tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-873466587109713852024-03-14T06:27:33.015-05:00 Linda Mickey - ReflectionsThoughts and Contemplations about All Sorts of ThingsLinda Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06553511100114310777noreply@blogger.comBlogger143125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87346658710971385.post-40737888559079985012022-02-04T09:58:00.000-06:002022-02-12T08:56:44.510-06:00More Than Perfect<span style="font-size: medium;">The white-coated chef, who was about to face Bobby Flay, said he would have to bring his A game in order to win the competition. That statement, taken literally, doesn't make sense. Why would he bring his B game? Would anyone bring their F game?<br />
<br />
In another program, one of the competitors said she would have to give 110% to win. She means she will give everything she has plus, somehow, even more. Makes sense. After all, how many people enter a competition to give 85% of their best effort?<br />
<br />
Of course these are just phrases that imply we will do our best to win or achieve our goal. But could they also indicate that something less than perfection is never acceptable? Perhaps when we do our very best, we don't win. Does that mean we are lesser human beings? Does that mean our efforts are worthless?</span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I just watched another competition in which the loser smiled through his tears saying how much he had grown in his art as a direct result of his efforts to win. I have no doubt he tried his best and gave 110% and brought his A game. I'm sure he will go on to do very well in his chosen field - much like some other losers who gave it all they had at the time - Jennifer Hudson or One Dimension or Backstreet Boys or Miranda Lambert.</span></div>Linda Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06553511100114310777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87346658710971385.post-48459057911293088162018-07-25T07:33:00.002-05:002022-02-12T08:57:25.285-06:00Big Moves Equal Big Headaches?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not long ago, I moved to a new state and a new city. I’ve
moved before but always within the same county so avoided many of the issues
that confronted me for this relocation.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Changing from the Central to the Eastern time zone seemed like a minor thing and I was
not prepared for how much this would affect me. In Illinois, the sun's first light
always woke me. In the summer, that meant rising well before 6:00 AM. Now, however,
it is still dark at 6:00 AM so, without the alarm, I don’t wake until 7:00 or
even 7:30. I gave up trying to watch the local news. I can’t make myself stay
awake until 11:00 PM to see it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Changing one’s address may or may not result in mail being
forwarded. I had a post office box for more than 25 years. When I submitted the
change of address form, the post office refused to forward the mail saying I
was a business and they couldn’t forward business mail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh puleeze. The post office recommends individuals
get a box for security reasons but refuses to accept that a person might move.
Where is the logic in that?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Also regarding mail, there must be an automated change of
address notification process in place because I receive lots of junk mail for
companies in Illinois. Frankly, I do not intend to drive 730 miles for an oil
change. Yesterday, I received an advertising flyer from my former electricity
provider. Of course the company has my new address so it could send the final
bill but that should have been the end of it. If it sends flyers to all former
residents, imagine the expense. No wonder it needs to raise rates. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve moved several times and each time, something gets left
behind or gets lost. From my first apartment to my second, it was a box of
books. From my townhouse to my apartment, it was my favorite soup pot. In the
flurry of packing and the chaos of moving, I am resigned that something will
disappear. The moving gods must be appeased.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No matter where one goes, traffic patterns are different.
When and where the rush hour windows occur can be a surprise. Here, after
morning rush, traffic is fairly light until about 1:00 PM. Then it doubles or
triples, increasing until after evening rush. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Moving out of state adds to the adventure. In addition to
finding my way around and locating new grocery stores, the library, and a
Starbucks, I bumped into new rules for driving and voting. (More proof that
there is nothing united about the United States.) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve been in my new city for four months. I am somewhat
settled and can explore for fun rather than out of necessity. There are several
museums nearby and many large parks. It was a big move and included some big
headaches but now I rarely reach for the ibuprofen. </div>
Linda Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06553511100114310777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87346658710971385.post-60683611405934352132017-10-18T09:28:00.001-05:002017-10-18T09:28:11.830-05:00<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The film <i>Jackie</i> got me in my gut.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">I was too young in 1963 to fully understand or appreciate the events surrounding the Kennedy assassination. When Oswald was shot by Ruby on national television, I knew I wasn't watching a TV drama but it didn't affect me the way it did the adults in my family. When the funeral was televised, I dutifully watched every minute because my parents did and families did things together. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">These memories always come to mind every year on November 23 when we are reminded that a president was assassinated. What doesn't surface very often is the fact that this killing happened to a family; real people lost a husband, father, son, brother.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Most people assume that Jackie grieved. Of course she did. But we had no way of knowing how the shooting affected her because we only saw the public face she stoically wore. Thanks to Noah Oppenheim's script, we get a glimpse of those tortuous four days and I was forced to think about Jackie as a real person. My breath caught in my throat when I thought about how it would feel to have your husband's blood spatter your face and his mangled head lay in your lap. That stained pink suit took on new meaning. Jackie suffered from an unbelievably traumatic event long before any of us had heard of PTSD. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">The movie addresses but doesn't dwell on the politics that surrounded her. It looks at but doesn't focus on the relationship between Jack and Jackie. Instead, it follows her, an individual and separate from her husband. With her, we walk through the dark days after the shooting and begin to see a reason person who laughed, cried, and got seriously angry. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Granted this is fiction but it is fiction based on fact. Oppenheim did extensive research and used letters Jackie wrote in the year following the assassination as a basis for the story. This is a must-see movie because it provides us with a view of history from a different angle and that is always a good thing. We must never assume we know all there is to know about any subject...as watching <i>Jackie</i> proved.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
