It is SO good to be home. Thoughts are still swirling but I'll post more on that later.
Today's post is to let you know that I will be doing an interview tonight at 6pm Eastern with KGMI in Seattle.
Thursday, June 30, 2005
Saturday, June 25, 2005
Crazy Day
I'm now in Chicago, changing gears for the American Library Association. I'll share more about the Smart Marriages conference later. But for now, I'll share a bit about my crazy day.
6:00am - woke up to be ready for interfaith chapel service at 7:45am
7:45am - realized that today is Saturday, not Sunday. Oops. The first session doesn't start until 8:30am.
7:50am - filled out order form for CDs of Z author sessions. Found a couple I wanted for myself.
8:00am - realized I forgot my debit card in my room.
8:05am - returned to my room to retrieve card. realized that checkout time was at noon, not 2pm. Oops...haven't packed yet.
8:15am - returned to CD table. Nice man let me get the multi-purchase discount, and pay separately for work and personal selections.
8:30am - decide to take one last tour of the exhibits
9:30am - Oops...a few conversations later I realized I missed the opening season.
9:35am - return to room to start packing
10:00am - back downstairs (27 flights, switch elevators, walk across skywalk to convention center, up the escalator, down the hall).
11:30am - leave session early to finish packing and check out.
12:15am - all checked out! back to the convention center (across the skywalk...) to grab a boxed lunch and say good bye to a few folks.
1:00pm - find a couch to sit, read the last 2 days worth of news, eat lunch and wait for my ride. My ride is my friend (and former roommate) Sue, who lives in Dallas. We haven't seen each other for 6 years.
1:30pm - Sue arrives. She looks exactly the same! Feels like no time has passed. We set up in search of a store to solve a fashion emergency. We take a "scenic" route. All is well, I see the 6th floor book depository. We took a wrong turn. I see the 6th floor book depository again. We suspect we're close to Neiman Marcus. We park in the ramp across the street. We take the wrong stairs down. Old, spider webs everywhere...a bit scary. Back up the stairs and out the other way. Neiman Marcus! $60 later (OY!), all is well.
2:10pm - We decide to hit Starbucks...which closed at 2pm...on a Saturday...downtown Dallas. Go figure. We decide to head to the airport.
2:20pm - Bad accident. 3 miles in 30 minutes.
2:50pm - 3 miles later
3;10pm - What's that? A sign directing us to the airport!!
3:30pm - Our visit is much too short. And very eventful. Some things never change! I check my bags and head to my gate.
3:45pm - Stop for refreshing beverage.
3:55pm - Bumped by passerby. Refreshing beverage refreshing the front of my shirt.
4:10pm - Emerge from ladies room...Looking refreshed.
4:15pm - Find gate. Sit down. Ahhhhh.....
4:30pm - Board plane. Promptly fall asleep.
5:30pm - Wake up, move to an empty row and get a little work done.
6:30pm - battery dies (how did that happen?!). Pull out Blue Like Jazz.
7:30pm - arrive safely in Chicago.
8:00pm - Bond with plane mates. Still wondering if our luggage has arrived. (Made friends with future Generation Ex readers).
8:20pm - Luggage found at different carousel. Change never made on the board. Oops.
8:30pm - Share cab with a few others and head downtown to the Renaissance. It's the first time I'm in a cab with a DVD. Saw a good 30 minutes of Hitch. Still a funny movie.
9:15pm - Arrive at Renaissance. WOW...nice lobby. Approach front desk. "We're sorry, Ms. Abbas. We overbooked. But don't worry. We've made arrangements for you at the Four Seasons on our tab. A cab is waiting to take you there."
9:30pm - Talking to co-worker (who got the last room at the Renaissance. A suite!). BUMP! Another taxi door opens and my cab hits them. We're close to the Four Season so I get out and meet the bell hop. Bye luggage, I sure hope I see you again.
9:35pm - I'm escorted to the 7th floor to check in. I am escorted to my very nice room and my new friend shows me around. "Let me refresh your ice, Ms. Abbas." "May I take your clothes for ironing, Ms. Abbas?" "Would you like to dine in or have the concierge arrange for your reservations on the town, Ms. Abbas?"
