It's Been a Long Time... Time for the Boss Lady Grind!

Family,

First and foremost, I have to say....I AM SO SORRY!!

I disappeared for an inexcusable amount of time and I thoroughly submit to this position!

If you are unfamiliar with this picture, this is the dogeza position, a Japanese custom of bowing that shows the most humblest of apologize. Yes that, my friends, is the level of my apology! But I think I do have some sort of excuse...

I am moving to New York City!

When It's Ok to "Two-Time" on Your Work

Several weeks ago, I wrote about the Dangers of Two-Timing Yourself. I had to laugh at myself because it was just so…ridiculous but true at the same time. I am going to take a different position, to play devil’s avocado (yes I know its advocate). This won't be a really meaty piece but something I am doing that I wanted to share with you. 

Picture this: have you ever seen those mothers who are just WAY in love with the children?

When Its Time to Get Away from Yourself

Ever been so in your head that just being there make you dizzy? You have so many things you need to do, you want to do that you end doing nothing because you don't know where to turn? Or when there are so many things happening in your life that you want to tear your hair out and hand it to the next person that comes up to you...in their face?

Yes, I was there. Which is why I have been MIA for the past three weeks. Fam, I had to get away from myself. You are probably asking how the hell do you get away from yourself?

Today's Music: Katya's Theme

I have previously said that certain pieces of music can allow you to tap into a feeling, a story or possibly a character. The song which I think truly captivates my female lead in the new novel is "My Heart Asks Pleasure First." The rich undertones truly captures the sense of wistfullness but strength. Carefree but meticulous. Generally a case of opposite:. Katya's innate sense of duty but reluctant acceptance.

Enjoy it!

Experiencing Life = Stories

These past five days I learned something great. You ready?

Life...is awesome.

You could be saying, "wow, are you just learning this now? How is this blog worthy?"

Well, hold your horses and I'll tell you.

I have always enjoyed watching sports but never really took the opportunity to be a spectator in the bleachers so to say. So I made the conscious effort to be in the stands for a college football game and two Major League baseball games these past five days. It also included going out and meeting people.

And it was friggin' electric! I mean just being there with the crowd, singing and dancing. Having beer with your friends. Yelling at the referee or umpire for dumb calls. Yelling at the players for their stupidity. That's just a good time, that's enjoy your life. And you get to meet people. For instance, just yesterday I got the privilege of making on the Fenway Park jumbotron twice and upon leaving the park I was immediately recognized. There you go - new friends, another story.

But the more thought-provoking point is about the story that I have now. Sometimes we failed to remember that we are characters in this story called life. And so many times we simply watch others experience life for what it could be instead of doing it ourselves.

That's not interesting. That's not captivating. No one wants to hear that kind of story.

People want to hear about the crazy time you did this. Or that amazing time you had there. Or just to hear about the people you meet. You may not even realize this but your life really is a novel. It is a novel you will be telling your kids and grandkids about. I think we can all agree the whole "I walked 5 miles in the snow barefoot" bit is outplayed. Be the character you want to read about. Be the character where people get involved in and say "Wow, what else happened?"

This new revelation just boggles me and I have such a new appreciation for life. So I'm making my life story as interesting as the characters that I create.

I think I owe to myself.

Don't you?

Redemption - Good Story Theme?

One of the greatest and heart-felt stories you ever read about are the down and out for the count characters who make a miraculous comeback. The prodigal son, so to speak. And even if you were to completely disagree with their previous actions or if what they have said or done, at the comeback you want nothing more to applaud and shout "Welcome Back!"

In every story, a character can't be perfect. They just can't. That's not real. You can't relate to a perfect character. Even the tall, dark, handsome character who ladies swoon over has some sort of sordid past. The only question in creating characters like that is how far can you go? How far can you bring your character down before they come off villainous or just plain out evil?

Here's a real life example - Whitney Houston. The reason I bring her up is because I just recently found a video of her performing of at the BET Celebration of Gospel.

It truly is a great video. The emotion fills the room as they watched this beautiful singer who had been pretty much written off as a lost cause by most people rose beyond expectations and was able to find her voice again (literally and figuratively). That is a wonderful story - when you think where she has been and where she has come from!

Then there are those who have just gone too far. Absolutely deplorable acts that can't be forgiven.

What do you do to make you unforgivable? Murder? Even those who kill can be forgiven. Kill multiple times? Sell drugs?

Very interesting thought - I'd love to hear what you think. How far can you go before you can't come back? Shouldn't everyone be able to make a come back?