Linda Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06553511100114310777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87346658710971385.post-59325435655824792132016-11-24T09:19:00.000-06:002016-11-24T09:19:08.568-06:00I haven't posted in quite some time - primarily because family matters have kept me occupied. On Thanksgiving Day, we have a tradition of listing 10 things for which we are grateful in the current year, not including family or friends. I decided to share mine and hope you have no trouble compiling your own list.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Mindful that I must be thankful
for ALL things, I guess I am thankful for the ugliness exposed by this election. We need to remember that these differences have existed since the time of the founding fathers. This nation was built on compromise (otherwise the nation's capital would be in New York City, not Washington DC) and it is compromise that has kept us going - in spite of those differences and our constantly changing population. Neither side is completely right or completely wrong. My prayer is that our elected representatives keep that in mind as they do their work - locally and nationally.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
I am able to consider
retirement options. Many don’t have that luxury. I won't be able to afford a trip to Europe or buy a vacation home in Florida but I won't be eating dog food either. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
My boss may make me crazy sometimes
but I have a job, I don't have a long commute, I generally like the work, and I am paid for what I do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Very few can
say the same.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
It may seem like
an odd destination but I had a good time in Cincinnati this summer. The city is beautiful and there is
plenty to do. It was easy to see why people like it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
We had a very successful garage sale. I was happy to
be able to help a friend get rid of so much of her clutter while also getting rid
of some of mine.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Three cheers for skilled trades people - the HVAC guy, the electrician, the painter, the plumber & all the others
who make our life easier. Thank goodness not everyone wants to be an accountant or an attorney.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
I’ve read some good books this year, including Chernow's biography of Hamilton (which led to the next point on my list). I already have several titles on my to-read list for next year. And I love movies. I can’t
wait for 2017, which I believe will be better than 2016. The only film of real note
this year - Zootopia.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Specifically for 2016 -
the soundtrack from Hamilton. The quality and scope of the music was a total surprise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> We can't afford tickets but we borrowed the CDs from a friend. </span>Otherwise, music in general. I love
most genres. There is always something to listen to that matches my mood…or
improves it if that’s what I need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
About 35 years ago, my
brother told us 2-inch thick televisions would hang on the wall and we would be
able to access any programming we wanted to see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took longer than he anticipated but here we are with skinny TVs and video streaming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am particularly thankful for Acorn
TV. Thanks to its wealth of programming, we didn’t have to suffer through any political
commercials or shows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We always
had worthwhile alternatives.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
I am so grateful that most people living in the western world, including me, generally live in peace. While no place is completely safe or strife-free, I cannot image how horrid it would be to live or work in one of the many places in this world where war rages continually. I am also thankful for those who serve their communities and their nations in an effort to aid and protect.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
So that's my list. Happy Thanksgiving to all my fans and friends in the US and belatedly to those in Canada. To everyone else - I hope you are able to create a list for yourself, no matter what day it is. <br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Linda Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06553511100114310777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87346658710971385.post-9940112101264506592016-05-30T09:13:00.001-05:002016-05-30T09:14:26.935-05:00Windows10 Broke My Computer<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Did Windows10 take over your computer recently?
Are you one of the millions of victims? Were you able to escape it
successfully or did you end up paying hundreds of dollars to an IT specialist
to solve whatever problems that software created? It seems this affected
everyone we know in some way. And yet, there's been next to no media
coverage about it outside the technical world. Why? This should be headline news.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Somewhere in the fine print of the user agreement
there must be a paragraph that gives Microsoft the right to push unwanted and
poorly constructed software on its customers. However, just because it has the
right, doesn't mean it should. Can't Microsoft see that people would be
happy to upgrade if the software was worth upgrading to? So much was
written about poor performance and countless difficulties, it's no wonder folks
kept saying "no" whenever the pop-up surfaced offering the free
upgrade. Gee Microsoft - didn't that tell you something.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One of the reasons Microsoft gives for forcing
Win10 down our throats is privacy concerns. Bull-oney. It just invaded our privacy
by downloading Win10 when we repeatedly said we didn’t want it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We wouldn't bother getting our PC repaired except
that the household network was resident on the PC and that is totally screwed
up - thanks to Windows10. So we will spend a ton of money, which is not in our
budget, getting our PC back to Win7 and then moving the network to the Mac.
