48. All For The Price of an Overdue Library Book

Tuesday evening after work I decide to swing by 'my library', The Hoover Library, to pick-up a book, return a few things and pay a fine.  Keeping books too long and paying fines is my personal way of supporting my public library. A s I'm browse I notice 4 guys walk in wearing dark blue work coveralls and bright yellow hard hats.  A few different things crossed my mind, ‘hmmm maybe the library has a little construction going on’ (that requires hard hats?? well maybe), ‘ah workers that love books and don't want to reveal 'hat hair' by taking off their hard hats’ and that was about as far as I got.  My mind drifted back to books.

I head to check-out, pay my $4.60 - (I know, it's only 15 cents a day, I lost track of time). as a library worker rushes to the counter and asked the guy ringing me up, "have you seen the dancers"?  Dancers, what dancers I'm thinking....hmm - odd.  She continues, "I need to find them, it's almost time".  Time for what, I wonder?

I stroll back to”Cofee-ol-ogy Café” in the back, see this is not your mother's library - it's totally cool complete with a coffee shop, tons of contemporary leather sofas and chairs, free Wi-Fi (of course it is the library you know) and a stage.  All this just in the coffee shop area.

As I round the corner I see tons of people and ask a worker what's happening.  She said, "We are having a presentation on South Africa - our featured country.  There will be dancers (ah that's where the dancers come in) and we have free food outside on the patio."  Oh wow, this is great, sign me up.

I check out the free food line - way too long, I gotta grab a seat, this show's about to begin.  So I head to the cafe, order up a chicken salad sandwich and land a table with a great view.

Ok, allow me to digress for moment.  One of the things I've missed since leaving Atlanta is diversity.  Diversity helps me keep a proper perspective of my place on this lovely planet that I call home. One of the main reasons I purchased my house in Gwinnett was to live with and around a variety of cultures.

Swedish, Hispanic, Bahamian, Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, Indian (north and south), African American and of course Caucasian. And that was just my block - seriously.  Multi-generations - 1, 2 and 3 complete with Grandmas in beautiful Saris strolling the block a few paces behind Grandpa in his comfy Kurta pjs for their daily walks.  Heck it was virtually the United Nations of Willgrove (my subdivision).

We worshiped Jesus, Mohammad and any number of Hindu gods in a variety of languages (see above) and some maybe no God.  It wasn't important in order to be good and loving neighbors.

On my block kids rode long buses, short buses and cars to school.  They attended public, private, Montessori, home and doggie daycare schools.  After school the cul-de-sac came alive. Kids hopped on bikes, babies were strapped in strollers or tossed in wagons, dogs snapped on leashes (to endure walks, petting, brushing and of course a little tail pulling)  Kids romped and played while adults chatted and sipped the beverage of their choice.  Adults that didn't speak the English (or were just shy) sat on their stoops and smiled as they observed the festivities.  Diversity at it's best - at least in my little corner of the world.

Ok, you’re thinking by now...what the heck does that have to do with the blog?

So back to the library.  Oh, the mix of cultures - in the cafe area I'm surrounded by a sea of nationalities there to enjoy the show.  Old folks, couples, young families with toddlers and babies, teenagers, and Boomers like me (I classify that as 'not old and not young' - right Boomers?)  I'm a little surprised yet thrilled to see so many different faces in one place on a normal Tuesday night.  And right beside the cafe is a vast array of magazines where Out is sandwiched right between Birmingham Metro, Natural Home, Rolling Stone and Garden and Gun.  Speak of variety -way to go Hoover Library - something for everyone.

But the greatest surprise of all was the amazing entertainment - a troupe of South African dancers, drummers, singers.  They had us on our feet (yep every color dancing to the beat of those big drums).  Kids are captivated right up front, mesmerized, dancing and twirling with all their might. It was wonderful.

Oh and guess what - the coverall guys with the yellow hard hats, yep, dancers.  They did an amazing routine of dancing, chanting, story-telling the hard life ("16 hrs for little pay") of working in diamond mines.  Women in beautiful costumes dancing as the drummers offer the rhythm and chant.  The Zulu Warrior Dance was especially compelling. The whole thing was a true unexpected delight.

I had no idea 'my library' offered such a feast of art - right in my back door - literally.  As I stop to grab the Fall Events Calendar and I notice a display of books representing South Africa - biographies on Mandela, fiction by Wilber Smith and many, many more.  Hat’s off to you Hoover Library (no pun intended)

Now I did not set out to experience #48 that evening but experience I did - all for only $4.60.  So check out your local library and I'll bet your get your money's worth too.

