Writing::life as....

In my constant search for something to occupy my time (constructively, that is), I continually find myself drawn to the idea of writing a novel.  Crazy, I know.  Ranks right up there with "poisoned food tester" and "teacher" on the masochism scale.

Yet for the past few weeks, I have a character in my mind that seems to need to have her story told.  The more I explore her possible world, the more excited I get about telling this tale, about wondering where her story will lead me. I've been exploring the world of publishing through some great places, most specifically the folks over at Hatrack River, who are anxiously engaged in helping others perfect their craft.  They have helped point me in the right direction, and I'm very grateful.

As with everything else in my life, who knows where it will lead.  Being a creative person by nature (music, theater, etc.) I am excited about the opportunity of making something from nothing, creating a whole new world and letting people share in it.  On we go...

Geek, loud and proud

My kids are constantly calling me a dork.  I have to remind them that I'm a geek, and that there's a difference. 

Case in point:  I found this extremely cool AT-AT infographic on the /Film website, and spent more time that is really prudent going over every detail, both from a movie geek standpoint and military semi-geek perspective.

Thanks for the time waster, guys/gals. 

Onward and upward

There is something to be said for making decisions and getting on with your life.  In May, I finished my Master's degree in Educational Administration from NAU.  When I started the program, life was a little different; it seemed that jobs would be aplenty, since we were building schools in Phoenix almost as fast as we were building houses.  Now we find ourselves at the opposite end of the spectrum, and the pendulum has swung (swang? swinged? swungen?) to the point that districts are getting rid of their Assistant Principals, making the job prospects pretty few and far between.

For a while, this has been pretty depressing to me.  I felt like I prayed and received an answer about my choice to get the graduate degree, and that it was definitely the right thing to do for me and my family.  I would still be in education, but at a point monetarily that I could take care of our group without the constant worry of how to pay the bills.  But now, not so much?  What about the good feeling?  What about the "pursuing as many educational opportunities as you can?"  Why was I led down this path, only to get to the end and be more in debt, with no way in sight to pay it off?

Leave it to the Lord to humble me and put me in my place.  Through a series of events that is a bit more personal (and complicated) than I can explain here, He has let me know that there is definitely a plan at work of which I am not aware.  Part of the realization I have come to is that family is most important; we are at a good place right now, surrounded by people who love us (and have indeed become our family here) and will support us through anything.  My 14-year old will have a great opportunity to attend a high school where he can be challenged.  As we continue to move forward on our path home to our Heavenly Father, with our priorities focused on Him, He will continue to provide for us and help us along the way.  It may seem cliche', but the thought of "I never said it would be easy" is never far from my mind right now.

The moral of the story: having sufficiently humbled myself, I was able to listen to the voice of the Spirit.  As I chose to listen, decisions became easier.  And, having made the correct choice, I can avoid agonizing over what to do.  I have felt better/more positive this past week than in quite a while.  How great is the plan of our God!

MLK Day

It's interesting living in Phoenix right now.  We are constantly barraged with messages about human rights/civil rights, especially with regard to our friends from south of the border.  But my mind is especially today on the tragedy that unfolded 9 days ago in Tucson...and all the vitriol that seems to be streaming from both sides of the argument.  Dr. King's message truly seems to have been lost in all the posturing; is this really about the "content of our character"?  Do personal attacks on everyone make us better than the rest?  Does one's political affiliation really matter that much when we're talking about being SHOT IN THE HEAD?  She's a person, a child of God, an amazing human being who was doing what she could to better her little corner of the earth.  For heaven's sake, people.  Focus on the real matter at hand.

What's in a name?

I don't particularly understand what pushes me to start a blog at the ripe old age of 40.  My children are (relatively) well-adjusted, I have a great marriage, I'm pursuing goals professionally; overall, la vita e' bella.  Perhaps it's a need to feel part of the bigger "something" (insert meta word), acknowledging the world outside my comfort zone, who knows.  But that sounds a bit self-serving as well.

What do I have to add to the conversation of web 2.0 (or whatever iteration we're on today)?  Dunno.  Life will continue to move forward, wheels will continue to churn, blah blah blah.  My personal journey may be of interest to you, it may not.  But if you feel so inclined, share.  Here goes nothing.