We never want to go through this again because there was absolutely nothing
"free" about the free upgrade to Win10.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I rarely feel the animosity toward a corporation
that I currently feel toward Microsoft. If I had any choice, I would never use
one of its products again. If anyone out there decides to file a class action
lawsuit to recover the cost of repairs, count me in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Linda Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06553511100114310777noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87346658710971385.post-88175899756610297212015-09-21T08:37:00.000-05:002015-09-21T08:37:59.828-05:00Our Parks are More than Just Green Space"You are very lucky to live in this country."<br />
<br />
We had a block party yesterday and welcomed a couple of new families to our street. I spent some time talking to a lovely woman who, with her family, immigrated here from Ukraine. What she said nearly brought tears to my eyes. It is worth sharing.<br />
<br />
She spoke often of how we had taken special, natural places and preseved them. Ukraine has beautiful places but the people have done nothing to keep them open and available for the citizens to enjoy. My neighbor was amazed at all the state and national parks we have. She spoke specifically about Illinois Beach State Park, Devil's Lake in Wisconsin, and Niagara Falls. The family is already planning trips for next summer.<br />
<br />
What else do we have? Blue water. In Ukraine, the water is brown. Here the water is fresh; there the large bodies of water are salty. We take it for granted; she thinks it is amazing.<br />
<br />
We do not appreciate what we have until we see it through another person's eyes. As my new neighbor spoke, I silently thanked all the "tree huggers" who fight so hard to keep the Great Lakes blue and the trees in Devil's Lake State Park green. She admires Americans for taking care of the natural gifts we have. Little does she know how difficult that has been to accomplish. Linda Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06553511100114310777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87346658710971385.post-70194400140488514162015-01-04T15:56:00.000-06:002015-01-04T15:56:19.171-06:00No News is Good News?The holiday season is over and, as I went through our cards one last time, I was struck by how many friends no longer include a letter or even a brief note. Receiving a card indicates friends are still alive and photo cards show how the kids have grown but that's about it. No news at all. So I have a message for people who send photo cards or just imprint their names:<br />
<br />
Guess what - I am interested in your kids <i>because</i> they are yours but I am friends with you! What happened to you in 2014? How's your job? Do you still have a job? What did you do besides work? Did you take a vacation? Where did you go? Did you get or lose a pet? How are your folks?<br />
<br />
Want to talk about the kids? OK - how are they really? Do they like school? Do they still play football or tennis or have they moved on to new interests? Are they dating?<br />
<br />
Friends come and go and the holidays are a time when we realize that distance is not always measured in miles. So I will trust that 2014 was a good year for all those who didn't tell me otherwise and hope that 2015 is even better. <br />
<br />
As for 2015 holiday greeting cards, I will have to ponder whether or not to send them to those who didn't include a note in the 2014 card or otherwise communicate during the year. Maybe I'll send just an e-card? That seems fair. What do you think?Linda Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06553511100114310777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87346658710971385.post-36770763522580992262014-11-12T10:40:00.000-06:002014-11-12T10:40:00.189-06:00Yup. It's the holiday season. I noticed it just after Labor Day and it was in full swing by November 1. The stores were outfitted in their annual red and green. Television and radio stations started holiday-themed programming. Even Black Friday was moved ahead. The first ad for it was in July.<br />
<br />
There are a number of rants about the loss of the holiday season. Most people, when surveyed, say retailers start too early yet many of us support that by shopping on Thanksgiving and, frankly, our wallets speak much louder than words.<br />
<br />
There are conflicting messages this time of year. The media tells us how to cook a turkey and decorate the table while at the same time it encourages us to forsake the meal and go shopping instead. We see stories about sharing and fellowship coupled with headlines about people being fired for trying to honor Thanksgiving.<br />
<br />
What does "Christmas creep" say about us as a nation and a society? What
are we telling ourselves, our children, and others in the world? That money is more important than family and friends? Our desire for things outweighs our need for togetherness? The only thing we have to be thankful for is our credit cards? That a roasted bird and some whipped potatoes aren't nearly as much fun as shopping?<br />
<br />
I suggest we remove Thanksgiving from the calendar and replace it with a national shopping day. There would still be no mail delivery and most offices would closed so that people can shop. That would add a full day to the all-important shopping season. Wouldn't that make more sense than the pretense we now have? It would certainly be more honest.Linda Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06553511100114310777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87346658710971385.post-55351148912628793812014-08-31T10:38:00.000-05:002014-08-31T10:38:59.571-05:00Mourning is a Private AffairHere's the hard cold fact. Death is a part of life. We will all go somehow at some time. Loss and grief are also part of life. Try as we might, we can't avoid them either.<br />
<br />
Robin Williams died on August 11, 2014, twenty days ago. Since most who did not personally know him have moved on, I thought it would be appropriate now to write about some impressions I had at the time. I wasn't the only one who considered this. Amy Webb wrote a <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/data_mine_1/2014/08/facebook_twitter_and_grieving_how_social_media_makes_the_grieving_process.html" target="_blank">piece</a> for Slate.com about it and she got me thinking about my own response to grief and social media. <br />
<br />
When the announcement came about Williams' passing, I was immediately struck by how Twitter and Facebook went crazy with postings.Why? What were we sharing? Grief? Or a desire to be involved in a big news event? <br />
<br />
When we post about the loss of a loved one, what do we expect? Is it fair to assume that everyone will grieve the same way we do? Do we really think that people we have never met care about our loss? Do we have a right to criticize how other people grieve? <br />
<br />
Sometimes events should be private. The loss of someone we loved should be one of those times. I never want to rate the appropriateness of my grief by the number of likes on a Facebook posting. There is no possible way that a Facebook friend, who is often a writer or fan I don't know well if at all, can understand how I feel. They are unique personalities unto themselves with different experiences and cultures. The way they handle loss will be different from the way I do.<br />
<br />
A few years ago, my family suffered a great loss at the holiday season. Close friends rallied around. They telephoned, they took me to dinner, and they supported me as I struggled through the emotional jungle. There is no possible way a click or 140 characters can replace the level of caring I found in a crowded restaurant, a miniature Christmas tree, or someone going through bags of clothing with me. <br />
<br />
Death is a deeply personal experience. When it enters your life, you will want to, but you won't be able to, whisk your feelings away with a click or a tweet. And if you try to do that, you will be left devoid of comfort. Social media is great for some things. It may make you feel a part of something important. But it's no substitute for holding onto your teddy bear, or your best friend, or your mate and sobbing the pain away.<br />
