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Knowing my limitations can me help me to overcome them or to cope with them.

Sometimes, it's easy to mistake the methods for the calling.

Passion is like a shot of adrenaline. It helps to start and finish things. It's rare for it to do much of anything during the starting and finishing points.

How often a person should post on his or her blog seems to be the ever-popular question.

Is it best to write in first, second, or third person?

Defining the relationship may be important on a personal level, but it's equally necessary on a professional one.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Central ideas are essential not only to writing but also to other initiatives, such as marketing or branding.

Inspiration tends to come when it isn't sought.

It can be hard to find the writing rhythm, especially when the usual one has been changed or removed.

Active observation is essential to the writing life and other creative pursuits.

Productive meditation seems, well, more productive.

To be a writer is both an act of being and doing.

Being a writer doesn't make writing any easier. Please quit placing writers on pedestals.

Perfectionism sometimes induces blindness. The result can be the same as the one the three blind mice experienced.

I've learned that I can't do everything myself. Sometimes, I have to ask for help.

I have some talent as an artist, but the secret to my success as an artist is my willingness to use the talent I have.

Specialization is necessary, but it doesn't preclude generalization.

This week, I'm tying loose ends. Don't start to fray, ends.

I'm moving in a few days, so I'm packing some - not all - of my books.

Spammy pitches are not the way to make a sale or to obtain guest-posting privileges.

Apparently, "supposably" is a word. It's being abused, as is "supposedly."

I should stay away from bookstores. I'm addicted to reading.

You're going to write crappy things. Embrace them, then bid them farewell.

The moment I wake up, I do not put on my makeup. I do, however, think about one of Seth Godin's recent blog posts.

A plan? For Tumblr? Yes.

I hate twiddling my thumbs. I guess that's why I'm not twiddling thumb.

Generalization doesn't win a person any points. Specificity is needed.

It's a battle of epic proportions. The contenders? You're and your.

Sometimes, building a business means a couple of detours and stop signs.

I lament the existence of the AP StyleGuard. It could further ruin what writing skills still exist.

Sometimes, I'm more dangerous than any distraction.

How do I know which dress to choose? Do I choose the dress of entrepreneurship or the dress of employment?

Semicolons are the misbegotten children of punctuation. What do they do? What purpose do they serve?

How do I keep moving when I've run into a brick wall?

I can be angry and sad, or I can be thankful. I choose the latter.

Who has the right stuff to be an entrepreneur?

Perhaps I shouldn't write or publish this post. Nobody will want to email me.

Distractions may not be bad things, but, sometimes, a singular focus is necessary.

Sometimes, the only way to find one's way is to take some detours, to get distracted.

To be a writer is to have one's writing rejected countless times. What does a writer do when he or she has received yet another rejection letter?

What characteristics or qualities do good writers need?

As promised, I give more details regarding my new business.

I'm starting a new business. What is it? That news may have to wait.

I don't like to sing of myself. I know I need to sing my solo, though.

Who is a typical writer? I would like to meet that person.

Sometimes, I do things without thinking. I'm human like that.

Music is a staple of my work life and, sometimes, my writing life.

Teaching people about writing makes me wonder how my dad felt about trying to teach me calculus.

Adding creativity to one's communications does not mean channeling one's inner Mr. T.

Today's post is for Amber Avines of Words Done Write. She uses the writing force and offers instructions as to how other writers can do the same.

How does one know when he or she is being "too creative"?

Different types of writing have different types of constraints. Some of those constraints are external while others are superimposed by the writer.

Writing is a tool. It also can be an art.

Most writers have favorite writing spots. Those spots aren't necessarily coffee shops.

To be a writer is to allow fear and uncertainty into one’s life. It’s to be lost. It’s to be bewildered.

If it's easy to forget, it's also easy to remember.

I sometimes forget what I'm supposed to do while doing other things.

It may take six points of contacts before a person makes a purchasing decision. Something is to be said for trusting one's instincts, though.

Cliches are easy to use, but are they the best thing to use?

Forms and structures are essential to writing. Free form is equally important.

The right tools and direction can thwart some of the frustration and feelings of being overwhelmed. Maybe it would be best to determine those tools and receive direction before starting a project.

Is feeling overwhelmed a legitimate reason for not investing in social media?

Success isn't a straight arrow. It's a meandering one.

Sharing too much information online seems to be a prevalent problem. I suppose it's time to discuss it - again.

When should one use "less" or "fewer"? Let's review some grammar rules.

It's easy to be impressed by fancy dance and social media moves. Don't be fooled; they're based on the basics.

I've been thinking about audience lately. Am I targeting the right one? How do I find the right audience?

