Undead Spice Girls Rule

Happy Thursday.

Below I am sharing a video today that just about cracked me up this morning.

This one is for my Un-Dead Spice Girl Sisters Mummy and Lurchy.  You know who you are, but just in case the rest of you don't, I'm talking about @abbymumford and @carrharr.  This is my version of what the three of us would look like, of course we wouldn't wear our shirts this way.  Don't worry, we would be wearing shirts.  We aren't like those Spice Girls.  Yeah, and we would be Zombie's...and girls.  I think.  Check it out. 




The things people put on youtube.  Have a great day and if you haven't entered my BTIB's contest in honor of @carrharr debut, get your butt over here and do it. Now!  Move it!  This would be scarier if I looked more like a zombie, right?

This is my dilemna

I don't know if you guys caught wind last week that I have joined weight watchers.  

I have.

That being said, I didn't realize how hard this was going to be.  Not the not-eating-bad-things part.  The eating all of your points part.  This is becoming quite trying for me after only one week back on the program.  Here's the thing.  Fruits and Veggies are free.  And I eat more than I realized when it comes to these.  

For example, I love frozen cherries.  These are like candy to me.  I snack on a couple of ounces every day.  Plus I eat an apple every morning for breakfast to go with my yogurt.  The yogurt is low on the points spread for a full meal and the fruit is zero.  Lunch time finds me having a salad of...that's right, you guessed it veggies.  I can use the full fat dressing here b/c I am trying to load down on those points.  But by dinner I am trying to find things that will add the points without filling me up so completely that I am uncomfortable before bed.  

But I am finding it hard to scrounge up things that I can eat that will keep me in my points range and do it without me wanting to eat the whole gallon of chocolate ice cream.

Any suggestions?

PS This week I have two BBQ's to attend and I am bringing the dessert for each.  I am so screwed. 

Bang Head Here

I am feeling inspired to write now, unfortunately I am dealing with time issues.  

As much as I would love to spend my entire days writing and point plotting, I am actually required to spend my days working.  Yeah, it does suck.  Unfortunately in exchange for this week I get what is known as a paycheck.  I really like the paycheck part.

It has been frustrating for the past week because it seems that life keeps throwing me all of these curve balls to keep me from the keyboard.  

A friends passing, overtime at work, some problems around the house and then if that doesn't mess with your head, I learn that I'm not superwoman after all and yes I do need sleep.  I have been setting the clock extra early to have some time in the mornings, but this is almost more painful because just when I get into the meat, it's time to stop and start working.  Ugh.  

I need some tricks of the trade.  So tell me how do you keep the writing going when life seems to be telling you to take a break?

Sometimes it's all about the clothing

Most of you guys know how much I love my tweeps.  I try to check in at least once a day via twitter in order to keep up with what's going on.  Last week I a couple of new folks that I just had to follow.  They are pretty off the hook and since I love to tell you guys about all things new that I find, I thought it only fitting to introduce you.

My two newest twitter finds are @JeffsPants and @BillsVest.  If you aren't following them, you should.

Both of these twitter accounts have been created by crazed dedicated fans of two published authors who who can both be found on twitter here and here respectively.  My understanding is that these two alter ego's were created after a couple of conversations where the original Jeff and Bill started tweeting on behalf of their clothing.  (This was before my time so I may be off a little on the background.)

It doesn't matter really, what does is that @JeffsPants and @BillsVest are funny and not just a little.  So check them out and follow them. 

But be on the lookout because I am sure this new trend will spark some fascinating new tweeps like maybe Linda Grimes Cigar (whom she is very attached too) or Tawna Fenke's Bra (which she isn't so much attached too and likes to toss out at concerts.  Her words, not mine.) 

I will be on the lookout and let you know if anymore of these alter ego's arise.

So who's new and interesting in your twitterverse that I should be following.  Share now.


PS Don't forget to enter the Bad Taste In Boys contest I launched Friday for your chance to win.  You can check it out here for a chance to win. 

 



 

Bad Taste In Boys...

July 12, 2011.  Mark your calendars.  Why?  No, it's not my birthday.  That comes a few days later.  No, July 12 is special because that's the release day for Bad Taste in Boys by the sugar-lipped whack-a-ding-hoy Carrie Harris.  (Hey those are her words, not mine.)

Now I have to admit I am not a zombie-teenage-boy-loving type of reader.  But since getting to know Carrie via Twitter and her blog which you can do here and here.  No, seriously, if you don't already do it, go and do it now.  Her blog is worth the price of admission just for the design.  It's one of my favorites.  Not to mention she is laugh out loud funny and regularly cracks me up on Twitter.

