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magicalworldweb · 6 years ago

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First of all, I love Jacky’s picture! Welcome to another Interview with the Vam…Author! Actually, it’s an interview with a Vampire Author. How cool is that?

I met Jacky through twitter, and she was splendid enough to contact me and interview me on her blog. I’ve been on this quest to be a good cheerleader for other writers/authors/creatives, so of course I just had to have her over on my blog, too! Since I like to have read a book or two by another author before an interview, I read the prequel, Releasing a Vampire, to her Suckers series.

It’s a short book that gives some background, and I found it a delight to read, and an appetizer that made me want to read more! Do you love a bitingly good read? Then check out her series!

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Now that you’ve had a moment to get your Goodreads on, let’s get to know Jacky!

Introduce yourself. Name. Nickname.

My parents never gave me a middle name, so my full first name is Jacqueline. It was shortened by my mother to Jacky, not Jackie as she didn’t know Jacky was the male version, so I got stuck with it. I have dual nationality, Dutch and Australian, and hence two passports,and in each I have a different surname. Huisman is my maiden/Dutch name, Dahlhaus is my husband’s/Australian name. My husband has a nickname for me, but I’m not going to share that

. I have been called Little Red Head Girl, after the girl in the Snoopy cartoon, by a good friend of mine.

If your Wi-Fi name was a reflection of you, what would it be?

My Wi-Fi name would probably be Little_Red_Head_Girl. It’s rather appropriate even though the red comes out of a packet

What personality trait has gotten you into the most trouble?

I got into most trouble for my fantastic ability to do things before thinking them over. I’ll not go into detail of that as it’s too embarrassing! Some of it makes me write from experience which comes in handy now and again.

What genre (of collection) do you write in and why?

I write paranormal romances because I like romance, dragons, vampires, etc., and happy endings. I love being in love, I love being happy. There’s too much misery in the world already, so I don’t want to read about that in fiction. I’d just watch the news if I wanted doom and gloom. That said, I like to put my characters through heart-wrenching experiences. Only because the happy endings are the happier for it, of course. This is scientifically proven. I don’t stick to a single category, like the US publishers prefer, as I think that’s too boring. I like to mix and match

Who is important to you?

My family are important to me. My kids, my husband, my mother and sisters and their family. We used to live in Australia, but we came back (well, Scotland was the closest to Holland we could get), so we can visit them more often.

Where do you call home?

Home is where my heart is. This could be anywhere in the world! I’ve moved sixteen times and lived in Australia, France, England, The Netherlands, and now Scotland. But I’m happiest with my close family; my husband and kids. They are my world.

What books are/have you written?

I’ve finished the Suckers trilogy which comprises four books: Releasing A Vampire (the prequel, a novelette), Living Like A Vampire (Book 1), Raising A Vampire (book 2), and Killing A Vampire (book 3). It also has two short stories (Interlude and The Wedding) that only my newsletter readers have received. I’ve also written two short story bundles, Short Shockers Volume 1 & 2 (Volume 2 isn’t out yet, but my newsletter readers received it as a Christmas present). I’ve also won entry in a horror anthology, called Twisted50 Volume 2, with one of my short stories (Rumour has it…) that I wrote while with the local writers’ club. I’m currently working on my fourth novel, called The Stranger. It’s a YA novel which is going to be the first of a trilogy again, and very likely of a bigger set of four trilogies. It has witches, werewolves, sirens, zombies, and shapeshifters in it, i.e. a lot of fun!

If you are having a rotten day, what do you do to conquer that?

When life truly sucks (which thankfully is rare lately), I prefer to stay in bed and sleep to get the day over as soon as possible. If I can’t stay in bed, I eat my frustration away. I know I shouldn’t, and I know it’s not helping making me feel better in the long run, but that instant gratification is all that matters in that moment… When I still lived at home, I would play the piano. I’d start with loud, angry music and work my way to Morning Mood by Edvard Grieg (the simple version, I’m not that good). Music has always been an outlet for me, either playing or listening.

If you were invisible for a day, what would you do?

Hmm, good question. No idea. Probably the same as I normally do; stay at home and write

Your life is made into a musical. What is the title of at least one of the songs?

I’m not sure about songs (I hate musicals), but if it was a movie, it would be called ‘The Boring Life of Jacky H.’ That was actually the title I gave one of my diaries, a most interesting read

What are your sleeping habits?

As much as possible! LOL! No, that’s history. I used suffer for years from Pheiffer’s Disease/glandular fever. They say you can only have it for six months, but that’s BS. I’m still not a morning person, but I have a wonderful husband who has learned that life is better for everybody if I get a cup of coffee before I get out of bed

. His alarm goes at 8:30 am, but I only get out of bed at about 9-9:30 am. Usually, I stay up until midnight. If I had a bad night (I sometimes wake up with night sweats or anxiety attacks), I may fall asleep late afternoon and do a power nap.

What would you name your boat?

I don’t want a boat; too much work, commitment, and repetition. It also means I would have to get out. So if I had one, it would probably be called ‘Hell No.’

