I’m not a big city person, generally. I love the rolling hills and trees. I love nature and scampering animals. I especially like the silence…
But New York City is something quite special. I had been there before, both times for some film work, and hated every minute of it. But during my visit to the city yesterday I realized something.
New York City is a little slice of Europe right here in the good ol’ US of A.
During my previous visits to NYC, I went with the mindset of going to a US City, which of course it is, being situated in the United States, but it really has much more of a European feel. Being there yesterday reminded me of my time spent in Paris and in London, two big cities that I absolutely adore.
Christine’s rules for visiting NYC:
1. Don’t drive in NYC. Seriously. This is the mistake I made during my last two trips to the city. In fact, after visiting there in 2005 for some film production work, I swore I would *never* return unless I had lots and lots of money and could take a cab everywhere.
But no need. You take the train, subway, or buses, European style.
I took the train in from Poughkeepsie on the Hudson Line (East). Just $29 RT for Off-Peak hours. It traveled along the beautiful Hudson River, enabling me to just ride and soak in the scenery. I even passed through Cold Spring, which nearly had me squealing in fan girl delight as I listened to my favorite Billy Joel album (Cold Spring Harbor) on the way. Fortunately for my fellow passengers, I was able to contain the squeal, but if anyone had been watching me, they would’ve seen me jump in my seat just a little and quickly take out my iPhone to tweet about it and update my Facebook status.
2. Walk around Midtown Manhattan and see all the “movie stars” along the roads like St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Rockefeller Center. The NY Public Library (you most definitely need to go inside that glorious place) and Grand Central Station and Times Square.
3. Have lunch in Bryant Park. Totally European style cafe setting around a delightful park. It was lovely even in the rain. (Especially with a friend)
4. If at all possible, meet some friends there. A big city is always more fun to visit if you know some locals. Then you don’t feel quite so much like a geeky, slack-jawed, small-town tourist.
I was fortunate enough to have several friends living in NYC, so it was a wonderful whirlwind day. The top picture of me by the Public Library lion was taken by my burner friend Glenn Sapadin. I unfortunately forgot to actually get a picture of him or with him, so I’ll have to go back to the city very soon in order to do just that.
I also met with my friend Liz, fellow Animal Rights activist, who I met through some mutual French friends. We had a lovely time catching up and comparing college teaching notes, as we both do that now. And we *almost* went to the top of the Empire State Building, but, hello $20! Still I would’ve done it, but there wasn’t enough time before I took my train.
Most of the day was spent with my delightful literary agent Louise Fury and the fabulous author Leanna Renee Hieber of the Strangely Beautiful fame. (You can read my reviews of her great books here and here.) … you need to buy her books. I really mean it.
I left the city last evening and took the train back to Poughkeepsie. Although exhausted from the exciting day, I still had another hour and a half drive through the Catskills back to my hotel in Windham. I collapsed into a dreamless sleep only to wake up wanting to go right back there and do it all over again. As I was excitedly telling Ethan (currently in KS) all about my day trip to the Big Apple, he asked, “Are you trying to lay the groundwork for convincing me to move there?”
I adore Billy Joel. His first two albums are the ones I know the best, and when listening to this song today, I felt I truly understood it for the first time.
It was released just about a year after I was born. Turns out this song was born out of a suicide note when Billy attempted suicide in 1970. I can’t imagine a world where he succeeded. A world without Piano Man. An Innocent Man. Scenes from an Italian Restaurant. Angry Young Man. And so many more that have touched my soul over the years, and continue to do so. Mine and millions of others…
I’ve been livin’ for the moment
But I just can’t have my way
And I’m afraid to go to sleep
‘Cause tomorrow is today
People tell me life is sweeter
But I don’t hear what they say
Nothing comes to change my life
So tomorrow is today
I don’t care to know the hour
‘Cause it’s passing anyway
I don’t have to see tomorrow
‘Cause I saw it yesterday
So I listen for an answer
But the feeling seems to stay
And what’s the use of always dreaming
If tomorrow is today
Still I’m waiting for the morning
But it feels so far away
And you don’t need the love I’m giving
So tomorrow is today
Oh, my. Goin’ to the river
Gonna take a ride and the Lord will deliver me
Made my bed, now I’m gonna lie in it
If you don’t come, I’m sure gonna die in it
Too late. Too much given
I’ve seen a lot of life and I’m damn sick of livin’ it
I keep hopin’ that you will pass my way
And some day if your dreams are leavin’ you
I’ll still believe in you
I don’t care to know the hour
‘Cause it’s passing anyway
I don’t have to see tomorrow
‘Cause I saw it yesterday
Though I’m living and I’m singing
And although my hands still play
Soon enough it will all be over
‘Cause tomorrow is today
With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, one could begin to feel pressured to spend a lot of money on a gift for one’s sweetheart. Jewelry. Flowers. Night on the town. They all can be quite expensive!