Bad Taste in Boys...well the title says it all.

Someone’s been a very bad zombie.

Super-smartie Kate Grable gets to play doctor, helping out her high school football team. Not only will the experience look good on her college apps, she gets to be this close to her quarterback crush, Aaron. Then something disturbing happens. Kate finds out that the coach has given the team steroids. Except . . . the vials she finds don’t exactly contain steroids. Whatever’s in them is turning hot gridiron hunks into mindless, flesh-eating . . . zombies.

Unless she finds an antidote, no one is safe. Not Aaron, not Kate’s brother, not her best friend . . . not even Kate . . .

It’s scary. It’s twisted. It’s sick. It’s high school.

I know!  It does sound awesome.  And if that's not enough to convince you to buy this book when it comes out try this, the trailer.  

I am really looking forward to this one.  In fact, I am so looking forward to it that I am going to give a copy of it away on release day.  Want to win?  Here's what you gotta do. 

1.  Just tweet about this contest so everyone knows we are giving a copy of it away and I've made that easy with the twitter box at the bottom of the screen across the orange bar.  Just tweet it from here and you are entered. 

2.  One last thing. Tell me below about the time you had bad taste in one boy. Come on, we've all been there.  Share.

Good Luck!  Contest Closes July 11.

Book Hungry: Kiss the Snow

Kiss the Snow by Nalini Singh was this months Book Hungry book club choice.  

I enjoyed this book selection very much.  

From Amazon:  Since the moment of her defection from the PsyNet and into the SnowDancer wolf pack, Sienna Lauren has had one weakness. Hawke. Alpha and dangerous, he compels her to madness.

Hawke is used to walking alone, having lost the woman who would've been his mate long ago. But Sienna fascinates the primal heart of him, even as he tells himself she is far too young to handle the wild fury of the wolf.

Then Sienna changes the rules-and suddenly, there is no more distance, only the most intimate of battles between two people who were never meant to meet. Yet as they strip away each other's secrets in a storm of raw emotion, they must also ready themselves for a far more vicious fight...

A deadly enemy is out to destroy SnowDancer, striking at everything they hold dear, but it is Sienna's darkest secret that may yet savage the pack that is her home-and the alpha who is its heartbeat. 

Don't get me wrong there were times I was thinking to myself, "Sienna, come on girl, just jump his bones already."  But overall I thought the book was a great continuation.  As part of the book club I did find myself looking at this read wondering what someone who had not read the rest of the books would think and realized it could be confusing if you came to this series late.

But the main thing for me about this series is that while I may have built this installment up in my own head, and therefore faced a little disappointment, overall the series is rock solid and this installment was no less fulfilling.  Her character development is so concentrated and the continuity is seamless.

I'm a big fan and really enjoyed the other stories.  What I was concerned about with this book was the obvious age difference between Hawke and Sienna, our two main characters.  While its true they never give us his age in the book, you get a feel that he is in his mid-thirties, you do know Sienna is only 19.  What I think made me buy the idea of these two as a couple was Sienna's background. 

From the very beginning of the book Sienna and Hawke are striking sparks off each other.  Hawke demands unquestionable loyalty from his pack and while Sienna is only 19 she has lived her life as a Cardinal X.  The horrors and things that happened to her were so tragic and unspeakable, you just know that in order for her to survive it she had to be mentally and emotionally strong which gives more credence to her maturity as these things are unveiled in the story.  To me, this was a fine line that Singh walked and she did it very well. 

In the end I found the age difference almost necessary.  Sienna would have eaten a younger man for breakfast and while her age should have played against her, life experience helped this reader buy these two as a couple.   

And as we move through their story and Sienna embraces the duties the pack assigns her, you see her growth, but growth in a new way.  As a trusted member of the family with all the playing, touching, and goofing off that comes with it.  Not something the Laurens were overly familiar with.  Her mental capabilities are already those far surpassed, but her identity inside the pack and more specifically as Hawkes significant other are, to me, the true focus here.

A truly satisfying read.

Okay, so tell me if you have read it or any of the other stories in this series. 

Cranky

This week has been God awful for inspiration.  Thankfully tomorrow we will be back with a book hungry review.  It was supposed to happen last week, but there was some confusion about getting it done.  But were definitely scheduled for Thursday of this week.

