The Fearless Scribe: February 2014

Friday, February 28, 2014

Fearless Friday

I've been thinking of doing a weekly theme. Ya know, something like that Facebook wackiness called, "Throwback Thursday" or the less inspirational but no less delicious, "Taco Tuesday". The obvious answer inside my head was, "Are you insane?" This requires commitment. And forethought. So naturally, I'm going to forge ahead with Fearless Friday. Considering my blog's name it makes sense, right?

Every Friday, (or more reasonably in my case, whatever Fridays I remember to do this) I'll post something with regards to being fearless. It might be an inspirational quote or message. It might be me sharing something new I tried. I might even write about someone I came across who did something fearless.

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For my inaugural Fearless Friday post I'll share something fearless I recently did: I submitted a couple blog posts to Blogher's Voices of the Year (VOTY). I'm trying to put myself and my writing out there a lot more. This is a big thing for me. I'm very critical of my work. No, seriously, I am. The fact that people even show up here to read what I have to say astounds me. I've also been pitching companies to offer my copy-writing services. And now there's Fearless Fridays.

Tame? Maybe. But no less fearless for someone with anxiety to offer themselves up to possible rejection and criticism. Perhaps I'm not fearless but crazy instead. Maybe I should re-name this effort Crazy Friday?

I welcome you to share your fearlessness. Let's be brave together. And pizza for all!

Sunday, February 23, 2014

He speaks in movie quotes and I couldn't be prouder

Saturday we were at an all day event presented by JDRF. Chris hung out in the 'Kids Zone' while Bill and I sat in on some presentations and seminars. On the way home we asked Chris what he did in Kids Zone. Without missing a beat he replied, "I drank, I fought, I made my ancestors proud." I don't know about his ancestors but that answer sure made me proud. Yes, he's my kid.

Friday, February 21, 2014

Vampires and the MOB: Signs I saw around town

In my medical travels these past couple weeks, I ran across the following signs. The first one was written and displayed by the phlebotomist where I had to get blood work done. I sat down, looked up, and giggled when I saw it because I always refer to these professionals as such. I asked him if his name was Jason, just to make sure, and he said yes. I did not ask him the other thing.
In case it's hard to read, the sign says: "Hi my name is Jason and I'll be your Vampire."


Truth in advertising?

At the endocrinologist with Chris, I saw this sign in the parking lot. Naturally my mind read this in the literal sense and not as an acronym for Medical Office Building. Should I park here when I want to hear them make me an offer I can't refuse?

Apparently organized crime has so many visitors it needs its own parking lot.

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Friday, February 14, 2014

Here's to laughter on Valentine's Day

Flower store all sold out of roses? Card store filled with cheesy left overs? Have no fear! It's not too late to give your sweetheart something special for Valentine's Day, especially if she has a good sense of humor. If you're stuck for an idea, how about penning a nice old-fashioned love letter. Here's an oldie but goodie from the movie "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" for inspiration:

Wishing you love, chocolate, and laughter this Valentine's Day!

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

How a 90s movie inspired my Fictional Hollywood Bucket List

Saturday night I was watching You've Got Mail. You know, the movie where Meg Ryan's character (Kathleen Kelly) and Tom Hanks' character (Joe Fox) email each other and fall in love? Anyway, Kathleen Kelly owns this charming little book store called, 'The Shop Around the Corner', and it prompted me to submit a job application online to Barnes and Noble, even though B and N is more like Joe Fox's chain bookstore Fox Books and less like the quaint little Shop. Doesn't matter, I romanticized the whole thing in my head because books are books and I was feeling nostalgic, and so I applied.

Who knows if I will get the job. Or if they will even consider me enough to actually call me in for an interview. Why would you like to work for us? Because I was watching "You've Got Mail" one night and thought it would be so much fun to work in a book store. And also I like to read. I don't think the interviewer would be amused. In fact, I bet my application would be placed in the 'Do Not Hire. Ever' list.

Besides, I'd rather work for Kathleen Kelly. And then I got to thinking of other fantastical things I'd like to do that could never happen because they're fiction and therefore don't exist. And thus was born my Fictional Hollywood Bucket List.

Now, bear with me. Yes, I am one of those people who make lists. There's the To-Do if I have a lot I'd like to accomplish during a specific period of time. A Christmas List so that I know what I still need to buy for people, and what I already have because there are a bunch of bags and boxes hidden all over and a list is just easier for quick referral. And of course a Bucket List of things I could accomplish if timing and money weren't an issue. I've been keeping a Reading List since 2010 of every book I've read during the year. It serves no purpose except to determine my reading habits. I have one dating back to 2001 but it's currently stuck on my desk top PC which is broken and will remain so until available funds come into being.

So, now back to my Fictional Hollywood Bucket List. I do realize this may not be a new concept, in fact I'm sure I read somewhere about Bucket Lists of Pretend Places that people would like to visit like, Narnia, The Shire, and Hogwarts. Mine isn't so much about places as it is about people I want to hang with and things I'd like to do. I can't post it here because so far I only have 4 things on it. What can I say, the whole idea for this post came to me late Saturday night as I was trying to fall asleep, so I consider it a work in progress.