Has diabetes taught me anything? Maybe, maybe not.

Nobody said entrepreneurship was easy. Often, it's more of a battle.

Facebook is calling upon all people to help decide what advertisements they'll see. Will they heed the call?

The advent of Google+ business pages has turned the internet into a madhouse. Please make it stop.

Video is teaching me a lot. I think the lessons may be more about myself than about video, though.

A recent survey of women in the workplace suggests that women are less ambitious than they once were. Is that suggestion true?

What's in a fragment? Not a lot.

The weather can't seem to decide if it's summer or winter. Make a decision, weather, make a decision.

"If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." Words of wisdom from my mother.

Eureka moments are the exception rather than the rule. I doubt that anyone wakes up one morning and suddenly knows what he or she is doing.

How does one survive in a writing-infested world? These rules may hold some clues.

Facebook's latest updates have raised some questions about the subscriptions feature. I try to answer some of those questions in this post. I hope I succeeded.

Building an online community sometimes is a business goal. How does one build that community?

Being an entrepreneur means refusing to act like a freelancer. I've been learning the lesson the hard way.

Marketing ploys work all too well at times. Do they meet the expectations they create?

My website is teaching me to be flexible. It's also teaching me the importance of having a backup plan.

How forthcoming should businesses be? It probably depends on the business and the situation, but I think my loan service provider could have been more upfront with its customers.

I've been trying to get away from art as a business-related item. I may or may not have to rethink that.

I seem to have a preoccupation with "process." I attempt to explain why in this post.

I've been wondering what's next in terms of growing my business. I have a few ideas.

Art is hard work. Artists don't wait for an idea and suddenly have a completed painting or drawing in their hands; no, they put in the hard labor required by their craft.

The writing life isn't one of angels and muses. It's one of hard work.

Customer service seems to be in short supply these days whether it be online or offline. Where is the customer service?

Let's review the rules of capitalization. Actually, let's visit my thought regarding capitalization.

It has been suggested that crazy people make better bloggers. I disagree.

"The marketing playbook is broken. Outbound marketing is dead." Is that so?

My writing sucks; at least, it has of late. Maybe this confession will help me to move toward less sucky writing.

Being an entrepreneur is hard work. It sometimes means doing the hard labor of the "bad guy."

No, I'm not talking about Chris Brogan's unfollow experiment. I'm talking about my own Twitter experiment.

Annie Dillard tells writers to follow their own weirdness. Perhaps the advice is applicable to other arenas.

As a writer, I sometimes entertain silly and thought-provoking questions. One junior high kid asked a great question at Career Day: "What's your least favorite thing about writing?"

I've been accepted as an artist at Chalk the Block. That means I probably should wear kneepads the day of the event.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to the self-employed lifestyle. Some people are early birds. Others are night owls. Still others are candle burners.

One of my new initiatives is a monthly e-letter. It should be a fun venture.

I've learned some new terminology: productivity porn. I only know what "productivity porn" means because I've found some.

Perhaps it's time to revisit Uncle Ben's wisdom: "With great power comes great responsibility."

I'm a new Evernote user. I don't know if I'm using it to its fullest potential, but I am using it.

Not everybody needs a publishing schedule. I still think it has some advantages, particularly to people in the business world.

Many people are in arms over Facebook's latest updates. Is the reaction warranted?

I recently heard that all people are deadline driven and time oriented. Really?

"Don't trust the spellchecker": words of wisdom for writing and social media.

Facebook has released some new updates. Many of them are useful and don't abuse privacy settings.

Do accountability and consistency make social media easy or simply easier to do?

I don't like things to be easy. Perhaps I'm too competitive.

Entrepreneurs and artists talk about finding their "passion." Is passion enough?

In the words of Blazing Saddles: "Badges? We don't need no stinking badges!"

I may understand Google's policy regarding names, but the company seems to be focusing too much on the law rather than the spirit of it.

Hugh MacLeod has a cartoon that states "insanely great takes insanely forever." He's probably right.

I'm not too worried about my Klout score. I think there are better ways to determine my "influence."

As a professional writer, I sometimes have writer's block. I don't get to indulge it.

After the news of Trey Pennington's suicide, I've been thinking about the limits of community and the necessity of building relationships.

Writers write. It's that simple and complex.

"Fierce" was a popular word a few years ago, thanks to fashion designer Christian Siriano. He overused the word, but, in its infancy, the word did indicate a certain ferocity.

Writing for a mass audience requires a public voice. It's a voice that has to be authentic and recognizable.

Where in the (Facebook) World is Carmen Sandiego? That may be a problematic question.

