Happy Black Friday.
I'll be back blogging on Monday.
cmr
Friday, November 28, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Word Wednesday - genuflect
genuflect \JEN-yuh-flekt\, intransitive verb:
1. To bend the knee or touch one knee to the ground, as in worship.2. To be servilely respectful or obedient; to grovel.
This word brings me back to my Catholic School days. Genuflecting before you went into the pew.
A sign of respect and humility, I presume.
Catholic School is what made me want to be a writer. We did a lot of writing and I was noticed for my talent. Science wasn’t such a big deal. It was a “special” as they call music and art nowadays. We didn’t have science on a regular basis.
We had religion every day. We had English everyday. (Literacy as they call it now.)
But not science. Hence I messed up that part of the test when I moved to public school.
But, that was okay, because I knew in fifth grade, in the Annunciation BVM School, that I was going to be a writer.
When did you know what your calling in life was?
1. To bend the knee or touch one knee to the ground, as in worship.2. To be servilely respectful or obedient; to grovel.
This word brings me back to my Catholic School days. Genuflecting before you went into the pew.
A sign of respect and humility, I presume.
Catholic School is what made me want to be a writer. We did a lot of writing and I was noticed for my talent. Science wasn’t such a big deal. It was a “special” as they call music and art nowadays. We didn’t have science on a regular basis.
We had religion every day. We had English everyday. (Literacy as they call it now.)
But not science. Hence I messed up that part of the test when I moved to public school.
But, that was okay, because I knew in fifth grade, in the Annunciation BVM School, that I was going to be a writer.
When did you know what your calling in life was?
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Book Review Tuesday - The Truth About You
The Truth About You – Your Secret to Success by Marcus Buckingham
Marcus’ Buckingham’s latest book is a multimedia event.
The book comes with a notepad, the book itself and a video. You read the first chapter then you look at the video which is narrated by Buckingham himself. The author has been a consultant to Toyota and Coca Cola according to his biography so he probably knows all about success.
First the video. In the video we see the story of a boy named Ewan who played trumpet in the school band. No matter how much he tried to persuade his band director that he didn’t want to play trumpet the director didn’t listen. So Ewan took things into his own hands and found a replacement to play trumpet. He now plays drums. Why? Because he felt his strength was in playing the drum not the trumpet.
What Buckingham wants us to take away from this video is that your weaknesses are not necessarily what you aren’t good at. You may be very good at something, just not like doing it. It makes you weak.
Buckingham goes onto dispel some myths for example that you should work on your weaknesses. He insists you need to work on your strengths and either farm out things you are weak at, or make them a small part of your day/job.
The notepad is to figure out your strengths and weaknesses. Buckingham suggests you spend a weak jotting down what makes you strong. What gets you jazzed. That’s how you’ll know your strengths.
Buckingham also suggests that you do the same for the things that drain you of energy. These are your weaknesses.
Many people will give you advice and Buckingham warns against taking some of that advice.
All in all, I found the book to be a refreshing change to most of the books on success. The author isn’t trying to get you to change, he’s trying to get you to work with the person you already are. Though I’m not in a position to look for a new job, I already am a writer, something that gives me energy, I could see how this book would be useful to someone who was. The author isn’t asking you to adopt habits contrary to your being, but instead work on developing and growing within the framework of your strengths. I think this book would make a great gift for anyone graduating from college.
Marcus’ Buckingham’s latest book is a multimedia event.
The book comes with a notepad, the book itself and a video. You read the first chapter then you look at the video which is narrated by Buckingham himself. The author has been a consultant to Toyota and Coca Cola according to his biography so he probably knows all about success.
First the video. In the video we see the story of a boy named Ewan who played trumpet in the school band. No matter how much he tried to persuade his band director that he didn’t want to play trumpet the director didn’t listen. So Ewan took things into his own hands and found a replacement to play trumpet. He now plays drums. Why? Because he felt his strength was in playing the drum not the trumpet.
What Buckingham wants us to take away from this video is that your weaknesses are not necessarily what you aren’t good at. You may be very good at something, just not like doing it. It makes you weak.
Buckingham goes onto dispel some myths for example that you should work on your weaknesses. He insists you need to work on your strengths and either farm out things you are weak at, or make them a small part of your day/job.
The notepad is to figure out your strengths and weaknesses. Buckingham suggests you spend a weak jotting down what makes you strong. What gets you jazzed. That’s how you’ll know your strengths.
Buckingham also suggests that you do the same for the things that drain you of energy. These are your weaknesses.
Many people will give you advice and Buckingham warns against taking some of that advice.
All in all, I found the book to be a refreshing change to most of the books on success. The author isn’t trying to get you to change, he’s trying to get you to work with the person you already are. Though I’m not in a position to look for a new job, I already am a writer, something that gives me energy, I could see how this book would be useful to someone who was. The author isn’t asking you to adopt habits contrary to your being, but instead work on developing and growing within the framework of your strengths. I think this book would make a great gift for anyone graduating from college.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Happy New Monday. Rose Bowl Baby!