What’s your biggest kitchen disaster?

I once burnt something in the over to a nice, black crisp. I can’t remember what it was. Not sure if that’s because it wasn’t recognizable anymore

Tell me about one of your characters. Would you get along in real life?

Aargh! Only one??? Okay, Kate is my MC in the Suckers trilogy. She’s a short, red-haired, impatient woman. Yes, she’s very much like me. And no, we wouldn’t get along in real life as she would have no patience for my bouts of procrastination and general laziness

If you were arrested with no explanation, what would your friends and family assume you had done?

Speeding. I’ve never been arrested in my life, but I’ve been caught speeding twice. Never in Scotland, and certainly not as often as my husband. But driving for me is to get from A to B in the fastest, most efficient way (I even maximise my efficiency of getting a coffee from the kitchen, with combined tasks so I don’t have to walk somewhere twice). This means driving at maximum speed and preferably a few miles/km’s over (but just under the radar). The first time I got caught driving too fast was on a Sunday morning on the freeway to pick up my sister from the airport. There were about six cars behind me, egging me on, and I was the only one pulled over. Still fuming about that. The second time I got photographed from the back as I didn’t know they could catch cars driving away.

What are your favorite clothes to wear?

Nothing! Unfortunately, Scotland is too cold for that. At the moment my two favorite shirts are black, long-sleeved gothic shirt with bloodied roses on my bosom. One of them has wide sleeves, but they’re very unhandy packing the dishwasher. I’m thinking of wearing long skirts as my ass is getting to fat for my jeans, but I’m still in two minds about that.

If someone asked to be your apprentice and learn all that you know, what would they end up learning?

A hell of a lot! I have been a veterinarian, a highschool science teacher, and an office manager. I know how to trim dogs, make cheese twists (in a factory setting), make chainmail, string pearls, do photography, knit, crochet, sew, draw, paint (woodwork, not pictures), put double glazing in sash windows, repair old plaster with horsehair, creating a website. They’d learn Dutch, English, a bit of German and French, understanding Spanish, and the basics of CSS. They would learn perseverance, tenacity, and keeping your eye on your goal. They’d learn what it is to fall in love and how to keep being in love. They won’t learn any cooking or having patience from me. I suck at those. Oh, and they’d learn how to write novels, of course. Nearly forgot about that!

What are your future writing plans?

Well, my WIP was supposed to be the first of a single trilogy again, but I’ve just decided that the MC in it is a witch queen of one of the classical elements. So I’ve got three more trilogies to write about the queens of the other elements. That will keep me busy for the years to come

What’s one thing you absolutely adore in life?

Writing! Like I mentioned before, I used to sleep a lot, but writing is the one reason I come out of bed every day. It gives me a freedom I don’t have in normal life. I can go where I like, when I like, how I like, with whom I like. What is not to love about that? And I meet a lot of wonderful people through my writing whom I’ve never would have met otherwise (like you, Amy!). Other authors, readers, artists, interviewers; all wonderful people. I have two personalities; one that is a terrible introvert, and one that loves people. Sometimes, I let my people-loving person out to keep her happy

What is one of your pet peeves?

I have two big ones: people who don’t drive the maximum speed, and writers who don’t care about their writing (grammar & punctuation).

You’re in the middle of a wizarding duel. What animal do you transfigure into?

My first thought was a black panther. I have always appreciated how graciously deadly they are. But since it’s a wizarding duel, I’ll probably change into a black dragon. I love dragons. Did you watch the movie ‘I am Dragon’? It’s beautiful! And romantic, terribly romantic. But the graphics are great too. I believe >90% is CG. I can appreciate that as I make my own covers and know how much work goes into CG.

Would you survive if you were a character in your own books?

Probably not. I can’t run if my life depended on it! Once caught, the suckers may let me live because I love life, though, just as they let Kate live, and we’re sort of the same (fingers crossed they’ll go for that).

You are putting on a dinner party. What do you serve and who do you invite?

At the moment I would rather die than to have a dinner party in my own home. As we’re renovating, the house resembles a building site, and I don’t want to do this to my guests. Once the renovations are done, I would probably serve whatever my husband cooked/bought (I’m not a kitchen pricess). Who would I invite? If I could invite fictional persons, it would be Tom, from Killing A Vampire, and Lord Vetenari, from Terry Pratchett’s Discworld novels. Tom is just handsome and cheeky, and Lord Vetenari basically is as well, but on a more intelligent level (not sure about the being handsome part

Would you rather relive the same day for 365 days or lose a year of your life?

Definitely lose a year! I’m not one for doing something over and over again. Some people may think that writing is just that, but, boy, are they wrong!

You are transported to one of your favorite books. Where are you?

Pern! I’d love to be a dragonrider. Did I mention I love dragons?

Let’s go dragon riding some day! Thanks so much, Jacky! It was fun to get to know you better, and I got a good laugh more than once from your answers! Be sure to check out her website below. Also, I want a picture tour of her home. Can I request that? :o)

Jacky Dahlhaus has worked many jobs and tried many hobbies before she realized writing gave her such pleasure. She loves to write paranormal fantasy stories while delving into the human psyche with all its faults and mysteries.