The Reality of Mad Men

I tuned into Mad Men at the very end of last season.  This year, I’m hooked.  At first I was drawn into the whole genre, the fashions, sets, alcohol and cigarette consumption (mostly at work).  I am fascinated me to see how ‘the office’ ran when I was a young (yes I was a child in the 60’s.). But this season I see something more….more disturbing.

The women on the show are stereotypes I know, so I dug a little deeper to see if they are depicted realistically.  May 1961 Mademoiselle featured fashions for “job goers”.  Ads in the back were for Secretarial College and one from Pan Am Airlines promoting “how to see the world on a secretary’s salary.

Charm Magazine July 1951 (yep a decade earlier – but you get the picture) held highlights of fashion and beauty for "Office Workers".  There were a few women executives but the main focus of women in these days was marriage, marriage, marriage.

One woman describes in her work experience:

“I was hired in 1965 by a public municipality which employed some 300 people.  Supervision was heavy at this time, with little if any, latitude for the workers.  Time clocks were the norm. Permission was needed to utilize the bathrooms and we were timed as to how long it took to go to the bathroom and, how often we went.  After all most of us were paid by the hour and they wanted to be certain that we gave them every single minute due.  Our work lives were governed "by the book."  Excerpt from Women in the Workforce in the 60's.

So I started to think….has it changed all that much for us “office workers”? Yes, in many ways, women now hold higher positions, make more money and are more respected.  But I think we still have a ways to go.  Here are a few examples from my career…you decide. 

My first ‘big girl’ job. Administrative Assistant…I got this job about 5 minutes after the title had been changed from 'Secretary'.  Mid-80’s and here are a couple of tid-bits for you to ponder.

On Secretaries Day (see we were still Secretaries even tho’ they had officially changed the title) every employee in the office got flowers (including the men who were all in management).  My boss didn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings (and apparently didn’t want to recognize the ‘secretaries’ doing all the work). Yeah that made me feel special.

When a Sales Manager position opened I was given a trial run at it and I think did well – I took it very seriously and accomplished everything asked of me. But didn’t get the promotion because “I was too valuable as an assistant.”  Now granted I might not have been the perfect candidate,  but he did hire a man for the job. I left the company shortly that bump against the 'glass ceiling'.

Got a Sales Manager position in a hotel, yay I’m on my way!  This boss subscribed to no less than 30 magazines, (People, TV Guide, etc).  Literally sat and read them all day long and requested I sit in his office "to keep him company".  He read while I watched until around 4pm Happy Hour.  Then he  moved to the lounge for drinks and I hopefully got a little work done.  Fortunately I wasn’t his assistant, she was busy ‘running for coffee and sewing on buttons’ and I’m not kidding 

Left that job too after a short time – decided this wasn't providing the work experience I was looking for.

1990 - I’ve moved to Atlanta and things are different (thankfully).  Diversity – wow, now that’s a concept.  I like it and had some good jobs during this decade.  But it was still party time… (remember I work in hotels).  All Sales Managers were 'expected' to frequent the hotel lounge at least 3 evenings a week to ‘mix and mingle’ with customers.  In the bar by 5pm and stay at least till 7pm if not later. I know you think this sounds fun….no – it got old quick.

On to 2000 – I've transitioned to real estate as the Atlanta District Director for real estate company out of California.  My boss visited with me only once and while there asked me do his expense report (along with copying all the receipts).  He was used to having an assistant and I guess he viewed me as his 'new assistant'.  Otherwise he was a nice guy and we got along great, never mentioned he had concerns (if in fact he did). 

He quit after one year and went back to hotels (guess he missed having an assistant).  His replacement came on board while I was out on medical leave.  He introduces himself over the phone and by his 3rd call was being a total jerk.  I quickly started to see the handwriting on the wall.  Then one of my peers calls to tell me that my position is posted as ‘open’ – I’m pretty sure this isn’t going to end well.

He flies in for my first day back and I’m excited thinking 'get to meet the new boss'.  Nope, that wasn’t it, he came in to fire me…..on my first day back from 6 weeks medical leave.

Bet you’re saying….”wait that can’t happen”…oh yes it can and does.  When I asked why he said “performance”.  "That's odd" I respond, "I've never had a performance review".  His reply, “well previous boss was supposed to give it to you before he left”. Huh???

