Public Speaking (aka torture)

So I realized over the weekend just how hard it is for me to do public speaking, even if it is just among a large group of friends. Now don't get me wrong, I do not get nervous in social situations. Actually I can be quite the social butterfly, but that is because I am usually only talking to one or two people at any one time. When a group gets larger than what I can fit in a car, I start to get nervous. There is just something uncomfortable about all those eyes looking at me, I feel as if I will make a fool out of myself, stumbling over my words, or that I have something on by face of a booger hanging out of my nose. I feel as if they are judging me.

I'm not exactly sure when this fear of public speaking kicked in, in high school English class I could read Edgar Allen Poe with no issue. Then in college... Well we won't go into that. So now, as an author, I am occasionally asked to do a reading and it takes all my willpower not to break down in tears or hide under a table. My heart starts to beat so hard I am afraid it will beat right out of my chest, my hands shake and I have to fight to hold my breath. This is no easy task when speaking.

I know as I sell more books I will eventually be asked to do things with larger groups, I just hope I can get over whatever this is by then. I have tried different ways of getting past the fear that have been suggested to me, and it seems like every time I do it just gets worse. Perhaps after I finish the Buddhist class I am taking through Coursera I will be able to calm myself and do it. If not, I wonder if they would let me wear a mask or blindfold. hehe

Writer's Block and Summer Vacation

So summer's vacation for my kids is slowly coming to an end, which means I might actually get some writing done. One thing I have found with the kids home is, even if its quiet it does not last long enough to get an entire thought down. Don't get me wrong, I love having my kids home but as a writer, it makes it very difficult to do my job. I've had people say, just take an hour or two and close yourself away. These people are usually ones without kids and to those people, I give you a slice of writing with kids.

Writing Day
House is quiet, kids are in their rooms playing on their computers or doing homework, perhaps even playing outside. I grab a mug of Green Tea with lime and a bag of Cool Ranch Doritos and sit down at the keyboard. The first few words spill from my fingers onto the computer screen.

Mommmmmmm
Set writing aside to find out what the problem is. Go back downstairs to continue writing. Forgot what I was in the middle of putting down. Spend ten minutes trying to remember, finally do.

Repeat this routine three or four more times until I finally give up.

Non-writing Day
{{crickets}}

So there you go. I know, it's not much of an excuse, as I promised some more writing but I am still waiting to hear back from my editor on the stuff I sent so be patient and soon there will be more.

Returned from Pennsic

So I am sure for many of my readers, your first question is "what is Pennsic?"

According to the Wiki:

The Pennsic War is an annual American medieval camping event held by the Society for Creative Anachronism—a "war" between two large regional SCA groups: the Kingdom of the East and the Middle Kingdom.

According to the Pennsic War Website:

Pennsic is an annual event, in the guise of a "War", between the Kingdoms of the East and the Middle of the Society for Creative Anachronism Pennsic is also the largest Society event, with attendance in recent years exceeding 10,000. The scheduled activities include large melee battles, tournaments, archery, stage performances, dancing, and hundreds of classes on medieval topics. The marketplace has over 200 merchants selling a variety of wares.

To me Pennsic is two weeks of camping with some very awesome people. It is catching up with old friends, meeting new ones, new experiences and wonderful times.... Usually. This Pennsic I almost died. No, I am not joking or exaggerating. One of the groups across from us thought it would be okay to use Backyard Fogger with everyone in camp. This is after they were told not to because there were children and people with severe allergies to it within range. I am one of the severely allergic and went into anaphylactic shock. I got to ride in an ambulance and my blood pressure rose so high they were afraid I was going to have a stroke. I was given wonderful care by the on site EMS crew and with lots of IV Benadryl they were able to get the anaphylaxis under control and slowly bring my blood pressure down. On a side note, if you are looking at someone's EKG readings, turn your back if you are going to make the "oh this is not good" face. So, after recovering I had several more instances where my BP started to hit the higher side, and eventually I ended up going home a day early with my mom. 

Now I am back in the air conditioning with my kitties and although my BP has not returned to "normal" levels at least I am comfortable. My two girls are with me and they are keeping an eye on me until the rest of the family returns.

Moral of this story, if someone asks you not to use chemicals around them... Don't.

Another short in the works!

Nightmares & Lies: A Short Story (Bandages on the Soul 5) is now in the works as well...

