I wish I could be a writer.
That declaration will sound odd to those who know me, since I earned my living as a writer and editor for many years. Even now, I enjoy the occasional volunteer assignment.
But I can't write like this. Or this.
These posts have a passion that generally evades me when I am writing.
I ROCK as an editor. Yes, that's bragging, but I do. I can make your writing sound fabulous and yet preserve the essence of your personal writing style.
I also can do a pretty decent job with news stories -- just reporting the facts.
But write passionately about a subject that moves me? Nope.
Maybe I can't sit still long enough for deep introspection. Perhaps the fear of my own emotions prevents from examining them enough to type or write them with honesty and rawness. Or maybe I am too scared to care that deeply about anything at all . . .
6.28.2007
6.24.2007
5 Ways to Sell More Predators Tickets
SavethePredators and OurTeamNashville are doing a great job spearheading the drive for Preds ticket sales. Radio station 104.5 the Zone is leading the effort as well by sponsoring an all-day ticket-thon on July 19, capped off with an evening Preds rally.
I really appreciate all these efforts to help the Preds, and they've inspired me to come up with a few sales-boosting ideas of my own:
5. The team needs to make an OKGO-style YouTube video. Actually, they need to perform the treadmill video, with the addition of hockey sticks.
4. The "100 Ways to Use Predators Tickets" list needs to be updated to include "disarming a bomb" as an important use of tickets (see MacGyver episode entitled 'Phoenix Under Siege').
3. Next year's theme for the Predators Foundation Unmasked Ball? Night at the Roxbury.
2. Ditch the dancers and bring back the Puck Patrol! (Nothing personal, dancers, but you're boring, and the Puck Patrol threw more t-shirts.)
1. LOLcats on NashvillePredators.com!
So what are your ideas for selling more Preds tickets? Comment below.
I really appreciate all these efforts to help the Preds, and they've inspired me to come up with a few sales-boosting ideas of my own:
5. The team needs to make an OKGO-style YouTube video. Actually, they need to perform the treadmill video, with the addition of hockey sticks.
4. The "100 Ways to Use Predators Tickets" list needs to be updated to include "disarming a bomb" as an important use of tickets (see MacGyver episode entitled 'Phoenix Under Siege').
3. Next year's theme for the Predators Foundation Unmasked Ball? Night at the Roxbury.
2. Ditch the dancers and bring back the Puck Patrol! (Nothing personal, dancers, but you're boring, and the Puck Patrol threw more t-shirts.)
1. LOLcats on NashvillePredators.com!
So what are your ideas for selling more Preds tickets? Comment below.
6.20.2007
A Summer of Goodbyes
So
Gosh
I don't even want to type this.
The summer of 2007 is shaping up to be a rough one for me.
One friend moved away due to a divorce, two other friends are moving to Atlanta, my favorite sports teamhas been probably will be might be sold, and my favorite TV show is ending.
Sheesh.
I mean, I know that if those are my only complaints I am living a truly blessed life. And I am grateful for what I still have. But all these farewells are putting me in a rather Eeyore-ish mood.
Blegh.
So the sports team -- most of you are familiar with that subject. Things are not looking so good for my beloved Predators. The community really is stepping up with some great campaigns like SaveOurPredators.com and OurTeamNashville.com. However, potential future owner Jim Balsillie is gunning to move the team to Canada, and Craig Leipold -- stuck with a team he can't afford -- is slashing the payrolls. Timonen and Hartnell already are gone, Kariya and Forsberg may be next . . . and one of my faves, Hordichuk, may not be back, either.
The TV show -- Stargate SG-1. I love this show. It has had better years than this season, but it has had worse years, too. I miss Richard Dean Anderson's presence, but I still would love to see this show keep going. Atlantis just doesn't have the same value for me. I think more than anything I am frustrated that they cancelled this show once it finally seemed to return to a great story arc. The writers expected to be cancelled at the ends of several other seasons and often would wrap up important stories in case the season finale turned out to be the series finale. This time we are still in the midst of a storyline. (Paul posted some great thoughts about SG-1 and the show's self-awareness at his blog the other day. Check it out.)
