It's my party. I'll cry if I want to.

1) Kids are in Florida after a harrowing airport experience (toughens them up... except they're crying)

2) Work is INSANE for the next few weeks (toughens me up... except I'm crying)

3) We picked a painter for the house (no crying...yeah!)

4) Got my ms out for conference critique (I hope the editor will not be crying)

5) Have till early June to do new samples for AD at conference (no crying, just smiling)

6) Must try to re-dummy that same script (on the verge of crying and smiling simultaneously)

7) Charlotte must pick her college by the end of the month (me crying, she... I don't know but IT IS HER DECISION so I can cry if I want to)

8) Three Birthdays including mine in ONE week (Crying, smiling whatever...pass me a Bloody Mary)

You would cry too if you had all this to do!

12 unbroken eggs

This is the first year in 18 years that they've all remained uncracked whilst boiling!!!! 

 I take this as a sign that my 2 book/illustration packages will come thru unscathed and uncracked because they are well targeted and well done! Color me perfect!  

Professional writers who don't write well (and me?)

Today I spent a good portion of my work day with my boss editing a marketing letter. The letter was laden with repetition, misused comparatives (like 'more true'), delinquent header info and sentences all starting with We (in the same paragraph). Then there were the split and unnecessary paragraphs and poor word choices like 'free advice'. This letter also contained a really bad opening line that read, "They say things come in 3s...well." What it should have read is something like "You may think things come in 3s...well," which clearly draws the reader in.

People get paid a lot of money to do this, and I get paid a little to edit them. And I am no editor. Just a good writer. :) Because I am starting to read closely. That is what pb writing does to you. And cover letter writing...and query writing.

I should write marketing letters. I'd do better than this guy. More true.

Life is a beautiful book.

True, honest, funny, painful, sad, sincere, weighty, and round words and story, and with a rich emotional and profound resonance. It lasts. It offers more than simple humor. It speaks volumes with few words yet offers layers of nuance that reach many human readers.

Get in the Car and drive!

(Sorry Freddie...changed the vehicle)

Yesterday Rutgers Honors....VERY VERY NICE school and price

tomorrow NYU (and your wallet)

Looking at schools is FUN, FUN, FUN with your teenage piece of academic brilliance and judge of parental failures.

It is not me...it is the econome.

Back to the drawing board.