Big-city Realities on the Way to Work

I'm really a small-town girl at heart, so my commute to the big city has been a bit of an eye-opener for me. I lock my doors before passing through an area that makes me uneasy. I rejoiced when I spied a police station in that area.

The other day, I had to switch lanes because someone was avoiding the snowy sidewalk by walking in the traffic lane. This person was pushing a shopping cart that I would guess contained his or her belongings.

I drive by a business that has a dog patrolling the building after hours. One day, I felt sorry for the dog when it was left out in the pouring rain without any shelter.

But I feel much worse for the unwanted babies whose lives are snuffed out at a building I pass on the way to work. Pro-life protesters outside drew my attention to what happens at that address. I am struck by how many people I know who've tried to have babies. If someone dropped a baby off at any of their doorsteps, those couples would surely accept that baby as their own. And yet there are those who just throw their babies away.

Planning and Adapting

I took a day trip for work yesterday. It went well, but what struck me was this recurring truth: the things I thought could be problematic weren't, while other things I never thought would be an issue became problems. I guess I could argue that because I anticipated certain things and planned for them, they did not become problems. For example, I allowed extra travel time because I expected heavy traffic during rush hour. Oddly enough, the traffic wasn't heavy. I still can't believe it.

No matter how prepared I think I am, something always seems to surprise me. Life is like that. I guess that helps us learn to adapt.

Trimming the Tree with Memories

I was on a mission to decorate the Christmas tree today in between loads of laundry and dishes. I was thinking it would be nice if the ornaments would just march up the tree and snuggle up into branches on their own without any assistance from me. Since I knew that was not going to happen, I began an efficient process of box opening and ornament hanging.

Then something happened. As I unwrapped Christmas ornaments that had special meaning to me, I slowed down and paused to think about them. I thought about how one friend gave me glass ornaments she had decorated with beads, pearls and ribbons. I marveled at the fact that another friend was able to get a glass ornament home safely from her trip to Italy and give that handmade art to me as a gift. I smiled at the popsicle-stick star that a niece made when she was little. I remembered a trip my hubby and I took to Universal Studios, where we found the Cindy Lou Who ornament after exploring a Dr. Seuss-inspired world. I hung up the first ornament my hubby ever gave me, and I looked at all the skating-themed ornaments from him and my family, who accepted my fascination with skating long ago.

Sentimental Jane won out over Practical Jane, but the decorating job still got done. It was just a lot more meaningful task when Sentimental Jane took over.

Back to Cash

Last night, I was watching Suze Orman sound off on her show in response to credit card companies' increasing fees and interest rates. I love how she is so protective of consumers. She is not afraid to address the credit card companies by name on the air when she hears about how they are treating consumers.

Suze's response to the increasing fees and interest rates is to challenge everyone to quit using credit cards and go back to spending cash -- you know, that green stuff. While I like her idea, I would add another component to it: challenging people to track their spending. Keeping track of where the dollars go can be an eye-opening experience. I would guess that most people underestimate how much they spend on everyday things like coffee and lunches out. A few bucks here and a few bucks there may not seem like much. However, if you are buying a $4 cup of coffee every day on your way to work, that adds up to $80 a month.

What do you think of Suze's idea?

Graduation Day

Today was a graduation day of sorts. I completed the last class I needed for my technical writing certificate from Cleveland State University. Since a bunch of other students were finishing that last class today too, it was a happy day.

If I hadn't been in transition, I don't know if I would have looked into technical writing. I was vaguely aware of it, but the field appealed to me when I learned more about it. Although I'm happily employed now in my original field, it's nice to know that I have some more skills at my disposal. I've also marveled at how what I learned transfers to other types of writing, like a how-to article I wrote for a freelance writing assignment. I had all those years of journalism experience, yet what made the assignment so easy was that I had a mental blueprint of how to structure and organize the story.

Thanks for the knowledge and for making it so much fun to learn, Jackie!

Today's Giggle

Here's something that struck me as funny when I saw it: a karate school and an orthodontist in the same building. I don't know which was there first, but if the orthodontist set up shop second, he or she chose a strategic location where potential customers couldn't help but notice the office. I realize that most people who go to the orthodontist don't end up there because of a well-placed kick in the mouth, but I still think it's a funny couple of businesses to share a wall.

A Wish For My Nieces

As I dressed my niece's Barbie dolls on Thanksgiving and watched her match shoes and purses to outfits, I was glad that I had congratulated her on her good report card that day. I want her to know that being a girl or woman is about more than just matching shoes to outfits.

The pressure on young girls today is worse than when I was growing up. Chatty, confident girls begin to doubt themselves when they start to compare themselves to the perfect images so prevalent in our culture. The message they're getting is that how a girl or woman looks is more important than anything else. The problem with this is that it doesn't take into account a girl's talents or smarts. As adults, we need to encourage our daughters and nieces to pay attention to their whole selves, not just their nail polish and shoes.

I'm happy to say that I have many nieces who are smart and talented. They get good grades, play instruments, sing, dance and play sports. My wish for them is that they will never judge themselves solely by how they look, cute as they may be. I want them to see the same accomplished and talented girls that I see, and to be proud of who they are, inside and out.

Making Adjustments

Being back at work has been great, but I've had to make some adjustments. Since I was out of work for a while and was telecommuting before that, I've had to get back into the swing of actually going to an office. I'm growing accustomed to packing a lunch and driving to work.

I worked for my previous boss for so many years, I could make decisions in his absence because I knew how he wanted things to be done. I'm figuring out how people want things done at my new job. I am asking questions and trying to get clear direction.

At my last job, I was very comfortable with sharing my opinions and ideas with my boss. I already feel pretty comfortable with sharing my perspective at my new job. Nobody has shushed me yet. Maybe they're just too polite. Must pay closer attention to determine whether they want my viewpoint or are just being nice to me.

Getting acclimated reminds me of breaking in a new pair of skate boots, only nowhere near as painful; in time, discomfort and uncertainty give way to a perfect fit.

A Different Take on a Classic

Last night, I went to a local production of The Sound of Music. I enjoyed it, but my friends and I were surprised that some things in the stage version were different from the musical we knew so well.

On stage, Maria was singing about her favorite things while at the abbey. In the movie, that famous song is sung in her bedroom at the Von Trapp home during a thunderstorm. That scene on stage featured the silly song that's part of a puppet show in the movie. And there was no puppet show in the stage version.

The other thing I noticed was that the stage version left out one of my favorite scenes from the movie. I always get a kick out of it when the nuns, car parts in hand, confess that they have sabotaged the Germans' vehicles to give the Von Trapps more time to escape into the mountains.

Pancakes for Dinner

I love breakfast, especially pancakes. I'm one of those people who can eat breakfast for dinner, which is why I love restaurants that serve breakfast anytime.

On the way back from a recent day trip, my hubby and I stopped at an IHOP for dinner. We were pretty sure which highway exit the restaurant was near, and were happy to find it where we remembered it to be. I had pumpkin pancakes and my hubby had eggnog pancakes. Both of these unusual flavors get high marks from me.

So now I'm on a mission to find the closest IHOP. Well, it looks like there's one 17 or 18 miles away, depending on which direction we want to go. Yes, I would drive 17 miles to get to an IHOP. You can't beat a good pancake.

Lessons From My Father

Six years ago today, I lost my dad. Here are some of the things he taught me.

1. Don't quit.
When I had a tough time at my first job after college, he and my mom encouraged me to keep going. I'm glad they did. Later, when my dad was fighting for his life, he tried everything the doctors had to offer until there was nothing left to try.

2. Keep your sense of humor.
When we were eating pizza and noticed a thin strand of something that looked like either cheese or hair, my father, bald from chemo, said, "It's not mine." I still chuckle at that.

3. Things will look better in the morning.
I have reminded myself of this many times. Most of the time, it's true.

Thanks for the lessons, Dad. I miss you.

A Phrase We All Say

Lately, I've been noticing a common phrase popping out of people's mouths. I'll admit it's slipped out of mine too. It's a quick little phrase, but its meaning is immediately known. You'll hear it when your dining companion declines a beverage refill. "I'm good," he'll say. When someone doesn't want an offered seat and prefers to stand, she'll say, "I'm good."

It seems so odd to say this when the intention isn't to convey how good or bad we are as people. Why don't we just say, "No, thanks"?

Pick a Star Favorite

For some reason, anyone with any interest in science fiction seems to have a strong preference for either Star Wars or Star Trek. It's like choosing between Coke and Pepsi for some people; they love one and can't stand the other.

Although I don't consider myself a big science fiction fan, I'd choose Star Wars over Star Trek every time.

Which would you choose?

Going Back to Work

As you may have heard, I've found a job and I'm going back to work. Woo hoo!

It wasn't my intention to neglect this blog over the past two days, but I've been inundated with good wishes from more people than I ever expected.

The network of people I've come to know turned out in full force to congratulate me via email or social networking sites. Many people I don't know have wished me well too. They felt a kinship with me simply by being in the same unemployment boat.

Job seekers have thanked me for sharing the story about how I found a job. Several have told me it gave them the encouragement they needed to keep searching. I think this line hit home for a lot of people: "The disappointments and dead ends are just steps along the twisty path to employment."

I feel very fortunate to have found a job that I think I will really like, but the truth is, I've been blessed throughout the entire transition. I have had the support of my husband, family and friends (old and new) the whole time. Thanks, everybody!

Meat-Happy in the U.S.A.

We sure are a meat-happy country. I just saw an ad for a six-meat pizza. I don't suppose that leaves room for anything else other than sauce and cheese among the various meats. Come to think of it, which six meats would they put on that thing? They must be including several types of pork, chicken and hamburger to come up with six meats.

