First Day in DC!

Whew! My first day in DC is coming to an end...mainly because I'm about to collapse into bed, not because the day is actually over.

First of all, I did not get much sleep last night. Not only did it take me forever to pack (trying to find outfits that don't scream "I am a tourist and have no idea where I'm going" but yet also say "I am prepared to comfortably walk 5+ miles in any weather" can be a difficult task) but then once I was finally in bed, I was too excited to sleep. And maybe a little nervous about flying.

Let me pause here to say I could do an entire blog SERIES about my irrational fear of flying. I know...it is safer than a car, blah, blah, blah. I can't help it though. The older I've gotten, the more chicken I've become. (I did jump off a mountain once, but I was 21 and didn't know any better)

Anyway, my very sweet mother (who came to my house yesterday to help me get ready for my trip and is dog sitting for me while I'm away) took me to the airport bright and early this morning. And wouldn't you know--the flight was fine. :) A little bumpy but I didn't have too many panic-laden moments. And as we were flying into DC, we flew RIGHT BY the Washington Monument. I was so excited! I'm loving writing Love is Monumental, and I think being able to spend some time here is going to make the book much more authentic.

After I collected my checked bag (which cost $15 dollars to check--what a crime!) I set out for the Metro. I'd considered a cab, but decided taking the Metro would be better for research purposes. :) Got to my stop and found my hotel with no problem. Lovely hotel.

I grabbed lunch (and waited out a rainstorm) and then set out for Ford's Theatre. I had a reservation there for the museum and ranger program. (it was a good thing I'd planned ahead, because they were out of tickets if you hadn't gotten them in advance) The museum just opened earlier this month. Very interesting. I will post photos soon... Ranger program was good. I learned lots of interesting things about the assassination of Abe Lincoln. Those of you who know me well know that this kind of thing is right up my alley.

I left the theatre and walked to the National Archives. Passed the FBI building along the way. I've always had a secret dream of working there. :)

The line at the archives was brutal and it was hot outside! Finally made it in and seriously think this was one of the neatest places I've ever been! All those historical documents, photos, recordings, etc. Just cool! Especially if you love history as much as I do.

Don't judge me, but I didn't wait in the hour+ long line to view the Declaration of Independence. By that point, I just couldn't wait in another line. I did see the Magna Carta though. And a petition from the 1830's meant to keep Arkansas from becoming a state. Seriously!

It began to rain as I left the Archives. First just a little sprinkle--my new umbrella was perfect. And then the bottom fell out! There isn't an umbrella in the world that would keep a person dry in that kind of weather. I was drenched by the time I made it back to my hotel. My new umbrella sprang a leak too.

And now, I'm in the hotel restaurant, eating a yummy BLT. Looking forward to a hot shower, a good night's sleep and then...a BUSY day tomorrow! I have to be at the Capitol Building by 8:15 a.m. (that is 7:15 my time...ugh!)

Milestones

Being a writer is an odd thing sometimes. At this point in my fledgling writing career, each milestone I come to is worthy of a call to my closest friends and family members to tell them about the latest "neat" thing that's happened. I'm not sure at what point that novelty will wear off. Maybe never, so I'm hoping my family and friends will continue to clap and cheer and jump up and down with me when I need them to. :)

My biggest news right now is that I have 2 books releasing back to back--one in September (Love Finds You in Charm, Ohio) and one in October (the first in my 3 book Walk in the Park series, Love is a Battlefield)! I am beginning to get excited about the releases. I think for so long, it didn't seem real, while I was caught up in writing, deadlines, and edits. But now things are starting to pick up--I'm scheduling book signings, interviews and even have an author page on Amazon.

The other day, something happened to make it completely real. I received my first box of books. My books! I am not (too) embarrassed to say that when I pulled the first copy from the box, I literally sank to the floor and cried. I'm not an overly emotional kind of girl. But I expect that when I hold the next one in my hand, I will have a similar reaction. And possibly when I see them on the shelves at stores come September and October. I'll be the weepy girl doing the Snoopy Dance on the book aisle at your local Wal-Mart/Barnes and Noble/etc. Just fair warning. :)

One of my biggest lessons throughout the process has been finding out that writing is truly a labor of love. It's wonderful when the words are coming easily, the plot is coming together and I'm meeting my word per day goal. But then there are those days when the words don't come at all, and the deadline seems like it is creeping closer. The nights when I'm up writing and it is 2 am and I know I have to be at the office the next day (I have a full-time job, after all!). Those are the times when the love really kicks in. Otherwise it would be too tempting to walk away and claim it to be too hard.

