Harper's Rules Reviewed

My aunt gave me a copy of Harper's Rules by Danny Cahill about finding love and a job. He connects the two in a novel/self-help hybrid. I appreciate the attempt at a story device even if I don't think Cahill will be nominated for a Pulitzer for his effort. The characters are flat and remain that way. The dialogue is so bad that it made me laugh (that's a compliment, I guess). There's no intrigue-- nothing is left to the reader. Everything is s-p-e-l-l-e-d out. Everything. It must be something to do with the business style of writing-- emphasis on clarity rather than, say, style.

Synopsis:

Harper the brilliant, egotistic head hunter is helping his former client Casey out of a hard spot. Casey's about to lose her job, which Harper finds out through his sheer awesomeness. Casey, a recent divorcee, resigns her job (a no-no) but Harper already has some interviews lined up for her. Voila, Harper writes chapters, texts and chats her through finding her dream job and man. Please note all my cliches, they were inspired by the book.

The cardboard nature of the plot and characters isn't what got me through the 140 page book. There's actually some good advice. I bracketed some sections and put a couple of asterisks in the margins next to some useful pointers.

1. "You haven't committed yet to your career. Down deep you are waiting for a sign, for enough good things to happen to you to justify making a commitment. But, it doesn't work that way. You have to commit first, and then, because you have committed, good things come to you." (p.142)

Cliched, yes. True, yes. Relevant to my professional and personal life, yes.

2. TIme to leave Diagnostic Questions (pp.9-11)

One question: Was it ever what you really wanted?
Another: How many times a day do you laugh during the day?
Another: Do you believe what they tell you at work?
Another: Do you like the work but feel uncomfortable in the culture?

He takes these excellent questions and unpacks them concisely. And, as you can see, they work for a job or a relationship. Brilliant.

3. There's some excellent insight to the interviewing process about the crucial nature of timing and how to express interest.

4. He makes a reference to F. Scott Fitzgerald's concept of the lover and the beloved in a relationship. The power dynamic is in the beloved's favor. And, this reference was believable, satisfying, and sad. Sad because it reminds me of visiting my sister while she was in business school. She and some of her fellow MBAers were just short of brilliant and well-read, but they drank like fish. There's a poetic soul insulated by a cynical, practical shell.

This book isn't by Tolstoy, that's for sure. But I actually read every page, which is more than I can say for most of this kind of book. Most of the time I'd just skim.

vegan recipes

My ordering at a restaurant

I take food very seriously-- note picture. As we near Lent, I'm deciding to go vegan (except eggs), no caffeine, no sugar. I'm going to do this concurrently with my gym's 8-week fitness challenge-- hence the eggs (I can only eat so many beans and nuts). I'm starting to research meals because eating healthy is expensive, and money isn't my strong suit right now. I'm going to use this as a resource. I need to sign up for the 10k to keep me motivated to run. I'm swimming, doing kettle bells, yoga, etc., but I'm not doing it in a regimented, goal-oriented manner. So, I think planning is key to this venture. Having things on hand (and in pocketbook) is key to success.


Oatmeal Breakfast Bars These look like delicious and healthy snack bars, esp. if you replace the oil with apple sauce. Plus, they have to be cheaper than KIND bars.

Tofu Lettuce Wraps Looks yummy! But, I'm not sure I'll ever make them.

List of Simple Recipes This one serves as good ideas and has lists of alternatives for eggs, butter, etc. It has healthy, easy recipes for mashed potatoes, French toast, and other basics.

The Vegan Stoner A blog with recipes under seven calories.

Eating Well's Vegetarian Recipes

I will report on how the recipes I try turn out!

I'm a little black rain cloud, of course

I’m just a little black rain cloud
hovering under the honey tree,
Only a little black rain cloud,
pay no attention to little me.

Everyone knows that a rain cloud
never eats honey, no, not a nip.
I’m just floating around over the ground,
wondering where I will drip.

–Winnie the Pooh

My little brother loved this skit growing up, and, therefore, he, my sister, and I can sing it.
I'm a little black rain cloud, of course youtube (worth all 2 minutes and 19 seconds!). And, I've been quite the little black rain cloud the past couple of days.

I accepted a job today!!!!

All 4 or 5 days of it. I'll be F-I-L-I-N-G. The company wanted someone who can alphabetize (so, it should actually be fgiiln) and has good hand-writing. And, yea, I know what you're thinking, the wages are commiserate with the job: they suck. But, it's a job. And, it may lead to other jobs... and, I'm not sure if that's a good thing. Hmm.

But I ordered my business cards and it said 14 days until delivery, so I can manage this GLAM (or should I say "aglm") gig in the meantime... before I start hawking my wares. And, I'll feel slightly less indigent.

This afternoon, my little brother said, "I didn't go to college to sweep." I can identify with his angst. I had a similar experience at a florist shop my first year out of college; I started bawling and quit my job within an hour of doing a spectacular job of sweeping. My brother is more even-headed than I: he vented to me.

So, this is to say, I know I can handle 4-5 days of filing. I need to frame it as an adventure. I have to get a criminal background test AND a drug screening in order to get the official offer. We're talking S-E-R-I-O-U-S (eiorssu). (The drug-screening made me nervous-- am I going to need to be high to get through this?) It's in the accounting department-- when else will I get to do espionage in this setting?

I was a dreary black rain cloud talking on the phone with the poor girl trying to land me the job. I said, "FILING?" pause then sigh, "I could probably do that for four days." "It really pays THAT?" To be honest, I need to jot down the fact she didn't hang up on me in my desperately needed but yet to be started Gratitude Journal. I should probably start with a "gratitude index card", I'm a bit of a novice... it'd be less intimidating.

