I met Jenny Lawson

I met The Bloggess, in person... and barely said a word, damn social awkwardness. I wrote this the next day, but am just now gathering the strength to post it. Jenny, if you somehow stumble upon this, Thank you for being you in public, that is an admirable trait.

8/16/2012

I was so very excited to meet Jenny last night. I was nervous for a week thinking in short bursts about ramble after ramble to spout at her. Then I promptly lost more an more of those words as I stood in line waiting to meet her.

It wasn't as though I was scared of her, really, but the prospect of this moment being the only impression I could ever make on her. That if I didn't make an impact I would have failed at properly meeting someone I find inspiring, because this would probably be my only chance. (Below is what I wanted to portray, so it addresses Jenny Lawson directly.)

The book store was crowded, and I was alone, spineless. I felt rushed to express something about why your book and your blog meant so much to me. What I got out was the gist of the most important point I had. That you, Jenny Lawson, are an inspiration to all us weird girls out here. It wasn't the most poignant delivery. And by weird I meant every shy, anxiety ridden, different and honest woman trying to be herself and be successful at the same time. For each one of us that doesn't fit society's mold you are a testament to the possibilities.

You inspire me through the pain of not fitting in. Your journey makes me think, maybe I can contribute and live the honest life I've dreamed of for years. Maybe I do have something interesting enough to share. Maybe my honesty will encourage others. This is what you have given me, not only in your blog and book but also your strength to do appearances despite your anxiety. Here in Oregon you were so funny and still so genuine towering over the fear of being surrounded by so many strangers. Possibly because you knew a lot of us were facing the fear of the crowd just to meet you, to thank you, for being you in public and encouraging us all to do the same.

And now for everyone, the lists:

Things that are awesome about meeting The Bloggess:
1. She understands.
2. She said thank you and my squeaking compliments brought tears to her eyes, meaning even if she's heard it from every other fan we are all important to her.
3. She is Hi-Larious
4. You get to be in a room full of people who are "fucked-up in the best possible way."

Not So?:
1. The manager who promised she knew how to use my camera failed to get a picture of me with Jenny, and I didn't know until I got home.
2. I forgot all the words! Then I cried, happy for remembering the most important thing, that it touched her, but also because I was so mad that I let myself feel scared and rushed.

What I wanted to say to The Bloggess:
1. I DID buy your book! Just the audio version, and that is why I only had a picture, not a book, for signing. I am going to frame it and make people jealous, all the people will be jealous!
2. You should totally be able to pick up BITCH Magazine at Book People in Austin, but you have to ask for it.
3. You are awesome. Your insights about writing, through pain, anxiety, and depression give me a weapon to beat my current career depressions and insecurities with.

One day maybe I will be on tour and Jenny will come to see me. We will laugh at the circular nature of life, the tragedies that made us who we are, and how great it all ends up.

Challenge Update

• TBR Double Dare: I am about two books behind where I'd like to be, but I am loving every book this year so far.
• Eragon: The first years old TBR I'm picking up and dusting off.
• I have bought and lusted over new books (didn't want to do that...), but I haven't read them (yea! I have some resolve)
• I got rid of a book. My first official DNF. I have decided it's ok to accept this book will never be on my read list, it will also never agin breach my TBR to be ignored forever.
• DAC: Ditched was great. But I have not picked a 2nd DAC yet, I've been grappling over a couple.

Which DAC should I read?

Time for Challenges

Happy New Year Everyone!

I am drinking, and tired because I worked today so I will keep this brief.

Accomplishments of 2011:
1. Get into a healthy shape - I have done every well eating healthily since getting a job. I exercised, but very off and on, not very helpful.
2.Read two books every month - I did read 25 books this year! BUT I did not read enough books from my collection. I made it to 12 Debut authors, but I did not enjoy many of the picks...
3. Make my degree worth something and augment my education as much as possible to make this easier. I used my degree to find a job and bond more with my love over projects.
4.Start earning my way. Working at Intel now. Great Place To Work (They're in the program.).

Goals for 2012:
1. Set a health plan and stick to the mini-goals in order to get to where I want from my body health. Make it public so it's harder to make excuses.
2. Read 52 books! (24 audio) A huge jump, but I think 1 book a week is just the right amount for me; enough not to go crazy about what I'm missing out on but not too many so they all blur together or fade into oblivion. I will be participating in the YA authors debut again because I love it (Thank you StorySiren!), but because I had so much bad luck this year I am going to let bloggers choose for me this year. Also I will do the TBR double dare, meaning only reading books I own (except debuts) until April.(links on next post).
3. Review all those books!

That's it! GOOD LUCK in 2012 with your goals,we can do this!

How Did Epiphany Become So Popular?

When I was younger and I heard the word Epiphany there was never a doubt in my mind that someone was talking about me. Me the girl with the unusual, utterly fantasic name; I was the only Epiphany. The sordid history of how I received this name set aside; I was epic. In academic settings I wowed people just by introducing myself, then I strived to live up to my name.  Online there were no others.

Then the world changed. Social Networking made everything more connected. Now epiphany is everything. Epiphany is a name for anyone. I have been stolen by designers, songwriters in hit titles, album titles, even tour names, clever companies use me, and in “enlightened” screen names I am undercut.


Most devastatingly, one night on Myspace I stared bewildered at a profile, a girl in Florida with my name listed as belonging to her. Epiphany Renee, belonging to a girl just an hour plane ride away, she was even a few months older than me and her parents had arrived at the name by watching the same horrible movie mine had. She was a model and soon her name was overcoming mine on Google.

The unique quality of my name has always been a huge part of me. Now, I can’t even find my blog on Google. What’s a girl to do? Unfortunately, as with many problems I am faced with, I don’t know where to start. I just keep hoping readers will discover and enjoy my writing.

Time for Challenges!

Happy New Year's Eve!

Another year is ending and I hope everyone is having a great time celebrating. But now is the time to consider what is coming for us and what we want to shoot for.

I know a lot of people who aren't making resolutions this year because they believe they are worthless and no one keeps them anyway... This makes me sad. There are many benefits to having goals.

Stay Motivated
Give your life directed purpose
Make your hard work worthwhile
Organize your life based on personal priorites
Be specific about what you want

Make sure to write them down; give yourself a focal point to come back to and remember what you promised to reach for. When deciding what to reach for remeber this is the pursuit of your happiness; make sure your goals are things that bring you joy. Don't let society or family and peers influence you or impress their goals upon your own. If you choose goals that excite you, you will stick to them. Every step won't be easy but the accomplishments will make you exultant.

I know it's a corny reminder, but you only one life to live. Shouldn't you aim towards what makes you happy?

So here are my goals for the coming year:

1. Get into a healthy shape - so I can be active and even run around with the kid.
2.Read two books every month - This includes at least six closet cloggers (books I already own) and 12 selections from the Debut Authors Elevensies (class of 2K11 challenge).*
3. Make my degree worth something and augment my education as much as possible to make this easier. (Read publications from IEEE)
4.Start earning my way, ie making some freaking money with all this knowledge I keep acquiring. This includes getting a job I want to go to in the morning, not one I dread.

Good luck with your dreams, don't forget you're the key in making them reality.


*The debut author challenge is a reading challenge supporting new YA authors coming out with their first books this year. This challenge is strongly supported by The Story Siren and this is the third year going strong. I will do a post shortly joining the challenge, giving info to others who want to join and introducing some books I'm excited about.