I grew up in a family who shows their love through the purchase of material items. It’s wonderful to receive so much and feel so special and loved, but this can become difficult when times get tough and money is tight. I certainly have felt like a complete failure because I couldn’t reciprocate with anything special. I don’t even mean expensive, lavish gifts… I mean just anything.
Such is the current reality for many, many, many people in our culture.
So this Valentine’s Day, show your love through your creativity, plus maybe a small <$30 purchased item on the side.
Here are some ideas:
BUDGET $0-$10
Scavenger Hunt. I *LOVE* these! Create a scavenger hunt where each find gives a clue to the next one. Spice it up with romantic or sexy couplets on each clue. You can even decorate the clues with red and pink markers or even make them on construction paper. Have something special waiting at the end of hunt, whether that’s you wrapped in a bow, a small gift, or a romantic meal! Have your sweetie find something with each clue: heart shaped cookie in a jar, CD with their favorite music, coupon book (see below), Valentine’s candy, flowers, etc. Presentation is everything. It can be as simple or as elaborate as you like!
Coupon Book.Make some love coupons for your sweetie to redeem at their desire! They can be sweet like “Free Pass – I’ll do the dishes tonight” to something hot and sexy! Cut up strips of paper (can even be reused blank side of junk mail) into approx 2″ x 5″ strips, decorate with markers, and staple together with a nice front and back cover (also designed by you). Or create some here.
Picnic! Valentine’s Day falls on a Sunday this year, so it’s a perfect day for a romantic picnic! Too cold? Snow on the ground? Have a picnic on your living room floor in front of the fire. Be sure to indulge in decadent things like strawberries, fine cheeses, wine, and (of course) chocolate!
Romantic Texting (sexting?) If you have unlimited texting, plan out 14 special (loving or sexy) texts and send them periodically throughout the day. Create a special code, like 456838 (i love u) or SHMILY (See How Much I Love You), then you can use it periodically throughout the year, reminding your sweetie of your special Valentine’s Day together.
Special Meal. Decorate the table with a red table cloth and put (cheap!) tea lights all around it and perhaps even leading to the room. Set the table in a beautiful and special way and serve them their favorite dinner!
Dress Up! If your love likes a specific theme or time, dress up in something similar. For example, American History: wear a tri-corn hat (little pirate hats can be purchased at most dollar stores) and a corset or even homemade waist-cincher over a little petticoat or skirt. Knee high boots! And serve dinner (or just serve him) dressed like that!
Romantic Drive/Walk & Reminiscing. Agree not to talk about the kids or bills or work. Just experience each other and life around you! Listen to the sounds of nature or feel the wind on your skin. Hold hands. Talk about when you met, fell in love, had a special time, etc. Just be here now with your love.
Make a Sweetheart Box. Cover a box with hearts and stickers and ribbon, then place special, romantic mementos inside from your time together. This can be actual items from places you’ve been or just reminders of such places, love letters, cards, photos, etc.
Budget <$30
Add a small gift to one of the above things as a bonus.
Below are many gift ideas for under $30. Remember, spend $25 and get free shipping from Amazon! (Better get it today, though, as you only have a week!)
Gifts for HER on the left and HIM on the right!
Ethan and I got each other one thing last Christmas, and neither gift was over $15. We don’t have to spend $$ to show our love. It will be the same for Valentines’ Day, which, by the way, is the 10th anniversary of when he proposed!
Our time together is gift enough, and we get that.
Then I turned 40. An insignificant number, really. Roughly halfway through a healthy lifetime. Sure, I may die tomorrow (or today), but chances are I have at least another 40 years, maybe 50, in me.
