tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54256166723635368932024-03-19T17:50:12.637-05:00Jenn's Pertinent Thoughts and OpinionsA place where Jenn can share her thoughts, opinions, rants, raves and ideas. If you don't agree with something that is stated here, then by all means, chime in; let's get the conversation started.Jenn B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12061244217021120955noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425616672363536893.post-48709744459442965232021-07-22T18:45:00.000-05:002021-07-22T18:45:22.432-05:00It feels a little like tempting fate . . .<p> So, it's 2021. July 22, 2021, to be exact. We have passed the midway point to the year. 2020 is now behind us, and so many people are reticent and/or reluctant to share their opinions and concerns about COVID-19 and the vaccine. </p><p>HOW? HOW? (Breathes) How did we get to a point where our public safety and well-being became a political device used to divide a nation with implications and effects that went beyond our borders? </p><p>At this point, I feel like I am tempting fate. I am not a doctor. I have nothing to do with the CDC, but I respect them, and their information. I trust science, doctors, and the scientific process. I have faith as well. However, even with all these things, having been vaccinated, I also have a child under the age of 12 who cannot get vaccinated. Nothing has changed for my child. My child can still get sick. </p><p>I will readily admit that I am privileged. I have the resources needed to stay at home and to homeschool my children. I am not wanting for anything other than some rain, really. I do not face struggles to survive on a daily basis, and I accept that my opinion may be different if this were not the case. </p><p>However, this all feels too soon. Verbiage like the vaccine should . . . so far it has . . . we believe that . . . coupled with phrases like scientists and doctors are waiting for . . . signs that a booster MAY be needed . . . we're unsure how long the vaccine will remain effective . . . we believe it to be effective against . . . and finally 7 out of 10 cases are the variant strains have me concerned. What are the signs that they are waiting for? They are waiting to see if more vaccinated people start showing up in hospitals in larger numbers with what they call breakthrough cases. </p><p>How do we get to that point? First, vaccinated people need to resume pre-pandemic activities, without the precautions that we have so strongly clung to for the last 16+ months. The test cannot be conducted, and the results cannot be conclusive if the test subjects do not participate. However, I argue that they have lost control of the experiment and free radicals and variables have been introduced that cannot be fully accounted for, and as such, they are doing the best they can to find out how to get the collective us back to life as we knew it.</p><p>We need more people to get vaccinated, and we need those who are not vaccinated to do what is and was working: STAY HOME unless necessary, wear a mask, wash your hands, and avoid touching your face.</p><p>One of the biggest things I see is that as the vaccinated have been encouraged to return to life as it was before the pandemic, the un-vaccinated followed suit. This should be a cause for concern. However, I also understand that many of the un-vaccinated never really followed the game plan anyway, at least not where I live.</p><p>I get it. I'm tired too. I want to return to the way things were. I want to hug my friends and family, I want to spend time with them indoors. I want to get groceries without wearing a mask. In reality, is it really all that hard to stay the course a little while longer? Staying home unless it is necessary to go out, washing our hands, avoiding touching our face, and wearing a mask is working. Why stop now? The vaccinated can lead by example, but that example has been co-opted and ineffective. It is my humble opinion that it has had an adverse effect and encouraging mask-free and caution-free activities indoors and outside for those who have been fully vaccinated has caused many to throw caution to the wind in the name of freedom, and this will be devastating for us all. </p><p>Therefore, I will resume wearing my mask, and staying home unless it is necessary. This means that my lack of attendance at your event is not out of disrespect for you or the guest of honor, it is because it is the right thing to do for my family. I will continue to keep a 6-feet distance between us if you do not live in my home. This does not mean that I do not like you and do not want to be near you, it is because it is the right thing to do. I will continue my handwashing routine. Well, that's one that needs no explanation. Please wash your hands. After all, it isn't only my child under the age of 12 who isn't vaccinated. And, it isn't only children who are not vaccinated. I wear my mask to show that I care, and I will continue to do so whenever it is necessary beyond this pandemic. Let's make it through this together without leaving masses behind us in our wake. </p>Jenn B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12061244217021120955noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425616672363536893.post-30156065266584800742014-10-10T13:19:00.002-05:002014-10-10T13:19:48.744-05:00I'm Making a comeback!My friend, Chis (http://chrishingley.blogspot.com/) is hosting the #WIPMAdness for October, and I have decided to get on board. It has been too long, and I need to start being more consistent with my writing, my posting, and my life in general.<br />
