DSCF2046
Originally uploaded by shereenflynn
Here's a nice shot of the boys. I'm standing on a higher step, otherwise you'd see that Rowan is much taller than I am, actually - it's ridiculous.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Leads
In the last few days, I sent several letters of introduction to newspapers, magazines, and trade publications in hopes of finding some more steady lines of revenue. I received several thoughtful replies, including two that were interested in pitched stories along with submission guidelines. I also was referred by my friend Deb Robinson to a woman who wants to write two short books and needs a wordsmith to put it all together and get it published. I'm meeting with her in December to start putting together the first of two books on death. The first will be informational, intended to guide families faced with sudden death through the process that follows. Who to call - what to expect at the funeral home - those things that none of us knows until we're faced with it ourselves. The second book will be targeted toward helping children deal with the death of a loved one. It's a good opportunity.
In the meantime, I have three very large, very important papers due in the next two weeks that I'll be working on feverishly.
Oh.....that.....and hoping Congress passes an Unemployment Benefits extension. Otherwise, I do believe I'm going to go to bed and not wake up until next year.
In the meantime, I have three very large, very important papers due in the next two weeks that I'll be working on feverishly.
Oh.....that.....and hoping Congress passes an Unemployment Benefits extension. Otherwise, I do believe I'm going to go to bed and not wake up until next year.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
New Website
One of my clients has been asking me to design a website for him, and I've been playing around with a bunch of different programs. I already have my own website, www.theideadiva.net, that I designed on GoDaddy when I bought the domain. I used GoDaddy's website creator, but was less than thrilled with the results.
I did a lot of research and found a site that offers better templates and more options, and the basic membership is free (though I chose to buy a premium account so I could add sound files to promote my voice over business). It's Weebly.com - and so far I'm very happy. I just changed the DNS servers on GoDaddy to point my site to the newly created one - and within 48 hours it should be up and running. Check it out in the next few days and tell me what you think.
In the meantime, I'm beginning to panic about whether or not I can financially make it as a writer. This week, my goal is to submit my resume and writing samples to at least five outlets in hopes of becoming a regular freelance contributor. Clients come and go. October was a stellar month (though I haven't gotten paid for most of it yet) but November has been dry as a bone. I've published several articles, but it's not enough to keep food on the table.
I may have to find a real job. Lord, I hope not.
I did a lot of research and found a site that offers better templates and more options, and the basic membership is free (though I chose to buy a premium account so I could add sound files to promote my voice over business). It's Weebly.com - and so far I'm very happy. I just changed the DNS servers on GoDaddy to point my site to the newly created one - and within 48 hours it should be up and running. Check it out in the next few days and tell me what you think.
In the meantime, I'm beginning to panic about whether or not I can financially make it as a writer. This week, my goal is to submit my resume and writing samples to at least five outlets in hopes of becoming a regular freelance contributor. Clients come and go. October was a stellar month (though I haven't gotten paid for most of it yet) but November has been dry as a bone. I've published several articles, but it's not enough to keep food on the table.
I may have to find a real job. Lord, I hope not.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Mad, Mad, Mad
Yesterday, I was happy. Today, I am angry. Very, very angry.
I know high school is hard. I know kids can be mean. But for my oldest son, who lets EVERYTHING roll off his back, to come home begging for a transfer to a different high school, it's become a nightmare. I don't know what to do.
My beautiful, wonderful, smart, talented kid.
He looked forward to starting Wausau East all summer long. Couldn't wait! Came home after day one so enthused. Joined curling, debate, German club. Going out for lacrosse in the spring. In band. This is my mostly A's and a few B's student who has plenty of friends. Works out 3 times a week, runs and lifts weights whenever he can. And all it took to destroy it all was a couple of mean kids spreading rumors, calling him names, and making life completely miserable for him.
They call him slow and retarded. They say he's on drugs, his dad is on drugs, he's a moron.
Initially I called the school for help and was satisfied they'd nipped the problem in the bud. Now? The problem is continuing, and getting worse, and my formerly happy child dreads going to school, has headaches every week, and is having trouble concentrating on anything.
What is the MATTER with people today? With kids? With their parents? I am far from perfect and so are my children. But at least I know they're not mean, not bullies, not participating in that kind of crap.
I wish I could get my hands on the kids that do.
I know high school is hard. I know kids can be mean. But for my oldest son, who lets EVERYTHING roll off his back, to come home begging for a transfer to a different high school, it's become a nightmare. I don't know what to do.
My beautiful, wonderful, smart, talented kid.
He looked forward to starting Wausau East all summer long. Couldn't wait! Came home after day one so enthused. Joined curling, debate, German club. Going out for lacrosse in the spring. In band. This is my mostly A's and a few B's student who has plenty of friends. Works out 3 times a week, runs and lifts weights whenever he can. And all it took to destroy it all was a couple of mean kids spreading rumors, calling him names, and making life completely miserable for him.