Next to writing novels, Jacky helps indie authors by promoting them on her blog, writes an online newsletter, runs writing clubs (for adults and for children) at the local library, and is a director for Aberdeenshire Film Productions. She runs Folla Fiction Publishing (follafiction.com) to help authors make their books the best they can be.

When not busy with the above (which is rare nowadays), Jacky works on renovating her Scottish Victorian home, watches movies with her family, and tries to stop her two Jack Russells from barking for no good reason.

Live Bravely Love Strongly AEM

Interview with the Author: Jacky Dahlhaus First of all, I love Jacky's picture! Welcome to another Interview with the Vam...Author! Actually, it's an interview with a Vampire Author.

#author #book #dragon #fantasy #international #interview #vampire #writer

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phynxrizng · 8 years ago

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6 EARTH DAY ACTIVITIES FOR ADULTS

6 Earth Day Activities for Adults

Maybe you march, maybe you queue up the best science documentaries on Netflix. Either way, thanks Earth! Nickolaus HinesEarth DayApril 22, 2017 It’s been a rough year for planet Earth. Donald Trump compared climate change to believing the Earth is flat. A 7,200-gallon Mountain Dew spill had to be sucked from sewers. And it’s seemingly not getting much better.

Officially started in 1970 by U.S. Senator from Wisconsin Gaylord Nelson, Earth Day — aka April 22nd — was started as a grassroots celebration of our planet. “The American people finally had a forum to express its concern about what was happening to the land, rivers, lakes, and air — and they did so with spectacular exuberance,” Nelson once wrote.

With that same spirit, here are six things you, an adult person who can literally do whatever you want, can do to celebrate Mother Earth.

1. March for Science

Show your support of science by marching in the March for Science either at the main event in Washington D.C. or at another sanctioned gathering near you (there are more than 500 recognized satellite marches, more than 300 are in the United States). Like to Women’s March on Washington, there will most likely be a large turnout of people peacefully supporting and encouraging progress and scientific endeavors

2. Hit the Beach While You Can

Hit the beach now, because according to the World Economic Forum, the oceans will have more plastic than fish by 2050. Pacifica Beach Coalition is hosting its 12th annual Earth Day beach party. It’s got everything you could ask for if you live near San Francisco: a beach clean-up, granola bar-making, food, and live traditional Celtic music.

3. Drink organic wine

Even if organic wine is partly just a marketing ploy and is one of the least-understood by consumers and most taken-advantage-of by shop owners, Earth Day is a great excuse to have a few too many.

NASA will feature Earth Day exhibits, hands-on activities and demonstrations, as well as talks from NASA scientists, April 21 and 22 at Union Station in Washington. 4. Party with NASA

Whether in the Nation’s Capital or at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, both locations will feature plenty of hands-on activities and demonstrations on why the best way the government’s space agency is the best organization to trust about saving the Earth. In Florida, you can do everything from test drive electric cars to learn from “master gardeners and pollinator specialists.” So there’s that.

5. Watch a Science Documentary on Netflix

There’s a wide array of docs at your fingertips. Whether you’re interested in space, physics, or bees, Netflix has something to satiate your science needs.

6. Unsubscribe!

Remove yourself from junk-mailing lists. We’re talking planet-harming snail mail, not the stuff clogging your email inbox. As prolific as junk email has come, more than 100 million trees are still sawed down just to make the paper for those ads and coupons no one even uses. Earth Day organizers states that the average adult has 41 pounds of junk mail stuffed into their mailbox each year, and 44 percent of that lands in the landfill unopened. Three consumer registries can help you cut down: DMAchoice, CatalogChoice, and 41Pounds.

Source,

Nickolaus is a writer in New York City. His writing can be found in places like Men’s Journal, Grape Collective and All That Is Interesting. He graduated from Auburn University, but he tries to avoid yelling War Eagle in public.

On Earth Day, Apple Says You Can iMessage Your Way to a Better Planet

The easiest possible way to feel good about yourself this Earth Day.

Kastalia MedranoEarth DayApril 22, 2016

Today is Earth Day, a thing to which people always like to hitch a lot of symbolism and good will. Should you find yourself unwilling or unable to plant trees this afternoon or perhaps skewer some garbage with one of those garbage-skewering things, Apple has given you the easiest possible out.

Just keep on sending those iMessages, the company says soothingly in a new video. Every time you send one, the message is processed through the Apple Data Center, which is powered by 100-percent clean energy. Apple would like you to feel virtuous today.

I have nothing against Earth Day. Earth Day is rad. Using it as a marketing hook to get people to get out and do good things for the planet is totally fine, but this is a pretty meaningless move on Apple’s part. The video doesn’t actually accomplish anything or urge people to any sort of action; this is just Apple patting itself on the back for 45 seconds.