When Kelly turned 21, she went on a drinking spree with a couple of her friends. After an accident that left her dead for nearly two minutes, she acquired a gift although she sees it more as a curse. Victims of violent crimes visit her in her dreams begging for her help. Having moved to the country to try to avoid these dreams, she finds herself plagued by the worst nightmares yet. A serial killer that goes for young women around her age, and she has no idea who it can be.

Feeling Accomplished

Yesterday I finished my Introduction to Philosophy course through the The University of Edinburgh on Coursera and received a final grade of 84.9%. This was a really tough class, especially since every section was taught by a different professor, but I did it and I feel really good about it. This is one of their open courses, so you can take it at any time on your own pace.

I am also currently halfway through my Introduction to Forensic Science class through Nanyang Technological University, Singapore on Coursera and I am absolutely loving this class! The professor, Roderick Bates, is both informative and entertaining and makes the lessons go down smoothly. This class is not open, but he intends to offer it again in the future so you can request a notification for when it is available.

If you have never taken a class through Coursera I highly recommend it. For one, most of them are free, but you have the option to purchase a Verified Certificate. I've not bothered as I am only taking them for my own pleasure, but if I find one related to my writing it may be worth it. For two, it's a great way to keep your mind active and learn new things.

If you are wondering if I have taken any other classes through them, yes... Yes I have. I have also taken Greek and Roman Mythology through the University of Pennsylvania (96.5 final grade) and Modern European Mysticism and Psychological Thought (87 final grade) through the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Both excellent classes.

If I can do it, so can you!

Bullying

So even with all the media about bullying, you never think "that could happen to my kid(s)" until it does. Bullying is a very real thing, and there are some out there that say "oh the bullied kid is just being oversensitive" or "weak" or "should learn to stand up for themselves" but that is not the case. Any child can be bullied, and going to an adult is not always an option because of peer pressure. What child wants to be labeled a "tattler" or worse?

In today's digital world, I think schools should offer an email address for students to send in reports of kids that are starting to harass them. This of course does not offer an immediate solution, but if it is a choice between it being reported later or not at all... Easy decision. If email is not available, maybe a box in the office for them to drop a note into, even if it is sent anonymously it is still a start and the school can have the accused child watched a little more to see if they are causing issues.

Really though, the process needs to start at home. Parents need to explain to their kids that if a child is being mean to them in any way, they should say something. Bullying does not always start hard. Sometimes they will test the water, see which kids they can get away with harassing, but if multiple students say "so-and-so has been saying negative things to me" or "has been taking things from me" or whatever they are doing, then the school will see this child is a problem and will deal with them. Or at least you hope they will.

Why am I going on about this you might ask? Well, it hit home. One of my children was bullied yesterday by another student that has been mean in the past. It got out of hand, but thankfully nobody was hurt. The school was notified and immediate action was taken. I was called by the vice-principal, the gym teacher (the incident happened in during physical education) as well as the athletic director. They let me know it was being dealt with, asked if I had questions or concerns and told me I can call them at any time. This is they way it should be! However, not all schools are this diligent so it is your responsibility as a parent to ensure the safety of your child. If a report is made about a bully and nothing is done, make calls. Your child's safety and well being is what is important.

I'm going to step off my soap box now, but I hope everyone that has read this takes something away from it.

Updates

Still waiting for Midnight Town to return from the editors, but hopefully by the end of the month it will be available!

Working on the fourth chapter of Witch Way Now? and it is coming together beautifully! Having a lot of fun with this one. :)

It's been a couple weeks since the Evil Man freebie so if you've had a chance to read it, mind leaving a review? They are always Greatly appreciated!

Spent a few hours in the hospital Saturday with heat exhaustion after my son's little league game. I guess even keeping hydrated, eating and hiding under a UV protected pop-up just isn't enough when it's 90*F out and not a cloud int he sky. I am doing a lot better now but the first couple days afterwards I was wiped out. Even though I feel better now, I know to avoid the heat from this point on. Heck even George was suffering from the heat, as you can see by the pic.

Started an awesome new class through Coursera, Introduction to Forensic Science. It started Monday, but the first week's lectures are only about an hour and a half long total and the quiz is a single question, so you have time to join. It has been quite interesting so far and I am looking forward to seeing what else we learn.

In the garden, the ground covers are going insane as you can see from all the pics. Had a frost warning for last night but everything looks to have survived okay. Yes, you read that correctly, a frost warning five days after 90* weather. LOL This is going to be a crazy year weather wise by the looks!

Have a wonderful day!