In the meantime I just started weight watchers and I am cranky.  Not because I can't eat.  God knows you can eat your brains out on Weight Watchers.  Just not the type of food I want to eat.  So I guess I should be honest about that.  Yes, I can have french fries from McDonalds's but just not everyday.  Hello!  I thought french fries were one of the four main food groups?  How will I live without my fried potato fix?  

I know, I know, I will get used to it.

In the mean time I am trying to convince myself that veggies are good for me and I really do love them.

Pray for me.

Because sometimes a cute animal is all you need.

This Friday Night

Thank God today is Friday.

Can I get an Amen?

This has been one slow week.  And I am looking forward to it being over.  I have been keeping myself up late night helping out a friend develop a new website.  I don't mind really, this is work I love to do.  But I have to admit I can't burn the midnight oil as well as I used to.

My problem is I get so into what I am doing I forget all about the time and if you have a website, any type of website, you know the its like a black hole once you start playing around.  Last night for example, I didn't get to bed until after one.  As in AM.  Before this week I hadn't seen one am since... Okay, I don't know since when.

Now I am up at the crack of dawn, not because I have to be, but because my body is just used to getting up at this time.

So here's a video that I just enjoy watching because it took me back.  No, I never had parties like this, but I sure did go to a few.

PS Abby:  I love that Darren Criss had a cameo.  He is one teenage dream I can look again. 

There is no rage against the machine here...

I love my iPad.  I think that has been made perfectly clear.  

Recently I have been spending time downloading all of the free aps I can and playing with them.  Hello, I am a software junkie.  Hey the first step is admitting you have a problem.  Between my iPad and my smartphone I am in app heaven.

Today I thought I would share some of my favorites.

1.  The Kindle App

Two years ago for Christmas I got a great gift.  I got a kindle.  Can I just say I was one of those snobbish readers.  Oh, you know the type.  I will NEVER read from a digital device.  It takes something away from the whole experience.  Yes, I did actually use an upper crust british accent, although I am sure it came out sounding more like Edina from Ab Fab than Princess Di.  

Anywho, I was sure that I would never want to relinquish the feel of holding a book in my hand.  And while that has been true of weightier tomes, such as all of my cook-books that hasn't been the case with my other reading.  In fact, I have found that I actually prefer the kindle now to the books.  For one very basic reason.  I can make the letters bigger or smaller as I see fit.  That is just freaking brilliant!  Plus I don't have to have room in my home for 15000 books I can store them on kindle.  And the bookmark notes, I could go on and on.

2.  My Twitter App

Do I really need to explain why this is such a great app.  Mainly I love it because I was able to download it to my Smartphone, my iPad and my computer and they are all synched to the same account.  It really is the only twitter app I need.  It let's me list the certain someones I want to follow and keep track of my tweeps. 

I can also add more than one account and follow it on the same dashboard.  I don't, but I could if I wanted to.

It automatically shortens links that I want to send so I don't have to log into another piece of software and do it before I shoot if off and if I really wanted to I could have twitter and facebook talk to each other and update both social networks at the same time.

3.  Evernote

Okay, if you guys haven't checked this out yet, you need to.  This is one neat piece of software and it's free. This is like a one stop shop for all of your notes and thoughts and things you just don't know what to do with.

When I am on the computer and I stumble across something I don't want to forget but I don't want to bookmark, I can copy and paste it to my note via a web clipper app that was so easy to download.  I use it for the things that used to cover my desk in post-its.  In fact, I haven't used one post it since I downloaded this app.  And believe me that is AMAZING.  

You can tag your notes for easy sorting and searching.  You can create lists, add photos, send yourself your notes via email and even make some of your list public for sharing.  Whatever you need to do and it stores them in one place for easy retrieval.  This app isn't new so a lot of you may already be aware of it, but for those of you that aren't, check it out.  It works in conjunction with all your devices like the twitter and kindle app.  And where ever you go, your stuff goes too.

Are you using any of these?  Or maybe you have a great app you think I should look into, tell me about it.  But don't worry, I can quit anytime I want to.

Waiting...

I know you guys have been patient in waiting for the updates on F&G.  

Unfortunately you are going to have wait a little longer.  Ms. Karla is suffering from some serious illness.  She has a bad case of Sucky Writer Sundrome and Lazy Writer Disease.

There is some talk of a telethon to raise funds for a cure.  I hear it's tequila.  

And if that's not enough to get you motivated Ms. K...here is something that may help.

So if any of you die hard Grace and Harper fans see her on Twitter, can you guys do me a favor and pester her until she writes so we leave her alone.  Ask her real nice when she is planning to get back in the game?  

Fun and Games that is.