Apple has made a lot of overtures toward clean energy, some of them good ones. But it’s also been criticized for not doing as much as a company of its scope could be doing. A data center powered exclusively by clean energy is obviously very cool, but Apple could have tried a bit harder today.

What’s way more exciting than this feel-good but ultimately kind of empty video is Apple’s clean-energy initiatives in China, a country where clean energy is obviously not the highest of priorities. Apple plans to install two-plus gigawatts of clean energy there by the year 2020. Since so much of the company’s products are produced there, this seems like a way more meaningful step in the right direction

Source, Kastalia grew up in Littleton, Colorado, and has a journalism degree from the University of Southern California. She spent the past year and a half backpacking around the world and recently moved to New York. Her RTs = unwavering personal convictions.

Everything We've Achieved Since the Very First Earth Day It's not all doom and gloom.

Cassie KellyClimate ChangeApril 22, 2017

Humans have maxed out the atmosphere’s carbon dioxide limit, destroyed the coral reefs, melted the polar ice caps, and even found a way to create earthquakes for the last drops of fossil fuel left in the ground. But it’s Earth Day, so we have to try to celebrate the victories. Here are some of the best moves we’ve made since the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970.

U.S. Policies

While the environment is less healthy than it was in the past, American policies meant to protect what’s left of it have come a long way since the first Earth Day.

The Clean Water Act, established in 1972, was the first law to ensure regulations for U.S. waters. In the same year, the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act was established to prevent ocean dumping.

The Clean Air Act, established in 1970, regulates emissions of harmful greenhouse gases. It’s the reason we no longer have deathly smog, like the cloud that killed 168 people in November of 1966.

The Environmental Protection Agency, established in 1970, is probably America’s greatest environmental achievement. It led to momentous federal research on air, land, and water safety and conservation, and coaxed policymakers to set standards to protect wildlife and human health.

The Endangered Species Act of 1973, is the only U.S. law that gives rights to wildlife. Because of this act, we’ve saved bald eagles, grizzly bears, gray wolves, humpback whales, manatees — and, thanks to global efforts, pandas!

Scientific Advancements

Fifty years ago, Americans had a feeling something was wrong with the natural environment — but they just weren’t sure what. Since then, science from multiple fields has overwhelmingly pointed at climate change as the culprit. Similarly, scientific breakthroughs have elucidated a lot of the other problems humans deal with day to day.

In 1995, Paul Crutzen, Mario Molina, and Sherwood Rowland won the Nobel Prize for their perseverance in studying ozone depletion. As early as 1970, Crutzen became the first scientist to notice that the ozone layer was depleting, linking this damage to nitrogen oxide released by aircrafts. In 1974, Rowland and Molina demonstrated that CFC gases, or freons, also damaged the ozone. Together, this research led to the Montreal Protocol, an international agreement to completely phase out the use of CFCs in refrigeration devices, aerosol sprays, and solvents. When Rachel Caron’s controversial Silent Spring was published in 1962, it sent scientists scrambling to link the use of DDT — the so-called “miracle” pesticide that was used everywhere to kill mosquitoes — to the rapid decline of bald eagle populations. In 1972, the U.S. government banned the use of DDT, and sure enough, by 2007, the bald eagle population made a full recovery. In 1999, a team of scientists found the connection between the rapid death of coral reefs and increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This notable study has sparked almost two decades of intense research on marine biodiversity. Although the reefs are still in grave danger, the original study has helped spark several movements aiming to save this vital part of the Earth’s ecosystem.

Cultural Movements

In response to many climate change disasters, such as sea level rise, increased drought and flooding, glacial melt, deforestation, and fossil fuel depletion, numerous large-scale organizations now exist to defend nature.

Greenpeace, founded in 1971, has quickly become one of the country’s leading environmental action groups. It’s known for its outrageous life-threatening stunts; its first — and still most notable — achievement was sailing a small boat into Amchitka island off the coast of Alaska, putting its passengers in harm’s way to stop nuclear testing in the area.

The U.S. Climate Action Network, also a huge proponent of environmental action, has worked with the United Nations to meet climate goals since the negotiation of the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992.

The Ocean Conservancy, founded in 1972, has made significant progress in protecting the world’s oceans and is one of the few organizations that focuses solely on marine life. In the past 25 years, its volunteers have removed 144 million pounds of trash from beaches during the International Coastal Cleanup and have also derailed proposals to reopen international trade in sea turtle products, ending Japanese imports of Hawksbill sea turtle shells.

Green Tech

America’s eco-friendly technology has lead to the burgeoning renewable energy movement and may be just what the country needs to finally kick fossil fuels to the curb.

Electric Cars are disrupting the auto market for the first time since their inception. Today’s most promising zero-emissions cars include Elon Musk’s Tesla Model S, the Fiat 500e, the Chevy Bolt, the BMW i3, and the Mercedes B250e. Okay, America didn’t invent solar energy, but it is certainly getting better at installing solar panels nationwide.

According to the Solar Energy Industry Association, 14.8 gigawatts’ worth of solar energy panels were installed in 2016, and nationwide, 42 gigawatts’ worth of panels are installed — enough to power 8.3 million homes. Also, about 260,000 Americans work in the solar industry.

