Until We Meet Again
Posted on November 19, 2008 - Filed Under Dear Readers..., adventure, good wishes
Okay everybody, this will be my last post until I get to my new home. Wow. I can’t believe I’m doing this wild and crazy thing but I dont’ regret it for one second.
We’re just about ready and will be hitting the road soon, hopefully after we manage to get my few possessions into what I hope is my big trunk. I’ll try to take some pictures, if I see anything interesting from the car window and if I luck out and stumble upon an internet connection while we’re traveling I’ll check in to give you an update.
In my absence a few of my very good blogging buds have done some guest posts for me. Please drop by and make a comment or two. Thanks to Panther, Michael, Evyl, Teeni and Moe. You guys are the best and I really appreciate your help. And Moe will be keeping an eye on things in my absence, so no food fights or hogging the coffee. Okay?
I love you guys - and I’ll see you soon. Big hugs.
Why I Write This Blog
Posted on October 14, 2008 - Filed Under Blogging, Coffee, Dear Readers...
Not long ago, one of my fellow bloggers, Alex, offered to send me a list of questions to re-evaluate my blog - from the standpoint of what my goals were concerning it. I have to say that the questions were damn good and they covered a lot of ground - and frankly, I’m still grappling with the answers to many of those questions. However…
One thing I have realized or perhaps, re-realized is that there were a lot reasons I started it, a lot reasons I continued it, considered getting rid of it, went to self-hosting, and have kept at it - but beneath all those many reasons which are all valid in their right there is one over-riding reason that I write this blog. In a word - Communication.
I am very big on communication, I always have been and I always will be. I believe that it is not guns, wars, politicians, psychobabble, any kind of ‘ism’, social programs, tax dollars, medications, et.al. that is the universal solvent or solution - but rather it is communication. Not talks or summits or deals, or any of the crap that comes out of officials leaders’ mouths or people running to become official leaders, but real, live communication. Where people actually sit down and discuss an issue or topic, listening and then responding in a way that shows they have been listening and originating new thoughts, ideas, and solutions to the dialogue toward the end of reaching a real and true understanding. If people, no matter who they were, what they were or where they were did that, so many of the problems in the world would not exist. Unfortunately, I don’t believe there are a lot of great true communicators in the world or not enough of them to make the difference needed.
Sure there is a lot of talk, a lot of dialogue but not really much communication. Honest to goodness communication, where understanding is the ultimate goal. Anybody can talk. Not everyone can communicate. I don’t know why this is but I do know that it’s true. How many times have you experienced having a conversation with someone and then realizing that they really either weren’t listening or they weren’t understanding what you were saying? We all have. And it’s frustrating to feel like you have something to say that you want to be understood by another and know that it isn’t.
I talk about a lot things here - from the ridiculous to the profound. Big questions and little questions. Some of it is absolutely intended to make you laugh, brighten your day in some small way. Maybe make going to or sitting in that cubicle a little better. A small act, true, but one that can’t hurt. Some of it is to make you think - whether about current events, social issues, political actions, belief systems or just maybe even another point of view to consider. Some of it is to make you feel, Theme Fridays come to mind - I like the idea of enticing you into a different world where surprising and even happy things can happen, to enchant you, inspire you, or even make you cry - hey every woman knows that a good cry can be better than a bottle of Prozac any ol’ day. But ultimately, no matter what I write here my intention is to get you to talk - to exchange talk with me. To communicate.
The purpose of this blog is create dialogue of me with you, you with me, you with others - the whole nine yards. It is why I welcome each and every person who makes a comment, why I respond to each and every comment, why I link to you guys in my posts - and I kind of think, it’s why you come here. I am all about the communication, bringing people together to have communication and spreading the seeds of communication out there. I have often referred to this blog as my big kitchen table where there is always a place for anyone who comes by, where everyone is welcome and there is always a big pot of hot coffee brewing and usually cookies or something to nibble on. The more the merrier, as far as I’m concerned. I think of you all (no matter how well I do or don’t know you) as part of the gang, part of the family - we may not agree, we may even bicker from time to time but we’re still all for one and one for all to coin a terrible cliche.
So in the end, this blog is not about stats, or being a power blog, or selling crap, or writing pillar articles or forcing my views on anyone about anything. It is just about getting people talking to each other and reaching for that little bit of extra understanding while they are also reaching for that next doughnut.
As always, I thank you for reading, I thank you for visiting and I really really thank you for communicating and playing this game with me.