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So, I have posted my goals for the month of October on her blog, but I will list them again here.<br />
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1. Write everyday!<br />
2. Blog on a semi-consistent basis<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">3. Review and revisit the concepts and assignments from a recent master class that I took</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">4. Create an outline and maybe note cards for a screenplay I am working on</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">What are your goals? What is holding you back from making a comeback? Or from starting?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">Join #WIPMadness for October, and let the writing commence!</span></div>
Jenn B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12061244217021120955noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425616672363536893.post-87393307008820518252012-03-30T08:41:00.001-05:002012-03-30T08:59:53.120-05:00Bring Back the PositiveI recently texted a friend my opinion of the morning's news that floated across the ether and onto my homepage as I sipped my morning coffee. The general opinion being that the morning, afternoon, evening, and in fact all news has become an over sensationalized train wreck of reporting by journalists who seek out not the truth, not the heart, but the tragic. Like all good storytelling it has become a realm where drama is king. Unlike storytelling, however, the story with the most shock value, the most drama, that will garnish the most outrage is the golden chalice that is sought. It isn't about truth, honesty, or real event reporting; now it has become all about telling the story for maximum punch. We'll retract later if we have to. <br />
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Over the relatively short period of time I have taken up space on this planet, I have watched people. Common sense left shortly after common courtesy took a long walk off a short peer. Personal responsibility has become a forgotten relic of a time before the "me generation" took a stronghold on the societies of the world. What else is the media supposed to do? They have to call it as they see it, right?<br />
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But where are the good stories? Where are the news reports about triumphs? Have we lost the ability to care about the wonderful things that happen in our daily lives; forced to focus on the tragic? <br />
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Look at your own situation. How many times do you find yourself giving attention to the tragic things that happen and glossing over the successes, the triumphs, and the just plain happy moments. The good moments should be celebrated over the bad. Yet we don't. Consistently. Don't think that the media has anything to do with this. Really?<br />
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Let's experiment. Refuse to give time and energy to the tragic and start celebrating the good. If you can't find the good stories in media land, then tell them yourself. Share them here. Post a link to the story, your blog, or simply post it here in the comments. Then look at your own life, and see if the good news doesn't start to happen at home as well. Your daughter got a 'B' on the test at school. She hit a home run in softball practice. Your son helped pick up the books that tumbled from a neighboring students locker. Let me know what surfaces. <br />
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The tragedies of this world will never end. And in order to make change we have to be aware of them as they happen. But change will not happen if we continually focus on the tragic over the good. There must be a balance between the two in order for us to make a difference. <br />
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My challenge to you is simple. Start today, start small, and share something positive with your peers. Jenn B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12061244217021120955noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425616672363536893.post-86276173867329556312012-03-01T12:40:00.001-06:002012-03-01T12:49:18.026-06:00Denise Jaden: MARCH MADNESS IS HERE!!! #wipmadness<a href="http://denisejaden.blogspot.com/2012/02/march-madness-is-here-wipmadness.html?spref=bl">Denise Jaden: MARCH MADNESS IS HERE!!! #wipmadness</a>: If you’ve been looking for a challenge to get your writing in gear, you’ve come to the right place! Through the month of March we will be cheering each other on to meet challenging goals with our writing<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Thank's again Denise for providing a space for us to all work together during the month of March. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">My goals are:</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">1) Revise WIP, write intro, and finally graduate from the MFA program I have been working on since 2004 (family really seems to make grad school take longer.)</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">2) Set a schedule for balancing writing for fun and writing for work.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">3) Read more books - 1 per week, minimum.</span></span>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">Good luck to all the Wipsters at March Madness, and come and join us on a fun, exciting and productive month.