10:10am - Enjoying one of the best steaks ever, sitting on my 500-million count sheets in my terry robe. Life is good.
6:00am - woke up to be ready for interfaith chapel service at 7:45am
7:45am - realized that today is Saturday, not Sunday. Oops. The first session doesn't start until 8:30am.
7:50am - filled out order form for CDs of Z author sessions. Found a couple I wanted for myself.
8:00am - realized I forgot my debit card in my room.
8:05am - returned to my room to retrieve card. realized that checkout time was at noon, not 2pm. Oops...haven't packed yet.
8:15am - returned to CD table. Nice man let me get the multi-purchase discount, and pay separately for work and personal selections.
8:30am - decide to take one last tour of the exhibits
9:30am - Oops...a few conversations later I realized I missed the opening season.
9:35am - return to room to start packing
10:00am - back downstairs (27 flights, switch elevators, walk across skywalk to convention center, up the escalator, down the hall).
11:30am - leave session early to finish packing and check out.
12:15am - all checked out! back to the convention center (across the skywalk...) to grab a boxed lunch and say good bye to a few folks.
1:00pm - find a couch to sit, read the last 2 days worth of news, eat lunch and wait for my ride. My ride is my friend (and former roommate) Sue, who lives in Dallas. We haven't seen each other for 6 years.
1:30pm - Sue arrives. She looks exactly the same! Feels like no time has passed. We set up in search of a store to solve a fashion emergency. We take a "scenic" route. All is well, I see the 6th floor book depository. We took a wrong turn. I see the 6th floor book depository again. We suspect we're close to Neiman Marcus. We park in the ramp across the street. We take the wrong stairs down. Old, spider webs everywhere...a bit scary. Back up the stairs and out the other way. Neiman Marcus! $60 later (OY!), all is well.
2:10pm - We decide to hit Starbucks...which closed at 2pm...on a Saturday...downtown Dallas. Go figure. We decide to head to the airport.
2:20pm - Bad accident. 3 miles in 30 minutes.
2:50pm - 3 miles later
3;10pm - What's that? A sign directing us to the airport!!
3:30pm - Our visit is much too short. And very eventful. Some things never change! I check my bags and head to my gate.
3:45pm - Stop for refreshing beverage.
3:55pm - Bumped by passerby. Refreshing beverage refreshing the front of my shirt.
4:10pm - Emerge from ladies room...Looking refreshed.
4:15pm - Find gate. Sit down. Ahhhhh.....
4:30pm - Board plane. Promptly fall asleep.
5:30pm - Wake up, move to an empty row and get a little work done.
6:30pm - battery dies (how did that happen?!). Pull out Blue Like Jazz.
7:30pm - arrive safely in Chicago.
8:00pm - Bond with plane mates. Still wondering if our luggage has arrived. (Made friends with future Generation Ex readers).
8:20pm - Luggage found at different carousel. Change never made on the board. Oops.
8:30pm - Share cab with a few others and head downtown to the Renaissance. It's the first time I'm in a cab with a DVD. Saw a good 30 minutes of Hitch. Still a funny movie.
9:15pm - Arrive at Renaissance. WOW...nice lobby. Approach front desk. "We're sorry, Ms. Abbas. We overbooked. But don't worry. We've made arrangements for you at the Four Seasons on our tab. A cab is waiting to take you there."
9:30pm - Talking to co-worker (who got the last room at the Renaissance. A suite!). BUMP! Another taxi door opens and my cab hits them. We're close to the Four Season so I get out and meet the bell hop. Bye luggage, I sure hope I see you again.
9:35pm - I'm escorted to the 7th floor to check in. I am escorted to my very nice room and my new friend shows me around. "Let me refresh your ice, Ms. Abbas." "May I take your clothes for ironing, Ms. Abbas?" "Would you like to dine in or have the concierge arrange for your reservations on the town, Ms. Abbas?"
10:10am - Enjoying one of the best steaks ever, sitting on my 500-million count sheets in my terry robe. Life is good.
Friday, June 24, 2005
Smart Marriages Conference: Day 2
Wow...
