Julie Unplugged: Blog Hop

September 25, 2012

Yes: a Rarely (if ever) word used here from Ms. Julie Jordan Scott. Prepare Yourselves Before You Read.

I hate, abhor, can’t stand, would rather wish away being bored with myself and what I create.

This dramatic proclamation comes on the heels of one of my Autumn Blog Challenge Prompts: “I hate being..” I don't know if it is grammatically correct and to be frank, I don't even CARE!

It is one of the worst insults to any artist to be told your work is the “b” word. In fact, the words “hate” and “bored” (or any variation thereof) are not welcomed in my home. It might seem odd to not use those words, but we just don’t.

I think it was my seventh grade English teacher, Mr. Seymour, who said, “Only non creative people ever get bored” so from then on, I banished the word. I banished the creation of an environment of boredom. Instead, I create ALWAYS an environment of curiosity and curious questioning.

I worry almost incessantly that my art might come off as copy cat art.

I try to stay calm with it all. I do. But when I have created something and then see something similar, I want to cry or roll up in a ball. Sometimes I lift concepts from other artists, but I always hope to be at least somewhat unique and interesting rather than, you know.

I loathe, abhor, dislike in torrents, detest, am repulsed by… being seen as “the B word.”

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Posted at 12:27 PM in Art Begets Art, Autumn, Autumn Blog Challenge, Blog Hop, UPGs, Writing Challenge, Writing Prompt | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Remembering Back in the Day to My Best First Date...What was Your Best First Date?

Wow. Today's prompt for August Blog Challenge requires I dig back into my archives.

Subject? Best or worst first date.

I am grateful I haven’t had many worst dates because I tend to be openly fascinated with each person I encounter. Some first dates have been… ummm… more interesting than others and some of my break-ups have been hysterical… but this, for now, that I can come up with….

It is interesting because when I am not feeling well I tend to drudge up characters from my past. So I searched for him on facebook yesterday and read what I could. I don’t want to be his friend or anything, I am just curious about him.

Our first date was supposed to be an open mic followed by dinner. What a way to win my heart: agreeing to listen to poetry with me.

The open mic turned out to be another night so instead we went to dinner.

He didn’t know it, but the week leading up to that Friday night was extremely stressful. I needed a nice dinner and a friendly conversation companion. He chatted up a storm and I mostly smiled and nodded, but this was just right for that moment.

I was disappointed when I didn’t get a goodbye kiss. That came on date number two.

But I have to say, this date stands out as the best because #1) it was a first date after a long time without dating #2) its shape was based on what I love the most #3) even though we didn’t know each other well, the conversation flowed.

This isn't a photo from those days... it was long before digital photography - but it shows the way I felt before I went on this long ago date.

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Posted at 12:09 PM in Autumn Blog Challenge, Blog Hop, Blogging, Life Writing, Living the Question, long ago memories, Women's Sphere, Writing, Writing Inspiration, Writing Prompt | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

September 18, 2012

5 Short Term Personal Goals: Quite Different from My Norm but for my Temporary Norm, here they are....

I am finally off my butt and writing some long overdue Autumn Blog Challenges. I want to start where I am and work backwards or just keep going forward.

Here is the question for September 19: September 19 - List 5 short-term personal goals.

Get through my surgery for melanoma and quietly restore my rhythms with my new face.
Since I will not go out much while my face is still badly scarred, use that time to do stuff I normally procrastinate about: First priority, weave random writings into a less random book format.
Finish the Living Room (Sew curtains, hang photos and art.)
Work on Women’s Sphere art: specifically, more bowls and more hangable art.
For relaxation, dye paper, make flowers.

All my short term goals are all me. They mostly revolve around how to thrive post melanoma surgery. There are a lot of unknowns. What I do know is my face will have lots of stitches for who knows how long and I won’t feel very comfortable going out for a while.

Naturally my Mommying goals and my house goals are intact.

I should put a #6. Contemplate what comes next… and take what actions I can while at home.

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Posted at 08:36 PM in Autumn Blog Challenge, Blog Hop, Creative Home, Goals, Melanoma | Permalink | Comments (7) | TrackBack (0)

September 13, 2012

My Writing Confession. I know, I know, I KNOW what you'll say about it...

I saw Tui writing about her confession so I decided to join the ... can't call it pleasure, exactly, of saying what my biggest sin in writing is... and actually, it isn't DIRECTLY related to writing and it is. Here is where the blog hop started: Written Confessions Blog Hop

That said here is my confession:

I have to force myself to take the time to read novels.

"Why is this so horrid?" some of you might wonder?

Well, common knowledge is this: to be a worthwhile writer, one must be a worthwhile reader. I love snuggling up with a good book - especially memoir or letters - but I rarely do it these days.

Well, since I have a health issue right now, I may be spending more time snuggling up (with a book!) in the near future.

But for now, please forgive me, fellow writers and readers, for not reading much besides a screen like this one... not even an e-reader... for a long, long, long time.

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Posted at 10:10 AM in Blog Hop, Writing, Writing Block | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)

September 08, 2012

My Favorite "Go To" Recipe - Warning - this is NOT a paint by number creation.

