Diva Fiction Bytes

I am very happy to announce the launch of my new website DivaFictionBytes.

Stop by and check things out when you get a chance. Read the Freebies, leave a comment, tell a friend!

Blog Pimpin...

It's Friday after Thanksgiving.  I'm having a leisurely morning in the bed with the computer- just checking out the blogs and places I haven't had a chance to visit in a while.  And I have noticed something very interesting... 

It appears that there is a new way to have ads on your blogs- between the posts.  Now, I don't know how long this has been happening, but since it's new to me- I'll call it new. How annoying. Is everyone now blogging just to make money?  What happened to blogging because it was fun and you could say what you want, about your favorite topic (or your navel lint), and because it was fun (I know.  I said that already.)

 

But, what do I know?  I complained when PDAs and cell phones copulated and produced "smart phones".  And now I'm hooked on the Crackberry.  

Commuter Woes

This morning I got up and tripped over the laundry on my way across the hall to my office.  

The Holidays are Coming!

That means that I can eat, sleep, read, and watch television all I want.  Yep.  That's what I do during the holidays.  I don't shop (until the absolute end so that I can catch the sales).  My decorations are few (a 4 foot tree- so I don't have to do much trimming.  Stockings hanging from the mantle and I'm done.  No outside lights and all that jazz).  My parties are few and far between.  

DIT and I play board games,  The Man and I curl up on the sofa with movies and the remote, and the dog wanders up and down the hall from one favorite sleep spot to the next.  What more could you ask for?

Energizer Bunnies...

is the title of my post over at APOOO today.  

Have a great weekend.  

H-O-L-L-A!!!

Permission to read Fiction...

Late last night, I had a phone call from my online buddy Laurel.  We talked about work, politics, reading and much more.  And during that conversation Laurel suggested that I write a blog giving folks permission to read fiction.

Now, this may sound odd, when you hear it, but I instantly got where she is coming from.  

I am an avid fiction reader, but lately, with my journey into self-employment, I have been reading more business blogs, and even went to the library last weekend to get books marketing, startups, and branding.  And let's not forget all of the news that I get from online newspapers. 

As a writer of fiction, I want to hear that folks are out there reading it.  I mean really, I'm not writing this stuff for myself.  OK, well maybe I am.  But I still want others to read it.  

So, here are a few reasons you should get your hands on fiction of your choice:

1.  Fiction allows you to escape from your present situation.  You can go to England or Spain or Russia, or where ever.

2.  You can learn about just about any subject and you won't feel like you are in a classroom. Many writers spend untold amounts of time researching topics just so they can get it right in their stories.  

3.  It's a great way to spend "me time".  Folks generally tend to leave you alone when you have a book in your hands.

4.  If you see yourself in one of the characters, you don't have to admit it to anyone (unless you want to).

5.  Fiction is a great way to cure boredom.  If you're lucky, you can lose track of time, and wish that the book would never end.

6.  You will make some writer very happy.

There are other reasons to read fiction, but I think you should pick up a good book and begin your own list.  You'll be glad you did.  

Git 'er done!

That is the mindset that I am in.  I am ready to get my website stuff done so that I can begin concentrating on the launch of my business.  Which means that I will be focusing on marketing, on top of writing the best stories that I can.  And I have to say- I'm feeling really good about things.

I'm sure reality will rear it's ugly head and try to kick my ass.  LOL

Until then, back to work for me.  

And, yes, I know my pic is one of celebration.  I'm just acting as if I'm already where I want to be.  This is counselor stuff.  Sheesh!

Being Your Own Boss...

means saying no to things that are not helping you move your business forward.

No- I'm not going to the fair.  

No- I'm not going to watch tv.  I'll DVR everything for the weekend.

No- I'm not going to surf the net today- unless it's work related ( :-) )

No- I'm not having lunch with the Divas today- I'll catch up with them next week.

No- I'm not going to kick up the leaves in the yard 'cause it's so much fun.  Besides, there will be more if I wait a few days.