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjtpm7xEGLFkbtdDHLmH3lBjEr7xPZRpnIGT5YKfhukoYHnVf8-J_6-THRkHo61ZmbekQcizc8R4w3VKmk6Y0FsjJyv3lnhV37IpfHOKkCQkUo1fzTwsJkh1Q8wm44ReE1opyBybWTnsI/s1600/MarchMadness-1.jpg" /> Click <a href="http://denisejaden.blogspot.com/2012/02/march-madness-is-here-wipmadness.html">here</a> to join the fun!</span>Jenn B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12061244217021120955noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425616672363536893.post-16580613541899141232012-02-23T11:42:00.001-06:002012-02-23T11:42:26.168-06:00First Things FirstOkay, it has been a while since I have posted to this blog, or any of my blogs in particular. (See the busy list in a previous post.) I will tell you this. Things, as always, are in a constant state of flux, and if you're diligent and come back here often, I promise there will be a whole lot more sharing going on in the near future.<br />
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<br />Jenn B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12061244217021120955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425616672363536893.post-70067512654915607892011-08-08T16:10:00.000-05:002011-08-08T16:10:11.013-05:00August GoalsI promise you that I have not been hiding or trying to avoid posting to this page; honestly, I've just been busy. Yes we are back to that same old record, but it's the truth, and I am sticking to it. <div><br />
</div><div>This month is a month where I have to set goals and stay on top of them. It is imperative at this point. Thankfully <a href="http://chrishingley.blogspot.com/2011/08/ceda-take-two.html">Chris</a> has set up CEDA 2 (Create Every Day in August) (It was originally April and since August also starts with 'A'... Check out Chris's blog for the details). And suggested this fabulous challenge from <a href="http://madwomanintheforest.com/write-fifteen-minutes-a-day-challenge-welcome/">Laurie Halse Anderson</a> prompting us as writers to commit to writing for 15 minutes everyday in August. Together I think these two items will help me reach my goals for the month. Chris I am on board and will you all the way!</div><div><br />
</div><div>My goals for the month are simple - finish revising my MFA Thesis (my current WIP), meet my monthly freelance writing goals (I have them set in the individual Excel Sheets where I keep track of my time and earnings = too boring to share them here), work with Chris on our co-writing projects, and come out alive at the end of the month. That's it.</div><div><br />
</div><div>So, Chris, thank you for deciding to do CEDA again this month. I look forward to a month of healthy productivity.</div>Jenn B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12061244217021120955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425616672363536893.post-64264476730225227612011-06-24T12:52:00.000-05:002011-06-24T12:52:25.202-05:00So It's Finally Friday!I made it through the week! OK that in and of itself is a relatively small accomplishment. However, I feel like celebrating, so I am; sort of. I'm working while watching TV that I have had recorded for months (this also serves the alternative purpose of making room on the DVR for additional recordings that I will wait months to watch), drinking a favored diet beverage of old, despite the unwelcome side effects that my body produces as a result of this consumption and taking a moment to publish a new post. In this case, I'm willing to endure the pain and suffering of the soda. ;)<br />
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So, how about you, you also made it through the week, what are you doing to reward yourself?<br />
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Now I must get back to work. Have a fantastic weekend.Jenn B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12061244217021120955noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425616672363536893.post-12282061975846145532011-06-21T13:08:00.000-05:002011-06-21T13:08:04.296-05:00Taking Action - Day 2Ok, so maybe it is more like day one as yesterday was more preparation than action, but you get the idea. So far, today has been relatively productive. There are still plenty of items on my to-do list, but I feel motivated to hack away at them. I hope it's not just the coffee...<br />
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Have you ever found yourself wondering about your motivations? Lately, I've been pondering the notion of how my desire and often need to get certain projects started and then completed never quite seems to match up with the time I have available to get them done. I started taking a look at my activities and I have found that if I really want to get ahead of the game, then I need to be more diligent about my hourly activities. After all, I only have 24 of them to spend each day.<br />
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A friend I have only met virtually, @viviborne (<a href="http://www.myreallifeparenting.com/">Vivi's Blog</a>) suggested taking life in two-hour blocks of time. I have found that it really does make a difference. Focusing on two hours versus 24 gives you a better perspective on what needs to be done in a more manageable chunks of activity. I have found that my tendency to focus on the big picture has left me overwhelmed and unmotivated. The big picture presented itself as a looming impossibility rather than something within my sphere of control. So I adopted Vivi's time management technique and started working on getting more accomplished in the 24 hours I have to spend. At least in theory.<br />
