(3144,1,'2011-01-06 21:07:21','2011-01-07 04:07:21','<p><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3123\" title=\"book-header2-trans\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/book-header2-trans-227x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"227\" height=\"300\" /></a>I\'m a book junkie.  It all started in my childhood.  When I was 3, I didn\'t take a stuffed animal or doll to bed.  I snuggled up with the book <em>The Three Little Kittens</em>.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I still take a novel to bed each night, but rest it on the nightstand when it\'s time to turn off the lights.  :-)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Each Christmas, a few books top my Christmas list.  This year, I asked for two books that kept surfacing in conversations with various peeps.  The only specific peep that I can recall at this time is <a href=\"http://peterpaluska.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Peter Paluska</strong>.</a>  (Thanks, Peter!).  Hell if I can remember the others.  Luckily, I picked up a copy of <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Keep-Your-Brain-Alive-Exercises/dp/0761110526\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Keep Your Brain Alive:  83 Neurobic Exercises to help prevent memory loss and and increase mental fitness </strong></a>when I was shopping for family Christmas presents in Houston.  Hopefully, I will remember and acknowledge the rest of you soon. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Anywho, this year\'s Christmas List Books were <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> and <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">Rework</a></strong></em>.  At one point, when Mom begged me to compile The Christmas List for the umpteenth time, these books and an <strong><a href=\"http://www.annetaintor.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Anne Taintor</a></strong> calendar were the only things that I could think of.  Mom was frustrated, but she got over it.  She should be happy that her daughter asks for books instead of expensive jewelry or electronics.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Surprise!  Santa brought me both books!  I guess I was more nice than naughty this year.  Darn. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Houston, we kinda sorta had a problem though. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>What could possibly be the problem, you ask? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I get jazzed by non-fiction. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>In fact, I get <em>so</em> jazzed that if I read it during my regular reading hours of right-before-bedtime, I can\'t sleep.</strong></span></span>  I have enough issues with my brain refusing to cooperate and turn off at night.  Throw innovative ideas into the mix, and I\'m a full-fledged insomniac.  I am limited to my bedtime story (you might refer to this as a \"novel\") before bed or I am toast the next day. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Which means that I need to read non-fiction outside of my regular reading hours.  And my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">Crazy 365 Day Project Blog</a></strong> + New Puppy + Working-for-the-Man Life doesn\'t have room for reading outside of my regular reading hours right now.  Unless...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I creatively morph it into one of my 365 days! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which is exactly what I did on Day 99. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>(If the <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> or <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Rework</strong></a></em> guys happen to stumble upon this blog, they\'re probably as frustrated as my mother right now.  Sorry, guys, but this is a chick blog.  Brevity is not in our vocabulary.  What did you expect?)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Here\'s another source of jazziness for me:  airplanes.  Something about airplanes makes me downright heady and inspired</strong></span></span>. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My airplane giddiness is not induced by the compressed air or the in-flight cocktails.  Nope.  It\'s brought on by non-fiction reading binges. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />When do I ever get uninterrupted time to read non-fiction?  Never!  But on planes!  On planes, my attention is captured for hours on end!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />On Day 99, my reading binge plan included both of my Christmas gift books.  Flying from Houston to Phoenix with a layover in Austin would give me ample time to work my plan.  <em><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></em> is short, and <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Rework</strong></a></em>has lots of drawings.  Manageable binge reading sans indigestion!  Hurrah! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">What I failed to account for in my plan is my uncanny knack for befriending strangers on planes.  It happens nearly every time. </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In the summer, on the way home from Boston, I met an 80 year-old Dutch-American woman with one of the most fascinating life stories I\'ve ever heard.  In the fall, on the way to my grandfather\'s funeral, I met a married couple who turned out to have everything in the world in common with me. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One Christmas travel season, I even met a soon-t0-be boyfriend on a layover.  <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>By the end of the flight, Mr. Tall Drink of Water and I were kissing in baggage claim.</strong></span></span>  It was all very romantic.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This time, one of my seatmates was hoping to kiss me in baggage claim, but there was absolutely no chemistry on my part, my friends.  Awfully nice guy though.  He chewed my ear off for awhile before passing his phone number to me.  Now I feel like a shallow wench for not calling him.  Argh. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />And then there was the sweet young mother next to me whose 1 year-old I entertained for half the flight.  Bloody hell!  I stopped teaching 2.5 years ago!  Why couldn\'t I just read my book in peace? <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> And why did I pay $150 for my perfect pooch to stow under the seat without a sound while your kid is flying free on your lap whilst trying to grab my dinner and screaming when he doesn\'t get it???  </strong></span></span>Humbug. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>SOMEHOW I managed to tune everyone out and at least read <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em>in its entirety.  Of course, I read it so quickly and distractedly that I can hardly remember it. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Just kidding. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>You can\'t help but get really excited over Gary\'s message:</strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"></a> </p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Love your family.</strong></span></span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Work superhard.</strong></span></span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Live your passion. </strong></span></span></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"></a> </p>\r\n\r\n<p>His philosophies are nothing new.  His delivery is a hoot and a half. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Here\'s the reason why I wanted to read his book:  Gary catapulted his business into the stratosphere when he entered the world of social media. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">I, being a recent social media virgin, needed help.  Badly. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!,</a></strong></em>Gary shares his social media roadmap.  I was shocked to see that I\'m farther along in social mediaville than I thought, and that I\'m actually doing a few things right.  Who knew? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I also learned what\'s next on my journey.  Thanks for showing me the way, Gary!  Let\'s hope that I find myself thoroughly Twitterpated sooner rather than later. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Interestingly, Gary plasters his personal email address throughout his book.  Now, the book is a 2009 copyright (I\'m always behind the 8 ball, dammit!), but I\'m going to e-mail him for shits and giggles and see if he responds.  I have 266  days left in <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">my 365 day project</a></strong> (holy crap!), and hearing back from a famous author would definitely qualify as a day in this year of curious living. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>As for the <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">Rework</a></strong> </em>guys\' book, hell\'s bells!  I don\'t know what to do now.  Currently, I\'m not scheduled to be on a plane until June.  And I\'ve already been there/done that anyhow. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which means I\'ll need to disguise Rework into another blog day. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I have an idea, but I would rather hear your ideas.  Please share in the comments section below.  <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3124\" title=\"front-cover\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/front-cover-186x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"186\" height=\"300\" /></a><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"></a> </p>','Day 99:  Binge Reading in the Friendly Skies','','inherit','open','open','','3065-revision-16','','','2011-01-06 21:07:21','2011-01-07 04:07:21','',3065,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/06/3065-revision-16/',0,'revision','',0),(3145,1,'2011-01-06 21:08:14','2011-01-07 04:08:14','<p><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3123\" title=\"book-header2-trans\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/book-header2-trans-227x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"227\" height=\"300\" /></a>I\'m a book junkie.  It all started in my childhood.  When I was 3, I didn\'t take a stuffed animal or doll to bed.  I snuggled up with the book <em>The Three Little Kittens</em>.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I still take a novel to bed each night, but rest it on the nightstand when it\'s time to turn off the lights.  :-)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Each Christmas, a few books top my Christmas list.  This year, I asked for two books that kept surfacing in conversations with various peeps.  The only specific peep that I can recall at this time is <a href=\"http://peterpaluska.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Peter Paluska</strong>.</a>  (Thanks, Peter!).  Hell if I can remember the others.  Luckily, I picked up a copy of <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Keep-Your-Brain-Alive-Exercises/dp/0761110526\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Keep Your Brain Alive:  83 Neurobic Exercises to help prevent memory loss and and increase mental fitness </strong></a>when I was shopping for family Christmas presents in Houston.  Hopefully, I will remember and acknowledge the rest of you soon. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Anywho, this year\'s Christmas List Books were <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> and <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">Rework</a></strong></em>.  At one point, when Mom begged me to compile The Christmas List for the umpteenth time, these books and an <strong><a href=\"http://www.annetaintor.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Anne Taintor</a></strong> calendar were the only things that I could think of.  Mom was frustrated, but she got over it.  She should be happy that her daughter asks for books instead of expensive jewelry or electronics.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Surprise!  Santa brought me both books!  I guess I was more nice than naughty this year.  Darn. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Houston, we kinda sorta had a problem though. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>What could possibly be the problem, you ask? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I get jazzed by non-fiction. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>In fact, I get <em>so</em> jazzed that if I read it during my regular reading hours of right-before-bedtime, I can\'t sleep.</strong></span></span>  I have enough issues with my brain refusing to cooperate and turn off at night.  Throw innovative ideas into the mix, and I\'m a full-fledged insomniac.  I am limited to my bedtime story (you might refer to this as a \"novel\") before bed or I am toast the next day. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Which means that I need to read non-fiction outside of my regular reading hours.  And my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">Crazy 365 Day Project Blog</a></strong> + New Puppy + Working-for-the-Man Life doesn\'t have room for reading outside of my regular reading hours right now.  Unless...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I creatively morph it into one of my 365 days! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which is exactly what I did on Day 99. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>(If the <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> or <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Rework</strong></a></em> guys happen to stumble upon this blog, they\'re probably as frustrated as my mother right now.  Sorry, guys, but this is a chick blog.  Brevity is not in our vocabulary.  What did you expect?)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Here\'s another source of jazziness for me:  airplanes.  Something about airplanes makes me downright heady and inspired</strong></span></span>. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My airplane giddiness is not induced by the compressed air or the in-flight cocktails.  Nope.  It\'s brought on by non-fiction reading binges. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />When do I ever get uninterrupted time to read non-fiction?  Never!  But on planes!  On planes, my attention is captured for hours on end!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />On Day 99, my reading binge plan included both of my Christmas gift books.  Flying from Houston to Phoenix with a layover in Austin would give me ample time to work my plan.  <em><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></em> is short, and <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Rework</strong></a></em>has lots of drawings.  Manageable binge reading sans indigestion!  Hurrah! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">What I failed to account for in my plan is my uncanny knack for befriending strangers on planes.  It happens nearly every time. </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In the summer, on the way home from Boston, I met an 80 year-old Dutch-American woman with one of the most fascinating life stories I\'ve ever heard.  In the fall, on the way to my grandfather\'s funeral, I met a married couple who turned out to have everything in the world in common with me. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One Christmas travel season, I even met a soon-t0-be boyfriend on a layover.  <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>By the end of the flight, Mr. Tall Drink of Water and I were kissing in baggage claim.</strong></span></span>  It was all very romantic.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This time, one of my seatmates was hoping to kiss me in baggage claim, but there was absolutely no chemistry on my part, my friends.  Awfully nice guy though.  He chewed my ear off for awhile before passing his phone number to me.  Now I feel like a shallow wench for not calling him.  Argh. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />And then there was the sweet young mother next to me whose 1 year-old I entertained for half the flight.  Bloody hell!  I stopped teaching 2.5 years ago!  Why couldn\'t I just read my book in peace? <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And why did I pay $150 for my perfect pooch to stow under the seat without a sound while your kid is flying free on your lap whilst trying to grab my dinner and screaming when he doesn\'t get it???  </strong></span></span>Humbug. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>SOMEHOW I managed to tune everyone out and at least read <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em>in its entirety.  Of course, I read it so quickly and distractedly that I can hardly remember it. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Just kidding. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>You can\'t help but get really excited over Gary\'s message:</strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"></a> </p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Love your family.</strong></span></span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Work superhard.</strong></span></span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Live your passion. </strong></span></span></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"></a> His philosophies are nothing new.  His delivery is a hoot and a half. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Here\'s the reason why I wanted to read his book:  Gary catapulted his business into the stratosphere when he entered the world of social media. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">I, being a recent social media virgin, needed help.  Badly. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!,</a></strong></em>Gary shares his social media roadmap.  I was shocked to see that I\'m farther along in social mediaville than I thought, and that I\'m actually doing a few things right.  Who knew? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I also learned what\'s next on my journey.  Thanks for showing me the way, Gary!  Let\'s hope that I find myself thoroughly Twitterpated sooner rather than later. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Interestingly, Gary plasters his personal email address throughout his book.  Now, the book is a 2009 copyright (I\'m always behind the 8 ball, dammit!), but I\'m going to e-mail him for shits and giggles and see if he responds.  I have 266  days left in <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">my 365 day project</a></strong> (holy crap!), and hearing back from a famous author would definitely qualify as a day in this year of curious living. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>As for the <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">Rework</a></strong> </em>guys\' book, hell\'s bells!  I don\'t know what to do now.  Currently, I\'m not scheduled to be on a plane until June.  And I\'ve already been there/done that anyhow. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which means I\'ll need to disguise Rework into another blog day. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I have an idea, but I would rather hear your ideas.  Please share in the comments section below.  <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3124\" title=\"front-cover\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/front-cover-186x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"186\" height=\"300\" /></a><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"></a> </p>','Day 99:  Binge Reading in the Friendly Skies','','inherit','open','open','','3065-revision-17','','','2011-01-06 21:08:14','2011-01-07 04:08:14','',3065,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/06/3065-revision-17/',0,'revision','',0),(3146,1,'2011-01-06 21:11:02','2011-01-07 04:11:02','<p><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3123\" title=\"book-header2-trans\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/book-header2-trans-227x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"227\" height=\"300\" /></a>I\'m a book junkie.  It all started in my childhood.  When I was 3, I didn\'t take a stuffed animal or doll to bed.  I snuggled up with the book <em>The Three Little Kittens</em>.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I still take a novel to bed each night, but rest it on the nightstand when it\'s time to turn off the lights.  :-)</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Each Christmas, a few books top my Christmas list.  This year, I asked for two books that kept surfacing in conversations with various peeps.  The only specific peep that I can recall at this time is <a href=\"http://peterpaluska.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Peter Paluska</strong>.</a>  (Thanks, Peter!).  Hell if I can remember the others.  Luckily, I picked up a copy of <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Keep-Your-Brain-Alive-Exercises/dp/0761110526\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Keep Your Brain Alive:  83 Neurobic Exercises to help prevent memory loss and and increase mental fitness </strong></a>when I was shopping for family Christmas presents in Houston.  Hopefully, I will remember and acknowledge the rest of you soon. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Anywho, this year\'s Christmas List Books were <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> and <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">Rework</a></strong></em>.  At one point, when Mom begged me to compile The Christmas List for the umpteenth time, these books and an <strong><a href=\"http://www.annetaintor.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Anne Taintor</a></strong> calendar were the only things that I could think of.  Mom was frustrated, but she got over it.  She should be happy that her daughter asks for books instead of expensive jewelry or electronics.  </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Surprise!  Santa brought me both books!  I guess I was more nice than naughty this year.  Darn. </span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Houston, we kinda sorta had a problem though. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>What could possibly be the problem, you ask? </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I get jazzed by non-fiction. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>In fact, I get <em>so</em> jazzed that if I read it during my regular reading hours of right-before-bedtime, I can\'t sleep.</strong></span></span>  I have enough issues with my brain refusing to cooperate and turn off at night.  Throw innovative ideas into the mix, and I\'m a full-fledged insomniac.  I am limited to my bedtime story (you might refer to this as a \"novel\") before bed or I am toast the next day. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Which means that I need to read non-fiction outside of my regular reading hours.  And my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">Crazy 365 Day Project Blog</a></strong> + New Puppy + Working-for-the-Man Life doesn\'t have room for reading outside of my regular reading hours right now.  Unless...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I creatively morph it into one of my 365 days! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Which is exactly what I did on Day 99. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>(If the <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> or <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Rework</strong></a></em> guys happen to stumble upon this blog, they\'re probably as frustrated as my mother right now.  Sorry, guys, but this is a chick blog.  Brevity is not in our vocabulary.  What did you expect?)</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Here\'s another source of jazziness for me:  airplanes.  Something about airplanes makes me downright heady and inspired</strong></span></span>. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My airplane giddiness is not induced by the compressed air or the in-flight cocktails.  Nope.  It\'s brought on by non-fiction reading binges. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />When do I ever get uninterrupted time to read non-fiction?  Never!  But on planes!  On planes, my attention is captured for hours on end!</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />On Day 99, my reading binge plan included both of my Christmas gift books.  Flying from Houston to Phoenix with a layover in Austin would give me ample time to work my plan.  <em><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></em> is short, and <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Rework</strong></a></em>has lots of drawings.  Manageable binge reading sans indigestion!  Hurrah! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">What I failed to account for in my plan is my uncanny knack for befriending strangers on planes.  It happens nearly every time. </span></strong></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>In the summer, on the way home from Boston, I met an 80 year-old Dutch-American woman with one of the most fascinating life stories I\'ve ever heard.  In the fall, on the way to my grandfather\'s funeral, I met a married couple who turned out to have everything in the world in common with me. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>One Christmas travel season, I even met a soon-t0-be boyfriend on a layover.  <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>By the end of the flight, Mr. Tall Drink of Water and I were kissing in baggage claim.</strong></span></span>  It was all very romantic.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>This time, one of my seatmates was hoping to kiss me in baggage claim, but there was absolutely no chemistry on my part, my friends.  Awfully nice guy though.  He chewed my ear off for awhile before passing his phone number to me.  Now I feel like a shallow wench for not calling him.  Argh. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />And then there was the sweet young mother next to me whose 1 year-old I entertained for half the flight.  Bloody hell!  I stopped teaching 2.5 years ago!  Why couldn\'t I just read my book in peace? <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span> </p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And why did I pay $150 for my perfect pooch to stow under the seat without a sound while your kid is flying free on your lap whilst trying to grab my dinner and screaming when he doesn\'t get it???  </strong></span></span>Humbug. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>SOMEHOW I managed to tune everyone out and at least read <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em>in its entirety.  Of course, I read it so quickly and distractedly that I can hardly remember it. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Just kidding. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>You can\'t help but get really excited over Gary\'s message:</strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"></a> </p>\n\n<ul>\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Love your family.</strong></span></span></li>\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Work superhard.</strong></span></span></li>\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Live your passion. </strong></span></span></li>\n</ul>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"></a> His philosophies are nothing new.  His delivery is a hoot and a half. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Here\'s the reason why I wanted to read his book:  Gary catapulted his business into the stratosphere when he entered the world of social media. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">I, being a recent social media virgin, needed help.  Badly. </span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>In <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!,</a> </strong></em>Gary shares his social media roadmap.  I was shocked to see that I\'m farther along in social mediaville than I thought, and that I\'m actually doing a few things right.  Who knew? </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I also learned what\'s next on my journey.  Thanks for showing me the way, Gary!  Let\'s hope that I find myself thoroughly Twitterpated sooner rather than later. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #888888;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly, Gary plasters his personal email address throughout his book.</strong></span></span>  Now, the book is a 2009 copyright (I\'m always behind the 8 ball, dammit!), but I\'m going to e-mail him for shits and giggles and see if he responds.  I have 266  days left in <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">my 365 day project</a></strong> (holy crap!), and hearing back from a famous author would definitely qualify as a day in this year of curious living. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>As for the <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">Rework</a></strong> </em>guys\' book, hell\'s bells!  I don\'t know what to do now.  Currently, I\'m not scheduled to be on a plane until June.  And I\'ve already been there/done that anyhow. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Which means I\'ll need to disguise Rework into another blog day. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #888888;\">I have an idea, but I would rather hear your ideas.  Please share in the comments section below. </span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3124\" title=\"front-cover\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/front-cover-186x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"186\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>','Day 99:  Binge Reading in the Friendly Skies','','inherit','open','open','','3065-revision-18','','','2011-01-06 21:11:02','2011-01-07 04:11:02','',3065,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/06/3065-revision-18/',0,'revision','',0),(3147,1,'2011-01-06 21:12:17','2011-01-07 04:12:17','<p><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3123\" title=\"book-header2-trans\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/book-header2-trans-227x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"227\" height=\"300\" /></a>I\'m a book junkie.  It all started in my childhood.  When I was 3, I didn\'t take a stuffed animal or doll to bed.  I snuggled up with the book <em>The Three Little Kittens</em>.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I still take a novel to bed each night, but rest it on the nightstand when it\'s time to turn off the lights.  :-)</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Each Christmas, a few books top my Christmas list.  This year, I asked for two books that kept surfacing in conversations with various peeps.  The only specific peep that I can recall at this time is <a href=\"http://peterpaluska.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Peter Paluska</strong>.</a>  (Thanks, Peter!).  Hell if I can remember the others.  Luckily, I picked up a copy of <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Keep-Your-Brain-Alive-Exercises/dp/0761110526\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Keep Your Brain Alive:  83 Neurobic Exercises to help prevent memory loss and and increase mental fitness </strong></a>when I was shopping for family Christmas presents in Houston.  Hopefully, I will remember and acknowledge the rest of you soon. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Anywho, this year\'s Christmas List Books were <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> and <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">Rework</a></strong></em>.  At one point, when Mom begged me to compile The Christmas List for the umpteenth time, these books and an <strong><a href=\"http://www.annetaintor.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Anne Taintor</a></strong> calendar were the only things that I could think of.  Mom was frustrated, but she got over it.  She should be happy that her daughter asks for books instead of expensive jewelry or electronics.  </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Surprise!  Santa brought me both books!  I guess I was more nice than naughty this year.  Darn. </span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Houston, we kinda sorta had a problem though. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>What could possibly be the problem, you ask? </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I get jazzed by non-fiction. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>In fact, I get <em>so</em> jazzed that if I read it during my regular reading hours of right-before-bedtime, I can\'t sleep.</strong></span></span>  I have enough issues with my brain refusing to cooperate and turn off at night.  Throw innovative ideas into the mix, and I\'m a full-fledged insomniac.  I am limited to my bedtime story (you might refer to this as a \"novel\") before bed or I am toast the next day. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Which means that I need to read non-fiction outside of my regular reading hours.  And my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">Crazy 365 Day Project Blog</a></strong> + New Puppy + Working-for-the-Man Life doesn\'t have room for reading outside of my regular reading hours right now.  Unless...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I creatively morph it into one of my 365 days! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Which is exactly what I did on Day 99. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>(If the <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> or <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Rework</strong></a></em> guys happen to stumble upon this blog, they\'re probably as frustrated as my mother right now.  Sorry, guys, but this is a chick blog.  Brevity is not in our vocabulary.  What did you expect?)</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Here\'s another source of jazziness for me:  airplanes.  Something about airplanes makes me downright heady and inspired</strong></span></span>. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My airplane giddiness is not induced by the compressed air or the in-flight cocktails.  Nope.  It\'s brought on by non-fiction reading binges. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />When do I ever get uninterrupted time to read non-fiction?  Never!  But on planes!  On planes, my attention is captured for hours on end!</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />On Day 99, my reading binge plan included both of my Christmas gift books.  Flying from Houston to Phoenix with a layover in Austin would give me ample time to work my plan.  <em><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></em> is short, and <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Rework</strong></a></em>has lots of drawings.  Manageable binge reading sans indigestion!  Hurrah! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">What I failed to account for in my plan is my uncanny knack for befriending strangers on planes.  It happens nearly every time. </span></strong></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>In the summer, on the way home from Boston, I met an 80 year-old Dutch-American woman with one of the most fascinating life stories I\'ve ever heard.  In the fall, on the way to my grandfather\'s funeral, I met a married couple who turned out to have everything in the world in common with me. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>One Christmas travel season, I even met a soon-t0-be boyfriend on a layover.  <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>By the end of the flight, Mr. Tall Drink of Water and I were kissing in baggage claim.</strong></span></span>  It was all very romantic.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>This time, one of my seatmates was hoping to kiss me in baggage claim, but there was absolutely no chemistry on my part, my friends.  Awfully nice guy though.  He chewed my ear off for awhile before passing his phone number to me.  Now I feel like a shallow wench for not calling him.  Argh. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />And then there was the sweet young mother next to me whose 1 year-old I entertained for half the flight.  Bloody hell!  I stopped teaching 2.5 years ago!  Why couldn\'t I just read my book in peace? <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span> </p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And why did I pay $150 for my perfect pooch to stow under the seat without a sound while your kid is flying free on your lap whilst trying to grab my dinner and screaming when he doesn\'t get it???  </strong></span></span>Humbug. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>SOMEHOW I managed to tune everyone out and at least read <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a> </strong></em>in its entirety.  Of course, I read it so quickly and distractedly that I can hardly remember it. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Just kidding. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>You can\'t help but get really excited over Gary\'s message:</strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"></a> </p>\n\n<ul>\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Love your family.</strong></span></span></li>\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Work superhard.</strong></span></span></li>\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Live your passion. </strong></span></span></li>\n</ul>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"></a> His philosophies are nothing new.  His delivery is a hoot and a half. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Here\'s the reason why I wanted to read his book:  Gary catapulted his business into the stratosphere when he entered the world of social media. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">I, being a recent social media virgin, needed help.  Badly. </span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>In <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!,</a> </strong></em>Gary shares his social media roadmap.  I was shocked to see that I\'m farther along in social mediaville than I thought, and that I\'m actually doing a few things right.  Who knew? </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I also learned what\'s next on my journey.  Thanks for showing me the way, Gary!  Let\'s hope that I find myself thoroughly Twitterpated sooner rather than later. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #888888;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly, Gary plasters his personal email address throughout his book.</strong></span></span>  Now, the book is a 2009 copyright (I\'m always behind the 8 ball, dammit!), but I\'m going to e-mail him for shits and giggles and see if he responds.  I have 266  days left in <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">my 365 day project</a></strong> (holy crap!), and hearing back from a famous author would definitely qualify as a day in this year of curious living. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>As for the <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">Rework</a></strong> </em>guys\' book, hell\'s bells!  I don\'t know what to do now.  Currently, I\'m not scheduled to be on a plane until June.  And I\'ve already been there/done that anyhow. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Which means I\'ll need to disguise Rework into another blog day. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #888888;\">I have an idea, but I would rather hear your ideas.  Please share in the comments section below. </span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3124\" title=\"front-cover\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/front-cover-186x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"186\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>','Day 99:  Binge Reading in the Friendly Skies','','inherit','open','open','','3065-revision-19','','','2011-01-06 21:12:17','2011-01-07 04:12:17','',3065,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/06/3065-revision-19/',0,'revision','',0),(3148,1,'2011-01-06 21:14:43','2011-01-07 04:14:43','<p><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3123\" title=\"book-header2-trans\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/book-header2-trans-227x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"227\" height=\"300\" /></a>I\'m a book junkie.  It all started in my childhood.  When I was 3, I didn\'t take a stuffed animal or doll to bed.  I snuggled up with the book <em>The Three Little Kittens</em>.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I still take a novel to bed each night, but rest it on the nightstand when it\'s time to turn off the lights.  :-)</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Each Christmas, a few books top my Christmas list.  This year, I asked for two books that kept surfacing in conversations with various peeps.  The only specific peep that I can recall at this time is <a href=\"http://peterpaluska.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Peter Paluska</strong>.</a>  (Thanks, Peter!).  Hell if I can remember the others.  Luckily, I picked up a copy of <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Keep-Your-Brain-Alive-Exercises/dp/0761110526\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Keep Your Brain Alive:  83 Neurobic Exercises to help prevent memory loss and and increase mental fitness </strong></a>when I was shopping for family Christmas presents in Houston.  Hopefully, I will remember and acknowledge the rest of you soon. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Anywho, this year\'s Christmas List Books were <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> and <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">Rework</a></strong></em>.  At one point, when Mom begged me to compile The Christmas List for the umpteenth time, these books and an <strong><a href=\"http://www.annetaintor.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Anne Taintor</a></strong> calendar were the only things that I could think of.  Mom was frustrated, but she got over it.  She should be happy that her daughter asks for books instead of expensive jewelry or electronics.  </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Surprise!  Santa brought me both books!  I guess I was more nice than naughty this year.  Darn. </span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Houston, we kinda sorta had a problem though. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>What could possibly be the problem, you ask? </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I get jazzed by non-fiction. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>In fact, I get <em>so</em> jazzed that if I read it during my regular reading hours of right-before-bedtime, I can\'t sleep.</strong></span></span>  I have enough issues with my brain refusing to cooperate and turn off at night.  Throw innovative ideas into the mix, and I\'m a full-fledged insomniac.  I am limited to my bedtime story (you might refer to this as a \"novel\") before bed or I am toast the next day. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Which means that I need to read non-fiction outside of my regular reading hours.  And my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">Crazy 365 Day Project Blog</a></strong> + New Puppy + Working-for-the-Man Life doesn\'t have room for reading outside of my regular reading hours right now.  Unless...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I creatively morph it into one of my 365 days! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Which is exactly what I did on Day 99. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>(If the <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> or <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Rework</strong></a></em> guys happen to stumble upon this blog, they\'re probably as frustrated as my mother right now.  Sorry, guys, but this is a chick blog.  Brevity is not in our vocabulary.  What did you expect?)</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Here\'s another source of jazziness for me:  airplanes.  Something about airplanes makes me downright heady and inspired</strong></span></span>. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My airplane giddiness is not induced by the compressed air or the in-flight cocktails.  Nope.  It\'s brought on by non-fiction reading binges. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />When do I ever get uninterrupted time to read non-fiction?  Never!  But on planes!  On planes, my attention is captured for hours on end!</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />On Day 99, my reading binge plan included both of my Christmas gift books.  Flying from Houston to Phoenix with a layover in Austin would give me ample time to work my plan.  <em><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Crush It!</strong></a></em> is short, and <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Rework</strong></a> </em>has lots of drawings.  Manageable binge reading sans indigestion!  Hurrah! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">What I failed to account for in my plan is my uncanny knack for befriending strangers on planes.  It happens nearly every time. </span></strong></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>In the summer, on the way home from Boston, I met an 80 year-old Dutch-American woman with one of the most fascinating life stories I\'ve ever heard.  In the fall, on the way to my grandfather\'s funeral, I met a married couple who turned out to have everything in the world in common with me. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>One Christmas travel season, I even met a soon-t0-be boyfriend on a layover.  <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>By the end of the flight, Mr. Tall Drink of Water and I were kissing in baggage claim.</strong></span></span>  It was all very romantic.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>This time, one of my seatmates was hoping to kiss me in baggage claim, but there was absolutely no chemistry on my part, my friends.  Awfully nice guy though.  He chewed my ear off for awhile before passing his phone number to me.  Now I feel like a shallow wench for not calling him.  Argh. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />And then there was the sweet young mother next to me whose 1 year-old I entertained for half the flight.  Bloody hell!  I stopped teaching 2.5 years ago!  Why couldn\'t I just read my book in peace? <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span> </p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And why did I pay $150 for my perfect pooch to stow under the seat without a sound while your kid is flying free on your lap whilst trying to grab my dinner and screaming when he doesn\'t get it???  </strong></span></span>Humbug. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>SOMEHOW I managed to tune everyone out and at least read <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a> </strong></em>in its entirety.  Of course, I read it so quickly and distractedly that I can hardly remember it. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Just kidding. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>You can\'t help but get really excited over Gary\'s message:</strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"></a> </p>\n\n<ul>\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Love your family.</strong></span></span></li>\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Work superhard.</strong></span></span></li>\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Live your passion. </strong></span></span></li>\n</ul>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"></a> His philosophies are nothing new.  His delivery is a hoot and a half. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Here\'s the reason why I wanted to read his book:  Gary catapulted his business into the stratosphere when he entered the world of social media. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">I, being a recent social media virgin, needed help.  Badly. </span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>In <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!,</a> </strong></em>Gary shares his social media roadmap.  I was shocked to see that I\'m farther along in social mediaville than I thought, and that I\'m actually doing a few things right.  Who knew? </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I also learned what\'s next on my journey.  Thanks for showing me the way, Gary!  Let\'s hope that I find myself thoroughly Twitterpated sooner rather than later. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #888888;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly, Gary plasters his personal email address throughout his book.</strong></span></span>  Now, the book is a 2009 copyright (I\'m always behind the 8 ball, dammit!), but I\'m going to e-mail him for shits and giggles and see if he responds.  I have 266  days left in <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">my 365 day project</a></strong> (holy crap!), and hearing back from a famous author would definitely qualify as a day in this year of curious living. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>As for the <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">Rework</a></strong> </em>guys\' book, hell\'s bells!  I don\'t know what to do now.  Currently, I\'m not scheduled to be on a plane until June.  And I\'ve already been there/done that anyhow. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Which means I\'ll need to disguise Rework into another blog day. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #888888;\">I have an idea, but I would rather hear your ideas.  Please share in the comments section below. </span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3124\" title=\"front-cover\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/front-cover-186x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"186\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>','Day 99:  Binge Reading in the Friendly Skies','','inherit','open','open','','3065-revision-20','','','2011-01-06 21:14:43','2011-01-07 04:14:43','',3065,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/06/3065-revision-20/',0,'revision','',0),(3149,1,'2011-01-06 21:16:17','2011-01-07 04:16:17','<p><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3123\" title=\"book-header2-trans\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/book-header2-trans-227x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"227\" height=\"300\" /></a>I\'m a book junkie.  It all started in my childhood.  When I was 3, I didn\'t take a stuffed animal or doll to bed.  I snuggled up with the book <em>The Three Little Kittens</em>.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I still take a novel to bed each night, but rest it on the nightstand when it\'s time to turn off the lights.  :-)</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Each Christmas, a few books top my Christmas list.  This year, I asked for two books that kept surfacing in conversations with various peeps.  The only specific peep that I can recall at this time is <a href=\"http://peterpaluska.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Peter Paluska</strong>.</a>  (Thanks, Peter!).  Hell if I can remember the others.  Luckily, I picked up a copy of <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Keep-Your-Brain-Alive-Exercises/dp/0761110526\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Keep Your Brain Alive:  83 Neurobic Exercises to help prevent memory loss and and increase mental fitness </strong></a>when I was shopping for family Christmas presents in Houston.  Hopefully, I will remember and acknowledge the rest of you soon. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Anywho, this year\'s Christmas List Books were <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> and <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">Rework</a></strong></em>.  At one point, when Mom begged me to compile The Christmas List for the umpteenth time, these books and an <strong><a href=\"http://www.annetaintor.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Anne Taintor</a></strong> calendar were the only things that I could think of.  Mom was frustrated, but she got over it.  She should be happy that her daughter asks for books instead of expensive jewelry or electronics.  </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Surprise!  Santa brought me both books!  I guess I was more nice than naughty this year.  Darn. </span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Houston, we kinda sorta had a problem though. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>What could possibly be the problem, you ask? </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I get jazzed by non-fiction. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>In fact, I get <em>so</em> jazzed that if I read it during my regular reading hours of right-before-bedtime, I can\'t sleep.</strong></span></span>  I have enough issues with my brain refusing to cooperate and turn off at night.  Throw innovative ideas into the mix, and I\'m a full-fledged insomniac.  I am limited to my bedtime story (you might refer to this as a \"novel\") before bed or I am toast the next day. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Which means that I need to read non-fiction outside of my regular reading hours.  And my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">Crazy 365 Day Project Blog</a></strong> + New Puppy + Working-for-the-Man Life doesn\'t have room for reading outside of my regular reading hours right now.  Unless...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I creatively morph it into one of my 365 days! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Which is exactly what I did on Day 99. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>(If the <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> or <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Rework</strong></a></em> guys happen to stumble upon this blog, they\'re probably as frustrated as my mother right now.  Sorry, guys, but this is a chick blog.  Brevity is not in our vocabulary.  What did you expect?)</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Here\'s another source of jazziness for me:  airplanes.  Something about airplanes makes me downright heady and inspired</strong></span></span>. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My airplane giddiness is not induced by the compressed air or the in-flight cocktails.  Nope.  It\'s brought on by non-fiction reading binges. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />When do I ever get uninterrupted time to read non-fiction?  Never!  But on planes!  On planes, my attention is captured for hours on end!</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />On Day 99, my reading binge plan included both of my Christmas gift books.  Flying from Houston to Phoenix with a layover in Austin would give me ample time to work my plan.  <em><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Crush It!</strong></a></em> is short, and <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Rework</strong></a> </em>has lots of drawings.  Manageable binge reading sans indigestion!  Hurrah! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">What I failed to account for in my plan is my uncanny knack for befriending strangers on planes.  It happens nearly every time. </span></strong></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>In the summer, on the way home from Boston, I met an 80 year-old Dutch-American woman with one of the most fascinating life stories I\'ve ever heard.  In the fall, on the way to my grandfather\'s funeral, I met a married couple who turned out to have everything in the world in common with me. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>One Christmas travel season, I even met a soon-t0-be boyfriend on a layover.  <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>By the end of the flight, Mr. Tall Drink of Water and I were kissing in baggage claim.</strong></span></span>  It was all very romantic.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>This time, one of my seatmates was hoping to kiss me in baggage claim, but there was absolutely no chemistry on my part, my friends.  Awfully nice guy though.  He chewed my ear off for awhile before passing his phone number to me.  Now I feel like a shallow wench for not calling him.  Argh. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />And then there was the sweet young mother next to me whose 1 year-old I entertained for half the flight.  Bloody hell!  I stopped teaching 2.5 years ago!  Why couldn\'t I just read my book in peace? <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span> </p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And why did I pay $150 for my perfect pooch to stow under the seat without a sound while your kid is flying free on your lap whilst trying to grab my dinner and screaming when he doesn\'t get it???  </strong></span></span>Humbug. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>SOMEHOW I managed to tune everyone out and at least read <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a> </strong></em>in its entirety.  Of course, I read it so quickly and distractedly that I can hardly remember it. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Just kidding. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>You can\'t help but get really excited over Gary\'s message:</strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"></a> </p>\n\n<ul>\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Love your family.</strong></span></span></li>\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Work superhard.</strong></span></span></li>\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Live your passion. </strong></span></span></li>\n</ul>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"></a> His philosophies are nothing new.  His delivery is a hoot and a half. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Here\'s the reason why I wanted to read his book:  Gary catapulted his business into the stratosphere when he entered the world of social media. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">I, being a recent social media virgin, needed help.  Badly. </span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>In <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!,</a> </strong></em>Gary shares his social media roadmap.  I was shocked to see that I\'m farther along in social mediaville than I thought, and that I\'m actually doing a few things right.  