They call him slow and retarded. They say he's on drugs, his dad is on drugs, he's a moron.
Initially I called the school for help and was satisfied they'd nipped the problem in the bud. Now? The problem is continuing, and getting worse, and my formerly happy child dreads going to school, has headaches every week, and is having trouble concentrating on anything.
What is the MATTER with people today? With kids? With their parents? I am far from perfect and so are my children. But at least I know they're not mean, not bullies, not participating in that kind of crap.
I wish I could get my hands on the kids that do.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Home at Last
If you're wondering why I haven't blogged in so long, I'll tell you. It's because my idiot divorce lawyer suggested I do not. He worried I might say something I shouldn't.
He's not my lawyer anymore.
Three years into it, I'm still not divorced. How does this happen? And yes, I'll admit it, I've been practically living with my boyfriend for the past 2 1/2 years. How he puts up with it, I'll never know.
Much has happened. In May, I lost my job with Clear Channel. The news was not unexpected - the entire department, for the most part, was eliminated after a merger with Media Monitors. After 13 years, it still stung.
In June, I lost my mind. I'm working at slowly getting it back.
I spent the summer searching frantically for a job until I realized I had been given an extraordinary opportunity - to start over. Completely. I have always known what I truly wanted to do with my life, but it always seemed so......unrealistic. After all, how many SUCCESSFUL writers do you really know?
It took an eye-opening lunch with a voiceover client looking for a scriptwriter, a referral from a friend, and a freelance position with Demand Media to convince me I was moving in the right direction. I began writing in earnest, and have thrown myself into my journalism classes at UMass with renewed vigor and determination.
And yes, I'm still working on that book. Five pages a day, minimum.
A post from a fellow classmate at UMass reminded me how much I missed writing the blog every day. I'm just glad it still exists! So....lawyers be damned.....here we go.
He's not my lawyer anymore.
Three years into it, I'm still not divorced. How does this happen? And yes, I'll admit it, I've been practically living with my boyfriend for the past 2 1/2 years. How he puts up with it, I'll never know.
Much has happened. In May, I lost my job with Clear Channel. The news was not unexpected - the entire department, for the most part, was eliminated after a merger with Media Monitors. After 13 years, it still stung.
In June, I lost my mind. I'm working at slowly getting it back.
I spent the summer searching frantically for a job until I realized I had been given an extraordinary opportunity - to start over. Completely. I have always known what I truly wanted to do with my life, but it always seemed so......unrealistic. After all, how many SUCCESSFUL writers do you really know?
It took an eye-opening lunch with a voiceover client looking for a scriptwriter, a referral from a friend, and a freelance position with Demand Media to convince me I was moving in the right direction. I began writing in earnest, and have thrown myself into my journalism classes at UMass with renewed vigor and determination.
And yes, I'm still working on that book. Five pages a day, minimum.
A post from a fellow classmate at UMass reminded me how much I missed writing the blog every day. I'm just glad it still exists! So....lawyers be damned.....here we go.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day is this weekend and I face it with feelings approaching dread. I know many people dismiss the "holiday" as Hallmark created, but as with other holidays, I adore celebrating and always work to make it special. It may seem silly, but I love all the hoopla. Sending valentines, buying little gifts for those I love - it all makes me smile.
Last year, a week before Valentine's Day, I confessed to Darren how much I loved the day and wanted to make it special. I think he was surprised, but he rose to the occasion and took me out for a fabulous dinner at Greenwood Hills. We dressed up and went out and had a terrific time, one I'll never forget.
A friend of mine asked recently why Valentine's Day, of all days, makes such a difference to me - and it's difficult to explain. I love holidays - all of them. I make a big deal out of birthdays, out of Christmas, even out of the 4th of July. But I know not everyone in my life shares my enthusiasm. I realized today that it has been over 20 years since someone sent or brought me flowers. I haven't received a romantic valentine's day card since I was 22, and haven't gotten a birthday or Christmas gift from a husband or boyfriend for.....well.....hmmm......probably a dozen years or more. This is not to say I only give cards or gifts with the expectation that they be returned (or, frankly, I'd have learned my lesson years ago.) But I can't even explain how much even the smallest gesture is so appreciated.
A year has gone by. We're more comfortable together, more apt to take each other for granted. It's a given that we love one another - it's no longer a question. But does that make Valentine's Day less important? Or - more?
Regardless of whether you're a romantic, everyone wants to be loved. What's more, they want to FEEL loved. It doesn't have to be expensive - a five dollar bouquet is just as effective as an 80 dollar vase filled with roses. Letting the day go by without even a small gesture.....well...I guess I just don't want to settle for that anymore.