A local restaurant offers steaks ranging in size from 10 ounces to 23 ounces. I suppose they want you to forget that the Food Guide Pyramid's recommended serving size for meat is 3 ounces. That's the size of a deck of cards.

I am not a meat hater or a vegetarian or anything like that. I like meat a lot. I just can't (and shouldn't) eat 10 ounces in one sitting. I've noticed that many restaurants don't list the size of their hamburgers. I always ask what the burgers weigh, because most are a half pound. I can't eat that much either. Give me a quarter pound and I'm content. I know, I'm so unAmerican.

Apples Rule in the Fall

The produce spotlight shines on apples in the fall, when this modest, everyday fruit becomes the star attraction among other fruits and vegetables.

Johnny Appleseed stories and the "American as apple pie" saying make this fruit part of our nation's heritage, but sometimes I think we don't fully appreciate apples. That's why it's nice to give them renewed attention at this time of year.

I confess that I like the names of the apple varieties: Gala, Red Delicious, Rome, Fuji, Granny Smith and more. A quick look online shows that there are many more varieties of apples than I'll ever taste. Blushing Gold sounds like an intriguing name to me. I would try that variety based on the name alone.

While I enjoy apple pie, applesauce and apple cider, my favorite way to eat an apple is to cut it into pieces and spread peanut butter on each slice. The taste reminds me of a caramel apple, only a bit healthier.

Thirty Years of Change from a Postal Viewpoint

A couple of days ago, I heard a postal worker tell a customer that she was retiring after 30 years of service. Yikes. That means she started working for the U.S. Postal Service in 1979.

In 1979:

• Postal employees had no idea what a toll the Internet would have on their business -- or what the Internet was, for that matter.
• They didn't have to worry about people sending dangerous substances through the mail.
• Every mail carrier probably knew most of the customers on his or her route.
• The post office was probably the only place to buy stamps.
• The number of personal letters mailed was likely much higher than now.
• Netflix did not exist.
• Nobody paid bills online.
• The term "going postal" did not exist.
• The USPS didn't advertise on TV.
• It cost 15 cents to send a letter.
• Nobody used the term "snail mail" in reference to the USPS.
• Identity theft was not a concern.

Walking on a Clear Path

When I turned a corner and walked past a building today, I found myself walking behind a trio of leaf-blowing landscapers. As I walked, they cleared a broad path in front of me. They probably didn't even know I was walking behind them, but I felt like a queen. Thanks, guys!

The Psychology of Numbers

While I normally rely on numbers for factual information, sometimes I look at them with suspicion.

The latest grocery store ad is riddled with prices that end in 99. That's no mistake. It's a sly move by the food sellers to make their prices appear lower. Lots of retailers do this because they want the number before the 99 to attract attention. It's the highest price they can set without going up to the next dollar. Once they go up to that next dollar, the item appears to be more expensive.

Flight times, on the other hand, are exact. Of course, this makes it look like the plane will take off or land at the specified time. I think the airlines are rounding up the on-time estimates. If it says a flight is 70 percent on time, I'm guessing it's more like 66 percent.

One number nobody wants to round up is the scale readout. Did you ever go for a checkup at a doctor's office and see a sign warning patients of higher numbers on the office scale than on a home scale? That's like saying, "You can just ignore that home scale, because it's lying to you. You weigh more than it says you do." The number on the office scale doesn't look good, even if it ends in a nine.

What's the Secret Password?

Remember when you were a kid and the only time you needed a password was to get into your friend's treehouse? I miss those days.

I just got an error when signing into my blog because I mistakenly typed in the password I use for Facebook. To complicate things, I have several email addresses I use and I have to remember which email address I use for each account.

I tried to call the cell phone company today to ask about a mysterious charge that showed up on the bill, but they would not tell me anything without the password. Feeling like a 1950s housewife whose husband handled all the bills, I had to tell the lady I didn't know the password for the account. I told her I would call back later after getting the password from my husband. And I pay the bills. I feel so powerless. I can't get information about our account even though I have the bill in my hands. At least I know nobody else can add a bunch of phones to our account. If they did, I would really have questions about the bill.

Stubborn Leaves

Like a captain who stays with a sinking ship after the passengers have gone, a few lingering leaves refuse to abandon their tree. They cling to it proudly and hold on, knowing that it's only a matter of time before they can't hold on any longer.

Blisters, Bug Guts and Bananas

I wonder if reference librarians are feeling bored and unloved these days. Does anyone call them anymore? If you're like me, you go online for answers to your questions.

After I got a blister on my hand from my first leaf-raking session of the season, I wanted to make sure that blister was my last. I went online and learned from some nice motocross racer with "sissy-boy hands" (his term) that you can prevent blisters by putting tape on the skin that's prone to blistering. I found some tape that was left over from adhering a large bandage to some long-forgotten injury. I stuck the tape on the skin that blistered last time. It worked beautifully. Thank you to the racer with the sissy-boy hands.

When ladybugs started showing up inside our old house, I went to the Internet for help. I learned that the simplest way to get rid of the little buggers was to vacuum them up. If you squish them, the article warned, they will stain whatever they are squished on. Not wanting to chance staining anything with ladybug guts, I fired up the vacuum and waved the wand attachment over those spotted creatures. Done!

This last odd bit of information I learned was not something I was trying to find. I stumbled on it, really. A friend of mine posted a video on Facebook about how to peel a banana like a monkey. Apparently, they are smarter than humans, because I tried their method and it sure beats the fruit out of the human way. All you do is pinch the bottom of the banana, pull it away, and peel from the bottom. Then you get a nice handle to hold too. Who says there's no useful information on Facebook?

I've only scratched the surface of the vast stores of knowledge available on the Internet. What will I learn next?

I've Pre-read This for You

Lately, I've been noticing how many step-saving, time-saving products are available. Pre-cut fruit, shredded cheese and shredded cabbage have been around for a while, but I've also seen pre-sharpened pencils, pre-charged rechargeable batteries, and computers with software already loaded on them.

But some products should never join this list. Remember the childhood joke about ABC (Already Been Chewed) gum? Yeah, gum should never be sold pre-chewed. Eeeeew. Even if gum were mechanically softened into an irregular-shaped wad, that would be weird.

Key Clues

You can tell a few things about someone based on the number of keys on his keychain.

My key collection is simple right now, but it wasn't always that way. When we were living in an apartment in Ohio and selling our home in Pennsylvania, I had keys for both places, plus keys for a storage unit and a mailbox. When I was working, I had keys to the office and to the company's post office box.

At one of my newspaper jobs, I had a coveted key to the newsroom's front door. This allowed me to park on the well-lit street at night and enter through the front door instead of the back door.

Several car keys have come and gone from my keychain throughout the years, and my keychains have changed from the whimsical to the practical.

What do your keys and keychain say about you?

Cherishing an Autumn Day

A sunny and reasonably warm fall day like today is like a visit from an out-of-town friend. You cherish it because you know it's rare.

Why Don't Men Eat Yogurt?

Is it just my perception or do men dislike yogurt unless it's the frozen kind?

My husband turns up his nose at yogurt. He jokes that the brand I buy is "Yobleaaaaah."

I think yogurt tastes like pudding, unless you buy the plain variety of yogurt. Follow the logic with me here. Yogurt tastes like pudding. Pudding tastes good. Yogurt tastes good. What's the problem?

The Lure of the Pumpkin Patch

Taking children to a pumpkin patch seems to be a must-do outing these days. Heck, even celebrities have been spotted helping their kids pick out pumpkins. It must be the thing to do.

While there may be plenty of kids picking strawberries and blueberries during the summer, those moments don't hold the same fascination as choosing a pumpkin in the fall. For whatever reason, pumpkins get all the attention. Maybe it's the size of a pumpkin that makes it so interesting for photos. It is kind of amusing to see a baby surrounded by pumpkins that rival his size.

For older kids, maybe it's the Charlie Brown cartoon that makes them eager to see a real pumpkin patch. Of course, that's assuming they still show that cartoon on TV.

Happy pumpkin hunting. And let me know if you see Linus.

The Growing Popularity of Halloween Decorations

The other day, a radio announcer was complaining about the excessive Halloween decorations in his neighborhood. He felt pressured to decorate for the occasion because all of his neighbors were adorning their houses and yards with spiders, ghosts and pumpkins. And you thought peer pressure ended at adulthood.

I'm glad someone out there shares my lack of enthusiasm for decorating for this "holiday." How did Halloween become important enough to merit lawn decorations on a scale previously reserved for Christmas?

Learning From Each Other

Yesterday's in-class technical writing assignment showed me how much we can learn from each other. Each person communicated the same important information, yet each student approached it in a slightly different way. The differences showed up in how we expressed, organized and presented the information.

I found myself admiring aspects of other students' projects as we reviewed them one by one. If we used all of the best ideas from each project, the project would leap from "good" to "great" status.

The Ups and Downs of Driving a Stick Shift

I got a good laugh the other day when I saw a comedy skit about a robber who tried to take someone's car but was unable to drive it because it had a manual transmission. He ended up making the carjacking victim drive his own car while the robber sat in the passenger seat.

I wasn't laughing during a slow drive in rush hour traffic today. First, second, third, stop. First, second, stop. Those are the times when it would be nice to drive an automatic. The rest of the time, I really don't mind driving a stick shift. In fact, I think it gives me better control of the car, especially in snow.

I realize that I'm part of a shrinking number of people who use both hands and both feet to drive. Yes, that means I can't do anything else while driving. What a concept. Even with all that, I still manage to use the turn signal too, which is apparently an optional feature on some vehicles here in northeast Ohio.

Catching the Blog Bug

When I mention my blog to people at networking meetings or events, I am often asked how to start one. This is kind of amusing to me, since I haven't been at this very long. Believe me, I'm not an expert. I told another job seeker/aspiring blogger the other night that it's easy to start a blog. Keeping up with it is the hard part.

