I'm a Reader, You're a Reader, Wouldn't You Like to be a Rockstar, too?

I'm a pretty passionate person. Love great causes, root for triumph over stereotypes, and hug puppies. You'd say "of course you bleeding heart, you would support early childhood and family literacy programs."

But there is where you are wrong. I'm incredibly uncomfortable around children, and self-diagnosed as "baby-phob." They all freak me out. And no, I'm not an only child and have about 18 first cousins.

But I believe that children, starting before birth, should be read to so strongly that I've dedicated my time for the past 5 years on the board of an amazing organization called BookSpring.

Why am I so passionate about BookSpring? Because I'm living proof that the greatest, long-lasting gift a parent can give to their child is the love of reading. And thanks to Mom - I'm an avid reader, and some would argue or see me as successful.

If you're a reader - can you be a rockstar too? Sponsor a child in our upcoming Read-A-Thon. And if you don't think your contribution is enough to make a difference your wrong. Just listen to these kids.


Our future will be in there hands....


PS - Note to you parents - read to your kids. This isn't an economic problem, this is a priority problem. Take time. It makes the world of difference.

H

Doing What's Right

I've had something that I could have swept into a box, put on a shelf, pretend I didn't have, and let it go.

I was a picture of my ex, with his brother and grandfather, when they were young. It's a nice picture, and in fact, maybe not one he remembered having at all.

My grandfather passed away on Dec 2, 2010 unexpectedly. Part of our grieving and celebration was to gather and look through photos that we all had of Bob, and share memories, moments, and stories of this man who we hold so dear to our hearts.

I won't say it was an easy call, even though it would seem such. It was a hard call, to dial the number and wonder how the conversation would go - Argue? Cordial? Real? All that I really wanted was to do what was right.

And it was fine. That picture is worth more than the arguments, differences, and how the relationship (or lack thereof) came to be years later. It's about stepping into the uncomfortable and doing what is right.

Regardless...

Places I Don't Pee

Recently I've had surgery to my sinuses. While all is healing well, it's not without its inconveniences, one of which having to take baths.

While I love a good relaxing, candle-lit, soft-music, wine-in-hand bubble bath, it's just not the same. I've been thrown back to being a kid.

Clean water to start. Scrub the face, move onto the hair. Shampoo using the back-of-head-in-water technique (head-down-over-the-the-sink/tub makes my nose bleed), rinse, repeat, and condition. Only then can the body wash begin, which still leaves a soapy residue since the water is already filled with face wash, shampoo, conditioner, and now, body wash.

I miss the shower. Plus, you just can't pee in the tub.

2011: My "Merging"

Wow. Another year bites the dust. 2010 had its share of highs and lows - just like every year does. And like every new year, I look to emerge from the prior, dust myself off, and step onto the tantalizing green grass of the next.

Part of my journey is trying to figure out how I want to engage with the world, particularly now that information is only a few keystrokes away, and social media has continued to merge the circles by which we navigate.

On one hand, I rebel like mad, not wanting to segment who I am. On the other hand, I segment like mad to keep some sort of separation between these circles.

Why?

My minor in psychology tells me that I fear rejection (well, no shit), and that I fear people won't like "all" of me. So I think separation will keep me "safe."

The reality is that I'm as transparent as they come. And if you know a little of me - you probably know a lot about me. There is really nothing to hide.

So, this year I'm taking the plunge. Accept my Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and blogs for what they will be. Sometimes they'll be serious, sometimes funny, sometimes downright silly.

But they all will be me. Happy 2011.