When my To Do list is shorter, they I will say yes to the things listed above (except the fair, 'cause I really hate the fair, and it's gone now anyway), and much more.

And that's how it goes when you are running your own business.  

Mac Daddy

The Man did it.  He went ahead and bought a Mac.  

He loves it.  I know he does.

Now we have to figure out how to use video chat.  You know, for the times when one of us is traveling.  I'm just saying.

APOOO Friday

Today's post at APOOO.  Enjoy.

Lessons Learned

First, I want to commend John McCain on a most gracious speech last night conceding the race.  I suspect that this is the man that folks have seen in the past.  I wish we had seen more of him during the presidential campaign.  His angry, disconnected representative was not cool.

Having said that, I hope that the nation (and especially the Republicans) has learned a few things.  Like:

- every vote does indeed count

-this country is diverse. You can't ignore millions of people (consider them on the "fringes") and think that you will get elected

-you cannot ignore the needs of the people.  Pretending that the economy is good doesn't make it so

-even if your team doesn't win, you have to remain part of the process.  Lasting change is internal, not external

The people have spoken.  Now we have to get our asses to work.

Barack Obama...

is the 44th president of the United States of America!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  And I am here to see it, my mother is here to see it, and my daughter has watched the entire process from the very beginning. It is truly a beautiful thing.  

Election Day (and night)...

Total time to vote:  3 hours and 40 minutes.  In the chilly, misty air.  It has never taken me longer than an hour to vote.  But, I would do it again if need be.

I want to thank the following musicians for seeing me through the first two and a half hours:

Prince

Alicia Keys

Funkadelic

Eminem 

Elton John

Kenny Loggins

Sade

Corrine Bailey Rae

I listened to inflammatory remarks made by McCain supporters (self-identified) and did not blow my top.  And once I voiced that one of the things I love about being American is free speech, even for stupid people, that conversation took a drastic turn for the quiet.  LOL

And now, I am switching between ABC and CNN as I follow the election results.  And my heart is racing.  It ain't over 'til the fat lady sings.  And I will be closely watching until she does.  

MacMama

So, I did it again.  Bought another gadget.  Actually, this time I traded up.  Well, I didn't really trade anything, but I moved from PC to Mac.  Yep, I bought me that shiny new silver uni-body laptop.  13 inches.  Cute and portable.  All that I need and more.

The Gadget Ho in me is very happy.

I've had MacBaby for about two weeks, and I am really starting to get the hang of all things Mac (ok, many things Mac). Like how to close the browser, change stuff around, etc.  It seemed harder at first, but now it just is what it is.  And I love the feel of the keyboard.  Really, it's like soft.  I don't know how else to explain it.  

And this morning, The Man and I were enjoying our extra hour with a leisurely conversation in bed when he got on MacBaby to check his fantasy basketball.  And I was like "Oh, check out GarageBand" ('cause he writes and records his own music).  And he fell in love instantly.

Hey- it's not my fault that Apple makes stuff that people love.  And, I didn't know that GarageBand could replace half a room of music equipment. 

I think that Mac may be having a new convert soon.  

Looks like MacMama may be creating a MacFamily.  LOL.  I just crack myself up. 

Skin Deep...

was my post yesterday at APOOO.

Check it out, and leave a comment.

I'm trippin' on the Real Housewives of Atlanta. 

Business News

My website is moving along.  In fact, the slowest cog in the whole thing is me.  That's because I now have to produce.  My business is my image is my words.  All morning, I have been mulling over the "About" page in my head.  This is where one would think things would be really simple.  Tell the folks who you are and what you do.  But for me, it is so much more than that. This is where I will tell folks why I do what I do.  Just makes me more vulnerable on a whole 'nother level.  There is no earth shattering tale to tell, but it gives people a glimpse of my inner workings.  And that can be scary- for me at least.

So, me and my writer angst are gonna go get back to work.  I've got a business to start.