People start blogs for various reasons. Some use them as a way to keep family and friends informed about their lives or their kids. Job seekers want to share their expertise, whether it's in recruiting or marketing. I've seen blogs that display the blogger's own photos or drawings. Today, I found a blog that's written by an American chef who's working in Australia. He writes about what he eats, recipes included. The Blogger home page (www.blogger.com) has a little "Blogs of Note" section that features different blogs. That's how I found the chef's blog. You can find countless others by typing a topic of interest into a favorite search engine. (I'm resisting the popular practice of using Google as a verb.)

Deep down, I think people just want to get their thoughts out and be heard. And it's a lovely bonus when those thoughts make a connection with someone else.

It's a Sickness

Senior citizens talk about their own ailments.
Young to middle-aged people talk about their kids' illnesses.

Early Bird vs. Late Squirrel

The early bird may get the worm, but the late squirrel gets the seeds.

While I was eating lunch, I noticed quite a gathering of birds in the backyard. Since it's getting colder, I thought they might be having trouble finding food. I decided to throw a couple handfuls of bird seed outside after lunch. The previous homeowners had left an open bag of bird seed behind. What else am I going to do with it?

I was feeling pretty good about looking out for the birds. I even thought about the "Feed the Birds" song from Mary Poppins. Later, I took a break between tasks, glanced outside and saw a rotund squirrel grabbing all the seeds without a bird in sight. So much for feeding the birds.

This made me think about how job seekers have different strategies for searching. While I would expect that most of us do our best searching during the day, I know of at least one seeker who is a night owl on the computer. I guess he'd be the squirrel. Then again, maybe he's the early bird who finds the openings posted in the evening. The morning searchers wouldn't see those listings until hours later.

Seasonal Tastes Differ by Zip Code

It's clambake season in Cleveland. Apparently, that's a normal thing for this time of year. When I lived an hour or two south of Cleveland, barbecue chicken was the item of choice for a fall fundraiser. In northwest Pennsylvania, it was spaghetti dinners.

It's funny how much difference a few miles can make to the local food scene. I once ate a famous Primanti Brothers sandwich in Pittsburgh, Pa. Personally, I don't like cole slaw and french fries inside my sandwich, but the popularity of that sandwich tells me that lots of other people do. Then again, I initially turned my nose up at the meatball omelet that is the pride of Dominick's late-night diner in Erie, Pa. Once I tasted it, I was a fan.

I haven't been to a clambake yet. I guess I won't know if I like it until I try it.

The Many Faces of Light

Shorter autumn days make me more aware of the importance of light in our lives. Everything seems better when glorious, mood-boosting sunshine fills the sky. At night, it's our car headlights and the streetlights that guide the way. Traffic lights tell us when to stop and go. Flashing lights add excitement to a concert, while a simple spotlight adds drama to a play. Industrial lighting illuminates workplaces and gathering places.

Lights glowing through a house window lend a warm, cozy feeling. A small nightlight calms a child's fears or provides a path for sleepy eyes to follow to the kitchen. A flashlight shines a concentrated beam on a leaky basement pipe.

Candlelight, the subtle cousin of bright, artificial lighting, can lend a romantic mood or a somber one.

May we appreciate the waning natural light as we rely more on man-made light in the coming days.

Blog Milestone

Since I started this blog in June, I've watched the number of blog posts creep up slowly. This is number 100. Veteran bloggers may look down their noses at me because they passed their 100th post long ago, but it's as good a reason as any to look back. If TV shows can make note of their 100th episodes, I can too.

Over the last few months, I've written about many observations of everyday life. It's emerged as a favorite topic, but so have these: writing, music, job searching and figure skating.

I'm still surprised by which posts move people to comment. I'm also amazed that people I don't know have found their way to this blog.

Thanks for the encouragement and thanks for reading.

Why We Like Mysteries

I have a theory about why people like to read mysteries or watch detectives solve crimes in TV shows or movies. I think we just want to make sense of things. We want the satisfaction of figuring something out because so many things in life don't make sense from the limited viewpoint of what a person knows and understands.

For example, despite scientific explanations, it's hard to comprehend why natural disasters happen or why someone becomes seriously ill.

Some things I've struggled to make sense of in my life have made sense later, after I had a greater understanding of the situation and the events that followed. Or maybe I found a reason that quieted my questions for a while. My reason for anything I don't understand is simply that God has a plan and a reason for things happening (or not happening, or not happening the way I planned.) It's the best reason I know.

Rejection Letters and the Rock Hall

I couldn't help smiling today when I saw two rejection letters from record companies to the now-famous band U2. Seeing those typed, impersonal letters made me feel a little better about the current job market and my own collection of emailed rejection letters.

I happened to spot the letters during a visit to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland. I ought to be boycotting the place because of its continual reluctance to recognize my favorite band of all time: Daryl Hall and John Oates.

While I don't know the nomination rules intricately, I believe this duo has met the qualifications for induction.
They've certainly had plenty of hits.
It's been at least 25 years since they began in the business.
They've influenced younger artists.
Did I mention that they've sold more records than any other pop duo in history?

They've made their mark on the music world by creating their own distinct sound. They fit nicely in the music continuum (Hall's term) between the Temptations (who were a heavy influence on H&O) and today's young musicians who credit H&O with influencing them. Most importantly, they are incredibly talented songwriters and performers. That in itself should be enough to qualify them for the recognition they deserve.

Muscle Memory

Since I've been off the ice for a while, I was wondering the other day if I would remember how to do some of the figure skating elements I learned. When I tried to do a couple of moves on the floor, muscle memory kicked in. My body knew what to do.

I think muscle memory works for the brain muscle as well. It can help you recall words in a foreign language or remember how to play a game you haven't played in a long time. Ever notice how quickly you're able to sing along to a song you haven't heard in years? I think that's muscle memory too. Once you're put into a familiar situation, the brain seems to know what to do.

Funny Phone Manners

It's kind of funny that when someone calls a phone number by mistake, we answer, "I think you have the wrong number." Don't we know that it was a wrong number? It just sounds more polite than saying, "You idiot. You called the wrong number."

And when someone needs to get off the phone, you'll hear, "I'd better let you go." This gives the impression that the other person is doing you a favor, but you weren't the one trying to end the call.

An Email Title That Gets My Attention

As a card-carrying member of several employment networking groups, I get a steady stream of emails that contain job leads. Every now and then, among the listings for every job imaginable outside of my field, I see emails with this title: "Success Story." I read every one.

I'm happy for the people who have found work, and I find hope in the fact that somebody is getting hired. Being somewhat analytical (ok, very analytical), I always mine the success stories for nuggets of wisdom. How did they find the job? Did they answer an ad or did they find the position through networking? From what I can gather, people are finding jobs through all sorts of avenues -- ads, networking and even applying to work for Uncle Sam. That just means job seekers should pursue multiple paths to employment. Some paths feel more productive than others, but you never know which one will lead you to the right job.

Cloud Stampede

The wind is a sky cowboy this morning. Its invisible lasso is driving all the clouds eastward, leaving the sunlight free to graze across the blue sky.

Tomorrow's Workers

I'm trying to picture today's teens in tomorrow's workplace. I fear that they will be unable to use an office phone and that their memos will read like text messages. If the brevity of text messaging spills over into their emails, that could be a good thing. However, if they send frequent updates about what they're doing, it may be difficult for them to distinguish between what's important and what's not worth mentioning.

A Useful Skill

My high school teachers may cringe at this, but I can honestly say that typing the right way was one of the most worthwhile things I learned as a teen. When I see people typing with two fingers, I'm grateful for the typing class, which I'm fairly certain was a required one.

At the time, the class didn't seem all that important. Sure, I knew I'd have to write papers in college, but I had no idea how useful typing would be in my everyday life years later. I can't really say that about algebra or trigonometry.

Word Games

If you have a last name that doesn't look the way it sounds, you've probably had to spell it out over the phone. When I do this, I usually include "s like Sam" to make sure the listener doesn't mistake it for an "f."

I have gotten into the habit of using the same words for "s" and "v": Sam and Victor. Just to make things interesting, I should come up with a few crazy words to see if I can crack up the person on the other end of the phone. Superman and Veronica? Spaghetti and volcano? Hmmm. Maybe I'll try that one.

A poetry teacher once led a creative exercise that challenged us to use words to represent letters. I still remember her example: naughty xylophones.

If you have used any funny, interesting or unusual words to spell out your name, please post them in a comment.

A Happy Day for Writers

I've often scoffed at the crazy things that have their own dedicated day in America. Today is different. It's National Punctuation Day.

My affinity for punctuation is hardly a secret. Here's why I think you should love it too.

When used properly, every comma, period and semicolon has a purpose. Each one helps us communicate ideas to someone else by clearing a pathway through the jungle of thought. Punctuation marks are the grease that keeps words flowing smoothly. They're the bouncers who let you into the hip club of someone else's ideas. Without them, we'd still be standing on the sidewalk wondering what we were missing.

For the Rest of Us, Writing Replaces a Super Memory

The other day, I read about a handful of people who've been identified as having "super" memories. They can recall minute details from nearly every day since their ages were in the single digits.

Although I'm glad I'm not one of those gifted people, I think it would be neat to be able to use that talent selectively. Who wouldn't want to remember more details of the good memories and fewer of the bad? Maybe the great memories can be reinforced by frequent recollection of them. That's where writing comes in. Writing allows us to express our thoughts and the emotions we had at the time. It also allows us to revisit those moments later, after some of the details have become overshadowed by others.

Life With a Soundtrack

Music makes life better.
It's the friend who distracts me while I'm waiting for an appointment or sitting in the dentist's chair.
It can shorten a long drive.
It can push me to walk longer or finish all the chores.
It can boost my mood.
It can stir up memories or burn new ones into my mind.
It emboldens me.
It can make me dance or help me relax.

