Writer's block

I'm not quite sure why I've been so apathetic about this blog lately. Granted, nothing's really going on in my life, but that's never stopped me from writing about it before. James Patterson said last weekend that he has about 26 writing projects going right now, and that just makes me tired.

So perhaps I'm not a writer per se. Rather, my writing ebbs and flows, depending on the day and circumstance. Plus my life's been consumed of late with getting my DVR cleared. I watch way too much television.

I am super excited that I have a conference in Rogers the next three days and my BFF Alisa will be there. I'm pumped to show her around my new hometown and just hang out and visit like the old days.

So that's it for now. Not much of an update, but at least you all know I'm still kicking.

Alex Cross, James Patterson, and some random chick

The charmed life continues. Not only did I get to say hello to James Patterson this evening, he actually came over and sat at our table of five and discussed his creative process and how he collaborates with (read: gets rich from) other authors. He was really charming and funny and down-to-earth. He then autographed our books and graciously took photos.

Afterward we headed out for sushi.

Sushi, autographed hardcopy book, and photo with NYT bestselling author = 0 dollars
Not being disappointed in a famous person = priceless

Tomorrow morning it's back to JQH for breakfast and listening to JP talk about writing.

Meltdown

It's official. I've lost my mind.

I spent the morning finishing my PowerPoint and working on my video for today's Bored (sic) meeting. I didn't have much to say, nor did my boss, so we planned a quick dog and pony show.

Little did I know that we were last on the three-hour agenda. Little did I know that I would lose all sense of decorum and intelligence and veer off on a random tangent during my presentation.

Granted, my mom was known for getting her train derailed often on the conversation track, but I try to be concise when I speak. I had an outline. I had an agenda. I had SLIDES for Pete's sake.

But one of the... ahem... older gentlemen asked me a question and I found myself talking about the economy. About politics. About other colleges, and Chambers of Commerce and road construction. For eons I droned on and on. Surprising and boring even myself. Where did that come from?

My poor boss. I'm sure he's mortified. And bless that sweet guy's heart, he kept me afterwards (it had been four hours by this point) to ask my opinion about a whole array of subjects. Like economic development and tourism in the great city of Austin, Texas. And football. And the housing market.

Verbal diarrhea strikes again.

At least I get to meet James Patterson tomorrow. Wonder if he wants to discuss some random things with me?

Death and taxes

I love, love, LOVE living in northwest Arkansas. Something I don't like? Higher taxes. Last year I paid personal property taxes in Faulkner County to the tune of $120. This year it was $230 in Benton County. Yikes! But at least my name won't be in the paper for the first time in a really long time because I actually paid them early. Yay me!!

It was a long and stressful work day, but I was invited by a colleague to meet James Patterson this weekend, so that's kind of fun. Sometimes it is great being me.