Easier than I thought :)

It turns out it is not at all difficult to start a group on Facebook, so my online book discussion group is up and running.  You can find it here... http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=279002248792&ref=mf  It is an open group, but you do have to have a Facebook account to join.  We will begin reading and discussing our first book in February.  I'm planning one book a month, since I'm pretty sure most people out there are not as insane readers as I am.  I personally read at least one book a week.  I guess that just means I get to start groups for different genres to enable me to discuss most of the books I'm reading... yippee! 

So now with that's accomplished, I'm offine for a while to tackle a bunch more of my to do list.  Perhaps I'll post again later tonight.

What to do with Facebook?!?!

I've had Facebook and MySapce pages for several years for the sole purpose of reconnecting with people who have drifted out of my life for one reason or another.  During the last few months while laid off, I've found myself checking my Facebook page more frequently than I used to.  MySpace has kind of gone by the wayside.  I usually keep the Facebook window open in the background as I'm doing other things on the computer and periodically check in on what's going on in my virtual community of friends.  I've added all kinds of apps... initially to help friends out who needed additional team members... but now I've got one heck of a Farmville farm, a really high score in Treasure Madness, and a really high bankroll on Texas Hold'em Poker, just to name a few.  I don't spend hours on these games (mostly time management games... although they are more like time wasters), but if I add up all the times I pop in to play a quick hand or plant crops I'd probably be horrified!  I enjoy quick chats with old friends and sharing photos and stories, but again... the time really does add up.

So now what?  Since I'm on Facebook so often, I figured I should get more out of the experience and add some content of real value to the site.  I'm working on a new idea... a sort of online reading club and app to go with it.  At least this gets me into the game creation side of things instead of the player side.  I'm hoping this will be a somewhat better use of my time.  I read all the time anyway, so it makes sense that I seek out and bring together fellow readers in an online forum.  What was the famous quote?  I think it goes something like, "You've only really learned something when you've shared it with someone else."  Now is my time to share some of the things I've learned with the Facebook world and learn some new things myself.  It will take a little while to fully flesh out my idea, but I'm hoping people will enjoy it when it's finished. I'll provide a link here when it's done so my blog followers (yes, there are actually some of you out there reading this... wow!)can check it out too.

On a completely unrelated subject, one of my childhood friends is one of the featured guests in a webinar series later this month called The Millionaire Affair (January 25 - February 6).  It should be a very interesting 2 weeks with lots of knowledge exchanged and it's free to sign up.  If it sounds like something you are interested in, you can find out more information here... http://themillionaireaffair.com/ 

I'm also heading out this month (January 28) to see Dr. Wayne Dyer (in the theater, not live).  The event is called Wishes Fulfilled!  To find out more and find a theater in your area click here... http://www.hayhouse.com/event_details.php?event_id=997&utm_id=DYERFB
  If you'd rather listen to Dr. Wayne Dyer on your own time, you can check out his PBS psecials and get his books or CDs at Amazon.  His new book is entitled Excuses Begone! and I'm currently waiting for my copy to arrive. :)

Both of these events fall in line with what I'm trying to accomplish in 2010 and are therefore worth the time for me to attend.  I'm trying to be judicious in how I spend my time and trying to focus on those activities which further my life goals instead of just wasting valuable time.  The Facebook group could lead me into opportunities I'm not aware exist yet... therefore also indirectly accomplishing my goals.  It is said that the true road to success and happiness can be found by following your passion... here's hoping it works!!!

Happy New Year!

Well... I rung in the New Year in much the same way as most of you... surrounded by friends and family.  It was a fun, relaxing evening.  However, now the new year has officially begun.  I've started 2010... a new year and new decade with no job, burning through a lot of my savings during my period of unemployment, living in an area I don't want to be in anymore, and somewhat frustrated by life in general.  So where do I focus my energy in 2010 and what do I save for the remainder of the decade?  Life tends to be focused mostly around the people, places, and work involved in it, so this will be my main focus.  I will be looking for a job, but not just any job.  This year I will be focusing on a job that can be done from home or that I can take with me when I move.  The next step will be moving.  I will be working on getting the house ready to be put on the market this spring and hopefully a sale by summer.  I know that may seem ambitious in this slowly recovering economy, but that is the goal... to be out of here before the end of the year.  And finally, the finances have got to get back in order... time to plug u the leaks, get things paid off, and start fresh.  Those are the main not-so-personal goals for 2010.  These aren't new year's resolutions like many people make... they are small mini-goals that fit into the puzzle of larger goals I have begun working on for the next decade.  It makes it much easier to accomplish these when they are part of a larger life plan and not just stand-alone things that I could easily give up on.  In order to be where I want to be in life in 2020, I need to make sure these things happen in 2010... then built upon by more in 2011, and so on.

For those of you who do make resolutions for the new year... keep strong, and try to incorporate them into a larger life plan.  I wish you the best of luck with everything you hope to accomplish.  The top 3 resolutions are said to be losing weight, quitting smoking and making more money.  Here are a couple really good tools to help with that for those who could use a little assistance... Paul McKenna is a well respected hypnotherapist who has had a positive effect on millions of people's lives.  Hopefully he can help you with your resolutions in 2010!

And so ends the year...

Tonight, accompanied by a rare blue moon, 2009 will finally come to a close.  I can't say I will be sorry to see it go.  It has been a year filled with struggles and 2010 will likely bring new opportunities.  For those of you who are wondering, I did accomplish some of my to do list this week... cleaned the bedroom/bathroom, did some laundry, worked on the finances and paperwork, and finished 12 scrapbook pages (which I happen to think turned out quite amazing). I'm feeling a little less overwhelmed, a little more optomistic, and slightly more organized.  You see, I have a plan for 2010... it may not be a good plan, maybe it won't work at all, but it's a plan nontheless (or at least the beginning of one).  I used to plan all the time and I've let that go as of late.  I realized over the last few days that part of why I always accomplished my goals in the past was because I always set goals to begin with.  I'd kind of gotten away from the goal setting and settled into the daily routine of life only to find that routine completely uprooted.  I think the key (at least for me) is to keep setting that bar higher and never let myself get too complacent.  It's easy to get too comfortable with life as it is (especially if you like where you are at), but when we stop striving to move forward, the universe gives us a big kick in butt to get us moving again.

So here's to moving forward in the new year!   I don't make resolutions as many people do this time of year... those usually fall by the wayside by Febrary anyway... but I do try to refocus on life in general.  It's a time to assess what's working, figure out how to remove what's not, and find ways to enhance the things that are most important to me.  I'm looking forward to the new year... the glass is half full and I am ready to drink it all in!

Btw... I just finished a great new book... The Sword of Avalon by Diana Paxson (on behalf of Marion Zimmer Bradley).  It's a great easy read.  If you like the story of Arthur, the entire Marion Zimmer Bradley Avalon series takes a look at the story from the point of view of the women involved.  The books are all good on their own, but if you haven't read any of them, I recommend starting with The Mists of Avalon... it's the only one that actually takes place during the time of Arthur and Camelot.  The Sowrd of Avalon deals with the making of Excalibur long before Arthur's time and is a unique and beautiful story on it's own, even if you don't like the Arturian legends.  These are also great books for anyone interested in Wicca/Paganism.  While they don't provide any information that can be used today, they do give you a feel for the history behind the current religion in a way that only fiction can do.  I've provided links in case you are interested in picking up either of them.

Talk to you all again in 2010... Happy New Year!!!