Walking in Circles

Some days all I feel like I have been doing is walking in circles: in tackling my daily chores at home, my assignments at work, my plans for the future, my path in life. I even walk in circles when it comes to writing. My blog is an obvious example, having not written an entry in months. Same goes for my print journal. Yet, it's not that I haven't written at all: I've tweeted (Follow me on Twitter @literarylattes), I've updated my status on Facebook, I've met my deadlines for my Library Journal book reviews, and I'm writing publicity for the events we are planning at my library. I've even achieved a major writing goal: I'm getting a chapter published in a forthcoming book (one with "real" editors and a reputable publisher, too). Stay "tuned" for more exciting details!

For the past few months, though, one area of my life in which I am trying to not walk in circles is my quest for the elusive "Ideal Body Weight." (See "Healthy Weight Chart"). One of the tools I'm using on my journey is, in fact, writing. I'm keeping a Food Journal to track my thoughts, feelings, what I eat and drink each day, and how much physical activity I do. It's hard work, this journal. It's time-consuming, it's emotional, it's eye-opening, but ultimately, it's a writing-related activity that is very much worth my time, my facing my emotions, my achieving awareness of how I treat and care for my body.

We are starting a 12-week health challenge at work, so I've joined up for extra motivation. I am growing my circle of support among my friends and co-workers, one of whom has started her own weight-loss blog (See Yvette Morales' inspirational Seriously Seeking Skinny).

I'm even finding snippets of humor to help me "get over myself" and just enjoy my journey:

"Of course, this is what writers do when they're not writing, they walk in circles around food an decide whether or not to eat, as if taking a bite will somehow make a bit of dialogue work or help create a missing scene (it never does). This is why the Weight Watchers meetings at Fourteenth Street and Ninth Avenue are packed with women writers, including Kit, who has reached her goal weight twice in the last year. Eating and writing are the husband and wife of creativity." --from the delightful novel Lucia, Lucia by Adriana Trigiani.

The best advice I can share from all this is to just stop walking in circles. You never know what you may achieve if you don't.

Namaste.

The Big Bang Theory and Wil Wheaton

The much-maligned Wil Wheaton will be making a guest appearance on the ultimate show for geeks, "The Big Bang Theory." Okay. I think Wil Wheaton is a good actor, and I *liked* his character Wesley Crusher on "Star Trek: The Next Generation." As a proper geek, I even have an original Wesley Crusher action figure. Actually, I have two: one in a mint-condition package and one that I opened and which I've kept in my car since 1993. It's the only tchotchke I keep in my car other then my plush VW Beetle Daisy. It serves as a talisman to keep my warp drive, I mean my engine, running smoothly.

The Big Bang Theory

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I just read an article about Mr. Wheaton's appearance on TBBT tonight. It mentioned that he has over 1.5 million followers on Twitter. Of course, I *had* to immediately go to my twitter account @literarylattes and follow him @wilw. I also see that he has a blog: WWdN:In Exile
It looks interesting.

If you haven't checked out TBBT yet, you are missing a treat. Even non-Geeks that I know like the show. It's one of the few comedies on network television that is worth giving up 30-minutes of your time.

Namaste.

TheNovelWorld: It's My Birthday Book Giveaway

How exciting! Nari, author of "The Novel World" literary blog, is hosting a book giveaway, and I am one of the winners! Thanks Nari!

Please visit her blog:

http://thenovelworld.com/2009/09/16/its-my-birthday-book-giveaway-winner-2/#comment-2015

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New Friends fromThe Twitterverse

I am meeting some really nice people on Twitter. People who care about literature, current events, culture--about the world around them. These are some of my favorites who blog as well as tweet:

The Novel World
Read her interesting blog about books and libraries, wish her a happy birthday, and participate in her fun book give-away:
http://thenovelworld.com/2009/09/01/its-my-birthday-book-giveaway/

Fellowette
Enjoy her insightful blog focusing on literary criticism called The Egalitarian Bookworm (Chick?)


Namaste.

Tweeting from My Blog

Keith Olbermann said last night that those who "tweet" are too lazy to "blog." Yet, is it that the writers are too lazy or that the readers are?

Namaste.

Top 2: Adam Lambert

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Idol Thoughts on Adam Lambert

Yesterday, the Web was percolating with the news that Adam Lambert, this year's "American Idol" runner-up, is gay. To most of us who were Adams' fans, that was not "news." Knowing he was gay or not doesn't change the fact that he is a talented artist.  Throughout the competition he was gracious to the judges and kind towards his fellow contestants. Each week he spiced up the show with his edgy interpretations of different songs. 

Okay.  So he wore black nail polish and eye liner.  This is not shocking to anyone familiar with the history of rock music.  The 1970s: the Glam Rock of Ziggy Stardust (we know him as David Bowie), KISS, Alice Cooper, Elton John. The 1980s: the New Wave bands, Adam Ant, the Goth Rock of The Cure. the Big Hair Metal Bands.  Next to some of these rockers, Adam's style is rather tame.

Still, who could possibly care about his sexual orientation or the fact that he wears nail polish when you hear him sing with such gorgeous full tones, extraordinary range, and passionate storytelling?  

I can't believe I'm admitting this, but when Adam sang the Gary Jules' and Michael Andrews' version of Tears for Fears' "Mad World," I actually bawled my eyes out.  It was the most soul-wrenching aural and emotional experience I had felt in a long time, particularly since I have been dealing with an equally soul-wrenching heartbreak.  But I have to thank Adam for touching me in this way, hard as it is to admit such emotional outpourings.  He brought joy back in to my life with his music.

Namaste.