In addition to working at 'The Shop Around the Corner', I would like to dress up in pearls and a tiara and drink coffee while eating a pastry in front of Tiffany's windows with Holly Golightly. [from Breakfast at Tiffany's]

I also want to...

...go back in time with Marty and the Doc in the DeLorean. [from Back to the Future]
...dance on stage with Danny Kaye at the Pine Tree Ski Lodge. [from White Christmas]

Anyone else have a similar list? Share, please.

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Diabetes and the Olympics

I've been watching the Winter Olympics. But before they officially began, Chris and I watched the opening ceremonies. He thought it was cool to see all the athletes walk in representing their country. And he enjoyed the dancing, the theatrics, and the lighting of the flame.

But, the coolest thing was finding out that one of the athletes representing the USA, Kris Freeman, is a type 1 diabetic. He also wears the very same insulin pump that my Christopher wears, the Omnipod.

Chris knows that diabetes doesn't stop him from doing anything. He can play dodgeball, ride his scooter, and crack jokes at the dinner table with his old mom, same as any other kid. He just needs to check his blood sugar before meals and dose himself with insulin after.

He's no different from other kids. Diabetes does not limit what he can do or what he can achieve. He's been told this since his diagnosis and many times since then. But seeing this Olympic athlete compete in cross country skiing is a nice reminder. It reinforces what he knows to be true, even if in times of great frustration due to serious highs or scary lows, he may not always believe it.

So this year, we will be watching this fellow type 1, and cheering him on. Because every young type 1 needs something, or in this case, someone with the same auto-immune disease, to believe in.

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Tuesday, February 4, 2014

How about those resolutions?

So how much fun was that blog hop? It was like a great big blog playdate (a blogdate?). I'm still making my way down the list of blogs to pop in and say 'ello! The Fearless Scribe got some new followers and many people visited. Thank you all, it means so much. *sniff* I'll refrain from launching into my Academy Award winning speech where I'm cut off by the music as I tearfully thank my favorite high school teacher for her encouragement and for believing in me and my writing.

In other news, it's February and typically at this point most people have abandoned their New Year's Resolutions. I made no such resolutions so I'm doing better than most. For example, I haven't made an effort to get in better shape but since I didn't make a resolution proclaiming better fitness in the New Year I'm not disappointing myself. See? Why put such pressure on myself?

Instead I've been doing little beneficial things for my health. Like, I recently gave up soda, specifically Pepsi, and oddly enough I don't miss it. Pretty shocking considering I was a die-hard cola drinker. These days I drink ice tea. Of course I'm probably negating the health benefits because the tea is unsweetened and I add my own sugar, but I'd like to think I'm doing something good for myself. If I'm not, don't tell me, let me live in my sugary tea pretend world.

Also, I've been going to bed earlier than I used to. I actually started doing this at the end of last year and I've been pretty good at continuing it. This doesn't mean I'm in bed and asleep at some responsible time like 10 pm but I'd like to think that being in bed before midnight counts for something.

How's your resolutions coming along?

Sunday, February 2, 2014

Guess who's co-hosting the Collective Blog Hop?

Uh oh, guess what day it is? Guess what day it is? Huh? Anybody? No, it's not hump day and I'm not a camel, sillies. It's Blog Hop Day! Welcome and thanks for popping in to my blog where this month I'm co-hosting the Collective Blog Hop!! Wooooot! So go mix and mingle and don't forget to check out the fabulous blogs of my other co-hosts.

Welcome to THE monthly blog hop party! Every 1st Monday of the month, link up all of your social media and blogging accounts with us. If you're looking for your blogging tribe, this is it!
*NEW this month: have an Etsy shop? Link it up with this month's Collective!

These guidelines are in place so that we can all have a successful experience with The Collective. Please do your best to abide by each one, there are only 2:
1. Follow the host and co-host's blogs: (first links in each list) If you leave a comment letting us know that you did and what method you are following with, we'll return the favor :) We greatly appreciate each and every one that does.
Your co-hosts this week are:
Sandy from The Fearless Scribe
Bekah from Matters of Merrymaking Autumn from Honeycomb & Co.
Interested in co-hosting? Send an email to peacoatsnplaid(at)gmail(dot)com
2. Get social: This hop is about creating community. Looking for your own blogging tribe? This is it. Visit as many blogs as you can and make sure you say hello!
The following are optional yet encouraged (they only help us all in the long run):
Grab a button: Using the code provided in the box, display the Collective button on your sidebar or wherever you list your link ups. The more people that do this, the more help there'll be to keep the popularity of the hop going.

Follow the host and co-hosts on social media: We are so grateful for your follow via social media. If you leave us a short message/post letting us know, we'll be sure to return the favor.
Spread the word about The Collective via social media: Pin, Tweet, post about it on Facebook, whatever you can do to help spread the word about The Collective and what it has done for your blog is awesome! Let's get social :)