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.