Who knew? </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I also learned what\'s next on my journey.  Thanks for showing me the way, Gary!  Let\'s hope that I find myself thoroughly Twitterpated sooner rather than later. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #888888;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Interestingly, Gary plasters his personal email address throughout his book.</span></strong></span></span>  Now, the book is a 2009 copyright (I\'m always behind the 8 ball, dammit!), but I\'m going to e-mail him for shits and giggles and see if he responds.  I have 266  days left in <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">my 365 day project</a></strong> (holy crap!), and hearing back from a famous author would definitely qualify as a day in this year of curious living. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>As for the <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">Rework</a></strong> </em>guys\' book, hell\'s bells!  I don\'t know what to do now.  Currently, I\'m not scheduled to be on a plane until June.  And I\'ve already been there/done that anyhow. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Which means I\'ll need to disguise Rework into another blog day. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">I have an idea, but I would rather hear your ideas.  Please share in the comments section below. </span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3124\" title=\"front-cover\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/front-cover-186x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"186\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>','Day 99:  Binge Reading in the Friendly Skies','','inherit','open','open','','3065-revision-21','','','2011-01-06 21:16:17','2011-01-07 04:16:17','',3065,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/06/3065-revision-21/',0,'revision','',0),(3150,1,'2011-01-06 21:18:01','2011-01-07 04:18:01','<p><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3123\" title=\"book-header2-trans\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/book-header2-trans-227x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"227\" height=\"300\" /></a>I\'m a book junkie.  It all started in my childhood.  When I was 3, I didn\'t take a stuffed animal or doll to bed.  I snuggled up with the book <em>The Three Little Kittens</em>.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I still take a novel to bed each night, but rest it on the nightstand when it\'s time to turn off the lights.  :-)</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Each Christmas, a few books top my Christmas list.  This year, I asked for two books that kept surfacing in conversations with various peeps.  The only specific peep that I can recall at this time is <a href=\"http://peterpaluska.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Peter Paluska</strong>.</a>  (Thanks, Peter!).  Hell if I can remember the others.  Luckily, I picked up a copy of <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Keep-Your-Brain-Alive-Exercises/dp/0761110526\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Keep Your Brain Alive:  83 Neurobic Exercises to help prevent memory loss and and increase mental fitness </strong></a>when I was shopping for family Christmas presents in Houston.  Hopefully, neurobics will help me remember and acknowledge the rest of you soon. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Anywho, this year\'s Christmas List Books were <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> and <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">Rework</a></strong></em>.  At one point, when Mom begged me to compile The Christmas List for the umpteenth time, these books and an <strong><a href=\"http://www.annetaintor.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Anne Taintor</a></strong> calendar were the only things that I could think of.  Mom was frustrated, but she got over it.  She should be happy that her daughter asks for books instead of expensive jewelry or electronics.  </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Surprise!  Santa brought me both books!  I guess I was more nice than naughty this year.  Darn. </span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Houston, we kinda sorta had a problem though. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>What could possibly be the problem, you ask? </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I get jazzed by non-fiction. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>In fact, I get <em>so</em> jazzed that if I read it during my regular reading hours of right-before-bedtime, I can\'t sleep.</strong></span></span>  I have enough issues with my brain refusing to cooperate and turn off at night.  Throw innovative ideas into the mix, and I\'m a full-fledged insomniac.  I am limited to my bedtime story (you might refer to this as a \"novel\") before bed or I am toast the next day. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Which means that I need to read non-fiction outside of my regular reading hours.  And my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">Crazy 365 Day Project Blog</a></strong> + New Puppy + Working-for-the-Man Life doesn\'t have room for reading outside of my regular reading hours right now.  Unless...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I creatively morph it into one of my 365 days! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Which is exactly what I did on Day 99. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>(If the <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> or <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Rework</strong></a></em> guys happen to stumble upon this blog, they\'re probably as frustrated as my mother right now.  Sorry, guys, but this is a chick blog.  Brevity is not in our vocabulary.  What did you expect?)</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Here\'s another source of jazziness for me:  airplanes.  Something about airplanes makes me downright heady and inspired</strong></span></span>. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My airplane giddiness is not induced by the compressed air or the in-flight cocktails.  Nope.  It\'s brought on by non-fiction reading binges. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />When do I ever get uninterrupted time to read non-fiction?  Never!  But on planes!  On planes, my attention is captured for hours on end!</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />On Day 99, my reading binge plan included both of my Christmas gift books.  Flying from Houston to Phoenix with a layover in Austin would give me ample time to work my plan.  <em><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Crush It!</strong></a></em> is short, and <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Rework</strong></a> </em>has lots of drawings.  Manageable binge reading sans indigestion!  Hurrah! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">What I failed to account for in my plan is my uncanny knack for befriending strangers on planes.  It happens nearly every time. </span></strong></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>In the summer, on the way home from Boston, I met an 80 year-old Dutch-American woman with one of the most fascinating life stories I\'ve ever heard.  In the fall, on the way to my grandfather\'s funeral, I met a married couple who turned out to have everything in the world in common with me. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>One Christmas travel season, I even met a soon-t0-be boyfriend on a layover.  <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>By the end of the flight, Mr. Tall Drink of Water and I were kissing in baggage claim.</strong></span></span>  It was all very romantic.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>This time, one of my seatmates was hoping to kiss me in baggage claim, but there was absolutely no chemistry on my part, my friends.  Awfully nice guy though.  He chewed my ear off for awhile before passing his phone number to me.  Now I feel like a shallow wench for not calling him.  Argh. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />And then there was the sweet young mother next to me whose 1 year-old I entertained for half the flight.  Bloody hell!  I stopped teaching 2.5 years ago!  Why couldn\'t I just read my book in peace? <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span> </p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And why did I pay $150 for my perfect pooch to stow under the seat without a sound while your kid is flying free on your lap whilst trying to grab my dinner and screaming when he doesn\'t get it???  </strong></span></span>Humbug. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>SOMEHOW I managed to tune everyone out and at least read <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a> </strong></em>in its entirety.  Of course, I read it so quickly and distractedly that I can hardly remember it. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Just kidding. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>You can\'t help but get really excited over Gary\'s message:</strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"></a> </p>\n\n<ul>\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Love your family.</strong></span></span></li>\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Work superhard.</strong></span></span></li>\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Live your passion. </strong></span></span></li>\n</ul>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"></a> His philosophies are nothing new.  His delivery is a hoot and a half. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Here\'s the reason why I wanted to read his book:  Gary catapulted his business into the stratosphere when he entered the world of social media. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">I, being a recent social media virgin, needed help.  Badly. </span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>In <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!,</a> </strong></em>Gary shares his social media roadmap.  I was shocked to see that I\'m farther along in social mediaville than I thought, and that I\'m actually doing a few things right.  Who knew? </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I also learned what\'s next on my journey.  Thanks for showing me the way, Gary!  Let\'s hope that I find myself thoroughly Twitterpated sooner rather than later. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #888888;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Interestingly, Gary plasters his personal email address throughout his book.</span></strong></span></span>  Now, the book is a 2009 copyright (I\'m always behind the 8 ball, dammit!), but I\'m going to e-mail him for shits and giggles and see if he responds.  I have 266  days left in <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">my 365 day project</a></strong> (holy crap!), and hearing back from a famous author would definitely qualify as a day in this year of curious living. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>As for the <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">Rework</a></strong> </em>guys\' book, hell\'s bells!  I don\'t know what to do now.  Currently, I\'m not scheduled to be on a plane until June.  And I\'ve already been there/done that anyhow. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Which means I\'ll need to disguise Rework into another blog day. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">I have an idea, but I would rather hear your ideas.  Please share in the comments section below. </span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3124\" title=\"front-cover\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/front-cover-186x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"186\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>','Day 99:  Binge Reading in the Friendly Skies','','inherit','open','open','','3065-revision-22','','','2011-01-06 21:18:01','2011-01-07 04:18:01','',3065,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/06/3065-revision-22/',0,'revision','',0),(3151,1,'2011-01-06 21:21:36','2011-01-07 04:21:36','<p><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3123\" title=\"book-header2-trans\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/book-header2-trans-227x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"227\" height=\"300\" /></a>I\'m a book junkie.  It all started in my childhood.  When I was 3, I didn\'t take a stuffed animal or doll to bed.  I snuggled up with the book <em>The Three Little Kittens</em>.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I still take a novel to bed each night, but rest it on the nightstand when it\'s time to turn off the lights.  :-)</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Each Christmas, a few books top my Christmas list.  This year, I asked for two books that kept surfacing in conversations with various peeps.  The only specific peep that I can recall at this time is <a href=\"http://peterpaluska.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Peter Paluska</strong>.</a>  (Thanks, Peter!).  Hell if I can remember the others.  Luckily, I picked up a copy of <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Keep-Your-Brain-Alive-Exercises/dp/0761110526\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Keep Your Brain Alive:  83 Neurobic Exercises to help prevent memory loss and and increase mental fitness </strong></a>when I was shopping for family Christmas presents in Houston.  Hopefully, neurobics will help me remember and acknowledge the rest of you soon. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Anywho, this year\'s Christmas List Books were <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> and <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">Rework</a></strong></em>.  At one point, when Mom begged me to compile The Christmas List for the umpteenth time, these books and an <strong><a href=\"http://www.annetaintor.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Anne Taintor</a></strong> calendar were the only things that I could think of.  Mom was frustrated, but she got over it.  She should be happy that her daughter asks for books instead of expensive jewelry or electronics.  </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Surprise!  Santa brought me both books!  I guess I was more nice than naughty this year.  Darn. </span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Houston, we kinda sorta had a problem though. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>What could possibly be the problem, you ask? </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I get jazzed by non-fiction. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>In fact, I get <em>so</em> jazzed that if I read it during my regular reading hours of right-before-bedtime, I can\'t sleep.</strong></span></span>  I have enough issues with my brain refusing to cooperate and turn off at night.  Throw innovative ideas into the mix, and I\'m a full-fledged insomniac.  I am limited to my bedtime story (you might refer to this as a \"novel\") before bed or I am toast the next day. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Which means that I need to read non-fiction outside of my regular reading hours.  And my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">Crazy 365 Day Project Blog</a></strong> + New Puppy + Working-for-the-Man Life doesn\'t have room for reading outside of my regular reading hours right now.  Unless...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I creatively morph it into one of my 365 days! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Which is exactly what I did on Day 99. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>(If the <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> or <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Rework</strong></a></em> guys happen to stumble upon this blog, they\'re probably as frustrated as my mother right now.  Sorry, guys, but this is a chick blog.  Brevity is not in our vocabulary.  What did you expect?)</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Here\'s another source of jazziness for me:  airplanes.  Something about airplanes makes me downright heady and inspired</strong></span></span>. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My airplane giddiness is not induced by the compressed air or the in-flight cocktails.  Nope.  It\'s brought on by non-fiction reading binges. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />When do I ever get uninterrupted time to read non-fiction?  Never!  But on planes!  On planes, my attention is captured for hours on end!</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />On Day 99, my reading binge plan included both of my Christmas gift books.  Flying from Houston to Phoenix with a layover in Austin would give me ample time to work my plan.  <em><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Crush It!</strong></a></em> is short, and <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Rework</strong></a> </em>has lots of drawings.  Manageable binge reading sans indigestion!  Hurrah! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">What I failed to account for in my plan is my uncanny knack for befriending strangers on planes.  It happens nearly every time. </span></strong></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>In the summer, on the way home from Boston, I met an 80 year-old Dutch-American woman with one of the most fascinating life stories I\'ve ever heard.  In the fall, on the way to my grandfather\'s funeral, I met a married couple who turned out to have everything in the world in common with me. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>One Christmas travel season, I even met a soon-to-be boyfriend on a layover.  <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>By the end of the flight, Mr. Tall Drink of Water and I were kissing in baggage claim.</strong></span></span>  It was all very romantic.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>This time, one of my seatmates was hoping to kiss me in baggage claim, but there was absolutely no chemistry on my part, my friends.  Awfully nice guy though.  He chewed my ear off for awhile before passing his phone number to me.  Now I feel like a shallow wench for not calling him.  Argh. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />And then there was the sweet young mother next to me whose 1 year-old I was obligatedentertained for half the flight.  Bloody hell!  I stopped teaching 2.5 years ago!  Why couldn\'t I just read my book in peace? <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span> </p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And why did I pay $150 for my perfect pooch to stow under the seat without a sound while your kid is flying free on your lap whilst trying to grab my dinner and screaming when he doesn\'t get it???  </strong></span></span>Humbug. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>SOMEHOW I managed to tune everyone out and at least read <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a> </strong></em>in its entirety.  Of course, I read it so quickly and distractedly that I can hardly remember it. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Just kidding. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>You can\'t help but get really excited over Gary\'s message:</strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"></a> </p>\n\n<ul>\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Love your family.</strong></span></span></li>\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Work superhard.</strong></span></span></li>\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Live your passion. </strong></span></span></li>\n</ul>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"></a> His philosophies are nothing new.  His delivery is a hoot and a half. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Here\'s the reason why I wanted to read his book:  Gary catapulted his business into the stratosphere when he entered the world of social media. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">I, being a recent social media virgin, needed help.  Badly. </span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>In <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!,</a> </strong></em>Gary shares his social media roadmap.  I was shocked to see that I\'m farther along in social mediaville than I thought, and that I\'m actually doing a few things right.  Who knew? </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I also learned what\'s next on my journey.  Thanks for showing me the way, Gary!  Let\'s hope that I find myself thoroughly Twitterpated sooner rather than later. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #888888;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Interestingly, Gary plasters his personal email address throughout his book.</span></strong></span></span>  Now, the book is a 2009 copyright (I\'m always behind the 8 ball, dammit!), but I\'m going to e-mail him for shits and giggles and see if he responds.  I have 266  days left in <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">my 365 day project</a></strong> (holy crap!), and hearing back from a famous author would definitely qualify as a day in this year of curious living. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>As for the <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">Rework</a></strong> </em>guys\' book, hell\'s bells!  I don\'t know what to do now.  Currently, I\'m not scheduled to be on a plane until June.  And I\'ve already been there/done that anyhow. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Which means I\'ll need to disguise Rework into another blog day. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">I have an idea, but I would rather hear your ideas.  Please share in the comments section below. </span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3124\" title=\"front-cover\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/front-cover-186x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"186\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>','Day 99:  Binge Reading in the Friendly Skies','','inherit','open','open','','3065-revision-23','','','2011-01-06 21:21:36','2011-01-07 04:21:36','',3065,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/06/3065-revision-23/',0,'revision','',0),(3153,1,'2011-01-06 21:24:57','2011-01-07 04:24:57','<p><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3123\" title=\"book-header2-trans\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/book-header2-trans-227x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"227\" height=\"300\" /></a>I\'m a book junkie.  It all started in my childhood.  When I was 3, I didn\'t take a stuffed animal or doll to bed.  I snuggled up with the book <em>The Three Little Kittens</em>.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I still take a novel to bed each night, but rest it on the nightstand when it\'s time to turn off the lights.  :-)</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Each Christmas, a few books top my Christmas list.  This year, I asked for two books that kept surfacing in conversations with various peeps.  The only specific peep that I can recall at this time is <a href=\"http://peterpaluska.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Peter Paluska</strong>.</a>  (Thanks, Peter!).  Hell if I can remember the others.  Luckily, I picked up a copy of <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Keep-Your-Brain-Alive-Exercises/dp/0761110526\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Keep Your Brain Alive:  83 Neurobic Exercises to help prevent memory loss and and increase mental fitness </strong></a>when I was shopping for family Christmas presents in Houston.  Hopefully, neurobics will help me remember and acknowledge the rest of you soon. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Anywho, this year\'s Christmas List Books were <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> and <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">Rework</a></strong></em>.  At one point, when Mom begged me to compile The Christmas List for the umpteenth time, these books and an <strong><a href=\"http://www.annetaintor.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Anne Taintor</a></strong> calendar were the only things that I could think of.  Mom was frustrated, but she got over it.  She should be happy that her daughter asks for books instead of expensive jewelry or electronics.  </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Surprise!  Santa brought me both books!  I guess I was more nice than naughty this year.  Darn. </span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Houston, we kinda sorta had a problem though. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>What could possibly be the problem, you ask? </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I get jazzed by non-fiction. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>In fact, I get <em>so</em> jazzed that if I read it during my regular reading hours of right-before-bedtime, I can\'t sleep.</strong></span></span>  I have enough issues with my brain refusing to cooperate and turn off at night.  Throw innovative ideas into the mix, and I\'m a full-fledged insomniac.  I am limited to my bedtime story (you might refer to this as a \"novel\") before bed or I am toast the next day. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Which means that I need to read non-fiction outside of my regular reading hours.  And my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">Crazy 365 Day Project Blog</a></strong> + New Puppy + Working-for-the-Man Life doesn\'t have room for reading outside of my regular reading hours right now.  Unless...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I creatively morph it into one of my 365 days! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Which is exactly what I did on Day 99. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>(If the <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> or <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Rework</strong></a></em> guys happen to stumble upon this blog, they\'re probably as frustrated as my mother right now.  Sorry, guys, but this is a chick blog.  Brevity is not in our vocabulary.  What did you expect?)</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Here\'s another source of jazziness for me:  airplanes.  Something about airplanes makes me downright heady and inspired</strong></span></span>. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My airplane giddiness is not induced by the compressed air or the in-flight cocktails.  Nope.  It\'s brought on by non-fiction reading binges. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />When do I ever get uninterrupted time to read non-fiction?  Never!  But on planes!  On planes, my attention is captured for hours on end!</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />On Day 99, my reading binge plan included both of my Christmas gift books.  Flying from Houston to Phoenix with a layover in Austin would give me ample time to work my plan.  <em><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Crush It!</strong></a></em> is short, and <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Rework</strong></a> </em>has lots of drawings.  Manageable binge reading sans indigestion!  Hurrah! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">What I failed to account for in my plan is my uncanny knack for befriending strangers on planes.  It happens nearly every time. </span></strong></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>In the summer, on the way home from Boston, I met an 80 year-old Dutch-American woman with one of the most fascinating life stories I\'ve ever heard.  In the fall, on the way to my grandfather\'s funeral, I met a married couple who turned out to have everything in the world in common with me. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>One Christmas travel season, I even met a soon-to-be boyfriend on a layover.  <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>By the end of the flight, Mr. Tall Drink of Water and I were kissing in baggage claim.</strong></span></span>  It was all very romantic.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>This time, one of my seatmates was hoping to kiss me in baggage claim, but there was absolutely no chemistry on my part, my friends.  Awfully nice guy though.  He chewed my ear off for awhile before passing his phone number to me.  Now I feel like a shallow wench for not calling him.  Argh. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />And then there was the sweet young mother next to me whose 1 year-old I was obligated to entertain for half the flight.  Bloody hell!  I stopped teaching 2.5 years ago!  Why couldn\'t I just read my book in peace without a kid pawing at me? <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span> </p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And why did I pay $150 for my perfect pooch to stow under the seat without a sound while your kid is flying free on your lap whilst trying to grab my dinner and screaming when he doesn\'t get it???  </strong></span></span>Humbug. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>SOMEHOW I managed to tune everyone out and at least read <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a> </strong></em>in its entirety.  Of course, I read it so quickly and distractedly that I can hardly remember it. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Just kidding. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>You can\'t help but get really excited over Gary\'s message:</strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"></a> </p>\n\n<ul>\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Love your family.</strong></span></span></li>\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Work superhard.</strong></span></span></li>\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Live your passion. </strong></span></span></li>\n</ul>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"></a> His philosophies are nothing new.  His delivery is a hoot and a half. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Here\'s the reason why I wanted to read his book:  Gary catapulted his business into the stratosphere when he entered the world of social media. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">I, being a recent social media virgin, needed help.  Badly. </span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>In <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!,</a> </strong></em>Gary shares his social media roadmap.  I was shocked to see that I\'m farther along in social mediaville than I thought, and that I\'m actually doing a few things right.  Who knew? </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I also learned what\'s next on my journey.  Thanks for showing me the way, Gary!  Let\'s hope that I find myself thoroughly Twitterpated sooner rather than later. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #888888;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Interestingly, Gary plasters his personal email address throughout his book.</span></strong></span></span>  Now, the book is a 2009 copyright (I\'m always behind the 8 ball, dammit!), but I\'m going to e-mail him for shits and giggles and see if he responds.  I have 266  days left in <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">my 365 day project</a></strong> (holy crap!), and hearing back from a famous author would definitely qualify as a day in this year of curious living. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>As for the <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">Rework</a></strong> </em>guys\' book, hell\'s bells!  I don\'t know what to do now.  Currently, I\'m not scheduled to be on a plane until June.  And I\'ve already been there/done that anyhow. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Which means I\'ll need to disguise <strong>Rework</strong> into another blog day. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">I have an idea, but I would rather hear your ideas.  Please share in the comments section below. </span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3124\" title=\"front-cover\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/front-cover-186x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"186\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>','Day 99:  Binge Reading in the Friendly Skies','','inherit','open','open','','3065-revision-25','','','2011-01-06 21:24:57','2011-01-07 04:24:57','',3065,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/06/3065-revision-25/',0,'revision','',0),(3152,1,'2011-01-06 21:21:45','2011-01-07 04:21:45','<p><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3123\" title=\"book-header2-trans\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/book-header2-trans-227x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"227\" height=\"300\" /></a>I\'m a book junkie.  It all started in my childhood.  When I was 3, I didn\'t take a stuffed animal or doll to bed.  I snuggled up with the book <em>The Three Little Kittens</em>.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I still take a novel to bed each night, but rest it on the nightstand when it\'s time to turn off the lights.  :-)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Each Christmas, a few books top my Christmas list.  This year, I asked for two books that kept surfacing in conversations with various peeps.  The only specific peep that I can recall at this time is <a href=\"http://peterpaluska.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Peter Paluska</strong>.</a>  (Thanks, Peter!).  Hell if I can remember the others.  Luckily, I picked up a copy of <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Keep-Your-Brain-Alive-Exercises/dp/0761110526\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Keep Your Brain Alive:  83 Neurobic Exercises to help prevent memory loss and and increase mental fitness </strong></a>when I was shopping for family Christmas presents in Houston.  Hopefully, neurobics will help me remember and acknowledge the rest of you soon. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Anywho, this year\'s Christmas List Books were <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> and <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">Rework</a></strong></em>.  At one point, when Mom begged me to compile The Christmas List for the umpteenth time, these books and an <strong><a href=\"http://www.annetaintor.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Anne Taintor</a></strong> calendar were the only things that I could think of.  Mom was frustrated, but she got over it.  She should be happy that her daughter asks for books instead of expensive jewelry or electronics.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Surprise!  Santa brought me both books!  I guess I was more nice than naughty this year.  Darn. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Houston, we kinda sorta had a problem though. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>What could possibly be the problem, you ask? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I get jazzed by non-fiction. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>In fact, I get <em>so</em> jazzed that if I read it during my regular reading hours of right-before-bedtime, I can\'t sleep.</strong></span></span>  I have enough issues with my brain refusing to cooperate and turn off at night.  Throw innovative ideas into the mix, and I\'m a full-fledged insomniac.  I am limited to my bedtime story (you might refer to this as a \"novel\") before bed or I am toast the next day. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Which means that I need to read non-fiction outside of my regular reading hours.  And my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">Crazy 365 Day Project Blog</a></strong> + New Puppy + Working-for-the-Man Life doesn\'t have room for reading outside of my regular reading hours right now.  Unless...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I creatively morph it into one of my 365 days! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which is exactly what I did on Day 99. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>(If the <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> or <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Rework</strong></a></em> guys happen to stumble upon this blog, they\'re probably as frustrated as my mother right now.  Sorry, guys, but this is a chick blog.  Brevity is not in our vocabulary.  What did you expect?)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Here\'s another source of jazziness for me:  airplanes.  Something about airplanes makes me downright heady and inspired</strong></span></span>. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My airplane giddiness is not induced by the compressed air or the in-flight cocktails.  Nope.  It\'s brought on by non-fiction reading binges. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />When do I ever get uninterrupted time to read non-fiction?  Never!  But on planes!  On planes, my attention is captured for hours on end!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />On Day 99, my reading binge plan included both of my Christmas gift books.  Flying from Houston to Phoenix with a layover in Austin would give me ample time to work my plan.  <em><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Crush It!</strong></a></em> is short, and <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Rework</strong></a> </em>has lots of drawings.  Manageable binge reading sans indigestion!  Hurrah! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">What I failed to account for in my plan is my uncanny knack for befriending strangers on planes.  It happens nearly every time. </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In the summer, on the way home from Boston, I met an 80 year-old Dutch-American woman with one of the most fascinating life stories I\'ve ever heard.  In the fall, on the way to my grandfather\'s funeral, I met a married couple who turned out to have everything in the world in common with me. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One Christmas travel season, I even met a soon-to-be boyfriend on a layover.  <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>By the end of the flight, Mr. Tall Drink of Water and I were kissing in baggage claim.</strong></span></span>  It was all very romantic.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This time, one of my seatmates was hoping to kiss me in baggage claim, but there was absolutely no chemistry on my part, my friends.  Awfully nice guy though.  He chewed my ear off for awhile before passing his phone number to me.  Now I feel like a shallow wench for not calling him.  Argh. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />And then there was the sweet young mother next to me whose 1 year-old I was obligated to entertain for half the flight.  Bloody hell!  I stopped teaching 2.5 years ago!  Why couldn\'t I just read my book in peace? <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And why did I pay $150 for my perfect pooch to stow under the seat without a sound while your kid is flying free on your lap whilst trying to grab my dinner and screaming when he doesn\'t get it???  </strong></span></span>Humbug. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>SOMEHOW I managed to tune everyone out and at least read <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a> </strong></em>in its entirety.  Of course, I read it so quickly and distractedly that I can hardly remember it. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Just kidding. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>You can\'t help but get really excited over Gary\'s message:</strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"></a> </p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Love your family.</strong></span></span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Work superhard.</strong></span></span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Live your passion. </strong></span></span></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"></a> His philosophies are nothing new.  His delivery is a hoot and a half. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Here\'s the reason why I wanted to read his book:  Gary catapulted his business into the stratosphere when he entered the world of social media. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">I, being a recent social media virgin, needed help.  Badly. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!,</a> </strong></em>Gary shares his social media roadmap.  I was shocked to see that I\'m farther along in social mediaville than I thought, and that I\'m actually doing a few things right.  Who knew? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I also learned what\'s next on my journey.  Thanks for showing me the way, Gary!  Let\'s hope that I find myself thoroughly Twitterpated sooner rather than later. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #888888;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Interestingly, Gary plasters his personal email address throughout his book.</span></strong></span></span>  Now, the book is a 2009 copyright (I\'m always behind the 8 ball, dammit!), but I\'m going to e-mail him for shits and giggles and see if he responds.  I have 266  days left in <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">my 365 day project</a></strong> (holy crap!), and hearing back from a famous author would definitely qualify as a day in this year of curious living. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>As for the <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">Rework</a></strong> </em>guys\' book, hell\'s bells!  I don\'t know what to do now.  Currently, I\'m not scheduled to be on a plane until June.  And I\'ve already been there/done that anyhow. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which means I\'ll need to disguise Rework into another blog day. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">I have an idea, but I would rather hear your ideas.  Please share in the comments section below. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3124\" title=\"front-cover\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/front-cover-186x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"186\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>','Day 99:  Binge Reading in the Friendly Skies','','inherit','open','open','','3065-revision-24','','','2011-01-06 21:21:45','2011-01-07 04:21:45','',3065,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/06/3065-revision-24/',0,'revision','',0),(3154,1,'2011-01-06 21:26:18','2011-01-07 04:26:18','<p><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3123\" title=\"book-header2-trans\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/book-header2-trans-227x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"227\" height=\"300\" /></a>I\'m a book junkie.  It all started in my childhood.  When I was 3, I didn\'t take a stuffed animal or doll to bed.  I snuggled up with the book <em>The Three Little Kittens</em>.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I still take a novel to bed each night, but rest it on the nightstand when it\'s time to turn off the lights.  :-)</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Each Christmas, a few books top my Christmas list.  This year, I asked for two books that kept surfacing in conversations with various peeps.  The only specific peep that I can recall at this time is <a href=\"http://peterpaluska.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Peter Paluska</strong>.</a>  (Thanks, Peter!).  Hell if I can remember the others.  Luckily, I picked up a copy of <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Keep-Your-Brain-Alive-Exercises/dp/0761110526\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Keep Your Brain Alive:  83 Neurobic Exercises to help prevent memory loss and and increase mental fitness </strong></a>when I was shopping for family Christmas presents in Houston.  Hopefully, neurobics will help me remember and acknowledge the rest of you soon. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Anywho, this year\'s Christmas List Books were <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> and <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">Rework</a></strong></em>.  At one point, when Mom begged me to compile The Christmas List for the umpteenth time, these books and an <strong><a href=\"http://www.annetaintor.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Anne Taintor</a></strong> calendar were the only things that I could think of.  Mom was frustrated, but she got over it.  She should be happy that her daughter asks for books instead of expensive jewelry or electronics.  </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Surprise!  Santa brought me both books!  I guess I was more nice than naughty this year.  Darn. </span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Houston, we kinda sorta had a problem though. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>What could possibly be the problem, you ask? </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I get jazzed by non-fiction. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>In fact, I get <em>so</em> jazzed that if I read it during my regular reading hours of right-before-bedtime, I can\'t sleep.</strong></span></span>  I have enough issues with my brain refusing to cooperate and turn off at night.  Throw innovative ideas into the mix, and I\'m a full-fledged insomniac.  I am limited to my bedtime story (you might refer to this as a \"novel\") before bed or I am toast the next day. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Which means that I need to read non-fiction outside of my regular reading hours.  And my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">Crazy 365 Day Project Blog</a></strong> + New Puppy + Working-for-the-Man Life doesn\'t have room for reading outside of my regular reading hours right now.  Unless...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I creatively morph it into one of my 365 days! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Which is exactly what I did on Day 99. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>(If the <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> or <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Rework</strong></a></em> guys happen to stumble upon this blog, they\'re probably as frustrated as my mother right now.  Sorry, guys, but this is a chick blog.  Brevity is not in our vocabulary.  What did you expect?)</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Here\'s another source of jazziness for me:  airplanes.  Something about airplanes makes me downright heady and inspired</strong></span></span>. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My airplane giddiness is not induced by the compressed air or the in-flight cocktails.  Nope.  It\'s brought on by non-fiction reading binges. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />When do I ever get uninterrupted time to read non-fiction?  Never!  But on planes!  On planes, my attention is captured for hours on end!</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />On Day 99, my reading binge plan included both of my Christmas gift books.  Flying from Houston to Phoenix with a layover in Austin would give me ample time to work my plan.  <em><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Crush It!</strong></a></em> is short, and <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Rework</strong></a> </em>has lots of drawings.  Manageable binge reading sans indigestion!  Hurrah! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">What I failed to account for in my plan is my uncanny knack for befriending strangers on planes.  It happens nearly every time. </span></strong></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>In the summer, on the way home from Boston, I met an 80 year-old Dutch-American woman with one of the most fascinating life stories I\'ve ever heard.  In the fall, on the way to my grandfather\'s funeral, I met a married couple who turned out to have everything in the world in common with me. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>One Christmas travel season, I even met a soon-to-be boyfriend on a layover.  <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>By the end of the flight, Mr. Tall Drink of Water and I were kissing in baggage claim.</strong></span></span>  It was all very romantic.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>This time, one of my seatmates was hoping to kiss me in baggage claim, but there was absolutely no chemistry on my part, my friends.  Awfully nice guy though.  He chewed my ear off for awhile before passing his phone number to me.  Now I feel like a shallow wench for not calling him.  Argh. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />And then there was the sweet young mother next to me whose 1 year-old I was obligated to entertain for half the flight.  Bloody hell!  I stopped teaching 2.5 years ago!  Why couldn\'t I just read my book in peace without a kid pawing at me? <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span> </p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And why did I pay $150 for my perfect pooch to stow under the seat without a sound while your kid is flying free on your lap whilst trying to grab my dinner and screaming when he doesn\'t get it???  </strong></span></span>Humbug. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>SOMEHOW I managed to tune everyone out and at least read <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a> </strong></em>in its entirety.  Of course, I read it so quickly and distractedly that I can hardly remember it. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Just kidding. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>You can\'t help but get really excited over Gary\'s message:</strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"></a> </p>\n\n<ul>\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Love your family.</strong></span></span></li>\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Work superhard.</strong></span></span></li>\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Live your passion. </strong></span></span></li>\n</ul>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"></a> His philosophies are nothing new.  His delivery is a hoot and a half. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Here\'s the reason why I wanted to read his book:  Gary catapulted his business into the stratosphere when he entered the world of social media. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">I, being a recent social media virgin, needed help.  Badly. </span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>In <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!,</a> </strong></em>Gary shares his social media roadmap.  I was shocked to see that I\'m farther along in social mediaville than I thought, and that I\'m actually doing a few things right.  Who knew? </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I also learned what\'s next on my journey.  Thanks for showing me the way, Gary!  Let\'s hope that I find myself thoroughly Twitterpated sooner rather than later. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #888888;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Interestingly, Gary plasters his personal email address throughout his book.</span></strong></span></span>  Now, the book is a 2009 copyright (I\'m always behind the 8 ball, dammit!), but I\'m going to e-mail him for shits and giggles and see if he responds.  I have 266  days left in <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">my 365 day project</a></strong> (holy crap!), and hearing back from a famous author would definitely qualify as a day in this year of curious living. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>As for the <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">Rework</a></strong> </em>guys\' book, hell\'s bells!  I don\'t know what to do now.  Currently, I\'m not scheduled to be on a plane until June.  And I\'ve already been there/done that anyhow. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Which means I\'ll need to disguise <strong><em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">Rework</a></em></strong> into another blog day. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">I have an idea, but I would rather hear your ideas.  Please share in the comments section below. </span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3124\" title=\"front-cover\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/front-cover-186x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"186\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>','Day 99:  Binge Reading in the Friendly Skies','','inherit','open','open','','3065-revision-26','','','2011-01-06 21:26:18','2011-01-07 04:26:18','',3065,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/06/3065-revision-26/',0,'revision','',0),(3155,1,'2011-01-06 21:27:56','2011-01-07 04:27:56','<p><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3123\" title=\"book-header2-trans\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/book-header2-trans-227x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"227\" height=\"300\" /></a>I\'m a book junkie.  It all started in my childhood.  When I was 3, I didn\'t take a stuffed animal or doll to bed.  I snuggled up with the book <em>The Three Little Kittens</em>.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I still take a novel to bed each night, but rest it on the nightstand when it\'s time to turn off the lights.  :-)</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Each Christmas, a few books top my Christmas list.  This year, I asked for two books that kept surfacing in conversations with various peeps.  The only specific peep that I can recall at this time is <a href=\"http://peterpaluska.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Peter Paluska</strong>.</a>  (Thanks, Peter!).  Hell if I can remember the others.  Luckily, I picked up a copy of <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Keep-Your-Brain-Alive-Exercises/dp/0761110526\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Keep Your Brain Alive:  83 Neurobic Exercises to help prevent memory loss and and increase mental fitness </strong></a>when I was shopping for family Christmas presents in Houston.  Hopefully, neurobics will help me remember and acknowledge the rest of you soon. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Anywho, this year\'s Christmas List Books were <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> and <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">Rework</a></strong></em>.  At one point, when Mom begged me to compile The Christmas List for the umpteenth time, these books and an <strong><a href=\"http://www.annetaintor.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Anne Taintor</a></strong> calendar were the only things that I could think of.  Mom was frustrated, but she got over it.  She should be happy that her daughter asks for books instead of expensive jewelry or electronics.  </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Surprise!  Santa brought me both books!  I guess I was more nice than naughty this year.  Darn. </span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Houston, we kinda sorta had a problem though. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>What could possibly be the problem, you ask? </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I get jazzed by non-fiction. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>In fact, I get <em>so</em> jazzed that if I read it during my regular reading hours of right-before-bedtime, I can\'t sleep.</strong></span></span>  I have enough issues with my brain refusing to cooperate and turn off at night.  Throw innovative ideas into the mix, and I\'m a full-fledged insomniac.  I am limited to my bedtime story (you might refer to this as a \"novel\") before bed or I am toast the next day. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Which means that I need to read non-fiction outside of my regular reading hours.  And my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">Crazy 365 Day Project Blog</a></strong> + New Puppy + Working-for-the-Man Life doesn\'t have room for reading outside of my regular reading hours right now.  Unless...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I creatively morph it into one of my 365 days! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Which is exactly what I did on Day 99. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>(If the <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> or <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Rework</strong></a></em> guys happen to stumble upon this blog, they\'re probably as frustrated as my mother right now.  Sorry, guys, but this is a chick blog.  Brevity is not in our vocabulary.  What did you expect?)</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Here\'s another source of jazziness for me:  airplanes.  Something about airplanes makes me downright heady and inspired</strong></span></span>. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My airplane giddiness is not induced by the compressed air or the in-flight cocktails.  Nope.  It\'s brought on by non-fiction reading binges. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />When do I ever get uninterrupted time to read non-fiction?  Never!  But on planes!  On planes, my attention is captured for hours on end!</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />On Day 99, my reading binge plan included both of my Christmas gift books.  Flying from Houston to Phoenix with a layover in Austin would give me ample time to work my plan.  <em><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Crush It!</strong></a></em> is short, and <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Rework</strong></a> </em>has lots of drawings.  Manageable binge reading sans indigestion!  Hurrah! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">What I failed to account for in my plan is my uncanny knack for befriending strangers on planes.  It happens nearly every time. </span></strong></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>In the summer, on the way home from Boston, I met an 80 year-old Dutch-American woman with one of the most fascinating life stories I\'ve ever heard.  In the fall, on the way to my grandfather\'s funeral, I met a married couple who turned out to have everything in the world in common with me. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>One Christmas travel season, I even met a soon-to-be boyfriend on a layover.  <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>By the end of the flight, Mr. Tall Drink of Water and I were kissing in baggage claim.</strong></span></span>  It was all very romantic.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>This time, one of my seatmates was hoping to kiss me in baggage claim, but there was absolutely no chemistry on my part, my friends.  Awfully nice guy though.  He chewed my ear off for awhile before passing his phone number to me.  Now I feel like a shallow wench for not calling him.  Argh. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />And then there was the sweet young mother next to me whose 1 year-old I was obligated to entertain for half the flight.  Bloody hell!  I stopped teaching 2.5 years ago!  Why couldn\'t I just read my book in peace without a kid pawing at me? <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span> </p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And why did I pay $150 for my perfect pooch to stow under the seat without a sound while your kid is flying free on your lap whilst trying to grab my dinner and screaming when he doesn\'t get it???  </strong></span></span>Humbug. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>SOMEHOW I managed to tune everyone out and at least read <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a> </strong></em>in its entirety.  Of course, I read it so quickly and distractedly that I can hardly remember it. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Just kidding. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>You can\'t help but get really excited over Gary\'s message:</strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"></a> </p>\n\n<ul>\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Love your family.</strong></span></span></li>\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Work superhard.</strong></span></span></li>\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Live your passion. </strong></span></span></li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>His philosophies are nothing new.  His delivery is a hoot and a half. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Here\'s the reason why I wanted to read his book:  Gary catapulted his business into the stratosphere when he entered the world of social media. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">I, being a recent social media virgin, needed help.  Badly. </span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>In <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!,</a> </strong></em>Gary shares his social media roadmap.  I was shocked to see that I\'m farther along in social mediaville than I thought, and that I\'m actually doing a few things right.  Who knew? </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I also learned what\'s next on my journey.  Thanks for showing me the way, Gary!  Let\'s hope that I find myself thoroughly Twitterpated sooner rather than later. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #888888;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Interestingly, Gary plasters his personal email address throughout his book.</span></strong></span></span>  Now, the book is a 2009 copyright (I\'m always behind the 8 ball, dammit!), but I\'m going to e-mail him for shits and giggles and see if he responds.  I have 266  days left in <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">my 365 day project</a></strong> (holy crap!), and hearing back from a famous author would definitely qualify as a day in this year of curious living. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>As for the <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">Rework</a></strong> </em>guys\' book, hell\'s bells!  I don\'t know what to do now.  Currently, I\'m not scheduled to be on a plane until June.  And I\'ve already been there/done that anyhow. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Which means I\'ll need to disguise <strong><em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">Rework</a></em></strong> into another blog day. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">I have an idea, but I would rather hear your ideas.  Please share in the comments section below. </span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3124\" title=\"front-cover\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/front-cover-186x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"186\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>','Day 99:  Binge Reading in the Friendly Skies','','inherit','open','open','','3065-revision-27','','','2011-01-06 21:27:56','2011-01-07 04:27:56','',3065,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/06/3065-revision-27/',0,'revision','',0),(3156,1,'2011-01-06 21:30:46','2011-01-07 04:30:46','<p><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3123\" title=\"book-header2-trans\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/book-header2-trans-227x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"227\" height=\"300\" /></a>I\'m a book junkie.  It all started in my childhood.  When I was 3, I didn\'t take a stuffed animal or doll to bed.  I snuggled up with the book <em>The Three Little Kittens</em>.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I still take a novel to bed each night, but rest it on the nightstand when it\'s time to turn off the lights.  :-)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Each Christmas, a few books top my Christmas list.  This year, I asked for two books that kept surfacing in conversations with various peeps.  The only specific peep that I can recall at this time is <a href=\"http://peterpaluska.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Peter Paluska</strong>.</a>  (Thanks, Peter!).  Hell if I can remember the others.  Luckily, I picked up a copy of <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Keep-Your-Brain-Alive-Exercises/dp/0761110526\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Keep Your Brain Alive:  83 Neurobic Exercises to help prevent memory loss and and increase mental fitness </strong></a>when I was shopping for family Christmas presents in Houston.  Hopefully, neurobics will help me remember and acknowledge the rest of you soon. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Anywho, this year\'s Christmas List Books were <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> and <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">Rework</a></strong></em>.  At one point, when Mom begged me to compile The Christmas List for the umpteenth time, these books and an <strong><a href=\"http://www.annetaintor.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Anne Taintor</a></strong> calendar were the only things that I could think of.  Mom was frustrated, but she got over it.  She should be happy that her daughter asks for books instead of expensive jewelry or electronics.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Surprise!  Santa brought me both books!  I guess I was more nice than naughty this year.  Darn. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Houston, we kinda sorta had a problem though. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>What could possibly be the problem, you ask? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I get jazzed by non-fiction. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>In fact, I get <em>so</em> jazzed that if I read it during my regular reading hours of right-before-bedtime, I can\'t sleep.</strong></span></span>  I have enough issues with my brain refusing to cooperate and turn off at night.  Throw innovative ideas into the mix, and I\'m a full-fledged insomniac.  I am limited to my bedtime story (you might refer to this as a \"novel\") before bed or I am toast the next day. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Which means that I need to read non-fiction outside of my regular reading hours.  And my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">Crazy 365 Day Project Blog</a></strong> + New Puppy + Working-for-the-Man Life doesn\'t have room for reading outside of my regular reading hours right now.  Unless...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I creatively morph it into one of my 365 days! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which is exactly what I did on Day 99. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>(If the <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> or <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Rework</strong></a></em> guys happen to stumble upon this blog, they\'re probably as frustrated as my mother right now.  Sorry, guys, but this is a chick blog.  Brevity is not in our vocabulary.  What did you expect?)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Here\'s another source of jazziness for me:  airplanes.  Something about airplanes makes me downright heady and inspired</strong></span></span>. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My airplane giddiness is not induced by the compressed air or the in-flight cocktails.  Nope.  It\'s brought on by non-fiction reading binges. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />When do I ever get uninterrupted time to read non-fiction?  Never!  But on planes!  On planes, my attention is captured for hours on end!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />On Day 99, my reading binge plan included both of my Christmas gift books.  Flying from Houston to Phoenix with a layover in Austin would give me ample time to work my plan.  <em><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Crush It!</strong></a></em> is short, and <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Rework</strong></a> </em>has lots of drawings.  Manageable binge reading sans indigestion!  Hurrah! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">What I failed to account for in my plan is my uncanny knack for befriending strangers on planes.  It happens nearly every time. </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In the summer, on the way home from Boston, I met an 80 year-old Dutch-American woman with one of the most fascinating life stories I\'ve ever heard.  In the fall, on the way to my grandfather\'s funeral, I met a married couple who turned out to have everything in the world in common with me.  This was all very warm and fuzzy, but I didn\'t read on either flight. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One Christmas travel season, I even met a soon-to-be boyfriend on a layover.  <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>By the end of the flight, Mr. Tall Drink of Water and I were kissing in baggage claim.</strong></span></span>  Sigh...<br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This time, one of my seatmates was hoping to kiss me in baggage claim, but there was absolutely no chemistry on my part, my friends.  Awfully nice guy though.  He chewed my ear off for awhile before passing his phone number to me.  Now I feel like a shallow wench for not calling him.  Argh. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />And then there was the sweet young mother next to me whose 1 year-old I was obligated to entertain for half the flight.  Bloody hell!  I stopped teaching 2.5 years ago!  Why couldn\'t I just read my book in peace without a kid pawing at me? <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And why did I pay $150 for my perfect pooch to stow under the seat without a sound while your kid is flying free on your lap whilst trying to grab my dinner and screaming when he doesn\'t get it???  </strong></span></span>Humbug. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>SOMEHOW I managed to tune everyone out and at least read <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a> </strong></em>in its entirety.  Of course, I read it so quickly and distractedly that I can hardly remember it. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Just kidding. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>You can\'t help but get really excited over Gary\'s message:</strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"></a> </p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Love your family.</strong></span></span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Work superhard.</strong></span></span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Live your passion. </strong></span></span></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n\r\n<p>His philosophies are nothing new.  His delivery is a hoot and a half. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Here\'s the reason why I wanted to read his book:  Gary catapulted his business into the stratosphere when he entered the world of social media. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">I, being a recent social media virgin, needed help.  Badly. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!,</a> </strong></em>Gary shares his social media roadmap.  I was shocked to see that I\'m farther along in social mediaville than I thought, and that I\'m actually doing a few things right.  Who knew? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I also learned what\'s next on my journey.  Thanks for showing me the way, Gary!  Let\'s hope that I find myself thoroughly Twitterpated sooner rather than later. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #888888;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Interestingly, Gary plasters his personal email address throughout his book.</span></strong></span></span>  Now, the book is a 2009 copyright (I\'m always behind the 8 ball, dammit!), but I\'m going to e-mail him for shits and giggles and see if he responds.  I have 266  days left in <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">my 365 day project</a></strong> (holy crap!), and hearing back from a famous author would definitely qualify as a day in this year of curious living. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>As for the <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">Rework</a></strong> </em>guys\' book, hell\'s bells!  I don\'t know what to do now.  Currently, I\'m not scheduled to be on a plane until June.  And I\'ve already been there/done that anyhow. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which means I\'ll need to disguise <strong><em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">Rework</a></em></strong> into another blog day. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">I have an idea, but I would rather hear your ideas.  Please share in the comments section below. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3124\" title=\"front-cover\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/front-cover-186x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"186\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>','Day 99:  Binge Reading in the Friendly Skies','','inherit','open','open','','3065-revision-28','','','2011-01-06 21:30:46','2011-01-07 04:30:46','',3065,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/06/3065-revision-28/',0,'revision','',0),(3157,1,'2011-01-06 21:31:38','2011-01-07 04:31:38','<p><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3123\" title=\"book-header2-trans\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/book-header2-trans-227x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"227\" height=\"300\" /></a>I\'m a book junkie.  It all started in my childhood.  When I was 3, I didn\'t take a stuffed animal or doll to bed.  I snuggled up with the book <em>The Three Little Kittens</em>.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I still take a novel to bed each night, but rest it on the nightstand when it\'s time to turn off the lights.  :-)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Each Christmas, a few books top my Christmas list.  This year, I asked for two books that kept surfacing in conversations with various peeps.  The only specific peep that I can recall at this time is <a href=\"http://peterpaluska.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Peter Paluska</strong>.</a>  (Thanks, Peter!).  Hell if I can remember the others.  Luckily, I picked up a copy of <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Keep-Your-Brain-Alive-Exercises/dp/0761110526\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Keep Your Brain Alive:  83 Neurobic Exercises to help prevent memory loss and and increase mental fitness </strong></a>when I was shopping for family Christmas presents in Houston.  Hopefully, neurobics will help me remember and acknowledge the rest of you soon. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Anywho, this year\'s Christmas List Books were <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> and <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">Rework</a></strong></em>.  At one point, when Mom begged me to compile The Christmas List for the umpteenth time, these books and an <strong><a href=\"http://www.annetaintor.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Anne Taintor</a></strong> calendar were the only things that I could think of.  Mom was frustrated, but she got over it.  She should be happy that her daughter asks for books instead of expensive jewelry or electronics.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Surprise!  Santa brought me both books!  I guess I was more nice than naughty this year.  Darn. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Houston, we kinda sorta had a problem though. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>What could possibly be the problem, you ask? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I get jazzed by non-fiction. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>In fact, I get <em>so</em> jazzed that if I read it during my regular reading hours of right-before-bedtime, I can\'t sleep.</strong></span></span>  I have enough issues with my brain refusing to cooperate and turn off at night.  Throw innovative ideas into the mix, and I\'m a full-fledged insomniac.  I am limited to my bedtime story (you might refer to this as a \"novel\") before bed or I am toast the next day. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Which means that I need to read non-fiction outside of my regular reading hours.  And my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">Crazy 365 Day Project Blog</a></strong> + New Puppy + Working-for-the-Man Life doesn\'t have room for reading outside of my regular reading hours right now.  Unless...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I creatively morph it into one of my 365 days! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which is exactly what I did on Day 99. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>(If the <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> or <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Rework</strong></a></em> guys happen to stumble upon this blog, they\'re probably as frustrated as my mother right now.  Sorry, guys, but this is a chick blog.  Brevity is not in our vocabulary.  What did you expect?)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Here\'s another source of jazziness for me:  airplanes.  Something about airplanes makes me downright heady and inspired</strong></span></span>. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My airplane giddiness is not induced by the compressed air or the in-flight cocktails.  Nope.  It\'s brought on by non-fiction reading binges. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />When do I ever get uninterrupted time to read non-fiction?  Never!  But on planes!  On planes, my attention is captured for hours on end!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />On Day 99, my reading binge plan included both of my Christmas gift books.  Flying from Houston to Phoenix with a layover in Austin would give me ample time to work my plan.  <em><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Crush It!</strong></a></em> is short, and <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Rework</strong></a> </em>has lots of drawings.  Manageable binge reading sans indigestion!  Hurrah! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">What I failed to account for in my plan is my uncanny knack for befriending strangers on planes.  It happens nearly every time. </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In the summer, on the way home from Boston, I met an 80 year-old Dutch-American woman with one of the most fascinating life stories I\'ve ever heard.  In the fall, on the way to my grandfather\'s funeral, I met a married couple who turned out to have everything in the world in common with me.  This was all very warm and fuzzy, but I didn\'t read on either flight. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One Christmas travel season, I even met a soon-to-be boyfriend on a layover.  <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>By the end of the flight, Mr. Tall Drink of Water and I were kissing in baggage claim.</strong></span></span>  Sigh...<br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This time, one of my seatmates was hoping to kiss me in baggage claim, but there was absolutely no chemistry on my part, my friends.  Awfully nice guy though.  He chewed my ear off for awhile before passing his phone number to me.  Now I feel like a shallow wench for not calling him.  Argh. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />And then there was the sweet young mother next to me whose 1 year-old I was obligated to entertain for half the flight.  Bloody hell!  I stopped teaching 2.5 years ago!  Why couldn\'t I just read my book in peace without a kid pawing at me? <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And why did I pay $150 for my perfect pooch to stow under the seat without a sound while your kid is flying free on your lap whilst trying to grab my dinner and screaming when he doesn\'t get it???  </strong></span></span>Humbug. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>SOMEHOW I managed to tune everyone out and at least read <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a> </strong></em>in its entirety.  Of course, I read it so quickly and distractedly that I can hardly remember it. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Just kidding. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>You can\'t help but get really excited over Gary\'s message:</strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"></a> </p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Love your family.</strong></span></span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Work superhard.</strong></span></span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Live your passion. </strong></span></span></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n\r\n<p>His philosophies are nothing new.  His delivery is a hoot and a half. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Here\'s the reason why I wanted to read his book:  Gary catapulted his business into the stratosphere when he entered the world of social media. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">I, being a recent social media virgin, needed help.  Badly. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!,</a> </strong></em>Gary shares his social media roadmap.  I was shocked to see that I\'m farther along in social mediaville than I thought, and that I\'m actually doing a few things right.  Who knew? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I also learned what\'s next on my journey.  Thanks for showing me the way, Gary!  Let\'s hope that I find myself thoroughly Twitterpated sooner rather than later. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #888888;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Interestingly, Gary plasters his personal email address throughout his book.</span></strong></span></span>  Now, the book is a 2009 copyright (I\'m always behind the 8 ball, dammit!), but I\'m going to e-mail him for shits and giggles and see if he responds.  I have 266  days left in <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">my 365 day project</a></strong> (holy crap!), and hearing back from a famous author would definitely qualify as a day in this year of curious living. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>As for the <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">Rework</a></strong> </em>guys\' book, hell\'s bells!  I don\'t know what to do now.  Currently, I\'m not scheduled to be on a plane until June.  And I\'ve already been there/done that anyhow. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which means I\'ll need to disguise <strong><em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">Rework</a></em></strong> into another blog day. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">I have an idea, but I would rather hear your ideas.  Please share in the comments section below. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3124\" title=\"front-cover\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/front-cover-186x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"186\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>','Day 99:  Binge Reading in the Friendly Skies','','inherit','open','open','','3065-revision-29','','','2011-01-06 21:31:38','2011-01-07 04:31:38','',3065,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/06/3065-revision-29/',0,'revision','',0),(3158,1,'2011-01-06 21:33:13','2011-01-07 04:33:13','<p><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3123\" title=\"book-header2-trans\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/book-header2-trans-227x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"227\" height=\"300\" /></a>I\'m a book junkie.  It all started in my childhood.  When I was 3, I didn\'t take a stuffed animal or doll to bed.  I snuggled up with the book <em>The Three Little Kittens</em>.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I still take a novel to bed each night, but rest it on the nightstand when it\'s time to turn off the lights.  :-)</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Each Christmas, a few books top my Christmas list.  This year, I asked for two books that kept surfacing in conversations with various peeps.  The only specific peep that I can recall at this time is <a href=\"http://peterpaluska.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Peter Paluska</strong>.</a>  (Thanks, Peter!).  Hell if I can remember the others.  Luckily, I picked up a copy of <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Keep-Your-Brain-Alive-Exercises/dp/0761110526\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Keep Your Brain Alive:  83 Neurobic Exercises to help prevent memory loss and and increase mental fitness </strong></a>when I was shopping for family Christmas presents in Houston.  Hopefully, neurobics will help me remember and acknowledge the rest of you soon. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Anywho, this year\'s Christmas List Books were <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> and <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">Rework</a></strong></em>.  At one point, when Mom begged me to compile The Christmas List for the umpteenth time, these books and an <strong><a href=\"http://www.annetaintor.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Anne Taintor</a></strong> calendar were the only things that I could think of.  Mom was frustrated, but she got over it.  She should be happy that her daughter asks for books instead of expensive jewelry or electronics.  </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Surprise!  Santa brought me both books!  I guess I was more nice than naughty this year.  Darn. </span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Houston, we kinda sorta had a problem though. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>What could possibly be the problem, you ask? </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I get jazzed by non-fiction. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>In fact, I get <em>so</em> jazzed that if I read it during my regular reading hours of right-before-bedtime, I can\'t sleep.</strong></span></span>  I have enough issues with my brain refusing to cooperate and turn off at night.  Throw innovative ideas into the mix, and I\'m a full-fledged insomniac.  I am limited to my bedtime story (you might refer to this as a \"novel\") before bed or I am toast the next day. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Which means that I need to read non-fiction outside of my regular reading hours.  And my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">Crazy 365 Day Project Blog</a></strong> + New Puppy + Working-for-the-Man Life doesn\'t have room for reading outside of my regular reading hours right now.  Unless...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I creatively morph it into one of my 365 days! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Which is exactly what I did on Day 99. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>(If the <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> or <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Rework</strong></a></em> guys happen to stumble upon this blog, they\'re probably as frustrated as my mother right now.  Sorry, guys, but this is a chick blog.  Brevity is not in our vocabulary.  What did you expect?)</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Here\'s another source of jazziness for me:  airplanes.  Something about airplanes makes me downright heady and inspired</strong></span></span>. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My airplane giddiness is not induced by the compressed air or the in-flight cocktails.  Nope.  It\'s brought on by non-fiction reading binges. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />When do I ever get uninterrupted time to read non-fiction?  Never!  But on planes!  On planes, my attention is captured for hours on end!</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />On Day 99, my reading binge plan included both of my Christmas gift books.  Flying from Houston to Phoenix with a layover in Austin would give me ample time to work my plan.  <em><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Crush It!</strong></a></em> is short, and <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Rework</strong></a> </em>has lots of drawings.  Manageable binge reading sans indigestion!  Hurrah! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">What I failed to account for in my plan is my uncanny knack for befriending strangers on planes.  It happens nearly every time. </span></strong></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>In the summer, on the way home from Boston, I met an 80 year-old Dutch-American woman with one of the most fascinating life stories I\'ve ever heard.  In the fall, on the way to my grandfather\'s funeral, I met a married couple who turned out to have everything in the world in common with me.  This was all very warm and fuzzy, but I didn\'t read on either flight. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>One Christmas travel season, I even met a soon-to-be boyfriend on a layover.  <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>By the end of the flight, Mr. Tall Drink of Water and I were kissing in baggage claim.</strong></span></span>  Sigh...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>This time, one of my seatmates was hoping to kiss me in baggage claim, but there was absolutely no chemistry on my part, my friends.  Awfully nice guy though.  He chewed my ear off for awhile before passing his phone number to me.  Now I feel like a shallow wench for not calling him.  Argh. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />And then there was the sweet young mother next to me whose 1 year-old I was obligated to entertain for half the flight.  Bloody hell!  I stopped teaching 2.5 years ago!  Why couldn\'t I just read my book in peace without a kid pawing at me? <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span> </p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And why did I pay $150 for my perfect pooch to stow under the seat without a sound while your kid is flying free on your lap whilst trying to grab my dinner and screaming when he doesn\'t get it???  </strong></span></span>Humbug. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>SOMEHOW I managed to tune everyone out and at least read <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a> </strong></em>in its entirety.  Of course, I read it so quickly and distractedly that I can hardly remember it. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Just kidding. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>You can\'t help but get really excited over Gary\'s message:</strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"></a> </p>\n\n<ul>\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Love your family.</strong></span></span></li>\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Work superhard.</strong></span></span></li>\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Live your passion. </strong></span></span></li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>His philosophies are nothing new.  His delivery is a hoot and a half. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Here\'s the reason why I wanted to read his book:  Gary catapulted his business into the stratosphere when he entered the world of social media. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">I, being a recent social media virgin, needed help.  Badly. </span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>In <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!,</a> </strong></em>Gary shares his social media roadmap.  I was shocked to see that I\'m farther along in social mediaville than I thought, and that I\'m actually doing a few things right.  Who knew? </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I also learned what\'s next on my journey.  Thanks for showing me the way, Gary!  Let\'s hope that I find myself thoroughly Twitterpated sooner rather than later. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #888888;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Interestingly, Gary plasters his personal email address throughout his book.</span></strong></span></span>  Now, the book is a 2009 copyright (I\'m always behind the 8 ball, dammit!), but I\'m going to e-mail him for shits and giggles and see if he responds.  I have 266  days left in <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">my 365 day project</a></strong> (holy crap!), and hearing back from a famous author would definitely qualify as a day in this year of curious living. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>As for the <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">Rework</a></strong> </em>guys\' book, hell\'s bells!  I don\'t know what to do now.  Currently, I\'m not scheduled to be on a plane until June.  And I\'ve already been there/done that anyhow. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Which means I\'ll need to disguise <strong><em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">Rework</a></em></strong> into another blog day. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">I have an idea, but I would rather hear your ideas.  Please share in the comments section below. </span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3124\" title=\"front-cover\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/front-cover-186x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"186\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>','Day 99:  Binge Reading in the Friendly Skies','','inherit','open','open','','3065-revision-30','','','2011-01-06 21:33:13','2011-01-07 04:33:13','',3065,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/06/3065-revision-30/',0,'revision','',0),(3159,1,'2011-01-06 21:35:36','2011-01-07 04:35:36','<p><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3123\" title=\"book-header2-trans\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/book-header2-trans-227x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"227\" height=\"300\" /></a>I\'m a book junkie.  It all started in my childhood.  When I was 3, I didn\'t take a stuffed animal or doll to bed.  I snuggled up with the book <em>The Three Little Kittens</em>.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I still take a novel to bed each night, but rest it on the nightstand when it\'s time to turn off the lights.  :-)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Each Christmas, a few books top my Christmas list.  This year, I asked for two books that kept surfacing in conversations with various peeps.  The only specific peep that I can recall at this time is <a href=\"http://peterpaluska.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Peter Paluska</strong>.</a>  (Thanks, Peter!).  Hell if I can remember the others.  Luckily, I picked up a copy of <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Keep-Your-Brain-Alive-Exercises/dp/0761110526\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Keep Your Brain Alive:  83 Neurobic Exercises to help prevent memory loss and and increase mental fitness </strong></a>when I was shopping for family Christmas presents in Houston.  Hopefully, neurobics will help me remember and acknowledge the rest of you soon. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Anywho, this year\'s Christmas List Books were <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> and <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">Rework</a></strong></em>.  At one point, when Mom begged me to compile The Christmas List for the umpteenth time, these books and an <strong><a href=\"http://www.annetaintor.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Anne Taintor</a></strong> calendar were the only things that I could think of.  Mom was frustrated, but she got over it.  She should be happy that her daughter asks for books instead of expensive jewelry or electronics.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Surprise!  Santa brought me both books!  I guess I was more nice than naughty this year.  Darn. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Houston, we kinda sorta had a problem though. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>What could possibly be the problem, you ask? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I get jazzed by non-fiction. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>In fact, I get <em>so</em> jazzed that if I read it during my regular reading hours of right-before-bedtime, I can\'t sleep.</strong></span></span>  I have enough issues with my brain refusing to cooperate and turn off at night.  Throw innovative ideas into the mix, and I\'m a full-fledged insomniac.  I am limited to my bedtime story (you might refer to this as a \"novel\") before bed or I am toast the next day. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Which means that I need to read non-fiction outside of my regular reading hours.  And my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">Crazy 365 Day Project Blog</a></strong> + New Puppy + Working-for-the-Man Life doesn\'t have room for reading outside of my regular reading hours right now.  Unless...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I creatively morph it into one of my 365 days! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which is exactly what I did on Day 99. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>(If the <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> or <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Rework</strong></a></em> guys happen to stumble upon this blog, they\'re probably as frustrated as my mother right now.  Sorry, guys, but this is a chick blog.  Brevity is not in our vocabulary.  What did you expect?)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Here\'s another source of jazziness for me:  airplanes.  Something about airplanes makes me downright heady and inspired</strong></span></span>. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My airplane giddiness is not induced by the compressed air or the in-flight cocktails.  Nope.  It\'s brought on by non-fiction reading binges. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />When do I ever get uninterrupted time to read non-fiction?  Never!  But on planes!  On planes, my attention is captured for hours on end!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />On Day 99, my reading binge plan included both of my Christmas gift books.  Flying from Houston to Phoenix with a layover in Austin would give me ample time to work my plan.  <em><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Crush It!</strong></a></em> is short, and <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Rework</strong></a> </em>has lots of drawings.  Manageable binge reading sans indigestion!  Hurrah! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">What I failed to account for in my plan is my uncanny knack for befriending strangers on planes.  It happens nearly every time. </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In the summer, on the way home from Boston, I met an 80 year-old Dutch-American woman with one of the most fascinating life stories I\'ve ever heard.  In the fall, on the way to my grandfather\'s funeral, I met a married couple who turned out to have everything in the world in common with me.  This was all very warm and fuzzy, but I didn\'t read on either flight. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One Christmas travel season, I even met a soon-to-be boyfriend on a layover.  <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>By the end of the flight, Mr. Tall Drink of Water and I were kissing in baggage claim.</strong></span></span>  Sigh...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This time, one of my seatmates was hoping to kiss me in baggage claim, but there was absolutely no chemistry on my part, my friends.  Awfully nice guy though.  He chewed my ear off for awhile before passing his phone number to me.  Now I feel like a shallow wench for not calling him.  Argh. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />And then there was the sweet young mother next to me whose 1 year-old I was obligated to entertain for half the flight.  Bloody hell!  I stopped teaching 2.5 years ago!  Why couldn\'t I just read my book in peace without a kid pawing at me? <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And why did I pay $150 for my perfect pooch to stow under the seat without a sound while your kid is flying free on your lap whilst trying to grab my dinner and screaming when he doesn\'t get it???  </strong></span></span>Humbug. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>SOMEHOW I managed to tune everyone out and at least read <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a> </strong></em>in its entirety.  Of course, I read it so quickly and distractedly that I can hardly remember it. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Just kidding. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>You can\'t help but get really excited over Gary\'s message:</strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"></a> </p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Love your family.</strong></span></span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Work superhard.</strong></span></span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Live your passion. </strong></span></span></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n\r\n<p>His philosophies are nothing new.  His delivery is a hoot and a half. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Here\'s the reason why I wanted to read his book:  Gary catapulted his business into the stratosphere when he entered the world of social media. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">I, being a recent social media virgin, needed help.  Badly. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!,</a> </strong></em>Gary shares his social media roadmap.  I was shocked to see that I\'m farther along in social mediaville than I thought, and that I\'m actually doing a few things right.  Who knew? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I also learned what\'s next on my journey.  Thanks for showing me the way, Gary!  Let\'s hope that I find myself thoroughly Twitterpated sooner rather than later. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #888888;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Interestingly, Gary plasters his personal email address throughout his book.</span></strong></span></span>  Now, the book is a 2009 copyright (I\'m always behind the 8 ball, dammit!), but I\'m going to e-mail him for shits and giggles and see if he responds.  I have 266  days left in <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">my 365 day project</a></strong> (holy crap!), and hearing back from a famous author would definitely qualify as a day in this year of curious living. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>As for the <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">Rework</a></strong> </em>guys\' book, hell\'s bells!  I don\'t know what to do now.  Currently, I\'m not scheduled to be on a plane until June.  And I\'ve already been there/done that anyhow. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which means I\'ll need to disguise <strong><em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">Rework</a></em></strong> into another blog day. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">I have an idea, but I would rather hear your ideas.  Please share in the comments section below. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3124\" title=\"front-cover\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/front-cover-186x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"186\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>','Day 99:  Binge Reading in the Friendly Skies','','inherit','open','open','','3065-revision-31','','','2011-01-06 21:35:36','2011-01-07 04:35:36','',3065,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/06/3065-revision-31/',0,'revision','',0),(3160,1,'2011-01-07 08:36:46','2011-01-07 15:36:46','<p><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3123\" title=\"book-header2-trans\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/book-header2-trans-227x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"227\" height=\"300\" /></a>I\'m a book junkie.  It all started in my childhood.  When I was 3, I didn\'t take a stuffed animal or doll to bed.  I snuggled up with the book <em>The Three Little Kittens</em>.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I still take a novel to bed each night, but rest it on the nightstand when it\'s time to turn off the lights.  :-)</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Each Christmas, a few books top my Christmas list.  This year, I asked for two books that kept surfacing in conversations with various peeps.  The only specific peep that I can recall at this time is <a href=\"http://peterpaluska.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Peter Paluska</strong>.</a>  (Thanks, Peter!).  Hell if I can remember the others.  Luckily, I picked up a copy of <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Keep-Your-Brain-Alive-Exercises/dp/0761110526\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Keep Your Brain Alive:  83 Neurobic Exercises to help prevent memory loss and and increase mental fitness </strong></a>when I was shopping for family Christmas presents in Houston.  Hopefully, neurobics will help me remember and acknowledge the rest of you soon. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Anywho, this year\'s Christmas List Books were <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> and <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">REWORK</a></strong></em>.  At one point, when Mom begged me to compile The Christmas List for the umpteenth time, these books and an <strong><a href=\"http://www.annetaintor.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Anne Taintor</a></strong> calendar were the only things that I could think of.  Mom was frustrated, but she got over it.  She should be happy that her daughter asks for books instead of expensive jewelry or electronics.  </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Surprise!  Santa brought me both books!  I guess I was more nice than naughty this year.  Darn. </span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Houston, we kinda sorta had a problem though. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>What could possibly be the problem, you ask? </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I get jazzed by non-fiction. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>In fact, I get <em>so</em> jazzed that if I read it during my regular reading hours of right-before-bedtime, I can\'t sleep.</strong></span></span>  I have enough issues with my brain refusing to cooperate and turn off at night.  Throw innovative ideas into the mix, and I\'m a full-fledged insomniac.  I am limited to my bedtime story (you might refer to this as a \"novel\") before bed or I am toast the next day. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Which means that I need to read non-fiction outside of my regular reading hours.  And my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">Crazy 365 Day Project Blog</a></strong> + New Puppy + Working-for-the-Man Life doesn\'t have room for reading outside of my regular reading hours right now.  Unless...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I creatively morph it into one of my 365 days! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Which is exactly what I did on Day 99. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>(If the <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> or <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>REWORK</strong></a></em> guys happen to stumble upon this blog, they\'re probably beyond frustrated with me right about now.  Sorry, guys, but this is a chick blog.  Brevity is not in our vocabulary.  What did you expect?)</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Here\'s another source of jazziness for me:  airplanes.  Something about airplanes makes me downright heady and inspired</strong></span></span>. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>My airplane giddiness is not induced by the compressed air or the in-flight cocktails.  Nope.  It\'s brought on by non-fiction reading binges. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />When do I ever get uninterrupted time to read non-fiction?  Never!  But on planes!  On planes, my attention is captured for hours on end!</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />On Day 99, my reading binge plan included both of my Christmas gift books.  Flying from Houston to Phoenix with a layover in Austin would give me ample time to work my plan.  <em><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Crush It!</strong></a></em> is short, and <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>REWORK</strong></a> </em>has lots of drawings.  Manageable binge reading sans indigestion!  Hurrah! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">What I failed to account for in my plan is my uncanny knack for befriending strangers on planes.  It happens nearly every time. </span></strong></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>This past summer, on the way home from Boston, I met an 80 year-old Dutch-American woman with one of the most fascinating life stories I\'ve ever heard.  In the fall, on the way to my grandfather\'s funeral in Florida, I met a married couple who turned out to have everything in the world in common with me.  This was all very warm and fuzzy, but I didn\'t read on either flight. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Probably most memorable is a flight from Christmas Past when I met a soon-to-be boyfriend on a layover.  <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>By the end of the flight, Mr. Tall Drink of Water and I were kissing in baggage claim.</strong></span></span>  Sigh...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>This time, one of my seatmates was hoping to kiss me in baggage claim, but there was absolutely no chemistry on my part, my friends.  Awfully nice guy though.  He chewed my ear off for awhile before passing his phone number to me.  Now I feel like a shallow wench for not calling him.  Argh. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />And then there was the sweet young mother next to me whose 1 year-old I felt obligated to entertain for half the flight.  Bloody hell!  I stopped teaching 2.5 years ago!  Why couldn\'t I just read my book in peace without a kid pawing at me? <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span> </p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And why did I pay $150 for my perfect pooch to stow under the seat without a sound while your kid is flying free on your lap whilst trying to grab my dinner and screaming when he doesn\'t get it???  </strong></span></span>Humbug. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>SOMEHOW I managed to tune everyone out and at least read <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a> </strong></em>in its entirety.  Of course, I read it so quickly and distractedly that I can hardly remember it. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Just kidding. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>You can\'t help but get really excited over Gary\'s message:</strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"></a> </p>\n\n<ul>\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Love your family.</strong></span></span></li>\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Work superhard.</strong></span></span></li>\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Live your passion. </strong></span></span></li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>His philosophies are nothing new.  His delivery is a hoot and a half. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Here\'s the reason why I wanted to read his book:  Gary catapulted his business into the stratosphere when he entered the world of social media. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">I, being a recent social media virgin, needed help.  Badly. </span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>In <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!,</a> </strong></em>Gary shares his social media roadmap.  I was shocked to see that I\'m farther along in social mediaville than I thought, and that I\'m actually doing a few things right.  Who knew? </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I also learned what\'s next on my journey.  Thanks for showing me the way, Gary!  Let\'s hope that I find myself thoroughly Twitterpated sooner rather than later. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #888888;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Interestingly, Gary plasters his personal email address throughout his book.</span></strong></span></span>  Now, the book is a 2009 copyright (I\'m always behind the 8 ball, dammit!), but I\'m going to e-mail him for shits and giggles and see if he responds.  I have 266  days left in <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">my 365 day project</a></strong> (holy crap!), and hearing back from a famous author would definitely qualify as a day in this year of curious living. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>As for the <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">REWORK</a></strong> </em>guys\' book, hell\'s bells!  I don\'t know what to do now.  Currently, I\'m not scheduled to be on a plane until June.  And I\'ve already been there/done that anyhow. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Which means I\'ll need to disguise <strong><em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">REWORK</a></em></strong> into another blog day. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">I have an idea on how to mold <em>REWORK</em> into a blog day adventure, but I would rather hear your ideas.  Please share in the comments section below. </span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3124\" title=\"front-cover\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/front-cover-186x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"186\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>','Day 99:  Binge Reading Across the Friendly Skies','','inherit','open','open','','3065-autosave','','','2011-01-07 08:36:46','2011-01-07 15:36:46','',3065,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/06/3065-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(3161,1,'2011-01-06 21:35:59','2011-01-07 04:35:59','<p><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3123\" title=\"book-header2-trans\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/book-header2-trans-227x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"227\" height=\"300\" /></a>I\'m a book junkie.  It all started in my childhood.  When I was 3, I didn\'t take a stuffed animal or doll to bed.  I snuggled up with the book <em>The Three Little Kittens</em>.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I still take a novel to bed each night, but rest it on the nightstand when it\'s time to turn off the lights.  :-)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Each Christmas, a few books top my Christmas list.  This year, I asked for two books that kept surfacing in conversations with various peeps.  The only specific peep that I can recall at this time is <a href=\"http://peterpaluska.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Peter Paluska</strong>.</a>  (Thanks, Peter!).  Hell if I can remember the others.  Luckily, I picked up a copy of <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Keep-Your-Brain-Alive-Exercises/dp/0761110526\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Keep Your Brain Alive:  83 Neurobic Exercises to help prevent memory loss and and increase mental fitness </strong></a>when I was shopping for family Christmas presents in Houston.  Hopefully, neurobics will help me remember and acknowledge the rest of you soon. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Anywho, this year\'s Christmas List Books were <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> and <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">Rework</a></strong></em>.  At one point, when Mom begged me to compile The Christmas List for the umpteenth time, these books and an <strong><a href=\"http://www.annetaintor.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Anne Taintor</a></strong> calendar were the only things that I could think of.  Mom was frustrated, but she got over it.  She should be happy that her daughter asks for books instead of expensive jewelry or electronics.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Surprise!  Santa brought me both books!  I guess I was more nice than naughty this year.  Darn. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Houston, we kinda sorta had a problem though. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>What could possibly be the problem, you ask? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I get jazzed by non-fiction. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>In fact, I get <em>so</em> jazzed that if I read it during my regular reading hours of right-before-bedtime, I can\'t sleep.</strong></span></span>  I have enough issues with my brain refusing to cooperate and turn off at night.  Throw innovative ideas into the mix, and I\'m a full-fledged insomniac.  I am limited to my bedtime story (you might refer to this as a \"novel\") before bed or I am toast the next day. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Which means that I need to read non-fiction outside of my regular reading hours.  And my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">Crazy 365 Day Project Blog</a></strong> + New Puppy + Working-for-the-Man Life doesn\'t have room for reading outside of my regular reading hours right now.  Unless...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I creatively morph it into one of my 365 days! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which is exactly what I did on Day 99. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>(If the <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> or <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Rework</strong></a></em> guys happen to stumble upon this blog, they\'re probably as frustrated as my mother right now.  Sorry, guys, but this is a chick blog.  Brevity is not in our vocabulary.  What did you expect?)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Here\'s another source of jazziness for me:  airplanes.  Something about airplanes makes me downright heady and inspired</strong></span></span>. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My airplane giddiness is not induced by the compressed air or the in-flight cocktails.  Nope.  It\'s brought on by non-fiction reading binges. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />When do I ever get uninterrupted time to read non-fiction?  Never!  But on planes!  On planes, my attention is captured for hours on end!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />On Day 99, my reading binge plan included both of my Christmas gift books.  Flying from Houston to Phoenix with a layover in Austin would give me ample time to work my plan.  <em><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Crush It!</strong></a></em> is short, and <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Rework</strong></a> </em>has lots of drawings.  Manageable binge reading sans indigestion!  Hurrah! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">What I failed to account for in my plan is my uncanny knack for befriending strangers on planes.  It happens nearly every time. </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In the summer, on the way home from Boston, I met an 80 year-old Dutch-American woman with one of the most fascinating life stories I\'ve ever heard.  In the fall, on the way to my grandfather\'s funeral, I met a married couple who turned out to have everything in the world in common with me.  This was all very warm and fuzzy, but I didn\'t read on either flight. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One Christmas travel season, I even met a soon-to-be boyfriend on a layover.  <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>By the end of the flight, Mr. Tall Drink of Water and I were kissing in baggage claim.</strong></span></span>  Sigh...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This time, one of my seatmates was hoping to kiss me in baggage claim, but there was absolutely no chemistry on my part, my friends.  Awfully nice guy though.  He chewed my ear off for awhile before passing his phone number to me.  Now I feel like a shallow wench for not calling him.  Argh. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />And then there was the sweet young mother next to me whose 1 year-old I was obligated to entertain for half the flight.  Bloody hell!  I stopped teaching 2.5 years ago!  Why couldn\'t I just read my book in peace without a kid pawing at me? <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And why did I pay $150 for my perfect pooch to stow under the seat without a sound while your kid is flying free on your lap whilst trying to grab my dinner and screaming when he doesn\'t get it???  </strong></span></span>Humbug. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>SOMEHOW I managed to tune everyone out and at least read <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a> </strong></em>in its entirety.  Of course, I read it so quickly and distractedly that I can hardly remember it. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Just kidding. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>You can\'t help but get really excited over Gary\'s message:</strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"></a> </p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Love your family.</strong></span></span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Work superhard.</strong></span></span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Live your passion. </strong></span></span></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n\r\n<p>His philosophies are nothing new.  His delivery is a hoot and a half. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Here\'s the reason why I wanted to read his book:  Gary catapulted his business into the stratosphere when he entered the world of social media. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">I, being a recent social media virgin, needed help.  Badly. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!,</a> </strong></em>Gary shares his social media roadmap.  I was shocked to see that I\'m farther along in social mediaville than I thought, and that I\'m actually doing a few things right.  Who knew? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I also learned what\'s next on my journey.  Thanks for showing me the way, Gary!  Let\'s hope that I find myself thoroughly Twitterpated sooner rather than later. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #888888;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Interestingly, Gary plasters his personal email address throughout his book.</span></strong></span></span>  Now, the book is a 2009 copyright (I\'m always behind the 8 ball, dammit!), but I\'m going to e-mail him for shits and giggles and see if he responds.  I have 266  days left in <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">my 365 day project</a></strong> (holy crap!), and hearing back from a famous author would definitely qualify as a day in this year of curious living. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>As for the <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">Rework</a></strong> </em>guys\' book, hell\'s bells!  I don\'t know what to do now.  Currently, I\'m not scheduled to be on a plane until June.  And I\'ve already been there/done that anyhow. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which means I\'ll need to disguise <strong><em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">Rework</a></em></strong> into another blog day. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">I have an idea, but I would rather hear your ideas.  Please share in the comments section below. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3124\" title=\"front-cover\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/front-cover-186x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"186\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>','Day 99:  Binge Reading in the Friendly Skies','','inherit','open','open','','3065-revision-32','','','2011-01-06 21:35:59','2011-01-07 04:35:59','',3065,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/06/3065-revision-32/',0,'revision','',0),(3162,1,'2011-01-06 21:43:20','2011-01-07 04:43:20','<p><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3123\" title=\"book-header2-trans\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/book-header2-trans-227x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"227\" height=\"300\" /></a>I\'m a book junkie.  It all started in my childhood.  When I was 3, I didn\'t take a stuffed animal or doll to bed.  I snuggled up with the book <em>The Three Little Kittens</em>.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I still take a novel to bed each night, but rest it on the nightstand when it\'s time to turn off the lights.  :-)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Each Christmas, a few books top my Christmas list.  This year, I asked for two books that kept surfacing in conversations with various peeps.  The only specific peep that I can recall at this time is <a href=\"http://peterpaluska.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Peter Paluska</strong>.</a>  (Thanks, Peter!).  Hell if I can remember the others.  Luckily, I picked up a copy of <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Keep-Your-Brain-Alive-Exercises/dp/0761110526\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Keep Your Brain Alive:  83 Neurobic Exercises to help prevent memory loss and and increase mental fitness </strong></a>when I was shopping for family Christmas presents in Houston.  Hopefully, neurobics will help me remember and acknowledge the rest of you soon. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Anywho, this year\'s Christmas List Books were <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> and <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">REWORK</a></strong></em>.  At one point, when Mom begged me to compile The Christmas List for the umpteenth time, these books and an <strong><a href=\"http://www.annetaintor.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Anne Taintor</a></strong> calendar were the only things that I could think of.  Mom was frustrated, but she got over it.  She should be happy that her daughter asks for books instead of expensive jewelry or electronics.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Surprise!  Santa brought me both books!  I guess I was more nice than naughty this year.  Darn. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Houston, we kinda sorta had a problem though. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>What could possibly be the problem, you ask? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I get jazzed by non-fiction. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>In fact, I get <em>so</em> jazzed that if I read it during my regular reading hours of right-before-bedtime, I can\'t sleep.</strong></span></span>  I have enough issues with my brain refusing to cooperate and turn off at night.  Throw innovative ideas into the mix, and I\'m a full-fledged insomniac.  I am limited to my bedtime story (you might refer to this as a \"novel\") before bed or I am toast the next day. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Which means that I need to read non-fiction outside of my regular reading hours.  And my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">Crazy 365 Day Project Blog</a></strong> + New Puppy + Working-for-the-Man Life doesn\'t have room for reading outside of my regular reading hours right now.  Unless...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I creatively morph it into one of my 365 days! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which is exactly what I did on Day 99. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>(If the <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> or <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>REWORK</strong></a></em> guys happen to stumble upon this blog, they\'re probably as frustrated as my mother right now.  Sorry, guys, but this is a chick blog.  Brevity is not in our vocabulary.  What did you expect?)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Here\'s another source of jazziness for me:  airplanes.  Something about airplanes makes me downright heady and inspired</strong></span></span>. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My airplane giddiness is not induced by the compressed air or the in-flight cocktails.  Nope.  It\'s brought on by non-fiction reading binges. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />When do I ever get uninterrupted time to read non-fiction?  Never!  But on planes!  On planes, my attention is captured for hours on end!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />On Day 99, my reading binge plan included both of my Christmas gift books.  Flying from Houston to Phoenix with a layover in Austin would give me ample time to work my plan.  <em><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Crush It!</strong></a></em> is short, and <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>REWORK</strong></a> </em>has lots of drawings.  Manageable binge reading sans indigestion!  Hurrah! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">What I failed to account for in my plan is my uncanny knack for befriending strangers on planes.  It happens nearly every time. </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In the summer, on the way home from Boston, I met an 80 year-old Dutch-American woman with one of the most fascinating life stories I\'ve ever heard.  In the fall, on the way to my grandfather\'s funeral, I met a married couple who turned out to have everything in the world in common with me.  This was all very warm and fuzzy, but I didn\'t read on either flight. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One Christmas travel season, I even met a soon-to-be boyfriend on a layover.  <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>By the end of the flight, Mr. Tall Drink of Water and I were kissing in baggage claim.</strong></span></span>  Sigh...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This time, one of my seatmates was hoping to kiss me in baggage claim, but there was absolutely no chemistry on my part, my friends.  Awfully nice guy though.  He chewed my ear off for awhile before passing his phone number to me.  Now I feel like a shallow wench for not calling him.  Argh. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />And then there was the sweet young mother next to me whose 1 year-old I was obligated to entertain for half the flight.  Bloody hell!  I stopped teaching 2.5 years ago!  Why couldn\'t I just read my book in peace without a kid pawing at me? <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And why did I pay $150 for my perfect pooch to stow under the seat without a sound while your kid is flying free on your lap whilst trying to grab my dinner and screaming when he doesn\'t get it???  </strong></span></span>Humbug. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>SOMEHOW I managed to tune everyone out and at least read <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a> </strong></em>in its entirety.  Of course, I read it so quickly and distractedly that I can hardly remember it. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Just kidding. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>You can\'t help but get really excited over Gary\'s message:</strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"></a> </p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Love your family.</strong></span></span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Work superhard.</strong></span></span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Live your passion. </strong></span></span></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n\r\n<p>His philosophies are nothing new.  His delivery is a hoot and a half. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Here\'s the reason why I wanted to read his book:  Gary catapulted his business into the stratosphere when he entered the world of social media. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">I, being a recent social media virgin, needed help.  Badly. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!,</a> </strong></em>Gary shares his social media roadmap.  I was shocked to see that I\'m farther along in social mediaville than I thought, and that I\'m actually doing a few things right.  Who knew? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I also learned what\'s next on my journey.  Thanks for showing me the way, Gary!  Let\'s hope that I find myself thoroughly Twitterpated sooner rather than later. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #888888;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Interestingly, Gary plasters his personal email address throughout his book.</span></strong></span></span>  Now, the book is a 2009 copyright (I\'m always behind the 8 ball, dammit!), but I\'m going to e-mail him for shits and giggles and see if he responds.  I have 266  days left in <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">my 365 day project</a></strong> (holy crap!), and hearing back from a famous author would definitely qualify as a day in this year of curious living. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>As for the <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">REWORK</a></strong> </em>guys\' book, hell\'s bells!  I don\'t know what to do now.  Currently, I\'m not scheduled to be on a plane until June.  And I\'ve already been there/done that anyhow. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which means I\'ll need to disguise <strong><em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">REWORK</a></em></strong> into another blog day. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">I have an idea, but I would rather hear your ideas.  Please share in the comments section below. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3124\" title=\"front-cover\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/front-cover-186x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"186\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>','Day 99:  Binge Reading in the Friendly Skies','','inherit','open','open','','3065-revision-33','','','2011-01-06 21:43:20','2011-01-07 04:43:20','',3065,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/06/3065-revision-33/',0,'revision','',0),(3163,1,'2011-01-06 21:45:24','2011-01-07 04:45:24','<p><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3123\" title=\"book-header2-trans\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/book-header2-trans-227x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"227\" height=\"300\" /></a>I\'m a book junkie.  It all started in my childhood.  When I was 3, I didn\'t take a stuffed animal or doll to bed.  I snuggled up with the book <em>The Three Little Kittens</em>.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I still take a novel to bed each night, but rest it on the nightstand when it\'s time to turn off the lights.  :-)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Each Christmas, a few books top my Christmas list.  This year, I asked for two books that kept surfacing in conversations with various peeps.  The only specific peep that I can recall at this time is <a href=\"http://peterpaluska.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Peter Paluska</strong>.</a>  (Thanks, Peter!).  Hell if I can remember the others.  Luckily, I picked up a copy of <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Keep-Your-Brain-Alive-Exercises/dp/0761110526\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Keep Your Brain Alive:  83 Neurobic Exercises to help prevent memory loss and and increase mental fitness </strong></a>when I was shopping for family Christmas presents in Houston.  Hopefully, neurobics will help me remember and acknowledge the rest of you soon. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Anywho, this year\'s Christmas List Books were <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> and <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">REWORK</a></strong></em>.  At one point, when Mom begged me to compile The Christmas List for the umpteenth time, these books and an <strong><a href=\"http://www.annetaintor.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Anne Taintor</a></strong> calendar were the only things that I could think of.  Mom was frustrated, but she got over it.  She should be happy that her daughter asks for books instead of expensive jewelry or electronics.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Surprise!  Santa brought me both books!  I guess I was more nice than naughty this year.  Darn. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Houston, we kinda sorta had a problem though. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>What could possibly be the problem, you ask? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I get jazzed by non-fiction. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>In fact, I get <em>so</em> jazzed that if I read it during my regular reading hours of right-before-bedtime, I can\'t sleep.</strong></span></span>  I have enough issues with my brain refusing to cooperate and turn off at night.  Throw innovative ideas into the mix, and I\'m a full-fledged insomniac.  I am limited to my bedtime story (you might refer to this as a \"novel\") before bed or I am toast the next day. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Which means that I need to read non-fiction outside of my regular reading hours.  And my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">Crazy 365 Day Project Blog</a></strong> + New Puppy + Working-for-the-Man Life doesn\'t have room for reading outside of my regular reading hours right now.  Unless...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I creatively morph it into one of my 365 days! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which is exactly what I did on Day 99. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>(If the <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> or <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>REWORK</strong></a></em> guys happen to stumble upon this blog, they\'re probably as frustrated as my mother right now.  Sorry, guys, but this is a chick blog.  Brevity is not in our vocabulary.  What did you expect?)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Here\'s another source of jazziness for me:  airplanes.  Something about airplanes makes me downright heady and inspired</strong></span></span>. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My airplane giddiness is not induced by the compressed air or the in-flight cocktails.  Nope.  It\'s brought on by non-fiction reading binges. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />When do I ever get uninterrupted time to read non-fiction?  Never!  But on planes!  On planes, my attention is captured for hours on end!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />On Day 99, my reading binge plan included both of my Christmas gift books.  Flying from Houston to Phoenix with a layover in Austin would give me ample time to work my plan.  <em><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Crush It!</strong></a></em> is short, and <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>REWORK</strong></a> </em>has lots of drawings.  Manageable binge reading sans indigestion!  Hurrah! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">What I failed to account for in my plan is my uncanny knack for befriending strangers on planes.  It happens nearly every time. </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In the summer, on the way home from Boston, I met an 80 year-old Dutch-American woman with one of the most fascinating life stories I\'ve ever heard.  In the fall, on the way to my grandfather\'s funeral, I met a married couple who turned out to have everything in the world in common with me.  This was all very warm and fuzzy, but I didn\'t read on either flight. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One Christmas travel season, I even met a soon-to-be boyfriend on a layover.  <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>By the end of the flight, Mr. Tall Drink of Water and I were kissing in baggage claim.</strong></span></span>  Sigh...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This time, one of my seatmates was hoping to kiss me in baggage claim, but there was absolutely no chemistry on my part, my friends.  Awfully nice guy though.  He chewed my ear off for awhile before passing his phone number to me.  Now I feel like a shallow wench for not calling him.  Argh. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />And then there was the sweet young mother next to me whose 1 year-old I was obligated to entertain for half the flight.  Bloody hell!  I stopped teaching 2.5 years ago!  Why couldn\'t I just read my book in peace without a kid pawing at me? <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And why did I pay $150 for my perfect pooch to stow under the seat without a sound while your kid is flying free on your lap whilst trying to grab my dinner and screaming when he doesn\'t get it???  </strong></span></span>Humbug. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>SOMEHOW I managed to tune everyone out and at least read <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a> </strong></em>in its entirety.  Of course, I read it so quickly and distractedly that I can hardly remember it. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Just kidding. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>You can\'t help but get really excited over Gary\'s message:</strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"></a> </p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Love your family.</strong></span></span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Work superhard.</strong></span></span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Live your passion. </strong></span></span></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n\r\n<p>His philosophies are nothing new.  His delivery is a hoot and a half. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Here\'s the reason why I wanted to read his book:  Gary catapulted his business into the stratosphere when he entered the world of social media. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">I, being a recent social media virgin, needed help.  Badly. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!,</a> </strong></em>Gary shares his social media roadmap.  I was shocked to see that I\'m farther along in social mediaville than I thought, and that I\'m actually doing a few things right.  Who knew? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I also learned what\'s next on my journey.  Thanks for showing me the way, Gary!  Let\'s hope that I find myself thoroughly Twitterpated sooner rather than later. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #888888;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Interestingly, Gary plasters his personal email address throughout his book.</span></strong></span></span>  Now, the book is a 2009 copyright (I\'m always behind the 8 ball, dammit!), but I\'m going to e-mail him for shits and giggles and see if he responds.  I have 266  days left in <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">my 365 day project</a></strong> (holy crap!), and hearing back from a famous author would definitely qualify as a day in this year of curious living. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>As for the <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">REWORK</a></strong> </em>guys\' book, hell\'s bells!  I don\'t know what to do now.  Currently, I\'m not scheduled to be on a plane until June.  And I\'ve already been there/done that anyhow. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which means I\'ll need to disguise <strong><em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">REWORK</a></em></strong> into another blog day. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">I have an idea on how to mold REWORK into a blog day adventure, but I would rather hear your ideas.  Please share in the comments section below. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3124\" title=\"front-cover\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/front-cover-186x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"186\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>','Day 99:  Binge Reading in the Friendly Skies','','inherit','open','open','','3065-revision-34','','','2011-01-06 21:45:24','2011-01-07 04:45:24','',3065,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/06/3065-revision-34/',0,'revision','',0),(3164,1,'2011-01-06 21:46:12','2011-01-07 04:46:12','<p><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3123\" title=\"book-header2-trans\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/book-header2-trans-227x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"227\" height=\"300\" /></a>I\'m a book junkie.  It all started in my childhood.  When I was 3, I didn\'t take a stuffed animal or doll to bed.  I snuggled up with the book <em>The Three Little Kittens</em>.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I still take a novel to bed each night, but rest it on the nightstand when it\'s time to turn off the lights.  :-)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Each Christmas, a few books top my Christmas list.  This year, I asked for two books that kept surfacing in conversations with various peeps.  The only specific peep that I can recall at this time is <a href=\"http://peterpaluska.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Peter Paluska</strong>.</a>  (Thanks, Peter!).  Hell if I can remember the others.  Luckily, I picked up a copy of <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Keep-Your-Brain-Alive-Exercises/dp/0761110526\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Keep Your Brain Alive:  83 Neurobic Exercises to help prevent memory loss and and increase mental fitness </strong></a>when I was shopping for family Christmas presents in Houston.  Hopefully, neurobics will help me remember and acknowledge the rest of you soon. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Anywho, this year\'s Christmas List Books were <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> and <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">REWORK</a></strong></em>.  At one point, when Mom begged me to compile The Christmas List for the umpteenth time, these books and an <strong><a href=\"http://www.annetaintor.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Anne Taintor</a></strong> calendar were the only things that I could think of.  Mom was frustrated, but she got over it.  She should be happy that her daughter asks for books instead of expensive jewelry or electronics.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Surprise!  Santa brought me both books!  I guess I was more nice than naughty this year.  Darn. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Houston, we kinda sorta had a problem though. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>What could possibly be the problem, you ask? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I get jazzed by non-fiction. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>In fact, I get <em>so</em> jazzed that if I read it during my regular reading hours of right-before-bedtime, I can\'t sleep.</strong></span></span>  I have enough issues with my brain refusing to cooperate and turn off at night.  Throw innovative ideas into the mix, and I\'m a full-fledged insomniac.  I am limited to my bedtime story (you might refer to this as a \"novel\") before bed or I am toast the next day. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Which means that I need to read non-fiction outside of my regular reading hours.  And my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">Crazy 365 Day Project Blog</a></strong> + New Puppy + Working-for-the-Man Life doesn\'t have room for reading outside of my regular reading hours right now.  Unless...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I creatively morph it into one of my 365 days! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which is exactly what I did on Day 99. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>(If the <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> or <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>REWORK</strong></a></em> guys happen to stumble upon this blog, they\'re probably as frustrated as my mother right now.  Sorry, guys, but this is a chick blog.  Brevity is not in our vocabulary.  What did you expect?)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Here\'s another source of jazziness for me:  airplanes.  Something about airplanes makes me downright heady and inspired</strong></span></span>. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My airplane giddiness is not induced by the compressed air or the in-flight cocktails.  Nope.  It\'s brought on by non-fiction reading binges. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />When do I ever get uninterrupted time to read non-fiction?  Never!  But on planes!  On planes, my attention is captured for hours on end!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />On Day 99, my reading binge plan included both of my Christmas gift books.  Flying from Houston to Phoenix with a layover in Austin would give me ample time to work my plan.  <em><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Crush It!</strong></a></em> is short, and <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>REWORK</strong></a> </em>has lots of drawings.  Manageable binge reading sans indigestion!  Hurrah! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">What I failed to account for in my plan is my uncanny knack for befriending strangers on planes.  It happens nearly every time. </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In the summer, on the way home from Boston, I met an 80 year-old Dutch-American woman with one of the most fascinating life stories I\'ve ever heard.  In the fall, on the way to my grandfather\'s funeral, I met a married couple who turned out to have everything in the world in common with me.  This was all very warm and fuzzy, but I didn\'t read on either flight. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One Christmas travel season, I even met a soon-to-be boyfriend on a layover.  <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>By the end of the flight, Mr. Tall Drink of Water and I were kissing in baggage claim.</strong></span></span>  Sigh...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This time, one of my seatmates was hoping to kiss me in baggage claim, but there was absolutely no chemistry on my part, my friends.  Awfully nice guy though.  He chewed my ear off for awhile before passing his phone number to me.  Now I feel like a shallow wench for not calling him.  Argh. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />And then there was the sweet young mother next to me whose 1 year-old I was obligated to entertain for half the flight.  Bloody hell!  I stopped teaching 2.5 years ago!  Why couldn\'t I just read my book in peace without a kid pawing at me? <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And why did I pay $150 for my perfect pooch to stow under the seat without a sound while your kid is flying free on your lap whilst trying to grab my dinner and screaming when he doesn\'t get it???  </strong></span></span>Humbug. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>SOMEHOW I managed to tune everyone out and at least read <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a> </strong></em>in its entirety.  Of course, I read it so quickly and distractedly that I can hardly remember it. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Just kidding. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>You can\'t help but get really excited over Gary\'s message:</strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"></a> </p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Love your family.</strong></span></span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Work superhard.</strong></span></span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Live your passion. </strong></span></span></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n\r\n<p>His philosophies are nothing new.  His delivery is a hoot and a half. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Here\'s the reason why I wanted to read his book:  Gary catapulted his business into the stratosphere when he entered the world of social media. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">I, being a recent social media virgin, needed help.  Badly. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!,</a> </strong></em>Gary shares his social media roadmap.  I was shocked to see that I\'m farther along in social mediaville than I thought, and that I\'m actually doing a few things right.  Who knew? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I also learned what\'s next on my journey.  Thanks for showing me the way, Gary!  Let\'s hope that I find myself thoroughly Twitterpated sooner rather than later. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #888888;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Interestingly, Gary plasters his personal email address throughout his book.</span></strong></span></span>  Now, the book is a 2009 copyright (I\'m always behind the 8 ball, dammit!), but I\'m going to e-mail him for shits and giggles and see if he responds.  I have 266  days left in <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">my 365 day project</a></strong> (holy crap!), and hearing back from a famous author would definitely qualify as a day in this year of curious living. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>As for the <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">REWORK</a></strong> </em>guys\' book, hell\'s bells!  I don\'t know what to do now.  Currently, I\'m not scheduled to be on a plane until June.  And I\'ve already been there/done that anyhow. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which means I\'ll need to disguise <strong><em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">REWORK</a></em></strong> into another blog day. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">I have an idea on how to mold <em>REWORK</em> into a blog day adventure, but I would rather hear your ideas.  Please share in the comments section below. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3124\" title=\"front-cover\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/front-cover-186x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"186\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>','Day 99:  Binge Reading in the Friendly Skies','','inherit','open','open','','3065-revision-35','','','2011-01-06 21:46:12','2011-01-07 04:46:12','',3065,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/06/3065-revision-35/',0,'revision','',0),(3166,1,'2011-01-06 21:48:01','2011-01-07 04:48:01','<p><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3123\" title=\"book-header2-trans\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/book-header2-trans-227x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"227\" height=\"300\" /></a>I\'m a book junkie.  It all started in my childhood.  When I was 3, I didn\'t take a stuffed animal or doll to bed.  I snuggled up with the book <em>The Three Little Kittens</em>.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I still take a novel to bed each night, but rest it on the nightstand when it\'s time to turn off the lights.  :-)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Each Christmas, a few books top my Christmas list.  This year, I asked for two books that kept surfacing in conversations with various peeps.  The only specific peep that I can recall at this time is <a href=\"http://peterpaluska.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Peter Paluska</strong>.</a>  (Thanks, Peter!).  Hell if I can remember the others.  Luckily, I picked up a copy of <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Keep-Your-Brain-Alive-Exercises/dp/0761110526\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Keep Your Brain Alive:  83 Neurobic Exercises to help prevent memory loss and and increase mental fitness </strong></a>when I was shopping for family Christmas presents in Houston.  Hopefully, neurobics will help me remember and acknowledge the rest of you soon. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Anywho, this year\'s Christmas List Books were <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> and <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">REWORK</a></strong></em>.  At one point, when Mom begged me to compile The Christmas List for the umpteenth time, these books and an <strong><a href=\"http://www.annetaintor.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Anne Taintor</a></strong> calendar were the only things that I could think of.  Mom was frustrated, but she got over it.  She should be happy that her daughter asks for books instead of expensive jewelry or electronics.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Surprise!  Santa brought me both books!  I guess I was more nice than naughty this year.  Darn. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Houston, we kinda sorta had a problem though. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>What could possibly be the problem, you ask? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I get jazzed by non-fiction. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>In fact, I get <em>so</em> jazzed that if I read it during my regular reading hours of right-before-bedtime, I can\'t sleep.</strong></span></span>  I have enough issues with my brain refusing to cooperate and turn off at night.  Throw innovative ideas into the mix, and I\'m a full-fledged insomniac.  I am limited to my bedtime story (you might refer to this as a \"novel\") before bed or I am toast the next day. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Which means that I need to read non-fiction outside of my regular reading hours.  And my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">Crazy 365 Day Project Blog</a></strong> + New Puppy + Working-for-the-Man Life doesn\'t have room for reading outside of my regular reading hours right now.  Unless...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I creatively morph it into one of my 365 days! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which is exactly what I did on Day 99. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>(If the <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> or <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>REWORK</strong></a></em> guys happen to stumble upon this blog, they\'re probably as frustrated as my mother right now.  Sorry, guys, but this is a chick blog.  Brevity is not in our vocabulary.  What did you expect?)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Here\'s another source of jazziness for me:  airplanes.  Something about airplanes makes me downright heady and inspired</strong></span></span>. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My airplane giddiness is not induced by the compressed air or the in-flight cocktails.  Nope.  It\'s brought on by non-fiction reading binges. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />When do I ever get uninterrupted time to read non-fiction?  Never!  But on planes!  On planes, my attention is captured for hours on end!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />On Day 99, my reading binge plan included both of my Christmas gift books.  Flying from Houston to Phoenix with a layover in Austin would give me ample time to work my plan.  <em><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Crush It!</strong></a></em> is short, and <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>REWORK</strong></a> </em>has lots of drawings.  Manageable binge reading sans indigestion!  Hurrah! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">What I failed to account for in my plan is my uncanny knack for befriending strangers on planes.  It happens nearly every time. </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In the summer, on the way home from Boston, I met an 80 year-old Dutch-American woman with one of the most fascinating life stories I\'ve ever heard.  In the fall, on the way to my grandfather\'s funeral, I met a married couple who turned out to have everything in the world in common with me.  This was all very warm and fuzzy, but I didn\'t read on either flight. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One Christmas travel season, I even met a soon-to-be boyfriend on a layover.  <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>By the end of the flight, Mr. Tall Drink of Water and I were kissing in baggage claim.</strong></span></span>  Sigh...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This time, one of my seatmates was hoping to kiss me in baggage claim, but there was absolutely no chemistry on my part, my friends.  Awfully nice guy though.  He chewed my ear off for awhile before passing his phone number to me.  Now I feel like a shallow wench for not calling him.  Argh. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />And then there was the sweet young mother next to me whose 1 year-old I was obligated to entertain for half the flight.  Bloody hell!  I stopped teaching 2.5 years ago!  Why couldn\'t I just read my book in peace without a kid pawing at me? <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And why did I pay $150 for my perfect pooch to stow under the seat without a sound while your kid is flying free on your lap whilst trying to grab my dinner and screaming when he doesn\'t get it???  </strong></span></span>Humbug. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>SOMEHOW I managed to tune everyone out and at least read <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a> </strong></em>in its entirety.  Of course, I read it so quickly and distractedly that I can hardly remember it. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Just kidding. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>You can\'t help but get really excited over Gary\'s message:</strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"></a> </p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Love your family.</strong></span></span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Work superhard.</strong></span></span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Live your passion. </strong></span></span></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n\r\n<p>His philosophies are nothing new.  His delivery is a hoot and a half. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Here\'s the reason why I wanted to read his book:  Gary catapulted his business into the stratosphere when he entered the world of social media. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">I, being a recent social media virgin, needed help.  Badly. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!,</a> </strong></em>Gary shares his social media roadmap.  I was shocked to see that I\'m farther along in social mediaville than I thought, and that I\'m actually doing a few things right.  Who knew? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I also learned what\'s next on my journey.  Thanks for showing me the way, Gary!  Let\'s hope that I find myself thoroughly Twitterpated sooner rather than later. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #888888;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Interestingly, Gary plasters his personal email address throughout his book.</span></strong></span></span>  Now, the book is a 2009 copyright (I\'m always behind the 8 ball, dammit!), but I\'m going to e-mail him for shits and giggles and see if he responds.  I have 266  days left in <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">my 365 day project</a></strong> (holy crap!), and hearing back from a famous author would definitely qualify as a day in this year of curious living. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>As for the <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">REWORK</a></strong> </em>guys\' book, hell\'s bells!  I don\'t know what to do now.  Currently, I\'m not scheduled to be on a plane until June.  And I\'ve already been there/done that anyhow. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which means I\'ll need to disguise <strong><em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">REWORK</a></em></strong> into another blog day. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">I have an idea on how to mold <em>REWORK</em> into a blog day adventure, but I would rather hear your ideas.  Please share in the comments section below. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3124\" title=\"front-cover\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/front-cover-186x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"186\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>','Day 99:  Binge Reading in the Friendly Skies','','inherit','open','open','','3065-revision-37','','','2011-01-06 21:48:01','2011-01-07 04:48:01','',3065,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/06/3065-revision-37/',0,'revision','',0),(3165,1,'2011-01-06 21:47:13','2011-01-07 04:47:13','<p><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3123\" title=\"book-header2-trans\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/book-header2-trans-227x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"227\" height=\"300\" /></a>I\'m a book junkie.  It all started in my childhood.  When I was 3, I didn\'t take a stuffed animal or doll to bed.  I snuggled up with the book <em>The Three Little Kittens</em>.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I still take a novel to bed each night, but rest it on the nightstand when it\'s time to turn off the lights.  :-)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Each Christmas, a few books top my Christmas list.  This year, I asked for two books that kept surfacing in conversations with various peeps.  The only specific peep that I can recall at this time is <a href=\"http://peterpaluska.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Peter Paluska</strong>.</a>  (Thanks, Peter!).  Hell if I can remember the others.  Luckily, I picked up a copy of <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Keep-Your-Brain-Alive-Exercises/dp/0761110526\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Keep Your Brain Alive:  83 Neurobic Exercises to help prevent memory loss and and increase mental fitness </strong></a>when I was shopping for family Christmas presents in Houston.  Hopefully, neurobics will help me remember and acknowledge the rest of you soon. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Anywho, this year\'s Christmas List Books were <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> and <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">REWORK</a></strong></em>.  At one point, when Mom begged me to compile The Christmas List for the umpteenth time, these books and an <strong><a href=\"http://www.annetaintor.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Anne Taintor</a></strong> calendar were the only things that I could think of.  Mom was frustrated, but she got over it.  She should be happy that her daughter asks for books instead of expensive jewelry or electronics.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Surprise!  Santa brought me both books!  I guess I was more nice than naughty this year.  Darn. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Houston, we kinda sorta had a problem though. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>What could possibly be the problem, you ask? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I get jazzed by non-fiction. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>In fact, I get <em>so</em> jazzed that if I read it during my regular reading hours of right-before-bedtime, I can\'t sleep.</strong></span></span>  I have enough issues with my brain refusing to cooperate and turn off at night.  Throw innovative ideas into the mix, and I\'m a full-fledged insomniac.  I am limited to my bedtime story (you might refer to this as a \"novel\") before bed or I am toast the next day. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Which means that I need to read non-fiction outside of my regular reading hours.  And my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">Crazy 365 Day Project Blog</a></strong> + New Puppy + Working-for-the-Man Life doesn\'t have room for reading outside of my regular reading hours right now.  Unless...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I creatively morph it into one of my 365 days! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which is exactly what I did on Day 99. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>(If the <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> or <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>REWORK</strong></a></em> guys happen to stumble upon this blog, they\'re probably as frustrated as my mother right now.  Sorry, guys, but this is a chick blog.  Brevity is not in our vocabulary.  What did you expect?)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Here\'s another source of jazziness for me:  airplanes.  Something about airplanes makes me downright heady and inspired</strong></span></span>. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My airplane giddiness is not induced by the compressed air or the in-flight cocktails.  Nope.  It\'s brought on by non-fiction reading binges. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />When do I ever get uninterrupted time to read non-fiction?  Never!  But on planes!  On planes, my attention is captured for hours on end!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />On Day 99, my reading binge plan included both of my Christmas gift books.  Flying from Houston to Phoenix with a layover in Austin would give me ample time to work my plan.  <em><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Crush It!</strong></a></em> is short, and <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>REWORK</strong></a> </em>has lots of drawings.  Manageable binge reading sans indigestion!  Hurrah! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">What I failed to account for in my plan is my uncanny knack for befriending strangers on planes.  It happens nearly every time. </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In the summer, on the way home from Boston, I met an 80 year-old Dutch-American woman with one of the most fascinating life stories I\'ve ever heard.  In the fall, on the way to my grandfather\'s funeral, I met a married couple who turned out to have everything in the world in common with me.  This was all very warm and fuzzy, but I didn\'t read on either flight. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One Christmas travel season, I even met a soon-to-be boyfriend on a layover.  <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>By the end of the flight, Mr. Tall Drink of Water and I were kissing in baggage claim.</strong></span></span>  Sigh...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This time, one of my seatmates was hoping to kiss me in baggage claim, but there was absolutely no chemistry on my part, my friends.  Awfully nice guy though.  He chewed my ear off for awhile before passing his phone number to me.  Now I feel like a shallow wench for not calling him.  Argh. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />And then there was the sweet young mother next to me whose 1 year-old I was obligated to entertain for half the flight.  Bloody hell!  I stopped teaching 2.5 years ago!  Why couldn\'t I just read my book in peace without a kid pawing at me? <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And why did I pay $150 for my perfect pooch to stow under the seat without a sound while your kid is flying free on your lap whilst trying to grab my dinner and screaming when he doesn\'t get it???  </strong></span></span>Humbug. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>SOMEHOW I managed to tune everyone out and at least read <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a> </strong></em>in its entirety.  Of course, I read it so quickly and distractedly that I can hardly remember it. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Just kidding. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>You can\'t help but get really excited over Gary\'s message:</strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"></a> </p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Love your family.</strong></span></span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Work superhard.</strong></span></span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Live your passion. </strong></span></span></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n\r\n<p>His philosophies are nothing new.  His delivery is a hoot and a half. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Here\'s the reason why I wanted to read his book:  Gary catapulted his business into the stratosphere when he entered the world of social media. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">I, being a recent social media virgin, needed help.  Badly. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!,</a> </strong></em>Gary shares his social media roadmap.  I was shocked to see that I\'m farther along in social mediaville than I thought, and that I\'m actually doing a few things right.  Who knew? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I also learned what\'s next on my journey.  Thanks for showing me the way, Gary!  Let\'s hope that I find myself thoroughly Twitterpated sooner rather than later. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #888888;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Interestingly, Gary plasters his personal email address throughout his book.</span></strong></span></span>  Now, the book is a 2009 copyright (I\'m always behind the 8 ball, dammit!), but I\'m going to e-mail him for shits and giggles and see if he responds.  I have 266  days left in <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">my 365 day project</a></strong> (holy crap!), and hearing back from a famous author would definitely qualify as a day in this year of curious living. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>As for the <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">REWORK</a></strong> </em>guys\' book, hell\'s bells!  I don\'t know what to do now.  Currently, I\'m not scheduled to be on a plane until June.  And I\'ve already been there/done that anyhow. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which means I\'ll need to disguise <strong><em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">REWORK</a></em></strong> into another blog day. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">I have an idea on how to mold <em>REWORK</em> into a blog day adventure, but I would rather hear your ideas.  Please share in the comments section below. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3124\" title=\"front-cover\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/front-cover-186x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"186\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>','Day 99:  Binge Reading through the Friendly Skies','','inherit','open','open','','3065-revision-36','','','2011-01-06 21:47:13','2011-01-07 04:47:13','',3065,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/06/3065-revision-36/',0,'revision','',0),(3167,1,'2011-01-06 21:49:47','2011-01-07 04:49:47','<p><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3123\" title=\"book-header2-trans\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/book-header2-trans-227x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"227\" height=\"300\" /></a>I\'m a book junkie.  