Now, for all of you out there – one of the best features of this GO TO recipe is - uniqueness and creativity.

I use some consistent “materials” and otherwise, I improvise. No matter what I use, though, it gets raves.

If I am having friends to a casual dinner or want to feed my family something healthy and cool on a warm summer evening or having folks for lunch, this is my biggest hit. If you are having a lunch with friends, you could actually make it seasonal. (I am thinking adding craisins for the Fall, for example).

Chicken breast, marinated in either Balsalmic Vinaigrette or what you have on hand that leaves it tasting spicy in your favorite flavors.

Raw broccoli, stirred in Italian dressing or regular old Oil and Vinegar

Spring Salad Mix or any sort of DARK lettuces as the foundation

Add other raw veggies to taste

Optionals: pine nuts or almonds, seasonal fruit

You can treat this sort of like a crock pot meal: get the main stuff prepped and then just throw it all together right before you serve, like ten minutes before your guests arrive (or your family comes shrieking in yelling for dinner).

Phase One: Slice chicken breast into small chunks and marinate at least three hours. You may stir a couple times if you like but if you don’t it isn’t a big deal. It might sound weird, but I enjoy doing this as I make my children’s lunches in the morning.

Phase Two: Perhaps just after lunch or again, whenever as long as it is between eight and four hours before serving:

Pour Olive Oil into medium skillet on medium heat

Add chicken and marinate into the skillet and cook on medium heat, stirring occasionally.

Wait until thoroughly cooked, usually 15 minutes or so. Put in a bowl in the fridge so it can cool before serving.

Chop broccoli and put them in a bowl. Drizzle with Italian dressing – drizzle, not drown. Stir. Set aside.

Do a brief inventory for lettuce or lettuce mixes. Note any additions you want to throw in for extra texture or flavor. (Carrots, celery, nuts, tomatoes that sort of thing.)

Phase Three: Ten minutes before serving - Assemble the salad. Start with salad mixes and lettuce, add chicken and then throw in your extras. Toss with great exuberance. Do a taste test and see if more dressing is necessary. I usually DON’T add dressing, but I am not one who likes salads to be served like “having some salad with your dressing.” You may serve as is and have dressing on the side so people may add as much as they like.

I can’t believe I don’t have any photos of this, but trust me, its YUMMILICIOUS! I got the inspiration from a local restaurant and even people who don’t believe a salad can be a meal are convinced after eating this.

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Posted at 10:07 AM in Autumn Blog Challenge, Blog Hop, Busy Women's Tips | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)

August 30, 2012

Strangest Food I Ever Ate.... Well, I think it is strange, anyway...

When I was pregnant with my first baby, Marlena, I did all sorts of off things that to me shouted COURAGEOUS!

I wanted to give my child the gift of bravery, so I outdid myself in the “non self consciousness” zone. It was actually an excellent time of self growth and discovery.

I was in Scottsdale, Arizona at a sales meeting and I decided, when at a very Old Style Arizona restaurant, that I would try rattlesnake.

Its taste left no recollection at all for me. Some of you might find the fact that I like the taste of pickled cow tongue even more and eat it fairly regularly.

As for my daughter, she was very brave.

She faced death at birth, which turned out to me to be much scarier than eating weird food or doing odd things. Even now, twenty-two years later, I am sad over her death: being able to tell stories like this which include her, believe it or not, still help.

Thank you for reading.

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Posted at 07:59 AM in Blog Dare, Blog Hop, Blogging, Courage, Family, Fear, Summer Blog Challenge, Writing Prompt | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

August 10, 2012

Curiosity ~ Asking (and Living) Questions with Aloha Friday

I found a new playground to make new friends - Aloha Friday

I learned this from our lovely hostess Kailani. “In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So I thought that on Fridays I would take it easy on posting, too.”

So, with that in mind, she continues “Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and leave your Aloha Friday post link below. Also, please consider linking back to this post so that others can join in, too!”

And then…. A question, any question is asked of those hopping blogs making new friends, too. If you would like to link up, too (hopefully after you read my question!) Visit Aloha Friday here.

So my question is what is something you have been saying you wanted to try but haven’t yet? (Optional Bonus Question – what’s stopping you?) + a quick Pre-S for the folks from Aloha Friday - for some reason a lot of wordpress blogs block my comments... as they have from many of your blogs I have visited. Please check your [email protected] boxes... because I have enjoyed answering your questions & hope to get to know you.

Follow me on Twitter: @juliejordanscot

Julie Jordan Scott has been a Life & Creativity Coach, Writer, Facilitator and Teleclass Leader since 1999. She is also an award winning Actor, Director, Artist and Mother Extraordinaire. She was twice the StoryTelling Slam champion in Bakersfield. She leads Writing Camp with JJS & this Summer will be traveling throughout the US to bring this unique, fun filled creative experience to the people wherever she finds the passion & the interest.