I cannot imagine life without music.

Knock, Knock. Vote for Me.

This is the time of year to be prepared for a sales pitch when you open your door. Ding dong. It's a politician who wants to keep his job. Knock, knock. A couple of days later, it's the person who wants to take his job. Then it's a child selling something for school or sports or whatever.

All of this comes after a number of landscapers, roof repairmen and painters dropped off fliers because they were looking for work. That started after the mailings directed to new homeowners who might need a dentist, a vet or a handyman. Apartment life never looked so good.

Nighttime Rain

A gentle rain sounds best when it waits until the end of the day to fall. It washes away the day's rough spots and readies the mind for sleep. It is not like the strong, angry wailing of an obstinate toddler, but rather like a soft flow of tears brought on by a sad movie. It is cleansing, soothing, cathartic even. It lends a sense of peacefulness along with the reassurance that everything will look better tomorrow with a fresh mist of raindrops sprinkled over it all.

Let's Talk

Call it venting.
Call it getting things off your chest.
Sometimes people need to talk things through without any expectation of a plan of action growing out of it. It's up to the listener to decide whether the speaker is looking for suggestions or if he just wants to be heard.

How Many Writers Does it Take to Change a Light Bulb?

I had to replace three spent light bulbs the other day. These are the latest in a series of bulbs that appear to have been expertly timed to expire just months after we took ownership of the house.

I do believe that there is nothing that gives such immediate satisfaction for so little effort and so little time as changing a light bulb. I guess that's why there are so many jokes about how many people it takes to complete this simple task.

I was amused when I read the note on the back of the little halogen light bulb package. It said, "Do not touch lamp." OK, do you mean the bulb or the lamp it's going into? Be specific! And if I'm not supposed to touch the bulb, how am I supposed to get it into the puck light under the cabinet? Levitation? And why am I not supposed to touch the bulb? Will it deform my hand and leave me unable to type with both hands? I am not about to compromise my typing speed for the sake of a little bulb!

I thought for a minute and realized that what they meant was to avoid transferring oil from my skin onto the bulb. I stuck my hand into a plastic sandwich bag, grabbed the bulb and put it into the puck light.

I guess it takes only one writer to change a light bulb, but it will take her a bit longer than most people because she will dwell on how clearly the instructions are written on the bulb package.

Getting Ahead by Taking Criticism

No matter what field you're in, it can be difficult to accept criticism of your work. But sometimes that criticism is the very thing that pushes us to be better.

Ever since the current judging system was put in place, figure skaters have been obsessing over their score numbers, right down to the decimal point. After a competition, they want to know how they were judged on each element of a program and what they did wrong. They take that information and use it to make their next performance better. If they launched a jump from the wrong edge of the blade, they work on it. If a jump did not have enough complete rotations, you can bet they will try to improve that.

What a great example for those of us who are competing in a different type of arena: take the comments and criticisms and use them to make yourself unbeatable.

A Simple, Yet Powerful Gesture for Uncivil Times

With all the boorish outbursts making headlines lately in sports, politics and the music world, the power and civility of a lovely thank you note cannot be underestimated. (A good apology goes a long way, too.)

Thank you notes can help a job seeker stand out in a sea of candidates. They can also let a network contact know that his or her time was well spent with a job seeker. A thank you note assures the giver that a gift sent through the mail arrived safely. It also tells a wedding guest or baby shower guest that the time and money he or she spent on a gift is appreciated. And don't think that people won't notice if gifts for those major life events go unthanked. They'll notice. And they'll remember.

My friend, Nancy, writes the best thank you notes of anyone I know. In addition to thanking me for whatever I gave her at the time, she always reiterates how much she values our friendship. Reading a thank you note from her makes me feel good. That's what every thank you note should do for its recipient.

Taking the Long-Term View

Financial advisors have been telling their nervous clients to think long-term during this recession. While many of them are trying to keep investors from pulling out of the stock market, they do have a point. When you're focused on what you've lost or what's happened in the past, it's hard to look ahead.

Sometimes, taking the long-term view is helpful when making decisions -- financial or otherwise. Priorities surface when we measure tasks, concerns and opportunities against the yardstick of what matters most to us in the long run. Business managers talk about the return on investment, or what you can expect to get back from what you put in. In personal life, it's harder to measure because the payoff is full of intangibles like happiness. Even so, taking a long-term view can lend some clarity when making decisions today.

Companies Differ in Approaches to the Salary Issue

As a job seeker, I like to see how different employers address the salary issue when advertising a position. Lately, a lot of them are asking applicants to state what amount they want at the time of resume submission. Some even say they won't consider an application without this information. Some companies will give a salary range for the job. Others don't reveal the salary, but they don't ask what a candidate wants to earn either.

A few employers, however, are very specific, right down to dollars and cents. One employer stated the dollar amount that the candidate would be paid. Right next to that, it said, "Not a penny more."

I Must Really Be Stumped for a Blog Topic if I'm Writing About Football

It's fall and everyone seems to be in a frenzy about football. Around here, people are nuts for Ohio State. They have OSU flags in their yards, for Pete's sake. I don't think I've ever lived in a place more gung-ho about a college team. If I knew someone on the team, I might be able to get a little bit interested.

It can be tough living in Browns territory. Some of the cashiers at the grocery store don't want to touch the environment-friendly Steelers bags that my husband bought. Seriously. I actually encountered a male cashier who intentionally used all the generic bags in order to avoid dealing with the Steelers ones.

How To Write a Headline Better Than This One

What makes a person read beyond a headline? Is it the topic that's of interest or the way the headline is written? I think it's a little bit of both.

I must confess that I will read the first few sentences of a sports story if the headline makes me curious. Anyone who knows me is aware of my minimal interest in any sport beyond figure skating, which is a sport, by the way. That's a blog topic for another day. My point is, if a headline on a sports story is good, even I might read the first few paragraphs of the story.

Headline writing is harder than people think. The writer has to get his point across in very few words or lose the reader's attention forever. Short verbs are really good for this, which explains the popularity of words like "mulls," "nixes" and "hikes" in news headlines.

So, how do you write a good headline? Think about how you would describe the plot of a movie to someone who hasn't seen it. You'd just give a summary, right? Take that summary and boil it down even more. Let's say there was a new character limit on Twitter and you had to make your description even shorter. Strip the description down to the bare bones. Leave out the details. Just give the important stuff. There's your headline.

If you get stuck, start with a subject and a verb and build from there.

Remembering 9/11

On the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, I was sitting at my desk at work. As I edited a mayor's letter for an economic resource guide we were working on for Jersey City, N.J., I got a call from one of my writers. Her voice sounded fearful and I didn't know why. When she explained what she was seeing on TV, I couldn't believe what she was describing.

Meanwhile, the people in Jersey City were watching the horrific events unfold across the Hudson River. The twin towers had been the focal point of the New York City skyline that Jersey City residents saw from across the water every day. Now these seemingly indestructible buildings, these symbols of American wealth and power, were burning and collapsing with human beings inside.

The days immediately after 9/11 were strange. Everything seemed quieter. While my rational side told me my building would not be attacked, I felt grateful to be working in a first-floor office anyway.

Three days after the attacks, I wanted to back out of the dinner plans my husband and I had made with friends. Although I didn't know anyone who perished in the attacks of 9/11, I was saddened, outraged and frightened by the events. I didn't feel like going out. We went anyway, and the restaurant hostess invited everyone outside for a candlelit tribute to the attack victims.

In the weeks that followed, I looked through the layout for the Jersey City guide. I asked the artist to remove any photos of the World Trade Center and replace them with something else. I reworded a sentence that talked about the explosive growth of business in Jersey City. It didn't seem right to use the word "explosive" when talking about a place so close to one of the attack sites.

Today, when I see images of the twin towers in old movies or TV shows, it's still hard to believe the towers aren't there anymore. And harder yet to imagine the loss that victims' loved ones must still be feeling years later.

Cool Things That Happened Before My Time

While I fully appreciate the modern conveniences that are part of life in the present day, I think it's fun to wonder what it would have been like to live during a different time. Here are some things that would have been cool to witness or experience firsthand:

• Watching one of Shakespeare's plays being performed for the first time
• Riding in an original Ford Model T
• Seeing one of the first movies to have sound added
• Buying an "Extra, Extra" edition of a newspaper from a newsboy
• Attending a formal ball while wearing an amazing gown
• Rejoicing in the news that World War II was over

Please feel free to add to my list by making a comment.

Crawling Through More Smoke (2009)

Yesterday, I wrote about my experience with a firefighters' training exercise that took place in a smoke-filled garage. I see a lot of similarities between that garage and the transition to my next job.

I can't see what's ahead, and there are lots of obstacles in the way.
I know everything will work out, but it's still scary sometimes.
It's hard to maneuver through the haze of uncertainty, but there is solid ground beneath me.
I don't know when I'll emerge from this transitional place, but I do feel that there are many people helping me to find my way to the exit.

Crawling Through the Smoke

When I wrote a feature story once about local firefighters, I gained a real appreciation of the dangers that come with the job. This is the part of the story that didn't get into print.

The fearless, burly men had enjoyed piling heavy gear on me, a skinny girl who said she was game for a training drill. They had filled a storage garage with non-toxic smoke and placed obstacles on the floor. The assignment was to rescue the dummy inside the garage.

As instructed, I dropped to the floor and started to crawl while gripping the pant leg of the firefighter on the floor ahead of me. Darkness and smoke enveloped me and made me feel disoriented. My senses were useless to me, except for the sense of touch. Even that didn't tell me much. I knew the building was small and that I wasn't really in danger, but I was scared anyway. I hadn't crawled very far when I told the firefighter I was ready to get out.

