Refocus

After last week's crazy vanity escapades, a few new things have come to light…

First: My Mom ended up having emergency surgery this weekend on her right eye. Turns out, her retina detached and if she didn't get it fixed as soon as possible, it would lead to permanent blindness. As I've stated before, she's a visual artist (with her specialty in acrylic painting) and the whole thing has been frightening. So far, the surgery sounds like it was a success, though her eye needs to be monitored for the next few weeks. It could, however, take up to 6 months for her vision to be completely normal. We're all hoping for a speedy and successful recovery for her. Love you, Mom!

Second: While I didn't like the way the subject of my networking usage was broached last week, I've done a lot of thinking and feel it's time to regroup. My Goddamn Deadline is looming just a few weeks away and I'm only entering Chapter 21 (of 32). The ending of Pendomus still has to be reworked (which, to be honest, I am looking forward to) and it needs to be top priority.

Third: There's only a month and a half to pull myself together before heading to Georgia for the Moonlight and Magnolias Conference. (Hey, CRITS gals!) And that alone is enough to send me into a tail spin.

So, with all this in mind, if you don't see me on Twitter or blogging much for the next 6 weeks… Assume this is why. I will be back. Yes, I may even continue the Embarrass Me[me]'s. LOL!

But for now...

The universe has sent a clear message: Time to refocus.

I'm so vain...

I probably think this post is about me…

This has been a stellar week…

It's all about me

Backstory: I was blindsided by family members accusing me of spending too much time on the internet since launching my author platform. They think I've become a complete narcissist, caring only about what "people I don't know" think.

Logically, I know this is not the case… I did my research on author platforms (I like how Steve Umstead explains it---> here.), and in all honesty, I don't care about twitter numbers or blog followers. If you like me, fantastic. If you don't, no harm done. I don't even have a blog schedule for crying out loud. (I just post when something comes to mind).

BUT, I will be the first to admit it, I enjoy people. I enjoy connecting to all of you. I'm the extrovert in a family of introverts… Does it really make me vain?


In my family, we actually have people who are affected by narcissistic personality disorder. So to be slapped with this kind of label is more than upsetting. It means something. It's the highest form of insult.


I can usually let stuff roll off me… take what I need, let go of the rest. I bounce back.

This has not been one of those weeks.

I try very hard to keep balance. Evidently, I'm not balanced enough for their liking. Their reasoning? I can't go more than an hour without having to check Twitter. I can multitask by making supper, cleaning, changing diapers and twittering all at the same time. (In fact, I live for the challenge of it.)

Everyone has good and bad days with balance, I suppose. I know I'm no different. But my kids are fed. They are clothed and we do fun things. My house isn't in complete shambles (dust bunnies may be running amok, shhh…).

None of them understand Twitter or blogging. (It's just to stroke my own ego, right?) Hell, I didn't understand them until this past February. So I get it. Doesn't mean their words hurt any less.

Twitter, in specific, has been an eye opening and lovely surprise. I've met amazing people and you (yes, you) make my day rich because of it. Yes, it's true--->I can honestly say I look forward to chatting with my fellow miscreants. It's like the water cooler for the virtual job on my computer screen and in my head.

In my "real life" jobs… I work with family members or I work alone. As I said earlier, I'm the ONLY extrovert of the family. Dealing with just family members every day doesn't cut it for me. THAT is when I start to go insane. Additionally, in their eyes because my job as a writer isn't paid, it doesn't matter as much, I guess. I shouldn't take it as seriously, or something. Even though it is what I love to do.

*scratches head*

I'm sorta befuddled.

What are your thoughts? Does interacting on Twitter and writing a blog (with stories about ME) make me a complete narcissist? Am I insane for thinking I was heading in the right direction?