Linda Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06553511100114310777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87346658710971385.post-34308724222090537692014-08-18T12:00:00.000-05:002014-08-18T12:00:01.177-05:00Fantasy writer Lev Grossman wrote an article for the NY Times (read it <a href="http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/08/16/finding-my-voice-in-fantasy/?_php=true&_type=blogs&smid=nytcore-ipad-share&smprod=nytcore-ipad&_r=0" target="_blank">here</a>) in which he talked about how becoming a fantasy writer unleashed his creativity. He found his writing voice in the magical world.<br />
<br />
Literary critics probably won't acknowledge that even the grandest fiction is, in a way, fantasy fiction. In order to create, writers go to a special spot in their imagination and it is from that place that their stories emerge.Whether writers create a town withering in the recession, send a boat down the Mississippi River, or fill a land with dragons, we mentally live in that world while we write about it. <br />
<br />
I write murder mysteries. My heroine, Kyle Shannon, does not have physical form but she is very real to me. As I move her through the story, I fantasize about her. I feel her emotions. I hear her voice. I am aware of her hopes and dreams. What happens to her, happens to me, and then to my readers.<br />
<br />
In creating Kyle's world, I examine my own. What she experiences is distilled from what happens around me. The great thing about being a fiction writer is that Kyle isn't bound by the constraints of the real world. She can survive on temp jobs. She can go places I would never go and she can know people I am not likely to meet. <br />
<br />
No matter where a story is based or how the hero moves through it, fantasy plays a role. Relationships, wants, and needs form the centerpiece of all plots no matter where the story is set. A woman solving a murder, an explorer on Mars, or boy waving a wand each face a challenge and must somehow overcome it. The genre is where the writer finds a home but all fiction is fantasy and all writers live in a fantasy world.<br />
<br />Linda Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06553511100114310777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87346658710971385.post-815546218250951792014-03-17T07:11:00.000-05:002014-03-19T07:07:51.671-05:00Great Wall Graffiti Shouts Look at Me<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">My mother had a saying: Fools names and fools faces always appear in public places. She referred to graffiti. Not the artistic work we see on rail cars or viaducts but the "John loves Sally" or "Sam was here" kind of stuff you find in bathrooms or on historical monuments.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">There wasn't so much of it when I was a kid. Now it seems nearly everyone is painting their name onto something. Why? Do we feel so important that our names deserve to be on the Great Wall of China (read more about that <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/#/business/travel/china-creating-designated-graffiti-zones-great-wall-n50046" target="_blank">here</a>) or do we feel so ignored that we deface great works of art in order to draw attention to ourselves? What does scratching our names onto surfaces say about us? What are we trying to tell others?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The news story about the Chinese reserving a section of the Great Wall for graffiti saddened me. It implies that we are so focused on self that we feel entitled to destroy a centuries-old marvel. The problem exists elsewhere of course. Look at the bridges in Paris that are covered with padlocks, rusting away and destroying the lovely views. Those locks are not an expression of love, which is selfless. They are another form of ego. They say, "Look at us, we're a couple." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Communication is a funny thing. There is more and more of
it today than ever and perhaps that's the problem. Does our ability to communicate with the whole world make us feel small and
insignificant? Do Facebook, about.me, Twitter, and all the others
somehow rob us of our sense of self? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Let me ponder that while I carve my initials into this rock.</span><br />
<br />Linda Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06553511100114310777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87346658710971385.post-72845370375870492382014-02-26T07:31:00.000-06:002014-02-26T07:31:55.623-06:00Village Secrecy Creates Angry Citizens<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The citizens of a nearby village, we'll call it Anytown, are about to vote on a very hot topic: whether or not to save a crumbling relic that was the original high school. For several years, a committee attempted to raise money to buy it from the school district and rehab it into a community center. They haven't been successful. That should have said something to the committee but it forged on, pushing the village board for support.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A neighboring town broadcasts its board meetings on local cable. While the discussions are hardly on par with a new episode of <i>NCIS</i>,
most citizens are interested in the new businesses that come to
town, what the mayor has planned for the 4th of July celebration, and
how the budget looks. Citizens feel knowledgeable when they go into the voting booth. They know exactly who stands for what
because everything is in the open.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Anytown does not televise its meetings. The mayor claims there's no money in the budget for it. I suppose those in charge fear what the citizens might hear in an
unguarded or heated discussion moment. Certainly if their citizenry had known about any consideration to fund the building rehab, the board would have heard an outcry two years ago. Anytown could have saved itself a lot of expense.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The voters made their position clear when they did not attend the fundraisers or donate to the committee. Low participation was a visible demonstration of the lack of support. Sometimes silence says more than an entire speech. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now Anytown is holding informational meetings and the politicians see how angry the voters are. Apparently the village board members were taken by surprise; something that would not have happened if Anytown broadcast its meetings. It's all about communication and, in this case, important ears haven't been listening. It could be a costly mistake in more ways than one. This is an election year.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span>Linda Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06553511100114310777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87346658710971385.post-12387694961344019452014-02-18T10:30:00.000-06:002014-02-18T10:30:01.039-06:00F You! Profanity in Modern Communication<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Swearing - good or bad? I guess that depends on context, where it occurs, and how often. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">How much profanity is too much? Like accents, a little can go a long way. This technique was demonstrated in the film version of <i>The Hunt for Red October</i>. Two characters spoke Russian for several lines and the viewer read subtitles. Then the dialogue switched: the viewer heard English but knew the two characters were still speaking Russian. A writer can heavily use profanity initially to demonstrate one aspect
of a character and then doesn't need to include it in every sentence
thereafter. The reader gets the idea.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We are bombarded with varying forms of communication and differing degrees of swearing within it. Nothing is bleeped in much of social media; there is extensive bleeping in broadcast television. What one country considers unacceptable, another finds perfectly normal. Just watch BBC America and you will see what I mean. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Profanity use impacts writers on two levels: whether or not it is an