Okay, now that I have that out of the way. The phrase "drinking water out of a fire hose" seems to be a fitting one to describe the content and structure of this conference. I opted out of the plenary (I'll go back for the CD). Here's why:
8:20a-8:30a - follow up with somone I met yesterday
8:30a-10am - Plenary
10:15a -11:45a - workshop
11:45a - 12p - talk with Z author
12:00p - 1:45p - lunch plenary, sat by Z authors
2:00p - 3:3op - workshop
3:15pm - 3:30p - talked with aspiring Z author
3:30p - 4:00p - met with Z author
4pm - 5:30pm - plenary
5:45p - 6:30p - workshop (on blogging!)
6:30p - 7:00p - meet with Z author
7:00pm - 9:30pm - banquet with Z authors
If i followed my assigned schedule, I would have exactly 45 unscheduled minutes between 8 this morning and 9:30 tonight. Not a lot of time for breaks, nature calls, meeting folks or entering a blog date. So before I head back into the fray, a few more thoughts.
* I wish this conference had a bit more spacing to allow time for conversations with the people you meet in your sessions.
* Last night: Dave & Claudia Arp were awarded an Impact Award for their 10 Great Dates program, which Diane Sollee (the director) introduced as "the most widely used marriage education program." This is not only a great program for marriage ed, but it's also a wonderful outreach tool for churches, not only within the lcoal body but also within the community. Within the church, the program offers an opportunity to bring generations together when teens, singles and "more mature" adults offer free babysitting, which is a great service to young families in the community.
* Last night: Linda Waite, author of The Case for Marriage, offered more research to show how married people are healthier and live longer than singles, widowed and especially divorced (who fared worse in every measureable category). The interesting wrinkle is the new data that compared always married (one marriage) v. remarried (via divorce). The research showed a significant health benefit (physical and emotional) when couple stayed married to their first spouse. I was able to meet Linda after her session, an honored as I quote work in Generation Ex.
* Last night: Terry Hargrave issued "The Challenge of the Decade." Terry is the author of Loving Your Parents When they Can No Longer Love You. So what is the challenge of the decade? Caring for aging parents. Terry offers so sobering information about what's ahead as baby boomers enter retirement to start their new job as primary caregivers to their aging parents. He proposed a new model of caregiving: one caregiver for efficiency, and one caregiver support team to care for the caregiver. Sobering stuff.
Oy...gotta run again...more later. People of faith, prayers for endurance are appreciated!
Okay, now that I have that out of the way. The phrase "drinking water out of a fire hose" seems to be a fitting one to describe the content and structure of this conference. I opted out of the plenary (I'll go back for the CD). Here's why:
8:20a-8:30a - follow up with somone I met yesterday
8:30a-10am - Plenary
10:15a -11:45a - workshop
11:45a - 12p - talk with Z author
12:00p - 1:45p - lunch plenary, sat by Z authors
2:00p - 3:3op - workshop
3:15pm - 3:30p - talked with aspiring Z author
3:30p - 4:00p - met with Z author
4pm - 5:30pm - plenary
5:45p - 6:30p - workshop (on blogging!)
6:30p - 7:00p - meet with Z author
7:00pm - 9:30pm - banquet with Z authors
If i followed my assigned schedule, I would have exactly 45 unscheduled minutes between 8 this morning and 9:30 tonight. Not a lot of time for breaks, nature calls, meeting folks or entering a blog date. So before I head back into the fray, a few more thoughts.
* I wish this conference had a bit more spacing to allow time for conversations with the people you meet in your sessions.
* Last night: Dave & Claudia Arp were awarded an Impact Award for their 10 Great Dates program, which Diane Sollee (the director) introduced as "the most widely used marriage education program." This is not only a great program for marriage ed, but it's also a wonderful outreach tool for churches, not only within the lcoal body but also within the community. Within the church, the program offers an opportunity to bring generations together when teens, singles and "more mature" adults offer free babysitting, which is a great service to young families in the community.