It felt good to leave the building and see sunlight again. When the firefighters cleared the smoke out of the garage, I took another look inside. Now devoid of smoke and filled with light, the building looked like a completely different place. It seemed so harmless that I felt embarrassed about the fear I had felt moments earlier.

Years later, that memory remains vivid. I hope I never need to get through a real fire, but if I do, I'll try to remember to crawl and feel my way out.

A Battle That Never Ends

In adults, creativity can get shoved aside by its pushy, loudmouthed sibling, practicality. The two carry on a battle inside our heads. On one side of the head, a girl in a flowered dress paints the air with a palette that's constantly changing color. On the other side is her older brother, who carries a to-do list and wears work boots and overalls.

Creativity says, "Use your hands and your mind to create beautiful things."
Practicality says, "Use your hands and your mind to do things that have tangible value."

And the rest of the brain tries to find a compromise between the two.

Our Trip With Fay

About this time last year, our vacation trip had an uninvited guest: Tropical Storm Fay. We had planned our Walt Disney World trip months earlier, only to question whether we would be going at all.

Every time we checked The Weather Channel, the forecasters predicted rain. We had two choices: stay or go. We bought rain parkas and went ahead with our plans. All of our flights went fine, but the first three days of our trip were very rainy. We had to let our shoes and socks dry out each night. The parkas did a fairly good job of protecting everything else.

For three days, the crowds at Walt Disney World were lighter than I had ever seen them. Some attractions were closed and a parade had to be called off because of the weather. Rain in Disney World is like snow in the South -- they don't know what to do with it. I remember walking on curbs because the walkways were flooded with several inches of water. There isn't a lot of shelter at Disney World either. This is something you don't realize until you're looking for a roof to stand under for a few minutes while deciding where to go next.

On the fourth day, the skies cleared up, the rain stopped and the temperature started to climb. The rest of the trip was pretty uneventful, yet we'll probably remember those rainy days for a long time.

Don't Bet on Me in an Eating Contest

I've always been a slow eater and I can't explain why. Put me at a table with just about anyone and I'll usually finish last. Waitresses have tried to pull plates out from under me before I was finished. They've also asked about dessert when I'm barely halfway through dinner. In their defense, though, my husband's plate is usually nearly empty when they are asking.

Poor hubby has probably wasted hours of his life waiting for me to finish a meal. He grew up in a large family where eating slowly may have cost a person part of his portion. Dawdle too long and the sibling nearby might scoop up a few bites.

I've heard that it's a good thing to eat slowly because it gives your brain time to realize your stomach is full. I guess that's one advantage of eating slowly.

Words I Would Like an Excuse to Use

I think I wrote about one plane (actually just a little ultralight) crash when I was a reporter, but I can't remember if I got to use the word "fuselage." There's something cool about the word. Too bad there aren't more opportunities to use it. I'm not hoping for any crashes, but that seems to be the only time the word "fuselage" gets used. Hey, I just got to use it twice now.

Here's another good one: "scofflaw." How often can you use that? I saw it in a news story yesterday and my eyes widened at the sight of it. I quietly wished I had written the story. Is that considered word usage envy?

A Rematch of Sorts

I just heard that American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert tweeted about his album's release date.

First, I have to say that I love that we can still call it an album even though it's really a CD or an mp3 file.

Second, it will be interesting to see how many albums fan favorite Lambert sells compared to AI winner Kris Allen. Both albums are reportedly due out in November.

My money's on Lambert. I think he is the more talented of the two.
People voted with their phones. Let's see how they vote with their hard-earned cash.

In Praise of the Pen

I had to smile at a network contact's recent observation: "Writers like pens."

I was glad to know that others share my affinity for what may seem like outdated instruments in these keyboard-centric times. Although I write faster by typing on a keyboard than by putting pen to paper, I still like pens.

Over the years, friends have given me high-quality pens as gifts. My definition of a high-quality pen is one that you refill with ink instead of just tossing the whole pen when the ink's gone. While these pens look shiny and pretty on my desk, they don't always measure up to the cheap ones. For one thing, the metal of a more expensive pen can make it heavy to hold.

For me, the true test of a good pen is how easily it glides across the page. The ideal pen is lightweight and drops ink in a smooth, non-globby, non-skipping way that doesn't impede the flow of words.

When I was reporting, I found a pen that met my standards. It was a cheap Office Plus pen that I bought by the box at a local office supply store. Nothing could fly across my reporter's notebook like those babies. And believe me, when you're taking notes, you need a fast pen. You could miss a good quote while waiting for the pen to catch up.

Although I'm not taking notes for a living right now, I still use pens every day. Most people do; they just don't think much about them...unless they're writers.

Something to Ponder

You know you're an adult when the super-sweet cereals you loved as a kid don't appeal to you anymore.

Under Construction

Building renovations and road construction projects are inconvenient while the work is being done. It can be frustrating at times, too. But when the work is complete, there's a reward, like smooth new asphalt or an expanded interior space.

It occurred to me tonight that job seekers are under construction in their own way. We are all remodeling inside (and sometimes outside appearances as well) in order to make ourselves better. Like a building renovation, it can be difficult, frustrating and inconvenient. There are decisions to be made along the way, especially in response to things that happen unexpectedly. A job seeker can start out with a blueprint of what his skills will look like, only to discover that the original plan must be modified or thrown out completely.

I'm looking forward to some good results for everyone doing the construction work of taking classes or upgrading skills.

Making a Place Your Own

If you've ever had to sell a house, you know that it can be difficult to detach yourself emotionally from it. What makes it even harder is seeing the changes the new owner has made.

A former neighbor asked the new owners not to take down a particular tree that was planted in memory of his sister. I think the first buyer honored that request, but the second one did not. A former owner really has no right to tell a new owner what to do. If something doesn't suit a new owner's taste, he has every right to change it. Still, it can be a bit painful to see something change from the way it's remembered.

We make memories in houses; that's why it's hard to leave them. The good thing about it is that when you find a new place to call home, you can make memories all over again. That's what we're doing now.

Cornhole? What's That?

When our neighbors are having a party in the summer, we can be pretty sure they will play cornhole. Coming from Pennsylvania, I was completely unfamiliar with this game. In Ohio, it's a staple of summer gatherings. It's played at church picnics, family get-togethers and at campsites.

There is an American Cornhole Association (www.playcornhole.org) which has official rules and a description of the game. Similar to horseshoes or a bean bag toss, cornhole involves throwing small bags of corn to a wooden platform several feet away. (You can find the official platform dimensions and throwing distances online.) The object is to get your corn bags on the platform, or better yet, through the hole at the top of the downward-sloping board. It doesn't sound too hard, but it is. I've played twice and didn't do very well either time. It was fun, though.

I'm no longer surprised when I see "Cornhole sets for sale" signs in people's yards. People make the wooden platforms and decorate them with sports team logos or whatever they want. I suppose they wouldn't be too thrilled about making platforms with Pittsburgh Steelers logos on them.

The Advice People Give

When you're between jobs, people want to give you advice. Their intentions are good, but it can be overwhelming to sift through it all.

Here's a sampling of some of the things people have suggested to me:
Write a book. (multiply this by 5 times)
Write a romance novel.
Start a blog. (multiply this by about 25 times)
Start another blog.
Be a freelance writer. (multiply this by about 50 times)
Do PR for people.
Be a technical writer.
Write content for the Web.
Help people write resumes.
Be a substitute teacher.

Blame Game

While driving behind a truck that carries some type of flammable liquid, I noticed the sign on the back of the truck. It read: "This vehicle not responsible for objects thrown from road." Hmmm. So the company won't take responsibility if the truck's tires kick up something that damages the car -- and possibly injures the driver -- behind it? What about if it leaks some of that flammable liquid it's transporting? Is it held accountable for that? Does the accountability go away simply by applying a sticker to the back of the truck?

They may be on to something here. If there's anything you don't want to be blamed for, just put up a sign declaring yourself blameless. Poof! The responsibility is no longer yours. Think of the possibilities. Put a sign in your yard that says you're not to blame if the neighbor's kid gets hurt by the saw you left out on your lawn. Put up another sign that says it's not your fault if your dog bites the mailman. Stick a note on your car that says you aren't responsible if your car runs a light and crashes into another car. Think that'll work?

Just Waiting Around

It looked like a fire drill, but it wasn't. When I went to run an errand late this afternoon, I saw groups of adults and children standing on several street corners in my new neighborhood. I've never seen anything like it.

What the heck was going on? They were waiting for school-age children to be dropped off by the bus. I guess you don't see that kind of stuff when you're at work all day.

There's No Heaven in the Summer

Yeah, I thought that headline might get some attention. Let me explain. Hubby went to Malley's Chocolates to buy me some Heaven -- a lovely concoction of chocolate, caramel and marshmallow that the respected Cleveland confectioner makes.

I had some Heaven at Christmas and was, well, in Heaven. Sweet guy that he is, my hubby wanted to buy me some as part of an anniversary gift. When he couldn't find any in the store, he asked the clerk about it. She said they don't make Heaven in the summer because it doesn't sell well at that time of year. They only make it around the holidays.

Guess I'll have to be patient and wait for another taste of Heaven. In the meantime, I'll settle for some pecan Billybobs (their version of turtles.)

No Coffee Required

I've never understood the need for coffee in the morning, but some people just can't get moving without it. I turned down many cups of coffee during my reporting days. People would jokingly ask how I could do the job without java.

The truth? I don't like coffee. I love the smell, but not the taste. When I wrote a story about coffeehouses, one of the people I interviewed was eager to convert me to a coffee-craving customer. She put in some flavorings and assured me that I would like it. But I could still taste the coffee. No sale.

