Some New Year's Resolutions are common: excercise more, eat better. Of course I want to exercise more. Chocolate is too essential but I could include more veggies.

My main resolution: continue along the path I began when I quit my job: live in the moment and enjoy the day. It sounds kind of zen. But I find even now, without revenue goals and client problems to weigh me down, I worry a lot. And I'm often thinking about what I need to do next instead of focusing on what I'm doing this minute. Maybe this picture of an AZ sunset I took can be a reminder to, as they say, stop and smell the roses.

American Title II: January 2 we are supposed to learn who got cut in Round 2 and who goes on to Round 3....but they'll probably ask us not to post the news. The nest round of voting, for Best Story Summary, doesn't start until January 23.

Happy New Year to all.

Happy Holidays

I got a lot of writing done in the midst of wrapping and family events.

I feel I've been a bit lazy progressing with other projects...such as my web site and querying agents. I did query 2, entered a writing contest, and am in the midst of judging 7 55-page entries for one of the major contests for the as yet unpublished romance author, the Golden Heart. I also ordered color headshots, auditioned again for one of my new acting agents to show her I am now proficient on ear prompter and wrote a short article for the Chicago Bar Assn magazine.

Only a few more days to vote for Best Hero/Heroine in Round 2 of the American Title II contest, visit www.romantictimes.com and click on the American Title box in the upper right corner or visit www.americantitle2.com. My entry is called FOLLOW YOUR HEART, and is set in 1460 England.

In Highlander news, Impact magazine, published in the UK by MAI Publications, has a major article about The Source in the January issue. There's also a picture and mention or two of yours truly! The website is http://www.martialartsltd.co.uk/, when I figure out how to order single copies I'll post here.

Vote in AMERICAN TITTLE: Round 2

Great news! FOLLOW YOUR HEART, my medieval romance novel, received enough online votes to make it to Round 2 of Dorchester/RT Bookclub's American Title II contest. The winner receives a publishing contract.

Three of the remaining nine finalists will be eliminated this round, so every vote counts! Here's the link to click on or copy and paste.

http://romantictimes.com/e_news/amtitle3.shtml

Vote now, preferably for FOLLOW YOUR HEART, and tell your friends!

Thank you.

Happy Holidays

Another Vilnius photo, taken from my hotel room!

This weekend my cousin and his family were in town, so we spent a lot of time eating and catching up. Now the holidays are upon us. I admit to being sort of a Grinch; to me all the entertaining leads to way too much cleaning up and dishwashing. That's what restaurants are for! But I did attend an enjoyable caroling and chili party a friend of mine from college gave.

I'm enjoying my second voiceover class, learning some of the subtleties of different types of commercials. More news tomorrow...

The Show Must Go On

The CBA Christmas Spirits show closed Saturday to rave reviews. Despite a snow storm Thursday, most of the audience showed up. However, our conductor didn't make it until the second act and the snow delayed the piano player. As they say, the show must go on. Being in 7 numbers was a blast, depsite continuous costume changes. Yesterday I had ear pormpter coaching. The EP is basically a small tape recorder on which you tape scripts, then via an earpiece play them back in your ear for auditions or shoots. It's amazing how many things you need to think about while using the EP.

My journal of my Lithuania trip should be posted soon...info to follow. In the meantime, here's another shot of Vilnius.

AT Results are in and Updates

Yes. I now know who made it to the next round of the American Title II contest. But they asked us not to post the news until 12/19 when the next round of voting begins at romantictimes.com.

For anyone awaiting reports about my Vilnius/Highlander:The Source journey, I've submitted my journal and some pictures for the movie web site. As soon as I know when they'll post, I'll post.

Rehearsals for the CBA's musical revue are in full swing...until 9:30 last night working on a great parody version of Michael Jackson's "Beat It". Tho much work on the dance steps is still needed.

Another Vilnius picture...

Today's the Day...

that us American Title II finalists are supposed to find out who got cut...but so far, no news.
Suspense is stressful.

In the meantime, here's one of the pics I took in Lithuania: Trakai, a restored medieval castle 28 km from Vilnius.

Only a few more days to vote!

Voting for the first round of American Title ends November 27. And I've been told they'll notify the two finalists who have been eliminated on the 28th. Those who survive move onto the second round of voting, for descriptions of Best Hero and Heroine, from December 19-January 1.

On Saturday, daily rehearsals begin for the Chicago Bar Association's annual Christmas Spirits musical revue, an original parody of current events and people in the news, this year entitled SCAMALOT. We just got our casting yesterday, I'm in a bunch of numbers but don't know yet exactly what I'll be doing in most of them. Performances are December 6-10, tickets can be ordered at www.chicagobar.org
Here's a picture from a 2003 tap number to "We're in the Money" from 42nd street...