American inventor John B. Goodenough designed the first lithium ion battery in 1980 — a rechargeable battery that’s now used in green tech such as electric cars, solar cells, boat motors, surveillance systems, and smartphones.

Tesla Model S charging up.

It’s not all doom and gloom: With a little government intervention, a few bright minds, and some crazy enough ideas, humans can succeed in saving the world we appear to be destroying. In the spirit of Earth Day, let’s focus on how far we’ve come and garner some optimism for where we’re going next.

Cassie is an Ohio native who recently moved to Brooklyn to pursue her passion for science writing. When she's not typing up a storm, you can find her in local coffee shops or used book stores. Share This

Reposted by, PHYNXRIZNG

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millennial-poe · 8 years ago

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New Year’s Resolutions

So I got this dandy idea from my dear friend @sherlockisadragon, who, might I add, you're going to be hearing a lot about throughout this short piece of writing. So my dears with the new year two days down and me still finding out a lot about my 2016. I have a lot to say about the upcoming year. 2016 was rough for me and I went through things that I had seen others go through and prayed that I would never experience myself - but as life runs its course, I was hit with these situations and I had to deal. All I can say is, I'm proud to be making a mark here in 2017.

Resolution Number One: is rather plain and simple. I want to open up. As any of my friends would tell you, I seemingly obtain emotions in which I cannot explain in words. The fact of the matter is, I don't know how nor do I feel like it's the appropriate thing to do but I have learnt that not talking about how you feel, even if the words don't come easy, will only cause you more destruction. I found this particularly true towards the end of the year. I was stressed, tired and down with life. I had been living in this constant state for a while and I found emotional and mental breakdowns coming more frequently. I never told any one. On the first of January at about 1:34 in the morning. I was sat down with someone I know and they asked me how I was and why I had stopped doing something I loved doing and I explained how it was because I wasn't in the right mental mindset and when asked to explain I couldn't and began to cry about it. They luckily promised to make time for me to just sit and have a chat - to help me make sense of the mess that is my mind and who knows maybe this short chat might be the beginning of my genuine happiness.

Resolution Number Two: I want to believe in myself. What do you mean? Well I'll tell you. I'm not the most outgoing or the loudest person in the bunch. I'm a introvert and I'm proud. I don't feel comfortable in any social situation even with my own family, how bad is that. I have so many pent up insecurities that had been caused by various things that leave me wanting to retreat to a cosy corner and go onto my phone and talk to all the beautiful people I meet online. When I set up my tumblr - this one - I wanted it to be a place where I can find like minded people and create friendships to last. People to confide when I find that no one else is there and capable of withstanding my rambling and constant struggle against myself. Someone to be wholly supportive and tumblr is the only platform I know of that hosts those kinds of people. I want to believe in myself to be more outgoing and I want to believe in myself because I lost a hell of a lot of self confidence during the last few months of the last year. I'm a part of the company for a production of Les Mis and on multiple occasions have I thought about dropping because I wasn't good enough. I passed it off as a natural response to doing such a big play but unfortunately that thought is still eating at my brain which sucks to be quite frank. I want to believe in myself with my hobbies and with everything life has to throw at me. I can and by jove, hope I will overcome it.

Resolution Number Three: GROW. I'm not going to say New Year, New Me because I don't want that. I want to grow as a person and I want to build upon the minimal talents I have and I just want to be a better me. I want to try and go for those roles I tell myself will never be mine. I want to sing those songs that I claim are not for me, despite them being in my range. I was to challenge myself and push my comfortable butt out of its comfort zone. There's no way you can grow without a little challenge and that is exactly what I want to open myself up to this year.

Resolution Number Four: Be more positive. My 2016's doom and gloom was probably encouraged by my own doom and gloom. I must admit, if there's only one thing I'm good at it's being negative. I do, however, want to stop. It's not doing anything for me nor is it doing anything for my loved ones - especially seeing as I don't talk about it anyway being nothing but a empty vessel isn't exactly something people who care about you like to see. So I'm making a vow as the third day of 2017 is approaching I will be more positive towards myself, towards the world and towards life. I will stay strong and I will fight the negativity when it surfaces and I have good friends who are willing to stay by my side and help me when things get to tough. I want to be positive, I just didn't know how in 2016 but I will take care of myself this year and I will not let my emotions get the best of me but I will get the best of them.