Everybody has a voice, even in seemingly non-creative pursuits. How do you find your voice? You find it by doing whatever it is that you do.

The question "How did you find your writing voice?" makes it seem as though the voice is a static thing. I think it is much more dynamic.

People should be more careful with their superlatives. Parents make the best freelance writers? We'll see about that.

I'm sure Goldilocks was too surprised by the three bears to worry about grammar. If the bears or she did worry about it, maybe one of them asked, "Who's eating whose porridge?"

What is the snowball effect? It's what happens when people start to notice the work you're doing.

Numbers don't mean very much to me unless they're related to my checkbook or my glucose meter. Some bloggers have a different perspective.

I'll confess. I like to retell Aesop's Fables. I didn't necessarily retell this fable, but I am giving it a new application.

My MFA degree is worthless. Yes, that's right, worthless. Wait, what?

Blogging has its own set of rules. I occasionally obey them.

What can selling shoes teach you about social media and authenticity? A lot.

Starting a business is hard. What was I thinking when I decided to start one?

Office Leaks is purported to be a solution for employees who work in bad work environments. It may be a solution, but what about the other ramifications of such a site?

Google+ was supposed to be the social media promised land. Is it?

Is deciding to use "is" or "are" all that difficult? I suppose it is.

Is magic obsolete? According to Seth Godin it is. I disagree with him.

"Just ask." Is it really that easy to do?

I never wanted to be a teacher. For some reason, though, I'm taking on that role.

Titles are funny things. Do I have to have one?

This latest wind is no breeze. It's a gale.

Learning to view myself correctly also is a component of building a business. It's a challenge.

Question: Am I building a business? Answer: Yes. At least that's what I'm attempting to do.

The Cheshire Cat is my favorite character in Alice in Wonderland. He's delightfully complicated.

Middle ground? What middle ground? "Off with their heads!" she cries, "Off with their heads!"

The (Mad) Hatter was accused of "murdering the time." Aren't we guilty of doing the same thing at times?

Lewis Carroll's White Rabbit is an illogical creature. Don't believe Disney's depiction of him.

Apparently, I'm a "professional social media consultant." I'm trying to become accustomed to the title.

I dread when the latest Harry Potter installment comes to theatres. I inevitably have to answer questions about my reading habits (What? You don't read Harry Potter?). It's a good thing this is the final movie...it is the final movie, right, Ms. J.K. Rowl

I have a problem. I'm a book addict.

I occasionally feel stressed. It's nothing compared to the stress I've felt in the past.

It isn't enough to injure myself running. I now have to listen to some yoga instructor.

Exercise instructors are prone to being inauthentic. They aren't the only ones afflicted with the malady.

I'm slightly tired of writing about Google+. It's a good thing I'm changing topics starting next week.

I think I'm justified in calling Google+ an experiment. It is, after all, still in beta.

Google+ is being compared to a new teddy bear. Will it replace the old one?

A war between Google+ and Facebook possibly is brewing. Who will win?

A new marketing campaign has been put into play in El Paso, Texas. It tells us that the end is near.

I like to be busy. Thus, my daily to-do list keeps growing.

Determining rates is difficult. I not only have to consider my background and expertise, but I also have to consider my conscience.

I don't like it when potential clients try to bargain with my rates. It's not as though I'm peddling wares in the mercado.

I didn't use to be a social media junkie. It's my brothers' fault.

It's the July 4th weekend. My brothers are here. It's bringing back memories.

It's Social Media Day! How will you celebrate?

Poets have their own unique strain of street cred. It's called publishing poems, book reviews, articles, et cetera. It's also called teaching at a well-known creative writing program.

I aim for authenticity when I write. That doesn't mean the "I" in my poems is me.

My poetry sometimes converses with death. It's usually a violent conversation.

I decided to clean my friends list the other day. It was a little like cleaning my closet.

I typically don't participate in Saint Patrick's Day festivities. I doubt that will change this year, but I still enjoy wishing a happy day to everyone.

I appreciate Facebook's "like" button. That doesn't mean I "like" it all the time.

People sometimes save strange things. For example, my brothers save movie ticket stubs.

It may seem strange that a perfectionist saves her failed poems. I don't have much of a choice. If I don't want to make the same mistakes, I have to keep a record of the failures.

Being self-employed sometimes is a little like being inside Dante's Inferno on a continual basis. As Virgil says, "Abandon hope all ye who enter here."

Twitter is some sort of Neverland. Very little fairy dust is required to enter it, but it takes a lot of effort to leave it.

I can't stand irresponsibility. It's one of my pet peeves.

Facebook users in Japan can include their blood type in their profiles. Could that option become available in the United States? Do we want people to know that information?

