning on attending and, if they are not, we will put the room back into the block.Once we have completely filled the block with people who are registered (or have at least put down a one-third deposit) for the RT convention registration we will then secure more rooms at an overflow hotel. That announcement will be on our convention website September or October, so keep an eye out.
Many people have reserved rooms OUTSIDE of the convention hotel, just to be sure they have a room — any room — but we have also placed them on a wait list so that if rooms do become available at the convention hotel we will move them into the block and they can cancel their outside reservations.
I guess people are excited about this conference heading to New Orleans next year.
_lady_narcissa_ and I have briefly discussed attending, but I wasn't planning on needing to register or put down a deposit next month! I would love to attend, I haven't been to a conference for readers or writers in many, many years and the fan girl in me wails and laments every time I have to say no to a conference. The writer in me is more than ready to rub shoulders with other authors and discuss the art and war of writing with people who understand that the voices in my head aren't a sign of mental illness.I guess I had best decide soon if I am going. How about you, Lady N? Are you ready to plan for next May this early?
- Current Mood:
shocked - Current Music:Rock of Ages movie soundtrack
This past week I took a trip to visity my family. This was an international flight, and my very first international flight. I usually drive across the border and fly from there or take the train. I came to the airport on time, had my passport all ready and packed so very well that I had no need to check luggage. I was prepared with a capital P for this epic journey of three connecting flights - Minnesota to Denver to Edmonton to Grande Prairie.
And then my first flight was delayed by two hours. This wouldn't be a huge deal except I had a connecting flight that I would miss due to the delay. Not cool. Off to the airline customer service desk I went, asking what could be done for me. I had just missed a flight to Toronto that woudl have gotten me to Edmonton in time for my connection to GP. There were no other open seats on any flights out of Denver that would ulitimately get me to GP so they routed me to Chicago. I would have about 40 minutes to get to my new connecting flight to Calgary once I landed. No big deal. I've done that before. Except....my new flight was delayed on the runway for 20 minutes due to a mechanical issue.
I flew through the airport once we landed and missed my Calgary flight by less than a minute. Seriously, I got to the desk and the customer service rep informed me they had just closed the door to the plane. Once that door closes it takes an act of God to open it again.
I had been told in Minneapolis that this was the only series of connecting flights that would get me to GP that day. You bet I had a bit of a melt down. I'm not proud, but I think I cried a little. The rep was amazing. She searched any and all flights and was about to send me to a different airline when low and behold she found a flight leaving at 3pm for Calgary that, with a stop at customs, would allow me to hop on the last flight to GP for the day. Phew! She even upgraded me to first class. Or tried. United apparantly doesn't allow their reps to upgrade to first class anymore. Not since they merged with Contenental. I got an earful about that. She was able to upgrade me to economy plus and gave me a couple of food vouchers. God bless JoBeth for her tenacity and dedication!
So, I settled in to wait for my next flight. In another part of the aiport. Good grief, O'Hare is huge. Anyway, I waited in what felt like a lack of air conditioning for several hours, noticing that my flight kept getting pushed out. It was after 6pm by the time it took off. Which meant that yet again I would miss a connecting flight - the last flight of the day to my final destination. What I didn't realize until we landed was that if the plane hadn't been able to leave when it did, I was going to be spending the night in O'Hare. Customs was only open until 9pm in Calgary and if the flight couldn't make it by then, we would have to wait. I guess I should be thankful I at least made it that far.
I went to customer service in Calgary and was informed there would be no hotel voucher for me. My last flight was delayed not due to mechanical issues but due to air traffic issues in a different airport that kept it grounded there, delaying it's arrival in Chicago. By this time I was tired, grumpy, hungry and just plain not willing to deal anymore. I found a quiet corner in the airport and dozed off and on until morning. I had a new flight to GP that left at 7:00am and I would sleep on that flight. I sleep well on planes. Anyway, this quiet corner was near some bathrooms. I chose this corner because it was quiet and also because there was an electrical outlet that would allow me to charge my phone. I was sitting there, listening to a book on tape, when two gentlemen walked into the men's room together, stayed for about 20 minutes (I timed it), and left with goofy looks on their faces. I felt bad for the custodian who would be cleaning that bathroom. Yeesh. I guess the Minneapolis airport isn't the only place for sexual assignations.