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The actual implementation of this practice has proven difficult. I found my family didn't really want to adhere to a time schedule, especially during the summer, and children under the age of 5 are neither predictable nor able to be placed into a rigid schedule. So, I have needed to be flexible, largely keeping my hidden time management to myself sneaking it in here and there as best I could.<br />
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The long and short of it is, as per my post yesterday, I have spent a majority of the hours waiting for my life to settle down, waiting for my children to allow me the time to work, waiting for the right moment to begin without ever actually beginning. That ceased being the case yesterday.<br />
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I have to say that I haven't been rigid in my scheduling today, but I have at least been working, I mean really working to the best of my abilities. It is in reality all I can do. Recognizing this fact, I have gained a greater sense of sanity. I can be a hard taskmaster and I am often toughest on myself. I've decided to give myself a break, to cut me some slack and like in the rest of the working world, this boost of morale has resulted in greater productivity.<br />
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So, my challenge to you is this: How do you spend your time? What do you want out of life? Do you have a plan to make your desires and dreams a reality? Maybe it's time to start...Jenn B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12061244217021120955noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425616672363536893.post-29164518672813764732011-06-20T19:03:00.000-05:002011-06-20T19:03:51.877-05:00To Pass the Time AwayOk, so it has been far too long since I have published a post. However, in my defense, I'd like to say, I've been busy. I know, I hear you. You've been busy too. I didn't say it was a good defense. So, you might ask, with what have you been busy? Well there is a lot to that answer, but to summarize...<br />
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My Busy List<br />
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1) Children.<br />
2) Writing<br />
3) Working<br />
4) Cleaning<br />
5) Thinking<br />
6) Visiting<br />
7) Errands. The never-ending-frustrating-to-a-point-past-exhaustion errands!<br />
8) Listening<br />
9) Creating<br />
10) Cooking<br />
11) Thinking. (It takes a lot of time to think about the things that I think about, trust me, I know.)<br />
12) Revising<br />
13) Reading<br />
14) Watching<br />
15) Planting<br />
16) Driving to nowhere in particular.<br />
17) Seeing<br />
18) Washing<br />
19) Watering<br />
20) Waiting<br />
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That last one has perhaps consumed the largest quantity of time. Waiting. We spend so much of our lives waiting for something to happen. Wishing that it would happen faster. Hoping that it will happen. Pleading for it to happen in our way in our time - exactly how and when we want it to happen.<br />
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I have decided that today is the day that I stop waiting and start doing. The time has come for action. So I'm finding my bootstraps, giving them a good tug and marching onward!Jenn B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12061244217021120955noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425616672363536893.post-90274017800573001622011-04-03T12:02:00.001-05:002011-04-03T15:35:27.969-05:00A New Month - Time For April ShowersWe made it to the mad, mad month of March. Thanks to <a href="http://www.denisejaden.com/Blog.html">Denise Jaden</a> and crew for the March Madness Writing Challenge for an awesome month of setting goals and working together to achieve them. But just because the month of March has come to an end, our writing and goal setting needn't end as well. We all have personal goals that we have set, and <a href="http://www.denisejaden.com/aboutus.html">Denise Jaden</a> has extended the invitation to continue to check in at her blog on Mondays throughout the month of April. As we all know, anything that we are working toward is easier to do when you don't feel like you are left alone out in the cold dark night. Having a like-minded community to share your successes, your set backs, and your stresses with helps us all continue on the path toward reaching our goals. Thank you again Denise for encouraging us to continue working with one another.<br />
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There are so many ways that we can work together. The internet is full of chat cafes, blog-speheres, community forums, twitter feeds, facebook pages... The list could go on forever. It is important to find a group that fits your style and work together to hold each other accountable and keep each other encouraged and motivated. That is why I am working with <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/16827864830003479610">Chris</a> this month and beyond to co-write a screenplay for <a href="http://www.scriptfrenzy.org/">Script Frenzy</a>. The motivation behind Script Frenzy, like <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/">National Novel Writing Month</a> in November, is to get kids and adults writing. The idea is to get behind an premise and simply work on it. Chris has come up with an AWESOME notion that she has titled <a href="http://chrishingley.blogspot.com/2011/04/ceda.html">CEDA</a>. Chris has defined CEDA as Create Every Day in April. In her post she outlines the whys and wherefores, I suggest that you give it a read. It's an awesome idea, and I am 150% behind it. While we are not ready to extend it to a larger community, please don't let that stop you from finding a place to call home. Find a creative partner, a buddy, a community of like-minded individuals and go CREATE SOMETHING every day in April.<br />