I'm not referring to a literal change in the wind. I'm referring to a metaphorical one that has to do with my blog and how often I publish it.

"That's not my job" is an excuse unavailable to freelancers and entrepreneurs. We're responsible for everything, from the greatest of tasks to the lowest.

I'm a survivor / I'm not gonna give up / I'm not gon' stop / I'm gonna work harder / I'm a survivor / I'm gonna make it / I will survive / Keep on survivin'

Book reviews can be objective or subjective. On a purely subjective level, I like the objective approach more.

Facebook is having a detrimental effect on the English language. The culture of "like" and "unlike" is causing confusion between "unlike" and "dislike."

Social media sometimes is viewed as some sort of unicorn. Social media isn't a myth nor are the results of it.

Facebook has yet again changed the privacy settings without giving notice to users. The latest setting has to do with tagging and facial recognition technology.

The words "prose poem" are divisive. Throw the words into a room filled with poets and wait for the battle to begin.

The books on my nightstand look like a Jenga tower. If they collapse during the night, do I still get to say "Jenga!"?

Trashy romance novels. They make me gag.

What is it with "me and my friends"? Does nobody remember that "me" is an object and "I" is a subject?

What makes a leader? Is what they say or what they do?

I guess the superstition of washing the car worked. It rained in El Paso yesterday.

Surrendering isn't fun. Even so, sometimes it's necessary.

Implementing social media within a business can be done for the wrong reasons. Two of those are "hype" and "free tool."

Today's Memorial Day. I hope you're enjoying the three-day weekend.

I'm still a kid in some ways. "Why" remains my favorite question.

Complexity is beautiful. Why, then, do we try to place people into carefully categorized boxes?

Are creative people flakes and misfits? Sometimes. Sometimes not.

Wikipedia wants me to believe that it should be considered a wonder of the world. Sorry, Wikipedia, but you're not The Great Pyramid.

Similes are wonderful tools if used correctly and sparingly.

Why can't we be friends? One, you use "friend" as a verb. Two, you use "friend" as a verb.

Liking a Facebook page is similar to liking ice cream. Both the Facebook page and the ice cream have to meet certain expectations.

The "live and let live" philosophy is not one with which I am well-acquainted. I'm too much of a perfectionist and an over-achiever to live by it.

Sometimes, I have to swallow my pride and apologize. Did I mention I hate horse pills?

If only the story "The Ugly Duckling" were true.

I may not have an eating disorder anymore, but the temptation to go down that path remains.

Believing the pretty lie can lead to some bad choices.

My high school did not attract the best of the best. It was usually afflicted with the worst of the worst.

Pretty: having conventionally accepted elements of beauty. That definition is depressing.

I am a little bit of a neat freak. It's not all bad; my sometimes obsessive-compulsive nature makes me that much more diligent about writing and social media.

Sun City? What Sun City? How about we call El Paso "Dust Bowl"?

Today marks the 200th post. How about some B.S. to celebrate?

Am I enchanting? Is my product a DICEE one?

I was shy as a kid. I used to hide behind that shyness. That isn't the case anymore.

My youngest brother graduates this week. Congratulations, little brother.

I finished the race. It wasn't easy.

My mom tells me I write "good little blogs." She only has herself to blame.

It's time to see my endocrinologist again. Can you tell how excited I am?

When the glucose meter starts to die, it's time to buy a new one. There's no dilly-dallying with that decision.

Naps seem like wonderful things. If only I could take them.

Having problems multitasking? RoboStir may be able to help.

The El Paso Diabetes Association is hosting a 5K this Saturday. You better be there either as a runner or as a supporter of diabetes (me).

The big picture or the details? Why not both/and rather than either/or?

Can my writing be divided into the realms of spiritual or secular? Should it be?

Ominous words: "Could you look at this poem or paper?" Please, don't make me look. Oh, please, don't make me.

My view of writing and editing? If something doesn't belong, excise it. If the grammar, punctuation, or spelling is incorrect, correct it. Don't make me bring out the red pen.

A red pen is an editor's favorite tool. No other color of pen proffers the same sense of finality as it slaughters words and sentences.

After all the work I've done as a graphic designer, you'd think I'd remember to save my work frequently and regularly. I'm afraid that isn't so.

I do not like El Paso's windy season. I would think that people with allergies would have similar feelings toward it.

I wish mood rings worked. Even if they did, I doubt that they would improve my mood.

Happy Easter! What traditions did you follow as a kid? One of mine was a brand-new Easter dress, made by my grandma.

Persistence, diligence, and consistency: three qualities that are important for entrepre - check that - everyone.