The friends moving -- well, that just stinks. It's life, but it stinks. I am really going to miss them.
My friends who are moving to Atlanta have the cutest baby in the world, and I am sad that I will miss seeing her grow up. Yes, I am being a bit dramatic -- Atlanta isn't THAT far away. But I'm sad.
I think a lot of my grief over my friends moving is due to my fear. I love these people, and I can't imagine ever finding more friends who understand me like they do. Nevermind that I still have some amazingly awesome, kind, understanding friends here in Nashvegas. My mind just tends to latch on to the worst case scenario for things, and right now it says that I AM GOING TO BE LONELY AND DESPERATE FOR FRIENDS.
Gosh
I don't even want to type this.
The summer of 2007 is shaping up to be a rough one for me.
One friend moved away due to a divorce, two other friends are moving to Atlanta, my favorite sports team
Sheesh.
I mean, I know that if those are my only complaints I am living a truly blessed life. And I am grateful for what I still have. But all these farewells are putting me in a rather Eeyore-ish mood.
Blegh.
So the sports team -- most of you are familiar with that subject. Things are not looking so good for my beloved Predators. The community really is stepping up with some great campaigns like SaveOurPredators.com and OurTeamNashville.com. However, potential future owner Jim Balsillie is gunning to move the team to Canada, and Craig Leipold -- stuck with a team he can't afford -- is slashing the payrolls. Timonen and Hartnell already are gone, Kariya and Forsberg may be next . . . and one of my faves, Hordichuk, may not be back, either.
The TV show -- Stargate SG-1. I love this show. It has had better years than this season, but it has had worse years, too. I miss Richard Dean Anderson's presence, but I still would love to see this show keep going. Atlantis just doesn't have the same value for me. I think more than anything I am frustrated that they cancelled this show once it finally seemed to return to a great story arc. The writers expected to be cancelled at the ends of several other seasons and often would wrap up important stories in case the season finale turned out to be the series finale. This time we are still in the midst of a storyline. (Paul posted some great thoughts about SG-1 and the show's self-awareness at his blog the other day. Check it out.)
The friends moving -- well, that just stinks. It's life, but it stinks. I am really going to miss them.
My friends who are moving to Atlanta have the cutest baby in the world, and I am sad that I will miss seeing her grow up. Yes, I am being a bit dramatic -- Atlanta isn't THAT far away. But I'm sad.
I think a lot of my grief over my friends moving is due to my fear. I love these people, and I can't imagine ever finding more friends who understand me like they do. Nevermind that I still have some amazingly awesome, kind, understanding friends here in Nashvegas. My mind just tends to latch on to the worst case scenario for things, and right now it says that I AM GOING TO BE LONELY AND DESPERATE FOR FRIENDS.
6.15.2007
My Husband Is the Awesomest!
Today Paul and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary. Boy, does that make me feel all grown-up and stuff.
I'm pretty excited about our five years together, as well as the years to come. I am so thankful for all the adventures we've had, all the friends we've made, and all the wise people who have given us advice (we've had some unwise advice, too -- I'm really not thankful for that).
Anyway, my awesomest hubby sent me some lovely flowers today. Having flowers delivered is so much fun.
Paul uses this great company called ProFlowers.com, which arranges for the flowers to be shipped directly from the growers.
When the flowers arrive, they are still in bud form. This protects the flowers, and also ensures that the recipient gets the benefit of flowers in full bloom (instead of a cardboard box or a refrigerator getting the benefit of flowers in full bloom).
A few hours after the flowers arrive and I put them into water, they start to open.
Please note that Paul had exquisite taste in choosing lilies and an ultra-mod glass vase.
I'm pretty excited about our five years together, as well as the years to come. I am so thankful for all the adventures we've had, all the friends we've made, and all the wise people who have given us advice (we've had some unwise advice, too -- I'm really not thankful for that).
Anyway, my awesomest hubby sent me some lovely flowers today. Having flowers delivered is so much fun.