Health experts' opinions on coffee seem to change every year. It's good for you. It's bad for you. It's ok for you, but don't drink too much. I don't really pay attention to these claims because they won't change my taste. If coffee's bad for me, then I'm lucky I don't like it. If it's good for me, I'm not going to start drinking it. I'll just inhale the aroma.

Home Sweet Home

I hear a faint rumbling coming from downstairs. It's the sound of a fierce battle being fought in a fictional world in an online game. A few months ago, that would have been going on just a few feet away from me in the same room of the apartment. But since my husband and I moved into our home, the gamer's computer and the writer's computer have been in two different rooms. Good thing, because it's hard to write with a monster popping up in my peripheral vision.

Hubby's headphones kept the sound from being an issue, but earplugs were at the ready if needed. We found earplugs to be very handy at the apartment, especially when the loud boys were partying in the apartment downstairs or when the neighbor two doors down was playing Rock Band. I wonder if he knew he couldn't sing?

The Dog Question Surfaces Again

During a recent visit, some friends asked if my husband and I were getting a dog. My answer is always the same: "We can't agree on one."

We agree on many, many things. However, he wants a big, slobbery rottweiler like the one he had while growing up. I, on the other hand, would prefer a mid-size mutt similar to the one I had as a youth.

I suppose this attachment to a specific type of dog is a testament to how much we liked the dogs we had. We might be disappointed if a dog of the same breed didn't have the same personality or temperament as the one we liked so much. It might be difficult to find a dog like the one I had anyway; she was a mix of brittany spaniel and miniature collie.

Any opinions out there about the best kind of dog to have?

A Reason for the Famous to Behave

It must be tough to be a celebrity these days. In pre-Internet times, famous people only had to worry about the traditional media outlets spreading news about their embarrassing moments. Their blunders may have been picked up by newspapers, magazines, radio stations and TV news organizations, but now the newsmakers have to worry about their less-than-stellar moments spreading online as well.

In the past few days, I noticed a story about an interviewer insulting an actress' boyfriend without realizing it was her boyfriend and another story about a young baseball pitcher's error that occurred because he forgot to call a time out. A few months ago, there was the story and video concerning a certain high-level NBA player getting slam dunked on by a kid.

The pressure to be perfect must be huge, especially when you consider that most people have cameras in their cell phones and could capture a mistake in an instant.

I'm on Facebook

I remember when the only thing I had to check online was my email. Then I joined Linkedin and signed up for a bunch of networking groups on Yahoo. I started a blog and began posting to it and monitoring comments on it. Today, I joined Facebook. How will I keep up with all of this when I start working again?

I can see the appeal of Facebook. You can post all of your vacation photos or the pictures of that giant sandcastle the kids made. Post it once, and all your friends have access to it. It couldn't be easier. Individual messages are nice, though, and Facebook provides that option too.

I'm starting to find my friends on Facebook. It will be nice to have more frequent contact with them, especially the out-of-town friends. I'm looking forward to that.

A Moment of Thanks

During this recession, a lot of employment networking groups have formed and pre-recession groups have grown in size. What's impressive to me is the level of dedication the organizers of these groups maintain. They lead the meetings after a full day's work. Often, they've given up time with their families in order to attend month after month. I hope they know how much good they are doing in helping others find work. I'd like to offer my thanks to all who are so generous with their time.

Don't Fence Me In

I'm hoping that the sluggish economy and high gas prices will encourage people to trade in their big vehicles for smaller ones. I appreciate the fact that some people need large vehicles. I just don't like them to park these vision-blockers next to me. When I try to back my small car out of a parking space with large vehicles on either side, I can't see if another car is coming. Another problem occurs when I'm waiting to turn in one direction, but can't see beyond the large vehicle waiting to turn in the other direction in the next lane.

Drivers of these vehicles probably have no clue that they are creating problems for drivers of small cars. Let this be their clue.

Are You Ready For This Quick And Easy Question I Whipped Up?

Does anyone else find it annoying when signs or brand names contain things like "Quik" or "EZ" in their names? My personal favorite is the canned whipped cream called "Reddi-wip."

Behind the Scenes

While this may look like a neat and tidy blog entry when everyone else reads it, it starts out a little rough before posting. Once I have my idea in mind, I start writing. Then I start changing things. I add a word here, and delete a word there. I've deleted whole sentences that sounded good at the time, but didn't work once the entire entry was written.

When I was a reporter, I'd often think of the lead paragraph while driving back from the meeting I had just covered. (I would delete this previous sentence because it doesn't fit what I want to get at, but I'll leave the sentence in for illustrative purposes.)

The point I want to get at is that I used to try to get the meat of the story down and then go back and refine it. It's sort of the same with this blog, only I don't have to check to make sure I typed in a quote correctly from my notes.

Now I'll go back and read through the post to see if there's anything else I would change. Then I'll use my internal spell checker and the Blogger spell checker, and I'm good to go.

Why People Go Camping

I'm not what you'd call the outdoorsy type. I wasn't a Girl Scout and I don't own a tent. Nevertheless, I agreed to spend the day with some friends at their campground today. We had a good time playing games, sharing a potluck lunch and just sitting around talking.

I think I'm starting to understand why people go camping. Everybody was relaxed because there were no tight schedules to follow. The casual and comfortable surroundings invited people to slow down and take a break from phones, television and the Internet. Instead, the focus was on having face-to-face conversations and sharing some laughs. That kind of environment is good for nurturing relationships. I think that's why people go camping. Well, that and the s'mores. Mmmm.

Wired Time

It makes sense to say that most people spend a third of their lives sleeping (eight of every 24 hours), but it still sounds like a lot of time. I wonder what percentage of time is spent sending text messages, tweets and emails?

How to Be Outstanding in Your Field

In today's tight job market, there's a lot of talk about how a job seeker can set himself apart from all the others looking for work. It occurred to me that there are people who are setting themselves apart every day on the job, like the waitress who brings another drink before the first one's gone. Or the salesperson who takes the time to listen to what you need and then helps you find it.

A pleasant demeanor goes a long way. When I complimented a woman who works behind the counter at the local post office, she gestured behind her and said, "You don't see what happens behind that wall." This worker, who has given outstanding customer service every time I've seen her, only allows herself to be unpleasant when she's working behind the wall and out of customers' view (and earshot, I assume.) When she's behind the counter, she is professional and courteous. I'm kind of curious to know what goes on behind the wall, though.

Finding the Good in a Mundane Task

There's something satisfying about gazing across a freshly cut lawn when you've done the job yourself. Few chores provide that immediate sense of accomplishment. For a small investment of time and effort, you get a series of neat green rows that follow the contours of the land around your house.

Mowing is not a difficult job. (The secret's out, men.) Maneuvering the mower around obstacles is challenging sometimes, but it's not that bad. I haven't mowed down any trees or knocked out any utility lines. It's difficult to know where our property stops and the neighbor's begins, but if anything, I'm probably cutting more of the neighbor's grass rather than too little of my own. All in all, it's not a bad job. I'd take mowing over weeding any day.

The Adventures of an Adult Skating Student

I'd like to find a figure skating program for adults so I can pick up where I left off a couple of years ago. I miss the feel of gliding across the ice. There's nothing else like it.

As an adult, I got the opportunity to take lessons. I started with a six-week class, then committed to a full season. I kept going back for another season, even as other adults dropped out. It was frustrating when the 8-year-olds learned the new moves faster than I did. And it was downright comical when one of them asked me how old I was. All in all, it was a good experience. I learned a lot and only had one injury that required a hospital visit.

One of the best things about skating was that I didn't think about anything else while I was on the ice. It didn't matter what kind of day it had been or what was happening in my life. My attention was focused on the element at hand. Skating is harder than it looks, which is why I felt a sense of accomplishment whenever I learned a new element. One of my proudest moments was hearing a couple of coaches (who are also judges) applaud my spread eagle. Some skaters can't do this move, and I'm able to do it well. I also felt encouraged by a skater's mother telling me that she admired me for going out there every week and doing what the kids did.

I don't want to go back on the ice because of what people said to me, but because of the way it makes me feel. It's a mixture of speed, freedom and exhilaration.

Visiting Favorite Places

Did you ever try to go back to a place because of the memories that were created there?

I've decided that revisiting a memorable place often doesn't work for two reasons: the place has changed and/or I'm not the same person I was when it meant the most to me. The place -- like a school or an old house, for example -- may have a different appearance. And the perspective I bring to it is different now because of what's happened since leaving the place. I think it's best to keep a still photo of that place in my mind and look at it from time to time. When I view it in my mind, the image is linked to the good memories and emotions that went with it. In my opinion, that's the best way to visit it.

Some Allergies Are Worse Than Others

I met someone yesterday who is allergic to chocolate. Poor thing! I don't think I could live in a chocolate-free world.

I'll keep my cat allergy, thank you. I've always been more partial to dogs anyway. I certainly wouldn't trade my cat allergy for a chocolate allergy or a peanut allergy. I'm feeling thankful now for what I'm NOT allergic to: food, flowers, diamonds...

Party Predictions

When it comes to gatherings with family and friends, it's highly likely that at least one of the following is bound to happen:

1. People will gather in the kitchen to chat, regardless of whether they are eating at the time.
2. Men will hang out together in one place, while women go to another.
3. There will be too much food.
4. When one guest decides to leave, the others soon follow.

What I can't predict, however, is which food or beverage will be the popular item at the party. I've been wrong on this many times. We once hosted a breakfast-themed dinner party, and nearly everyone showed up in pajamas. Someone who didn't wear pajamas had to go out for more champagne for mimosas because the drink was a bigger hit than expected.

A Phrase I'd Like to Change

I hate the phrase "Plain Jane."