Last year, a week before Valentine's Day, I confessed to Darren how much I loved the day and wanted to make it special. I think he was surprised, but he rose to the occasion and took me out for a fabulous dinner at Greenwood Hills. We dressed up and went out and had a terrific time, one I'll never forget.
A friend of mine asked recently why Valentine's Day, of all days, makes such a difference to me - and it's difficult to explain. I love holidays - all of them. I make a big deal out of birthdays, out of Christmas, even out of the 4th of July. But I know not everyone in my life shares my enthusiasm. I realized today that it has been over 20 years since someone sent or brought me flowers. I haven't received a romantic valentine's day card since I was 22, and haven't gotten a birthday or Christmas gift from a husband or boyfriend for.....well.....hmmm......probably a dozen years or more. This is not to say I only give cards or gifts with the expectation that they be returned (or, frankly, I'd have learned my lesson years ago.) But I can't even explain how much even the smallest gesture is so appreciated.
A year has gone by. We're more comfortable together, more apt to take each other for granted. It's a given that we love one another - it's no longer a question. But does that make Valentine's Day less important? Or - more?
Regardless of whether you're a romantic, everyone wants to be loved. What's more, they want to FEEL loved. It doesn't have to be expensive - a five dollar bouquet is just as effective as an 80 dollar vase filled with roses. Letting the day go by without even a small gesture.....well...I guess I just don't want to settle for that anymore.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Summer
Summer is in full swing with 90 degree days and stormy nights. Tonight I'm playing with the Wausau City Band at Marathon Park. Just waiting for the director to arrive with the crate of music and enjoying the breeze in the park!
Sent on the Now Network� from my Sprint® BlackBerry
Sent on the Now Network� from my Sprint® BlackBerry
Sunday, April 19, 2009
April Madness
It's been months since my last blog entry - what gives? I feel like I've been living in a fog. Life has been good in so many ways, heartbreaking in others. It's the good and the bad of divorce and finding a new place in life.
Today I've been thinking a lot about forgiveness and what it takes to get past mistakes that people make. Recently, someone very close to me hurt me very much. I'm having a difficult time getting past it. Apologies were made, reassurances given, but the tenor of our relationship is, I fear, changed forever. At the very least it will take time for me to once again feel as confident as I did just days ago.
Yesterday's horoscope encouraged me to take off the rose colored glasses and see people for who they really are. And who are we? Flawed, all of us. We all make mistakes - huge ones, sometimes. We all hurt one another for reasons that seem reasonable at the time, unfathomable later. So, why is it so hard to forgive?
Perhaps we expect too much from one another. No one is perfect, least of all me. I know I just need to let it go and move forward or it will be ruined forever.
Today I've been thinking a lot about forgiveness and what it takes to get past mistakes that people make. Recently, someone very close to me hurt me very much. I'm having a difficult time getting past it. Apologies were made, reassurances given, but the tenor of our relationship is, I fear, changed forever. At the very least it will take time for me to once again feel as confident as I did just days ago.
Yesterday's horoscope encouraged me to take off the rose colored glasses and see people for who they really are. And who are we? Flawed, all of us. We all make mistakes - huge ones, sometimes. We all hurt one another for reasons that seem reasonable at the time, unfathomable later. So, why is it so hard to forgive?
Perhaps we expect too much from one another. No one is perfect, least of all me. I know I just need to let it go and move forward or it will be ruined forever.
Sunday, February 01, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Great Music Weekend
This weekend was a terrific music weekend in our area. We stopped for "a drink" on the way home at Lopps but was told about an interesting musician performing at Malarkey's downtown Friday night, so decided to give it a whirl, despite the fact that it isn't exactly our favorite venue. Pat MacDonald was playing, onetime member of the 80's band Timbuk 3. He has an interesting style and performed Friday with a cellist who had an incredible style and voice. Her rendition of Come Together was amazing and we loved it. Shot this photo with my cell phone - low light but you can see her very cool electric cello. We'd love to see them again.
Saturday night we checked out our friend Cuda playing with the Mumblers at Intermission. John Greiner was the guest on sax and it sounded superb. One thing about Wausau, there is a surprising amount of quality music up for grabs in the area and there's almost always something to do - not always true of other communities this size.
Friday, January 02, 2009
Happy New Year
This year, I broke away from tradition and celebrated New Year's Eve with Darren at the Jefferson downtown. We bought tickets to the Swing Shift fundraiser for Community Theater where John Greiner (not - as the sign said - JIM Greiner!) and his Big Band played - Dana sang and did a beautiful job as always. It was elegant and wonderful and I'm still sore from dancing. We stayed at the hotel for the night so we wouldn't have to drive or worry about cabs, and it was a great time! The kids all had overnight parties to attend, so the whole family did something new and different this year - and it worked out well! New Year's Day we stayed at the hotel until about noon - then watched football by the fireplace until it was time to return to reality.