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As for April showers, I am looking for the rain to gently wash away the snow and make everything fresh and green again. Metaphorically, I am certain that the showers of ideas that will aide me as I work through my goals for the month will help bring about the blooms of May flowers of completed (or growing) works in progress.<br />
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I will post my goals for CEDA and for Script Frenzy here in a later post. If you want to know more about my thoughts on either of these, please check back soon or check out my comment over at <a href="http://chrishingley.blogspot.com/2011/04/ceda.html?showComment=1301849726729#c7479168142564574588">Chris's Blog</a>.<br />
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What are you doing in the month of April? Do you have goals for the month? Are you the type of person who sets goals? Not a goal-setter, how do you feel about the month of April? Is spring in the air? Or are you ready for the rain to wash away the mud and grime and bring us one month closer to summer?Jenn B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12061244217021120955noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425616672363536893.post-56891320444944349462011-03-24T12:00:00.000-05:002011-03-24T12:00:43.215-05:00So, I've Been Thinking...See, there I go again. I'm getting distracted by my thoughts. I can't help myself though, it's what makes me human. It's also what makes you human... No, not my thoughts. Yours... Oh, you get the idea.<br />
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Anyway, I have been trying out new ways to link together all of my profiles, all of my thoughts, all of my social arenas in one place. I've found a few, I'm not ready to move into any of them just yet. So, I was wondering if you have any one place that you log into where you can check it all and keep tabs on it all without having to open several windows at once. I think this is the new equivalent to trying to be in more than one place at the same time. It doesn't work in reality and it isn't working here. It is driving me and my computer insane. (Don't worry, it was a short trip for both of us.)<br />
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Please let me know if you have found a way to connect it all. Who knows, maybe we'll be neighbors soon.Jenn B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12061244217021120955noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425616672363536893.post-45827912914694199162011-03-14T14:07:00.000-05:002011-03-14T14:07:27.340-05:00My Biggest Distraction=My Thoughts!<div class="MsoNormal">Now that the morning coffee is beginning to sink in, I find my self pondering… well, just pondering. I’ve been thinking, admittedly too much, about motivations, distractions, mental road blocks, and life in general. With everything going on out there in the real world, it is hard not to take it all in and internalize the significance of it all, at least for me. (I hope I am not alone) </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Lately, I’ve been internalizing the global tumultuous forces, both human and those exhibited by forces of nature. I have to admit, that I whine, I complain and I outright throw tantrums at times over circumstances in my life that in reality I suspect that I really have no business fretting about in the first place. After all, how many people are there that would gladly take my place; that would love to have my problems. In reality, I have it pretty good; I’m sitting here writing this in my easy chair, on my laptop, connected to the world via my wireless internet system. I have a roof over my head, a roof that we own (or are actively pursuing ownership of). I have a family who loves and supports me. I have friends who have helped me create a network of support. Yet, I have the audacity to complain, and sometimes, to feel sorry for myself. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Then after all of this pondering I remember that we are all individuals, we are all unique, and just as we can be motivated by the success of others, we can also be motivated by our individuality. We all have different circumstances, and we cannot individually solve all the world’s ills. Collectively, it’s certainly worth the effort, we can each do our part. We can offer support, offer aide and do the best that we can with what we are given. Being sensitive to the needs of others, we can help make this world a better place - one person/circumstance at a time.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">My heart goes out to everyone in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Japan</st1:country-region></st1:place> affected by the recent forces of nature and subsequent breakdown of man-made resources. I feel for the people of <st1:country-region w:st="on">Libya</st1:country-region>, and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Egypt</st1:country-region></st1:place>. I pray for those involved in military strategies. (Read Mark Twain’s [<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_War_Prayer">a little background info</a>] <a href="http://www.ntua.gr/lurk/making/warprayer.html">War Prayer</a>.) However, I have to move on; it is what must be done. I am not an activist, I am not sure I could/or should be; there are other people better suited for the role, but I will do my part. I will do whatever I can to help out when help is needed. I am not a superhero, although there are times that I try.