Blue Into the Rip by Kev Heritage

A Twitter Bud of mine, Kev Heritage, has written a book entitled, Blue Into the Rip.  Odd but intriguing title got my attention.  Then I saw the cover! Which I should say satisfied my, I will confess, Book Cover Snob Attitude.  Right there on the front is a half-buried skeleton, space, Saturn; no question, I was reading this one!

The meaning behind the title is revealed pretty quickly.  The movement is fast paced and I quickly found myself caring about the main character’s well-being, both physically and mentally. The main character comes in contact with a multiple of personalities and is thrown into unfamiliar situations.  His reaction is very telling of his loyalties and his changing prospective.

The story goes through several unforeseen twists and turns, but the changes are smooth and “WOW, did not see that coming”.  The changes are not, “You have got to be kidding”.

Love the study of the use of slang as normal and authoritative words.  As I have observed this sort of change in my lifetime, this is something I can identify with.  Words that were unacceptable or considered uneducated are now used by educators as well as other professionals.  I found myself smiling over the usage of some of the terms.

As I finished this chapter of the main characters journey, I found tears in my eyes.  Tears arrive for different reasons; happiness, fear, horror, love.  Why they arrived for me, well I shall not reveal.  No spoilers here!

This is a story I would love to discuss with others, you know the how, why, what if’s and oh no’s!

Looking forward to the next installment!

Good job Kev! 

Son's Senior Year

 This year our youngest son will be graduating from high school. We had his senior pictures taken yesterday.  This has sparked another reminiscing session.  So again, I appreciate your bearing with me.

Young son has always been a delight and a happy person.  No matter what life throws at him, no matter how negative “the powers that be” are at school, he always smiles. No matter how “parental” I am, he smiles.  I sometimes feel that his smiles do not reflect his true feelings, but his positive outlook and let it roll off the shoulder attitude is very inspirational. 

His teachers comment he will never have a heart attack, he is so laid back.

He has always been very kind, generous, and thoughtful.  He is seven years younger than his sister. When he was a little tike and we would be shopping,  I ask if he wanted something, his first response was to get something for his sissy.  When a friend of his has a birthday, he gladly gives them his own possessions.  His kindness is immeasurable.  He does not like to see anyone hurting or upset.  I remember when he was in preschool he did not want to go because a fellow student got in trouble daily and son did not want his friend to be sad. To this day, he would rather be in a bad relationship and be unhappy than to break it off and have someone else be sad.

He has not always made the best decisions, but have any of us?  I have always said, “If you live through a situation, don’t repeat the mistake, learn from it and you will be a better person because of it.” 

He is an awesome self-taught musician.  He has had a few piano, guitar, and voice lessons, but the majority of this progress has been though his will and determination.  He can hear a song and boom he picks up his guitar or sits down at the piano and he plays the song.  He will sit with his guitar and be playing.  We ask what the song is and he says, “I don’t know, I just wrote it.” 

His friends are very supportive of his musical ambition. He does not share a lot of interests with the students in his class.  Most of them are gamers, farmers, hunters.  Son has been working for the last two years.  While his friends that are from farming families work, most of his friends just “enjoy”.  Son started the working chapter in his life in blueberry fields. He worked from sun up until sun down. When his boss decided to open a sporting goods store, son built shelving, cleaned, painted, moved items from here to there and back again.  All the while he had that awesome smile. He assisted his employer in moving his home and any other tasks that need to be done in or outside the store.

One word that comes to mind when I think of my son is honesty.  If I ask him a direct question, he always tells me the truth.  No matter how shocking the answer might be.  Sometimes I don’t ask, because, I really don’t want to know.  But this is reciprocal, when he asks me about my past, or what I think, I tell him the truth.  We discuss everything from drugs, sex, work, alcohol, food, etc.  I have always told him that I don’t mind being embarrassed by our conversations, I love him and respect more than my fear of embarrassment.

His graduating starts a new chapter in his life.  He is planning on pursuing his music and travel.  We are going to support him.  We are already getting negative comments from family and people that don’t understand his uniqueness.  But we believe in him and his abilities.  If he wishes to attend college later that will be okay, if he does not, that will also be okay.  I am proud that he has the courage to think out of the box and to follow his dreams.  Maybe if more of us did this, the world would be a happier place.

Congratulations!  We are over the top proud of you!

Daughter's Birthday

This past Wednesday was our daughter’s 25th birthday.  She is in school and lives three plus hours away.  She and her husband were coming in for the weekend to celebrate with the family, but after looking at the calendar, they decided to put the trip off.  You are probably thinking, how rude.  Not rude at all my friendly friends.  The reason is in three weeks we will be celebrating Thanksgiving and they will be driving down and spending a few days.  So much better than the rush day and a half they would have had.