Then the best part - he asked me to work until he found my replacement. What??  Are you kidding me?  NO!  Not only NO, but HELL NO!!  Fire me you coward – at least that way I can file unemployment.  Oh and yes, he did replace me with a man.

By now you are saying….”sue them”.  Well, it's not that easy and I did seek council; guess what they told me.  “Don’t bother”.  Yep – that’s right.  It could take up to 3 years to go to court and most cases side with the employer.  Now I’m not basing this on facts or statics just repeating what the attorney told me.  His suggestion, leverage for severance…which I did and got - 3 months.

So when I hear the lewd behavior of the ad guys in MM dismissed as “boys will be boys”.  Or when Dan Draper screams at Peggy “each morning you should thank me, and Jesus, that you have one more day”.   I think…have we really come that far?  The only difference is now we don’t say it ‘out loud’ – it just plays out in different ways.

The guys in MM are portrayed with a complete lack of integrity and humility (and I know it’s a TV show). But sometimes I’m not so sure there’s a ton of that going around these days either.  But I’m hopeful.  Because from time to time I have a boss who really steps up and renews my confidence in progress.

I’m thankful for all the jobs I’ve had – good and bad and wouldn’t change a thing. I’ve learned a lot -.what to do and definitely what not to do. And I’m still hooked on Mad Men. I love the drama, the clothes, sets, etc….but get a little sad when it reminds me

‘How far we’ve (almost) come’.

49. To Market To Market.....

OK, I didn't buy a fat pig.....that would alter the subject of this blog - but I did discover a couple of new 'markets' in my current hometown. 

Not once but twice this past week I branched away from my first true love, Whole Foods (aka Whole Paycheck).  Now I agree WF is a bit on the pricey side so I mostly look but in my endeavors to live a more healthy lifestyle I do 'fork out the big bucks' from time to time.  Let's face it, there are a few things you just can't find at WalMart. 

But wait....I digress, I was talking about venturing into alternative dimensions.  I discovered not 1, but 2 new (to me) organic markets in Birmingham Golden Temple Healthfoods and Cafe

and Organic Harvest Market and Cafe.  Both are delightful - each in their own unique way.

Golden Temple - located in the Five Points (South side area) is a fun market absolutely crammed with stuff.  Everything from the usual health food selections to a boutique with a vast collection of incense/candles, religious decorative items,  clothing, scarfs, books, etc.  And the cafe is awesome and offer a nice vegetarian menu.  I tried the "Stack" (get the small - it's huge) layered brown basmati rice, black beans, monterey jack cheese, house salsa, sour cream and guacamole. Yummie! 

Now on to Organic Harvest Market - this 'not so little shop located on Hwy 31 on the left if you are headed toward downtown Birmingham. 

This organic shop is quite nice and apparently expanding (at least that's what the sign said).  They have the basics of healthy fare and a good wine selection too.  The prices seem in line with "my first true love" the variety of products is impressive.  This store also boasts a cafe but it's not as interesting as the one at the Golden Temple.  But again they are re-modeling so I'll definitely go give it a 'test drive' soon.

What a treat to check out not one, but two unique grocery options.  I'm certain I will go back to both at some point in time.  Definitely to Golden Temple - the amount of stuff in there is to be examined more closely.  And of course I'm not hooked on "The Stack".   As a matter of fact I'm craving one now.....

But Whole Foods don't despair, I won't forsake you - you are too close, too convenient and yes to intriguing for me to stray far.  But having options is in the words of Martha "a good thing".

#50 20 slides+15 seconds+1 idea = Ignite

I know, you are already confused aren't you?  Let me explain.  50 is week # 50 of my "52 new things in a year".  Ok, we're straight on that. 

20 slides + 15 seconds + 1 idea = Ignite? 

What???  Yes, Ignite.  Ignite Birmingham to be exact. 

A little background to simplify things and I'm gonna cheat and paraphrase straight from the Ignite website. 

Ignite - "Fast-paced, fun, thought-provoking, social, local, global.....it's a high-energy evening of 5-minute talks by people who have an idea—and the guts to get onstage and share it."

How it all began - "Ignite got its start in Seattle December 2006, as a personal project of O'Reilly Media, Inc's Brady Forrest and Bre Pettis. They dreamed up an event where people could share their ideas over beer and on December 7, two hundred Seattle geeks looking for "a fun night of geekery and networking" squeezed into a bar on Capitol Hill.  25 intrepid locals took a turn on the stage for their five-minute Ignite talks. The consensus was that it was a blast. Word got out, and other communities wanted Ignite in their cities. Brady and Bre turned the event over to O'Reilly, and now nearly 200 Ignites have been held."