Resolution Number Five: I want to be more thankful. I have so many lovely friends who had not only dealt with me but all my problems this past year. @sunshineyoyo, I don't even know how you're still by my side. I love you and You're such a great friend. I'm such a negative and downtrodden person who doesn't deserve your sunshine so thank you for sticking with me and I promise to be a better person this year. @11gallowayc, I love you! From our mutual hatred in Year Seven to now just know I love you and you are very very special to me and I will never let you go - unlike Rose. @sherlockisadragon, how do I even begin to thank you for everything you've done for me in 2016. I know I'm not the easiest person to be around sometimes but goodness have you managed. I love you so much and I can't tell you how much I appreciate your friendship and the support you give me. Thank you for everything. I also want to thank everyone at @shipwreckedcomedy, you made my 2016 something special and something to be proud of. You help prove to me that with a little hard work, team work and support for each other anything is possible and the most amazing things can come from it. @sineadpersaud and @seanpersaud, you are amazing. Your both just amazing and you have no idea how much your work has affected my life. It seems weird to say but you really don't and I can't express just how much it means. You're both incredibly talented and deserve everything good thing that happened in 2016 and that's going to happen in 2017. @marykatewiles, All I can say is thank you. You have shown me just what amazing things perseverance can do and how important it is to never give up on your dream. I still remember watching LBD and then following you onto everything else you did and I wish you all the best in 2017. You are talented, you are amazing and you're so incredibly strong and I aspire to be like you in so many ways. Thank you so so much. Finally I want to thank everyone over at @the-real-team-starkid, you guys are amazing and you've started my 2017 off with a hit and it can only get better from there. So thank you very much you talented group of people and smash 2017 as well as you did 2016.

With all that said I wish the best 2017 and I hope everyone has an amazing year. You all deserve it and who knows what wonders and friends will come along with the new year.

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djsamaha-blog · 7 years ago

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6 Things My Heroes Taught Me About Overcoming Hard Times

“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” ~Christopher Reeve

It all happened so suddenly that it felt just like a flash flood. One minute the road was clear and drivable, and the next it was a raging river. Before I knew what happened, my life went from being only slightly a mess to being a complete mess, my car teetering on the edge of the water, ready to go for a swim at any minute.

I had left a job I liked and found a job I thought I would love, but didn’t end up loving at all.

I had hurt a good friend who was extremely important to me, and is now out of my life for the most part.

I felt like a financial mess from constantly playing catch up and living paycheck to paycheck, and I was going to have to move out of an apartment and town I really loved.

It’s funny how when even just one thing is going great, all the other things that aren’t going so hot are manageable. But if nothing is okay, then everything seems insurmountable and completely overwhelming.

Faced with more doom and gloom than I could stand, I wanted to melt into my bed and never get back up. And honestly, for a few days I did.

I didn’t want to talk to anyone about what was going on. I didn’t want to admit defeat or ask for help. Even my very best friends only knew bits and pieces of what was going on inside my head. And honestly, the one person I would have bared my soul to, the person who I always ran to with stuff like this, was no longer speaking to me.

So now what? I realized that if I didn’t want to talk to the people who inspired me most, I could still apply what I had learned from them. They had taught me so much over the years through their advice, and their example, that through them, I found my way.

1. You can cry for five minutes and then you have to put your big girl pants on and deal with it.

One of my best friends, and someone whose strength I really admire, taught me that life isn’t going to wait for you to have a pity party; it’s going to go on without you.

She always says to her kids and friends, “Where does crying get you? Nowhere.” So, while it’s okay to cry a little and allow yourself some much-needed time to wallow, eventually that has to end.

Spend a weekend in bed with some feel-good movies and junk food, journal your feelings, take a long hot bath, cry and scream into your pillow, and indulge in some self-care and pampering. But don’t get stuck there. It is so easy to get stuck there.

Give yourself a cut off time to pull it together and start to figure out how you are going to get through this bump in the road. Becoming a blubbering mess isn’t an option, as tempting as it is.

2. Laughter is the best medicine.

You have to have a sense of humor about your situation. Laughter can bring down blood pressure and relieve stress. You’d be doing yourself and your health a favor to find some humor each day in the ridiculousness that you are going through. There’s even something called laughter yoga, which in and of itself is funny, but honestly, they are on to something. Have you ever felt bad after a good laugh?

If you’re so miserable you can’t think of anything funny, don’t go it alone. Hang out with a friend who can usually make you laugh, or call someone who does the same. I usually call my mom because she inspired this advice, and every time we talk about the crazy stuff going on in our lives, we always end up laughing about it.

3. What you did before won’t work now if you want a different outcome.

These next three pearls of wisdom, about taking action and setting goals, come from a mentor and dear friend who’s advised me over the years.

You have cried, you have laughed, and now it’s time to think about how you got here.

True, some situations are completely unavoidable, and life can deal us some horrible blows we could not have anticipated. However, if you contributed to your current situation, even in the smallest way, you have to reflect on what got you there.

That shouldn’t take long—it should be glaringly obvious where you went wrong—but the key here is to actually change that behavior. That’s the hard part, and honestly, something that has to be continuously worked on.

I eventually realized that I needed to change my impulsive decision making after it caused me to lose a relationship that was very dear to me, among other things. Consciously making the decision to work on it daily, and seeing the change that choice has made in my life gave me back a sense of pride, and makes the sting of that mistake more bearable.

However, it’s easy to do this while in the midst of dealing with the fallout of a miscalculation or mistake. You think, man I’ll never do that again, what was I thinking? I’m going to change! But then when all is right with the world and these troubles are a distant memory, you can slip back into old habits.