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So, I think, I ponder. While the act of thinking may be dangerous, we all do it, and must be allowed to do so. With that being said, I now find myself wandering. I must put aside my musings, and return to the work at hand; I must set down my distractions and press on toward my personal goals. It’s what we all do, it’s how we survive.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">For fear of endorsing something I would not otherwise endorse, I leave you with this: If, having read my post, you feel motivated to do something, to make a donation; then by all means seek out the appropriate avenue to do so. If, you feel like commenting, please share your thoughts.</div>Jenn B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12061244217021120955noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425616672363536893.post-39764979642817598592011-03-14T13:46:00.002-05:002011-03-14T13:46:33.442-05:00Do you ever find yourself... distracted?<div class="MsoNormal">Having spent the morning thinking, I’d call it productive pondering, but that may be a tad on the dishonest side. Any how, I know that I must put aside the distractions, even the ones in my head, in order to be productive. Yet I persist in the pontificating. In my last post, I asked you to share what motivated you. Today, I ask you to share your distractions. Maybe by sharing them we can work together to avoid them and work toward more productive uses of our time. Until then, I’ll do the best I can to put my thoughts in a box and save them for a rainy day. ;) </div>Jenn B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12061244217021120955noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425616672363536893.post-86231292311617290872011-03-11T11:34:00.002-06:002011-03-11T11:43:42.663-06:00What Motivates You?<div class="MsoNormal">Earlier this week I had to reset my goals for March Madness. No, it’s not basketball. I actually know so very little about basketball, other than watching Son #1 play, that I can guarantee that I will not likely be writing about it anytime soon; unless it is about Son #1 activities. Getting to the point, a friend of mine suggested that I check out <a href="http://www.denisejaden.com/Blog.html">Denise Jaden’s</a> blog and the <a href="http://baskinex.blogspot.com/2010/02/march-madness-writing-challenge.html">March Madness Challenge</a>. The basic premise of March Madness is that we set our book-related goals for the month the intent being that we work in an online community of like-minded individuals checking in each day Monday through Friday at a different colleague’s blog site, tell each other how we are progressing, share areas where we need help or may have fallen short, and support each other through to completing our goals. It’s such a brilliant idea, I have to admit that I am a bit jealous that I didn’t think of it; but I didn’t Denise did, and she and her colleagues get the credit they deserve. Whether you are a writer or not, this is a group worth following, they are, in order of check in day: <a href="http://baskinex.blogspot.com/">Denise Jaden</a>, <a href="http://shana-silver.com/">Shana Silver</a>, <a href="http://yascribe.blogspot.com/">Angelina C. Hansen</a>, <a href="http://sharigreen.wordpress.com/blog/">Shari Green</a>, and <a href="http://craigpirrall.com/craig/craigs-blog/">Craig Pirrall</a>. I recently They are worth the read, they are all very inspiring.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">At today’s check in, <a href="http://craigpirrall.com/craig/writing/and-on-the-eleventh-day-march-madness-day-11/">Craig Pirrall</a> encouraged us to take a look at our goals and our motivation. He shared the notion that when we see a great work of art, we often fall into one of two groups. Group One: Wow, I think I can do that as well! Group Two: There’s no way I can do that! (I paraphrased a bit). Thankfully, residence in Group Two is often temporary, and we find a way to pick ourselves up and move on toward our goal. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In response to <a href="http://craigpirrall.com/craig/writing/and-on-the-eleventh-day-march-madness-day-11/">Craig’s blog, today’s check-in</a>, I find that I have a strong tendency to waffle between the two groups. Brilliant works of art inspire me. I see them and say “Wow! Maybe I CAN!” I remind myself of the fact that some of the greatest artists of various sorts were not necessarily recognized in their time, yet they pressed on, they kept at it, they DIDN'T GIVE UP! And I won't either! Then there are the days where I look at the same work of art and I tell myself, “No way! No matter how hard I work, I will never be THAT good!” I will never be able to achieve so much as shred of the greatness of *insert name here*. Then after some ice cream, chocolate, fizzy beverage, cake, or any number of other guilty pleasures, I realize that there is a major difference between me and *insert name here*. I am NOT *insert name here* and no matter what I do, I can't be *insert name here* because we are two different people. I can work hard, I can be inspired by their success, but I will