I promise to keep you posted.  In the meantime tell me what you are reading right now, besides this post.  I need some beach reading ideas for this weekend.  That's right, I went there.

Something to look forward to

Summer is in full swing here in the Breakey house.  For that I am extremely grateful, something I spend the rest of the year looking forward to.

I love getting up in the morning and having my first sips of caffeine by the pool.  Sorry, no, that's not coffee of which I speak.  For me its a ice cold glass of coke zero first thing in the morning.  

Today as I write this I am watching a couple of birds in play.  They are chasing each other across the yard.  Swooping and chattering.  Which of course sets Charlie off who is positioned like a sentry by the sliding back door.  He is warning them in his morse code kitty chatter that he is going to get them. 

The breeze is blowing and the air smells fresh and clean from the quick summer storm that blew through last night after dinner.  The grass is showing its appreciation for the rain, and my little herb garden is looking pretty healthy, which is extremely pleasing since I normally make the plants at Lowe's wilt just by walking past them.  I think they smell my fear and act accordingly.  It's either that or they see my thumb is black and they know, they know, if they come home with me they are facing certain death.

So now I am heading in for work.  But I will be back at lunchtime, and that is something to look forward to.

I will be watching the waves roll in....

Well it's Friday again, and can I just say-Hello, Friday!

This week has been wicked busy, but I am glad it's done. 

I have a new project in the works, building a website from the ground up.  The work has been challenging, but I am loving every minute of it. I love how the universe always sends me just what I need when I need it.  

Besides that I am working on a book for the baby shower that I hosted and finishing up the book for my nephew, Ryan.  He will a year in August and I want to give him a book of his baby blog for his first birthday.  Okay, it's more for mom and dad, but it will be appreciated.  Hey, he'll like the box it comes in, I'm sure.

One of the things I have recently learned about myself is I just need to be creative.  Whether that's writing, or designing a website, or putting a hard back book together it really doesn't matter.  As long as my creative juices are flowing life will be good.

Of course boating season is high gear in our neck of the woods, so just know as you guys swelter your way through your weekends, I will be hunkered down in my beach chair watching the waves roll in.  I may even cook this weekend, but I'm thinking chances are good I won't. 

Here's hoping you all have a great weekend! 

Here I go again...

I have the rest of this week to go still in my self-imposed twitter intervention.  Now it's starting to get hard.  I had something really good happen for the hubs this week and didn't have anyone to share it with.  Not that you guys personally know the Captain or anything, but sometimes it's just nice to be able to give a shout out about how my day is going because I know there is always someone there to shout back.  I miss that.  

Also I wanted to bitch about my selection for jury duty.  AGAIN!  How does this keep happening to me?  Just lucky, I guess.  This time I have been selected for federal court.  Again, I want to protest the unfairness of it.  In the year since I had to serve I haven't talked to one other person, and that includes my social media friends, who have been called to serve.  But here I go again.  Another summons at the exact year mark.

I don't care what jury I get called for he/she/it is Guilty.  

No, of course I don't mean that, well not really.  But I was supposed to start tweeting again Monday.  I have the date circled on my calendar and now I may have to go in for jury selection instead.  Yee-ha!  Yes, that was sarcasm.

The summons says I am required to be available for the whole month of June.  I called last Friday to see if I would have to report and they said my scheduled report date isn't until the 13th.  But I should call the Friday before again, just in case.  

I take jury duty very seriously, but I swear to god, I cannot be the only citizen in the county that does.  Right?  RIGHT?   What's a girl got to do to catch a break?

No, worries.  I have my fingers crossed that I won't be needed, but I am not holding my breath on that one.  Wait, would acting crazy and holding my breath during the selection get me kicked out?  Hmm, I need to think on this.  Meanwhile I am looking for some great excuses of why I can't server. Come on guys, I am counting on you.  

Hopefully I will be back to tweeting on Monday, but if not, just know you guys are in my thoughts.  Okay, not really.  But it did make you feel just a teeny bit better, right? 

Things that make me go..."Oh my!"

I spent the weekend with the new man in my life.  It was all above board and the Captain approved.  I feel a little decadent even admitting this. 

I have a huge crush on Garrett Hedlund.  He isn't a new actor, and while I have been jonesing for him for awhile it wasn't until this past weekend that he went on my list.  What list you ask?  

You remember that episode from Friends where the guys made a list of the famous people they could sleep with if ever given a chance.  Well me and the Captain have lists like that as well.  Of course I don't think I would actually want to sleep with any of the men on mine, I just want to sit and look at them since they are all so pretty.  Okay, maybe dinner.  But only if they buy.

