January 2009

Happy New Year!

Well, it’s that time of year again. So let’s talk just a bit about “New Year’s Resolutions”

I’m going to start right off with making sure I write in this blog every month. I know, I know, we’ll see how that long that lasts. . . .

But it’s always worth the wait, isn’t it? I figure it is, if you’re reading this right now J

And yes, I’m going to...

try once again to lose a few unsightly pounds… sounds like my buddy Oprah will be doing likewise. So perhaps I can pick up a few good tips on that this month.

So what are your resolutions? Many feel they’re a waste of time because by February, you’re often right back where you started.

So because I’ve also vowed to make my blog more informative – so that while you’re (hopefully) being entertained, you’re also learning something – I’m going to offer some suggestions on how to resolve those hard to achieve resolutions.

1) First off, you have to really want to make the change. If you’re lukewarm about it, it’ll never happen. Awhile back, I learned the absolute greatest and wisest saying which I’ve adopted as my own: People do what’s important to them. That goes for spouses, and friends, as well as resolutions. Think about it.

2) Keep a log of your progress (seeing things in black-and-white somehow helps the mind absorb it. Like pressing “Enter” into the computer of your brain). But make sure you document it when you fall off the wagon, too. The best thing about falling off, is that you can get yourself right back up and start again. (That is, if you really want to).

3) Stop making excuses. Talk about a waste of energy.

4) Mental imagery is actually very helpful. Throughout the day, and particularly if you’re having a bad one, picture in your mind that you’ve already achieved your goal. You are thinner. You are smoke free. You are sober. And therefore, you are a strong, self-assured and better human being. There now. Doesn’t that feel good?

And while you’re at it, please do your part and contribute to the health and longevity of that newspaper you have there, folded next to you. As I’ve said before (and it bears repeating), you can get lots of news from the Internet – it’s a wonderful thing – but isn’t it great to be able to hold those sections on sports, and art, and community events in your hands - folding it, refolding it, and then, when you come across a particularly good piece of writing or interesting article, you clip it out and stick it on your refrigerator.

Plus, consider that blasted snowball effect. Less reporters and columnists mean less of your beloved paper, and just think of the great articles and stories you may be missing as a result. So subscribe to your favorite newspapers. And magazines, too. Please.

Besides, Cody, our black lab, would really miss the Pupperoni he gets each morning after he brings in my paper. So you’re also contributing to my dog’s health with daily exercise, and to his overall well-being. As well as keeping me from having to get dressed and go outside into the cold.

I thank you in advance.

My Favorite Plain Dealer Writers

And while we’re on this discussion, thought I’d let you know the writers I never miss in the Plain Dealer. (And thankfully, are still there). If you’re not familiar with them, you’re missing a good slice of life. Michael Heaton. Regina Brett. Connie Schultz, Joanna Connors.

And Ted Diadiun. His Sunday “Reader Representative” column is absolutely interesting. He talks about the business of newspapers, about readers’ responses to certain stories and subjects, and pretty much everything that goes into the paper (and sometimes what doesn’t) and why they make the decisions they do.

Now, here’s where the Internet does the most good, I think. You can go back and see some of their past work online. Start with Regina Brett’s column from Sunday, December 28. An absolute must read. Check it out. Then move on to the others.

Oh, Deer

And because my readers enjoy seeing some photos in this blog, thought I’d show you what I often wake up to as I look out my office window in the morning (or really anytime, day or night).

Cool huh?

Though Cody doesn’t much like the invasion into his yard. . . .

New Book, New Promotion Challenges

Now, according to any Marketing 101 class, I have to shamelessly promote my new book whenever and wherever possible. And you couldn’t help but notice, since you most likely got to this blog via the home page, that I do have a new book out.

One which is getting a lot of attention – partly due to the title.

My, oh my, how people can put their own spin on it. . . .

Now tell me, just what part of “not-so-good” converts into “bad.”

It’s mostly the men, of course, that are taking this title to a whole new level.

But hey, they’re buying the book, so who am I to quibble?

In fact, just as many men are buying it as the women! (So of course, now these guys know way too much about me, which is a bit disturbing. Should’ve marketed it as “fiction”)

But then, part of writing a book is finding a good, catchy title because without that, no one will even look at your book. Trust me on that. Would you pick up a book titled:

“The Whys and Wherefores of a Catholic Upbringing.”

“I Survived Hitchhiking in Orange County, California: Hey, it was the ’70s.”

“I Was a Middle-Aged Parent Who Hadn’t a Clue What She Was Doing”

“I Am Now a Middle-Aged Broad.”

I think not. . .

And just for the record, I wasn’t a BAD Catholic girl, I just wasn’t a very good one . . .

Read the book for further details (that’s where the shameless promotion comes in).

That’s all for now, folks. If I’m going to be true to my New Year’s Resolution, I have to leave something for next month. Now if I could just work on making these segments a bit shorter . . . That may be the biggest challenge of them all. . . .

I wish you all a very Happy, Healthy, and Well-Read (Newspapers, Magazines, My Book!) New Year, Everyone! J