Where did all the good juju go?

I've been a complete Scrooge for the last month. As a result, negativity happened & my laptop died. I did read a couple of stinky books (no offense, but they weren't my cup of tea...but since I won't publish the names of hard working authors who missed the mark with me...I suppose no harm done). However, I also read a couple of GREAT books! Those, I'll talk about....after I get my new computer next week.

In the meantime...I've decided to make a 2011 bucket List. Resolutions are meant to be broken...but the bucket list....it somehow seems more obtainable. it'll be as full as I make it....but no so full that I can't carry it into 2012. I will say, it's going to be a BIG year for me personally. I'll be graduating with a PhD in psychology. I'll be submitting my book series (Glass Houses) starting with Gideon's Angel to an agent or two & pitching it at RWA nationals. And, I'll be writing the other 4 books in that series...they're all completely done in my head, but like any great accomplishment.....and the Nike company logo...I have to Just Do It!

[**Eddie Redmayne is the muse/inspiration for Gideon's character....if you didn't see him in Red for which he won a Tony.....did you see him in Pillars of the Earth? My all-time top favorite books.....MANY years before Oprah picked it...we're talking in the 1990's when I read it....and the movie did it justice]

And...the culmination of my dissertation will be developed into a book by the same name. The experience of happiness. Everyone in the field (and some outside of the field) of positive psychology is telling us "how to"...but there aren't many who are walking through that mine field. I'm working with romance writers 'cause who should know the intimate details of the experience of happiness better...than the people who write about "happily ever after"???? anyway.....that's on the front burner.

I love reading...addicted to it really....so will of course, continue to comb my pile for the stuff that makes for good juju. But, ...choice of word intended....I sit for work, I sit for pleasure and other than the 6 hours a week I'll be actually standing while I teach at a university.....I sit while driving to and from work. Of course I can read & write...but the butt.....and all she's attached to.....have gone on strike. I've turned into a big bowl of jello and not in a happy jiggly way....in a I'm-not-doing-any-favors-to-my-health kind of way. So, I have a Wii Fit Balance Board (thank you self-Santa)....and the Zumba Wii game (again, thank you Self-Santa)...and I'm going to get back in shape. Being a positive psychology life coach...I don't use words like "try" or "hopefully".....they indicate trying and failing or hoping but never achieving. instead...i am fostering a "it's just a way of life" attitude intent on positive action.

So, BIG changes for this side of the blog....all good juju....but with the knowledge that no matter what kind of change it is....change causes strong emotions to emerge and strong emotions can off-set the balance of things, so will be done gingerly (my favorite romance novel word). We have to be unconditionally in love with our lives and we have to be gentle with our emotions....the good ones...the bad ones...and (cliche warning)....the ugly ones.

That's my New Year Self-Adjustment to possibilities & probabilities.

Watch Next week for my review of Susan Wiggs, Kresley Cole, Joanne Kennedy's 2nd debut, & yep....Stephanie Myer's Host (which is MUCH more cerebral than the others...but yep...I'm a Twilight fan too....just so you know).

In the meantime....Happy Reading everybody!!! And....my big question....who inspires you. If you watch for the signs....they can be anyone.

Eddie Redmayne (you can IMBd.com him)....but hopefully, when Gideon's Angel is made into a movie...he'll be available to play Gideon. I want Jane Lynch to play his Mother (can't you see the resemblance).The Mother's a very bad person...but will redeem herself in the end...I hope!
(ok...THIS is dreaming...but dreaming is free & possibilities don't emerge from staying grounded all the time).