Better in person?

My friend asked me last weekend why do I like going to book signings and why do I bother wasting time on my trips to meet the authors?

I was a little startled, because I thought that the answer wasn't needed, and that it was pretty self explanatory, but I guess not in this case.

I love reading books, especially when there is a mystery and humor involved and I think people who write them are pretty darn special. After all, writing a book, and getting it published is not all that easy. Unless, of course you self publish.

Seeing authors of my favorite books is exciting for me for many reasons. Not only I get to meet them in person, see that they are actually real people, but I get the feel of their own character. Often the personalities shine right throughout the pages I read, and once I know their real face, their gesture and hear their voice it allows me to enjoy and understand the book a lot better. It makes a difference knowing that I am reading a book of someone I actually met in person, especially when it is one of my local writers whom I have or already had a chance of bumping into on other, unrelated to book selling occasion.

Does that sound too weird to you? I guess there was a time I would think that, too. But since I actually experienced living almost next door to one of my admired authors, and having a couple more in the area where I live, it all changed how I see it.

It is a great experience, and I will keep doing this whenever I get a chance.

Below, my latest weekend trip while babysitting my step-grandson to neighboring town to see Morgan Mandel - a very sweet lady who keeps me occupied with her blogs and books.

Do you feel old?

I have been trying not to think about age, especially lately. I have friends younger then myself and if I was to judge by looks, I'd say, some look older than their age. On the other hand, a couple of the older friends that I have seem to look younger. To me it's not about the looks but the behavior and how they feel inside.

There are days I feel old. Maybe it is because my oldest daughter just turned 21, or maybe because I have a few younger friends that do not have any children, which gives them more time to play and enjoy life. Perhaps it's the few aches and pains I have developed, that are giving me trouble. I don't know why, but I do not like those days.

In general, I feel just fine, and try not to think about the days slipping away too quickly from me.

Trying to keep positive thoughts, and spend as much time as much as I can doing things I enjoy.

What abut you? Do you ever have moments when you feel old?

What's your solution?

That's it. I've had it!

Is it just me, or did everyone else also noticed, that the weather lately is only nice  during work days?  On weekends  we are searching for umbrellas and jackets and hoping for a ray of sun.

Each time I plan to get away and relax, enjoy the nice, sunny day, I get the most unexpected forecast.

 We made plans to ride to Door County, because the weather was promising at the time, and we only have every other weekend to do something for us  adults. Sure enough,  the five hour ride needs to be reconstructed  and plans slightly adjusted. We will be driving instead, which is still nice, but not as exciting as being on two wheels.

I have never been to Door County so regardless of how I get there, I am still excited.

I will bring lots of pictures!

 On a sad note, I am pretty upset about the Air France.  The mourning families and what the passengers on board experienced during the diseaster  is difficult to imagine.

I  refuse to read about wether there were any small children on board. I get very sad and upset at any time I read something happened to little innocent angels. I think it has something to do with my past life. I  was hoping they would still find some survivors, although this was a slim chance come to think of it.

Irresponsible men make me cringe. Not just all men, but one in particular.

I will not elaborate on this at this very moment, but I am very angry with certain someone for making false promises time after time to a small girl, who already at such young age can determine for herself that she is being lied to. I simply don't like seeing sad faces and tears on her face.

Once again I will glance over the weather prediction for the weekend. I am just afraid of what I am going to see. Seems like it's changing  every few hours. Do they even really know what the weather is going to be like anyways?

Too little fiber or too much Botox?

I was watching TV one night, and as I was flipping channels I saw something that got ma rolling on the floor. I didn't care what the topic of the conversation was at that moment, and from what I could tell, it was politics, but the facial expression of that guy  on there was constantly like the one you see there. I wonder...to much BOTOX? Or something a little fiber would fix?  ( pictures curtesy of my cell ohone)

Counting days...

Finally, the weather got a little nicer, where I don't have to wake up to dark, gloomy morning.