I'm going to rant today. I'm tired of the something-for-nothing attitude.

Corners exist for very good reasons. I don't know why some people have to cut them.

I'm surprised by how few people know that I'm diabetic. It's not as though the information is classified.

The act of writing is a violent one. I suppose that makes me a violent person.

I fell in love with words as a kid. I have yet to fall out of love.

Words can be used for good or evil. I'd like to think that I'm using words for good.

I work well with deadlines. Other people...well, they sometimes aren't as prudent as I am.

Some days are frustrating. Some weeks are, too.

Question: "Can I get that for free?" Answer: "No. Absolutely not."

Writing exercises are great tools. I'm not sure about this exercise, though. Would it be helpful or detrimental?

I have a quirky sense of humor. Don't believe me? How many people do you know who can laugh at nothing for half an hour?

I was a master hider in the game Hide and Seek. In some ways, I still am.

I well remember Clifford, the big, red dog. When I was first learning to read, he was one of my favorite literary characters.

Me, stubborn? No, absolutely not.

I was very irate yesterday. I was told that eighty percent of the population doesn't read anymore.

Some days are busier than others. This is going to be one of those busier days.

Solomon mentions that a worthy woman is one who rises while it is still night. I don't think my early morning awakening figures into that description.

April is filled with celebrations. In addition to celebrating poetry, the month also honors jazz.

It's National Poetry Month. Who knew?

I'm told that I'm a patient person. I think I simply play the part admirably.

Sometimes, silence is the best strategy. Who wants to start a war?

April 1 is not one of my favorite days in the calendar year. Can we skip it?

Sometimes, I write about breaking stories before they're reported on television or in a newspaper. It's very exciting.

During the past few months, I've quit writing myself notes on post-its. I now leave myself memos on my phone.

Some people are parrots. They only repeat what they have heard or read without reflecting on whether what they're saying is true.

I don't like to use cliches, but there's no avoiding the truth in the "No pain, no gain" one.

The past few days, I haven't needed to set my alarm clock. A vociferous bird has decided to make its home next to my bedroom window and to awaken me every morning with its screeching.

My brother's dog, Sassy, likes to run for hours at a time. It's impossible to catch her. It's somewhat similar to chasing down potential clients at times.

"Do it right the first time." It's one of those mantras I'll carry with me until I'm dead.

Those of us who call ourselves writers are thieves. We steal something every day.

El Paso recently received an "F" for its social networking savvy. The city is trying to improve its grade through a possible symposium to be held in the fall.

I like to give myself writing exercises. Today's involves polar bears. I'm still not sure how I'm going to fulfill this particular exercise.

Social media is trendy. I wouldn't say that it's a trend.

Exaggeration is an amazing tool. Unfortunately, it sometimes lead to disappointed expectations.

I sometimes would like to remove the word "failure" from my vocabulary. I can't.

Once upon a time, I was proud to be a perfectionist. Not anymore.

I had started to form an idea for today's post. That idea has had to be revised due to new tasks being placed on the to-do list.

Wishes are completely pointless. I don't know why I make them.

Writers are such suspicious characters. At least according to Alfred Hitchcock they are.

I despise Daylight Saving Time. I'm going to move to Arizona.

Sending money and donating blood are essential during crises. What do people, such as kids, do when they don't have money or are ineligible to donate blood? They get creative.

I recently read an article that gave El Paso, Texas an "F" in terms of social networking savvy. I have to agree with the grade.

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of meeting the proprietress of Sharp Cookie, Nancy Reynolds. The cookies were fantastic, but I have to say that I enjoyed visiting with her and her employees even more.

In the second year of being a business owner, I've been trying to hold fewer meetings at coffee shops. I'm afraid my efforts are being thwarted.

I learned a long time ago that relying on a spell-checker is a bad idea. If only other people could learn the same lesson.

Yesterday, I was looking through some of Stephen Gammell's work. I enjoyed it, but I became much more excited when I saw that he had illustrated one of C.K. Williams' books.

Yesterday, I found a fortune cookie that stated "You will blog about this [fortune cookie]." My fate was sealed at that moment.

Words have meaning. Unfortunately, we often degrade their meaning by using them incorrectly or overusing them.

Being a writer involves a lot of questions, both internal and external. Some of those questions are easy to answer. Some are not.

Tomorrow's the big day. I'll be talking with junior high kids about being a business owner and writer.

Yesterday, I received a request asking me to share my telephone number on my personal profile. I ignored the request as any self-respecting person who cares about protecting his or her personal information would do.

Initiative. Is it true that most people believe they aren't capable of it?