Paul uses this great company called ProFlowers.com, which arranges for the flowers to be shipped directly from the growers.
When the flowers arrive, they are still in bud form. This protects the flowers, and also ensures that the recipient gets the benefit of flowers in full bloom (instead of a cardboard box or a refrigerator getting the benefit of flowers in full bloom).
A few hours after the flowers arrive and I put them into water, they start to open.
Please note that Paul had exquisite taste in choosing lilies and an ultra-mod glass vase.
6.11.2007
Open for Business!
I am happy to announce the opening of my online retail store:
ghia
The mission of ghia is to provide socially responsible shopping at an affordable price. Many of our products are made by independent artisans located in the Middle Tennessee area, while other products are fair trade imports from Asia. Here are a few examples of what we offer:- Lotions, lip balms, and candles from Thistle Farms. The products from Thistle Farms are made by the women of Magdalene House, a rehabilitation center in Nashville, Tennessee.
- Jewelry and purses from World Finds, a company that works with fair trade organizations in India and other countries to ensure artisans are paid a fair wage for their work and to foster economic growth in the manufacturing communities.
- Stationery and infant apparel from StarCat Designs, my local design label.
- Earrings from Freckle Dog, designed and hand-crafted by Nashville singer-songwriter Ariana Terrell.
Throughout the summer and fall I will be adding more products, so check the site often!
6.05.2007
Wanted: Advice from Small Business w/ Lots of Money, Must Agree with Me
Last Friday I was invited to dinner with President Bush.
An assistant for Congressman Tom Cole called and left me a message, saying that Congressman Cole, head of the Business Advisory Council and Chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, wanted me to join him June 13 at a dinner in honor of President Bush.
Curious, I returned the call to Congressman Cole's office. This sounded too good to be true, but I knew I would regret not calling, just in case I missed a terrific opportunity.
The assistant informed me that Congressman Cole wanted me, as a small business owner, to join the Business Advisory Council so that Congress could hear my opinions on current legislation and policies. Well, this is interesting, I thought. I have been a business owner only for a few months, and I don't have many opinions yet, but I like the idea of having input in my government.
Next I was informed by Congressman Cole's assistant that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is sponsoring evil tax bills that will be terrible for small businesses (please note tongue-in-cheek). Small business owners are joining with the Business Advisory Council in sponsoring a full-page ad in the New York Times to speak out against this legislation, and the congressman wanted MY NAME to be in the ad. He thought that my name in the ad really would speak to the small business owners of Tennessee (nevermind that only 5 or so have heard of me, since I haven't started advertising yet).
The assistant wanted to know -- would I be able to donate $500-$700 toward this ad? I chuckled inwardly. I'm a small business owner! Why would I have that much money to spare?
"No, I'm sorry, I don't have that kind of money available right now."
"Oh, well, we understand that is quite an investment for some small businesses. Would you have perhaps $200-$300 to contribute?
"No."
"Alright, well, thank you for your time. Also, I want to let you know that this phone call was paid for by the National Republican Congressional Committee and was not funded by tax dollars."
End of conversation.
So, after I refused to contribute money to the New York Times ad, there was no further mention of joining the Business Advisory Council or having dinner with President Bush. Apparently, if I don't want to support their opinions on tax legislation, or if I don't have the money to contribute to an ad, the Republicans in Congress don't want to hear from me.
Thoughts:
1. I'm an independent/moderate voter who is not tied to a particular party. The Republican party just lost some of the votes I might have given them, because -- based on this experience -- they seem to be interested only in RICH small business owners.
2. Where did they get my information? Because of various legal requirements and educational opportunities, I have registered with the IRS, the Small Business Administration, and the State of Tennessee. Which one handed my information to the Republican Party?
3. If the Business Advisory Council only wants to hear from people who support their opinions, that's not much of an advisory council, is it? It's like a club of yes-men (and women).
4. Don't they at least have an e-mail list or something I can join that will make me feel like my voice is being heard, even if nobody is listening? Sheesh. That's bad marketing.
