formats
Published on May 21, 2013, by in BRILLIANT.

It’s late, or early and I was going through some pics that were on my phone.  I wish I took more pictures and I refuse to put up pics of my kids on the internet.  So I have two to share with everyone.

This pic is from this weekend.  My older kids have been doing Aikido for years from the same Sensei for many years.  My oldest tested for the belt below brown belt (aka second blue) and my daughter was testing for her yellow (a “teen” belt) that is somewhere about in the middle of the ranks.  It is hard to find a standard belt ranking in martial arts but what ever.  I am so proud and impressed on how they both preformed in their testing.  It really was amazing.

But about the pic.  I was being “that Mom” taking a ton of pics through the 2.5+ hours of testing.  I had turned off my phone for a moment and the zoom setting had reset.  This is what I was focusing on and it just seemed kind of cool.  It’s the edge of the mat but I thought it looked nifty.
Dojo mat edge

The second pic is from the local hospital. For the circumstances, first, everyone is ok and no that is not my hand in the pic. Someone in the family had a quick trip (if that is possible) to the ER and the room that they placed us in had this “Robo Doc”. I thought it looked like a Dalek from Dr Who and was waiting the entire time for it to move. (I think I might have annoyed the nurses (sorry) when I kept telling them I wanted to see it move.) I knew I was safe from Dr. RoboDalak because it was a short run from it to safety and I knew where the stairs were.) I so wanted to see what that thing could really do (medically). I think it helps with treatment for stroke patients but I just wanted to see it whirl around.
Dojo mat edge

I hope you enjoyed my two little pics into my life. It’s crazy and apparently filled with robots that keep trying to dominate the planet.

 
formats
Published on May 19, 2013, by in life, sci fi.

I have such great ideas while I’m working.  Almost as good as the ideas that come to me in the shower.  My only problem is, while I am working, I can not write them down.  I can not express how frustrating this is!

Being a massage therapist, my first thoughts are for the client and their needs, but usually that doesn’t fill the entire hour.  Those few moments that I have to myself feel very productive at the time.  I have plotted stories and to do list items.  I’ve even planned dinner at times.  The problem is, when I finish my time with my client and leave the room, I have things to do.  Things like, remember what I did/felt the session to record it in their file and getting ready for the next client.  No time to write down my thoughts and that leads to them disappearing all together.  Some stuff sticks but I had an entire goal setting/empowerment program mapped out over a few sessions and then something interrupted me and now it’s mostly gone.

I love what I do and I am happy to have the time with my clients.  I just wish I could have an extra set of hands or some other way to record my thoughts while I’m with them.  Just a little venting and I hope that too many brilliant ideas get lost.

And before I forget.  It’s Star Wars Weekend at Disney and here is the amazing full dance off video!  Enjoy!

 
formats
Published on May 11, 2013, by in life, writing.

I can’t believe that it’s been so long since my last post.  Work is still super busy, which is a good thing, but it has left me with very little energy when I get home.  I like working, don’t get me wrong but for a while there, it’s just taking a bit longer to get up to speed.

Edits to Second Chances: A New Star are going.  It’s taking more time than I want but it really is going to tighten up the story and polish it up so I don’t mind taking the time to do it.  I learned a lot publishing Fire and Ice and I am making sure that I take those lessons and put them into practice.  With this book, I hope to learn much more about marketing.  Even if I got a sweet book deal, I’d still have to do the marketing so why not get a bigger piece of the pie.

I posed a question on Facebook a bit ago and hopefully later this week I’ll be able to post a bit of Second Chances: A New Star for you guys to get a taste of what is coming in hopefully very soon.  Keep you eyes out for that post!

Happy Mother’s Day to everyone and I guess I should get back to editing.

 
formats

I got my book back today and had a chance to look at the notes given.  All I have to say is, WOW I have my work cut out for me.  The story is not changing but there is much to be done to make this a great book.  I learned SO much from Fire and Ice and I have taken those lessons learned and actually using them to make Second Chances: A New Star the best it can be.  (Sorry if I sound like a broken record but that’s just how it is.)

Talk about doing something scary?  I gave my book, something that has been with me for about 12 years and let not one but three people read it and tell me how to “fix” it.  I don’t think it was broken but just needs some proper polishing.  That sounds better anyway.