* Last night: Linda Waite, author of The Case for Marriage, offered more research to show how married people are healthier and live longer than singles, widowed and especially divorced (who fared worse in every measureable category). The interesting wrinkle is the new data that compared always married (one marriage) v. remarried (via divorce). The research showed a significant health benefit (physical and emotional) when couple stayed married to their first spouse. I was able to meet Linda after her session, an honored as I quote work in Generation Ex.
* Last night: Terry Hargrave issued "The Challenge of the Decade." Terry is the author of Loving Your Parents When they Can No Longer Love You. So what is the challenge of the decade? Caring for aging parents. Terry offers so sobering information about what's ahead as baby boomers enter retirement to start their new job as primary caregivers to their aging parents. He proposed a new model of caregiving: one caregiver for efficiency, and one caregiver support team to care for the caregiver. Sobering stuff.
Oy...gotta run again...more later. People of faith, prayers for endurance are appreciated!
Thursday, June 23, 2005
Smart Marriages Conference: Day 1
It's nearly midnight, so just a few jumbled thought before I retire...
* It is SO cool to be with 1800 or so like-minded people!
* I had a nice conversation with Ernie, who works with military couples. What important work he does. (Hi Ernie!)
* The first session kicked off at 6:3o. I sat next to Steve, an associate Dean at a Southern university. He's also an author and working on a proposal for his next one. Ironic that we should meet. (Hi Steve!)
* Diane Sollee, the brain of this brainchild of a conference, welcomed us and gave an overview and history of Smart Marriages. I was impressed to hear that the presenters pay their own way to be here. It's very clear that this group of people is committed to the cause. Listening to the conversations of people around me, this is like a family reunion of folks passionate about building strongs families.
* Priorites for Smart Marriages: use the internet to get the word out about marriage enrichment resources, influence legislation, use media to promote marriage, develop community marriage policies and initiatives, create programming for marriage enrichment ("this MUST be formatted on DVD for couples to use.")
* Bill Doherty has been on the news lately as a result of his launch of the National Registry of Marriage Friendly Therapist. Great idea, check out the link.
* Speaking of great ideas, I met Leanne who is doing research for a book for/on mother-in-laws. Take her online survey at www.goodmotherinlaw.com. (Very cool sidebar, she recognized my name...turns out she's reading my book and has it with her this week. Hi Leanne!)
I have more to say about Dave & Claudia Arp, Terry Hargrave and Linda Waite...but you'll have to...um...Wait.
* It is SO cool to be with 1800 or so like-minded people!
* I had a nice conversation with Ernie, who works with military couples. What important work he does. (Hi Ernie!)
* The first session kicked off at 6:3o. I sat next to Steve, an associate Dean at a Southern university. He's also an author and working on a proposal for his next one. Ironic that we should meet. (Hi Steve!)
* Diane Sollee, the brain of this brainchild of a conference, welcomed us and gave an overview and history of Smart Marriages. I was impressed to hear that the presenters pay their own way to be here. It's very clear that this group of people is committed to the cause. Listening to the conversations of people around me, this is like a family reunion of folks passionate about building strongs families.
* Priorites for Smart Marriages: use the internet to get the word out about marriage enrichment resources, influence legislation, use media to promote marriage, develop community marriage policies and initiatives, create programming for marriage enrichment ("this MUST be formatted on DVD for couples to use.")
* Bill Doherty has been on the news lately as a result of his launch of the National Registry of Marriage Friendly Therapist. Great idea, check out the link.
* Speaking of great ideas, I met Leanne who is doing research for a book for/on mother-in-laws. Take her online survey at www.goodmotherinlaw.com. (Very cool sidebar, she recognized my name...turns out she's reading my book and has it with her this week. Hi Leanne!)
I have more to say about Dave & Claudia Arp, Terry Hargrave and Linda Waite...but you'll have to...um...Wait.
Greetings from Dallas!
I arrived safely at the Adams Mark hotel this afternoon for the Smart Marriages conference. Thanks to SK and kids for the ride to the airport, and Bailey's adopted family for taken care of her while I'm gone.