A bagel bakery I frequented years ago had clever names for its bagel varieties. My only complaint about the place was that they used that awful phrase to describe the bagel that could have been called the "No Frills, Great Just as It Is" bagel.

I wonder if other people get upset about their names being used in similar phrases. I could deal with "Even Steven" or "Steady Eddie," but I don't think I would like "Lazy Susan."

Something Extra in the Soup

Now and then, my creativity spills over into the kitchen, with varying results.

I made homemade chicken noodle soup yesterday to use up some assorted leftovers. I had leftover ground turkey (not chicken, but close enough), carrots, celery, egg noodles and chicken broth. That's soup! But wait -- I wasn't done yet. I was looking for a way to use up two frozen pierogies because the box was taking up space in the freezer. I decided to add the pierogies into the soup. I put them in toward the end to keep them from getting too waterlogged.

I'm calling my creation "Chicken Noodle Surprise Soup" because you don't expect to find a pierogi in soup. Hey, it tasted great. After all, people put pasta and potatoes in soup all the time...just not in pierogi form. I offer my apologies to any pierogi purists who are appalled at my use of this tasty food in soup. My husband and I had a good time laughing about it. Next time, he just might look for the pierogi in the soup.

Annoying Words From Our Corporate Friends

Today, I was reading an interesting business article someone sent me. The story was lovely until I came across this word: relook. What? Is that a word? It was used in a quote, so I can't fault the writer. The guy who said it, on the other hand, should be slapped. Was it too much trouble to say, "look at it again?"

While I'm at it, I'm going to rant a bit more. I hate the word "deplane." It just sounds like something the airlines made up. Sadly, this word is in the dictionary. That doesn't mean I have to like it. I prefer "disembark."

Heaven help the English language if we all start randomly adding "re" and "de" to everything we want to do again or undo.

Finding a Better Way

I was just thinking about how I once had to share a phone line with the fax machine in order to get on the Internet. I can't even remember how long it took to get online, but I know it would seem like hours now. Once you've experienced the speed of a dedicated cable connection, there's just no going back.

It seems like it's that way with a lot of things that make life easier. When I find a better way to accomplish a task, I wonder how I could have done it any other way.

Turn Right in 1.4 Miles

In this era of GPS units and web sites that chart out driving routes, I rarely have to ask for directions. Still, there's one thing I do miss in directions from those sources: landmarks. When a friend gives you directions, he or she is likely to include some restaurant or business names that will help you find your way. GPS units and Mapquest don't do that. Instead of telling you to drive past Best Buy and turn right at McDonald's, they'll tell you to stay on Whatever Road and turn right in 1.4 miles.

I have tried to zero in on landmarks online, but they tend to show only the large ones, like malls. That only helps so much. It's a lot more entertaining to watch for a specific building than to watch the odometer get to a certain number so you can get ready to make a turn.

School Shoes

As soon as August began yesterday, it seemed like everybody started talking about getting back in the classroom. This got me to thinking about the different types of school shoes I used to wear. I remember some version of a saddle shoe with at least two shades of brown. Later, there were penny loafers and moccasins. And I have vivid memories of pulling boots over my shoes in grade school. The funny thing is that we used to put a plastic bread bag over the shoe first before putting the boot on. It made it easier to take the boot off. Boots were a necessity in my snowy hometown, and leg warmers were a welcome addition to waiting-for-the-bus gear. Do they even make leg warmers anymore?

What Your Voice Says About You

When two people meet in person after having talked exclusively on the phone, it's not uncommon for one of them to say, "Now I can put a face with the name." I think it's interesting that we start to form a mental picture of what someone looks like based only on a voice. Sometimes the picture is accurate, and sometimes it's not.

One person I talked to sounded older on the phone than he really was. With another person, it was the opposite. In both instances, I was a little surprised when I met the person.

With so many employers doing phone interviews now, it's good to be aware of what your speaking voice conveys about you. Some suggest that standing during a phone interview can be helpful. Smiling while talking on the phone is recommended too. It's great that people can tell that you're smiling on the phone, but they can't tell that you have broccoli in your teeth.

Facing the Truth in Order to Move Forward

There's a lot I could say about financial expert Suze Orman, but I want to focus on one thing for this post: her frank, in-your-face honesty. I've been a fan of her books and TV show for several years, and I've been impressed with how she counsels people. She's not afraid to be brutally honest with a caller to get to the meat of the problem. Most of the time, she knows the truth about someone's situation before he or she vocalizes it. I don't think I've ever heard anyone get upset on the phone with her when she forces him or her to face something. This is pretty amazing, considering some of the tough topics and life events that people discuss with her.

Many people call her about money problems, but don't realize how those problems are closely related to and caused by what's going on inside a person. For example, she has traced overspending to a need to compensate for an emotional void. Her theory is that if you fix the emotional issue, the money problem gets repaired too.

At some point in our lives, all of us need a harsh dose of reality. Often, it comes in the form of some carefully spoken words from someone we know and trust. Those words can be the catalyst for taking a crucial step forward in some area of life: school, work, faith, money or relationships. Here's hoping all of us know people like that who care enough to tell us the truth for our own good. And here's hoping we hear them out.

I Can't Believe I Waited This Long to Write About Daryl Hall

Somehow, I've already mentioned a few singers here without naming my favorite first. It's Daryl Hall, the man with the best voice in the world, in my opinion. Nearly two years ago, Daryl Hall started doing free concerts online every month at www.livefromdarylshouse.com. (Yes, it hurts to leave the apostrophe out.) He brings in a different guest for each episode, resulting in a glorious mix of musical styles. They perform Hall and Oates' songs or Hall's solo songs, the guest artist's songs and covers of songs like "Ain't No Sunshine."

Young artists blend in with Daryl's talented collection of experienced musicians. Guests have included Finger 11, Company of Thieves, Chromeo and Matt Nathanson. I hadn't heard of any of them until they appeared on the show, but I liked Matt Nathanson so much that I bought his CD. If the comments on the site are any indication, that sort of thing happens a lot.

Daryl proves he can harmonize with anyone, especially with KT Tunstall. Rapper Travis McCoy, a seemingly unlikely guest for a pop legend to invite, adds his own flavor to his episode. The current episode's guests are from Plain White T's -- you know, the ones who recorded "Hey There Delilah." That song is the reason they were invited on the show, and the performance of it does not disappoint. As a bonus, viewers also get to hear the story behind the song, which is always fascinating to me.

Ever heard of Monte Montgomery? This nimble-fingered guitarist earned his spot on the show because Daryl saw him singing the Hall and Oates classic, "Sara Smile," on YouTube. He does a fabulous job with it too. Much to Monte's surprise, Daryl graciously let him sing lead on that one.

Online concerts may be the best use of the Internet yet.

Fun With Words

I could get lost in the dictionary. Every time I look a word up, I notice all the interesting words around it. So many wonderful words!

I can open up to any page and find words that are new to me or simply not used often. Here's a good one from the "D" section: disparage. It means: "to speak of as unimportant or small; belittle." Right below it is disparate, which means: "completely distinct or different in kind; entirely dissimilar." Two fabulous words on the same page. I love the English language.

Driving Is Not as Fun as It Looks on TV

Did you ever stop to think about why driving a car looks so enjoyable in TV commercials? It's because there is nobody else on the road.

The professional driver in the commercial isn't trying to figure out whether the person in front of him is about to make an unsignaled turn. He isn't concerned about merging into traffic or missing an exit. And he doesn't have to keep an eye out for drivers who have one hand on the wheel and the other on a phone. All he has to do is drive. Ok, it's more complicated than that, but you get the idea.

Today's Tip

Recently, I read a tip that suggested reading text out loud to check for errors. While there's merit to that advice, this method has its shortcomings. "Your" sounds like "you're." "To" sounds like "too." And "they're," "there" and "their" all sound the same.

Please, if you're going to do this to your text, think about the meaning too. Look! They're reading their text over there.

As a side note, whenever an apostrophe is present in a word like "you're" or "they're," it's taking the place of a missing letter. Think of it as a stand-in for a star letter that got sick before the show and could not make an appearance in the word.

Trying to Find Myself... On Google

I heard somewhere that a job seeker should look up his or her name on Google to find out what a potential employer would see if he or she entered the job seeker's name. Typing my own name into a search engine felt a bit weird, but I did it anyway.

I discovered that there are a fair number of people out there with my name. Just to be clear, these are the ones who are not me: a high school PTO secretary/treasurer, an account manager at a company in Rhode Island, an actress in a 2007 movie, a travel agent in Canada, a runner on the East Coast, a presidential campaign contributor on the West Coast, a professor of criminal justice, and of course, the person who died in 1999. I hope that clears up any confusion.

Express Yourselves, Men!

Men who wonder why women are drawn to male singers don't understand something about women. It has to do with the feelings that many men are uncomfortable expressing. Those innermost thoughts and feelings are exactly what women want to hear about.

When a male singer (especially a singer-songwriter who writes the words himself) pours out his sentiments through song lyrics, women respond to it. If the lyrics are delivered in a genuine, heartfelt way, the effect is intensified. The vulnerability (which is probably what makes it scary for men) creates a connection between the singer and the listener.

I'm not suggesting that every guy out there should serenade his girl -- especially if he can't sing. Just a few words spoken from the heart will do.

The 100-Calorie Snack

I want to know who decided to make 100 calories the right amount for a snack. One company decided that was the magic number, and then everybody else followed suit. Now everybody has to have a 100-calorie snack bag. Please. Those bags have four tiny cookies in them. Who wants that?

I bought some ice cream treats that came in a box sporting a bright yellow circle that trumpeted: "90 calories per piece." Each ice cream treat is about the size of my thumb. That's a nice size snack ... for a five-year-old. I checked the serving size on the box. FOUR! Yes! That makes me feel better about eating two.

