Michael Jackson'd Out

Michael Jackson's death is a tragedy, as is anyone's. It is true, we must respect the dead, and he truly was a brilliant performer. That being said...

We haven't heard about the election/protests in Iran in a week.
We have marines in Afganistan that certainly deserve to be covered.
We are about to have a filibuster proof senate with 60 Dems
Bachman in Minnesota is REALLY trying to get people to avoid the Census (she knows that's illegal, right?)
California can't pay it's people...imagine working for a state government and getting an IOU for a paycheck.
And on and on and on...

None of these stories have been lead stories in days, some of them not in the mainstream media at all. With all due respect to the Jackson family and their fans...enough already.

To Do or not To Do List

Woman. Mom. Wife. Writer. Entrepreneur. Volunteer, and on and on and on...you women out there know what it means to have a ton on your plate. Sometimes it's really hard to balance all of these roles, especially when they topple all over each other at the same time! I have been looking for a tool to help me not feel so overwhelmed when things get busy (which is all the time, right?). I have always been a "lister", I even have "make more lists" written on my to do list! I like the feeling I get when I get to scratch something off the list. I like it so much, that when I am sitting down to make my list initially, if I've already completed a task not on the list I will add it just so I can scratch it off!

You can see why I have been thinking to do lists might not be the most productive tool for me, no matter how gratifying. So...off to Google. I came across an article by Jim Bird, President of WorkLifeBalance.com and loved one of the things I read. Instead of making a to do list...ask the question "when am I going to do this?", then take that item, pick a time slot on your calendar, and insert it. It spreads out the work load, already gives me a sense of taking action because I suddenly know WHEN I am actually going to find the time to complete the task. I love this idea. It makes me think all of the things on my list are validated and deserve their own time and consideration. I'm going to give it a try...as hard as it may be to give up my "list". Wish me luck! I'll let you know how it goes.

Today at Wimbledon

Serena Williams is rockin' it today at Wimbledon. Her opponent, Azarenka, is throwing a bit of a temper fit every time she misses or makes a bad return. It's early in the match and the energy she is putting into her temper could most certainly be used to better her game. A little composure goes a long way.

Airbusses are freaking me out...

I am not a fan of flying. I used to fly all the time as a child. I loved it then because at the ages of 7 through 13, I didn't pay much attention to the news. I've taken a a flight here and there as an adult, but in no way am I a jetsetter. I also know the odds of plummeting into the earth or ocean are no where near the odds of the risks we all take as we drive mile after daily mile in our own personal vehicles. I will fly, if need be, as I hate the idea of restricting myself from the rest of the world because of a fear that cannot be ratioanalized statistically. But it's hard to put news stories like the one mentioned above from NPR out of my mind. Two airbusses down in two different oceans... in a month.

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

I read this 642 page book in four days! If you like historical fiction (or is it fiction? :-)) and a story just creepy enough to make you think, but not too scary to keep you from sleeping, this book is for you. I feel like I've toured Istanbul, the south of France, then Romania and Bulgaria. The book takes you into the great libraries of Universities like Oxford, and the furthest, most remote historical monasteries. This is absolutely beautifully written, and I've never been so intrigued by the history of Dracula.

Detroit City Council

I can't believe Monica Conyers is trying to go to work today. She plead guilty for taking bribes. Ummm....somehow I think that undermines her credibility a wee bit. Speaking of illegal money handling, Madoff got his today...150 year sentence.

Testing 1, 2, 3

Well, I'm posting just to post...taking it for a test drive if you will. Speaking of driving...love the new Cadillac CTS! I want a red one, charcoal interior please.