Birthdays bring memories and memories are special. Bear with me while I reminisce;

I remember –

- first feeling her move in my tummy, felt like butterfly wings

-her crying after she was first born, but as soon as her dad held her she was quiet

-playing Barbies for hours on end.  The catch with this was that you had to say exactly what Laura wanted the Barbie to say and not deviate from the script

- as soon as she could talk she would ask why then after the answer she would say, “no, that is not right”

-watching her live and shine through being bullied, taunted, and her food being tampered with

-her wearing two different color socks from grades 1 – 6

-her not caring that she was a little, let’s say a little left or right of center (I proudly say her being on the curious side of things was inherited from me)

-her always being a leader

-her purchasing her first Beatles T-shirt

- holding her hand for 2 hours while she got her first tattoo

There are so many wonderful precious memories.  Then there is the wedding….oh my!!! A more gorgeous bride there never was!

She has and will always be my friend, my confidant, my strength, my encourager.

Yes, she sounds too good to be true, but she is one of the truest people I have ever known.

Want to know a secret?  It is about tomorrow.  The Grand’s (that is what we lovingly call my mom and dad) are driving over to see her for her birthday.  But what she does not know is that young son and I are going also.  Surprise!  There will be balloons, cake, presents, food, and I hope coffee.   Well, I know there will be coffee.  She is just as addicted as I am.

Can’t wait to see her tomorrow!

Happy Birthday Daughterous!

Work Life Lessons

Work Life Lessons

For the past year, I have been working at our local two year technical school.   Monday of this week was actually my one year anniversary.  My boss lady gave me a very cool bracelet.  I wanted to mention that I work for a female.  Don’t want you to think my boss is trying to score.    I think she is beginning to get me.  The bracelet is very hippie-ish.  (yes, Microsoft I know that is not a word, but I shall use it regardless)  

My work history has been focused in the secretarial field, aside from a brief stint as a clerk at a department store.   I have worked in many types of offices.  Let’s see, I was in the continuing education department at a four year college;  a couple of lawyers offices ; real estate syndication firm; insurance offices; church; library.  Wow, I know I am an oldie, but I have worked in a lot of fields.  I should take each and write a blog about my experiences and observations of each. 

Before living in this sweet little town in Georgia, I lived in a much larger town in Tennessee.  In the larger town, office managers were concerned about your abilities, not what type of degree you had acquired.  I never attended college because the high school I graduated from had a jam up business department.  I took every business class I could and loved every minute of it.  Two weeks after graduation I had a job in a secretarial pool.  I thought I had arrived.  The company that I was employed with had acquired a smaller company in another state and I was sent off for training. Can you imagine a 17 year old just out of high school getting a job and very soon after getting on plane to another state!  I felt like Mary Tyler Moore in the TV show That Girl.  Alas, I fell into the “grass is greener” trap.  But I cannot complain.  God uses any and all situations for His good.  Looking back at my employment history, I have learned so much from each and every person and situation I have encountered.  Good and bad.  

Some of the good:  Honesty is truly the best policy.  However, I have had bosses twist truth for their gain and others demise.   Example, a boss once bragged on an employee for telling the truth about smoking pot.  “Boy he is honest!”  A few months past and the story was, “We can’t trust him, you know he use to smoke pot!”  This boss asks me to attend an out of town business meeting with him, but not to take minutes.  I did not stay there long. 

Another good; If you work hard, you are rewarded. Sometimes with only words and experience, but you will be rewarded.  Honesty also includes admitting when you mess up, don’t pass the buck.  Own up to your errors.  This stops employers in his/her tracks.  The looks on their face is priceless.  I should also note that is the right thing to do. 

 Some of the bad: You can’t steal from Peter to pay Paul.  (Can’t comingle funds)  One boss did this and ended up in the federal pen.  Needless to say that company folded.  I was the last employee and very pregnant with our daughter.  Packing up and shipping out everything was interesting in my condition. 

Of all the bosses I have had, rarely have I found one that really cared about their employees opinions, especially if they differ from the opinion of the one signing the paycheck.  Employers are willing to listen and trying ideas that will grow the company.  This brings to mind another short about a boss that would give people permission to try new ideas.  He would say to his “confident” that he, employer, knows the person with idea, is going to fail.  He enjoyed sitting back and watching them crash and burn. All the while he was encouraging the idea makers to their face.  Most people with their name on the door, or the ones that feel they deserve to be the name on the door don’t seem to care much about in-house issues.  They are more concerned with their bottom line. Inter office issues seem to be best resolved between the persons involved.  But, both parties have to be calm and mature in their attitudes.  I also find that everyone has something good about them.  You may have to look really hard, but it is there.    If you have to resolve conflict with a co-worker, also mention their good point and/or points.  Make your comments sincere.  Also, acknowledge your part in the problem.  As a friend once said, there are three parts to every story; yours, mine and what happened.  If you share responsibility with the issue you can also partner with your co-worker to be part of the solution.   This seems to help in resolving issues and leaving you in a better working relationship with the person or persons involved. 

