Who am I kidding? I'm happy.

I am happy.

When I started this blog, I thought: OK. We'll do this blog thing until I get my book deal and that will be the big fat cherry on top, the final entry. Hasn't happened quite yet.

Still happy.

Not living with my cosmic man.

Still happy.

The Next Big Thing...is me staying where I am. Signing a year's lease. STAYING. Me, queen of itchy feet. STAYING. I took a walk on the beach today, letting the ocean chase my feet, sipping my oolong tea (Iron Goddess of Mercy) and suddenly I was inspired to belt out a song. I mean loud, too.

Sit, stay, breathe. Be happy.

How

How can I care about dolphins when I haven't been kissed in so long?

A quote for 2012

"When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it."
- Paulo Coelho

Go crazy

Working at a coffee shop today, I overheard a mom and her little boy talking.

Prince's "Let's Go Crazy" comes on satellite radio in coffee shop.

Mom (sings along happily): "I haven't heard this in forever! I love this song!"

Little boy: "Who IS this?"

Mom: "Oh, just a song I used to sing in college, like all the time. Drove my roommates crazy."

Little boy: "Can I have another biscotti?"

This is not what I expected

Funny how this year has turned out.

Expected to have a book deal for my novel by now. Don't. But did finish a second book just a week ago, seemingly by accident through the lonely fight, the rough spots, the sorrow and joy.

Not just a book. A great book.

Dreamed of the ocean all year. All year the solemn hush and crash of waves - a recording on CD - sustained me, soothed me, inspired me. Listened to that CD for hours, weeks, months. And now I'm here. Freelance writer, living by the sea. Writing. Always writing.

This is success, right here and right now.

Occupy

I'm watching the Occupy movement with growing interest. It's like people have finally woken up. I think Robert Reich does a great job of summarizing things in his recent Huffington Post piece.

Sitting with myself

Today, here, I met myself. Here, while reading Jake Fades. I met me - the whole, the real me. And I smiled.

Jake Fades, by David Guy, is a sweet novel about life, beer, donuts, sex, and oh, yes - Zen. It especially focuses on zazen, or the practice of sitting meditation. You sit, breathe, and see what arises. Soften to all the feelings.

Zen. Zazen. There is something to be said for just sitting.