acceptable form of expression for the character/situation and whether or
not another word would be better. A writing instructor once said that profanity was lazy writing by someone who couldn't be bothered to figure out another way to state the case. I don't know that I totally agree with that but I can think of several instances where the F-word was used and real people in that situation would probably have uttered a different expletive.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I dropped my first "F" bomb in <i>Help Wanted</i>. I did not use it casually and thought long and hard before including it in the dialogue. However, in that situation, for that character, no other word would suffice. None of my fans have objected so I guess it was appropriate.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Another author experienced the opposite. Her book was so heavily peppered with profanity that her editor protested and strongly encouraged her to rethink her approach. After removing many of the profane words, she still occasionally hears objections. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">As communicators, no matter the format, writers must decide what will involve or what will repel a reader. Involved readers will buy our product in the future; repelled ones - probably not. When it comes to profanity, writers walk a tightrope between acceptability and rejection. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>Linda Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06553511100114310777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87346658710971385.post-9114330201385463292014-02-11T07:04:00.000-06:002014-02-11T07:04:51.848-06:00Never-Ending Campaigns Are a Bore<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Unless you live under a rock, you are aware that New Jersey governor, Chris Christie, has had a tough couple of weeks. The media spends a lot of time on "Bridgegate" analyzing every last nuance of each email and speech. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Would Christie have received all the attention if pundits had not already anointed him as a presidential candidate? I doubt it. He would have been just another politician with some issues.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I really hate the way we handle election campaigns in this country. For one thing, they never end. Congress runs for reelection every two years. That means that Congress is constantly campaigning. President Obama finished his acceptance speech and one media organization was already talking about candidates for 2016. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The whole campaign process is like the boy who cried wolf. With every candidate attempting to frighten us into voting for them, any real message is lost in a cacophony of sound bites all telling us that X party candidate will surely bring ruin to the country or the county or the city. The ads are all the same and so is the message. Take any commercial or brochure and substitute one candidate's name for another. No problem, right? No one is going to say or do anything that isn't viewed as mainstream or popular. Frankly, the whole thing is boring.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Thank goodness for remote controls and recycle bins. The moment a campaign ad appears on the screen or in the mailbox, we can click away from it or throw it away. Now if there was something we could do to block all those campaign robo calls, we'd be all set.</span>Linda Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06553511100114310777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87346658710971385.post-44418170643172406132014-02-04T07:33:00.000-06:002014-02-04T07:33:38.132-06:00Dads in the Kitchen: A Changing Culture<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Have you seen the commercial in which
the little boy has just arrived home from school and chats with his
father about his tough day? Dad gives him a bowl of pudding and the
child, after learning with astonishment that he has to go back the next
day, orders a double. It's a cute ad but the child's cuteness is not
what attracted my attention. I realized, with some surprise, that it
was Dad, not Mom, who welcomed the boy home and it was Dad who served up
the afternoon snack. I presume it was also Dad who made the pudding.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This commercial reflects a reality that
is becoming commonplace for a variety of reasons. During the recession
in which thousands of upper level middle managers were laid off, it was
often Mom's paycheck that kept the family afloat. Moms earn less as a
rule (that's a blog topic in itself) so their salaries are not as much
of a drain on the bottom line. In addition, women often do not define
themselves by their work. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">They may enjoy their work immensely and be very good at it, but they often think of themselves first as a mother. </span>If the boss doesn't fear you, he may be less apt to fire you. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Then
there is the simple fact that some men are better cooks and
housekeepers than their spouses. They may prefer to stay home and their
wives may prefer to work. Another scenario is that what we see is one half of a same-sex marriage.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Whatever the back story, apparently our
culture has altered enough that commercials are finally reflecting what
has been commonplace for several years: Dad is serving up the pudding.
Regardless of what the writers had in mind when they wrote this
particular ad, it's nice to see. Dads are just as important to a kid as
moms, regardless of the role they play. I love my mom dearly but this ad
makes me wish that I had had the benefit of coming home to my dad once
in awhile.</span>Linda Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06553511100114310777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87346658710971385.post-18458383139724406702014-01-18T10:05:00.003-06:002014-01-18T10:07:24.714-06:00Google Stop Calling Me<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The phone rings. It is Google - again. Good grief. What part of Do Not Call don't you understand? The frequency of these calls is increasing and I'm tired of it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Is it really Google computers that telephone our numbers several times per day? No. The calls claim to be from Google Maps, Google Business, or a similar division and the caller ID says Nashua, New York, Detroit, Michigan or some other city or town. When I see odd places, I now assume it is a Google robocall but I can't ignore it. It could be a client or a state agency.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">These illegal calls are coming from scammers. That's a given. However Google demonstrates a surprising lack of interest because it is not protecting its reputation, its trademark, or its customers. Apparently it doesn't matter to Google whether or not I am annoyed or financially hurt by these calls; otherwise it would do something about them. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I realize that Google cannot directly stop bad people from doing illegal things. Most of these calls are probably not originating in this country. However, what surprises me is how little has been said in the media about this scam. The only warning I found online in a quick Google search was from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture made in November, 2013. There is a reference to the problem buried on the Google.com support page but the corporation hasn't really worked to defend itself or its users. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Why isn't Google shouting warnings from the rooftops? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The scammers call us because they make money doing it. If they didn't make money, they would stop calling. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It's that simple.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It seems logical to me that Google would make sure we all know it isn't them placing those calls. Then no one would spend money with the crooks and the calls would stop. What is Google saying by not saying anything?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>Linda Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06553511100114310777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87346658710971385.post-49452411892245116522014-01-07T10:30:00.000-06:002014-01-08T12:33:09.020-06:00Goodbye Walt Disney World<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This will be my last post based on our recent trip to Walt Disney World in Florida. I've had a month to reflect on our experiences. Most of them were good and we are glad we went. However the place we visited in 2013 was quite different from the one we experienced during earlier trips.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">What we took away from this trip was that, while portions of it were still
