IT IS NOT ABOUT THE GUNS - IT IS ABOUT THE ASSAULT WEAPONS

It is not about guns, it is about assault weapons that fire 100 bullets at a time. And these people try to justify that they are good for hunting. They must be terrible hunters if they need that much firepower to knock down an animal. They last time I heard, it took one bullet to take a deer down. The people that seem to be "worried" about losing their guns, are jumping the gun, no pun intended. The people who want to stop this quickly just want to take away the assault weapons. You can still have rifles for hunting; just not assault weapons that belong in the military. If it saves one, yes one child, it is not worth it? How many people do you think the person at Newtown could have shot, if he had to reload?  May I add, whoever took this picture is a fucking sicko. Or doesn't have a girlfriend.

 “No human beings were intended to be hurt in this verbiage.


IT IS NOT ABOUT THE GUNS - IT IS ABOUT THE ASSAULT WEAPONS

HOW I GOT PUBLISHED

HOW I GOT PUBLISHED



My writing happens when I cannot sleep. Then I am at my computer typing away. I always thought of myself more of a poet and have written many poems. I was hoping to write my life story. When I began writing, I decided to practice with fiction and I fell in love with the made up world I was taking myself into. The more I wrote, the more I wanted to keep going and found that in a fantasy world I can include some of my life stories. When I finished I sent my manuscript to the Library of Congress for a copyright. After all my work I was not going to take any chances. 

Like everyone else hoping to have his or her manuscript taken seriously, I looked at different ways to get it done. I visited all the publishing websites. I goggled my search and was happy to see so many publishing companies; however I soon found out that all the "Big Boys" were not interested in any new authors.

The next step I took was to purchase a book on literary agents. I fervently began to write to all of them that were interested in new authors in my genre. I received many thank yous, but no. You know, the standard master letter with your name put in from a mail merge. I continued searching and found information on self-publishing companies. I studied many and found one that I liked. I sent in my manuscript as directed and received a contract in the mail. I was excited but I didn't have the money that they were requesting nor did I want to store a multiple of books, so I declined and kept searching. 

I came across PublishAmerica, who were publishing new authors and also gave royalties, (small but hey, in my mind I only needed to sell one million). I sent my manuscript and within one month they mailed me a contract. I eagerly got ready to begin working with them. They gave me one year to "clean up" my book. I paid a schoolteacher to take a look at my manuscript to check the grammar and sentence structure. How stunned I was at all the highlighted errors and changes I needed to make. I called on a friend who was happy to help me as well and between the two of us; we were able to make it reader friendly. When we were done, I happily added her name as my editor.

I decided that it would be good for me to speak to an entertainment lawyer. I wanted to be informed about my contract. Not only did the lawyer help me with some issues on the names in the book, but he also allowed me to pay him slowly in payments with no interest. Things were going swimmingly for me. The millions of readers were waiting.

The company I used was a good fit. We did everything via email, even the drawings. I never spoke to any one person on the phone and every time I received an email it was someone new. I was happy with this because I felt the more eyes the better. When my contract date came to submit, I was still not comfortable with it. My lawyer suggested to make sure my first book was grammar correct. After it became a best seller, I would be free to write any way I wished. I wanted more time and my publishing company was happy to give it to me. I went over it one more time and submitted. I must stress that patience is important when dealing with this publishing company. They were not quick in answering my emails, but that is the way they do business, so I assimilated myself to their way. 

As far as the cover, I went through five different ones. I was nervous that they would think I was being difficult; however they were very patient and finally I had one I loved. Even though this company had my book on Amazon and Barnes and Nobel, the rest of the marketing was up to me. My true work began and still goes on!

I was able to get on two local radio stations and also visit local libraries. When I sold a book, I included a chocolate bar that had a copy of the cover of my book. I went to my local bookstore and they order enough for me to have a signing. I sold 44 copies, which were to many friends and families. I only sent a few to places like St. Jude's, etc.