After washing in the clean women's room, I finally made my final connecting flight to GP. Finally. As my husband later pointed out, I could have driven from my home to GP at 60 miles/hour in the time it took me to fly.
Of course, my flight home was free of any issues or delays.
Oh well. I now know what to do if I ever miss a connecting flight again. I also know that I'm not too old to sleep in an airport should the need arise.
And then my first flight was delayed by two hours. This wouldn't be a huge deal except I had a connecting flight that I would miss due to the delay. Not cool. Off to the airline customer service desk I went, asking what could be done for me. I had just missed a flight to Toronto that woudl have gotten me to Edmonton in time for my connection to GP. There were no other open seats on any flights out of Denver that would ulitimately get me to GP so they routed me to Chicago. I would have about 40 minutes to get to my new connecting flight to Calgary once I landed. No big deal. I've done that before. Except....my new flight was delayed on the runway for 20 minutes due to a mechanical issue.
I flew through the airport once we landed and missed my Calgary flight by less than a minute. Seriously, I got to the desk and the customer service rep informed me they had just closed the door to the plane. Once that door closes it takes an act of God to open it again.
I had been told in Minneapolis that this was the only series of connecting flights that would get me to GP that day. You bet I had a bit of a melt down. I'm not proud, but I think I cried a little. The rep was amazing. She searched any and all flights and was about to send me to a different airline when low and behold she found a flight leaving at 3pm for Calgary that, with a stop at customs, would allow me to hop on the last flight to GP for the day. Phew! She even upgraded me to first class. Or tried. United apparantly doesn't allow their reps to upgrade to first class anymore. Not since they merged with Contenental. I got an earful about that. She was able to upgrade me to economy plus and gave me a couple of food vouchers. God bless JoBeth for her tenacity and dedication!
So, I settled in to wait for my next flight. In another part of the aiport. Good grief, O'Hare is huge. Anyway, I waited in what felt like a lack of air conditioning for several hours, noticing that my flight kept getting pushed out. It was after 6pm by the time it took off. Which meant that yet again I would miss a connecting flight - the last flight of the day to my final destination. What I didn't realize until we landed was that if the plane hadn't been able to leave when it did, I was going to be spending the night in O'Hare. Customs was only open until 9pm in Calgary and if the flight couldn't make it by then, we would have to wait. I guess I should be thankful I at least made it that far.
I went to customer service in Calgary and was informed there would be no hotel voucher for me. My last flight was delayed not due to mechanical issues but due to air traffic issues in a different airport that kept it grounded there, delaying it's arrival in Chicago. By this time I was tired, grumpy, hungry and just plain not willing to deal anymore. I found a quiet corner in the airport and dozed off and on until morning. I had a new flight to GP that left at 7:00am and I would sleep on that flight. I sleep well on planes. Anyway, this quiet corner was near some bathrooms. I chose this corner because it was quiet and also because there was an electrical outlet that would allow me to charge my phone. I was sitting there, listening to a book on tape, when two gentlemen walked into the men's room together, stayed for about 20 minutes (I timed it), and left with goofy looks on their faces. I felt bad for the custodian who would be cleaning that bathroom. Yeesh. I guess the Minneapolis airport isn't the only place for sexual assignations.
After washing in the clean women's room, I finally made my final connecting flight to GP. Finally. As my husband later pointed out, I could have driven from my home to GP at 60 miles/hour in the time it took me to fly.
Of course, my flight home was free of any issues or delays.
Oh well. I now know what to do if I ever miss a connecting flight again. I also know that I'm not too old to sleep in an airport should the need arise.
- Current Mood: exhausted
- Current Music:the quiet hum of the airconditioning