Penn State
Any regular readers know I went to Penn State.
Anyone who knows me for more than a day probably knows I went to Penn State.
I have Penn State sweatshirts. A Penn State scrunchy. Two Penn State blankets. And a magnet on the back of my car.
And I have Penn State things on my Christmas list.
Back in 1982 I was looking for a college. I knew that I wanted to write, but I didn't really know much beyond that. Hard to look for a specific school when you don't know that much.
But in the Fall of 81 I had watched a football game with my Dad. Penn State vs someone. Can't even remember. I just remember that there was an energy about the game.
So I applied to PSU. And got in!
I needed to be part of something bigger than myself. And I have to tell you that everywhere I go, I meet someone that has graduated from my alma mater. Even at the Grand Canyon.
So why is this Happy News?
Because Penn State is going to the Rose Bowl.
They beat Michigan State this weekend and secured their spot in Pasadena.
I get to watch one more football game of my favorite team.
Squee!
So who is your fave college team?
Any regular readers know I went to Penn State.
Anyone who knows me for more than a day probably knows I went to Penn State.
I have Penn State sweatshirts. A Penn State scrunchy. Two Penn State blankets. And a magnet on the back of my car.
And I have Penn State things on my Christmas list.
Back in 1982 I was looking for a college. I knew that I wanted to write, but I didn't really know much beyond that. Hard to look for a specific school when you don't know that much.
But in the Fall of 81 I had watched a football game with my Dad. Penn State vs someone. Can't even remember. I just remember that there was an energy about the game.
So I applied to PSU. And got in!
I needed to be part of something bigger than myself. And I have to tell you that everywhere I go, I meet someone that has graduated from my alma mater. Even at the Grand Canyon.
So why is this Happy News?
Because Penn State is going to the Rose Bowl.
They beat Michigan State this weekend and secured their spot in Pasadena.
I get to watch one more football game of my favorite team.
Squee!
So who is your fave college team?
Friday, November 21, 2008
Hot Hunk Friday - Trace Adkins
Let me start this by saying I'm not a big fan of country music. Really, I'm not. I wish I were. They have much better looking singers than rock. While rock has Tom Petty and Iggy Pop, country has the likes of Trace Adkins.Not only is he tall, which I like in a guy. He has a great voice. I've talked here before about how much I like great voices on a guy. The deeper the better and this man speaks from way deep in his chest.
So I'll ask you fans of Trace Adkins and I know at least one blog reader is.
What is you favorite Trace Adkins song?
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Word Wednesday - Quandary
quandary \KWAHN-duh-ree; -dree\, noun:
A state of difficulty, perplexity, doubt, or uncertainty.
I’m often in a quandary.
Which manuscript should I work on next? What should I get my husband for Christmas. Paper or plastic. (Oh wait I have totebags from a bajillion conferences that I can use.)
I’m a decisive person, really, I am. It’s just when the choice isn’t clear cut I find it harder. I was in a quandary for several months over quitting a job. I had another one lined up. The new one had a better boss. (Turned out to be the right decision to quit that job.)
What decisions do you make on a daily basis that put you in a quandary?
A state of difficulty, perplexity, doubt, or uncertainty.
I’m often in a quandary.
Which manuscript should I work on next? What should I get my husband for Christmas. Paper or plastic. (Oh wait I have totebags from a bajillion conferences that I can use.)
I’m a decisive person, really, I am. It’s just when the choice isn’t clear cut I find it harder. I was in a quandary for several months over quitting a job. I had another one lined up. The new one had a better boss. (Turned out to be the right decision to quit that job.)
What decisions do you make on a daily basis that put you in a quandary?
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Book Review Tuesday - Triple Exposure
This wasn't the book I planned on reviewing today. I forgot the other one would come via media mail.
Oops.
I just finished Triple Exposure by Colleen Thompson. This was a freebie I received at a conference, but I have to say I wouldn't have minded if I'd paid for it. And in doing research, I found out she has more books out.
I'm not loyal to too many authors. I find because of the pressure to crank them out, the quality can be questionable.
Triple Exposure follows the story of photographer Rachel Copeland after she returns home to Texas. She's be acquitted of murdering a young stalker. Part of the action is a loner named Zeke Pike. No one knows where he came from or where he's been. We later find out he has a past also.
Rachel comes home other father, a pilot who runs a glider operation, and her stepmother who runs a diner. This town is where Rachel grew up so there is the usual baggage that accompanies going home.
Soon strange accidents begin to happen and lest I give away too much of the story I won't go any further.
Suffice it to say that there were enought twists and turns that I was very surprised by the ending. That's hard to do since I write romantic suspense.
When I am through my current TBR pile I will definitely look for another Colleen Thompson book.
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