That brings me to Ignite Birmingham.  I found the event online and thought that sounds fun and the tickets were free.  Now free is good in my book.  So I clicked and registered for the event to be held at Matthews Bar and Grill on August 16. 

When the day arrived and I made my way down to Matthews for the 6pm start time.  The first 30 minutes were a mix and mingle with a few free hors d'oeuvres.  I grabbed a beer, a good seat and got ready for the show.  I had no idea what to expect but I had never done it before so it qualifies for my 52. 

What an interesting and amazing event.  There were a total of 12 presentations and the first guy up gave a creative presentation encouraging voter turn-out by asking each of us to "adopt a voter".  It was thought provoking and a good idea. 

Everything from "How the Internet Works" (this was fascinating) to the tongue in cheek presentation of "The Relevance of Beverly Hills 90210 in a Postmodern Landscape"  (this presenter reminded us that this year will bring holds the day of 90210 - yeah, that's right Sept 2, 2010).  

Then there was a guy in a skirt (seriously - a skirt) but he was a super big guy - bouncer type so no one was making fun of him.  He took on the first the night's two Ignite Karaoke segments.  With Ignite Karaoke is :"The Stage is yours. The Slides are not!"  Sort of an improve Ignite with 20 slides.  The first slide is the subject and then you create a story as you go, seeing each slide for the first time.  Both of the Karaoke segments were hilarious - and took courage no less. 

All in all a terrific evening.  Got me thinking...is there something I'm passionate enough about to get up on stage and breeze through 20 slides in 5 minutes?  And could I possibly still have the audience with me at the end.  Maybe so.  I'm thinking about it.  Or maybe I could be up for a Karoke (those are 'first come first serve' so to speak).  The question is will I or won't I?

Guess you'll just have to come to

Ignite Birmingham #3

When: Possible date in Early November
Where:TBA
Tickets: TBA
Submissions:Open September 1!  

to find out.  See ya there!

51 My Alternative to Walmart Greeter

Part of my job this week was to work at "Cocktails In The Gardens".  What pray tell is CITG?  A fundraiser the Birmingham Botanical Gardens host 3 times (August, September and October).  You know ...get them there, give them a little food, liquor them up and they will give.  Works every time.  And it usually does. 

Example - a few years back my church held a "Ministry Fair", booths displaying their 'wares' giving you the opportunity to see how you fit in.  It's a terrific idea especially if you serve a little beer and wine.   OK, now you are really, really confused...church - beer/wine - can it be???   Yes of course if you are Episcopalian   ....alias another blog indeed. 

Well my point is, I had a couple of glasses of wine and by the end of the night I had signed  up to:

1. Sing in the choir
2. Volunteer with youth
3. Read scripture on Sunday morning (at least once a quarter)
4. Join a women's Sunday School class (which also met at the same time as choir - which also sang at the same time as reading)
5. And lastly - Be on the hospitality committee

What the heck....all because 2 glasses of wine.  Yep - that's the way it works.  And this is a true story!  (I ended up singing in the choir and reading.  Later I did youth and hospitality  - it works).

The Botanical Gardens knows what every non-profit fund knows......Food+Beer+Wine=Giving!

So, the main feature of this CITG is guess what..............the BAR!  Right of course, the BAR.  So where did our sales team get strategically placed - yes of course, the BAR.  Because the best way to sell a lot of drinks is to get a bunch of gabby sales people yakking it up with these poor people They will buy drinks (even non-alcoholic) just to break free of the incessant cheerful chatter.

It's 100 degrees and at least 90% humidity (yes, ti's the south I know - but we get tired of it too) and it's only 5pm.  The sun has 3 more good hours to shine it's heart out - until then I'm gonna 'sweat like a pig'..... oops I mean glow like any sweet southern Sista of the Ya-Ya's or what the hell ever!

Now I'm no dummy, I donned a hat for this thing....my mama taught me a long time ago, wear a hat and you'll be cooler (daddy knew this too).  It works, truly it does.  But I'm still one hot (glowin') mama. 

I get strategically placed between beer and wine - ahhh yes....they knew didn't they!  We're serving up a local brew by  Back Forty Beer Co. You got your Naked Pig Pale Ale  ( who doesn't like to say Naked Pig) and Truck Stop Brown Ale.  Now I can pour a good beer - it was a side hobby in college and fun to hit the tap again - I proudly fill the cup right up to the rim with the appropriate amount of head.