On a related note, I do not understand how they can call those candy bars given out at Halloween "fun size." What's fun about a tiny candy bar?

Icy Inspiration

If you ever feel like giving up on something, think about Japanese figure skater Mao Asada. She is the gutsy teen who took a fall very early in her long program, but went on to win the gold medal at the 2008 World Figure Skating Championships.

Her opening jump didn't get into the air, and she went sliding into the boards that line the edge of the rink. She picked herself up and went on to perform a fantastic program.

She didn't let the mistake rattle her or shake her confidence.
She just kept going.

The lesson is simple: If you fall down (figuratively, and of course, literally), get up and keep going! If she could pick herself up and continue in front of thousands of people -- and with a world title on the line -- so can you!

Enough With the Long Receipts Already!

My friend is fed up with the incredibly long receipts that stores are handing out these days. After a quick search online, I realized she isn't the only one fuming about this. She makes a good point: Why use up so much paper? Aren't we supposed to be following the "Reduce, reuse, recycle" mantra?

Unfortunately, I think we are stuck with these long receipts until someone can prove they aren't generating revenue for the stores. Someone must have theorized that if they printed offers and coupons on the receipts, people would come back to the store and spend more. Otherwise, why would they incur the added paper expense?

What retailers may not realize is that they are irritating their customers. Also, as people become accustomed to the junk text on the receipt, they ignore it. Their eyes skip over it, and the message is unread.

It's similar to the ads that are sometimes stuffed in with a credit card bill. The stores and the credit card companies know that you are going to look at your receipts and bills. While they have your attention, they're hoping to divert it from what you need to see to what they want you to see. What do they want you to see? Anything that will make you spend more. That may have worked in pre-recession America, but not now.

My High-Tech Washing Wonder

I must confess that I have an unnatural attachment to my washing machine.

It's one of those energy-saving, front-loading models that uses less water and electricity. Because it uses less water, it also fills quickly. During the wash cycle, it barely makes a sound other than a quiet "swish, swish." When it spins, it sounds like a jet plane taking off in the laundry room. It's amazing.

I like being able to select the water temperature, spin speed and soil level. Best of all, the machine has a dizzying array of choices for the type of laundry load: Normal, Bulky, Quick, Delicate, Hand Wash and more. Any machine that offers a Hand Wash cycle has won my affection.

I missed this marvelous machine while it was in storage. The built-in washer at the apartment just couldn't compare. The months of forced separation from my front-loader dragged on, but we were reunited a couple of months ago. Welcome back, my faithful partner in grime removal.

Where Are the Missing Ounces?

Some producers of consumer goods are getting creative with their cost-cutting measures.

The facial tissue box is the same size, but the tissues inside are about an inch shorter. If you tilt the box from side to side, the stack of tissues slides back and forth from end to end.

An orange juice maker redesigned its container, which now sports shapely curves and a handy pouring spout. The container is smaller, which is probably the real reason for the redesign. That's right. New container, less juice.

The other day, I was surprised to see that the ice cream treat I unwrapped was smaller than the ones I had eaten in the past. I know my hands aren't getting bigger. The ice cream shrunk.

It's pretty clever, really. They keep the price the same, but give you less product. Did they think we wouldn't notice?

It's a Common Problem

Whenever I sense the word "its" or "it's" coming up in a sentence I read, I hold my breath a little. I'm waiting to see if the apostrophe will appear and if it's supposed to be there. This is one of the most common mistakes I see, and it's a mistake that's easily avoided.

It's simple. To show that something belongs to the subject, use "its." (The dog wagged its tail.)
If you can use "it is" instead, use "it's." (See above: It's simple.)

A restaurant I used to go to proudly stated on its menu: "Pasta at it's finest." I wonder if I could have fixed all the menus if I had eaten there often enough. For the record, I didn't fix any of them...yet.

Dining Near the Loud Table

Did you ever notice that exuberant, noisy guests at a restaurant don't realize how loud they are? The people at the other tables do.

Many people probably switch between these roles depending on the situation. One day, they could be at the epicenter of all the laughs in the room. Another time, they could be the ones having a quiet dinner while taking notice of the group of revelers at the next table.

Marketing's Encroachment on the English Language

I find it interesting that name brands can become such a part of our lives that we begin to use them as verbs. For example, "I'll FedEx that to you." Or: "Could you Xerox this for me?" Sure, people know what you are trying to say. However, it could be confusing if you're waiting for a FedEx delivery and a different delivery van arrives.

Some brand names have become the name of choice for a particular product too, such as: Scotch tape, Kleenex and Rollerblades. I capitalize these because they are still name brands, not generic names -- even though most people refer to them that way. It would be interesting to see if these brands are the top sellers over their competition simply because of the familiarity of their names.

Daughtry Delivers

I've been enjoying Daughtry's new CD. It's been playing nonstop in my car for a couple of days, and I've been driving a lot this week. The fact that I haven't ejected the CD yet should say something about how much I like "Leave This Town."

The CD has a good mix of rock songs and ballads, and this band can handle both types of songs. The hard-rocking start of the first song on the CD is a bit of a surprise, but the song backs down from that rough beginning. There's definitely some radio-friendly material on the CD. What kept coming to mind as I listened to it again was this: "Leave This Town" has ear-pleasing melodies, harmonies, guitar riffs and choruses, but Chris Daughtry's voice rises above it all. His voice is the reason I listen.

I've been a Chris Daughtry fan since he sang on "American Idol." I'm one of many who thought he should have won the title the year he competed. He gets the last laugh, though, with the great success he's found since his too-early dismissal.

Why Women Like To Buy Shoes

I have a theory that women like to buy shoes because their shoe size doesn't change. A woman's clothing sizes may change over time, and she may get frustrated when trying on clothes. Not so with shoes. Once a seven, always a seven. Think about it. Have you ever heard a woman complain that she can't fit into the shoes she bought two years ago? That's because they still fit.

The other reason women like to buy shoes is because it's simple. Trying on shoes is easy. There's no need to find a dressing room. Just take two shoes off and put two shoes on. Done.

Buying new shoes may make women feel good about themselves or liven up an old outfit. And when someone notices the new shoes, the wearer feels good all over again. It's like the pre-teen daughter says to her nervous father before his date in the movie "The American President": "Compliment her on her shoes. Girls like that." Smart girl.

The Paths of Former Journalists

When someone sent me a link to an audio clip of an interview with former journalists in new jobs, I was curious to hear it. One ex-reporter found work in a scouting organization he'd excelled in as a youth. Another took his investigative reporting skills and transferred them into private detective work. A third, a former talk show host, is now selling cars.

Two of the three sounded like they missed some aspect of their old jobs, but writing was not one of the things they missed. I can't relate. Chasing stories or scooping someone else didn't excite me. It was always about the writing. My favorite part of the job often happened late at night in an empty newsroom where I was tapping away at my keyboard. Thoughts were flowing and the story was taking shape. In the morning, the story would be scrutinized by a deadline-pressured editor. At night, the story was mine. I could mold it and shape it like a sculptor working with clay. Part of the fun was in not knowing exactly how the story would turn out, and that's what makes this blog enjoyable. Plus, there's no editor to face in the morning.

Splitting Up The Daisies

Sometimes a project can seem overwhelming, like this patch of daisies. Each one demands your attention at the same time. Which one do you look at? Where do you start?

I've found success in these situations by breaking tasks into parts instead of trying to tackle the whole thing at once. This can apply to anything: a large work project, a complicated sentence or a household chore. It's easier to edit a few chapters of text to your satisfaction before moving on to the rest. If the construction of a sentence makes it hard to check subject/verb agreement, I mentally strip the sentence down to its bare essentials while I remain fully clothed. If housework seems daunting, I spread it out over a couple of days.

Some may argue that breaking tasks into parts is not the best way to approach them, but it works for me.

Why I Like Deleted Scenes

I like to watch the deleted scenes in the bonus material section of DVD movies, because I'm curious about what they took out. More importantly, I want to know why they removed it.

When I watch these deleted scenes, usually a producer or director from the film explains why the scene was cut. Often, the film was just getting too long. Just as often, the producer will say, "The scene just wasn't moving the story along." I love this reason, and so should any writer or editor. If something isn't relevant to the idea or the story, it has to go.

One director's comment took the idea even further. He said, "You have to be willing to cut your favorite scene." I could not agree more. I can remember running into this same dilemma while writing newspaper articles. I'd have a great quote from somebody I had interviewed, but I could not justify working it into the story. As much as I may have loved that quote, it didn't belong or make sense anywhere. It didn't move the story along. I had to leave it out. Although it was difficult to leave those great thoughts and quotes in the notebook from time to time, the stories were better off without them.

It Really Is The Little Things

Sometimes the smallest things can make your day, like this day lily I discovered in the yard. The way it grew and bloomed, it looks like a twin lily to me. And I love the color.

I told the previous homeowner that it was nice of her to plant so many types of flowers that I like. It's been fun to see what will bloom next. Just as one type of flower dies out, another one blooms.

It's similar to listening to the radio and wondering which song will be next. Or wondering where life will take you next.

Windows up? Ok, sing!

One of the difficult things about summer is that it's easier to get caught singing in the car. If the windows are open and you're stopped at a red light, there's a pretty good chance that the driver next to you can hear you singing. If a sing-worthy song starts playing on the radio or the CD player, I usually do a window check before singing. Of course, people can still see my lips moving. Maybe they think I'm talking to myself.

I remember being stopped at a light once when the person who was driving burst into some spirited singing and upper-body dancing. As the non-dancing passenger in the same car, I witnessed an entire carload of people laughing at this scene.

At a red light a few days ago, I glanced in my rear-view mirror and noticed something going on in the car behind me. The driver's hands were flailing around and thumping on the steering wheel. Must've been one awesome drum solo.