Yesterday, after my doctors appointment I just didn't feel like going back to work, so I decided to take a bike ride to the city and visit my friend and his dogs.

I haven't seen them yet since he got them last year. As a matter of fact I haven't seen dogs like this, and was stunned when a 130lb beast charged at me,  and started licking me with his enormous tongue and leaving slobber all over me.

 His Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs, both male and female were the most lovable dogs I have seen lately. Makes me miss mine :(

Seeing those beasts really made me miss my dogs, but  one thing I don't miss for sure is the mountains of poop to clean and all the hair that sticks to everything.

Four more days till I meet with Sandy and Brie in San Francisco! I can't wait. We are leaving for Cali Thursday morning and will spend about an hour in Dallas, strolling the airport and hopefully staying out of trouble.

Ironically, this is the weekend that the weather here in IL should be at lower 80's, which means awesome!

Messenger chat- meaningless conversation with a stranger

 The whole week just flew by so fast, I can't believe it's already another weekend.

I have been busy at work and my own projects, and haven't really felt like blogging or even attempting to finish my writing. 

From time to time I still get some weirdos sending me messages, and I ignore them for the most part. My "ignore" list on messenger is already exhausted and tech support told me to delete some of the 500 ignored names in order to add new ones. Ha! Thats not as easy.  Why? Because I get those messages on daily basis.

This one has been my entertainment on my morning coffee break:

Show Recent Messages (F3)

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samimahboub: i want to contact you ' are youready

Aggie: no, Im not

samimahboub: whay

Aggie: im not ready

samimahboub: when you will be able to chat

Aggie: never

Aggie: my doctor says I cant use the computer

samimahboub: cam on ,d'ont warry..

samimahboub: your doctor is sick

Aggie: i know, they feed me those pink and yellow pilld all the time

samimahboub: i'm the real doctor

Aggie: sure

samimahboub: yea you will see

Aggie: ok, soon as they let me out of this mental institution

samimahboub: i want a serious relation with you.

Aggie: I am serious

samimahboub: can you sent me yuor pictur

samimahboub: me too

Aggie: nope

samimahboub: what up

Aggie: told you

samimahboub: are beatiful like me

Aggie: ok

samimahboub: how old are you

Aggie: 14

samimahboub: ok that's fine i hav16

Aggie: 16 what

samimahboub: because you don't say the truth

samimahboub: really  i have 25years

samimahboub: and you

Aggie: 25 years of what?

Aggie: I have 14 like I said,

samimahboub: oh my god you are so kids

samimahboub: but no problem you can understand me 

Aggie: thats the thing, I dont understand

samimahboub: what's your origin

Aggie: I ooooriginated from egg

samimahboub: from eggpakistan

Aggie: you are?

samimahboub: or eggafganistan

samimahboub: i'm from effffffffffffffffff

samimahboub: are you sexy girl

Aggie: no

samimahboub: are you a human

samimahboub: i think you are an extra terest; lik starwar

Aggie: Im not a human

samimahboub: so can i kiss you

Aggie: go ahead

samimahboub: are you ............

samimahboub: sorry , but i enjoy with you

Aggie: ok, Im glad i dont see what is it that you enjoy.

samimahboub: look i 'm not exelent in inglish so please choose your ward easy

samimahboub: can you speak frensh

Aggie: only chinese

Aggie: ,jfhhfghvoeigjfgb

samimahboub: tha's beter than english;rrffdeopzaa!:qwx^zaçs<^

Aggie: ok

samimahboub: you are not serious

samimahboub: you_are not serious.

Aggie: IM very serious

samimahboub: so what you dont want to say your name or your nationaliti,

Aggie: NOTHING

Nap time!

Ok, so trying to entertain he little guy ( see previous post) I got him to watch Tom and Jerry. He loved it. Only thing is when it ended, he started to get fussy. Ruby and Max, ( most anoying voice over ever) got him to fall asleep so now I can attend to my breakfast, cleaning and whatever else I can cram in this estimated hour of his nap!