never do the things they do, because I am not them, we are two separate people. We are all different, and it is through celebrating those differences that we achieve greatness. I am who I am. I can’t be *insert name here*, and I can’t be you. I pick myself up, get back on track, and set to work making me the best me that I can be. I will do the best I can. Who knows, maybe someday, someone will look at me and say, "Wow, look what they did, I can do it too!" or "Wow, I could never be that good!" The truth of the matter is that we are all human, and yes, no matter who you are you CAN do what you put your mind to achieve. The up side of being human is that we can imagine what we will become; the down side of being human is that we can let that the idea of that image control who we become rather than realizing that we are in control of our future. Our inspirations, our motivations, our goals change as we grow. We keep on keeping on.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Thank you for reading. If you have a minute, tell me about what motivates you. What are your inspirations? What keeps you going each day? </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">What keeps me going each day is the AWESOME support network that I have both here in the real world and in the online virtual world. We are a team. In honor of the season of basketball – GO TEAM!</div>Jenn B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12061244217021120955noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425616672363536893.post-45775814092834973082011-02-28T23:09:00.001-06:002011-03-01T07:31:47.502-06:00How Do You Sleep at Night?You lay there with the events of the day unwinding in your head. Slipping in silently is tomorrow's to-do list. Floating around, sometimes hovering are the appointments and the deadlines for the rest of the week that simply MUST be kept. Amidst all of this, you are supposed to relax and fall asleep. Yeah, right; not me. I can keep it going for hours.<br />
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There are people I know who are fortunate enough to fall asleep as soon as their heads hit the pillow. I am not one of those fortunate few. Awestruck, I ask myself how they do it, but that leads to more pondering and less sleep. <br />
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So, I ask you this: what do you do to unwind? How do you sleep at night?Jenn B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12061244217021120955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425616672363536893.post-4265429005375259122011-02-28T11:53:00.001-06:002011-02-28T15:04:16.056-06:00Starting a ConversationIt is always difficult to start a new relationship. There are always intentions, aspirations and expectations that get in the way. I have found that the best way to begin any relationship is with a clean slate. That is easier said than done, I know, but I want this start off fresh.<br />
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That being said, I'll begin by telling you a little about myself. I grew up in a small town where everyone knew everyone else and what they didn't know they assumed. I went to college and completed a BA in Speech Communication. I like to write, I like to read, and I love getting to know new people. So that brings me to my intentions with this blog. My intent is that we (the greater we) will actually have a conversation.<br />
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I believe that a lot of what is wrong with the world today begins with the fact that as a global society we just don't talk any more. We have adhered to technology and feel like we are communicating, but we miss the fact that we are in fact not saying anything at all. Therefore, I think that it is about time that we put that technology to use and we START talking. START communicating. It is my expectation that if we start here, we can spill the conversation over into our real lives and we will resume a conversation with our loved ones that involves sitting down together, picking up the phone to TALK not to text, email, send a picture a comment or whatever else it is we do on the devices we call phones, send an actual letter... you get the idea.<br />
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I know this is short, but beginnings often are. I'll start. Hello, how are you? Who are you? Let's get to know one another. Is there something on your mind that you would like to share? Spill it. Share it. Let's talk about it. I won't judge and I don't bite, and I won't let any one else do so either.Jenn B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12061244217021120955noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425616672363536893.post-20336947345846037202010-04-01T09:50:00.001-05:002010-06-20T17:07:52.666-05:00The Initial PostBeginning anything is always the hardest step to take. However, it is the most crucial step. My goals for this blog are to share thoughts, ideas, and opinions with the world wide community. I hope that together we can get a conversation started that will benefit the world. No, I am not a candidate in a beauty pagent. I simply want to start people on a converstational path that will hopefully facilitate a greater understanding of how we all fit together on this planet called Earth as human beings. Feel free to share your thoughts, ideas and opinions as well, and we just might find that a simple conversation can do a world of good.Jenn B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12061244217021120955noreply@blogger.com0