Seth Godin is one of my favorite bloggers because he offers sound advice. Yesterday's post about wonder and anger was no exception.

I've been moody this week and have been unkind to some people. Apologies are in order.

This week marks a momentous occasion: I've been in business for an entire year.

Last night, I tried Vietnamese cuisine for the first time. I also went to an electronica concert at a local nightclub. The night was an adventure to say the least.

CAPTCHA usually thwarts spam. Imagine my surprise when I found a pending spam comment in my website's administrative tool this morning.

I know that my ultimate goal should be to drive traffic to my website. I still feel envious of other Facebook pages that seem to grow a fan base overnight.

I don't know about other entrepreneurs, but I've found that being one means wearing many different hats. Today's hats included janitorial service.

Discussing social media with people who are unfamiliar with the subject leads to all sorts of strange words and conversations.

In honor of President's Day, I'll be taking everyone on a trip down memory lane.

Having conversations about writing are almost always fun, especially since most people assume that I write fiction.

I went hiking in the Organ Mountains today. It was both a fun and enlightening activity.

Since I've been evaluating my business strategies, I thought I might as well take a closer look at my blog.

This past week has led to me to re-evaluate some of my business strategies. As a result, I'm changing direction and pursuing some new opportunities.

Valentine's is finished for yet another year, leaving us with shelves full of pathetic conversation hearts.

I'll be running out the door soon, so I'm afraid this post is going to be more of a jot.

Hate it or love it, but it's Valentine's Day.

I usually have my taxes submitted by the end of January or early February. This is my first year to have to deal with taxes as a business owner, and I'm finding it much more laborious.

The past few days have been rather hectic. I'm looking forward to a slightly lazy Saturday.

I knew that Facebook would be rolling out the new page layouts relatively soon. I was still surprised when the offer to transition to the new layout was offered yesterday.

As a general rule, I don't divulge the details of my personal life on my blog. I broke that rule the other day and have regretted it ever since.

An acquaintance of mine recently stated that I "suffer" from diabetes. I found the word to be in poor taste.

Today, I received some very good news. I don't have to see my doctor for another three months.

This week is going to be another busy one. Let's hope the water isn't shut off.

Yesterday, I wrote my one hundred and first blog post. I was so amazed that I almost broke into dance and song.

Being an entrepreneur is teaching me many things. One of them is flexibility.

This morning, I'm doing my utmost best not to complain. It's hard because my natural inclination is to rant about not having running water for the past two and a half days.

I wish I could declare a snow day. Unfortunately, my work is online. I can work from almost anywhere in the world, regardless of the weather.

Jennifer Hudson has a new single, "Where You At?" She was taken to task by a gossip rag, so I feel that I have permission to do the same thing.

To start this week off, we're traveling back in time to the 'eighties.

I recently met with a woman who told me that less than eighty percent of people read. I stared at her in shock.

I wanted to be a lot of things when I was growing up, but I banned two career paths: teaching and the medical field.

I'm struggling to think of a suitable topic for today's post. I thought I might as well share the struggle rather than be completely silent.

I was excited to read about Park Elementary's plans to build a library in the fourth grade classroom. I believe improved literacy skills equal improvements in other areas of study; other readers of the story didn't agree.

I love my dress boots. Alas, they are not meant for days in which I do a lot of walking.

I wasn't bestowed with a name when I was born. In fact, it took my parents several days to give me one.

I have to confess that huddling under the covers was quite a temptation this morning. I'm awake, though, and pressing forward.

My pastor has been going through the book of Ecclesiastes the past few weeks. Last week, he discussed the importance of friendship.

Writing is my comfort zone. It's where I'm most fully me. Translating that self into other zones is difficult and haphazard.

I had to awaken earlier than usual for a networking breakfast. Unfortunately, my diabetes thought I needed to be awake earlier than that. I've decided to keep a sense of humor rather than turn into a grouch.

I've been queried about whether I would take a full-time job with a corporate entity at least four times in the past week. In light of that number, I suppose the question deserves some consideration.

One of my friends calls me the "Energizer Bunny." I think I merely do a decent impersonation of him.

I made an almost imperceptible dent in yesterday's to-do list. That dent bears no similarities to the dent I put in my first car.

I started a new to-do list last night. It grew so long that I wanted to hide under the covers this morning.

I have a lot of ideas for posts. They keep circling in my head. I'd say they're like vultures, but that means they're circling something that's dead, and my head is not dead.

I finished the Noah's Ark logo. I think I have some tweaking to do, but I may leave it as is for the time being.

I hate unexpected expenses. They not only affect finances, but they also affect time.

One of my tasks for my church is to update a couple logos. The Kick Plus logo is for the junior high kids.