I'm working now on Love is Monumental the second book in the Walk in the Park series. It will release next May. I'm leaving Thursday morning for a research trip to Washington DC, and plan on posting lots of blogs/pictures while I'm there, so stay tuned!

Song of the day is This Time of Year by Better than Ezra--favorite song, favorite band. Saw them in concert this past Friday night with 3 friends from college. I'm pretty sure that for a few songs we were 22 again. :)

Holiday! Celebrate!

Did you like that little shout out to Madonna circa 1983?

Okay, so those who know me know that the the 4th of July is my FAVORITE holiday. Hands down. What, you ask? Not Christmas? How about Thanksgiving?

Before you start thinking that I'm some kind of unthankful Grinchy person, let me assure you that I enjoy those holidays. But they just aren't my favorite.

So the 4th--celebrating our Independence. That's big. I think many of us forget just how blessed we are. How many men have fought and died to protect our freedoms. So I think this is an important day for remembering.

And on a different note, I think this is just a happy day. There isn't the stress that seems to come with Christmas or Thanksgiving. Just happiness. Lots of cooking out and laughing. Swimming and lazy afternoons. It's perfection, really. Then fireworks later, which still have a way of making me feel like a little kid.

So there you have it. My essay on "Why I love the 4th of July". :)

The song of the day...a little Bruce. Born in the USA.

Enjoy the holiday!

Ever-Elusive Relaxation

A couple of years ago, a co-worker called me and asked me a very simple question about signage for an event. I think it was something silly, like "how far from the edge of the sign do you want the lettering?" And you know what? I had an answer. Because I had already thought about precisely how far from the edge I wanted the lettering. Her reply? "I figured you'd know just how you wanted it, that's why I asked."

The truth of the matter is that sometimes I worry about things that don't matter at all. I stress over them. In my endless quest for perfection I have a hard time just letting things go. I'll labor endlessly over finding just the right word or just the right font or just the right photo. I can't just let it go.

Some days, I think this quality helps me. Other days, I realize how much it hurts.

I read a fantastic book recently, Eat, Pray, Love--and let's just say that there were parts that were painful for me. When the author has to come to grips with her own control issues, I had to spend some time facing mine. One of the people she met on her journey made her realize that the world wouldn't fall apart if she checked out and relaxed for a couple of days. That really got me to thinking.

Relaxing isn't something I do very well. I get too caught up in work and deadlines and goals--and I forget to relax. Seriously. I have a LOT going on right now. So I wrote out a schedule the other day--to try and make sure I keep on track. Pretty much every waking hour is scheduled right now. And I honestly laughed at myself because on most days, my list says something like "5:15-5:45--relax". I'm pretty sure there is something WAY WRONG when I have to have "relaxing" on my list!

And in thinking about this, you know who I've decided I really envy? Someone I like to call "Girl in Catalog." I just got a catalog in the mail today from one of my favorite designers, and here is what I saw:

Girl sailing

Girl reading peacefully on the beach

Girl looking into the distance, not a care in the world

Girl smelling the flowers

Girl walking through a farmers market, carrying a straw bag

Girl throwing her head back in laughter

For Girl in Catalog, there is no worry. No deadlines. No bills to pay. No over-analyzing of male behavior. No thinking about exercising. No house to clean. No lawn to mow. Just relaxation. And I'm pretty sure she didn't have to pencil it in on her "to do" list!

And I realize that they aren't real. They're getting paid (probably large sums) to look happy, and carefree. But you know what? Every now and then, I think we could all stand to have a day where we pretend to be Girl in Catalog. I know I could. Maybe I'll even find the time...in a few weeks. :)

The song of the day--Sheryl Crow's I Wanna Soak Up the Sun. Because when I finally find time to schedule my day to be Girl in Catalog, I hope it's a sunny one.