The hubs convinced me to watch Tron this weekend.  He felt that my education was sorely lacking since I had not seen either of the movies.  Did I like it?  Heh!  It was okay.  He could have turned the sound off and I would have probably enjoyed it more.  Olivia Wilde kept annoying me every time she started talking.  I guess this was because it took the camera away from the cutie.  

The next movie we settled down to watch was Country Strong, another movie that GH was in.  Oh. My. God.  He rocked the country cowboy look!

Afterward I told the Captain I was going to have to bump one of the guys from my list because GH was definitely going on it.  

Now your probably wanting to know who got booted off, but I don't think that's fair to him.  Instead I will tell you this.  GH joined a stellar group when he made the list.  He joins the likes of Jon BonJovi, hello, like you weren't expecting that one?  Nathan Fillion.*swoon*, Mark Harmon (do I even need to explain that one...you people watch NCIS right?) and Josh Lymen.  (So what if he is a character on a now defunct TV show.  That's who's on my list.)  And now GH.

My list has changed over the years and I find that amusing.  I used to have the likes of George Clooney, Ben Affleck and Mark Wahlberg on the list.  I outgrew Marky Mark and Ben Affleck disappointed when he married that Alias girl, and of course Clooney's allure seems to have faded.  That was probably more information that you guys needed or wanted, but I just felt the urge to share.  Also, if anyone catches up with Nathan Fillion they should let him know I am waiting for him.  But if Garrett gets here first, all bets are off.

F&G...Never gonna let you go...

Fun and Games Next Installment...

“Grace.”

The sound of her name pierced the soft comfort of the cloud she was lounging on. “Grace.  I need you to open your eyes.”  

The voice wasn’t familiar.

“Grace, come on.  You can do this.  Open your eyes.” 

Okay, fine.  

Another deep male voice she didn’t recognize droned, “No response.” 

Well that was weird.  If she didn’t know better she would swear her eyes were stuck.  How could her lids, mere flaps of skin that seemed to work every other freaking day of her life, decide that today was the day they were going to stop?  

Swallow.  Okay that was hard.  Where had the cotton come from?  And why did her throat suddenly feel like the Sahara at high noon?

“Grace, we really need for you to open your eyes now.”  That voice again.  What did this guy think?  That she didn’t want to open her eyes.  

“Doctor, oxygen?” a soft feminine voice chimed in.

Doctor?  

“Not yet.” The voice moved.  Where was he going?  She wanted to call out that she was there, but couldn’t make her vocal cords work and besides the cloud was calling.

“Grace, time to wake up.” 

This voice was familiar.  

Dad?

“Everything looks good and the Doctor’s says you will make a full recovery, but you need to wake up first.  Please, honey, open your eyes. “

What happened dad?  A full recovery?  From what?  Are you crying Dad?  Don’t do that, I’m fine.  Really.  I’m right here.

“Gracie Lou, you need to wake up.  You are starting to scare me.  For real this time.” 

Harper?  I hear you.  I’m here.

“That was a really dumb thing you did, jumping in front of me like that.  What were you thinking?  Never mind, don’t answer that.  Okay, you can answer that.  In fact I wish you would.  Open your eyes right now and answer me. “

Jumping in front of you?  What did I do?

“Please Grace.  Please wake up.  I don’t know what I will do without you if you don’t.”  

Don’t cry.  Why is everyone crying today?  I’m fine.  I’m right here.  Why can’t you hear me?

She hasn’t regained consciousness.  The words kept playing in Truman’s head like a recording that was stuck in one place.  An annoying repetition of words he never wanted to hear again.

Truman was the last one to gain entrance to her room.  Her father, cousin and Mrs. Magee had all been in to see her.  The doctor allowed Harper to go in and sit with her as well, hoping that the sound of familiar voices would wake her up.  So far none worked.   By the time Truman made it to her bedside he couldn’t find any words.  His throat closed leaving him mute.

After the first set of visitations and the reassurance that Grace made it through the surgery Truman’s mom and dad left promising to return soon.  Dill Simonson and Harper went to the police station to make an official statement and Owen, Lucky and their mother left with them.  Truman’s mom needed to get home and check on his younger brother and  Jack Monroe was still staking out the chair closest to Graces’ door, while Mrs. Magee and cousin Abby left to pick up some things.