Then on to wine.....a nice Willamette Valley Pinot Gris and Castle Rock Pinot Noir.  We're good to go on wine as well. 

So it's blue tickets for wine and white for beer.  I've got it so....bring on the customers.  And then whoosh here they come.  And boy did them come.  Chicks in "garden party' (use your best southern accent here) dresses and 5 inch heels (what were they thinking....we're in dirt, dust, gravel) - and they look lovely 'sweatin' like pigs'  - I mean with their glowin' skin. 

Then there are the prep boys......impressing these lovely 'glowin' ladies.  Decked out in Polo shirts and Docksiders with perfect haircuts.  Then there is the occasional guy that came from work with the dress shirt and tie.  LOSE the tie....we're at a cocktail party in the 100+ degree heat.....no one and I mean NO ONE is impressed. 

And then the gays!!!  My favorite for sure because they will chat it up like no body's business and I mean 'bring it on'.  These are my people.  I truly love gay men and have since my first encoounters at theatre in college.  They are wonderful, have great taste, fun, look adorable, are polite and one of them will probably be the first in the Lily Pad pond.

Bottom line....we served $4000 in beverages (at $4 or $5 bucks a pop) in 3 hours.  'We wuz some busy southern bees.'  But oh my - what a blast.  I was non-stop busy but still had time to pour a perfect beer, a full glass of wine, take the ticket and of course 'chat 'em up'.  They were  even generous enough to give $300+ to our "Tips for Charity" for GIVE KIDS THE WORLD  our hotel charity.

But what is the point of this story?  OK, I did something new (remember the 52 - one new thing a week) and definitely found my retirement job!  Bartender.  Yep, I'm good at it, liked it a lot and it will sure as hell beat being a Walmart Greeter.

Looking forward to the next two CITG events.  September and October.  If you live in Birmingham....check it out....great event.  And maybe you'll get to hear me say................

"So what-al-it-be?  A Naked Pig or a Truck Stop Brown Ale"? 

See ya there! 

52 And Counting! And it isn't just age!

I was recently blessed with the company of dear friends visiting from Colorado.  The husband in this couple (Louie) and I go way (way) back. He's the kind of friend you 'hang your hat on' so to speak.  He's there, he's always there, he wants and intends to be there and he's not going away.  Thank you Louie for that kind of friendship.  And his wife, whom I adore and had the pleasure of meeting much later in my friendship with Louie, is a lovely lady and someone I know will be around till friendships die (literally).

They are people I greatly admire and esteem and really have fun creative ideas about living life.  One thing he mentioned while they were visiting is they are currently living out what I will call "The 52".  "The 52"?, I bet you are thinking.....  Well, let me explain.  Take on the challenge of doing one 'new' thing every week.  Yep, that would add up to 52. 52 new things to experience in one year.
He gave no details, no guidance, no rules.....so I thought, how great.....52 new things in one year.  I'm sure I already doing that....but am I doing it with INTENTION....thus back to the point of my blog..."Living with Intention".  Or as I see it....paying ATTENTION to life.  And wait, I'm 52 this year...what a beautiful year to really start living intentionally with my own personal 52!!!

Ok, that sounds damn good to me. So here we go.

52.  Poetry Slam

 

Now, I've never been to a true Poetry Slam or even a poetry reading for that matter and yes that's the true intention of a Year of Living......Intentionally!  Experiencing NEW and DIFFERENT things.

Wow, I was blown away.  Now I'm an artsy gal.  I have a degree in Theatre (not that, that really means a lot) but I love all things creative.  I truly think. up till tonight. I thought poetry was memorized in elementary school and read at Presidential Inaugurations.  I didn't realize it lives, 'day to day'!

Guess the Hell What...it lives day to day - really!  In the lives of so many people....of every shape, age, color, class, well you get my drift.  Bottom line...............................I was blown away!  What a great way to start my 52.

So many folks from all walks of life are jotting these lines of truth, "their truth" down on slips of paper, scraps, beautiful journals, note books lugged everywhere and yes, even just in their brains (maybe they aren't 52 years old yet........)

First the shy African American teenage girl that read a poem about trust - indicating she wants the people in her life to Trust Her.....to the young white lady who confessed to having spent 11 months in the building "next door" which is the Justice Center (jail for those of us not familiar with the term Justice Center).  She spoke of living with prostitutes and addicts and then her own confessions of being addict too.  One line in her poem..."in bondage, yet still debating"  really spoke to me even though I don't battle a substance addiction.  Don't we all do that in some walk of life...."in bondage, yet still debating"....how truthful!