Unless you make a commitment to stay aware and work daily to change, and stay changed for the better, you will find yourself back here again, and again, and again.

4. A plan is only good if it is actionable, and you take action.

As you start to feel better, you will want to come up with a plan. It’s amazing how empowering it is to tackle the problem head on and figure out what outcome you want and what you need to do to get there. But is it realistic? Is it something that will make your current situation and your future better?

Here’s a tip: It shouldn’t be the first plan you think of. Usually that one is the easiest, “the quick solve,” and it won’t get you where you want to be in the long run. You have to think long and hard about what you really want, how you feasibly can get there, and if it is doable at this time with the resources you have.

Make sure your working toward what you want every day, and tweaking as you go if it starts to look like you aren’t making any headway. Checking in with yourself and staying grounded will help you stick to the plan and see success.

Usually when I make a plan I think a lot about what I want, not necessarily what I need. I decided to keep my head out of the clouds this time, and made a more realistic plan then I usually would have.

I had to accept some unwelcome changes (moving, new financial situation, loss), but knew those things were necessary to be successful this time around. In the process I found a new career I love, and am on my way to overcoming months of remorse over past situations.

5. Suck it up and do what you have to do to get where you want to be.

A few years ago, the good friend and mentor I mentioned earlier suggested that, to catch up on bills and get out from behind my current financial situation, I should give up my car. That way I would save money by not having a monthly car or insurance payment. After a few months of saving and catching up I could buy a used car outright. She suggested taking the bus and getting rides from friends when needed in the meantime.

Aghast, I told her there was no way I could do that.

“Why not? Because it would be too hard?” she had pointedly asked.

I just told her I wasn’t willing to give up my car, and instead, decided on a quick solve that fixed the problem for the moment, but not in the long run. I never got to exactly where I wanted to be financially.

Now looking back, I see the wisdom in what she was suggesting. Sometimes we need to make a sacrifice and do something unpleasant to get to a better future.

Nothing worthwhile comes by walking an easy, breezy path, and it shouldn’t. I thought about this a lot when recently deciding to move somewhere much cheaper so I could save money and catch up. Sure, it wasn’t what I wanted to do, but it was necessary to get on the right track.

It can be really hard to decide to bite the bullet and do something difficult that you really don’t want to do, but once your through it on the other side you will be glad, and proud, that you did.

6. Keep believing that the best is yet to come.

It doesn’t matter how old you are, or how wrong things have gone, there’s always potential for a better tomorrow. It’s not going to stay this way forever; it can’t. Don’t get so bogged down in the misery of today that you forget to get excited for the future, and what you’re doing to make it a good one.

A close friend and soul sister of mine had a bumper sticker that read: Always believe that something wonderful is about to happen. She helps remind me that you have to keep the hope inside you alive, because nothing is so far gone that it cant be fixed, or grow into something new and better. In the meantime, life is passing you by.

Find some good in your day and appreciate it in between all the wallowing, planning, and doing. You don’t want to miss out on months of your life because something bad happened and now that has become your entire focus.

It could even be something as small as a walk with your dog, or the smell of fresh air blowing in through your window. Every day has something to enjoy, even for a moment, before we get back to going hard after our goals.

About Kristin Rupert

Kristin Rupert is Virginia native who found her way to Massachusetts and stayed. She is a graduate of the school of life, and an expert mistake maker. Writing about what she has lived and learned gives her the opportunity to help and inspire others who find themselves in similar situations. Follow her on Instagram here.

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sarahburness · 7 years ago

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6 Things My Heroes Taught Me About Overcoming Hard Times

“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” ~Christopher Reeve

I had left a job I liked and found a job I thought I would love, but didn’t end up loving at all.

I had hurt a good friend who was extremely important to me, and is now out of my life for the most part.

I felt like a financial mess from constantly playing catch up and living paycheck to paycheck, and I was going to have to move out of an apartment and town I really loved.

Faced with more doom and gloom then I could stand, I wanted to melt into my bed and never get back up. And honestly, for a few days I did.

1. You can cry for five minutes and then you have to put your big girl pants on and deal with it.

One of my best friends, and someone whose strength I really admire, taught me that life isn’t going to wait for you to have a pity party; it’s going to go on without you.

Give yourself a cut off time to pull it together and start to figure out how you are going to get through this bump in the road. Becoming a blubbering mess isn’t an option, as tempting as it is.

2. Laughter is the best medicine.

3. What you did before won’t work now if you want a different outcome.

These next three pearls of wisdom, about taking action and setting goals, come from a mentor and dear friend who’s advised me over the years.

You have cried, you have laughed, and now it’s time to think about how you got here.

Unless you make a commitment to stay aware and work daily to change, and stay changed for the better, you will find yourself back here again, and again, and again.

4. A plan is only good if it is actionable, and you take action.

5. Suck it up and do what you have to do to get where you want to be.

Aghast, I told her there was no way I could do that.

“Why not? Because it would be too hard?” she had pointedly asked.