Halfway there.
Sometimes I think – Do I really have to put up with this crap for another 40 years?!?!? Other times I’m excited about what the next four or five decades will hold for me. I’ve accomplished quite a lot in the first 40, most of that in the last 10-15 years, actually… so I could accomplish quite a bit more.
I’m a dreamer.
I set lofty goals.
I dream of Castle Houses. Traveling Europe. Not worrying about the bills. Knowing there is enough. Enough money. Time. Love. Energy. Just enough.
But I’ve recently come to a realization (with the help of Tolle & Dryer): the future will never come, not really. Because when it does come, it is now. It’s always now.
What’s the use of dreaming for a fancy Tudor “Castle” House when it may never come? In the mean time, our very modest home is falling apart around us from neglect. The lawn is dead. We never made any real improvements because it was always just a stepping stone for us.
But what if it’s not?
We can drive ourselves crazy with what-ifs…
What if the economy doesn’t recover?
What if Ethan is hurt on the job & can’t work anymore?
What if we’re stuck here for ten+ years?
What if we never “make it”?
What if our next book isn’t any good?
Ad nauseum…
The important point is not what might or might not happen. The important point is that I live here NOW.
So I decided that I would make this modest house a mini-Castle House.
I decided to honor the life I have. The space I have now.
We’re making the most of what we have by doing a whole-house face lift under $1,000, using mostly repurposed building materials, plus adding an art studio out back. We’re very lucky not to have to pay for labor, or it couldn’t be done for so very little (relatively), as Ethan is a licensed General Contractor. And I’m learning a thing or two myself!
So far, we’ve renovated our entire kitchen for $250 & given a nice face lift to the Living Area for just $80.
Although we’ve done a lot in the last month, there is still much to do! The bathrooms are next, then the exterior & landscaping.
Watch our progress in pictures.
I’m still a dreamer, but I’m finally beginning to mix those dreams with a healthy dose of NOW.
Part of keeping me present consists of cleaning daily, keeping up with chores, and making this a nice home for my family. I do this while listening to the wisdom of Eckhart Tolle on audiobook. Starting each day with Tolle really helps keep me present. He keeps me here, now.
Howard Zinn died from a heart attack yesterday. He was 87.
I had the great honor of meeting Howard Zinn in 2003 when I was in production with my first documentary Liberty Bound. Just until a few years before this, I’m ashamed to say, I really didn’t know who he was. I had recently gotten involved in politics (late 1999), and that’s when I first heard of this remarkable man.
I had taken the train from CA to MA to interview him, after contacting him via his old Boston University email. I was a little more than surprised he agreed to the interview. After all, he was a huge figure in leftist politics and a renowned historian and author, but that’s who Howard was: a kind, gentle man who did everything he could to promote knowledge of that which is little-known and to shine light on hidden injustice to the people of the USA and the world, even if it was through a idealistic, unknown, independent filmmaker like me.
I was quite nervous during the interview, at first, but Howard quickly put me at ease with his understated and humble presence. When he spoke, which was always softly with a literal twinkle in his eye, everything else stopped. Even when speaking about the most horrific events of human history, he did so calmly with insightful elegance.
After the interview, I found it difficult to edit out anything Zinn had said. It all was quite relevant and eloquently spoken. More than a few people have told me that my interview with Zinn was among the best they had seen. Unfortunately, very few people saw my film.
Zinn did. And he congratulated me on a job well done.
We stayed in touch over the years, and he helped me set up an interview or two for my second documentary Internationally Speaking. He even wrote a letter of recommendation for UT Grad School when I had briefly considered going back for my PhD.
I still have that letter. Unopened with his signature scrawled across the back.
It’s among my most cherished possessions.
If you haven’t yet done so, I think all citizens of the US (and the world) should read his masterpiece People’s History of the United States. As any thinker knows, history is written by the winners, and the point of writing is down is as much about documenting events as covering up (or downplaying) mistakes and embarrassments.
A People’s History of the United States is the exact opposite. This is history from the POV of the losers. The down-trodden. The persecuted.
It had me crying uncontrollably and utterly horrified by page 6.
Hard truths often have that result.
