Again in the Dead of Night . . .

New Moon Haiku

31 July 2011

Eyes burning tiredness

Mindful of missing Cream Cheese
Aardvark marches on

Phantom Pickle reigns

Dust Bunnies float on the Lake
Minced Adverbs Abound

Fan Blades spin Eastward

Mousakah needs Tabasco
‘Davita’s Harp twice stilled . . .

Ambien Haiku

The other evening I was having an especially difficult night sleeping. I'd already gone to bed twice and got back up. I finally took an Ambien about 0115.

Ambien works really well for me, which I suppose is why I don't like to take it (along with other discretionary meds) unless I really have to.

During the 45 minutes or so I was waiting for it to take effect (it usually begins within 20!), I doodled around on FB via my BlackBerry and came up with some 'interesting' poetry.

@ 0125
Brain to oatmeal turns
Mixed with night's weary slumber
Gentle breezes coax

@0135
Noodle disengaged
Sliding to drug fed slumber
Poet slinks to bed

@0139
Too long on sofa
Second Gear untoothed groove slips
Mumbles ummm Biscuits

@0146
Finally reclined me
Back to the master suite traipsed
O2 meets night night

I received a few comments from "I'm getting a perscription for that stuff" to concerns about my reputation.

I'm really OK. I just needed a little help getting to sleep.

Thoughts & Observations for Monday

I love renewing Friendships, developing New Contacts, and working on that Bonding so particular to Writers!

Angela Hunt is amazing as an Author, as are Nancy Rue, Bill Myers and Kathy Mackel. But what's also especially appealing about the Writing Staff is that they're personable, accessable, and extraordinarily capable Teachers!

Questions and Answers Session this Afternoon. Not anyone's party-line or at any publisher's directive; just Personal Answers and Opinions to some really excellent questions.

A rather somber film I'd never seen before. A B & W with Robert Duval and Olga Bellin. I'll be thinking about 'Tomorrow' for a while tonight. Discussion in the morning with Angela. Hmmmmm.

My Brain is Weary!

Good Night.

@ Glen Eyrie to find the Juice

OK. So I'm at another Writers' Conference--actually a Workshop. There'll be no Editors to impress or Publishers to hound here. Just some Very Good Writers among my several Colleagues and a Wonderful and Experienced Instructional Staff.

So, what am I here for then? Perhaps to reconnect with certain writing styles anew? Hope so. True, I have been pulled into mostly business writing recently but that's not a bad thing, is it? Besides, I like business writing. I like the detail and utility of what I have to offer; the value of  helping myself and others become more productive and efficient and confident in the workplace.

There have been some Distractions. Issues with Health or Stressors among Friends and Family or Pursuits that've caught my interest and fancy otherwise. And too, it's easy to be Lazy! And I'm soooo good at it! I like to practice it whenever I can!

Gotta work on Focus and Re-Dedication and finding the Juice. A few adjustments required and then Rock On. At least that's what I'm hoping.

I'll share a few things with you along the way. And then, oh yes, we shall see.

Please . . . Get a FB Fan Page

Arrrrrrrrrrggg!

I suppose I shouldn't complain, but I'm going to. Maybe I don't have license or interest or investment in a particular business venture like some, but I do work in the Business World and have some Stroooong Opinions.

My FaceBook is being cluttered more and more by Personal Profile Pages serving as a Business Page. With Fan Pages that's totally fine 'cause I usually know what I'm liking. And Personal Profiles that make suggestion or offer links to Business Pursuits is likewise OK. I do the same sometimes regarding where I work. 

But really, multiple posts of advertising and please join 'this or that cause' or intrusive gaming is really an annoyance for me. So are the posts of Folks who obviously don't tend to their Page (including Fan Pages), or who seem to constantly lack simple Spam discerning skills.

So sorry, but if you fall into one of these categories, please reconsider developing a Fan Page or at least monitoring your Wall a bit more closely?

Otherwise . . . you're gone. 

Yes, I feel so much better now! 

Side Effects

Earlier this morning I was awakened to a sense of fairly significant flushing - perhaps a 9.2 on a scale of 10 whereas 10 = Spontanious Combustion. This happens sometimes as a Side-Effect of Medications I must take. At this point I'm ON FIRE; and with this level of intensity (it varies) I left my bed, got a slice of bread and a glass of DP for a light breakfast, sat in 'my spot' on the sofa and posted the following series of comments to FaceBook via my BlackBerry:

• Except for a few birds, a very quiet morning. gonna be Beautiful today! -at least for a while.
• Patience and Humility . . .
• Flashed Awake . . .
• Dr Pepper and 7-Grain Bread.
• Social-Media Ever-Shifting . . .
• Love Red Hair!
• Socks to Bed or No?
• Where are my Alphabets?
• Gotta Work on Blog and Book today!
• 'Black Swan?' Depravity!
• Chills Now! Need Cover! Brrr!
• Needing a Hug . . .
• Prickly Skin and Burning Eyes . . .

And a little later, after I'd napped some more:

• "Be Excellent to Each Other!"

So . . . maybe I wasn't so lucid during this experience. Interpretations Invited!

What is it about the word 'No?'

I have several Stress Buttons; I suppose most Folks do. I'd like to think that as I get older I'm also maturing and gaining a bit more control regarding my reactions to such challenges, but I know sometimes I don't succeed.

What is it about the word 'No' that People don't/won't understand? It it because it's often couched in smiles and diplomacy? "Unfortunately not." or "So Sorry, but we won't be able to do that for you." or "Yes, this procedure is fairly restrictive, isn't it?" I don't try to be patronizing. I really resist being rude. And I'm pretty good and smoothing over difficulties and offering acceptable alternatives. 

But what is it about some People who think asking their Question several different ways will secure an answer more agreeable to their original purpose? And too, why is bullying and abusing someone seemingly so acceptable in the marketplace? I've seen colleagues in tears and I know I've wanted to bite a hole in the Front Desk at least twice.

I recognize when the stress of the moment is getting to me; there are at least two symptoms: the hairs on my (red) neck stand, and my Sciatica begins to act up.

Dear Guests and Customers and especially Off-Property Visitors -- I'd bend over backwards to assist you. But really, sometimes 'No' means 'No.'