Heads Up
Posted on October 11, 2008 - Filed Under Blogging, Dear Readers..., bad hair day
Hi Guys,
This is a quick one. Our dear friend and fellow blogger Joan Harvest asked me to pass on a message to you all. Sadly, her son has hit a rough patch and has reverted to drug use once again. Naturally, this is a distressing situation for Joanie and she’s not really feeling up to blogging right now. And she wanted you all to know that she is taking a few days to sort things out and will be back blogging then.
She loves you all and do feel free to send her an email if you like, to say hi and so forth. In her words:
If you could just let everyone know that Damon is in rehab, that I’m fine but need a little break from blogging but I will be back and if anyone wants to e-mail me that would be fine too. I just don’t want everyone to think I’ve disappeared. I also don’t want to put it on my blog. I have to respect Damon’s wishes. He has a friend who reads the blog and might tell others in town and he wants to just keep it quiet. I just can’t think of anything to write on my blog now. My mind seems to just be on Damon
So Joanie, you take care of yourself and if you need anything just let us know and we’ll be there for you, hon.
Life is Short…
Posted on September 6, 2008 - Filed Under Dear Readers..., Family, Life, friends, love
This year has been a helluva experience - a lot of good, a lot of bad, a lot of suprises, a lot of lot of… And Jesus Christ, it ain’t over yet. I’m wondering if I have enough St. John’s Wort to last me. Probably not.
Life can turn on a dime, to coin a phrase (pun intended) and you never think any of that crappy stuff is going to hit your door and muck up your plans - but it does. And usually just when you think things are looking pretty okay.
I don’t particularly want to ruminate or lament about things - but I do want to say that life is short, sometimes much shorter than you think it’s going to be - so my friends, don’t sweat the small stuff and enjoy everything there is to enjoy in your lives while it’s here - while you have it.
If you’ve had a fight, make up with them, forgive them or get them to forgive you. A flat tire is just a flat tire. You can buy a new one pretty much anywhere. Blog stats, comments mean nothing if someone you love is in trouble. Give your dog an extra doggie treat, play with your kids, hug your mom, tell everyone you love that you love them. Go on the big roller coaster, drive too fast, let the wind mess up your hair, eat the chocolate or the fresh baked bread, the hell with the calories. Write with your heart, read with passion, appreciate the efforts of others. Be there for your friends, be there for yourself. Grab it all while the grabbing is good.
I love you all and thank you for being here, I’m here for you too, only an email away.
Hi Honey, I’m Home
Posted on August 26, 2008 - Filed Under Dear Readers..., Just For Fun, adventure, friends, joy of creating
Hey Kids!
Yup, I’m back. And what an adventure I’ve had, which I will definitely tell you all about once I’ve had a chance to catch up and catch my breath. And handle a few comments…jeez, there’s a lot of them. Wow, thank you!
And thanks to Moe for keeping an eye on the place - things look just great honey, no dried food on the walls or anything. And look you left me a fresh pot of coffee and a nice chocolate cake too. Thanks, sweetie pie.
In the meantime, here are a few pics of my trip. Nice, eh? Nope, you will see none with me in them because, well, I was taking the pictures. Hehe.
Good to be back.
Calgon…Take Me Away….
Posted on July 27, 2008 - Filed Under Dear Readers..., Holiday, breathe, empty head, my opinions
Hey everybody, you may have noticed I’ve been a bit scarce the last few days. Frankly, I’m exhausted. This past week has been very intense and there has just been a lot going on. In a phrase, I’ve blogged myself into a frenzy. So, I’ve decided to take a few days off. Feel the sunshine, walk my dog, smell the roses, sleep in, eat some good food and just generally recharge.
A lovely bevy of bloggers has agreed to do a few guest posts and of course I will have a post for Theme Friday - so please treat them kindly and come and read them, they are all great and fun and I’m sure you know all of them. They are doing me a great favor, the favor of time and I really appreciate it.
Have fun, have a good week and I’ll see you all next week - hopefully recharged, rested and relaxed and maybe even with some decent posts.
Hugs.
It’s Raining Books
Posted on July 3, 2008 - Filed Under Dear Readers..., all about books, reading, really cool shit
I love books and can’t get enough of them. I have books everywhere, in baskets, on shelves, under the bed, in the bathroom, livingroom and kitchen and don’t have room for one more - yet, whenever I see a book I want, I get it and worry about storage later. One of the things I love to do with books is to pass them on. Though, I always retain copies of the books I love more than life, typically, when I’ve finished a book, I either give it to a friend, take it to the library used book store or donate it to a church, thrift store or other outlet that can use or wants books. To me, there is no greater gift than a book, they impart knowledge, experience, adventure, entertainment, and introduce whole new worlds to the reader. Seriously, what’s not to love?