Howard Zinn dedicated his life to easing the suffering of others. He spoke for those who could not speak for themselves. He fought bravely in WWII. He protested injustice and refused to stay silent when Civil Rights were violated, and he encouraged others to do the same.
The world is more than just a little bit better because of this exceptional man’s life and work.
The end of a grossly unprofitable and highly disappointing year. Good Riddance.
We are so far from the NYT bestseller list, that we’re not even on the same planet.
So much for lofty goals.
We couldn’t get media coverage to save our lives. Even with the GGC in tow.
We spent about 45% more on marketing than we earned in book sales.
We were threatened with foreclosure, weren’t sure how we were going to pay our bills, and had more than one emotional (and financial) set back on the personal front.
Still… on the bright side…
Overall, this year was a lot of fun! I got to spend nearly all of it with my entire little family: Ethan, the “girls,” and Shadow, the cat.
We drove from one end of the continent to the other in the Geekalicious Gypsy Caravan at least three times, traveling well over 6,000 miles on the book tour.
We met some incredible people. Saw this beautiful country. Visited family & friends. Got some super book reviews. Won two awards. Found some wonderful fans. Touched more than a few people with our books. Experienced joys and sorrows, both personal and professional.
We’ve sold nearly 4,000 books, no small feat for first time authors with an unknown independent publisher and no marketing budget. Especially considering that the average book released in the US sells 500 copies in it’s lifetime. This was just in the first year for Rowan of the Wood.
And now, we have the sequel out: Witch on the Water. Many fans have said they like it better than Rowan.I’d like to think we learned a thing or two about writing along the way, so that’s good news.
The bad news is… I’m exhausted. I hit my ceiling for tolerance and hope around November 1st, and I’ve been recovering every since.
For 2010… we have a new plan. We won’t be traveling as much (I don’t even want to mention the amount we spent in gasoline… and here I am an anti-oil/war environmentalist. It’s embarrassing), but we’ll still be doing some choice events.
We’ll be focusing on what works and trying out some new things, but I’m unlikely to be the marketing whirlwind I was last year. Unless amazing something tips that gives me a second wind. Like a movie deal (starring Kevin McKidd as Rowan!)
We’ll be sticking closer to home out of necessity and staying off the computer more. (Yeah! Like that will happen!– actually, I have been keeping away from social networking sites in comparison to the pre-October frenzy.)
Living more.
Writing more.
Reading more.
And…helping others more. Authors. Kids. Animals. Plants. Whoever needs helping.
Fewer videos. Fewer book signings. Fewer everything else.
Basically doing everything we did last year… minus the constant marketing.
I won’t be making anymore lofty goals, and I’ll focus on being grateful and happy with what we have, whether that is barely a roof over our heads or some best-seller list. Try to be here. Which, is extremely difficult for me, as I’m obsessively goal-oriented. I’ll be trying to more more toward the process, honing my craft, making art-love-beauty.
Just living.
Enjoying right now.
After all we’re rich in LOVE. Heath. Happiness. Friends & Family. A home. We’re quite fortunate, especially with as hard as this year was on many, many, many, many people.
I feel like I’ve lost the last two years of my life to constant marketing.
And it’s so not worth it.
Just plain burnt out.
Life is too short. Too fragile to spend it always reaching to the future.
Time to enjoy now.
Perhaps I’ll write a book on that.
Still… it’s been a great ride! See you on the road in 2010 — look for the GGC!
Wow. See what happens when I let go of my goal of one blog post per day?
Weeks go by without a post!
Imagine that.
This last month has been a tumultuous one to say the least. I won’t bore you all with details, but this Christmas will be a little less merry under all the additional stress.
Regardless, there is much to be thankful for and much to celebrate!
We still have our health and our family!
We have a roof over our heads and food for the table.
We still have internet access and cell phones!
…. and I got a KINDLE for my BD!
It could be a lot worse.
So I wish all of you a happy yuletide, and I hope you all are at least as fortunate as we are in love and support.
Eat lots of chocolate, cookies, and other fine pastries. You can diet in January.
Last week, we took a huge financial hit when our mortgage company, GMAC, told us we had to pay a $4400+ balloon payment or risk foreclosure proceedings on our home. They had also destroyed my credit, even though I paid what they had told me to pay on time, every month.