At the libraries, I had copies of maps and other things to keep the children interested. I also signed a medium size poster and had a drawing to give it away. One library actually paid me to come and talk with the children. I am realizing that not only is it a good thing to give away a book now and then, but also to know my worth.

I did a search for book reviews and found three that were interested in having me send a copy. I recently notice a review on Amazon, which just made my day. 
I can't say that I have sold a million copies, but I am still hopeful. 

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-chocolate-queen-lee-brooks/1008320137?ean=9781424102594

HOW I GOT PUBLISHED

UNEMPLOYED - THE NEW AMERICA

UNEMPLOYED - THE NEW AMERICA

For the first time ever my job was eliminated. There is a saying “be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.” It could not have happened any better if I had planned it.  I was a reliable employee, my work exemplary.  I wasn’t happy with my job situation but I tried to make the best of the day.  The harder I tried the worse it got. When I first started I loved it there. It was my home, however the harder I tried the more my supervisor bullied me. I was so unhappy, and needed to turn it around. So one day, I just gave up. I smiled more, I did only what I could, I laughed more I relaxed and my inner light felt so warm to me. I was sparkling.  

Then it happened. I called in one day, I did not feel well and my Administrator called me. My job was being eliminated. I felt wonderful. I was told I was also getting a severance pay coming with my pink slip. I started to smile and laugh and thought, “Am I dreaming?”

I know what you are thinking right now. “What are you going to do now, you don’t have a job.”  First cut that chain.  That should be anyone’s last thought. I started to dance to Lady Gaga. I opened a bottle of wine. I smoked a joint! Life had other plans for me and I could not wait to explore them.

Before I go any further let me explain this job circumstance to you. I worked at this place for over ten years and I gave it 100 percent. I worked not only hard but smart. The Administrator decided to send me to graduate college; my supervisor had a problem with me. She didn’t like me and kept a file on me that I found completely by accident. I had to go into her file to get something and saw my name on a file and picked it up.  She had all my draft papers that I had type up for all my other managers. They were drafts that I would type and give  back for changes and then redo. It was never a problem; there were always changes. She kept them and used them as examples to show the Administrator.  All I could think about is that she wanted to make me look bad it worked.  Especially when it came to my reviews with my Administrator. Then it happened. The budget couldn’t afford my graduate college.

And here is where is gets even better. She would ask me to help her with projects and about software programs. She would have me set up an Excel sheet for her. She didn’t even know how. Then she would take credit for it.  She would take a class on a new software program she wouldn’t even use so she could show me and she wasn’t using it, I was the one using it. I couldn’t take the class because… I don’t know why.

She would pull me aside and tell me I was too friendly to people when I was handing out checks. I was just saying. “Hello, how are you? How was your week? Have a great day!”  She said it was interrupting her work, she couldn’t concentrate.  I would just start laughing at her, I knew I shouldn’t but I just was so like, “Seriously?”

The day of true remembrance came when she took my spot. I had a nice area where I sat in the office. When I was first hired, there really was no desk. I made spot for myself. I asked the Administrator if I could use the desk in the corner and I had the maintenance crew turn in around and I made it into an area. After a couple of years I made it into a “home”  One day the little bitch came up to me and told me that we were switching spots.  Then within about four years, I was completely out of the main office and located to a place called “center count.”  It was pretty much downhill from there. I did keep my stapler.

She left me notes all the time too. In red ink. I took them to the beach and read them to my friend.  What a hoot.

It was a perfect time for me to be out of work. I was deeply needed in other places.  I would not have been able to be there if I was working. It was a gift that the universe gave to me to offer my support to my little hood.  I was going to be getting me some good karma.

I had been searching for a job since mine was eliminated and the market was not like the eighties but I continue. I had interviews that went swimmingly and some that were story telling. I have over 200 on an Excel sheet alone and in my folders email I have over 750 resumes that I sent out in the past three years.