Imagine my delight when my friend Curious C over at Idea Jump sent me to Hey Lady, Whatcha Reading to check out this a book give away.
The blog mistress, Trish, had this to say:
Dude, I’m not even kidding. Hachette Book Group USA is doing a Summer Reads Giveaway and wants to give away 14 books. For up to FIVE people. Doing the math…five times four is twenty, carry the two….that’s SEVENTY books they’re willing to part with. And send to you. For free. And all you have to do is comment here. More on your entry possibilities below.
There’s true crime, fiction, historical fiction, memoirs, romance, thrillers…click on the link to the book to get a synopsis.
Naturally, I didn’t even hesitate to put my hand up because, jeez, 14 brand new books, with 1 chance out of 50 is pretty darn good. So if you love books like I love books, get on over there and put your hand up too. It can’t hoit and cripes maybe you’ll win some groovy books.
PS: Happy birthday, dad.
Sleep Deprived in Seattle
Posted on June 2, 2008 - Filed Under Dear Readers..., brave women, my opinions
Hi Folks,
I left for Seattle Saturday morning and had a boring and uneventful flight, except for the killer ear ache insighted upon approach to Seattle. Now, I remember why I don’t like to fly.
Kelly’s brother, Suart, picked me up at the airport and and we went straight to the hospital from there. The good news was that she was no longer unconscious and she was moving from intensive care to acute care, which indicates improvement. The bad news was the heartache of seeing my friend so beaten and bruised and confused.
I really couldn’t tell if she knew me in any sense of the word and though I felt I saw a spark in her eye and she gripped my hand very tightly - it is just as easy to believe that it was only reflex and no true recognition. The move from intensive care to that of a shared room in acute care, along with a myriad of visitors proved to be too much for her and she became over stimulated.
Given the trauma and shock her body has been through, it takes very little to get her agitated and over stimulated. For this reason, I found myself hanging back and questioning the wisdom of my decision in coming, as it seems often that I am more in the way that actually effecting any kind of positive change. Still, a part of me needed to believe that it was important for me to come and on some level she knew I was there and found some tiny comfort in that fact.
We left the hospital and went back to the house around midnight. Naturally, sleep was not something that came easily and I think I finally dozed off around 4 am. Though my eyes felt like they were made of sandpaper, I got up, made breakfast for Kelly’s family and we were off to the hospital. It was determined that I would stay the night with Kelly and so I did.
I had no idea how very active and intrusive hospitals are in the dead of night and if they weren’t waking to prod and poke Kelly, they were walking her room mate to poke and prod her. Also, nurses and doctors speak very loudly to trauma patients, as though that somehow cancels out the trauma and enables them to comprehend what is being asked of them and to then perform requested tasks, like wiggling fingers and squeezing hands.
Due to the over stimulation, Kelly required pain medication from early Sunday morning all the way to the present and probably wil remain on it for a while. She has managed to pulled her feed tube twice and had to have it reinserted which is not a pleasant thing for her or the staff. The good news is that she is strong and mobile but the bad news is that she must be restrained so that she doesn’t harm herself, pull vital tubes or touch the area of her head where they had to remove part of the skull cap.
I am not sure why I believed that I would actually be able to sleep while I stayed the day and night and then half the day again with her in the hospital. Trust, this is not possible, especially with trauma patients. She gave me a couple of good kicks in the butt, which I suppose I have always needed and her color is good and it seems that each hour she looks just a tiny bit more like Kelly. I am heartened by this and feel unbeleivably guilty that I am exhausted and require sleep and even time away from her. If I were a good friend I would not require these things and I would never leave her side - but I guess I’m not the tough bitch I always thought I was and that’s what I get for being so arrogant.
I am not back at the house and going to try to get some sleep and will probably go back tomorrow or wednesday for another full day shift - it is what they seem to need and I want to be able to help them in the way they are helped.
So, please don’t feel hurt or ignored if I am unable to respond to any comments you may leave or even emails. I am at least reading them when I get a chance and I promise to catch up on my correspondence when I return home, which will be the end of this week.
Thanks to all of you who have expressed your good wishes and prayers for my friend. I cannot tell you how much it means to me and to her.
Much love,
Annie
New Day
Posted on May 26, 2008 - Filed Under Blogging, Dear Readers..., adventure
Two weeks ago, I really began to think seriously about self-hosting. Though the idea had come up many times, I’d always pushed it to the back of my mind and left it there to be considered for another day.
