Saturday Video of the Day

We are on a plane to London!

Friday Fiver Favorite Things Vid-Style

1. Natasha Bedingfield's Pocketful of Sunshine



2. York Peppermint Patties



3. Vivaldi's Spring



4. The Clash (London Calling)



5. Harrods



Currently reading: The Host (Stephenie Meyer)
Currently listening to: Vivaldi

I Am Addicted to YouTube

Among other things.

Great vids today to share:




And Jodi Picoult (I'm reading this book right now):



Just two today, because I've got a lot more coming up!

I'm signing up for a weekly crit class with an amazing essayist here in Seattle. I'm talking to her via phone tonight to figure out how we'll begin. It's in a big group of writers! Spendy, but worthy it.

Keep writing!

Currently reading: Life insurance policy
Currently listening to: Cascada

Socializing While Overseas

This is much harder in reality than it seems. Especially when a dress code is required.

So yesterday I found out that we're attending a soiree while in London that requires formal dress. But this is England and formal to them is not the same as America. This does not mean a tux or tails for the guys and a ball gown for me, but it means a dress and a suit coat and tie at least. Which was not what we were planning on, so we're scrambling.

There's Loehmann's up here with Balenciaga cocktail dresses and then the Rack around the corner from my house with Trina Turk and Elie Tahari, so I'm going to be out and about for a bit making sure the simple sheath dress and kitten heels with a fabulous scarf (purchased while in London the last time) is just right.

So I'm flitting around today finishing up the last of the projects (including a Powerpoint presentation for AMWA) and cleaning at odd moments. Hey, inspiration to scrub the shower just happens, okay?

Great meeting last night with the writer's group at Elizabeth's house. It completely calmed me down (okay the champagne calmed me down) and I felt somewhat nonstressed and normal for the drive home from Redmond. Woohoo!

Off I go!

Currently reading: London schedule
Currentlying listening to: Basshunter

A Quick Writing Update

Well, things are progressing . . . slowly. Trying to get ready to get on a plane (this time for 8 days) is hard work!

Good progress on my essay work. I get myself into essay mode and then have to go put out client fires. I was hoping to have it ready in draft form by today, but other things have been given priority.

Novel is moving forward, very slowly. I will concentrate on it when I return from London.

Non-fiction work is moving along faster than anything. Working on a few book ideas and getting ready to pitch.

Currently reading: palliative care paper
Currently listening to: Natasha Bedingfield

How To Generate More Profit At Your Job

Are you in the position to generate profit? If so, what are you waiting for? Go do it!

If not, a few tips I learned this week from Michael Masterson's book Automatic Wealth.

1. Do some research and find out (if you don't know) how your company makes money and sales.

2. Talk to people who are profit generators and find out how they do it well and brainstorm with them on ways to do it better.

3. If you can, volunteer to help them somehow.

4. Do this while you are doing your own job above expectations.

5. Give your boss most of the credit, even though you do most of the work.


I am paraphrasing, but you need to read the book if you want to know more. It's very thought-provoking as I head across the pond to the home office (and to meetings with the sales team and the product development team). I am so glad I bought this book (on Kindle, no less) in preparation. Very good ideas.

Currently reading: blogroll
Currently listening to: baby Henry's Youtube vid (he's laughing at his dad, so cute)

How To Handle High-Profile Projects Without Losing It

So, I'm copyediting a very high-profile project for my day job and it's slightly stressful, a specialized paper on a health care issue going out to 500,000 U.S. medical doctors. My name is on it and I want to do a good job.

1. Remember to breathe.
2. Review the project in full, check for scope, essential elements, figure out process.
3. Fix the little things first.
4. Start the work and go slow. The beginnings are always the hardest.
5. Ask lots of questions along the way, even if only to confirm what you think you already know.

And above all, be confident. You can do it!



Off I go!

Currently reading: 90-page paper for job
Currently listening to: quiet house