An assistant for Congressman Tom Cole called and left me a message, saying that Congressman Cole, head of the Business Advisory Council and Chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, wanted me to join him June 13 at a dinner in honor of President Bush.
Curious, I returned the call to Congressman Cole's office. This sounded too good to be true, but I knew I would regret not calling, just in case I missed a terrific opportunity.
The assistant informed me that Congressman Cole wanted me, as a small business owner, to join the Business Advisory Council so that Congress could hear my opinions on current legislation and policies. Well, this is interesting, I thought. I have been a business owner only for a few months, and I don't have many opinions yet, but I like the idea of having input in my government.
Next I was informed by Congressman Cole's assistant that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is sponsoring evil tax bills that will be terrible for small businesses (please note tongue-in-cheek). Small business owners are joining with the Business Advisory Council in sponsoring a full-page ad in the New York Times to speak out against this legislation, and the congressman wanted MY NAME to be in the ad. He thought that my name in the ad really would speak to the small business owners of Tennessee (nevermind that only 5 or so have heard of me, since I haven't started advertising yet).
The assistant wanted to know -- would I be able to donate $500-$700 toward this ad? I chuckled inwardly. I'm a small business owner! Why would I have that much money to spare?
"No, I'm sorry, I don't have that kind of money available right now."
"Oh, well, we understand that is quite an investment for some small businesses. Would you have perhaps $200-$300 to contribute?
"No."
"Alright, well, thank you for your time. Also, I want to let you know that this phone call was paid for by the National Republican Congressional Committee and was not funded by tax dollars."
End of conversation.
So, after I refused to contribute money to the New York Times ad, there was no further mention of joining the Business Advisory Council or having dinner with President Bush. Apparently, if I don't want to support their opinions on tax legislation, or if I don't have the money to contribute to an ad, the Republicans in Congress don't want to hear from me.
Thoughts:
1. I'm an independent/moderate voter who is not tied to a particular party. The Republican party just lost some of the votes I might have given them, because -- based on this experience -- they seem to be interested only in RICH small business owners.
2. Where did they get my information? Because of various legal requirements and educational opportunities, I have registered with the IRS, the Small Business Administration, and the State of Tennessee. Which one handed my information to the Republican Party?
3. If the Business Advisory Council only wants to hear from people who support their opinions, that's not much of an advisory council, is it? It's like a club of yes-men (and women).
4. Don't they at least have an e-mail list or something I can join that will make me feel like my voice is being heard, even if nobody is listening? Sheesh. That's bad marketing.
6.02.2007
Eastside Saturday
Since all of you already will be in East Nashville on Saturday morning to buy purses, I thought I would let you know some other Eastside happenings for this Saturday. The Inglewood area will be hopping with the mile-long garage sale and the opening of Riverside Village at McGavock Pike and Riverside Drive. Check it out:
The East Nashville School of Music is having a grand opening from 9am to 5pm. They are going to have live music, food, giveaways, discounts, etc.
Castrillo's Pizza -- my pizza of choice -- is having "Sing for a Slice" from 12pm to 3pm. Sing your best karaoke and earn a free slice of pizza!
Inglewood Backs & Tracks, a used book/CD/LP store will offer a preview of their wares before their official grand opening later this month.
New coffee shop Sip will offer drinks and pastries (I'm guessing the morning will be your best bet there).
The garage sale, featuring TONS of folks along Riverside and McGavock, will start around 6am or so.
The East Nashville School of Music is having a grand opening from 9am to 5pm. They are going to have live music, food, giveaways, discounts, etc.
Castrillo's Pizza -- my pizza of choice -- is having "Sing for a Slice" from 12pm to 3pm. Sing your best karaoke and earn a free slice of pizza!
Inglewood Backs & Tracks, a used book/CD/LP store will offer a preview of their wares before their official grand opening later this month.
New coffee shop Sip will offer drinks and pastries (I'm guessing the morning will be your best bet there).
The garage sale, featuring TONS of folks along Riverside and McGavock, will start around 6am or so.
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