Old Age

I just put in my perfunctory calls for Mother's Day. Got stuck in a twenty minute conversation with an in-law regarding her recent vacation. Not only did I hear what food as available for breakfast,lunch, and dinner, but also what substitutions were allowed, as in "If you don't like red meat, you can substitute the chicken, which is very good. It comes with a hollandaise sauce and carrots. I usually don't like the carrots, and would prefer the green beans but not when they are wilted and they were. I told the waiter and he took them back..........." I felt myself wilting away towards the end and had to hang up vowing to never again ask about her vacations lest I get a full fledged 7 days menu recall.

I started to feel bad about not being able to tolerate what was in her mind a fascinating story, and then I felt bad for her because she really , I mean really looks forward to eating out and recalls everything with painstaking detail about what she ate. I don't think she could have always been this way.

Guilt turned to selfishness and I hoped I would never get that way, dependent on a cheap meal out to be the highlight of my week. I hope to still be writing wonderful novels, and be a vibrant and active old chick, who still loves concerts, movies, and good wine.

I think a lot has to do with how old you feel you are mentally. I've met many an old lady who act and look terrifically young, who are engaged and informed. Mentally I feel like I'm about 25 even though I am 34.

I finally got to see Stranger Than Fiction last night and I loved it. I felt a lot at times like Emma Thompson, even the jumping off the bridge part. It reminded me of my passion for writing and I stayed up for 2 hours after it was over and polished off a chapter based on my first crush.

All in all, a good night.

Still Waiting.......

In case you are wondering what ever became of the news I have been waiting for, the answer is that I am still waiting!!! Of course, in corporate America, things take time. Ughh............. I need to know that I have this gig. I mean I want it desperately and am trying SO HARD to act like I don't, which is probably stupid. Of course, I am lying to myself.

Jobs are so hard to come by- good jobs, I mean. By that, I mean one where you gel with your co-workers, don't have a too terrible boss, still feel as if you've done something productive by the end of the day, AND earn enough to feel valued. I think this is the one I have been waiting for.

So, will post as soon as I know anything. What is your dream job and have you ever had it and lost it? Or are you still waiting ( like me) for it all to fall into place?

No One Reads My Blog......

I know I just started this but I truly have little faith in anyone reading this blog. All this has done so far is take me off my path of real writing- the kind I get paid for. And if anyone out there has taken the time to read any of my posts, first of all-thank you- and second, I think you'll find that I jump from subject to subject, so narrowing down my area of expertise, so to speak, has been difficult. But it's something that must be done.

I have been an editor and writer at family magazines and am currently working on some realistic fiction ( though have not finished up any to send out). I absolutely love personal essay writing and have even considered children's books, having had a brief stint as a teacher.

So , if you could help me out with this, drop me a line and let me know which post you liked the best so far OR which one really sucked. All would be helpful.....................and much appreciated!!

A Muse Next Door........

I live in a very artsy neighborhood- Park Slope. I love living here and fit right in with the artist/writer/musician groove that runs rampant. There are always several people in coffee shops with laptops in hand, who are trying to make a living out of freelancing.One of my favorite people is my neighbor next door. It seems that whenever I am superbusy and haven't had enough time to dedicate to my writing, I will see him. He's a rather quiet, elderly gentleman and he's always happy. I don't see him too often even though he's next door, but whenever I do see him, he'll always ask about my writing. "How is your writing coming along?" Or 'Have you had any time for your writing lately?'So, of course, after I see him, I always put aside, make time that I do not have to write- even if it's only for a short time. When you have three kids, a day job, and all the various other things that consitute a life, mundane things like grocery shopping or buying gifts, or attending boring parties, baby showers, birthday parties, seem to steal your mojo.Luckily, I have a walking, talking muse right next door, who is always eager to urge me to keep going.