According to a new study, El Paso no longer is the least illiterate city because of a fresh crop of bookstores.

I've been working on a new graphic for an upcoming project. The style's different from my usual vein (chibis).

There aren't many things that are quite as intimidating as a blank piece of paper.

I believe in working hard and playing hard. Today was a break and play day.

I don't consider myself an extrovert, but I suppose I'm more extroverted than introverted anymore. It was a process to get to the extroverted end of the spectrum, but I like being there.

I'm a firm believer in quality over quantity. Therefore, I'm selective in whom I allow to be my friends.

I went on a simple errand yesterday: buy test strips for my glucose meter. The errand quickly turned from simple to complicated. The strips had been recalled.

I had a low blood sugar around two this morning. It wasn't unusual - although it was unexpected - but dealing with low was made a little more difficult by the cold weather.

Receiving emails without any punctuation aggravates me almost as much as drivers who pull into my lane without using their indicators.

I'm still researching how to optimize Facebook's personal profile pages, but I have an idea of what I want to do with my mine.

I know 2011 officially started yesterday, but I think it's alright if I write about greeting it today.

I thought I would share a filmstrip of sorts of the before and after pictures of the Beth El Bible chibis.

This last chibi of the set isn't wearing armor, but she is using a drawing to illustrate the armor of God. I suppose you could call this illustration a drawing within a drawing.

Another chibi is finished. I have to say, he looks rather "foxy."

"Old Mr. Fox, What Time Is It?" is a classic game from my childhood. Remembering that game has brought new inspiration to one of my latest chibis.

I finished the brother and sister illustration last night. I think they're my favorite chibis of the entire set. Of course, I still have two left to complete.

The caesura is one of my favorite words. I love how it rolls off the tongue. I also love how it's applicable to more than poetry.

Being an entrepreneur is hard, especially the first few months. You don't really know what you're doing, but, somehow, those mistakes and triumphs change you and lead you to where you're supposed to be.

For the most part, I love being an entrepreneur. I love setting my own schedule, working on a variety of projects, and meeting new people. The one thing I don't like? Bill collecting.

Branding is everything. If you don't have a good name, your brand will go unremembered. Of course, sometimes your name is all too memorable, often in a bad way.

I have enjoyed participating in Chrome for a Cause. It doesn't provide quite the same sensation as placing money into the Salvation Army's bucket, but it's nice to know that I'm contributing to several important causes.

Until a few weeks ago, I was a Twitter skeptic. I didn't find much value in being a part of the community; however, my opinion slowly has transformed. I now consider myself a fan.

I finished "I'm So Big!" Wednesday evening. He's cute, with his wild red hair and mischievous green eyes.

It's silly to be heartbroken over losing Delicious, but, nevertheless, I'm feeling rather morose.

I joined in the Chrome for a Cause effort. As a result, I've been able to donate to someone's clean water for a year.

The past few days, I've been struggling to write. It's quite a predicament since writing is what I do professionally and personally.

These two chibis are reading the Bible. The older chibi, the boy, is reading to his younger sister.

Could you tell me what you do in thirty seconds? I can. It's called giving an "elevator speech."

I finished "It's Raining; It's Pouring" last night. I'm rather fond of the rubber duckies.

I'm glad I'm not afraid of trying new things. Last night, I tried sushi, something I haven't done in several years.

This chibi is for the mission webpage, so I wanted to show how the chibi is growing in the areas included within the children's ministry's vision.

I finished the B-I-B-L-E illustration last night. He's a cutie!

I'm working on a Noah's Ark logo for my church's nursery. I'm attempting to add "local flavor" through incorporating southwestern animals.

No, the old man isn't snoring. No, he didn't bump his head. In fact, this particular drawing doesn't include an old man.

I'm easily frustrated by people who say they'll do something then don't follow through on their word. Maybe it's my personality, maybe it's my high standards, but I expect better of people.

I suppose I approach my drawing from a literary point-of-view. I like to be clever and to tell a story, even if it's merely by using a certain pose or image.

I love networking regardless of it being in person or online. It's fun, but it eats a large amount of my time.

I was going to be clever and use the "Twelve Days of Christmas" as inspiration for my blog. Unfortunately, the official twelve days don't begin until December 25.

It's the first day of December. What will I write about next?

It's the last day in November, which marks the official last day of American Diabetes Month.

For the most part, I love leftovers. I don't find anything wrong with re-warming a meal. Of course, there are some foods that just never retain the original taste after they've cooled.

I dislike big bags and purses, but my list of essentials warrants them. You won't find me carrying a miniature dog or ten bottles of hand lotion in my purse, though.