Now looking back, I see the wisdom in what she was suggesting. Sometimes we need to make a sacrifice and do something unpleasant to get to a better future.

It can be really hard to decide to bite the bullet and do something difficult that you really don’t want to do, but once your through it on the other side you will be glad, and proud, that you did.

6. Keep believing that the best is yet to come.

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renatorizzuti · 8 years ago

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Italian Proverbs

Written by Renato Rizzuti

The English definition of a proverb is, “A simple and concrete saying popularly known and repeated, which expresses a truth, based on common sense or the practical experience of humanity. Proverbs are often borrowed from similar languages and cultures, and sometimes come down to the present through more than one language. Both the Bible and medieval Latin have played a considerable role in distributing proverbs across Europe, although almost every culture has examples of its own.”

An Italian proverb also “expresses a truth, based on common sense or the practical experience of humanity.” If you know the Italian language or Italians, you know that Italians have a way of expressing themselves that is uniquely Italian. An examination of several classic Italian proverbs will reveal if there is any “truth” to the supposed “truth based on Italian common sense.”

“A ogni uccello il suo nido è bello.” The translation is, “To every bird, his own nest is beautiful.” It is a simple fact that most Italians take pride in their homes. This especially true if there is “no morggegio.” Or “no mortgage.” Just like every bird who thinks his own nest is beautiful, every Italian thinks that his home is beautiful. This is not being overly materialistic but it is indicative of the pride that Italians take in their home. After all, they came to Canada from Italy, their homeland, to make a better life for themselves and their families. A nice home is a symbol of economic success. This has cross cultural significance because people of all cultures can appreciate having a nice home. This is a great proverb that applies not only to Italians but to people in general.

“A tutto c'è rimedio, fuorchè alla morte.” The translation is, “There is a cure for everything except death.” How very true! Just about every problem that life has to offer can be solved except death. As long as you still have life in you to persevere you can overcome all obstacles. This shows the no nonsense common sense basic truth that cannot be argued with. It is Italian wisdom that is indicative of the “fight” that Italians have in them. A lively feisty bunch of people that we are!

“Belle parole non pascono i gatti.” The translation is, “Fine words don't feed cats.” Oh how true! Someone can talk eloquently about helping you out and promise you the moon and the stars. Until the words are backed up with concrete actions they are worthless, they “don’t feed cats.” There are a lot of people like that. Some people can talk up a storm and then follow up with no actions. Likewise, you can be promised many worldly goods but end out with nothing when the goods are not delivered. Only when something that was promised is “signed, sealed and delivered” is it of real value. Until that time comes there will be a lot of hungry cats out there!

“Chi pecora si fa, il lupo se la mangia.” The translation is, “Those who act like a sheep will be eaten by the wolf.” The people that are most successful in life do not act timid like sheep. They are aggressive people that go out and get what they want out of life. They have a great deal of self confidence. A person who acts like a sheep will get eaten by the more aggressive “wolf type” personalities out there. “Sheep type” people blindly follow the crowd. “Wolf type” people set the path for others to follow. In a room of highly successful people you will not hear anybody going, “Baa!”

“Cambiano i suonatori ma la musica è sempre quella.” The translation is, “The musicians change but the music remains the same.” This is true in life in that the players may change but the situation remains the same. Some people would apply this proverb to the political situation in Canada. In other words, the politicians that are in power change but things remain the same for Canada. Other people could apply this to their work situation in that the bosses of management change but their work story remains the same. Basically the players in any situation can change but the same “music” plays. Change in life does not always bring about a complete change in your life story. And so the same music plays on!

“Chi bene incomincia è a metà dell'opera.” The translation is, “Well begun is half done.” We are all faced with tasks, chores and projects that we put off because we really do not feel like doing them. Half the battle in these cases is starting the job. Once you get a good start, the task becomes less onerous. We may find how easy the task is once we actually start doing it. Before you know it the task is “half done!”

“Del male non fare e paura non avere.” The translation is, “Do no evil and have no fear.” What is there to fear if you never no any evil? You do not have to worry about being punished by the law or by God’s law. Nobody is going to attack you verbally or phyiscally out of retaliation. Certainly good advice from a spiritual and practical point of view. Doing evil produces negative energy. Negative energy has a way of coming back to you. It is better to do no evil and that way you will never have to live in fear!

“Finchè c'è vita c'è speranza.” The translation is, “Where there's life, there’s hope.”This shows Italian’s belief in an “undying optimism” that stands very strong up against doom and gloom pessimism. The basic requirement for hope in this case is “life.” As long as you can live and breathe you always can have some hope for the future. A fundamentally bright and cheerful message coming from Italians who tend to be cheerful people!

From this examination of classic Italian proverbs we can see that the proverbs contain a lot of homespun “folk wisdom.” The proverbs go even beyond that in that they contain valuable life lessons and a refined intelligence. The next time that you hear a classic Italian proverb, listen carefully for the proverbs have something to teach us!

#musing #Italian #proverbs #homespun #commonsense #folkwisdom #philosophy

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