My flight went by pretty quickly. I finally started reading Blue Like Jazz after more people than I can count recommended it to me. I remember reading an advanced copy of Don Miller's first book, Prayer and the Art of Volkswagen Maintenance 5-6 years ago. His writing has definitely improved. I'll try to remember to share some of my thoughts later because I'm starving!
My first impression of Dallas was, "GOD LORD! WHERE AM I!" Dry heat or no, 98 degrees is NOT heaven!
On the shuttle to the hotel, I met a few fellow attendees. Greetings to Randy from Utah and Reba from Indiana. Thanks to Jennifer B, I found the registration table. I'm now showered (did I mention that it is 98 degrees!?!), unpacked, logged on and ready to find dinner...and my first session.
If you're here at the conference and checking out the blog, leave a comment so we can meet!
My flight went by pretty quickly. I finally started reading Blue Like Jazz after more people than I can count recommended it to me. I remember reading an advanced copy of Don Miller's first book, Prayer and the Art of Volkswagen Maintenance 5-6 years ago. His writing has definitely improved. I'll try to remember to share some of my thoughts later because I'm starving!
My first impression of Dallas was, "GOD LORD! WHERE AM I!" Dry heat or no, 98 degrees is NOT heaven!
On the shuttle to the hotel, I met a few fellow attendees. Greetings to Randy from Utah and Reba from Indiana. Thanks to Jennifer B, I found the registration table. I'm now showered (did I mention that it is 98 degrees!?!), unpacked, logged on and ready to find dinner...and my first session.
If you're here at the conference and checking out the blog, leave a comment so we can meet!
Email from Reader
I think the most gratifying aspect of being a writer is the fact that no matter what kind of day you might be having in "real time," your book is out there in a timeless state of your best thoughts presented in your best way. The payoff then, is receiving emails from readers at just the right time.
A week or so ago I was having one of those days and received an email from a reader with this headline:
FINALLY! I'm NOT crazy...
She went on to share how Generation Ex resonated with her and helped her to make some important choices. This reader made my day. I connected with her, and a really cool way, she connected with me.
Thank you, my friend.
A week or so ago I was having one of those days and received an email from a reader with this headline:
FINALLY! I'm NOT crazy...
She went on to share how Generation Ex resonated with her and helped her to make some important choices. This reader made my day. I connected with her, and a really cool way, she connected with me.
Thank you, my friend.
Not What Father's Day is Meant to Be
This is a bit on the depressing side, but effective, I think. There are so many social issues in the world that it's easy to escape but ignoring them all. The debt in Third World countries. Human Rights violations in Asia and Africa. AIDS...even the poor and homeless in our cities. We can't deal with the pain so we don't deal with the problem. And the problem with divorce is that when we divorce--or don't help couples headed that way--WE create victims. The family dies and and the parents, the kids, the families, friends and loved ones all mourn the loss. Some never recover...like this guy.
Where's Dad?
Where's Dad?
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
How Cool is This?
CHRISTIAN AUTHORS NETWORK SUPPORTS RETAILERS. Responding to retailers’ concerns about increased competition, Cyndy Salzmann and Carol Umberger will launch the Christian Authors Network at the International Christian Retail Show. To increase store traffic, CAN will use talents of 34 authors for special store events and promotions at no cost to retailers.
Checking In...
It's been a crazy couple of days offline as I'm preparing for back to back conferences and sort through a few exciting developments.
It may be quiet around here until Thursday, but then check back for posts about the Smart Marriages conference.
It may be quiet around here until Thursday, but then check back for posts about the Smart Marriages conference.
Monday, June 20, 2005
Upcoming Radio Interview...
Mark your calendars!
On Thursday, June 30, at 6pm Eastern/3pm Pacific, I will be a guest on "The Connection" program on KGMI, a news/talk station in Seattle, WA to talk about Generation Ex.
Thanks to Gary for recommending me!
It's good to be back in the promotional saddle again. Stay tuned for more news on that...
On Thursday, June 30, at 6pm Eastern/3pm Pacific, I will be a guest on "The Connection" program on KGMI, a news/talk station in Seattle, WA to talk about Generation Ex.
Thanks to Gary for recommending me!
It's good to be back in the promotional saddle again. Stay tuned for more news on that...
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