I Realize I'm A Workaholic

After not posting new blogs for close to a week... and realizing that I'm staying up late because I'm dreaming about work... and waking up from sleep to do work... and knowing that all my friends are kinda pissed off at me for not being a good friend this summer because I haven't been the best at returning messages, accepting invitations, nor just general hanging out or phone calling... and after realizing that my dating life has been, well, eh... After the Puma stage early this summer... well, California drought season ain't called that for a reason. Well, except for the ex, who's another workaholic. We schedule meetings to see each other.

I'm a workaholic. And other people have lives. Lives that revolve around things that are not work-related, or to-do lists, or trying to make bosses and those around me happy. Lives that begin at 5 or 5:30, not because they're "clockwatchers" as I often joke (but am serious kinda) about with co-workers who leave at the end of their 8-hour shift, but because they believe (and know) it's good to have a non-work life.

I am, and always have been, an overachiever type who wants to do more than just the minimum to get by. And I love being recognized for going above and beyond.

But then today I realized I haven't seen my family in Michigan since December... and I probably won't again until December... and that's not right. And I haven't taken any summer vacation that's not work or book-related. And that's not right. And blah blah blah.

I'm reflecting. And ranting. But I like work and am kinda bummed that it's become the jewel in my crown lately. But I still like it.

Catch 22. What about you? Current or former workaholics?
fs

Tuesday's Links

Surfing. Finding good stuff to read.

J.A. Konrath shares advice for writers on dealing with critics and getting validation.

Michael Bourret from Dystel & Goderich discusses author's advances and money... in other words, "Where my check?"

Practicing Writing is chock full of low and no-cost writing contests, and other opportunities for submiting your work. This is a recent favorite of mine.

Just discovered Black Girl on Campus blog and loving it.

Clay Cane breaks down the archetypes of black, gay dating life. Fun stuff.

Classic Y&R moment from 2002/3... Drucilla reads Damon for hooking up with a white girl... "She's a sista!"

Finally, for writers... when you write to you use pen and paper or computer screen? Tayari Jones tells us her reasoning for pen and paper.
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Listen To It. But Don't Take It.

OMG, one of those night when I'm up late. Can't sleep. Thinking about something(s) developing at the day job and the writing job.

Get an urge for Pointer Sisters music. This one, Friend's Advice (Don't Take It), from a special appearance they did on Arsenio Hall show. I always loved the hook, "Listen to it, sort through it, contemplate it, but don't take it" as they sang about taking the advice of friends.

Which then led me to Dare Me, which is on my iTunes top 5 played, and which my friends and I always get a kick out of the video. Remember when all videos had to have the choreographed group dance, and you looked for the one dancer who was off routine in the back? Oh ok, maybe you don't.

Don't ask. Gonna try to sleep soon :-)
fs

Upcoming Book Festivals

So I was reading some random blogs this morning in between writing, and found out that my good buddy Fiona Zedde is doing a panel with my literary god/role model/who I wanna be when I grow up, Eric Jerome Dickey, at the end of August. The Decatur Book Festival.

I know a lot of you will be in Atlanta for the Black Gay Pride events... during that time, but take part of the weekend to head over to Decatur for the book festival. Totally worth it.

Meantime, back at the ranch, look for the West Hollywood Book Fair on Sunday, September 28. I'll be on a panel, 11:00 - 11:55 am, We Are Everywhere: New and Unique Voices in LGBT Literature (moderated by Christopher Rice).

Know of any other book events coming up? Let us all know in the comments.
fs

Health or Vanity?

So my friend and I are driving to our gym tonight. He's scrolling through the internet on his phone to catch up on the latest L.A. news.

There's a story about how L.A. is considering making it mandatory for restaurants to post calorie and fat content on menus, including sit down places.

Just a few weeks ago, the city council voted to ban the building of new fast-food establishments in South L.A., due to the higher (than the rest of L.A.) obesity and other chronic illness related to bad food choices.

So it got me thinking about L.A., and our pending trip to the gym... is it health or vanity that drives our personal choice to work out? Or that drives L.A. to consider such measures for its residents? We all know L.A. has a reputation for... being concerned with looks.

As for the gym, we guessed most is for vanity, but that we reap health benefits even if we don't reach our vanity goals... That kinda sums me up, lol.

What about you and your food/gym habits? The L.A. council decisions? Health or vanity?
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Dumped: Be OK

Not always the happiest of subjects... but doesn't that cover just totally convey the feeling???

Recently found this anthology, Dumped, a collection of short stories on relationships that end before you want them to. It's edited by B. Delores Max and came out about five years ago. Something like this... I could have used when I was less emotionally equipped to deal with life's challenges.

The anthology has gotten good reviews, and is a combination of both happy and sad stories about being dumped. If not for you, then definitely for a friend who may be going through some things... Because you definitely don't want them standing outside someone's window singing this... But they can sing Chrisette Michele's Be OK!
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Page 69 or 99 Test

Just discovered two blogs which will be helpful in my novel buying process. Or at least an interesting perspective to take into account.

The Page 69 Test.

The Page 99 Test.

The gist is that when you open a book and read what's on page 69 and 99, it'll give you an indication of the book's quality and issues that might be carried throughout the book.

I generally have done the page one test... maybe the first two in a bookstore to see if it holds me. Not always the most reliable, as some novels don't reveal their true essence and storylines until much further... once you get into them.

Sue Miller's While I Was Gone was one of those for me. Didn't do anything for me, until I was a good 50-60 pages into it and then... I was glad I stuck with it.

What about you, and how you judge a novel's worthiness to buy or continue reading?
fs

Last Call

I'm sure some of you have been, or are, the "last call" of someone you really like... where the liking isn't as reciprocal as you'd like, but you still pick up the phone. Or you're the safe "go to" at the end of their night... or the last resort of their list of potentials.

Oooh, that waiting sucks. I've been there. Not cute, but you get over it, and him, eventually.

Enter my favorite country singer, Lee Ann Womack, and her new song and video, Last Call. Love the line "Baby, I still love you don't mean nothing with whiskey on your breath."

Ranks up there with "I May Hate Myself In The Morning (But I'm Gonna Love You Tonight.)"

Here's to dropping all those "last calls" out there. Nothing like a good country song to motivate you to do it.
fs