We decided the only positive thing that we could do was to spread the word, so we worked for days drafting and revising a press release, which I then took to PRWeb, a press release distribution service, to distribute nationally. I paid their fee, but they wouldn’t send the press release. They claimed that it’s intent was “to exact personal revenge or harm a person or group.”
They would not distribute the release unless we removed all mention of GMAC and made it about a “generic mortgage company.” Of course, the story is about GMAC, their billions in government bailout, and their treatment of customers.
Consumers should know that #1 they’re not alone in this situation, #2 GMAC shouldn’t get another dime in bailout money, and #3 not to borrow through GMAC if you’re about to get a loan.
Friends, please help me spread the word. Post it on your blog, Tweet it, share it on Facebook, email it to your local TV/newspapers… Hell! Send it to Oprah & Ellen & Obama. Just get the word out about GMAC and their criminal activity.
This is the press release PR Web won’t distribute:
GMAC Leave Texas Authors with Few Choices
Austin, TX…GMAC, the home and auto financing arm of General Motors, has received two government bailouts totaling $12.5 billion in taxpayers’ money over the last 12 months. They’re now trying to get $2.8 billion more. The money is supposed to help the corporation help homeowners who are having problems keeping up with their mortgages hold on to their homes. However, according to at least one Austin couple, that is not what is happening. They allege that GMAC gave them false information regarding their Loan Modification, forcing them into a corner.
Christine and Ethan Rose, award-winning authors of the “Rowan of the Wood” fantasy series, own a small home in the Austin area. Self-employed, they purchased their house in April 2006 on stated income with an 8.25% fixed rate, set to adjust after two years. During the first two years of their mortgage, they were never late with a payment, and they raised their credit score to 780, well above the national average. However, as time came to refinance, the mortgage crisis hit and the interest rate on stated income loans went “out the window.” For example, from April 2008 to April 2009, the Rose’s then-adjustable interest rate climbed to nearly 12%. Even so, Christine and Ethan continued to pay their mortgage on time.
Beginning in April 2008, Christine tried to refinance their mortgage with both GMAC and other lenders, but no loans were available for stated income. Then in March ’09, after talking with several mortgage specialists, she and Ethan applied for a loan modification through GMAC. The specialists advised them that they would have to have fallen behind on their mortgage however in order to be considered for a modification. A GMAC representative provided them with the same advice and also noted that the Rose’s credit history would not be damaged if they missed just one payment.
The Roses did just what GMAC suggested. However four months went by and the couple had not heard back from GMAC regarding their request for a loan modification. When Christine called to find out what was going on, she was told that their loan modification paperwork would have to be resubmitted because it had somehow “fallen through the cracks.” The person Christine spoke with also proposed that while their modification request was under review, they make reduced mortgage payments. Again, the Roses were reassured that making the smaller payments would not damage their credit history. As a result, they did exactly what GMAC advised them to do.
Jump forward to today. A month after their new book “Witch on the Water” was released, the authors returned home from a five-month book tour to a huge surprise. Their credit score had dropped to 649 because GMAC had reported them delinquent every month for the previous four months, even though the couple had paid the amount that they and GMAC had agreed on in full and on time every month. Additionally, the Roses had received a bill for nearly $4,400 — a “balloon payment” that they now owed because of the reduced mortgage payments. Furthermore, according to GMAC, the couple’s application for a loan modification had been denied on June 30th because the Roses didn’t make enough money to modify the loan. Yet, the couple was not notified of this denial until Christine called the lender on November 3rd.
According to Gerri Detweiler, a Credit.com expert and a nationally known authority on consumer debt and credit, the situation faced by the Roses is not unusual. “Many, many homeowners are having difficulty modifying their mortgage loans through the federal government’s loan modification program, which was designed to help homeowners hold on to their homes in these difficult economic times. This is because homeowners are receiving conflicting information about modifications from mortgage lender personnel, their paperwork is being lost and there are delays processing their modification requests, among other problems. In addition, some lenders are reporting mortgage loan modifications to the credit bureaus in such a way that home owners’ FICO stores are being damaged, which then further complicates the owners’ financial situations. It sounds to me like the Roses are the victims of many of these very problems.”