So, I’m going to get at least one chapter done tonight and post the rough, semi-final version when I’m done with it since my Facebook poll said to post the first chapter.  If you like this little blog and are on Facebook, follow the link and like it.  Feel free to comment or whatever there or here so I know that you guys are out there.  (Or let me know if the link doesn’t work – stuff like that happens.)

Before I get to editing, I’m going to watch the new episode of Dr Who and get my geek on!

 
formats
Published on April 26, 2013, by in hockey, life, writing.

I started a new job a few weeks ago and boy has it kept me busy!  Adjusting to a new schedule and just trying to find the best route to get there has been exhausting.  Next week will begin my “set” schedule.  I miss my friends from my old place but the ladies at the new place are very nice.  It is nice to work with other therapists again.

This weekend I’m getting the second round of edits back from my other editors.  (Hi Mom and Dad!)  This should really tighten up the story and I don’t mind taking the time to make Second Chances: A New Star the best it can be.  The weather is supposed to be beautiful so I might just take the computer outside and edit from there while my youngest burns off some of his endless supply of energy.

Fire and Ice is also still surprising me.  I am so honored to see that people are downloading it and posting some nice reviews too.  (Note:  If you have read it – and liked it, please post a quick review with lots of stars.)  I can not believe that its almost hockey play offs.  Unfortunately, it looks like the Flyers will not be making it to the play offs.  Because of the lock out, I’m rationalizing it as it’s not a “real” season so therefore it doesn’t count in my mind.

Finally, I found this article that works for my the massage therapist and the knitter that I am.  It’s a nice article about how to stretch your hands and fingers to aid knitters due to the repetitive motion and holding the needles.  This article will be good as it gets closer to the holidays!

 

 
formats
Published on April 14, 2013, by in BRILLIANT, life, writing.

It has been a crazy few days here so I’m going to try to sum them up here.

First, I need to advertize this cool Kickstarter project

These mugs are just so cool that how can you not want them?  The people behind it are amazing with the communication both to the backers and to their Kickstarter site.  I really hope they make it.  My only problem is, do I keep them for myself or use it for a present?

Second, I found out that I came in second place in the SoJo Happening List as an author.

156817_10151514313177808_416522263_n

This is really cool and I am very proud that I did so well in the company I was with.  And thanks to all who voted for me too!

Third, I found this cool site for women.  It’s called the International Geek Girl Pen Pals Club and it is what it sounds like.  You sign up and they match you with someone of similar age and geeky interests.  I have a lovely woman who lives in Wales and we are both Doctor Who fans.

iggppc-iconThe idea is that even in this day and age of technology, we are to write a letter.  Pen and paper, reaching out to another person who you have something in common with.  I’ve already exchanged two letters with my “pal” and it is so much fun!  I can not tell you how awesome it feels to get something, besides bills and junk mail, in the mail.  I’ll be sending a letter out tomorrow to her.

And finally, I have decided to go back to school!  It’s going to take a bit of time to get into the program I want.  There are two school that I will be applying  to once I get the pre-requirements done but I am so excited.  The grad school programs I am looking at are 3 years long but it’s going to be 1-2 years before I can start.  Darn pre-requirements.

One last thing.  Second Chances: A New Star is still in edits.  It’s going to be a bit more to get it out but I really hope that it will be worth the wait.

 
formats
Published on April 10, 2013, by in review.

A few days ago, I was in Target and picked up a new travel mug to replace one that was leaking.  I was looking for something that would fit in my cup holder and not much more than that.  I bought this one.
Untitled
It was around $12 or so.  (Yes, that’s my car just outside work)  As you can see the brand is Aladdin and I found it at Target.  Online they have the same thing but without the handle.

I made my coffee, screwed on the lid and got in my car, placing the mug in the cup holder.  As I turned off my street, I discovered that I had not securely place the mug in the cup holder and the dang thing flew to the floor, upside down.  The idea of my car smelling like old coffee and floor mats stained jumped to mind.  As I completed the turn, I reached down (safely) with the hopes that there was a tiny bit left since I had not even gotten a sip of my morning brew before the tumble.

I was very surprised to find that not a drop had spilled!  This was because the lid had been closed.  See how secure it looks!
UntitledUntitled

It clicks closed and when open, the lid doesn’t flop in your face either!  Very secure top.