It all started in my childhood.  When I was 3, I didn\'t take a stuffed animal or doll to bed.  I snuggled up with the book <em>The Three Little Kittens</em>.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I still take a novel to bed each night, but rest it on the nightstand when it\'s time to turn off the lights.  :-)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Each Christmas, a few books top my Christmas list.  This year, I asked for two books that kept surfacing in conversations with various peeps.  The only specific peep that I can recall at this time is <a href=\"http://peterpaluska.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Peter Paluska</strong>.</a>  (Thanks, Peter!).  Hell if I can remember the others.  Luckily, I picked up a copy of <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Keep-Your-Brain-Alive-Exercises/dp/0761110526\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Keep Your Brain Alive:  83 Neurobic Exercises to help prevent memory loss and and increase mental fitness </strong></a>when I was shopping for family Christmas presents in Houston.  Hopefully, neurobics will help me remember and acknowledge the rest of you soon. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Anywho, this year\'s Christmas List Books were <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> and <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">REWORK</a></strong></em>.  At one point, when Mom begged me to compile The Christmas List for the umpteenth time, these books and an <strong><a href=\"http://www.annetaintor.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Anne Taintor</a></strong> calendar were the only things that I could think of.  Mom was frustrated, but she got over it.  She should be happy that her daughter asks for books instead of expensive jewelry or electronics.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Surprise!  Santa brought me both books!  I guess I was more nice than naughty this year.  Darn. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Houston, we kinda sorta had a problem though. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>What could possibly be the problem, you ask? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I get jazzed by non-fiction. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>In fact, I get <em>so</em> jazzed that if I read it during my regular reading hours of right-before-bedtime, I can\'t sleep.</strong></span></span>  I have enough issues with my brain refusing to cooperate and turn off at night.  Throw innovative ideas into the mix, and I\'m a full-fledged insomniac.  I am limited to my bedtime story (you might refer to this as a \"novel\") before bed or I am toast the next day. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Which means that I need to read non-fiction outside of my regular reading hours.  And my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">Crazy 365 Day Project Blog</a></strong> + New Puppy + Working-for-the-Man Life doesn\'t have room for reading outside of my regular reading hours right now.  Unless...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I creatively morph it into one of my 365 days! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which is exactly what I did on Day 99. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>(If the <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> or <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>REWORK</strong></a></em> guys happen to stumble upon this blog, they\'re probably as frustrated as my mother right now.  Sorry, guys, but this is a chick blog.  Brevity is not in our vocabulary.  What did you expect?)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Here\'s another source of jazziness for me:  airplanes.  Something about airplanes makes me downright heady and inspired</strong></span></span>. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My airplane giddiness is not induced by the compressed air or the in-flight cocktails.  Nope.  It\'s brought on by non-fiction reading binges. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />When do I ever get uninterrupted time to read non-fiction?  Never!  But on planes!  On planes, my attention is captured for hours on end!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />On Day 99, my reading binge plan included both of my Christmas gift books.  Flying from Houston to Phoenix with a layover in Austin would give me ample time to work my plan.  <em><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Crush It!</strong></a></em> is short, and <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>REWORK</strong></a> </em>has lots of drawings.  Manageable binge reading sans indigestion!  Hurrah! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">What I failed to account for in my plan is my uncanny knack for befriending strangers on planes.  It happens nearly every time. </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In the summer, on the way home from Boston, I met an 80 year-old Dutch-American woman with one of the most fascinating life stories I\'ve ever heard.  In the fall, on the way to my grandfather\'s funeral, I met a married couple who turned out to have everything in the world in common with me.  This was all very warm and fuzzy, but I didn\'t read on either flight. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One Christmas travel season, I even met a soon-to-be boyfriend on a layover.  <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>By the end of the flight, Mr. Tall Drink of Water and I were kissing in baggage claim.</strong></span></span>  Sigh...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This time, one of my seatmates was hoping to kiss me in baggage claim, but there was absolutely no chemistry on my part, my friends.  Awfully nice guy though.  He chewed my ear off for awhile before passing his phone number to me.  Now I feel like a shallow wench for not calling him.  Argh. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />And then there was the sweet young mother next to me whose 1 year-old I was obligated to entertain for half the flight.  Bloody hell!  I stopped teaching 2.5 years ago!  Why couldn\'t I just read my book in peace without a kid pawing at me? <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And why did I pay $150 for my perfect pooch to stow under the seat without a sound while your kid is flying free on your lap whilst trying to grab my dinner and screaming when he doesn\'t get it???  </strong></span></span>Humbug. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>SOMEHOW I managed to tune everyone out and at least read <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a> </strong></em>in its entirety.  Of course, I read it so quickly and distractedly that I can hardly remember it. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Just kidding. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>You can\'t help but get really excited over Gary\'s message:</strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"></a> </p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Love your family.</strong></span></span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Work superhard.</strong></span></span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Live your passion. </strong></span></span></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n\r\n<p>His philosophies are nothing new.  His delivery is a hoot and a half. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Here\'s the reason why I wanted to read his book:  Gary catapulted his business into the stratosphere when he entered the world of social media. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">I, being a recent social media virgin, needed help.  Badly. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!,</a> </strong></em>Gary shares his social media roadmap.  I was shocked to see that I\'m farther along in social mediaville than I thought, and that I\'m actually doing a few things right.  Who knew? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I also learned what\'s next on my journey.  Thanks for showing me the way, Gary!  Let\'s hope that I find myself thoroughly Twitterpated sooner rather than later. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #888888;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Interestingly, Gary plasters his personal email address throughout his book.</span></strong></span></span>  Now, the book is a 2009 copyright (I\'m always behind the 8 ball, dammit!), but I\'m going to e-mail him for shits and giggles and see if he responds.  I have 266  days left in <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">my 365 day project</a></strong> (holy crap!), and hearing back from a famous author would definitely qualify as a day in this year of curious living. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>As for the <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">REWORK</a></strong> </em>guys\' book, hell\'s bells!  I don\'t know what to do now.  Currently, I\'m not scheduled to be on a plane until June.  And I\'ve already been there/done that anyhow. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which means I\'ll need to disguise <strong><em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">REWORK</a></em></strong> into another blog day. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">I have an idea on how to mold <em>REWORK</em> into a blog day adventure, but I would rather hear your ideas.  Please share in the comments section below. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3124\" title=\"front-cover\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/front-cover-186x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"186\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>','Day 99:  Binge Reading across the Friendly Skies','','inherit','open','open','','3065-revision-38','','','2011-01-06 21:49:47','2011-01-07 04:49:47','',3065,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/06/3065-revision-38/',0,'revision','',0),(3168,1,'2011-01-06 21:52:36','2011-01-07 04:52:36','<p><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3123\" title=\"book-header2-trans\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/book-header2-trans-227x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"227\" height=\"300\" /></a>I\'m a book junkie.  It all started in my childhood.  When I was 3, I didn\'t take a stuffed animal or doll to bed.  I snuggled up with the book <em>The Three Little Kittens</em>.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I still take a novel to bed each night, but rest it on the nightstand when it\'s time to turn off the lights.  :-)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Each Christmas, a few books top my Christmas list.  This year, I asked for two books that kept surfacing in conversations with various peeps.  The only specific peep that I can recall at this time is <a href=\"http://peterpaluska.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Peter Paluska</strong>.</a>  (Thanks, Peter!).  Hell if I can remember the others.  Luckily, I picked up a copy of <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Keep-Your-Brain-Alive-Exercises/dp/0761110526\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Keep Your Brain Alive:  83 Neurobic Exercises to help prevent memory loss and and increase mental fitness </strong></a>when I was shopping for family Christmas presents in Houston.  Hopefully, neurobics will help me remember and acknowledge the rest of you soon. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Anywho, this year\'s Christmas List Books were <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> and <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">REWORK</a></strong></em>.  At one point, when Mom begged me to compile The Christmas List for the umpteenth time, these books and an <strong><a href=\"http://www.annetaintor.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Anne Taintor</a></strong> calendar were the only things that I could think of.  Mom was frustrated, but she got over it.  She should be happy that her daughter asks for books instead of expensive jewelry or electronics.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Surprise!  Santa brought me both books!  I guess I was more nice than naughty this year.  Darn. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Houston, we kinda sorta had a problem though. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>What could possibly be the problem, you ask? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I get jazzed by non-fiction. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>In fact, I get <em>so</em> jazzed that if I read it during my regular reading hours of right-before-bedtime, I can\'t sleep.</strong></span></span>  I have enough issues with my brain refusing to cooperate and turn off at night.  Throw innovative ideas into the mix, and I\'m a full-fledged insomniac.  I am limited to my bedtime story (you might refer to this as a \"novel\") before bed or I am toast the next day. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Which means that I need to read non-fiction outside of my regular reading hours.  And my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">Crazy 365 Day Project Blog</a></strong> + New Puppy + Working-for-the-Man Life doesn\'t have room for reading outside of my regular reading hours right now.  Unless...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I creatively morph it into one of my 365 days! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which is exactly what I did on Day 99. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>(If the <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> or <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>REWORK</strong></a></em> guys happen to stumble upon this blog, they\'re probably as frustrated as my mother right now.  Sorry, guys, but this is a chick blog.  Brevity is not in our vocabulary.  What did you expect?)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Here\'s another source of jazziness for me:  airplanes.  Something about airplanes makes me downright heady and inspired</strong></span></span>. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My airplane giddiness is not induced by the compressed air or the in-flight cocktails.  Nope.  It\'s brought on by non-fiction reading binges. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />When do I ever get uninterrupted time to read non-fiction?  Never!  But on planes!  On planes, my attention is captured for hours on end!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />On Day 99, my reading binge plan included both of my Christmas gift books.  Flying from Houston to Phoenix with a layover in Austin would give me ample time to work my plan.  <em><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Crush It!</strong></a></em> is short, and <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>REWORK</strong></a> </em>has lots of drawings.  Manageable binge reading sans indigestion!  Hurrah! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">What I failed to account for in my plan is my uncanny knack for befriending strangers on planes.  It happens nearly every time. </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In the summer, on the way home from Boston, I met an 80 year-old Dutch-American woman with one of the most fascinating life stories I\'ve ever heard.  In the fall, on the way to my grandfather\'s funeral, I met a married couple who turned out to have everything in the world in common with me.  This was all very warm and fuzzy, but I didn\'t read on either flight. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One Christmas travel season, I even met a soon-to-be boyfriend on a layover.  <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>By the end of the flight, Mr. Tall Drink of Water and I were kissing in baggage claim.</strong></span></span>  Sigh...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This time, one of my seatmates was hoping to kiss me in baggage claim, but there was absolutely no chemistry on my part, my friends.  Awfully nice guy though.  He chewed my ear off for awhile before passing his phone number to me.  Now I feel like a shallow wench for not calling him.  Argh. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />And then there was the sweet young mother next to me whose 1 year-old I was obligated to entertain for half the flight.  Bloody hell!  I stopped teaching 2.5 years ago!  Why couldn\'t I just read my book in peace without a kid pawing at me? <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And why did I pay $150 for my perfect pooch to stow under the seat without a sound while your kid is flying free on your lap whilst trying to grab my dinner and screaming when he doesn\'t get it???  </strong></span></span>Humbug. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>SOMEHOW I managed to tune everyone out and at least read <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a> </strong></em>in its entirety.  Of course, I read it so quickly and distractedly that I can hardly remember it. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Just kidding. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>You can\'t help but get really excited over Gary\'s message:</strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"></a> </p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Love your family.</strong></span></span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Work superhard.</strong></span></span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Live your passion. </strong></span></span></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n\r\n<p>His philosophies are nothing new.  His delivery is a hoot and a half. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Here\'s the reason why I wanted to read his book:  Gary catapulted his business into the stratosphere when he entered the world of social media. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">I, being a recent social media virgin, needed help.  Badly. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!,</a> </strong></em>Gary shares his social media roadmap.  I was shocked to see that I\'m farther along in social mediaville than I thought, and that I\'m actually doing a few things right.  Who knew? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I also learned what\'s next on my journey.  Thanks for showing me the way, Gary!  Let\'s hope that I find myself thoroughly Twitterpated sooner rather than later. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #888888;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Interestingly, Gary plasters his personal email address throughout his book.</span></strong></span></span>  Now, the book is a 2009 copyright (I\'m always behind the 8 ball, dammit!), but I\'m going to e-mail him for shits and giggles and see if he responds.  I have 266  days left in <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">my 365 day project</a></strong> (holy crap!), and hearing back from a famous author would definitely qualify as a day in this year of curious living. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>As for the <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">REWORK</a></strong> </em>guys\' book, hell\'s bells!  I don\'t know what to do now.  Currently, I\'m not scheduled to be on a plane until June.  And I\'ve already been there/done that anyhow. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which means I\'ll need to disguise <strong><em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">REWORK</a></em></strong> into another blog day. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">I have an idea on how to mold <em>REWORK</em> into a blog day adventure, but I would rather hear your ideas.  Please share in the comments section below. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3124\" title=\"front-cover\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/front-cover-186x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"186\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>','Day 99:  Binge Reading Across the Friendly Skies','','inherit','open','open','','3065-revision-39','','','2011-01-06 21:52:36','2011-01-07 04:52:36','',3065,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/06/3065-revision-39/',0,'revision','',0),(3169,1,'2011-01-06 21:56:24','2011-01-07 04:56:24','<p><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3123\" title=\"book-header2-trans\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/book-header2-trans-227x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"227\" height=\"300\" /></a>I\'m a book junkie.  It all started in my childhood.  When I was 3, I didn\'t take a stuffed animal or doll to bed.  I snuggled up with the book <em>The Three Little Kittens</em>.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I still take a novel to bed each night, but rest it on the nightstand when it\'s time to turn off the lights.  :-)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Each Christmas, a few books top my Christmas list.  This year, I asked for two books that kept surfacing in conversations with various peeps.  The only specific peep that I can recall at this time is <a href=\"http://peterpaluska.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Peter Paluska</strong>.</a>  (Thanks, Peter!).  Hell if I can remember the others.  Luckily, I picked up a copy of <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Keep-Your-Brain-Alive-Exercises/dp/0761110526\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Keep Your Brain Alive:  83 Neurobic Exercises to help prevent memory loss and and increase mental fitness </strong></a>when I was shopping for family Christmas presents in Houston.  Hopefully, neurobics will help me remember and acknowledge the rest of you soon. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Anywho, this year\'s Christmas List Books were <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> and <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">REWORK</a></strong></em>.  At one point, when Mom begged me to compile The Christmas List for the umpteenth time, these books and an <strong><a href=\"http://www.annetaintor.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Anne Taintor</a></strong> calendar were the only things that I could think of.  Mom was frustrated, but she got over it.  She should be happy that her daughter asks for books instead of expensive jewelry or electronics.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Surprise!  Santa brought me both books!  I guess I was more nice than naughty this year.  Darn. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Houston, we kinda sorta had a problem though. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>What could possibly be the problem, you ask? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I get jazzed by non-fiction. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>In fact, I get <em>so</em> jazzed that if I read it during my regular reading hours of right-before-bedtime, I can\'t sleep.</strong></span></span>  I have enough issues with my brain refusing to cooperate and turn off at night.  Throw innovative ideas into the mix, and I\'m a full-fledged insomniac.  I am limited to my bedtime story (you might refer to this as a \"novel\") before bed or I am toast the next day. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Which means that I need to read non-fiction outside of my regular reading hours.  And my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">Crazy 365 Day Project Blog</a></strong> + New Puppy + Working-for-the-Man Life doesn\'t have room for reading outside of my regular reading hours right now.  Unless...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I creatively morph it into one of my 365 days! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which is exactly what I did on Day 99. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>(If the <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> or <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>REWORK</strong></a></em> guys happen to stumble upon this blog, they\'re probably beyond frustrated with me right about now.  Sorry, guys, but this is a chick blog.  Brevity is not in our vocabulary.  What did you expect?)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Here\'s another source of jazziness for me:  airplanes.  Something about airplanes makes me downright heady and inspired</strong></span></span>. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My airplane giddiness is not induced by the compressed air or the in-flight cocktails.  Nope.  It\'s brought on by non-fiction reading binges. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />When do I ever get uninterrupted time to read non-fiction?  Never!  But on planes!  On planes, my attention is captured for hours on end!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />On Day 99, my reading binge plan included both of my Christmas gift books.  Flying from Houston to Phoenix with a layover in Austin would give me ample time to work my plan.  <em><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Crush It!</strong></a></em> is short, and <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>REWORK</strong></a> </em>has lots of drawings.  Manageable binge reading sans indigestion!  Hurrah! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">What I failed to account for in my plan is my uncanny knack for befriending strangers on planes.  It happens nearly every time. </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In the summer, on the way home from Boston, I met an 80 year-old Dutch-American woman with one of the most fascinating life stories I\'ve ever heard.  In the fall, on the way to my grandfather\'s funeral, I met a married couple who turned out to have everything in the world in common with me.  This was all very warm and fuzzy, but I didn\'t read on either flight. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One Christmas travel season, I even met a soon-to-be boyfriend on a layover.  <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>By the end of the flight, Mr. Tall Drink of Water and I were kissing in baggage claim.</strong></span></span>  Sigh...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This time, one of my seatmates was hoping to kiss me in baggage claim, but there was absolutely no chemistry on my part, my friends.  Awfully nice guy though.  He chewed my ear off for awhile before passing his phone number to me.  Now I feel like a shallow wench for not calling him.  Argh. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />And then there was the sweet young mother next to me whose 1 year-old I was obligated to entertain for half the flight.  Bloody hell!  I stopped teaching 2.5 years ago!  Why couldn\'t I just read my book in peace without a kid pawing at me? <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And why did I pay $150 for my perfect pooch to stow under the seat without a sound while your kid is flying free on your lap whilst trying to grab my dinner and screaming when he doesn\'t get it???  </strong></span></span>Humbug. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>SOMEHOW I managed to tune everyone out and at least read <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a> </strong></em>in its entirety.  Of course, I read it so quickly and distractedly that I can hardly remember it. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Just kidding. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>You can\'t help but get really excited over Gary\'s message:</strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"></a> </p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Love your family.</strong></span></span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Work superhard.</strong></span></span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Live your passion. </strong></span></span></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n\r\n<p>His philosophies are nothing new.  His delivery is a hoot and a half. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Here\'s the reason why I wanted to read his book:  Gary catapulted his business into the stratosphere when he entered the world of social media. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">I, being a recent social media virgin, needed help.  Badly. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!,</a> </strong></em>Gary shares his social media roadmap.  I was shocked to see that I\'m farther along in social mediaville than I thought, and that I\'m actually doing a few things right.  Who knew? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I also learned what\'s next on my journey.  Thanks for showing me the way, Gary!  Let\'s hope that I find myself thoroughly Twitterpated sooner rather than later. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #888888;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Interestingly, Gary plasters his personal email address throughout his book.</span></strong></span></span>  Now, the book is a 2009 copyright (I\'m always behind the 8 ball, dammit!), but I\'m going to e-mail him for shits and giggles and see if he responds.  I have 266  days left in <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">my 365 day project</a></strong> (holy crap!), and hearing back from a famous author would definitely qualify as a day in this year of curious living. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>As for the <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">REWORK</a></strong> </em>guys\' book, hell\'s bells!  I don\'t know what to do now.  Currently, I\'m not scheduled to be on a plane until June.  And I\'ve already been there/done that anyhow. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which means I\'ll need to disguise <strong><em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">REWORK</a></em></strong> into another blog day. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">I have an idea on how to mold <em>REWORK</em> into a blog day adventure, but I would rather hear your ideas.  Please share in the comments section below. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3124\" title=\"front-cover\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/front-cover-186x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"186\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>','Day 99:  Binge Reading Across the Friendly Skies','','inherit','open','open','','3065-revision-40','','','2011-01-06 21:56:24','2011-01-07 04:56:24','',3065,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/06/3065-revision-40/',0,'revision','',0),(3170,1,'2011-01-06 22:29:49','2011-01-07 05:29:49','<p><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3123\" title=\"book-header2-trans\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/book-header2-trans-227x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"227\" height=\"300\" /></a>I\'m a book junkie.  It all started in my childhood.  When I was 3, I didn\'t take a stuffed animal or doll to bed.  I snuggled up with the book <em>The Three Little Kittens</em>.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I still take a novel to bed each night, but rest it on the nightstand when it\'s time to turn off the lights.  :-)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Each Christmas, a few books top my Christmas list.  This year, I asked for two books that kept surfacing in conversations with various peeps.  The only specific peep that I can recall at this time is <a href=\"http://peterpaluska.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Peter Paluska</strong>.</a>  (Thanks, Peter!).  Hell if I can remember the others.  Luckily, I picked up a copy of <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Keep-Your-Brain-Alive-Exercises/dp/0761110526\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Keep Your Brain Alive:  83 Neurobic Exercises to help prevent memory loss and and increase mental fitness </strong></a>when I was shopping for family Christmas presents in Houston.  Hopefully, neurobics will help me remember and acknowledge the rest of you soon. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Anywho, this year\'s Christmas List Books were <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> and <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">REWORK</a></strong></em>.  At one point, when Mom begged me to compile The Christmas List for the umpteenth time, these books and an <strong><a href=\"http://www.annetaintor.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Anne Taintor</a></strong> calendar were the only things that I could think of.  Mom was frustrated, but she got over it.  She should be happy that her daughter asks for books instead of expensive jewelry or electronics.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Surprise!  Santa brought me both books!  I guess I was more nice than naughty this year.  Darn. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Houston, we kinda sorta had a problem though. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>What could possibly be the problem, you ask? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I get jazzed by non-fiction. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>In fact, I get <em>so</em> jazzed that if I read it during my regular reading hours of right-before-bedtime, I can\'t sleep.</strong></span></span>  I have enough issues with my brain refusing to cooperate and turn off at night.  Throw innovative ideas into the mix, and I\'m a full-fledged insomniac.  I am limited to my bedtime story (you might refer to this as a \"novel\") before bed or I am toast the next day. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Which means that I need to read non-fiction outside of my regular reading hours.  And my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">Crazy 365 Day Project Blog</a></strong> + New Puppy + Working-for-the-Man Life doesn\'t have room for reading outside of my regular reading hours right now.  Unless...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I creatively morph it into one of my 365 days! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which is exactly what I did on Day 99. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>(If the <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> or <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>REWORK</strong></a></em> guys happen to stumble upon this blog, they\'re probably beyond frustrated with me right about now.  Sorry, guys, but this is a chick blog.  Brevity is not in our vocabulary.  What did you expect?)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Here\'s another source of jazziness for me:  airplanes.  Something about airplanes makes me downright heady and inspired</strong></span></span>. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My airplane giddiness is not induced by the compressed air or the in-flight cocktails.  Nope.  It\'s brought on by non-fiction reading binges. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />When do I ever get uninterrupted time to read non-fiction?  Never!  But on planes!  On planes, my attention is captured for hours on end!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />On Day 99, my reading binge plan included both of my Christmas gift books.  Flying from Houston to Phoenix with a layover in Austin would give me ample time to work my plan.  <em><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Crush It!</strong></a></em> is short, and <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>REWORK</strong></a> </em>has lots of drawings.  Manageable binge reading sans indigestion!  Hurrah! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">What I failed to account for in my plan is my uncanny knack for befriending strangers on planes.  It happens nearly every time. </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This past summer, on the way home from Boston, I met an 80 year-old Dutch-American woman with one of the most fascinating life stories I\'ve ever heard.  In the fall, on the way to my grandfather\'s funeral in Florida, I met a married couple who turned out to have everything in the world in common with me.  This was all very warm and fuzzy, but I didn\'t read on either flight. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And then there was the  Christmas travel season a few years back when I met a soon-to-be boyfriend on a layover.  <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>By the end of the flight, Mr. Tall Drink of Water and I were kissing in baggage claim.</strong></span></span>  Sigh...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This time, one of my seatmates was hoping to kiss me in baggage claim, but there was absolutely no chemistry on my part, my friends.  Awfully nice guy though.  He chewed my ear off for awhile before passing his phone number to me.  Now I feel like a shallow wench for not calling him.  Argh. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />And then there was the sweet young mother next to me whose 1 year-old I felt obligated to entertain for half the flight.  Bloody hell!  I stopped teaching 2.5 years ago!  Why couldn\'t I just read my book in peace without a kid pawing at me? <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And why did I pay $150 for my perfect pooch to stow under the seat without a sound while your kid is flying free on your lap whilst trying to grab my dinner and screaming when he doesn\'t get it???  </strong></span></span>Humbug. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>SOMEHOW I managed to tune everyone out and at least read <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a> </strong></em>in its entirety.  Of course, I read it so quickly and distractedly that I can hardly remember it. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Just kidding. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>You can\'t help but get really excited over Gary\'s message:</strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"></a> </p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Love your family.</strong></span></span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Work superhard.</strong></span></span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Live your passion. </strong></span></span></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n\r\n<p>His philosophies are nothing new.  His delivery is a hoot and a half. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Here\'s the reason why I wanted to read his book:  Gary catapulted his business into the stratosphere when he entered the world of social media. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">I, being a recent social media virgin, needed help.  Badly. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!,</a> </strong></em>Gary shares his social media roadmap.  I was shocked to see that I\'m farther along in social mediaville than I thought, and that I\'m actually doing a few things right.  Who knew? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I also learned what\'s next on my journey.  Thanks for showing me the way, Gary!  Let\'s hope that I find myself thoroughly Twitterpated sooner rather than later. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #888888;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Interestingly, Gary plasters his personal email address throughout his book.</span></strong></span></span>  Now, the book is a 2009 copyright (I\'m always behind the 8 ball, dammit!), but I\'m going to e-mail him for shits and giggles and see if he responds.  I have 266  days left in <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">my 365 day project</a></strong> (holy crap!), and hearing back from a famous author would definitely qualify as a day in this year of curious living. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>As for the <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">REWORK</a></strong> </em>guys\' book, hell\'s bells!  I don\'t know what to do now.  Currently, I\'m not scheduled to be on a plane until June.  And I\'ve already been there/done that anyhow. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which means I\'ll need to disguise <strong><em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">REWORK</a></em></strong> into another blog day. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">I have an idea on how to mold <em>REWORK</em> into a blog day adventure, but I would rather hear your ideas.  Please share in the comments section below. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3124\" title=\"front-cover\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/front-cover-186x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"186\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>','Day 99:  Binge Reading Across the Friendly Skies','','inherit','open','open','','3065-revision-41','','','2011-01-06 22:29:49','2011-01-07 05:29:49','',3065,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/06/3065-revision-41/',0,'revision','',0),(3171,1,'2011-01-06 22:32:31','2011-01-07 05:32:31','<p><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3123\" title=\"book-header2-trans\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/book-header2-trans-227x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"227\" height=\"300\" /></a>I\'m a book junkie.  It all started in my childhood.  When I was 3, I didn\'t take a stuffed animal or doll to bed.  I snuggled up with the book <em>The Three Little Kittens</em>.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I still take a novel to bed each night, but rest it on the nightstand when it\'s time to turn off the lights.  :-)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Each Christmas, a few books top my Christmas list.  This year, I asked for two books that kept surfacing in conversations with various peeps.  The only specific peep that I can recall at this time is <a href=\"http://peterpaluska.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Peter Paluska</strong>.</a>  (Thanks, Peter!).  Hell if I can remember the others.  Luckily, I picked up a copy of <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Keep-Your-Brain-Alive-Exercises/dp/0761110526\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Keep Your Brain Alive:  83 Neurobic Exercises to help prevent memory loss and and increase mental fitness </strong></a>when I was shopping for family Christmas presents in Houston.  Hopefully, neurobics will help me remember and acknowledge the rest of you soon. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Anywho, this year\'s Christmas List Books were <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> and <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">REWORK</a></strong></em>.  At one point, when Mom begged me to compile The Christmas List for the umpteenth time, these books and an <strong><a href=\"http://www.annetaintor.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Anne Taintor</a></strong> calendar were the only things that I could think of.  Mom was frustrated, but she got over it.  She should be happy that her daughter asks for books instead of expensive jewelry or electronics.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Surprise!  Santa brought me both books!  I guess I was more nice than naughty this year.  Darn. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Houston, we kinda sorta had a problem though. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>What could possibly be the problem, you ask? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I get jazzed by non-fiction. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>In fact, I get <em>so</em> jazzed that if I read it during my regular reading hours of right-before-bedtime, I can\'t sleep.</strong></span></span>  I have enough issues with my brain refusing to cooperate and turn off at night.  Throw innovative ideas into the mix, and I\'m a full-fledged insomniac.  I am limited to my bedtime story (you might refer to this as a \"novel\") before bed or I am toast the next day. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Which means that I need to read non-fiction outside of my regular reading hours.  And my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">Crazy 365 Day Project Blog</a></strong> + New Puppy + Working-for-the-Man Life doesn\'t have room for reading outside of my regular reading hours right now.  Unless...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I creatively morph it into one of my 365 days! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which is exactly what I did on Day 99. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>(If the <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a></strong></em> or <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>REWORK</strong></a></em> guys happen to stumble upon this blog, they\'re probably beyond frustrated with me right about now.  Sorry, guys, but this is a chick blog.  Brevity is not in our vocabulary.  What did you expect?)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Here\'s another source of jazziness for me:  airplanes.  Something about airplanes makes me downright heady and inspired</strong></span></span>. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>My airplane giddiness is not induced by the compressed air or the in-flight cocktails.  Nope.  It\'s brought on by non-fiction reading binges. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />When do I ever get uninterrupted time to read non-fiction?  Never!  But on planes!  On planes, my attention is captured for hours on end!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />On Day 99, my reading binge plan included both of my Christmas gift books.  Flying from Houston to Phoenix with a layover in Austin would give me ample time to work my plan.  <em><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Crush It!</strong></a></em> is short, and <em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>REWORK</strong></a> </em>has lots of drawings.  Manageable binge reading sans indigestion!  Hurrah! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">What I failed to account for in my plan is my uncanny knack for befriending strangers on planes.  It happens nearly every time. </span></strong></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This past summer, on the way home from Boston, I met an 80 year-old Dutch-American woman with one of the most fascinating life stories I\'ve ever heard.  In the fall, on the way to my grandfather\'s funeral in Florida, I met a married couple who turned out to have everything in the world in common with me.  This was all very warm and fuzzy, but I didn\'t read on either flight. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Probably most memorable is a travel season from a Christmas past when I met a soon-to-be boyfriend on a layover.  <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>By the end of the flight, Mr. Tall Drink of Water and I were kissing in baggage claim.</strong></span></span>  Sigh...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This time, one of my seatmates was hoping to kiss me in baggage claim, but there was absolutely no chemistry on my part, my friends.  Awfully nice guy though.  He chewed my ear off for awhile before passing his phone number to me.  Now I feel like a shallow wench for not calling him.  Argh. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />And then there was the sweet young mother next to me whose 1 year-old I felt obligated to entertain for half the flight.  Bloody hell!  I stopped teaching 2.5 years ago!  Why couldn\'t I just read my book in peace without a kid pawing at me? <span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong> </strong></span></span> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>And why did I pay $150 for my perfect pooch to stow under the seat without a sound while your kid is flying free on your lap whilst trying to grab my dinner and screaming when he doesn\'t get it???  </strong></span></span>Humbug. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>SOMEHOW I managed to tune everyone out and at least read <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!</a> </strong></em>in its entirety.  Of course, I read it so quickly and distractedly that I can hardly remember it. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Just kidding. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>You can\'t help but get really excited over Gary\'s message:</strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"></a> </p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Love your family.</strong></span></span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Work superhard.</strong></span></span></li>\r\n	<li><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Live your passion. </strong></span></span></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n\r\n<p>His philosophies are nothing new.  His delivery is a hoot and a half. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Here\'s the reason why I wanted to read his book:  Gary catapulted his business into the stratosphere when he entered the world of social media. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">I, being a recent social media virgin, needed help.  Badly. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>In <em><strong><a href=\"http://crushitbook.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Crush It!,</a> </strong></em>Gary shares his social media roadmap.  I was shocked to see that I\'m farther along in social mediaville than I thought, and that I\'m actually doing a few things right.  Who knew? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I also learned what\'s next on my journey.  Thanks for showing me the way, Gary!  Let\'s hope that I find myself thoroughly Twitterpated sooner rather than later. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #888888;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Interestingly, Gary plasters his personal email address throughout his book.</span></strong></span></span>  Now, the book is a 2009 copyright (I\'m always behind the 8 ball, dammit!), but I\'m going to e-mail him for shits and giggles and see if he responds.  I have 266  days left in <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">my 365 day project</a></strong> (holy crap!), and hearing back from a famous author would definitely qualify as a day in this year of curious living. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>As for the <em><strong><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">REWORK</a></strong> </em>guys\' book, hell\'s bells!  I don\'t know what to do now.  Currently, I\'m not scheduled to be on a plane until June.  And I\'ve already been there/done that anyhow. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which means I\'ll need to disguise <strong><em><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\">REWORK</a></em></strong> into another blog day. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">I have an idea on how to mold <em>REWORK</em> into a blog day adventure, but I would rather hear your ideas.  Please share in the comments section below. </span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://37signals.com/rework/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3124\" title=\"front-cover\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/front-cover-186x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"186\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>','Day 99:  Binge Reading Across the Friendly Skies','','inherit','open','open','','3065-revision-42','','','2011-01-06 22:32:31','2011-01-07 05:32:31','',3065,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/06/3065-revision-42/',0,'revision','',0),(3172,1,'2011-01-07 17:28:23','2011-01-08 00:28:23','<p>In the midst of my childhood <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/12/18/day-80-the-return-of-shrinky-dinks/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Shrinky Dinks nostalgia</strong> </a>a few weeks ago, I spotted a Magic 8 Ball across a crowded Target toy department.  My heart nearly leaped out of my chest.  The Magic 8 Ball was one of my FAVORITE toys growing up.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Did you have one? </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Since the Magic 8 Ball knows all, I thought I would start off the New Year with a 2011 Magic 8 Ball Forecast.   My inner child hoped and wished that the Magic 8 Ball would set a magical tone for the rest of the year. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Instead, my inner and outer adult feels duped.  Humbug.  (And now that we\'re heading into mid-January</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Here\'s the reading:</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 100:  2011 Forecast by the Magic 8 Ball','','inherit','open','open','','3126-revision-2','','','2011-01-07 17:28:23','2011-01-08 00:28:23','',3126,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/07/3126-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(3173,1,'2011-01-07 17:34:31','2011-01-08 00:34:31','<p>In the midst of my childhood <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/12/18/day-80-the-return-of-shrinky-dinks/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Shrinky Dinks nostalgia</strong> </a>a few weeks ago, I spotted a Magic 8 Ball across a crowded Target toy department.  My heart nearly leaped out of my chest.  The Magic 8 Ball was one of my FAVORITE toys growing up.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Did you have one? </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Since the Magic 8 Ball knows all, I thought I would start off the New Year with a 2011 Magic 8 Ball Forecast.   My inner child hoped and wished that the Magic 8 Ball would set a magical tone for the rest of the year. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Instead, my inner and outer adult feels duped.  Humbug. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>(And now that we\'re heading into mid-January, I will try to stop saying \"humbug\" so much and put it on hold for next December.)</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Before we start the Forecast, let me preface this by saying that I would love to share my life with someone whenever the timing is right, but I am not emotionally needy.  I am one of the most emotionally independent women I know.  I\'m serial single by choice.  I would rather be alone with my family, friends, and my dog than be with someone who is <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">emotionally unavailable</span>, <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">a control freak</span>, <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">a selfish bastard,</span> not the right one for me and vice versa. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>But Hell\'s Bells!  The holidays tend to bring on romantic yearnings.  I am human, after all! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Here\'s my 2011 Magic 8 Ball Forecast:</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 100:  2011 Forecast by the Magic 8 Ball','','inherit','open','open','','3126-revision-3','','','2011-01-07 17:34:31','2011-01-08 00:34:31','',3126,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/07/3126-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(3174,1,'2011-01-07 17:50:43','2011-01-08 00:50:43','<p>In the midst of my childhood <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/12/18/day-80-the-return-of-shrinky-dinks/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Shrinky Dinks nostalgia</strong> </a>shopping a few weeks ago, I spotted a Magic 8 Ball across a crowded Target toy department.  My heart nearly leaped out of my chest.  The Magic 8 Ball was one of my FAVORITE toys growing up.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Did you have one? </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Since the Magic 8 Ball knows all, I thought I would start off the New Year with a 2011 Magic 8 Ball Forecast.   My inner child hoped and wished that the Magic 8 Ball would set a magical tone for the rest of the year. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Instead, my inner and outer adult feels duped.  Humbug. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>(And now that we\'re heading into mid-January, I will try to stop saying \"humbug\" so much and put it on hold for next December.)</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Before we start the Forecast, let me preface this by saying that I would love to share my life with a kindred spirit/lover/best friend/hottie whenever the timing is right, but I am not emotionally needy.  I am one of the most emotionally independent women I know.  I\'m serial single by choice.  I would rather be alone with my family, friends, and my dog than be with someone who is <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">emotionally unavailable</span>, <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">a control freak</span>, <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">a selfish bastard,</span> <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">snores  </span>not the right one for me and vice versa. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>But Hell\'s Bells!  The holidays tend to bring on romantic yearnings.  I am human, after all! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Here\'s my 2011 Magic 8 Ball Forecast:</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Will \"he\" <em>ever </em>show up?</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  Very doubtful.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Will \"he\" show up in 2011?</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  Very doubtful.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Are you SURE???</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  You may rely on it.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Very well then.  That makes me sad.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  Ask again later.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Any chance that things will change/he might appear in 2012?</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Are your sources reliable?</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Do people like my blog?</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Are you always this pessimistic???</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Is this  just childhood hocus pocus, or is this 2011 Magic 8 Ball Forecast legit?</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><em><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Whew!  </strong></span></span></em></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>So here\'s the deal:  If you would like your very own 2011 Magic 8 Ball Forecast, ask a question in the comment section.  I will then consult the Magic 8 Ball for you.  <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>We\'ll cross our fingers and toes that your forecast is a little cheerier than mine. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>What burning questions do you have for 2011?  <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 100:  2011 Forecast by the Magic 8 Ball','','inherit','open','open','','3126-revision-4','','','2011-01-07 17:50:43','2011-01-08 00:50:43','',3126,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/07/3126-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(3175,1,'2011-01-07 17:54:07','2011-01-08 00:54:07','<p>In the midst of my childhood <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/12/18/day-80-the-return-of-shrinky-dinks/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Shrinky Dinks nostalgia</strong> </a>shopping a few weeks ago, I spotted a Magic 8 Ball across a crowded Target toy department.  My heart nearly leaped out of my chest.  The Magic 8 Ball was one of my FAVORITE toys growing up.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Did you have one? </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Since the Magic 8 Ball knows all, I thought I would start off the New Year with a 2011 Magic 8 Ball Forecast.   My inner child hoped and wished that the Magic 8 Ball would set a magical tone for the rest of the year. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Instead, my inner and outer adult feels duped.  Humbug. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>(And now that we\'re heading into mid-January, I will try to stop saying \"humbug\" so much and put it on hold for next December.)</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Before we start the Forecast, let me preface this by saying that I would love to share my life with a kindred spirit/lover/best friend/hottie whenever the timing is right, but I am not emotionally needy.  I am one of the most emotionally independent women I know.  I\'m serial single by choice.  I would rather be alone with my family, friends, and my dog than be with someone who is <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">emotionally unavailable</span>, <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">a control freak</span>, <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">a selfish bastard,</span> <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">snores  </span>not the right one for me and vice versa. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>But Hell\'s Bells!  The holidays tend to bring on romantic yearnings.  I am human, after all! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Here\'s my 2011 Magic 8 Ball Forecast:</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Will \"he\" <em>ever </em>show up?</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  Very doubtful.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Will \"he\" show up in 2011?</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  Very doubtful.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Are you SURE???</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  You may rely on it.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Very well then.  That makes me sad.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  Ask again later.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>5 minutes later...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Any chance that things will change/he might appear in 2012?</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Are your sources reliable?</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Do people like my blog?</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Are you always this pessimistic???</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Is this 2011 Magic 8 Ball Forecast legit?</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><em><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Whew!  </strong></span></span></em></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>So here\'s the deal:  If you would like your very own 2011 Magic 8 Ball Forecast, ask a question in the comment section.  I will then consult the Magic 8 Ball for you.  Although if it\'s telling me that it\'s sources are unreliable and therefore not legit, I\'m not sure why we\'re doing this.  <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>We\'ll cross our fingers and toes that your forecast is a little cheerier than mine. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>What burning questions do you have for 2011?  <br class=\"spacer_\" /><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 100:  2011 Forecast by the Magic 8 Ball','','inherit','open','open','','3126-revision-5','','','2011-01-07 17:54:07','2011-01-08 00:54:07','',3126,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/07/3126-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(3176,1,'2011-01-07 17:55:49','2011-01-08 00:55:49','<p>In the midst of my childhood <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/12/18/day-80-the-return-of-shrinky-dinks/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Shrinky Dinks nostalgia</strong> </a>shopping a few weeks ago, I spotted a Magic 8 Ball across a crowded Target toy department.  My heart nearly leaped out of my chest.  The Magic 8 Ball was one of my FAVORITE toys growing up.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Did you have one? </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Since the Magic 8 Ball knows all, I thought I would start off the New Year with a 2011 Magic 8 Ball Forecast.   My inner child hoped and wished that the Magic 8 Ball would set a magical tone for the rest of the year. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Instead, my inner and outer adult feels duped.  Humbug. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>(And now that we\'re heading into mid-January, I will try to stop saying \"humbug\" so much and put it on hold for next December.)</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Before we start the Forecast, let me preface this by saying that I would love to share my life with a kindred spirit/lover/best friend/hottie whenever the timing is right, but I am not emotionally needy.  I am one of the most emotionally independent women I know.  I\'m serial single by choice.  I would rather be alone with my family, friends, and my dog than be with someone who is <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">emotionally unavailable</span>, <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">a control freak</span>, <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">a selfish bastard,</span> <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">snores  </span>not the right one for me and vice versa. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>But Hell\'s Bells!  The holidays tend to bring on romantic yearnings.  I am human, after all! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Here\'s my 2011 Magic 8 Ball Forecast:</span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Will \"he\" <em>ever </em>show up?</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  Very doubtful.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Will \"he\" show up in 2011?</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  Very doubtful.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Are you SURE???</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  You may rely on it.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Very well then.  That makes me sad.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  Ask again later.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>5 minutes later...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Any chance that things will change/he might appear in 2012?</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Are your sources reliable?</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Do people like my blog?</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Are you always this pessimistic???</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Is this 2011 Magic 8 Ball Forecast legit?</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><em><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Whew!  </strong></span></span></em></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>So here\'s the deal:  If you would like your very own 2011 Magic 8 Ball Forecast, ask a question in the comment section.  I will then consult the Magic 8 Ball for you.  Although if it\'s telling me that its sources are unreliable and therefore not legit, I\'m not sure why we\'re doing this.  <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>We\'ll cross our fingers and toes that your forecast is a little cheerier than mine. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">What burning questions do you have for the 2011?  <br class=\"spacer_\" /></span></strong></span><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 100:  2011 Forecast by the Magic 8 Ball','','inherit','open','open','','3126-revision-6','','','2011-01-07 17:55:49','2011-01-08 00:55:49','',3126,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/07/3126-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(3177,1,'2011-01-07 17:57:12','2011-01-08 00:57:12','<p>In the midst of my childhood <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/12/18/day-80-the-return-of-shrinky-dinks/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Shrinky Dinks nostalgia</strong> </a>shopping a few weeks ago, I spotted a Magic 8 Ball across a crowded Target toy department.  My heart nearly leaped out of my chest.  The Magic 8 Ball was one of my FAVORITE toys growing up.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Did you have one? </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Since the Magic 8 Ball knows all, I thought I would start off the New Year with a 2011 Magic 8 Ball Forecast.   My inner child hoped and wished that the Magic 8 Ball would set a magical tone for the rest of the year. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Instead, my inner and outer adult feels duped.  Humbug. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>(And now that we\'re heading into mid-January, I will try to stop saying \"humbug\" so much and put it on hold for next December.)</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Before we start the Forecast, let me preface this by saying that I would love to share my life with a kindred spirit/lover/best friend/hottie whenever the timing is right, but I am not emotionally needy.  I am one of the most emotionally independent women I know.  I\'m serial single by choice.  I would rather be alone with my family, friends, and my dog than be with someone who is <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">emotionally unavailable</span>, <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">a control freak</span>, <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">a selfish bastard,</span> <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">snores  </span>not the right one for me and vice versa. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>But Hell\'s Bells!  The holidays tend to bring on romantic yearnings.  I am human, after all! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Here\'s my 2011 Magic 8 Ball Forecast:</span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Will \"he\" <em>ever </em>show up?</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  Very doubtful.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Will \"he\" show up in 2011?</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  Very doubtful.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Are you SURE???</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  You may rely on it.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Very well then.  That makes me sad.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  Ask again later.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>5 minutes later...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Any chance that things will change/he might appear in 2012?</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Are your sources reliable?</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Do people like my blog?</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Are you always this pessimistic???</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Is this 2011 Magic 8 Ball Forecast legit?</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><em><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Whew!  </strong></span></span></em></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>So here\'s the deal:  If you would like your very own 2011 Magic 8 Ball Forecast, ask a question in the comment section.  I will then consult the Magic 8 Ball for you.  Although if it\'s telling me that its sources are unreliable and therefore not legit, I\'m not sure why we\'re doing this.  <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>We\'ll cross our fingers and toes that your forecast is a little cheerier than mine. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">What burning questions do you have for the Magic 8 Ball in 2011?  <br class=\"spacer_\" /></span></strong></span><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 100:  2011 Forecast by the Magic 8 Ball','','inherit','open','open','','3126-revision-7','','','2011-01-07 17:57:12','2011-01-08 00:57:12','',3126,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/07/3126-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(3178,1,'2011-01-07 18:01:44','2011-01-08 01:01:44','','magic8','','inherit','open','open','','magic8','','','2011-01-07 18:01:44','2011-01-08 01:01:44','',3126,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/magic8.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(3179,1,'2011-01-07 17:58:58','2011-01-08 00:58:58','<p>In the midst of my childhood <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/12/18/day-80-the-return-of-shrinky-dinks/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Shrinky Dinks nostalgia</strong> </a>shopping a few weeks ago, I spotted a Magic 8 Ball across a crowded Target toy department.  My heart nearly leaped out of my chest.  The Magic 8 Ball was one of my FAVORITE toys growing up.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Did you have one? </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Since the Magic 8 Ball knows all, I thought I would start off the New Year with a 2011 Magic 8 Ball Forecast.   My inner child hoped and wished that the Magic 8 Ball would set a magical tone for the rest of the year. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Instead, my inner and outer adult feels duped.  Humbug. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>(And now that we\'re heading into mid-January, I will try to stop saying \"humbug\" so much and put it on hold for next December.)</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Before we start the Forecast, let me preface this by saying that I would love to share my life with a kindred spirit/lover/best friend/hottie whenever the timing is right, but I am not emotionally needy.  I am one of the most emotionally independent women I know. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>I\'m serial single by choice.  I would rather be alone with my family, friends, and my dog than be with someone who is <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">emotionally unavailable</span>, <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">a control freak</span>, <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">a selfish bastard,</span> <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">snores  </span>not the right one for me and vice versa. </strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>But Hell\'s Bells!  The holidays tend to bring on romantic yearnings.  I am human, after all! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Here\'s my 2011 Magic 8 Ball Forecast:</span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Will \"he\" <em>ever </em>show up?</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  Very doubtful.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Will \"he\" show up in 2011?</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  Very doubtful.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Are you SURE???</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  You may rely on it.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Very well then.  That makes me sad.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  Ask again later.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>5 minutes later...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Any chance that things will change/he might appear in 2012?</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Are your sources reliable?</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Do people like my blog?</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Are you always this pessimistic???</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Is this 2011 Magic 8 Ball Forecast legit?</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><em><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Whew!  </strong></span></span></em></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>So here\'s the deal:  If you would like your very own 2011 Magic 8 Ball Forecast, ask a question in the comment section.  I will then consult the Magic 8 Ball for you.  Although if it\'s telling me that its sources are unreliable and therefore not legit, I\'m not sure why we\'re doing this.  <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>We\'ll cross our fingers and toes that your forecast is a little cheerier than mine. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">What burning questions do you have for the Magic 8 Ball in 2011?  <br class=\"spacer_\" /></span></strong></span><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 100:  2011 Forecast by the Magic 8 Ball','','inherit','open','open','','3126-revision-8','','','2011-01-07 17:58:58','2011-01-08 00:58:58','',3126,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/07/3126-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(3180,1,'2011-01-07 18:02:30','2011-01-08 01:02:30','<p><a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Mattel-30188-Magic-8-Ball/dp/B00001ZWV7\"><img class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-3178\" title=\"magic8\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/magic8.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>In the midst of my childhood <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/12/18/day-80-the-return-of-shrinky-dinks/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Shrinky Dinks nostalgia</strong> </a>shopping a few weeks ago, I spotted a Magic 8 Ball across a crowded Target toy department.  My heart nearly leaped out of my chest.  The Magic 8 Ball was one of my FAVORITE toys growing up.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Did you have one? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Since the Magic 8 Ball knows all, I thought I would start off the New Year with a 2011 Magic 8 Ball Forecast.   My inner child hoped and wished that the Magic 8 Ball would set a magical tone for the rest of the year. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Instead, my inner and outer adult feels duped.  Humbug. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>(And now that we\'re heading into mid-January, I will try to stop saying \"humbug\" so much and put it on hold for next December.)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Before we start the Forecast, let me preface this by saying that I would love to share my life with a kindred spirit/lover/best friend/hottie whenever the timing is right, but I am not emotionally needy.  I am one of the most emotionally independent women I know. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>I\'m serial single by choice.  I would rather be alone with my family, friends, and my dog than be with someone who is <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">emotionally unavailable</span>, <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">a control freak</span>, <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">a selfish bastard,</span> <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">snores  </span>not the right one for me and vice versa. </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But Hell\'s Bells!  The holidays tend to bring on romantic yearnings.  I am human, after all! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Here\'s my 2011 Magic 8 Ball Forecast:</span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Will \"he\" <em>ever </em>show up?</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  Very doubtful.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Will \"he\" show up in 2011?</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  Very doubtful.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Are you SURE???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  You may rely on it.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Very well then.  That makes me sad.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  Ask again later.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>5 minutes later...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Any chance that things will change/he might appear in 2012?</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Are your sources reliable?</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Do people like my blog?</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Are you always this pessimistic???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Is this 2011 Magic 8 Ball Forecast legit?</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><em><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Whew!  </strong></span></span></em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>So here\'s the deal:  If you would like your very own 2011 Magic 8 Ball Forecast, ask a question in the comment section.  I will then consult the Magic 8 Ball for you.  Although if it\'s telling me that its sources are unreliable and therefore not legit, I\'m not sure why we\'re doing this.  <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>We\'ll cross our fingers and toes that your forecast is a little cheerier than mine. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">What burning questions do you have for the Magic 8 Ball in 2011?  <br class=\"spacer_\" /></span></strong></span><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 100:  2011 Forecast by the Magic 8 Ball','','inherit','open','open','','3126-revision-9','','','2011-01-07 18:02:30','2011-01-08 01:02:30','',3126,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/07/3126-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(3181,1,'2011-01-07 18:05:29','2011-01-08 01:05:29','<p><a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Mattel-30188-Magic-8-Ball/dp/B00001ZWV7\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-3178\" title=\"magic8\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/magic8.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>In the midst of my childhood <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/12/18/day-80-the-return-of-shrinky-dinks/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Shrinky Dinks nostalgia</strong> </a>shopping a few weeks ago, I spotted a Magic 8 Ball across a crowded Target toy department.  My heart nearly leaped out of my chest.  The Magic 8 Ball was one of my FAVORITE toys growing up.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Did you have one? </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Since the Magic 8 Ball knows all, I thought I would start off the New Year with a 2011 Magic 8 Ball Forecast.   My inner child hoped and wished that the Magic 8 Ball would set a magical tone for the rest of the year. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Instead, my inner and outer adult feels duped.  Humbug. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>(And now that we\'re heading into mid-January, I will try to stop saying \"humbug\" so much and put it on hold for next December.)</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Before we start the Forecast, let me preface this by saying that I would love to share my life with a kindred spirit/lover/best friend/hottie whenever the timing is right, but I am not emotionally needy.  I am one of the most emotionally independent women I know. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>I\'m serial single by choice.  I would rather be alone with my family, friends, and my dog than be with someone who is <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">emotionally unavailable</span>, <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">a control freak</span>, <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">a selfish bastard,</span> <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">snores  </span>not the right one for me and vice versa. </strong></span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>But Hell\'s Bells!  The holidays tend to bring on romantic yearnings.  I am human, after all! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Here\'s my 2011 Magic 8 Ball Forecast:</span></span></strong></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Will \"he\" <em>ever </em>show up?</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  Very doubtful.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Will \"he\" show up in 2011?</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  Very doubtful.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Are you SURE???</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  You may rely on it.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Very well then.  That makes me sad.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  Ask again later.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>5 minutes later...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Any chance that things will change/he might appear in 2012?</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Are your sources reliable?</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Do people like my blog?</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Are you always this pessimistic???</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Is this 2011 Magic 8 Ball Forecast legit?</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><em>Whew!  </em></strong>I\'m glad we uncovered that important tidbit of information.  I was worried there for a second.   ;-) </span></span></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>So here\'s the deal:  If you would like your very own 2011 Magic 8 Ball Forecast, ask a question in the comment section.  I will then consult the Magic 8 Ball for you.  Although if it\'s telling me that its sources are unreliable and therefore not legit, I\'m not sure why we\'re doing this.  <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>We\'ll cross our fingers and toes that your forecast is a little cheerier than mine. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">What burning questions do you have for the Magic 8 Ball in 2011?  <br class=\"spacer_\" /></span></strong></span><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 100:  2011 Forecast by the Magic 8 Ball','','inherit','open','open','','3126-autosave','','','2011-01-07 18:05:29','2011-01-08 01:05:29','',3126,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/07/3126-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(3182,1,'2011-01-07 18:03:03','2011-01-08 01:03:03','<p><a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Mattel-30188-Magic-8-Ball/dp/B00001ZWV7\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-3178\" title=\"magic8\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/magic8.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>In the midst of my childhood <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/12/18/day-80-the-return-of-shrinky-dinks/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Shrinky Dinks nostalgia</strong> </a>shopping a few weeks ago, I spotted a Magic 8 Ball across a crowded Target toy department.  My heart nearly leaped out of my chest.  The Magic 8 Ball was one of my FAVORITE toys growing up.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Did you have one? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Since the Magic 8 Ball knows all, I thought I would start off the New Year with a 2011 Magic 8 Ball Forecast.   My inner child hoped and wished that the Magic 8 Ball would set a magical tone for the rest of the year. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Instead, my inner and outer adult feels duped.  Humbug. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>(And now that we\'re heading into mid-January, I will try to stop saying \"humbug\" so much and put it on hold for next December.)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Before we start the Forecast, let me preface this by saying that I would love to share my life with a kindred spirit/lover/best friend/hottie whenever the timing is right, but I am not emotionally needy.  I am one of the most emotionally independent women I know. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>I\'m serial single by choice.  I would rather be alone with my family, friends, and my dog than be with someone who is <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">emotionally unavailable</span>, <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">a control freak</span>, <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">a selfish bastard,</span> <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">snores  </span>not the right one for me and vice versa. </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But Hell\'s Bells!  The holidays tend to bring on romantic yearnings.  I am human, after all! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Here\'s my 2011 Magic 8 Ball Forecast:</span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Will \"he\" <em>ever </em>show up?</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  Very doubtful.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Will \"he\" show up in 2011?</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  Very doubtful.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Are you SURE???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  You may rely on it.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Very well then.  That makes me sad.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  Ask again later.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>5 minutes later...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Any chance that things will change/he might appear in 2012?</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Are your sources reliable?</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Do people like my blog?</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Are you always this pessimistic???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Is this 2011 Magic 8 Ball Forecast legit?</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><em><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Whew!  </strong></span></span></em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>So here\'s the deal:  If you would like your very own 2011 Magic 8 Ball Forecast, ask a question in the comment section.  I will then consult the Magic 8 Ball for you.  Although if it\'s telling me that its sources are unreliable and therefore not legit, I\'m not sure why we\'re doing this.  <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>We\'ll cross our fingers and toes that your forecast is a little cheerier than mine. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">What burning questions do you have for the Magic 8 Ball in 2011?  <br class=\"spacer_\" /></span></strong></span><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 100:  2011 Forecast by the Magic 8 Ball','','inherit','open','open','','3126-revision-10','','','2011-01-07 18:03:03','2011-01-08 01:03:03','',3126,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/07/3126-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(3183,1,'2011-01-07 18:06:01','2011-01-08 01:06:01','<p><a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Mattel-30188-Magic-8-Ball/dp/B00001ZWV7\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-3178\" title=\"magic8\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/magic8.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>In the midst of my childhood <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/12/18/day-80-the-return-of-shrinky-dinks/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Shrinky Dinks nostalgia</strong> </a>shopping a few weeks ago, I spotted a Magic 8 Ball across a crowded Target toy department.  My heart nearly leaped out of my chest.  The Magic 8 Ball was one of my FAVORITE toys growing up.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Did you have one? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Since the Magic 8 Ball knows all, I thought I would start off the New Year with a 2011 Magic 8 Ball Forecast.   My inner child hoped and wished that the Magic 8 Ball would set a magical tone for the rest of the year. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Instead, my inner and outer adult feels duped.  Humbug. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>(And now that we\'re heading into mid-January, I will try to stop saying \"humbug\" so much and put it on hold for next December.)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Before we start the Forecast, let me preface this by saying that I would love to share my life with a kindred spirit/lover/best friend/hottie whenever the timing is right, but I am not emotionally needy.  I am one of the most emotionally independent women I know. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>I\'m serial single by choice.  I would rather be alone with my family, friends, and my dog than be with someone who is <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">emotionally unavailable</span>, <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">a control freak</span>, <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">a selfish bastard,</span> <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">snores  </span>not the right one for me and vice versa. </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But Hell\'s Bells!  The holidays tend to bring on romantic yearnings.  I am human, after all! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Here\'s my 2011 Magic 8 Ball Forecast:</span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Will \"he\" <em>ever </em>show up?</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  Very doubtful.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Will \"he\" show up in 2011?</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  Very doubtful.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Are you SURE???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  You may rely on it.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Very well then.  That makes me sad.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  Ask again later.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>5 minutes later...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Any chance that things will change/he might appear in 2012?</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Are your sources reliable?</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Do people like my blog?</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Are you always this pessimistic???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Is this 2011 Magic 8 Ball Forecast legit?</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><em>Whew!  </em></strong><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I\'m glad we uncovered that important tidbit of information.  I was worried there for a second.   ;-) </span></span></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>So here\'s the deal:  If you would like your very own 2011 Magic 8 Ball Forecast, ask a question in the comment section.  I will then consult the Magic 8 Ball for you.  Although if it\'s telling me that its sources are unreliable and therefore not legit, I\'m not sure why we\'re doing this.  <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>We\'ll cross our fingers and toes that your forecast is a little cheerier than mine. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">What burning questions do you have for the Magic 8 Ball in 2011?  <br class=\"spacer_\" /></span></strong></span><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 100:  2011 Forecast by the Magic 8 Ball','','inherit','open','open','','3126-revision-11','','','2011-01-07 18:06:01','2011-01-08 01:06:01','',3126,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/07/3126-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(3184,1,'2011-01-07 18:06:47','2011-01-08 01:06:47','<p><a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Mattel-30188-Magic-8-Ball/dp/B00001ZWV7\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-3178\" title=\"magic8\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/magic8.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>In the midst of my childhood <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/12/18/day-80-the-return-of-shrinky-dinks/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Shrinky Dinks nostalgia</strong> </a>shopping a few weeks ago, I spotted a Magic 8 Ball across a crowded Target toy department.  My heart nearly leaped out of my chest.  The Magic 8 Ball was one of my FAVORITE toys growing up.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Did you have one? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Since the Magic 8 Ball knows all, I thought I would start off the New Year with a 2011 Magic 8 Ball Forecast.   My inner child hoped and wished that the Magic 8 Ball would set a magical tone for the rest of the year. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Instead, my inner and outer adult feels duped.  Humbug. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>(And now that we\'re heading into mid-January, I will try to stop saying \"humbug\" so much and put it on hold for next December.)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Before we start the Forecast, let me preface this by saying that I would love to share my life with a kindred spirit/lover/best friend/hottie whenever the timing is right, but I am not emotionally needy.  I am one of the most emotionally independent women I know. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>I\'m serial single by choice.  I would rather be alone with my family, friends, and my dog than be with someone who is <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">emotionally unavailable</span>, <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">a control freak</span>, <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">a selfish bastard,</span> <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">snores  </span>not the right one for me and vice versa. </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But Hell\'s Bells!  The holidays tend to bring on romantic yearnings.  I am human, after all! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Here\'s my 2011 Magic 8 Ball Forecast:</span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Will \"he\" <em>ever </em>show up?</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  Very doubtful.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Will \"he\" show up in 2011?</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  Very doubtful.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Are you SURE???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  You may rely on it.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Very well then.  That makes me sad.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  Ask again later.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>5 minutes later...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Any chance that things will change/he might appear in 2012?</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Are your sources reliable?</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Do people like my blog?</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Are you always this pessimistic???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Is this 2011 Magic 8 Ball Forecast legit?</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><em>Whew!  </em></strong><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I\'m glad we uncovered that important tidbit of information.  I was worried there for a second.   ;-) </span></span></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>So here\'s the deal:  If you would like your very own 2011 Magic 8 Ball Forecast, ask a question in the comment section.  I will then consult the Magic 8 Ball for you.  Although if it\'s telling me that its sources are unreliable and therefore not legit, I\'m not sure why we\'re doing this.  <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>We\'ll cross our fingers and toes that your forecast is a little cheerier than mine. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">What burning questions do you have for the Magic 8 Ball in 2011?  <br class=\"spacer_\" /></span></strong></span><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 100:  2011 Forecast by the Magic 8 Ball','','inherit','open','open','','3126-revision-12','','','2011-01-07 18:06:47','2011-01-08 01:06:47','',3126,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/07/3126-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(3185,1,'2011-01-07 18:07:37','2011-01-08 01:07:37','<p><a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Mattel-30188-Magic-8-Ball/dp/B00001ZWV7\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-3178\" title=\"magic8\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/magic8.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>In the midst of my childhood <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/12/18/day-80-the-return-of-shrinky-dinks/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Shrinky Dinks nostalgia</strong> </a>shopping a few weeks ago, I spotted a Magic 8 Ball across a crowded Target toy department.  My heart nearly leaped out of my chest.  The Magic 8 Ball was one of my FAVORITE toys growing up.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Did you have one? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Since the Magic 8 Ball knows all, I thought I would start off the New Year with a 2011 Magic 8 Ball Forecast.   My inner child hoped and wished that the Magic 8 Ball would set a magical tone for the rest of the year. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Instead, my inner and outer adult feels duped.  Humbug. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>(And now that we\'re heading into mid-January, I will try to stop saying \"humbug\" so much and put it on hold for next December.)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Before we start the Forecast, let me preface this by saying that I would love to share my life with a kindred spirit/lover/best friend/hottie whenever the timing is right, but I am not emotionally needy.  I am one of the most emotionally independent women I know. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>I\'m serial single by choice.  I would rather be alone with my family, friends, and my dog than be with someone who is <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">emotionally unavailable</span>, <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">a control freak</span>, <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">a selfish bastard,</span> <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">snores  </span>not the right one for me and vice versa. </strong></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>But Hell\'s Bells!  The holidays tend to bring on romantic yearnings.  I am human, after all! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Here\'s my 2011 Magic 8 Ball Forecast:</span></span></strong></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Will \"he\" <em>ever </em>show up?</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  Very doubtful.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Will \"he\" show up in 2011?</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  Very doubtful.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Are you SURE???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  You may rely on it.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Very well then.  That makes me sad.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  Ask again later.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>5 minutes later...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Any chance that things will change/he might appear in 2012?</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Are your sources reliable?</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Do people like my blog?</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Are you always this pessimistic???</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Is this 2011 Magic 8 Ball Forecast legit?</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Magic 8 Ball:</strong>  My sources say no.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><em>Whew!  </em></strong><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">I\'m glad we uncovered that important tidbit of information.  I was worried there for a second.   ;-) </span></span></span></span></span></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>So here\'s the deal:  If you would like your very own 2011 Magic 8 Ball Forecast, ask a question in the comment section.  I will then consult the Magic 8 Ball for you.  Although if it\'s telling me that its sources are unreliable and therefore not legit, I\'m not sure why we\'re doing this.  <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>We\'ll cross our fingers and toes that your forecast is a little cheerier than mine. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">What burning questions do you have for the Magic 8 Ball in 2011?  <br class=\"spacer_\" /></span></strong></span><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 100:  2011 Forecast by the Magic 8 Ball','','inherit','open','open','','3126-revision-13','','','2011-01-07 18:07:37','2011-01-08 01:07:37','',3126,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/07/3126-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(3186,1,'2011-01-07 18:13:34','2011-01-08 01:13:34','<p>I never bought a lottery ticket in my life.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Until 2 years ago when Dina dahling talked me into one.  I think I may purchased another one about a year late with her again. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And then on Day 100 Melody started yapping about $330 million Mega Million-something-or-rather and I had no earthly idea what she was talking about. </p>','Day 101:  MegaMillions Mania.  Not even I was immune.  ','','inherit','open','open','','3128-revision-3','','','2011-01-07 18:13:34','2011-01-08 01:13:34','',3128,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/07/3128-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(3187,1,'2011-01-07 18:20:15','2011-01-08 01:20:15','<p>I never bought a lottery ticket in my life.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Until 2 years ago when Dina <em>dah</em>ling talked me into one.  I think I may purchased another one about a year late with her again.  She\'s not a gambler, I assure you.  Just a woman with a dream. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And then on Day 100 Melody started yapping about the $330 million Mega Million-something-or-rather.  I had no earthly idea what she was talking about.  She looked a bit shocked, and then went on  to explain that this was one of the biggest jackpots in U.S. <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">Gambling </span>Lottery history. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>With that kind of jackpot, I was apparently the only person in the U.S. that had no earthly idea what she was talking about. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>She insisted that I go directly to the Circle K the next day and place my bet on the American Dream. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I remained quiet and looked doubtful.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And then Melody threw in a \"Do it for the blog!\" for good measure. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And I always do what my readers tell me to do.  Especially the ones that comment a lot.  :-) </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>So...</p>','Day 101:  MegaMillions Mania.  Not even I was immune.  ','','inherit','open','open','','3128-revision-4','','','2011-01-07 18:20:15','2011-01-08 01:20:15','',3128,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/07/3128-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(3188,1,'2011-01-07 18:20:17','2011-01-08 01:20:17','<p>I never bought a lottery ticket in my life.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Until 2 years ago when Dina <em>dah</em>ling talked me into one.  I think I may purchased another one about a year late with her again.  She\'s not a gambler, I assure you.  Just a woman with a dream. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And then on Day 100 Melody started yapping about the $330 million Mega Million-something-or-rather.  I had no earthly idea what she was talking about.  She looked a bit shocked, and then went on  to explain that this was one of the biggest jackpots in U.S. <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">Gambling </span>Lottery history. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>With that kind of jackpot, I was apparently the only person in the U.S. that had no earthly idea what she was talking about. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>She insisted that I go directly to the Circle K the next day and place my bet on the American Dream. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I remained quiet and looked doubtful.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And then Melody threw in a \"Do it for the blog!\" for good measure. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And I always do what my readers tell me to do.  Especially the ones that comment a lot.  :-) </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>So...</p>','Day 101:  MegaMillions Mania.  Not even I was immune.  ','','inherit','open','open','','3128-revision-5','','','2011-01-07 18:20:17','2011-01-08 01:20:17','',3128,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/07/3128-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(3189,1,'2011-01-07 20:57:07','2011-01-08 03:57:07','<p>I never bought a lottery ticket in my life.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Until 2 years ago when Dina <em>dah</em>ling talked me into one.  I think I may purchased another one about a year late with her again.  She\'s not a gambler, I assure you.  Just a woman with a dream. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And then on Day 100 Melody started yapping about the $330 million Mega Million-something-or-rather.  I had no earthly idea what she was talking about.  She looked a bit shocked at my cluelessness, and then went on  to explain that this was one of the biggest jackpots in U.S. <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">Gambling </span>Lottery history. <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Melody insisted that I go directly to the Circle K the next day and place my bet on the American Dream. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I remained quiet and undoubtedly looked doubtful.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Melody threw in a \"Do it for the blog!\" for good measure. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And I always do what my readers tell me to do.  Especially the ones that comment a lot.  :-) </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>So...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">wasted </span> plopped down $5 for The Dream.   In my fair state, that money siphons into education, right?  (Hardy har har.)</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>This was 3 nights ago.  (I\'m a bit behind in blog posts ever since the holiday mayhem.)  I still haven\'t checked my numbers.  I could be a gazillionaire right now and not even know it. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I am going to check right now!  Live on this blog post!  Altho</p>','Day 101:  MegaMillions Mania.  Not even I was immune.  ','','inherit','open','open','','3128-revision-6','','','2011-01-07 20:57:07','2011-01-08 03:57:07','',3128,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/07/3128-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(3190,1,'2011-01-07 20:57:39','2011-01-08 03:57:39','<p>I never bought a lottery ticket in my life.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Until 2 years ago when Dina <em>dah</em>ling talked me into one.  I think I may purchased another one about a year late with her again.  She\'s not a gambler, I assure you.  Just a woman with a dream. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And then on Day 100 Melody started yapping about the $330 million Mega Million-something-or-rather.  I had no earthly idea what she was talking about.  She looked a bit shocked at my cluelessness, and then went on  to explain that this was one of the biggest jackpots in U.S. <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">Gambling </span>Lottery history. <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Melody insisted that I go directly to the Circle K the next day and place my bet on the American Dream. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I remained quiet and undoubtedly looked doubtful.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Melody threw in a \"Do it for the blog!\" for good measure. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And I always do what my readers tell me to do.  Especially the ones that comment a lot.  :-) </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>So...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">wasted </span> plopped down $5 for The Dream.   In my fair state, that money siphons into education, right?  (Hardy har har.)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This was 3 nights ago.  (I\'m a bit behind in blog posts ever since the holiday mayhem.)  I still haven\'t checked my numbers.  I could be a gazillionaire right now and not even know it. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I am going to check right now!  Live on this blog post!  Although I guess by the time you read this, it will no longer be live, but I am tired and giddy so please humor me. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And...</p>','Day 101:  MegaMillions Mania.  Not even I was immune.  ','','inherit','open','open','','3128-revision-7','','','2011-01-07 20:57:39','2011-01-08 03:57:39','',3128,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/07/3128-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(3191,1,'2011-01-07 21:13:54','2011-01-08 04:13:54','','lotto','','inherit','open','open','','lotto','','','2011-01-07 21:13:54','2011-01-08 04:13:54','',3128,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/lotto.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(3192,1,'2011-01-07 21:05:55','2011-01-08 04:05:55','<p>I never bought a lottery ticket in my life.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Until 2 years ago when Dina <em>dah</em>ling talked me into one.  I think I may have purchased another one about a year late with her again.  Dina <em>dah</em>ling is not a gambler, I assure you.  Just an American with a dream. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And then on Day 100 Melody started yapping about the $330 million Mega Million-something-or-rather.  I had no earthly idea what she was talking about.  She looked a bit shocked at my cluelessness, and then went on  to explain that this was one of the biggest jackpots in U.S. <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">Gambling </span>Lottery history. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Melody insisted that I go directly to Circle K the next day and place my bet on the American Dream. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I remained quiet and undoubtedly looked doubtful.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Melody threw in a \"Do it for the blog!\" for good measure. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And I always do what my readers tell me to do.  Especially the ones that comment a lot.  :-) </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>So...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I hauled my cookies to the Circle K after work and <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">wasted </span> plopped down $5 for The Dream.   In my fair state, that money siphons into education, right?  (Hardy har har.)</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>This was 3 nights ago.  (I\'m a bit behind in blog posts ever since the holiday mayhem.)  I still haven\'t checked my numbers.  I could be a gazillionaire right now and not even know it!!!</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I am going to check right now!  Live on this blog post!  Although I guess by the time you read this, it will no longer be live, but I am tired and giddy so please humor me. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Excuse me for a moment while I step away from my computer to hunt down my lotto tickets...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>...I\'m back. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Off to the Mega Millions website...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Crap. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Back to reality.  The Dream was fun while it lasted. </p>','Day 101:  MegaMillions Mania.  Not even I was immune.  ','','inherit','open','open','','3128-revision-8','','','2011-01-07 21:05:55','2011-01-08 04:05:55','',3128,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/07/3128-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(3194,1,'2011-01-07 21:16:17','2011-01-08 04:16:17','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/lotto.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3191\" title=\"lotto\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/lotto-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>I never bought a lottery ticket in my life.