Was interesting to note recently that many individuals caught up in their careers and their successes don’t really want relationships, they instead seek an audience of sorts. They skip the involvement, the sharing, the relating as it were and just seem to want someone they can discuss their acheivements with, mention the challenges, and be on their way. I find this wholly disconcerting as I am an involver. I enjoy the actual sharing process, the getting to know on more than one level, and the participation in other’s lives and they in mine. Is it just a consequence of a world moving ever faster?? Or is it a way of playing it safe? Safe is isolating, risk is what brings reward (okay sometimes it brings disaster and pain too, believe me I am no stranger to that one!). But I do agree with the old adage that the size of the reward is equal to the size of the risk, and personally if you don’t get involved you are only selling yourself short!

I hurt all over, bruised and battered from boxes and corners that appeared from nowhere. Movers due in 20 minutes, and I don’t feel at all ready. A friend that helped with a load a week ago, said I was sooo organized. I don’t feel organized, have I really created such a masterful illusion?? And at what price??

Seems everyone disappears when you go to move, at least when I do. All the promises of help and time become moot. Save for a friend that sees through the smoke and mirrors and has been here the last couple of weekends to pack, load, and unload, few have stepped in with a hand. Maybe it is my fault, maybe I don’t know how to ask for help, or have really convinced everyone I am completely self sufficient. Well, I am, but that doesn’t mean a hand would be refused!

Still hoping for a kinder, gentler, more aware world . . .

I know it sounds kind of crazy, but I run into more and more people these days that mean what they say for maybe the second it is said in and then no longer. HELP! What has happened to “only as good as your word?” I believe in saying what I’ll do, and doing what I say. Am I the only one?? Is life moving so fast that we no longer need to have our “word as our bond?” If our word means nothing, what does mean anything?

It isn’t just relegated to business and poor service, lack of follow up and all those disappointments, but personally as well. Someone says they’ll be there, let’s get together, let’s do Monday and yet it is all just hot air, puffs of smoke and filler. My life is too short for filler, I want substance and experiences, and opportunities to look forward to, and people I can count on. Sure I understand SNAFUs, really well. Consider that I work with contractors much of the time! Need I say more, but truly I want a more literal world. One where I can look forward to and count on the statements made, and promises extended rather than leading a life of discounting everything. I don’t want to live in K-Mart world of values, but will look for the untarnished Tiffany’s of it all.

Well, I have to say suffering through the anxiety and chaos of yet another move (my 22nd in lifetime and I’m only 43!), it is surprising how useful panic can be. You see I have figured out that next to panic is action and that is critical for galvanizing my energies into a positive direction. Panic forces me to look at the situation, realize that inertia is lethal, and action is the only solution. It is also tough to remain in panic if you are active. Truly give it a try sometime. The choice is clear, you can let panic overwhelm you and you can curl up in a ball like an armadillo or a rolly polly bug like the ad says, or you can swallow deep and hard, and ACT. Do it.

Dating Dead Men, Harley Jane Kozak

How can you lose when the author is an accomplished and quirky actress known for her eclectic roles such as the Mom in Honey I Shrunk the Kids, and her lead character is named for Mary Shelley of Frankenstein fame, (actually Mary Wollaston Shelley)? Not to mention the outrageous scenario of a date a night for three months as part of a research project. Being part of the dating scene I really appreciated this. No she doesn’t date dead men, don’t go there, but she is in the midst of high crime, murder, mayhem and all while owning her own business and dating. This was a scream a minute: laugh out loud. Wollie will surely have a follow up due out any day, and I can’t wait!