The poems went on and on and each beautiful, gut wrenching, honest (how can they be so honest and vulnerable in front of all of us) to humorous, to sad, to redemptive to determined.  Like the amazingly attractive African American woman fighting day to day with the reality of Sickle Cell Anemia (and I even thought now that's a chronic illness I haven't hear a lot about lately) and that was her point!  People still have this disease....they still get diagnosed and fight day after day...yet do we ever hear about it?  See it in the news?  Supports 'walks'....I could go on and on.  But my own experience is no, I never hear about it.  Her question was, why?  And I had to think about that....why is that?  Does that disease not matter?  It stopped me in my tracks!

The bottom line is, I experienced something I had never done before - a real reading of original poetry and I was lifted up.  Inspired....it made me appreciate these young, old, black, white....etc.....people that can simply record their thoughts and their feelings and expose them for all of us to hear and judge...yes, let's face it...we judge daily what we hear. 

And my judgement for today is I am inspired by your honesty and I want to live that kind of life myself.  Honest, true, open, exposed, raw, sometimes ugly, but then again beautiful and always with the best of intentions!

I'm in!  Can't wait for # 51.  I invite you to join me on this journey!  Find your own 52 and feel free to check in on mine as well!

For more information on Sickle Cell Anemia

Sickle Cell Info

Sickle Cell Disease Association of America

CDC - Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)

For more information on poetry

Poetry Info

Poetry Slam

Friends - old and new??

Visiting with Mark proved to be delightful. We dined at Ellise's, his friend from days of old, and was also joined by Mavis (yet another friend of old). So there we were 3 'old broads' or as Mark likes to refer to us "his 3 gay wives". Works for me.

Lovely ladies for sure. Creative, smart, funny and yes all in different stages and walks of life. Kids grown and gone, kids young and at home and no kids. Variety keeps things interesting.

With the creative genius of Mark and the scholarly mind of Ellise we are entering the world of a new venture. Corporate crisis management workshops and activities through 'theatre games'. But of course we won't call it that becuase if we did no one would want to come. They would run for the hills at the very thought of being involved in theatre games (not unlike reindeer games). Mark seems to have the energy, I have the business sense, Ellise has the motivation because she has an assignment for her masters and Mavis needs an outlet. Good combo if you ask me.

So where will it end? Not sure, but I know that is't work a step in that direction. What's to lose? As the Universe said yesterday..............

I understand, Andi, that you must wonder, sometimes to the point of bewilderment, at what you're truly capable of doing. Yet, therein lies the "problem," because living the life of your dreams is far more about what I'm capable of doing.

Surrender -
The Universe

Andi, all I need from you is a vision, followed by an unending march of little, tiny baby steps in its direction.

Nice!

The idea unfolds

January 4, 2009 Monday

Upon reflection about my New Year's Eve weekend at my friend Brenda's home in Big Canoe, I realized that I wanted to approach this year with a purpose. We had discussed topics such as being more open, more spiritual, connecting with others and God. So, how do I do that? Any of it, all of it?

Today it hit me as I was driving to work (always a place for monumental discovery, there and in the shower). Explore all things spiritual for a year. But without agenda - let it come as it may. That sounds good doesn't it?

Then I thought - how do I do that? Well maybe I sign up for classes, read books that inspire me, go to a convent, experience different kinds of worship ....it can be endless. And more importantly there is no right or wrong. It's whatever I want the journey to be. Exciting! Then I thought, blog about it. Record my journey, feelings, thoughts - maybe there is insight to be gained. I'm excited. Like writing an English paper that won't be graded - that sounds reasonable to me.

So, here I am. Day 1. :) I feel better just having come up with a plan. A plan, that's hard for me as I tend to get paralyzed (often). Trying to do it JUST RIGHT or the way I think someone else would want me to DO IT. I'm going to shed those thoughts for this exercise. It's my way, my thoughts, uncensored and without judgement (I'm my own worst judge and critic by far).

My friend Mark is on his way to Birmingham to spend a couple of nights with me. He is going to introduce me to a some of his friends. That will be good. I need to stretch and meet new people, maybe allow myself to make a friend or two. Mark is a wonderful and we will have fun chatting about our hopes and dreams for the upcoming year. I'm probably going to share my idea with him. Not for input or judgement but rather to open up my soul and share. Lovely idea!