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Until 2 years ago when Dina <em>dah</em>ling talked me into one.  I think I may have purchased another one about a year later with her again.  Dina <em>dah</em>ling is not a gambler, I assure you.  Just an American with a dream. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And then on Day 100 Melody started yapping about the $330 million Mega Million-something-or-rather.  I had no earthly idea what she was talking about.  She looked a bit shocked at my cluelessness, and then went on  to explain that this was one of the biggest jackpots in U.S. <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">Gambling </span>Lottery history. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Melody insisted that I go directly to Circle K the next day and place my bet on the American Dream. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I remained quiet and undoubtedly looked doubtful.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Melody threw in a \"Do it for the blog!\" for good measure. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And I always do what my readers tell me to do.  Especially the ones that comment a lot.  :-) </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>So...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I hauled my cookies to the Circle K after work and <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">wasted </span> plopped down $5 for The Dream.   In my fair state, that money siphons into education, right?  (Hardy har har.)</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>This was 3 nights ago.  (I\'m a bit behind in blog posts ever since the holiday mayhem.)  I still haven\'t checked my numbers.  I could be a gazillionaire right now and not even know it!!!</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I am going to check right now!  Live on this blog post!  Although I guess by the time you read this, it will no longer be live, but I am tired and giddy so please humor me. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Excuse me for a moment while I step away from my computer to hunt down my lotto tickets...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>...I\'m back. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Off to the Mega Millions website...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Crap. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Back to reality.  The Dream was fun while it lasted. </p>','Day 101:  MegaMillions Mania.  Not even I was immune.  ','','inherit','open','open','','3128-revision-10','','','2011-01-07 21:16:17','2011-01-08 04:16:17','',3128,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/07/3128-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(3193,1,'2011-01-07 21:14:39','2011-01-08 04:14:39','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/lotto.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3191\" title=\"lotto\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/lotto-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>I never bought a lottery ticket in my life.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Until 2 years ago when Dina <em>dah</em>ling talked me into one.  I think I may have purchased another one about a year late with her again.  Dina <em>dah</em>ling is not a gambler, I assure you.  Just an American with a dream. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And then on Day 100 Melody started yapping about the $330 million Mega Million-something-or-rather.  I had no earthly idea what she was talking about.  She looked a bit shocked at my cluelessness, and then went on  to explain that this was one of the biggest jackpots in U.S. <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">Gambling </span>Lottery history. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Melody insisted that I go directly to Circle K the next day and place my bet on the American Dream. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I remained quiet and undoubtedly looked doubtful.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Melody threw in a \"Do it for the blog!\" for good measure. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And I always do what my readers tell me to do.  Especially the ones that comment a lot.  :-) </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>So...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I hauled my cookies to the Circle K after work and <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">wasted </span> plopped down $5 for The Dream.   In my fair state, that money siphons into education, right?  (Hardy har har.)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This was 3 nights ago.  (I\'m a bit behind in blog posts ever since the holiday mayhem.)  I still haven\'t checked my numbers.  I could be a gazillionaire right now and not even know it!!!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I am going to check right now!  Live on this blog post!  Although I guess by the time you read this, it will no longer be live, but I am tired and giddy so please humor me. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Excuse me for a moment while I step away from my computer to hunt down my lotto tickets...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>...I\'m back. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Off to the Mega Millions website...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Crap. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Back to reality.  The Dream was fun while it lasted. </p>','Day 101:  MegaMillions Mania.  Not even I was immune.  ','','inherit','open','open','','3128-revision-9','','','2011-01-07 21:14:39','2011-01-08 04:14:39','',3128,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/07/3128-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(3195,1,'2011-01-07 21:19:06','2011-01-08 04:19:06','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/lotto.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3191\" title=\"lotto\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/lotto-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>I never bought a lottery ticket in my life.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Until 2 years ago when Dina <em>dah</em>ling talked me into one.  I think I may have purchased another one about a year later with her again.  Dina <em>dah</em>ling is not a gambler, I assure you.  Just an American with a dream. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And then on Day 100 Melody started yapping about the $330 million Mega Million-something-or-rather.  I had no earthly idea what she was talking about.  She looked a bit shocked at my cluelessness, and then went on  to explain that this was one of the biggest jackpots in U.S. <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">Gambling </span>Lottery history. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Melody insisted that I go directly to Circle K the next day and place my bet on the American Dream. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I remained quiet and undoubtedly looked doubtful.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Melody threw in a \"Do it for the blog!\" for good measure. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And I always do what my readers tell me to do.  Especially the ones that comment a lot.  :-) </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>So...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I hauled my cookies to the Circle K after work and <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">wasted </span> plopped down $5 for The Dream.   In my fair state, that money siphons into education, right?  (Hardy har har.)</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>This was 3 nights ago.  (I\'m a bit behind in blog posts ever since the holiday mayhem.)  I still haven\'t checked my numbers.  I could be a gazillionaire right now and not even know it!!!</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I am going to check right now!  Live on this blog post!  Although I guess by the time you read this, it will no longer be live, but I am tired and giddy so please humor me. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Excuse me for a moment while I step away from my computer to hunt down my lotto tickets...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>...I\'m back. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Off to the Mega Millions website...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Crap. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Back to reality.  The Dream was fun while it lasted. </p>','Day 101:  MegaMillions Mania.  Not even I was immune.  ','','inherit','open','open','','3128-autosave','','','2011-01-07 21:19:06','2011-01-08 04:19:06','',3128,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/07/3128-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(3196,1,'2011-01-07 21:17:57','2011-01-08 04:17:57','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/lotto.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3191\" title=\"lotto\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/lotto-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>I never bought a lottery ticket in my life.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Until 2 years ago when Dina <em>dah</em>ling talked me into one.  I think I may have purchased another one about a year later with her again.  Dina <em>dah</em>ling is not a gambler, I assure you.  Just an American with a dream. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And then on Day 100 Melody started yapping about the $330 million Mega Million-something-or-rather.  I had no earthly idea what she was talking about.  She looked a bit shocked at my cluelessness, and then went on  to explain that this was one of the biggest jackpots in U.S. <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">Gambling </span>Lottery history. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />Melody insisted that I go directly to Circle K the next day and place my bet on the American Dream. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I remained quiet and undoubtedly looked doubtful.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Melody threw in a \"Do it for the blog!\" for good measure. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And I always do what my readers tell me to do.  Especially the ones that comment a lot.  :-) </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>So...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I hauled my cookies to the Circle K after work and <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">wasted </span> plopped down $5 for The Dream.   In my fair state, that money siphons into education, right?  (Hardy har har.)</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>This was 3 nights ago.  (I\'m a bit behind in blog posts ever since the holiday mayhem.)  I still haven\'t checked my numbers.  I could be a gazillionaire right now and not even know it!!!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I am going to check right now!  Live on this blog post!  Although I guess by the time you read this, it will no longer be live, but I am tired and giddy so please humor me. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Excuse me for a moment while I step away from my computer to hunt down my lotto tickets...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>...I\'m back. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Off to the Mega Millions website...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Crap. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Back to reality.  The Dream was fun while it lasted. </p>','Day 101:  MegaMillions Mania.  Not even I was immune.  ','','inherit','open','open','','3128-revision-11','','','2011-01-07 21:17:57','2011-01-08 04:17:57','',3128,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/07/3128-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(3197,1,'2011-01-09 17:52:54','2011-01-10 00:52:54','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/P1050178.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3205\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/P1050178-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Once upon a time there was a woman who dated fairly regularly. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Living in The Pool Capitol of the World, she found herself in many a hot tub with many a man (not at the same time) for makeout sessions reminiscent of <em>The Bachelor/Bachelorette</em>. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>(For the record, this woman did not watch this kind of smutty TV, but knows all about these shows because her mother and Dina <em>dah</em>ling were/are addicted.  Instead this woman watched quality television such as <em>Top Chef</em> and <em>The Real Housewives</em>.) </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Then this woman started a blog, adopted World\'s Most Precious Puppy, and worked full-time for the Noble Publishing Superpower.  She had no time for dating.  And she was weary from kissing too many frogs.  With no prince in sight, she was quite content with <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/12/05/day-69-art-walk-was-a-bust-but/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Princess Bella</strong></a>, thank you very much. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One January, the Dating Desert where she resided turned unusually cold.  White stuff even fell out of the sky!  WHITE STUFF!!!  This woman thought it might be curiously fun to dip into the hot tub on one of the coldest nights of the year.  After a hectic holiday and travel schedule, she needed time to chill.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Thinking this was a fab idea, and with nary a makeout partner to be found, she invited friends to join her.  Their actual text message responses are below.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Kimeee:</strong>  Too cold to unrobe outside at 9 p.m.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Dina <em>dah</em>ling:</strong>  Brrrr...no thanks!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Svennykins:</strong>  If mine was on.  It takes an hour to heat and eats gas, so I turn on when I expect to be using it, not a spur of the moment thing. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Very well then!  She decided that she would hot tub it alone! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which was quite relaxing until she couldn\'t stop thinking about how she missed making out in hot tubs. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And that stupid <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/08/day-100-2011-forecast-by-the-magic-8-ball/\" target=\"_blank\">Magic 8 Ball</a></strong> basically predicted that she would be alone in hot tubs for eternity! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>So she packed up her things and hightailed it back to the house to cuddle with Princess Bella. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The End. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 102:  Hot Tubbing.  Alone.  Waaa.','','publish','open','open','','day-102-hot-tubbing-alone-waaa','','\nhttp://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/12/05/day-69-art-walk-was-a-bust-but/','2011-01-09 17:51:54','2011-01-10 00:51:54','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=3197',0,'post','',14),(3198,1,'2011-01-07 21:19:56','2011-01-08 04:19:56','','Auto Draft','','inherit','open','open','','3197-revision','','','2011-01-07 21:19:56','2011-01-08 04:19:56','',3197,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/07/3197-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(3199,1,'2011-01-10 12:11:29','2011-01-10 19:11:29','<p><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/evanosherow/3393932916/sizes/m/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3213\" title=\"www.SantaCruzDharma.org\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/3393932916_db7abf50e5-e1294622022284-300x172.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"172\" /></a>In my former life (around 10-15 years ago), I took a meditation class through a community learning center.  After the two month class, a few of us diehards broke away and formed our own meditation group. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>We met at a couples\' house every Wednesday night.  We would chat.  And chat.  And chat.  And then meditate together for 20 - 30 minutes.   This group stayed in tact for years, and we became the closest of friends. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Every Wednesday night, like clockwork, I would fall asleep during the meditation.  Which I guess is sort of good if the meditation relaxed me <em>that much. </em>But after all of those years, I never quite felt like a \"meditator\". </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I\'m great at <em><strong><a href=\"http://www.mindfulness.com/\" target=\"_blank\">mindful </a></strong></em>activities, like yoga or hiking.  I can shut my mind chatter off and stay in the present moment.  I simply can\'t shut it off very well when I\'m not doing anything. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />I thought the New Year present was no better time to give meditation another try.  (Sadly, our group disbanded in 2002.) </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>On day 103, I situated myself in a half-lotus position in my living room and...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Fell asleep. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>When I awoke, I attempted the meditation again, <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/09/day-102-hot-tubbing-alone-waaa/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>but this time I couldn\'t stop thinking about the prior evening and how I really missed making out with boyfriends in hot tubs</strong> </a>(one at a time, of course).  So my meditation suddenly turned somewhat soft-pornish in nature which I believe is technically a \"fantasy\" and not a \"meditation\". </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I am committed to trying yet again!  Perhaps my problem stems from the late evening hours when my body is ready for sleep and making out.  Therefore, I will pick a morning this week to meditate and see if an early morning meditation makes a hill of beans. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Wish me luck!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Namaste. </p>','Day 103:  I\'m a Meditation Moron','','publish','open','open','','day-103-im-a-meditation-moron','','\nhttp://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/09/day-102-hot-tubbing-alone-waaa/','2011-01-10 13:19:50','2011-01-10 20:19:50','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=3199',0,'post','',2),(3200,1,'2011-01-07 21:20:35','2011-01-08 04:20:35','','Auto Draft','','inherit','open','open','','3199-revision','','','2011-01-07 21:20:35','2011-01-08 04:20:35','',3199,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/07/3199-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(3201,1,'2011-01-11 01:11:02','2011-01-11 08:11:02','<p>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3239\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Don&#39;t let the cheesy poster fool you. This workout WORKS!\"]<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/kundalini/3176870492/sizes/m/in/photostream/\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3239\" title=\"chaleanextremeworks!\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/chaleanextremeworks-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n</p>\r\n\r\n<p>Waaaa...I\'ve dreaded writing this post.  It turns out to be entirely different from what I anticipated. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>You know the makers of<strong> </strong><a href=\"http://www.beachbody.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>P90X</strong></a>?  I\'ve been doing their workouts for 2.5 years now.  I cancelled my pricey gym membership and do these workouts in my home first thing in the morning before life gets in the way. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I have never been more fit.  You heard me.  I am more fit working out in my living room than the years since college working out in the gym.  Granted, I was fit before, but these workouts took me to the next level.  I\'ve tried Power 90, bits of P90X, Power 90 Master Series, and most recently, <a href=\"http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/chalean_extreme.do?code=CHALEANEXTREMEDOTCOM\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>ChaLEAN Extreme.</strong></a> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>ChaLEAN Extreme is kind of like P90X for chicks.  It\'s a GREAT workout lead by a GREAT trainer, Chalene Johnson.  love, Love, LOVE her!!! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I love her so much that I asked for her latest workout, <a href=\"http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/turbofire.do?code=TURBOFIREDOTCOM\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>TurboFire,</strong> </a>for Christmas.  I started it on Day 104 and...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Fizzle.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>TurboFire and I are not a match.  It\'s best that we go our separate ways. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>However, this doesn\'t mean that TurboFire isn\'t a match for you!  If highly choreographed kickboxing workouts are your thing, go for it!  I\'m more of a weights and basic training style cardio girl.  To each his own. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>If you are like me, then check out <a href=\"http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/chalean_extreme.do?code=CHALEANEXTREMEDOTCOM\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>ChaLEAN Extreme</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  You will not be disappointed! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Now...I need to return TurboFire.  Question of the Day:  Do I just ask for Mom\'s money back, or do I exchange TurboFire for <strong><a href=\"http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/brazil_butt_lift.do?tnt=BBL_SUMMER_B2\" target=\"_blank\">Brazil Butt Lift</a></strong>?  Now THAT\'S blog material!!!</p>','Day 104:  TurboFire Fizzled for Me','','publish','open','open','','day-104-turbofire-fizzled-for-me','','','2011-01-11 12:19:32','2011-01-11 19:19:32','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=3201',0,'post','',3),(3202,1,'2011-01-07 21:20:57','2011-01-08 04:20:57','','Auto Draft','','inherit','open','open','','3201-revision','','','2011-01-07 21:20:57','2011-01-08 04:20:57','',3201,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/07/3201-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(3205,1,'2011-01-09 17:21:01','2011-01-10 00:21:01','','OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-182','','','2011-01-09 17:21:01','2011-01-10 00:21:01','',3197,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/P1050178.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(3206,1,'2011-01-09 17:45:31','2011-01-10 00:45:31','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/P1050178.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3205\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/P1050178-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Once upon a time there was a woman who dated fairly regularly. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Living in The Pool Capitol of the World, she found herself in many a hot tub with many a man (not at the same time) for makeout sessions reminiscent of <em>The Bachelor/Bachelorette</em>. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>(For the record, this woman did not watch this kind of smutty TV, but knows all about these shows because her mother and Dina <em>dah</em>ling are addicted.  Instead this woman watched quality television such as <em>Top Chef</em> and <em>The Real Housewives</em>.) </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Then this woman started a blog, adopted World\'s Most Precious Puppy, and worked full-time for the Noble Publishing Superpower.  She had no time for dating.  And she was weary from kissing too many frogs.  With no prince in sight, she was quite content with Princess Bella, thank you very much. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>One January, the Dating Desert where she resided turned unusually cold.  White stuff even fell out of the sky!  WHITE STUFF!!!  This woman thought it might be curiously fun to dip into the hot tub on one of the coldest nights of the year.  After a hectic holiday and travel schedule, she needed time to chill.  </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Thinking this was a fab idea, and with nary a makeout partner to be found, she invited friends to join her.  Their actual text message responses are below.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Kimeee:</strong>  Too cold to unrobe outside at 9 p.m.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Dina <em>dah</em>ling:</strong>  Brrrr...no thanks!</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Svennykins:</strong>  If mine was on.  It takes an hour to heat and eats gas, so I turn on when I expect to be using it, not a spur of the moment thing. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Very well then!  She decided that she would hot tub it alone! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Which was quite relaxing until she couldn\'t stop thinking about how she missed making out in hot tubs. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And that stupid Magic 8 Ball basically predicted that she would be alone in hot tubs for eternity! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>So she packed up her things and hightailed it back to the house to cuddle with Princess Bella. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The End. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 102:  Hot Tubbing.  Alone.  Waaa.','','inherit','open','open','','3197-revision-2','','','2011-01-09 17:45:31','2011-01-10 00:45:31','',3197,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/09/3197-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(3207,1,'2011-01-09 17:45:54','2011-01-10 00:45:54','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/P1050178.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3205\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/P1050178-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Once upon a time there was a woman who dated fairly regularly. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Living in The Pool Capitol of the World, she found herself in many a hot tub with many a man (not at the same time) for makeout sessions reminiscent of <em>The Bachelor/Bachelorette</em>. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>(For the record, this woman did not watch this kind of smutty TV, but knows all about these shows because her mother and Dina <em>dah</em>ling are addicted.  Instead this woman watched quality television such as <em>Top Chef</em> and <em>The Real Housewives</em>.) </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Then this woman started a blog, adopted World\'s Most Precious Puppy, and worked full-time for the Noble Publishing Superpower.  She had no time for dating.  And she was weary from kissing too many frogs.  With no prince in sight, she was quite content with Princess Bella, thank you very much. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One January, the Dating Desert where she resided turned unusually cold.  White stuff even fell out of the sky!  WHITE STUFF!!!  This woman thought it might be curiously fun to dip into the hot tub on one of the coldest nights of the year.  After a hectic holiday and travel schedule, she needed time to chill.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Thinking this was a fab idea, and with nary a makeout partner to be found, she invited friends to join her.  Their actual text message responses are below.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Kimeee:</strong>  Too cold to unrobe outside at 9 p.m.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Dina <em>dah</em>ling:</strong>  Brrrr...no thanks!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Svennykins:</strong>  If mine was on.  It takes an hour to heat and eats gas, so I turn on when I expect to be using it, not a spur of the moment thing. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Very well then!  She decided that she would hot tub it alone! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which was quite relaxing until she couldn\'t stop thinking about how she missed making out in hot tubs. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And that stupid Magic 8 Ball basically predicted that she would be alone in hot tubs for eternity! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>So she packed up her things and hightailed it back to the house to cuddle with Princess Bella. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The End. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 102:  Hot Tubbing.  Alone.  Waaa.','','inherit','open','open','','3197-revision-3','','','2011-01-09 17:45:54','2011-01-10 00:45:54','',3197,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/09/3197-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(3208,1,'2011-01-09 17:46:58','2011-01-10 00:46:58','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/P1050178.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3205\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/P1050178-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Once upon a time there was a woman who dated fairly regularly. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Living in The Pool Capitol of the World, she found herself in many a hot tub with many a man (not at the same time) for makeout sessions reminiscent of <em>The Bachelor/Bachelorette</em>. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>(For the record, this woman did not watch this kind of smutty TV, but knows all about these shows because her mother and Dina <em>dah</em>ling were/are addicted.  Instead this woman watched quality television such as <em>Top Chef</em> and <em>The Real Housewives</em>.) </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Then this woman started a blog, adopted World\'s Most Precious Puppy, and worked full-time for the Noble Publishing Superpower.  She had no time for dating.  And she was weary from kissing too many frogs.  With no prince in sight, she was quite content with Princess Bella, thank you very much. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One January, the Dating Desert where she resided turned unusually cold.  White stuff even fell out of the sky!  WHITE STUFF!!!  This woman thought it might be curiously fun to dip into the hot tub on one of the coldest nights of the year.  After a hectic holiday and travel schedule, she needed time to chill.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Thinking this was a fab idea, and with nary a makeout partner to be found, she invited friends to join her.  Their actual text message responses are below.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Kimeee:</strong>  Too cold to unrobe outside at 9 p.m.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Dina <em>dah</em>ling:</strong>  Brrrr...no thanks!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Svennykins:</strong>  If mine was on.  It takes an hour to heat and eats gas, so I turn on when I expect to be using it, not a spur of the moment thing. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Very well then!  She decided that she would hot tub it alone! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which was quite relaxing until she couldn\'t stop thinking about how she missed making out in hot tubs. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And that stupid Magic 8 Ball basically predicted that she would be alone in hot tubs for eternity! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>So she packed up her things and hightailed it back to the house to cuddle with Princess Bella. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The End. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 102:  Hot Tubbing.  Alone.  Waaa.','','inherit','open','open','','3197-revision-4','','','2011-01-09 17:46:58','2011-01-10 00:46:58','',3197,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/09/3197-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(3209,1,'2011-01-09 20:34:24','2011-01-10 03:34:24','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/P1050178.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3205\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/P1050178-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Once upon a time there was a woman who dated fairly regularly. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Living in The Pool Capitol of the World, she found herself in many a hot tub with many a man (not at the same time) for makeout sessions reminiscent of <em>The Bachelor/Bachelorette</em>. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>(For the record, this woman did not watch this kind of smutty TV, but knows all about these shows because her mother and Dina <em>dah</em>ling were/are addicted.  Instead this woman watched quality television such as <em>Top Chef</em> and <em>The Real Housewives</em>.) </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Then this woman started a blog, adopted World\'s Most Precious Puppy, and worked full-time for the Noble Publishing Superpower.  She had no time for dating.  And she was weary from kissing too many frogs.  With no prince in sight, she was quite content with <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/12/05/day-69-art-walk-was-a-bust-but/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Princess Bella</strong></a>, thank you very much. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>One January, the Dating Desert where she resided turned unusually cold.  White stuff even fell out of the sky!  WHITE STUFF!!!  This woman thought it might be curiously fun to dip into the hot tub on one of the coldest nights of the year.  After a hectic holiday and travel schedule, she needed time to chill.  </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Thinking this was a fab idea, and with nary a makeout partner to be found, she invited friends to join her.  Their actual text message responses are below.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Kimeee:</strong>  Too cold to unrobe outside at 9 p.m.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Dina <em>dah</em>ling:</strong>  Brrrr...no thanks!</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><strong>Svennykins:</strong>  If mine was on.  It takes an hour to heat and eats gas, so I turn on when I expect to be using it, not a spur of the moment thing. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Very well then!  She decided that she would hot tub it alone! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Which was quite relaxing until she couldn\'t stop thinking about how she missed making out in hot tubs. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>And that stupid <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/08/day-100-2011-forecast-by-the-magic-8-ball/\" target=\"_blank\">Magic 8 Ball</a></strong> basically predicted that she would be alone in hot tubs for eternity! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>So she packed up her things and hightailed it back to the house to cuddle with Princess Bella. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>The End. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 102:  Hot Tubbing.  Alone.  Waaa.','','inherit','open','open','','3197-autosave','','','2011-01-09 20:34:24','2011-01-10 03:34:24','',3197,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/09/3197-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(3210,1,'2011-01-09 17:48:33','2011-01-10 00:48:33','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/P1050178.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3205\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/P1050178-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Once upon a time there was a woman who dated fairly regularly. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Living in The Pool Capitol of the World, she found herself in many a hot tub with many a man (not at the same time) for makeout sessions reminiscent of <em>The Bachelor/Bachelorette</em>. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>(For the record, this woman did not watch this kind of smutty TV, but knows all about these shows because her mother and Dina <em>dah</em>ling were/are addicted.  Instead this woman watched quality television such as <em>Top Chef</em> and <em>The Real Housewives</em>.) </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Then this woman started a blog, adopted World\'s Most Precious Puppy, and worked full-time for the Noble Publishing Superpower.  She had no time for dating.  And she was weary from kissing too many frogs.  With no prince in sight, she was quite content with Princess Bella, thank you very much. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One January, the Dating Desert where she resided turned unusually cold.  White stuff even fell out of the sky!  WHITE STUFF!!!  This woman thought it might be curiously fun to dip into the hot tub on one of the coldest nights of the year.  After a hectic holiday and travel schedule, she needed time to chill.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Thinking this was a fab idea, and with nary a makeout partner to be found, she invited friends to join her.  Their actual text message responses are below.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Kimeee:</strong>  Too cold to unrobe outside at 9 p.m.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Dina <em>dah</em>ling:</strong>  Brrrr...no thanks!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Svennykins:</strong>  If mine was on.  It takes an hour to heat and eats gas, so I turn on when I expect to be using it, not a spur of the moment thing. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Very well then!  She decided that she would hot tub it alone! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which was quite relaxing until she couldn\'t stop thinking about how she missed making out in hot tubs. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And that stupid Magic 8 Ball basically predicted that she would be alone in hot tubs for eternity! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>So she packed up her things and hightailed it back to the house to cuddle with Princess Bella. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The End. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 102:  Hot Tubbing.  Alone.  Waaa.','','inherit','open','open','','3197-revision-5','','','2011-01-09 17:48:33','2011-01-10 00:48:33','',3197,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/09/3197-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(3211,1,'2011-01-09 17:51:08','2011-01-10 00:51:08','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/P1050178.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3205\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/P1050178-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Once upon a time there was a woman who dated fairly regularly. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Living in The Pool Capitol of the World, she found herself in many a hot tub with many a man (not at the same time) for makeout sessions reminiscent of <em>The Bachelor/Bachelorette</em>. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>(For the record, this woman did not watch this kind of smutty TV, but knows all about these shows because her mother and Dina <em>dah</em>ling were/are addicted.  Instead this woman watched quality television such as <em>Top Chef</em> and <em>The Real Housewives</em>.) </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Then this woman started a blog, adopted World\'s Most Precious Puppy, and worked full-time for the Noble Publishing Superpower.  She had no time for dating.  And she was weary from kissing too many frogs.  With no prince in sight, she was quite content with <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/12/05/day-69-art-walk-was-a-bust-but/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Princess Bella</strong></a>, thank you very much. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>One January, the Dating Desert where she resided turned unusually cold.  White stuff even fell out of the sky!  WHITE STUFF!!!  This woman thought it might be curiously fun to dip into the hot tub on one of the coldest nights of the year.  After a hectic holiday and travel schedule, she needed time to chill.  </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Thinking this was a fab idea, and with nary a makeout partner to be found, she invited friends to join her.  Their actual text message responses are below.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Kimeee:</strong>  Too cold to unrobe outside at 9 p.m.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Dina <em>dah</em>ling:</strong>  Brrrr...no thanks!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Svennykins:</strong>  If mine was on.  It takes an hour to heat and eats gas, so I turn on when I expect to be using it, not a spur of the moment thing. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Very well then!  She decided that she would hot tub it alone! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Which was quite relaxing until she couldn\'t stop thinking about how she missed making out in hot tubs. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>And that stupid <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/08/day-100-2011-forecast-by-the-magic-8-ball/\" target=\"_blank\">Magic 8 Ball</a></strong> basically predicted that she would be alone in hot tubs for eternity! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>So she packed up her things and hightailed it back to the house to cuddle with Princess Bella. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>The End. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>','Day 102:  Hot Tubbing.  Alone.  Waaa.','','inherit','open','open','','3197-revision-6','','','2011-01-09 17:51:08','2011-01-10 00:51:08','',3197,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/09/3197-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(3212,1,'2011-01-07 21:20:53','2011-01-08 04:20:53','','Day 103:  Meditation ','','inherit','open','open','','3199-revision-2','','','2011-01-07 21:20:53','2011-01-08 04:20:53','',3199,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/07/3199-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(3213,1,'2011-01-09 18:10:50','2011-01-10 01:10:50','','SantaCruzDharma.org','','inherit','open','open','','3393932916_db7abf50e5','','','2011-01-09 18:10:50','2011-01-10 01:10:50','',3199,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/3393932916_db7abf50e5.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(3214,1,'2011-01-09 18:21:39','2011-01-10 01:21:39','<p><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/evanosherow/3393932916/sizes/m/in/photostream/\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3213\" title=\"SantaCruzDharma.org\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/3393932916_db7abf50e5-e1294622022284-300x172.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"172\" /></a>In my former life (around 10-15 years ago), I took a meditation class through a community learning center.  After the two month class, a few of us diehards broke away and formed our own meditation group. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>We met at a couples\' house every Wednesday night.  We would chat.  And chat.  And chat.  And then meditate together for 20 - 30 minutes.  This group stayed in tact for years, and we became the closest of friends. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Every Wednesday night, like clockwork, I would fall asleep during the meditation.  Which I guess is sort of good if the meditation relaxed me <em>that much. </em>But after all of those years, I never quite felt like a meditator. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I\'m great at <em>mindful </em>activities, like yoga or hiking.  I can shut my mind off and stay in the present moment.  I simply don\'t shut my mind off very well when I\'m not doing anything. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Sadly, our meditation group disbanded around 2002.  It\'s always on my \"to do\" list to take up meditation again, but...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I thought the New Year present was no better time to give it another t</p>','Day 103:  I\'m a Meditation Moron','','inherit','open','open','','3199-revision-3','','','2011-01-09 18:21:39','2011-01-10 01:21:39','',3199,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/09/3199-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(3215,1,'2011-01-09 18:26:50','2011-01-10 01:26:50','<p><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/evanosherow/3393932916/sizes/m/in/photostream/\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3213\" title=\"SantaCruzDharma.org\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/3393932916_db7abf50e5-e1294622022284-300x172.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"172\" /></a>In my former life (around 10-15 years ago), I took a meditation class through a community learning center.  After the two month class, a few of us diehards broke away and formed our own meditation group. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>We met at a couples\' house every Wednesday night.  We would chat.  And chat.  And chat.  And then meditate together for 20 - 30 minutes.  This group stayed in tact for years, and we became the closest of friends. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Every Wednesday night, like clockwork, I would fall asleep during the meditation.  Which I guess is sort of good if the meditation relaxed me <em>that much. </em>But after all of those years, I never quite felt like a meditator. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I\'m great at <em>mindful </em>activities, like yoga or hiking.  I can shut my mind off and stay in the present moment.  I simply don\'t shut my mind off very well when I\'m not doing anything. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Sadly, our meditation group disbanded around 2002.  It\'s always on my \"to do\" list to take up meditation again, but...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I thought the New Year present was no better time to give it another try. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>On day 103, I situated myself in a half-lotus position in my living room and...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Fell asleep. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>When I awoke, I attempted the meditation again, but this time I couldn\'t stop thinking about the prior evening and how I really missed making out with boyfriends in hot tubs (one at a time, of course).  So my meditation suddenly turned somewhat soft-pornish in nature which is I believe is technically a \"fantasy\" and not a \"meditation\". </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I am committed to trying yet again!  Perhaps my problem stems for the late evening hours when my body is ready for sleep and making out.  Therefore, I will</p>','Day 103:  I\'m a Meditation Moron','','inherit','open','open','','3199-revision-4','','','2011-01-09 18:26:50','2011-01-10 01:26:50','',3199,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/09/3199-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(3216,1,'2011-01-09 18:30:34','2011-01-10 01:30:34','<p><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/evanosherow/3393932916/sizes/m/in/photostream/\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3213\" title=\"SantaCruzDharma.org\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/3393932916_db7abf50e5-e1294622022284-300x172.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"172\" /></a>In my former life (around 10-15 years ago), I took a meditation class through a community learning center.  After the two month class, a few of us diehards broke away and formed our own meditation group. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>We met at a couples\' house every Wednesday night.  We would chat.  And chat.  And chat.  For about 2 hours we would chat.  And then meditate together for 20 - 30 minutes.   This group stayed in tact for years, and we became the closest of friends. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Every Wednesday night, like clockwork, I would fall asleep during the meditation.  Which I guess is sort of good if the meditation relaxed me <em>that much. </em>But after all of those years, I never quite felt like a \"meditator\". </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I\'m great at <em>mindful </em>activities, like yoga or hiking.  I can shut my mind off and stay in the present moment.  I simply don\'t shut my mind off very well when I\'m not doing anything. <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I thought the New Year present was no better time to give meditation another try.  (Sadly, our group disbanded in 2002.) </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>On day 103, I situated myself in a half-lotus position in my living room and...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Fell asleep. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>When I awoke, I attempted the meditation again, but this time I couldn\'t stop thinking about the prior evening and how I really missed making out with boyfriends in hot tubs (one at a time, of course).  So my meditation suddenly turned somewhat soft-pornish in nature which is I believe is technically a \"fantasy\" and not a \"meditation\". </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I am committed to trying yet again!  Perhaps my problem stems for the late evening hours when my body is ready for sleep and making out.  Therefore, I will pick a morning this week to meditate and see if an early morning meditation makes a hill of beans. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Wish me luck!</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Namaste. </p>','Day 103:  I\'m a Meditation Moron','','inherit','open','open','','3199-revision-5','','','2011-01-09 18:30:34','2011-01-10 01:30:34','',3199,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/09/3199-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(3220,1,'2011-01-09 18:35:45','2011-01-10 01:35:45','<p><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/evanosherow/3393932916/sizes/m/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3213\" title=\"www.SantaCruzDharma.org\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/3393932916_db7abf50e5-e1294622022284-300x172.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"172\" /></a>In my former life (around 10-15 years ago), I took a meditation class through a community learning center.  After the two month class, a few of us diehards broke away and formed our own meditation group. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>We met at a couples\' house every Wednesday night.  We would chat.  And chat.  And chat.  And then meditate together for 20 - 30 minutes.   This group stayed in tact for years, and we became the closest of friends. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Every Wednesday night, like clockwork, I would fall asleep during the meditation.  Which I guess is sort of good if the meditation relaxed me <em>that much. </em>But after all of those years, I never quite felt like a \"meditator\". </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I\'m great at <em><strong><a href=\"http://www.mindfulness.com/\" target=\"_blank\">mindful </a></strong></em>activities, like yoga or hiking.  I can shut my mind off and stay in the present moment.  I simply don\'t shut my mind off very well when I\'m not doing anything. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />I thought the New Year present was no better time to give meditation another try.  (Sadly, our group disbanded in 2002.) </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>On day 103, I situated myself in a half-lotus position in my living room and...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Fell asleep. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>When I awoke, I attempted the meditation again, <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/09/day-102-hot-tubbing-alone-waaa/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>but this time I couldn\'t stop thinking about the prior evening and how I really missed making out with boyfriends in hot tubs</strong> </a>(one at a time, of course).  So my meditation suddenly turned somewhat soft-pornish in nature which is I believe is technically a \"fantasy\" and not a \"meditation\". </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I am committed to trying yet again!  Perhaps my problem stems from the late evening hours when my body is ready for sleep and making out.  Therefore, I will pick a morning this week to meditate and see if an early morning meditation makes a hill of beans. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Wish me luck!</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Namaste. </p>','Day 103:  I\'m a Meditation Moron','','inherit','open','open','','3199-revision-9','','','2011-01-09 18:35:45','2011-01-10 01:35:45','',3199,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/09/3199-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(3217,1,'2011-01-09 18:33:36','2011-01-10 01:33:36','<p><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/evanosherow/3393932916/sizes/m/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3213\" title=\"www.SantaCruzDharma.org\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/3393932916_db7abf50e5-e1294622022284-300x172.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"172\" /></a>In my former life (around 10-15 years ago), I took a meditation class through a community learning center.  After the two month class, a few of us diehards broke away and formed our own meditation group. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>We met at a couples\' house every Wednesday night.  We would chat.  And chat.  And chat.  For about 2 hours we would chat.  And then meditate together for 20 - 30 minutes.   This group stayed in tact for years, and we became the closest of friends. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Every Wednesday night, like clockwork, I would fall asleep during the meditation.  Which I guess is sort of good if the meditation relaxed me <em>that much. </em>But after all of those years, I never quite felt like a \"meditator\". </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I\'m great at <em><strong><a href=\"http://www.mindfulness.com/\" target=\"_blank\">mindful </a></strong></em>activities, like yoga or hiking.  I can shut my mind off and stay in the present moment.  I simply don\'t shut my mind off very well when I\'m not doing anything. <br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I thought the New Year present was no better time to give meditation another try.  (Sadly, our group disbanded in 2002.) </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>On day 103, I situated myself in a half-lotus position in my living room and...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Fell asleep. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>When I awoke, I attempted the meditation again, <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/09/day-102-hot-tubbing-alone-waaa/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>but this time I couldn\'t stop thinking about the prior evening and how I really missed making out with boyfriends in hot tubs</strong> </a>(one at a time, of course).  So my meditation suddenly turned somewhat soft-pornish in nature which is I believe is technically a \"fantasy\" and not a \"meditation\". </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I am committed to trying yet again!  Perhaps my problem stems for the late evening hours when my body is ready for sleep and making out.  Therefore, I will pick a morning this week to meditate and see if an early morning meditation makes a hill of beans. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Wish me luck!</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Namaste. </p>','Day 103:  I\'m a Meditation Moron','','inherit','open','open','','3199-revision-6','','','2011-01-09 18:33:36','2011-01-10 01:33:36','',3199,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/09/3199-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(3218,1,'2011-01-09 18:33:54','2011-01-10 01:33:54','<p><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/evanosherow/3393932916/sizes/m/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3213\" title=\"www.SantaCruzDharma.org\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/3393932916_db7abf50e5-e1294622022284-300x172.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"172\" /></a>In my former life (around 10-15 years ago), I took a meditation class through a community learning center.  After the two month class, a few of us diehards broke away and formed our own meditation group. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>We met at a couples\' house every Wednesday night.  We would chat.  And chat.  And chat.  And then meditate together for 20 - 30 minutes.   This group stayed in tact for years, and we became the closest of friends. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Every Wednesday night, like clockwork, I would fall asleep during the meditation.  Which I guess is sort of good if the meditation relaxed me <em>that much. </em>But after all of those years, I never quite felt like a \"meditator\". </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I\'m great at <em><strong><a href=\"http://www.mindfulness.com/\" target=\"_blank\">mindful </a></strong></em>activities, like yoga or hiking.  I can shut my mind off and stay in the present moment.  I simply don\'t shut my mind off very well when I\'m not doing anything. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /> </p>\r\n\r\n<p>I thought the New Year present was no better time to give meditation another try.  (Sadly, our group disbanded in 2002.) </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>On day 103, I situated myself in a half-lotus position in my living room and...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Fell asleep. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>When I awoke, I attempted the meditation again, <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/09/day-102-hot-tubbing-alone-waaa/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>but this time I couldn\'t stop thinking about the prior evening and how I really missed making out with boyfriends in hot tubs</strong> </a>(one at a time, of course).  