I know that 2009 will bring many changes and some will be difficult to get through. But I'm so blessed with friends, family, and love, that I am truly optimistic about the future and what it holds.
As for resolutions? The big one for me is not to worry incessantly about those things I have no control over. I intend to enjoy my life, and live one day at a time.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Christmas 2008
Hard to believe, but Christmas has come and gone, and now we're staring 2009 square in the face. Where did the time go? Looking back on the year, it's amazing how many changes have come to our lives.
Christmas was really nice this year. Darren and Megan spent the holiday with us. Darren made a great meal, we opened gifts and went to church, then stayed up until 4 AM talking to my brother and his girlfriend. Reminiscing, telling stories. It was a nice first Christmas together.
Christmas Day we had lunch at my mom's and dinner with Darren's family while the boys went with their dad. Darren's dad makes beautiful wooden pens and gave me a set of two - I was really touched by the gesture.
Of course on Christmas night we had to meet up with our friends at Loppnow's for a holiday drink and the funniest thing of the week walked in the door in the form of our friend Derek, who lost a bet and was forced to wear nothing but long johns and a pimp jacket to the bar. You've gotta love THAT photo - hysterical!
After six days off for me and five for Darren, it's back to work as usual, though we are looking forward to spending New Year's Eve at the Jefferson for John Greiner's Big Band celebration. 2009, here we come.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Rowan Scores....
Rowan scored his first ever points tonight at his basketball game. He's worked really hard to improve his game and I'm so proud of him for reaching beyond his comfort zone and going out for a sport. When I look at these pictures of him I can hardly believe how grown up he's getting.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Holidays Are Coming....
It seems like just yesterday that we were lounging by the pool enjoying the heat. Now, the temperature is 4 below zero with a wind chill of 20 below. Crazy. Why do we live here? Someone remind me!
Here at the house we're getting ready for the holidays. I've decided to pare down my shopping considerably this year and I'm almost done. The last two Christmases have been difficult, to say the least, but I find myself looking forward to this one with unexpected optimism. We've had plenty of events to get us into the holiday mood. Nutcracker was last week, the boys were in their Choraliers Christmas concert last night, and tonight we'll head to the Grand to see Megan in the Wausau West choir concert.
The tree is up and decorated and I managed to throw some lights on the bushes outside, so the house looks ready. This weekend we plan to lay low and just bake some cookies, enjoy our families together. Though this year has brought so many changes - not all of them good ones - I do find myself happier and more content than I have been in a long time. I just wish my dad was here to share in it with all of us.
Here at the house we're getting ready for the holidays. I've decided to pare down my shopping considerably this year and I'm almost done. The last two Christmases have been difficult, to say the least, but I find myself looking forward to this one with unexpected optimism. We've had plenty of events to get us into the holiday mood. Nutcracker was last week, the boys were in their Choraliers Christmas concert last night, and tonight we'll head to the Grand to see Megan in the Wausau West choir concert.
The tree is up and decorated and I managed to throw some lights on the bushes outside, so the house looks ready. This weekend we plan to lay low and just bake some cookies, enjoy our families together. Though this year has brought so many changes - not all of them good ones - I do find myself happier and more content than I have been in a long time. I just wish my dad was here to share in it with all of us.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Free Starbucks Today
Free Starbucks coffee today for voters (and liars, as my friend Ed Bove supposes) - just head on in, tell 'em you voted, and get a free cuppa joe. Not sure if this makes them liberal or conservative, but it sure is nice of 'em.
Saturday, November 01, 2008
Halloween
Another Halloween has come and gone - it's one of my favorite holidays. Always fun to dress up and be someone else for a night - and see the craziness everywhere. This year I was Marilyn Monroe to Darren's Joe DiMaggio. We had tickets to the very ill-attended Copper Box Halloween Party on Artsblock, then went to City Grill, Lopps, and finally Mountain Lanes. Kind of a weird night - not as many people out and about as I would have thought. The kids all went trick or treating together and had a good night of fun. I've never seen so much candy in this house, I swear.
I've been thinking a lot about how damaged past relationships can make us. How we cling to fear - the fear of history repeating itself. I don't know how to get past that, at times. I suppose it all just takes time.
This is my final weekend off until my vacation in December, so we're making the most of it by having a complete "do nothing" day. The sun is shining, the air is warm, and I think it's just really going to be a great day.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Una Notte Bella a Success
The planning is over and the 26th annual Una Notte Bella fundraiser for the Wausau Conservatory was a success. 150 people attended this event, and thousands of dollars were raised for scholarships at our school. I co-chaired this year's event with Amy Plier. French Milwaukee based musician Robin Pluer provided the entertainment to match the french theme, and our french dinner was superb. The kids both sang with Choraliers for the event as well. Darren and I had a great night.
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