I know that it’s just a travel mug but the design really works and does what (gosh) should do.  My only minor complaint is that the base is a bit big but it does (barely) fit in my cup holder.  If you are looking for a good but relatively inexpensive travel mug, I would recommend this one and would buy it again.  Just my two cents.

 
formats
Published on April 9, 2013, by in life, writing.

The brain is amazing.  It is where our memories are stored and where brilliant ideas come from.  At the same time, it makes us procrastinate and sometimes we have to fight against it.  It can get in the way of ourselves.

Case in point.  I’ve been working on getting Second Chances: A New Star through the editing phase.  I got all the edits in as suggested by my first editor (Hi Kate!) and wanted to give it one more read through before sending it off to my second editor (Hi Mom!).  It took forever to read through it!  Every page or so, I found myself clicking on Facebook or something else.  It’s not that the story is boring, just that I seemed to contract a temporary case of ADD.  Even typing this post, I seem to click on other tabs and away from the post.

Why do I do this?  I have no idea!

Next week, my career takes a bit of a change and it will open up a bit of time for me to focus more on my writing and all the business/marketing stuff that goes along with it.  I’m excited but nervous that I don’t seem to be able to keep my focus.  Focus will help my productivity (duh) and hopefully allow me to do more with my writing and publishing.  At least today was not a complete bust.  After I finished the read through, I fixed up the Facebook page for Sarchix.  Please click the link and like the page!  It should be directly updated from this site plus anything else I may put up there.  If I ever get around to doing a video for one of my books, it will be put there too.

 
formats
Published on April 3, 2013, by in life.

Today, when my to do list is a mile long, I get the urge to do something creative.  I have no idea what that creative thing is and I know I have plenty of creative things to do, like edit Second Chances: A New Star or work on my aunt’s sweater.  Do I want to do those kinds of things?  NOOOO.  I want to start something new.  This is just a bit frustrating to me.

Why do I do this to myself?  I don’t really feel like doing anything actually but the idea of starting a new project is so appealing, almost as appealing as the idea of taking a nap.  I love checking things off my to do app and I know it would feel good to get the list down to a handful of things instead of almost twenty items but all I want to do is start a new (but unknown) project.  I’m doing my best to stay off both Raverly and Pintrest because I know I would find some awesome project and waste even more time dreaming about doing it.  I know I need to start my Christmas knitting, but I don’t think today is the day to do that.  (I promised myself no more Christmas knitting until I finished the back of my Aunt’s sweater.)

Once I get started working on something, most likely working on Second Chances: A New Star, I’ll get into the groove and get that feeling of satisfaction.  The hard part is getting started.  I really wanted to get SC1 (My short hand for Second Chances: A New Star) finished and published ASAP but I keep getting in the way of myself.  Yes, I want to put out the best product I can and that means lots of editing.  Editing is BORING and points out all the errors I’ve made!  Who likes to be reminded of errors made?

Maybe some of  this odd creativity is due to the fact that life never seems to stay still for long.  Lots of good things going on and hopefully not too many pot holes along the path.  Or maybe because it is spring and the sun is out.  The weather predictions for the coming days looks like there will be many days of good weather where I don’t need to wear my winter coat.  I love my coat but it’s just time to put it away for the season.

Hopefully I can get my butt in gear today and get something off my to do list before it gets too late in the day.

 

 
formats
Published on March 30, 2013, by in writing.

I finally got through the first round of edits for Second Chanced: A New Star.  There were times where I thought I’d never get done.  Currently, it stands at just over 68,000 words.  It’s probably my largest work yet.

I reworked the cover a bit (again) while I was procrastinating at one point.  I loved the cover before but realized the title was just too light and a few other little tweeks that were needed.  Here is the “new and improved” cover.

Second Chances: A New Star

So, I think I am going to read the story again and do the fixes that I have been pondering since I found them in the edits.  Not exactly sure what is going to happen but it does need some “fill” in a few places.  The fill won’t alter the story line, just give it a bit more depth.

Hopefully, by the end of the weekend, I’ll be sending it over to go for the last round of editing.  I’ve learned my lesson from producing  Fire and Ice and want to make sure that Second Chances: A New Star is as error free as possible.  Fire and Ice is good, but I know I can do better.  Each book is a learning experience and will help me make the next one even better.

 

Twitter links powered by Tweet This v1.8.3, a WordPress plugin for Twitter.