Immortalized

Had an amazing time in Lithuania and visiting the Highlander: The Source set. Lots more on this in the near future, either here or on the movie web site. I'm waiting for confirmation that they are interested in having me post my adventures.

But if you can't wait for news, visit Adrian Paul's site, where he discusses my visit!

http://www.adrianpaul.net/current/thesource.shtml

Ruth

MORE American Title Voting info

Info about voting is http://www.romantictimes.com/index.html?/e_news/amtitle.shtml and also at: www.dorchesterpub.com, there's a link about the American Title II contest on the right. Voting begins MONDAY, Nov. 14!!!

For anyone awaiting news about my upcoming Highlander 5: The Source visit, I should be posting reports on the movie website....more info to follow soon!

Ruth

American Title II VOTING INFO!!!

Here is the link to American Title II information...voting begins
Nov. 14!

Tell your friends...

http://www.romantictimes.com/index.html?/e_news/amtitle.shtml

Insurance Issues

Leaving a job is an administrative nightmare. I have a bunch of passwords for various websites and phone numbers for insurance and other items. Do I want COBRA? If not, what plan to choose? e-healthinsurance.com seemed helpful, but even tho I have two graduate degrees, comparing all the plans, options, percents of this and that, is confusing. And I know from experience that changing insurance companies causes other hassles when you have Dr appts or need an Rx. So first I had to wrangle my way into the annoyingly friendly voice operated phone system, which of course does not have a choice for COBRA, so for serenity, here's a relaxing AZ photo I took. Which reminds me, I want to see the movie, I was a Firefly fan...

Latest News

HIGHLANDER: THE SOURCE UPDATE:

1) Got my itinerary for my trip to Lithuania to visit the set and film a cameo.

2) There's a chance I may get to do a blog about this adventure for DP, so I'm saving scoop/details in case I do.

In other news, worked as an extra on PRISON BREAK for half a day, in a scene with the two attorneys, Veronica and Nick. I'm a nurse in the room across the hall from Nick's, wearing pink scrubs. For some reason, on a couple of the takes my timing was off, so I don't know if I'll be seen clearly or just a pink blur.

I'm going to do a reading today for one of the talent agencies that responded to my recent mailing. And voting for the American Title contest begins Nov. 14th. More on that later...

So far it seems that leaving my job was the right thing to do!

New Adventure

Are you a Highlander fan? If so, you'll appreciate my latest news. I'm going to:

1) spend 2 days on the set of Highlander 5, aka The Source
2) film a cameo appearance in the movie
3) meet Adrian Paul, Peter Wingfield and Jim Byrnes!!!!

How cool is that?

AP has a blog about the movie at: http://www.adrianpaul.net/current/thesource.shtml
The movie web site is: http://highlander-thesource.com/

Time Flies When...

...You're having fun!

This is a picture I took a couple of years ago from a friend's house outside of Phoenix.

Just completed FOUR days of working as an extra on Clint Eastwood's Flags of our Fathers. Day 3, at Union Station, was the most fun for me because 1) I was closest to the action. 2) Clint was often close by and though he is softspoken I got to hear him discussing possible shots and reasons for them. Unfortunately, Day 4 was another of those "all dressed up and no place to go" days. Attired in a different coat and fun hat, with a group of 20 or so others was bussed to Kenilworth from Evanston. But none of us were used. Pictures were taken of us by a bunch of 40's cars, I hope to get a copy.

Have written two pages this morning, soon off to a chorus rehearsal for a musical revue I'm in...

Question of the day: How much would you pay to acheive a dream...such as going to a World Series game?

2nd week of Freedom

Began my second week of freedom by painting my bathroom a nifty shade of turquoisy blue. Well, half of it anyway. I got tired of taping around all the switches and things on the walls. So some day I have to get around to doing the other half.

Today, first day of being an extra on Clint Eastwood's movie Flags of our Fathers. For me it was sort of like being all dressed up with no place to go. Despite that fab 40's ensemble including cute hat and period hair/makeup, and there only being a total of 4 extras...I was one of two not used. Did get a very tasty lunch, featuring lobster and chateau briande and Clint sightings. And got to see some real 40's and 30's cars.

The December issue of RT BOOKClub magazine mentions the American Title II contest and the upcoming voting period...

Day 3

Not going to "work" does feel strange. But I've been busy every day so far...tomorrow is the first day I don't have a single event booked. Some people don't understand how much a writer has to do, and how much time it all takes. Just figuring out my website style and content seems mind boggling...so many options. Thanks to everyone who has visited...

Here's a picture of Mt. Ranier I took from the plane on the way back from Seattle...to show the sky's the limit!

The first day

Today is my first business day of unemployment. It feels strange, not needing to check voice mail and e-mail. But I'm sure I'll get used to it. At 8:45, began my wardrobe fitting for the Clint Eastwood movie Flags of our Fathers. I am scheduled for three scenes, and will wear an adorable gray 1940's ensemble complete with hat, gloves and coat. And surprisingly comfy suede platform shoes.