Recent events in my personal life have made me realize that life is just too damn short and that some things just shouldn’t be put off. About three days ago, I just decided it was time and from the point of that decision to having a new blog was nothing short of magical. It was so fast it seemed almost instant. And so it was.
Many thank you’s are in order and most especially go to my good, good friends Moe and Kelly who literally had this blog up in 24 hours. They are utter magicians and I am in awe of their generosity, love, caring and mad skilz. I simply couldn’t have done it without you guys. Had I tried to take this on myself it would probably be months before I had it all figured out and then weeks before I’d have the nerve to open the doors. Yet, with your help - it’s been pretty fricking close to effortless. I love you guys, I know you know that but I wanted to say that publically so there was no mistake. You two rawk!
Of course, there’s also the wonderful Michael, my original blog mentor and dear friend of many years. Without you, I’d never have started blogging in the first place and anything that’s come out of it, I have you largely to thank.
Then of course, there is all of you guys. My friends, my readers, my debaters, my challengers, my buddies. You’ve delighted me with your own special views of the world, your intelligence, your wit, your charm, your humor and your heart. I hope you find the new place to your liking.
I’m still the same old WC - the stupid posts, the jokes, the deep-think stuff, the silly stuff, will all still be happening here. Hopefully better. Hopefully the best is yet to come. Hopefully, new horizons will be met. Hopefully, I’ll stop sounding so mushy…soon.
So, grab a chair, a cup of coffee or a margarita - get yakking with each other, look around - stay awhile. Don’t forget to update the link to the new address. The old writer chick will stay online for some while to come, until everything is tweaked, changed over and updated - so you can still find me that way too.
Anyway, I guess it’s time to quit blathering and get back to work. Thanks again, for everything to everyone. Love you madly.
Annie
Our Brother’s Keeper - Or is That Somebody Else’s Job?
Posted on May 15, 2008 - Filed Under Current Events, Dear Readers..., hope, my opinions
Lately, this question has been circling my awareness and it seems to be screaming at me from all places. From the whole Obama/pastor snafu to my own personal life, it seems our connections to others or lack thereof are up for scrutiny.
It begs the question, is one responsible for those they know and what they do? I’m a bit on the fence about this because I can see both sides of the coin. On the one hand, every person is accountable for their own actions and words. Absent any kind of physical or emotional force (at least in America) people are not made to do or say things - in fact, we are the land of freedom of speech - no country has more personal freedoms than ours. So, from that point of view, no, we’re not responsible for the actions of others. On the other hand, no man is an island - despite the latest craze of cocooning and sort of running our worlds from the one-stop shop of our computer hubs - there actually are other people out there and we come into contact with them everyday. Whether through physical or cyber means. We all have a voice and our own brand of influence - we can change people’s minds and actions. We do it all the time. Don’t believe me? You see a little child about to run into the street - you stop them just as a car zooms by. A friend is distraught over a recent breakup and maybe thinking suicidal thoughts, you stay up the night talking them down from the ledge. Or even….you write a post about something that is bothering you on your blog - a stranger halfway around the world reads it and rethinks something they were going to do, perhaps even gains some insight or perspective on the situation and decides not to do something rash or decides to do something that ends up really helping someone. See where I’m going with this?
The world and life is full of choices, some good, some bad. We can bury our heads in our butts and pretend we don’t see things or recognize cries for help or we can open ourselves up to all and everything out there. And it’s the little things too that I think that sometimes mean the most. Sure, we like to all get involved in ’causes’ help fight drug abuse, breast cancer, MS, oppression in China, imprisoned bloggers, expose nasty politicians or corporate malfeasance and there’s nothing wrong with it. But there is so much going on right outside your own doorstep that I wonder if tending to that, doesn’t have a greater overall effect. Maybe it’s the trickle down effect - know what I mean? Where that one little action you take can change a whole sequence of events of which you are not even aware?
Today, Blog Catalogue is doing a blogger human rights event. The idea is to get all the bloggers to unite and discuss human rights across the world. A lofty goal and worthy too. And I thought about finding some big issue and writing about it - but instead I thought that big issues only become big because the little issues are ignored and left to fester. I wonder, if we all just did whatever we could to stop injustice and enhance the quality of life for all those around us (including ourselves) if the big issues would ever come to be. Don’t you?
I guess in the end, I do believe we are our brother’s keepers. And we wear that responsibility by the way we treat others and ourselves. By the way we reach out or pull back. By the way we view the world. By our attitudes and philosophies - by our inclinations to help or to harm - to share or compete. To me, human rights aren’t about some big issue ‘out there’ it’s about all the many little things in our own backyards.
What do you think?
WC