One of those days...

Okay, every now and then I have one of those days/weeks that makes me want to stick my head in the sand or hide under the bed or some such thing.

And although there wasn't really anything that I can specifically point out as to why this was one of those days, I just have that feeling.

The Pollyanna/Scarlett in me says that tomorrow is another day and it will be bright and shiny and new.

However, right now I say that I deserve a cheeseburger, fries and a Dr. Pepper. And maybe some ice cream to top it off. Except that I don't want to get in my car to go get any of those things, so instead, it is scrambled eggs and cheese for me tonight.

I'm rambling, I know.

So here is a list of things I've been pondering lately. They don't really go together though. So really, there is no theme to this blog post...

1. Odd fears of mine:

I have several, but will just highlight a couple. I read a book by Dean Koontz once where the lead character's girlfriend was in a nursing home because she got botulism from a can of soup. Every time I open a can of soup now, I have a tiny moment where I wonder if I should really risk it.

I'm also always afraid someone will put poison in my dog's water dish outside. Not sure why anyone would do this, but I usually carry the dish inside with me when the dogs aren't outside. Again, this particular fear is stemmed from a book I read a couple of years ago.

2. Fantastic things I've read lately:

Love Walked In and Belong to Me. They are by Marisa de los Santos and make me almost ashamed to know I'll have a book in the same store as them. They are so beautifully written. Someday I want to write something that will make someone feel the way I did when I read them.

3. Days off:

I love my job. I never thought I would have a job that love as much as I do this one. I'm happy to go every morning and most days I work late and don't even mind. But I desperately needed last Friday off. I can't explain to you how happy I was on Thursday night knowing a long weekend stretched before me. It was a nice weekend, full of friends and family and I needed it.

4. The gym:

Okay, I'm trying really hard to make it to the gym several times a week. I want to get in shape. (side note for people who grew up in the 80's--do you remember "get in shape girl"? I can still hear the commercial) But I have to say that gym behavior is amusing to me. I do not understand why people try to talk to other people while they are working out. When someone is all sweaty and trying to work it on the elliptical machine, does it really seem like the appropriate time for conversation? I think not. And the people who read magazines while they work out--really? How do they keep their place? Last Saturday, there was a guy on an elliptical reading a tiny paperback. I don't get it. Are their lives so full that they must multi-task reading and working out? I'm busy, but not THAT busy.

5. Magazines:

I love magazines. Until I open them. I realized the other day that the magazines I get pretty much make me feel bad about myself. Martha Stewart, I can never live up to you. Yet the cover of your magazine is so pretty I subscribe anyway. Fitness, you make me feel like a blob even though I go to the gym (see above for proof). Must you only use models who are already perfect?

Okay. I will spare you the rest of my random thoughts. The song of the day is from the Zac Brown Band. It doesn't have anything at all to do with this blog post. But the song makes me happy, and for today, that is reason enough to include it.

Where's Lloyd Dobler when you need him?

Get ready for some rambling.

First of all, I just finished watching Say Anything for the millionth time this week. Love me some Lloyd Dobler. More about that later.

Tonight I found Ciao Bella gelato at Fresh Market. Am trying the hazelnut kind right now. (nocciola in Italian, just FYI) It's pretty good. Although the best gelato is one eaten while sitting on the steps of the Duomo in Florence, or at least standing on a bridge in Venice, I suppose it will have to do for the kind to be eaten in my kitchen in Memphis. At least I didn't have to get on a plane for it. (Incidentally, I think the main thing that will get me back on an airplane headed overseas is the potential for lots of gelato)

Can I just pause now to say that this has been a long, crazy week that has induced a good bit of left eye twitching, which is what happens to me when I get stressed? That's right. It seems that my eye now twitches when I'm really stressed out. Thankfully, you can't actually see it happening. But I can feel it. I met with my accountant the other day, and was sure he thought I was winking at him. But my friends at work promise me that they can't see it twitch. So here's hoping Mr. Accountant didn't think I was hitting on him. (although if it would cut down on my taxes...KIDDING)