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Posted at 12:14 PM in Asking and Living the Questions, Awe, Blog Hop, Curiosity, Inspiration, Julie Jordan Scott, Living the Question, Making New Friends, Peacefulness | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)

August 07, 2012

Summer Blog Challenge: What is a skill You wish You had?

Last week we started our road trip in Houck, Arizona: a town on the edge of the Navajo Nation where my eldest daughter Katherine helped work on houses all Summer Long. She came back to me quite capable with many tools I have no clue how to use.

She also still has blue house paint in her hair.

The other skill she has that I wish I had was a belief in herself as capable with power tools.

For whatever reason, I have bought into the “Real Women Don’t Use Power Tools, We Delegate that to Big Strong Handsome Mans Who Do Our Bidding.”

No more.

I want to use those power tools, too. I did use a sander this winter before painting in my living room, but I want to learn more. I want to build stuff, I want to repair stuff, I want to feel capable instead of unable. I want to feel confident of my ability to learn instead of thinking “oh, I could never do that.”

This is easy enough to rectify.

Watch me here and please wish me well!

And by the way: What is a skill you wish you had?

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Posted at 01:27 AM in A to Z Roadtrip, Asking and Living the Questions, Awe, awe opening, Blog Dare, Blog Hop, Family, Family Travel, Leadership, Summer Blog Challenge, Women Leaders | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)

July 15, 2012

#SOCSunday is BACK! Summer Memories via Smells and Tastes

I was so pleased to discover SOCSunday lives on! I don’t like what I wrote but it is better than not writing at all. Remember, this is Stream of Consciousness so no editorial grumbling allowed.

Our optional prompt (which I followed) is.....

What does Summer smell or taste like to you? And why?

Your five minutes starts now!

Summer smells like… the mornings smell like optimism. Breezy, with a soft kiss and the reminder that every day is a new beginning.

Summer tastes like mint chip ice cream with chocolate sauce (instead of dinner when the thought of cooking makes your skin sweat… just the thought of it!)

Summer afternoons smell like gym shoes. Pungent. Tired. A bit discouraged.

Summer afternoons smell like my van’s airconditioning, magnolia trees and Samuel at the end of the day, sometimes French fries.

Summer evenings smell like rain, even when its try, perhaps by sure will or delusion or “Must I live through another dry over 100 degree day?”

Summer evenings taste like salty hot pretzels.

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I am glad the SOCSunday lives on. I enjoy knowing we are still out here, writing, without thinking, just writing and bonding and reaching out, even though I think this is my lousiest SOC Sunday post ever. :-(

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This was my 5 minute Stream of Consciousness Sunday post. It’s five minutes of your time and a brain dump. Want to try it? Here are the rules…

Set a timer and write for 5 minutes.
Write an intro to the post if you want but don’t edit the post. No proofreading or spellchecking. This is writing in the raw.
Publish it somewhere. Anywhere. The back door to your blog if you want. But make it accessible.
Add the Stream of Consciousness Sunday badge to your post. (get it over in my sidebar)
Link up your post here.
Visit your fellow bloggers and show some love.

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Posted at 06:52 PM in Blog Hop, Memories, SOC Sunday, Storytelling, Summer | Permalink | Comments (3)

July 14, 2012

Rules include No Rules, Curiosity and A New Way of Looking at Perfection

It is difficult to think up just one piece of advice I would give to my child. Perhaps my first piece of advice is that advice is usually not a "one size fits all" sort of thing. I, instead, wrote tidbits of advice for each of my three children and then, at the bottom, some more general guidelines... that work for me and I trust will work for them, too.

Specific #1)

You don’t have to be perfect every time and please don’t worry you could ever disappoint me because that, my love, is impossible.

Specific #2)

Be yourself. Stay curious. Give people a chance, especially those you may feel the urge to judge at first… give them a chance.

Specific #3)

The only reliable rule about life is there are no rules.

General advice to my children and the rest of the world:

Don’t be in a hurry to find “the answer” – instead, live the question, as Rilke said. Experience everything fully rather than “ice skate” across the surface of life. Allow life to meet you, greet you, embrace you.

Look around the room (stage, office, store, boardroom) you are in right now and know you have a lot more in common with everyone else in there than you think you do. Perhaps not hobbies, politics or sports teams – but I bet you have had similar experiences and felt similar emotions. Love those people accordingly. They are each someone’s baby girl or baby boy or they wish they were, at least once, loved like an infant is loved, naturally, without doing a thing.

This post was a part of the Summer Blog Challenge

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Posted at 03:28 PM in Advice, Asking and Living the Questions, Blog Hop, Bloggers, Family, Living the Question, Mistakes, Parenting, Parenting a Child on the Autism Spectrum, Summer Blog Challenge, Writing, Writing Challenge | Permalink | Comments (2)

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September 25, 2012

This dramatic proclamation comes on the heels of one of my Autumn Blog Challenge Prompts: “I hate being..” I don't know if it is grammatically correct and to be frank, I don't even CARE!

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September 18, 2012

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September 13, 2012

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September 08, 2012

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August 30, 2012

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August 10, 2012

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August 07, 2012

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July 15, 2012

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July 14, 2012

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