So my meditation suddenly turned somewhat soft-pornish in nature which is I believe is technically a \"fantasy\" and not a \"meditation\". </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I am committed to trying yet again!  Perhaps my problem stems for the late evening hours when my body is ready for sleep and making out.  Therefore, I will pick a morning this week to meditate and see if an early morning meditation makes a hill of beans. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Wish me luck!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Namaste. </p>','Day 103:  I\'m a Meditation Moron','','inherit','open','open','','3199-revision-7','','','2011-01-09 18:33:54','2011-01-10 01:33:54','',3199,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/09/3199-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(3219,1,'2011-01-09 18:34:26','2011-01-10 01:34:26','<p><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/evanosherow/3393932916/sizes/m/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3213\" title=\"www.SantaCruzDharma.org\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/3393932916_db7abf50e5-e1294622022284-300x172.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"172\" /></a>In my former life (around 10-15 years ago), I took a meditation class through a community learning center.  After the two month class, a few of us diehards broke away and formed our own meditation group. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>We met at a couples\' house every Wednesday night.  We would chat.  And chat.  And chat.  And then meditate together for 20 - 30 minutes.   This group stayed in tact for years, and we became the closest of friends. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Every Wednesday night, like clockwork, I would fall asleep during the meditation.  Which I guess is sort of good if the meditation relaxed me <em>that much. </em>But after all of those years, I never quite felt like a \"meditator\". </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I\'m great at <em><strong><a href=\"http://www.mindfulness.com/\" target=\"_blank\">mindful </a></strong></em>activities, like yoga or hiking.  I can shut my mind off and stay in the present moment.  I simply don\'t shut my mind off very well when I\'m not doing anything. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /> I thought the New Year present was no better time to give meditation another try.  (Sadly, our group disbanded in 2002.) </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>On day 103, I situated myself in a half-lotus position in my living room and...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Fell asleep. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>When I awoke, I attempted the meditation again, <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/09/day-102-hot-tubbing-alone-waaa/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>but this time I couldn\'t stop thinking about the prior evening and how I really missed making out with boyfriends in hot tubs</strong> </a>(one at a time, of course).  So my meditation suddenly turned somewhat soft-pornish in nature which is I believe is technically a \"fantasy\" and not a \"meditation\". </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I am committed to trying yet again!  Perhaps my problem stems for the late evening hours when my body is ready for sleep and making out.  Therefore, I will pick a morning this week to meditate and see if an early morning meditation makes a hill of beans. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Wish me luck!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Namaste. </p>','Day 103:  I\'m a Meditation Moron','','inherit','open','open','','3199-revision-8','','','2011-01-09 18:34:26','2011-01-10 01:34:26','',3199,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/09/3199-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(3221,1,'2011-01-09 18:36:57','2011-01-10 01:36:57','<p><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/evanosherow/3393932916/sizes/m/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3213\" title=\"www.SantaCruzDharma.org\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/3393932916_db7abf50e5-e1294622022284-300x172.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"172\" /></a>In my former life (around 10-15 years ago), I took a meditation class through a community learning center.  After the two month class, a few of us diehards broke away and formed our own meditation group. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>We met at a couples\' house every Wednesday night.  We would chat.  And chat.  And chat.  And then meditate together for 20 - 30 minutes.   This group stayed in tact for years, and we became the closest of friends. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Every Wednesday night, like clockwork, I would fall asleep during the meditation.  Which I guess is sort of good if the meditation relaxed me <em>that much. </em>But after all of those years, I never quite felt like a \"meditator\". </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I\'m great at <em><strong><a href=\"http://www.mindfulness.com/\" target=\"_blank\">mindful </a></strong></em>activities, like yoga or hiking.  I can shut my mind off and stay in the present moment.  I simply don\'t shut my mind off very well when I\'m not doing anything. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />I thought the New Year present was no better time to give meditation another try.  (Sadly, our group disbanded in 2002.) </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>On day 103, I situated myself in a half-lotus position in my living room and...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Fell asleep. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>When I awoke, I attempted the meditation again, <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/09/day-102-hot-tubbing-alone-waaa/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>but this time I couldn\'t stop thinking about the prior evening and how I really missed making out with boyfriends in hot tubs</strong> </a>(one at a time, of course).  So my meditation suddenly turned somewhat soft-pornish in nature which is I believe is technically a \"fantasy\" and not a \"meditation\". </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I am committed to trying yet again!  Perhaps my problem stems from the late evening hours when my body is ready for sleep and making out.  Therefore, I will pick a morning this week to meditate and see if an early morning meditation makes a hill of beans. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Wish me luck!</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Namaste. </p>','Day 103:  I\'m a Meditation Moron','','inherit','open','open','','3199-revision-10','','','2011-01-09 18:36:57','2011-01-10 01:36:57','',3199,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/09/3199-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(3222,1,'2011-01-09 18:38:38','2011-01-10 01:38:38','<p><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/evanosherow/3393932916/sizes/m/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3213\" title=\"www.SantaCruzDharma.org\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/3393932916_db7abf50e5-e1294622022284-300x172.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"172\" /></a>In my former life (around 10-15 years ago), I took a meditation class through a community learning center.  After the two month class, a few of us diehards broke away and formed our own meditation group. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>We met at a couples\' house every Wednesday night.  We would chat.  And chat.  And chat.  And then meditate together for 20 - 30 minutes.   This group stayed in tact for years, and we became the closest of friends. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Every Wednesday night, like clockwork, I would fall asleep during the meditation.  Which I guess is sort of good if the meditation relaxed me <em>that much. </em>But after all of those years, I never quite felt like a \"meditator\". </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I\'m great at <em><strong><a href=\"http://www.mindfulness.com/\" target=\"_blank\">mindful </a></strong></em>activities, like yoga or hiking.  I can shut my mind chatter off and stay in the present moment.  I simply can\'t shut it off very well when I\'m not doing anything. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />I thought the New Year present was no better time to give meditation another try.  (Sadly, our group disbanded in 2002.) </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>On day 103, I situated myself in a half-lotus position in my living room and...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Fell asleep. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>When I awoke, I attempted the meditation again, <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/09/day-102-hot-tubbing-alone-waaa/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>but this time I couldn\'t stop thinking about the prior evening and how I really missed making out with boyfriends in hot tubs</strong> </a>(one at a time, of course).  So my meditation suddenly turned somewhat soft-pornish in nature which is I believe is technically a \"fantasy\" and not a \"meditation\". </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I am committed to trying yet again!  Perhaps my problem stems from the late evening hours when my body is ready for sleep and making out.  Therefore, I will pick a morning this week to meditate and see if an early morning meditation makes a hill of beans. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Wish me luck!</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Namaste. </p>','Day 103:  I\'m a Meditation Moron','','inherit','open','open','','3199-revision-11','','','2011-01-09 18:38:38','2011-01-10 01:38:38','',3199,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/09/3199-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(3223,1,'2011-01-09 20:54:36','2011-01-10 03:54:36','<p>Waaaa...I\'ve dreaded writing this post.  It turns out to be entirely different from what I anticipated. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>You know the makers of<strong> </strong><a href=\"http://www.beachbody.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>P90X</strong></a>?  I\'ve been doing their workouts for 2.5 years now.  I cancelled my pricey gym membership and do these workouts in my home first thing in the morning before life gets in the way. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I have never been more fit.  You heard me.  I am more fit working out in my living room than the years since college working out in the gym.  Granted, I was fit before, but these workouts took me to the next level.  I\'ve tried Power 90, bits of P90X, Power 90 Master Series, and most recently, <a href=\"http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/chalean_extreme.do?code=CHALEANEXTREMEDOTCOM\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>ChaLEAN Extreme.</strong></a> </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>ChaLEAN Extreme is kind of like P90X for chicks.  It\'s a GREAT workout lead by a GREAT trainer, Chalene Johnson.  love, Love, LOVE her!!! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I love her so much that I asked for her latest workout, <a href=\"http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/turbofire.do?code=TURBOFIREDOTCOM\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>TurboFire,</strong> </a>for Christmas.  I started it on Day 104 and...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Fizzle.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>TurboFire and I are not a match.  It\'s best that we go our separate ways. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>However, this doesn\'t mean that TurboFire isn\'t a match for you!  If highly choreographed kickboxing workouts are your thing, go for it!  I\'m more of a weights and basic training style cardio girl.  To each his own. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>If you are like me, then check out <a href=\"http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/chalean_extreme.do?code=CHALEANEXTREMEDOTCOM\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>ChaLEAN Extreme</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  You will not be disappointed! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Now...I need to return TurboFire.  Question of the Day:  Do I just ask for Mom\'s money back, or do I exchange TurboFire for <strong><a href=\"http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/brazil_butt_lift.do?tnt=BBL_SUMMER_B2\" target=\"_blank\">Brazil Butt Lift</a></strong>?  Now THAT\"S blog material!!!</p>','Day 104:  TurboFire Fizzled for Me','','inherit','open','open','','3201-revision-2','','','2011-01-09 20:54:36','2011-01-10 03:54:36','',3201,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/09/3201-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(3224,1,'2011-01-09 20:55:01','2011-01-10 03:55:01','<p>Waaaa...I\'ve dreaded writing this post.  It turns out to be entirely different from what I anticipated. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>You know the makers of<strong> </strong><a href=\"http://www.beachbody.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>P90X</strong></a>?  I\'ve been doing their workouts for 2.5 years now.  I cancelled my pricey gym membership and do these workouts in my home first thing in the morning before life gets in the way. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I have never been more fit.  You heard me.  I am more fit working out in my living room than the years since college working out in the gym.  Granted, I was fit before, but these workouts took me to the next level.  I\'ve tried Power 90, bits of P90X, Power 90 Master Series, and most recently, <a href=\"http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/chalean_extreme.do?code=CHALEANEXTREMEDOTCOM\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>ChaLEAN Extreme.</strong></a> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>ChaLEAN Extreme is kind of like P90X for chicks.  It\'s a GREAT workout lead by a GREAT trainer, Chalene Johnson.  love, Love, LOVE her!!! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I love her so much that I asked for her latest workout, <a href=\"http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/turbofire.do?code=TURBOFIREDOTCOM\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>TurboFire,</strong> </a>for Christmas.  I started it on Day 104 and...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Fizzle.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>TurboFire and I are not a match.  It\'s best that we go our separate ways. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>However, this doesn\'t mean that TurboFire isn\'t a match for you!  If highly choreographed kickboxing workouts are your thing, go for it!  I\'m more of a weights and basic training style cardio girl.  To each his own. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>If you are like me, then check out <a href=\"http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/chalean_extreme.do?code=CHALEANEXTREMEDOTCOM\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>ChaLEAN Extreme</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  You will not be disappointed! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Now...I need to return TurboFire.  Question of the Day:  Do I just ask for Mom\'s money back, or do I exchange TurboFire for <strong><a href=\"http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/brazil_butt_lift.do?tnt=BBL_SUMMER_B2\" target=\"_blank\">Brazil Butt Lift</a></strong>?  Now THAT\"S blog material!!!</p>','Day 104:  TurboFire Fizzled for Me','','inherit','open','open','','3201-revision-3','','','2011-01-09 20:55:01','2011-01-10 03:55:01','',3201,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/09/3201-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(3226,1,'2011-01-09 20:56:42','2011-01-10 03:56:42','<p>Day 105 was a sad day for my home state of Arizona and a sad day for America. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I don\'t understand</p>','Day 105:  Candlelit Vigil ','','inherit','open','open','','3225-revision','','','2011-01-09 20:56:42','2011-01-10 03:56:42','',3225,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/09/3225-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(3227,1,'2011-01-09 21:12:54','2011-01-10 04:12:54','','candlelight','','inherit','open','open','','candlelight','','','2011-01-09 21:12:54','2011-01-10 04:12:54','',3225,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/candlelight.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(3228,1,'2011-01-09 21:13:26','2011-01-10 04:13:26','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/candlelight.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3227\" title=\"candlelight\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/candlelight-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" /></a>Day 105 was a sad day for my home state of Arizona and a sad day for America. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I don\'t understand</p>','Day 105:  Candlelit Vigil ','','inherit','open','open','','3225-revision-2','','','2011-01-09 21:13:26','2011-01-10 04:13:26','',3225,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/09/3225-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(3229,1,'2011-01-09 21:15:57','2011-01-10 04:15:57','<p><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/alesadam/3869366195/sizes/m/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3227\" title=\"candlelight\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/candlelight-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" /></a>Day 105 was a sad day for my home state of Arizona and a sad day for America. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I don\'t understand</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>To Bless the Space Between Us:  A Collection of Invocations and Blessings by John O\'Donohue.  From a Master Poet, Celtic Blessings and Insights to Inspire, Heal, and Guide.  features the music of Irish harpist</p>','Day 105:  Candlelit Vigil ','','inherit','open','open','','3225-revision-3','','','2011-01-09 21:15:57','2011-01-10 04:15:57','',3225,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/09/3225-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(3230,1,'2011-01-09 18:38:53','2011-01-10 01:38:53','<p><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/evanosherow/3393932916/sizes/m/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3213\" title=\"www.SantaCruzDharma.org\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/3393932916_db7abf50e5-e1294622022284-300x172.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"172\" /></a>In my former life (around 10-15 years ago), I took a meditation class through a community learning center.  After the two month class, a few of us diehards broke away and formed our own meditation group. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>We met at a couples\' house every Wednesday night.  We would chat.  And chat.  And chat.  And then meditate together for 20 - 30 minutes.   This group stayed in tact for years, and we became the closest of friends. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Every Wednesday night, like clockwork, I would fall asleep during the meditation.  Which I guess is sort of good if the meditation relaxed me <em>that much. </em>But after all of those years, I never quite felt like a \"meditator\". </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I\'m great at <em><strong><a href=\"http://www.mindfulness.com/\" target=\"_blank\">mindful </a></strong></em>activities, like yoga or hiking.  I can shut my mind chatter off and stay in the present moment.  I simply can\'t shut it off very well when I\'m not doing anything. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />I thought the New Year present was no better time to give meditation another try.  (Sadly, our group disbanded in 2002.) </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>On day 103, I situated myself in a half-lotus position in my living room and...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Fell asleep. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>When I awoke, I attempted the meditation again, <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/09/day-102-hot-tubbing-alone-waaa/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>but this time I couldn\'t stop thinking about the prior evening and how I really missed making out with boyfriends in hot tubs</strong> </a>(one at a time, of course).  So my meditation suddenly turned somewhat soft-pornish in nature which is I believe is technically a \"fantasy\" and not a \"meditation\". </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I am committed to trying yet again!  Perhaps my problem stems from the late evening hours when my body is ready for sleep and making out.  Therefore, I will pick a morning this week to meditate and see if an early morning meditation makes a hill of beans. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Wish me luck!</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Namaste. </p>','Day 103:  I\'m a Meditation Moron','','inherit','open','open','','3199-revision-12','','','2011-01-09 18:38:53','2011-01-10 01:38:53','',3199,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/09/3199-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(3231,1,'2011-01-10 20:16:50','2011-01-11 03:16:50','<p><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/evanosherow/3393932916/sizes/m/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3213\" title=\"www.SantaCruzDharma.org\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/3393932916_db7abf50e5-e1294622022284-300x172.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"172\" /></a>In my former life (around 10-15 years ago), I took a meditation class through a community learning center.  After the two month class, a few of us diehards broke away and formed our own meditation group. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>We met at a couples\' house every Wednesday night.  We would chat.  And chat.  And chat.  And then meditate together for 20 - 30 minutes.   This group stayed in tact for years, and we became the closest of friends. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Every Wednesday night, like clockwork, I would fall asleep during the meditation.  Which I guess is sort of good if the meditation relaxed me <em>that much. </em>But after all of those years, I never quite felt like a \"meditator\". </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I\'m great at <em><strong><a href=\"http://www.mindfulness.com/\" target=\"_blank\">mindful </a></strong></em>activities, like yoga or hiking.  I can shut my mind chatter off and stay in the present moment.  I simply can\'t shut it off very well when I\'m not doing anything. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" />I thought the New Year present was no better time to give meditation another try.  (Sadly, our group disbanded in 2002.) </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>On day 103, I situated myself in a half-lotus position in my living room and...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Fell asleep. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>When I awoke, I attempted the meditation again, <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/09/day-102-hot-tubbing-alone-waaa/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>but this time I couldn\'t stop thinking about the prior evening and how I really missed making out with boyfriends in hot tubs</strong> </a>(one at a time, of course).  So my meditation suddenly turned somewhat soft-pornish in nature which I believe is technically a \"fantasy\" and not a \"meditation\". </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I am committed to trying yet again!  Perhaps my problem stems from the late evening hours when my body is ready for sleep and making out.  Therefore, I will pick a morning this week to meditate and see if an early morning meditation makes a hill of beans. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Wish me luck!</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Namaste. </p>','Day 103:  I\'m a Meditation Moron','','inherit','open','open','','3199-autosave','','','2011-01-10 20:16:50','2011-01-11 03:16:50','',3199,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/10/3199-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(3232,1,'2011-01-10 21:03:58','2011-01-11 04:03:58','<p><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/alesadam/3869366195/sizes/m/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3227\" title=\"candlelight\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/candlelight-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" /></a>Day 105 was a sad day for my home state of Arizona and a sad day for America. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Usually I am not a news watcher.  Years ago, I followed Dr. Andrew Weil\'s advice on news fasting, and I never looked back. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>On Saturday, I couldn\'t tear myself away from the news.  Perhaps because this particular tragedy hit so close to home.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>When a candlelit vigil at the state capitol was announced, I immediately felt called to ditch my evening plans (and blog project plans) of dancing to participate in the vigil.  I wasn\'t in the mood for a country bar.  I craved personal quiet time for reflection. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I couldn\'t find anyone to go to the capitol with me, and I didn\'t want to head downtown alone.  Instead, I conducted a candlelit vigil on my own at home. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I lit a candle and listened to selections from <strong><a href=\"http://www.soundstrue.com/shop/To-Bless-the-Space-Between-Us/536.pd\" target=\"_blank\">To Bless the Space Between Us:  A Collection of Invocations and Blessings</a></strong> by John O\'Donohue. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I prayed for the victims and their families.  I prayed for an end to senseless tragedies.  I prayed for hope, peace and love to expand in our world. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Since then, I have not turned the news back on.  I am back to my fast.  What I despise about the news is its incessant harboring on all that is bad and ugly in this world.  The news media are like vultures when a tragedy occurs.  They pick apart every disgusting detail. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Do we really need to know all the details? </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>What if the news focused on what is beautiful and positive in this world?  What if the news took a break from its current coverage from Tucson and shared stories of hope and wisdom and courage? </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Then I might tune in again.  For now, I will continue to fast.  <a href=\"http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART02034/simple-steps-to-a-better-life.html#rejuvenate\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Will you join me in a news fast?</strong> </a></p>','Day 105:  Candlelit Vigil ','','inherit','open','open','','3225-revision-4','','','2011-01-10 21:03:58','2011-01-11 04:03:58','',3225,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/10/3225-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(3233,1,'2011-01-10 21:04:49','2011-01-11 04:04:49','<p><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/alesadam/3869366195/sizes/m/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3227\" title=\"candlelight\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/candlelight-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" /></a>Day 105 was a sad day for my home state of Arizona and a sad day for America. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Usually I am not a news watcher.  Years ago, I followed Dr. Andrew Weil\'s advice on news fasting, and I never looked back. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>On Saturday, I couldn\'t tear myself away from the news.  Perhaps because this particular tragedy hit so close to home.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>When a candlelit vigil at the state capitol was announced, I immediately felt called to ditch my evening plans (and blog project plans) of dancing to participate in the vigil.  I wasn\'t in the mood for a country bar.  I craved personal quiet time for reflection. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I couldn\'t find anyone to go to the capitol with me, and I didn\'t want to head downtown alone.  Instead, I conducted a candlelit vigil on my own at home. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I lit a candle and listened to selections from <strong><a href=\"http://www.soundstrue.com/shop/To-Bless-the-Space-Between-Us/536.pd\" target=\"_blank\">To Bless the Space Between Us:  A Collection of Invocations and Blessings</a></strong> by John O\'Donohue. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I prayed for the victims and their families.  I prayed for an end to senseless tragedies.  I prayed for hope, peace and love to expand in our world. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Since then, I have not turned the news back on.  I am back to my fast.  What I despise about the news is its incessant harboring on all that is bad and ugly in this world.  The news media are like vultures when a tragedy occurs.  They pick apart every disgusting detail. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Do we really need to know all the details? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>What if the news focused on what is beautiful and positive in this world?  What if the news took a break from its current coverage from Tucson and shared stories of hope and wisdom and courage? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Then I might tune in again.  For now, I will continue to fast.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>  <a href=\"http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART02034/simple-steps-to-a-better-life.html#rejuvenate\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Will you join me in a news fast?</strong> </a></p>','Day 105:  Candlelit Vigil ','','inherit','open','open','','3225-revision-5','','','2011-01-10 21:04:49','2011-01-11 04:04:49','',3225,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/10/3225-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(3234,1,'2011-01-10 21:12:05','2011-01-11 04:12:05','<p><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/alesadam/3869366195/sizes/m/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3227\" title=\"candlelight\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/candlelight-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" /></a>Day 105 was a sad day for my home state of Arizona and a sad day for America. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Usually I am not a news watcher.  Years ago, I followed Dr. Andrew Weil\'s advice on news fasting, and I never looked back. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>On Saturday, I couldn\'t tear myself away from the news.  Perhaps because this particular tragedy hit so close to home.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>When a candlelit vigil at the state capitol was announced, I immediately felt called to ditch my evening plans (and blog project plans) of dancing to participate in the vigil.  I wasn\'t in the mood for a country bar.  I craved personal quiet time for reflection. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I couldn\'t find anyone to go to the capitol with me, and I didn\'t want to head downtown alone.  Instead, I conducted a candlelit vigil on my own at home. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I lit a candle and listened to selections from <strong><a href=\"http://www.soundstrue.com/shop/To-Bless-the-Space-Between-Us/536.pd\" target=\"_blank\">To Bless the Space Between Us:  A Collection of Invocations and Blessings</a></strong> by John O\'Donohue. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I prayed for the victims and their families.  I prayed for an end to senseless tragedies.  I prayed for hope, peace and love to expand in our world. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Since then, I have not turned the news back on.  I am back to my fast. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>What I despise about the news is its incessant harboring on all that is bad and ugly in this world.  The news media are like vultures when a tragedy occurs.  They pick apart every disgusting detail. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Do we really need to know all the details? </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>What if the news focused on what is beautiful and positive in this world?  What if the news took a break from its current coverage from Tucson and shared stories of hope and wisdom and courage? </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Is this really so Pollyanna-ish?  I don\'t think so.  The news media is a business.  And business is based on supply and demand.  If we demand different news stories, the media will deliver. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART02034/simple-steps-to-a-better-life.html#rejuvenate\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Will you join me in a news fast?</strong> </a></p>','Day 105:  Candlelit Vigil ','','inherit','open','open','','3225-autosave','','','2011-01-10 21:12:05','2011-01-11 04:12:05','',3225,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/10/3225-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(3235,1,'2011-01-10 21:05:08','2011-01-11 04:05:08','<p><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/alesadam/3869366195/sizes/m/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3227\" title=\"candlelight\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/candlelight-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" /></a>Day 105 was a sad day for my home state of Arizona and a sad day for America. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Usually I am not a news watcher.  Years ago, I followed Dr. Andrew Weil\'s advice on news fasting, and I never looked back. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>On Saturday, I couldn\'t tear myself away from the news.  Perhaps because this particular tragedy hit so close to home.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>When a candlelit vigil at the state capitol was announced, I immediately felt called to ditch my evening plans (and blog project plans) of dancing to participate in the vigil.  I wasn\'t in the mood for a country bar.  I craved personal quiet time for reflection. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I couldn\'t find anyone to go to the capitol with me, and I didn\'t want to head downtown alone.  Instead, I conducted a candlelit vigil on my own at home. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I lit a candle and listened to selections from <strong><a href=\"http://www.soundstrue.com/shop/To-Bless-the-Space-Between-Us/536.pd\" target=\"_blank\">To Bless the Space Between Us:  A Collection of Invocations and Blessings</a></strong> by John O\'Donohue. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I prayed for the victims and their families.  I prayed for an end to senseless tragedies.  I prayed for hope, peace and love to expand in our world. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Since then, I have not turned the news back on.  I am back to my fast.  What I despise about the news is its incessant harboring on all that is bad and ugly in this world.  The news media are like vultures when a tragedy occurs.  They pick apart every disgusting detail. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Do we really need to know all the details? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>What if the news focused on what is beautiful and positive in this world?  What if the news took a break from its current coverage from Tucson and shared stories of hope and wisdom and courage? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Then I might tune in again.  For now, I will continue to fast.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>  <a href=\"http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART02034/simple-steps-to-a-better-life.html#rejuvenate\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Will you join me in a news fast?</strong> </a></p>','Day 105:  Candlelit Vigil ','','inherit','open','open','','3225-revision-6','','','2011-01-10 21:05:08','2011-01-11 04:05:08','',3225,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/10/3225-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(3236,1,'2011-01-10 21:08:10','2011-01-11 04:08:10','<p><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/alesadam/3869366195/sizes/m/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3227\" title=\"candlelight\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/candlelight-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" /></a>Day 105 was a sad day for my home state of Arizona and a sad day for America. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Usually I am not a news watcher.  Years ago, I followed Dr. Andrew Weil\'s advice on news fasting, and I never looked back. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>On Saturday, I couldn\'t tear myself away from the news.  Perhaps because this particular tragedy hit so close to home.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>When a candlelit vigil at the state capitol was announced, I immediately felt called to ditch my evening plans (and blog project plans) of dancing to participate in the vigil.  I wasn\'t in the mood for a country bar.  I craved personal quiet time for reflection. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I couldn\'t find anyone to go to the capitol with me, and I didn\'t want to head downtown alone.  Instead, I conducted a candlelit vigil on my own at home. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I lit a candle and listened to selections from <strong><a href=\"http://www.soundstrue.com/shop/To-Bless-the-Space-Between-Us/536.pd\" target=\"_blank\">To Bless the Space Between Us:  A Collection of Invocations and Blessings</a></strong> by John O\'Donohue. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I prayed for the victims and their families.  I prayed for an end to senseless tragedies.  I prayed for hope, peace and love to expand in our world. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Since then, I have not turned the news back on.  I am back to my fast. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>What I despise about the news is its incessant harboring on all that is bad and ugly in this world.  The news media are like vultures when a tragedy occurs.  They pick apart every disgusting detail. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Do we really need to know all the details? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>What if the news focused on what is beautiful and positive in this world?  What if the news took a break from its current coverage from Tucson and shared stories of hope and wisdom and courage? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Is this really so Pollyana-ish?  I don\'t think so.  The news media is a business.  And business is based on supply and demand.  If we demand different news stories, the media will deliver. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>  <a href=\"http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART02034/simple-steps-to-a-better-life.html#rejuvenate\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Will you join me in a news fast?</strong> </a></p>','Day 105:  Candlelit Vigil ','','inherit','open','open','','3225-revision-7','','','2011-01-10 21:08:10','2011-01-11 04:08:10','',3225,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/10/3225-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(3237,1,'2011-01-10 21:09:17','2011-01-11 04:09:17','<p><a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/alesadam/3869366195/sizes/m/in/photostream/\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3227\" title=\"candlelight\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/candlelight-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" /></a>Day 105 was a sad day for my home state of Arizona and a sad day for America. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Usually I am not a news watcher.  Years ago, I followed Dr. Andrew Weil\'s advice on news fasting, and I never looked back. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>On Saturday, I couldn\'t tear myself away from the news.  Perhaps because this particular tragedy hit so close to home.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>When a candlelit vigil at the state capitol was announced, I immediately felt called to ditch my evening plans (and blog project plans) of dancing to participate in the vigil.  I wasn\'t in the mood for a country bar.  I craved personal quiet time for reflection. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I couldn\'t find anyone to go to the capitol with me, and I didn\'t want to head downtown alone.  Instead, I conducted a candlelit vigil on my own at home. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I lit a candle and listened to selections from <strong><a href=\"http://www.soundstrue.com/shop/To-Bless-the-Space-Between-Us/536.pd\" target=\"_blank\">To Bless the Space Between Us:  A Collection of Invocations and Blessings</a></strong> by John O\'Donohue. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I prayed for the victims and their families.  I prayed for an end to senseless tragedies.  I prayed for hope, peace and love to expand in our world. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Since then, I have not turned the news back on.  I am back to my fast. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>What I despise about the news is its incessant harboring on all that is bad and ugly in this world.  The news media are like vultures when a tragedy occurs.  They pick apart every disgusting detail. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Do we really need to know all the details? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>What if the news focused on what is beautiful and positive in this world?  What if the news took a break from its current coverage from Tucson and shared stories of hope and wisdom and courage? </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Is this really so Pollyana-ish?  I don\'t think so.  The news media is a business.  And business is based on supply and demand.  If we demand different news stories, the media will deliver. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART02034/simple-steps-to-a-better-life.html#rejuvenate\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Will you join me in a news fast?</strong> </a></p>','Day 105:  Candlelit Vigil ','','inherit','open','open','','3225-revision-8','','','2011-01-10 21:09:17','2011-01-11 04:09:17','',3225,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/10/3225-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(3238,1,'2011-01-10 21:14:41','2011-01-11 04:14:41','<p>Waaaa...I\'ve dreaded writing this post.  It turns out to be entirely different from what I anticipated. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>You know the makers of<strong> </strong><a href=\"http://www.beachbody.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>P90X</strong></a>?  I\'ve been doing their workouts for 2.5 years now.  I cancelled my pricey gym membership and do these workouts in my home first thing in the morning before life gets in the way. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I have never been more fit.  You heard me.  I am more fit working out in my living room than the years since college working out in the gym.  Granted, I was fit before, but these workouts took me to the next level.  I\'ve tried Power 90, bits of P90X, Power 90 Master Series, and most recently, <a href=\"http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/chalean_extreme.do?code=CHALEANEXTREMEDOTCOM\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>ChaLEAN Extreme.</strong></a> </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>ChaLEAN Extreme is kind of like P90X for chicks.  It\'s a GREAT workout lead by a GREAT trainer, Chalene Johnson.  love, Love, LOVE her!!! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>I love her so much that I asked for her latest workout, <a href=\"http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/turbofire.do?code=TURBOFIREDOTCOM\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>TurboFire,</strong> </a>for Christmas.  I started it on Day 104 and...</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Fizzle.</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>TurboFire and I are not a match.  It\'s best that we go our separate ways. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>However, this doesn\'t mean that TurboFire isn\'t a match for you!  If highly choreographed kickboxing workouts are your thing, go for it!  I\'m more of a weights and basic training style cardio girl.  To each his own. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>If you are like me, then check out <a href=\"http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/chalean_extreme.do?code=CHALEANEXTREMEDOTCOM\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>ChaLEAN Extreme</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  You will not be disappointed! </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>Now...I need to return TurboFire.  Question of the Day:  Do I just ask for Mom\'s money back, or do I exchange TurboFire for <strong><a href=\"http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/brazil_butt_lift.do?tnt=BBL_SUMMER_B2\" target=\"_blank\">Brazil Butt Lift</a></strong>?  Now THAT\"S blog material!!!</p>','Day 104:  TurboFire Fizzled for Me','','inherit','open','open','','3201-autosave','','','2011-01-10 21:14:41','2011-01-11 04:14:41','',3201,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/10/3201-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(3239,1,'2011-01-10 21:16:10','2011-01-11 04:16:10','','chaleanextremeworks!','Don\'t let the cheesy poster fool you.  This workout WORKS!','inherit','open','open','','chaleanextremeworks','','','2011-01-10 21:16:10','2011-01-11 04:16:10','',3201,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/chaleanextremeworks.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(3240,1,'2011-01-09 20:55:27','2011-01-10 03:55:27','<p>Waaaa...I\'ve dreaded writing this post.  It turns out to be entirely different from what I anticipated. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>You know the makers of<strong> </strong><a href=\"http://www.beachbody.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>P90X</strong></a>?  I\'ve been doing their workouts for 2.5 years now.  I cancelled my pricey gym membership and do these workouts in my home first thing in the morning before life gets in the way. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I have never been more fit.  You heard me.  I am more fit working out in my living room than the years since college working out in the gym.  Granted, I was fit before, but these workouts took me to the next level.  I\'ve tried Power 90, bits of P90X, Power 90 Master Series, and most recently, <a href=\"http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/chalean_extreme.do?code=CHALEANEXTREMEDOTCOM\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>ChaLEAN Extreme.</strong></a> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>ChaLEAN Extreme is kind of like P90X for chicks.  It\'s a GREAT workout lead by a GREAT trainer, Chalene Johnson.  love, Love, LOVE her!!! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I love her so much that I asked for her latest workout, <a href=\"http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/turbofire.do?code=TURBOFIREDOTCOM\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>TurboFire,</strong> </a>for Christmas.  I started it on Day 104 and...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Fizzle.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>TurboFire and I are not a match.  It\'s best that we go our separate ways. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>However, this doesn\'t mean that TurboFire isn\'t a match for you!  If highly choreographed kickboxing workouts are your thing, go for it!  I\'m more of a weights and basic training style cardio girl.  To each his own. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>If you are like me, then check out <a href=\"http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/chalean_extreme.do?code=CHALEANEXTREMEDOTCOM\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>ChaLEAN Extreme</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  You will not be disappointed! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Now...I need to return TurboFire.  Question of the Day:  Do I just ask for Mom\'s money back, or do I exchange TurboFire for <strong><a href=\"http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/brazil_butt_lift.do?tnt=BBL_SUMMER_B2\" target=\"_blank\">Brazil Butt Lift</a></strong>?  Now THAT\"S blog material!!!</p>','Day 104:  TurboFire Fizzled for Me','','inherit','open','open','','3201-revision-4','','','2011-01-09 20:55:27','2011-01-10 03:55:27','',3201,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/09/3201-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(3241,1,'2011-01-10 21:17:58','2011-01-11 04:17:58','[caption id=\"attachment_3239\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Don&#39;t let the cheesy poster fool you. This workout WORKS!\"]<a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/kundalini/3176870492/sizes/m/in/photostream/\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3239\" title=\"chaleanextremeworks!\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/chaleanextremeworks-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<p>Waaaa...I\'ve dreaded writing this post.  It turns out to be entirely different from what I anticipated. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>You know the makers of<strong> </strong><a href=\"http://www.beachbody.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>P90X</strong></a>?  I\'ve been doing their workouts for 2.5 years now.  I cancelled my pricey gym membership and do these workouts in my home first thing in the morning before life gets in the way. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I have never been more fit.  You heard me.  I am more fit working out in my living room than the years since college working out in the gym.  Granted, I was fit before, but these workouts took me to the next level.  I\'ve tried Power 90, bits of P90X, Power 90 Master Series, and most recently, <a href=\"http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/chalean_extreme.do?code=CHALEANEXTREMEDOTCOM\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>ChaLEAN Extreme.</strong></a> </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>ChaLEAN Extreme is kind of like P90X for chicks.  It\'s a GREAT workout lead by a GREAT trainer, Chalene Johnson.  love, Love, LOVE her!!! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>I love her so much that I asked for her latest workout, <a href=\"http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/turbofire.do?code=TURBOFIREDOTCOM\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>TurboFire,</strong> </a>for Christmas.  I started it on Day 104 and...</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Fizzle.</p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>TurboFire and I are not a match.  It\'s best that we go our separate ways. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>However, this doesn\'t mean that TurboFire isn\'t a match for you!  If highly choreographed kickboxing workouts are your thing, go for it!  I\'m more of a weights and basic training style cardio girl.  To each his own. </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>If you are like me, then check out <a href=\"http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/chalean_extreme.do?code=CHALEANEXTREMEDOTCOM\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>ChaLEAN Extreme</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  You will not be disappointed! </p>\r\n\r\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\r\n\r\n<p>Now...I need to return TurboFire.  Question of the Day:  Do I just ask for Mom\'s money back, or do I exchange TurboFire for <strong><a href=\"http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/brazil_butt_lift.do?tnt=BBL_SUMMER_B2\" target=\"_blank\">Brazil Butt Lift</a></strong>?  Now THAT\"S blog material!!!</p>','Day 104:  TurboFire Fizzled for Me','','inherit','open','open','','3201-revision-5','','','2011-01-10 21:17:58','2011-01-11 04:17:58','',3201,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/10/3201-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(3246,1,'2011-01-11 19:24:12','2011-01-12 02:24:12','','SONY DSC','','inherit','open','open','','sony-dsc-2','','','2011-01-11 19:24:12','2011-01-12 02:24:12','',3243,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/DSC4147.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(3247,1,'2011-01-11 19:26:08','2011-01-12 02:26:08','','SONY DSC','','inherit','open','open','','sony-dsc-3','','','2011-01-11 19:26:08','2011-01-12 02:26:08','',3243,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/DSC4125.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(3248,1,'2011-01-11 19:26:52','2011-01-12 02:26:52','','SONY DSC','','inherit','open','open','','sony-dsc-4','','','2011-01-11 19:26:52','2011-01-12 02:26:52','',3243,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/DSC4127.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(3249,1,'2011-01-11 19:35:11','2011-01-12 02:35:11','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/DSC4150.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3245\" title=\"SONY DSC\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/DSC4150-300x214.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"214\" /></a>When you are World\'s Most Precious Pooch, everyone wants a piece of you. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>In the two months since I adopted Bella, her fan base is skyrocketing.  Her agent thinks she needs a facebook fan page and a twitter account to keep up with the growing interest, but her agent can barely keep up with her own facebook fan page and twitter account.  Sorry, Bella. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/DSC4147.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3246\" title=\"SONY DSC\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/DSC4147-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/DSC4125.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3247\" title=\"SONY DSC\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/DSC4125-214x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/DSC4127.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3248\" title=\"SONY DSC\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>','Day 106:  Canine Modeling -- It\'s a Ruff Life','','inherit','open','open','','3243-revision-2','','','2011-01-11 19:35:11','2011-01-12 02:35:11','',3243,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/11/3243-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(3250,1,'2011-01-11 19:49:16','2011-01-12 02:49:16','<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/DSC4150.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3245\" title=\"SONY DSC\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/DSC4150-300x214.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"214\" /></a>When you are World\'s Most Precious Pooch, everyone wants a piece of you. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>In the two months since I adopted Bella, her fan base is skyrocketing.  Her agent thinks she needs a facebook fan page and a twitter account to keep up with the growing interest, but her agent can barely keep up with her own facebook fan page and twitter account.  Sorry, Bella. </p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p>A sampling of recent BellaMania!:</p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /> </p>\n\n<ul>\n	<li>Sir Paul asked if he could write a song about Bella.  O.k., o.k.  I made that one up.  :-) </li>\n	<li>An exceptionally wise and insightful passerby gazed upon Bella and stopped in her tracks while announcing, <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/12/05/day-69-art-walk-was-a-bust-but/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"I have 5 dogs, but this is the cutest dog I\'ve ever seen!  She needs her own TV show!!!\"</strong>  </a>I later tweeted Animal Planet with her brilliant suggestion, but they have not responded.  I\'m sure they are swamped with playing post-holiday catch-up like the rest of America.  </li>\n	<li>On Bella\'s daily walk, a VERY HANDSOME JOGGER looks at Bella, looks at me and proclaims, \"World class cute\"!  We now walk the same path every day.  </li>\n	<li>On Bella\'s daily walk in Houston during the holidays, a neighbor halts his yard work to say, \"She looks just like the ads!\"  I am apparently braindead (which usually happens when I return home and revertand fail to ask which ad.  Duh.  </li>\n	<li>Vet techs at Bella\'s vet are overly concerned on who is going to watch Bella when I am out of town.  And when will I be going out of town next, they ask?  <br class=\"spacer_\" /></li>\n</ul>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/DSC4147.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3246\" title=\"SONY DSC\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/DSC4147-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/DSC4125.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3247\" title=\"SONY DSC\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/DSC4125-214x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>\n\n<p><br class=\"spacer_\" /></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/DSC4127.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3248\" title=\"SONY DSC\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>','Day 106:  Canine Modeling -- It\'s a Ruff Life','','inherit','open','open','','3243-revision-3','','','2011-01-11 19:49:16','2011-01-12 02:49:16','',3243,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/11/3243-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0);
