Focus

Well, well, well, time is moving on. Doom and gloom permeates the news with stories of a recession gone wild. But we’re living in two Americas. There’s those who don’t seem affected at all by this downturn. They’re going along their normal day, spending, and probably looking perplexed at the news reports of a recession. And then there’s others, looking into an abyss and wondering how they’ll pay their mortgages. To those, frugality isn’t en vogue, it’s a way of life. So, when the recession hit my livelihood, and I began to curtail my spending, and, looking for ways to cut back my costs, I began to feel like I lived in two Americas. My nose pressed against the glass watching the ‘haves’ buying iPhones and taking European vacations, and watching their puzzled looks when I tell them, “I can’t afford to go out and eat.” When a dark tunnel is ahead you begin to lose focus; and for me my mind races to worst case scenario. I keep hoping I’ll walk into my office and there will be a client who’ll keep me afloat for another month . . .but of late the phones barely ring and if they do it’s someone trying to sell me something, which infuriates me even more. I guess the only way to stay ahead of the curve is to keep moving like a shark; keep plugging away and focus on change. In times like these, thinking outside the box, looking for avenues others haven’t tried, do anything to keep your business moving. This isn’t time to throw up your hands and wait for the phones to ring, because they won’t. You’ll just fall further and further into the darkness and the other side won’t be pretty. Stay ahead of the curve, focus, look outside the box, move on, try new things, change your ways, and ultimately you’ll come up on the other side of this wave.

A Bit More Optimistic

Boy my last blog was a downer. Since then I’ve gotten a little more sunshine in my heart. Wow! Someone please get me some psychotropic drugs. Actually I have, in my drawer at work, given to me by my doctor for PMS, Lexapro. I am anti-drugs. In fact I will wait quite a while before I commit to even taking an aspirin. Although I love Dr. Putta; she is perhaps the busiest most totally dedicated doctor I’ve known but she is not beyond prescribing drugs. Although she leans towards eastern practices at times, she is still compelled to prescribing drugs so prevalent in western medicine. The Lexapro I have are 10 mg samples, which she whole heatedly placed in my hands with a suggestion to take one at the onset of PMS. The skeptic and non drug user that I am looked up info regarding Lexapro, it’s side effects, and what it does to the body. I actually had no intention of taking the meds, but after reading about it certainly wouldn’t want anyone, who isn’t truly ill, to ever take them. It seems they hand these drugs out like candy, not even explaining side effects, or even trying to find out the underlying causes of the problems. I’ve lived all these years with PMS, I think I can manage to live a few more years during my “transitional phase” without the aid of drug supplementation.

After reading a wonderful book by fitness trainer Jillian Michaels, I am on a one woman mission to rid my life of toxins and harmful foods. Everything commercial seems to contain harmful substances that could alter our body mechanics and hormones. Even innocuous stuff like plastic bowls, may contain PFCs which can send a body completely out of whack. Today we see so many children with ADHD, and they are prescribed meds to combat their symptoms. Diabetes seems to be at an epidemic level, and yet modern medicine combats that with meds as well. And if they do suggest diet changes it’s generally incomplete and as human nature has it if we’re taking a pill for it then we think we’re free to eat anything and everything we want. Fast foods, processed foods, HFCS, growth hormones, pesticides, PFCs all lead to dramatic changes within our bodies, and it messes with our hormones. You know, pharmaceuticals is a billion dollar a year business, and we keep it in business by consuming the very things that are causing our problems. I’m not saying all medicine is bad, to the contrary, but the increase of statin drugs is an indication that our society is so out of touch with nutrition and health that they send their bodies spiraling and then require a drug to artificially bring it back to optimal levels. If there’s such a thing. I think I may dedicate this blog to information and support on how to rid your life of toxins ultimately improving your overall health and well-being. Yeah, I have a mission. I will start soon. Every week will be a different topic, researched, and distilled for your dancing pleasure.

Crossroads

Well I was wondering when this time would come. I am at the crossroads. Today, I am feeling the pangs of wanting more than this. And what I mean by “this” is my business. Having done it for nearly 10 years now, I am beginning to feel the signs of wanting to move on, which may mean letting go of the entire operation or expanding into something else. As an artistic person I’ve never felt joy at this ‘job’, which is very much a ‘job’ since I basically fell into it out of necessity. I did and do however, love the idea that at my job I am the boss and I control everything. Then again, I’m also responsible and when walls come crashing down I need to fix it, not to mention I am the receptionist, sales person, secretary, and accountant and at times it brings on way too many stresses. As an avid organizer and one who excels in structured environments, this has been the happiest place for me many, many times. But today, I am at a crossroads. Business has suddenly diminished, probably economy related, and I least like having to go dig up clients. It was going so smoothly when they just flocked to me, but now it looks like I have to put on my marketing hat and that’s too much work. To satisfy my artistic hunger, I fill my time with photography, although that has become stagnant lately, mostly due to me putting pressures on myself to produce better and better work. It was easier when I loved anything I photographed and I didn’t have anything to compare it to. Now, I judge myself against others like I’ve done everything else in my life and I know it will ultimately destroy me. That’s why I’ve been trying to keep it light and loose and not be too hard on myself, since photography is a hobby and not something I plan to pursue. It’s hard enough for me to market my livelihood, let along a hobby. And then filling a great deal of my time now is getting healthy and fit. A lifelong obsession with health and wellness, I’ve read countless books and websites on weight loss, health, environment, vitamins, nutrition, ahhhhhhhh … So you can see I may be burning the proverbial candle at both ends, with so much to do . . . marketing, learning, improving, . . . and getting over this ligament back issue. Sometimes there’s so much to do, I just want to do nothing and that makes sense, because when you’re overwhelmed you’re just doing it to get it done and never producing anything of quality. I think most of all, I need a change of scenery, a location jaunt, a mini-vaca, a breath of fresh air … a pet.