I have finally concluded that work is work.  Do your job, stay in your space and unless your bosses ask something illegal or immoral of you, just do the task and move on.   It has taken me years upon years to realize this.  Attitude is hard to commit to paper, but I have found that when I remain calm, bite my tongue, and do my job to the best of my ability.  I feel more accomplished and can handle “issues”. 

My husband and I come in from our respective jobs, put our feet up and vent for about 30 minutes.  We don’t try to solve each other’s work issues, we just listen.  We don’t wait to talk, we really listen. (Pulp Fiction reference)   We ask questions and acknowledge that you can’t fix stupid and continue on this life journey.

Well, I guess that is all for now!

Remember, even when it is raining, let's shine!

Fog Lifted!

It you happen to follow me on Twitter, you know I was really sick this past week.  Now for me to admit that I was sick is a big thing.  Usually no matter what is wrong I blame sinus drainage.

My philosophy regarding/about going to the doctor  makes sense to me, my family does not share my view.   Fact: as I understand it, the common cold cannot be cured. But, you can be cured of bronchitis and pneumonia.  As inferred, when the doctor sees me coming, she knows I am beyond just not feeling well.  So after receiving two shots and taking three prescriptions this week I feel I can declare, I am well!

You are probably wondering how does the "Fog Lifted" title fit.  Well , it is share time.  I am greatly uncomfortable with the word "depression". I guess back in the day, depression equaled crazy. I know that is not the case, but I did not want to be judged.  So I keep my sadness locked away.  My daughter has helped so much by being a confident and encourager.  Prayer made me feel like "I" was doing something, but really did not help.  I know the reason for this, "I" can't but "HE" can.  But even knowing this, I have been lapsing for years.  There are very few days when I have not had some time of sadness. I have been on an anti-depressant, but they were  prescribed for hot flashes. (worked by the way) My doctor still is unaware of "poor me" state.

Okay, be patient I am getting to the Fog Lifted title. While home for three days this week, a gentlemen I follow on twitter posted a link to an article. http://www.independent.ie/blog/conor-cusack-depression-is-a-friend-not-my-enemy-29707558.html For some reason this article really reached me.  I truly believe that I have been trying to fit into molds fashioned by others and not focusing on my own mold, the mold God wants me to fit in. 

If you were to spend time with me, I don't think my state of mind is too apparent. My ears are double pierced, I have a tattoo, I wear a lot of bracelets and rings, I love bizarre nail art and I drive a 70's VW Bug. At work we keep the radio on a Classic Rock station, so I am usually singing along and doing little dances.  I am sure my state of mind is apparent sometimes, because sometimes I am just overwhelmed. As I am driving to work or to other out in the world places, I am constantly reviewing my mantra, "put on a happy face, be happy, no one wants to be around a dark cloud". I enjoy being along, cause smiles are not required.

The last two days have been truly awesome!  The only differences I am aware of have been the major meds, the article, prayer, and I have also quit taking the anti-depress meds.  Maybe they were amplifying, don't know.  I am aware that this state may not last, but I don't think the clouds will be as dark as they have been for the past years. For last few days, I feel the sun is shining (even when I am alone I am smiling)

Thank you for listening (well you are reading) and not judging!

Even when it is raining, let's shine! (have I just found my sign off?)
 

It has been awhile....

A lot has happened since my last entry of 2011. So let's catch-up!

This time I think I will not only review books, I will talk my being 55, which in itself is an adventure, being married for 30 years, and our four wonderful children.  Our oldest (my step-son) is now a lawyer/body builder, our daughter is married to a wonderful guy (he is now our 4th child) They are both in their second year of med school, and our third child, but not in anyway the least, son is a senior in high school. I will do my best not to embarrass them, but as I have always told them, that is part of my job description!

As you can see from the age range, the possibility of having a normal life is somewhat impossible.  Although the idea of normal has always intrigued me, but let's save that for another day.

I will try not to jump around regarding subject matter, but I figured I would try blogging the way my mind works.  I shall see how that develops.

Currently I only have one follower, my daughter-ous.  If my numbers grow, I hope to spark discussions and share information. The world is so much smaller now.  I love connecting with people from around the world on Twitter and my friends and family in my home town and in other states on Facebook.

One reason I so enjoy Twitter is the fact that no one seems to care about age, gender, location, religious differences, etc, etc.   I am privileged to interact with a 16 year old from Sweden, a older gentlemen from England, authors from all over and so many more interesting individuals.  The fact that we all chat, have fun, and encourage each other even though we have never met face to face is awesome and restores my faith in the human race.  Okay enough serious for now.

So, as I sign off do I need a catch phrase?  Let's see Live Long and Prosper, no that is taken.  Hummmm...will have to give that some thought. Any suggestions or thoughts on this?

Sleep well and hope everyone has a wonderful tomorrow!