Standing at the glass window to her room, he tried willing her to wake up.  It didn’t work.  Leaning his head against the cool partition he couldn’t help but replay the moment in the driveway over and over again.  In his mind’s eye he kept seeing her body jerk at the impact before she toppled to the ground in slow motion.  He grunted, the action leaving a sour taste in his mouth. 

 

She looked so peaceful.  Her brow was smooth, her mouth relaxed.  But he didn’t want peaceful, it didn’t look right on her.  Not like this.  He wanted her awake and winking at him over coffee or laughing at his latest escapade as he launched himself through her bedroom window.  Panic crested over him, threatening to drown him in all of the memories they made and the ones that might never be.  Pushing through it, an image of Grace at the lake from the previous summer chasing him with her super soaker water gun and laughing like a loon had the hold on his skull easing.  

“Mr. Monroe?” 

The voice startled both of the males holding a vigil outside her door.  Truman lost interest when he realized it was just a nurse looking for some insurance information, but took the opportunity to ease into her room once more.  

A desperate need to touch her and make sure that she was breathing propelled him to her side.  Picking up her hand, he lowered himself to the chair next to her bed.  Fitting his fingers with hers he said, “Hey you.”

Thank god the words came back.

Deep breath, “The surgery was a success.  And you’re gonna to be fine.  But you need to wake up.  And soon, okay?  Please Grace.  Wake up soon.”  Leaning forward, he rubbed the back of her hand against his cheek, the contact easing the heavy weight across his shoulders.  “I miss you Grace.  Please open those beautiful eyes of yours so I can see you’re okay.”

When no response was forthcoming Truman squeezed his eyes shut.  It didn’t stop the tears from leaking out, but he was male enough to not want to completely break down and lose it in front of Grace, even an unconscious Grace.

Bowing his head, he tried to keep control of the emotions clogging his throat and obscuring his vision.  Shoulders shaking, he thought maybe he should give praying a try.  Offering up any and everything he could think of, if only God would just make her better. 

He was holding her hand so tightly that he almost missed the twitch of her thumb.  Through his haze of despair, he looked up and her hand was moving.  His eyes jumped from their twined fingers to her face even as he half stood and watched her eyes start to flutter. 

“That’s it baby, wake up.  Come one, wake up.” 

 

Her eye lids made it to half mast, but she was awake and he could see those beautiful baby blues peering back at him.  A rusty “Hey, you” emerged and it was the most beautiful sound he ever heard.

“Hey, you” he murmured back in a water logged voice steeped in emotion.

 

She swallowed, and blinked a few more times before she whispered, “You okay?  You look like crap.”

Barking out a surprised chuckle he replied, “You don’t look so good yourself.”  Kissing the back of her hand, he closed his eyes as he winged a prayer up to the big guy. 

Licking her lips her voice horse, “I played chicken with a bullet and lost.  What’s your excuse?”

Tightening his grip, “You played chicken with a bullet and lost.”

A small smiled tugged at the corner of her mouth.  “So glad you’re here.”

“Ditto.”

Thank you for being a friend.

Last week I took a break from all things social media.  

Facebook, which really wasn't that hard.  Twitter, which I thought I couldn't live without and my blog.  

Honestly, I didn't miss any of them.

What does that mean?

Here is what I learned from my self imposed social media exile.  

I don't need it as much as I thought I did.  And that was refreshing.  I had gotten so used to the idea of sending off a quick tweet or worrying about what my next blog post would be about, that I forgot what social media should really be about.  Fun.  It had stopped being fun for me and become more like a job.  I already have one of those, so realizing I looked at social media the same way was a real buzz kill.

It takes a lot of my time.  Okay, picture this.  I am sitting in my comfortable chair in front of the TV or lounging in bed, watching TV.  Guess what I always have?  Either my laptop, my smart phone or my iPad.  I thought I was great because I didn't always need to have my phone, or I didn't always need to have my iPad, but what I realized was this.  I did always need to have some connection to the net.  Why?  Because I was worried I might miss something.  Well, here is the real sadness to social media.  Worrying that you might miss something means you probably are and it's not the something you think.  All those nights I say glued to a wireless device just met that I wasn't  paying attention to the people around me.  

Don't get me wrong.  I don't want to let go of my connections to the outside world and social media has been a great tool for that.  But I don't want to spend so much time socializing with folks who have no vested interest in me that I miss spending time with the people who do.  That doesn't mean that I won't blog or tweet anymore, it just means I am setting limits for myself and cutting myself some slack when I digress.

Overall my experiment was a good one.  It taught me some things about myself I didn't really want to see, but at the end of the day am grateful to know.