I'm a low-tech diabetic. I don't have any cool gadgets - yet.

I have long known how my mom feels about my diabetes. If it were possible, she would siphon my diabetes from me into herself.

Today's assignment was to write about what I had for Thanksgiving dinner. I'm not expecting to eat any Thanksgiving dinner; instead, I'm going to spend the day at home and relax.

This year, my friends and I are having a Thanksgiving Eve salsa party.

Traveling usually mean sugar rushes. Not for me. I have to live on other items, such as sugar-free gum or high-energy music.

Thanksgiving isn't complete with brown bread. It's slightly sweet and can be used as a dessert or as a complement to the main meal.

It's too easy to complain rather than to be thankful. I have a lot of things for which I can be thankful, and it's good to remind myself of that periodically.

I wish I could say that in my twenty-odd years of having diabetes that I've found shortcuts. I can't say that I have. I suppose my routine helps, but there is no replacement for hard work.

I think people have a lot of misconceptions about diabetes. I want people to ask me questions so that they can understand the disease and my relationship with it better.

Holidays can be hard for diabetics. Sweets and carb-laden foods abound. What's a diabetic to do? He or she can't avoid social gatherings. The key is to have a proactive approach and to have a plan in place.

I was very young when I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, so I'm not sure what I first learned about the disease. Finger pokes? Shots? A dread of needles? I do remember learning how to give myself insulin injections when I was about ten. My mom started

I'm never quite sure how people are going to respond when I tell them I have diabetes. Sometimes, they respond well; other times, they ask the silliest questions.

I used to have to eat snacks between meals as a kid. As an adult, I tend to avoid snacks, but I've had to add in a bedtime one.

Tomorrow, November 14, is World Diabetes Day. All around the world, people are taking action to raise diabetes awareness.

Exercise is an important component of managing my diabetes. While I exercise regularly, I look for other ways to "sneak" in some more.

Having a support system is integral to managing diabetes. I thought that my support system was small. It turns out that it's rather large.

No matter how much freedom my insulin pens give me, I still need to have a routine. It's the only way to keep my diabetes under control.

The reasons I joined the "Stop Diabetes" movement include: one, I'm diabetic; two, I don't want to see any more kids suffering through finger pokes and shots; three, I want to enjoy life with mis amigas y familia.

The media can be a help or a hindrance when it comes to any issue, including diabetes. The media sometimes inflames, sometimes neglects critical items. Rather than presenting an objective view, the media has become subjective and controlled by biases. As

I love carbs, but I have to watch how many of them I eat. I also have to consider how those carbs are going to affect my blood sugars and how much insulin I need to keep my blood sugars in the normal range.

Today's Daylight Savings. Some people forgot to change their clocks; others were grateful for the extra hour of sleep. Me? I'm happy that the sun's going to be up a little earlier than it has been for the past few weeks.

I hate doctor appointments. A lot of that emotion has to do with past experiences. I'm trying to overcome those experiences so that I can have a better relationship with my doctor and so that I can take a more proactive role in treating my diabetes.

I inherited my diabetes from my grandpa on my dad's side. Ah, to be the chosen one...

Today's topic is to discuss my favorite diabetic celebrity. To be perfectly honest, I don't have one.

Today's challenge is to depict diabetes without words. I chose the caduceus; it's a symbol I carry with me everywhere I go.

Today is election day. I thought I would rant about the issues that are important to me.

In honor of American Diabetes Month, I will be posting a diabetes-related topic every day.

It appears that even the use of quotation marks is becoming a lost art.

Diligence is an important quality, regardless of where we are in life. Diligence is what gets the job done, even when we want to quit.

How we respond to criticism determines whether we grow or die. The only way to keep growing is to learn how to respond to criticism - no matter how or by whom it is given - correctly. Similarly, if we want to encourage growth in others, we must learn to g

Clients respond to the way you act. If you expect certain behaviors and disapprove of others, you can condition most of your clients and train them to act the way you wish.

Exclamation points are my least favorite punctuation mark. I avoid them, except in particular instances.

As entrepreneurs, we are constantly asking, "How do I find my next client?" The answer to that question is multi-faceted.

Security blankets always remind me of the Charlie Brown character, Linus. While Linus is remembered mostly for his blanket, he did have other qualities.

The Plaza Classic Film Festival in El Paso, Texas is the world's largest film festival. The film festival shows everything from lesser-known indies to world-famous musicals.

What is your work style? Do you work well under pressure? Do you like to finish your work in advance?

"Goats" are what differentiate my business from everybody else's. What makes my business unique? Answering that question can help me define a more strategic marketing plan and better target potential clientèle.