I did get a new job and was very happy with it. Of course I am sure there was a few that thought I was a bit odd, but I didn’t care. Most of my friends would say I am a bit of an odd duck anyways.  The job was  a bit of a ride, so I have decided to listen to some tapes. Deepak Chopra was my first journey and a friend of mine suggested Mike Dooley and some books on tape.  They helped me so much that I  forgot all about my ten years at my last job and I started making new friends. I had a new desk by a window and lots of responsibility.  

After one and a half years the company called me to HR along with 65 other lovely people and laid us off.  I was blindsided. I was calm and left with dignity. I told my boss, not to worry. I loved the place but obviously the Universe had other plans for me. The good news is I could collect for about eight months as long as I looked for work.  

I have been looking for work because I do like spending money. I have applied at a few places. I found another job at a place in a few weeks and the money was great but I did not like the building.  My  desk was located in an area with absolutely no sunlight, flood problems, and constant noise.  I was hired as an Office Coordinator, however I was doing Accounting which including daily, weekly and monthly figures for projected hours.  It was tortuous which sucked because it was a great place and the people were awesome. I gave them a long notice and left and started putting out good vibes and lots of resumes and trusting in the Universe. I had always been lucky in finding work so hopefully soon I would find another one soon. Full or part time - anything.

Well now it was over a year, I had a few good interviews but none was a good fit. I had to let it go, and just not worry. It has been difficult to do this but was so stressful to worry and it was amazing how much money I didn’t need.  I did a budget down to the penny and I was amazed at how much money I could not spend. I just needed to control myself.

My husband is retired and for some reason he does not seem to mind that I am not working. After spending a good couple of months doing nothing, watching TV, playing on the net, I was going brain dead. Now I ready to continue with my writing and I can honestly say that this makes me feel so much happier than I have ever been. 

I recently had an interview at the library for a position at my town hall.  They had 26 applicants.  Needless to say, I did not get the job. I got a beautiful letter stating that “While you were not chosen for the position, the decision to select another candidate was a difficult one. The Hiring Committee was very impressed with both your qualifications and your enthusiasm for the position. Based on your credentials and your interview, we strongly encourage you to apply for future vacancies in the Town __________.”  Well readers, I have now applied to about 400 places and went on line and applied to unemployment.

I hope I will get some post from my readers,  a connection that will open up conversations to talk about how your jobs have taken control of their lives and how they found a way to handle it.  Meditation, reading, writing, etc.  How did you handle getting let go from your job more than once? Do you feel that not getting hired was because of that? Or more of an age issue?  Do you feel you were bullied at work and what came out of it?

Last summer I heard a bird a beautiful summer day and the air was so still, the temperature was perfect and I felt like this bird was calling me to find it. I didn’t want to scare it and was curious as to what kind it was.

I tiptoed around my house and looked out each window following the song and found on the maple tree a lovely male Cardinal. The symbol of faith, importance and vitality; I read that these sightings are symbolic of the circle of life and to reminds us to “keep the faith” through circumstances might look bleak, dark and hopeless. I also read that a cardinal’s song is symbolic saying “may we give up our vanity, may we give up our forms, may we never give up our paths” “LBS”

I feel very happy about my decisions and know that they will help me make the grandest choices in my future.  What those choices shall be, I won’t know until I get there. I want to congratulate the younger population reading this, understanding this and traveling it already. You are about to embarked on a wonderful journey. You may not realized it at this moment, and it could take years to.  In another place, reading, sign, moment. It will be when you are ready. Only when you are ready.

I so love this moment in my life and enjoy the people who are in it with me. May I encourage anyone going through this wonderful, yet maybe painful time, to put out your energy and connect with one another. I wish I could wave a magic wand and do it for you. The work is up to you. I can give you advice only. Be open, truthful, honest and vulnerable. When you do this, the connection will join you to another connection.

This connection has no rules. It is not a love connection but more like a path connection. It takes or catches what you are thinking and gives you power, which you give back by recognizing it. When it happens, it is up to us to keep passing it.  Then it becomes stronger.  

“Some human beings may be hurt in this verbiage”

UNEMPLOYED - THE NEW AMERICA