Now, back to Lloyd. Or rather, the anti-Lloyd, who has turned out to be none other than single dad bachelor Jason Mesnick. I admit that I was sucked in to the show this season because Jason seemed like such a likable, nice guy. But slowly over the season, I began to have my doubts. When he let Jillian go, labeling her as "too much of a best friend" or some such nonsense, I knew he was just another dumb guy. (I mean, don't most people strive to fall in love with their best friend? Isn't that really a best-case scenario? But I digress.) So Jason chose Melissa. Proposed to her, even. And sent Molly with her "star-gazin' amazin'" eyes packing. (those were his words, not mine) But it seems that he wasn't through with ol' Mol. In fact, despite his engagement to Mel, he continued to have contact with the runner up. And finally broke up with Melissa. On National TV. Granted it was a reality show. But still. And 5 minutes later, rekindled with Molly, who for some Crazy (with a capital c) reason, took him back. And then they made out. On National TV.

So now, there is a new word floating around. "Mesnicked" Let me use it for you in a sentence.

"I thought things were going well, but then he totally Mesnicked me and told me he's found someone else."

See? Reality TV is good for something. Expanding our vocabulary.

Song of the day--In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel--straight off of the Say Anything soundtrack. (which I own, by the way, on cassette tape)

Like Sands Through the Hourglass...

I mentioned in my last blog post that 33 had always been my "scary" birthday. It's always sort of loomed out there for me. Not really sure why. Perhaps it's because I remember my parents at that age. I have no recollection of either of them turning 30, but I distinctly remember when they were 33. It was 1987 and I was 11. And (I thought) they were grown ups.

And now I'm apparently a grown up as well. At least I suppose that's what people think! Although most of the time I don't feel that way. I do, in fact, still feel 25...most of the time. (thanks to George Strait for that sentiment!)

But if I could go back and actually be a twentysomething again I wouldn't. Sure, there were some good moments...

• I'd love to be back at FHU in the dorm with my friends for a couple of days, prank calling the PKA guys, skipping class and sitting out in the commons, and having Tea Society meetings at Dawn's. Maybe one more Spring Break trip to Florida with the girls and of course I'd love the chance to be in Makin' Music one more time around.
• I'd probably take another week of backpacking through Europe with Kelly, fearlessly exploring country after country, going to see U2 and REM in concert again, and maybe having a large hazelnut gelato on the Duomo steps.
• I'd love to have a couple of days in the apartment in Henderson on Gailbraith Street where I lived with Vickie, Nicole, Mandy, Julie and Bethany. (only Vickie and I were there the entire time, the rest rotated). It was in this apartment, right after college graduation when I coined the (now famous in some circles) phrase "These are the worst times of our lives," which must be said very dramatically with your hand placed to your forehead just so.
• I'd like a couple of days in the house in Nashville on Linden Street with Katherine and all of our crazy neighbors, grabbing endless cups of coffee at Fido and flirting shamelessly with the musicians who worked there.
• I might take a couple of days back at Shiloh as a ranger. That job was such a dream come true for me and my weird Civil-War-buff-since-4th-grade-self. There's nothing quite like firing a Civil War musket...
• I wouldn't mind a couple of days in Mobile to visit with everyone at the Chamber and enjoy a long lunch out on the deck at Ed's. And maybe a long weekend at Gulf Shores and, of course, a Mardi Gras parade.

But looking back, I wouldn't want to actually permanently be back in any of those times or places. I loved those years. I'm so blessed to have had the experiences and the friendships that grew along the way. And all of those combined experiences have made me who I am today, and brought me to where I am today.

If you've caught on that this blog post is meant to convince me to embrace 33 rather than dread it, you're right! So happy birthday to me. My wise friend Dawn tells me that the 40's are better than the 30's which were better than the 20's. She hasn't steered me wrong yet, so I'm going to believe her. And if the best is yet to come, there must be some great times ahead! And that thought alone makes turning another year older worth it.

Song of the day is Seasons of Love from Rent. Love it. 525,600 minutes--that's all the time I get to be 33, so I'd better enjoy it!