If I Don't Need It, It's Out

This week it's all about getting the clutter out of the way. I know I probably missed the spring cleaning bandwagon, but this clutter-clearing session is more about moving than it is about cleaning in general. I need to get rid of anything that's not important and that I couldn't see taking with me (good advice for revising your writing, too). Problem is, I find a lot of things important. I get sentimental about scraps of paper or little mementos that look like trash to everyone else. I seem to be the only one who knows the stories behind them, so... yeah. Lots of things that I have to sort through.

The one thing I'm not sentimental about are the books I have. I mean yes, some of them I love dearly. But it really is time to part with a good percentage of my library so I don't have to think about it anymore. I tried selling a few on Half.com, but because that's a very slow way of selling, I'm just going to go and donate them all. My local Goodwill is getting a huge literary haul at the end of the week. Your welcome.

But don't worry, the writing isn't suffering through all this chaos. After almost two weeks of not being able to log into Biosgraphy, I was finally able to put up another piece about my short stint experimenting with the Law of Attraction which you can read here. I'm also still knee-deep in book #3 of the trilogy, and I've begun an outline for a crime thriller that I may hold off for NaNoWriMo in November. Or I may get too excited about it and start writing it tomorrow--you never know. ;-)

Setting the Words Free

I think by now most of my readers, friends and family know that I would like nothing more than to move to New York. That's where all the actual jobs are that I know I could do (and those that, you know, actually require someone with my type of degree), and that's where I'm convinced my creativity will flourish. It hasn't happened yet, but one day, right?

About three years ago I wrote this essay with all of the thoughts I had about why I wanted to move there and why it is such a non-negotiable for me (there's my self-help vocabulary getting put to good use!). For some reason, I've kept this hidden away with more protection than I have ever kept a piece of writing. Although all of these thoughts are things I would love to shout to the world, this felt like a very vulnerable piece to put out. The picture that keeps coming back in my head is the image of a teacher swiping a note from a student and threatening to read it out loud. Not that something like that ever happened to me... Okay, maybe once. But the teacher would have been wrong. The subject of the note was the boy that my friend liked, not me. Anyway...

So here's the essay in all of its glory. I put it on Biosgraphy first because it seemed like the right type of atmosphere for it. That, and it is a smaller community of writers to test it out first. But now I'm ready to let the world see it. It's not spectacular by any means, but it is how I feel. And yes, it is a bit dated. Example: I do know that the Chelsea Hotel is closed now.

I'm doing my best to maintain my personal relationships with people in spite of the fact that they don't think I can make it--or ever should. Since most of the support for this dream comes from my online friends and complete strangers, it's only fair to provide you all the reasons why I dream the way I do. So there it is.

**The Biosgraphy website is finicky at best, so if you aren't able to see it after a few refreshes, let me know and I'll post it here.

The Ups and Downs of Mondays

I watched the Grammys last night and I'm pretty sure I'll never make that mistake again. I could go on for hours, but I'll just say these two things: when Jeff Lynne is on stage, YOU STAND UP. And no one turns off Paul's mic. NO ONE. And these weren't even the issues that anyone thought were controversies... I mean really. This made me regret not switching the channel to Sister Wives.

Five versions of the same song--this is love.

At least my mail carrier loves to brighten my day. Three packages came, all of which have contents that were totally free or paid for with gift cards (don't want anyone to think I'm just pretending to be poor!).


Seriously, the highlight of my Monday. I've been able to add to my vinyl collection and I received another Influenster VoxBox. As always, if you want to read more about the products from this box, please visit Showered in Beauty over the coming days and weeks for reviews, photos and other fun stuff.

Products provided free from Influenster for testing.

In terms of writing, I found another social media site that may be worth checking out. It's called Biosgraphy and is looks like a great place for personal essays and photo essays. In fact, I'm currently working on something to post into my Thank You/It's All Your Fault biog. Stayed tuned for that.

I think I may be giving up on Tsu--because of the potential to earn money, no one on that site is interested in making a genuine connection. Pity, because there are some great people over there. They just need to stop concentrating on the pennies that the site divvies out.

Aside from hanging out on social media, I have been working on that grant application I mentioned last week and revising the heck out of a few pieces so I can get them out by the end of February. Still looking for gainful employment as well, but I'm not to the point where I'm lowering my standards. I have to believe that I'll be my authentic self in my job, and nothing that's quick or easy to get has been the right fit yet. Although, if you talk to me again in a week that may change. ;-)