Christine and Ethan are understandably upset at GMAC’s business dealings. “I’ll be forty next week,” Christine said, “and I don’t want a foreclosure for my birthday.” Ethan added, “It seems like GMAC is trying to force us into foreclosure. Perhaps the more foreclosures they have, the more bailout money they can get.”
It was 21 years ago today…. that I was shipped off to boot camp.
Yep.
I was in the Navy.
Although the military is a great option for many, many people, for me it was a complete and utter disaster.
I’m a free spirit. An artist. A pacifist.
I don’t follow orders blindly.
That doesn’t go over very well in the military, and for good reason!
It was really stupid of me to join the military, but I was lost. I was 18, and I had no idea what to do with my life. I thought the military would help me be a part of something. I thought I could learn a trade and use those skills to join the Peace Corps. I thought I would get in shape. I thought it would help build my self esteem and respect.
It didn’t. I actually gained weight, since I was so miserable, the only joy I found was in food. I was a part of something, but I didn’t feel like an individual. As for the Peace Corps…who joins the military as training for the Peace Corps?!?
Needless to say, the military and I were to soon part ways, for the great benefit of us both.
Still, every September 12th, I think about that first day when I arrived in Orlando, FL for boot camp.
Sometime last night, our little Shakespeare’s rectum came back out.
I’m not sure how this happened, as I fed him only soft food, like the vet said, and his movements certainly were loose (and there was enough of it — EVERYWHERE)…
But when I woke up, there it was again.
I guess it just happened, as things sometimes do. No explanation or reason. Certainly no fair.
I’m not sure what this means…Who am I kidding, I know exactly what this means. It means that Shakespeare will be free of this mortal coil, probably sometime later today.
I’ll ask the vet his opinion, but I’m sure that it’s the only way.
UPDATE 9:27AM:
ONCE MORE UNTO THE BREACH!
Okay! So Shakespeare’s gotten a reprieve!
The vet is confident that if he puts it back in again and tightens the stitches, that Shakespeare will be okay!
I’m not a big city person, generally. I love the rolling hills and trees. I love nature and scampering animals. I especially like the silence…
1. Don’t drive in NYC. Seriously. This is the mistake I made during my last two trips to the city. In fact, after visiting there in 2005 for some film production work, I swore I would *never* return unless I had lots and lots of money and could take a cab everywhere.
Fortunately for my fellow passengers, I was able to contain the squeal, but if anyone had been watching me, they would’ve seen me jump in my seat just a little and quickly take out my iPhone to 
4. If at all possible, meet some friends there. A big city is always more fun to visit if you know some locals. Then you don’t feel quite so much like a geeky, slack-jawed, small-town tourist. 
Most of the day was spent with my delightful literary agent 
Such is the current reality for many, many, many people in our culture.
Howard Zinn died from a heart attack yesterday. He was 87.
Overall, this year was a lot of fun! I got to spend nearly all of it with my entire little family: Ethan, the “girls,” and Shadow, the cat. 
We met some incredible people. Saw this beautiful country. Visited family & friends. Got some super book reviews. Won two awards. Found some wonderful fans. Touched more than a few people with our books. Experienced joys and sorrows, both personal and professional.
Especially considering that the average book released in the US sells 500 copies in it’s lifetime. This was just in the first year for Rowan of the Wood.
I’d like to think we learned a thing or two about writing along the way, so that’s good news.
(I don’t even want to mention the amount we spent in gasoline… and here I am an anti-oil/war environmentalist. It’s embarrassing), but we’ll still be doing some choice events.
Unless amazing something tips that gives me a second wind. Like a movie deal 
pre-October frenzy.)
And…helping others more. Authors. Kids. Animals. Plants. Whoever needs helping.
I won’t be making anymore lofty goals, and I’ll focus on being grateful and happy with what we have, whether that is barely a roof over our heads or some best-seller list. Try to be here. Which, is extremely difficult for me, as I’m obsessively goal-oriented. I’ll be trying to more more toward the process, honing my craft, making art-love-beauty.
After all we’re rich in LOVE. Heath. Happiness. Friends & Family. A home. We’re quite fortunate, especially with as hard as this year was on many, many, many, many people.
Still… it’s been a great ride! See you on the road in 2010 — look for the GGC!