I'm back to praying Psalm 51, I blogged about it here. Last night, I realized I had used up all my emotional reserves and am completely bankrupt when it comes to hope. And, that's okay according to the psalmist... provided I don't commit suicide (maybe even if I do). Steadfast and willing spirits are apparently the work of God. I'll stick to filing and Pooh to collecting honey (ehnoy-- looks like pig latin).

gratitude

Most of the day I felt sorry for myself. I was grumbling to myself as I cooked chili and no bake cookies for a family at church who just had a baby boy. I was thinking: why doesn't anybody cook for me? Grumble, grumble, grumble. What can you do besides hatch a kid to be worthy of some attention?

I was grumbling to my Aunt at dinner (china, crystal, candle, roast, roasted potatoes, salad, Cab Sav, etc.), and she pointed out that she'd cooked dinner for me. Touche. But, I take that for granted. How lucky am I? She does cook a lot of really good meals for me. She told me I need to keep a gratitude journal-- fair enough.

My mom took off from work today to deliver a bouquet of chocolate covered strawberries to a janitor who is retiring. She drove 40 miles. He was a janitor at a school where she had worked over ten years ago; she felt he needed to be celebrated. She spent over fifty dollars on the ridiculous bouquet; she wanted it to be frivolous and over the top. How lucky am I to have a mom like that? A lot of people might do that for a boss, but a janitor?

My mom's friend spent about 3 hours with me this morning helping me set up a website for my "business". She has a Master's in Computer Science. Think how much money that would have cost if she'd charge me her fees?

And the ecstatic welcome I receive from my dog. What if I got that excited about seeing someone come home? Now that's the good life. Right now he's nuzzled up to me as I type. He keeps readjusting himself in order to get petted.

wisdom yoda has

*

Emotional mixed showers today was. Rain drizzled when my sister responded to me in a text: "You ca n't embarrass me" to a request I had made. I'd have been fine with a "no", but "embarrass" seemed a strong and unnecessary word choice. My brother told me that I'm being overly sensitive, and no doubt that's an aspect of it. I found this article "On Taking It Personally" about an hour later and applied it to my situation. Ergo, clearly, I'm a writer (thanks, Poor Logic). Rain cleared.

I met a teaching buddy for dinner tonight. It was good to chat (there are three teachers I really miss). And chat we did: religion, politics, and money because neither of us is couth. Of course, I got around to my "business plan", which everybody gets to eventually hear about if they get into a conversation with me. I told him the name, the idea, the niche. I don't think he was overly impressed; he seemed to think it was good stop gap, which wasn't what I wanted to hear. But, that's why I like him. Finally he gave me his advice in the form of a Yoda quotation: "Do or do not... there is not try."






* http://www.maniacworld.com/dog-yoda-halloween-costume.html

muchness report

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The Mad Hatter: [to Alice] "You used to be much more..."muchier." You've lost your muchness." This quotation and the connected theme made the new Alice movie far more interesting, and Johnny Depp made it more sinister. I digress.

But, "muchness" is a very real attribute. I think this new business adventure is reinvigorating my muchness. I'm excited and energized. I'm researching, writing, planning, analyzing... all stuff I LOVE to do! And, it may pay off! I want to become a Slasher: tutor/personaltrainer/writer/entrepreneur/consultant. Boom.

I spoke with a good friend last night. He told me that I sounded the best that I have in a long while. He also said that there were no guarantees of success, but that didn't mean the idea isn't worth pursuing. He pointed out that I'd learn and grow and that I couldn't get more broke. And at worship, our pastor prayed that God would take away our fear and shame, and I realized that I need to pray for that every day-- to pray for my muchness.

I found some cheesy quotations that are deeply flawed, but I like them nonetheless. I'm tired of being risk adverse, and it's not helping me any. I think I'm trying to live a life that isn't mine. Maybe I can't get a job as a nanny or secretary or grocery store clerk because I'm supposed to be wrestling my way into entrepreneurship-- where nothing's safe or guaranteed and I'll always be very aware of that. I'll have to pray and trust God. Yikes.

Muchness is scary! It's overwhelming to feel the possible impact you can have as a human. Imago Dei: to feel the weight, grandeur, and humility of our humanness. It would fill me with ineffable gratitude, and I'd, consequently, be annoyingly positive. And, I am excited. It is an adventure that I can take. I don't have little kids or a mortgage. I don't have a job I could lose. I'm very free and have very little to lose. I don't even own a bed.

Therefore, friends, go be muchier--free of fear and shame!


Cheesy Quotations to Rouse One to Adventure NOW:

The future you see is the future you get. ~Robert G Allen

I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life's a bitch. You've got to go out and kick ass. ~Maya Angelou

People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing – that's why we recommend it daily. ~Zig Ziglar

There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you. ~Maya Angelou

Life is short, live bold! Be heard, be you, dream big, take risks, don’t wait! ~Misty Gibbs


*http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1014759/

The bird a nest, the spider a web, man friendship.

-William Blake

Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art... It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival.
C. S. Lewis

If instead of a gem, or even a flower, we should cast the gift of a loving thought into the heart of a friend, that would be giving as the angels give.
George MacDonald


Nothing but heaven itself is better than a friend who is really a friend.
Plautus

She is a friend of mind. She gather me, man. The pieces I am, she gather them and give them back to me in all the right order. It's good, you know, when you got a woman who is a friend of your mind.
Toni Morrison

There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship.
Thomas Aquinas