Sigh of the Times

. . . listen, learn . . .

Well I think the recession has hit my business, or that’s what I’m going to call this sudden halt. Up until a few weeks ago we were mad busy with work. In fact, at times, I had to turn work away. How I wish that work would appear now. So, a few weeks ago work started to slow down, but now it’s full-blown stopped – dead in its tracks. Having been in this business for almost 10 years now, I know there are peaks and valleys. A few years ago, around February I hit a slump like this. I got so frustrated I went to the book store and bought almost every book I could find on marketing. Then I came back and started my game plan — postcard mailings to all my clients and potential new ones; something the books suggest you do every 3 – 6 months anyway.  So I buckled down and did the busy work hoping to procure some clients. No sooner did I start the mailing process clients started coming back full force. I’ve restrained myself from doing that again, but I think I may need the therapy to keep myself from totally losing it. Ultimately, business has an ebb and flow to it, but in my business, it’s either feast or famine. My transcribers are my lifeblood so when times get like this, I risk losing them. And then when work picks up I have to try and win them back with plenty of work. Oh, and now the fax just rang . . . maybe, something, hopefully? Naw, wrong number. The phone, literally hasn’t rung at all today. And I find myself picking it up every once in a while to see if the lines are still working. And they are. When it gets like this I have that sense of dread coarsing through my veins; I blame myself for not being a good businesswoman, for taking things way too easy, and just assuming work will come in as long as I sit at my desk. But then I know I’ve had a good run . . . building up every year; and despite the slow down, I am up this year from last year; actually I’m up from all previous years. Maybe I should just take this downtime to catch my breath and regroup my focus. And of course, I should definitely blame it on the recession.

The Payoff

So, now I’m going on my 4th week of hiking and I’m totally hooked. Besides the local Verdugos I’ve added in the Mt. Hollywood hike in Griffith Park. I usually do Mt. Hollywood on Sat or Sun and it’s very different than my weekday hikes. There’s for one, lots of people. During the week I’m lucky if I see one hiker along the way. I find that a little scary since I’m all alone on the mountain and sometimes freak my self out thinking there’s a mountain lion ready to pounce. This week I hiked to the top of Stough, much further than I’ve gone before. What keeps me going, usually, is curiosity. I never know what’s around the corner. This time I was more than surprised when I finally hit the summet and was rewarded with a nearly 360 degree panorama of Burbank/Glendale/Sun Valley and Bob Hope airport. It was amazing. The sounds of birds and wind was all I could hear and I stood there gazing out over the land with amazement. As my hikes get easier I will be scouting new territories because I find that’s what makes the hikes interesting. Yes, I’m a creature of habit and enjoy returning to familiar settings, but it seems once I’ve reached the top, the curiosity factor is gone. I’ll be returning to this site at least once more because I hope to get some great shots to post.

Because Tomorrow It Will Be Gone

Time seems to have a way of rushing by before our very eyes.  It sneaks up on you while you’re living life. And then one day you pull a photograph from a dusty shoe box.  You can’t believe it, but it’s been 20 years.  So, my advice, is to savor it all while you have it. Love the moment you’re in to the fullest. Squeeze every second out of that minute. Because tomorrow it will be gone.

 

Death Flight

As I take my last breath,
I hope to imagine myself
soaring like a bird
above the canyons and trails I hiked
during my short time on this earth.

Whisperer

 

I Am a Jesus Follower . . . that is on Twitter

Okay, okay so I succumbed to his calling. It was only a matter of time before I would accept Jesus into my life. It was so easy too. All I did was press FOLLOW and now I get personal messages from him daily. Oh and by the way he doesn’t like when you capitalize the H in him. It creeps him out. I found out some interesting things about Jesus, no he doesn’t like all the little children, he absolutely hates Christian rock, and he’s partial to Juicyfruit gum. Who knew? I suppose he tweats us with his iPhone, but not really sure; could possibly be some metaphysical way he communicates too. Either way, I don’t care, I love him and I wait and watch for his words daily. If you want to FOLLOW Jesus:  http://twitter.com/Its_Jesus

Wild Monday Hike

This one just about killed me, no, really. Wildwood Canyon is listed as a easy to moderate hike. I’ve never panted so hard in my life . . . but I love it. Here’s some shots . . . well I had to stop & catch my breath anyway.

Lots of beautifully colored brush along the path. Wild flowers and various weeds dot the landscape.  It’s so springtime.

 

 

I know it doesn’t seem like it’s very difficult, but believe me its definitely a steep one.  This is one of those rare straightaways. I passed these hikers as I was descending. I think a hiking stick may be my next investment. I can see how it would make traversing the inclines & declines safer.

 Breathtaking views, wildflowers,  and fresh air.  Wildwood Canyon in Burbank’s Verdugo Hills is vast and flowing with birds and reptiles. Yes, reptiles.  One slithered by across my path.  Oooh.

Hopping

I was reluctant to write anything today because of my sullen mood. During a walk yesterday my life flashed before my eyes and I wasn’t too happy with myself for the decisions I’ve made. Early in life, and I can’t believe I just said that, every decision I made was based on emotions. I might have peeked at reality but quickly threw it aside for how I felt. Whether it was love, career, family or friends, it didn’t matter. It ultimately came down to my feelings and my heart. There’s something to be said for being in touch with ones feelings, there’s also something to be said for not seeing the realities and how certain actions may result in consquences we may not like. Hmmm, and so the reality of all this is that I can’t take back the decisions I made. It’s a done deal. And I have to accept the consquences of my actions. It’s the reality. But, I can, from this point forward, do things differently.