This afternoon I'm finishing the cover article for the Chicago Bar Association's magazine...

OFFICIALLY UNEMPLOYED!

Yesterday was my last day of full-time corporate employment, two weeks short of 13 years. Leaving was a bit surreal...turning in my keys, laptop, company credit card. Freedom hasn't sunk in yet because I have several things due: a national romance writer conference proposal, two articles for the Chicago Bar Assn. magazine, etc.

First thing Monday morning, my first official weekday: a two to four hour wardrobe fitting for Clint Eastwood's Flags of our Fathers.

Coming soon: I apply to audition for I Wanna be a Soap Star!!!!!!!

TWO days to go!!!

This is the view from my last condo...


Recently returned from the Greater Seattle chapter's fabulous romance writer conference...where my work in progress placed first in their contest's chick lit category. Extra exciting because it's the first contest I sent this manuscript to. Had dinner with an editor, a drink with an agent...and got some "tough love" from a group at breakfast about which manuscript to finish first of the 4 I've started.

This blog can't all be good news. Two requested synopses (less than 15 pages total!) I'd sent to an editor A YEAR ago were form-letter rejected. And I got one of the quickest rejections ever...sent a manuscript by e-mail Monday and got the rejection today!!!!! Glad I didn't waste the toner/paper/postage to send the thing snail mail.

Today an e-mail from the senior editor at RT BOOKclub magazine revealed more about the upcoming AT II voting schedule. Get out your calendars: the first round of voting will be Nov 14-27 at romantictimes.com. Our bios should be posted there soon!

TWO more days of work. Visiting clients for the last time has been sad, but I'm ready to start this new chapter of my life.

8 days of day job left!

Me preparing for one of my roles in last year's Chicago Bar Association musical revue.

Today started taking my replacement to meet clients...I'm glad she'll be taking over but there's a twinge of 'end of a life chapter', 'they will go on without you' even 'they don't need you anymore'....But I'm ready to apply all my energy to my gainful unemployment....

Work can be fun

Today I'm working on a workshop proposal for the Romance Writers of America national conference next summer. Jennifer Greene, who has written more than 60 books, wants to do a workshop with me! We met Oct 2004 when we sat next to each other at a local conference lunch. Then I interviewed her for my article about getting the most from RWA chapters (Romance Writers Report, Sept. 2005) and we happened to sit near each other on flights to Reno for this year's national conference. Off to create a compelling outline so our workshop will get picked (tho with her as my speaking partner, chances are very good).

Web site frustration

So I decide today's the day to set up my web site. Aargh. I chose a template, but couldn't for the life of me figure out 1) how to change the titles of the buttons. IE, one says "About Us." There HAS to be a way to change the thing to About Me. And then I tried to upload my picture but the resolution or whatever must have been too high because it took up the whole page and I couldn't change THAT. At least I could figure out how to do this!

Countdown to Freedom

On Friday my manager and her manager took me to a nice lunch at one of my favorite "let's do lunch" restaurants, Rhapsody, to hear some of the reasons why I'm leaving. And after work was my going away "happy hour"...in the wonderful setting of Millenium Park at an outdoor restaurant/bar just beneath the Cloud Gate sculpture, AKA the Bean. I will definitely miss the people, but not the frustrations. Next week I start training my replacement.

My first event on my first business day of freedom will be a 2-4 hour wardrobe fitting for the Clint Eastwood WW II movie, Flags of our Fathers!!! And I think I'm now booked for three days/nights, up from the original 2 of the 8 days they will be shooting here.

The waiting begins

Today I emailed the required excerpts/summaries for the AT II contest to Romantic Times magazine : a 100 word bio, first line of the book, 75 words each to describe the hero and heroine (try to describe yourself in 75 or 100 words, it is harder than it seems!), 250 word summary of the entire book, 300 word dialogue scene and 400 word love/romantic scene.

14 more working days until I'm officially unemployed...

American Title II

Hello, and welcome to my blog! I've created this to relate the adventures of life after quitting my corporate job to pursue my passions, writing and acting, full time.

On Sept. 12th, management announced my impending departure. Since then, three fabulous things happened:

1) My medieval romance FOLLOW YOUR HEART is one of 10 finalists in the Dorchester Publishing/Romantic Times national contest, American Title II. Similar to American Idol, the two finalists with the fewest online votes each month will lose their chance to win a publishing contract. Snippets of our manuscripts will appear in RT starting in January!!!!

2) A literary agent, to whom I'd sent the first three chapters of FYH in August, asked to see the full manuscript.

3) I got booked to be an extra for two days on Flags of our Fathers, a WWII Clint Eastwood directed movie.

Coincidence, or confirmation that I've made the right decision?