wonderful, overall WDW wasn't the magical place we experienced in the
past. There are obvious maintenance issues and cast members, stretched
to the limit, rarely have time to simply chat with visitors. For the first time ever, I didn't spend much money on extras. There was so little that was unique, we weren't tempted. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In addition to the physical changes in the parks, we realized that we no longer fit into the demographic that Disney is chasing. How do we know? Because there were market research people everywhere but no one
asked our opinion about anything. Why? Perhaps because we had no children with
us? We were not obviously grooming the next generation of Disney
customers? Even the vacation club salespeople ignored us; a fact that I
found fascinating considering we were heavily solicited during our last
trip. Obviously we no longer look the part. Odd considering we have more money now than before.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It's all about communication and this giant corporation said a lot to us in eight days. We got the message. We will cherish the memories of earlier vacations to WDW but this trip was the
one where the company told us it no longer wanted us or our money. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Mind
you, I am a big Disney fan and that has nothing to do with my name. But
the Disney World we loved no longer exists. I accept that. Times change. People
and corporations move on. We were a little sad but at least we had the opportunity to say goodbye to an old friend.</span>Linda Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06553511100114310777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87346658710971385.post-85546722055616019152014-01-02T09:15:00.000-06:002014-01-02T12:37:58.921-06:00Disney Fast Pass+ Too Much Leash?<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Disney World is too big to attack without some kind of plan. We do but we leave ourselves open to adjustments based on weather or crowds. For example, much as we wanted to try Be Our Guest, standing in the hot sun for an hour was not at all appealing so we ate elsewhere. It was quite cool one evening so we went to Downtown Disney and saved Illuminations for another night. However, we did book some meal reservations and Fast Passes before we left home. A Disney mobile app allowed us to keep track of our schedule so that we arrived at an attraction during our Fast Pass-assigned time window and it reminded us of show times for those we wanted to see. We saw a lot of people glued to their smart phones, trying to decide how to be in two places at one time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A family standing next to us at Spaceship Earth could see they would not finish the Spaceship Earth ride before their chance evaporated to get Fast Passes for Soarin' . The solution was for Dad to go over to Soarin' and get Fast Passes for the family to use later in the day. However that meant that he would not be riding Spaceship Earth. His comment was "Why do we have to do everything at a set time? This is the worst vacation ever."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Too many of those reactions and attendance at WDW will drop like a stone. In trying to manage the guests in order to control expenses, Disney has successfully taken all the fun out of the experience. By forcing the guest to schedule every moment, the company implies that the schedule will guarantee a wonderful vacation. Consequently the guest is dissatisfied or angry when their schedule falls apart. Disney failed to include fallibility in its calculations. Rides break down, humans make mistakes, weather changes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">There have been numerous blogs and postings on the Fast Pass+ program. We have no issue with Magic Band; ours worked just fine. However, being forced to plan for every ride, every parade, and every meal doesn't sound like a vacation. Our regular lives are controlled by the calendar. Is it a vacation if we have to book everything in advance in order to experience it? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">There is no doubt that the corporate plan is to give Fast Pass+ to guests staying at Disney resorts and "outsiders" will have to stand in line. Disney guests will be able to book optimum seating for parades, fireworks and shows. We get that. But heavy-handed control only works for a while. Eventually people rebel. As we did. By the last two days of our trip, we blew off our Fast Passes and didn't use the mobile app once. We returned to the WDW of our memories and just enjoyed the parks. If a ride was too busy, we went on a different one. If one restaurant couldn't take us, we tried something new. Obviously not everyone will react the same way. If Dad foots the bill and thinks WDW is the worst vacation ever, the family won't be back.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So, Mr. Iger, be careful about what your Fast Pass+ system is telling your customers. Some guests might rebel as we did and simply opt for alternatives. And some guests may pass on WDW altogether. </span>Linda Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06553511100114310777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87346658710971385.post-90739021215520010292013-12-26T11:11:00.000-06:002013-12-25T11:11:35.985-06:00A Shout-Out to Richard<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">One of the things I enjoy while on vacation is talking to the locals. They are usually wonderful sources of information about the area we are visiting. This is particularly true at a Disney property. The cast members are a fascinating bunch. How they came to work for The Mouse, the history of the park or hotel, and what's coming next are all topics that I love to cover.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAH0MsLEjjNED0BXqp42wgJYuO7E5e0tCYzf_COsIjAxDXGtkbE2YF9MKpzGm214rohc_Z1itZ__ydNb1gDMn5Q_O6SaWzrg90OoTIPXU1BZ4AmKRqtxOnvfDFExYv-2CiC-fBotgC9Ok/s1600/Richard+the+greeter+(426x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAH0MsLEjjNED0BXqp42wgJYuO7E5e0tCYzf_COsIjAxDXGtkbE2YF9MKpzGm214rohc_Z1itZ__ydNb1gDMn5Q_O6SaWzrg90OoTIPXU1BZ4AmKRqtxOnvfDFExYv-2CiC-fBotgC9Ok/s320/Richard+the+greeter+(426x640).jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">On our recent trip, I chatted with three cast members who were particularly special or interesting. My first shout-out is to Richard, the official greeter at the Yacht Club resort. He was so jolly he reminded me a bit of St. Nick. He shared insights about the train and village display in the lobby, how to get rid of red ants, and bits of his personal story. Our second acknowledgement goes to a delightful woman at World of Disney. Sadly, we don't remember her name but she stood outside the store holding a Duffy stuffed toy and advertising a donation program the store was promoting. From her we learned of Disney Springs, a revamp of Downtown Disney we had somehow missed hearing about. Finally there was an interesting man in Hollywood Studios at the Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow attraction. He chatted about the rumors of updates to that park, the ebb and flow of the number of guests, and his kids. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Friendly, pleasant cast members were in the majority but we ran into something new this year: surly, gruff, and irritated employees. While surprised by the overtness of this non-Disney behavior, we realized that what we were seeing was exhaustion. Coming off the Thanksgiving weekend and moving into the holiday season, these cast members were just plain done-in and had been bumped with a stroller one too many times.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We witnessed a lot of communicating while on this trip. We spoke to cast members, they spoke to each other, and the Disney company spoke to all of us. We generally liked what we heard however we couldn't help but feel sad that the corporation had stretched the manpower in the parks so thin that nerves frayed and tempers flared. That communicates so much to employee and guest alike.</span>Linda Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06553511100114310777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87346658710971385.post-84188714439900806712013-12-17T07:59:00.000-06:002013-12-17T07:59:44.179-06:00Two People, Two Lasting Impressions<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Much of our success or failure in communication can be found in first impressions. As much depends on tone, facial expression, and body language as on the words themselves. We build a reaction to someone or something predicated on the first encounter. And so it was with our recent vacation.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Due to terrible motion sickness, I don't fly well and I am often a bit rattled on landing. I couldn't wait to get to our hotel to freshen up and get something to eat.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This was our first experience with Disney's Magical Express, the complimentary transportation from the airport to the Walt Disney World resort. The bus driver, we'll call him Sam, was all smiles when we boarded however that disappeared as he contended with heavy holiday traffic and blown schedules. None of his ire was directed as his passengers but it was a surprise that he would be so vocal about his distress. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Upon arrival, a Disney hotel cast member greeted us by name and escorted us into the hotel lobby. Her smiling face and cheery demeanor were as bright as the Florida sunshine and did much to erase the tense beginning to our vacation.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I sympathize with Sam. Traffic back ups and delays are frustrating. We live in the Chicago area and we always speak about our commutes in terms of time, not distance. We know about bad traffic. We had a different driver when we left so we didn't see Sam again. We will always wonder if things improved as his day progressed. We certainly hope so. And, although we always looked for her whenever we passed through the lobby, we never saw the hotel greeter again either.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Two people, two impressions. The manner in which they communicated with us will be with us forever. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">There is no way to know how our clients or customers feel when they encounter us. We don't know what happened to them prior to meeting with us so how we initially communicate with them will impact them in ways we cannot imagine. Our vacation experience reminded me how important it is to strive to make that first impression a good one.</span>Linda Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06553511100114310777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87346658710971385.post-59231551325266602742013-12-09T07:02:00.000-06:002013-12-09T07:05:55.814-06:00Linda Mickey Meets Mickey Mouse<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I just returned from a trip to Walt Disney World in Florida. A close association with The Mouse is often assumed because of my name however it's been eight years since my last excursion to Orlando. This was a complete vacation - no emails, no phone calls, no touching base with the office, and very few tweets. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The trip will be the subject of the next few blogs because I saw plenty of communication in a variety of forms and all of it was fascinating. Of course electronic and digital forms were plentiful and influenced much of what I encountered but that's not the whole story.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Probably no one pushes a brand better than the Walt Disney Company. Children are indoctrinated at an early age and the corporation works hard to make that carry through from generation to generation. Consider one grandmother's story about her daughter-in-law paying the one day park admission in order to get a photo of her newborn in Minnie's arms. The grandmother was beaming. If he were to hear about it, Bob Iger, CEO of the company, would be too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In coming posts, I will consider how cast members responded to guests, how the corporation relates to its customers, and what was good or unfortunate in all the factors that combined for the show I observed. To top it all off, snow at O'Hare Airport provided an entirely new experience. Like I said, it was a very interesting eight days. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I'll take some time to reflect and compose my thoughts. Please stop by next week when I will begin the series. </span>Linda Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06553511100114310777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87346658710971385.post-23723087198054294462013-11-26T07:33:00.000-06:002013-11-26T07:33:00.109-06:00THOR AND A 4-YEAR OLD<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We went to <i>Thor: The Dark World</i> two weeks ago. Weather in Illinois was dreadful so there were very few people in the theater. Consequently a pair of dads with their sons was noticeable. One of the boys was probably eight; the other no more than four. My reaction was instantly negative. What was a four-year old doing at that particular film?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Thor isn't bad as violence goes and it is completely devoid of sex. The bad guys were easy to spot making it possible to cheer on the good guys. The boys have probably been exposed to many battle sequences through their video games. That's not the issue. I just can't help but wonder how much of that movie the four-year old understood.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">With so little life experience, will a four-year sympathize with the rage that drove the good guys? Did he get the sacrifices people made for each other? Was death something he could truly appreciate? Did he see the first film? Or <i>The Avengers</i>? Even if he did, did he understand how those plots integrated with this one? He would have been about two or three when the first Thor film was released. Without that groundwork, how much of <i>Thor 2</i> made any sense to him? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The sights and sounds were entertaining enough and the boys were quiet throughout the movie. But I wonder how much of the adult-level relationships were beyond their comprehension. I get that Dad wanted to see the movie and I'm sure those men thought this would be a great sharing time with their boys. But beyond the battle sequences, what did the children understand? The movie had a PG-13 rating and those ratings aren't entirely about violence or sex. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I hope the boys could fathom why Thor, Loki and the others did what they did because their motivations were the whole point. And if you go to movie or read a book or watch a television program or play and you miss the point, what's the point of doing it? If you never understand the entertainment presented to you by your parents, do you eventually think that entertainment is a waste of time? Do you stop reading or watching? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We communicate so much to our children and it goes far beyond our words. It's something to keep in mind when we are tempted to take a four-year old to an adult film. </span>Linda Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06553511100114310777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87346658710971385.post-29505956501766362402013-11-19T07:25:00.000-06:002013-11-19T07:25:18.333-06:00Dead Men Still Telling Tales<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Unless you're of a certain age, you have never heard the term "out of print." In the technological dark ages (twenty-five years ago or so), books were printed on paper. When a title stopped selling and reached the end of its shelf life, the publisher stopped printing it. It literally went out of print. At such times, the rights to the work reverted back to the author who was free to do with it as he pleased. Now, manuscripts are digital so they never go out of print. They are always available, either through print-on-demand or as an ebook. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This is a huge boon for dead authors. Read more about it <a href="http://security.blogs.cnn.com/2012/05/04/the-sometimes-perilous-business-of-spy-thrillers/" target="_blank">here</a> in a CNN article. As the anonymous agent said, dead authors never leave the marketplace. Their backlist is always available. That maintains name recognition and allows new work to be published under an old name. Ian Fleming died in 1964 but James Bond books bearing his name continue to appear. Same with Robert Ludlum who died in 2001. Another writer pens the Bourne novels but who can name him?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">As we know, there is precious little opportunity for new writers to get picked up by the publishing establishment unless one is writing soft porn or the latest tell-all book about a celebrity. In the article, an agent laments that as long as old writers take up shelf space, there is no room for new ones. In the past, the old guard made way for the new. That is no longer the case. It makes getting noticed that much harder for newbies.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">There is another side to this however. Some books are never printed on paper at all. I recently had to make that decision when the second edition of <i>Dollars and Sense for Writers</i> was released. Most of my sales in 2012 were ebooks. Therefore, did it make sense to publish the book on paper in 2013? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Ultimately my fans will decide. If they want a print version, they will tell me. In the meantime, <i>Dollars and Sense</i> is an ebook. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It is true that there is no room for me on a bookstore shelf. It is also true that there are fewer shelves available to me as bookstores continue to disappear. However, in this digital age, I, and others like me, are on the shelves that count. Our work is available to readers throughout the world. Doesn't that beat being on a local shelf?</span>Linda Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06553511100114310777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87346658710971385.post-35580676005881371052013-11-03T14:24:00.000-06:002013-11-03T14:24:47.619-06:00Too Many Books?<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Are we writing too much? Is the market saturated with books and stories? Just a couple of the questions a writer acquaintance of mine posted to her blog recently. She was on a rant about writers self-publishing too many books. I'll address this specifically over at <i>Dollars and Sense</i> in the next day or two but it got me thinking about communication in general and how it is done in the digital age.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We are bombarded with information, entertainment, and opinion. The ads get sexier, the shows get more violent, and the books more numerous. It's all an attempt to get our attention and hold the audience, maintain the ratings or the subscriptions, and make money. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Those who read my blogs know that I am not opposed to making money. However, I do believe that in our effort to be heard, we are producing greater quantities of material without ensuring that it has quality. For example, several new dramas for the fall season showed great promise. Some are already cancelled. They did not connect with their audience. There was no communication.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Whether it is a television program, an advertisement, an article, or a book, there is a communication give and take. If the audience does not understand or sympathize with the message, it moves on; something it has been willing to do ever since the advent of the remote control.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">What my writer friend was trying to say was that she looks for quality in the writing that is currently produced and she isn't finding much. Care is not taken to ensure that the product being sold is worth her time and money. Sadly, that set of circumstances exists for all products. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We have more and more that is worth less and less. We exalt low prices but complain when product doesn't hold up. What does that say about the companies and people who produce the goods? And what about us as consumers of those products? If we continue to spend our money on inferior product, we deserve what we get. We communicate best with our wallets. </span>Linda Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06553511100114310777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87346658710971385.post-3880394573613082402013-10-27T06:58:00.001-05:002013-10-27T06:58:48.821-05:00Classified Ads Gone Missing<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>The Advertiser </i>is another paper gone the way of the dodo bird. My thoughts today are about the lack of this special form of communication and how the loss of <i>The Advertiser</i> affected us directly. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>The Advertiser</i> was exactly what the name implies. It was a weekly paper in which folks hawked their wares; everything from used cars to baby clothes. The paper was free, deriving its income from the thousands of classified ads it ran each week. It was the go-to place to find almost anything one wanted to buy and it was <i>the</i> place to run garage sale ads. Dealers and amateurs alike would scour the ads on Wednesday, selecting the sales they wanted to patronize on Thursday or over the weekend.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In years past, our ads pulled the kind of dealers and buyers we needed as we sold off old, but working, electronics, housewares, and small appliances. However, as I prepared to place an ad for what we planned to be our last sale for the foreseeable future, I learned that <i>The Advertiser</i> was no more. We ran an ad elsewhere but it didn't produce a single buyer. The people who came happened to see the signs and stopped by.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I suppose Craigslist and other online sites are the reason <i>The Advertiser</i> closed its doors. However, the Internet sites do not replace that paper. For one reason, <i>The Advertiser </i>was local, covering a twenty-mile radius. When you live in a seven-county metropolis, locale is important and we are too far away from the city to draw from its population. People do not, as a rule, drive fifty miles to go to a garage sale. Gas is too costly and no one likes to go into unfamiliar territory, not even for a $2 Christmas tree. Another reason is that dealers who made their livings off these sales carefully watched the ads for specific items and attended the sales that featured them. We had electronics for sale that had sold to dealer in years past. This time there was no way to reach him. Now we will take it to the recycling facility.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Many of the changes in communication have unanticipated consequences. The loss of <i>The Advertiser</i> is one of those. Someday we will downsize and have things to sell. Will we have another
garage sale? Perhaps, but it won't be as successful as others have been
and more items will go to Goodwill. Perhaps that's a good thing. I don't know.</span>Linda Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06553511100114310777noreply@blogger.com0